Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-03 i Star

South Africa’s ambitious reform drive under Operation Vulindlela gained significant traction in the second quarter of 2025/26, with notable progress in the energy, logistics, and digital transformation sectors, according to the latest progress report released on Friday. The government’s structural reform initiative — jointly coordinated by the Presidency and the National Treasury — aims to remove key obstacles to economic growth by modernising critical sectors such as electricity, transport, water, and local government. Operation Vulindlela Phase II covers 30 structural reforms, spanning energy, logistics, water, local government, spatial integration, visas, and digital transformation. According to the second quarter dashboard, 44% of reforms are on track, while 40% are delayed but progressing. The Presidency said the reform drive “continues to unlock private investment, build state capability, and place South Africa on…

South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry is facing renewed strain amid stalled wage negotiations between employers and unions, with industry leaders warning that 2025 production levels could fall short of last year’s already subdued output. The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) on Friday said vehicle production is unlikely to meet earlier projections, as the sector battles a downturn in exports and ongoing labour tensions. According to NAACAM, component exports fell by 5% in 2024 compared with 2023, while vehicle assembly volumes missed 2024 targets by 11.5%. The association said the sector’s recovery in 2025 “will struggle to surpass” last year’s performance, given weak demand, domestic bottlenecks, and the risk of industrial action. NAACAM CEO Renai Moothilal said ongoing wage talks between the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Association (AMEO)…

In 2015, the African Union (AU) assigned South Africa the continental mandate to lead the manufacturing of rolling stock for Africa. The decision recognised South Africa’s industrial base, engineering expertise and infrastructure as the continent’s most advanced. It was an opportunity to anchor regional industrialisation, create skilled employment and supply trains, coaches and components to a growing African market. As Professor Pali Lehohla observed, “The 2015 AU Summit granted South Africa rights to rolling stock, but ten years later nothing happened, except that we ripped our rail apart, disgustingly throwing confidence in our ability to supply rolling stock to the continent completely out of the window, along with any hope for steel manufacturing.” Ten years later, that assessment stands uncomfortably close to the truth. South Africa has neither built a…

In the energy sector, we know one truth too well: you cannot industrialise in the dark. For too long, South Africa’s economic aspirations have flickered under the weight of an unstable power system. Factories stall, investors hesitate and young entrepreneurs fight to keep their doors open through blackouts. As the world prepares for COP30, which will take place from 10 – 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, South Africa has a rare opportunity to reset the conversation – to prove that climate responsibility and industrial growth can coexist. That conviction guided my message on behalf of the Black Business Council (BBC) at the National Ministerial Stakeholder Consultation hosted on 20 Octo ber 2025 by Minister Dion George of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Our call…

Impala Platinum Holdings’ share price fell 4.89% on Friday after the mining group reported that 6E production volumes had decreased by 5% through the group’s first quarter to September 30. Group platinum metals production came to 882 000 ounces, with a 5% decline in managed volumes to 693 000 ounces, a 5% decline from joint ventures to 138 000 ounces, and a 3% increase in third-party receipts to 52 000 ounces, the mining group said Friday in a report. The share traded at R186.12 on the JSE in the afternoon, a price that was below the R198.64 that it traded at a year ago. Gross 6E refined and saleable production volumes increased by 3% to 830 000 ounces, and 6E sales volumes were 7% higher at 847 000 ounces. "Implats…

Netflix’s new South African romantic comedy, Love and Wine, has stirred debate following the release of its official trailer – with some fans accusing it of mimicking the Brazilian film Rich in Love. Set to premiere on December 5, the local production features well-known South African actors including Ntobeko Sishi, Thandolwethu Zondi, Thando Thabethe, Masali Baduza and Bongile Mantsai. The plot centres on Owethu Sikeba (Sishi), the heir to a wine empire, who makes a bet with his best friend Nathi (Zondi) to swop lives and prove his romantic success is not tied to his wealth. In the trailer, Nathi quips: “These girls wouldn’t even care about you if your name was Nathi Maseko instead of Owethu Sikeba.” Owethu replies: “Let’s swop, and I’ll prove to you that I can…

Six people have been shot, and three injured in a shooting in Boskburg, on Saturday night. The shooting occurred on Williams Road, Reiger Park, in the evening, Gauteng police said. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Gauteng, Major General Fred Kekana has mobilised resources following a drive-by shooting incident in Reiger Park, which claimed the lives of six people and left three injured. “It is reported that in the afternoon of Saturday, November 1, two vehicles, a silver polo and a black polo came to this area and started shooting randomly. She said the circumstances of the shooting are not clear at this stage but investigations are underway and a manhunt has been launched for the suspects. “The Acting…

In a startling development, CBS has terminated the contract of seasoned South African journalist Debora Patta after she had a contentious interaction with US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. This comes after Huckabee said the interview he held in early August with Patta was heavily edited and misrepresented his views on the situation in Gaza. Following the interview, Huckabee went on X and asserted that CBS News intentionally manipulated the four-minute segment to produce a narrative that diverged from his actual comments. He insisted that his comments on reports of starvation in Gaza were misrepresented. “Ever wonder how the media edits an interview to give you a different story than the one they had?” he wrote. In an attempt to clarify his position, he linked the full transcript of the…

US President Donald Trump threatened to send the military into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing” if Africa’s most populous country does not stem what he described as the killing of Christians by Islamists. In an explosive post, the Republican leader – who had campaigned unsuccessfully for the Nobel Peace Prize – said on social media he asked the Pentagon to map out a possible plan of attack, one day after warning that Christianity was “facing an existential threat in Nigeria”. Nigeria is embroiled in numerous conflicts that experts say have killed both Christians and Muslims without distinction. “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing’, to completely…

Rain and wet weather in Mumbai have delayed the toss for the Women’s World Cup final between South Africa and India. Heavy rain has already affected the tournament, causing major interruptions in the semi-final clash between India and Australia at the same venue a few days ago. Fortunately, there are provisions for bad weather in the ICC’s Playing Conditions for the tournament, with section 13.6 stating: “The semifinals and final shall have a reserve day allocated on which an incomplete match shall be continued from the scheduled day. No other matches shall have a reserve day allocated.” It further states: “If the reserve day is allocated, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day, with any necessary reduction in overs taking place, and only if…

Hugo Broos is set to put his head on the block later this week, and announce the final 23-member squad that will face Zambia in an international friendly next Saturday. Although there are a couple of new faces in the 43-member preliminary squad, Broos is expected to stick with tried and tested players for the friendly as he begins planning for the AFCON finals in Morocco next month. Not widening the selection pool by choosing mostly familiar players for the clash against Chipolopolo could backfire, especially if his regulars are ruled out of the continental showpiece due to form or injuries in the coming weeks. However, such is the depth of the squad Broos has assembled in the last few months that it would be a rare occurrence for him…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is delighted with his team’s 61-7 defeat of Japan at the weekend, but says the match was always a warm-up for this week’s monumental encounter with France in Paris. The Boks scored eight tries and were awarded a penalty try in shutting out Eddie Jones’ side. While the game had the potential to be tricky, South Africa closed the Japanese down from the first whistle to the last. “We have to give credit to the whole team,” said Erasmus. “Some of the players had not played for us in a while, such as Gerhard (Steenekamp), Franco (Mostert), Johan (Grobbelaar), Andre (Esterhuizen) at No 7, and Zachary (Porthen), who made his debut. “And then if you look at a player like Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) – who scored two…

Stellenbosch FC’s miserable run in the Betway Premiership continued on Sunday when they lost 2-0 to TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Galaxy scored a goal in each half and, in the process, snapped a sequence of back-to-back defeats. The outcome also marked Galaxy’s first league win over Stellenbosch since they joined the elite league three seasons ago. At the start, Stellenbosch showcased their dominance in possession but struggled in front of goal, leading to a somewhat frustrating first half. Despite enjoying a 60% possession advantage, Stellenbosch failed to break down an organised Galaxy defence, highlighting an issue that has plagued them in recent outings. In the first half, Stellenbosch had five shots on target; however, each scoring effort was denied by a resolute Galaxy defence. Ivorian goalkeeper…

