Sports

So close, so far, as Nigerian duo, Kamaru Usman, Anthony Joshua, face harsh defeats

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2022

Kamaru Usman, popularly known as “The Nigerian Nightmare” has lost the defence of his welterweight title after losing Saturday night UCF bout to Leon Edwards.

Usman was defeated in a fifth-round knockout.

Edwards became the first person to take Usman down. The Nigerian Nightmare bounced back in the second round with boxing combinations that put the challenger against the fence.

Edwards fired back some strikes of his own, but Usman started mixing in the wrestling and started looking like the usual juggernaut fans are used to seeing.

But the bout didn’t last for too long as Edwards knocked out the champion with a stunning left high kick that immediately ended Usman’s night and title reign.

Edwards knocked out Usman with a stunning left high kick

Outside displacing Usman of the title, Edward’s victory also comes as revenge, as the fighters met back in 2015 in a fight that Usman won via unanimous decision on his way to becoming a champion.

Usyk beats Joshua again

In another fighting sport, boxing, and what looks like an unlucky night for Nigerian fighters, Oleksandr Usyk once again defeated Bristish-Nigerian Anthony Joshua to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.

Although Joshua gave an improvement from the first fight – when he lost by unanimous decision, the night was just not his as the Ukrainian appeared too good once more at the King Abdullah Sports Centre Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Two judges rightly scored the fight for the champion who retained his titles by split decision with scores of 115-113 Joshua, 115-113 Usyk, 116-112 Usyk.

Angry Joshua gave a shocking reaction after the fight, the Briton stormed from the ring not long after the final bell following a gruelling 12 rounds, only to return and give a passionate speech soon afterwards.

Related Topics:Anthony Joshua Featured UCF

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Sports

TP Mazembe pip AS FAR to win African Women’s Champions League

Published

11 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the third team to win the 2024 African Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium.

TP Mazembe claimed the title for the first time courtesy of a 10th minute penalty which was converted by Marlene Kasaj after AS FAR captain Aziza Rabbah handled the ball in the box.

The Congolese side should have doubled their lead six minutes later when an unmarked Merveille Kanjinga fired wide from seven yards out before the more fancied home team gradually grew into the match and looked to cancel the deficit and add to their continental triumph in 2022.

But AS FAR put in a subdued display and failed to test Mazembe’s goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy, with tournament top scorer Doha El Madani who had netted six goals in their run to the final, wasting their best chance as she sliced a first-half free-kick wide.

With the triumph, TP Mazembe carted home the giant trophy and a cheque for $600,000 (£479,000) after the prize money was increased for the fourth edition of the tournament, while the AS FAR went home with $400,000 (£319,000).

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).