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Kenya wins at the buzzer against Africa Cup’s reigning champion, Egypt; five-time NBA champion Ron Harper visits Africa for the first time as he participates in a Jr. NBA clinic and NBA Africa's Kenya office launch; and an Afrobasket qualifier draw lays out the road ahead of African basketball’s biggest competition.

by Silalei Shani, bird story agency
 
Kenya Women's 3x3 senior national team upset the reigning champions at the recently concluded FIBA Africa Cup 2023 competition in Cairo, Egypt. The Kenyans took the title with a 21-20 buzzer beater by Kenya Ports Authority player Natalie Mwangale.
&nbsp;
Kenya and Egypt were both undefeated heading into the final game, with Egypt dominating for the better part of the final game. Then despite Egypt's 19-13 lead, Kenya mounted a comeback, with the win sealed by Mwangale’s crucial two-point shot in the final second. Team manager Nellie Odera praised the outstanding performance of the 4-woman team, that included Mwangale, Hilda Indasi, Mercy Wanyama, and Madina Okot.
 
“All players gelled very well. There was a balance of skill and talent, with everyone having the ability to shoot. The player cohesion was fantastic. Mwangale was named tournament MVP thanks to her offensive and defensive prowess, while Okot was the undeniable star of the game with an 11-point, 18-rebound performance. In the men’s category, Egypt took home gold through an unbeaten run in the competition with a strong 18-15 win against Nigeria in the final.
 
In another win for East African basketball, the NBA launched their new Africa office in Kenya on November 29. The launch of the office, located in Nairobi's Westlands, included a Junior NBA clinic hosted at Sabis International School in Runda, followed by an evening cocktail at the Sankara Hotel.
 
The JR. NBA clinic hosted 70 boys and girls ages 16 and under from various youth programs in Nairobi in the presence of NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams, Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall, the recently named Senior Director and Country Operations Lead, Michael Finley, US Ambassador to Kenya Margaret Whitman and guest of honour, former NBA player and five-time champion Ron Harper.
 
“I’m honoured to be part of this historic announcement and support the league’s efforts to grow basketball in Kenya and across the continent,” shared Harper at the JR. NBA clinic.
 
“It has been special for me to engage with the youth here and teach them what I know. I have no doubt that the future of basketball in Kenya is extremely bright thanks to the league’s efforts.”
 
Harper, who is best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls championship dynasty team (1996–1998) led by Michael Jordan, spent 15 years in the NBA playing with the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also won back-to-back titles with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001.
 
In a lively Q&amp;A session led by MC and former Kenya women’s national basketball captain (also, the author of this report) Silalei Shani, Harper took guests down memory lane, describing his first championship win with the Chicago Bulls and sharing his thoughts about the endless “GOAT” debate pitting Michael Jordan against Lebron James. He also talked about his favourite African players. “My favourite African player is Manute Bol”.
 
Harper also shared words of encouragement with one of Kenya’s top male youth prospects, David Gichohi. “Put your mind to it, believe and work as hard as you can". &nbsp;He went on to praise the efforts of the NBA to open another office in Africa.
 
“One thing about the NBA is that we want to make it a global game. I believe in the next 5–10 years there are going to be a lot of African players playing in the NBA. There is an even greater opportunity for the East Africa region with the NBA office here. We have had the chance to work with the youth and the opportunity in Kenya to make it is available now.“&nbsp;
 
The new office marks NBA Africa’s fifth office on the continent, joining others in Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg and Lagos.
 
Ahead of next year’s Afrobasket qualifiers, the FIBA Afrobasket 2024 qualifiers draw took place at the end of November in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 East Division tournament.
 
The teams have been pooled into five groups of four teams, as the qualifiers will be played in February and November of 2024, with the venues yet to be confirmed.&nbsp;
 
BAL Head of League Operations, Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, who conducted the draw, predicted a high level of competition in the qualifiers stage.
 
“BAL is raising the level of play in Africa as players get to feature in some high-level matches and we are hoping their involvement in their respective national teams will also improve the quality of basketball witnessed in the Afrobasket and that will elevate the level of the game on the continent," he shared.
 
