SPORT - The African Mirror

May

26

2024

Jaguar expresses GEN4 commitment in Formula E

MOTORSPORT, MOTORING NEWS

JAGUAR TCS Racing has confirmed a long-term commitment to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship by signing to participate in the GEN4 era, set to commence in 2026 and running through seasons 13-16. Jaguar is one of Formula E’s most successful teams, boasting many race wins including with its current drivers in the 2023/24 season, New Zealanders Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy. Cassidy is currently the leader of the 2023/24 drivers standings in the FE championship series. Jaguar TCS Team principal James Barclay (left), Nick Cassidy, race winner Mitch Evans (centre), and DS Penske's Stoffel Vandoorne (right) at the…

May

25

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Software Scare & Shanghai Showdown: China’s FE Return Heats Up

MOTORSPORT

FORMULA E greets its fans with the Chinese greeting “Ni hao” ahead of its eleventh and twelfth rounds in the world championship series. The People’s Republic of China returned as hosts to the Formula E (FE) calendar, but this time in a different city from its first stint (a Beijing street circuit), in Shanghai. Nicolas Prost (e.dams-Renault) leading the way in the first Formula E street race in Beijing, China, 2014. Picture: Formula E. The Chinese double-header is the home race for the ERT team, which is one of the few original FE teams to have joined from the start…

May

25

2024

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Barcelona sack Xavi after season of turmoil

FOOTBALL

BARCELONA sacked manager Xavi Hernandez, four weeks after confirming their former midfielder would honour the last year of his contract and lead them through next season. The decision ended months of arguments between Barca and Xavi who made 767 appearances for the club over 17 seasons and helped them win 25 major trophies. "Today Friday, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernandez that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season," Barcelona said in a statement. "Barcelona wish to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career…

May

25

2024

By The African Mirror

Stubborn defence stands between Al Ahly and more Champions League success

FOOTBALL

AL Ahly will start as favourites to secure a fourth African Champions League title in five years when they host Esperance of Tunisia in Cairo on Saturday in the second leg of the final but must break down a stubborn defence to do so. The Egyptian giants are a long-standing dominant force in African club competition and show no signs of letting up as they look to extend their record number of wins in the continent’s top club competition to 12. They forced a goalless draw in a dour first leg in Tunis last Saturday and with a formidable home…

May

25

2024

By The African Mirror

Real Madrid’s Tchouameni to miss Champions League final

FOOTBALL

REAL Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the Champions League final due to a foot injury and could be a doubt for the European Championship, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said. The 24-year-old, who has made 38 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish champions this season, has not played since he suffered a stress fracture during their Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich this month. Real play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1. "He's doing individual work but he's not ready for the (Champions League) final," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of their last…

May

23

2024

By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG

Cameroon’s appointment of Brys as manager suspended by sports tribunal

FOOTBALL

CAMEROON'S appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as head coach was suspended by the country's top sports tribunal on Tuesday following the petition of an amateur football club. The country's sports ministry stirred controversy last month when it named 61-year-old Brys as manager of the Indomitable Lions without consulting the football federation (FECAFOOT). The move sparked a dispute between the sports ministry and FECAFOOT, which said the government had made a unilateral decision. In response, it asked its president Samuel Eto'o to propose a national coach and other management staff for the national side within 72 hours, deepening its standoff with the sports ministry. Eto'o kept Brys…

May

23

2024

By The African Mirror

McKinstry named as new coach of Gambia

FOOTBALL

GAMBIA have appointed Irishman Johnathan McKinstry as their new coach, weeks before they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign. The 38-year-old McKinstry has previously had stints as coach of Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Uganda. His appointment on Thursday by Gambia’s National Sports Council comes after it described as a “thorough recruitment and selection process”. No terms of his contract were given. McKinstry was a relatively unknown 27-year-old when Sierra Leone appointed him coach in 2015 but he was sacked a year later. He spent 18 months as Rwanda coach and had a similar term with Uganda. The Gambia is one…

May

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Manager Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea shocks ex-players

FOOTBALL

CHELSEA'S decision to part ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino surprised many former players who believe it could torpedo the club's endeavour to return to the top of the Premier League. Pochettino joined Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 campaign after the club finished 12th in the previous season. The early months of the Argentine's tenure were far from convincing as the expensively assembled squad took time to gel, but a run of five straight wins in their last five league games lifted them to sixth place and secured European football. Former Chelsea player Craig Burley did not hold back on his assessment of…

May

21

2024

By MAHFOUD AMARA

Al Ahly and Esperance highlight the dominance of North Africa in club football. Lessons for other African teams

FOOTBALL

AL AHLY, based in Cairo, and Esperance, in Tunis, are among the most successful clubs in the history of the main club cup competition in Africa, the CAF Champions League. Al Ahly has reached the finals multiple times and boasts 11 titles, making it the most successful club in the competition’s history. Similarly, Esperance has secured the title multiple times. These successes have not occurred by accident. The two clubs have financial muscle, effective management systems and large fan bases. These factors not only boost their performances in competition but also influence their strategic decisions at the Confederation of African…

May

20

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Al Ahly and Esperance play out goalless draw in first leg of African Champions League final

FOOTBALL

HOLDERS Al Ahly of Egypt held out for a goalless draw in the first leg of the African Champions League final at Esperance of Tunisia, putting them in an advantageous position for next week’s return in Cairo. Al Ahly is looking to extend their dominance of club football on the continent with a fourth Champions League success in the last five seasons, and a record-extending 12th overall. They had a defensive approach to the away match at the Rades stadium and restricted their hosts to a single early chance that Esperance’s Brazilian import Rodrigo Rodrigues headed wide of goal. It…