Manchester City players dominates 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s awards.
The 2023 FIFA awards which held on 15 January saw Lionel Messi make history, winning his eighth Best Men’s Player award and also being included in the World XI for a record 17 consecutive years. Manchester City, after a phenomenal year of winning the treble, dominated the award, including Ederson winning the Best Goalkeeper category and Pep Guardiola clinching the Best Men’s Coach. Six Manchester City players, including Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Ruben Dias were included in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI, along with Real Madrid stars, Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, as well as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. In the Women’s category, Manchester United’s Mary Earps also made record as the first women’s goalkeeper to win two consecutive Best Goalkeeper award.
🚨 Lionel Messi has been included in the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men's World XI. pic.twitter.com/WsEyLKntCW
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 15, 2024
Senegal asserts dominance in heavy 3-0 victory over The Gambia.
Defending champions, Senegal commenced their title defense off with a strong start, with a dominant 3-0 win over 10-man Gambia at the Konan Banny Stadium in Abidjan. Pape Gueye inside the opening four minutes of the match, before Metz young attacker, Lamine Camara sealed the win with a second half brace. This is presently the biggest goal margin in the 2023 AFCON tournament. Senegal currently top the AFCON Group C table, sparking their dreams of a title defense to life.
⌚️ FULL-TIME!
Senegal secure the full points with a convincing victory against The Gambia. 👏#SENGMB | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/zdNGTfViDg
— Total Energies AFCON (@TotalAFCON2023) January 15, 2024
Guinea holds Cameroon to a crucial 1-1 draw in Monday’s clash.
The traditional African teams except Senegal have started off the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament without a win. After Mohamed Bayo’s goal to give Guinea the lead in the tenth minute and Captain, François Kamano’s red card, Cameroon got themselves in the game and looked to win after Frank Magri’s 51st minute equalizer. However, Guinea was able to show immense resistance against Cameroon’s quest to grab a crucial comeback win.
Angola secures 1-1 draw against Algeria in their first AFCON 2023 match.
In a back to back thrilling duel, Angola successfully secured one valuable point, holding Algeria to a 1-1 draw. Baghdad Bounedjah’s early strike put Algeria ahead in the first half, they failed to secure a win despite having 16 shots and a whooping 66% possession in the game. However, Nabil Bentaleb conceded a penalty which was well slammed by Angola’s striker, Mabululu after an hour mark. Algeria have now joined Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt as contending teams that have failed to win their first match at the AFCON 2023 tournament.
Miami Heats set to honor Dwyane Wade with first Franchise statue.
Dwyane Wade a Miami Heat legend and 13 time NBA All Star, has been regarded as perhaps the franchise’s greatest player. He led the Miami Heat to three NBA Championships, including four consecutive NBA finals from 2011 to 2014 and holds the franchise records for most points, assists, steals, games and minutes played in his 15 years with Miami. The franchise president, Pat Riley has however just announced that Wade will be honored with a bronze statue outside the team’s Kaseya Arena later this year. During the ceremony, he stated that Miami would always be his home.
Pat Riley just announced Dwyane Wade will be built the first statue in franchise history, to live outside the arena. pic.twitter.com/TlBKRDQV5Y
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 15, 2024
