SPORT - The African Mirror

Dec

13

2024

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…

Oct

28

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Spotlight on African basketball talent and milestones as NBA’s 2024/25 season takes off

BASKETBALL

THE NBA’s 2024/2025 season has tipped off, promising fans worldwide a thrilling feast of hoops action – and with a record number of African players on the courts, African fans have more reason to follow the season action. According to a press statement by the NBA ahead of the season, which commenced on October 22, “a record-tying 17 players from Africa are among the 125 international players from 43 countries across six continents on opening-night rosters.” Cameroon takes the lead in player representation this season, showcasing stars like Pascal Siakam, Joel Embiid, and three other talents. Nigeria follows closely with…

Oct

26

2024

By The African Mirror

Brad Binder and Jack Miller race 100 kph rice tractors ahead of Thailand GP

SPORT, MULTIMEDIA

HEADING into the highly anticipated Thailand Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing legends Brad Binder and Jack Miller swapped their KTM RC16 bikes for something more agricultural. Here's all you need to know: At a remote Buriram farm, Binder and Miller raced their stand-up Kra-Tae-Zings at speeds up to 100 kph, navigating a series of comical challenges that tested their agility and coordination. After Binder triumphed in a hilariously bumpy first showdown through muddy puddles around the makeshift circuit, Miller secured the second victory in the exhilarating high-speed drag race. The unserious challenge served as the perfect warm-up…