Reigning champions of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal will be joined by the competition’s runners-up, Egypt, at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup set to kick off on Thursday, 15 February, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai, CAFonline reports.
The 13th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup officially takes place between 15 – 25 February and sees the four-time African champion, Senegal, joined by Egypt as the two African representatives at the 16-nation competition.
The two nations secured their tickets to the global showpiece because they were the finalists at the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations held in Mozambique in 2022.
Egypt is drawn in Group A, which consists of hosts UAE, Italy, and the USA. It will officially open its campaign against the hosts on Thursday afternoon before facing Italy and the USA in the upcoming days.
Their African counterparts, Senegal, find themselves in an interesting Group C that sees them kick off their campaign against Belarus on Friday, 16 February, before facing Colombia and Japan in the rest of their group campaign.
Africa has yet to achieve a podium finish in the tournament, with Senegal coming ever so close in the last edition (2021) in Russia, where they missed out on a bronze medal following a narrow 9-7 defeat to Switzerland.
The Russian Federal Union (RFA) is the reigning FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champion.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup fixture schedule for African Teams:
Travis Kelce says Super Bowl outburst and bump of Andy Reid was ‘definitely unacceptable’
Photo credit: Getty Images
Travis Kelce knows he behaved severely during Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Fiifi Frimpong reports for The News Tribune.
The Chiefs’ tight end, talking on his “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother Jason Kelce, admitted that the sideline bump of his head coach Andy Reid was “definitely unacceptable.
“I can’t get that fired up to the point where bumping Coach [Reid] and it’s getting him off balance and stuff,” Travis said. “When he stumbled, I was like: ‘Aw, s—‘ in my head.”
The sideline incident went viral and garnered plenty of attention after the game. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady downplayed the significance of the bump.
“I don’t mind seeing it because I was a part of many of those things,” Brady said on this week’s episode of SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go!” show.
“Emotions are so high. You are not centered and balanced. You’re not in a meditative state at that point. You are fully determined to go out there and to win. I think a lot of the things said during the games, people should just let them fly off their back.”
But on Wednesday, Jason Kelce said his younger brother “crossed the line” and yelling in Reid’s face was “too over the top.” Travis continued to take responsibility for his actions and called the bump a “cheap shot.” Travis added he anticipated the coach to have harsh words for him after the moment, but Reid acknowledged the tight end without any unpleasantness.
“I deserve it,” he said. “If he would have cold-cocked me in the face right there, I would have just eaten it. I would have been like: ‘Let’s f—— go.’ ”
Travis ended Super Bowl LVIII with nine catches for 93 yards. The incident occurred in the first half, where the tight end had only one catch for one yard. Following Patrick Mahomes’ game-winning touchdown to Mecole Hardman, Travis celebrated the win with pop superstar Taylor Swift on the field.
The victory secured Travis’ third Super Bowl trophy – all under the helm of Reid. The tight end explained that he loved playing for Reid. The duo are expected to return next season in hopes of a three-peat.
“He’s checked me a few times, and I just wanted to let him know that I wanted this thing and that he can put it on me, and I got him,” he explained. “It just came when we weren’t playing very well. I wasn’t playing well, and we had to get some s— going.
“Sometimes, those emotions get away from me, man. That’s been the battle of my career, but, everybody else, I don’t give a sh-t what anybody else says. I talked to Coach Reid about it today, and we kind of chuckled about it. I couldn’t be more proud of being his product on the field, and I couldn’t be more proud of where we’ve come as a team since I got here in 2013.
“I just love playing for the guy, man. And unfortunately, sometimes, my passion comes out where it looks like it’s negativity, but I’m grateful he knows it’s all because I want to win this thing with him more than anything.”
