SPORT - The African Mirror

Feb

02

2021

Why Bafana haven’t repeated their 1996 success

SPORT

BAFANA Bafana’s triumph at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) held the promise of a new era, one in which the sleeping giant of the continent rose to rival traditional titans Nigeria, Cameroon and the Arab nations to the north. But two and a half decades on, it remains their only success. Bafana Bafana’s fortunes declined slowly at first, then hastened to the point where they are now barely considered outsiders for the biannual continental crown. As FNB Stadium swayed in jubilation at the 2-0 win over Tunisia in the 1996 final and beaming president Nelson Mandela handed the…

Feb

01

2021

By The African Mirror

The Jake White Effect on champion Bulls

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SOUTH African rugby franchise the Blue Bulls lifted the trophy as Currie Cup champions for the first time since 2009, completing their climb to the summit of South African rugby. The Pretoria franchise dramatically defeated the Cell-C Sharks 26-19 in a hard-fought Currie Cup final. A season of twists and turns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic delivered one of the most thrilling Currie Cup finals in recent memory and the longest such encounter of all-time. The weather extended the fixture after a lightning warning took teams to the sidelines in the 25th minute. The Sharks ran ahead,…

Feb

01

2021

By The African Mirror

Enzo wins Virtual F1 GP

SPORT, E-SPORTS

BOITUMELO RANTAO FORMULA One’s digital race series, which emerged during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, returns for a three instalment championship series, acting as a preface to the season. Haas driver Enzo Fittipaldi took race honours after a nail-biting final lap brawl with Ferrari Driver Academy driver Arthur Leclerc, brother of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc. Enzo’s brother Pietro Fittipaldi, who contended for Haas towards the conclusion of the 2020 F1 season, finished in a respectable fifth. Williams duo George Russell and Nicholas Latifi had hopes to impress in the days leading up to the race.…

Feb

08

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton and Mercedes continue love affair

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FORMULA One titans Mercedes AMG and seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton have reached an agreement for the 2021 F1 season after months of negotiations. Hamilton will be entering into his 9th season with the German manufacturer and IS looking forward to building on their dominant relationship. "I am excited to be heading into my ninth season with my Mercedes teammates," said Hamilton, "Our team has achieved incredible things together and we look forward to building on our success even further, while continuously looking to improve, both on and off the track." Hamilton remained committed to creating a…

Feb

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Al Ahly set target on top stage

SPORT

AL AHLY head coach Pitso Mosimane has set his team’s sights on claiming the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) held in Qatar. “It always looks impossible, until it is done” said the South African boss. Mosimane made his debut appearance at the tournament in 2016 with then South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns. After exiting the tournament in its early stages Mosimane has returned, and he has high hopes with the Egyptian side. The African champions faced Al Duhair in their opening tournament fixture and arised 1-0 victors in the clash. Al Ahly, with 60 million fans…

Aug

06

2021

By The African Mirror

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal

SPORT

Ujiri and Raptors agree on new deal BOITUMELO RANTAO MASAI Ujiri arrived in Toronto in 2013 and, after growing his reputation as one of the most sought after executives in professional basketball, has been named vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors, the only National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Canada, had the pleasure of winning the 2019 Championship with Ujiri at the helm. Ujiri is also a polarizing figure in basketball for his many acts of global philanthropy through his Giants of Africa organization. More recently, Ujiri has attended the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL)…

Feb

12

2021

By The African Mirror

African legend Yaya Toure takes up coaching

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER LEGENDARY African football player Yaya Toure, who hung up his boots recently after an illustrious career during which he won many awards, has started a new phase of his life - as a football coach. Toure has arrived in the Ukraine where he has joined the coaching staff at top club Olympic Donesk. “It’s great to be in the Ukraine to continue my coaching journey. Thank You to Olympic Donesk for the wonderful welcome. I am looking forward to passing my knowledge, helping the team and also continuing my learning here,” the former African Player of the…

Aug

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Messi’s tearful farewell to Barcelona

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER LIONEL Messi, the football megastar who brought smiles to millions of FC Barcelona fans burst into tears in an emotional farewell to a club he has known since he was a teenager. Messi delivered the emotional goodbye during his final press conference ahead of an expected move to French giants PSG. Messi told a media conference, attended by his family and past and present players at Barca that he did all he could to stay with the club he helped win 35 trophies: 'My contract was never the issue... What I know is that I did everything…

Aug

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Olympics-Giants fall, Crouser sets record, elbows in open water

SPORT

MITCH PHILLIPS and SUDIPTO GANGULY U.S. men continued to sputter on the athletics track at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, while kayaker Lisa Carrington became New Zealand's most decorated Olympian and American Ryan Crouser broke his own shot put world record. Jamaica's Hansle Parchment stunned viewers and himself with an upset win over the overwhelming favourite, Grant Holloway from the United States, in the 110 metres hurdles. The Americans individually remain bereft of a running gold - a prize they have won every time they have entered since the inaugural 1896 Games. A bedraggled U.S. 4x100 metres performance added to…

Aug

05

2021

By The African Mirror

Kenya, Uganda win Olympic gold medals

SPORT

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER KENYA and Uganda have delivered more medals for Africa - two gold, a silver and a bronze - at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Kenya won the gold and silver in the 800m when Emmanuel Korir won the men's final in 1:45.06, ahead of teammate Ferguson Rotich, the race favourite, who came in second at 1:45.23. The bronze medal went to Poland's Patryk Dobek who finished the race in 1:45.39. Uganda's Peruth Chemutai made history when she won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase and became the first woman in her country to win an Olympic…