SPORT - The African Mirror

Mar

04

2024

Kipruto, Kebede win Tokyo Marathon in course record times

ATHLETICS

KENYAN Benson Kipruto won the men's Tokyo Marathon in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds on Sunday, breaking former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge's course mark in perfect racing conditions on the streets of the Japanese capital. Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede won the women's race ahead of Kenya's defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru in 2:15:55, also bettering the best previous women's time over the course from Shinjuku to the Imperial Palace. Kipruto pulled clear of Timothy Kiplagat over the last few kilometres and finished 39 seconds ahead of his compatriot to add the Tokyo title to those he won in…

Mar

04

2024

By The African Mirror

Bahrain Grand Prix team-by-team

MOTORSPORT

TEAM-BY-TEAM review of Formula One's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday (listed in their current championship order): RED BULL (Max Verstappen 1, Sergio Perez 2) Verstappen started the season with a grand slam of pole position, fastest lap (lap 39) and leading all 57 laps. The victory was the 55th of his career, and fifth grand slam, lifting Red Bull level with Williams in fourth place on the all-time list with 114. The gap to Perez of 22.457 seconds compared to last year's 11.987 advantage. Verstappen has now led the championship for 40 races in a row. Perez started fifth…

Mar

03

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria coach Peseiro leaves at end of contract

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA'S Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro said that he had left the job only weeks after taking the team to the Africa Cup of Nations final. He announced on X, formerly Twitter, confirming the end of his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). “Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honour to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfilment,” he wrote. Peseiro took Nigeria to the Cup of Nations final for the first time since 2013 but they…

Mar

03

2024

By ABHISHEK TAKLE

Verstappen dominates F1’s Bahrain season-opener

MOTORSPORT

REIGNING Formula One champion Max Verstappen opened his bid for a fourth successive title in dominant style with an unchallenged cruise to a Red Bull one-two victory in Saturday's Bahrain Grand Prix. The 26-year-old Dutchman enjoyed a perfect day as he led from pole position and took a bonus point for the fastest lap on his way to finishing 22.4 seconds ahead of Mexican teammate Sergio Perez. Carlos Sainz, who will be making way for seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year, took the final podium spot in third place ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc. The triumph under the…

Mar

03

2024

By The African Mirror

Late Okafor strike earns Milan 1-0 win at eight-man Lazio

FOOTBALL

A late goal by forward Noah Okafor earned AC Milan a 1-0 win at Lazio in Serie A on Friday after a chaotic end to the game in which the hosts were reduced to eight men in stoppage time. Milan, who ended their winless run of three games across all competitions, sit third in the league standings on 56 points. They are one point adrift of second-placed Juventus who travel to Napoli on Sunday and 13 behind leaders Inter Milan, who host Genoa on Monday. "In the last away matches we had conceded too many goals, being punished at the…

Mar

01

2024

By The African Mirror

Arsenal’s Partey back for Sheffield United visit, Arteta says

FOOTBALL

THOMAS Partey is set to return to the Arsenal squad after a four-month absence when they visit bottom side Sheffield United, manager Mikel Arteta said. The Ghana international has had multiple injury problems this season and hasn't played since October, with just four Premier League appearances this campaign. "Thomas had a session before the last game and now he's done two consecutive sessions and he should be part of the squad," Arteta told reporters on Thursday. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both out with calf issues, are close to recovery but not certain for Monday, Arteta said. "It's possible but…

Mar

01

2024

By AADI NAIR

Juventus clash may have come at the right time for upbeat Napoli

FOOTBALL

NAPOLI'S record against the traditional powerhouses of Italian football has been woeful this season but their home Serie A clash against struggling Juventus could be coming at just the right time for the champions. Napoli's shambolic title defence has seen them fail to win any of their four league matches against Juve, Inter Milan or AC Milan this season and they have dropped to ninth in the league standings, 29 points behind leaders Inter. For much of this campaign, few would have fancied Napoli's chances against Juventus, but the stars have aligned to give the champions an excellent chance to…

Mar

01

2024

By ROHITH NAIR and ELVIRA POLLINA

‘Heartbroken’ Pogba to appeal four-year doping ban at CAS

FOOTBALL

JUVENTUS midfielder Paul Pogba's career hung in the balance after he was handed a four-year doping ban but the France international said he would try to clear his name by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The France international was provisionally suspended by a tribunal of Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) in September after testing positive for DHEA - a banned substance which naturally raises levels of testosterone. Juventus did not comment on the ban but a source confirmed they had been notified about the decision and would assess the next steps. The 30-year-old Pogba, who has a contract…

Feb

29

2024

By SILALEI SHANI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

An African film stars at the 2024 NBA All Star Weekend, Nigeria’s women’s team heading to Paris, upsets in Afrobaskets qualifiers

BASKETBALL

NIGERIA’S D’Tigress booked their ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris despite losing 2 of their 3 games in a qualifying round that included the USA, Belgium, and Senegal. D’Tigress started the tournament with a 4th-quarter comeback win against Senegal, finishing 72-65. The crucial victory saw the Nigerian squad trail Senegal all the way to the 4th quarter until an 11-0 run allowed them to grab the lead and keep it. Amy Okonkwo, the 2023 Afrobasket MVP, was largely responsible for the success of the D’Tigress outing. Despite losing their subsequent games and USA (46-100) and Belgium (61-78), Nigeria…

Feb

23

2024

By The African Mirror

Fiorentina’s Kouame treated for malaria

FOOTBALL

FIORENTINA winger Christian Kouame has been treated in hospital for malaria, the Italian Serie A club said. The 26-year-old was in the Ivory Coast squad that won the recent Africa Cup of Nations and played in the quarter-finals. "Christian has gone into hospital to receive treatment and will continue to be assessed over the coming days," Fiorentina said in a statement. Fiorentina are seventh in Serie A with 38 points. Kouame has played 22 matches for them this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist.