SPORT - The African Mirror

Feb

02

2023

Investment in African gaming startups gains momentum

NEWS, E-SPORTS

CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY AFRICAN gaming platforms are reporting increased investment activity, signalling investor confidence in Africa’s growing reputation as a market for the gaming industry. South African gaming startup, Carry1st recently raised US$27 million in a pre-Series B round, the single largest fundraiser for any African gaming startup and Carry1st’s most significant since its founding in 2018. “Carry1st will use the financing to develop, license, and publish new games as well as further expand Pay1st, the company’s monetization-as-a-service solution,” the company said in a statement. The mobile games publisher raised Series A rounds of US$20 million in January…

Dec

17

2024

By The African Mirror

The moment of redemption: Amad Diallo’s derby triumph

FOOTBALL

IN the cauldron of the Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City's dominance has long been unquestioned, a young Ivorian emerged to rewrite the narrative. Amad Diallo, once written off as too lightweight, and too young, transformed from a bench-warmer to a match-winner in 90 breathtaking minutes. The derby was slipping away from Manchester United. City led 1-0, and the game seemed destined to continue their recent pattern of disappointment. But Diallo had other plans. With a composure that belied his years, he first won a crucial penalty, drawing Matheus Nunes into a rash challenge that allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalize. Then…

Dec

13

2024

By Mpho Rantao

F1 2024 in a nutshell: what a season!

MOTORSPORT

Formula One (F1) concluded its 2024 season in dramatic fashion, with a plethora of events and historical moments that thrilled the F1 fanbase and paddock alike at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. While the United Arab Emirates racing circuit was not the stage for Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who officially secured the title after Las Vegas, it was a crowning moment for the British-based giants, McLaren. They were crowned the 2024 World Constructors Champions for the first time since 1998. The outpaced and full-steam performance on the circuit by McLaren driver Lando Norris secured…

Nov

25

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

BAL’s 2025 season will showcase north, south Africa

BASKETBALL

THE Basketball Africa League (BAL) will showcase the length and breadth of Africa's basketball landscape during the league's fifth season, with Morocco set to host the tipoff games for the first time. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat will serve as the stage for the new season’s tipoff, underscoring the league's commitment to broadening its footprint across the continent. According to Anibal Manave, President of FIBA Africa, “The Kalahari Conference marks another expansion of the BAL into a new country on our continent, and we are more than satisfied.” “Year after year, this competition grows, giving greater exposure…

Nov

22

2024

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

In African Basketball: Senegal hosts Dakar En Jeux, FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers, Kenya gets BAL Elite 16

BASKETBALL

THE third edition of the Dakar En Jeux Festival which took place in Dakar, Senegal in November saw Nigeria’s U16 girls and Senegal’s U16 boys clinch gold medals. In the girl's final, Nigeria defeated Senegal 10-8 in a hotly contested game, a day after the Nigerian side lost an encounter against Senegal in the group stage. Victor Okoro, Nigeria’s head of delegation and team coordinator, was thrilled about the outcome. “I’m very proud of this team. I am also happy that once again, they have made Nigeria proud on the international stage,” he remarked. The boys’ final saw Senegal beat…

Nov

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Dreams and Heartbreak: African Nations Cup’s final qualification drama unfolds

FOOTBALL

IN a pulsating finale to the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, three nations etched their names into football history on an unforgettable Tuesday that saw dreams realized and others shattered across the continent. Botswana, Mozambique, and Tanzania emerged triumphant from the crucible of qualification, each writing their own remarkable chapter in their football narratives. Desert Miracle in Cairo In the shadow of the pyramids, Botswana authored one of football's most compelling David versus Goliath tales. The Zebras, rank outsiders against the mighty Pharaohs of Egypt, stunned the football world with a performance that will be spoken about for generations. When…

Nov

17

2024

By The African Mirror

Dreams and heartbreak: Historic night reshapes African football landscape

FOOTBALL

IN a dramatic night of African football that saw dreams both made and shattered, four-time champions Ghana crashed out of Africa Cup of Nations qualification while the tiny island nation of Comoros wrote another chapter in their fairytale journey to the continent's biggest stage. The stunning elimination of Ghana, a powerhouse of African football, marks the end of their remarkable decade-long streak of finals appearances, despite Jordan Ayew's spectacular free-kick against Angola. The Black Stars' fall from grace was sealed when Angola's substitute Zini headed home in the second half, leaving the football-mad nation of Ghana watching next year's tournament…

Nov

07

2024

By The African Mirror

Proteas Captain Temba Bavuma on South Africa’s ‘bright future’

SPORT

HAVING just beaten Bangladesh 2-0 at home, Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma chats to SportsBoom about what the future of the Proteas Test team looks like given the rise of youngsters Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham. HISTORIC SERIES VICTORY IN ASIA Who would've thought that a Proteas Test side with virtually no big names as compared to the star-studded teams of the past could travel to Bangladesh and Asia and record the country's first-ever Test series victory in Asia in a decade? After all, even a Test side with greats such as Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and…

Nov

07

2024

By The African Mirror

Facing India, no different than any other team, says former Proteas star Behardien

SPORT

FOLLOWING the series defeats in the Caribbean and the UAE this year, former Proteas batter Farhaan Behardien has reiterated that the South African public wants to watch a winning team as the Proteas host India for four T20Is. THE OCCASION OF PLAYING INDIA Suryakumar Yadav and his young India T20I team have arrived in South Africa for the upcoming four-match series. Yadav and his troops are here to challenge captain Aiden Markram's young Proteas T20I side in a series that will test the strength of the two country's pipelines. Following the retirements of stalwarts and former captains Virat Kohli and…

Oct

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Paradise Lost: Manchester United’s dream of revival crumbles once again

FOOTBALL

IN the shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson's towering legacy, Manchester United's latest attempt to recapture their lost glory has ended in familiar disappointment. Erik ten Hag once hailed as the architect who would restore the fallen giants to their rightful place in football's hierarchy, was dismissed on Monday, becoming the fifth manager to fail where Ferguson had succeeded for over two decades. The Dutch tactician's departure from Old Trafford marks another dark chapter in United's post-Ferguson era, with the club languishing in an almost unthinkable 14th position in the Premier League – a far cry from the days when the…