SPORT - The African Mirror

Jul

07

2023

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

FOOTBALL

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

FOOTBALL

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)…

Jul

02

2023

By The African Mirror

Ingebrigtsen holds off Girma to win 1,500m at Diamond League in Lausanne

ATHLETICS

OLYMPIC champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen held off Lamecha Girma in a battle of world record holders to win the much-anticipated men's 1,500 metres at the Athletissima Diamond League meet on Friday. The 22-year-old from Norway, who broke the world mark in the seldom-run two-mile event this month in Paris, clocked three minutes 28.72 seconds, less than a second off his personal best despite a chilly evening at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. "I have had to make some adjustments with my strategy, I have been putting in extra miles in the last couple of weeks," Ingebrigtsen said. "It's all to get myself in…

Jun

30

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Ball, Dream, New Life: How soccer freestyling revolutionized a life

FOOTBALL

IN the dark alleys of Greyville and the rough neighbourhoods of Eldorado Park, Newclare, and Westbury, Patel Zain’s early life was ensnared in a web of violence, drug abuse, and crime. As he explained in an interview with bird story agency, his rough childhood experiences had a strong influence on the choices that led to his involvement in drug trafficking and crime. But a drug-related conviction in 2009 threatened to define his future. “The conviction was my lowest but being a strong-willed person, I knew I had a chance of turning my life around,” he explained. After serving his prison…