Peace in the Sudan is undoubtedly overdue. It is important for Sudan’s neighbouring countries. Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya harbour refugees from the long-running civil war. Uganda continues to encounter the terror and abductions perpetrated by the child soldiers of the Lord’s Resistance Army, which is based in southern Sudan.
Italian rider Ivan Basso of the CSC team won the 12th stage of the Tour de France, the first mountain stage held over 197,5km between Castelsarrasin and La Mongie on Friday. Lance Armstrong of the United States Postal team came in second, just one minute ahead of Frenchman Thomas Voeckler.
Three high-ranking soccer officials appeared in the Bloemfontein District Court on Friday in connection with match-fixing charges. The three were arrested as part of Operation Dribble, a police investigation into allegations of match-rigging in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League.
Halfway through the British Open, South Africa’s Retief Goosen is staying quietly in contention to win his third tournament in a row. The quiet game is exactly what Goosen employed last month to win the United States Open at Shinnecock Hills after four consistent, if unspectacular, rounds.
Brazil views its 2-1 loss to Paraguay as a helpful inconvenience ahead of its Copa Americana quarterfinal clash with Mexico on Sunday. Meanwhile, Peru will meet Argentina on Saturday, while reigning champions Colombia play Costa Rica. Paraguay takes on Urugauy on Sunday.
Chelsea has reportedly signed Portugal and Benfica midfielder Tiago Mendes to a four-year contract worth €12-million. Tiago signed the season-extendable contract in London on Thursday. The midfielder, signed to Benfica until 2007, is said to be leaving because of differences with new chief Jose Veiga.
The first to hit the heights of the Pyrenees, Friday’s 12th stage will show just how long Australian rider Stuart O’ Grady will hang on to his overall second place in the Tour de France. O’Grady is only three minutes behind Frenchman Thomas Voeckler in the general classification.
Mike Roach, the man who puts Mike Tyson through his paces, reckons the former world champion still has what it takes to again be a contender in the heavyweight division. Tyson is currently honing himself for a July 30 fight against no-name British slugger Danny Williams in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Bledisloe Cup is on the line Saturday when Australia and New Zealand meet in the first Tri-Nations match of the season. Australia are sitting pretty as the All Blacks engage in deep soul-searching to regain their mental toughness as Australian coach Eddie Jones brings out the verbals.
Western Province and Free State will close South Africa’s premier schools rugby tournament when they meet in the final game at Nelspruit on Saturday. Province are on course for a hat-trick over the Free Staters, who they have beaten in two Craven Week finals in two years.