SPORT - The African Mirror

Dec

16

2023

Nkunku set for Chelsea debut against Sheffield United

FOOTBALL

FRENCH forward Christopher Nkunku will be a part of Chelsea's squad for the first time this season when they face Sheffield United this weekend, manager Mauricio Pochettino said. Nkunku signed from RB Leipzig in July but required surgery on a knee injury he suffered in pre-season. "Yes, he can be involved. That is very good news," Pochettino told a press conference. "To be involved tomorrow and be in the squad and to feel the competition after the pre-season is good news for us. We need to be calm and quiet so not to put all the pressure on him. Now…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi, Mbappe, Haaland finalists for FIFA Best Men’s Player award

FOOTBALL

LIONEL Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the three finalists for the FIFA 2023 Best Men's Player award, world soccer's governing body said. Norwegian Haaland helped Manchester City win three major trophies, the Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup last season. Messi secured the award in 2022 after guiding Argentina to a World Cup victory. Following that success, he clinched the Ligue 1 title with Paris St Germain alongside Mbappe before moving to the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. The women's best player shortlist includes two 2023 World Cup champions, Aitana Bonmati and Jennifer Hermoso from…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Bullet point previews of Premier League matches

FOOTBALL

MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and statistics ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures from December 15-17 (all times GMT): Friday, December 15 Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur (2000) * Forest have one win in their last 12 league matches (D5 L6) * Spurs forward Son Heung-min has two goals and three assists in his last three games. * Tottenham still have eight players sidelined with injuries, including James Maddison and Micky van de Ven. Saturday, December 16 Newcastle United v Fulham (1500) * Fulham have scored 16 goals in their last four matches, netting at least three times in each…

Dec

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Clubs spent record $888 million in agent service fees in 2023 – FIFA

FOOTBALL

SOCCER clubs paid a record $888.1 million in agent service fees in 2023, an increase of 42.5% on the previous year, world governing body FIFA said in its annual "Football Agents in International Transfers" report. The previous record was in 2019 when worldwide spending on commissions to agents involved in the international transfer of players was $654.7 million. The 2022 amount was $623.2 million. English clubs were the biggest spenders by far this year with a total outlay of more than $280 million, while 86.6% of the worldwide expenditure came from European clubs, FIFA added. Saudi Arabian clubs went on…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigeria striker Osimhen crowned African Footballer of the Year

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA striker Victor Osimhen has been named African Footballer of the Year after beating Mohamed Salah to the award at a ceremony in Marrakech, with compatriot Asisat Oshoala winning the top prize in the women’s category. Osimhen, 24, scored 26 goals as he helped Napoli to a surprise triumph in Serie A last season and was the leading marksman in Italy’s top division. Egypt's Liverpool forward Salah and Morocco's Paris St Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi were the other two final nominees but Osimhen claimed the prize to become the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. "It is a…

Dec

14

2023

By The African Mirror

Only bleak reality in Theatre of Dreams as Man Utd hit new low

FOOTBALL

FAR from being the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford provided a horribly bleak dose of reality for Manchester United fans as they went out of Europe with a whimper. A season in which United have already lost half of their 24 matches in all competitions plumbed new depths as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to a Bayern Munich side in third gear. It condemned Erik ten Hag's side to bottom place in their group with just four points -- their lowest total in the Champions League group stage -- while the 15 goals they conceded in six…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Kipyegon, Lyles among six crowned at expanded World Athletics Awards

ATHLETICS

SIX athletes - Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, Tigist Assefa, Kelvin Kiptum, and Yulimar Rojas - were all named World Athletes of the Year after the awards were expanded into three categories. The 2023 World Athletics Awards have been divided into track, field and out-of-stadia categories following feedback received during the voting process, the organisers said. "The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. "Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records ... in 2023, as well as a…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Messi v Ronaldo – Inter Miami to take on Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia

FOOTBALL

LIONEL Messi's Inter Miami will play two matches in Saudi Arabia early next year including one against familiar foe Cristiano Ronaldo and his club Al-Nassr, the Major League Soccer team said. The Riyadh Season Cup, a three-team round-robin tournament, is part of the team's first international tour, which will also include stops in El Salvador and Hong Kong. Miami is set to take on Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Jan. 29 before facing Al-Nassr at the same venue on Feb. 1. "This is another major opportunity to create lasting relationships with passionate fans," Inter Miami chief business…

Dec

13

2023

By The African Mirror

One in five players at 2023 Women’s World Cup got abusive messages – FIFA

FOOTBALL

ONE in five players were the target of online abuse during the 2023 Women's World Cup, FIFA said as a package of social media protection tools hid nearly 117,000 comments. The Social Media Protection Service (SMPS), developed by the world governing body with the players' union FIFPRO and launched at the 2022 men's World Cup, was offered to teams at the women's finals in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA said in June. The tool, which has been used at eight FIFA tournaments in the last 12 months, monitors and moderates hate speech on social media, hiding harmful content from the players. Players…

Dec

11

2023

By MARTYN HERMAN

Tottenham end winless run as Richarlison hits two in Newcastle rout

FOOTBALL

TOTTENHAM Hotspur secured its first Premier League win since October as Brazilian striker Richarlison also returned to form with two goals in a 4-1 drubbing of a jaded-looking Newcastle United. Ange Postecoglou's side earned the dubious distinction of being the first Premier League team to lead 1-0 in five successive games without winning any of them in midweek as they went down at home to West Ham United. But this time, after Destiny Udogie tapped in his first goal for the club from captain Son Heung-min's cutback after 26 minutes, they never looked back. Richarlison was also fed by the…