Sports

Ugandan World Cross Country champion Jacob Kiplimo involved in near-fatal accident

Published

8 months ago

April 3, 2024

Two-time World Cross Country champion, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, is currently battling for his life after he was involved in a near-fatal accident which could see him miss the 2024 Paris Olympics Games starting in July.

According to a police statement, the accident occurred on Tuesday after Kiplimo’s vehicle careened off the road in Kween District in Eastern Uganda.

The police statement stated that though the 23-year-old Kiplimo escaped what was a potentially catastrophic road crash, he emerged with injuries which could hamper his Olympics participation.

The accident happened a few days after Kiplimo, the newly crowned World Cross Country Champion of 2024, returned to the country from his triumphant outing in Belgrade, Serbia, where he clinched victory in 28 minutes and 09 seconds.

“Witnesses recounted how Kiplimo’s vehicle veered off the road just a few kilometers away from his village,” a Ugandan media platform, New Vision wrote.

“Stranded and shaken, the 23-year-old athlete, trapped in his vehicle, could only rely on the assistance of onlookers until he was finally rescued.

“Despite the frightening ordeal, Kiplimo sustained minor physical injuries, for which he expressed profound gratitude.

“I’m not sure how much body damage internally this could have caused to me but I am grateful to God for shielding me. It could have been worse,” he was quoted as saying.

“Following the accident, Kiplimo was promptly transported to Kapchorwa town for medical evaluation and treatment. However, the full extent of his injuries remain uncertain, raising concerns about Uganda’s prospects for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“Blame for the crash was attributed to the poor road conditions in Kween district, particularly the route leading to Kiplimo’s residence in the Benet sub-county,” the platform wrote.

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Sports

TP Mazembe pip AS FAR to win African Women’s Champions League

Published

22 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the third team to win the 2024 African Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium.

TP Mazembe claimed the title for the first time courtesy of a 10th minute penalty which was converted by Marlene Kasaj after AS FAR captain Aziza Rabbah handled the ball in the box.

The Congolese side should have doubled their lead six minutes later when an unmarked Merveille Kanjinga fired wide from seven yards out before the more fancied home team gradually grew into the match and looked to cancel the deficit and add to their continental triumph in 2022.

But AS FAR put in a subdued display and failed to test Mazembe’s goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy, with tournament top scorer Doha El Madani who had netted six goals in their run to the final, wasting their best chance as she sliced a first-half free-kick wide.

With the triumph, TP Mazembe carted home the giant trophy and a cheque for $600,000 (£479,000) after the prize money was increased for the fourth edition of the tournament, while the AS FAR went home with $400,000 (£319,000).

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).