Sports

Shock as Kenyan marathon world champion Kipchoge withdraws from Paris Olympics

Published

4 weeks ago

April 1, 2024

Five-time Berlin Marathon champion, Eliud Kipchoge, has caused shock with an unexpected announcement that he will not be defending his marathon title at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The two-time Olympic marathon champion, in a disheartening message he personally released on Monday, said he would be withdrawing from the Olympic Games which kicks off in July.

In the statement, the Kenyan cited personal reasons for his decision to withdraw from the games, noting his desire to focus on other endeavours.

The Olympic champion who expressed his gratitude for the support he had received throughout his career, also stated that he needed a change of direction.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympics,” Kipchoge said in the statement.

“Competing at the Olympics has always been a great thing and I was looking forward to winning my third successive title.

“However, at this juncture in my life, I feel compelled to explore new opportunities and challenges,” the four-time London Marathon champion said.

Kenyan athletics lovers and the media had banked on Kipchoge to successfully defend his multiple Olympic gold medals but the news of his withdrawal has sent shockwaves across the country.

Kipchoge has long been regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time and his decision has not been taken lightly by his fans who were hoping to see him descend on the start line one more time.

While Kipchoge’s absence will be greatly felt at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the event is expected to showcase a new generation of talented athletes vying for glory on the world stage who will gladly take the opportunity to shine in the event.

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Sports

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

Published

8 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.