football - The African Mirror

Mar

2024

Ivory Coast star Diallo scores winner to send Man Utd into FA Cup semis

AMAD Diallo scored deep in extra time after Marcus Rashford made amends for a bad miss to lift Manchester United to a breathless 4-3 victory over northwest rivals Liverpool and into the FA Cup semi-finals. United's victory at Old Trafford kept alive their only hope of silverware this season and spoiled Liverpool's dreams of hoisting four trophies in manager Juergen Klopp's final campaign with the team. Erik ten Hag's side will face Championship (second-tier) outfit Coventry City in the semis after they upset Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on Saturday. "Listen to the noise, you can tell what a big game it…

Mar

2024

By The African Mirror

Arsenal’s Partey back for Sheffield United visit, Arteta says

FOOTBALL

THOMAS Partey is set to return to the Arsenal squad after a four-month absence when they visit bottom side Sheffield United, manager Mikel Arteta said. The Ghana international has had multiple injury problems this season and hasn't played since October, with just four Premier League appearances this campaign. "Thomas had a session before the last game and now he's done two consecutive sessions and he should be part of the squad," Arteta told reporters on Thursday. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu, both out with calf issues, are close to recovery but not certain for Monday, Arteta said. "It's possible but…

Feb

2024

By BEATRICE TRIDIMAS

What is football’s carbon footprint?

ENVIRONMENT

WITH a fan base of 3.5 billion – nearly half the global population – football is the world's most popular sport and its carbon footprint is huge. With emissions created by energy use in stadiums, travel by fans and teams, broadcasting, the multibillion-dollar market for kits and other merchandise and even matchday meals, the beautiful game takes a not-so-beautiful toll on the planet's climate. This weekend, thousands of football fans across Britain are being urged to make climate-conscious choices – from opting for plant-based meals to switching to green energy providers – as part of Green Football Weekend, a campaign to engage fans and…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Bullet point previews of Premier League matches

FOOTBALL

MATCH-BY-MATCH facts and statistics ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures from December 15-17 (all times GMT): Friday, December 15 Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur (2000) * Forest have one win in their last 12 league matches (D5 L6) * Spurs forward Son Heung-min has two goals and three assists in his last three games. * Tottenham still have eight players sidelined with injuries, including James Maddison and Micky van de Ven. Saturday, December 16 Newcastle United v Fulham (1500) * Fulham have scored 16 goals in their last four matches, netting at least three times in each…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

ITALY NAPOLI'S MAZZARRI FACES DEFENSIVE CHALLENGES Walter Mazzarri's spell as Napoli manager got off to a fine start with a 2-1 win at Atalanta on Sunday but he must now address defensive issues ahead of crucial matches. Defender Mathias Olivera was taken off on a stretcher after slipping and is set for an extended period on the sidelines. The injury to the Uruguay international has put Mazzarri in a difficult position as the Napoli squad currently lacks any available left-backs, with Mario Rui also sidelined. First-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret could bring some relief as his recovery from a calf injury…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Ghanaian striker Dwamena dies during game in Albania

FOOTBALL

FORMER Ghana forward Raphael Dwamena, 28, died on the pitch while playing for a local team in Albania, the Albanian Football Federation said in a statement. Dwamena lost consciousness and after doctors gave him first aid he was sent to a hospital. "Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors and all efforts to bring him back to life, the footballer unfortunately passed away," the federation said in a statement. The federation has postponed all games scheduled in Albania this week. Dwamena was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2017 and during a game in Austria in 2021 he collapsed on…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns win Africa’s new super league

FOOTBALL

SOUTH Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns won the inaugural African Football League, beating Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 2-0 in the second leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld. It gave them a 3-2 aggregate win in the first edition of Africa’s effort at launching a super league, which was reduced from a planned 24-club league to a six-week, eight-team knockout tournament. Trailing 2-1 from last weekend's first leg in Casablanca, Sundowns evened the aggregate score in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Peter Shalulile. They added a second goal seven minutes into the second half when Aubrey Modhiba…

Jul

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…

May

2023

By The African Mirror

Five key reasons why FC Barcelona won LaLiga Santander

FOOTBALL

THE Blaugrana have clinched the LaLiga Santander title with four rounds to spare, and there are several explanations for their stellar season. FC Barcelona has already been crowned as LaLiga Santander champions, mathematically securing the top spot with four matchdays to spare. This is the 27th league trophy won by the Blaugrana, and it is their first since 2019. Xavi Hernández now joins the exclusive club of FC Barcelona legends to win the league title as player and coach of the team. Below comes a look at five of the main reasons to explain why and how FC Barcelona has…

Apr

2023

By The African Mirror

Taty Castellanos’ dream comes true as he nets four against Real Madrid to make LaLiga Santander history

FOOTBALL

THE Girona FC forward wrote his name into the history books, as no player had managed to put four past Los Blancos in more than seven decades. Girona FC striker Valentín ‘Taty’ Castellanos stole the limelight on Tuesday evening when he dismantled Real Madrid’s defence to lead his team to a big 4-2 victory in LaLiga Santander Matchday 31. Los Blancos did get off to a solid start, attacking Girona FC’s defence in waves in the opening stages, but Castellanos headed home just 12 minutes in after a great team move from Los Blanquivermells. It took the 24-year-old striker just…