Sport Matters

Posts

Morocco vs Comoros to set tone for Afcon

African football stands on the cusp of another compelling chapter as the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, December 21. While the opening fixture between hosts Morocco and Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat may not immediately stir memories of classic AFCON showdowns, the tournament itself carries a weight of expectation that extends far beyond the first whistle. Morocco arrives as both host nation and one of the continent’s most formidable footballing powers. The Atlas Lions have enjoyed a golden period in recent years, highlighted by their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and consistent dominance at youth and club levels. With a squad brimming with Europe-based stars, tactical maturity, and home support behind them, Morocco are widely tipped as favourites to lift the trophy. For many fans, AFCON 2026 represents an opportunity for the North African giants to finally translate their promise into continenta...

Proteas, Springboks out for more glory for South Africa

South Africa’s three major national teams — the Springboks, Bafana Bafana and the Proteas — all delivered statement victories last weekend, setting the nation alight with pride and reminding the world of the country’s enduring sporting pedigree. It was a rare moment when rugby, football and cricket converged to produce a collective surge of national confidence. In Turin on Saturday, the Springboks defeated Italy 32–12 in a Test match that reaffirmed their status as the number-one team in world rugby. While the Azzurri have long outgrown their reputation as easy beats, few expected them to topple the reigning world champions. Yet the context of the Springbok victory made the result especially remarkable. South Africa were forced to play with 14 men for almost the entire match after lock Franco Mostert received a red card in the 11th minute for a tackle on Italian flyhalf Paolo Garbisi. Apart from New Zealand referee James Doleman, few observers — including commentators and analysts — ...

Mexico's super stadium the right choice for 2026 World Cup opener

Many football fans around the world, including in South Africa, mistakenly believe that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted solely by the United States. In fact, the tournament will be co-hosted by three North American countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match on Thursday, June 11, 2026. With a capacity of 87,000, it will become the first stadium in World Cup history to host three opening matches, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. The opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca promises to celebrate Mexico’s rich football heritage while offering a glimpse into the broader cultural legacy of the Americas. Expect the ceremony to showcase elements of Aztec history. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica—the root of the modern name “Mexico”—were the architects of a sophisticated Mesoamerican civilization centered in what is now central and southern Mexico. Their capital, Tenochtitlan, was founded in 1325, and ...

Soweto giants Chiefs, Pirates share Lubumbashi spotlight

South Africa’s biggest football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, find themselves in a rare shared situation this weekend — both are in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, for continental battles. First off the mark are Chiefs, who on Saturday meet AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup at the TP Mazembe Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm SA time. On Sunday, Pirates take on Saint Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League at the 35,000-capacity Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba. While Lupopo are based in Lubumbashi — the DRC’s second-largest city after Kinshasa — Simba hail from Kolwezi, about 300km northwest of Lubumbashi. They have been forced to stage their CAF home fixtures in Katanga’s capital because their home province, Lualaba, lacks a CAF-approved stadium. Simba booked their spot in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup by winning the Coupe du Congo, the national cup competition, defeating MK Kinshasa 1–0 in the final. Jacques Mangoba netted the decisive goal in the 90th minute, sealing both the t...

Lack of suitable home venue points to deepening crisis for Lesotho football

The relocation of Lioli’s “home” fixture against Orlando Pirates from Lesotho to the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein underscores the deepening crisis of football infrastructure in the mountain kingdom. While football remains a unifying and popular sport in Lesotho, the absence of an internationally compliant stadium has turned home advantage into a paradox—forcing clubs and national teams alike to host matches on foreign soil. At the heart of this problem is the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, the only facility previously recognized for international use. Since its suspension in 2021 by FIFA and CAF, due to its failure to meet international standards, Lesotho has been stripped of the ability to host matches at home. This not only damages the country’s sporting reputation but also undermines the growth of local football. For Lioli and other clubs, being forced to host continental matches outside the country strips them of the psychological and logistical benefits that come with playing i...

Team SA looks sharper for Tokyo world athletics championships

When the 20th World Athletics Championships get underway at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, September 13, Team South Africa will be chasing a return to the global podium after an agonizing eight-year wait. Not since the 2017 edition in London has the country won medals at the world’s premier athletics showpiece. That year, Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya, and Luvo Manyonga spearheaded a golden generation, delivering six medals combined. In 2017, Van Niekerk claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, Semenya won the 800m and secured bronze in the 1,500m, while Manyonga leapt to gold in the long jump. Ruswahl Samaai added a long jump bronze to complete what remains one of South Africa’s finest performances at a World Championships. Since then, however, the nation has endured a dry spell, failing to reach the podium in subsequent editions. This year, hope has been rekindled. A 49-member squad carries the weight of expectation, led by the experienced Akani Simbin...