News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

Passion and mental strength key to Ghana success - Avram Grant

1/29/2017

"Look, I'll show you something." Ghana manager Avram Grant pulls out his smartphone and brings up an image captioned "Avram's Triangle."

The three sides are labeled "Talent", "Passion", and "Mental Strength" -- the components he tells his players they require to succeed on the pitch.

Facing DR Congo in the African Nations Cup quarterfinals on Sunday, the former Chelsea, West Ham and Portsmouth manger will need his Ghana side to make sure that every one of those aspects are brought to the game if they are to process to the next round.

New stars shining in Gabon

1/29/2017

© AFP
Most football fans would have heard of the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sadio Mane long before the start of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. But when the competition ends next week, some lesser-known names will have well and truly made their mark.

With the group stage now over, FIFA.com runs the rule over a few who have already boosted their reputations.

Akwasi Frimpong qualifies for World Championships in skeleton

1/29/2017

Akwasi Frimpong of Ghana has met the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) qualification requirements for the World Championships skeleton event, which will be hosted in Königsee, Germany from Feb. 21-26, 2017.

New to the sport, Frimpong has been having a great start this season, and is currently ranked 103 out of 153 sliders in the world. With less than a year's experience on a sled, he is solidly competing with athletes who have three to 10 years’ experience.

Frimpong's ultimate goal is to represent Ghana in the skeleton event for the first time at the 2022 Winter Olympics. He’s began his journey by writing history as Ghana's very first athlete to qualify for the IBSF World Championships.

Acosty signs to play in Serie A for Crotone

1/29/2017

Italian Serie A side Crotone have signed Ghanaian striker Maxwell Boadu Acosty from Serie B side Latina.

The 25-year-old has penned a three-year deal after impressing in the second-tier league.

Acosty managed to score two goals and two assists in 16 Serie B appearances.

Dwamena for Swiss Top Flight FC Zurich

1/29/2017

Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena has completed his move to Swiss side FC Zurich on a long-term deal.

The 21-year-old passed medical and penned a three-year-contract with the Swiss second-tier club who are close to securing promotion back to the top-flight.

Broos: We changed Cameroon's mentality

1/29/2017

© AFP
Very few football observers expected Cameroon to shine at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, currently taking place in Gabon, due to the numerous absences that the former continental champions have had to contend with. To make matters worse for the Indomitable Lions, they found themselves in a challenging group, one that featured the host nation, 2013 finalists Burkina Faso and surprising outsiders Guinea-Bissau.

Warner seizes top spot in ODI rankings for the first time

1/29/2017

Warner: “It is a huge year for one-day cricket with the ICC Champions Trophy later this year and I am hoping I can take my good form into that tournament”

Australia opener David Warner has wrested the top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen with a stupendous run in recent matches that is a warning for other teams in the year of the ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in the United Kingdom from 1-18 June.

Dussuyer resigns as Ivorian coach

1/29/2017

Michel Dussuyer on Sunday stood down as Ivory Coast manager following his team's early elimination at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Frenchman's decision to resign after 18 months in the post was announced by the Ivorian football federation.

FIFA TMS Global Transfer Market 2017: record international transfers in 2016

1/29/2017

© FIFA.com
Today, FIFA TMS launched its Global Transfer Market Report 2017. It examines official international transfer figures for the six confederations in 2016.

The report shows that the total number of international transfers reached a new peak last year, with 14,591 deals completed, surpassing the 14,000 mark for the first time ever. This is almost a thousand transfers more than the previous year, when there were a total of 13,601.

Indomitable Lions and Stallions reach semis

1/29/2017

© AFP
THE DAY REPLAYED — Burkina Faso booked their place in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 semi-finals after scoring two late goals in a 2-0 victory over Tunisia to keep their hopes of a first-ever title alive. Cameroon booked their place in the last four by getting the better of Senegal 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless regulation and extra time period.

The day’s results
Quarter-finals
Burkina Faso 2-0 Tunisia
Senegal 0-0 AET (4-5 on penalties) Cameroon

Basketball Champions League Play-Offs Draws completed, trophy unveiled

1/29/2017

2017 Basketball Champions League Draw

MIES, Switzerland (Basketball Champions League) - The draws of the first two phases of the Basketball Champions League Play-Offs were completed on Friday at FIBA's House of Basketball, in the presence of representatives from the 24 participating clubs.

The 24 clubs were drawn for the Play-Off Qualifiers (7-8 and 21-22 February) and the Round of 16 (28 February-1 March and 7-8 March). These clubs have been ranked according to their final position within their respective groups during the Regular Season.

Mali’s new head coach Lautie has big dreams of FIBA AfroBasket Women 2017

1/29/2017

Sylvain Lautie (FRA) - Mali v Cameroon, Afrobasket 2015 , Radès (Tunisia), Group Phase, 19 August 2015

BAMAKO (FIBA AfroBasket Women 2017) - Sylvain Lautie, the newly-appointed head coach of Mali's senior women's national team, has his eyes set on the FIBA AfroBasket Women 2017 title.

The French tactician who was appointed early this month to replace Amara Traore, has not hidden his ambition of helping Mali claim their first continental crown since 2007.

AIBA Special Investigation Committee Statement

1/29/2017

The AIBA Special Investigation Committee (SIC), consisting of experts from its Refereeing and Judging (R&J), Technical and Rules, as well as Disciplinary Commissions, has concluded its investigation into the practices and procedures of officials during the Rio 2016 Olympic Boxing Tournament. The SIC’s recommendations for improvements to R&J structure for the Tokyo 2020 Cycle are already being put in place.

