Sports

Oscar Pistorius finally released from South Africa prison

Published

11 months ago

January 5, 2024

Disgraced South African Olympic sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, has been released from prison on parole, after serving 11 years for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines Day in 2013.

The 37-year-old double amputee who was popularly known as “The Blade Runner” in his heyday, was released on Friday from the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in Pretoria to begin his new life of supervised freedom, which will require him to get permission from authorities for many of the basic events of life, according to prison officials.

The South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS), which confirmed Pistorius’s release in a statement, said it was “able to confirm that Oscar Pistorius is a parolee, effectively from 5 January 2024. He was admitted into the system of Community Corrections and is now at home.”

Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for the (DCS), while addressing journalists, said that Pistorius would be subject to parole conditions until his sentence expired in 2029.

“Just like other parolees, Pistorius is subject to general parole conditions. He is restricted from conducting media interviews; he will be required to be home at particular hours of the day.

“He will not be allowed to consume alcohol or prohibited substances and will be required to participate in programs identified by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board,” Nxumalo said.

Pistorius had been in prison since 2014 after he was found guilty of shooting Reeva, a model and law school graduate, who was then 29, to death at his home.

During his trial, which garnered global attention,
Pistorius maintained that he did not kill her in a fit of anger during an argument as prosecutors argued, and said instead he had mistaken her for an intruder.

A parole board had, in November, granted Pistorius’ petition on the grounds that he had served half of his 13-year sentence, making him eligible according to South African law.

He was initially convicted of manslaughter in 2014 and sentenced to five years. But a higher court overturned the conviction and upgraded it to murder a year later, increasing his sentence to six years in prison.

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Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

3 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.