Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Lelo MzacaIn the news

A Colourful Life Cut Short: Tribute to Owen Ndlovu

South Africa mourns the tragic loss of former SABC Sports presenter and music rights activist Owen Ndlovu, who was found dead in Thokoza after being hijacked and kidnapped in…

Safa elections – politics vs business

As the South African Football Association approaches its elective congress, incumbent Danny Jordaan faces a major challenge from businessman and AmaZulu FC owner Sandile Zungu in…

Pitso Mosimane returns as Bafana Bafana head coach

The South African Football Association has officially reappointed Pitso Mosimane as Bafana Bafana head coach, bringing back one of the continent's most decorated tacticians to…

Auctioning the soul of the World Cup

Fifa's controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, including the World Cup, has ignited fierce opposition from confederations, national associations, and fans…

The empty stands of WAFCON showcase neglect for women’s football in South Africa

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) should be a celebration of skill, resilience and the growing power of women’s football across the African continent. Instead, recent…

Trailblazer: A statue of Althea Gibson in Branch Brook Park, New Jersey. Photo: Supplied

The trailblazing legacy of black women in tennis

Explore the transformative impact of black women in tennis, from Althea Gibson's pioneering courage to the dominance of the Williams sisters and the rise of new stars. Discover…

Record-Breaking Ronaldo: The eternal goalscorer who defies history

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again rewritten the record books, becoming the first man to score in six different FIFA World Cups. This milestone is a testament to the Portuguese…

Lionel Messi: The undisputed GOAT

At 38, Lionel Messi is rewriting history at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, silencing doubters with five goals in two matches, including a hat-trick and a record-breaking brace. He's…

Bafana’s gritty draw reignites World Cup hopes

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Czechia in their second 2026 Fifa World Cup match. The result, marked by a late equaliser from star-player…

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team also saw red twice and will miss two key players for their second game. (@Bafana Bafana/X)

Bafana Bafana’s World Cup permutations: Time to fight and deliver

As South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, navigates the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America, the permutations for advancement from Group A are razor-sharp and unforgiving.…

The students planned to gather at Orlando Stadium on 16 June 1976, a vital hub for soccer in Soweto and a cornerstone of black community life under segregation.

The Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976: sport, resistance and global change

On June 16 1976, South Africa witnessed the explosive beginning of the Soweto Uprising, a student-led revolt that would shake the foundations of apartheid and echo across the…

Cracks emerge in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: From robbery to referee rows

The 2026 Fifa World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already facing significant challenges. Incidents like the robbery of the England national team and…