IT is now the final countdown to the Confederations Cup, which is just five days away. Bafana Bafana is definitely feeling the pressure from both the local fans and the rest of the globe.
There is no turning back now for coach Joel Santana, who raised a few eyebrows after announcing his final squad of 23 last week. However, one has to admire the Brazilian‘s consistency when it comes to discipline in making his selections. First was the omission of bad boy Benni McCarthy from the preliminary squad, then came the withdrawal of Mabhudi Khenyeza after he failed to report to camp on time, and finally the axe fell on Nasief Morris, also due to ill-discipline. A disciplined side is a winning one.
There are definitely more positives than negatives to be taken out of the weekend‘s friendly match against Poland. The victory, coupled with the fact that Bafana moved five places up in the world rankings to the 72nd spot, are sure to have boosted the side‘s confidence. The pressure now lies largely on Santana to provide the desired results and show some competitiveness in the “Festival of Champions”, or he may get the axe prior to the bigger tournament, the World Cup. Even former national captain Lucas Radebe has warned Santana that should he fail in the Confed, he could be on the first flight out back to Rio de Janeiro.
Many of the Bafana fans have now decided that they have done enough criticising and it is now time to support the national coach and the squad.
The question is, for how long?
The opening game on Sunday against little-known Iraq will undoubtedly set the tone for the side during the tournament.
All the fans have their fingers crossed that the injuries to Teko Modise and Steven Pienaar, which are said to be minor, will not come back to haunt them during the very important competition. They are the charges who largely have the hopes of the nation in flying the South African flag high against the various continental champions in the competition. More importantly, success will come from collective teamwork, as displayed against Poland.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
It’s time to rally around Bafana for 2010 dress-rehearsal
TIME has flown by and the fat lady is about to sing, with just over two weeks left – 17 days to be exact – before the dress-rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup begins on June 14. It definitely seems like everyone is ready for the spectacle – from the organisers, the players and the fans. The eyes of the entire globe will be on South Africa to assess our capabilities on and off the soccer field. Now is the time for sceptics to put their pessimism on hold and rally behind the organising committee and their team.
South Africa has in the past shown its capability of hosting events of such high magnitude. In 1995, the country played host to the world during the Rugby World Cup – uniting the young democratic country as South Africa took the title on home soil. A year later, the Bafana Bafana Class of 1996 were crowned African champions after successfully hosting the African Cup of Nations. In 2003, it was the Cricket World Cup (also the first to be held on African soil) which despite the host nation failing to make it to the Super 6 stage, went on to be a major success.
The recent Indian Premier League, which was held in South Africa, once again showed the country‘s knack of staging successful world- class events. Judging by these past tournaments and the fact that ticket sales for the Confederations Cup are fast nearing the 400000-mark goes to show that the general public is ready and willing to be part of making history.
Most of the pressure to perform over the two-week long tournament will be on Joel Santana‘s men. Bafana have received plenty of warnings from their fellow competitors – La Roja (the Spanish national team) and the Lions of Mesopotamia (Iraq) – that they face an arduous task ahead. The competition in the 30- man squad, which will soon be trimmed down to 23 before the June 4 deadline for submission of official Confederations Cup squads, is said to be highly intense.
South Africans now need not to cry over spilt milk, but to support the coach‘s decisions. There remain many who are crying foul over the booting out of Mabhudi Khenyeza, the inclusion of certain players and the exclusion of Richard Henyekane. This is not the time to be negative, but to give full support to the national team.
Since no African team has yet claimed the Confederations Cup title, one would hope that Bafana and the Pharaohs of Egypt will turn things around.
South Africa has in the past shown its capability of hosting events of such high magnitude. In 1995, the country played host to the world during the Rugby World Cup – uniting the young democratic country as South Africa took the title on home soil. A year later, the Bafana Bafana Class of 1996 were crowned African champions after successfully hosting the African Cup of Nations. In 2003, it was the Cricket World Cup (also the first to be held on African soil) which despite the host nation failing to make it to the Super 6 stage, went on to be a major success.
The recent Indian Premier League, which was held in South Africa, once again showed the country‘s knack of staging successful world- class events. Judging by these past tournaments and the fact that ticket sales for the Confederations Cup are fast nearing the 400000-mark goes to show that the general public is ready and willing to be part of making history.
Most of the pressure to perform over the two-week long tournament will be on Joel Santana‘s men. Bafana have received plenty of warnings from their fellow competitors – La Roja (the Spanish national team) and the Lions of Mesopotamia (Iraq) – that they face an arduous task ahead. The competition in the 30- man squad, which will soon be trimmed down to 23 before the June 4 deadline for submission of official Confederations Cup squads, is said to be highly intense.
South Africans now need not to cry over spilt milk, but to support the coach‘s decisions. There remain many who are crying foul over the booting out of Mabhudi Khenyeza, the inclusion of certain players and the exclusion of Richard Henyekane. This is not the time to be negative, but to give full support to the national team.
Since no African team has yet claimed the Confederations Cup title, one would hope that Bafana and the Pharaohs of Egypt will turn things around.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
East Cape faces another soccer drought after demise of Bay United
THE Eastern Cape is about to face yet another soccer drought after the relegation of Bay United from the Absa Premiership. Umlilo follow in the footsteps of Blackpool and Michau Warriors who survived only one season in top-flight football in the 1990s, never to be heard of again. With the possibility of Umlilo being sold comes the likelihood of the club moving out of the province.
I recently had the pleasure of having a lengthy chat with NMB Safa president Johnson Kula – a man who is very passionate about the region‘s football. Umlilo‘s troublesome season in the PSL was our main topic of discussion. We agreed fully on some of the main reasons the club failed over the past season.
A lack of financial backing proved to be a major factor in the downward spiral of one of the clubs which arguably had the most potential. The metro‘s business people failed to come to the party and support the only professional Eastern Cape soccer side. They took a back seat and watched cautiously from a distance.
The lack of financial muscle meant no quality players in the squad. Truth be told, as much as the players did try their utmost best, Khabo Zondo had little quality and depth to withstand the arduous top league in the country. Only money can get the best players.
It was also no secret that the club and the local municipality never saw eye to eye on a number of issues. The most controversial being the issue of the stadium, as Umlilo had no home to really call their own.
“I have, on a number of occasions, had to be the middle-man when it came to ironing out the differences between the club and the municipality. Unfortunately, on most occasions the parties could not reach consensus,” said Kula.
According to the Safa NMB president, deputy mayor Bicks Ndoni was one man who offered his unconditional support and saw a need for co-operation, but this was not to be.
One would also point a finger at the municipality for failing the thousands of fans who had supported Umlilo at Kwazakhele‘s Wolfson Stadium. In the days prior to gaining promotion it was already clear that the stadium would not be fit for the PSL. There had been ample time for the municipality to rectify the problem, and take the club back to its people.
Some of the so-called big guns in the metro‘s business sector, who flocked to the suites at the EPRU Stadium, did no favours to the budget of the club. It was brought to my knowledge that the majority of these men and women would refuse to pay for entry into the stadium, bombarding the club‘s personnel with phone calls wanting free tickets to the suites. With this kind of treatment, how could anyone have expected the club to survive?
Should Umlilo remain in Port Elizabeth, one would hope that these problems are solved before the club makes its way back into top- flight football again.
I recently had the pleasure of having a lengthy chat with NMB Safa president Johnson Kula – a man who is very passionate about the region‘s football. Umlilo‘s troublesome season in the PSL was our main topic of discussion. We agreed fully on some of the main reasons the club failed over the past season.
A lack of financial backing proved to be a major factor in the downward spiral of one of the clubs which arguably had the most potential. The metro‘s business people failed to come to the party and support the only professional Eastern Cape soccer side. They took a back seat and watched cautiously from a distance.
The lack of financial muscle meant no quality players in the squad. Truth be told, as much as the players did try their utmost best, Khabo Zondo had little quality and depth to withstand the arduous top league in the country. Only money can get the best players.
It was also no secret that the club and the local municipality never saw eye to eye on a number of issues. The most controversial being the issue of the stadium, as Umlilo had no home to really call their own.
“I have, on a number of occasions, had to be the middle-man when it came to ironing out the differences between the club and the municipality. Unfortunately, on most occasions the parties could not reach consensus,” said Kula.
According to the Safa NMB president, deputy mayor Bicks Ndoni was one man who offered his unconditional support and saw a need for co-operation, but this was not to be.
One would also point a finger at the municipality for failing the thousands of fans who had supported Umlilo at Kwazakhele‘s Wolfson Stadium. In the days prior to gaining promotion it was already clear that the stadium would not be fit for the PSL. There had been ample time for the municipality to rectify the problem, and take the club back to its people.
