On This Day, 06 July: FIFA and Sepp Blatter Break South African Hearts, Thembinkosi Lorch Sinks Egypt at AFCON

• The 6th of July will live on long in the memory of those in the South African football fraternity who remember what transpired on this day
• On 06 July 2000, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter shattered the heart of a nation by announcing that Germany would host the 2006 FIFA World Cup
• In 2019, the day was a lot more enjoyable as Bafana Bafana upset Egypt in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations last 16 at the Cairo International Stadium

South African football supporters will have contrasting memories of 06 July.

It is a day when the country suffered a wounding loss in the boardroom, but pulled of one the finest ever victories on the pitch.

TimesLIVE relived how former FIFA president Sepp Blatter opened an envelope in Zurich to announce that Germany had edged South Africa by 12 votes to 11 for the rights to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Controversially, New Zealander Charles Dempsey, who was head of football in Oceania and was expected to vote for South Africa, mysteriously pulled out of the voting.

Meet the top 4 African stars who played for Eintracht Frankfurt

Football

Kiwi publication Stuff then published an article in 2015 in which German Football federation president Theo Zwanziger alleged that the then 78-year-old had been bribed by parties unknown.

In 2019, the date will be remembered far more fondly. Bafana Bafana stunned Egypt 1-0 in their home Africa Cup of Nations tournament at the Cairo International Stadium in the Round of 16.

Orlando Pirates star Thembinkosi Lorch scored in the 85th minute after an excellent interchange of passes between him, Themba Zwane and Lebohang Mothiba, silencing the 85 000 Egyptians in attendance. The result sent Stuart Baxter's men into the quarterfinals, where they ultimately lost 2-1 to Nigeria.

Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul says that Pitso Mosimane should have been fired earlier by Al Ahly

WAFU B U17: Golden Eaglets defeat Ivory Coast, to face very dangerous team in final

Football

The criticism of former Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane by prominent North African figures has continued even after his departure nearly a month ago.

As reported by Sports Brief, it was the turn of Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul to join in on the anti-Pitso Mosimane brigade's pile-on he was subjected to in the latter stages of his tenure with the Egyptian giants.

Maaloul believes that the 57-year-old South African should have been sacked much earlier than when he decided to call it quits.