Nairobi, Kenya - "No vuvuzelas?" I asked, leaning out my window to survey the vendor's goods as he weaved through Johannesburg's rush-hour traffic.
"Try the next block," he responded. His hands were full of knitted hats, wool socks, and a tangle of electronics. "What about a phone charger?" he added, hopefully.
July 2010 Archives
July 19, 2010 12:15 PM
The end of a legendary World Cup
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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July 13, 2010 7:54 PM
South Africans experience priceless World Cup
- Posted by Mark Gleeson
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South Africa's World Cup went off much better than initially thought.
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July 12, 2010 4:13 PM
Hillbrow: the real Johannesburg
- Posted by David Gutnick
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"How does it happen that Hillbrow is so popular, but writers ignore it?"
-Writer Phaswane Mpe 1970 - 2004
"Olé Olé Olé Olé,
Olé Olé Olé Olé »
So there I was on Sunday evening standing in the freezing winds whipping around Soweto's Soccer City as the clock ticks off the final seconds and the Spaniards explode into song:
Yo Soy Español Español Español
Yo Soy Español Español Español
-Writer Phaswane Mpe 1970 - 2004
"Olé Olé Olé Olé,
Olé Olé Olé Olé »
So there I was on Sunday evening standing in the freezing winds whipping around Soweto's Soccer City as the clock ticks off the final seconds and the Spaniards explode into song:
Yo Soy Español Español Español
Yo Soy Español Español Español
| Read more » |
July 12, 2010 2:09 PM
Refusing segregation during apartheid
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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Durban, South Africa
Today the Curries Fountain sports ground in central Durban is a fairly unremarkable pitch. It's squashed between university campuses, and during my mid-morning visit, the area was packed with second-hand cars for a local auto show.
Walking through the brick entrance and on to the drying field, it was hard for me to imagine this is where soccer history was made in South Africa.
Today the Curries Fountain sports ground in central Durban is a fairly unremarkable pitch. It's squashed between university campuses, and during my mid-morning visit, the area was packed with second-hand cars for a local auto show.
Walking through the brick entrance and on to the drying field, it was hard for me to imagine this is where soccer history was made in South Africa.
| Read more » |
July 12, 2010 12:51 PM
Club cohesiveness key to Spain's title
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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It wasn't a classic, but then these occasions rarely are.
What Sunday night at Soccer City did have, however, was plenty of drama, bone-crunching challenges, two teams with well-executed game plans and a very worthy winner.
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July 11, 2010 8:17 PM
World Cup heroes and villains
- Posted by Nigel Reed
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A new World Champion on a new World Cup continent. An eighth name has been added to those already engraved on the base of the FIFA World Cup trophy. No more monkeys on generations of Spanish backs.
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July 11, 2010 2:26 PM
3-D soccer: a new view
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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I got in line with the jersey-ed and vuvuzela-ed to watch the
penultimate game of the 2010 World Cup last night. Instead of my usual
outfit of layered woollens, topped with a fleece blanket, I wore a pair
of jeans.
Rather than catching the game in the chilly stadium or fan park, I watched Uruguay and Germany hash it out for third place in three dimensions at the Sandton City movie theatre.
Rather than catching the game in the chilly stadium or fan park, I watched Uruguay and Germany hash it out for third place in three dimensions at the Sandton City movie theatre.
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July 10, 2010 8:24 PM
Germany's pointless place on the 'podium'
- Posted by Nigel Reed
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Congratulations to Germany for finishing third at the FIFA World Cup. In the so-called "bronze medal" game they held sway over Uruguay. Except there are no medals, and there is no point.
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July 10, 2010 4:54 PM
Today South Africa is better off
- Posted by Kevin Bloom
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The N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban is one of South Africa's
most important infrastructural arteries. It's a dual-carriage motorway
that starts on the Highveld plateau, 1600 metres above sea level, and
runs down the escarpment and through the lush coastal bush to end at the
busiest container port in Africa.
| Read more » |
July 10, 2010 2:44 PM
Spain made statement this time around
- Posted by Sid Lowe
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Spain's airplane will touch down at Barajas airport late on Monday afternoon. At six, the national team will be met by the president of the Spanish government, José Luis Zapatero, at the Moncloa Palace and at seven they will leave.
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July 10, 2010 9:30 AM
Dutch need some Robben magic
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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Record-chasing Wesley Sneijder, who could become the first player in the history of the game to win in one season the four biggest team trophies (championship, domestic cup, Champions League and the World Cup), as well as the Golden Ball (Best World Cup player) and Golden Boot (best World Cup goal-scorer), is naturally mentioned as the Netherlands' biggest asset by all experts.
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July 9, 2010 2:20 PM
The healing powers of soccer
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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The pitch in De Noon was uneven. The sparse
patches of grass were like divots on the pot-holed sand. In the
distance, behind
the patchwork of houses and industrial buildings, Cape Town's Table
Mountain
melted into the horizon.
| Read more » |
July 8, 2010 11:58 AM
Basque, Catalan players indispensable for Spain
- Posted by Sid Lowe
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For years, one of the theories put forward for the failure of Spain's national soccer team was the lack of
commitment shown by Basque and Catalan players.
There was just one flaw in the theory: it was rubbish.
There was just one flaw in the theory: it was rubbish.
| Read more » |
July 8, 2010 11:40 AM
World Cup creates sense of belonging
- Posted by Scott Russell
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While the pitch is the stage and the players are the actors, it's the supporters who invariably win rave reviews at any World Cup.
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July 8, 2010 9:35 AM
World Cup fraternity set to welcome new member
- Posted by John Molinaro
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Spain did soccer fans all around the world (except in Germany, of
course) a big favour Wednesday night.
Not only did La Roja's 1-0 victory over the Germans send them through to Sunday's final against the Netherlands in Johannesburg, but it also ensures that we will see a new name etched on the World Cup trophy.
Not only did La Roja's 1-0 victory over the Germans send them through to Sunday's final against the Netherlands in Johannesburg, but it also ensures that we will see a new name etched on the World Cup trophy.
| Read more » |
July 8, 2010 6:29 AM
Why Spain were anything but boring
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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On the one hand, you had a five-goal-thriller with sensational long-distance goals, last minute drama and some bone-crunching challenges. The next night, it was a 1-0 victory with few clear-cut chances and a goal from a corner.
| Read more » |
July 7, 2010 8:51 PM
Spain finally finds its groove
- Posted by Jason de Vos
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Heading into the World Cup in South Africa, Spain was heralded as legitimate title contenders.
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July 7, 2010 9:23 AM
Immigrants prepare to flee South Africa
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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I was walking through the streets of the De Noon township just outside
of Cape Town last week -- before the Ghana loss. Malusi Dyasi, a local
footballer, was waving the Ghanaian flag through the streets. Adults
shouted out words of encouragement from their corner shops, and children
stole away from their older siblings to bumble after us in the
afternoon sun.
| Read more » |
July 7, 2010 12:16 AM
Perfect Holland may be unbeatable
- Posted by Nigel Reed
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I am prepared to give the Netherlands, in general, and Robin van Persie in particular, the benefit of the doubt. Holland's unblemished march to the World Cup Final has to be admired. I just wish the margin of victory had not left a quizzical taste in the mouth.
| Read more » |
July 6, 2010 6:17 PM
Uruguay's remarkable journey
- Posted by Tim Vickery
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After reaching the last four in the world, Uruguay gave Holland a scare right at the end of Tuesday's semifinal match when
some must surely have been dreaming of extra time, possibly penalties
and the chance of a shot at glory in Sunday's big final.
From fifth in the continent to either third or fourth in the world - it's been quite a journey.
From fifth in the continent to either third or fourth in the world - it's been quite a journey.
| Read more » |
July 6, 2010 3:01 PM
Ballack on the outs with Germany?
