Sports

Sadio Mane marks 100 Senegal caps with brace in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Published

3 weeks ago

November 19, 2023

Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mane celebrated his 100 caps for the African champions with a brace as they began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 victory at home against South Sudan on Saturday.

The Teranga Lions were on fire right from the kickoff of the Group B encounter when Tottenham midfielder, Pape Matar Sarr opened scoring after just 40 seconds.

Four minutes later, Mane got into the groove by scoring Senegal’s second on a night he was marking his century as a player for the national team.

19-year-old Lamine Camara, making his debut for the Lions, added a third before the former Liverpool star nicked his second from the penalty spot late on.

It could have been worst for South Sudan but for a goal ruled out after Habib Diallo was judged to be offside.

Senegal sit top of Group B ahead of DR Congo on goal difference after the opening round of matches. Their next match will be against Togo in Lome on Tuesday.

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Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

2 hours 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.

Sports

CAF Award: Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi make fiinal three shortlist

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In-form Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has made the final three-man list for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award which will hold on December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who had a sterling last season where he led Napoli to its first Italian league title in 33 years with 26 goals to end as the first African player to win the top scorer award in the Serie A, will battle for the crown with Egyptian captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG in the French Ligue One.

Many football pundits in the continent have so far tipped the Lagos-born Osimhen to pick the diadem ahead of Salah and Hakimi.

The latest to give the gong to the former Lille player was mercurial ex-Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who believes Osimhen has done enough to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club and the Eagles.

In an interview on Wednesday, Okocha said the 24-year-old Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level had won him the prestigious gong already.

“Osimhen deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” the former PSG midfield star said in the interview.

If Osimhen goes ahead to win the award, he will be the second Nigerian player to achieve the feat after Nwankwo Kanu who won the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.