Sports

Gambian national team players escape death as earthquake rocks Morocco

Published

1 year ago

September 9, 2023

Players and officials of The Gambian national team escaped death following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit the Moroccan city of Marrakech where the team camped for its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Congo on Sunday.

The game, which was due to decide the team that will go through to the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast next year, was to be played at the Marrakech Stadium because The Gambia’s Independence Stadium was deemed unfit to host internationals by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to the head coach of the Scorpions, Tom Saintfiet, the team was rattled when the quake hit the city on Friday night, describing the experience as “shocking and terrible”.

Saintfiet who spoke with BBC World Service on Saturday afternoon, said the situation was very scary for him, the players and the officials who were all shaken.

“We heard ambulances all night and kept checking the news. It’s a terrible experience for us but most of all for all the casualties who lost their lives and the people of Morocco.

“At first I heard a lot of noise and thought it was someone knocking on my door. A few seconds later I thought that a plane had crashed into the hotel because we’re close to the airport but a second or two later, I knew it was an earthquake.

“It seems it was only 30 seconds but it felt endless. It was really scary. The walls were really shaking and things were falling down from the ceiling and the walls. I never in my life saw a building moving like that. When it stopped, I started running and checking if my team members were also out of their rooms.

“Then we ran outside the hotel and all went to the pool area and slept there in the open air with the other guests as we were told that we couldn’t return to our rooms”, he said.

Saintfiet added that some of his players who play in Turkey had also experienced February’s earthquake in the European country which killed Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, and were still in shock, but opined that they were willing to go ahead with the match.

“I know that several players who want to play the game tomorrow. We are sportsmen and want to qualify and to be fair but a lot of players, their mindset is totally not on football. If there are so many casualties in this city is it wise to let us play football? Maybe we could play in October?

“At the moment the focus is not on football but the welfare of the players and all the people in Morocco and Marrakech,” he said.

Meanwhile, CAF says it is in talks with the Moroccan FA about whether the game will take place, though Saturday’s qualifier between Morocco and Liberia which was due to take place in Agadir, has already been called off.

Related Topics:Earthquake Featured Football Morocco The Gambia

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”