Sports

Kenyan star, Kipchoge tips Ugandan Cheptegei for world marathon greatness

Published

5 months ago

December 1, 2023

Despite not having a first taste of a marathon race yet, Kenyan two-time Olympic champion, Eliud Kipchoge believes his Ugandan protege, Joshua Cheptegei could become the world’s fastest man over 26.2 miles.

Cheptegei, who won 5,000m gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games and holds the world record for both that distance and the 10,000m, is set to compete in his marathon debut in Valencia, Spain, on Sunday, and Kipchoge believes the 27-year-old Ugandan is cut out for great things.

“He is already a record holder in other fields and he has a huge chance to break a world record in the marathon,” Kipchoge said in a chat with BBC Sport Africa.

“Joshua is talented and disciplined. He is learning well. I am happy Joshua is trying a new venture. I will be watching and giving my moral support as always,” the Kenyan great said.

The 39-year-old Kipchoge went on to pour encomium on the Ugandan star, saying Cheptegei’s growth had been derived from the various distances he had run, but advised the Ugandan to run his own race on Sunday.

On his part, Cheptegei said he derived a lot of inspiration from Kipchoge and would do all he could on Sunday not to disappoint.

“Kipchoge inspired me a lot when I was starting up my career, his legacy inspires me.

“His kind words have always been able to shape me over the days and years. Eliud is always keeping an eye on me, always guiding us in a good way.

“It’s a great honour to learn from the great. For this special regard, I’m looking forward to putting into use what we always share together.

“Marathon has no respect for persons. I want to approach this marathon with a lot of respect because it is something that is very new to me,” he stated.

Cheptegei is regarded as one of the best distance runners in the world, with three 10,000m world titles and a world cross country title alongside his Olympic gold; and previously held the world records for the 5km and 10km road races.

Sports

Cameroon’s boxing icon Francis Ngannou loses 15-month-old son

Published

20 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Cameroon’s heavyweight boxer and former UFC champion, Francis Ngannou, has been thrown into mourning with the loss of his 15-month-old son, Kobe.

The boxer who announced the demise of the infant in a post on X on Monday, he and his family have been hit by the blow following the death of the toddler.

“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone,” Ngannou wrote.

“My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.

“I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.”

The fighter’s manager, Marquel Martin, who also confirmed the death of the boy, posted online saying that he along with millions of others will be praying for the Cameroonian.

As the sad news continued to spread, martial arts colleague, Conor McGregor, was among the first to send his condolences to the 37-year-old boxer and former Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star.

“I am so sorry to hear of your loss Francis, my prayers are with you and your family at this time,” the Irishman wrote on X.

Ngannou’s former MMA coach, Eric Nicksick also sent an emotional message too.

“It’s been a heavy few days, words can’t express the pain we all feel for the Ngannou family during this time,” Nicksick said.

Sports

Nigeria’s football federation appoints Finidi George as Super Eagles coach

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the appointment of former international, Finidi George, as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

The board of the Federation
on Monday, approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint George, a former Eagles winger, as the manager of the Nigeria’s men national football team.

Before his appointment, George, served as assistant to José Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily resigned from post after leading the Eagles to the final of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they lost 2-1 to host Cote d’Ivoire.

Following Peseiro’s departure, George took charge of the squad in interim capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.

He led the squad to a 2-1 victory over Ghana in the first match but lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.

The 52-year-old George was a member of the Eagles team of the early 90s fondly called the “Golden Generation” that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and qualified Nigeria for its first ever senior FIFA World Cup in 1994.

During his playing career, George starred for Sharks of Port Harcourt and Calabar Rovers in Nigeria before moving abroad where he played for Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Real Betis of Spain.

He won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals and also won gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.

George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan respectively, in a little over five weeks.