Sports

FIFA World Cup trophy on global tour, arrives South Africa after visit to Kenya

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2022

The FIFA World Cup trophy, which is on a global tour of 51 countries, has arrived in South Africa after it touched down in Kenya last week.

The 18-carat golden trophy, which is considered the most expensive and significant in modern-day sport, is on a world tour of 51 countries including the 32 nations that have qualified for the 2022 edition in Qatar later this year.

The highly coveted trophy touched down at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg in the company of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winner, Juliano Belletti amongst other notable names.

“It’s a special moment indeed, quite excited and nervous as well. Not many people get the opportunity to see the World Cup trophy,” said Siphiwe Tshabalala, a former South African midfielder who did the sensational 2010 FIFA World Cup opening goal at Africa’s first-ever World Cup 12 years ago.

Siphiwe Tshabalala celebrating the opening goal with team mates at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“I will be rooting for all the five countries, they are not only representing themselves, but they are representing the continent as well and it’s high time that we have an African team in the World Cup going all the way,” said Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Five African countries, Senegal, Cameroun, Ghana, Tunisia, and Morocco will be representing the continent later this year at the FIFA World cup tournament in Qatar.

“Going into the field and seeing the stadium packed and then everyone celebrating with one voice, and then the most one that’s obviously us scoring that goal, ‘Shabba’ scoring the goal and everyone celebrating in one voice. For me those are the moments that I will never forget,” said Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who also played at the 2010 World Cup.

The gold-plated trophy with bands of malachite on its base stands 36.8 centimeters high and weighs 6.1 kilograms (30,875 carats).

Related Topics:Featured FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup

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Sports

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

Published

3 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of players.

A statement by the management of the top South African team said the 44-year-old Tshabalala, who has been in charge of Sundowns’s women’s team for over a decade, has been accused of a number of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual comments to his players, as well as entering the dressing room and refusing to leave while players are completely naked.

In a statement released on Saturday, Sundowns said they had appointed a law firm to investigate the allegations against the coach with specific instructions to unravel allegations of improper conduct by the Tshabalala.

The club said it views the allegations in a very serious light and has relieved the coach of his appointment pending when the investigations are concluded.

“Sundowns has, in the interim, put Coach Jerry Tshabalala on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the club statement said.

“This is not done to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, but to ensure that the investigation can proceed expeditiously and protect the rights of all parties.

“In the event that the investigation establishes facts that warrant action, the Board will immediately take such steps as are appropriate.

“Mamelodi Sundowns will in due course make announcements on the findings of the investigation and the action to be taken,” the statement concluded.

The Sundowns female team have been a dominant force in women’s football in South Africa and on the continent since Tshabalala took over in 2012, winning seven domestic league titles, as well as two CAF Women’s Champions League crowns.

Sports

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in the latest FIFA world ranking for the month of December.

According to the rankings published by the world football governing body, Nigeria remains unchanged from its previous position, despite having a challenging international break.

The FIFA rankings also reveal that Nigeria suffered a significant decline this year, dropping eight places to end 2024 ranked 44th globally.

The decline follows disappointing performances during the final AFCON qualifiers for 2025, where the Super Eagles struggled against the Benin Republic and Rwanda, resulting in a lack of wins.

However, some of the Super Eagles bitter rivals like South Africa’s Bafana Bafana experienced a resurgence, climbing three positions to finish the year ranked 57th in the world, showing a marked improvement in their recent form and successful matches during the qualifiers.

It was a woeful year for West African rivals Ghana who ended the year in 77th position, which highlights the challenges the Black Stars have encountered in the outgoing year in its bid to maintain its positions among Africa’s elite teams.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan national football team, the Atlas Lion, retained its 14th position in the in the world while still maintaining its number one spot in Africa, holding the first position for the third year in a row.

In the world ranking, Morocco is followed by Senegal on 17th position, Egypt, 33rd, Algeria 37th, Nigeria, 44th, Côte d’Ivoire, 46th, Cameroon, 49th, Mali, 51st, and Tunisia in the 52nd position.

Top 10 African teams in 2024

1. Morocco – (14th)

2. Senegal – (17th)

3. Egypt – (33rd)

4. Algeria – (37th)

5. Nigeria – (44th)

6. Côte d’Ivoire – (46th)

7. Cameroon – (49th)

8. Mali – (51st )

9. Tunisia – (52nd)

10. South Africa – (57th)