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Oshoala, Mane win African Player of the Year awards

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Nigeria’s Super Falcon and Barcelona striker, Asisat Oshoala has won the 2022 African Women’s Player of the Year award, while Senegal and FC Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was also named as the winner of the men’s version of the award at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat on Thursday night.

The 27-year-old Oshoala picked the award ahead of Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon and Inter Milan) and Zambia international Grace Chanda (Zambia and BIIK Kazygurt), while Mane, 30, picked up his prize ahead of Egypt and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Senegal and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Oshoala has now become the first African to win this prestigious award for a record five times, overtaking her countrywoman Perpetua Nkwocha who claimed the accolade on four occasions. She is also the fourth Nigerian to land the award, following in the footsteps of Mercy Akide (2001), Nkwocha (2004, 2005, 2010 & 2011) and the incredible Cynthia Uwak (2006 & 2007).

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It is Mane’s second African Player of the Year title, making him the fifth African after El Hadji Diouf, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, and Salah to win the award in consecutive years since CAF took over the distribution of the award in 1992.

The 2021-22 campaign was arguably Oshoala’s best yet as she played a key role in her Spanish side’s treble charge – the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, Copa de la Reina and the Primera Division.

Although, Oshiala missed some games due to injury, that did not stop her from emerging as the Spanish topflight division’s joint-top scorer after netting 20 goals in 19 league appearances to share the award with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.

Barcelona could have won a quadruple, but lost 3-1 to Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League final at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

Mane, meanwhile, enjoyed a superb 2021-22 season with Liverpool before heading for Bayern Munich in a €41 million transfer, helping the Reds win the English FA Cup and Carabao Cup as well as playing a crucial role in their Champions League runners-up finish.

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He scored 16 Premier League goals, two in the FA Cup and five in the Champions League. Overall, he accounted for 33 goals and five assists in the period in review.

On the international scene, Mane propelled Senegal to win their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title, even scoring the crucial penalty that downed Egypt in the final after a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes.

Mane was also named AFCON player of the tournament after contributing three goals and two assists.

His contributions were also key in helping Senegal qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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UPDATED: Man City win historic fourth consecutive EPL title

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Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on the campaign’s final day.

 

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just two points over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

 

The latest title triumph is Man City’s fourth consecutive title, a record-setting achievement for Pep Guardiola’s side.

 

It is also the club’s 10th EPL title and the sixth since Guardiola took over the team in 2016.

 

A Phil Foden brace and Rodri’s shot in second-half ensured Man City ended the season with 91 points over Arsenal’s accumulated total of 89.

 

The two teams’ performances took the title race to the season’s final day, and the Citizens executed their plans to perfection.

 

Arsenal had to come from a goal down against Everton, but their effort proved short of the indefatigable champions.

 

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Idrissa Gueye put Everton ahead early in the first half after his freekick was deflected past David Raya by Declan Rice into the net. The Gunners struck back three minutes later when Takehiro Tomiyaso stroked the ball home after Martin Odegaard teed him up.

 

Kai Havertz completed the come-back for Mikel Arteta’s side with one of the final kicks of the game.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp got a winning farewell in his final game at Anfield, thanks to a Liverpool 2-0 victory over ten-men Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Chelsea confirmed their return to European football next season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, while Manchester United will hope to win the FA Cup for a chance to play European football next season after finishing eighth in the league despite a 2-0 win at Brighton.

 

Luton join Burnley and Sheffield United to be relegated from the EPL following a 4-2 loss to Fulham at home.

RESULTS

Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Brentford 2-4 Newcastle United
Brighton 0-2 Manchester United
Burnley 1-2 Nott. Forest
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Luton 2-4 Fulham
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham
Sheffield Utd 0-3 Tottenham

READ  Overcome by emotion: Shirtless Oshoala celebration sparks mixed reactions

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BREAKING: Man City win historic fourth consecutive EPL title

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Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on Sunday. 

 

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just one point over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

Details later…

READ  Full List: Nigeria's Oshoala up for 2022 Ballon D’Or
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Usyk defeats Fury to emerge undisputed heavyweight champion

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Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

 

Fury and Usyk fought at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.

 

Usyk won the bout through a split decision, edging the Briton 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 on the cards.

 

Fury came out strong in the early rounds of the bout but Usyk was able to stave off the British fighter’s onslaught.

 

The Ukrainian gained momentum as the fight progressed, with his superior footwork and technical skill allowing him to evade Fury’s powerful blows and land precise shots of his own.

 

The Ukrainian floored Fury in the ninth round which was the turning point of the much-anticipated fight.

 

Despite Fury’s valiant effort to recover in the final rounds, Usyk’s dominance had already sealed the victory.

 

The 37-year-old Ukrainian is the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. He has now unified the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC titles.

READ  Dream come true: Senegal's Sadio Mane sleeps with AFCON trophy, medal

 

For Fury, it is the first loss in his 16-year professional career — but he will have a chance at a rematch before the end of the year.

 

In his post-fight interview, the British boxer accused the judges of giving the victory to Usyk because of the war in Ukraine.

 

“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.

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