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African to the world: Continent stars to watch in Europe this weekend

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It’s another weekend of football as European leagues resume hostilities this weekend and as usual, a couple of African soccer stars will be involved for their different clubsides.

From the English Premier League to the German Bundesliga, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, the French Ligue 1 and several leagues across Europe, African players have been doing tremendous things for their clubs.

This weekend, as usual, Africannewswatch takes a look at some of the continent’s talents who are expected to feature for their clubs around the world.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

Mohamed Salah and his Liverpool mates were at the receiving end of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Monday night at Old Trafford, but against a Bournemouth team still trying to find their rhythm, the Reds are expected to come our victorious.

Salah got the consolation goal against Man U bringing his total to two goals so far and is poised to continue in that vein as Bournemouth comes calling and could find more joy as their opponents have shipped seven goals in their last two matches against Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool are winless in three matches and Jurgen Klopp’s men are poised to correct that on Saturday afternoon to keep tabs on the early frontrunners.

Thomas Partey – Arsenal

After an injury plagued 2021/2022 EPL season, Ghanian midfielder, Thomas Partey has gradually come into the element that made Arsenal fork out the cash to sign him from Athletico Madrid.

Partey is now the first name on the Gunners team sheet and barring any unforeseen circumstances, will also take to the pitch when Fulham come calling at the Emirate Stadium for Saturday’s London derby.

Arsenal/Ghana midfield star, Thomas Partey (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal/Ghana midfield star, Thomas Partey (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Partey has been an integral part of the Arsenal team and has been instrumental for the North Londoners perfect start to the season as Mikel Arteta’s team remains the only side with a perfect record after winning their first three matches.

Joe Aribo – Southampton

Nigerian midfield grafter, Joe Aribo, has played himself into the Southampton reckoning as he helped the Saints to their first three points with victory at Leicester City last weekend.

He should be in line to play a part when Manchester United come calling though it is left to be seen if that part will be from the start or coming off the bench.

Erik ten Hag’s men who are still basking in the euphoria of their first win over Liverpool on Monday will be in a buoyant mood but will Aribo and co cut them to size?

Joe Aribo (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Joe Aribo (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The Saints have proved to be a boggie team for the Red Devils in the past and that could continue on Saturday.

Edouard Mendy – Chelsea

Senegal Afcon winner, Edouard Mendy, had an embarrassing moment to forget in Chelsea’s 3-0 defear at the hands of Leeds United at Elland Road when he practically handed the first goal to Leeds on a platter of gold.

But Mendy is still Thomas Tuchel’s number one and is expected to be in the starting line up for the visit of out of sorts Leicester City at the Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper, Eduard Mendy (Photo Credit: Chelsea FC)

Chelsea and Senegal goalkeeper, Eduard Mendy (Photo Credit: Chelsea FC)

And as expected, he should be able to redeem his image with a response worthy of one of the best shot stoppers in Africa.

Chelsea may have endured a mixed bag since the resumption of the new season but with the trust of the manager, Mendy should be able to prove his doubters wrong with a positive result.

Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich

While Liverpool is struggling to make an early impact in the EPL, Senegal forward Sadio Mané who left them for Bayern Munich in the transfer window, is thriving in the German Bundesliga.

Last time out, he was in rampant mood as he bagged a brace in Bayern’s 7-0 thumping of FC Bochum to take his goals tally to three in rural three weeks old season.

Sadio Mané has taken to life in Bayern Munich (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Sadio Mané has taken to life in Bayern Munich (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The Senegal star should be in the line up when the Bavarians welcome Borussia Monchengladbach in gameweek four on Saturday and is expected to lead the line.

Achraf Hakimi – PSG

Moroccan wingback, Achraf Hakimi, has been one the few African shining lights in the French Ligue 1 as he has been in impressive form for Paris Saint-Germain so far in the season.

The Morocco international was on song last time out when PSG annihilated Lillw 7-1 and is poised to once again, be an integral part of the team and Sunday for the visit of Monaco.

Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester City

After recovering from a long term injury, Nigerian defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi is in line to make the starting line up when Leicester City visit the Stamford Bridge to try to reverse its winless start to the season.