Golden Arrows (1) 4 Dion 15’, Cisse 70’, Khumalo 86’ 92’ Marumo Gallants (0) 0 Golden Arrows extended their fine run of form with a commanding 4-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday. Abafana Bes’thende, buoyed by their recent cup success, notched their fifth win in six matches across all competitions, a result that keeps them among the early front-runners in the Betway Premiership. It was a confident and composed performance from Manqoba Mngqithi’s side, who combined pace in attack with defensive stability. The hosts made their intent clear early on and deservedly opened the scoring in the 15th minute through the in-form Sede Dion. The Ivorian striker finished off a trademark Arrows counterattack, arriving at the near post to tuck away Siyanda Ndlovu’s cross –…

The Bank of America (BofA) has flagged a potential credit rating upgrade for South Africa later this month, saying that S&P Global Ratings could lift the country’s sovereign rating to ‘BB’ if the government delivers stronger economic growth and successfully reduces its debt-to-GDP ratio. In its latest note released on Friday, BofA said the upgrade could come after the tabling of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), expected later this month, even as the country continues to face fiscal headwinds and structural constraints. S&P, which downgraded South Africa to sub-investment grade in April 2020 due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, currently rates the country’s foreign currency debt at ‘BB-’ and local currency debt at ‘BB’, both with a positive outlook. The agency in May said the positive…

The Department of Agriculture has moved to defend itself following concern over the Auditor-General’s report indicating a qualified audit opinion and a surge in fruitless and wasteful expenditure during the 2024/25 financial year. The latest audit findings covering the 2024/25 financial year ending on 31 March 2025 were tabled by the Auditor-General in Parliament on 7 October, showing that the department received a qualified audit opinion despite spending 94% of its budget while achieving only 83% of its target. The department's spokesperson, Moses Rannditsheni, last week said the audit pertains to a period before the establishment of the new stand-alone department. "The Auditor-General’s findings relate to the former Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) before the institutional split took effect," Rannditsheni said. "Simply extracting data from those…

One of the challenges of being a noisy democracy is that in our hunt for scandals, we often miss important victories, especially those that improve the lives of the working class. The South African Revenue Service (Sars) is one such success. It is being achieved through the relentless efforts of its staff. Their remarkable achievements in rebuilding a government entity that was at the heart of the state capture project, is an affirmation that the state can be fixed and capacitated to fulfill its constitutional and transformational mandate. Sars by its nature must alienate society’s corrupt and criminal elements. This is exactly what occurred during the state capture chapter where it irritated powerful politicians by insisting they pay their taxes. This led to an intervention at Sars, purging…

MTN Nigeria Communications delivered a resounding financial comeback, reporting a robust performance for the nine months to September 30, 2025 - a N750.2 billion taxed profit marked a dramatic turnaround from a N514.9bn loss in the same period last year. This resurgence paved the way for a return to dividend payments, with an interim dividend of N5.00 per share approved by the board. CEO Karl Toriola hailed the results as a “significant milestone,” attributing the turnaround to strategic execution, improved macroeconomic conditions, and prudent financial management. “We are pleased to report that MTN Nigeria has restored its positive retained earnings and shareholders’ equity positions,” he said. MTN Nigeria’s subscriber base surged by 11% to 85.4 million, while active data users climbed 12.8% to 51.1 million. Service revenue soared 57.5% year-on-year…

Netflix has released the trailer for Last Samurai Standing, a Japanese period action film which will premiere on November 13. Based on the Naoki Prize-winning novel Ikusagami by Shogo Imamura, the film centres on a lone samurai forced into a brutal fight for survival. The story is set in a fictional era when carrying swords is suddenly outlawed, upending the life of the undefeated samurai Shujiro Saga. To save his family and village, he enters a deadly survival game where each life taken counts as a point. While the premise may remind some viewers of Squid Game, Last Samurai Standing aims for a more grounded, historically-inspired tone. Junichi Okada, who serves as the producer, the lead actor and an action choreographer, described the film as “a new kind of period…

President Cyril Ramaphosa, held a secretive two-day retreat at the Cradle of Humankind, where he urged leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU) to collaborate in order to rescue the country’s struggling municipalities. The gathering, which concluded on Saturday, was convened amidst speculation about the GNU’s future and about Ramaphosa’s own leadership, with several ANC insiders expressing a growing lack of confidence in his ability to steer the nation. Sources close to the discussions from within government, the ANC and opposition parties, revealed that a significant portion of the closed-door discussions revolved around the critical state of local governance and next year’s elections. While no official agenda was shared, and leaders were ordered to maintain secrecy, the urgency of municipal collapse appears to have dominated much of the conversation.…

Pretoria last week Friday criticised a US decision to prioritise white South Africans as refugees accepted into the country, saying it was based on “widely discredited” claims of their persecution. The Trump administration announced last week Thursday it would cut its annual refugee quota to a record low of 7 500, with priority for whites from South Africa’s Afrikaner community and “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands”. Pretoria and Washington have been at loggerheads for months over US allegations that the post-apartheid government persecutes the minority white population, including widely rejected claims of a “white genocide”. Washington’s focus on white South Africans rests “on a premise that is factually inaccurate,” the South African foreign ministry said in a statement. “The claim of a ‘white genocide’…

A 32-year-old man from Manapyane Village, Mahlatse Tolonyane Mathote Matebane, has been sentenced to 25 years of direct imprisonment by the Polokwane High Court for a string of violent crimes committed across the Sekhukhune District between 2020 and 2023. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Matebane was convicted on nine counts, including rape, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking with intent to rape, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. “The sentence follows extensive investigations conducted by Detective Sergeant Raymond Phago, attached to the Sekhukhune District Investigation and Tracking Task Team, who successfully linked the accused to several cases of rape, attempted murder, robbery, housebreaking, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said Ledwaba. The crimes took place in the Motetema, Rakgoadi, and Dennilton policing areas. On August 10,…

THE community of KwaMashu, north of Durban, has been left in shock following the discovery of a woman’s decapitated body inside her burning home. Police confirmed that firefighters responding to a blaze at a property in K-section last week Thursday alerted officers after making the grim discovery. The body of Slindile Mkhize, 33, was found lying on her bed, while her head was later recovered in a bucket inside a backroom building occupied by her cousin, who has since been arrested. According to relatives and neighbours, Mkhize and the suspect, who lived on the same property, had a strained relationship and frequently argued. Mkhize’s sister, Smangele Mgwaba, said the family received urgent calls from neighbours alerting them to the fire. “When we arrived, neighbours were already trying to extinguish the…

ICC World Cup Final India: 298/7 Shafali Varma 87, Deepti Sharma 58, Ayabonga Khaka 3/58 South Africa: 246 all out Wolvaardt 101, Dercksen 35, Deepti Sharma 5/39 w India won by 52 runs Laura Wolvaardt carried her team on her shoulders, dragged them to the finish line, but ultimately could not single-handedly lead the Proteas Women to the promised land of a first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title in Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening. Instead, that honour belongs to India, who on their third attempt after previous disappointments in 2005 and 2017, fulfilled the dreams and desires of a nation when captain Harmanpreet Kaur claimed the catch that clinched their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy. It was a final the competition deserved, with the DY Patil Stadium decked in…

The Sharks’ American boss, Marco Masotti, has come out in support of beleaguered coach John Plumtree and says help is on the way as the team negotiates a difficult start to the United Rugby Championship. The Durban team has won just one of their opening five games and, last week, Masotti announced that Plumtree will step down as head coach at the end of the 2025-26 season. An interim technical consultant is to come in to assist. “The idea is to bring in an experienced person to help and offer fresh ideas and experience,” Masotti said. “John Plumtree fully supports this initiative and will have a say in the appointment and how that person is used.” The Sharks are understood to be talking to Brendan Venter, a wily advisor who…