Won’t be his only makeover for The Genesis Invitational
FILE – Tiger Woods follows his ball at the fourth tee during the last round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas, on Dec. 7, 2019. Woods is starting a new year with a new look. Just not a different color. Woods makes his 2024 debut this week in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, a signature event on the PGA Tour in which he is the tournament host. The first order of business is unveiling what he referred to in December as the next “chapter.”Dante Carrer/AP
The PGA Tour returns to the iconic Riviera Country Club this week for The Genesis Invitational, and the signature event also signals the return of Tiger Woods, Jack Dougherty reports for Yardbarker. That’s right, Woods will make his 2024 PGA Tour debut this week at one of his favorite golf courses.
When you tune in to watch the Big Cat on Thursday, you might notice something different about his getup. Woods will be debuting his new brand, “Sun Day Red,” at Riviera. It will mark the first time Woods won’t be donning Nike in competition in 27 years.
The end of an era, indeed.
Tiger’s new threads aren’t the only change he’s making in his season debut. Woods will also have a new caddie on his bag.
Joe LaCava, who served as Woods’ bagman since 2011, recently switched to work with Patrick Cantlay full-time. Needing to fill the role for the 2024 season, Woods tabbed veteran caddie Lance Bennett to take over.
Bennett currently carries Adrien Dumont de Chassart’s bag, but the rookie golfer isn’t in the field at The Genesis Invitational. He previously worked with Bill Haas, Matt Kuchar, Sungjae Im, Zach Johnson and Davis Riley.
Considering Bennett is committed to De Chassart for the 2024 season, he likely won’t be a permanent addition to Woods’ bag. Tiger must recruit another caddie if he and De Chassart end up playing in the same tournament.
It’s hard to predict how Woods will fare in his first start since December, but it’s safe to say he’ll be handling most of the on-course decisions with a fresh caddie on his bag.
Organizers of the ‘Let’s Do It Again’ campaign that mobilized and galvanized Nigerians from all walks of life to support the Super Eagles’ participation at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire have commended the team’s efforts that resulted in a second-place finish, and also heaped praises on Nigerians who gave the campaign their time, sweat, gravitas, energy and resources.
Toyosi Oyetunji, Senior Partner of Sportdom Limited, said the campaign is a call to make Nigerians believe in the Super Eagles (and other national teams) again. “Our objective is to revive the nostalgic enthusiasm for Nigeria football, engaging both the young and the old, with a particular focus on the Gen Z demographic. To amplify this message, we engaged many celebrities and influencers to galvanize support and convey that every Nigerian is an integral part of the Super Eagles’ journey.
“Big kudos to the Super Eagles for their silver medal-winning effort, which is commendable as 24 teams started the race. Big kudos to all Nigerians, including the Minister of Sports and the chieftains of Nigeria Football Federation, who believed in the campaign and gave it oxygen and drive.”
On his part, project coordinator Abubakar Umar Danladi said: “The Super Eagles did a marvelous job wading through the group phase, conquering subsequent challenges and getting to the Final. In the Final match, we were up against so many odds, hurdles, and obstacles as we faced the host nation. More than 80,000 spectators were in that arena, and it would have been a daunting task for any team. We praise the Eagles for their second-place finish, and their efforts indeed were not in vain as Nigeria produced the Player of the Tournament in William Ekong. We also had three players in the competition’s Best Eleven, which was no mean feat.
“Like Mr. President said while receiving the team in Abuja on Tuesday, their dedication to the cause united us all in pride and solidarity and was another pointer: our strength and ability to conquer our diversity.
“Our deep appreciation also goes to Nigerians at home and abroad, male and female, young and not-so-young, Gen Z and older Gens, who invested time, effort, sweat, and resources to support the campaign. We believe that we have jointly created a new love and passion for our team, and in the future, it will be much easier to galvanize our people to support the team’s cause at any time.
Danladi expressed immense gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh; the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; General Secretary of NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; the NFF Board and Management; Muri Tafida, the Chairman of Bergen Horn Limited, for their tremendous support for the campaign. “The 34th Africa Cup of Nations is now in the past. We look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco next year.”
