SPORT - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

China’s federation promises action after half marathon debacle

THE Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) has vowed to strengthen the supervision of its road-running events after a video of Sunday's Beijing half-marathon showed three runners appearing to slow down to allow China's He Jie to overtake them and win. He won in a time of 1:03:44, a second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who all tied for second place. Videos shared online showed the three runners waving He, who was slightly behind them, in front and gesturing towards the finish line. All four had run together for the entire race of just over 13…

Apr

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NBA Africa-Africell collaboration points to the growing influence of private sector in Africa sport

BASKETBALL

THE recent unveiling of a new indoor basketball court by NBA Africa and Angolan telecoms company Africell is another example of how private sector partnerships are helping to fast-forward sports development across Africa, while governments are missing the opportunity, according to a Nigerian sports analyst. Sports and entertainment expert Adedamilola Adedotun, lead sports strategist at The Temple in Nigeria, explained that partnerships with non-state entities in the sports sector are key to unleashing Africa's sports potential. "Sports infrastructure gaps would have been an ideal investment opportunity for governments to leverage to drive economic growth… what they lack, in my opinion,…

Apr

2024

By JOE CASH

F1 faces a fresh challenge on return to China

MOTORSPORT

FORMULA One returns to China for the first time since 2019 with even world champion Max Verstappen facing a new challenge at a circuit that provided his Red Bull team's first Grand Prix victory 15 years ago. The weekend will host the first sprint of the season, with only one hour of free practice on Friday to fine-tune the cars and do tyre assessments, and the teams have only simulator data to go on. The last time they raced at the Shanghai International Circuit, the cars had 13-inch tyres and a flat floor instead of the current 18-inch Pirelli rubber…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Roma players did right refusing to play after Ndicka collapsed, says coach

FOOTBALL

AS Roma coach Daniele De Rossi defended his players who did not want to continue their Serie A match at Udinese on Sunday after defender Evan Ndicka collapsed onto the pitch. The score was 1-1 when the Ivory Coast central defender fell backwards onto the pitch 18 minutes from time and had to be taken off on a stretcher. "First and foremost he's okay, which is the most important thing," De Rossi told a press conference on Wednesday before Roma host AC Milan in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. "He's as good as a lad who's just…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Roma’s Ndicka discharged from hospital after collapsing on the pitch

FOOTBALL

AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been discharged from hospital and will undergo additional tests in Rome after he collapsed on the pitch during their match at Udinese on Sunday, the Serie A club said. The 24-year-old Paris-born player, who represents the Ivory Coast, was carried off on a stretcher after falling backwards onto the pitch in the 18th minute with the game later abandoned at 1-1. Ndicka was conscious but visibly in pain, rubbing his chest with his right hand as the medical team rushed towards him. Roma later said he was in "good spirits". "First and second-level cardiological…

Apr

2024

By MITCH PHILLIPS

Chelsea coach fumes over African star’s penalty row

FOOTBALL

CHELSEA coach Mauricio Pochettino should have been beaming after his team destroyed Everton 6-0 but rather than celebrating Cole Palmer’s remarkable four-goal display he instead fumed about his players arguing on the pitch. Chelsea were leading 4-0 after Palmer's first-half hat-trick and a goal for Nicolas Jackson when they were awarded a penalty after Noni Madueke was tripped in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge. Madueke and Jackson then wrestled each other for the ball as the referee awaited a VAR confirmation, with regular taker Palmer standing bemused alongside them. Eventually, captain Conor Gallagher had to intervene to shove the…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend's Premier League matches. 'CHOKERS' TAG REARS ITS HEAD AFTER ARSENAL LOSS Arsenal's league form in 2024 has been scintillating, the side picking up 31 points from 11 games before a 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa on Sunday saw them lose ground on Manchester City. But the nature of the loss, squandering multiple chances in a dominant first-half display before conceding a late quickfire double, will revive questions about the Gunners' mentality after their title challenge petered out last season. This term Arsenal have largely answered those questions, displaying greater mental strength, and remain just two points behind…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY INTER AIM TO SEAL TITLE IN MILAN DERBY Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Cagliari on Sunday but can still claim the Serie A title with five games to spare if they beat second-placed AC Milan in their next match and recent meetings between the sides suggest that is likely. Inter have won the last five Milan derbies in all competitions, thrashing Stefano Pioli's side 5-1 in their most recent encounter in September., They beat Milan 3-0 on aggregate in the 2022-23 Champions League semi-finals and won 3-0…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Mallorca investigating alleged racist gesture towards Real’s Tchouameni

FOOTBALL

MALLORCA are working with the police to investigate an alleged racist gesture made during a 1-0 home defeat by Real Madrid, the LaLiga club said. Videos on social media appeared to show a fan at the Son Moix Stadium making a racist gesture towards Real midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who scored the only goal of the match. In the same fixture last year, Mallorca fans were filmed racially abusing Real's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr., with Mallorca revoking a fan's membership card for three years. "In yesterday's match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid, images have been identified in which a person made racist gestures," Mallorca said in…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Eze and Palace deal Liverpool big blow to title chances with 1-0 victory

FOOTBALL

LIVERPOOL'S bid to win the Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the club suffered a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace at Anfield leaving them third in the table. Eberechi Eze scored in the 14th minute to stun the Anfield faithful in the third consecutive disappointing result for Liverpool. Klopp's men are level on 71 points with second-placed Arsenal, who suffered a 2-0 shock loss to Aston Villa later on Sunday but lead Liverpool on goal difference. Liverpool trail leaders Manchester City by two points. "I would say with the chances we…