World Cup Excitement Builds In South Africa
World Cup excitement is building here in Johannesburg ahead of Friday’s opening match at the football fiesta between Mexico and host South Africa. The South African team, nicknamed “Bafana Bafana,” was paraded through the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday. Car horns and vuvuzelas blared, and I could see many of the vehicles were adorned with […]
Humble Apostle And African Team Nicknames Spice Up World Cup
I got an email from Magnus Chisom Onwudiwe, a.k.a. “The Humble Apostle of the Sonny Side of Sports,” a devoted disciple of the show who is offering me prayers and safe travel wishes ahead of my first trip to South Africa for World Cup coverage. The Humble Apostle is also saying a few prayers […]
Mandela To Attend World Cup Opening Ceremony
I’m delighted to hear South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela is planning to attend the World Cup’s opening and closing ceremony. South Africa’s sports minister confirmed 3 June that Mr. Mandela requested and was granted tickets to the festivities. Mr. Mandela’s family had previously said the 91-year-old South African icon was too frail to attend […]
USA World Cup Team To Have Good Fan Support In South Africa
The USA’s World Cup team arrived Monday at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, after a 17-hour flight from the United States. It looks like the Americans will have good fan support in South Africa. “The USA won the hearts of many South Africans when they made it to the final of the FIFA Confederations […]
A SSOS Salute For VOA’s Retiring Howard Lesser
Here’s a Sonny Side of Sports salute for my VOA colleague Howard Lesser, who is retiring after 30+ years at the Voice of America. Howard is a big sports fan, and I’m sure he’ll be watching some of next month’s World Cup football matches in South Africa on TV. I would often engage in sporty […]
Basketball Stars Nash, Bryant and Russell Get World Cup Kicks
Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell recently attended a USA World Cup team practice at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. Russell helped the Boston Celtics win 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons from 1956-1969. The 76-year-old Russell is not the only basketball great getting some kicks from World Cup soccer. Two future members of […]
Will Altitude Be Factor At World Cup?
Defending champion Italy opened its World Cup training camp Sunday at the ski resort of Sestriere, which is located at an elevation of about 1,980 meters. England and 1998 World Cup champion France are also holding training camps at altitude, while the Asian teams Japan and South Korea are considering tents and masks that simulate […]
World Cup Spotlight on USA’s Jozy Altidore
A recent Sports Illustrated article on American striker Jozy Altidore described him as the USA’s “biggest goal-scoring threat” at next month’s World Cup in South Africa. The 20-year-old Altidore earned that description even though he probably will be the youngest player on the USA’s World Cup team. Altidore has played with the USA national team […]
Bidens to represent USA at World Cup
Here in Washington, the White House says Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will represent the USA at the football World Cup’s opening ceremonies 11 June in Johannesburg, South Africa. The announcement appears to rule out the possibility of President Barack Obama attending the World Cup. Last year, during a meeting with world […]
Remembering “King” Richard Kotey, VOA’s “Gallant Ghanaian”
I’ll be celebrating my 22nd VOA anniversary in South Africa next month during the World Cup. When you work at any place that long, chances are, you’re going to meet a few interesting people. As I look forward to the World Cup, I’m a little sad that I can’t share some of the World Cup […]
