Sports

Cameroon recalls Man U keeper, Andre Onana one year after retirement

Published

9 months ago

August 29, 2023

The Cameroonian Football Federation has recalled Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, for the Indomitable Lions final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi.

The recall of Onana, who announced his retirement from the national team following a fallout with Coach Rigobert Song at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is seen as a volte-face after the Samuel Eto’o-led football federation vowed never to invite the former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper.

With the invitation, the 27-year-old Onana could be in line to man the post in the winner-takes-all Group C encounter which will determine which team qualifies for the African Nations Cup in Ivory Coast in 2024.

Onana announced his international retirement after a suspension was imposed on him for alleged disciplinary reasons, which many believed was a falling out with Song and Eto’o.

Namibia sits on top of Group C by one point but have completed their matches after the group was reduced to three teams following Kenya’s expulsion, while Cameroon is second only ahead of Burundi on goal difference which makes the September 12 clash a must win for both teams.

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Sports

Italian couple name new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An Italian couple have reportedly named their new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, after he scored a spectacular goal against Olympic Marseille of France in the Europa League semifinal second leg match to take Atalanta to the final.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring for Atalanta before Ruggeri and Toure sealed the win in their second-leg semi-final tie to set up a mouth-watering final tie with Victor Boniface’s Leverkusen.

According to reports from EuroFoot on X, Ademola’s performance was recognised by the couple who live in Palosco, a district in Bergamo where the Italian club is based.

“Somebody named their child after Ademola Lookman following his goal which helped send the Italian club to the Europa League final!” EuroFoot said in the post.

The post added that Lookman’s contribution to Atalanta’s advancement to the Europa League final caught the attention of the adoring Italian couple who decided to name their child after him.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian international was on Friday, named the Europa League Player of the Week following his outstanding performance in Atalanta’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille in the semifinal.

According to UEFA’s official website, Lookman’s performance also included three attempts, further highlighting his influential role in Atalanta’s dominant display

Sports

AIU suspends Kenyan marathoner Josephine Chepkoech over alleged use of prohibited substances

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan half distance runner, Josephine Chepkoech, over alleged use of prohibited substances during the Barcelona Half Marathon held on February 17, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.

The AIU, in a statement on Thursday, said Chepkoech was suspended following allegations of doping involving the prohibited substance, testosterone.

In the statement, the AIU said Chepkoech had been served with a Notice of Allegation for violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Josephine Chepkoech (Kenya) for Presence (Testosterone Metabolites)/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone),” the AIU stated.

Chepkoech ran a personal best marathon time of 2:22:38 in February at the Seville Marathon, but with the suspension, the record is not likely to stand.

The AIU said the move was part of its crackdown on prohibited substances in athletics which has seen a rising number of Kenyan athletes penalized.

The 35-year-old had made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Nairobi Marathon, dominating the women’s race with a winning time of 2:33:11.

Her provisional suspension means she cannot participate in any competition until a final decision is reached which could result in an acquittal or a formal ban.

She faces a two-year ban pending a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal.