Sport
Monday, 13 November 2017 04:16
Cars burnt, police hurt in Brussels after Morocco World Cup success
Celebrations in Brussels to mark Morocco's return to soccer's World Cup finals for the first time in two decades turned violent late on Saturday, when crowds clashed with police, setting cars on fire and injuring 22 police officers. Images on social media showed overturned, burning cars and broken shop windows in Brussels city centre as well as police trucks firing water cannons at crowds gathered in front of the city's stock exchange. Brussels police said that of some 1,500 people had come to celebrate Morocco's 2-0 win over Ivory Coast, but that around 300 started to behave violently and attacked…
Sunday, 12 November 2017 02:51
Morocco, Tunisia qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup
Tunisia and Morocco have completed the roster of teams that would represent Africa at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Before Saturday, the trio of Nigeria, Egypt and Senegal had booked their tickets before the two North African countries also came on board to Russia. Morocco sealed its place in Russia in style as they went to Abidjan and beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-0. The two goals were scored in the first half through Nabil Dirar and Medhi Benatia. The Atlas Lions are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years after they last made it in 1998.…
Sunday, 12 November 2017 02:49
BBC African Footballer of the Year 2017: The five contenders
The five-man shortlist of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Victor Moses and Mohamed Salah has been revealed and voting for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2017 is now open.If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote. Here, BBC Sport profiles the men in the running for the honour: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Gabon and Borussia DortmundNot once in the long history of the Bundesliga had an African ever topped the league's scoring charts outright until Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit 31 goals in 2016-17. The tally not only enabled the Gabon international…
Saturday, 11 November 2017 03:10
Nigeria held away in final qualifier in Algeria
Already-qualified Nigeria failed to finish their preliminary campaign on a winning note but got in some good preparation for next year's World Cup in a feisty 1-1 draw away at Algeria on Friday. Nigeria had already secured qualification last month and without the injured Victor Moses, and John Obi Mikel on the bench, they used the outing to give other players an opportunity to stake their claim for a place at the finals in Russia. Obi Mikel's midfield replacement John Ogu hammered home a left footed strike in the 63rd minute, taking advantage of a poor defensive clearance, to give…
Saturday, 11 November 2017 03:08
Senegal beat South Africa to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup
Senegal qualified for their second-ever World Cup on Friday after a 2-0 win over South Africa. A goal from Diafra Sakho and an own goal by Thamsanqa Mkhize was all the West African country needed to defeat the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts. Senegal’s qualification is their first since the nation reached the quarterfinal at the 2002 World Cup. Friday’s match was a replay of an earlier World Cup qualifier between the two nations that was characterised by match-fixing allegations. Though Senegal will still host South Africa in their final qualification match on Tuesday in Dakar, it would not reflect…
Thursday, 09 November 2017 04:16
Joshua the target as heavyweight hype packs a new punch
Anthony Joshua woke up on Wednesday to find himself more of a wanted man than ever in boxing's entertaining new era of old-fashioned heavyweight hoopla and intrigue. The Briton is at the heart of a long-overdue heavyweight revival, the money-spinning focus for three other unbeaten champions who, like him, believe they can unify the division and become undisputed owner of the sport's most prestigious title. Joshua, who holds the WBA and IBF versions of the crown, was called out by both America's WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and New Zealand's Joseph Parker, the WBO holder, on Wednesday as the hype…
Thursday, 09 November 2017 04:14
Final three African World Cup slots to be settled
Senegal and Tunisia are on the brink of qualification for next year's World Cup finals but the tussle between the Ivory Coast and Morocco is set for a dramatic finale in Abidjan at the weekend. Egypt and Nigeria have already claimed two of the five African slots for the tournament in Russia and the final set of qualifiers being played over the next week will determine the other three. Senegal could be the first through on Friday if they win away against South Africa to guarantee top spot in Group D. The match in Polokwane is a replay of last…
Wednesday, 08 November 2017 03:52
