SPORT - The African Mirror

Feb

27

2021

It’s all systems go for Perez and Red Bull

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO MAN met the machine. The machine was both powerful and colourful. The acquaintances took a few laps and the man pronounced himself ready for probably the biggest challenge of his Formula One career. After his dramatic move to Red Bull, a stunt that shocked F1 fans and saved his career, Sergio Perez finally got behind the wheel of the red, yellow and blue car. And while Perez will race for Red Bull in the newly-built 2021 car, he had to use the 2018 car, one that was driven by the man he replaced - Alex Albon - to…

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Basketball star denied Olympic bid

SPORT

Former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player Nneka Ogwumike was denied an opportunity to represent Nigeria at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ogwumike, who has been involved with United States of America (USA) basketball since high school, has been a longtime member within the US Senior basketball system. Having won gold with the American team previously, at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 2014 and again in 2018, it was a shock that Ogwumike was left off the US team list. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Ogwumike has been missing for the roster list prior…

Apr

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Africa ascends to the UFC throne

SPORT

CAMEROONIAN Mixed Martial Arts heavyweight Francis Ngannou has been through more than most on his journey to becoming the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion. “I felt like I missed my childhood, I had to work at a young age and it wasn’t enough” said Ngannou. From the age of 10, in Batie, Cameroon, Ngannou had to work in a sand quarry to help the living standards at home. “We had to work, to contribute to the village,” he said. Additionally, he had to wake up at 5am to start navigating the six mile long journey to school was a…

Jul

16

2021

By The African Mirror

‘I never lose hope’: Refugee runner Lohalith revs up for Tokyo

SPORT

JACKSON NJEHIA ANJELINA Nadai Lohalith, a 26-year-old refugee from South Sudan, pounds around a running track outside Nairobi, trying to shave seconds off her time in the build-up to her appearance at the Tokyo Olympics. There are no national emblems on her training gear - she will not be running for South Sudan, the country of her birth that she fled in 2002, nor for Kenya, the country that took her in. She will be one of a 29-strong team of refugee athletes competing under the Olympic flag, with other members from as far afield as Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan and…

Jul

15

2021

By The African Mirror

Sex testing at the Olympics should be abolished once and for all

SPORT

LIKE the proverbial whack-a-mole, the Olympic sex test keeps coming back — with disastrous effects for women athletes across the globe — no matter how many times athletes and human rights’ advocates think they have abolished it. BRUCE KIDD, Professor Emeritus of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto The test was introduced in the 1930s to weed out “abnormal women athletes” from the Olympics. The first test was a physical examination. During the 1960s, when women began to object to the test’s “nude parades,” the official response was not abolition, but replacement by chromosome analysis. Feminists, athletes, geneticists, ethicists,…

Apr

03

2021

By The African Mirror

Dybala regretful on breaking regulations

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER PAULO Dybala has apologised for breaking COVID-19 lockdown laws while out partying. The Juventus forward acknowledged his error after being fined by police for attending a party with teammates Weston McKennie and Arthur Melo. The three were caught after police were called by neighbours who reported a social gathering taking place at US midfielder’s McKennie’s home in Turin. Dybala apologised on Instagram for disappointing his team and his Juventus fans for breaking the covid-19 lockdown. Italy’s government imposed another lockdown as a measure to prevent high cases from super spreader gatherings during the popular Easter season, where…

Jul

13

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria out-hoops Argentina

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO NIGERIA continued their strong run defeating Argentina 94-71 in an exhibition tournament game in Las Vegas, United States of America (USA). Argentina, the number four ranked team according to International Basketball Federation (FIBA), came into the game as favourites, but ended up on the wrong end of a 20 point blowout. After an upset over the number one ranked USA team, D’Tigres (Nigeria’s National Team) has continued to show strength ahead of the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Two big wins for the Nigerian team come on the backs of resilient play, active hands, quick feet and defensive effort…

Jul

13

2021

By The African Mirror

Africa, a hunting ground for sporting talent

SPORT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD NEWSROOM At the 1990 World Cup, former Cameroonian forward Roger Milla personified the free spirit and creative genius of Africa’s athletic talent ― displaying wit and ebullience in the game, despite his relatively advanced years for top-end athletic performance at the time (he was 38). Then came George Weah, who won the Ballon d'Or (FIFA's world best player of the year) in 1995. With their impressive physiques and footballing talent, the duo provided the world with a lens through which to examine and appreciate the continent’s sporting talent. Today, Africa offers a vibrant and diverse pool of…

Jul

12

2021

By The African Mirror

England’s Black players face racial abuse after Euro 2020 defeat

SPORT

MICHAEL HOLDEN and MITCH PHILLIPS BLACK players in the England soccer team have been subjected to a storm of online racist abuse after their defeat in the final of Euro 2020, drawing wide condemnation from the squad's manager Gareth Southgate along with royalty and politicians. Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, were the targets of the abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout with Italy which settled Sunday's final after the game finished as a 1-1 draw. The comments have prompted a police investigation and wide condemnation, although critics accused some ministers of hypocrisy…

Jul

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigeria Basketball stun USA in historic win

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO THE Nigerian senior national team continued their Tokyo 2020 Olympic preparation by defeating a star-studded United States of America team 90-87 in an exhibition game in Las Vegas. Known as D’Tigres, Nigeria’s starting five, consisting of Josh Okogie, Gabe Nnamdi Vincent; KZ Okpala; Ike Nwamu and Precious Achiuwa, came out guns-blazing, matching the USA team shot for shot. “We just wanted to compete,” said Nigeria’s Gabe Vincent, who plays for the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Miami Heat. “We know what USA Basketball means around the world and what they’ve stood for, for so long.” Vincent stole…