Author: Larson Thebe

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is set to be among the recipients of this year’s National Order of Ikhamanga. The ceremony will be hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa on April 28, 2023. The National Orders recognise the contributions made by individuals towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in the country’s Constitution.Ellis will be bestowed the Order of Ikhamanga which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. The former Banyana captain has been given this special recognition for her outstanding contribution to football,…

In a move to reduce betting advertising in sports in the UK, Premier League clubs have collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ match day shirts. The Premier League on Thursday announced that its clubs have agreed to remove all gambling companies as sponsors on the front of players’ jerseys by the end of the 2025/2026 season. A Premier League statement read: “Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ match day shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order…

Netball South Africa (NSA) has announced that this year’s edition of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) is set to start on 27 April at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane. The partnership between NSA and Telecommunications giant Telkom as a headline sponsor is now in its fifth year, a journey that began in 2019. NSA President Cecilia Molokwane announced that this season’s competition has been expanded to 15 teams – with the inclusion of the Free State Sonneblomme and the Limpopo Lilies in the B Section. Molokwane said she’s pleased with the growth of the league. “I’m very…

Yesterday marked exactly 22 years since a stampede claimed the lives of 43r fans during a soccer derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. More than 250 people were injured at the venue which hosted the league match between the two soccer giants, attracting more and more fans at a stadium that was already filled to capacity and couldn’t hold more people. The tragedy occurred in front of what was meant to be a 60 000-capacity crowd, however reports suggest a further 30 000 more fans were trying to gain entry into the…

With the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup group stages done and dusted, focus now shifts to the quarterfinals of the inter-club competitions. Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants are Mzansi’s representatives, after they both secured top spots in their group stages following the round of fixtures played. Being group leaders means when the quarter-final draw is conducted, winners will be paired with the runners-up and teams from the same group cannot face each other again. Masandawana secured top spot in Group B after beating Coton Sport 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The newly crowned DStv Premiership champions are…

The England football women’s team is the latest team to ditch white shorts for blue ones. The move comes amidst a growing movement to accommodate athletes competing during their menstrual cycles. The Football Association (FA) confirmed this on Monday, after players voiced concerns about playing in white while on their period. “The Lionesses will also showcase the new design during April’s games with Brazil at Wembley in the inaugural UEFA Finalissima and then against Australia at Brentford FC,” the FA said in a statement. Soccer isn’t the only sporting code making this important statement, rugby (Ireland women’s rugby team) and…

The Momentum Proteas recently made history by becoming the first SA team (men or women) to progress to the final of a Cricket World Cup. As a result of the great performance by Hilton Moreeng’s charges, the silver medallists have received automatic qualification to the next T20 cricket World Cup. Captain Sine Luus described the team’s journey as follows: “It’s been absolutely amazing. We have never imagined firstly being in the final and then the stadium being packed every single game… thank you Newlands and every single supporter; we love you guys.” The automatic qualifiers for the Women’s T20 World…

Allianz Premiership club Harlequins have announced the signing of Springbok Women’s prop Babalwa Latsha, until the end of their 2023 season. Latsha signed with the European club from DHL Western province, who compete in the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division, with immediate effect. The Khayelitsha native was the first South African Women’s player to sign a professional contract in 2020, since making her debut against Wales in 2018, she has also captained South Africa in nine of her 20 Tests so far. Commenting on joining Harlequins, Babalwa Latsha said: “It’s incredible to be here really, I’m super excited to get…

Sasol sponsored Banyana Banyana have arrived safely in Turkey for the Turkish Women’s Cup. Banyana departed Mzansi last night (Tuesday 14 February) to participate in the cup competition, which they aim to use as preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, set to kick off between 20 July and 20 August in Australia/New Zealand. The South African senior women’s team’s safe arrival has been confirmed by SAFA’s Head of Communication Mninawa Ntloko. Coach Desiree Ellis, members of her technical team and 16 local-based players travelled last night, while seven overseas-based players will join the camp in Antalya on Wednesday. A…

South African referee Akhona Makalima has been selected as one of the officials for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Earlier yesterday, the FIFA Referees Committee announced the names of the match officials selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023. A total of 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials (VMOs) have been confirmed to form part of the FIFA Team One. At the age of 23 Makalima became the first certified female soccer referee in South Africa, where she officiated for FIFA, the Premier Soccer League, the SASOL Women’s League, and…