Sports (53)
Sierra Leone coach John Keister says he received death threats prior to naming his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Sunday in Cameroon.
The 51-year-old received two threats - regarding the inclusion of certain players - a day before announcing his 28-man squad and reported them to police in the West African country.
"I think it's very, very sad that it has to come to this," Manchester-born Keister told BBC Sport Africa.
"Whatever walk of life you are in, nobody deserves that."
Keister added: "I don't think it should get to that point where my life is being threatened because people feel players should be in [the squad] - and if they are not, this is what they are going to do."
Keister featured for several British clubs, including Walsall and non-league Margate, during his playing career and was capped by Sierra Leone between 1997 and 2003.
He is in his second spell as national coach and has led the Leone Stars, ranked 108th in the world, to the tournament finals for the first time since 1996.
"We have come a long way [so] there's no reason for [the death threats]," added Keister.
"I've got family, I look after these boys and I have a job to do. It gets me angry and for me, where I have come from and my background, I feel there is something I need to do about it.
"Regardless of the job, I need to do something about it."
His squad, including one-time England defender Steven Caulker and former Middlesbrough striker Kei Kamara, 37, will face holders Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group E at the Nations Cup.
Source: BBC
An Algerian Footballer, playing for MOULOUDIA SAIDA has died on the pitch after colliding with a goalkeeper, during a game played in Oran between ASM Oran vs Mouloudia of Saida.
28-Year-old SOFIANE LOKAR, a central defender collided with his goalkeeper in the 26th minute of the week 10 Algerian Championship League 2 game.
LOKAR was trying to clear a cross in the 16-yard penalty area.
The Youngster received first aid and returned to the pitch, but could not follow the game and fell down again in the 35th minute.
An ambulance took him to hospital where he passed as paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but failed.
His teammates and football community in general are devastated by the tragic loss.
Source: BBC
Algeria won their maiden Arab Cup with a 2-0 win against Tunisia on Saturday after extra-time goals from substitute Amir Sayoud and Yacine Brahimi in Al Khor, a victory that backs up their credentials for the Africa Cup of Nations.
It also underscores North Africa's domination in a tournament that served as a World Cup dress rehearsal for Qatari organizers.
The African champions needed 99 minutes to find the opener through Sayoud against a formidable Tunisian side, who created opportunities and danger of their own but failed to capitalise.
With the last kick of the game, talisman and Qatar-based Yacine Brahimi, clean through on goal, wrapped up the 2-0 victory in the 125th minute to deservedly crown Algeria champions after a formidable tournament.
Algeria had also left it very late in their semi-final against hosts Qatar when Youcef Belaili netted a winner in the 17th minute of injury time.
In response, Qatari club Qatar SC terminated Belaili's contract.
On Instagram, Belaili, who had been at the Doha club since 2020, wrote: "Thank you very much to Qatar SC for the moments spent by your side and a huge thank you to the fans and the management. Now I am a free agent."
On Saturday, both Algeria and Morocco demonstrated the best and the worst of North African derbies with fine build-up play and skillful combinations as well as sloppy passages of play and theatrical interludes.
There was nothing to separate the two sides in Doha until Sayoud struck left-footed in extra-time to leave Tunisia's goalkeeper Mouez Hassen no chance.
Tunisia responded with chances for Mohamed Benalarbi and Ghailene Chaalali, but Brahimi decided the match when Tunisia left their goal undefended, wrapping up a two-week tournament that replaced the Confederations Cup as a warm-up event for the World Cup.
The African continent had six representatives at the tournament, last staged in 2012 but revived by Fifa in an expanded 16-team format to include more participants from across the Arab world and test Qatar's readiness for the World Cup.
Both Sudan and Mauritania exited the competition bottom of their group, but Morocco emerged as strong contenders, scoring nine goals without conceding to be one of four teams - alongside Qatar, Algeria and Egypt - to progress unbeaten from the first round.
Algeria's Arab Cup victory, however, reinforces their credentials to defend their continental crown in January when they start their campaign Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone in Group E.
In Qatar, Africa's number side were without their major stars, including Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez.
Countries often travelled with reserve squads because clubs were not compelled to release their players for the Arab Cup, a tournament outside of the Fifa calendar.
It allowed coaches to experiment and assess a number of fringe players in a bid to prepare for next month's Nations Cup.
With Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt - whose fourth-place finished has intensified pressure on coach Carlos Quieroz - in the competition until the last day, the Arab Cup had a distinct North African flavour with fevered fans often igniting the storied rivalries in the stands.
More than 500,000 tickets were sold for the 32 matches across six stadiums, all World Cup venues, the bulk of which went to Qatari residents.
The Arab Cup allowed Qatar's 2022 World Cup organisers to test operations and stage the matches in a bio-secure way through the introduction of Fan IDs and a local contract-tracing application.
The quarter-final between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at the Al-Bayt Stadium drew 63,439 fans, the single highest attendance ever for a sporting event in Qatar.
The tournament confirmed Qatar's hosting credentials ahead of next year's global finals, which will kick off on November 21 and mark the culmination of the country's decade of super-acceleration.
Qatar projects to spend $200 billion on infrastructure, including $6.5 billion directly on the World Cup, to stage the 28-day extravaganza next year, but the country's reputation has been tested by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
Source: BBC
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay has been named Africa's best cyclist of the year by organisers of the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, an annual cycling tour held in Gabon.
The 21-year-old clinched his second consecutive award ahead of South African Ryan Gibson and two of his countrymen; Merhawi Kudus and Henok Mulubrehan.
Eritreans dominate cycling competitions in Africa in almost all categories, both at the individual and at national team level.
The Horn of Africa nation has recorded six wins at the men's elite African Road Championships, more than any other country, in the last decade.
The country's biggest feat globally came at the 2015 Tour de France when Daniel Teklehaimanot became the first African to wear the polka dot jersey and Merhawi Kudus, then 21, was the field's youngest rider.
Several Eritrean professional cyclists have been recruited by clubs in Europe and South Africa over the years.
Source: BBC
Guinea and Sudan have named caretaker coaches to lead their teams at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, which kicks off in just four weeks' time.
Kaba Diawara continues as Guinea coach while Burhan Tia replaces Hubert Velud in charge of Sudan.
French-born former Guinea international Diawara took over temporarily after French coach Didier Six was sacked in October after Syli National failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Under Diawara, who has been handed the role for the next three months, Guinea drew 0-0 against visiting Guinea-Bissau and then lost 3-0 in Morocco. He will continue to work with Mandjou Diallo.
Diawara, who turns 46 on Thursday, made 15 appearances for Arsenal in 1999 after signing from Bordeaux. The forward went on to play for Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain before making 11 appearances on loan at West Ham.
Meanwhile the Sudan Football Association (SFA) has appointed local coach Tia for the Nation Cup, after parting ways with Frenchman Velud.
The move comes after Sudan lost all three group games at the ongoing Arab Cup in Qatar, conceding 10 goals and failing to score.
Velud had helped Sudan qualify for the Nations Cup for the first time since 2013, after being appointed in January 2020.
As well as the poor showing at the Arab Cup, Sudan also finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group with three points from three draws in their six group games, as they played Morocco, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.
The new interim coach Burhan Tia, who will be assisted by Mubarak Salman and Mohsen Said, has worked in the Sudan Premier League for 26 years.
Tia was also Sudan assistant coach during the 2018 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) as they finished third in Morocco.
The Africa Cup of Nations begins on Sunday, 9 January.
Source: BBC
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has dismissed rumours that next month's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) could be moved away from Cameroon following the recent discovery of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The new variant has led to travel restrictions being introduced by some countries for several African nations, with Nigeria, which neighbours Cameroon, the latest to be added to the United Kingdom's 'red list'.
In recent days, some media organisations have suggested the dates of the 24-team tournament could change or even the location be moved, possibly to Qatar.
Caf's director of communications Alex Siewe says neither his organisation nor leading Cameroon officials have discussed such events.
"We can't keep spending time dealing with rumours," he told BBC Sport Africa.
"We did not receive any other message or information from our leaders - nothing such as changing of dates or countries. We did not discuss such during all our last meetings."
"We are on site. We are working."
Africa's football showpiece, which has already been delayed because of the global pandemic, is due to kick off on 9 January in Yaounde with the final on 6 February.
Staff from the Caf arrived in Cameroon this week to organise the Afcon finals.
