Sports

Voice of the people: Sadio Mane claims he will do what Senegalese people want on his transfer from Liverpool

Published

3 years ago

June 5, 2022

Senegal national team captain, Sadio Mane has left his departure from Liverpool in the hands of his countrymen amid speculations that he is set to leave the English club for perennial German champions, Bayern Munich.

Before the Champions League final against Real Madrid, Mane had stirred the hornet’s nest when he promised to announce his decision after the final, but Liverpool’s defeat to the Spanish side delayed the 30-year-old confirming his intentions and has since remained silent over his next move.

The Senegal international who established himself alongside fellow African, Mohammed Salah, as one of the most important players in Liverpool in his six years spell at the club, is however, reported to be unhappy with his low pay of just £100,000 a week despite his contributions to the club’s success over the years.

And after six highly successful and trophy laden years at Anfield, Mane appears to be on the move with Bayern rumoured to be courting him to replace the want away Robert Lewandowski.

Quizzed on his Liverpool situation shortly before Senegal thumped Benin Republic 3-0 in Afcon qualifiers in Dakar on Saturday, the star striker who bagged a hat trick in the match said his fate would be influenced by the wishes of his countrymen and women.

“Like everyone else, I’m on social media and I see the comments. Isn’t it between 60 to 70% of Senegalese want me to leave Liverpool? I will do what they want.

‘We will see soon! Don’t be in a hurry because we will see this together. The future will tell us.’

After the match, another journalist asked Mane to clarify his earlier statement on his leaving the five times European champions and the former Southampton striker who is now Senegal’s leading goalscorer of all-time, said:

“I spoke yesterday while joking with a bit of humour and it was everywhere. I think we’ll stop there. Liverpool is a club I respect a lot. The fans adopted me since day one. Regarding the future, we’ll see.

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Sports

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

Published

3 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of players.

A statement by the management of the top South African team said the 44-year-old Tshabalala, who has been in charge of Sundowns’s women’s team for over a decade, has been accused of a number of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual comments to his players, as well as entering the dressing room and refusing to leave while players are completely naked.

In a statement released on Saturday, Sundowns said they had appointed a law firm to investigate the allegations against the coach with specific instructions to unravel allegations of improper conduct by the Tshabalala.

The club said it views the allegations in a very serious light and has relieved the coach of his appointment pending when the investigations are concluded.

“Sundowns has, in the interim, put Coach Jerry Tshabalala on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the club statement said.

“This is not done to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, but to ensure that the investigation can proceed expeditiously and protect the rights of all parties.

“In the event that the investigation establishes facts that warrant action, the Board will immediately take such steps as are appropriate.

“Mamelodi Sundowns will in due course make announcements on the findings of the investigation and the action to be taken,” the statement concluded.

The Sundowns female team have been a dominant force in women’s football in South Africa and on the continent since Tshabalala took over in 2012, winning seven domestic league titles, as well as two CAF Women’s Champions League crowns.

Sports

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in the latest FIFA world ranking for the month of December.

According to the rankings published by the world football governing body, Nigeria remains unchanged from its previous position, despite having a challenging international break.

The FIFA rankings also reveal that Nigeria suffered a significant decline this year, dropping eight places to end 2024 ranked 44th globally.

The decline follows disappointing performances during the final AFCON qualifiers for 2025, where the Super Eagles struggled against the Benin Republic and Rwanda, resulting in a lack of wins.

However, some of the Super Eagles bitter rivals like South Africa’s Bafana Bafana experienced a resurgence, climbing three positions to finish the year ranked 57th in the world, showing a marked improvement in their recent form and successful matches during the qualifiers.

It was a woeful year for West African rivals Ghana who ended the year in 77th position, which highlights the challenges the Black Stars have encountered in the outgoing year in its bid to maintain its positions among Africa’s elite teams.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan national football team, the Atlas Lion, retained its 14th position in the in the world while still maintaining its number one spot in Africa, holding the first position for the third year in a row.

In the world ranking, Morocco is followed by Senegal on 17th position, Egypt, 33rd, Algeria 37th, Nigeria, 44th, Côte d’Ivoire, 46th, Cameroon, 49th, Mali, 51st, and Tunisia in the 52nd position.

Top 10 African teams in 2024

1. Morocco – (14th)

2. Senegal – (17th)

3. Egypt – (33rd)

4. Algeria – (37th)

5. Nigeria – (44th)

6. Côte d’Ivoire – (46th)

7. Cameroon – (49th)

8. Mali – (51st )

9. Tunisia – (52nd)

10. South Africa – (57th)