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KENYA PULLS OUT OF VOLLEYBALL CONTEST IN NIGERIA AS GOVERNMENT BANS ATHLETES FROM INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OVER CORONAVIRUS

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BY MICHAEL HOUSTON.

Kenya’s Government have imposed a one-month international travel ban for athletes from the nation due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The shutdown has already affected the women’s beach volleyball team who pulled out of their Olympic qualifier in Nigeria along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde. 

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Kenyan duo Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala said their Olympic dreams had been “shattered” following the decision.

According to All Africa, coach Sammy Mulinge said: “It’s really a sad moment for the volleyball family. 

“The girls had a big chance of qualifying for the Olympics and I pity the players.”

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To date, no-one in Kenya has tested positive for the virus which has infected more than 120,000 people and killed more than 4,370, predominantly in China. 

Two people in Africa have died from the infection – one each in Morocco and Egypt with 11 nations having confirmed cases.

Kenya’s national football team will also have to call off their next away match with Comoros on March 29 after the Football Kenya Federation requested to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

An extension of the ban could see top Kenyan runners miss the London Marathon which is scheduled for April 26.

Meanwhile, America’s President, Donald Trump has announced that the United States would suspend all travel from Europe from Friday (March 13) for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

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The announcement comes just hours after the World Health Organisation officially declared it a pandemic.

The travel restrictions would not apply to the United Kingdom, which Trump said has taken more precautions than the European Union against the virus. 

Americans who underwent the appropriate medical screenings would also be exempted, he said in a solemn address to the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday – only his second since taking office in 2017. 

“We are at a critical time in the fight against the virus. We made a life-saving move with early action on China. Now we must take the same action with Europe. We will not delay,” he said.

The Department of Homeland Security later said in a statement that the restrictions would cover foreign nationals who had been in Europe in the past 14 days.

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It would not apply to legal permanent residents, nor in general to immediate family members of American citizens. 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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