Sports

Major Events That Rocked World Of Sports In 2023

Published

4 months ago

December 30, 2023

Editor

Several sporting events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, among others, took place in 2023. Here are some of the events/issues that rocked the world of sports in year 2023:

Spain win the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Spain defeated England 1-0 in the final to lift their first FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy. Their World Cup triumph, however, marred by the actions of Luis Rubiales, the then president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF), who kissed Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales was banned from all football-related activities for three years by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.

Australia dominates both men’s and women’s cricket:

Australia reigned supreme in the world of cricket after both their men’s and women’s team won world titles this year. They defeated the host teams to clinch their respective titles. The men’s team won the ICC Cricket World Cup by beating hosts and favourites team India, ending their unbeaten record, while the women’s team won the ICC T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in their home turf.

Alcaraz’s win at Wimbledon:

A new champion, Carlos Alcaraz, emerged in the world of tennis. The 20-year-old defeated Novak Djokovic to earn his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year. He became the first player to beat Djokovic on Centre Court in a decade since Andy Murray back in the 2013 final. As a result, Alcaraz halted Djokovic’s chances of equalling Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles. Alcaraz also became the third youngest player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title, behind only Boris Becker and Björn Borg.

LeBron James becomes NBA’s all-time highest scorer

The first major event of 2023 probably took place in the NBA. It was when LeBron James became NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record of 38,387 points during a match against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Denver Nuggets win their first NBA title

Powered by Nikola Jokic’s sensational performances, the Denver Nuggets succeeded in winning their maiden NBA title. The Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in the finals.

Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic equalled Margaret Court’s all-time record of most singles Grand Slam titles – 24 – at the US Open. Apart from this, Djokovic also made the year memorable by surpassing Steffi Graf’s record to emerge as the only player, male or female, to remain at the top of the world rankings for a record-breaking 378 weeks. He took that tally past 400 weeks by the end of the year.

… equals Margaret Court’s Grand Slam record

South Africa win the Rugby World Cup

South Africa successfully defended their men’s Rugby World Cup title by getting the better of New Zealand 11-12 in October. The Springboks won a third successive knockout match in the competition by a point and add to their titles in 1995, 2007 and 2019.

PGA Tour agrees merger with LIV Golf

The major event that took place in golf this year was the merger of PGA Tour, European Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. The big announcement was made in June this year.

Max Verstappen wins 19 of 22 races in the season

In Formula 1, the best performer of the season was Max Verstappen. Red Bull’s triple world champion capped off the glorious season with a win at the Abu Dhabi, securing a record-extending 19th victory of the campaign. Overall, Red Bull won 21 of 22 races this season, with Sergio Perez emerging victorious on two occasions.

Women footballers seek equal pay like their male counterparts

There was so much that was ugly around the Women’s World Cup, making the successes of the tournament all the more impressive. It was evident before a ball was kicked, as teams protested over inequalities, inequity, unpaid wages and poor conditions. In the run-up to the tournament, Canada’s players threatened strike action over what they perceived as discriminatory treatment, Zambia battled (and continue to battle) unpaid wages and bonuses, South Africa players boycotted a pre-tournament friendly over unpaid bonuses, England players called out the Football Association after talks over performance-related bonuses broke down, Nigeria threatened to boycott their first opening match of the tournament over unpaid bonuses and later spoke of the conditions around their campaign which included having to share beds, and four days into the tournament Australia players called for equal prize money with the men’s World Cup.

Morocco’s Benzina

Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first woman to wear a hijab in a match at the World Cup as the debutants made the last 16. Then there was the outstanding arrival on the world stage of Colombia’s 18-year-old Linda Caicedo who, days after collapsing in training, scored the first goal in a 2-1 shock victory against Germany as her team worked their way into the knockout rounds. Add the stunning form of Japan until they were halted by Sweden at the quarter-final stage and there was some sumptuous football played.

Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami

Arguably most shocking development from the football world this year was Lionel Messi signing for the Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami. Having capped off a stellar outing in European football, the Argentina legend joined American side Inter Miami during the summer transfer window.

Manchester City win a historic treble

Manchester City came up with an impressive series of performances to win a historic treble in the 2022-23 season. Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final to complete a remarkable treble. It was only the 10th occasion when a European outfit won a treble and first since 1999 for an English side.

Kohli surpasses Sachin Tendulkar for most ODI centuries

India batter Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries. Kohli achieved this magnificent feat by bringing up his 50th ODI ton against New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final in Mumbai.

AFCON/WAFCON tickets

Another highlight in Nigerian football was the qualification of both the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons for next year’s AFCON and WAFCON tournaments respectively. Osimhen emerged as the top scorer in the AFCON qualifiers, leading Nigeria to the top of their group with 15 points.

However, the Super Eagles failed embarrassingly 1-0 to Guinea Bissau in Abuja, in the course of qualification for the AFCON.

The Super Falcons secured their spot in the WAFCON after a convincing 7-1 aggregate victory against Cape Verde.

