Jordaan handed 2014 World Cup role

SAFA vice-president Dr Danny Jordaan has been appointed as special advisor to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Jordaan has also been appointed to work with Alexy Sorokin, the head of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The appointment was ratified by FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland this past week.

Jordaan will serve on the World Cup Organising committee which is comprised of the world’s top football administrators including FIFA President Sepp Blatter, continental confederation Presidents and the entire FIFA executive.

I am very proud and excited to have been asked to serve on this vital committee which supports the backbone of FIFA s business model. The 2010 World Cup ,which was acknowledged as the most successful ever, generated a massive US$4,2 billion, the pro…

Joselu hoping to send former Madrid team-mate Kroos into retirement at Euro 2024

Spain forward Joselu hopes to end former Real Madrid team-mate Toni Kroos career by defeating Germany in Friday s Euro 2024 quarter-final.

Kroos and Joselu played together under Carlo Ancelotti s Los Blancos last campaign as the Germany international signed off his club career with Champions League and LaLiga glory.

The 34-year-old midfielder has already confirmed the UEFA tournament on home soil will end his glittering playing days, as an enticing last-eight clash awaits in Stuttgart.

Joselu is aiming to put sentiment aside and force Kroos hand into retirement when Luis de la Fuente s in-form side meet Julian Nagelsmann s hosts at Stuttgart Arena.

It s a shame we have to send Toni into retirement like that, but hopefully we will win on Friday and it wil…

LaLiga 2017-18: Madrid ready to tighten grip on bumbling Barcelona

For the first time since Pep Guardiola s untried team took the football world by storm in 2008-09, Barcelona enter the new LaLiga season as clear underdogs to their fierce rivals – the reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid.

It is a state of affairs that might stir misty-eyed nostalgia for some Barcelona fans.

For decades in this bitterly entwined rivalry, Barca revelled in the righteous role of the downtrodden foe to the mighty Madrid. Striking blows against the capital club and their empire formed a romantic centre point to the carefully cultivated narrative of Mes que un club .

Madrid s title win last season was only their second since Barca s historic first treble. LaLiga has resided in Catalonia for six of the previous nine campaigns – an un…

2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Germany 1 Argentina 0 (after extra time)

Mario Gotze s 113th-minute volley fired Germany to World Cup glory with a 1-0 win over Argentina at the Maracana.

The tournament s outstanding team failed to repeat the fluency and brilliance of their 7-1 semi-final romp against Brazil but Joachim Low s team found one more sumptuous moment during the second half of extra time.

Bayern Munich playmaker Gotze, on as an 88th-minute replacement for World Cup record goalscorer Miroslav Klose, chested down Andre Schurrle s floated left-wing cross at the near post to superbly steer home from six yards.

It was the first time Argentina had found themselves behind in the competition and it came as a bitter pill to swallow after Alejandro Sabella s men had created the better chances in normal time.

Gonzalo Higuain pa…

Spanish football deserves a Ballon d´Or winner, says Rodri after Euro 2024 success

Rodri believes that a member of Spain s Euro 2024 winning squad deserve to win this year s Ballon d Or following their triumph over England on Sunday.

Rodri, who won his fourth different Player of the Tournament award, was forced off during the final in Berlin at half-time after picking up an injury.

Mikel Oyarzabal proved to be Spain s hero, scoring late to secure La Roja s fourth European Championship crown having seen Cole Palmer cancel out Nico Williams opener.

The Manchester City midfielder also helped Pep Guardiola s side achieve a record fourth consecutive Premier League title ahead of the tournament in Germany.

His performances on the pitch have him among the favourites to win the prestigious award alongside Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and …

On this day in 2018: Mark Hughes sacked as Stoke manager

On this day in 2018, Stoke sacked manager Mark Hughes following a 2-1 defeat to League Two Coventry in the FA Cup third round.

The Potters were dumped out of the competition when Jack Grimmer struck in the second half to find the winner and pull off a shock victory for the Sky Blues.

Stoke were in the Premier League relegation zone having won only one game in their last eight in all competitions.

Hughes was sacked just hours after the Coventry defeat and had suggested post-match that the defeat could be a blessing in disguise.

He said: “The fact we’ve gone out, even if it’s a little bit raw at the moment, might help us.

“At the moment we don’t want to discuss Premier League games, but maybe when we wake up on Monday the reality clearly h…

Lions vs Vikings Week 5 Picks and Predictions: Detroit Has No Teeth

The Detroit Lions enter Week 5 still looking for their first win of the year as they head to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings only have one victory themselves but oddsmakers are expecting them to add to that tally with NFL betting lines opening Minny as a 9.5-point home favorite.

Here are our best free Lions vs. Vikings picks and predictions for Sunday, October 10, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET.

NFL Betting Notebook: Is Baker Mayfield Bound for Carolina?

The NFL hustle and bustle of the spring has now given way to a lazy summer slog, as teams ramp up minicamps and plug any roster holes before the preseason in August.

This dead zone is a great time to dive deeper into what makes teams tick and where the NFL betting value could be sleeping during this hibernation period. I try just that with my latest NFL betting notebook, cracking down on quality quarterback play for the upcoming 2022 schedule.

How to watch Super Bowl 57: Live Streaming Info, TV Channel, Game Time | February 12

Discovering how to watch Super Bowl 57 in Canada has never been easier! Bettors in the Great White North can enjoy every single down of the NFL’s championship game using the state-of-the-art bet365 mobile app. This dazzling sports betting platform is free to use and allows frenzied football fans just like yourself to tune into the Big Game on the go.

Ravens vs Cardinals Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 8: Baltimore Has Found Its Groove

Two teams headed in opposite directions clash in Glendale on Sunday as the Arizona Cardinals host the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have won three of their last four and are coming off a rout against the Detroit Lions, while the Cards are on a four-game skid with each loss coming by double-digits.

Oddsmakers expect those trends to continue with NFL odds opening the Ravens as 8.5-point road favorites for this Week 8 odds showdown. Here are my best free NFL picks for Ravens vs. Cardinals on October 29.

Ravens vs Cardinals odds

Ravens vs Cardinals predictions

The Baltimore Ravens are peaking right now, coming off a dominant 38-6 victory against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions. Quarterback Lamar Jackson…