Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2022

There is excitement in the air as the new football season kicked off in most countries over the weekend following three months of hiatus.

While the Italian Serie A and Spanish La Liga is yet to come on stream, the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, the French Ligue, the Belgium Jupiler League and the Turkish Süper Lig more than served the excitement fans were waiting patiently for.

African players were in action in some of the leagues and while some stood out and contributed to their team’s success, some could not hold the can as they failed to live up to the expectations.

AfricaNewsWatch X-rays some African stars and their performances for their clubs across Europe in the last weekend.

Too Good

Sadio Mane (Senegal/Bayern Munich)

The Senegalese AFCON winner announced his return to the Bundesliga in style as he opened his goal account with a debut goal for perennial champions, Bayern Munich, in their 6-1 thumping of 6-1 win Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern were already 2-0 up when Mane jumped highest to nod home a cross from former Arsenal winger, Serge Gnabry at the Deutsche Bank Park.

Sadio Mane is doing great things already for Bayern Munich (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The 30-year-old Lion of Teranga vice captain would go on to make a meaningful impact in the match with his hold up play and overall contribution.

Henry Onyekuru (Nigeria/Adana Demirspor)

Nigeria and Super Eagle star, Henry Onyekwuru is slowly carving a niche for himself as a journey man as he started another loan spell with Adana Demirspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on a high.

Onyekwuru who was in action for the whole duration of the match against Giresunspor on Sunday, got a well deserved goal in the 82nd minute as Demirspor ran out 3-2 winners in the pulsating game.

Onyekuru’s goal had levelled the scores at 2-2 before Rahmetullah Berisbek scored the winner as the Blue Lightnings kicked off their season on a positive note at Cotanak Sports Complex.

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG)

The Morocco international picked up where he left off last season with a goal and an assist as Paris Saint Germain kicked off their 2022/2023 Ligue 1 crown with a 5-0 walloping of Clermont Foot.

Achraf Hakimi picked up where he left off for PSG (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The former Inter Milan defender got PSG’s second goal and went on to contribute massively for the team’s victory.

Joseph Paintsil (Ghana/KRC Genk)

Ghana international, Joseph Paintsil, was in scintillating form for KRC Genk in the Belgian Jupiler League and capped it with two goal as his team beat Eupen 4-2 win at the Cegeka Arena on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Black Star got the first goal for Genk in the 3rd minute and doubled the lead in the 9th before two goals by Patrik Hrosovsky and Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye sealed the team’s second victory of the season to take them to second position on the log after three rounds of matches.

Too Bad

Joe Aribo (Nigeria/Southampton)

Nigerian midfielder, Joe Aribo would have wished for a better debut in the English Premier League when Southampton had the misfortune of facing Tottenham Hotspur in their first match of the season.

The Nigeria international who wa given his first competitive debut by coach Ralph Hasenhuttl had only one shot on target in the 73rd as the Saints suffered 4-1 thumping.

Joe Aribo had s debut to forget (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Aribo, who moved to Southampton from Scottish giants Rangers, could not exert any influence the team which also had Ghana defender, Mohammed Salisu, score an own goal to underscore the pressure they faced against Tottenham.

Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria/Nottingham Forest)

If the Nigeria international striker had been expecting a dream debut in the EPL, it was quite the opposite as he endured a frustrating afternoon on his Nottingham Forest suffered a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Awoniyi who had a spectacular last season with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga with 15 goals, was brought on for Sam Surridge three minutes after the hour mark, but could not make any impact as the Reds lost courtesy of goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson.

Wilfried Zaha (IvoryCoast/Crystal Palace), Jordan Ayew (Ghana/Crystal Palace)

The duo of Ivory Coast winger, Wilfried Zaha, and Ghanaian forward, Jordan Ayew, were on the losing side as Crystal Palace lost their league opener 2-0 against in form Arsenal at Selhurst Park on Friday.

A goal in each half from Gabriel Martinelli and an own goal by Marc Guehi late in the match condemned Palace to their first defeat of the season.

Wilfred Zaha had a bad opening EPL day (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Nigerian eligible player, Eberechi Eze and Mali international, Cheick Doucoure, were also part of the Palace squad, while Arsenal duo of Mohamed Elneny and Nicholas Pepe were unused substitutes.

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Sports

Kenyan marathon legend Kipchoge advises young athletes to prioritize success over money

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan marathon legend, Eliud Kipchoge, has advised young athletes to place success ahead of quick money and riches.

The former world marathon record holder who gave the admonition in an interview with TelecomAsiaSport, urged upcoming athletes to prioritise their careers and personal values over the lure of fast money

He noted that in light of rising mental health concerns and growing cases of doping in sports, young athletes must to shift their focus from chasing quick financial gains to building lasting careers with integrity and resilience.

Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and celebrated for his record-breaking marathon runs, said since retiring from the sport, he has dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of sportsmen and women.

“I am trying to talk to the young people because no one has really gone under the skin of athletes,” he said.

‘There is a lot going on under their skins but above all we need to sensitise them that life is not all about money.

“You need to have your own values as a person, and that is what should drive you,” Kipchoge emphasised.

He added that his hopes are to use his influence to guide young athletes in prioritising personal values, mental well-being, and career longevity over the fleeting allure of fame and money.

The marathon great reiterated that he is deeply concerned with the current state of affairs, especially as he sees the tragic impacts of depression and substance abuse on those who struggle to cope.

He made particular reference to the deaths of young athletes who succumbed to the pressures of the industry, citing the tragic death of former world Under-20 champion, Kipyegon Bett, who passed away after battling depression and alcoholism, according to close family members.

He also mentioned the demise o Clement Kemboi, a former All Africa Games steeplechase champion, who was found to have taken his own life at his home in Iten.

“I will still continue talking to them. And if all of us can come together and get our minds together, we can get rid of these things. It is unfortunate that we can lose athletes at such a young age, and it is more unfortunate that we can have young people get into depression and die.”

He attributes much of the current doping crisis to the culture of seeking quick, easy money, rather than focusing on building a reputation of dedication and integrity, adding that he has witnessed how the pressure for financial success can steer young athletes down dangerous paths, often leading to doping as a shortcut to fame and prosperity.

Despite the challenges, Kipchoge said he remains hopeful that a positive shift is possible if athletes receive the right mentorship and guidance early in their careers.

“There is a need for athletes to understand that a fulfilling life extends beyond medals and money. The fame and fortune are secondary to the peace and pride of knowing you did it the right way,” he concluded.

Sports

South Africa’s FA president Danny Jordaan arrested on fraud, theft allegations

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The President of South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, has been arrested on allegations of fraud and theft.

Jordaan, who was pivotal to the country hosting the first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament in Africa in 2010, is being accused of using about R1.3 million ($72,372) of SAFA funds to hire a PR firm and a private security company for his personal benefit.

His arrest follows a raid carried out by the country’s Special Investigating Unit (SPU) at the offices of SAFA in March where it was alleged that an assortment of electronic gadgets and files were seized for further investigation, thus leading to the arrest.

SA Police spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, who confirmed Jordaan’s arrest, told journalists that he was
arrested along with one other official and a businessman and are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Wednesday.