South Africa U/17..............(0) 1

Mali U/17..........................(0) 1


29 March 2015 - South Africa Men’s U/17 National Team played to a thrilling 1-1 draw against their arch-rivals Mali in an international friendly match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday afternoon.


The match which was played as a curtain raiser to the Bafana Bafana versus Nigeria game had all the excitement, top quality football and the 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the how the two sides went at each other.


Mali beat Amajimbos 2-0 in the final of the CAF U/17 African Youth championships in Niger last month and Molefi Ntseki and his charges were gunning for some sort of revenge.

As the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Guiyang 2015 drew to a close on Saturday (28), thoughts started to turn to the next edition of the championships in Kampala in 2017.

The Ugandan capital will host the global cross-country event in two years’ time, a decade after it was last staged in Africa.

It will be the first time an IAAF World Athletics Series event has been held in Uganda.

At the post-championships banquet at the Guiyang Eco Conference Centre, IAAF President Lamine Diack handed the IAAF flag to the Kampala 2017 local organising committee, marking their position as hosts of the next IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Brendon McCullum named captain of the side that includes five New Zealanders 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the team of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with Brendon McCullum as its captain.

McCullum was chosen as the captain following his aggressive, innovative and inspirational leadership during the 44-day tournament that was the cornerstone of his team’s progression to the final where it lost to Australia by seven wickets.

In doing so, McCullum also scored 328 runs in nine matches with four half-centuries at a strike-rate of 188.50.

Mr Srinivasan says 50-over tournament can attract and inspire a new generation of followers to the game

The Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Mr Narayanaswami Srinivasan, has hailed the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as “the most popular in history” and he believes that the 50-over game is in good health following Australia’s triumph at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

 

Commenting in the aftermath of Sunday’s game, which was played in front of over 93,000 spectators, Mr Srinivasan said the ICC was delighted with the manner in which the game’s pinnacle 50-over event was hosted and delivered, and thanked all of the media, supporters and sponsors for their promotion of the tournament. 

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc was today named as the player of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

 

Starc was the unanimous choice of a select group of experts* following his sensational form that helped guide his side to its fifth title in 11 tournaments. The 25-year-old left-armer took 22 wickets at 10.18 runs per wicket with an economy rate of 3.50 runs per over. His best performance came against New Zealand in Auckland when he finished with six for 28.

 

During their deliberations, the members of the panel discussed several names, highlighting such players as New Zealand’s inspirational captain Brendon McCullum and his team-mates Trent Boult and Martin Guptill, as well as Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka for his four consecutive centuries.

The IAAF announced that SINOLUBE (Sinopec Lubricants) will be the official lubricant of the IAAF at a press conference in the Chinese city of Guiyang on Friday (27).

The announcement took place one day ahead of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Guiyang 2015, the first World Cross Country Championships to be held in China.

“It gives me great pleasure to join with our partners SINOPEC to mark this important moment on the road to the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack.

“In 2010, Sinopec became an official partner of the IAAF and its World Athletics Series of events which includes the IAAF World Cross Country Championships here in Guiyang and this August’s track and field championships in Beijing.

Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa thinks the friendly matches against Milano United and Cape Town All Stars will be adequate preparation for what is expected to be a grueling final stretch in the club's Premiership campaign.

Since returning from the mid-term break, the Urban Warriors have only dropped four points in the league, and three of those were against leaders Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.

De Sa's charges also stumbled against Polokwane City earlier on in the year, but at least managed to salvage a point from that fixture.

The final stretch will include matches against a still title-hungry Bidvest Wits, a desperate Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and then Orlando Pirates on the final day. In between all of that there will be clashes against Pretoria University, Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows, and none of those teams is to be trifled with under any circumstances.

The bottom two teams of Group A in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) compete in an important match which could ultimately determine who suffers the wooden spoon at the end of the Regular Season.

Algeria are the eighth and last team in the group, but have competed in one less match than seventh placed British Lionhearts who have lost all five of their away matches this season.

Week four of the campaign was the last time the British Franchise won a WSB match, a 4-1 victory against Algeria in London.

Chalane Hocine, Blida is the venue for this Group A clash, where on Saturday 28th March fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 19:00 (GMT +1) at AIBABoxingTV.com.

Bafana Bafana..................................1

Nigeria.............................................1

29 March 2015 - Bongani Zungu capped a wonderful day in a Bafana Bafana shirt when he rammed home a rebound deep inside the referee’s optional time to cancel an 85th minute wonderful goal by the Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa as the two African giants shared the spoils in an exciting International friendly match at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on Sunday.

Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana Bafana were starring  defeat in the face after Musa had given Nigeria a surprise lead on the 85th minute, much against the run of play.

But Bafana Bafana’s recent never-say-die attitude saw them level matters on the 93rd minute of the referee’s four minutes of added time as Mbombela erupted into wild celebrations.

