Stakeholders disagree with Rugby Africa over World Cup Qualifiers’ locations

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2022

Some African countries and stakeholders in the continent have accused African rugby’s governing body, Rugby Africa, of ignoring the interests of the game in the continent for commercial reasons.

The accusations came on the heels of a decision to host forthcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers in France.

In July eight African teams will compete in a tournament in two French cities, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, for one automatic ticket to the finals set to be hosted by France in September next year.

This will be the first time in the history of African rugby that its World Cup qualifiers have been held outside continental borders and the decision has been met with discontent in Africa.

Namibia, one the contenders, has raised objection about the decision, saying they are “dissatisfied” with the decision.

“We did request Rugby Africa to revisit their decision,” Namibia’s rugby president Corrie Mensah said, but “the outcome was to remain with France as host.”

Kenya and Zimbabwe had made bids which Rugby Africa described as “strong”, but it resolved to hand France the hosting rights.

Responding to the allegation, Rugby Africa in a statement claimed that its “main goal is to keep growing and progressing and taking our rightful place on the international stage,”

“In collaboration with our members and partners, Rugby Africa needs to invent new ways and create new opportunities to grow its revenue and redistribute it in African rugby.”

Helen Buteme, former Uganda women’s international, told newsmen that Rugby Africa “doesn’t have the interests of African rugby at heart”.

“There is no justification whatsoever for taking what is our biggest tournament to a European country,” she added. “Africa needs this tournament while France does not.”

Namibia will be gunning to make a seventh consecutive appearance at the world tournament, after making their debut in 1999.

The other teams set for the qualifiers, slated for 1st July to 10th July, are Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

The runners-up will have another chance to the World Cup after a final four-team round-robin global qualifier to be held in November.

Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon shatters women’s 1500m world record at Diamond League

Published

1 day ago

June 3, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Kenyan long distance runner, Faith Kipyegon Friday broke the 1500m women’s world record after clocking 3:49.11 at the third leg of the Wanda Diamond League meeting of the season held in Florence, Italy.

The two-time Olympic and two-time world champion who went into the Golden Gala as the second-fastest women’s 1500m runner of all time, took some minutes off the 3:50.37 she clocked in Monaco in August last year on her way to shattering the world record.

In the process, the 29-year-old Kipyegon bettered the previous record of of 3:50.07 set by another African, Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in Monaco in 2015.

Top British runner,
Laura Muir, settled for second position while another Briton, Imani-Lara Lansiquot was third.

Sports

Osimhen can’t help Man U win trophies— Andy Cole

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Former Manchester United top goalscorer, Andy Cole has kicked against the club’s hunt for Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, whom he believes cannot help the English Premiership giant win a trophy.

Cole who was one of the of the most prolific strikers in the history of the English game, warned the Red Devils against splashing a mouthwatering transfer fee on the Napoli hotshot as that would not guarantee them winning the Premier League title or other diadems next season.

The English team have been in the the hunt for a new attacker to rejuvenate their strike force next season and Osimhen who ended the season as the highest goal scorer in the Italian Serie A has been repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford in a bid to bolster their squad for the 2023-24 season.

The Red Devils entered the fray for Osimhen who has scored 25 goals in 31 appearances in the Serie A, along with several European giants, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and PSG.

However, Cole who formed a devastating strike partnership with Dwight Yorke in the 90s, believes signing the Nigerian forward will not be enough to help United conquer England and Europe.

The 1999 treble-winning forward who bared his mind on Thursday night about the FA Cup final involving United and bitter rivals, Manchester City, said categorically that Osimhen was not the answer to Man U’s attacking problems.

“No, Manchester United can’t win the league next season. It frustrates me when people think that buying two more players, we can then win the league,” Cole said.

“So why are Manchester City in such a good position if all it takes is buying two players? Make it make sense. Two players, including Victor Osimhen, can’t help Manchester United compete for the league title.

“Unless Manchester City don’t buy anyone this summer and say ‘we’ll let everyone catch us up.’ Football doesn’t work like that, so I’m honest when people ask if Manchester United can compete for the league title next season, I say no.”