Sports

Weeks after World Cup triumph, burglars break into South Africa rugby offices

Published

3 weeks ago

November 15, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Weeks after winning the Rugby World Cup trophy, burglars broke into Rugby Union’s headquarters in Cape Town.

However, the trophy is safe as it was not stolen.

South Africa won the Rugby World Cup on October 28 after beating New Zealand in Paris, becoming the first nation to win the tournament four times.

According to a spokesman for the Rugby Union, the burglary took place in the early hours of Tuesday with CCTV footage showing two men entering a room where various team trophies are stored and touching one of them.

“They leave it behind and instead steal whisky, five signed Springbok jerseys and eight laptops, along with items from other offices,” the spokesman said.

In another footage shared on X by a South African journalist, Yusuf Abramjee, one of the burglars is seen putting his gloved hand on a memorial trophy, lifting it slightly, before moving to the cupboards beneath it.

The police say the break-in happened at around 22:00 local time and Western Cape police were told of concerns that the trophy had been stolen.

“The police recorded two cases of business burglary after two incidents at the Tygerberg Office Park in Plattekloof,” the journalist said.

Local media reports that two well-dressed men entered the business park in a white Toyota Corolla. They then forced open a window on the ground floor to gain entry to the building and began searching for items.

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Sports

Zimbabwe seals last gasp winner over Ireland in T20 Series opener

Published

4 hours ago

December 8, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Host, Zimbabwe, started its 2023 T20 Series on a winning note after rallying back to defeat Ireland from 88-7 to 106-7 in their pursuit of an 118 to end the tie for victory, with the home side requiring 12 runs from as many deliveries at that point.

In the thrilling game played in Harare on Thursday, Ireland’s fightback was not enough as they fell just short as Zimbabwe sealed a last-ball win in the series opener.

Ireland had earlier taken control of the game and posted 147-8 while the hosts needed nine runs from their final over, winning it with two from Blessing Muzarabani off the last delivery.

Captain Sikandar Raza who was voted man of the match, took three wickets and scored 65 to lead their run chase.

Raza was supported with the bat by Wesley Madhevere, who scored 25, with wicketkeeper Clive Madande hitting 20.

Two further T20 contests between the sides will take place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday before three one-day games at the same venue on 13, 15 and 17 December.

Sports

CAF Award: Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi make fiinal three shortlist

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

In-form Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has made the final three-man list for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award which will hold on December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Osimhen, who had a sterling last season where he led Napoli to its first Italian league title in 33 years with 26 goals to end as the first African player to win the top scorer award in the Serie A, will battle for the crown with Egyptian captain and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, who plays for PSG in the French Ligue One.

Many football pundits in the continent have so far tipped the Lagos-born Osimhen to pick the diadem ahead of Salah and Hakimi.

The latest to give the gong to the former Lille player was mercurial ex-Super Eagles captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, who believes Osimhen has done enough to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club and the Eagles.

In an interview on Wednesday, Okocha said the 24-year-old Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level had won him the prestigious gong already.

“Osimhen deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” the former PSG midfield star said in the interview.

If Osimhen goes ahead to win the award, he will be the second Nigerian player to achieve the feat after Nwankwo Kanu who won the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.