SPORT - The African Mirror

Jul

08

2023

LALIGA kicks off a new era with EA Sports™ as strategic partner

FOOTBALL

LALIGA has kicked off a new era with Electronic Arts Inc., the competition’s new strategic partner for the next five seasons, with a launch ceremony surrounded by clubs and strategic partners. This transformation includes a major brand evolution, touching on strategy and positioning, but also extends to tangible changes in LALIGA’s audiovisual broadcasting and digital ecosystem. LALIGA's new direction reflects the growth it has experienced over the last decade to become the largest football ecosystem in the world. This global transformation began with the announcement of the brand's new positioning and purpose under the slogan "The Power of our Fútbol,"…

Jul

08

2023

By The African Mirror

Back in LALIGA after 13 years: Atlético de Madrid shore up their defensive line with versatile full-back Cesar Azpilicueta

FOOTBALL

ATLÉTICO de Madrid continues to shape their squad for next season, and from the looks of things across the first weeks of the transfer window have made a clear decision to reinforce their defence, bringing in Javi Galán, Santiago Mourinño, Çağlar Söyüncü and, as was announced, César Azpilicueta. The arrival of Azpilicueta, a Champions League winner and former captain of Chelsea FC, represents a strong reinforcement for Diego Simeone's squad. The 33-year-old has a wealth of experience in elite football and is already familiar with LALIGA EA SPORTS having come through the ranks at CA Osasuna. He made his senior…

Jul

07

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa FA resolve dispute with Women’s World Cup squad

FOOTBALL

THE South Africa Football Association (SAFA) said a pay dispute with its Women's World Cup squad had been resolved after a charity stepped in with a "humble donation". The team, known by their nickname 'Banyana Banyana', had been due to face Botswana in a friendly on Sunday as a send-off to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. But with the squad locked in a dispute with SAFA over bonus payments and contracts for the showpiece event, a shadow national side including a 13-year-old took the field instead. SAFA said an amicable resolution had been reached following a donation from the Motsepe…

Jul

07

2023

By The African Mirror

PSG appoint Enrique as new coach to replace Galtier

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PARIS St Germain has appointed former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique as their new manager on a two-year contract after the Ligue 1 champions parted ways with Christophe Galtier. Enrique led Barcelona to a treble in the 2014-15 season while he guided Spain to the semi-finals of the 2020 European Championship. He left the national team after they were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the last-16. Thomson Reuters Foundation

Jul

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s Ekiru facing 10-year ban, says AIU

ATHLETICS

KENYAN athlete Titus Ekiru is facing a 10-year ban for four charges of anti-doping violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said. Ekiru has the joint sixth-fastest marathon time of 2:02.57, set en route to winning the Milano City Marathon in 2021. The alleged violations relate to the use of a prohibited substance on two occasions, as well as two cases of tampering with doping control through the submission of falsified medical explanations and documentation. "The 31-year-old's charges stem from AIU investigations into Ekiru's positive in-competition doping tests after marathon victories in the Milano Marathon on 16 May 2021 and the…

Jul

05

2023

By MARK GLEESON

Africa have more teams but not increased hopes at World Cup

FOOTBALL

MORE African teams at an expanded Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this year might mean more chance of improved results for the vast continent, but realistically they may be lucky to do much more than get past the first round. There will be four African countries in the 32-team field, up from three in the last two editions. But Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia are not expected to make anything like the impact that Morocco did at the men’s tournament in Qatar last year when they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals.…

Jul

06

2023

By LORI EWING

Drogba teams up with FIFPRO, ILO to educate African players about fake agents

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FORMER Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says soccer players in Africa too often fall prey to fake agents peddling promises of fame and fortune. Through his foundation, Drogba has teamed up with the global soccer players union FIFPRO and the International Labour Organisation to raise awareness about the risks. "Please, I need you to hear this," former Ivory Coast international Drogba says in an animated campaign video to players. "Be very careful who you trust. Never trust the person who wants your money." FIFPRO recently surveyed 263 players from seven African countries and found that more than 70% were contacted unsolicited…

Jul

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Women’s World Cup 2023: start date, schedule, teams, venues and final

FOOTBALL

Here's what you need to know about the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand: WHEN DOES THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023 START? * This year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be held from July 20-August 20. * The tournament will begin with a Group A match between hosts New Zealand and Norway on July 20. WHICH TEAMS ARE TAKING PART? The World Cup will feature 32 teams and begin with a group stage, with teams divided into eight groups of four. * Group A: New Zealand (hosts), Norway,…

Jul

04

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa squad in dispute with FA ahead of World Cup

FOOTBALL

SOUTH Africa's Women's World Cup preparations were plunged into chaos when a shadow national team including a 13-year-old took on Botswana in a friendly as the squad selected for the finals were locked in a dispute with the national association. The match was supposed to be a send-off for the squad going to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before they continue their preparations outside the country. But a dispute with the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) over bonus payments and their contracts for the tournament meant the World Cup-bound squad did not play. Instead, a hastily put…

Jul

02

2023

By The African Mirror

Senegal forward Jackson joins Chelsea from Villarreal

FOOTBALL

SENEGAL striker Nicolas Jackson has joined Chelsea from Villarreal on an eight-year contract, the Premier League club announced. The 22-year-old played a vital role for Villarreal last season, scoring nine goals in the final eight matches and winning the LaLiga Player of the Month award for May. Jackson scored 12 goals in 26 league matches last term. He also made his debut for Senegal at the World Cup in Qatar, playing for 16 minutes in the 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands. Chelsea did not give any financial details but British media said they will pay 37 million euros ($40.38 million)…