Some of the so-called big guns in the metro‘s business sector, who flocked to the suites at the EPRU Stadium, did no favours to the budget of the club. It was brought to my knowledge that the majority of these men and women would refuse to pay for entry into the stadium, bombarding the club‘s personnel with phone calls wanting free tickets to the suites. With this kind of treatment, how could anyone have expected the club to survive?
Should Umlilo remain in Port Elizabeth, one would hope that these problems are solved before the club makes its way back into top- flight football again.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
All eyes will be focused on SA’s dress-rehearsal for 2010
THE spotlight is set to shine much brighter on the South Africa soccer scene in just over a month‘s time when the Confederations Cup gets under way. In fact, it is just a mere 39 days away. As a result, the attention will be squarely on the country‘s ability and readiness, both as a host nation and Bafana Bafana‘s competitiveness, for the World Cup tournament next year. The question on everybody‘s lips is: Are we ready to take on the world? The two-week tournament will probably provide the answer.
Dr Danny Jordaan and his team have been doing a pleasing job in the organisation and logistics of the tournament, but as many would agree, there has been an absence in the marketing and creation of a hype and excitement in South Africa surrounding the World Cup curtain-raiser.
Unlike in 2005, when nobody needed to be reminded, even months before the kickoff of the event that a high-profile tournament was about to take place, sadly the same cannot be said about this year‘s event.
There are still people who call me to inquire when exactly the tournament will take place. This just goes to show that there is something lacking.
The LOC needs to reach out to the people on the ground and it is not too late.
Although the past weekend‘s Soweto Derby is of a smaller scale in magnitude compared to the Confederations Cup, the manner in which it was organised and carried out bodes well for South Africans, as it was a most successful test run for the event to be hosted in June.
Bafana, on the other hand, have yet to prove that they have the ability to keep the spirit of the host country high and unite the nation, like Germany did in 2006. Judging by the team‘s inconsistent performances against the bigger footballing nations, it is no wonder that there is so much pessimism over Bafana‘s chances of going far in 2010. With the chopping and changing of players and lack of commitment and patriotism from certain high and mighty players, one would hope that Joel Santana has an ace up his sleeve to turn Banana Banana into the Bafana Bafana we knew in 1996. We will just have to wait and see what will happen on June 14 and beyond.
THE New Brighton Football Association (Nebfa) league came to an end at the weekend and focus will now shift to cup competitions, with the Continental Knockout Cup kicking off at the New Brighton Oval this weekend.
Continental will be sponsoring the tournament for the fourth consecutive year with a whopping R60000 in prize money. The official launch of the competition will take place at the New Brighton Oval clubhouse this evening.
THE Pefa Ladies League produced another high scoring weekend with 24 goals being scored in three matches. In Warriors‘ 8-1 thrashing of PE City, Courtney Nanan continued her goalscoring form with five goals, Nomzamo Mahenza scored a brace for VP Mustangs in their 3-3 draw against Callies, while NMMU‘s Sandra Tennoy scored six in the 9-0 drubbing of St George‘s.
Dr Danny Jordaan and his team have been doing a pleasing job in the organisation and logistics of the tournament, but as many would agree, there has been an absence in the marketing and creation of a hype and excitement in South Africa surrounding the World Cup curtain-raiser.
Unlike in 2005, when nobody needed to be reminded, even months before the kickoff of the event that a high-profile tournament was about to take place, sadly the same cannot be said about this year‘s event.
There are still people who call me to inquire when exactly the tournament will take place. This just goes to show that there is something lacking.
The LOC needs to reach out to the people on the ground and it is not too late.
Although the past weekend‘s Soweto Derby is of a smaller scale in magnitude compared to the Confederations Cup, the manner in which it was organised and carried out bodes well for South Africans, as it was a most successful test run for the event to be hosted in June.
Bafana, on the other hand, have yet to prove that they have the ability to keep the spirit of the host country high and unite the nation, like Germany did in 2006. Judging by the team‘s inconsistent performances against the bigger footballing nations, it is no wonder that there is so much pessimism over Bafana‘s chances of going far in 2010. With the chopping and changing of players and lack of commitment and patriotism from certain high and mighty players, one would hope that Joel Santana has an ace up his sleeve to turn Banana Banana into the Bafana Bafana we knew in 1996. We will just have to wait and see what will happen on June 14 and beyond.