Joshua returns to winning ways

Anthony Joshua, the renowned heavyweight boxer, showed his resilience in 2023. Despite losing his titles in 2022, he bounced back with two impressive wins. In August, he knocked out Robert Helenius in the seventh round, and in April, he defeated Jermaine Franklin by unanimous decision. Although he didn’t silence all his critics, these victories marked his return to the winning path.

Joshua on Dec. 23, won his third fight of this year, with a TKO win over Otto Wallin. The bout was billed as the main event of the “Day of Reckoning” card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua had secured victories over Jermaine Franklin in April and Robert Helenius in August. This is coming after Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF belts, after losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and 2022.

Amusan’s travails, her Golden Diamond triumphs

Tobi Amusan, a track and field athlete and former world champion in the women’s 100 metres hurdles faced adversity before the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. After being provisionally suspended for three whereabouts test failures, she was cleared to compete just two days before the event. Although she couldn’t defend her title, she showcased her resilience by winning the Diamond League title for the third consecutive year.

Quadri retains African title

Quadri Aruna, a table tennis star, showcased his dominance at the ITTF Africa Senior Championships. He successfully defended his title by defeating Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh in the men’s singles final. This victory marked his third continental title and solidified his position as one of Africa’s top table tennis players.
VANGUARD

Sports

Crystal Palace Thrash Man Utd 4-0 To Leave Ten Hag’s Future In Doubt

Published

6 days ago

May 6, 2024

Editor

Manchester United are at risk of failing to qualify for Europe next season after a dismal 4-0 thrashing at Crystal Palace left the Red Devils eighth in the Premier League.

Michael Olise scored twice, either side of goals from the in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, as the Eagles’ resurgence since the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager continues.

The time for a change of boss at Old Trafford could be coming soon as Erik ten Hag fails to arrest a slide in his second season in charge.

United have only been absent from European competition once since the 1989-90 season.

That came after finishing seventh in David Moyes’ sole campaign 10 years ago and the Scot was sacked with four games of the season to go.

United have never come lower than seventh in the Premier League era but are staring that possibility in the face with title-chasing Arsenal to come at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Ten Hag has routinely cited injury problems as mitigation for his side’s struggles.

The Dutchman was forced to cobble together a makeshift backline as Casemiro deputised out of position at centre-back, alongside 36-year-old Jonny Evans.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was also absent as his proud record of never missing a club game in his career due to injury came to an end.

But there was little excuse for the lack of fight or quality on show from a United side, whose sole Premier League win in their last seven games came against relegated Sheffield United.

Palace are unbeaten in their last five as former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Glasner’s project takes shape.

The south London club will have to ward off interest in Olise and Eberechi Eze if they are to kick on to even better things under the Austrian next season.

Olise has attracted interest from United, Manchester City and Chelsea and showed why as he eased through the middle of the visitors’ defence before firing low past Andre Onana.

United failed to muster even a single shot on target in the first half but were unfortunate not to level against the run of play.

Casemiro’s looping header dropped into the net after Rasmus Hojlund clashed with Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and was harshly penalised for a push.

But a two-goal half-time lead was the least Palace’s superiority deserved.

Mateta has been a man transformed under Glasner and hammered home his ninth goal in 11 games after skipping past the leaden-footed Evans with ease.

There was no response from United after the break on a night which could be the final straw for the club’s new leadership group when deciding Ten Hag’s future.

Some heroics from Onana briefly kept the scoreline down as he saved from Eze, Will Hughes and Mitchell in quick succession.

But he was powerless to deny Mitchell a rare goal from close range as United were cut open from a set-piece.

Onana was then caught out by the power of Olise’s strike that flew past the Cameroonian.

The margin of the defeat took United’s goal difference to -3 which tells the tale of a sorry season for the 20-time English champions.

The FA Cup final against Manchester City offers Ten Hag one last shot at redemption, should he survive in charge until on May 25.

However, based on this evidence, United fans will fear double-chasing City could run riot at Wembley to inflict the ultimate humiliation.

AFP

Sports

Bayer Leverkusen Extend Unbeaten Run To 48 Games With Win At Frankfurt

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen extended their season-long unbeaten run to 48 games with a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.

With Xabi Alonso forced to watch from the stands due to a yellow card suspension, Leverkusen turned on the style, winning with goals from Granit Xhaka, Patrik Schick, Jeremie Frimpong and penalties from Exequiel Palacios and Victor Boniface.

Alonso left midfield lynchpin Florian Wirtz, who turned 21 on Friday, out of the squad with Thursday’s second Champions League semi-final against Roma in mind, but Leverkusen had no problems in attack.

Xhaka opened the scoring with a long-range effort, before Frankfurt equalised through Hugo Ekitike, who scored for the third game in succession.

Schick headed Bayer Leverkusen back in front just before half-time and World Cup winner Palacios scored a third from the penalty spot on the 58-minute mark.

The floodgates opened in the final stages, with Frimpong scoring just five minutes after coming on and then won a penalty with three minutes remaining.

Boniface converted the spot kick for Leverkusen’s first win in Frankfurt for six years.

Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 48 across all competitions, need to avoid defeat in two remaining league matches to become the first team to go unbeaten through a Bundesliga season.

Alonso’s side have a 2-0 advantage ahead of Thursday’s second Europa League semi-final leg at home and are through to the final of the German Cup, keeping their dreams of an incredible unbeaten treble alive.

– Union on the edge –

Earlier on Sunday, Bochum won 4-3 at Union Berlin, pushing the hosts closer to the drop just months after they were playing in the Champions League.

In the top division since 2019, Union Berlin finished fourth last season and were playing Champions League football against Real Madrid as recently as December.

Having built their success on home form, a lethargic Union were 3-0 down by half-time thanks to a Maximilian Wittek brace and a goal from former Berliner Keven Schlotterbeck.

Coach Nenad Bjelica made three changes at the break and they had their desired impact immediately.

Yorbe Vertessen and Chris Bedia, both of whom came off the bench, scored in a three-minute period to cut the deficit to one.

With Union on the march and looking for an equaliser, Bochum scored again, Philipp Hofmann heading in from close range.

The home side gave their fans hope again just four minutes later, Benedict Hollerbach again cutting the deficit to just a goal.

Union fought but could not score the equaliser and now sit just two points clear of Mainz in the relegation playoff spot.

Mainz play at promoted Heidenheim later on Sunday and could leapfrog Union into safety.

Leeds loanee Brenden Aaronson, one of three Union players to be subbed on at half-time, criticised his team’s first-half performance.

“It was one of those days when we didn’t show up and that’s all there is to it.

“We need to band together and fight like we did in the second-half. That’s what we need to take away from this game.”

Bochum moved five clear of the drop with two games remaining this season.

Sports

BREAKING: PSV Eindhoven Crowned Dutch Champions For Record 25th Time

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

PSV supporters cheer during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Rotterdam at the Phillips stadium, in Eindhoven, on May 5, 2024. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT / NETHERLANDS OUT

PSV Eindhoven were crowned Dutch champions for the 25th time on Sunday, the club’s first title since 2018, in a season also notable for the implosion of rivals Ajax.

Peter Bosz’s men made sure of the Eredivisie trophy with two games to spare via a 4-2 win over Sparta Rotterdam in a party atmosphere at a sunny Philips Stadion.

This meant second-placed Feyenoord could no longer catch PSV, who celebrated in front of their jubilant fans at the final whistle.

It has been a season to remember for the Eindhoven club whose shirt has been graced by Brazilians Romario and Ronaldo, as well as Dutch legends Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben.

They went 17 games before even dropping a point in the Eredivisie, finally losing their unbeaten record on the 27th matchday with a 3-1 loss away to NEC Nijmegen.

Particularly sweet was a 5-2 win at home to Ajax and a crunch 2-1 victory away in Feyenoord’s intimidating De Kuip stadium, which set PSV on their way towards the title.

Central to PSV’s success this term has been the form of their veteran Dutch striker Luuk de Jong, whose 27 goals has made him the league’s joint top goalscorer.

This team has some way to go before matching the legendary 1987/88 Guus Hiddink-coached side that swept all before them, beating Benfica on penalties in the European Cup final.

But the Eredivisie trophy will assuage the frustrations of previous seasons when PSV finished second on three consecutive occasions, watching Ajax or Feyenoord lift the title.

PSV also enjoyed a good run in Europe, coming second in a Champions League group that included Arsenal, Sevilla and Lens, before crashing out to Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.

– Bliss for PSV, Horror for Ajax –

Feyenoord can count themselves unlucky to have come up against an all-conquering PSV this year — the Rotterdam club have only lost twice all season in the top flight.

The De Kuip faithful will settle for second place plus a Dutch Cup triumph but are set to lose their coach, with Arne Slot heading to Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Meanwhile, Ajax fans would settle for anything after a season which would have Johan Cruyff turning in his grave.

The four-time European Cup champions seem unlikely to qualify for any European football next season, lying a shocking fifth — nine points behind AZ Alkmaar.

The 5-2 win for PSV over Ajax in October was doubly joyous for the Eindhoven club as it also, briefly, condemned their perennial rivals to a historic last place in the Eredivisie.

Historic low followed historic low Ajax, a club that counts Cruyff, Marco Van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp as alumni, as they crashed out of the Dutch club to amateur club Hercules.

The nadir for the Amsterdam club came in early April when they suffered humiliation in De Kuip, losing 6-0 to Feyenoord in the Dutch “Klassieker.”

Frustrations on the pitch have boiled over into violence in the stands and chaos in the boardroom.

CEO and chairman Alex Kroes was suspended on suspicion of insider trading, only to return a few weeks later as technical director.

A few days after his suspension, it emerged that club chairman Michael van Praag, who had vocally criticised Kroes, had “forgotten” to declare his own shares in the club to the correct authorities.

Vitesse Arnhem were relegated for the first time in 35 seasons after the Dutch federation imposed an 18-point penalty on them.

They currently sit on two points after their punishment for breaches of the league’s licensing regulations.