Sports
Fans Unite Under Madiba’s Gaze In Johannesburg
Standing majestically at the entrance to the Johannesburg square that now bears his name, is a towering statue of Nelson Mandela.
The colossal bronze monument, six metres high and weighing 2.5 tonnes, is a symbol of South Africa’s new-found optimism and has become the focal point for FIFA World Cup celebrations, and commiserations.
Steps which lead the way to two of the square’s many eateries are a sea of noise and colour as fans congregate ahead of their nations’ latest encounters. It is a ritual that has been followed from Day 1, and while the colours might change on a daily basis, the infectious comradeship never alters. Formally known as Sandton Square, it took the name of the nation’s hero ten years after Madiba led his beloved South Africa into a new democratic era. The great man would surely be proud of what is unfolding at the feet of his metre-long shoes as different cultures happily mix.
“We had the World Cup in Germany four years ago and it was crazy,” enthuses Germany fan Stefan Venus from Munich, who has travelled to South Africa with brother Michael. “The whole world came to Germany and now the whole world is here.”
“Nelson Mandela Square is very well known, it is in all the newspapers and it something you have to go to,” says Werner Lehmann, a fellow German fan based in Alicante, Spain. “That is why I came here. But when you read it in the newspaper you don’t really know what it is like, you have to see it, you have to feel it. It is a great, great place.”
The square’s unique atmosphere is particularly evident just hours before the last-16 clash between Brazil and Chile. Lunchtime it might be, but the Brazilian motto is clearly that it is never too early to get the party started. As a mini-conga breaks out among the South Americans in response to an accordion version of Coca-Cola’s official 2010 FIFA World Cup song by Caroline Delamarque, a Brazilian living in Miami, explains: “This is the point that everyone comes to meet and then we get to meet a lot of people and we make a lot of friends. It is the first World Cup I have been to and the atmosphere is amazing.”
The musician himself, Fabricio Parisoto from Santa Catarina in Brazil, is quick to echo those sentiments once he has put his accordion down, of course. “Everybody is here. It is a nice place, and it is a great atmosphere. The Chilean fans are new to us but there is no problem, it’s a party, this is the nice thing about the World Cup, the people from different countries meeting up with each other. We sing together.”
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.