South Africa’s three representatives in the CAF Interclub Competitions will discover their group-stage opponents on Monday afternoon when the draw for both the Champions League and Confederation Cup takes place at the SuperSport studios. There is the potential of Mamelodi Sundowns coming up against their former coach Rulani Mokwena, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs could be drawn into the same Confederation Cup group. With Orlando Pirates eliminated in the preliminary round by St Elois Lupopo, Mamelodi Sundowns are left to carry the South African flag in the Champions League alone. The 2016 champions will be looking to go one better than last season, when they were beaten finalists. Intriguingly, Sundowns could find themselves in the same group as their conquerors and current title holders, Pyramids FC of Egypt. Miguel…

Parliament confirms probe into threat to R3.5 trillion in public servants’ pensions portfolio Parliament has confirmed that it is following up on allegations of financial mismanagement and governance failures at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) that could threaten the stability of the R3.5 trillion public servants’ pension portfolio. The move follows explosive claims by United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa, who wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) alleging “continued looting, mismanagement, and administrative bungling from top to bottom” at the PIC and its Isibaya Fund. In his letter dated 29 October 2025, Holomisa warned that the alleged irregularities represented “a situation of enormous proportions that rivals the State Capture scandal itself,” arguing that decisive, immediate intervention — not another commission of inquiry…

South Africa’s road infrastructure is the backbone of our economy and vital for the safety and mobility of our people. Yet there’s a persistent gap between the engineering expertise we have and the reality of managing and developing our roads effectively. To build safer, more reliable transport systems, we must leverage engineering knowledge, enforce adherence to proper standards and boost institutional capacity across the public sector and change the narrow view that road infrastructure is just what you see in front of you when you drive. Fundamentally, road safety depends on the quality of the roads themselves, but in the broader picture it should be viewed as a system that includes all the aspects of the infrastructure – fence to fence. Structural integrity, surface strength, proper geometric design, vegetation, signage,…

The US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has cut interest rates for the second time this year. The FOMC officials agreed to another 25 basis points (0.25%) cut, that lowers its benchmark lending rate to a range between 3.75% and 4%. This is the lowest Bank rate in three years. This cut brings more uncertainty to markets as was expected with the US dollar appreciation against most other currencies and precious metals like gold and platinum lost steam. Adding to the rate move, the FOMC announced that it would be ending the reduction of its asset purchases – a process known as quantitative tightening - on December 1, 2025. The statement revealed some serious concerns about the US economy over the short run. The first one is…

MC Mining’s share price shot up over 15% on Friday afternoon after it reported that the development of its Makhado Project is progressing strongly, with coal plant commissioning activities expected to start in December 2025. The company stated in its first quarter activities report for the period ending September 30 that project expenditure remains within budgeted estimates, despite delays encountered due to inclement weather, sourcing suitable construction materials, and obtaining clearances to construct a 14km long power transmission line. The share price of the coal mining and mine development company was trading 15.79% higher at R2.20 on the JSE on Friday afternoon, a price also well up from R1.65 a year ago. The colliery will be South Africa's largest hard coking coal (HCC) producer, designed to produce 800 000 tons…

Newly elected uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) parliamentary chief whip Colleen Makhubele is facing calls for suspension after allegedly failing Parliament’s Intelligence Committee vetting process. Senior party insiders are now appealing to party leader and former president Jacob Zuma to intervene. An internal MK governance report, seen by IOL, outlines a series of serious allegations against Makhubele and recommends her suspension pending further investigation. According to the report, Makhubele: Failed the vetting process required to serve on Parliament’s Intelligence Committee. Improperly lobbied for the appointment of her husband, who currently serves as chairperson of another political party, to an MK position. Attempted to secure a backdated service-level agreement with a company in which her husband was a director, worth R185 301.36 per month. Repeatedly defied party leadership, particularly Deputy President Judge John…

Gary Player on the occasion of his 90th birthday on Saturday, said South Africa has to get rid of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act. South Africa’s greatest-ever sportsman, was speaking during a weather delay in the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational at Sun City. As a farm owner and investor in South Africa, Player inferred that the SA government needed to rethink it’s policies. Policies like the Expropriation Act without compensation under specific, exceptional circumstances. The Act has already been signed into law but has not commenced yet. “South Africa, we’ve got problems. Got big problems. Introducing a bill, no compensation. So in other words, I brought back hundreds of millions of Rands to South Africa. I bought farms and property,” said Player. “They could come in and take…