The draw produced the following results:
Group A
South Sudan&nbsp;
DRC&nbsp;
Mali&nbsp;
Q z6 Mauritius n Comoros&nbsp;
 
Group B
Cape Verde&nbsp;
Nigeria&nbsp;
Q z1 + z2
Uganda&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
Group C&nbsp;
Senegal
Cameroon&nbsp;
Q z3 +z4&nbsp;&nbsp;
Rwanda&nbsp;
 
Group D
Cote D'Ivore&nbsp;
Egypt&nbsp;
Central African Republic&nbsp;
Q z5 +Madagascar + Djibouti&nbsp;
 
Group E&nbsp;
Tunisia&nbsp;
Angola&nbsp;
Guinea&nbsp;
Kenya
 
bird story agency

bird's African Basketball Wrap: Kenya upsets Egypt at the FIBA Africa Cup 3x3 games, NBA legend Ron Harper visits Kenya for NBA Africa office launch; Afrobasket qualifiers draw in Johannesburg  🏀🏀

With just a few days to the start of AFCON 2023, hosted in Cote d’Ivoire, here is what to expect as football fever slowly engulfs the continent.

Bonface Orucho, bird story agency
 
Football enthusiasts from across the continent are gearing up for an electrifying kickoff as the countdown to AFCON 2023, one of Africa's most fiercely competitive football tournaments, nears its end.
 
Set in Cote d'Ivoire for the first time since 1984, the 34th edition of the action-packed tournament spans from Saturday, January 13 to February 11.
 
This 24-team showdown unites the continent's football elites, stars like Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah from English Premier League club Liverpool and Super Eagles' Victor Osimhen, recently honored as the best African male footballer by CAF. The clash of these titans promises enthralling entertainment for millions of global football fans.
 
Six stadiums across five cities—Abidjan, Bouake, Korogho, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro—will be the battlegrounds for these intense matches.
 
Notably, four of the six stadiums are newly built and will host the tournament for the first time. These include the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, a 60,000-capacity arena that was inaugurated in 2020 as part of preparations for the upcoming fete.
 
The buzz around the competition is palpable, with CAF reporting soaring ticket sales, indicating its widespread appeal among fans in Cote d'Ivoire and beyond.
 
Following successful historic online ticket sales last November and over-the-counter sales a few weeks ago across major cities and towns in Cote d’Ivoire, CAF is undertaking the final phase of ticket sales for the tournament.
 
In a press statement on January 9, CAF explained that the final ticket-selling campaign targeted over-the-counter ticket sales in 12 cities and online via http://tickets.cafonline.com/AFCON. Ticket prices range from US $8 for Category 3, $16 for Category 2 and $24.
 
New World TV, the official broadcasting rights agency for CAF until 2025, has sublicensed several broadcasters.
 
Multichoice's latest announcement that SuperSport will broadcast all 52 matches is perhaps the most exciting news for millions of fans who will not make it to the pitch to watch the live matches in person.
 
Having secured broadcasting rights, SuperSport, one of the leading sports broadcasters on the continent, will air matches both on DStv and GOtv across more than 50 countries, potentially reaching more than 23 million subscribers.
 
New World TV will broadcast in over 16 countries; BeIN will cover the Northern African region; and Canal+ Group will cater to French-speaking Africa.
 
Other broadcasters that will air the action in Africa include South African broadcaster SABC, which secured a US$80 million broadcasting rights contract. Chinese broadcaster StarTimes also has rights for Anglophone and Lusophone countries, as announced in their statement.
 
Global television broadcast partners recently unveiled by CAF include Sky (United Kingdom), BBC (United Kingdom), LaLiga+ (Spain), SportItalia (Italy), Sport Digital (Germany and Switzerland), SportTV (Portugal), Viaplay (Nordics) and Band TV (Brazil).
 
With more than 45 free-to-air broadcasters in the loop, CAF anticipates the tournament will be broadcast in approximately 180 countries.
 
The 2023 AFCON is unique in many ways. Some of the continent’s finest stars will be making their last appearance in this year’s edition as younger, emerging players take over national team spots.
 
According to Sports Brief, a sports news platform, former Leicester forward Ahmed Musa of Nigeria, legendary Andre Ayew of Ghana and Algerian goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi are some household names that could be playing their last AFCON this year. Others include Ivorian Badra Ali Sangare and Yunis Abdelhamid of Morocco.
 
However, with players such as Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon and Senegal’s Sadio Mane clashing, there is much action to be anticipated from the tournament.
 
The duo is part of CAF’s listing of the top 10 players to watch at the tournament. Others included in the list are Sehrou Guirassy of Guinea, 30-year-old Ivorian Sebastien Haller, Mohamed Amoura of Algeria, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, Azzedine Ounahi from Morocco, Mohammed Kudus of Ghana, Mohamed Salah of Egypt, and Namibian Peter Shalulile.
 
The winning team will secure the largest-ever AFCON prize money, a hefty US$7 million—a 40% increase by CAF. The runners-up will now get US $4 million, while the second runners-up will receive US $2.5 million. All four quarter-finalists will be cushioned with US$1.3 million.
 
"I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and benefit all stakeholders," says CAF President Patrice Motsepe in a statement.
 
The sponsorship portfolio for AFCON 2023 includes global partners such as PUMA, betting site 1xBET, VISA, Orange, and Rexona. Unilever, a global supplier of beauty and well-being products including personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream products, is the latest sponsorship addition.
 
The tournament kicks off with host Cote d’Ivoire facing Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, on Saturday, January 13, starting at 20:00 GMT.
 
bird story agency

Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears 🌍⚽🏆

Showmax has announced it will put an affordable Premier League viewing plan in viewers' pockets as the South African streamer bets on a mobile-first focus to drive subscriptions and put it out of reach of Netflix, its big rival on the continent.

Conrad Onyango, bird story agency
 
After taking over Africa’s market mantle from US streaming giant, Netflix, in 2023, South Africa’s Showmax is turning to smartphones to tap into a wider pool of football fanatics.
 
The MultiChoice-owned streamer has introduced mobile-only subscriptions for Premier League content as part of a new package for its second iteration- Showmax 2.0, launching in mid-February.
 
“Showmax Premier League is a game-changing product that gives individuals a ticket to the football they love, wherever they are, on the device they always have with them, at a price that’s impossible not to love,” said &nbsp;Marc Jury, CEO of Showmax, in a statement.
 
Mobile subscribers will pay US$3.69 (R69) per month for ‘the world’s first standalone Premier League plan for mobile.’ which is about 10 times cheaper than monthly DSTV subscriptions offering Premier League plans.
 
The Premier League plan offers all 380 Premier League games live from SuperSport, as well as fan content, talk shows, interviews and more, on mobile only, said Showmax on its new website.
 
“There are currently just over 450 million smartphones in the hands of individuals across Africa … and more than 250 million avid football lovers on the continent,” said Jury.
 
Premier League Chief Executive Officer, Richard Masters said in the statement that Africa was incredibly important to the league and its clubs, with about 20% of television audiences on any given match day coming from Africa.
 
Subscribers also have a choice to bundle up the Premier League with another new offering, the company's Entertainment plan, which includes hit international and trending local series and movies, kids’ shows and more on mobile only.
 
Alongside the Premier League, the new Showmax offering will introduce 21 new Showmax Originals that will see the streaming platform produce more than 1 300 hours of Showmax Originals by the close of 2024, representing a significant 150% increase in production output, compared to 2023.
 
It has scheduled a migration plan to its new app and website for existing customers, from January 23 to mid-February, 2024.&nbsp;
 
Showmax’s new platform is built on NBC Universal's Peacock streaming platform, following a partnership&nbsp;with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky in 2023. The partnership has given Showmax fresh muscle to maintain its lead as Africa’s largest streaming platform, in a very competitive market.
 
In November 2023, tech research-based firm, Omdia Research showed that Showmax accounted for 40% of Africa’s streaming market, while Netflix controlled 35% of the eyeballs.
 
Research firm, Digital TV said last year that Africa’s streaming video-on-demand sector has evolved into a battle between Netflix and local player Showmax, with the two expected to play a significant role in attracting 10 million new subscribers on the continent by the end of 2030. &nbsp;By the end of the review period, the African market is projected to have a total of 18 million streaming video-on-demand (SVOD) subscribers.
 
bird story agency

Showmax steps up streaming battle with Premier League on mobile plan 📺 ⚽

Women continue to make giant strides in football with their inclusion in decision-making in Africa and around the world. Women are being seen regularly not only in boardrooms and dressing rooms but also on the pitch. Six women referees taking to pitches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast will be building on a growing legacy for young women around the world.

Joel Omotto, bird story agency
 
With the introduction of the first African woman referee at the &nbsp;Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021 and three more women referees at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the expansion of women into football decision-making continues in the Ivory Coast where a total of six women are officiating at the 2023 AFCON tournament.&nbsp;
 
The six are among 68 match officials appointed for the delayed 2023 tournament, each of whom brings a wealth of experience. This marks a significant milestone almost unthinkable just five years ago.&nbsp;
 
So, who are the six female referees officiating at the AFCON 2023?&nbsp;
 
Salima Mukansanga
 
Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga broke the glass ceiling when she made history by becoming the first female referee to officiate an AFCON men’s game, at the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.&nbsp;
 
Her impressive performance would see her make history again when she was selected among three women officiating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a first for the global tournament.&nbsp;
 
A trained nurse, the 35-year-old will return to AFCON armed with more skills, having also officiated at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, which was her second straight assignment at that event, following her debut in France in 2019.&nbsp;
 
“It means you have a lot you are carrying on your shoulders. The rest will say ‘oh wow! Now the door is open, we can go through.’ It means you are opening the door to other women,” she told the BBC after her selection.&nbsp;
 
Mukansanga, who has also officiated at the Olympics and the CAF Women’s Champions League, is highly respected among fans, who cannot wait to see her in the Ivory Coast.
 
