Is that a “juju” man on Malawi’s bench?
Are ability and elite tactics all it takes to win football matches and tournaments? Does the metaphysical play no role at all? Looking at African football, these are difficult questions to answer.
Sport
Inside the stampede at Olembé Stadium
Ahead of official findings, on-the-ground accounts of the Afcon tragedy in Cameroon reveal the factors that led to the deaths of eight people.
Black Stars need a fresh start and a long-term plan
Ghana have failed to reach the Afcon’s knockout stages for the first time since 2006. With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, some soul-searching is required if they are to go to Qatar.
Malawi’s flame ignited at the Afcon
From being underwhelming underdogs going into the tournament to reaching the round of 16, the Flames have shown discipline, flair and dedication, to the utter delight of their fans.
A love affair with football drives Vincent Aboubakar
The Cameroonian striker is one goal away from eclipsing the Afcon record of the great Samuel Eto’o. Those who have followed his career from the start explain how he arrived at the summit.
Moses Simon’s Afcon has been a breath of fresh air
The Super Eagles winger is finally putting on the kind of displays for the national team that his Nigerian fans have been waiting for, impressing football watchers worldwide in the process.
Why glory has eluded the Tunisian national team
Tunisian clubs are among the most feared and successful sides in Africa, but the national team have won the Afcon just once.
Can Gor Mahia return to their glory days?
The Kenyans once were African club champions, but they endured embarrassing lows of late, including fighting to avoid relegation. Those close to the club share what needs to be done for them to reach the top again.
Lenize Potgieter opens up about her depression
A few tough knocks left the Proteas netball player in need of a sabbatical. Now she’s sharing her mental health struggles, hoping it will encourage more elite athletes to talk about and normalise it.
What the Afcon means for Ethiopia
Players in the national team hope taking part in the tournament will buoy the hopes for a peaceful resolution of the Tigray conflict and also boost their chances of getting wider recognition.
Aboutrika’s homophobic rant diminishes his image
Mohamed Aboutrika and Mohamed Salah command great respect and adoration in Egypt, the Arab world and the sporting fraternity at large. But they don’t always use that power for good.
Algeria believe their Afcon dreams can come true
‘Why not win it?’ seems to be the squad’s motto for every game. This spirit is instilled by their coach, who believes in his players and entrusts them with the task for which he has amply prepared them.
A steadier hand steers Cameroon’s resurgence
The past decade has been topsy-turvy for Cameroonian football, but the Indomitable Lions can return to the top of African football now that their manager shuffle seems to have ended.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles flying under a storm
The three-time Afcon champions have had a tumultuous time heading into the 2021 edition of the tournament, and some important players are absent too. But never underestimate them.
Roger De Sá is already looking beyond the Afcon
Although it will be special to again be a part of a winning squad at the African tournament, the Egypt coach says his players have their eyes firmly on the prize of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar.
Behind concerns over Afcon is a culture of disdain
European clubs and media that wanted the tournament postponed amid a rise in Covid cases were serving their own selfish interests and repeating the old narrative of ‘darkest Africa’.
The limits of a Wanderers without a crowd
Watching the second Test match between South Africa and India from inside the hallowed environs of the Bull Ring was a discomfiting cricketing experience that will hopefully change soon.
Soweto’s young cyclists show their mettle
The Soweto Cycling Academy was started to get children on bikes. Now its young members are beginning to compete in South Africa’s top races, with an eye on a busy 2022 calendar.
Arif Khan, the skier from Kashmir
The Kashmir athlete’s love for skiing began in the snowy mountains of his hometown. When he became good enough to turn professional, he began to dream of the Winter Olympics.
Sharp Read | The road to rugby glory
Rise tells the enthralling story of how Siya Kolisi came to be the first Black captain of the Springboks, but it fails to fully reveal the humble, humorous man behind the symbol.
Temba Bavuma eyes a massive summer of cricket
The limited-overs captain has garnered respect with his leadership and decision-making, skills that will stand him in good stead as the Proteas face India and build up to another T20 World Cup.