THE New Brighton Football Association (Nebfa) league came to an end at the weekend and focus will now shift to cup competitions, with the Continental Knockout Cup kicking off at the New Brighton Oval this weekend.
Continental will be sponsoring the tournament for the fourth consecutive year with a whopping R60000 in prize money. The official launch of the competition will take place at the New Brighton Oval clubhouse this evening.
THE Pefa Ladies League produced another high scoring weekend with 24 goals being scored in three matches. In Warriors‘ 8-1 thrashing of PE City, Courtney Nanan continued her goalscoring form with five goals, Nomzamo Mahenza scored a brace for VP Mustangs in their 3-3 draw against Callies, while NMMU‘s Sandra Tennoy scored six in the 9-0 drubbing of St George‘s.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bay United’s inconsistency is their own worst nightmare
IT is now or never for Port Elizabeth‘s Bay United, as they begin their last lap of the season against Kaizer Chiefs tonight. Who would have thought that a side that started the season with such a luminous run of form would find themselves in the ominous position they are currently in?
Umlilo‘s worst nightmare, as captain Duran Francis admitted, is none other than themselves as the side have been one of the most inconsistent in the Premier Soccer League this season.
“Our biggest downfall this season has been the lack of consistency. We didn‘t play at the same level throughout the season. We won the games everybody expected us to lose, and lost the ones we were meant to win,” said the captain.
With a record of five wins in 25 league games, it comes as no surprise that the Port Elizabeth outfit finds itself in its current position – with only two of those victories having come under the mentorship of former coach Vladislav Heric.
Relegation would be quite a calamity, not only for the city that had not boasted a club in top-flight football in over 13 years (the days of Michau Warriors and Blackpool) before Umlilo gained promotion to the PSL last year, but to the entire province of the Eastern Cape.
Should United be relegated, the city would be a host for the 2010 World Cup without having a team in the national league. One would also hope that the new gem of the city – the Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 multi-purpose stadium will not become a white elephant for the next 13 years.
It is encouraging though that senior players like Francis, Cyril Nzama and Jimmy Zakazaka, together with coach Khabo Zondo, still remain optimistic about their chances of survival. However, truth be told, it will take more than mere optimism for the side to scrape through the relegation battle.
Umlilo‘s fate does not lie solely in their own hands as they will be keeping their fingers crossed that fellow strugglers Bloemfontein Celtic and Thanda Royal Zulu collect as few points as possible in their remaining five matches. The slightest slip-up by Zondo‘s men will almost certainly seal the deal, and make it impossible for them to bounce back and retain their PSL status.
“We owe everything to our supporters who‘ve been there for us from the beginning. Everything we do, we do it for them. We will not disappoint them,” Francis once told me.
At this stage, it is for more than just the supporters. The players should do it for themselves and the club. Their own jobs are at stake, and for many of the veteran players like Francis, Nzama, Patrick Mayo and goalkeeper Arthur Bartman, should the club be relegated they may never play another PSL match after the end of the season, as age is definitely not on their side.
A bigger blow would be the fact that a large number of the younger players who have shown much promise throughout the season, like Gareth Ncaca, Zamuxolo Ngalo, Vincent Khumalo, Siyabulela Songwinqi and Zakazaka, would be snatched away by other PSL teams which will force the club to rebuild from scratch should the side be relegated to the National First Division.
One would hope that Zondo‘s hard work over the past month will pay off and that the players will heed his call to fight to the end, collecting as many of the 15 points available in their remaining matches – for the sake of the club, the city and the province.
Umlilo‘s worst nightmare, as captain Duran Francis admitted, is none other than themselves as the side have been one of the most inconsistent in the Premier Soccer League this season.
“Our biggest downfall this season has been the lack of consistency. We didn‘t play at the same level throughout the season. We won the games everybody expected us to lose, and lost the ones we were meant to win,” said the captain.
With a record of five wins in 25 league games, it comes as no surprise that the Port Elizabeth outfit finds itself in its current position – with only two of those victories having come under the mentorship of former coach Vladislav Heric.
Relegation would be quite a calamity, not only for the city that had not boasted a club in top-flight football in over 13 years (the days of Michau Warriors and Blackpool) before Umlilo gained promotion to the PSL last year, but to the entire province of the Eastern Cape.
Should United be relegated, the city would be a host for the 2010 World Cup without having a team in the national league. One would also hope that the new gem of the city – the Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 multi-purpose stadium will not become a white elephant for the next 13 years.
It is encouraging though that senior players like Francis, Cyril Nzama and Jimmy Zakazaka, together with coach Khabo Zondo, still remain optimistic about their chances of survival. However, truth be told, it will take more than mere optimism for the side to scrape through the relegation battle.
Umlilo‘s fate does not lie solely in their own hands as they will be keeping their fingers crossed that fellow strugglers Bloemfontein Celtic and Thanda Royal Zulu collect as few points as possible in their remaining five matches. The slightest slip-up by Zondo‘s men will almost certainly seal the deal, and make it impossible for them to bounce back and retain their PSL status.
“We owe everything to our supporters who‘ve been there for us from the beginning. Everything we do, we do it for them. We will not disappoint them,” Francis once told me.
At this stage, it is for more than just the supporters. The players should do it for themselves and the club. Their own jobs are at stake, and for many of the veteran players like Francis, Nzama, Patrick Mayo and goalkeeper Arthur Bartman, should the club be relegated they may never play another PSL match after the end of the season, as age is definitely not on their side.
A bigger blow would be the fact that a large number of the younger players who have shown much promise throughout the season, like Gareth Ncaca, Zamuxolo Ngalo, Vincent Khumalo, Siyabulela Songwinqi and Zakazaka, would be snatched away by other PSL teams which will force the club to rebuild from scratch should the side be relegated to the National First Division.
One would hope that Zondo‘s hard work over the past month will pay off and that the players will heed his call to fight to the end, collecting as many of the 15 points available in their remaining matches – for the sake of the club, the city and the province.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Latest soccer tragedy is timely warning to Fifa in the build-up to World Cup
2009/04/01 Soccer Fever, with Chumani Bambani
IT is never pleasant witnessing or hearing about a tragedy on the sporting field. Losing a game is not the end of the world. However, relegation from Premiership football will be considered a major tragedy for Bay United‘s faithful supporters and Eastern Cape soccer people in general should that happen at the end of the current Premier Soccer League season.
March 29, 2009, April 11, 2001, and April 15, 1989, could be meaningless days to some, but to others these were days that were covered by a dark cloud in football history.
Ivory Coast‘s emphatic 5-0 drubbing over Malawi at Abidjan‘s Felix Houphouet- Boigny Stadium was overshadowed by the deaths of 22 Ivorian fans and injury to 132 people due to a stampede.
This brings back bad memories of the deaths of 43 people at Ellis Park on April 11, 2001, during a game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This was the worst disaster in South African sporting history.
Then there were the 93 people killed during the April 15, 1989, FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield‘s Hillsborough Stadium.
One should also not forget two of the worst stampedes in sporting history. One occurred on October 20, 1982, during a European Cup clash between Spartak Moscow and Haarlem where 340 fans were reportedly killed, and another during an Olympic qualifier on May 24, 1964, between South American arch-rivals Peru and Argentina when a late Peru goal was disallowed, which resulted in a riot that led to the deaths of 318 people.
These are just a few of the many disastrous incidents that have occurred in soccer stadiums and have remained etched in the memories of many soccer followers. These are incidents that need to be avoided at all costs.
The incident at the stadium in Abidjan brings to the fore the Ellis Park tragedy, which will surely make the soccer mother body, Fifa, keep a close eye on South Africa‘s capabilities of hosting the 2010 World Cup, as both incidents occurred as a result of overcrowding at the venues.
The excuse by our Local Organising Committee that the slow sales of tickets for the tournament “because South Africans are used to purchasing their tickets on match- day” could see similar incidents escalating during the tournament and the Confederations Cup. Football committees, especially in Africa, need to shape up.
Bay United‘s Jimmy Zakazaka, who represented Malawi during the Abidjan clash, said: “We didn‘t know until the end of the game that there were people killed.”
The main question that has been raised is why are high- profile matches allowed to take place at venues that do not meet the requirements?
Who must take the blame? Could it be Fifa, who are now calling for an inquiry into the tragedy? They were responsible for the game taking place at the venue in the first place. Or is it the police who provoked the panic by tear- gassing people who had nowhere to run?