Brazil extended their winning streak under new coach Dunga to eight matches as Roberto Firmino came off the bench to secure a 1-0 win against Chile in a feisty friendly at the Emirates Stadium in north London on Sunday.

The Hoffenheim attacking midfielder's second-half goal capped an impressive few days for Brazil, who won 3-1 against France in Paris on Thursday and survived a bruising encounter with South American rivals Chile to maintain Dunga's 100 per cent record. In contrast, Chile's third defeat in four matches leaves them with plenty to work to do before their Copa challenge.

Bongani Zungu scored in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw for South Africa against arch-rivals Nigeria. A superb Ahmed Musa goal on 85 minutes had put the Super Eagles ahead before a 20,000 crowd at Mbombela Stadium in north-eastern city Nelspruit.

Gambia's coaches are completing the FIVB Level 2 course

Banjul, Gambia, March 27, 2015 – Gambia’s Volleyball Federation has teamed up with the country’s Olympic Committee to run a Level 11 Coaches Course sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity programme. 

 

Twenty coaches are taking part in the 16-day course that is being run by FIVB Course Director Jetchev Jivko from Bulgaria and president of the FIVB Technical Commission Bernard J. Denis from Seychelles.

 

The course will allow coaches to develop their skills and learn new coaching techniques that they can use to raise the level of volleyball across the country for players of all ages. 

The drawing of lots pitched Africa's leading side against one another

Cairo, Egypt, March 27, 2015 - African volleyball giants and six time champions of Africa Al Ahly from Egypt face defending champions GSP from Algeria in the opening match of the 2015 Women's African Club Championship.

 
CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani joined the 13 competing teams at the Drawing of Lots for the competition, which was held on Thursday at the Grand Pyramids Hotel and in which the teams were drawn into four pools. 

 
Aside from the clash of the two leading teams on the opening day, record holders Pipeline of Kenya take on FAP of Cameroon, Injis of Cameroon play Vision of Uganda, Arsu (Seychelles) face Carthage of Tunisia and local favourites Shams from Egypt will battle it out against Revenue from Rwanda.

The Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China and Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee Liu Peng, Mayor of Beijing Wang Anshun and IAAF President Lamine Diack today met in the Golden Room of China’s National Stadium, better known as the Bird’s Nest, to unveil the design of the tickets and to open online sales for the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 (22-30 Aug 2015).

President Diack travelled from the city of Guiyang which yesterday had hosted an exceptionally successful 41st edition of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. Accompanying the president was IAAF Council Member Helmut Digel, General Secretary Essar Gabriel and, guest of honour, Kenya’s world half-marathon champion Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, who won the senior men’s world cross-country title in Guiyang.

Four-year deal includes regular season, playoffs, AT&T MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup rights 

NEW YORK (March 27, 2015) – Major League Soccer (MLS) announced today that it has partnered with Brazilian broadcaster Globosat, Latin America’s biggest pay-TV operator, to televise league matches live in Brazil. This marks the first time Globosat will have MLS broadcast rights.

 

As part of this four-year agreement, the Rio de Janeiro-based cable and satellite provider will telecast at least two MLS regular season matches per week, as well as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, at least one Decision Day match, half of the MLS Cup Playoff games and MLS Cup, in alternating years on Globosat networks SporTV 1, SporTV 2 and SporTV 3. In addition, Globosat will carry games, features and other content across its digital platforms. This groundbreaking partnership amplifies MLS’ exposure across South America’s most populated country in conjunction with the current agreement with ESPN Brasil, a rights holder incorporated into ESPN’s MLS domestic agreement. 

The new guidelines will help national federations expose the positive impact development is having around the world

Lausanne, Switzerland, March 27, 2015 – The FIVB has published an update to its photo guidelines in an effort to help national federations better highlight their efforts on development.

 

The new guidelines are simple and easy to read and give examples of images that can be taken to better highlight the work currently being put into developing volleyball globally.

 
It also includes a series of high quality photos received by the FIVB and included in news stories throughout the year.

ACTION resumes in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association Titan Law sponsored league tomorrow after a month-long break. The league anchors, Emakhandeni take on second placed Roosters at Queens Sports Club tomorrow.

Among players expected to carry the day for Emakhandeni are John “Master Spin” Nyumbu, Brian Chari, Steve Chimhamhiwa and Thabo Mboyi.

Having represented Bulawayo at last year’s National Cricket League alongside Queens Sports Club, Emakhandeni with 19 points, six behind tomorrow’s opponents, will want to close the gap to enhance their chances of competing against the country’s best clubs.

Côte d'Ivoire began life as African champions with a 2-0 home victory over Angola Thursday in an international football friendly match. Turkey-based defender Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba, who did not feature in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations decider, opened the scoring midway through the first half.

And any hopes the Angolan Black Antelopes had of salvaging a draw disappeared minutes before time when substitute Salomon Kalou from German outfit Hertha Berlin converted a penalty.

