Category: Sports

South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs Footballer, Luke Fleurs Shot Dead In Johannesburg

South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs Footballer, Luke Fleurs Shot Dead In Johannesburg

A South African footballer, Luke Fleurs, was tragically shot dead by robbers in Johannesburg.

According to police, Luke Fleurs, a 24-year-old defender for the popular Kaizer Chiefs team in Johannesburg, was shot and killed Wednesday night while refuelling his car at a gas station in a northwestern suburb of the city.

Fleurs was reportedly waiting to refuel his Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI at a petrol station when two armed men driving a white BMW approached him, according to police statements.

“The suspects pointed him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body. One suspect drove off with the victim’s car, followed by his accomplice,” said police spokesman Masondo Mavela.

He was rushed to a hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The authorities have launched an investigation into the murder and car hijacking, and a search for the suspects is underway, with no arrests reported yet.

Kaizer Chiefs is among South Africa’s leading teams, boasting a remarkable 53 domestic trophies won, a record in the country’s football history.

His team posted on social media, “It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night during a hijacking incident in Johannesburg.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa expressed his condolences for Luke Fleurs on social media, lamenting another life lost to violent crime and extending sympathies to Fleurs’ family, the Kaizer Chiefs team, and the broader South African football community.

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Nigeria’s Osayi-Samuel Freed, Teammates, Trabzonspor Punished Over Pitch Invasion

It was a very dramatic weekend for Super Eagles of Nigeria defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, who went beyond defending the goalpost to defending his teammates at Fenerbahçe.

Super Eagles of Nigeria defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, will not be punished for punching a pitch invader on March 17.

The actions of Osayi-Samuel “did not meet the threshold for a violation of disciplinary rules,” according to a statement from Turkish Football Federation (TFF) disciplinary committee.

Recall that Osayi-Samuel and two of his teammates at Fenerbahce were invited to face a disciplinary penal over their encounter with the pitch invaders that stormed the pitch after Fenerbahce’s away 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.

After the victory at Papara Park stadium on March 17, some Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch and attacked Fenerbahce players as they were celebrating the win.

Osayi-Samuel punched one of the pitch invaders and landed on him because the invader was reportedly trying to attack him and his teammates with a knife.

TFF disciplinary committee deemed Osayi-Samuel’s action as self-defense, hence, he wasn’t punished after facing the disciplinary penal.

However, his other two teammates, Dutch defender Jayden Oosterwolde and goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat, were slammed with a game ban and fined over their role in the incident.

The TFF’s board decided to punish Oosterwolde because he kicked a pitch invader who wasn’t attempting to attack him.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor will play six of their home games behind closed doors as punishment for the pitch invasion. The club will also pay two fines which amounts to 3.1 million Turkish lira over the incident.

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Xabi Alonso Gives Fitness Update On Victor Boniface

The manager of Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface will be available for their DFB-Pokal semi-final game against Düsseldorf at BayArena on Wednesday, April 3.

Victor Boniface has been struggling with an adductor injury since January. He had to undergo surgery to treat the injury.

Due to the injury, he withdrew from the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2023 AFCON squad. In his absence, the Nigerian team finished second in the tournament in Ivory Coast.

Also, the absence of Victor Boniface has not stopped Bayer Leverkusen from maintaining their unbeaten run in all competitions. They are the only club in the top five leagues in Europe who are yet to taste defeat this season.

Hence, the return of Boniface who has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 games in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen is seen as a big boost for an already vibrant side.

Ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s DFB-Pokal semi-final game against Düsseldorf, coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that Boniface has been training hard, and he is set to play his first game in 2024.

“We have no injured players. Everyone could be available for the squad,” Alonso told a press conference.

“Boniface could play a part of the game. He trained hard and came through it with a strong mentality. He can’t wait to be back on the pitch.”

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Pep Guardiola Gives Update On Ake, Walker, Stone After Arsenal Draw

Man City Have Been Handed Brutal Reality Check - Pep Guardiola On City's 4-Game Winless Streak

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has noted that the injury Nathan Ake sustained in the club’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal might keep him sidelined for a while.

Pep Guardiola also noted that Kyle Walker will remain sidelined a bit longer, while John Stones is expected to return to full fitness soon.

During Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, March 31, coach Guardiola had to substitute Ake for Rico Lewis in the 27th minute because the 29-year-old Dutch defender sustained an injury.

Before the game that ended 0-0, Manchester City lost their two English defenders, Kyle Walker and John Stones to injuries.

Walker sustained an injury while playing for England against Brazil on March 23; Stone sustained his injury while playing for England against Belgium on March 26.

Due to fitness issues, Pep Guardiola had to make do without the star players as his team failed to score a goal against Arsenal in front of their home fans on Sunday.

After the game, the Spanish tactician told Sky Sports that Ake’s fitness issues could be because he played two games in one week.

“It is what it is”, the former FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager said.

“[Ake] played two games this week [including] with the national team in Holland. John will be better soon, I think. Kyle will be longer, now Nathan will be longer.”

Note that Manchester City are currently sitting third on the league table, three points behind first-placed Liverpool, and a point behind second-placed Arsenal.

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