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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The news story on the German FA website Monday night seemed perfectly
innocuous.
"Michael Ballack is on his way home," it read. "[He] has decided to continue his rehabilitation program back [in Germany]."
But reading between the lines, you get the sense that nobody had too much time for him at the team hotel in South Africa
"Michael Ballack is on his way home," it read. "[He] has decided to continue his rehabilitation program back [in Germany]."
But reading between the lines, you get the sense that nobody had too much time for him at the team hotel in South Africa
| Read more » |
July 6, 2010 10:49 AM
Fighting prejudice - lesbian soccer in South Africa
- Posted by David Gutnick
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When South Africans tossed their racist laws into the garbage can at the
beginning of the 1990's, they showed the rest of the world that they
were in the mood to make history.
Anti-apartheid activists who had spent years in jail were finally free and hungry to remake their society.
Every citizen - no matter who they were - was to be treated with respect.
Anti-apartheid activists who had spent years in jail were finally free and hungry to remake their society.
Every citizen - no matter who they were - was to be treated with respect.
| Read more » |
July 5, 2010 3:15 PM
Who will replace Mueller for Germany?
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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Can Germany cope without Thomas Mueller against Spain? The answer is contained in the very question.
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July 5, 2010 1:14 PM
Quotes of the World Cup
- Posted by Sid Lowe
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Martin Demichelis was always asking for trouble and, inevitably, he got
it. The question now is: where in the world is he? Because, if he is to
be believed, he could be anywhere -- except back home in Argentina.
In the aftermath of England's capitulation against Germany and the build-up to Argentina's match against the same opposition, Demichelis announced: "If I play as badly against Germany as John Terry did, I won't be able to go home to Argentina."
At about the same time he said it and argument was brewing in his kitchen, where Demichelis' pot was attacking his kettle.
In the aftermath of England's capitulation against Germany and the build-up to Argentina's match against the same opposition, Demichelis announced: "If I play as badly against Germany as John Terry did, I won't be able to go home to Argentina."
At about the same time he said it and argument was brewing in his kitchen, where Demichelis' pot was attacking his kettle.
| Read more » |
July 3, 2010 8:59 PM
Argentina powerless against German tactics
- Posted by Jason de Vos
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Germany dismantled Argentina and cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory Saturday, securing a semi-final matchup with Spain in the process.
It was as comfortable a victory as Germany will ever have against the South Americans, and while the players will get all the plaudits, their coach deserves a fair bit of praise as well.
| Read more » |
July 3, 2010 6:40 PM
And then there was one
- Posted by Tim Vickery
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And so there is only one South American side left standing as the World Cup moves into its closing week. And that team through to the last four is Uruguay, which finished fifth in South America's qualification campaign.
Meanwhile Brazil and Argentina are left to lick their wounds. Chile have nothing to reproach themselves for, and nor, emphatically, do Paraguay, after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time before bowing out 1-0 to Spain.
| Read more » |
July 3, 2010 1:05 PM
Maradona's buffoonish image unwarranted
- Posted by John Molinaro
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It's unfashionable to give Diego Maradona any kind of credit because he is, as we've been told ad nauseam by the English press for the past 24 years, a dirty, no-good cheat.
| Read more » |
July 3, 2010 12:09 PM
Dreams of Ghana
- Posted by Anjali Nayar
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Durban, South Africa
I stepped into Durban's beach-side Fan Park a few minutes after kick-off. The mood was relaxed, after all most people had been puttering around in the sand for hours since the Netherlands/Brazil game earlier in the day.
Past the line of towering palm trees, a giant screen was beaming out the match. Fans, covered in red, yellow and green body paint (and little else), were jumping around with horns of all shapes and sizes. In between the spontaneous eruptions of support for Ghana, children were using their vuvuzelas to build and adorn sandcastles.
I stepped into Durban's beach-side Fan Park a few minutes after kick-off. The mood was relaxed, after all most people had been puttering around in the sand for hours since the Netherlands/Brazil game earlier in the day.
Past the line of towering palm trees, a giant screen was beaming out the match. Fans, covered in red, yellow and green body paint (and little else), were jumping around with horns of all shapes and sizes. In between the spontaneous eruptions of support for Ghana, children were using their vuvuzelas to build and adorn sandcastles.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 7:54 PM
Nigerian government risking its football future
- Posted by Mark Gleeson
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The decision by the Nigerian government to ban their team from playing in world football for the next two years harks back to an era when irritated African 'big men' were able to impose their will on all sectors of civil society.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 7:43 PM
Brazil, Ghana fail to close the deal
- Posted by Nigel Reed
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In the end Brazil and Ghana lost more than a football match. The Black Stars, carrying the hopes of an entire continent, lost their nerve. Brazil, the most powerful force in the world game, lost the plot.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 6:56 PM
Uruguay handled the pressure, Ghana didn't
- Posted by Tim Vickery
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Uruguay has every reason to dread
penalty shootouts. It missed out on the last World Cup after losing one
to Australia, and lost to Brazil by the same method in the semifinals
of the last two Copa America tournaments.
Now Uruguay has a young, elastic goalkeeper in Nicolas Muslera -- probably better at penalties than in open play -- and also has big Sebastian Abreu to give the delightful final touch.
Now Uruguay has a young, elastic goalkeeper in Nicolas Muslera -- probably better at penalties than in open play -- and also has big Sebastian Abreu to give the delightful final touch.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 6:49 PM
Suarez: Hero or cheat?
- Posted by Sid Lowe
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So, Luis Suarez: sneaky cheat who prospered at the expense of innocent men or brave hero who fell on his sword?
The answer, as with so many questions, probably depends on who you support. There probably isn't a right answer, but right now, in the immediate aftermath of Uruguay's passage into the semifinal, there are countless questions.
The answer, as with so many questions, probably depends on who you support. There probably isn't a right answer, but right now, in the immediate aftermath of Uruguay's passage into the semifinal, there are countless questions.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 2:22 PM
Klose ready to silence all critics
- Posted by Raphael Honigstein
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Joachim Löw will not be the only one addressing the German players in
the changing room on Saturday.
"Miroslav Klose will do a speech, that's a tradition when it comes to special occasions", revealed Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday.
The quarterfinal against Argentina in Cape Town will mark a milestone for the 32-year-old: it will be his 100th international for Germany. "It's madness, really", said the Bayerrn Munich striker humbly, "an unbelievable achievement for any footballer."
"Miroslav Klose will do a speech, that's a tradition when it comes to special occasions", revealed Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday.
The quarterfinal against Argentina in Cape Town will mark a milestone for the 32-year-old: it will be his 100th international for Germany. "It's madness, really", said the Bayerrn Munich striker humbly, "an unbelievable achievement for any footballer."
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 2:16 PM
Spain's coach not giving up on Torres
- Posted by Sid Lowe
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Spain was struggling to find a way through against Portugal. And then Vicente del Bosque took Fernando Torres off.
| Read more » |
July 2, 2010 1:23 PM
Dutch have mastered the art of winning ugly
- Posted by John Molinaro
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What will Johan Cruyff have to say about this?
Cruyff's beloved Netherlands continued its impressive run at the World Cup on Friday, coming from behind to beat Brazil 2-1 in Port Elizabeth to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1998.
This makes it five wins in a row for the Dutch, who have booked their spot in the final four by abandoning the open, attacking and adventurous soccer they are renowned for, and replacing it with a more pragmatic and dogmatic style.
Cruyff's beloved Netherlands continued its impressive run at the World Cup on Friday, coming from behind to beat Brazil 2-1 in Port Elizabeth to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1998.
This makes it five wins in a row for the Dutch, who have booked their spot in the final four by abandoning the open, attacking and adventurous soccer they are renowned for, and replacing it with a more pragmatic and dogmatic style.
| Read more » |
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Date Match Time Sun. July 11 Netherlands vs Spain 12:30 ET 
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