'Rock bottom' Bafana tackle Paraguay
Andrew ThompsonSeldom has a friendly international meant so much to 2010 Soccer World Cup hosts South Africa as that against Paraguay on Wednesday. Underperforming Bafana Bafana need a win to silence a growing band of critics, led by Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile, Parliament sports committee chairperson Butana Komphela and several top first-division coaches.
Elephants trample Guinea into dust
Andrew ThompsonCôte d'Ivoire overwhelmed Guinea in the closing stages to triumph 5-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations Cup quarterfinal on Sunday and equal the record winning margin for the tournament. Next up for Côte d'Ivoire are either defending champions Egypt or dark horses Angola in the semifinals on Thursday.
Rainbow nation looks for gold in Beijing
Andrew ThompsonSA go into their fifth Olympic Games since sporting isolation with their medal hopes once again pinned on their swimmers and track and field athletes.
Angola striker has United on his mind
Andrew ThompsonThousands of kilometres separate Tamale Stadium in northern Ghana from Old Trafford in England. But as Angola striker Mateus "Manucho" Goncalves prepares for an Africa Cup of Nations Group D first-round showdown with South Africa on Wednesday, Manchester United will inevitably be on his mind.
No place for hero Van Heerden
Andrew ThompsonThere is unlikely to be a place in the starting line-up for South Africa hero Elrio van Heerden when they tackle Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Van Heerden, who plays for Belgian club Bruges, came off the bench three days ago to score one of the best goals in the biennial tournament.
Etoile and Sfaxien seek historic African triumph
Andrew ThompsonEtoile Sahel or title holders CS Sfaxien will create history on Saturday by becoming the first club to win the African Confederation Cup twice.
Benni breaks record as SA crush Paraguay
Andrew ThompsonBenni McCarthy created a record and South Africa equalled one as they outclassed Paraguay 3-0 in a lively international friendly on Wednesday. Blackburn Rovers striker McCarthy headed the crucial second goal two minutes after half-time at Super Stadium near Pretoria to overtake retired Shaun Bartlett and become the leading national team scorer with 30 goals.
Antelopes ready for another Cup leap
Andrew ThompsonThe continuous rise of Angola into an African force could reach a new level on Thursday in a top-of-the-table Africa Sup of Nations Group D showdown with leaders Tunisia. A draw will ensure the Palancas Negras of a place in the knockout phase of the biennial tournament for the first time.
Falling in love with the slow cycles of Zanzibar
Andrew ThompsonYou don't have to go on a luxury package tour to enjoy what this tropical Tanzanian island has to offer
Van Heerden helps SA snatch a draw
Andrew ThompsonElrio van Heerden scored two minutes from full-time to salvage a 1-1 draw for South Africa against Angola on Wednesday in another 2008 African Nations Cup Group D thriller. No team arrived in Ghana more desperate to impress than South Africa after descending from champs to chumps in a 12-year freefall.
