SPORT - The African Mirror

May

2024

Atletico Madrid hit with two-match partial stand closure after racist abuse

ATLETICO Madrid have been ordered to partially close their south stand for two matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams suffered racist abuse in Saturday's LaLiga game. Referee Juan Martinez Munuera stopped the match in the 36th minute as part of LaLiga's protocol against racism after he heard racist abuse directed at the 21-year-old Spain international, who was born in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents. Atletico, who did not immediately respond when contacted by Reuters for comment, has also been fined 20,000 euros ($21,360). They have 10 days to appeal. The RFEF said in a statement…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria name Finidi George as manager

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA have appointed their former winger Finidi George as head coach, officials said, elevating the 53-year-old from his previous role as assistant. George worked under former coach Jose Peseiro and took over after the latter's contract was not renewed despite leading Nigeria to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast where they lost to the hosts. George was interim coach for two friendlies in March, a 2-1 victory over Ghana and a 2-0 defeat by Mali, and now has the job on a permanent basis. His immediate task will be to get Nigeria’s 2026…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Premier League talking points

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the latest round of Premier League games. POROUS TOTTENHAM JOIN 50 CLUB AS DEFENCES STRUGGLE Tottenham Hotspur's concession of three goals before halftime against Arsenal meant they became the 16th club to let in 50 in the top flight this season. That is the most in a top-flight season consisting of 20 clubs since the 1909-10 season when 17 clubs reached that landmark and there could be more yet with Everton having shipped 48 with three games left. The reasons are complex, however, with VAR, teams playing out from the back and a glut of top-quality strikers…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Talking points from European soccer

FOOTBALL

TALKING points from the weekend in European soccer leagues: ITALY ATALANTA FOCUS ON EUROPEAN GLORY Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta are having a great season, with the Bergamo club chasing a top-four finish in Serie A, and looking to win the Europa League and Coppa Italia. However, the 66-year-old coach is clear about where his priorities lie as they prepare to face Olympique de Marseille on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. "Right now, the Europa League is the target we care about most, but we must be careful because Marseille are a strong side," Gasperini said.…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Manchester City keep pressure on Arsenal with 2-0 win over Forest

FOOTBALL

MANCHESTER City took another step in their bid to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, with Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland on target. Pep Guardiola's men kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal, pulling to within a point of the Gunners -- who held on to win 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day -- in the table with a game in hand. "I think the most important thing is to not think (about the title race), especially these moments, but take it day by day," Haaland told Sky Sports. "Honestly…

Apr

2024

By KEN FERRIS

Arsenal must keep feet on the ground after Spurs win says Arteta

FOOTBALL

ARSENAL must not get carried away with their Premier League title chances after edging local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a hard-fought London derby, manager Mikel Arteta said on Sunday. The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead by halftime but Spurs battled back with two goals and left the visitors holding on for the points after a storming late comeback. "Don't get carried away with yourself. Just understand we have to be better, we want to be better. There's a margin for improvement and we go again against Bournemouth," said Arteta. League leaders Arsenal host the Cherries on Saturday before…

Apr

2024

By The African Mirror

Kenya’s Wanyonyi sets road mile world record in Herzogenaurach

ATHLETICS

KENYA'S Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a road mile world record at the Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, finishing with a time of three minutes and 54.5 seconds. The race was Wanyonyi's competitive debut in the men's mile category. The 19-year-old broke the previous record of 3:56.13 set by American Hobbs Kessler in October. Kessler, who also ran on Saturday, finished second with a time of 3:56.1. Wanyonyi, who specialises in 800 metres, won silver at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before winning gold at the 2023 Diamond League.

Apr

2024

By Mpho Rantao

Jaguar’s Mitch Evans wins an intense Monaco E-Prix battle

MOTORSPORT

MITCH Evans fulfilled his racing dream as he crossed the finish line to take his (and Jaguar’s) first win at the Monaco E-Prix after only making the podium in four previous races. The eighth round of the Formula E championship in the Principality featured a number of plot twists and damaged front wings collected by the track circuit barriers. "FINALLY!! Amazing work by everyone. Honestly, I have been waiting so long for this, way before Formula E. Great teamwork with Nick,” Evans said on a team radio post-race. Evans came from third to take his first chequered flag in the streets of…

Apr

2024

By Mpho Rantao

McLaren’s Sam Bird ruled out of E-prix, replaced by Barnard

MOTORSPORT

NEOM McLaren driver Sam Bird has been ruled out of the Monaco E-Prix this weekend, hampering his challenge for the Formula E (FE) championship. The British driver crashed into the wall at turn two (known as the Saint-Devote corner) during the first free practice session ahead of the main race. https://twitter.com/wearetherace/status/1784116761710731703 Bird crashed into the run-off zone at the end of the start-finish straight a few minutes before the end of the session, smashing his front right wheel into the track barrier. According to his team, Bird sustained a hand injury and will be replaced by their reserve driver, fellow…

Apr

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

NBA Africa ‘hoops’ into African tech with a startup accelerator

BASKETBALL

THE NBA, through its business franchise in Africa, NBA Africa, has stepped onto Africa's tech startup scene, launching an accelerator tailored for early-stage startups in sports and creative industries. In a statement, NBA Africa explained that the initiative, known as the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator, will support Africa’s tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital that will help drive growth in the sports and creative industries. “We are thrilled to launch an accelerator program based on the continent and focused on early-stage African startups,” said Clare Akamanzi,…