Every NFL team dreams of a Super Bowl victory parade in their hometown. But what was supposed to be a celebratory occasion for the Kansas City Chiefs has turned into a terrifying incident.
On Feb. 14, the Chiefs’ victory parade was happening outside Union Station in downtown Kansas City when gunshots suddenly rang out and sent fans scrambling. It happened moments after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce spoke to the crowd.
“Shots have been fired around Union Station. Please leave the area,” the Kansas City Police Department urged attendees on social media. In a follow-up post, the police confirmed that multiple people were shot and that they apprehended two armed people and brought them into custody “for more investigation,” Chris Malone Méndez reports for The Tribune.
Shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage and multiple people were struck. We took two armed people into custody for more investigation.
Capt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, explained to The Kansas City Star what was happening in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. “After the rally, there were shots fired west of Union Station near the garage, and several people were struck,” “We need people to exit the area as quickly and safely as possible and avoid the parking garage to facilitate treatment of shooting victims.” Videos show chaos outside the station.
Chaos has broken out at the end of the Chiefs Super Bowl parade. Police and military personnel just took off inside of Union Station pic.twitter.com/mqNeodS9r5
According to Associated Press, Ohio State fired seventh-year basketball coach Chris Holtmann on Wednesday with the Buckeyes mired in yet another subpar season, Bulletin Review reports.
Associate head coach Jake Diebler will run the program for the rest of the season and a search for a new head coach will commence then, the school said in a statement.
Ohio State is 14-11, 4-10 in the Big Ten, and has lost nine of the last 11. In 2022-23, the Buckeyes suffered their first losing season in nearly two decades, finishing 16-19 and 5-15 in the Big Ten.
The 52-year-old Holtmann was seen as a coach on the rise when Ohio State hired him away from Butler in 2017 to replace Thad Matta, who had brought success to Columbus but agreed to step down, partly due to health problems.
Holtmann compiled a 137-86 record in seven years at Ohio State but the last few seasons have been disappointing as he tried to negotiate a new college basketball culture heavy on transfer portal and NIL issues.
The Buckeyes went to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022 but couldn’t make it out of the first weekend either time.
None of Holtmann’s Ohio State teams won a regular season title or conference tournament.
“I want to express my appreciation toward Chris for the first-class program, and the well-respected program, he has run here at Ohio State,” Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith said.
In 2022, Ohio State gave Holtmann a three-year contract extension that pushed his salary to about $3.5 million per season. He will be owed the $12.8 million remaining on his contract.
‘The focus through the whole of winter training is getting the team back to where we once were. We have had these difficult couple of years which have been really grounding for us. It has helped us regroup and really look at things,’ said Lewis Hamilton at the launch of new Mercedes car, First Post reports.
London: Lewis Hamilton admitted it felt “emotional” and “surreal” to take part in the final Formula One car launch of his Mercedes career on Wednesday. Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion, will leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season in a stunning switch to Ferrari.
The 39-year-old had signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes worth £100 million ($126 million) in August.
But Hamilton recently activated a break clause to seal his move to the Italian team after admitting the prospect of “driving in Ferrari red” was too hard to turn down. Speaking at the Mercedes launch for the first time since his blockbuster move was confirmed, Hamilton said: “The last few weeks have obviously been emotional and it is very surreal to be here.
“The focus through the whole of winter training is getting the team back to where we once were. We have had these difficult couple of years which have been really grounding for us. It has helped us regroup and really look at things.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, standing alongside Hamilton at the launch, added: “It has been a very busy winter. It will be our last season with Lewis so we are keen on bringing a quick car.”
Hamilton, who joined Mercedes from McLaren in 2013, won six of his record-equaling seven world championships with the Silver Arrows.
But the British driver has struggled to match Red Bull rival Max Verstappen since he missed out on what would have been a record eighth world championship in 2021 in controversial fashion.
His long goodbye to Mercedes made for an awkward final car launch at the team’s Northamptonshire base.
Hamilton answered just three questions from the Mercedes moderator during the brief nine-minute event.
