WeeklySA_AdminRELEASE AFRICAN PLAYERS
The Confederation of African Football has appealed to the British government to grant exemptions to African footballers who are hoping to return to their home countries next week to compete in World Cup qualifiers.
The call follows the collective decision by the clubs of Premier League to refuse to release players headed to countries on the United Kingdom’s Covid-19 “red list” because of the quarantine measures they would face on their return from international duty.
“CAF notes that similar exemptions were granted by the British Government to enable the attendance of delegations and officials, among others, at the finals of the European Champions held less than two months ago,” said a statement. “It is further noted that the circumstances in the African countries on the red list in many cases are in fact less severe than other countries not currently on this list or for which exemptions were previously provided”.
CAF said all next month’s World Cup qualifiers in Africa, which will be played from Wednesday September 1 through to Tuesday September 7, would be under strict health conditions.There are 25 African countries on the “red list”
PARALYMPIC MAHLANGU FOR GOLD
At age 14 five years ago Ntando Mahlangu won his first Paralympic Games medal in Rio. The track and field athlete is confident of turning silver to gold when he limbers up for his two events – the 200m and long jump at the Tokyo games.
He will be competing in the T63 category on account of having been born with fibula hemimelia, which causes the lower leg to under-develop, which saw him have both legs amputated at the knee in 2012. His first event in Saturday when he competes in the long jump (second session), followed by the 200, on September 3.
NON WHITES NEW ZEALAND
The New Zealand national football team could drop its “All Whites” nickname following a review by the national federation into cultural diversity. The national rugby team famously plays in a black strip – and is known throughout world sport as the All Blacks – but the football team predominantly wear white and took on the “All Whites” name during qualifying for the 1982 World Cup finals. A black kit could not be worn in football as it was not compatible with the protocol that traditionally had referees wearing that colour.
That All Whites name, however, is now being evaluated as part of a wide-ranging project aimed at modernisation and inclusivity. “As with many other national bodies, New Zealand Football (NZF) is on a journey around cultural inclusivity and respecting the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” the NZF said, referring to the treaty between the British crown and Maori chiefs that was signed in 1840.
HUGE CHEERS FOR SAKA
Playing at the Emirates for the first time since his European Championship penalty shootout miss, Saka received a huge cheer from the Arsenal fans and generous applause from the Chelsea supporters ahead of kick-off. It was the winger who provided two nervous moments for Chelsea, going down under a challenge from James inside the penalty area towards the end of the first half and forcing Edouard Mendy to tip a deflected shot over his crossbar after the break.
Saka exited to a standing ovation when he was replaced after the hour mark by Aubameyang, but the same generosity will not be afforded to Arteta if results and performances do not improve quickly. No longer able to plead poverty, it is time for the coach to prove his credentials-The Telegraph
TAU JOINS PITSO IN EGYPT
Bafana Bafana star striker Percy Tau has joined Egypt’s Al Ahly. Tau has been frustrated at English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion. There he has seen little action since his return from Belgium, where he was on loan. He is now reunited with his former Mamelodi Sundown coach, Pitso Mosimane, on a three-year deal, with an option to extend.
Source eNC