A 20-year-old female learner has been arrested in Lebowakgomo, Capricorn District, after allegedly pouring boiling water on a fellow learner at a secondary school in Seleteng Village, leaving him with serious burn injuries. The incident occurred on Sunday, October 26, at about 04:30 am, while learners were camping at the school in preparation for their final examinations. According to preliminary investigations, the 19-year-old male pupil was asleep inside one of the classrooms when the suspect approached him, accusing him of touching her private parts. The complainant reportedly denied the allegations, after which the suspect left the room but later returned and poured boiling water on him. The victim was immediately taken to hospital, where he remains under medical care, said Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba Ledwaba said the suspect was…

UN Women have expressed deep alarm and condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the ongoing attacks against women, girls, and civilians in and around El Fasher, Sudan. “For more than 500 days, women and girls have endured siege, bombardment, and deliberate starvation,” the organisation said. “Reports indicate that close to 300 000 women and girls (half of the 575 000 people) are trapped, surviving on animal feed and leaves, and facing acute hunger and insecurity.” The agency warned that the takeover of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) marks “an escalation from siege to mass atrocity including killings, rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and abductions of women and girls”. It said according to local medical networks, including the Sudan Doctors Union, more than 2 000 civilians…

Two more suspects, a man and a woman arrested this week over the jewel heist at the Louvre, were on Saturday charged and remanded in custody, prosecutors said. That brings to four the number of people now charged over the spectacular robbery. The latest to be charged, a 38-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were arrested last week Wednesday along with three other individuals, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. The other three have now been released without charge. The woman was in tears as she appeared at a Paris court, saying she feared for her children and for herself, an AFP reported witnessed. She has been charged with complicity in organised theft and criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing a crime. The magistrate justified the detention of the woman,…

Abdeslam Ouaddou is a fearless players’ coach. As long as a player is good enough to fit into his philosophy and team organisation, he will throw him in the deep end. Ouaddou showed that he has nerves of steel during the 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership on Saturday afternoon in Tshwane. He started teenager Camren Dansin in midfield – an approach that initially appeared risky, as the youngster struggled against Sundowns’ experienced kingpins, including Bathusi Aubaas and Nuno Santos. Tension reached fever pitch when some Pirates players, particularly Tshepang Moremi, began shouting at the 19-year-old, prompting the Ghost to call for his substitution in only his second start for the club this season. So, when Peter Shalulile gave Sundowns the lead, it seemed that Dansin’s struggles…

South Africa’s young T20 side learnt some harsh lessons in Lahore on Saturday night as Pakistan completed a 2-1 comeback series win with a four-wicket victory in the decider — exposing the Proteas’ inexperience but also, coach Shukri Conrad believes, helping to paint a clearer picture for next year’s T20 World Cup. A largely experimental South African side had won the series opener in Rawalpindi convincingly before coming undone in back-to-back matches in Lahore on Friday and Saturday night. “It was rather disappointing, especially going 1-0 up and then coming to Lahore and not getting out the blocks,” Conrad admitted during Saturday’s post-match media conference. “We found ourselves in trouble every PowerPlay with the bat, and when you’re posting 110 or 140, you’re not going to win many games. The…

Nuno Espirito Santo celebrated his first win as West Ham manager yesterday as his spirited team battled from behind to beat Newcastle 3-1 at the London Stadium. The Hammers remain in the relegation zone after just their second Premier League win of the season but are now just three points behind 17th-placed Burnley, whom they play next week. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle took the lead courtesy of a fine early strike from Jacob Murphy, but Lucas Paquetá levelled and an own goal from the unfortunate Sven Botman gave the home team the advantage at half-time. The visitors made wholesale changes in the second half but were blunt in attack, and Tomas Soucek made sure of all three points for West Ham in the closing moments. Nuno was appointed West Ham boss…