SPORT - The African Mirror

Jun

27

2025

From Rumbek to Riches: Khaman Maluach’s meteoric rise

BASKETBALL

THE lights blazed bright at Brooklyn's Barclays Centre on Thursday night, but none shone brighter than the smile that spread across Khaman Maluach's face when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called his name as the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In that electric moment, history was made – not just for the towering South Sudanese centre, but for an entire continent that has watched one of its own reach unprecedented heights. A Desert Rose Blooms in Brooklyn Standing at 7'2" with the grace of a gazelle and the determination of a lion, Maluach has become the highest-drafted former…

Jun

21

2025

By The African Mirror

Siakam’s masterclass forces historic game 7 as Pacers stun Thunder to keep championship dreams alive

BASKETBALL

THE Indiana Pacers, led by Cameroonian star Pascal Siakam, delivered a commanding 108-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals, levelling the series at 3-3 and setting the stage for a thrilling winner-take-all Game 7. Siakam was instrumental in the Pacers' triumph, posting a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, including a highlight-reel dunk over Thunder defenders that electrified the home crowd and symbolised his relentless impact throughout the series. Despite the spotlight often shining on Tyrese Haliburton, who battled through a calf injury to contribute 14 points and five assists, Siakam's…

Jun

21

2025

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: Temba Bavuma silences the critics with historic Mace win – “All the people that doubted me will reveal themselves”

SPORT

TEMBA Bavuma, South Africa’s first Black African Test captain, has never had it easy. Criticised, doubted, and labelled unfairly throughout much of his career, he has now delivered the ultimate response and not through words, but with a trophy. For the first time in 27 years, South Africa has brought home an ICC trophy, lifting the Test Championship Mace and with it, writing a defining chapter in cricketing history. A Symbol Beyond Silverware “[Winning the Mace] means a lot,” Bavuma said following South Africa’s title win. “Someone asked me what’s special about this team. It’s that we’ve done things our…

Jun

21

2025

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: Akani Simbine eyes LA gold and insists the best is yet to come

ATHLETICS

AFTER a decade of carrying South African sprinting hopes on his shoulders, Akani Simbine is finally reaping the rewards of years of hard work—and with the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games 2028 on the horizon, his story may yet have more chapters to write. Simbine’s decade-long service as South Africa’s sprinting flag bearer is now delivering long-awaited results as he positions himself as a key figure for Team South Africa heading into Los Angeles (LA). With the drought for a major global medal finally over - following his Olympic and World Indoor Championships podium finishes - the future looks increasingly…

Jun

20

2025

By JOVIAL RANTAO

A Triumph Beyond the Boundary: South Africa’s historic World Test Championship victory

SPORT

IN the hallowed halls of Lord's Cricket Ground, where cricket legends are born and history is written, South Africa etched their name into immortality. South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets to win their maiden World Test Championship, but this victory transcends sport - it represents the triumph of a nation's spirit over its turbulent past. For a country that emerged from the shadows of apartheid, representation matters profoundly. Captain Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad stood at Lord's not just as cricket leaders, but as symbols of South Africa's ongoing transformation. Their presence at the pinnacle of world cricket…

Jun

19

2025

By MOGAMMAD SHARHIDD TALIEP

South Africa’s cricket team just made history: how the ‘chokers’ became world champions

SPORT

WHEN Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs at the “home of cricket” (Lord’s Cricket Ground in London) on 14 June, South Africa erupted in celebration. The Proteas had just claimed their first major cricket cup in history. And nothing less than the International Cricket Council World Test Championship at that, the premier international competition for five-day (test) cricket that’s played over two years. Branded as “chokers” for 26 years for underperforming or spoiling their advantage in crunch situations in major tournaments, the national men’s cricket team has transformed to become world champions. I’m a sports scientist with a focus on…

Jun

11

2025

By The African Mirror

Senegal’s Night of Glory: Historic 3-1 Triumph Over England

FOOTBALL

ON a balmy June evening at Nottingham’s City Ground, Senegal’s Teranga Lions made history, roaring past England with a 3-1 victory that will echo through African football for generations. This was not just a win; it was a seismic moment - the first time in 22 attempts that an African nation had conquered the Three Lions. England, under new manager Thomas Tuchel, started brightly. In the seventh minute, captain Harry Kane pounced on a spilled save from Édouard Mendy to notch his 73rd international goal, giving the hosts an early lead and sending the home crowd into raucous applause. But…

Jun

17

2025

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: SA’s WTC glory ‘puts old demons to bed’ – Van der Dussen on Steyn, AB and Proteas redemption

SPORT

Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen believes that winning the World Test Championship at Lord's last week will inspire the South African public to take the Proteas seriously again, and reckons that the victory has healed old wounds from former players Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, etc. The Impact Cricket in the country has had to endure a steep downfall in the recent past due to a host of different reasons, including the incompetent governance of the game at Cricket South Africa. As a result, the team has gone from having big sponsors to having none, as sponsors wanted to…

Jun

17

2025

By OLIVER OCHIENG, BIRD STORY AGENCY

African celebrities attend BAL finals in South Africa

BASKETBALL

SOUTH African rapper Lethabo Sebetso, popularly known as Focalistic, entertained the crowd as other entertainers, including Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Nomuzi, Khuli Chana, Robot Boii and Tbo Touch, followed the proceedings from the courtside. Former NBA players and stars were not left behind, as Al Ahli beat Angolan side Petro de Luanda 88-67 in a North versus South clash. Al Ahli went into the match as underdogs but eventually turned the tables on Petro de Luanda, in a classic case of debutants dethroning champions. Jean Jacques Boissy was named the tournament’s MVP after managing 12 points with two rebounds in the final,…

Jun

15

2025

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s historic cricket triumph: A new dawn at Lord’s

SPORT

SOUTH Africa’s cricket team has etched its name into sporting history, clinching their first ICC title in 27 years by defeating Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. This victory, following a flawless seven-game unbeaten run, is more than just a sporting achievement - it is a moment of profound national significance, echoing the unifying power of sport in South Africa’s journey of nation-building. Chasing a formidable target of 282 runs against a dominant Australian side, South Africa’s resolve was on full display. Aiden Markram’s memorable century and captain Temba Bavuma’s gritty performance - scoring…