Sports
Lewis Hamilton tipped to ‘challenge for wins’ in a matter of weeks to save F1 2022 season
LEWIS HAMILTON is yet to challenge at the front of the grid through the opening three races of the new season.
Lewis Hamilton can expect ‘big updates’ from Mercedes heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, according to Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene. It’s been a frustrating season so far for Mercedes with Hamilton in the unfamiliar position of not having a car capable of challenging at the front.
Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to challenge at the front soon
Mercedes entered the new year with a radical new car design compared to their rivals which hasn’t worked out so far. Toto Wolff remains confident in the direction Mercedes are heading, but aren’t expected to challenge this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Ferrari and Red Bull have set the pace early on with Charles Leclerc opening up a strong lead in the Drivers’ Championship. Both Hamilton and George Russell are still in the mix with the Red Bull drivers though with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez experiencing reliability issues.
Lewis Hamilton has only finished on the podium once this season
Mercedes have been coy on when they expect upgrades on the W13 to help them challenge more closely in races. But Gene, who spent six years as Ferrari’s test driver, believes Mercedes will be back sooner rather than later.
“I can see it, but I can’t see it in the short term,” he told Sky Sports. “Unless it’s a set-up issue. If it’s a set-up issue they could find it at some point very quickly.
“If it’s a problem of bringing development parts, it’s very hard for Imola for example. I think for them it’s going to be more Barcelona. Barcelona could be a place where big updates are being brought in and that’s when I expect Mercedes to make a big step and challenge for wins.”
Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles also expects to see the team making moves up the grid during the European swing of the season.
“When we get back to the European season, teams will generally bring more performance upgrades,” he said. “So I suspect you will see an evolution of our competitors and we need to make sure we, at the very minimum, keep up with that.
“The work that takes place now is a review of what has happened in Melbourne and an understanding of what we need to do going forward into Imola, and progress the car into a championship winner.”
Credit: www.express.co.uk,CN,Sky Sports,Getty Images.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to take place later this year.
The CAF aawards celebrates outstanding performances and achievements across African football, recognising excellence among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.
This year’s shortlist features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents who have made remarkable contributions to African football over the past season.
Nigerian players such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo headline the women’s nominations, while Nigerian clubs and coaches also appear in various categories — reflecting the country’s continued influence in African football.
Below is the full list of nominees in the women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025:
CAF Awards: Women’s Player of the Year
- Portia Boakye
- Tabitha Chawinga
- Temwa Chawinga
- Ghizlane Chebbak
- Mama Diop
- Rasheedat Ajibade
- Esther Okoronkwo
- Sanaa Mssoudy
- Barba Banda
- Racheal Kundananji
Women’s Club of the Year
- Gaborone United
- ASEC Mimosas
- TP Mazembe
- USFAS Bamako
- ASFAR
- DE Agosto
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Bayelsa Queens FC
- Aigles De La Medina
- JKT Queens
Women’s National Team of the Year
- Cameroon U17
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast U17
- Mali
- Morocco
- Nigeria U17
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Zambia U17
Women’s Young Player of the Year
- Habiba Essam
- Habiba Sabry
- Stella Nyamekye
- Doha El Madani
- Winfrida Gerald
- Ester Maseke Marwa
- Adji Ndiaye
- Shakirat Moshood
- Mercy Chipasula
- Ruth Mukoma
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Chloe N’Gazi
- Sedilame Boseja
- Fideline Ngoy
- Habiba Emad
- Chiamaka Nnadozie
- Khadija Er-Rmichi
- Fatoumata Karentao
- Cynthia Konlan
- Adji Ndiaye
- Andile Dlamini
Coach of the Year (Women)
- Adelaide Koudougnon
- Siaka Gigi Traore
- Lamia Boumehdi
- Genoveva Anonman
- Justine Madugu
- Bankole Olowookere
- Jorge Vilda
- Kim Bjorkegren
- Desiree Ellis
- Carol Kanyemba
Nigerian-born Beninese international Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday, August 19, by his former Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF.
In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), the club wrote: “Helsingborgs IF is in mourning.
“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Omotoyossi, who switched nationality to represent Benin after starting his career in the Nigerian league, became one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.
He scored 21 goals in 55 international appearances, placing him among Benin’s all-time top scorers.
He is fondly remembered for his performance during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo and finished as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Samuel Eto’o.
He also made history as the first player to score for Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
At club level, Omotoyossi had a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France.
He particularly excelled at Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League before moving to French side FC Metz.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have arrived Abuja following their successful outing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, JomogNews reports.
Players and officials of the team arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday afternoon.
They will hold a trophy parade along popular districts in the Federal Capital Territory.
The contingent is expected to move through Airport Road, Berger Junction, Maitama and Wuse Market.
The Super Falcons will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa later in the day.
Nigeria won a record-extending 10th WAFCON title on Saturday night following a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.
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