South African snooker star Silvino Francisco dies at 78

Silvino Francisco, a South African snooker player known for his success in the 1980s, has died at the age of 78. He won the British Open in 1985 and was the only African to win a snooker ranking event. Francisco turned professional in 1981 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 10. He faced challenges later in life, including a drop in ranking and a three-year prison sentence for drug smuggling in 1997. The World Snooker Tour confirmed his death on December 14, extending condolences to his family. Francisco's legacy includes both his achievements in snooker and controversies surrounding his career.