By Michael Kachitsa A growing body of academic and popular literature considers the history of South African football. These and existing publications pay little or no attention to the emergence of white professional football in apartheid South Africa. The National Football League (NFL) challenged the amateur game and introduced professional football to the country. During its 17-year existence, the NFL grew each season with large attendances until its demise in 1977. In addition, the NFL imported a range of international players, invited foreign teams and actively engaged in the political debates in South African sport at the time. The NFL was instrumental in popularising the game across the country for all South Africans. The NFL became the most popular sports entertainment of choice for South Africans during this period. Finally, the NFL actively engaged in a campaign of destroying rival non-racial anti-apartheid leagues while simultaneously co-opting less progressive organisations.
Category: Sports
Malawian Referee Kandulu Attends CAF Elite B Referees Online Course
Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA) Assistant Referee Clemence Kanduku is attending a 5-day CAF Elite B Referees On-line course organized by the African Football governing body. The course, which started on Monday September 14, has attached participants from all English speaking countries across the continent. This is Kanduku’s second CAF Elite B course as he also attended one in 2017. In a related development, 35 Malawian referees’ assessors are expected to attend a 3 day FIFA online course between 21-23 September 2020. Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Referees Development Officer, Maxwell Mtonga said the courses are crucial in making sure that the referees and their assessors recall their laws of the game knowledge in anticipation of local and international football restart. “These online courses are vital because we don’t want our referees to go rusty in as far as laws of the game are concerned. We want them to continue having a feel of the game even though they are at home. They are being encouraged to do indoor trainings in readness for both domestic and international football restart,” he said. Since the suspension of international football due to the Covid-19 pandemic, FIFA and CAF have conducted a number of courses for referees. In July, 35 Malawian Elite Referees attended a FIFA MA Elite Referees online course from while Referee instructors Martha Nyekanyeka and Michael Makoto were part of the FIFA Futuro 3 Referees instructors course that took place between 8- 10 August.
Maradona’s hand of God
By Michael Kachitsa Former Argentinian Diego Maradona scored one of the most underhanded goals in World Cup history in 1986. It’s known as the “Hand of God.” Standing at 5-foot-5 (1.65 meters), Maradona had a low center of gravity allied with exceptional strength, a combination that allowed him to wiggle free from opponents in a flash. After his disappointment at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he was sent off in Argentina’s final match against Brazil, Maradona turned up in Mexico with a heap of pressure on his back. It was clear he was one of the most talented players in the history of the game, but to be bracketed alongside Pele as the best ever, he surely needed to win the World Cup. Maradona would have more highs — and lows — in his career, but his exploits in 1986 will forever seal his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Malawian Striker Gaba Win PSL Golden Boot
Flames international Frank Gabadinho Mhango has broken a record as the first Malawian to win the South Africa Premier Soccer League Golden Boot Award in his debut season with Orlando Pirates. Mhango netted his 16th goal in Pirates’ 1-0 win over Stellenbosch on Saturday the last day of the season to tie with his nemesis Highlands Park Namibian striker Peter Shalulile. The two players stepped into the pitch tied at 15 goals apiece but Gaba was the first to hit the target just before half time as he pounced a rebound after a move he initiated from the left flank before drifting inside. Shalulile on the other hand was put on leash by Amazulu defence until the 88th minute to salvage a point for his side as well as claim the Golden Boot for the first time for a Namibian as well. Gaba, who moved to Pirates from Bidvest Wits in June 2019, took the Buccaneers by storm netting 14 goals before Covid-19 pandemic forced the PSL to a halt in March. The long break numbed his legs as he went seven matches without a goal, prompting doubts as to whether he would be able to beat competitors as such as Kaizer Chiefs’ Samir Nurkovic, AmaZulu’s striker Bonginkosi Ntuli and Shalulile. But the former Nyasa Big Bullets striker proved his critics wrong as he managed to score in the last two matches with Shalulile hot on his heels. Pirates finish third to book a spot in CAF Confederations Cup, thanks to Gaba’s two consecutive goals. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns are champions for the third time in a row after leapfrogging Kaizer Chiefs on the final day. Sundowns were 3-0 winners over Robert Ng’ambi’s Black Leopards on the final day while Amakhosi played to a 1-1 draw with Gerald Phiri Jnr and Richard Mbulu’s Baroka FC. It was Phiri Jr’s in-swinging free kick that denied Chiefs the title as Manuel Kambala rose to nod home to make it 1-1. Malawian coach John Maduka has finished the PSL unbeaten ever since taking over as coach after sailing to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Maritzburg United. Dennis Chembezi and Khuda Muyaba kissed the PSL goodbye as their relegated side Polokwane City played their last top-flight league match, losing 2-1 to Bidvest Wits.-FAM
Godfrey Chitalu Goal scoring machine
By Michael Kachitsa Godfrey Chitalu (1947–1993) was a Zambian former professional footballer who represented the Zambia national football team in international level from 1968 to 1980. During that time, he amassed 108 caps and scored 79 international goals making him the all-time record goalscorer for the Zambia national team, highest international goalscorer from an African nation and 4th-highest international goalscorer in history. Nicknamed ‘Ucar’ after the Ucar Batteries which were advertised as long lasting, he was an energetic presence upfront and a menace for many even skilled defenders because of his speed and stamina. There was a debate about the record for scoring the most goals in a year between Godfrey Chitalu and Lionel Messi. In 2012 Messi scored his 86th in that year which had meant he has surpassed Germany’s Gerd Mueller 40 years ago. But the Zambian Football Association claimed Godfrey Chitalu had scored 107 goals for club and country in 1972.
Malawi FA Assures Football Players of Safety
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has assured players in the country that their safety from the COVID-19 will be the main priority when football resumes. Speaking on Friday during a consultative meeting with the Elite League Clubs captains and the Football Players Association, FAM President Walter Nyamilandu said the association has put in place a detailed medical protocol to ensure that players are protected from the pandemic. Nyamilandu said FAM treasures the players as they are the heart and the soul of the game and that is why they accorded them an audience as one of the key stakeholders in the football restart programme. “You are the main actors of the game and as FAM we are more interested in your day to day lives. After meeting all key stakeholders there was need to have an audience with you as well as we continue to get ideas on how best we can restart football in a very safe manner. “We have come up with protocols that will cover the whole process from the start of trainings to match days with emphasis on your safety,” said Nyamilandu. The players said they are struggling financially as some clubs have stopped paying their staff while others are receiving half pay. Some National Team players expressed fears of match fitness for international matches as the Flames are expected to return to AFCON Qualifiers in November. Flames captain John Banda hailed FAM for granting them an audience saying the players are satisfied with the football restart roadmap. “We are very happy that FAM and Sulom met us. As players, we felt that we were left behind because FAM has met a number of football stakeholders but was yet to meet us. “There is alot at stake, our careers, national team performance, and Football future. So there was need for us to have an idea of what is going on through this interaction ” said Banda. Football Players Association (FPA) Jimmy Zakazaka commended FAM for the detailed football resumption roadmap and has since urged players to join the association if they are to remain united. “We applaud FAM and Sulom for giving us hope that the game will return in the safest manner. “I also want to take this opportunity to encourage all players to join the FPA which is the uniting factor that will enable us speak with one voice to relevant authorities,” said Zakazaka FAM suspended all association football activities on March 20, 2020 due to the Covid-19 and has for the past months been holding football restart consultative meetings with various football stakeholders.