Egypt scored twice in the final five minutes to secure a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Cairo and give Argentine coach Hector Cuper a winning start. Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi broke the deadlock on 86 minutes.

Photo credit: www.photorun.net

Daniel Wanjiru stormed to a first major career win, when he took the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon. The 22 year-old Kenyan clocked a personal best of 59:51 with two other runners achieving times inside the hour mark. Wilfred Murgor took second in 59:57, just edging out fellow-Kenyan Leonard Komon who was given the same time. There was an Ethiopian double triumph in the women’s event: Worknesh Degefa clocked a fine personal best of 67:14 in slightly windy conditions, winning from Yebrgual Melese who crossed the line in 68:21. Diane Nukuri of Burundi was third in 69:33. There was great depth in both the men’s and the women’s races. Ten men ran times faster than 61 minutes and five women finished inside 70 minutes. 12,500 runners entered the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon, which is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Former Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa came out on top after he won his labour dispute against the club.

Pasuwa, who won four successive Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League titles with Dynamos between 2011 and 2014, will now be paid the outstanding monthly salaries, winning bonuses and allowances, which amounted to $18,950; this following a hearing before Harare Labour Officer Lilford Nhandara on Wednesday.

Pasuwa is to receive monthly instalments of $1,500, the first of which will be paid after the league clash against Premiership new-boys Dongo Sawmill at Rufaro.

His former assistant, Philemon Mutyakureva, will also be paid the $3,950 owing to him.

ENGLAND 4 LITHUANIA 0

England maintained their one hundred percent record in the 2016 European Championship qualifiers as they comfortably dispatched Lithuania.  The highlight of the day was Harry Kane scoring on his debut for England to continue his sophomoric breakout season.

 

Within three minutes of the game England sparked to life as Fabian Delph played Wayne Rooney in.  However Rooney’s shot hit the post. That should have been the perfect start for England. However they did not have to wait long to take the lead.  In the 6th minute, Danny Welbeck wriggled past two Lithuanian defenders and hit a shot, which was saved by Giedrius Arlauskis, but he parried it to Rooney who headed it into the net to give England a well-deserved lead.  That was his 47th international goal.  He only needs two more to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.

 David Richardson: “This Cricket World Cup has been the most followed and best attended cricket event in history”

 

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 has been a record-breaking tournament and has cemented the event’s position as one of the most popular sporting spectacles in the world, according to statistics released today.

 

With two double-centuries, seven scores in excess of 150 and 38 centuries, there has been no shortage of batting prowess on display in Australia and New Zealand over the past seven weeks. And 28 four-wicket hauls, including two hat-tricks, mean the bowlers have played their part, too.

The South African Football Association, together with the Department of Sports and Recreation have joined hands in honouring the late Steve ‘Kalamazoo’ Mokone.

Mokone (77) died last week in the US after battling poor health.

Safa and the department have agreed to have a joint memorial service for the football legend at the FNB Stadium on April 11.

Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula and Safa president Danny Jordaan today revealed that they would unveil the bust of Mokone at FNB stadium.

28 March 2015 – Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has made seven changes to the starting line-up that will face Nigeria in an international friendly match on Sunday, 29 March at the Mbombela Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15h30.

Only goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Thabo Matlaba as well midfielder Thulani Serero have been retained from the squad that defeated Swaziland 3-1 at the Somhlolo Stadium on Wednesday, 25 March.

Making up the defence are Erick Mathoho, who missed the trip to Swaziland due to family commitments, and Rivaldo Coetzee – with Thapelo Morena and Daniel Cardoso making way.

Moroka Swallows have confirmed the appointment of Craig Rosslee as the club's new head coach following Fani Madida's departure a fortnight ago.

The position has been vacant for the past two weeks after Fani Madida stepped down from the hot seat, with the Dube Birds currently in the relegation zone on goal difference after 24 Premiership matches this season.

"Everyone at Swallows is delighted to welcome a coach of Rosslee's experience and winning record as the club looks to move away from the relegation places between now and the end of the season," read a statement on the Birds’ website.

With six game still to play this term, Swallows are in 15th position on the standings, which will mean they go in to the NFD/ PSL promotion play-offs if things stay as they are.

Substitute Moussa Konate scored twice as Senegal confirmed their dominance over Ghana with a 2-1 international friendly victory in France on Saturday.

Konate replaced recalled Demba Ba just past the hour mark and struck twice within 11 minutes as the Teranga Lions repeated a 2-1 win over the Black Stars at the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Switzerland-based Konate brought his impressive club form to the Stade Oceane in the northern city of Le Havre having scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for Sion this season.

Senegalese success meant a winning debut for coach and former star Aliou Cisse, who was appointed when French coach Alain Giresse parted with the Lions after a Cup of Nations first-round exit. The first Konate goal was memorable as he controlled a long clearance with his chest and volleyed the ball over goalkeeper Razak Braimah on 66 minutes.