Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Al Ahly and Sunshine Stars finally leave Mali

An Egyptian military plane airlifted Ahly out of Bamako on Thursday afternoon headed for Cairo.
The six players and two officials from Stars left on Friday to return home via Benin.
The two teams were stranded after Monday's attempted counter-coup caused the airport to be closed.
Ahly's flight after their 1-0 loss in the African Champions League to Stade Malien was initially delayed by bad weather.

Zambian FA confirms Fifa playing ban for match-fixers

The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has stepped in to ensure that nine convicted match-fixers honour their global playing bans.
All the players were found guilty of taking bribes in Finland last year and then given a two-year ban by that country's football association.
World football's governing body, Fifa, extended all the bans to apply globally, but two of the players - Donewell Yobe and Francis Kombe - have unwittingly violated the ban by playing back home in Zambia.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Arsenal to play pre-season game in Abuja Nigeria

According to the organisers, DanJan Sports, Arsenal's opposition are likely to be a leading African national team.
It will be the first time the Gunners have played in Nigeria.
"We are working on the opposition and once that is finalised we will announce it to the public in conjunction with the London club," David Omigie of DanJan Sports said.

Africa Cup of Nations 2013 South Africa revealed cities after delay

South Africa has named Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg are the host cities for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision means that Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup, will not be used for the tournament.
Johannesburg's FNB Stadium, formerly known as Soccer City and the venue for the World Cup final, will host only the opening match and the final.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure 'key' to City victory

Ivory Coast star Yaya Toure has been praised for the key role he played in Manchester City's vital victory over city rivals United on Monday.
The midfielder, who has been central to the revival of his club's ambitions, was again at the heart of the action.
The BBC said he had been "dominant" during the derby against City's rivals for the Premier League title.
The Daily Telegraph   described him as "magnificent" and said he had "given everything in securing the win".
City now top the table on goal difference, with both teams having two games left.

Fifa ban Zambian match fixers in Finland scandal

Six Zambian players have had worldwide bans imposed on them by Fifa after a match-fixing scandal in Finland.
Godfrey Chibanga, Chileshe Chibwe, Steven Kunda, Christopher Musonda, Chanda Mwaba and Nchimunya Mweetwa had already been banned by Football Association of Finland (Faf), following the conclusion of an appeals process.
The six played for Rovaniemi Palloseura (RoPs), and along with a number of colleagues, were convicted of taking bribes by a Finnish court last year.
The Singaporean man at the heart of the investigation, Wilson Raj Perumal, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Mali violence delayed Ahly and Sunshine Stars

Players and officials from Egypt's Al Ahly and Nigeria's Sunshine Stars are stranded in Mali, after renewed violence on Monday.
Ahly played Stade Malien and Stars took on Djoliba in the African Champions League at the weekend.
The Cairo club's flight was delayed by bad weather, and then - when trouble broke out - the airport was closed.
Some members of the Nigerian party left the country on Saturday night but a small group remain trapped.
"They cannot leave the hotel, on the instructions of the Egyptian embassy," Ahly board member Khaled Mortagy said.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Tanzania's Simba looking good in Africa Confederation Cup

Tanzania's Simba have taken a big step towards a place in the next round of Africa's Confederation Cup with a 3-0 home win over Al Ahly Shandy of Sudan.
Last week Simba had to delay celebrating winning the Tanzanian title because of controversy at another game, but there was no doubt about this win.
All three goals game in the second half, with man of the match Emmanuel Okwi inspiring the team.
The goals came from Haruna Moshi, Patrick Mafisango and Okwi himself.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Nigeria acts on Jos football bars

Nigerian authorities have banned bars in Jos from screening fooball matches following recent attacks by Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram.
Nine people were injured on Tuesday after a blast outside a bar as fans watched the Chelsea-Barcelona match.
The explosion gave rise to fears that football fans would become sitting ducks for Boko Haram's militants.
Police have now slapped an indefinite ban on all such centres across Jos.
"The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State has taken this decision to safeguard lives of football fans and the people of Jos," police spokesperson Samuel Dabai told BBC Sport.
He added: "I can't say for how long this ban will remain in place but the lives and property of the people remain of paramount importance.
"No matter your love for football, I think the most significant thing is to stay alive."
But bar operators have been outraged by the police ban, saying it will harm one of their major sources of income.
Some have suggested that government provides them with security instead.
However, Dabai asked those affected by the police order to bear with the authorities.
"Only a man who's alive can celebrate during football matches, so it's better to be alive.
"For now the ban may be inconvenient but the plan is to keep everyone safe."
Nigerians are, like most of the world, obsessed with the English Premier League.
Many fans choose to watch the action from football bars up and down the country, many of which to charge for the privilege.

