Andrew Thompson
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/ 27 March 2008

Benni breaks record as SA crush Paraguay

Benni 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.

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/ 25 March 2008

‘Rock bottom’ Bafana tackle Paraguay

Seldom 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.

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/ 4 February 2008

Elephants trample Guinea into dust

Côte 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.

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/ 30 January 2008

Antelopes ready for another Cup leap

The 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.

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/ 26 January 2008

No place for hero Van Heerden

There 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.

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/ 23 January 2008

Van Heerden helps SA snatch a draw

Elrio 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.

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/ 22 January 2008

Angola striker has United on his mind

Thousands 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.