Saturday, 1 April 2023
Njabulo Ngidi is the recipient of the 2018 Journalists’ Journalist of the Year award at the SAB Sports Media Awards. He writes stories that reveal the person behind the athlete. Originally from Durban, he has written for The Citizen, The Star and the Sunday Times since 2009.
The expanded and new-look Africa Cup of Nations was supposed to be a celebration of football in the cradle of civilisation, but politics grabbed most of the attention and the stars were relegated to being extras in their own show.
The career paths of Aliou Cissé and Djamel Belmadi might be similar, but as coaches their conduct and personalities are chalk and cheese. These differences are reflected in their teams.
The confident 20-year-old Nigerian forward says ‘Nigeria is going to kill people’ following their run to the semifinals of Afcon after missing the past two editions.
Mocked as fishermen because of their amateur football league, Madagascar swam with the sharks and devoured a few to reach the quarterfinals in an emotional ride that won hearts all over the continent.
The Bafana Bafana winger would have liked to be at his uncle’s funeral on Saturday, but he had to bring him to Cairo International Stadium in spirit instead to witness his greatest performance in national team colours.
The Amiens midfielder talks about his time in France, his faux pas in praising coach Rhulani Mokwena and why Egypt, not Bafana Bafana, should be worried ahead about their last 16 Afcon meeting.
Egypt’s darling Mohamed Salah, adored by millions at home and abroad, picked the wrong side to support when he defended a teammate accused by numerous women of sexual harassment.
The South African and Moroccan governments will closely follow their teams’ duel in the Africa Cup of Nations because of the political rivalry that has infiltrated the sporting arena.
Egypt put on a spectacular opening ceremony for the Africa Cup of Nations and the Pharaohs are on course for a record eighth title. But the Egyptian government won’t be measuring success by a trophy.
The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper is back in the country where South African football produced its greatest performance in a World Cup.
The Zimbabwean forward opens up about his telepathy with Khama Billiat, why the Warriors will cause an upset against the Pharaohs and why his countrymen are sought after in South Africa.
The national women’s football team has a knack for bouncing back stronger after disappointment. They’ll need it after being thumped 7-2 by Norway a week before their World Cup debut.
The first division side wrote their name in history by becoming the first club from the lower ranks to win the country’s premier knockout competition. That they did it against Kaizer Chiefs, the cup kings, makes their story all the more remarkable.
The Brazilians’ march to claiming a record ninth league title was littered with potholes that would have sunk many teams, but Sundowns under Pitso Mosimane are no ordinary side.
The Tornado FC goalkeeper talks about the homophobic abuse he has endured in his life and career, revealing why he returned to football after its ugly side forced him to quit.
Bafana’s coach talks about the art of doing well at Afcon, slams growing racism from spectators in European football and reveals what he’d do if his players walked off in protest.
Mahlambi hasn’t hit the high notes he reached before his injury three years ago, and he won’t do so until he learns to handle the heavy load he carries on and off the field.
The Banyana Banyana defender reveals what has held her back in her career and why she is confident it will not be an issue at the Fifa Women’s World Cup that kicks off in June.
Almost a year later, Sabelo Maziba opens up about being attacked by football supporters and why he returned to work as a security guard at the stadium in which he almost died.
The British coach is gifted with a silver tongue, but this skill will not save him should he fail to get Bafana Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt come June.
The fast bowler from Daveyton talks about her journey and aspirations now that she’s achieved her aim to play for the Proteas Women two years earlier than planned.