In his prime, German legend Franz Beckenbauer was considered the finest player ever to grace a football field. Although a sweeper, he was nonetheless a dominant figure in the field and stood head and shoulders above his peers due to his elegance and leadership qualities that shone through in every match. The man had skill, vision...
Jamaica, 20 degrees North of the Equator was for more than 250 years a land of slavery as millions of Africans were shipped in galleys to work on sugar plantations. Coromantees, Yorubas and Ibos reached Jamaica in their thousands – the largest forced migration in human history. Those who survived the appalling conditions of the trans-Atlantic...
I was taken aback by the bleating of Jeridi Rami after the Tunisians had lost 2-0 to Orlando Pirates in the CAF Cup at Orlando Stadium. I wondered if this was sour grapes or an attempt to cover his embarrassment at losing to a team they had initially underrated. Mind you, it's not the first time...
By Thomas Kwenaite Ernest “Wire” Mtawali was considered among the finest if not most elegant player ever to grace local football fields, bossing first the Bloemfontein Celtic and later the Mamelodi Sundowns midfield that he reminded many followers about the legendary former Dutch star Ruud Gullit. In fact, there were so many similarities between the two; their...
By Thomas Kwenaite Lerato Lamola of Bloemfontein Celtic 2015 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix In an era where the majority of his peers in the Premier Soccer League spent their leisure time either cruising around in the latest German sedans or strolling at shopping malls, Bloemfontein Celtic striker Lerato Lamola would rather engage in social projects aimed to uplift his...
By Thomas Kwenaite Thamsanqa Gabuza has overcome painful taunts from a section of Buccaneers fans who were convinced that he was not “Orlando Pirates material” and not good enough to wear the famous black and white to become a key figure in the Soweto team’s go-to man in Africa. This week, news filtering out of the Parktown...
Thamas KwenaiteAfrica IndyPicture:Bhekikhaya Mabaso I hate to sound negative. I even hate sounding racist for that matter. But I confess to get hot under the collar when European clubs impose their condescending attitude towards African federations and treat the continent like we are backward and to a large degree still need the European to take us...
A month ago, I took a leisurely drive to Burghersfort. I was impressed by a massive dam that has sprung up in the area as it could assist the people during these trying times of drought, past huge mining compounds and admired a beautiful casino called Thaba Moshate as you enter the city. At the T-junction,...
By Thomas Kwenaite Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Mamelodi Sundowns during theAbsa Premiership 2013/14 match between Free State Stars and Mamelodi Sundowns at Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwa Qwa on the 18 March 2014©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Ramahlwe Mphahlele is convinced he became a professional footballer by accident. Growing up in the village of Ga-Mphahlele he dreamt of ascending the corporate...
By Thomas Kwenaite SA sprint sensation Wayde Van Niekerk was crowned 2015 Sports Star of the Year and Sportsman of the Year in Bloemfontein No sooner had Wayde Van Niekerk swept the boards by snatching a hat trick of awards at the Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein than he was revealing his ambition to win another...
