Category: Sports - Page 50 - African News Today

Egypt’s Iconic Goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary Hangs his Gloves at the Age of 47

24Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Egypt, Sports

Egypt’s Iconic Goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary Hangs his Gloves at the Age of 47

Egypt’s legendary goalkeeper, Essam El Hadary announced his retirement from football in a television show on Thursday. El-Hadary last played for Egyptian second division club, Nogoom, based in Giza. El Hadary’s last club was Nogoom, an Egyptian second division club based in Giza. He said football was experiencing a lot of conflict of interest at the top level. “Football is my second wife and I have divorced it. I am not returning to play football again, the entire system has errors and club heads attacking each other, and may God be in the help of the players,” El Hadary said. Despite his surprise at the present circumstances surrounding the game, El Hadary was in no doubt of his status as the Egypt’s greatest goalkeeper. “There is nothing to add to my footballing history. T...

NFF Congratulates Egbo on Historic Feat of Guiding Tirana to Domestic Title

22Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports

NFF Congratulates Egbo on Historic Feat of Guiding Tirana to Domestic Title

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated Emmanuel Ndubuisi Egbo on becoming the first Nigerian and African to oversee a domestic title triumph with a European club. Egbo, former Nigerian goalkeeper has coached his team, KF Tirana to Albanian top tier league glory with three matches yet to be played. The gaffer has also led the team to UEFA champions League qualification. Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday sent a message to Egbo saying, “I congratulate you and wish you only the best. This is also to say that we are very proud of your wonderful achievements”. The former goalkeeper replied: “Thank you Sir, I appreciate it so much. We thank God for his Grace and goodness. It is not my achievements; it’s our achievements as ...

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

14Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Sports

Ivory Coast FA Presidency: Players Refuse to Support Didier Drogba’s Election Bid

Former Ivory coast and Chelsea talisman, Didier Drogba’s chances of emerging the President of Ivory Coast’s Football Federation suffered a setback after players declined endorsing his candidacy for the top position. The 42-year-old is one of the three prominent candidates for the Ivorian Football Federation top job but he is yet to gain the endorsement of any of the five special interest groups necessary to get onto the ballot for the September election. Drogba expected to get support of the footballer’s union, header by erstwhile team mate Cyrille Domoraud, but the group opted to support Idriss Diallo, one of the two opposition candidates. The Association of Ivorian Footballers in a statement said, “The majority of our members decided to grant our endorsement to the list led by M...

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

13Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Cote d'Ivoire, Crime, English Premiership, Security, Sports

Ivorian defender, Serge Aurier Mourns Brother Who Was Shot Dead in France

Christopher Aurier, younger brother of Ivory coast defender, Serge Aurier was shot dead in Toulouse, France by unknown shooter. This was confirmed by Serge Aurier’s London based club, Tottenham Hotspur on Monday after reports had it that Christopher was found shot in the stomach by emergency services. The identity of the shooter is unknown at the moment. Tottenham said in a statement, “The Club is deeply saddened to confirm media reports that Serge Aurier’s brother passed away in the early hours of this morning.” “Everybody at the Club sends their sincerest condolences to Serge and his family. Our thoughts are with them all.” Christopher, played for French fifth division side Rodéo Toulouse last season- after spells at Racing Club de Lens, Gueugnon, Chantilly and Belgian clu...

Eagles’ Striker Paul Onuachu Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Club Plans Preseason

10Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Nigeria, Sports

Eagles’ Striker Paul Onuachu Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Club Plans Preseason

Super eagles of Nigeria forward, Paul Onuachu has tested COVID-19 positive as his club KRC Genk prepares for their first pre-season match. Announcing his status, Onuachu who said that he is asymptomatic and feeing well, reports that his Instagram followers have grown by 10,000 after his status was made public. The Nigerian striker was the only member of the Genk squad who tested positive to the virus after the club conducted tests this week in readiness for the resumption of pre-season games. Onuachu said two of his previous tests after his return to Belgium came back negative before the latest round of tests. He said, “I’m very well as I talk with you.” “I’m not just in the mood to talk right now. It’s the third test and the first two were negative. “In a couple of days ...

