SPORT - The African Mirror

Apr

04

2024

Racially abused player speaks out after abandoned Spanish match

FOOTBALL

SENEGALESE goalkeeper Cheikh Sarr has heard racial slurs directed at him from the stands before, but when a fan allegedly approached just to racially insult him during a Spanish third-tier league game last Saturday, he decided he'd had enough. "I grabbed him and asked why he was insulting me. My attitude was not aggressive, I just wanted to ask him why," the 23-year-old told reporters on Tuesday of the incident in Sestao, a working-class town in northern Spain, which led to the game being abandoned. "Other times it could be seen as something playful or a joke. However, this was…

Apr

04

2024

By FERNANDO KALLAS

Getafe hit with three-match partial stand closure after racist abuse

FOOTBALL

GETAFE have been ordered to partially close their central stand for three matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the racist and xenophobic abuse suffered by Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores and player Marcos Acuna in Saturday's LaLiga game. Referee Iglesias Villanueva stopped the match in the 68th minute as part of LaLiga's protocol against racism after he heard fans in the stands calling the Argentine defender a "monkey" and the Spanish coach a "gypsy". The club have also been fined 27,000 euros ($29,000). The RFEF said in a statement that the closed area in the stands must display…

Apr

02

2024

By Manfred Zwecker

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in the Premier League: LIVELY LIVERPOOL SET UP FOR KLOPP SEND-OFF Liverpool's players showed against Brighton & Hove Albion they are ready and willing to do everything in their power to give coach Juergen Klopp a successful send-off as he enters his final months as manager. Sunday's comeback win featured everything that Klopp holds dear -- suffocating pressure high up the field, quick decisions and little skill from his attacking players turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win for the home side. The win put Liverpool back on top of the table and the…

Apr

02

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY ALLEGRI UNDER PRESSURE The season has changed quickly for Juventus and manager Massimiliano Allegri. After their loss against Lazio on Saturday, Juve have only one win in the last nine Serie A matches from which they have gained seven points. What had looked like shaping up to be a title battle with leaders Inter Milan before Christmas, has transformed into a struggle to achieve a top-four spot, a goal clearly stated by Allegri on several occasions. If Bologna and AS Roma win their respective matches on Monday, they will be…

Apr

01

2024

By LORI EWING

Man City and Arsenal draw 0-0 to hand Liverpool title-race advantage

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL nullified reigning champions Manchester City in a 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Liverpool to take top spot on a pivotal day in the Premier League's three-way title race Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, in the hunt for their first league title in 20 years, are second in the table on 65 points with nine games remaining, while City are third with 64. Liverpool, on 67 points, claimed the lead with their 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Sunday. "No way can you be fully happy (with just a point)," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Listen, I think we…

Apr

01

2024

By The African Mirror

Liverpool go top after 2-1 comeback win over Brighton

FOOTBALL

STRIKER Mohamed Salah scored the winner as Liverpool came back from a goal down to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 and go top of the Premier League ahead of Manchester City's showdown with Arsenal. Salah's sublime second-half strike leaves Liverpool on 67 points, three ahead of second-placed Arsenal and four ahead of City on a pivotal day in the title race. The Egyptian striker tormented Brighton, taking 12 shots to notch up his highest total in a Premier League game and, even though only one of them found the back of the net, it was to prove vital. Danny…

Apr

01

2024

By The African Mirror

Rovanpera takes his second Safari win in Toyota one-two

MOTORSPORT

TOYOTA'S Kalle Rovanpera and co-driver Jonne Halttunen won Safari Rally Kenya with Hyundai's Thierry Neuville stretching his championship lead to six points despite finishing only fifth. Double world champion Rovanpera, competing in selected events only this season before a full return in 2025, led from Friday and finished one minute and 37.8 seconds clear of team mate Takamoto Katsuta over the rough gravel roads. M-Sport Ford's Adrien Fourmaux finished third. "It’s always special to win here," Rovanpera, who also won in 2022, said of his 12th career victory and first of the season. "Also, a legendary event for Toyota. We’ve…

Mar

30

2024

By The African Mirror

Maserati’s Max Gunther grabs Tokyo Eprix win

MOTORSPORT

“KONNICHIWA" from this author as Formula E (FE) returns this weekend, taking its fifth round to Japan. Japan is a popular racing spot with a rich motorsport history. Several current FE drivers have raced there in both Formula 1 and SuperFormula, often leading to exciting moments, like this year’s inaugural Tokyo EPrix. HIGH STAKES AND OVERTAKES Following a thrilling Sao Paulo EPrix, FE fans were treated to another race winner in Maserati MSG’s Maximilian Gunther. Gunther took the chequered flag after 35 laps (two added for the safety car), and grabbed his and Maserati’s first win since the 2023 Jakarta…

Mar

28

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NFL expands more into Africa for market and talent hunt

SPORT

THE NFL is ramping up initiatives and programs in Africa in a bid not only to tap into the continent’s rich talent pool but also to secure a slice of Africa’s growing sports market. According to Peter O'Reilly, executive vice president, of club business, major events and international markets at the NFL, the expansion of the program is necessary because clubs are seeing the value and opportunity in new markets. “We can’t wait to see the ongoing impact of the program on fandom and global growth in this season and years ahead, both in new and existing markets and via…

Mar

26

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa’s promising sports future evident at the 13th Africa Games in Accra

SPORT

AFTER three weeks of intense field and track event actions across multiple venues in Accra, the 13th edition of the Africa Games came to a close this past weekend. The pan-African sporting event has, yet again, showcased Africa's rich and diverse sports talent, with more than 35 countries participating across 23 sports disciplines. Egypt led with 107 gold, 47 silver, and 42 bronze medals, totalling 191. Nigeria followed with 121, Algeria 114, South Africa 106, and Tunisia 88. Hosts Ghana achieved a record 68 medals, including 19 golds, their best ever in the African Games. The range of sports, from…