Central News Issue 007 | Top Story : “ANC keeps Ramaphosa and kicks Magashule“

08 Sports | 02 JUNE 2023
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Banyana Banyana coach launches new book
On Tuesday night (30 May 2023),
a book about Banyana Banyana
coach Desiree Ellis’s rise from
Salt River, Cape Town, to the
world stage was released in Sandton,
Johannesburg.
The book “Magic,” written by sports
journalist Luke Alfred, follows Ellis’
journey from playing football with boys
because there were no women’s teams in
her neighborhood to playing in the senior
women’s national team of South Africa.
In recognition of her outstanding
contribution to sports, President Cyril
Ramaphosa bestowed the Order of
Ikhamanga in gold on Ellis in April 2023.
After defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in
the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of
Nations (WAFCON), Banyana Banyana
became African champions and qualified
for a second consecutive FIFA Women’s
World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
in July.
After leading the senior women’s national
Goal machine Kahraba looking to
lead Ahly’s charge for history
With five goals so far this season in the
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League,
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim, known fondly as
‘Kahraba’, is undoubtedly one of Al Ahly’s
important figures.
The striker has been in sizzling form this
season, and as they approach the biggest
match of the season, the two-legged final
against Morocco’s Wyadad Athletic Club, he
looks forward to play a vital role as The Red
Devils seek a record extending 11th African
crown.
Ahly will host Wydad in the first leg in Cairo
this Sunday, before travelling to Casablanca,
where they lost last season’s single-leg
final.
The Egyptian international is considered
one of the most important players in coach
Marcel Kohler’s set up and his partnership
with Hussein Elshahat and Percy Tau has
formed an incredible front three in Ahly’s
campaign this term. Between them, they have
scored nine goals with both Tau and Elshahat
scoring four.
Four of Kahraba’s goals came in the group
stage, including a hattrick in their 4-0 win
away to Cotonsport of Cameroon. He also
scored once in the 3-0 first leg semi-final
victory over Esperance. He now looks
forward to finding the back of the net again
when they take on Wydad.
Scoring two goals in the final will see
him finish as the outright top scorer of the
team of South Africa to its first WAFCON
championship, Ellis was also named
CAF’s Women Coach of the Year for the
third year in a row.
competition. He is currently one behind Peter
Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns who has
scored six.
Other than chasing the individual piece of
silverware, the striker is also looking forward
to win a third Champions League title with
Ahly, having been part of the team that won
in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
The 29-year-old will be a player to watch for
Ahly, his eye for goal, speed and technical
ability being a combination that makes him a
huge asset for Kohler and his side.