Jovial Rantao - The African Mirror

Jul

23

2025

Heartbreak and Heroics: Defending champions fall as Morocco and Nigeria set up dream final

WAFCON

THE dust has settled on two titanic battles that will be remembered for years to come, as defending champions South Africa crashed out in heartbreak while hosts Morocco defied the odds to reach their second consecutive final. When the final whistle blows on Saturday in Rabat, it will be the Atlas Lionesses facing Nigeria's Super Falcons in what promises to be a spectacular conclusion to a tournament that has captured the imagination of African football. In what was billed as "the final before the final," Nigeria delivered a masterclass in tournament football, stunning defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a…

Jul

20

2025

By Jovial Rantao

WAFCON2024: Four of Africa’s football queens ready for a battle for the finals

WAFCON

THE dust has settled, the pretenders have fallen, and now only the true royalty of African women's football remains standing. Four magnificent teams have clawed their way through the unforgiving gauntlet of the CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, each carrying the dreams of a nation and the weight of continental glory on their shoulders. This is where legends are born and dynasties are forged. On Tuesday, the footballing gods will witness two seismic semifinal clashes that promise to shake the very foundations of the beautiful game. At the majestic Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Morocco's Atlas Lionesses…

Jul

15

2025

By Jovial Rantao

WAFCON2025: Champions assert dominance as knockout stage takes shape

WAFCON

THE defending champions sent a thunderous message to the rest of the continent as South Africa demolished Mali 4-0 in a masterclass performance that sealed their place atop Group C and announced their serious intent to retain the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations crown. Banyana Banyana were ruthless from the opening whistle, with Lebohang Ramalepe striking a psychological blow just five minutes in. The forward's composed right-footed finish into the top right corner immediately established South Africa's dominance and left Mali's defence scrambling for answers that would never come. The champions' clinical edge was on full display when…

Jul

12

2025

By Jovial Rantao

Tanzania stun defending champions in WAFCON thriller as Group C hangs in balance

WAFCON

TANZANIA delivered a stunning performance to hold defending champions South Africa to a dramatic 1-1 draw in the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, throwing Group C wide open with just one round of fixtures remaining. The result leaves South Africa and Mali deadlocked on four points each at the top of the group, while Tanzania and Ghana remain tied on one point apiece in a group where any of the four teams could still advance to the quarterfinals. Tanzania shocked Banyana Banyana in the 24th minute when Opah Clement rose unmarked to power home a header from close…

Jul

10

2025

By Jovial Rantao

“Africa must criminalise trade in substandard, fake medicines to stop deaths”

AUDA-NEPAD

A leading African academic has called on governments across the Continent to take urgent and concrete steps to combat the proliferation of substandard and fake medicines, which have caused thousands of deaths and billions in economic losses across the continent. In a keynote address to the AUDA-NEPAD Working Group on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products (SFMPs), Professor Eliangiringa Kaale from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences called for criminalising the SFMP trade and implementing stiffer penalties, among other measures. Kaale emphasized that to secure Africa's medicine supply by 2030, the continent must properly finance national regulatory bodies and ratify…

Jul

10

2025

By Jovial Rantao

WAFCON 2024: Thrilling night of drama as Zambia, Morocco secure crucial victories

WAFCON

IN a night that will be remembered for its breathtaking action and nerve-shredding drama, Zambia's Copper Queens delivered a masterclass in resilience, overcoming a spirited Senegal side 3-2 in what may prove to be the defining match of their TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Fresh from their frustrating 2-2 draw with hosts Morocco, Zambia arrived at the stadium with desperation etched across their faces - and it showed in every tackle, every sprint, and every moment of magic that followed. But it was Senegal who drew first blood, stunning the title contenders with a lightning-quick opener that…

Jun

10

2025

By Jovial Rantao

APR and Petro de Luanda storm into BAL semifinals with dominant quarterfinal victories

BASKETBALL

TWO continental powerhouses punched their tickets to the Basketball Africa League semifinals Tuesday night, as Rwanda's APR demolished Nigeria's Rivers Hoopers 104-73 and defending champions Petro de Luanda of Angola overcame Tunisia's US Monastir 95-84 at SunBet Arena. APR's explosive offensive display left Rivers Hoopers reeling from the opening tip. The Rwandan squad shot a blistering 50 percent from three-point range and an even more impressive 62.5 percent from the field, turning what many expected to be a competitive quarterfinal into a 31-point rout. Nuni Omot spearheaded APR's balanced attack with 21 points, while Aliou Diarra dominated both ends of…

Jun

10

2025

By Jovial Rantao

JAECOO J7 SHS: The Future of electrified adventure has arrived

MOTORING

THE automotive landscape in South Africa just shifted into a higher gear. JAECOO has unleashed the J7 SHS – a revolutionary plug-in hybrid SUV that doesn't just promise the future of sustainable motoring, it delivers it with breathtaking power and unprecedented sophistication. This isn't just another hybrid. This is automotive evolution in action. Pure Electric Thrills, Unlimited Adventures Picture this: 90 kilometers of whisper-quiet, zero-emission driving through the heart of Johannesburg, followed by an epic 1,200+ kilometer journey to the Garden Route – all without a single fuel stop. The J7 SHS transforms how South Africans think about electric mobility,…

May

18

2025

By Jovial Rantao

Max Verstappen Conquers Imola: A thrilling tale of speed and skill

SPORT

THE sun-dappled hills of Imola trembled with anticipation as the 2025 Formula One circus rolled into town for a Grand Prix that would be etched in memory. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, steeped in racing history, set the stage for a race brimming with drama, daring, and dazzling displays of driving mastery. As the lights went out, the air crackled with tension. Oscar Piastri, the Australian sensation leading the championship, sat on pole, but it was Max Verstappen who delivered the masterstroke. With the reflexes of a panther, Verstappen launched his Red Bull off the line, slicing past Piastri…

Apr

23

2025

By Jovial Rantao

New Chinese SUV brand makes South African debut with urban-adventure crossovers

MOTORING NEWS

JETOUR has officially entered the competitive South African SUV market with the launch of two versatile models designed to capitalize on the nation's growing preference for crossover vehicles. The Chinese automaker introduced its Dashing and X70 Plus models to South African consumers amid a broader market trend that saw SUVs and crossovers claim nearly half of all passenger vehicle sales in 2024, despite an overall decline in new vehicle purchases nationwide. The Jetour Dashing, a five-seater SUV, features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine generating 115 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. Equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel…