Sports

14 years after, Ese Brume returns Nigeria to World Indoor Championships podium

Published

3 years ago

March 21, 2022

Multi-talented Nigerian athlete, Ese Brume, on Sunday, ensured the country had a podium finish at the ongoing 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, 14 years after its last achieved the feat.

The Delta State-born Brume took the silver medal with a personal season’s best jump of 6.85m achieved in the third round to finish behind homegirl, Ivana Vuleta, who claimed gold with a personal best jump of 6.89m best in the second round, before improving to 7.06m in the fourth round.

Brume’s feat came after Nigeria last won a medal at the 2008 edition in Valencia through Olusoji Fasuba’s 60m gold medal, and took the country’s overall medals haul to 12, made up of two gold, six silver and three bronze medals.

A handful of Nigerian athletes had done the country proud in previous World Indoor Championships, though such feats have been sporadic and far between.

The 25-year-old Brume, however, becomes only the third Nigerian athlete after the late quarter-miler, Sunday Bada, and Gloria Alozie, to win medals at both World Indoors and Outdoors Championships as well as Olympic medals for the country.

Alozie, an hurdler who later switched allegiance to compete for Spain, had won a silver medal in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Maebashi in 1999, and the outdoor version same year in Seville, Spain, in the 100m hurdles before going on to win a silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney.

The late Bada had earlier set the pace by winning three World Indoor Championships medals in 1993,1995 and 1997 respectively.

He then topped his glorious feats when he helped Nigeria’s men’s 4x400m relay team to win gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 to add to a 4x400m relay bronze at the World Outdoor Championships he won in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1995.

Brume is the third long jumper to win at the World Indoors after Paul Emordi and policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa feats in 1987 and 1997 respectively.

She is also joint fourth on the top of the all-time African and Nigerian long jump indoor list behind Chioma Ajunwa (6.97m), Blessing Okagbare (6.87m), and Sierra leone’s Eunice Barber (6.86m).

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”