FIFA to reveal all 2026 World Cup votes, aims for clean bids
FIFA has pledged to publish all votes by soccer officials in the 2026 World Cup bidding race after corruption claims tainted the 2018 and 2022 contests. Publishing documents Tuesday to guide the process, FIFA explained how bidders must detail a strategy to respect human rights and labor standards in all construction projects linked to the expanded 48-team tournament. The North American bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico is strongly favored to be picked on June 13 in Moscow. The other bidder is Morocco. The 2026 contest is currently barred to European and Asian countries because Russia and Qatar…
Monday, 06 November 2017 03:20
Chelsea's Morata deals blow to United title bid
CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 0Alvaro Morata's second-half header secured Chelsea a 1-0 win over Manchester United in a compelling Premier League clash on Sunday as Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in defeat. Morata's brilliantly-taken header in the 55th minute was the difference on another frustrating trip to London for United, with six of their last seven away defeats coming in the capital. United pressed for an equaliser, with Mourinho throwing all his attacking options on from the bench, but they did not test Thibaut Courtois enough in the Chelsea goal, mustering just two shot on target in the…
Thursday, 02 November 2017 04:59
FIFA World Cup Trophy arrives Nigeria March 3
The original FIFA World Cup, which Nigeria’s Super Eagles and 31 other teams will be competing for at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next summer, will arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, March 3, 2018. NFF General Secretary, Mr Mohammed Sanusi, said that confirmation had come from world football-governing body, FIFA, that Nigeria is among the countries where the iconic trophy would be visiting before next year’s major showpiece. “We have confirmation now. The World Cup trophy will be in Nigeria on 3rd March 2018,” Sanusi said. Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the 32-team…
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Tuesday, 31 October 2017 04:17
Saudi women to be allowed into sports stadiums next year
Saudi Arabia will allow women into sports stadiums as of next year, the kingdom's latest step toward easing rules on gender segregation - but they will be seated in the so-called family section, an area separate from the male-only crowd. Still, the decision, announced on Sunday, marks another incremental step toward greater women's rights in the kingdom. General Sports Authority described the decision as one that will allow "families" into the stadiums - a term authorities use to refer to the public spaces that accommodate women. These "family" sections are for women who are out on their own or who…
Sunday, 29 October 2017 02:22
Joshua stops Takam in 10th to retain heavyweight crowns
Britain's Anthony Joshua retained his IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight titles when he stopped bloodied challenger Carlos Takam in the 10th round in Cardiff on Saturday. Unbeaten champion Joshua opened up a dreadful cut above 36-year Takam's right eye in the fourth round and although the durable France-based Cameroonian battled on the fight was halted by referee Phil Edwards after a series of heavy blows. It was far from a straightforward night for Joshua in the Principality Stadium, however, as the 28-year-old appeared to suffer a broken nose in the second round after an accidental clash of heads with…
Saturday, 28 October 2017 03:37
Tiger Woods pleads guilty to reckless driving
Tiger Woods has been sentenced to a year's probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving. The professional golfer was arrested in May after officers found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home. A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana's active ingredient. The 41-year-old golfer, who has 14 major men's golf titles, has not won a major championship since 2008. As part of Friday's plea bargain, he is required to attend a drug treatment programme and undergo drug testing. Woods has already completed 50 hours of…
Wednesday, 25 October 2017 04:22
Abia Warriors unveil new Brazilian coach
Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia are keen to give a good show in the Nigeria professional League next season and that has informed their decision to hire an expatriate coach to help improve their potential. The club on Tuesday formally unveiled Brazilian coach, Rafael Everton, as its new manager. At the short but impressive ceremony which took place at the Warriors home ground in Umuahia, Club Chairman, Mr Emeka Inyama, disclosed that the former Fluminense FC of Brazil playmaker has signed a two-year contract. Inyama said in signing Everton, Abia Warriors has given him the mandate to restructure and…