News - AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY

Whole Earth Partners With Celebrity Personal Trainers, Jackie And Mark Wren, To Bring The Nation ‘Wonder-Fuel Workouts

7/31/2015

Jackie & Mark Wren, well-known to UK fitness audiences following their best-selling workout video series with Davina McCall, have created the series of free, online workout videos which will launch on 29 July and be housed on Whole Earth’s Wonder-Fuel hub and social media channels.

As a high source of natural protein, Whole Earth Peanut Butter is developing strong associations with the sports industry; the brand is an official supplier for the British Triathlon Federation and is title sponsor of the Welsh endurance marathon Man v Horse. The new Wonder-Fuel Workouts complement and strengthen the brand’s presence in the fitness world.

We know the importance of this match – A. Dlamini

7/31/2015

30 July 2015 – Banyana Banyana have departed for Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, 30 July 2015 to take on the host nation in a crucial second leg third round 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers.

The South Africans flew out on flight SA180 at 15h25 and are expected to land at 20h30 local time in Kenya (19h30 SA Time).

The match will take place on Sunday, 2 August at the Machakos Stadium, about 63 kilometres outside the capital Nairobi.

Kickoff is at 14h30 South African time.

Opening Ceremony hits all the right notes as 128th IOC Session opens in Kuala Lumpur

7/31/2015

The 128th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially got under way tonight with a music-themed Opening Ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The IOC Members were greeted by Olympic Council of Malaysia President and IOC Member HRH Prince Tunku Imram, who delivered the welcome speech.

In the keynote speech, IOC President Thomas Bach detailed the great impact the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, approved at the last IOC Session in December 2014, have already had on the Olympic Movement. He called on the IOC Members to continue the process of change with the same energy as on the day the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement was passed, 8 December 2014.

Newcastle seal Mbemba swoop

7/31/2015

Newcastle have completed the signing of Anderlecht defender Chancel Mbemba, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.

The Magpies agreed the deal in principle with Belgian club Anderlecht last weekend, but Mbemba was unable to seal his move while he waited for paperwork issues to be resolved.

The 20-year-old Congo DR international has now been granted governing body endorsement (GBE) at a Football Association panel hearing on Thursday, and will be able to launch his Newcastle career once he gets visa clearance.

Message of comfort from CAF President to Bhebey Ndey

7/31/2015

On behalf of CAF President, Issa Hayatou and the Executive Committee, CAF Secretary General, Hicham El Amrani on the afternoon of Thursday, 30 July 2015 visited the Air Force Specialized Hospital (AFSH) to convey a message of comfort to Congolese and AC Leopards captain, Rudy Guelord Bhebey Ndey.

The CAF President reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to provide all necessary assistance and support to the player, and also expressed gratitude to the higher authorities of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The latter, through the Ministry of Sports and the Egyptian Football Association have spared no effort with support and ensured the best form of medical assistance for the player.

Lille snap up Zambia defender Sunzu

7/31/2015

French top flight club Lille have swooped for Zambia's 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations winner Stoppila Sunzu on a season-long loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, the club announced Thursday.

The central defender, who scored the winning spot-kick in the 8-7 penalty shoot-out victory over Côte d'Ivoire, previously played in France for Sochaux and links up again with former Zambia coach Herve Renard.

"This is very good news for me to join a club like Lille. I have known Herve Renard for a long time, his presence here was an important element in making my decision to commit myself to Lille. He is like a father to me," added Sunzu.

Level II Coaches Course completed in Seychelles

7/31/2015

Most volleyball players and coaches in the Seychelles are amateurs

Lausanne, Switzerland, July 29, 2015 – A Level II Coaches Course took place in the Seychelles from July 6 to 18. The course was supported by Olympic Solidarity.

The instructors for the course were Jivko Jetchev of Bulgaria and Bernard José Denis of the Seychelles.

The instructors pointed out that while volleyball is the most popular team sport in the Seychelles, the small population (about 84,000) is scattered over many islands, making sports organisation difficult.

International Referee Candidate Course begins in Senegal

7/31/2015

The course opening ceremony in Dakar

Dakar, Senegal, July 29, 2015 - A Beach Volleyball International Referee Candidate Course has begun in Dakar, Senegal headed by FIVB Instructors Jeff Brehaut and Joep van Iersel.

The fifteen candidates from eleven countries include three women. They were joined by Sports Ministry representative Khary Gaye and by Abdoul Oumar Ba from the Senegalese Volleyball Federation for the course's opening ceremony. The event was covered by the local press.

The course will run from July 28 through to August 4.

FIBA suspends Russian Basketball Federation

7/31/2015

MIES - The FIBA Executive Committee decided on Wednesday to suspend with immediate effect the Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) in view of the fact that the RBF has been unable to resolve longstanding institutional and legal issues preventing the Federation to work under proper conditions and maintain full control and governance in the country, as proven by the recently published Court decision against the RBF.

As a consequence, the RBF forfeits its rights as member of FIBA, and its teams and officials may not participate in official competitions or activities.

