Shanghai, China | AFP | Marcello Lippi was back as coach of China on Friday, four months after the World Cup winner quit and following a failed stint by fellow Italian Fabio Cannavaro. The 71-year-old Lippi’s return to the top job in Chinese football had been widely tipped in domestic media …
Read More »Mane steps out from Salah’s shadow to lead Liverpool’s double charge
Liverpool, United Kingdom | AFP | Sadio Mane has grown used to playing second fiddle to Mohamed Salah in the two seasons since the latter joined the Senegalese at Liverpool. However, the fact Jurgen Klopp’s men top the Premier League in their quest to end a 29-year wait to win …
Read More »Factfiles of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Factfiles of 24 qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt between June 21 and July 19: Algeria Qualifying results: Benin 2-0 home 0-1 away, Gambia 1-1 1-1, Togo 1-0 4-1 Scorers: Bounedjah 3, Mahrez 2, Abeid, Attal, Bensebaini, Hanni 1 each Coach: …
Read More »Henry, Vieira reunion ends in stalemate on Cote d’Azur
Paris, France | AFP | It was honours even between Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira as the old France and Arsenal teammates clashed for the first time as coaches on Wednesday in a controversy-laden 1-1 draw between Monaco and Nice. The presence of the two greats in the respective dugouts …
Read More »Andrew Stewart Tamale; East Africa’s freestyle football champion
Kampala, Uganda | AGNES E NANTABA | Andrew Stewart Tamale, also known as Andy Skillz, is a 22 year old freestyle footballer who reigns as two time East African free style champion. Freestyle football is a sport in which athletes compete to perform various tricks using a football. The game remains …
Read More »16-year-old footballer turns out to be 28
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gourav Mukhi went from being celebrated as the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Indian Super League to being suspended for six months, after authorities found that he wasn’t actually 16-years-old, but 28. His troubles started back in October, when the Jamshedpur FC …
Read More »Salah retains African award to seal great day for Egypt
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | Mohamed Salah completed a memorable day for Egyptian football by retaining his African Player of the Year award in Senegal Tuesday. The 26-year-old Liverpool star finished first with club-mate Senegalese Sadio Mane and Arsenal and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the other finalists. “I have dreamt of winning this award since …
Read More »Kaizer Chiefs blunder gifts Mamelodi Sundowns victory
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | A disastrous mistake by Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Virgil Vries gifted Mamelodi Sundowns a 2-1 victory this weekend in a high-profile South African Premiership showdown. Namibian Vries came too far off his line and a seemingly aimless 81st-minute long pass from Lyle Lakay bounced over …
Read More »Authorities move to fence-off Namboole Stadium Land
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Authorities are moving to fence off the land housing Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, in order to save it from further encroachment. The 40,202 sitting capacity stadium was the first project of the sports complex designed to have all sporting facilities. But most of the …
Read More »Over 60 wounded in Algeria football clashes
Algiers, Algeria | AFP | More than 60 people, mostly police officers, were wounded in clashes with supporters at a football match in Algeria, local authorities said on Wednesday. The fixture between top division club MC Alger and third league Village Moussa was marred by repeated stone-throwing before the referee …
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