Sports

Algeria off to flying start as CHAN kicks off

Published

11 months ago

January 14, 2023

The seventh edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for players based on the continent kicked off on Friday at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, southern Algiers, with host Algeria beating Libya 1-0 through an Aymen Mahious’ 57th-minute penalty in the tournament opener.

The tournament which was mired in controversy with defending champion, Morocco pulling out following a political row with the host, saw the Nelson Mandela Stadium almost full as fans attended the opening ceremony which had a musical show animated by famous African singers, in addition to a show that displayed the Algerian culture.

Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane, who declared the championship open, welcomed all teams and guests to the tournament as he paid tribute to late South African President and anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela.

In attendance at the opening ceremony of the tournament were several international sports personalities and big world football names, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe and former Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha.

Others include former stars like Asamoah Gyan of Ghana, Tunisia’s Karim Haggui, El Hadji Diouf from Senegal and Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor, who were invited by CAF to be part of the tournament sponsored by TotalEnergie.

The biennial tournament, which was first staged in 2009 in Cote d’Ivoire, will run from January 13 to February 4.

Related Topics:Africa Algeria CHAN Featured Football

Click to comment

Sports

South Africa to host Ireland in Rugby Two-Test summer tour

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Current Rubgy World Cup champions, South Africa, will host Ireland, in a two-Test series in July, 2024, which will be Ireland’s first trip to the nation in eight years.

Ireland was the only country to defeat South Africa as they went on to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in October.

South African Rugby Federation which made the announcement on Friday, said the two countries will first meet on Saturday, July 6, in Pretoria, with the second Test in Durban on 13 July.

When the two sides first met on South African soil in 2016, the Springboks came out victorious, edging the Three-Test series 2-1.

In the first test in the 2016 series, Ireland won 26-20 in Cape Town, before losing the next two games, 32-26 in Johannesburg and 19-13 in Port Elizabeth.

Apart from the Ireland games, SA Rugby also confirmed that the team will face Portugal on 20 July at a venue yet to be announced.

South Africa will also host New Zealand, who they beat in the World Cup final, in Johannesburg on 31 August and Cape Town on 7 September as part of the Rugby Championship before concluding their home schedule against Argentina on 28 September, the Federation said.

Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

3 days ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.