Sports

AFCON 2021: Nine Senegalese Players Test Positive For COVID-19

Published

5 years ago

January 5, 2022

With few days to the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, one of the favourite teams going into the competition, The Teranga Lions of Senegal have been thrown into confusion as nine of their players tested positive for COVID-19 thereby delaying their departure from Dakar to team base in Cameroon.

Aliou Cisse’s side, who are 9/2 favourites to lift the trophy in February, were due to leave Dakar for their base in Cameroon on Tuesday, but it has been confirmed that the journey has now been delayed in the wake of the positive tests.

Nine of the travelling party returned positive results, with Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy among three players to have caught the virus. Pape Sarr – on loan at Metz from Tottenham – and Mame Thiam of Kayserispor in Turkey are the other two.

Watford’s injured star man Ismaila Sarr is also now with the group, much to the dismay of the Premier League club who believe he is not fit enough to play any part in the tournament.

It is as yet unclear when Senegal’s team, which includes Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate and Napoli captain Kalidou Koulibaly, will leave their home country to head to the tournament.

Senegal’s opening match of the tournament is on Monday against Zimbabwe in Bafoussam, before they face Guinea and Malawi in a group they should breeze through.

The team will be based in Bafoussam throughout AFCON, and they were due to head there on a four-hour flight from Dakar on Tuesday after their reception with the country’s president Macky Sall.They did meet the leader in Dakar, but the later flight was delayed and alternative travel plans are now being scheduled.

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Sports

AACT 2026: Girls in Golf initiatives kick Start week-long Activities.

Published

3 hours ago

November 2, 2026

The Gleamer

The week-long activities designed as part of 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy got underway Monday with Girls in Golf initiative.

The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, LGAN says initiative will empower young girls and inspire the next generation of female golfers in Nigeria.

Dr Lami Ahmed, LGAN President and Chairperson, Local Organising Committee for the All Africa Challenge Trophy said this during a training programme for no fewer than 60 young girls at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Ahmed said the initiative was designed to extend golf’s impact beyond competition by investing in young people and creating opportunities for their development.

“We believe that charity calls on us to touch lives and invest in others. Golf is not just about playing the game; it is also about giving back to society,” she said.

She explained that the future of women’s golf depended on introducing girls to the sport early and providing them with the skills and opportunities to excel.

Dr Lami said the Girls in Golf initiative was designed to introduce young girls to the sport, ignite their interest and expose them to the opportunities available through golf.

According to her, the initiative will also help girls develop valuable skills, build confidence and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Ahmed said the association had observed an increase in the number of female caddies across the country, making it necessary to create structured pathways for girls interested in golf.

She added that the initiative would encourage girls to explore different opportunities within the sport, including playing professionally and pursuing other golf-related careers.

Ahmed expressed gratitude to Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the President and founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, for supporting the programme and the 2026 AACT.

She said the first Lady had demonstrated a strong commitment to human capital development, particularly initiatives that empower women and the girl-child.

“Her Excellency readily embraced the project because she believes in giving back to society, especially by supporting children and creating opportunities for them to thrive,” Ahmed said.

She added that preparations for the championship were progressing well, with teams from various African countries already in Abuja.

The week-long continental women’s golf championship is expected to end on Friday, with teams from at least 20 African countries expected to compete for honours.

Ahmed said LGAN remained committed to using golf as a platform for youth development, empowerment and the promotion of greater participation by women and girls in sports.

She urged stakeholders to support initiatives that would make golf more accessible to young girls and create sustainable pathways for their participation in the sport.

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