The investigation ordered by AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu after a small number of decisions at Rio 2016 came under scrutiny and serious allegations were made against AIBA officials, has been concluded. Starting in mid-September, the full investigation took place in two phases across four months, with over 50 interviews conducted during that time.

CALL TO RUNNERS TO SHARE THEIR #REASONTORUN

1/29/2017

The 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon will celebrate every runner who lines up at the famous Start Line on 23 April with its call to participants to share their #ReasonToRun on social media.

“We know every single runner has a unique #ReasonToRun the world’s greatest marathon,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director. “Whether it’s to set a PB, to raise money for a cause, to remember a loved one, to break a Guinness World Record, to win, to remain an Ever Present, to qualify for Great Britain or just because it’s always been a dream to run the London Marathon – the reasons are endless and we would love to hear them.”

Ayew brothers propel Ghana forward, Egypt advance

1/29/2017

The analysis
It was a tale of two halves for Congo DR and Ghana in Oyem. Dieumerci Mbokani had the best chance of the first half when he took advantage of a Ghanaian defensive error and rounded Black Stars goalkeeper Razak Brimah for an open look on goal. However, the angle was too narrow for the Hull City forward and his shot hit the post. The match really sprang to life in the second half as the momentum swung to Ghana. Jordan Ayew scored the breakthrough goal in the 63rd minute after showing great pace and individual skill to find space to execute a well-placed, curling shot out of the reach of Ley Matampi.

ICC Global Development Team Annual Planning Meeting concludes in Dubai

1/29/2017

The long term growth of cricket was at the heart of the agenda during the ICC Global Development Team Annual Planning Meeting that concluded in Dubai on Thursday, 26 January. The five-day conference, brought together staff from across the five ICC development regions to shape the three-year ICC Global Growth Strategy and create a clear vision for the future growth of the sport.

With sessions on enabling growth, building awareness, creating fan bases and boosting participation, the attendees were challenged to be ambitious and innovative in working with member federations to further develop the sport.

Official Match Ball revealed in The Bahamas

1/29/2017

© FIFA.com

The Official Match Ball for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 was revealed to the public on Friday, 27 January 2017, on a beautiful beach in the host city of Nassau.

During the official launch ceremony on Arawak Cay Beach on Friday, the adidas Praia ball was presented in unique fashion, showcasing the local culture and beauty of The Bahamas. A traditional Bahamian scull boat brought the ball to shore as a local band played Bahamian music using traditional instruments.

FIFA Disciplinary Committee passes decisions relating to third-party influence on clubs

1/29/2017

© Getty Images
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has passed two decisions relating to third-party influence on clubs concerning an agreement signed by SE Palmeiras of Brazil and LDU Quito of Ecuador.

SE Palmeiras was sanctioned with a fine of CHF 50,000 and a warning for breaching art. 18bis of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (2010 edition). The club was found to be liable for entering into a contract that enabled the other party to the contract, LDU Quito, to influence the club’s independence in employment and transfer-related matters.

Football club owned by popular Zimbabwean pastor gets Premiership promotion

1/27/2017

Ambitious Premiership newboys Yadah Stars are today expected to unveil a new coach who will guide them in their maiden season in the top-flight league, with the club’s owner Prophet Walter Magaya saying his club will shake the establishment.

Yadah Stars triumphed in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One in their first season in that league last year under the guidance of coach Kuda Masaraure.

Sri Lanka in historic win over Proteas

1/27/2017

Sri Lanka created their own piece of history when they beat the Standard Bank Proteas by 5 wickets with a ball to spare in the final KFC T20 International at PPC Newlands on Wednesday night. It gave them a 2-1 victory in the series, the first time they have won a series in any format in South Africa.

The heroes of their success were Niroshan Dickwella (68 off 51 balls, 10 fours and a six), who shared a third-wicket partnership of 71 with Dhananjaya de Silva and Seekkuge Prasanna who scored a career-best 37 not out off just 16 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes to finish the job.

TransCape on a charity drive

1/27/2017

In partnership with the Africa Foundation, the TransCape MTB race will use its reach in the cycling fraternity to contribute towards a number of charity projects this year.

The third edition of the seven-day mountain biking race from the hamlet of Knysna to Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands takes place from 5th to 11th February 2017 over a distance of about 650km.

The Africa Foundation, a non-profit organisation, aims to uplift those living in poor rural communities, while also working towards conservation in South Africa.

Total Man of the Match

1/27/2017

Herewith the list of the Total Man of the Match awards winners during the group stage;

Team Rankings: 9th to 16th position

1/27/2017

At the end of the group stage matches of the 31 Total Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017, herewith the rankings of the teams from 9th to 16th and explained in the table below;

9. Gabon
10. Algeria,
11. Côte d’Ivoire
12. Mali
13. Guinea Bissau
14. Zimbabwe
15. Togo
16. Uganda

Upsets aplenty in the AFCON group stage

1/27/2017

© AFP
When the draw for the 31st Africa Cup of Nations was made, Côte d'Ivoire and Algeria were among the seeds and favourites. But this weekend, when the quarter-finals commence, neither team will be present and nor will hosts Gabon, with all three having each fallen at the first hurdle. Still with hopes alive, meanwhile, are the likes of Burkina Faso, Congo DR, Egypt and Senegal, all of whom impressed en route to topping their respective sections.

Sierra Leone Coaches, administrators to undergo coaching education

1/27/2017

Samuel Jalloh during an introductory class with a cross section of participants

Sierra Leonean sports coaches; administrators and officials will on Wednesday February 1st 2016 commence a-three-day coaches’ education and physical training at both the Sports Ministry’s Conference room and the lawn tennis court in Freetown.