Sonny Side of Sports - VOA Africa

Tunisian football fans celebrated their team recently in front of the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock in Doha, Qatar.

Wednesday marks 18 days to the kick-off of football's premier event. The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia will be making their sixth World Cup appearance.

On Wednesday's show, Sonny talks with VOA colleague Muqbil Yabarow about Tunisia's top players; the team's chances of beating Australia, Denmark and defending world champion France in group play; and Tunisia's close cultural and economic ties with World Cup host Qatar.

The Black Stars of Ghana will be making their fourth World Cup appearance at this month's big international football competition in Qatar.

Yaw Ofosu Larbi kicks off Tuesday's show with a report on Ghana's head coach, Otto Addo, who played for the Black Stars at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Also on the program, Sonny gives a Sonny Side of Sports birthday salute to South African golf star Gary Player, who is celebrating his 87th birthday on this Tuesday.

Kenya’s Brimin Misoi clocked 2:06:11 to win the 2022 Frankfurt Marathon on Sunday afternoon. He speaks to Sonny Side of Sports reporter Andy Edwards about the race.  Plus, Waheed Akanni, a former member of Nigeria's National soccer team, projects that the African teams competing at the World Cup to perform better this year.

These stories and more on today’s show.

VOA's Sonny Young brings you the latest sports news and trends as well as questions and comments from sports fans around Africa and the world.

South Africa's head coach, Desiree Ellis (in photo), describes her team's draw for next year's Women's World Cup football tournament as reasonable.

Others say it's a "Group of Death," with Sweden, Italy and Argentina much stronger teams than the South African women, the reigning African champions.

Darren Taylor kicks off Thursday's Sonny Side of Sports show with a report from Johannesburg that includes reaction from Coach Ellis and a top South African football official.

Dosu Joseph won a gold medal as Nigeria's goalkeeper at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Just a year later, at the age of 23, his football career ended after a serious car accident in Lagos almost left him paralyzed.

Joseph credits his wife with helping him walk again, and in recent years, he's worked as a football analyst and a football coach.

On Wednesday's Sonny Side of Sports show, Joseph says he believes Ghana and Senegal have the best chance of advancing to the knockout stage in the upcoming FIFA World Cup football tournament in Qatar.

Tuesday's show includes a Sonny Side of Sports birthday salute for Hall of Fame basketball player Dave Cowens, shown here making a hook shot over New York Knicks player John Gianelli in 1974.

Cowens is celebrating his 74th birthday. He won two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 1973.

Tuesday also marks 26 days to the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup football tournament in Qatar. Tourism officials in the country promise fans will be treated to very pleasant weather and unique experiences inside and outside stadiums. VOA's Gwen Outen has a feature.

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi celebrates his 55th minute goal for Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 win Saturday over visiting Liverpool.

On Monday's show, Prince Nesta will have a spicy package of weekend European club football highlights that includes reaction from Awoniyi.

Also, Sonny will talk with VOA colleague Muqbil Yabarow about Senegal's World Cup-bound football team. Their discussion details Senegal's top players, head coach Aliou Cisse and whether the reigning African champions can better their 2002 World Cup performance when they reached the quarterfinals.

Uganda joins the Unites States and other nations in commemorating White Cane Safety Day which focuses on the achievements of the visually impaired community.

On Friday’s show, we give a Sonny Side of Sports salute to 24-year-old Musafaru Jagwe (squatting in the photo) who lost his sight at age seven however has brought hope to Uganda’s visually impaired community through blind football.

Mugume Davis Rwakaringi has a feature on Jagwe from Kampala and explains how blind football is played in Uganda.

Thursday's Sonny Side of Sports show tips off with Sharon Allela, the Partnerships & Media Manager for the Giants of Africa Foundation.

For nearly 20 years, the foundation has worked to build the basketball skills of boys and girls throughout Africa. She talks about the foundation's mission and gender balance in its developmental camps.

Also on the program, VOA's Gwen Outen will have a report on the draw for the 2023 Women's World Cup football tournament, which will be held Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand.