Sports

Too Good, Too Bad: How African stars performed in Europe last weekend

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2022

It was curtain closed on major European league at the weekend with football taking a break across the continent but on the final day, a couple of African stars were still in action for their respective clubs.

In the English Premier League, it was a fitting and nail biting finale involving some top continent talents which saw Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and co pip Liverpool’s quartet of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Naby Keita to the EPL title on the final day.

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha recorded yet another career milestone when he scored the only goal which saw Manchester United go back to Old Trafford empty handed.

Africa News Watch takes a look at how a select Africa soccer stars fared with their teams in their respective leagues and competitions.

Too Good

Riyad Mahrez:Manchester City

Algerian Riyad Mahrez was saved the embarrassment his penalty miss against West Ham penultimate week could have caused City an Ilkay Gundogan inspired 15-minutes comeback win against Aston Villa in a dramatic 3-2 win which saw the Citizens retain its title.

Mahrez was involved from the start in the make or break encounter and contributed his quota to the win which ensured City took home its sixth diadem.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane: Liverpool

Though Liverpool failed to usurp Manchester City to win the EPL title on the final day despite a 3-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah still smiled as he won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the 2021-22 season with his 23rd goal after he added one in the win over Wolves at Anfield.

The Egyptian who levelled with Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min who also scored 23 goals from 35 appearances, won based on the number assists he had.

This would be the third time Salah would be picking the highest scorer award alongside the Premier League’s Playmaker award with his 13 assists.

His African compatriot, Senegalese Sadio Mane, also played a critical role in the season’s finale when he scored to equalize for Liverpool after an early goal by Wolves, while the other African contingents in the Reds fold, Cameroon’s Joel Matip, Guinea’s Naby Keita and Mali-qualified Ibrahim Konate were all involved in the match.

Franck Kessie: AC Milan

The Barcelona-bound Ivorian midfielder, Franck Kessie, was a key feature as AC Milan defeated Sassuolo 3-0 to claim its first Serie A title in 11 years on Sunday.

Kessie scored the third goal for Milan after Olivier Giroud had already claimed a brace as they lifted the trophy on the final day.

It had been a season-long battle between Milan and Inter Milan, and the Rossoneri only needed a point to lay their hands on the title they last won in the 2010/11 season, although they had a two-point lead over Inter and a better head-to-head record, which could have been the tiebreaker.

Zaidu Sanusi, Chancel Mbemba: Porto

Nigerian defender, Zaidu Sanusi and DR Congo’s defense lynchpin, Chancel Mbemba, were both involved as Porto lifted the Portugal Cup after a 3-1 victory over Tondela.

Mehdi Taremi’s brace and a goal from Vitor Ferreira ensured Porto lifted the domestic trophy, while Tondela’s goal was scored by Neto Borges.

Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Amad Diallo, Fashion Sakala: Rangers

Nigeria’s trio of Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Leon Balogun, were all on from the start as Rangers won their 137th Scottish Cup final, beating Hearts 2-0.

Goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in the first period of extra-time gave Rangers the win.

The other Africans in the team, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and Fashion Sakala of Zambia also played their parts in the victory.

Diallo who stated the game was substituted in the 63rd minute while Sakala replaced Aribo in extra time.

Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace

The Ivorian winger, Wilfred Zaha, got the only goal as Crystal Palace defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Selhurst Park.

The goal was Zaga’s 14th Premier League goal of the season for Palace, with only three players ever netting more for the Eagles in a single Premier League season: Chris Armstrong in 1992-93 (15), Andrew Johnson in 2004-05 (21) and Christian Benteke in 2016-17 (15).

Zaha has also scored three league goals against his former club, Manchester United, the joint-most a player has scored against the Red Devils after playing for them in the competition

Too Bad

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Barcelona

The now retired Gabonese striker was on from the start as Barcelona suffered a 2-0 at home at the hands of Villarreal in their last game of the season.

The defeat saw Barca finishing with their lowest La Liga points total in 14 years with 73 points though they ended a turbulent season in second place behind Real Madrid, and without a trophy.

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Sports

Domestic worker sues Pitso Mosimane, wife following debilitating injuries

Published

3 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

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.

Sports

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

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

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.