Uganda wins over Nigerians

Kampala (Uganda) Two well taken penalty kicks by the Uganda Cranes’ skipper Ibrahim Ssekagya and South Africa-based David Obua were enough to hand Uganda a well deserved win over Nigerian Super Eagles at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala Saturday afternoon, during the return leg of African Cup of Nations qualifying rounds.

Determined to avenge a controversial defeat by the Nigerians at Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta last march following a disallowed goal by the Senegalese referee, the Cranes came from one goal behind by the French first division professional John Utaka ,to trounce the Eagles before a 45,000 fan base.

Two fouls against Uganda’s Egypt-based Geofrey Massa, who missed the Abeokuta match, led to the two penalties being awarded by the Egyptian referee. The strict referee also sent out a Ugandan Noah Kasule for a second bookable offence.

Kampala was full of celebrations over a rare defeat against the Nigerian side characterised by the famed premiership professionals. The English Premiership Portsmouth striker Nwanko Kanu captained the Eagles side while Sekagya led the Cranes.

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)/ African Press International (API) africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa

Twenty two year old, Kelen Allen-Harris, from Tennessee, was on Saturday crowned Miss Black USA

Banjul (The Gambia) Twenty two year old, Kelen Allen-Harris, from Tennessee, was on Saturday crowned Miss Black USA after she won the 20th edition of Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant at the Senegambia Beach Hotel in Banjul, the Gambian capital.

At a well attended competition graced by the presence of Gambian Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs, Isatou Njie Saidy, who is also chairperson of the local organising committee for the event, as well as by cabinet ministers, diplomats and many distinguished personalities, 36 black beauty queens from different states of the United States of America, for the first time in the 20 year history of the pageant, vied for the coveted crown at a venue outside the United States.

Allen-Harris was chosen from a final list of five contestants. The other four who followed were Chenva Greeve, from New Jersey, as the first runner up ; Clentha Samuel, from Virgin Islands, second runner up ; Hennica Manning, from Georgia, third runner up and Andrea Reynolds, from Kentucky, as the fourth runner up.

The competition, which went through different elimination stages from 36 to 16 and the final 5 contestants, lasted from 10 p.m. on Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday morning. The contestants displayed their talents, turned out in evening dress and showed their fitness for the crown while being judged by a select group from the US and The Gambia.

At the end of it all, the winning queen told journalists that it was amazing for her to emerge as the winner. She also noted that at the contest, “black people are celebrated and not degraded” and that had given her the courage to contest in the 2007 pageant.

Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy said The Gambia was gratified to be host of Miss Black USA 2007, while the Tourism Minister, Angela Colley pointed to the event’s significance, adding that The Gambia was grateful for being given the opportunity to be the first country to host the occasion outside the US.

Published by Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)/ African Press International (API) africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa