Lungani Zama

So Zlatan Ibrahimovic is apparently twice the player Samuel Eto’o is? Which form of reasoning Pep Guardiola used to come up with that conclusion I will never know. Statistics show that the Cameroonian hitman has been the best striker in Europe over the last five years, banging in league goals for fun. And he has […]

I suppose David Beckham wasn’t quite expecting the verbal volley from Galaxy fans on his return. Then again, what did he expect? If you tell your wife you love her dearly, then spend half a year flirting outrageously with an exotic supermodel, will you really be surprised if you are confined to the couch and […]

It’s been most amusing hearing various reactions to Michael Owen’s surprise switch to Old Trafford. Be it Liverpool fans fuming at the thought of their former idol wearing the red of the “Mancs”, to United fans who are scratching their head at Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest transfer punt. If you believe some, Fergie only bought […]

I used to look forward to every Bok coach press conference, eagerly anticipating each magnificent metaphor that leapt forth from that equally magnificent ‘tache. But lately Peter de Villiers has rivalled even the great Julius in putting his foot in it. His pearls of wisdom have become serious bones of contention, and indeed his mutterings […]

We all had our fears before this tournament about how Bafana would be swamped in a an avalanche of goals. I thought one may have to hide behind the couch as we squirmed in front of the whole world. But alas, the boys have done us proud. In fact, one can have a reasonable amount […]

You win five on the trot and then you stumble at the penultimate hurdle. For most teams, that would be a pretty good run which was bound to end some time. But for Graeme Smith and co, that is mere confirmation of their world-class choke-ability, right? Wrong! It cannot be classed a choke when you […]

And so a week that started so well — with hype, hope and a fair sprinkling of glamour — ended rather limply, with Bafana showing all the attacking promise of a newborn gazelle charging a pride of lions. I mean, really, what was Santana thinking? You have millions glued to their seats, thousands crammed into […]

Well, it all ended in the most un-United of ways with a rather desperate draw but Manchester United had done more than enough in the previous 36 games to earn a day off on their way to a third straight league title. There were cheers when it ended, tears when Tevez departed, and most certainly […]

And so, it boils down to this. Despite Chelsea’s vehement protests, despite the evidence and despite their defiance, really, the final of the biggest club competition will be between the champions and the entertainers. Barcelona somehow didn’t make Petr Cech make a save for all of 90 minutes on Wednesday night. But when they did […]

Count them. From David Warner, Graham Napier and Yusuf Pathan, right down to our own Albie Morkel and Tyrone Henderson. What do they have in common? Instant stardom on the back of the ability to hit a long ball, and not always in the prettiest way possible. Certainly not pretty in the manner of a […]

The commentator had it right. Barcelona haven’t won anything yet, despite their mind-blowing brilliance. I will say one thing, though. They may not have won a trophy this season, but Pep Guardiola’s side have most certainly won the hearts of every football fan out there. Their latest demolition job, in Real Madrid’s backyard nogal, was […]

Forgive me for being an apparent party pooper, but have Everton already won the FA Cup? I could swear that was only the semifinal that they won on Sunday night. I mean, it must be confusing having a match at headquarters — usually reserved for big occasions such as, well, finals — but surely the […]