Sports

Clean sweep for Kenya at World Cross Country mixed relay race

Published

8 months ago

March 30, 2024

It was a clean sweep for Kenyan athletes at the ongoing World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, as its mixed relay team regained their title seven years after winning at the inaugural edition.

It was much more delightful as the East African country regained their title with a dominant display, pipping fellow Africans and arch-rivals, Ethiopia, to the silver medal while Great Britain & Northern Ireland took bronze.

Kenyan teenage sensation, Reynold Cheruiyot, led for most of the first lap with a stiff challenge from Uganda’s Hosea Kiprop tried his best to match the World U20 1500m champion for the first half of the circuit, but the Kenyan proved too strong.

According to World Athletics, Morocco’s Hafid Rizqy and Ethiopia’s Taresa Tolosa were close behind Cheruiyot, while Serbia’s Elzan Bibic was also in contention, much to the delight of the home supporters lining the course.

“On the final bridge, Bibic briefly moved into second place, just a few strides behind Cheruiyot, but Ethiopia’s Tolosa then came through in the closing stages and handed over almost level with Cheruiyot.”

“Virginia Nyambura took up the running for Kenya on the second leg. The African cross-country silver medallist maintained a lead of about five metres over Ethiopia’s Dahdi Dube for most of the way as the lead duo carved out a 17-second lead over the rest of the field.

“The duo managed to distance themselves from the rest of the competitors, with Nyambura handing over a slender lead to Kyumbe Munguti.

“Munguti’s performance on the third leg was nothing short of spectacular, widening the gap and setting the stage for a Kenyan victory.

“However, the race was not without its challenges. Ethiopia faced an unexpected setback when Adehana Kasaye accidentally stepped on the foot of his teammate Birri Abera during the exchange, leading to Abera losing her shoe.

“This mishap resulted in a significant delay for Ethiopia, giving Kenya an even more considerable advantage.

“Purity Chepkirui, running the anchor leg for Kenya, capitalized on the lead. With an outstanding display of speed Chepkirui crossed the finish line in 22:15, securing the gold for Kenya.

“Despite the earlier incident, Abera managed to finish strong, securing the silver for Ethiopia, while Bethan Morley’s impressive final leg ensured that Great Britain & Northern Ireland did not leave empty-handed, securing the bronze.”

Sports

South Africa FA President Danny Jordaan detained. Here’s why

Published

3 days ago

November 17, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Danny Jordaan, the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), was taken into custody on Wednesday on suspicion of misusing the organization’s funds for personal gain.

On Tuesday, Jordaan, who played a key role in securing South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup, attempted to have his impending arrest stopped by a court. The case is postponed until Dec. 5.

The matter has been postponed until December 5. Jordaan, who was given 20,000 rand ($1,110) bail, says he has done nothing wrong.

The police raid on the SAFA headquarters in March is what led to the arrest.

Between 2014 and 2018, “the president of SAFA used the organization’s resources for his gain, including hiring a private security company for his protection and a public relations company, without authorisation from the SAFA board,” according to a police spokesperson at the time.

Jordaan, 73, appeared in Palm Ridge magistrates court together with his co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo, and businessman Trevor Neethling, who was also given bail.

They have been advised not to communicate with any of the 19 possible state witnesses on the list who may testify against them.

Sports

Ghanaians in tears as Black Stars fail to make AFCON 2025y

Published

4 days ago

November 16, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaians in tears as Black Stars fail to make AFCON 202

Football lovers in Ghana have been thrown into sadness following the failure of their national team, the Black Stars, to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, the first time in 20 years.

The four-time African champions missed out on the continental soccer fiesta after a lackluster 1-1 draw against Angola on Friday night.

The Black Stars needed to win away in Luanda to take their qualification bid to the final round of Group F fixtures and looked on course when captain Jordan Ayew opened scoring for the visitors on 18 minutes, 6 only for Ambrosini ‘Zini’ Salvador to equalise after 64 minutes for already-qualified Group F winners Angola.

The draw left Ghana bottom of the table with three points, four adrift of Sudan in the second qualifying place, with one round of match left.

In other matches played on Friday, minnows Comoros defied all odds to qualify for the tournament scheduled for Morocco next year alongside Mali, Zambia and Zimbabwe, bringing the number of countries that have so far qualified to 19, with five places up for grabs to complete the 24-team finalsyy.

Kamory Doumbia’s first-half goal gave Mali a 1-0 win in Mozambique, with the game going ahead in Maputo despite street protests following last month’s disputed presidential election to book their spot in Morocco.

Zambia moved to the summit of Group G after registering a surprise 1-0 home victory over reigning continental champions Ivory Coast, although the Elephants were already through before kick-off with the result ending Sierra Leone’s hopes of qualification.

Comoros will return to the finals after Myziane Maolida’s 90th-minute winner clinched a 2-1 victory away against The Gambia and eliminated the Scorpions in Group A.

Gambia needed at least a point to remain in the hunt and led in the 18th minute through Alassana Jatta but Rafiki Said quickly equalised for the islanders.

Comoros, who reached the last 16 on its debut at the 2021 finals but missed out on the 2023 edition, join Tunisia in progressing from Group A.

Zimbabwe needed just a point from their home game against Kenya to secure a top-two spot in Group J, and saw out a 1-1 draw against the Harambee Stars to ensure they progress alongside Cameroon.

Elsewhere, Botswana missed the opportunity to book just their second appearance at the Nations Cup after drawing 1-1 at home against Mauritania in Group C while Cape Verde were eliminated after a 1-1 stalemate at home against already-qualified Egypt.

Botswana will now need a point from their trip to Egypt on Tuesday to qualify, while Mauritania will finish second in the group if they win at home against Cape Verde and the Zebras are beaten in Cairo.

Meanwhile, South Africa defeated Uganda 2-0 in Group K and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz scored twice as tournament hosts Morocco came from behind to win 5-1 against Gabon in Group B as all four teams were already assured of progress before kick-off.

Teams that already qualified for AFCON 2025:

Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.