Sports

SA sprint star Akani Simbine upstages Olympic champion at Oslo Diamond League

Published

6 months ago

May 31, 2024

It was a good outing for South African sprint sensation, Akani Simbine, at the Oslo Diamond League held on Thursday night when he dusted current Olympic 100m champion, Marcell Jacobs of Italy, to take home the gold medal with time of 9.94 seconds.

Simbine was the standout performer in a strong field of some of the best sprinters which had the likes of Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown who finished second in 9.99 seconds and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme who clocked 10.01 seconds to finish third, while Jacobs ran 10.01 to settle for fourth.

Simbine’s time was a season’s best for him after starting slow out of the blocks but produced a strong second half and a savage dip to claim victory ahead of the field.

Speaking after race, Simbine, 30, said:

“It ended up in the rain which probably influenced the race but at the end of the day we all have to run 100m rain or not and get to the line first.

“I did that today which I am happy with but I have a lot to work on and a lot to do. I am happy with my performance and I hope there will be more highlights coming up as we build towards the Olympic Games.”

“I put my marker out to the world today that I am here. The goal was the win today and I did that. Getting the win always helps with confidence as we get closer to Paris.”

Also speaking, Jacobs said his attention would now turn the 7-12 June European Championships in Rome.

“I am good but I haven’t yet run sub-10, but today it was important to get a good feeling in my race.

“I did that today and I start getting in shape to run the best in my home town in Rome at the European Championships in front of my people.”

Jacobs had won gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, and backed it up with a second gold in the 4x100m relay.

He followed his performances with victories over the world indoor 60m in Belgrade in 2022 and the 100m at the European championships later that year.

But he has suffered a number of injuries, something he says led him to moving from Italy to the United States to train in Rana Reider’s camp alongside Canada’s Olympic 200m champion Andre de Grasse and Sani Brown among others.

“The last two years have been difficult with injury but now I have moved to the US for training and have a new coach so things are going well,” Jacobs said.

“It is Olympic year and I want to defend my title of course, so I mustn’t push my body too quickly too soon but I will be ready,” he added.

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

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.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

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.”