SPORT - The African Mirror

Jun

22

2024

Togo coach Paulo Duarte resigns

FOOTBALL

PAULO Duarte has ended his three-year reign as coach of Togo having submitted his resignation with the team struggling in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, officials confirmed. "The Executive Committee regrets this decision but takes note of it and wishes to express its gratitude to him for his work, commitment and professionalism during the years of collaboration," the Togolese Football Federation said in a statement. No specific reason has been given for the Portuguese’s decision, but he failed to qualify the side for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and they are languishing in fourth in their World Cup qualification…

Jun

22

2024

By MITCH PHILLIPS

Painful deja vu as Slovakia punished by Ukraine

FOOTBALL

SLOVAKIA coach Francesco Calzona said there had been no celebrating after his side’s shock opening win over Belgium as "nothing has been achieved" and he was proved prescient as his team were brought down to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine. It was all going so well for Slovakia on Friday as Ivan Schranz's goal after 17 minutes gave them a lead that, if held, would have sent them through to the Round of 16 with a game to spare. They were the better team until the goal but then handed over the initiative to a Ukraine side showing…

Jun

22

2024

By TOBY DAVIS

Trains, Petri dishes and a struggling sea lion join football’s dubious oracles

FOOTBALL

SPARE a thought for Hilla the 'oracle' sea lion from Leipzig Zoo, whose reputation for football prophesy is hanging by a thread after she predicted Scotland would hold Germany to an unlikely draw at Euro 2024. Had she not watched the two sides? Did she know nothing of football history and Scotland's repeated failures at major tournaments? Seemingly not and the 5-1 thrashing dealt out to Steve Clarke's side by the hosts has called Hilla's soothsaying credentials into question. No major football tournament would be complete without a host of fortune-telling animals but surprisingly, or perhaps not, not all of these 'oracles'…

Jun

21

2024

By The African Mirror

Reaction to Denmark’s 1-1 draw with England

FOOTBALL

FOLLOWING is the reaction after Denmark's 1-1 draw with England in their Euro 2024 Group C match, with goals from Harry Kane (England) and Morten Hjulmand (Denmark). England defender Kyle Walker: "Sometimes you have to take your hat off to great goals. But we're top of the group, so let's take the positives. "Let's take it as a well-deserved point and we move on to the next game. We know we can do better. We've got another gear. "I cannot stand here saying it was a fantastic performance. "Collectively, we need to know when to go or when not to…

Jun

21

2024

By The African Mirror

FIFA provisionally suspends Maldives FA head

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been provisionally suspended for nine months amid an investigation into allegations of money laundering, embezzlement and corruption, FIFA said. FIFA took the decision after the Prosecutor General's Office of Maldives had investigated Jaleel and initiated proceedings after a search of the FAM office in October. World soccer's governing body said the criminal offences also involved the use of FIFA funds by FAM officials, prompting the investigatory chamber to open formal investigation proceedings against Jaleel. The possible violations of FIFA's code of ethics include conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts…

Jun

20

2024

By NICK SAID

Ronaldo’s shots and German efficiency – Euro 2024 numbers so far

FOOTBALL

CRISTIANO Ronaldo had the most attempts on target and hosts Germany made the best use of their chances in the first round of pool matches at the European Championship, while a forward from Romania has been the quickest across the grass so far. Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet from his three shots on target in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on Tuesday and is one of four players to have five attempts at goal in total along with France’s Marcus Thuram, Georgia's Georges Mikautadze and Christian Eriksen of Denmark. It has been a tournament for early…

Jun

20

2024

By The African Mirror

Martinez praises Portugal’s discipline after last-gasp win over Czechs

FOOTBALL

Portugal left it late but managed to snatch a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic in their opening Euro 2024 game and manager Roberto Martinez was full of praise for his side's discipline, even after falling behind. The Czechs went in front against the run of play but Portugal kept their heads and, thanks to an own goal and an added time strike from substitute Francisco Conceicao, managed to take all three points from the Group F match. "Today we showed heart, yes, but also a lot of discipline, we played and controlled the game and we didn't let Czechia use…

Jun

18

2024

By MPHO RANTAO

Nigerian forward Ejuke signed to Sevilla FC

FOOTBALL

NIGERIAN Chidera Ejuke has been announced as the first signing for Spanish outfit Sevilla FC in the summer transfer window. In an official statement via its website, the club said, “Sevilla FC has reached an agreement with the Nigerian footballer Chidera Ejuke to become a new player for the Nervionense team, joining García Pimienta’s squad as a free agent and signing for three seasons, until June 2027.” Ejuke has had a successful stint with CSKA Moscow, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists. He also made his debut in European competition, featuring in five matches in the UEFA Europa League.…

Jun

18

2024

By The African Mirror

Reaction to Romania’s 3-0 win over Ukraine at Euro 2024

FOOTBALL

THE following is the reaction to Romania's 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Euro 2024 Group E, the country's first European Championship win in 24 years. Nicolae Stanciu, Romania midfielder and Player of the Match: "(The support} was unique, we've never felt anything like this before. My siblings, my father and my wife all had tears in their eyes. I'd like to thank them all, and I hope we've made them very happy today... What we did today was just sensational." Stanciu on his first-half goal: "It was the goal of my career. This shirt means everything to me. To score…

Jun

17

2024

By The African Mirror

Kipyegon targets double gold in Paris

ATHLETICS

DOUBLE Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon said she is looking forward to a bright summer in Paris, where she will chase two gold medals, after winning the 1500m and 5000m at the Kenyan Olympics Trials in Nairobi. Despite not competing since September’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, the 30-year-old secured her ticket in both distances for the Paris Olympics with a season's best performance. A day after winning the 5000m in 14:46.28, the Rio and Tokyo Games 1500m champion demonstrated her mastery of the distance on Saturday, setting the track ablaze with a record time of 3:53.98, the fastest time ever in…