SPORT - The African Mirror

Apr

29

2024

Arsenal must keep feet on the ground after Spurs win says Arteta

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL must not get carried away with their Premier League title chances after edging local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a hard-fought London derby, manager Mikel Arteta said on Sunday. The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead by halftime but Spurs battled back with two goals and left the visitors holding on for the points after a storming late comeback. "Don't get carried away with yourself. Just understand we have to be better, we want to be better. There's a margin for improvement and we go again against Bournemouth," said Arteta. League leaders Arsenal host the Cherries on Saturday before…

Apr

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s Wanyonyi sets road mile world record in Herzogenaurach

ATHLETICS

KENYA'S Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a road mile world record at the Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, finishing with a time of three minutes and 54.5 seconds. The race was Wanyonyi's competitive debut in the men's mile category. The 19-year-old broke the previous record of 3:56.13 set by American Hobbs Kessler in October. Kessler, who also ran on Saturday, finished second with a time of 3:56.1. Wanyonyi, who specialises in 800 metres, won silver at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before winning gold at the 2023 Diamond League.

Apr

27

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Jaguar’s Mitch Evans wins an intense Monaco E-Prix battle

MOTORSPORT

MITCH Evans fulfilled his racing dream as he crossed the finish line to take his (and Jaguar’s) first win at the Monaco E-Prix after only making the podium in four previous races. The eighth round of the Formula E championship in the Principality featured a number of plot twists and damaged front wings collected by the track circuit barriers. "FINALLY!! Amazing work by everyone. Honestly, I have been waiting so long for this, way before Formula E. Great teamwork with Nick,” Evans said on a team radio post-race. Evans came from third to take his first chequered flag in the streets of…

Apr

27

2024

By Mpho Rantao

McLaren’s Sam Bird ruled out of E-prix, replaced by Barnard

MOTORSPORT

NEOM McLaren driver Sam Bird has been ruled out of the Monaco E-Prix this weekend, hampering his challenge for the Formula E (FE) championship. The British driver crashed into the wall at turn two (known as the Saint-Devote corner) during the first free practice session ahead of the main race. https://twitter.com/wearetherace/status/1784116761710731703 Bird crashed into the run-off zone at the end of the start-finish straight a few minutes before the end of the session, smashing his front right wheel into the track barrier. According to his team, Bird sustained a hand injury and will be replaced by their reserve driver, fellow…

Apr

27

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NBA Africa ‘hoops’ into African tech with a startup accelerator

BASKETBALL

THE NBA, through its business franchise in Africa, NBA Africa, has stepped onto Africa's tech startup scene, launching an accelerator tailored for early-stage startups in sports and creative industries. In a statement, NBA Africa explained that the initiative, known as the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator, will support Africa’s tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries. “We are thrilled to launch an accelerator program based on the continent and focused on early-stage African startups,” said Clare Akamanzi,…

Apr

26

2024

By MARK GLEESON

Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated

FOOTBALL

MOROCCAN club Renaissance Berkane have been awarded a 3-0 win over hosts USM Alger (USMA) in the first leg of their African Confederation Cup semi-final despite refusing to play when their kit was confiscated by Algerian customs. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Thursday that Sunday's second leg in Morocco would go ahead as scheduled. CAF added that USMA, who are the defending champions, would face further sanctions. Berkane went to the stadium in Algiers last Sunday for the first leg but did not leave the changing rooms at kick off time after their kit had been confiscated by Algerian…

Apr

26

2024

By MWARV KIRUBI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

The unsung participants at the 2024 World Rally Championship Safari Rally Kenya

MOTORSPORT, MULTIMEDIA

WHEN Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen emerged as top finishers at the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya and stepped onto the podium at Hell’s Gate National Park to freely spray champagne over colleagues and rally officials, one might have been forgiven for presuming that this was an all-mens' event. One would have presumed wrong. Apart from four all-womens' teams participating in the race, four Kenyan women made crucial contributions to the event. Here, bird story agency sheds light on these four women. Charlene Tuja, Rally PhotographerIn the male-dominated field of rally photography, Charlene Tuja stands out as…

Apr

24

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Zambia Football President Kamanga arrested for laundering

FOOTBALL

THE President of the Zambian Football Association (FAZ), Andrew Kamanga, has been arrested and charged with offences related to money laundering. The country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) announced the joint arrest and charging of FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and his deputy Reuben Kamanga and two other individuals for money laundering offences. In violation of Zambia's Penal Code, the DEC has charged the arrested individuals with conspiring to defraud, collecting money via false pretence, and acquiring financial advantage through false pretence. Kamanga is accused of using the money to fund trips for associates linked to him to the 2023 Africa Cup…

Apr

25

2024

By ESTHER MUSEMBI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

A passionate voice in African sports journalism

SPORT

IN a colourfully decorated broadcast studio, two men talk sports. Joining them is a young woman who fuels the debate by throwing in news of a kit debacle that has stirred Kenyans. Knowledgeable and opinionated, she points out what’s wrong with the kit and what might be done as a fix. The conversation then swings to the English Premier League and then on to a much-anticipated track event, dipping into social media commentary along the way. Mukami Wambora is one of the country's few female sports journalists, guest-hosting the popular radio show #SportOn with Bernand Ndong’ and James Wokabi, on…

Apr

24

2024

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Petro de Luanda fires head coach Jose Neto, African players continue to shine at the annual Nike Hoop Summit, and Rwandese national Bella Murekatete is named to the 2024 Women’s College All-Star game

BASKETBALL

AFTER disappointing results in the conference stage of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Angolan side Petro de Luanda have fired head coach Jose Neto. The Brazilian head coach has been with Petro for four seasons and is a former BAL Coach of the Year. However, he experienced tensions with Petro de Luanda’s front office and multiple players on the squad leading up to their most recent outing in the Kalahari Conference. While the decision to part ways with Neto may have surprised some fans, the latest outcome following a fourth-place finish in the 2023 season and a second-place finish in…