Salah denies the Eagles and the 7 sporting things we saw last week

Last week was full of African qualifiers and friendly matches though we also had some boxing and cycling tragedies but here are seven sporting events that caught our attention.

Salah denies Eagles at the death

Mohamed Salah scored a minute into added time to deny Nigeria of all three points in a Group G 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Oghenekaro Etebo gave the Eagles the lead in his first match for the national team but the Roma forward latched on to a pass at the death to level for the Pharaohs. The 1-1 result makes the second leg on April 29 much more important for the Samson Siasia-led team.

Casillas sets another record

Iker Casillas equaled the record for most international caps by a European player when he made a 166th appearance for Spain against Romania in a friendly on Sunday. The Real Madrid legend has won all the football prizes and has been a goalkeeper for La Roja over 16 years’ His appearance on Sunday took him level with Latvia’s Vitalijs Astafjevs in the continent’s record books. The 34-year-old has also not conceded a goal in 710 minutes.

Andy Murray’s brother claims No. 1 spot

Andy Murray is the more famous of the Murray brothers but lesser known Jamie will make history as the first British tennis player under the modern ranking system to become a world number one. The 30-year-old Scot, Andy Murray’s older brother, will take top spot in the doubles rankings on April 4, replacing Brazil’s Marcelo Melo. Jamie will be the first British world number one since Virginia Wade achieved the honour in doubles in 1973 as no British player has previously topped the computer rankings introduced by the ATP and WTA from the 1970s.

Cyclist killed in Belgium race

Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitie has died after a collision with a motorbike during Belgium’s Gent-Wevelgem race. A motorbike hit the 25-year-old after several riders came down in a crash as the race passed through northern France. Demoitie was immediately taken to hospital in the French city of Lille but died some time later. Former Belgian national champion Jens Debusschere was also taken to hospital after he was concussed following a heavy crash. So is cycling now a dangerous sport?

Blackwell in induced coma after Eubank pummeling

The world of boxing has another calamity on its hands after British boxer, Nick Blackwell, had to be put in induced coma over bleeding in his brain after his fight with Chris Eubank Jr.

Eubank’s father believed that the fight should have been stopped in the eighth round and advised his son not to punch Blackwell’s head afterwards. The fight was finally stopped in the 10th round as Eubank had badly swollen left eye and could hardly see. The 25-year-old then collapsed in the ring after the result was announced. There has to be a way to make sport safer to play

Tennis suffers sexist comments

The world of tennis was embroiled in a sexist storm as the CEO of Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Raymond Moore said: “If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born because they have carried this sport.” Men’s world No.1, Novak Djokovic then aided the fire by saying that men’s tennis had the bulk of viewership so needed to have greater share of prize money. This drama has not yet played out!

And finally…

Cruyff died of cancer aged 68

Dutch football legend, Johann Cruyff failed in his battle with cancer and died in his home in Barcelona. The three-time European player of the year is credited with the style and philosophy that influenced the way football is played, especially at Ajax and Barcelona. He was named the European player of the century in 1999. He is credited with this quote – “You play football with your head, and your legs are there to help you.”

May his footballing philosophy continue to breed footballers that will continuously ensure that we enjoy the game.

All Credits: PREMIUMTIMES

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