SPORT - The African Mirror

Sep

28

2023

Hawkins becomes first woman in five years to test an F1 car

MOTORSPORT

ASTON Martin driver ambassador and former W Series racer Jessica Hawkins has become the first woman in nearly five years to test a Formula One car, the Silverstone-based team announced. Hawkins, a 28-year-old former British karting champion who has also worked as a James Bond movie stunt driver, did 26 laps in Aston's 2021 car at the Hungaroring outside Budapest last Thursday. She alternated in the car with Brazilian test and reserve Felipe Drugovich. "It’s taken me every bit of blood, sweat and tears to get here," said the Briton of what she described as a dream come true. "Nothing…

Sep

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Morocco and East African co-bid to host future Africa Cup of Nations finals

FOOTBALL

MOROCCO was awarded the hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, replacing Guinea who was stripped of the right to host the tournament last year, while the 2027 rights were handed to a co-bid from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Morocco won by default after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid from Benin and Nigeria all withdrew before the vote of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee in Cairo on Wednesday. The North African country was a runaway favourite and will see the decision as a boost to their hopes of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Portugal…

Sep

27

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Tigst Assefa redefines women’s marathon running in Berlin

ATHLETICS

ETHIOPIAN runner Tigst Assefa made history at the 2023 BMW Berlin-Marathon, on Sunday (September 24), breaking a previous record by over two minutes. Assefa, who crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in an incredible time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds, surprised even herself. "I didn't expect to run this fast, that is to say, to break 2:12, but it is the result of hard work," she stated in an after-race interview with the marathon press team. The previous record was held by Kenyan Brigid Koskei. Koskei broke the record set by Paula Radcliff in 2003,…

Sep

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Tigres president killed after Colombian team’s home loss

FOOTBALL

THE president of Colombian second division club Tigres FC, Edgar Paez, was shot dead following his team's defeat on Saturday, the club have announced. The 63-year-old was returning home by car with his daughter after the 3-2 home loss to Atletico FC when he was killed by two men on a motorbike close to the stadium, local media reported. His daughter escaped unharmed and authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the murder. "The Tigres family and the sporting community are devastated by this event," the club said in a statement. "His commitment to the team and his dedication to…

Sep

26

2023

By The African Mirror

Rapinoe brings the curtain down on her fabled international career

FOOTBALL

OLYMPIC champion and two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe took her final bow in international football after the U.S. beat South Africa 2-0 in a friendly in the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago. The relentless 38-year-old striker was crucial to both of her team's goals, providing the long pass to Alex Morgan that set up Trinity Rodman's goal and taking the corner that Emily Sonnett headed into the back of the net. Rapinoe, who won the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and Ballon d'Or for her role in the U.S. 2019 World Cup campaign, received a heartfelt farewell as she left…

Sep

26

2023

By The African Mirror

Abandoned Ajax v Feyenoord match set to resume on Wednesday

FOOTBALL

THE abandoned match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord will resume on Wednesday without spectators, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said. Ajax's home Eredivisie match against champions Feyenoord was abandoned on Sunday as fans threw flares onto the pitch, and mounted police used tear gas to disperse rioting fans outside the stadium. Ajax were trailing 3-0 in the second half when the game was initially suspended in the 56th minute before being abandoned. The remaining minutes will now be played behind closed doors. Ajax voiced disagreement with the KNVB's decision, citing scheduling concerns, and adding they were considering taking legal steps. "The competition…

Sep

25

2023

By The African Mirror

Darwin delights as Liverpool defeat West Ham 3-1

FOOTBALL

LIVERPOOL striker Darwin Nunez netted a brilliant goal as his side romped to a 3-1 Premier League win over a dogged West Ham United side at Anfield, deftly steering home a volley on the hour mark. The visitors got off to a flying start when Tomas Soucek forced a brilliant save from Alisson with a downward header in the seventh minute, and two minutes later Michail Antonio headed a Soucek cross wide with the goal at his mercy. But the Hammers were left to rue those early misses when Mohamed Salah was felled by Nayef Aguerd in the 15th minute…

Sep

25

2023

By The African Mirror

African Basketball News: Senegal season wraps, South Sudan ranked top in Africa and Mills heads to Central Africa

BASKETBALL

WITH the Road to BAL qualifier fixtures recently released, the conversation moves to transfers - including technical teams and players. One notable move is the appointment of trailblazing Australian basketball coach, Liz Mills, to lead Central African Republic’s Bangui Sporting Club. Mills, who has worked with African men’s basketball for many years, including a stint with Ivory Coast’s ABC Fighters, who she led to the 2023 BAL quarterfinals, expressed her excitement at the new challenge. “It’s all about creating the right environment to be successful and I think that starts at the top…creating an honest, trustworthy, and transparent environment, that’s…

Sep

25

2023

By The African Mirror

Team by team analysis of the Japanese Grand Prix

MOTORSPORT

TEAM by team analysis of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, the 16th round of the 22-race Formula One season (listed in championship order): RED BULL (Max Verstappen 1, Sergio Perez retired) Red Bull secured the constructors' championship for the second successive year and sixth time in all. Verstappen won in Japan from pole for the second year in a row, his 13th victory of the season and 48th of his career. He also took fastest lap and can win his third title at the next race in Qatar, with Perez now his sole rival but 177 points adrift. The…

Sep

22

2023

By ABAY YIMEREGIFT ENYADIDKE, SPORTS NETWORK AFRICA

Q&A with Victor Boniface

FOOTBALL

WITH two Bundesliga goals and one assist to date, Victor Boniface has made a flying start to his Bayer 04 Leverkusen career. The 22-year-old Nigerian striker, formerly at Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt, had only switched to Belgian first-division outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2022 before moving to Leverkusen this summer, where he also scored on his German debut in the DFB-Pokal. The two goals he contributed to the 3-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 2 were a foretaste of things to come as a new Bundesliga season takes shape. Having played street football since his early childhood,…