By retaining his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, Anthony Joshua has given boxing lovers around the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has said. Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said Buhari made his feelings known while celebrating the decisive victory of the Nigerian-born boxer over Kubrat Pulev …
Read More »
The Argentine football legend, Diego Armando Maradona, died aged 60 on Wednesday, after a life that showcased the good, the bad and the ugly of the human condition. But he will mostly be remembered for his footballing exploits which transcended the sport. Our Contributing Editor, Michael Nnaji, looks back on his life. My first recollections of Diego Maradona were during …
Read More »
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has passed away at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports. He had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital where he underwent brain surgery. Days after celebrating his 60th birthday, the Gimnasia coach had been hospitalised after complaining of low spirits and fatigue …
Read More »
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Ahmad Ahmad, has been banned for five years by FIFA for breaching various codes of ethics, according to a statement released by the global football body’s ethics committee on Monday. The 60-year-old, who is also a vice-president of FIFA, was found guilty of breaching four separate articles of the organization’s ethics code, including abuse …
Read More »
Didier Drogba – one of the greatest players ever to come out of Africa – received the 2020 UEFA President’s Award from UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin at the UEFA Champions League draw ceremony in Geneva on Thursday (1 October). The 42-year-old former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, described by Čeferin as “a leader and pioneer”, follows famous names such as …
Read More »
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the year 2020 has been characterised by irregular European football schedules, cancellations and new rules. For the fans it has meant their not being able to support their favourite teams in person at stadiums across Europe. Not forgetting that in the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich emerged domestic champions and as well as dominating …
Read More »
Yemi Babalola* writes on the ongoing tussle between Lionel Messi and Barcelona on the star player’s intention to leave the club that discovered, nurtured and brought the Argentine footballer to global fame and immense wealth It is no longer news that Lionel Andrés Messi, who is arguably the world’s best football player, has made known to Barcelona that he wants …
Read More »
Michael Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player who previously played for Red Star Belgrade, died at the age of 27 during a training session in the Serbian capital on Friday, the club said. “We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson Igor Vujicin told AFP. The club couldn’t confirm the cause of death, but local media reported that Ojo …
Read More »
Arsenal football club is one of Europe’s topflight sides that has been a shadow of itself in the last few seasons, especially since the departure of their long-time manager Arsene Wenger. The departure of Wenger brought about the signing of former Villareal manager Unai Emery by the English side. Unai Emery inherited an Arsenal side who were Europa league finalists, …
Read More »
The year 2020 for football fans would be unforgettable due to the delays and cancellations of leagues and competitions across the world. UEFA champions league was not left out of the affected tourney due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that has affected every aspect of life. Now that the competition is back, it comes with some new changes …
Read More »
After 30 years of hurt, Liverpool Football Club are – to use a phrase coined by former Manchester United Manager, Alex Ferguson – “back on their perch”. Last week they were crowned English Premier League champions basically with their legs on the sofa. They were confirmed winners after Chelsea Football pipped Manchester City 2-1 which ensured Liverpool had an unassailable …
Read More »
The dream of every African footballer is often to reach Europe and play, particularly, in one of its major championships such as the Premier League (England), Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany), Serie A (Italy) and Ligue 1 (France). Berlin-based Lolade Adewuyi* writes on the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prospects of African players securing contracts in Europe in …
Read More »
Our world right now is not as normal as we are used to. Words like self-isolation, quarantine and social distancing are now in our everyday vocabulary. Sporting activities have not been left out. Major sporting events that garner the world’s attention have either been cancelled or postponed. The 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics which were supposed to hold this year …
Read More »
Euro 2020 has been postponed until 2021 because of the ongoing global coronavirus outbreak. UEFA, European football’s governing body, made the decision at an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The football tournament had been due to kick off in Rome, Italy, on June 12 and was to be played in 12 different host cities across the continent. The 24-team European Championship, …
Read More »
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has presented his IBF, WBA, WBO, and IBO titles to President Muhammadu Buhari. The 30-year-old celebrated his recent victory with President Buhari on Saturday in London when the Nigerian leader met with some Nigerians living in the United Kingdom. Excited Joshua, a British-Nigerian, could not hide his feelings as he prostrated to pay homage to …
Read More »
The Senegalese has finished in the award's top three for the last three years, and has long targeted the prize in order to emulate the achievement of one of his heroes, former Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf, who won it in 2002.
Read More »
The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday banned Russia from global sporting events including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics after accusing Moscow of falsifying data from an anti-doping laboratory. “The full list of recommendations have been unanimously accepted,” said WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald, speaking at a meeting of the body’s executive committee in Lausanne. “WADA’s executive …
Read More »
While his fans worldwide rejoice over his thrashing of Andy Ruiz Jr. on Saturday to reclaim his three championship belts, Anthony Joshua has tweeted what his victory’s lesson is. “My hope is that someone sees my page and decides not to give up. Clean hearts win,” the British-Nigerian boxer tweeted on Sunday. AJ, as he’s fondly called by his fans, …
Read More »
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia will host what is regarded as one of the biggest sporting events to ever be staged in the Middle East, the highly-anticipated Heavyweight World Championship fight dubbed ‘Clash on the Dunes’. The hype before the bout has reached crescendo level. Anthony Joshua said at a joint pre-fight press conference on Wednesday he would not celebrate if …
Read More »
The purpose-built venue for Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is ready the biggest boxing fight of the year. Work on the 15,000-seat Diriyah Arena only began two months before the fight, which holds on 7 December. Briton Joshua is seeking to regain the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles after June’s shocking defeat by …
Read More »
THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.