Considering the calendar of upcoming events and meetings, the suspension will not affect the status of Russian national teams and officials currently in competition or in the U18 European Championship Women starting on Thursday 30 July, as well as in the youth 3x3 Competitions.

Igesund targets league title

7/31/2015

SuperSport United coach Gordon Igesund is targeting his fifth Premiership title but concedes it will be no easy task.

The former Bafana Bafana boss steered Matsatsantsa to a sixth-place finish last season after taking over from Cavin Johnson in September.

Having won the league title on four previous occasions, Igesund is all too aware of the challenges his side face in their bid to wrestle the league crown from the clutches of Kaizer Chiefs.

"I am certainly not saying we are going to win the championship, but what I am saying is that we want to be one of the teams challenging for the title," Igesund told Sowetan Live.

Central African Republic's Mokongo ruled out of AfroBasket 2015, Sato eyeing return

7/31/2015

Michael Mokongo (CAF) - Nigeria v Central African Republic, Day 8 of the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 27 August, Eight Final Round

GRAVELINES (AfroBasket 2015) - Central African Republic (CAF) international Michael Mokongo will not be available to energise his country's offense at the upcoming AfroBasket 2015 as a knee injury has ruled him out of the competition.

The 29-year-old point guard, who plays for Monaco in France's Pro B, met the team in Gravelines, France, where CAF are currently holding a training camp, to announce that his recovery from the injury is taking longer than expected.

Drogba relishing MLS challenge

7/31/2015

Didier Drogba said he is looking forward to the "beautiful challenge" of finishing his career in Major League Soccer after being unveiled before hundreds of Montreal Impact fans on Thursday.

The veteran Côte d'Ivoire and former Chelsea icon addressed a crowd of fans at Montreal's Saputo Stadium, a day after jetting into the Canadian city after wrapping up his MLS move earlier this week.

"I am a man of challenges and there is a beautiful one before me," Drogba said alongside Impact President Joey Saputo.

AfroBasket 2015 - Team Profile: Senegal

7/31/2015

Gorgui Dieng (SEN) - Croatia v Senegal, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Seville (Spain), Day 3, Group phase

DAKAR (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating teams competing in the championship running from 19-30 August.

Team: Senegal
FIBA Ranking Men: 30th
Last participation in the AfroBasket: 2013 (5 wins, 2 defeats; 3rd place)
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: African champions in 1968, 1972, 1978, 1980 and 1997
Qualified for AfroBasket 2015 - Awarded a wild card to participate at AfroBasket 2015.

2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championship set to tip off in Bamako

7/31/2015

Draw results for the 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championship

BAMAKO (2015 FIBA Africa U16 Men's Championship) - The draw for the fourth edition of the FIBA Africa U16 Championship took place on Wednesday night at Hotel Onomo, in Mali's capital city of Bamako.

During the draw, the 12 countries taking part in the event were divided into two groups of six teams each. The groups are:
Group A: 1. Mali; 2. Egypt; 3. Equatorial Guinea; 4. Nigeria; 5. Rwanda, 6. Algeria.
Group B: 1. Angola; 2. Tunisia; 3. Central Africa Republic; 4. Morocco; 5. South Africa; 6. Ethiopia.

MTN 8 Quarter final tickets now on sale

7/30/2015

In just six days domestic football will return, with this year’s edition of the MTN8 competition ushering the 2015/16 season. Both MTN8 quarter-final fixtures will be played mid-week this season; Tuesday 04 and Wednesday 05 August 2015.

The PSL has confirmed that tickets for the quarterfinal fixtures are now available at Computicket and Shoprite stores countrywide. They are selling at R80 (West stand only) and R40 (for the rest of the stadium).

The League has urged football supporters to purchase their tickets to witness the first act of this season. Last season’s finalists, Orlando Pirates will kick-off against Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday (04 August 2015) while SuperSport United will travel to the heart of Johannesburg to play against Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium at the same time.

MLS PRESENTS ALAN ROTHENBERG WITH LEGACY AWARD WHICH WILL BEAR HIS NAME

7/30/2015

Award to Honor American Soccer Leader who Spearheaded the Effort to Make MLS a Reality

DENVER (July 29, 2015) – Major League Soccer (MLS) announced today that Alan Rothenberg will be the first recipient of an award that will bear his name, the Alan I. Rothenberg Legacy Award. MLS Commissioner Don Garber honored Rothenberg during the pregame ceremonies at Wednesday night’s 20th annual AT&T MLS All-Star Game, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

The Alan I. Rothenberg Legacy Award will be presented annually to an individual who has made contributions that have left a legacy on MLS, as Rothenberg did more than two decades ago.

Khartoum, Gor Mahia reach CECAFA Cup semis

7/30/2015

Sudanese side, Al Khartoum continued with their fairytale run at the 2015 CECAFA-Kagame Cup, beating APR of Rwanda 4-0 on Tuesday to book a place at the last four.

