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So Close, So Far: African soccer stars who played in the English FA Cup final but never won it

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In the long and glorious history of the English Football Association Cup, simply known as The FA Cup, there have been a number of African soccer stars who have played in final and lifted the prestigious trophy.

There also have been some who graced the final but came out empty handed. Players like South Africa’s Quinton Fortune, Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Moroccan Hakim Ziyech readily comes to mind.

As the FA Cup final takes center stage today with Liverpool squaring up against Chelsea, a number of African players will be involved and at the end of 90 minutes, some will fall into the category of African stars who either won or lost the cup.

Either the quartet of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Joel Matip all of Liverpool or the duo of Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea will be set for the joy of lifting the trophy or face the disappointment of losing.

Here is a roll call of African players who have reached the FA Cup final but never won it.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Former Togo National Team Captain, Emmanuel Adebayor turned out for Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, while plying his trade in England but never managed to win the FA Cup with any of these elite clubs.

His best sniff at the cup was in the 2015-16 season while playing for Crystal Palace when they faced and lost 2-1 to Manchester United in extra time, with the Eagles giving up a one goal lead with only 12 minutes left on the clock.

Quinton Fortune

The former South African international midfielder was on the books of Manchester United for seven years, between 1999-2006.

Though he won a Premier League title in 2003, he could not place his hands on the FA Cup as he was on the losing side in 2005 when the Red Devils lost to Arsenal 5-4 on penalties after a barren draw in regular time.

Wilfried Zaha

The Ivory Coast international also in the same team with Adebayo in the 2015-16 final which lost to Manchester United.

Zaha who was a key player for Alan Pardew’s men at Crystal Palace started and completed the match but despite his dominant performance and constantly threatening the Man United back four, he could not propel his team to a win.

Eric Bailly

The Ivory Coast centre-back was an unused substitute when Manchester United lost the 2017-18 final to Chelsea with a wonder strike from Eden Hazard.

Bailly was a key member of the team which steam rolled its way into the final but this term, has been a bit part player and is likely to leave the club due to injuries that has limited his appearances.

Hakim Ziyech

Will retired Moroccan winger Ziyech be lucky this time after he failed to lift the trophy last year when Chelsea lost 1-0 to Leicester City?

This will be a second straight final for Ziyech who started last season’s final and played 68 minutes but was not lucky to get on the scoresheet as Youri Tielemans’ 63rd minute goal proved the difference.

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Domestic worker sues Pitso Mosimane, wife following debilitating injuries

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Former Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Al Ahli of Egypt coach, Pitso Mosimane, and his wife, Moira Tlhagale, have been sued by their domestic worker after a severe injury at the home of the couple led to disabilities.

The domestic worker, domestic worker Dorothy Sikirivao, filed the lawsuit against Mosimane who is the current head coach of Abha Club of Saudi Arabia, claiming the sum of R5.7-million at the Johannesburg High Court after suffering from severe injuries he sustained in a mishap at the couple’s residence in April 2021.

According to reports by Sunday World, Sikirivao had a serious fall at the Mosimane’s home while clearing debris, with the accident allegedly leaving her with “catastrophic spine-related injuries, leading to a significant reduction in her mobility and affecting her reproductive health.”

The reports stated that medical specialists diagnosed Sikirivao with multiple injuries, including blood clots in the brain, shoulder dislocation, various bone fractures, and severe pressure on the spinal cord.

“The domestic worker claims the injuries were exacerbated by the demanding nature of her duties and the couple’s insistence that she return to work soon after the accident,” the tabloid wrote, quoting Sikirivao legal documents

“This was because of the tedious nature of the work she did and the potential of aggravating the injuries. The injuries she sustained from the said accident were of such a nature that exacting physical labor will aggravate them.”

The documents explained that initially, Mosimane and Tlhagale covered Sikirivao’s medical expenses but reportedly ceased payments without explanation.

“Despite being granted a month of sick leave following the incident, Sikirivao alleges she was coerced into resuming work, which worsened her condition.

“The plaintiff, post the said accident, was also prognosed to be in a situation where the plaintiff may never be able to carry a pregnancy and fulfil her desire to have her biological children except through an expensive and legally cumbersome process of surrogacy.

“Furthermore, she may face ongoing health complications due to the accident. The compensation Sikirivao seeks includes R1.7-million for loss of income, R2-million for past and future medical expenses, and R2-million divided equally for the loss of amenities of life and for pain and suffering,” the legal documents added.

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Zambian FA boss, Gen.Sec arrested over alleged laundering of K341,902

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President of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), Andrew Kamanga, has been arrested along with the Secretary-General and two other persons over an alleged money laundering running into K341,902.

The country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), which made the arrest, said in a statement on Tuesday through its Assistant Public Relations Officer, Sydney Katongo, that Kamanga was jointly charged with FAZ General-Secretary, Reuben Kamanga.

Katongo named the other individuals arrested as Madalitso Kamanga and Jailous Siame, residing in Woodlands Chalala and Mumbwa Road respectively, and will be jointly charged on several offenses including obtaining money by false pretenses.

The DEC spokesman said other offenses were obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretense and conspiracy to defraud government.

“DEC investigations revealed that the suspects while acting together, obtained K341, 902.00 from the Government of the Republic of Zambia under false pretenses,” Katongo said in the statement.

He stated that money was purportedly allocated as allowances for Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame to attend the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), however, the allowances were transferred into their personal accounts with Madalitso and Jairous getting K170, 951, while they also individually obtained return tickets valued at K99,980.

“It was discovered that the funds were disbursed to two individuals under the guise of being FAZ officials, necessitating their attendance with the advance party for AFCON,” Katongo said.

He added that investigations revealed that neither Madalitso nor Jairous held official or executive positions within FAZ.

“This fraudulent activity transpired between January, 1 and February, 15, 2024, coinciding with the dates of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast from January, 13, to February, 11, 2024.

“The suspects are currently finalising bond processes and will appear in court soon. The DEC underscores its unwavering commitment to combating money laundering offenses within Zambia,” Katongo assured.

“The Commission will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in money laundering schemes, ensuring accountability and justice for all,” Katongo added.

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