Fergy’s resilience paid off (Man UTD)
On November 6, 1986, the fate of Manchester United was permanently altered, thanks to the arrival of Alex Ferguson. Thirteen years later, he received a knighthood in the wake of the historic treble he won en route to becoming United’s most successful manager—and if not the greatest of all time, then at the very least an undeniable all-time great of his sport. But long before that, Sir Alex was “Fergie” or “Alec” to those who knew him well. And in 1986, United’s board made a decision that would change the course of football history. Outgoing manager Ron Atkinson was well liked by fans, having brought two FA Cups during his time in charge with a vivacious and attacking style that was a tonic after the dour functionality of Dave Sexton.
Chawinga Sisters on Target in China
Malawi National women football team, the Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga and her younger sister Temwa were on target on Match day 2 of the Chinese Women Super League on Wednesday. Tabitha scored one goal as defending champions Jiangsu Suning beat Henan Jianye 5-0. It was her second of the new campaign following another strike on the opening day last weekend. Temwa opened her goal account in the league after claiming a brace to inspire Wuhan Jiangda to a 5-0 win over Hebei China.-FAM
Karius major upset in UCL Final
By Michael Kachitsa Loris Karius has confirmed he was subject to death threats after putting in a nightmare display in the 2018 Champions League final. The Liverpool goalkeeper made two huge errors which led to goals for Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale as the Reds were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in Kiev. It later emerged that Karius had played most of the second half with concussion after a challenge from Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos. Karius received widespread online abuse in the weeks that followed the match, despite being backed by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. However, Klopp opted to sign Alisson from Roma to replace Karius as first-choice keeper at Anfield. Karius then joined Besiktas on a two-year loan spell, and he remains in Turkey until the end of this season. Karius is likely to return to Liverpool in the summer having struggled for form in Turkey, however, it’s not clear if he has a future with the Premier League winners. Karius said: “I primarily write with goalkeeper coach John Achterberg. Almost weekly, he is my first point of contact. “But now and then I also write with Jurgen Klopp, I am in good contact with everyone. I was never out of it. “The fact is that I have a contract in Liverpool until 2022. And at the moment I’m just concentrating on the season at Besiktas. “It is far too early to say anything about summer. Especially now that nobody knows exactly what to do because of the coronavirus.”
Malawi Unpacks 5-Point Youth , Sports Development Strategy
By James Mwale Lilongwe, August 20, Mana: Government has unveiled a five-point strategy that focuses on resuscitating and updating pro-youth and sports development policies that have been passive in the recent years in continued efforts to effect a pro-active youth society. Minister of Sports and Youth, Ulemu Msungama made the disclosure in Lilongwe on Thursday where he was briefing journalists on the initiatives taken by his ministry in the past one-and-a-half months, and plans for the “nearest possible future”. Among the points in the strategy is revival of the National Youth Policy to guide aspirations of the youths who, according to Msungama, cannot focus decisively in the absence of an updated policy. “I understand the Youth Policy expired in 2018 and you all know as I do that this is a very key document that has to be in place as soon as yesterday. We cannot talk about youth development without a policy to guide us,” explained the minister. He also disclosed plans to review and update the 1996 National Youth Council Act, a legal framework which he says can best support the youths’ aspirations if updated to suit the current situation. To help bring the youth together in an environment that allows them to share ideas and learn from each other, Msungama revealed plans to construct Achinyamata Center, a place where the youths can converge and comfortably call home. “I want to make sure the youth have their own purpose-built center where they can develop their skills,” said Msungama adding that the Achinyamata Center will be part of District Youth Centers across the districts. He also talked of updating the obsolete National Sports Policy saying the country cannot talk of sports development without a clear guiding tool. The Minister further talked of establishment of Sports Commercialisation Strategy to ease reliance of sports affiliates of the Council on “government subvention”. He said: “I want to assure you that no country has developed sports by just relying on government. Sports is developed by companies and private institutions when it is run as a business and we cannot do that in Malawi currently as there is no strategy to take us there.” He has since said he will be working with the Sports Council to make sure each affiliate has an established secretariat. He, therefore, advised committee members running associations to have vision and dreams to develop sports.