If you asked any group of young white South Africans in Cape Town’s Long Street who they were supporting as Africa’s last hope Ghana played the US on Saturday, the answer was unanimous — Ghana.
“I feel much more African now than I did before the World Cup started,” 17-year-old student Storm Barry said.
“It started with wearing the Bafana shirt, but now that they are out, I’m supporting any African team,” she said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Many South Africans say the experience of following their team’s World Cup campaign together has left them feeling more unified as a nation, but some young white South Africans also describe feeling more linked to the African Continent through the tournament.
“Ghana are the last African team, and they are representing all of us. I’d say we’ve all shifted our support to Ghana now South Africa is out,” 18-year-old student Josh Lurie said.
While young white South Africans might have been more likely to visit the US than Ghana he said, there was a new African consciousness in the young.
“It’s different with the older generation. I’ve heard older people say they will support the United States,” he said. “But here on Long Street during the World Cup, I’ve met young Ghanaians and Cameroonians and I feel much more aligned to Africa.”
Huge expectations were invested in the World Cup’s six African competitors, but only Ghana progressed from the group stage, although South Africa filled local hearts with pride by beating France.
“I think young white South Africans are definitely feeling more a part of the continent. The older generation don’t have as much trust and pride in this country as we do, but I’m really proud of South Africa hosting this World Cup and I feel African,” 20-year-old Cape Town student Cheneal Puljevic said while out looking for a place to watch the soccer.
“We are the future of this country and I think it is a really important change,” she added.
Ghanaian student Kwame Boachie-Yiadom, carrying a heavy drum as he searched for a football screen said: “I think it may be premature to say the World Cup has broken down barriers and changed things. But I do feel a new openness.”
The Taiwan Daredevils yesterday won one and lost one in the Taiwan Premier League, dispatching TCA with ease, but stumbling against Formosa. In the morning match at the Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District (松山), the Daredevils’ Johan Koekemoer carried his side to 141-6 with 44 from 45 in their 20 overs. George Klopper’s right-arm spin dominated in the run chase. He claimed 4-5 from 3.3 overs as TCA slumped to 77 all out. The highlight of the innings was a stunning catch at cover as Jeff Black turned back the years to pull in a full-blooded drive on the dive
The Hsinchu Titans yesterday made a strong start in Group A of the Taiwan Premier League in Taipei, winning two games as the 10-team T20 competition began at the Yingfeng Cricket Ground. Chetan Sharma scored 57 from 30 deliveries in the morning match as the Titans made 178-7 against the Taipei Indians, who helped their opponents’ cause with 26 extras. Pramod Mandal took 3-11 as the Indians struggled to 126-8 in reply. The Taipei Stallions posed a greater hurdle to the Titans in the afternoon match, posting 163-7 after choosing to bat first. Hassaan Samad smashed 77 from 44 with seven fours and six
Alexander Zverev on Wednesday reached his 18th ATP Masters semi-final in Rome, but only after a worrying fall which sparked memories of the horror injury he had at the French Open two years ago. The world No. 5 from Germany defeated Taylor Fritz of the US 6-4, 6-3 in Italian Open to set up a last-four duel with Alejandro Tabilo, the Chilean journeyman who had stunned world No. 1 Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament. Zverev’s moment of concern came in just the third game on center court at the Foro Italico when he fell on the clay and landed on his
Shohei Ohtani’s first walk-off hit for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday was also his first game-ending hit in the majors in nearly four years. His still-new teammates and fans who celebrated with him at Chavez Ravine expect to see many more feats from a superstar who is somehow getting even better in Dodger blue. Ohtani pulled a low fastball to right with two outs in the 10th inning, scoring Jason Heyward and ending the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Two teammates doused Ohtani with water, while a crowd of 52,656 roared for the latest feat by the US$700 million slugger. “We