None of these questions will bring back any of the 22 lives lost. Fifa, however, need to look at ways and means to ensure that our soccer stadiums are not turned into graveyards.
EASTER weekend will see plenty of soccer action in the Eastern Cape. A large number of local clubs are preparing for the Continental Tyre NASB Easter tournament as well as the Eleven Attackers FC Easter tournament in Somerset East.
IT is never pleasant witnessing or hearing about a tragedy on the sporting field. Losing a game is not the end of the world. However, relegation from Premiership football will be considered a major tragedy for Bay United‘s faithful supporters and Eastern Cape soccer people in general should that happen at the end of the current Premier Soccer League season.
March 29, 2009, April 11, 2001, and April 15, 1989, could be meaningless days to some, but to others these were days that were covered by a dark cloud in football history.
Ivory Coast‘s emphatic 5-0 drubbing over Malawi at Abidjan‘s Felix Houphouet- Boigny Stadium was overshadowed by the deaths of 22 Ivorian fans and injury to 132 people due to a stampede.
This brings back bad memories of the deaths of 43 people at Ellis Park on April 11, 2001, during a game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This was the worst disaster in South African sporting history.
Then there were the 93 people killed during the April 15, 1989, FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield‘s Hillsborough Stadium.
One should also not forget two of the worst stampedes in sporting history. One occurred on October 20, 1982, during a European Cup clash between Spartak Moscow and Haarlem where 340 fans were reportedly killed, and another during an Olympic qualifier on May 24, 1964, between South American arch-rivals Peru and Argentina when a late Peru goal was disallowed, which resulted in a riot that led to the deaths of 318 people.
These are just a few of the many disastrous incidents that have occurred in soccer stadiums and have remained etched in the memories of many soccer followers. These are incidents that need to be avoided at all costs.
The incident at the stadium in Abidjan brings to the fore the Ellis Park tragedy, which will surely make the soccer mother body, Fifa, keep a close eye on South Africa‘s capabilities of hosting the 2010 World Cup, as both incidents occurred as a result of overcrowding at the venues.
The excuse by our Local Organising Committee that the slow sales of tickets for the tournament “because South Africans are used to purchasing their tickets on match- day” could see similar incidents escalating during the tournament and the Confederations Cup. Football committees, especially in Africa, need to shape up.
Bay United‘s Jimmy Zakazaka, who represented Malawi during the Abidjan clash, said: “We didn‘t know until the end of the game that there were people killed.”
The main question that has been raised is why are high- profile matches allowed to take place at venues that do not meet the requirements?
Who must take the blame? Could it be Fifa, who are now calling for an inquiry into the tragedy? They were responsible for the game taking place at the venue in the first place. Or is it the police who provoked the panic by tear- gassing people who had nowhere to run?
None of these questions will bring back any of the 22 lives lost. Fifa, however, need to look at ways and means to ensure that our soccer stadiums are not turned into graveyards.
EASTER weekend will see plenty of soccer action in the Eastern Cape. A large number of local clubs are preparing for the Continental Tyre NASB Easter tournament as well as the Eleven Attackers FC Easter tournament in Somerset East.
Latest soccer tragedy is timely warning to Fifa in the build-up to World Cup
2009/04/01 Soccer Fever, with Chumani Bambani
IT is never pleasant witnessing or hearing about a tragedy on the sporting field. Losing a game is not the end of the world. However, relegation from Premiership football will be considered a major tragedy for Bay United‘s faithful supporters and Eastern Cape soccer people in general should that happen at the end of the current Premier Soccer League season.
March 29, 2009, April 11, 2001, and April 15, 1989, could be meaningless days to some, but to others these were days that were covered by a dark cloud in football history.
Ivory Coast‘s emphatic 5-0 drubbing over Malawi at Abidjan‘s Felix Houphouet- Boigny Stadium was overshadowed by the deaths of 22 Ivorian fans and injury to 132 people due to a stampede.
This brings back bad memories of the deaths of 43 people at Ellis Park on April 11, 2001, during a game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This was the worst disaster in South African sporting history.
Then there were the 93 people killed during the April 15, 1989, FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield‘s Hillsborough Stadium.
One should also not forget two of the worst stampedes in sporting history. One occurred on October 20, 1982, during a European Cup clash between Spartak Moscow and Haarlem where 340 fans were reportedly killed, and another during an Olympic qualifier on May 24, 1964, between South American arch-rivals Peru and Argentina when a late Peru goal was disallowed, which resulted in a riot that led to the deaths of 318 people.
