Category: Sports

Pedro Pinotes, one of the most important swimming athletes of Angola, was “forced” to withdraw from the African Zone IV Swimming Championship due to the rules imposed by the organisers of the event to be held from May 3-7 at the Alvalade swimming pool, in Luanda.

The regulation stipulates that from the age of 30, the competitors are restricted to the master category, and the Angolan athelete is in such condition, which is why he had to quit the national team called up for the event.

The decision of the 33-year-old athlete was made in agreement with the management of the Angolan Swimming Federation (FAN), the athlete told ANGOP on Friday in Luanda.

The swimmer, nine-time gold medallist at the 2014 zonal IV in Uganda, explained that such a category does not award points for classification, and it does not make sense for the federation to have expenses with his participation.

Pedro Pinotes said the decision to limit may stem from a “less adequate” interpretation of the rules by the Zonal organisation and the Confederation of African Swimming (CANA), as athletes over 30 years old remain in the high competition without restrictions, as is his case.

Pinotes won 10 gold medals in the 2015 edition of the African Zonal IV in Luanda, in addition to his good performance in the 2016 event in Mauritius, where he obtained five gold medals, two silver and three bronze.

This last edition, according to the source, was one of the most competitive as it served for many of the African swimmers to prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games, held in Brazil, where he was present.

Among several records stands out the fact of being the first Angolan to compete in a World Championship in open water.

For this zonal IV, which the country is organising for the second time, after 2015, 80 athletes have been called, 60 for pure swimming (pool) and 20 for open water (sea).

Thirteen nations are confirmed, namely Angola (host), South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, the latter the defending champion.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Sagrada Esperança versus Petro de Luanda match, on Saturday, is the main higfhlghty of the 27th round of the national first division football championship.

The leader of the championship Petro de Luanda, with 59 points, must not draw or risk losing the lead to 1º de Agosto,currently in the second position with 57 poitns.

In case of defeat, Sagrada, third with 49 points, can lose the last place on the podium that gives access to the African Cups, as they are being closely chased by Wiliete de Benguela and Interclube, with 46 points each, in fourth and fifth position respectively.

In the history of encounters between them, Petro have the advantage with 24 wins and 11 defeats in 48 matches.

Saturday’s match also includes Interclube (5th, with 43) vs Sporting de Cabinda (12th, with 23).

1º de Agosto face Académica do Lobito (9th, with 31 points).

Bravos do Maquis (8th, with 32 points) face Desportivo da Huila (10th, with 26pts) Desportivo da Lunda Sul (11th, with 24 points) face Isaac de Benguela (14th, with 15 points).

The round concludes on Sunday with the following matches:

Santa Rita (6th, with 32) face AS Dragão do Uíge (15th, with 8),Williete (4th, with 43) face Sporting de Benguela (13th, with 17).

Recreativo do Libolo have the day off due to the withdrawal of Cuando Cubango FC

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Haffouz Heroes AI club, Kairouan, representing Tunisia at the FIRST LEGO League, Houston (USA) – the international robotics competition for youth- snatched the top prize, the Prime Ministry said on Saturday. Premier Najla Bouden offered congratulations to Haffouz Heroes on this feat. The club won the National Robotics Championship and qualified for the FIRST LEGO League event (April 19-22).

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Results of Tunisia’s national soccer League 1 day-4 play-off games played on Sunday afternoon: Sunday, April 23 : Sfax: CS Sfaxien 0 O Béja 0 Tataouine: US Tataouine 1 Maher Boulabiar 16′ US Ben Guerdane 1 Fakhreddine Ouji 45′ Standings Pts Pl. W D L GF GA Dif. 1) ES Sahel 12 3 3 0 0 4 1 3 2. C. Africain 8 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 3. US Monastir 8 3 1 1 1 3 4 0 4. Espérance ST 8 3 1 1 1 3 4 -1 5. US Ben Guerdane 7 4 1 1 2 4 5 -1 6. CS Sfaxien 6 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 .O. Béja 6 4 1 1 2 2 2 0 8.US Tataouine 3 4 0 1 3 2 7 -5

