Sports

Simbine wades in on Omanyala, Tebogo “Africa Sprints King’ debate

Published

1 month ago

May 21, 2024

South African sprint sensation, Akani Simbine, has weighed in on the “African Sprint King” debate between Africa’s fastest man and Commonwealth Games champion, Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana on who should rightfully hold the title.

Simbine who defeated Omanyala in the 100m at the Atlanta City Games on Sunday, shared his thoughts in an interview with Track and Field network on whom between him, Omanyala and Tebogo is the best sprinter in Africa.

Simbine who is regarded as one of Africa’s and world’s best sprinters in history, while reacting to Omanyala’s recent declaration of himself as the king of sprints on the continent pointing to his African record and title as well as his Commonwealth gold medal, said he was waiting for the Paris Olympics to know whom among them should wear the crown.

The claim by Omanyala had put him on a collision course with Tebogo, the world 100m silver and 200m bronze medallist.

Tebogo, in an earlier interview, had said Omanyala is yet to prove his claims where it matters following his semi-final exit at the Tokyo Olympics and seventh place finish at the 2023 World Championships where the 20-year-old won two medals.

“To me, it does not make sense if you are the African champion, but where it mattered the most, he could not step in,” Tebogo had fired at Omanyala.

To prove his point, Simbine dusted Omanyala to take the track in the 100m at the Atlanta Games in a world leading time of 9.90 while the Kenyan was second in 10.00.

In the interview, Simbine simply said:

“I am waiting for that conversation, I never left. We will see,” suggesting he should be among those being discussed, especially with the Paris Olympics on the horizon.

Simbine, a former African champion and record holder, had had those two titles were taken away from him by Omanyala who set a new mark of 9.77 in 2021 while he is also the 100m African champion.

But based on current form, Simbine trumps both Omanyala and Tebogo in 100m given he is the first to dip under 10 seconds this year.

His 9.90 came after he had managed 10.01 on two occasions, both recorded in April when he finished first, while Omanyala ran 10.03 at the Kip Keino Classic where he finished a disappointing fifth, before improving it to 10.00 in Atlanta.

Tebogo meanwhile managed 10.13 in his first 100m of the season at the Los Angeles Grand Prix last weekend.

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Sports

Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes history at Tour de France

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Unheralded Eritrean cyclist, Biniam Girmay, on Monday, made history by becoming the first Black African rider to claim victory in a Tour de France stage.

Girmay crossed the finish line ahead of tour favourites, Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie, completing the stage in 5 hours, 26 minutes, 48 seconds.

Girmay won stage three of the 2024 Tour in Turin after a crash in the peloton, three kilometres from the finish, dashed Mark Cavendish’s hopes of becoming the Tour’s record-breaking stage winner for yet another day.

The 24-year-old Girmay who rides for the Intermarché-Wanty team, had already won a stage in the 2022 Giro d’Italia and of the Belgian classic Gent-Wevelgem, and took his first Tour success after sprinting ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud De Lie.

Speaking after the race, the Eritrean said:

“Ever since I started cycling, I’ve always been dreaming of the Tour. But to win in my second Tour, in a big bunch sprint, is unbelievable. It means a lot, personally for me, and for the continent.

“I remember my father really liked to watch the Tour every July. He always showed us the Tour de France on TV. One day, I asked him if it was possible to be part of the Tour, and he said: ‘Keep going and everything is possible.’

“Today, everybody will believe African riders can succeed in the World Tour. We must be proud, now we are really part of the big races, now it’s our moment, our time.”

Girmay’s victory came on the third day and the longest stage of this year’s race, spanning 230.8 kilometers (roughly 143 miles) between Piacenza and Turin.

Girmay had previously achieved a milestone in Italy two years ago by winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, making him the first Black African to secure a victory in a Grand Tour, which includes the Giro, the Tour de France, and the Spanish Vuelta.

Sports

Samuel Eto’o threatens to sue CAF after match-fixing hearing

Published

3 days ago

July 1, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, has threatened to institute a lawsuit against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following a disciplinary hearing over match-fixing allegations against him.

The Cameroonian football legend announced the threat after he was invited for questioning over the allegations.

The ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan striker has been a subject of match-fixing allegations in his capacity as head of the FECAFOOT after he was accused of having orchestrated the promotion of a team owned by a close associate of his.

Apart from the match-fixing allegations, Eto’o is also accused of spreading false information, making threats, inciting violence and abusing power, in a scalding report sent to FIFA.

According to the report, Eto’o was charged by CAF over the alleged offences and on Wednesday, June 26th, he appeared before a disciplinary panel.

Though the outcome of the hearing are yet unknown as CAF is yet to publish an official statement, Eto’o says he is not satisfied with the process and will be seeking redress in court.

“I have mandated my lawyers to file a complaint against CAF and for responsibilities to be established,” Eto’o said while addressing journalists.

“It was too easy to tarnish everything I had built during these few years in the world of football. CAF launched a press release much too early. This is unacceptable behaviour.”