Ntuthuko Maphumulo
latest news & developmentsBig soccer teams disappoint
Africa’s traditional powerhouses are on the verge of elimination from next year’s World Cup soccer championships and some are even in danger of missing out on the African Nations…
Fifa loses catsuit claim
Soccer’s world governing body Fifa has lost its lawsuit against sportswear company Puma, which manufactured the catsuit — a one piece jersey and shorts suit — worn by the…
Give it up for the ladies
It is not Women’s Day, nor am I trying to curry any favour with the new editor of the <i>Mail & Guardian</i> who is female, but recognition should go where it is due this week.…
Shakes, and all hope, is gone
Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba was fired in an unusual fashion this week soon after being suspended for seven days — telephonically. There is now definitely no hope of South Africa…
Unpredictable, beautiful soccer
The South African Castle Premiership has drawn to the the end of the first half of the season and there are still no clear contenders or pretenders to the league title. But look…
When it rains, it pours
For the South African national soccer coaches, it does not rain but pours. This rings true when it comes to club versus country selections. What Bafana Bafana’s Ephraim "Shakes"…
A bumpy road for Bafana Bafana
The South African national coach’s final preparations before the Nations Cup next year in Tunisia have been dealt a heavy blow. Bafana Bafana were handed their first ever defeat…
The time is nigh
The days are rushing past, and so are the minutes and seconds before Bafana Bafana national coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba is set to announce his final 22 players for the Nations…
Clubs get high on Coke
South African soccer lovers — and the 16 Premier Soccer League club owners — are rubbing their hands in anticipation of some fine football and enormous rewards when the…
2010: A soccer odyssey
South Africa’s efforts to host the World Cup take a big step forward with the presentation this month of the "bid book". The reason for such optimism is the amount of work…
A chance to showcase the continent
The South African 2010 bid company has obtained sponsorship to the tune of R80-million to support its efforts to secure the World Cup. SABMiller is excited by this adventure and…
SA’s 13 jewels in the crown
The choice of venues is one of the most important things in bidding to host such a big tournament as the World Cup — and South Africa has top stadiums in abundance.
It’s all systems go for Safa
The South African Football Association (Safa) is hoping it will be in charge of hosting the 2010 World Cup in Africa and has mandated the 2010 bid company, led by CEO Danny…
Will real ANC stand up?
In his now famous interview with Irish radical Helena Sheehan, senior communist and African National Congress member Jeremy Cronin remarks that "the worst elements" in the ANC…