JOHANNESBURG: Heath Streak, one of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers, died on Sunday aged 49, his wife said in a social media post. He had been battling colon cancer.
“In the early hours of this morning, Sunday 3 September, the greatest love of my life and the father of my beautiful children, was carried to be with the angels from his home where he wished to spend his last days surrounded by his family and closest loved ones,” Nadine Streak wrote.
Streak was an outstanding fast bowler and capable batsman. He was a key member of Zimbabwe teams that were competitive against cricket’s bigger nations in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His cricket career ended in ignominy, however, when he was banned for eight years for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption code.
It was announced in May this year that Streak was seriously ill — and it was reported in August that he had died, following a message on social media from former teammate Henry Olonga.
Streak himself was quick to assert that he was still alive, but not before numerous tributes by former teammates and opponents.
A strongly-built fast bowler, able to extract movement from unhelpful pitches, Streak took 236 wickets at an average of 28.14 in 65 Test matches.
No other Zimbabwean has taken more than 80 Test wickets.
He made 1,990 runs at 22.35 in Tests to stand seventh on the country’s all-time list. His highest score and only century was 127 not out against the West Indies in Harare in 2003.
Streak took 237 wickets — 104 more than his nearest rival — and scored 2,901 runs in 187 one-day internationals.
He often battled almost alone for his underdog nation against powerful opponents.
His best Test bowling performance was typical. He took six for 73 while India piled up a total of 366 on the way to a 10-wicket win in Harare in 2005.
Streak had two spells as Zimbabwe captain, interrupted by a dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket in 2001 over pay and racial quota issues.
The highlight of his four wins in 21 Tests as captain was Zimbabwe’s first Test victory against India, in Harare in 2001.
He took seven wickets in the match — dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in both innings — and scored 40 runs in the first innings.
He led Zimbabwe in 68 one-day internationals, including the 2003 World Cup in southern Africa when Zimbabwe reached the Super Six stage.
He was sacked as captain in 2004 at a time of upheaval in Zimbabwe cricket when 15 leading players rebelled against the administration.
This, in turn, led to a much-weakened team temporarily losing their Test match status.
He retired from international cricket in 2005.
After a playing spell with English county Warwickshire, he became Zimbabwe’s bowling coach in 2009. His coaching career included stints in Bangladesh, India, England and Scotland.
He was Zimbabwe head coach from 2016 to 2018, when he was fired after the team failed to qualify for the 2019 World Cup.
He was banned for eight years by the ICC for passing on information and contact details of players to an unnamed Indian man and accepting payment which included $35,000 in Bitcoin.
Streak accepted responsibility for his actions, but said he had never been involved in match-fixing.
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Zimbabwe cricket legend Heath Streak dies aged 49
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Zimbabwe cricket legend Heath Streak dies aged 49
- Former Zimbabwe captain and coach Heath Streak was battling colon cancer
- Streak was a key member of Zimbabwe teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s
Hosts Morocco set up Senegal AFCON final showdown
- Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning
RABAT: Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning the title were again dashed.
Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after their semifinal showdown of few chances in capital Rabat finished 0-0 at the end of extra time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performing heroics by saving twice in the shoot-out.
Bounou, of Saudi side Al-Hilal, saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65,000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
As well as joy there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco’s second in the shoot-out — was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
“It was one of the hardest matches we have had against a very solid and talented team,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who played in the last Atlas Lions team to reach the AFCON final when they lost to Tunisia in 2004.
“I am very happy for the players and for the Moroccan people who really deserve this.
“It is a great gift for them to be in the final but we will need to recover quickly because we put a lot of energy into the game.”
The shoot-out came after a cagey encounter, with almost all the chances of note coming in the first half and Nigeria mustering just two shots in the entire game.
Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century and just their second overall.
However, as their dream remains alive it is an agonizing way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years after they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
Led by two recent winners of the African player of the year prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the best team at the tournament up to the semifinals and the top scorers with 14 goals in their first five matches.
“The players fought for every ball and it is difficult to lose on penalties, but this is football and we have to accept it,” said Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
He added: “I am proud of my players but I am disappointed for them because the reality is we were maybe the best team that there has been in this AFCON.”
Mane ends Salah’s dream
Earlier, Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, then said he was playing in the tournament for the last time.
“I’m very happy to be able to play in my very last AFCON. I hope to win it (the final) and bring (the trophy) back to Dakar,” the 33-year-old said.
Senegal, champions in 2022, dominated possession against cautious Egypt as the Cup of Nations title continues to elude Liverpool superstar Salah.
This was Salah’s fifth AFCON and the closest he has come to a winners’ medal is finishing a runner-up twice.
It will be Senegal’s fourth Cup of Nations final appearance overall and their third in the last four editions.
“I think we managed the game well from start to finish and, overall, we deserved to win. We’ll try to be ready for the final, above all to give our best,” said Mane.
“The most important thing for me is that Senegal wins every time... I am a soldier of the nation. I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is the most difficult competition in the world. All the teams are evenly matched.”
Referring to his former Liverpool teammate Salah, Mane said the Egyptian is “one of the best players in the world.”
The goal that decided the game came with 12 minutes remaining, as Mane’s low shot flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after their semifinal showdown of few chances in capital Rabat finished 0-0 at the end of extra time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performing heroics by saving twice in the shoot-out.
Bounou, of Saudi side Al-Hilal, saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65,000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
As well as joy there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco’s second in the shoot-out — was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
“It was one of the hardest matches we have had against a very solid and talented team,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who played in the last Atlas Lions team to reach the AFCON final when they lost to Tunisia in 2004.
“I am very happy for the players and for the Moroccan people who really deserve this.
“It is a great gift for them to be in the final but we will need to recover quickly because we put a lot of energy into the game.”
The shoot-out came after a cagey encounter, with almost all the chances of note coming in the first half and Nigeria mustering just two shots in the entire game.
Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century and just their second overall.
However, as their dream remains alive it is an agonizing way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years after they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
Led by two recent winners of the African player of the year prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the best team at the tournament up to the semifinals and the top scorers with 14 goals in their first five matches.
“The players fought for every ball and it is difficult to lose on penalties, but this is football and we have to accept it,” said Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
He added: “I am proud of my players but I am disappointed for them because the reality is we were maybe the best team that there has been in this AFCON.”
Mane ends Salah’s dream
Earlier, Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, then said he was playing in the tournament for the last time.
“I’m very happy to be able to play in my very last AFCON. I hope to win it (the final) and bring (the trophy) back to Dakar,” the 33-year-old said.
Senegal, champions in 2022, dominated possession against cautious Egypt as the Cup of Nations title continues to elude Liverpool superstar Salah.
This was Salah’s fifth AFCON and the closest he has come to a winners’ medal is finishing a runner-up twice.
It will be Senegal’s fourth Cup of Nations final appearance overall and their third in the last four editions.
“I think we managed the game well from start to finish and, overall, we deserved to win. We’ll try to be ready for the final, above all to give our best,” said Mane.
“The most important thing for me is that Senegal wins every time... I am a soldier of the nation. I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is the most difficult competition in the world. All the teams are evenly matched.”
Referring to his former Liverpool teammate Salah, Mane said the Egyptian is “one of the best players in the world.”
The goal that decided the game came with 12 minutes remaining, as Mane’s low shot flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
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