SPORT - The African Mirror

Oct

15

2023

FIFA president Infantino offers condolences in letter to Israel and Palestine FAs

FOOTBALL

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to the Israel and Palestine Football Associations, offering his condolences over the "horrendous violence" in the past week in a conflict that has taken over 2,700 lives so far. Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 Israelis in their attack on Saturday. In response, Israeli air strikes have killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza so far, authorities there said. "I would like to express... our deepest condolences to the Israel Football Association and the Palestine Football Association, in light of the horrendous violence that has been occurring over the past days," Infantino wrote. "It is as…

Oct

14

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa’s magnificent distance runners are fuelled by tech, grit and strategy

ATHLETICS

AFRICA'S running reputation received another boost recently when 23-year-old Kevin Kiptum won the 45th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, setting a new world record for the regular marathon, of 02:00:35. Kiptium's time shaved 34 seconds off Eliud Kipchoge's record of 2:01:09 set in Berlin in 2022. This is despite Kiptum making his international marathon debut just last December, in Valencia, where he clocked an astonishing 2:01:53. While African running stars have for years dominated distance running, new and relatively younger stars are seemingly shattering records more easily, judging from their race splits and post-race assessments. In his…

Oct

13

2023

By SAURABH SHARMA

South Africa thump Australia to stay unbeaten at World Cup

SPORT

SOUTH Africa crushed Australia by 134 runs to cruise to their second victory at the World Cup, as Quinton de Kock struck back-to-back tons and Aiden Markram made a half-century before the bowlers ripped through the five-times champions. Chasing 312, Australia lost half their wickets for 65 runs and struggled against Kagiso Rabada (3-33), Marco Jansen (2-54) and Keshav Maharaj (2-30) as they folded for 177 in 40.5 overs with Marnus Labuschagne (46) their only batsman to fire. The comprehensive victory was built on a platform provided by De Kock, who scored 109 while Markram made a handy 56 to…

Oct

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Marathon under 2 hours is closer than ever – scientist shows how Kenya’s Kiptum tests human limits

ATHLETICS

WAR in the Middle East plunged humanity to new lows on Sunday 8 October 2023 that have gripped international attention since. If that were not the case, the world would likely be abuzz with the breathtaking exploits of a 23-year-old Kenyan who changed running history in Chicago on the same day. Kelvin Kiptum, running just his third marathon, finished the 42.195-kilometre race in 2h 00m 35s. This lowered the previous world record set by countryman Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last year, by a whopping 34 seconds. This is the first time that the world record has been obliterated by more…

Oct

13

2023

By The African Mirror

No Israeli, Palestinian flags allowed at Wembley for England games – FA

FOOTBALL

FLAGS and shirts showing support for victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will not be allowed for England's games against Australia and Italy at Wembley, the FA said. England host Australia in a friendly on Friday before taking on Italy in a European Championship qualifier on Tuesday. "On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine," the FA said in a statement. "We will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy." England and Australia players will…

Oct

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco not trying to lure Yamal – federation statement

FOOTBALL

MOROCCO are not still trying to persuade Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to play for them and they respect his decision to represent Spain, the Moroccan football federation said on Tuesday. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain and has become a key part of Barca's forward line and made his senior debut for Spain last month. Spanish newspaper AS reported on Tuesday that Morocco, who will stage the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Portugal, are trying to convince Yamal to switch allegiance. The report said he had previously rejected a financial offer to play…

Oct

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Steps taken to avoid repeat of Liverpool VAR error, Webb says

FOOTBALL

REFEREES chief Howard Webb said steps have been taken to ensure there is no repeat of the VAR error that saw a legitimate Liverpool goal against Tottenham Hotspur disallowed. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) admitted that VAR got the offside decision wrong when Luis Diaz scored what should have been the opening goal in a 2-1 loss for the Anfield side. Diaz was onside but PGMOL said the goal was chalked off as VAR had "lost sight of the on-field decision" and incorrectly communicated "check complete". "Having seen what happened in Spurs vs Liverpool we analysed the situation, we had…

Oct

10

2023

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the eighth round of the Premier League season: ARSENAL ENDS MAN CITY HOODOO TO SEND TITLE MESSAGE Eight years without beating an opponent is a long time in competitive soccer, as is 12 defeats in a row to the same rivals. For Arsenal fans, ending that long barren run against Manchester City was worth the wait as Gabriel Martinelli fired a last-gasp winner to earn the Gunners a 1-0 win over the champions on Sunday and send the Emirates Stadium into delirium. Given the way Arsenal fell away in the Premier League title race last season, they…

Oct

10

2023

By The African Mirror

Team-by-team analysis of the Qatar Grand Prix

MOTORSPORT

TEAM-by-team analysis of Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix, round 17 of the 22-race Formula One season (listed in championship order): RED BULL (Max Verstappen 1, Sergio Perez 10) Verstappen took his first win as a triple world champion, a title secured in the Saturday sprint, after starting on pole position. He also secured the fastest lap. The win was his 14th of the season and 49th of his career. Perez started in the pit lane with hard tyres after parts were replaced following his sprint crash. He collected 15 seconds of penalties for exceeding track limits and dropped to 10th at…

Oct

09

2023

By The African Mirror

Ex-FIFA boss Blatter slams decision for World Cup in six countries, SonntagsBlick reports

FOOTBALL

FORMER FIFA President Sepp Blatter has criticised the decision by world soccer's governing body to hold the World Cup in six countries across three continents. Morocco, Spain and Portugal were named hosts of the 2030 tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host the opening matches to mark the tournament's centenary, FIFA said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday. The decision was criticised by Sepp Blatter, who was FIFA President from 1998 to 2015, before being forced out after a corruption investigation. "It is absurd to tear the tournament apart in this way," Blatter told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick. "The World…