Sports

Klopp Urges Liverpool Fans To Enjoy The Journey After Deal

December 13, 2019 4:59 pm

Jurgen Klopp said Friday he signed a contract extension keeping him at Liverpool until 2024 to project an image of security and stability for future potential transfer targets.

Klopp, who became Liverpool manager in 2015, guided them to Champions League glory in June and they are currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The German’s previous deal was due to expire in 2022 and while he said extending it was not a priority for him, he felt it could be a key factor when it came to persuading new recruits to join.

If he sees out …

Springboks Skipper Kolisi Wants To Avoid Pitfalls Of Fame

December 13, 2019 4:57 pm

For Siya Kolisi, who led South Africa to World Cup victory, the praise and prizes keep pouring down, but in Monaco on Thursday to collect a ‘Champion of Peace’ award, he insisted: “I’m still Siya.”

“The more you start seeing yourself as this amazing hero or amazing person, that’s when you stumble over your feet,” Kolisi told AFP in an interview.

Kolisi, the first black captain in the Springboks’ 126-year history led his nation to the world title in Japan at the start of November.

“I’m still on a high. Still happy. Enjoying every moment of this whole experience,” he …

Europe’s ‘Big Five’ Take Over Champions League

December 12, 2019 5:34 pm

Atalanta’s achievement in reaching the Champions League last 16 despite a dreadful start is remarkable, especially for a club of their stature, but it has also had another, ominous knock-on effect.

The modest Italians, appearing in the competition for the first time, defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 on Wednesday to progress at the expense of the Ukrainians, despite taking just one point from their opening four games.

Their joy contrasted with the agony for Ajax 24 hours earlier, as last season’s semi-finalists were eliminated following a 1-0 defeat by Valencia.

The Dutch champions will have to console themselves with a crack …

Labuschagne Ton Stalls Kiwis In Day-Night Test

December 12, 2019 5:33 pm

Emerging Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne on Thursday posted his third successive Test century to frustrate a resilient New Zealand attack on the opening day of the first Test in Perth.

After Australia won a potentially pivotal toss in scorching heat and elected to bat in the first ever day-night Test in Perth, the home team were 248 for four at stumps after facing some challenging bowling from the disciplined Kiwis.

Having toiled without much success in 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) heat, the Kiwis fought back late in the day by removing Steve Smith (43) and Matthew Wade (12).…

Euphoria As Atalanta Pull Off Champions League ‘Miracle’

December 12, 2019 5:33 pm

Atalanta returned home to a heroes’ welcome with 2,000 fans braving bitter cold in the Alps in northern Italy after the Bergamo team reached the Champions League last 16 in their debut campaign despite losing their first three matches.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini hailed a “victory for Italian football” after joining Serie A rivals Juventus and Napoli in the knockout rounds, with Inter Milan the only absentee after losing 2-1 to Barcelona at the San Siro on Tuesday.

The team greeted fans on board an open-top bus at Bergamo airport in the early hours of Thursday morning, amid fireworks, …

‘Clasico Will Be Played’, Says Barcelona President Bartomeu

December 12, 2019 5:33 pm

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Thursday the Clasico against Real Madrid next week will not be postponed again, amid renewed fears of unrest around the fixture.

Protestors from the Catalan separatist movement, Democratic Tsunami, have called for a “massive” protest outside Camp Nou, where Barcelona are due to play against Real Madrid in La Liga on December 18.

Spain’s most prestigious fixture was originally scheduled for October 26 but had to be postponed following a wave of pro-independence demonstrations in the city.

“I can say that the Clasico will be played, it will not be postponed again,” Bartomeu …

Sky Loses Champions League Rights In Germany To DAZN

December 12, 2019 5:27 pm

Broadcaster Sky has lost the rights to the Champions League in Germany, a competition it has screened for the last 20 years, to rivals DAZN and Amazon, it was confirmed Thursday.

Sky was unable to match their rivals’ bids for the three years from the 2021-22 season.

“After around 20 years of partnership with UEFA, we were unable to agree on a continuation of the cooperation in the tender procedure that has just been concluded,” Sky CEO Carsten Schmidt told German daily Bild.

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Schimdt said they have a …

Teen Phenom Haaland In Talks With Dortmund – Reports

December 12, 2019 5:27 pm

Norwegian teenage striker Erling Haaland could be joining Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund from Austrian champions Salzburg in the January winter break, according to reports in Germany on Thursday.

Several German media outlets reported the prolific 19-year-old forward landed at Dortmund’s airport on a chartered plane and was met by a club representative on Wednesday.

Aged 19 years at 58 days, Haaland became the third youngest player to score a Champions League hat-trick when he netted three times in a 6-2 victory over Genk in September.

Only Wayne Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, and Spain great Raul managed the feat at a …

Homesickness: Tough Path To The Top For Georgian Sumo Star

December 12, 2019 5:26 pm

The sumo champion hauls his giant frame from the ground, sand and clay caking his sweaty back and fury flashing from his eyes as he chastises himself for his defeat.

His 178-kilogramme (392-pound) body and white mawashi, or belt, are commonplace, but his bright blue eyes and Western features instantly mark out Georgia-born Levan Gorgadze as different in the traditional Japanese sport.

As a teen in 2006, Gorgadze left his mountain village in the Caucasus near the ancient Georgian city of Mtskheta for the bright lights of Tokyo, a city with 10 times as many people as his entire …

New Zealand Fumble Smith Chance To Give Australia Edge

December 12, 2019 5:26 pm

New Zealand squandered the chance to remove star Australian batsman Steve Smith cheaply just before tea on the opening day of the day-night first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on Thursday.

After Australia won a potentially pivotal toss in scorching heat and elected to bat, the home team was 160 for two at tea after facing some challenging bowling from the disciplined Kiwi attack.

Emerging batsman Marnus Labuschagne was on 68 and Smith was on 31, the pair having added 85 for the third wicket and batted through a second session that was tough going against accurate bowling.…

Coman’s Knee Injury Not As Bad As Feared Say Bayern

December 12, 2019 5:25 pm

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman tore the joint capsule in his left knee, an injury not as bad as feared, in the Champions League win over Tottenham, his club confirmed Thursday.

Coman scored the opening goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Spurs at the Allianz Arena but had to be helped off midway through the first half after badly twisting his knee.

It was feared he had torn the cruciate ligament, but tests showed the injury is not as serious although Bayern have given no indication how long he will be sidelined for.

“The knee will be immobilised for …

Former England Attack Coach Wisemantel Joins Wallabies

December 12, 2019 5:25 pm

Former England attack coach Scott Wisemantel on Thursday joined the Wallabies staff as new coach Dave Rennie builds his a fresh backroom team.

Wisemantel, an Australian, has worked under Eddie Jones in England for the past 18 months and is credited with helping them reach the World Cup final this year, where they were beaten by South Africa.

“I’m really looking forward to returning home to Australia after 10 years and for the opportunity to work alongside Dave Rennie,” he said.

“I’ve learnt a few things from working with various programs around the world and it’s given me another perspective …

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𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤, is a nonpartisan online news portal founded on the truth to provide you with weekly, insightful articles written with precision and current updates on current events from Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general. All of our reports undergo extensive fact-checking to ensure their veracity, and we adhere strictly to the facts, no matter whose ox is gored.

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