SOCCER
Beckenbauer honored
The German Super Cup is to bear the name of Franz Beckenbauer, who died earlier this year, from next year, the German Football League (DFL) announced on Friday. Beckenbauer, nicknamed “Der Kaiser” for his dominant style on the field, was one of the greatest players of all time and died in January aged 78. He won the German Bundesliga five times as a player (1969, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1982) and the German Cup four times (1966, 1969, 1969 and 1971). “The annual duel between the German champion and the German Cup winner will in future be called the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup,” the DFL said in a statement. The 2025/26 edition of the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup would take place on Aug. 16 next year.
RUGBY
Canada get new coach
Steve Meehan, an Australian with coaching experience in England and France, was named coach of the Canadian men’s national rugby team on Friday. Meehan’s 17 years in the coaching ranks include a stint as head coach of Bath in the English Premiership from 2006 to 2011, winning the European Challenge Cup in 2008. He served as an assistant coach with France’s Top 16 2003 and 2004 champions Stade Francais as well as Toulon, the Western Force and Queensland Reds of Super Rugby and Japanese side Kintetsu Liners. Meehan replaced Welshman Kingsley Jones, who mutually parted ways with the Canadian national squad after they failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup in France last year. Jones finished 14-34 in test matches. Rugby Canada high performance director Stephen Aboud led the search process for a replacement. “Steve brings proven experience in coaching successful teams and a strong track record for improving players,” Rugby Canada chief executive officer Nathan Bombrys said. “We believe Steve’s positive coaching and leadership will create the right environment for our team to achieve the growth needed to reach their potential and qualify for the Rugby World Cup,” he added. The 2027 Rugby World Cup is to be held in Australia.
SOCCER
Deila joins Atlanta United
Ronny Deila, who captured two Scottish Premiership crowns with Celtic and a Mayor League Soccer (MLS) Cup with New York City FC (NYCFC), was named the new head coach of Atlanta United on Friday. The 49-year-old Norwegian manager was sacked this week by United Arab Emirate side Al Wahda after coaching in Belgium with Standard Lige and Club Brugge. He joins Atlanta United’s newly appointed sporting director, Chris Henderson, in trying to spark the club back to its MLS championship form of 2018. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ronny as the new head coach of Atlanta United,” club president Garth Lagerwey said. “He has a proven track record of winning in multiple leagues around the world, including the 2021 MLS Cup with NYCFC, and his knowledge of MLS was a key factor in our search,” he said.” We believe his style of play aligns with the club’s philosophy as we look to build a team that will compete for trophies consistently,” he added. Deila went 46-29 with 15 drawn in all competitions with NYCFC from 2020 to June 2022 when he took charge of Brugge. He also won Scottish crowns with Celtic in 2015 and 2016.
STILL IN THE HUNT: Rasmus Hojlund took his goal tally for SSC Napoli to nine as the champions cruised to a win at US Cremonese and stayed two points behind the leaders Inter on Sunday stayed at the Serie A summit after beating Atalanta BC 1-0 to maintain their slender lead over local rivals AC Milan. Lautaro Martinez netted the only goal of the game in Bergamo for Inter, who lead Milan, 3-0 winners against Hellas Verona thanks to Christoper Nkunku’s first Serie A goals, by a single point at the top of the division. The Argentina striker has scored in four consecutive league matches to end what has been a tricky year in positive style. “I ended last season in a lot of pain... I kept going during the Club World Cup and international
Hosts Morocco on Friday were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage. Midfielder Brahim Diaz tucked away a penalty in stoppage-time at the end of the first half, but Mali equalized from the spot midway through the second half through Lassine Sinayoko. Both penalties were awarded after video reviews in a tempestuous clash at the end of a busy day of action at the tournament. Morocco were atop the Group A standings with four points, while Zambia,
Algeria on Sunday became the third country after Egypt and Nigeria to qualify for the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations by edging Burkina Faso 1-0 in Rabat through a Riyad Mahrez penalty. Defending champions Ivory Coast failed to join the trio after drawing 1-1 with Cameroon in a lively showdown in Marrakesh. Elsewhere, Mozambique ended a 39-match wait for a first victory by beating Gabon 3-2, while Sudan got back into contention for a last-16 slot by beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Casablanca. Captain Mahrez converted from the penalty spot midway through the first half and Algeria then held on
Supermaxis Master Lock Comanche and defending champions LawConnect yesterday continued their close duel on the second day of the 80th running of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Just over 27 hours into the race that began on Friday in Sydney Harbour and is to end on the island state of Tasmania, Comanche had a 4 nautical mile (7.4km) lead over LawConnect. LawConnect was forced to contend with a broken mainsheet and halyard overnight, but fixed both issues and remained in pursuit of Comanche, which is skippered by Matt Allen and James Mayo. “We had a few things slow us down and Comanche’s
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