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Showing posts from September, 2019

Andrew Watson: The 'most influential' black footballer for decades lost to history

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  By Andrew Aloia BBC Sport Last updated on 11 October 2021 11 October 2021 . From the section Football Watson was a trailblazer who helped transform how football was played There are two murals of black footballers facing one another across an alleyway in Glasgow. One helped shape football as we know it, the other is Pele. Andrew Watson captained Scotland to a 6-1 win over England on his debut in 1881. He was a pioneer, the world's first black international, but for more than a century the significance of his achievements went unrecognised. Research conducted over the past three decades has left us with some biographical details: a man descended of slaves and of those who enslaved them, born in Guyana, raised to become an English gentleman and famed as one of Scottish football's first icons. And yet today, 100 years on from his death aged 64, Watson remains something of an enigma, the picture built around him a fractured one. His grainy, faded, sepia image evokes many differen...

Robert Mugabe is dead, but old men still run southern Africa

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OPINION  /  19 SEPTEMBER 2019, 5:30PM  /  HENNING MELBER Robert Mugabe African News Agency (ANA) Archives The death of Robert Gabriel Mugabe, 95, saw another of the first-generation leaders of newly independent southern African states leave the world stage. Southern Africa was the last region on the continent to obtain majority rule. The independence of Zimbabwe (1980), Namibia (1990) and democracy in South Africa (1994) ended white settler minority regimes. They were replaced in power by liberation movements. The Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu, later Zanu-PF), the South West African People’s Organisation (Swapo) and the African National Congress (ANC) have been in government since then. Mugabe’s death invites a look at the succession – or lack of – in these three countries. Despite the cultivation of heroic narratives and patriotic history, the first-generation freedom fighters who took over the state offices are not immortal....

"It's only my second season" as Tembo preaches calm

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© Provided by Independent Media I am just in my second season as head coach. I haven’t really won anything, said Kaitano Tembo. Photo: Muzi Ntombela BackpagePix JOHANNESBURG – Kaitano Tembo preached humility after SuperSport United got the better of their cross-town rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to advance to the final of the MTN8 for the third year in a row. The 2-0 win on Wednesday night ensured that SuperSport got to the final with a 3-1 win on aggregate, setting up a clash with Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on 5 October. What would have made this victory sweeter for Tembo is that it came against his mentor Pitso Mosimane - someone who coached him at SuperSport and helped him find his feet in his coaching career. “I have history with coach Pitso,” Tembo said. We're listening! Tell us what you think about Microsoft News “He is someone that I respect and know personally as a coach. He is someone who is very passionate about his game and his work. It’s pleasing to have won t...

Zimbabwe: Zanu-PF Owns Blue Roof, Bona Mugabe's Residence

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Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Flipboard LinkedIn Reddit Email Share Photo:  New Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe's Blue Roof house in Harare. 16 SEPTEMBER 2019 The Herald (Harare) By Joseph Madzimure Zanu — Zanu-PF has title to former President Robert Mugabe's houses -- the imposing Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale and a Mount Pleasant property occupied by his daughter, Bona, details have emerged. Mugabe family spokesperson Mr Leo Mugabe confirmed yesterday that Zimbabwe's late founding father did not own the houses. President Mnangagwa is now working on modalities to transfer the title deeds of the two houses to Cde Mugabe's family. Addressing journalists in Zvimba yesterday, Mr Mugabe said: "The issue of properties is being handled by the President. He is handling the issue to ensure the family is safe. "I was told by President Mnangagwa that the party will help to transfer the title deeds of the properties to the former President...

Shakhtar Donetsk: The Ukrainian serial winners forced to flee from war

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By Robert O'Connor BBC Sport From the section European Football   58 Share this page Shakhtar last played at their home ground in May 2014 A little after 10pm, there's not one set of footsteps to be heard on the pavements of Donetsk. It's an hour before the nightly military curfew starts but no-one's taking any chances and the city is already slipping into a state of quiet. It won't stir again till 4am tomorrow, once the curfew is lifted. Donetsk is a city that once bristled with promise. Situated in the east of Ukraine close to Russia's borders, it is now a key location in  a bitter conflict  that shows little sign of easing. About 13,000 people have been killed, and the United Nations estimates at least 1.3 million have fled their homes. Many of those who remain in Donetsk appear weakened by years of isolation and its football team - the heart of the city's social life - has fled. Shakhtar Donetsk, champi...

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