Sports

Favourite South Africa suffer shock defeat to Netherlands at 2023 Cricket World Cup

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2023

South Africa, which has been punters’ favourite to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup, was on Wednesday stunned by outsiders Netherlands in a shock 38-run defeat to end her unbeaten run in the World Cup in Dharamsala, India.

In a match reduced to 43 overs by rain, the Proteas’ bowling effort unravelled after a dominant start, allowing the Dutch to post 245-8.

While captain Scott Edwards’ unbeaten 78 led a remarkable recovery from 82-5, the African team slipped from 36-0 to 44-4 and were eventually bundled out for 207 in the last over.

The victory was Netherlands’ first win of the tournament, and the first time they had beaten a test-playing nation at a 50-over World Cup.

While the South African batting effort was disappointing, it was the bowling performance at the end of the Netherlands’ innings that started their demise which saw their discipline slipped as Edwards counter-attacked alongside lower-order batters Roelof van der Merwe, who made a 19-ball 29, and Aryan Dutt, who hit three sixes in his 23 not out, with the Netherlands blitzing 105 runs from the last 9.1 overs.

South Africa were visibly frustrated as they left the field at the halfway mark, but they were still favourites given their greater experience and form leading in to the game after thrashing Australia and Sri Lanka.

While the result was a shock, South Africa are still in a decent position to qualify for the knockouts, having beaten Australia and Sri Lanka, and will look to bounce back against England in Mumbai on Saturday.

Related Topics:Cricket World Cup Featured South Africa. Netherlands

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Sports

Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

Published

17 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

3 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)