APR, three-time winners of the zonal championship have themselves to blame for their below par defensive discipline that saw concede three goals inside 40 minutes.

A mix-up in the APR defense led to goalkeeper Jean Claude Ndoli's failure to deal with a short cross from Cameroonian Baba Ousmaila in the opening minutes.

FORMER GAMBIA FORWARD CHERNO SAMBA RETIRES, PURSUES COACHING BADGES

7/30/2015

Former Gambia international forward Cherno Samba has announce his retirement from football to pursue his coaching badges in England.

The striker 29 years-old has been out of action for three years following persistent ankle injuries which he said is the main reason he calls time on his career.

“It is with sadness that I officially announce my retirement as a football player in order to focus on moving into the next chapter of my career, which is to attain my coaching badges”

Europa League: Bangura to lead AIK attack against Atromitos

7/30/2015

Sierra Leone forward, Mohamed Poborsky Bangura is in line to lead AIK Solna striking force against Atromitos Athinon of Greece in the third round qualifiers of the UEFA Europa League.

The Swedish club will host their Greek counterpart on Thursday at the Friends Arena, Solna and with both Enoch Goitom and Ebenezer Ofori likely to miss out due to a cold, the Sierra Leonean forward is in line to take the lead role.

Bangura who scored his fifth goal and his seventh in all competition this season against IF Elfsborg, in their 4-2 victory in the Swedish league on Sunday is unconcerned with the manager Andreas Alm rotational policy.

AfroBasket 2015 - Team Profile: Uganda

7/30/2015

Uganda national team, Zone 5 qualifier, Sept. 2014

KAMPALA (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to the AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating national teams running from 19-30 August.

Team: Uganda
FIBA Ranking Men: None
Last participation in the AfroBasket: None
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: None
Qualified for AfroBasket 2015 - Finished second in the five-team Africa Zone 5 qualifier ahead of Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia, but behind of Egypt.

Zimbabwe sanctioned for Olympic qualifying no-show

7/29/2015

The qualifying match for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 that was scheduled for 19 July 2015 between Côte d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe has been declared a 3-0 forfeit victory for Côte d’Ivoire.

FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings after Zimbabwe failed to travel to Côte d’Ivoire for the match, which was the first leg of the third round of Olympic qualifiers for the African zone.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided that the match should be forfeited, in accordance with art. 31 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and ordered the Zimbabwe Football Association to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 after being found to be liable for the violation of art. 6 par. 1, art. 6 par. 3 e), art. 7 par. 1, and art. 7 par. 10 of the Regulations for the Olympic Football Tournaments.

The relevant parties were notified of the decision on Wednesday 29 July.

Platinum Stars confirm done deals

7/29/2015

Platinum Stars have seemingly completed their transfer business after confirming the arrivals of no fewer than seven new faces for the 2015/16 season.

Dikwena have been hard at work strengthening their options following their relegation near-miss last term, where the Rustenburg side finished just four points clear of the bottom two.

And, as well as the newly signed players, Dinaledi have also added to their backroom staff after appointing Alan Clark as performance analyst and academy head coach.

Italee Lucas headlines Angola's preliminary squad

7/29/2015

Italee Lucas (ANG) - 2014 African Champions Cup for Women

LUANDA (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Italee Lucas became the second USA-born basketball player to acquire Angolan citizenship - after Reggie Moore - in the last two years, and is now likely to represent her new country at AfroBasket Women 2015.

Lucas and Marinela Pinheiro Muxiri are the only new faces in Angola's 15-player preliminary squad announced on Tuesday by newly-appointed head coach Jaime Covilha.

Men's African Championship finalists Egypt and Tunisia book tickets for World Cup

7/29/2015

Egypt beat Morocco to claim a World Cup Ticket

Cairo, Egypt, July 28, 2015 - Hosts Egypt and Tunisia secured berths at the FIVB Volleyball World Cup Japan 2015 by winning their semifinal matches against Morocco and Algeria at the Men's African Nations Championship held at the Cairo Stadium Complex in Egypt on Tuesday.

Egypt defeated dark horses Morocco 3-0 (25-17, 28-26, 25-20), while Tunisia needed 121 minutes to upset Algeria 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 27-25, 21-25, 15-12) in the second semifinal.

Egypt will take on Tunisia in the African final on Thursday to determine the champions of the 20th edition of the cup. Algeria play Morocco in another North African face-off to decide the bronze medallists.

Bullets equal record in Malawi

7/29/2015

The 2015 Malawian Elite Super League has reached its half-way stage with Big Bullets and Civo United matching and setting records for bad and good reasons.

Bullets thumped EPAC United 4-1 to end the first round of the 15-club league on 32 points from 14 games, equalling a five-year an unbeaten record for no defeat at the first round, set by the now defunct Escom United in 2010.

Having finished the round on nine wins and five draws, Bullets are also the highest scoring side with 27 goals, whereas struggling giants Civo United and Kamuzu Barracks have both conceded the least number of goals thus far (12).