SportsNews

Now Alan Hansen adds an MBE to his list of honours

Published

6 months ago

March 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Just a few months ago, he was fighting for his life in hospital.

But former Scotland footballer Alan Hansen was amongst those to be honoured at an investiture at Windsor Castle yesterday.

Mr Hansen, the former Liverpool defender and long-time Match of the Day pundit, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to football and broadcasting.

He joined Liverpool from Partick Thistle in 1977 and won three European Cups, eight league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups in 620 appearances for the Anfield side.

Mr Hansen, 69, was discharged from hospital last June after Liverpool said he was ‘seriously ill’.

Hansen, nicknamed Jocky, won a long list of honours: Eight First Division league titles, three European Cups and two FA cups.

He also won 26 caps for Scotland and played for his country at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Alan Hansen was amongst those to be honoured at an investiture at Windsor Castle

Mr Hansen made more than 600 appearances for Liverpool

After retirement, Hansen spent another 20 years as a pundit for the BBC. Memorable moments included his infamous 1995 comment on Match of the Day that ‘You can’t win anything with kids’ about Liverpool’s big rivals Manchester United’s ‘Class of ‘92’.

The players on the receiving end, including Paul Scholes and David Beckham, then unknown and newly promoted to the first team, went on to prove him wrong by winning the title that season.

Retiring from television in 2014, Hansen declared: ‘I’ve been in football for 41 years and I’m going out right at the top, just as I did at Liverpool.’

Others honoured at the ceremony included DJ Steve Lamacq, who has hosted a number of awards ceremonies and won accolades including the special recognition gongs at the AIM Independent Music Awards and the Sony Radio Academy Awards, both in 2013.

Two-time Olympic champion rower Helen Glover was also made an OBE at the Windsor Castle ceremony.

At the 2012 Olympics, in partnership with Heather Stanning, Glover won the gold medal in the women’s coxless pairs, which was the inaugural gold medal won by Team GB.

Ms Glover, 38, was coaxed back for the Paris Olympics after giving birth to twins in January 2020.

After learning of the honour, Ms Glover said: ‘I was determined that this Olympic journey would lead to winning a medal in front of three children and I felt supported by the parenting community.

‘It makes me very proud to be recognised for trying to make a difference within this space.’

SportsNews

Serie A: Atalanta coach Juric confirms Lookman available to face Torino

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed Ademola Lookman is available for Sunday’s Serie A clash with Torino.

Juric however said the Nigeria international is not in his best physical condition.

Lookman trained with his Atalanta teammates for the first time on Thursday, since pushing to join Inter Milan during the transfer window.

The 27-year-old is yet to feature for the Bergamo club this season.

The winger however made two appearances for Nigeria two weeks ago.

Juric disclosed that Lookman was warmly received on his return to the squad.

“He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,” Juric told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“He’s not in the best condition given that he’s been training alone up until now. He did very well in training (on Friday).”

SportsNews

UCL: What Alonso said about Mourinho ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid clash

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso has insisted that it will be “special” for new Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho when both teams clash in the UEFA Champions League in the coming months.

Mourinho was recently appointed as Benfica’s new manager after he was sacked by Fenerbahce.

However, the 62-year-old is now set to face his former club, Real Madrid, in the league phase of the Champions League on January 28, 2026.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Espanyol on Saturday, Alonso said of Mourinho (via Madrid Xtra on X): “Playing against Mourinho? I had the chance to face him when he was at Roma and I was at Leverkusen.

“It will be special for him. It was three very intense years, very important. He has a huge affection for this club.”

Mourinho has faced Alonso in the Europa League in the past during his time at AS Roma.

The Portuguese led Roma to beat Bayer Leverkusen under the guidance of Alonso in the past.

SportsNews

2026 WCQ: South Africa confirm they are under FIFA investigation as Benin, Nigeria wait

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Lydia Monyepao, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association, SAFA, has confirmed they have received communication from FIFA over an investigation into the Teboho Mokoena suspension saga.

The world football governing body has written to Bafana Bafana, demanding an explanation as to how Mokoena played against Lesotho in March this year.

The midfielder was ineligible to feature in the 2026 World Cup qualifier having picked up two yellow cards.

FIFA’s investigation could now overturn South Africa’s 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat.

“We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said via Idiski Times.

“So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee which is ultimately required of us as an association…”

With two games left to play, Nigeria occupy third spot in Group C with 11 points, trailing South Africa, who have 17 points, and Benin Republic on 14 points.

Both Benin and Nigeria will be eagerly awaiting FIFA’s verdict on the matter.