Sports

Nigeria in serious trouble as CAF doctor dies after 1-1 draw with Ghana

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2022

Nigeria could be in serious trouble with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and world football governing body, FIFA, as a Zambian medical doctor, Joseph Kabungo, slumped and died following fans rampage at the MKO Stadium in Abuja, after a 1-1 draw in the Nigeria-Ghana 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff game on Tuesday.

Kabungo who was CAF’s doping control officer for the Super Eagles and Black Stars game, died after violence erupted at the end of the match.

Though the circumstances surrounding Kabungo’s death are still shrouded in mystery, especially the state of his health prior to the stadium invasion, it is expected that CAF and FIFA will descend heavily on Nigeria with sanctions and fines in the coming days.

Hours after the unfortunate incident, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and officials from CAF have yet to issue statements on the circumstances that led to Kabungo’s death but the Zambia FA has confirmed his death, saying both his family and the Zambian government have been informed.

A Zambian journalist with Supersport, Matimba Nkonje, who confirmed the death of Kabungo on Twitter, said the medical doctor died following the fracas that ensued when the Nigerian fans rioted at the end of the drab match.

AFCON 2012 Chipolopolo winning squad Team Doctor, Dr. Joseph Kabungo died last night in Nigeria after the Nigeria vs Ghana World Cup qualifier where he was the CAF doping Officer following some fracas that ensued after the match where fans ran riot.Doc go well. MYSRIEP pic.twitter.com/83xwYgir6B

— Matimba Nkonje (@Ama1010Zambia) March 30, 2022

Also, a Nigerian journalist with BBC, Osasu Obayiuwana, tweeted:

“Sad news: I understand that an official for the @NGSuperEagles vs @GhanaBlackstars match (not a referee or assistant referee) died in #Abuja today.

“His name is Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia. He was on duty as Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.

IF the death of #Zambian doctor Dr Joseph Kabungo at the #Abuja stadium was caused by being attacked by the #Nigerian fans who invaded the pitch, after the @NGSuperEagles lost the @FIFAWorldCup ticket to @GhanaBlackstars, @thenff would be in terrible trouble with @FIFAcom.

— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) March 30, 2022

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Sports

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

Published

9 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).