Sports
Santana Question Bothers S/African Football
It seems the phrase that pays in South African football at the moment is ‘Fire Joel Santana’.
The media, fans, ex-players and even some managers have jumped on the bandwagon and called on Safa to replace the Brazilian before the World Cup to give the national team some chance at the finals. I see even the Dutchman Leo Beenhakker has now been mentioned as a possible replacement.
Well, that may not be the way to go. Why should we fire Santana now?
We are all in agreement that he did an outstanding job during the FIFA Confederations Cup. Bafana came within three minutes of holding Brazil and Spain and generally we played some attractive football.
Yes, the loss against the second-string Republic of Ireland side was not great, and neither was the performance against a very young Madagascar side. But I believe the question we have to ask is where do we want Santana to succeed?
Do we want him to do well in friendlies? No, we wanted him to do well in the Confederations Cup and we want him to do well at the World Cup.
He achieved the first objective, to reach the semifinals at the Confederations Cup. So let’s give him a chance and see what he can do at the World Cup.
It’s important to understand what Santana’s brief is. He must succeed at the big tournaments, not the other matches along the way. Do you think Alex Ferguson is upset when they lose pre-season matches? No, he has his eye on the bigger prizes and that, I believe, is the case with Santana as well.
The other big talking point also regards the national team, what should we do with Benni McCarthy?
Look, we need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis and Benni certainly knows how to do that.
Benni must have realised that, after missing the Confederations Cup, he would not want to miss the World Cup as well. Every player dreams of playing at such a tournament and, with his career slowly winding down, it is something he would want to have to look back on. He must now say ‘whatever has annoyed me, I have made my point’, and move on.
Similarly, Safa must realise that Benni is our best striker and the most likely source of goals, so do we swallow our pride and invite him back? Both parties need to come to the table and find a solution, and quickly too.
Looking at the World Cup itself, quite a few of the favourites have already made it through. Obviously Brazil will always be up there for the title contenders, while the Dutch are master-class with their ‘Total Football’, always a joy to watch.
But this time England have as good a chance as ever. They have a good squad, they are great going forward and solid at the back, although they must still decide on a goalkeeper.
They have star players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, who is in top form right now. A look at the Castrol Index shows he is the top player in the World Cup qualifiers at the moment with a rating of 9.61 out of 10, and he has taken 28 shots at goal with 14 on target, the highest in the competition. He will be key to their chances.
Above all, they have a very good manager in Fabio Capello. He is low profile compared to someone like Diego Maradona, but he is the ultimate professional and someone that can help England to World Cup glory.
On that note, I have always said that great players do not necessarily make great players, and Maradona has certainly proven that. They have an incredibly talented squad, but just can’t translate that into results. I really hope they can pull it together and qualify for the World Cup – it will be a shame for South Africans to be deprived of seeing Leo Messi in action.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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