“I came here in 2013 so 11 years with the team and now I am starting my 12th,” he said.
“It is such a privilege to work with a group of people where you see the work they do over the winter and you see a car come together at the beginning of the year and it is the most exciting part of the season.”
‘Found some clues’
Hamilton, without a win in two years, and team-mate George Russell, will get their first taste of this season’s Mercedes car during a shakedown test at rain-lashed Silverstone on Wednesday.
“We have to be diligent, maximize practice and even one lap, George and I might get in the rain today will give us a feeling of what is to come,” Hamilton said.
Last year marked Mercedes’ first winless campaign in a dozen years as they finished 413 points behind Red Bull.
Wolff hopes the revamped car can close the gap on the champions in the coming season.
“This is a complete relaunch of a car. It is very different, not only on the aerodynamic front, but mainly underneath,” he said.
“The most important thing is to look inward, and what is it that we got wrong? We found some clues, we tried to eliminate as many variables as we could, and the buzz in the company is something I have not seen for so many years.
“We know it is a big mountain to climb because if a team is so far ahead like Red Bull were last year that is not easy. But we have a superb driver combination and hopefully a fast car. There are some good ingredients to be back at the front again.”
The opening Grand Prix of the F1 season is set for Bahrain on 2 March.
With Evan Ferguson adding depth: Dan Ashworth’s dream first five signings at Old Trafford
Dan Ashworth (Image credit: Getty Images)
Newcastle United football director Dan Ashworth is said to be heading out of St. James Park and on his way to Manchester United, Matthew Holt reports for FourFourTwo.
The 52-year-old is the leading candidate to take on an inaugural role as sporting director with the Red Devils, as INEOS attempts to re-haul the club’s footballing department.
United have often been criticised for their recruitment strategies in the modern era, with the likes of Donny van de Beek, Memphis Depay and Jadon Sancho all failing to live up to expectations. Tasked with perhaps changing the conversation around recruitment, we here at FourFourTwo have analyzed five players Ashworth could look to bring in to help stabilize the fortunes of Erik ten Hag’s side moving forward…
Manchester United’s dream five signings under Dan Ashworth: 1. Michael Olise
Credit: Givemesport
Having long been touted with a move to the Theater of Dreams, Michael Olise’s performances for Crystal Palace have often caught the eye.
At 22, the attacking midfielder has plenty of potential to take his game to the next level and often hits high metrics for being one of the Eagles’ best performers year in, and year out.
Injuries have hampered his effect on Roy Hodgson’s side this season but in just 11 outings, he has scored six goals and registered three assists in a team struggling at the lower ends of the Premier League table.
Able to play as a number eight or ten, his flexibility in midfield could help Ten Hag’s current conundrum and also provide further cover for the ageing Casemiro and the never-ending engine of Bruno Fernandes.
2. Evan Ferguson
(Image credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Brighton forward Evan Ferguson has enjoyed a breakthrough spell at the Amex Stadium and it appears only a matter of time before Europe’s top clubs start to swoon around him.
The Republic of Ireland international began his career in Dublin and moved to Brighton back in 2021 from Bohemians.
Still only 19, Ferguson stands at an imposing 6ft tall and has the all-around skill set that makes him one of the most feared forwards in the Premier League.
United brought Rasmus Hojlund to the club last summer and the Dane has had to bear the weight of the attacking pressure at United due to Anthony Martial’s continuous injury problems.
Ferguson would be a shrewd addition and would secure the Red Devils’ attack for at least the next ten years…
3. Jochim Andersen
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Something of a left-field shout, but Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen continues to be one of the Premier League’s best in multiple defensive departments.
A solid performer at both Fulham and now at Selhurst Park, Andersen’s reading of the game has been likened to that of Harry Maguire but also his ability to play out from the back which suits the style Ten Hag is trying to build.