"An official delegation from Caf has been released and general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba is joining us in two days," Siewe added.
The European Club Association, an independent body which represents clubs across Europe, has expressed its "deep concerns" regarding player welfare before the tournament, adding that the public health situation "continues to deteriorate in an alarming manner".
Source: BBC
Red Arrows have bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup despite a two one win over SIMBA Sports Club in the second leg played this afternoon.
The Airmen fail after losing three nil in the first leg which led to a 4-2 aggregate as Simba sailed to the group stage of the competition.
The pre-group stage encounter played at the National Heroes’ Stadium saw Arrows geared to overturn the fixture as RICKY BANDA’s 45th minute cracker restored hope as the team led one nil at half time.
Arrows scored their second goal minutes into the second half, through SADDAM YUSUF making it two nil and three-two on aggregate.
When all thought parity was being restored owing to the numerous chances that the home side had, SIMBA sniffed out the signs of hope as they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 and 4-2 on aggregate.
The 4-2 aggregate gave Simba all the bragging rights as they wait to know who they will face in the group stage of the competition.
Meanwhile Arrows become the third Zambian club to be ejected out of continental football following the dismissal of ZESCO United and Kabwe Warriors football clubs.
Source: ZNBC
Zimbabwe's participation in next year's Africa Cup of Nations is in danger after the board of its football association (Zifa) was suspended by the country's government-appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) with immediate effect.
Football's world governing body Fifa disapproves of governmental interference in the running of member associations and has banned countries from all forms of football as a result in the past.
"This decision has been considered following several incidents of gross incompetence on the part of Zifa contrary to the national interest," said SRC chair Gerald Mlotshwa.
The reasons given for the ban include alleged sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff and allegations of fraud.
The Felton Kamambo-led Zifa board is yet to respond to the suspension, which comes two days after the men's national team ended their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group G, which also included Ghana and South Africa, with two points from six games.
The SRC, a statutory body mandated to regulate and develop sport and recreation in Zimbabwe, also detailed other reasons for the suspension including alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds.
"We are prepared in many respects for whatever might happen," Mlotshwa added.
"If Fifa decides to ban Zimbabwean football we are prepared for that. If it does happen we look at it being a short-term measure.
"Zimbabwean football needs this opportunity just to fix itself - if we are out of international football for a year, two years, that's fine. If we are suspended from Afcon next year we are prepared for that, that is fine, we need to deal with football."
The SRC took similar action in 2019 with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), setting up an interim leadership and receiving a three-month suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC readmitted ZC after the reinstatement of the board.
SRC board member Karen Mutasa is hoping for a more positive outcome this time.
"We would hope that Fifa would want to see the evidence that's presented to them and that they would work with us to build football in Zimbabwe, and even to assist with appointing an interim committee," she said.
Source: BBC
Former Professional Boxing Champion ESTHER PHIRI says lack of experienced trainers will affect Zambia’s World ranking in the sport.
PHIRI says there is an unprecedented poor performance among Women boxers in international fights due to lack of exposure and trained coaches.
The Former Women’s International Boxing Association -WIBA – Welterweight World Champion says there is need to integrate former boxers in the training of Athletes for international bouts.
She told ZNBC Sports News that retired Professional Boxers have a lot to offer the new generation and must be brought on board if Zambia is to regain dominance on the world stage.
PHIRI has recounted that during her prime years in the ring, her coach used to bring experienced opponents which helped her gain confidence ahead of international bouts.
She said the same needs to be done for current boxers if they are to win and attract major international bouts.
Source: ZNBC
The circus surrounding Broadcasting TV rights took a new twist yesterday after Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) obtained a court order restraining Football Association of Malawi (Fam) from continuing with awarding of contracts.
The order stops Fam from awarding contracts to Mibawa Studios as content producer and Zuku Television as the live football broadcaster in the country.
“Pending determination of the substantive matter, the defendant BE and is HEREBY restrained whether by itself, its servants, agents or assignees or through whomsoever from allowing Mibawa Television or any other company, firm or person(s) to be the Pay TV Football Host/Content Producer through Zuku TV and/or any other media platform,” part of the court order reads.
MBC Director General George Kasakula said they did not wish to disrupt Malawians from watching football in the country but justice must be followed.
