Lungani Zama

It’s true, the Armchaired One is throwing his not-so-insignificant weight around. Why, just the other day he left his usual spot in front of the telly and went to watch the real thing. In the heart of Chatsworth. Yebo. This was all in the name of curiosity, you see. Somehow, the Armchaired One even snaffled […]

Ah, the internationals week. A perfect time for the forgetfully inclined to suddenly remember the full extent of niggling injuries and writhe in pain to avoid an arduous trip back home for an irritating friendly. The antics of Benni McCarthy last week highlighted the pitfalls of letting past glories go to your head. Benni is […]

Well, well then. If last week was a “day off”, what on earth will Sir Alex call Saturday’s meltdown at Craven Cottage? It is rather unlike United to lose, never mind lose two matches on the spin. If it was hairdryer stuff in the change-rooms after the Liverpool drubbing, then Saturday’s post-match verbal volley must […]

This much-vaunted referral system the International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented is a terrible decision. For one it has turned the hallowed grail of Test cricket into a stop-start contest, complete with all the hollow tension of a game show with a silly mystery prize. “Is he out or is he in? Let’s go upstairs […]

WHAT a time it is to be a South African sports fan and even more so to be a follower of Graeme Smith and his burgeoning troop of talented cricketers who can now lay claim to being the finest Test outfit in world cricket. That they are not nearly the finished product only serves to […]

Footballers have a rough deal, don’t they? It is easy to look at them with a hint of green as they go to “work” for a few hours a day and reap their vast rewards. But there is a line that you don’t cross … well, at least one you shouldn’t cross. And it is […]

Feeling somewhat bored during the international break in the English Premier League, a mate went off on a tangent, telling me how well-run clubs are much like superbly maintained engines: precise, thrilling and consistent. I pondered this for a while and decided to stretch it further. Why not compare the sides to motorcars. With that […]

At least these guys are consistent in their inconsistency. Last week Arsenal did the hard bit and beat Bolton away, looking the business as their slick passing game beat the Bolton bruisers. Liverpool had drifted and drawn at home to Stoke. And Manchester City had thrilled all and sundry against a hapless Portsmouth. Fast forward […]

If you are looking for goals, skill and a will to thrill, you will find it in Manchester. Sorry, not in the red bit that houses the European and English champions. No, no. I mean the blue bit. You know the one that’s been a joke for years, until the day some Arab oil magnate […]

With the sun finally out, we should all be seeking the great outdoors. But if the local and foreign soccer leagues keep producing the first-class buffet of this last weekend, then it may prove too much to relinquish the TV remote. From lunchtime on Saturday, I sat transfixed as the Kop rejoiced in receiving unexpectedly […]

The English national pastime — except when they are winning the odd Ashes series, of course — is in danger of become the international fashion accessory of the world’s wealthiest men. In the latest twist to a saga that is making Generations look rather bland, Newcastle United have now been linked with a possible takeover […]

Who? This must be some mistake? Man City, one of the big boys now? What the … ? Stealing Robinho from the clutches of Cunning Kenyon? Scaring Man United into action over Berbatov? Talking of winning the Champions League next season? What is going on here? City is supposed to be the ugly sister; the […]