Author: wisdom

South Africa’s triumph at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held the promise of a new era, one in which the sleeping giant of the continent rose to rival traditional titans of the time, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Arab nations to the north.But three decades on, it remains their only success. Bafana Bafana’s fortunes declined slowly at first, then hastened to the point where they were barely considered outsiders for the biannual continental crown.There is a new optimism around the team though, buoyed by a third place at the last finals in Ivory Coast two years ago, and by…

Ed DoveDec 17, 2025, 05:17 AM ETCloseEd Dove is a writer and scout who has a deep and enduring passion for African sport, politics and literature. Instagram: @EddyDove22, Facebook: @EddyDoveAfricaWhile the Africa Cup of Nations is regularly lauded as a magnificent opportunity to witness the stars of tomorrow in action, it also gives keen observers of the Africa game the chance to see players who they’d completely forgotten existed.Editor’s Picks2 RelatedWhether they’re ageing veterans gunning for that one last shot at glory, or middle-aged journeymen who never realised their potential, here are 15 AFCON-bound players you’d completely forgotten existed.1. Bruno…

To subscribe, please click hereWant a copy of today’s edition? Here’s a map of single-copy locationsSports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area: Members of The News-Gazette’s 2025 First-Team All-Area boys’ soccer choices gather in the newspaper’s newsroom on Nov. 12 in Champaign. Clockwise, from top right are Adam Perez from Danville, Nadav Gal from Urbana, Aldo Zepeda from Uni High, Steven Newman from St. Joseph-Ogden, Mason Swartz from Oakwood/Salt Fork, Zach Harper from St. Joseph-Ogden, Colin Jackson from Mahomet-Seymour, Noah Rice from Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, Raymond Zhang from Champaign Central, Isaac Ramos from Centennial and…

The 35th Africa Cup of Nations starts on Sunday when hosts Morocco take on Comoros.This edition of the tournament was originally scheduled for summer 2025, but it got pushed back six months to ensure it did not clash with the inaugural playing of FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in June and July. Matches will be held at nine stadiums across six cities, including Marrakesh, Casablanca and Tangier. The venue for the opening game and the final is the 68,700-seater Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat, Morocco’s capital.AFCON is frequently full of surprises. For example, host nation Ivory Coast won the…

Chuck Neinas, the onetime Big Eight commissioner whose media savvy and dealmaking helped turn college football into the multibillion-dollar business it is today, died Tuesday. He was 93. The National Football Foundation announced Neinas’ death, with its president and CEO Steve Hatchell calling him “a visionary in every sense of the word.” A cause of death was not disclosed. From 1980-97, Neinas was executive director of the College Football Association, an agency created by several big conferences that sought to wrest control of their TV rights from the NCAA. Two key members, Georgia and Oklahoma, sued the NCAA over TV,…

For a number of countries that missed out on the 2026 World Cup, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicks off on December 21 in Morocco, not only offers a swift chance at a measure of redemption but also a chance to start rebuilding and preparing for the global tournament when it next comes around in 2030.  Teams such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Benin, Sudan and others will stay home next summer, even though Africa saw its allocation at next summer’s World Cup expand to nine automatic places, up from five in 2022. They will, however, all be in…

A toddler was found unharmed inside of a Hoover house where a couple was found dead by a family member Tuesday morning. Police arrived at a house on Highland Manor Court around 9 a.m. The husband and wife were found shot and killed, according to police. The 3-year-old was unharmed.The woman has been confirmed as Christina Chambers by WBRC News Director Shannon Maze. “We are heartbroken to confirm the death of former WBRC reporter Christina Chambers,” Maze said in a statement to WVTM 13. “Christina was a valued member of our newsroom and a beloved colleague whose warmth, humor, and…

Dec. 16, 2025, 1:47 p.m. ETThe UConn women’s basketball team continues to hold down the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll after a pair of victories last week.The Huskies blew out DePaul by 67 points before defeating now No. 19-ranked USC, which fell two spots after the 79-51 loss.The only change in the top 10 came as Oklahoma and Michigan flip-flopped positions. The Sooners (11-1) rose to No. 8 after a 22-point victory over Oklahoma State, which subsequently fell out of the rankings. Michigan (9-1) is now ranked No. 9 after wins over Purdue and Akron…

Missouri sports betting is officially live, with Missouri sports fans now able to place bets at the top online Missouri sportsbooks. There are plenty of in-state wagering options in the Show Me State, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Missouri Tigers and St. Louis Blues. Those teams can be used to unlock enticing sign-up bonuses at Missouri betting apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars and Fanatics Sportsbook. Bettors looking for sportsbook promos, betting sites, and where to bet in Missouri, can find out more below.Missouri sportsbook promosHere are the top sportsbook promos for new users following the launch of Missouri sports betting:The DraftKings…

If you thought the Knicks were top-heavy, think again.New York didn’t win the NBA Cup because Jalen Brunson was the best scorer on the planet, which he’s capable of being. The Knicks didn’t win this because Karl-Anthony Towns shot the ball like we know he’s capable of. Mikal Bridges wasn’t spectacular. Josh Hart has had better games.The Knicks won because of heroics from the bench. Tyler Kolek, a second-round draft pick last season, scored double digits off the bench. Jordan Clarkson hit huge 3 after huge 3. Mitchell Robinson dominated Victor Wembanyama on the offensive glass.New York needed something from…