“We watched her performance in Cameroon two years ago and she was impressive. She is a no-nonsense referee and that is the character you want from match officials,” said Ahmed Diakite, a Mali fan.&nbsp;
 
Akhona Makalima
 
South African Akhona Makalima has seen her star continue to rise in the last two years and is set to make her debut at the AFCON.
 
Makalima was thrust into the global spotlight when she made her maiden Women’s World Cup appearance last July 22, serving as the Fourth Official when Denmark took on China at the Perth Stadium in Australia.
 
The 36-year-old has been officiating since 2014 with her international assignments including the CAF Champions League and the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
 
Makalima is highly respected in South Africa where is known for her no-nonsense approach to her work in the Premier Soccer League.&nbsp;
 
“We are happy that we have one of our own at the tournament,” Bongani Zulu, a South Africa fan shares.
 
“We will not just be watching Bafana Bafana but also monitor her performance and we are sure she will perform well. At the World Cup last year, she did well which is great marketing for Africa and women’s football.”&nbsp;
 
Bouchra Karboubi
 
Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi is another debutant at the 2023 AFCON and the only woman selected to officiate in the final rounds of the competition. Karboubi is a trailblazer whose career is filled with ‘firsts.’
 
She became the first Arab referee to officiate at the Women’s World Cup last year when she took charge of the match between defending champions, the United States of America and Vietnam at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
 
In 2022, the police inspector became the first female referee to officiate the final match of Morocco’s Throne Cup, having set a personal milestone two years earlier, when she became the first female referee to oversee a match in Morocco's top-tier professional football league, the Botola Pro 1.
 
Diana Chikotesha
 
Zambian Diana Chikotesha is taking over her first assignment in a men’s game but she has also enjoyed a meteoric rise.&nbsp;
 
‘Super Diana’ as she is commonly known in Zambia, served as an assistant referee at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and she will be at the centre of attention in the Ivory Coast again.&nbsp;
 
Chikotesha, who started her career as a match official in 2014, saw her star shine bright in 2022 when she took charge of the CAF Women's Champions League, FIFA Women's U20 World Cup and Africa Women's Nations Cup.&nbsp;
 
Rivet Maria Pakuita Cinquela
 
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) have become the subject of discussion ever since the technology was introduced due to their somewhat controversial decisions and in the Ivory Coast, Rivet Maria Pakuita Cinquela from Mauritius is one of them.&nbsp;
 
This is not her first assignment in the men’s game after being in charge of VAR in CAF Champions League matches such as the tie between Morocco’s Wyad Casablanca and Enyimba of Nigeria.&nbsp;
 
She brings a wealth of experience after also serving as the Fourth Official at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and VAR at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
 
Carine Atezambong
 
Cameroon’s Carine Atezambong will also work as an assistant referee in what will be her debut AFCON tournament.&nbsp;
 
She had her big break last year when she worked on the 2022/23 CAF Champions League final between Morocco’s Wydad AC and Al Ahly of Egypt. She also worked as a video assistant referee (VAR) during the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria, including the final.&nbsp;
 
She was also picked to officiate at the 2023 U17 World Cup in Indonesia.
 
bird story agency

Meet the trailblazing women who are officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

The construction launch of a 12,000-capacity multipurpose arena in Lagos signals growing Nigerian interest in tapping lucrative opportunities in the sports and creative industries.

bird story agency
 
Construction has commenced on the Lagos Arena, a cutting-edge sports and concert venue set to elevate Nigeria's entertainment and sports economy by hosting global events.&nbsp;
 
“The Lagos Arena is not just a building; it's a beacon of possibilities for our entertainment industry and is setting the stage for world-class entertainment,” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated at the launch event.
 
With a capacity of 12,000, this state-of-the-art arena is situated adjacent to the Palms Mall in Lekki.
 
Sanwo-Olu joined project developers to initiate construction on February 24, with a completion date set for December 2025.&nbsp;
 
With the arena strategically located by a riverside, Yazan Design Architecture, the Turkish firm behind the design, describes the complex as akin to a superyacht, “with its white rings embracing &nbsp;the cascading volume.”&nbsp;
 
This design offers expansive terraces on multiple levels, affording patrons breathtaking views of the river and ocean.
 