Women’s Football in Africa Needs a Face Lift to Attract Investors – Asisat Oshoala

10Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Nigeria, Sports, WAFCON

Women’s Football in Africa Needs a Face Lift to Attract Investors – Asisat Oshoala

Reigning Africa women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala has charged cooperate bodies and football governing bodies in Africa to invest towards the growth of women’s football if they are to compete favourably with their well-funded counterparts across the world. Super Falcons of Nigeria Captain, Oshoala said that the attitude and structure of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and football associations in the continent have been a stumbling block towards attracting investors to sponsor women’s football in Africa. In a chat with the media, Oshoala expressed her displeasure at the cancellation of the 2020 African Women’s championship by CAF and advocated proper rebranding of women’s football in Africa to make it appealing to potential investors and required publicity from the ...

Gabon’s Aubameyang Breaks Arsenal Record as Player to Reach the 50 Goals Mark Fastest in PL

4Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, English Premiership, Gabon, Sports, Youths

Gabon’s Aubameyang Breaks Arsenal Record as Player to Reach the 50 Goals Mark Fastest in PL

Prolific Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set a new record at Premiership side Arsenal by becoming the fasted player to reach 50 the goal mark fastest for the Londoners. He achieved the feat after his brace in midweek against Norwich City in their first home game since the restart of the English topflight. Aubameyang took his tally to 51 in the 4-0 thrashing of relegation bound Norwich City. Aubameyang rose to sixth in the Premier League standings of fastest players to reach 50 goals. It took the Gabonese 79 league games to surpass the record initially held by Arsenal’s French legend Thierry Henry who took 83 games to reach 50 goals, closely followed by Ian Wright at third. Arsenal’s second all-time goal poacher, Wright congratulated Aubameyang on twitter for his milesto...

Kenya Plans Reintroduction of Betting Tax

3Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Economy, Finance, Kenya, Lifestyle, News, Sports

Kenya Plans Reintroduction of Betting Tax

The government of Kenya has concluded plans to reintroduce taxation of betting companies within six months following a public outburst over cancellation of the 20 percent duty in the Finance Bill 2020. Ukur Yatani, Treasury Cabinet Secretary heaped blame on the Parliament, referencing lobbying of government for the removal of the taxes. Mr. Yarani said, “The players in the industry have been petitioning the government to reduce taxation in the industry,” “The removal of this tax happened during the committee stage of the bill…The National Treasury will be proposing to the National Assembly the re-introduction of the excise duty on betting within the next six months.” Kenya ceased taxing betting firms after a proposal on May15 by an unclear stakeholder group, identified only by ...

2021 AFCON, AWCON and CHAN Moved to 2022- CAF

1Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Sports, WAFCON

2021 AFCON, AWCON and CHAN Moved to 2022- CAF

The African cup of Nations that was scheduled to take place this year has been moved to 2022. This was disclosed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee. The postponement was informed by the coronavirus pandemic which has disrupted sporting calendar of various federations this year. The decision to shift African biggest football fiesta equally affected the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) and Championship of African Nations (CHAN) which ought to commence in January 2021. CAF announced an inaugural CAF Champions League for Women in Africa. Source: Brilla

Super Eagles Striker Victor Osimhen Named Best Ligue 1 African Footballer of the Year in France

29Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Striker Victor Osimhen Named Best Ligue 1 African Footballer of the Year in France

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen who plays for Ligue 1 side, Lille has won the 2020 Marc-Vivien Foe prize. The prolific striker who is mourning the death of his father contested the prize with fellow Nigerian Simon Moses (Nantes), Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga, Montpellier’s Andy Delort, Monaco’s Islam Slimani plus Rennes’ trio of Mbaye Niang, Hamari Traore and Edouard Mendy. Osimhen has earned lots of admiration due to his prolific form in front of goal for club and country. Lille had congratulated him in a tweet saying, "Nigerian forward Victor OSIMHEN won the Marc-Vivien Foé. The prize for the best African player in the French Ligue 1, the French football championship for the 2019-2020 season. Congratulations @victorosimhen9 !". The Ligue 1 side signed Osimhen from Belgian club,...