Wilfred Ndidi will be massive for Leicester City against Chelsea (Photo Credit: Leicester City FC)

Wilfred Ndidi will be massive for Leicester City against Chelsea (Photo Credit: Leicester City FC)

Ndidi’s team mates, Kelechi Iheanacho and Zambian striker Patson Daka, should be on the bench as usual and could play cameo roles as Brendan Rodgers hopes to change the fortunes of his floundering squad.

Victor Osimhen – Napoli

Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, has had a productive session so far in the Italian Serie A with two goals so far.

With Luciano Spalletti’s men travelling to Fiorentina in gameweek three, Napoli is looking to make it three wins in three with a third straight win.

Osimhen is unarguably one of the hottest strikers in Italy at the moment as is likely to get the nod to lead the line for the Partenopei’s.

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Why Zambia’s women national team could miss Olympics

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Zambia’s women national football team is on the verge of missing out on playing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This is after world football governing body, FIFA, threatened to suspend the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) following accusations of money laundering offences levelled against its president, Andrew Kamanga, as well as allegations of “undue influence by third parties”.

Kamanga who has be the FAZ president since 2016, was last week, arrested by the country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) along with the Secretary-General, Reuben Kamanga and two other persons, over an alleged money laundering running into K341,902.

The arrested officials have already been charged by the DEC for allegedly obtaining government funds under false pretences and being part of a conspiracy to defraud.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Kamanga used the money to fund trips for two associates to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast early this year.

Kamanga and Reuben were charged along with Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, who travelled to the tournament as part of FAZ’s support staff though are not working with FAZ.

Indications that the Zambian football association could face the hammer came via a letter by FIFA Member Associations Officer, Kenny Jean-Marie, addressed to FAZ that the world football’s governing body had “taken interest” in the arrests of the football officials.

In the letter, Jean-Marie requested for copies of any documents received in relation to the accusations and also directed FAZ to hold its scheduled AGM despite an injunction brought by a suspended club owner which accused Kamanga of changing the association’s constitution without following due procedure, being filed in Zambia’s high court to stop it taking place.

The letter also warned that failure to hold the AGM would provide possible grounds for suspension.

Part of the letter reads:

“The order of the High Court of Zambia dated 24 April, 2024, appears to clearly amount to undue influence by third parties which could be considered as a violation of Article 19 paragraph 1 of the Fifa Statutes and Article 7 paragraph 1.g. of the CAF Statutes.

“For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the infringement of the aforementioned provisions of the FIFA and CAF Statutes may give rise to grounds for the suspension of FAZ irrespective of whether the infringement was attributed to FAZ or not.

“We would like to remind you that a suspended member association may not exercise any of its membership rights.

“The representative teams as well as the affiliated clubs of this federation can no longer take part in international competitions until the suspension has been lifted. In view of the foregoing, FAZ is directed to conduct its Annual General Meeting.”

However, a ruling by a judge upheld the injunction on and scheduled another hearing for Thursday, meaning the AGM was not allowed to take place which has placed the participation of the women’s team in the forthcoming Olympics in jeopardy.

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Kenya unveils ‘killer-squad’ for Paris Olympics marathon Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic

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Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games kicking off in July, Kenya has unveiled a “killer-squad” for the marathon event.

The six-man team, which was unveiled by Athletics Kenya on Wednesday, is made up of three men and three women with one reserve each on either side, with defending champions, Eliud Kipchoge and Peres Jepchichir, as well as Hellen Obiri and Benson Kipruto leading the pack.

Others named in the final Kenyan Olympics team include London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso and Tokyo Marathon winner Benson Kipruto while Timothy Kiplagat, who finished second in Tokyo, will be on standby incase any of the selected three cannot make it.

With the final team list, Jepchirchir will get a chance to defend her title as she heads to Paris in good form after winning the London Marathon in a new women’s-only world record last month.

Jepchirchir will be joined by Obiri who defended her Boston Marathon title last month, while Brigid Kosgei made the final three despite finishing fifth in London last month.

According to sports analysts, Kosgei’s experience seems to have convinced the panel of selectors given that she won silver behind Jepchirchir at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, edging ahead of Sharon Lokedi, who finished second in Boston.

Lokedi will therefore be on standby as the reserve in case any of Obiri, Jepchirchir and Kosgei fail to make it to Paris.

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