Another player perhaps destined for a move away from Palace should Roy Hodgson’s time at the club come to an end sooner rather than later, the Dane wouldn’t break the bank too given United’s close restrictions at present with FFP.
4. Roony Bardghji
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Having scored against United in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season, the name Roony Bardghji continues to be on the lips of most around Europe.
At just 18, the Sweden Under-21 international would be direct competition for Antony over on the right of Ten Hag’s midfield and could flourish under the latter’s guidance.
Direct, skillful and full of pace, Bardghji’s ball-carrying is also a huge facet to his game something in which former Ajax man Antony often struggles to do given the one-footed nature of his game.
Seemingly destined for a move away from Danish side FC Copenhagen, Ashworth is known for identifying the next big thing and a move to Manchester could mark the start of a stunning career for Roony.
5. Teun Koopmeiners
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners continues to prove his worth as one of the most talented defensive midfielders in Europe at present.
At 25, the Dutchman has continued to impress in Serie A again this season and would be the perfect partner for emerging talent Kobbie Mainoo.
Able to find the back of the net too, Koopmeiners has eight goals and four assists in 27 outings this season and is a superb ball-winner that would be an easy replacement for the ageing Casemiro.
His pass completion rates year-on-year marking him as one of the best around and Ten Hag would be silly not to at least advise Ashworth to en-quire about a player not likely to cost the club as much in wages at one Real Madrid man currently on the books.
Quincy Promes to serve six years in prison for drug trafficking despite denying his involvement
The Netherlands’ Quincy Promes from in action during the UEFA group C European Championship qualifier soccer match between Germany and Netherlands at Volksparkstadion. Former Netherlands international Quincy Promes was sentenced to six years in prison by an Amsterdam court on 14 February in connection with drug trafficking. Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Former Netherlands star Quincy Promes has earned a six-year prison sentence for trafficking drugs, Alex Young reports for TheStandard.
Promes, who has starred in Ajax and Sevilla colors and now plies his trade at Russian side Spartak Moscow, was absent during court hearings in Amsterdam and was sentenced in absentia.
The 32-year-old’s lawyers told Dutch newspaper AD Promes that the sentence would be appealed as Promes denies the charges of importing, exporting, transporting, and possessing the drugs.
Prosecutors last month sought a nine-year sentence for Promes for his involvement in the smuggling of 1,360kg of cocaine through the port of Antwerp, Belgium, to the Netherlands in two shipments in 2020.
The court said phone taps had shown that Promes had been directly involved with the shipments of the drugs, hidden in shipments of salt from Brazil, and their further transport from the port.
In another Dutch court case, the 32-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Sevilla forward was last year sentenced in absentia to 18 months in jail for assault in connection with a fight in 2020 in which he stabbed a cousin in the knee.
Promes has filed an appeal against that sentence as well.
Nigeria Football Federation says virulent attacks on the Super Eagle Star are uncalled
Alex Iwobi
The Nigeria Football Federation has condemned the cyber attacks on Super Eagles’ midfielder Alex Iwobi, saying the virulent attacks on the player are uncalled for given his commitment and dedication to duty for his homeland over the years.
“Alex Iwobi does not deserve these attacks. He has a record of utmost dedication to duty and a remarkable attitude of giving his all on international duty. We cannot suddenly forget the great moments he has made on duty for Nigeria, like scoring that goal against Zambia in Uyo that qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
“We are talking about someone who is history’s seventh most-capped Nigerian footballer. With 76 caps, Alex Iwobi has nothing to prove to anyone about his patriotic enthusiasm and dedication to duty for Nigeria. Please let us show him love and not hatred,” NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire appealed on Tuesday.
Iwobi is behind only Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo, John Mikel Obi, Nwankwo Kanu, and Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal (of blessed memory) in the record of most caps for Nigeria and has traveled to different countries and continents to defend the green-white-green for about eight years now.
He has featured for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia in 2018 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 (Egypt), 2021 (Cameroon) and Cõte d’Ivoire (2023).
Credit: Givemesport
