Posts by: Joseph Opio
Spoils Shared with Mexico
South Africa 1: Mexico 1, the honour was even, the spoils shared, who said the gods of football aren’t fair?
By Joseph Opio - 14 June 2010 - Text
South Africa 1: Mexico 1, the honour was even, the spoils shared, who said the gods of football aren’t fair?
By Joseph Opio - 14 June 2010 - Text
It was the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated epic, Invictus. Nelson Mandela hailed it for helping him endure his 27-year jail nightmare. Today, it promises to be South Africa’s battle-cry when the 2010 World Cup commences. Shosholoza!
By Joseph Opio - 11 June 2010 - Text
With the World Cup coming to Africa for the first time, fanatic football fans, carried away by emotion, have projected that an African team will emerge victorious on July 11. However, one only has to have a cold, hard look at the facts to see how wildly far-fetched a prediction this is.
By Joseph Opio - 8 June 2010 - Text

After the chaotic scenes during Nigeria’s friendly international against North Korea over the weekend, many observers will be left wondering whether South Africa learnt anything from the events of April 11, nine years ago. On that fateful date in Johannesburg, euphoria swiftly morphed into tragedy after 43 fans lost their lives trying to catch a glimpse of the famous Sowetan derby between rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs.
By Joseph Opio - 7 June 2010 - Text
Despite his infamous contribution to humanity’s history, Idi Amin holds a treasured place in the hearts of football-loving Ugandans. In a success-starved nation, Amin’s blood-soaked reign is remembered among football fans as a golden era of sorts.
By Joseph Opio - 26 March 2010 - Text