These are just a few of the many disastrous incidents that have occurred in soccer stadiums and have remained etched in the memories of many soccer followers. These are incidents that need to be avoided at all costs.
The incident at the stadium in Abidjan brings to the fore the Ellis Park tragedy, which will surely make the soccer mother body, Fifa, keep a close eye on South Africa‘s capabilities of hosting the 2010 World Cup, as both incidents occurred as a result of overcrowding at the venues.
The excuse by our Local Organising Committee that the slow sales of tickets for the tournament “because South Africans are used to purchasing their tickets on match- day” could see similar incidents escalating during the tournament and the Confederations Cup. Football committees, especially in Africa, need to shape up.
Bay United‘s Jimmy Zakazaka, who represented Malawi during the Abidjan clash, said: “We didn‘t know until the end of the game that there were people killed.”
The main question that has been raised is why are high- profile matches allowed to take place at venues that do not meet the requirements?
Who must take the blame? Could it be Fifa, who are now calling for an inquiry into the tragedy? They were responsible for the game taking place at the venue in the first place. Or is it the police who provoked the panic by tear- gassing people who had nowhere to run?
None of these questions will bring back any of the 22 lives lost. Fifa, however, need to look at ways and means to ensure that our soccer stadiums are not turned into graveyards.
EASTER weekend will see plenty of soccer action in the Eastern Cape. A large number of local clubs are preparing for the Continental Tyre NASB Easter tournament as well as the Eleven Attackers FC Easter tournament in Somerset East.
IT is never pleasant witnessing or hearing about a tragedy on the sporting field. Losing a game is not the end of the world. However, relegation from Premiership football will be considered a major tragedy for Bay United‘s faithful supporters and Eastern Cape soccer people in general should that happen at the end of the current Premier Soccer League season.
March 29, 2009, April 11, 2001, and April 15, 1989, could be meaningless days to some, but to others these were days that were covered by a dark cloud in football history.
Ivory Coast‘s emphatic 5-0 drubbing over Malawi at Abidjan‘s Felix Houphouet- Boigny Stadium was overshadowed by the deaths of 22 Ivorian fans and injury to 132 people due to a stampede.
This brings back bad memories of the deaths of 43 people at Ellis Park on April 11, 2001, during a game between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This was the worst disaster in South African sporting history.
Then there were the 93 people killed during the April 15, 1989, FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield‘s Hillsborough Stadium.
One should also not forget two of the worst stampedes in sporting history. One occurred on October 20, 1982, during a European Cup clash between Spartak Moscow and Haarlem where 340 fans were reportedly killed, and another during an Olympic qualifier on May 24, 1964, between South American arch-rivals Peru and Argentina when a late Peru goal was disallowed, which resulted in a riot that led to the deaths of 318 people.
These are just a few of the many disastrous incidents that have occurred in soccer stadiums and have remained etched in the memories of many soccer followers. These are incidents that need to be avoided at all costs.
The incident at the stadium in Abidjan brings to the fore the Ellis Park tragedy, which will surely make the soccer mother body, Fifa, keep a close eye on South Africa‘s capabilities of hosting the 2010 World Cup, as both incidents occurred as a result of overcrowding at the venues.
The excuse by our Local Organising Committee that the slow sales of tickets for the tournament “because South Africans are used to purchasing their tickets on match- day” could see similar incidents escalating during the tournament and the Confederations Cup. Football committees, especially in Africa, need to shape up.
Bay United‘s Jimmy Zakazaka, who represented Malawi during the Abidjan clash, said: “We didn‘t know until the end of the game that there were people killed.”
The main question that has been raised is why are high- profile matches allowed to take place at venues that do not meet the requirements?
Who must take the blame? Could it be Fifa, who are now calling for an inquiry into the tragedy? They were responsible for the game taking place at the venue in the first place. Or is it the police who provoked the panic by tear- gassing people who had nowhere to run?
None of these questions will bring back any of the 22 lives lost. Fifa, however, need to look at ways and means to ensure that our soccer stadiums are not turned into graveyards.
EASTER weekend will see plenty of soccer action in the Eastern Cape. A large number of local clubs are preparing for the Continental Tyre NASB Easter tournament as well as the Eleven Attackers FC Easter tournament in Somerset East.
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