SPORT - The African Mirror

Jun

29

2021

Senegal’s Olympics dream dashed

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO AFRICAN basketball powerhouses Senegal will not compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) hosted by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in Belgrade, Serbia. The Senegalese camp, which was based in Germany for the duration of their camp, has reported several COVID-19 cases which caused several delays in their preparations. The team's plans to travel to Serbia were eventually cancelled. FIBA was informed by the National Federation of Senegal about COVID-19 related disruptions to their preparations in Germany. Despite continuous efforts from FIBA and the German Basketball Federation to support the Senegalese delegation, the team will not be able…

Apr

16

2021

By The African Mirror

River Hoopers splash new signings

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RIVER Hoopers have added American duo Chris Daniel, Taren Sullivan and National Basketball Association (NBA) Champion Festus Ezeli to their roster ahead of the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Nigerian outfit has set about assembling a powerhouse squad for the first installment of the competition. Ezeli won the NBA Championship in 2015 with the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately injuries limited Ezeli's time in the NBA in 2015-16 - He was planning a comeback before signing with the River Hoopers. In his final season with the Warriors, Ezeli averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in…

Apr

16

2021

By The African Mirror

Perez on settling in at Red Bull Racing Honda

SPORT

SERGIO Pérez's inaugural drive for Red Bull Racing Honda at Formula 1's season-opening race in Bahrain was certainly a memorable one. After just a day-and-a-half of testing with his new team, when his RB16B ground to a halt on the warm-up lap a very short race debut seemed on the cards. Luckily, the Mexican's car came back to life, allowing him to start the race from the pit lane, from where he delivered a scintillating performance that saw him power through the field all the way to fifth place and earn the fan-voted Driver of the Day award. Ahead of…

Jun

28

2021

By The African Mirror

Mali basketball rocked by claims of sexual abuse

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO HAMANE Niang, head of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), has stepped aside from his role amid an investigation into allegations of systematic exploitation of female players at the Mali federation. Since The New York Times and Human Rights Watch showcased the published allegations, more than 12 coaches and officials have been implicated in the sexual abuse of almost 100 women's players. Niang is not directly implicated in the sexual abuse allegations but the alleged systemic sexual harassment in the Mali Basketball Federation took place during his time as the head of the organisation from 1999 until 2007. Coach…

Jun

28

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen flawless at the Red Bull Ring

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RED Bull’s Max Verstappen eased to victory at the Styrian Grand Prix in Austria. Verstappen, in his first career back-to-back, closed the race with a moment of showmanship over the finish line. Nearest challenger Lewis Hamilton was nearly 35 seconds behind after conceding to a second pitstop to claim the fastest point - and a solitary extra point. The Dutchman has extended his championship lead over Hamilton to 18 points and Red Bull’s lead over Mercedes in the Constructors championship. Verstappen had a good start and, after holding off Hamilton’s Mercedes into turn 1, gradually began to increase…

Jun

28

2021

By The African Mirror

Lions to arrive in South Africa in grip of third wave of COVID-19 infections

SPORT

MARK GLEESON THE touring British and Irish Lions will arrive in South Africa today to a country wracked by a new wave of COVID-19 infections, facing harsher lockdown restrictions and opponents who have reported their first cases of the coronavirus. SA Rugby, however, on Sunday moved to allay fears of any threat to the tour, which already bears no resemblance to the festive atmosphere which has been a hallmark of the four-yearly Lions experience. The first tour to South Africa since 2009 is condemned to being played in empty stadiums, without any spectators never mind the red-clad touring hordes the…

Jun

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Red Bull outpace Mercedes in Austria

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO A thrilling display in Austria went down for pole position, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen taking the top spot ahead of the main event on Sunday. Verstappen managed to clock his fastest time for Q3 in his first run at 1:03.84, following a successful practice where he led in practices one and two. “It’s been a very good weekend,” said pole-sitter Verstappen. “Again in qualifying the car was really good to drive. “It was not easy to deal with the traffic in the last few corners to get a clean run but I think that first lap…

Apr

22

2021

By The African Mirror

How politics sank Super League

SPORT

SIMON EVANS THE six English soccer clubs who joined the breakaway European Super League exploded the project just 48 hours after British politicians lined up to oppose the plan, sources on both sides of the battle have told Reuters. Efforts by the rebel clubs' public relations managers to repair the damage have insisted the U-turn came after they listened to supporters. But those close to the process say the clubs had been prepared to weather a ferocious fan and media backlash, and that it was the political response, particularly from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that proved decisive. Aleksander Ceferin,…

Apr

21

2021

By The African Mirror

South Sudan basketball hire WNBA Legend

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH Sudan has appointed former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star Lindsay Harding as their women’s basketball team head coach. Harding is an exceptional student of the game - her standout playing career, including representing Belarus at international-level, has translated to a coaching career. The WNBA legend is currently serving a role as assistant and player development coach of California-based National Basketball Association (NBA) team, Sacramento Kings. She previously had a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. Harding brings a mentality of toughness and optimism to a growing, enthusiastic South Sudan women’s team “One of my coaching philosophies is…

Apr

21

2021

By The African Mirror

Super League crumbles, 6 English teams quit

SPORT

THE $6-billion dream of a breakaway European Soccer League featuring 12 of the richest clubs lies in tatters after strong player and fan resistance forced six English teams to withdraw. In sensational development in the past 24 hours, cracks began showing among the 12 clubs evidenced by the following developments: Manchester City has withdrawn from the ESL.Chelsea pulled out.Liverpool withdrew after players publicly expressed their opposition.Manchester United withdrew the club had “listened carefully to the reaction from our fans, the UK government and other stakeholders”. The club’s announcement came after its executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, who negotiated the ESL…