Denis Odoi, a new star for the Black Stars
A good work ethic saw the Belgian-Ghanaian defender go further in his football career than expected. Now he has the chance to play for Ghana in the World Cup in Qatar.
Sport
Next up for Zintle Mpupha? World Cups
The Springbok rugby player jumped at the chance to play league rugby in England, the first South African woman to do so. Now she has her sights set on the upcoming Sevens and 15s World Cups.
Jennifer Cudjoe fights on and will not be silenced
The popular United States-based player is speaking out about the shameful state of women’s football in Ghana, where players have been marginalised in many ways for way too long.
Test cricket is dead, but not for the eager Proteas
Even before the demise of this format of the game was predicted, the women’s team had little opportunity to experience and enjoy it. They are keen to change this while they still can.
Mongezi Mata is thinking big
The European 90kg champion from Addo hopes his international success will inspire and help facilitate the next generation of bodybuilders from the Eastern Cape.
Netball is the centre circle for Leonard Masao
The former provincial player did what every netballer does, but in his own remarkable way. He pivoted and changed direction to become South Africa’s highest-ranked male umpire in the sport.
The woman behind Ghana’s first skatepark
When Sandy Alibo visited in 2015, she connected with Accra’s small but vibrant surfing and skating community. It was enough for her to move there and help grow the sports in the country.
Ayrton Sweeney is on point for his pool performance
The first male synchronised swimmer to represent South Africa has only been at it for a few months, but he’s glad he switched from his previous events to embrace this graceful yet difficult sport.
Thato Mokeke knows his path
The footballer who has had much success in Cape Town knows through personal experience that playing careers don’t last, so he’s already planning his next move.
Ria Ledwaba is confident of an overthrow
Should Safa’s vice-president make it to the polls she is trying to delay through the courts, she is sure of replacing Danny Jordaan as president of the governing body.
Shining a light on Rashidi Yekini
The Nigerian footballer died young and in mysterious circumstances, keeping his legacy in the shadows. It’s been 10 years, though, and his skill and commitment to his country must be lauded.
RS Berkane add sparkle to Morocco’s football future
The team’s players are reaping the rewards of the long-term planning and investment that have been the hallmark of the sport in the country as well as at their own club.
Dreams without borders keep Kobe Ndebele swimming
As his name suggests, Kobe Alessandro has a diverse background reaching across many countries and continents. For now he’s in the United States, but South Africa is his true home.
Pitso Mosimane’s real fight is with his winning self
The Al Ahly manager may recently have been snapping at CAF and its president, but his real battle is notching up the one victory that has eluded him: the Egyptian Premier League.
Dewald Brevis is already outstripping his idol
He’s been dubbed Baby AB, but the young batsman from Pretoria who was drafted by the IPL at the age of 18 is striding ahead of his cricketing predecessor AB de Villiers.
Botswana’s Mares aim for a galloping pace at Afcon
The senior women’s team are hoping to extend their growing reputation as a force to be reckoned with beyond southern Africa, and the continental showpiece in Morocco is just the place to do it.
Prospective Proteas can face battle to get noticed
In the second of a two-part series on women’s cricket in South Africa, the reason for the widening gap between the national team’s players and those chasing their spots becomes clear.
How Wydad Casablanca became the kings of Africa
A boisterous home crowd made it difficult from the start for defending champions Al Ahly and an early goal from the Moroccan club only increased the pressure.
Path to the Proteas is strewn with thorny issues
In the first of a two-part series about the journey to become a member of the women’s senior national cricket team, the various challenges of development at school level are explored.
Sharp Read | Fran Hilton-Smith wants dues paid
The football administrator who faced down death threats to get South African women’s football to where it is today calls for more than equal pay in her book Fran: A Song For Banyana.
Climate change adds to impoverished athletes’ stress
In rural India, it can become impossible to train because of catastrophic floods or other natural disasters. This causes anxiety for young people who see sport as a way out of poverty.