The sporting fraternity has been nothing short of interesting fixtures and occurrences during the past weeks. Prominent figures in sport have been at hammer and tongs with each other. This article will have an amalgamation of various sporting codes. Hoodoos and spells have been broken and other disputes have been in the courtrooms and stakes have also been bought.
Pirates who managed to beat Kaizer Chiefs in cup competition in over a decade managed to hoist a trophy either than the Telkom Charity in over five years. Happy People managed to hinder Sndowns’ stupendous PSL momentum when they claimed the Pretoria side’s scalp at HM Pitjie Stadium in a three goal thriller that saw Thulasizwe Mbuyane get a brace. As things currently stand though Downs lead the league and with a Supersport scalp in the bag things seemed kind of rosy for Motsepe’s men up until Pirates came around. City rivals Supersport United seem very distant from the form that usually accompanies the season’s initial stages as they find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the log. Also in unfamiliar territory is Swallows who are in the last spot in what must seem like a very sweet/sour season having made the finals of the MTN 8. Vasco Da Gama though out the Telkom knockout can hold their heads up high at number 10 in the PSL.
Moroka Swallows are not the only big club who find themselves in a spot of bother and in unfamiliar territory, Liverpool in England who have never been relegated since 1954 seem quite a candidate to take that dip this season. Liverpool faithful though and Martin Broughton must now believe that better times are ahead as Hicks and Gilett are no longer owners of the club. John Henry though wasn’t properly welcomed when Liverpool lost the Mersey sides derby as Arteta and Cahill gave Everton something to smile about. Roy Hodgson will have deeper pockets come the transfer window and the fans certainly hope he can purchase quality instead of quantity this time around and try to salvage some dignity for the team. It would seem Liverpool is the Moroka Swallows of England both being big teams but of late just teams that don’t wield as much danger as they once. All bark and no bite Liverpool must at least aim for the FA cup to restore some confidence to the fans for next season.
Rooney who was threatening to leave Man United seems quite eager to stay at Man U for another five years too eager for a man who ready to leave but who wouldn’t be after getting more than a 100% raise. The former Everton star cited his urge to vamoose being the club not purchasing good players and not having potential to win tournaments. We all know that the fees paid out at city rivals Man City are a big contributor to Rooney’s erstwhile unhappiness
Locally 2 men have managed to buy themselves a 49.9 stake at Gauteng Lions Rugby Club. Lions who seemed to have had reawakening this season with a spell of good form that saw them break a losing spell to Western Province. Ivor Ichikowitz and Robert Gumede decided upon this even before this rich form by the Lions. Lions form though didn’t take them to the finals of the Currie Cup and they too will be watching the Sharks take on Province in what promises to be a thriller. Sharks also have to deal with other matters as Absa has terminated their 11-year association with them, having decided to drop the current sponsorship as stadium naming rights-holder which they have held since 2000 but will also be quite motivated as Keegan Daniel and John Plumtree were named Player and Coach of the month respectively.
Last but not least India have managed to circumvent the mighty Aussies in a test series that saw India show some gutsy performances especially from senior players i.e VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. The Indians are also leading the one-day series as well and seem pretty determined to give the Aussies a run for their money.
