SPORT - The African Mirror

Apr

13

2021

A tough decision for Palestinian football

SPORT

URI LEVY “IT is a dream coming true,” said Rami Hamadeh about a call-up that turned into a nightmare. “It is a significant moment for me, and I am so excited to get my spot back in Palestine’s goal. It is where I belong.” Hamadeh’s call-up for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia was significant because Palestinians, who are citizens of Israel, are excluded from the national team when they play in Israeli leagues. It’s an unwritten policy that the Palestine Football Association (PFA) put in place as such call-ups might normalise Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. …

Jul

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen earns maiden grand slam in Austria

SPORT

MAX Verstappen sealed a dominant end to Formula One’s first triple-header of the 2021 season, extending his lead over championship Lewis Hamilton to 32-points. The Dutch driver took victory in the Austrian Grand Prix after leading every lap in the race, starting on pole, and taking the fastest lap. Reigning world champion Hamilton slumped to a fourth-place finish with car damage after taking too much kerb on turn 10. Verstappen led into the first corner and soon stretched out his lead to five seconds as a battle ensued behind his Red Bull. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, in his 200th race,…

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Namibia contenders withdrawn from Olympic 400m race

SPORT

NAMIBIA athletes Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi have been withdrawn from the 400m event at the Olympic Games after tests revealed their testosterone levels were too high, the Namibia National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association has announced. Both Mboma and Masilingi failed to meet the World Athletics eligibility regulations for female classification that apply to running events from 400m to the mile. The Namibian teenagers have been in blistering form at various race meetings in Europe, and were considered among the medal contenders, but tests conducted at their training camp in Italy led to the withdrawal. "The results from…

Jul

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Gasly reveals “attractive” interest by F1 teams for 2022

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ALPHATAURI’S Pierre Gasly is the latest name going around in the driver market regarding prospective seats for the 2022 Formula 1 season. After Alpine’s Esteban Ocon signed an extension until 2024, and Mercedes’ drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in discussion with Mercedes, Gasly is the other driver whose 2022 plans have not yet been confirmed. The French driver has had a few successful races with AlphaTauri, even winning in Monza in 2020, since being demoted by Red Bull in dramatic fashion in 2019, but there have been talks as to whether Helmut Marko will retain Gasly…

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

All set for Cape Verde Praia League

SPORT

ON the island of Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, the Praia Basketball League was created with high ambitions. Founded by Overseas Connection CEO and former professional basketballer, Antonio De Pina, the league has attracted high-level talent from around Africa and North America to Africa's best kept secret. The Praia League hosted their inaugural draft on May 16 2021, and held training camps and combines prior for the six teams competing on the tropical Island to scout the athletes for talent. De Pina was also featured in Forbes Africa 30 under 30 picture: Instagram “This will be the…

Apr

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Mourinho sacked as Spurs manager

SPORT

MARTYN HERMAN JOSE Mourinho was sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur today after 17 months in charge of the London club and six days before they will appear in the League Cup final. Tottenham confirmed in a statement that the Portuguese had left along with his coaching staff. "The Club can today announce that Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff Joao Sacramento, Nuno Santos, Carlos Lalin and Giovanni Cerra have been relieved of their duties," it said. The news comes the morning after the London club said it was one of 12 clubs forming a breakaway European Super League -…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

World champ Hamilton supports Russell’s apology

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER REIGNING Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has come out in support of George Russell after the McLaren driver tendered an apology following a dramatic high speed crash with Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. This is what Hamilton said to Russell: " Strength comes from vulnerability. If you don't make mistake you can never learn the lesson. Respect for taking responsibility. On to the next one." Twenty four hours after the crash at the 2021 Emilia Romagna F1 race at Imola, which took both drivers after the race, Russell said he had time to reflect. In a statement,…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria’s Super Falcons: playing and begging

SPORT

OLUWASHINA OKELEJI DESPITE being Africa’s most successful side by far, with more continental titles than their male counterparts, the Nigerian women’s national football team have been denied the respect befitting their hegemonic dominance and treated as an afterthought. This culture of disrespect is not new. It goes back close to two decades at least and has seen the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) deploy a number of deplorable tactics – from scapegoating to gaslighting and using the divide-and-conquer approach to devastating effect – to shirk their responsibilities and browbeat successive national teams into submission. As Africa’s sole representative at the first…

Apr

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Breakaway Super League threatens world football

SPORT

SIMON EVANS TOP English and Italian clubs were strongly linked again to a breakaway European Superleague, a rival competition to UEFA's Champions League which could have massive ramifications for the game. UEFA is due to sign off on its own plans for an expanded and restructured Champions League on Monday but less than 24 hours before the meeting reports emerged of a new attempt at creating a rival competition involving the continent's top clubs. The board of Italy's Serie A league held an emergency meeting on the threatened Super League. Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan have been linked with…

Jun

30

2021

By The African Mirror

Zambian striker joins Leicester City

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO ZAMBIAN crack striker Patson Daka has signed for British Premier League side Leicester City. Leicester has announced the arrival of the 22-year-old Zambian International, who joins the team from Austrian First Division side Red Bull Salzburg. He has signed a five-year contract. Daka, who won the Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Year for the past season, scored 34 goals and provided 12 assists in 42 matches across all competitions in the 2020/2021 season. He has received a message of congratulations and support from Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba. https://twitter.com/didierdrogba/status/1410190325780520961?s=20 Daka said was excited about his move…