Proud moment for new rugby captain
THE greatest sporting spectacle gets underway in Russia, who play host to the 21st FIFA World Cup. The highly anticipated 64-match tournament will include two first timers in Iceland and Panama, while Germany will be defending their title won 4 years ago in Brazil. The build up to Russia brings back fond memories, and it feels like just a few months ago we hosted the tournament.
All the usual heavy weights have qualified for the 32-team tournament except for Italy, Holland and Bafana Bafana. Whilst I would prefer to see a new winner, my preference being Belgium, I can’t see further than Germany, Spain or Brazil winning the tournament. England always flatters to deceive, and I don’t see them as a serious contender. They don’t have any superstars in their squad, with Harry Kane being the only player that could be considered a threat.
Africa’s five representatives will be spear-headed by Sadio Mane of Senegal and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. Although included in the squad, I doubt Salah will be fully fit, and this will have a detrimental effect on Egypt’s ability to qualify for round two. The Super Eagles of Nigeria appear to have the best chance of progressing the furthest. However, we are unlikely to see an African team in the semi-finals.
Serial Ballon d’Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have not set the international stage alight (although Portugal did win the European Championship without the injured Ronaldo in the finals).
As these two near their twilight years, this could be their last opportunity to shine at the World Cup and cement their legendary status by taking the Cup home. I don’t think either player can be mentioned in the same bracket as Pele or Maradona unless they steer their team to World Cup glory.
While Ronaldo and Messi have been prolific marksmen for their clubs, they have only scored 3 and 5 World Cup goals respectively, this compared to German Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 goals. If we are lucky, it will be a Portugal vs Argentina final, which could also settle the debate of who is the greatest player of our generation!
In what could be considered one of the most poignant matches in Springbok history, Siya Kolisi was given the ultimate honour of leading out his team as the first black player to captain the Boks (and 61st overall). The PE raised player, is a wonderful rag to riches story and an inspiration to all youngsters.
It is another example that there is no substitute for hard work and determination. On the field, the Springboks and English served up a thrilling match, which the Boks narrowly won 42-39. After a dismal start, Kolisi's men roared back to win this see-saw battle. With both teams coming into this series in poor form, any win would suffice. I think the defence coaches on both sides will have a busy week ahead.
Arise, Sir Kenny! Fondly referred to as King Kenny, the Scotland and Liverpool legend has finally received his knighthood. Scotland's most capped international, Dalglish, won three European Cups and six league championships as a Liverpool player and a further four league championships as manager of both Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers.
However, Dalglish’s greatest feat may have been achieved outside the football pitch. He was manager of Liverpool during their ill-fated FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough in 1989. Sadly, ninety-six Liverpool fans lost their lives, and Dalglish was a pillar for the club and the community.
It was another “stressful” Comrades Marathon for me, trying to decide what snacks to have available and which blanket to use as I snuggled up to admire the thousands of brave-hearts who took part in the 93rd edition. The down-run of 90.18 km ended at the imposing Moses Mabhida Stadium.
South Africans Ann Ashworth and Bongumusa Mthembu (3rd win) did the nation proud by winning their respective categories. The highlight of this year's event was the participation by amputee and recovering drug addict and cancer survivor Xolani Luvuno. Luvuno and his coach started at just past midnight and crossed the line at about 16h30. He epitomises the Comrades Marathon.