“We don’t intend to take football away from people but rather give them a wider coverage on television and us, as a national broadcaster, who also did a bidding in the production of live football coverage, reportedly did well. Surprisingly, Fam decided to award the contract to another company. We are not happy, we would like the courts to do their job,” Kasakula said.
Fam Commercial Director Limbani Matola did not pick up his phone despite numerous efforts.
But the association released a statement, saying it was unable to televise yesterday’s and today’s Airtel Top 8 Cup games due to the court injunction.
“Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has obtained an injunction restricting our content producer, Mibawa Studios from producing any football matches and our host content broadcaster.
“We are working hard to make sure that we resolve this as soon as possible,” reads part of the statement.
Zuku TV Country Director Elias Dziko could also not be reached for a comment.
However, Mibawa Television Chief Executive Officer John Nthakomwa said he was saddened by the development.
“My first reaction is that this is a sad development that Malawi has chosen to continue going backwards. This was an opportunity for teams and Fam and Sulom [Super League of Malawi] to start making some money out of the game.
“My team (staff) was already in Dwangwa ready to beam the game but we did not proceed because of the court order,” Nthakomwa said.
Kasakula challenged that MBC had the capacity to produce and televise football games live despite the busy schedule.
“We are in the process of opening a second television channel which gives us a better and viable position to beam football matches,” he said.
Lawyer David Kanyenda of Makiyi and Kanyenda Associates is representing MBC.
Source: The Times Group
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The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation -ZNBC- will televise the FIFA world cup 2022 Qualifier Match between Zambia and Mauritania.
ZNBC Head of Corporate Affairs ANNE MUKABE says the outside broadcast team is already on the ground to prepare for transmission tomorrow.
Ms. MUKABE has since appealed to companies wishing to advertise their products and services to contact the marketing department.
The game starts at 15. hours.
Meanwhile Interim Chipolopolo Coach BESTON CHAMBESHI has tasked the players to make their mark at the national team by recording resounding victories in the final FIFA World Cup Qualifying fixtures.
CHAMBESHI says the players should fight to win the remaining fixtures because a lot is at stake despite failing to contend for a place at the 2022 Qatar Showpiece.
He says it is expected of all players local and foreign, to replicate their form at their Clubs for country if Zambia is to beat Mauritania and Tunisia.
CHAMBESHI was speaking during a Pre-match Press conference held in Lusaka today.
The Chipolopolo Gaffer has further hinted that there will be changes made to the Squad that will take on Mauritania on Saturday from the side that played Equatorial Guinea in the last encounter.
He further said he is satisfied with the level of competition in the squad adding that the services of ENOCK MWEPU will be missed.
And Mauritania football team Coach GERARD BUSCHER said the team will do everything to win.
BUSCHER said he is aware that Zambia are a good team but that his charges target a win.
MEANWHILE, Chipolopolo Captain LUMBAMBO MUSONDA said the team is ready for the game and will target a win.
MUSONDA said they aim to get as many goals as they can so that they can please the home fans.
Captain of the Mauritania football team ADAMA BA said with a new coach in place, the team will use the games to adapt and prepare for further encounters.
15:00 hours is the time set for the Zambia and Mauritania encounter to be played at the National Heroes stadium in Lusaka.
Source: ZNBC
By Malawi24 Reporter
Malawian athlete Asimenye Simwaka this morning broke the national record as she clocked 11:68 seconds in Women’s 100m round 1 -Heat 1 at the Tokyo Olympics.
Simwaka, however, failed to qualify for the semifinals since she came last in round 1 -Heat 1.
United States’ Teahna Daniels emerged winner of Heat 1 after completing the race on 11:04 seconds. Britain’s Dina Asher Smith and Murielle Ahouré of Ivory Coast finished second and third respectively. The three qualified for the semifinals.
There was a total of 7 Heats in Round 1 from which 24 athletes have qualified for the semifinals.
Simwaka (2nd from R) in round 1 – Heat 1
Marie Josée Ta Lou and Murielle Ahouré of Ivory Coast as well as Nigeria’s Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha and Blessing Okagbare are the African atheletes who have qualified for the semifinals to be held over the weekend.
Simwaka competed in round one after coming second in the preliminary round where she completed the race in 11:76 seconds, which was also a national record.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are Simwaka’s first Olympics and her first time to compete in 100m events.
