The AfriCAN Magazine

Bulawayo City Kings FC

The finest football team formed and setup by a team of volunteers who think its their responsibility to bring together all those who are interested in the good game of football. This team has been going for a number of years now although it is team work on and off the picth as they have to support all what they do themselves. These young men, struggle just to keep the team together as they even have to try and get the money to pay the local authority for the grounds where they have to train from.

Meeting them recently during the African Health Awareness day which took place in Bradford, I was very impressed by what they have achieved and the level of sportsmanship that they show. They have a very large following of the youth who also join them during their team practices and yet they don't have much to offer apart from the football training.

This team has worked very hard and are currently in the Sunday League.

"We have to struggle just to make ends meet as we don't have any kind of sponsorship. We don't need much what we need are the kits and some little money for refreshments" NKULULEKO MASUKU one of the team leaders.

For those who are willing to support or sponsor this football club, please get in touch with The AfriCAN Magazine or contact The NILE on nileafrica@africanachievers.com.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper has been praised by Mali's president for his work with children across the world

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas (Marca)

President Amadou Toumani Toure has hailed Real Madrid's goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, for his efforts to promote the rights of the child across the world.

Casillas, ambassador of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Plan-Spain, arrived  in Mali  on Monday, for the occasion of the children's rights promotion campaign, organised by Plan-Mali, under the theme 'Let's stop children's poverty'.

Casillas expressed delight at the achievements of Plan-Mali in the different schools he has visited in the land-locked nation.

President Toure received Casillas at the presidential quarters and hailed the Spain international goalkeeper for his mission to safeguard the rights of children across the world.

On Tuesday, Casillas visited two Malian villages (Salembéré and Bougoula) to see the achievements of Plan-Spain and Plan-Mali in the areas.

He also played an exhibition match with the children from those villages.

First stadium finished for SA2010 

Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium is the first of South Africa's 10 World Cup venues to be completed ahead of next year's finals.

The stadium's renovation is finished and it will open for action when it hosts a South African Premier Soccer League match on Saturday.

Its capacity has been increased from 45,000 to 50,000 and a new roof has been fitted on one of its main stands.

The venue is also one of four to be used in June's Confederations Cup.

The other three grounds - in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg - were due to be ready last year but are still weeks away from completion.

The six other 2010 World Cup venues are due to be completed by the end of this year.

Loftus Versfeld will host Saturday's match between Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows.

BBC SPORT