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Nigerian world record holder, Tobi Amusan, three African athletes nominated for prestigious awards

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World and Commonwealth Games record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria and three other outstanding African athletes were among 20 athletes selected for the 2022 Women’s and Men’s World Athlete of the Year awards by the World Athletics Federation.

The other African nominees are Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, both of Kenya and Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.

The list published on Friday by the
World Athletics Federation revealed that
10 athletes were selected in each category with Amusan and Kipyegon making the women’s list while El Bakkali and Kipchoge were selected for the men’s category.

Nigeria’s Amusan is the current holder of the African, World, Diamond League and Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles champion.

The 25-year-old set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.12 on July 24 during her semi-final race at the World Championship in Oregon.

Kenyan star, Kipyegon, is the World’s 1500m champion and Diamond League 1500m champion where she ran a world-leading Kenyan record of 3:50.37, just three-tenth of a second off the world record.

In the men’s field, 26-year-old Bakkali of Morocco is the world’s 3000m steeplechase champion as well as Diamond League 3000m steeplechase champion and has remained unbeaten in 2022, running a world-leading 7:58.28 in Rabat on June 5.

Kenyan marathoner, Kipchoge, is a two-time Olympic champion who made history by shattering his own record in the Berlin Marathon on September 25 when he clocked 2:01:09 to break the record he set earlier in the year. He is also the Tokyo Marathon world champion.

Kipchoge had previously won the Men’s World athlete of the year award. 2018 and 2019.

Six African male athletes and three females have won the prestigious awards since its inception in 1988.

Algerian Noureddine Morceli was the first to win the prize for the continent in 1994 in the male category while the first female African athlete to win the was Ethiopian Meseret Defar in 2007.

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Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

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Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

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SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

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South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”

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