Source: M24《》RT
By Chansa Kunda
Various Football stakeholders have welcomed the decision by FAZ to restrict the number of foreign players in the Zambian Leagues.
The introduction of the Quota system will see all Super League and National Division One clubs register and feature only five foreign players in their squads.
NKana Football Club Chief Executive Officer Mutale Kapwepwe said clubs have been given enough time to regulate the number of foreign players that will be playing for their teams.
Kapwepwe told ZNBC Sports News in an interview that the Club has welcomed the move and that he looks forward to the fruits it will yield in future .
And Power Dynamos -CEO- Happy Munkondya said the introduction of the system has been long over due.
He said this is because his club has always believed in grooming young players to fill the ranks.
Munkondya said the club currently has four foreign players adding that regulating the number to five is doing justice to Zambian football .
And Kabwe warriors Chief Executive Officer Charles Chakatazya said with the introduction of the Quota system , the club will deploy more scouts into the provincial Leagues so that young talent can be identified .
Chakatazya said the move will also improve soccer at national level.
And Football analyst Musonda Chibulu said with the League currently having unregulated foreign players , the move will propel local players to work harder .
Meanwhile, Football analyst Puncherello Chama said the Quota system is a wrong move as it will have a drastic impact on teams that will be taking part in continental football .
Chama said what Clubs and FAZ should work at strengthening grassroots structures as it is the foundation of having a strong National team .
On Saturday, Football Association of Zambia-FAZ- Congress during the Annual General meeting -AGM held in Kabwe unanimously voted to have the Quota system introduced for the 2021/2022 football season.
Source: ZNBC Sport《》RT
By Green Muheya
“It has literary ended in tears for everyone.”
Everything was shambolic. And chaotic. Tearful and uneventful it was and a match one badly want to forget to remember.
Poor officiation, tempers, teargas and pelting of stones marred the much touted Blantyre derby on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.
The game was tense and dictated by old-rivalry antics with both teams wanting to carry home not only bragging rights of the commercial city, but also honour.
In the end the game end in tears for both as the match finished in a deadlock with both sides netting a goal each.
The Lali Lubani boys, Mighty Wanderers scored in the first half before Nyasa Bullets’s equalizer in the second half.
The Nomads opened the scoresheet in the 14th minute through Stanely Sanudi before the Peoples Team equalised to level the play in the second half from Yunusu Sherrif’s own goal.
However, some controversial decisions by referee, Gift Chicco and Bernadette Kwimbira led to some chaotic scenes.
The Nomads supporters were furious with some decisions like being denied a second goal scored by Peter Cholopi from a corner kick for a foul.
The saga reached at the pinnacle of the boiling point, when Stanley Sanudi was denied a corner kick.
This led to Sanudi being furious asking Bernadetta Kwimbira why she denied him a corner kick.
In process of complaining, captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr and Ted Sumani joined in, in quizzing Kwimbira the same question.
Police protection
Referee, Gift Chiko rushed to the scene before handing a yellow card to Manyozo and Sumani, who was already shown another card in the first half.
This development angered the Nomads fans, who pelted stones in anger of the decisions.
John Chidakwani of the populous Ndirande Township, a Bullets supporter said: “It has literary ended in tears for everyone.
“I think the referees ought to be professional and follow the rules of the game to the letter. What happened today is disgusting.”
The game was stopped for close to 30 minutes, as the police and Stewart tried to calm down the situation.
However, when calm prevailed, the game was resumed only to be stopped again after Vincent Nyanguru was trickled down inside the box by John Lanjesi.
Referee, Chiko wanted to blow the whistle for a penalty only to change his mind at the eleventh hour.
The game was stopped again as supporters were not happy with the officiation.
However, It was the turn of teargas to end the match as it affected players inside the pitch.
Tears were all over from players and officials due to the teargas.
Players scrambled for water to wipe out the teargas in their eyes, as the police whisked the referee team away from angry fans.
Another drama was witnessed while the game was in progress when a Bullets supporters invaded the pitch to pour urine on Richard Chipuwas goal.
All in all, the Blantyre derby ended 1-1 but with a lot of drama that could make a beautiful script for a comedy of a Nigerian movie.
Source: NT《》RT
