SPORT - The African Mirror

May

28

2024

How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms

SPORT

MOUNTAIN biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 bringing together elite mountain bike riders from across the world not only showcasing the extraordinary challenges and beauty of the sport but also underscoring Africa's growing prominence on the global mountain biking stage. According to Miguel Induráin, a Spanish…

May

28

2024

By MICHAEL CHURCH

The week in Asian football

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the week in Asian football: SHIMODA'S LATE PENALTY KEEPS MACHIDA ON TOP IN JAPAN Machida Zelvia stayed top in Japan after Hokuto Shimoda's stoppage-time penalty secured a 2-1 win over Urawa Reds. Machida lead Kashima Antlers by three points after the former champions downed Consadole Sapporo 3-0 on Saturday, while current title holders Vissel Kobe dropped further off the pace following a 1-0 defeat by Tokyo Verdy. LUDWIGSON SCORES TWICE AS ULSAN THRASH DAEJEON Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai went top of the Korean league on Saturday after Gustav Ludwigson's double helped them to a 4-1 win over…

May

28

2024

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Spain name Torres, Perez in Euro 2024 squad, Asensio left out

FOOTBALL

FORWARD Marco Asensio was the surprise omission when three-time champions Spain named their 29-man preliminary squad for the European Championship as Ferran Torres and Ayoze Perez made the cut. Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were also included along with teammate Fermin Lopez who received his first call-up. Real Madrid centre-back Nacho returned to the squad as defenders Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres and Pedro Porro missed out but the omission of Paris St Germain's Asensio was the biggest shock. "I admire Asensio. Let's focus on those who are here and give them the value they deserve," coach Luis de…

May

27

2024

By SAMUEL INDYK

Southampton promoted to Premier League with 1-0 playoff win over Leeds

FOOTBALL

SOUTHAMPTON won promotion back to the Premier League by beating Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium, earning an immediate return to England’s top tier in a game considered the richest in world football. Adam Armstrong was the match-winner as his first-half goal was enough to see off a Leeds side that struggled to muster a meaningful response, with substitute Daniel James coming closest when his shot hit the bar late in the second half. Southampton join Championship winners Leicester City and runners-up Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, the latter promoted after a…

May

27

2024

By The African Mirror

Mbappe glad to leave PSG on winning note

FOOTBALL

FRANCE forward Kylian Mbappe said he is leaving Paris St Germain with his head held high after the Ligue 1 champions' 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the French Cup final. Mbappe announced this month he would leave the French club at the end of the season after a seven-year stay during which he became their all-time top scorer, with 256 goals. His last game for the club came in Saturday's final at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with first-half strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz securing a win for PSG. "It was both difficult and enjoyable because it's a final, and in…

May

27

2024

By ALAN BALDWIN

Leclerc ends his Monaco jinx with a dream home win

MOTORSPORT

FERRARI'S Charles Leclerc celebrated a boyhood dream come true as the first home winner of Formula One's showcase Monaco Grand Prix since Louis Chiron triumphed in 1931. It was also the first time the 26-year-old had stood on the Monaco podium in six attempts and came after two standing starts from pole position in a race halted when first-lap collisions took out a fifth of the field. McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished runner-up, 7.1 seconds behind after 78 laps without a chance to overtake on a street circuit that often produces processional races, and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was third. "It means a lot,"…

May

26

2024

By The African Mirror

Equatorial Guinea forfeit World Cup qualifiers over ineligible Nsue

FOOTBALL

EQUATORIAL Guinea have had to forfeit their first two 2026 World Cup qualifiers after a FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that former Spain junior international Emilio Nsue was ineligible to play in both matches. The 34-year-old scored the winning goal in both of those games, against Namibia and Liberia, last November. Nsue, who finished as the leading scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast earlier this year, has also been banned for six months from international football, FIFA confirmed in a statement on Friday, though they did not shed light on the specific reasons for his ineligibility.…

May

26

2024

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Xavi ‘proud and calm’ after being sacked by Barcelona

FOOTBALL

OUTGOING Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said that he was proud of his achievements with the club and was looking forward to being a fan again, as he prepares to coach his final game against Sevilla after being sacked on Friday. "I have no regrets. I have tried to do my best. We have worked with a lot of love for this club. I'm a Barca fan for life... It's an apprenticeship for the future," Xavi told a press conference on Saturday. "These are complicated days, they have not been easy, but I'm fine. I have a clear conscience, I'm proud of myself…

May

26

2024

By Mpho Rantao

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…