SPORT - The African Mirror

May

05

2021

Veteran Hugo Broos take over Bafana Bafana

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER EXPERIENCED international coach, Hugo Broos, who led Cameroon to be crown African champions in 2017, has signed up to change the fortunes of the South African national soccer team - Bafana Bafana. Broos, 69, who hails from Belgium, is an veteran coach who understands African football. He is the 19th coach of Bafana Bafana and replaces Molefi Ntseki, who was fired after he failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. Broos has an impressive CV. In addition to coaching the Indomitable Lions to the highest honours in Africa, he has won seven trophies in Belgium,…

Jun

17

2021

By The African Mirror

After 16 years, Sergio Ramos leaves Real Madrid

SPORT

MPHO RANTAO AFTER 16 years and 22 trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu has come to an end for the legendary Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid confirmed that the world champion defender would no longer be wearing the white and blue jersey. The move is a result of continuous broken down contract negotiations between Ramos and Real Madrid. Madrid had only been able to offer Ramos a one-year extension with a 10% reduction on his salary after the defender had reportedly been seeking a two-year extension. His exit officially makes him available as a free agent. His exit also comes after the…

Jun

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon, Olympics

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RAFAEL Nadal, world number three and one of the greatest tennis champions in this generation, has withdrawn from the popular Grand Slam grass tournament, the Wimbledon and the Olympics games. Nadal, 35, the 20-time Grand Slam winner who won the Wimbledon title in 2008 and 2010, announced his shock withdrawal from the two events today, citing the need to look after his body and prolong his career. He said the decision was not easy but after listening to his body and holding a discussion with his team, the right decision was made. Nadal said: “The goal is…

May

04

2021

By The African Mirror

Africa’s world relay triumph

SPORT

THE Brazilian World Relay champions from 2019 looked to be well on their way to reclaim their throne in the 4x100m relay. The final two legs produced a spectacular performance by the South African quartet, lunging to victory by 0.01 seconds. Anchor leg runner, and current South African record holder over 100m, Akani Simbine, Clarence Munyai, Tlotliso Leotlela, and Thando Dlodlo powered to a 38.71 second win after trailing Brazil at the final changeover. The winning margin was minicue and Brazil looked in high spirits before the results were announced. Later, Brazil's team was later disqualified for a lane infringement…

Jun

16

2021

By The African Mirror

Soccer clubs embrace cryptocurrency, but fans are divided

SPORT

TOM WILSON and ANNA IRRERA A growing number of major soccer clubs are launching digital coins that allow fans to vote on a variety of minor decisions as the sport faces slumping revenues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But supporters are divided over the so-called fan tokens. Some appreciate the novel way to engage with their teams - and help make decisions, even if only on small-time matters such as the song played at matches after a goal is scored or images used on social media. Others dismiss the tokens as superficial participation that adds to the already growing costs…

May

02

2021

By The African Mirror

New head coach for Angola’s national basketball team

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SPANIARD Josep Carlos has been named as the new head coach for Angola’s Senior National Men’s team. The announcement follows the resignation of Brazilian Jose Neto - who led the team throughout the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) African Basketball Championships (AfroBasket) qualifying windows in November 2020 and February 2021. Carlos’ agreement with the Federaçao Angolana de Basquetebol will stretch until the AfroBasket tournament taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from August 24 to September 4. Prior to the AfroBasket tournament, Angola will compete for a place in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Angola will travel to Lithuania where they will…

Apr

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Zamalek strengthen BAL roster

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO EGYPTIAN basketball club Zamalek has added four talented players to their roster ahead of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season. Zamalek have acquired a pivot in Chinemelu Elonu - who stands tall at 6’10” (2.08) meters. Elonu is an American and Nigerian Citizen who last played in the Puerto Rican BSN league for Capitanes de Arecibo. In 13 games the power forward averaged 14.5 points per game (ppg), 9.6 rebounds per game (rpg), 1.4 assists per game (apg), and 1.5 blocks per game (bpg). Elonu won the BSN Championship with Capitanes de Arecibo in 2018. Elonu, drafted…

Apr

25

2021

By The African Mirror

Rethinking football finance: Fan-owned clubs around the world

SPORT

ANURADHA NAGARAJ, CHRISTINE MURRAY and SHARON KIMATHI FOOTBALL fans are pressing the government to implement community control and democratic ownership of clubs following the demise of plans for a European Super League. The controversial project collapsed on Wednesday after eight of the 12 founding clubs from England, Italy and Spain pulled out under pressure from fans, players and politicians. But if clubs were owned - at least partly - by fans, would similar profit-making ventures, criticised widely for undermining established competitions and grassroots football, be a thing of the past? Here are three examples of football clubs and leagues around…

Jun

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Brazil players criticise handling of Copa America switch

SPORT

THE Brazilian soccer team criticised the last-minute decision to switch the Copa America to Brazil from Argentina amid a surge in novel coronavirus infections but said they would play in the 10-nation tournament which kicks off in Brasilia on Sunday. Brazil was unexpectedly chosen to stage the Copa America after co-hosts Colombia were removed amid ongoing civil unrest and Argentina withdrew due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Multiple news reports in Brazil had said the players were upset at not being consulted about the decision as well as the possible public health consequences, with some players reportedly reluctant to…

Jun

10

2021

By The African Mirror

Fans booing players taking a knee show racism still a problem -Henderson

SPORT

ENGLAND midfielder Jordan Henderson said fans who booed players for taking a knee before matches proved racism was still an issue and that the team will continue to take a stand during the European Championship. There were jeers from a small section of spectators at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough when players took the knee before England's friendly wins over Austria and Romania last weekend. "It shows that if there are still people booing because we're standing together against racism, then there still is a problem and we've still got to fight it and stand together," Henderson said before Sunday's…