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

US Monastir conceded a goalless draw with the Ivorian team ASEC Mimosas at a CAF Champions League first-leg quarter-final, played Sunday at Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Hosts Tunisia will take on Italy Monday at a Day-1 game of Men’s Mediterranean Handball Confederation (MHC) Championship (U17). This 19th edition is set for April 23-30 in Nabeul and Beni Khiar. Tunisia (Group A) are also set to face Saudi Arabia on Monday before playing Turkey and Algeria on Tuesday. Kuwait and Montenegro will be Tunisia’s opponents on Wednesday. Group B includes France, Greece, Romania, Spain, Egypt and Croatia.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The national coach of the Tunisian handball team, Patrick Cazal, unveiled the list of 18 players called for the training period, scheduled from April 24 to 28 in Hammamet, in preparation for the friendly matches against Argentina (April 26) and Japan (April 28), in Hammamet. Here is the list of players selected: Goalkeepers: Yassine Belgaied, Mehdi Harbaoui, Fraj Tekaya Right wingers: Issam Rzig, Mounir Douiri Left wingers: Rafik Becha Right backs: Anouar Ben Abdallah, Taha Smaoui Left backs: Oussama Remiki, Rami Feki, Youssef Maaref, Mohamed Aziz Aidi, Mohamed Ridha Frad, Youssef Chetioui Centre halves: Mohamed Amine Darmoul, Mohamed Ammar Pivots: Rami Hmam, Bilel Ben Brahim NB: Cazal preferred not to call up the players of Esperance ST because of the training course planned by the team in preparation for the African Cup in Cairo next May.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur (world No. 4) was forced to withdraw from the semifinals of the WTA 500 Open in Stuttgart (Germany) on Saturday against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland. Jabeur, who complained of calf pain from the first game of the match, finally had to give up after losing the third game in a row in the first set against Swiatek (0-3). Jabeur had tried to resume the match normally after a first intervention by the doctor, but she was unable to do so.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Real Tamale United were big winners on Sunday as they brushed aside Bibiani Gold Stars 5-1 at the Aliu Mahama stadium in Tamale.

Manaf Umar broke the deadlock inside 28 minutes before Issah Kuka added to the tally in the 42nd minute through a spot kick.

Abednego Tetteh scored 10 minutes after the break to reduce the deficit for Gold Stars on 55 minutes. Issah Kuka again got on target on the hour mark to restore RTU’s two goal advantage.

The inform striker completed a hat-trick to make it 4-1 for Real Tamale United as he added to the tally in the 62nd minute to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors.

Stephen Anokye Badu later put the icing on the cake in the 80th minute to make it 5-1.

Real Tamale United are now in 10th place with 35 points – 12 points behind leaders Aduana FC while Gold Stars sit in 6th place with 38 points.

King Faisal gave their survival chances a major boost as they came from behind to beat Dreams FC 2-1.

After a dominant display in the opening minutes, Mohammed Abubakar gave the visitors a thoroughly deserved lead inside 10 minutes when he smashed home from the edge of the box.

Baba Yahaya drew King Faisal level in the 38th minute with a fine finish following a melee before substitute Mohammed Fatao scored the winner in the 89th minute.

FC Samartex 1996 had to dig deep to overcome Accra Lions 1-0 at Nsenkyire Park.

After a barren draw in the first half, the home side improved tremendously and created a number of golden opportunities but all came to naught until Dauda Yussif slotted home from close range in the 88th minute.

Legon Cities recorded a 2-0 win over bottom placed Kotoku Royals on Sunday to give their fight against relegation a boost.

The Royals had Michel Otou to thank for the points as he scored a brace at the El Wak stadium on Sunday. Michel Otou opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a well-placed pass from outside the box.

The hardworking midfielder sealed the win in injury time when he went round two players before slotting home the winner.

The win takes Legon Cities out of the relegation zone whiles Kotoku Royals, remains at the bottom of the table with 21 points.

Medeama SC needed a Vincent Atinga penalty to pip Karela United FC 1-0 in the Western derby on Sunday.

The former Hearts of Oak defender drilled home from the spot in the 28th minute after Theophilus Anobah was brought down in the box.

The win has propelled Medeama SC to the second spot with 44 points, three points behind leaders Aduana Football Club.

Source: Ghana News Agency

In order to boost corporate and veteran football in Cameroon, Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL, has signed a year’s partnership with the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT.

The agreement was signed on April 17, 2023 in Yaounde between Achidi Judith Yah, General Manager of CAMTEL and Samuel Eto’o, President of FECAFOOT.

The one year agreement with an option to extend for two more years will see CAMTEL sponsor the inaugural edition of corporate and veteran football championship in Cameroon. FECAFOOT is expected to communicate on the championship.

The telecommunication company has also revealed that the partnership entails them offering a financial package as well as electronic communication products and services during the years.

Speaking after signing the agreement, the General Manager of CAMTEL said giving back is one of the company’s priorities.

“We are extremely pleased with the signing of this partnership with FECAFOOT. We want to support football as we have been doing regularly with other sport disciplines. As a true corporate citizen, our company intends to continue giving back to our communities and sports is a great opportunity for us.”

“We are happy to have CAMTEL as one of our key partners in the promotion of football in Cameroon. We thank CAMTEL for trusting us as we prepare to launch the first edition of the corporate and veteran championship. We look forward to a successful partnership,” Samuel Eto’o, President of FECAFOOT said.

Source: Cameroon News Agency