“The cascading volume offers wide terraces on different levels for social activities with a nice view towards the river and the ocean,” the architects explain on their website.
 
While concerts take precedence, the vast 25,250 square meters of space can accommodate congresses and diverse sports activities, including basketball, futsal, tennis, volleyball, handball, and boxing.
 
Funding for the undisclosed construction cost comes from a consortium led by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, contributing 40.5% of the project's financing.&nbsp;
 
Additional backers include Adino Capital Ltd., Sports Infrastructure and Entertainment Development Company Ltd and Tayo Amusan's Persiana Group.
 
The inclusion of the country's national wealth fund underscores the growing use of national wealth reserves to drive investments in the sports and entertainment sectors, both of which offer substantial growth opportunities.
 
The arena will be the latest addition for Africa, with recent additions such as the BK Arena in Rwanda and the Dakar Arena in Senegal successfully hosting some of the largest sporting events in Africa - and growing Africa's eventing credential in the process.
 
The BK Arena, for instance, opened in 2019 and has hosted the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Finals and the Youth Connekt Summit, among other mega-events. The BK Arena is one of the venues hosting the Basketball Africa League.
 
In a January interview with Africa News Agency, Uwase Mutimura, the head of marketing at the BK Arena, explained the economic impact the facility has had on the country.
 
“These events are major economic drivers, attracting visitors beyond the sporting events themselves... We are contributing to the development of the sport and the growth of tourism. The economic spinoffs extend far beyond the duration of the events,” she stated.
 
Similarly, the Dakar Arena, which opened in 2018, has also hosted the 2019 Women's Afrobasket Tournament and is expected to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.
 
The development has seen widespread support from Nigerians on social media.
 
“I believe this is the beginning of more investment in vital infrastructure to convert opportunities in the entertainment &amp; sports sectors of the Nigerian economy,” wrote one Nigerian supporter, Isaac Ogu.
 
bird story agency
 
Useful links: https://africa-news-agency.com/interview-uwase-mutimura-bk-arena-driver-of-sports-ecosystem-in-africa/
https://www.yazgandesign.com/lagos-arena

New Lagos arena marks growing investment in sports and entertainment sectors 🏟 🇳🇬

Benjamindada

From heartbreaking misses to match losses, footballers face the wrath of internet trolls in the digital age, as passionate fans blur the lines between support and cyberbullying.


In the world of football, fame and success come with a price tag attached: relentless scrutiny from passionate fans-turned-internet trolls. The plight of former Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, haunted by a critical miss in the 2010 World Cup, serves as a stark reminder of the darker side of fan fervor. Yet, amid the growing epidemic of cyberbullying targeting players, voices like Deji Ogeyingbo and Bukayo Ewuoso advocate for a nuanced approach, balancing constructive criticism with empathy. As the football community grapples with the consequences of online abuse, the onus lies on fans to foster a culture of respect and understanding, acknowledging that behind the jerseys are human beings, susceptible to both glory and scrutiny. &nbsp;
 
#Football #CyberbullyingAwareness #RespectForPlayers
 
Read more on <a href="https://www.benjamindada.com/football-afcon-cyberbully-nigeria-fans-internet-trolls/" rel="noopener" title="https://www.benjamindada.com/football-afcon-cyberbully-nigeria-fans-internet-trolls/">BenjaminDada</a>

Top stories

Passionate Fans or Internet Trolls: The Double-Edged Sword of Football Fandom ⚽🌍

New Lagos arena marks growing investment in sports and entertainment sectors 🏟 🇳🇬

Meet the trailblazing women who are officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Showmax steps up streaming battle with Premier League on mobile plan 📺 ⚽

Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears 🌍⚽🏆

bird's African Basketball Wrap: Kenya upsets Egypt at the FIBA Africa Cup 3x3 games, NBA legend Ron Harper visits Kenya for NBA Africa office launch; Afrobasket qualifiers draw in Johannesburg 🏀🏀

Passionate Fans or Internet Trolls: The Double-Edged Sword of Football Fandom ⚽🌍

New Lagos arena marks growing investment in sports and entertainment sectors 🏟 🇳🇬

Meet the trailblazing women who are officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Showmax steps up streaming battle with Premier League on mobile plan 📺 ⚽

Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears 🌍⚽🏆

bird's African Basketball Wrap: Kenya upsets Egypt at the FIBA Africa Cup 3x3 games, NBA legend Ron Harper visits Kenya for NBA Africa office launch; Afrobasket qualifiers draw in Johannesburg 🏀🏀