SPORT - The African Mirror

Jan

12

2023

Haller savours first game in Dortmund shirt after cancer battle

SPORT

SEBASTIEN Haller said he was relieved to finally make his first appearance in a Borussia Dortmund shirt following two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy for testicular cancer which sidelined the Ivory Coast forward for six months. Haller, who scored 34 goals for Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam last season, was diagnosed during a pre-season training camp in July - weeks after he had been signed for an initial fee of 31 million euros ($33.25 million). The 28-year-old returned to training earlier this month and finally made his unofficial debut as he came on in the second half of Tuesday's friendly…

Jan

11

2023

By The African Mirror

African football on the rise: CAF’s new continental Super League

SPORT

BIRD STORY AGENCY AFRICAN football is poised for a boost as FIFA associations look forward to additional funding under the FIFA Forward 3.0 programme, 2022-2026. In the new round of funding, individual associations could get up to US$5 million to supplement operational costs and an additional US$ 3 million to execute specific football projects. Associations that are the most in need will also take home US$1.2 million to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for their national teams, as well as the purchase of football equipment. Confederations and regional/zonal associations will receive US$60 million and US$5 million respectively, to…

Dec

10

2022

By The African Mirror

Messi or Ronaldo? Football’s hottest debate rages on in Qatar

SPORT

PHILIP O'CONNOR IT may have been a rest day at the World Cup on Thursday but there was no stopping the football discussion that never ends - who is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? With no games in the Qatari capital for the second straight day, fans streamed to the Souk Waqif to shop and see the sights, and the decade-long debate about who is the GOAT - the "greatest of all time" - continued in the cafes and restaurants. Fans of Argentina, who meet the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday, and Portugal, who…

Nov

26

2022

By The African Mirror

World cup 2022: Six facts about the Morocco national football team

SPORT

THE Atlas Lions held Croatia to a goalless draw in their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday, 25th November. The North African side will take on Belgium Sunday 27th, in their second Group F game World Cup pedigree: Morocco is making its sixth World Cup appearance in Qatar following their exertions in the 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018 tournaments. The Atlas Lions have played 16 matches, winning just two, recording five draws and nine defeats. Star player: Hakim Ziyech -The Chelsea winger returned to the national team just in time for the World Cup after his most-publicised…

Nov

26

2022

By The African Mirror

World cup 2022: Match facts on Ghana and Cameroon as they represent Africa in Qatar today

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO FOR BIRD STORY AGENCY THE focus shifts to Group G and H, where Ghana’s Black Stars will start their campaign against Portugal at the Lusail Stadium while Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will take on Switzerland at the Al Janoub Stadium. Ghana World Cup pedigree: This is Ghana’s fourth World Cup after making their debut in 2006 and competing again at the 2010 and 2014 tournaments. Best performance: The Black Stars reached the quarter-final of the 2010 edition in South Africa. It ended heartbreakingly when Asamoah Gyan missed an extra-time penalty that could have seen them become the first African…

Nov

25

2022

By The African Mirror

Apologetic Embolo gives Swiss 1-0 victory over Cameroon

SPORT

KAROLOS GROHMANN SWITZERLAND edged Cameroon 1-0 courtesy of a goal against the run of play by apologetic Breel Embolo versus the country of his birth for an opening win in World Cup Group G at the Al Janoub Stadium. While it was a good day for the Swiss it was a bad one for African football, whose teams in Qatar have yet to score a goal in the tournament. Apart from Cameroon, Tunisia, as well as Morocco and Senegal, all failed to find the net in their opening matches. Ghana is in action later on Thursday against Portugal. Embolo, born…

Nov

25

2022

By The African Mirror

Qatar have point to prove against Senegal says coach Sanchez

SPORT

SHADY AMIR QATAR wants to prove they can compete at the highest level when they face Senegal, coach Felix Sanchez said on the eve of a clash that may thwart their World Cup hopes. The Asian champions are hoping to avoid becoming only the second hosts to be eliminated in the first round at the finals after South Africa in 2010. Qatar lost 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament after a disappointing performance, causing many fans to leave the stadium 20 minutes before the end. "Hopefully we can play freely and without pressure and be better…

Nov

24

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup ’22: Meet the 1st African woman referee

SPORT

BIRD STORY AGENCY Rwandan referee Salma Mukansanga has made history as the first woman to officiate at a men's World Cup. Mukasanga officiated in Qatar when defending champions France beat Australia 4-1 in Group D opener at Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah. The Rwandan whistle-woman was among three female referees listed by FIFA among its 36 to officiate the men's World Cup. The other two are Yamashita Yoshimi of Japan and Stephanie Frappart of France. Mukusanga has broken new ground before as a female referee. She was the first female referee at the Women's World Cup 2019 edition, and earlier…

Nov

24

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Stats, Facts, and Tidbits on Tunisia’s National football team

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO WORLD Cup pedigree: This is Tunisia's sixth World Cup after 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018 but they have never gone past the group stage. The North Africans have played 15 World Cup games, winning two, with four draws and nine defeats. Best performance: Their two wins came 40 years apart, beating Mexico 3-1 on their debut in 1978 with the second victory, a 2-1 triumph over Panama in Russia in 2018. Star man: Wahbi Khazri -The French-born forward is one of the most experienced players in the squad, and this will be his second World Cup after…

Nov

24

2022

By The African Mirror

World Cup 2022: Seven cool facts about the Senegalese national football team

SPORT

JOEL OMOTO, BIRD STORY AGENCY WORLD Cup appearances: This is Senegal's third World Cup after making their debut in South Korea /Japan in 2002 and competing for the second time at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Best performance: Senegal shocked the world when they stormed to the quarter-finals of the 2002 tournament on their debut, with victory against then-champions France, Denmark, Uruguay and Sweden, before losing to Turkey in extra time. Victims of an unusual FIFA rule: They were the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated using the fair play rule after being tied with Japan…