GERMANY
Belgium’s Malanda killed
Belgian under-21 international and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Junior Malanda died when a car he was traveling in smashed into a tree, the Bundesliga club said on Saturday. The 20-year-old, who died at the scene of the accident, was in the back seat when the driver lost control and slid off the road, police said. The two other people in the car survived. Malanda had been on his way to join his Wolfsburg teammates in South Africa for winter break, but died at Porta Westfalica on his way to Hannover airport on Saturday afternoon. The Belgian Football Association said on its Web site that the nation had lost one of its greatest talents, adding that he had represented the national team at all age levels. “Wherever he went Junior made a good impression. Beside his footballing talent and impressive physique he was always in a good mood. He was the current captain of our Under-21 side, which is testament to his good character and leadership skills,” the statement read. “We are distraught and can simply not find the words to express our bewilderment,” Wolfsburg director of sport Klaus Allofs said. “We all loved him dearly. He was the positive spirit within the team and a young man full of the joys of life.” Everton and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku said he was stunned by the death of his compatriot, who played against him in November last year when the English side won a UEFA Europa League tie 2-0 at the German club. “I love you my brother,” Lukaku wrote on Instagram, where he posted a picture of them together. “Junior, why you my brother. My brother, one of my unique friends, I cannot believe you are not there anymore.”
CUP OF NATIONS
Burkinabes rout Swaziland
Burkina Faso recovered to trounce Swaziland 5-1 Saturday in an Africa Cup of Nations warm-up match at a South African stadium where they have enjoyed considerable success. The Stallions came to the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa as no-hopers, but finished runners-up to Nigeria after a five-match unbeaten run at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Swaziland, who failed to qualify for this year’s tournament in Equatorial Guinea — which is to start on Saturday — shook the Burkinabe side by taking an early lead through Nthunzi Mkhonto. However, the west Africa team coached by Belgian Paul Put rallied to lead 2-1 at halftime through goals from Jonathan Zongo and a Maqhawe Dlamini own-goal. It was one-way traffic toward the Swaziland goalmouth in the second half, when Mohamed Koffi, Alain Traore and Aristide Bance scored to complete a decisive victory. In other warmups, Cameroon drew South Africa 1-1, Cape Verde beat Congo Brazzaville 3-2 and Guinea beat Morocco’s under-23 team 4-1.
ALGERIA
Anelka to join 13th club
Former Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka is on the verge of signing for his 13th club, Nasr Athlitique d’Hussein-Dey (NAHD) of Algeria, as long as he is not judged to be too old. The 35-year-old former France international has been training with NAHD, but needs special dispensation from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) before he can put pen to paper. “Anelka is waiting for a concession from the FAF to sign his contract as they expect internationals to be under 29 years old when they sign,” NAHD president Mahfoud Ouled Zmirli said. The club want Anelka, who has played at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, to pen an 18-month deal. “Anelka hasn’t discussed money — he just wants to play for an Algerian club,” Zmirli said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and