Lechantre appointed to coach Senegal

Former Africa Cup of Nations winner Pierre Lechantre has been appointed the new coach of Senegal.
Lechantre got the nod ahead of French compatriot Bruno Metsu, who led the Senegalese to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.
Lechantre replaces Amara Traore, who was fired after a disastrous Nations Cup earlier this year.
The Teranga Lions were one of the pre-tournament favourites but lost all three of their first round games.
The 62-year-old has previously coached Cameroon, leading them to the 2000 Nations Cup and Olympic titles.
He has also coached Mali's Eagles but with little success.
Lechantre's other national coaching post was in Qatar and he last worked with Qatari club Al Arabi.
The Frenchman has vowed to put his own imprint on Senegalese football as the country seeks to reach the dizzy heights of 2002.
Lechantre faces his first competitive match on 2 June against Liberia in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Egyptian riot club Masry to be relegated on return

Egypt's Al Masry have had their punishment for a riot which killed 74 people earlier this year increased.
The club's existing ban remains in place, but when they return for the 2013/14 season they will be forced to play in the second division.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) extended the sanctions following an appeal hearing on Tuesday.
The club whose fans bore the brunt of the violence, Cairo's Al Ahly,were furious at the initial punishment.
More than 70 people face charges arising from the violence, which erupted after a league match between Masry and Ahly on 1 February.
The ban on Masry applies to their senior team only - but the club is to be obliged to honour the contracts of its top players, even though they will not be in action for more than 12 months.
A four-year ban on the Port Said stadium stands and the club's fans will be excluded from all their matches for the first year of their return.
A number of lesser punishments were imposed on Ahly for their role in the riot.
They appealed against those, and a four-match ban on their fans has been reduced to only one game.
But midfielder Hossam Ghaly has had a four match ban increased to six games.
Ahly's response to the increase in Masry's punishment, and reaction to the changes in their own, is likely to be determined at a board meeting, which will be held shortly.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a precious lead to take to the Nou Camp for the Champions League semi-final second leg as his goal beat holders Barcelona at Stamford Bridge





The Catalans dominated possession as well as creating a succession of chances - but Drogba struck in first-half injury time to give interim manager Roberto di Matteo's side an advantage to protect in Barcelona next Tuesday.

Chelsea were forced to mount a resilient rearguard action in the face of Barcelona's famous passing "carousel", but Drogba converted their one clear chance to reward the outstanding defensive work of Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole and captain John Terry in keeping Lionel Messi and co at bay.
Barcelona produced evidence of the huge threat they will pose in front of their own supporters as they enjoyed 72% of the possession, but Chelsea will be elated at not only claiming the victory but also keeping a crucial clean sheet.
Alexis Sanchez hit the crossbar for Barcelona early on and Pedro hit the post in the dying seconds - while Cole cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas. Goalkeeper Petr Cech also saved well from Messi and Carles Puyol as Pep Guardiola's team tried every avenue in an attempt to break Chelsea down.
In the end, Chelsea's organisation and discipline was rewarded but Di Matteo knows they will have to produce the same - and more besides - in the Nou Camp to confirm a meeting with either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in Munich next month.
Di Matteo clearly saw Drogba's power as a potential threat to a Barcelona defence stripped of Gerard Pique - but he barely caught sight of goal in a first 45 minutes in which the Catalans exerted their technical superiority.
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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Treat Keshi like Westerhof said Kalu

Sensing discomfiture in ties between the GlassHouse and Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi over the appointment of an expatriate
Technical Director,Former Abia state governor Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu Wednesday pleaded with the Football Federation to give the Nigerian a breather.
Kalu advised that perhaps Keshi should adopt Dutchman Clemens Westerhof’s survival
strategy to realise the objective of rebuilding the senior national team.
He said,”The NFF may appear to mean well,but you cannot have two captains on a ship.If we really want to re-enact the Westerhof Golden Years of Nigerian soccer ,then Keshi must be given a free hand to run this show.Westerhof succeeded because he was not a ‘primus inter pares’[First among equals],he was de facto Manager.”
On the country’s free fall in FIFA Rankings,the former governor explained that such classification was just for record purposes arguing that the best on the World list could lose to rank outsiders in a World Cup match.
“It is too early to start judging performance.Yes ,Eagles have fallen to No.60.That is not the end.What was Cameroun’s position when with nine men,the Lions devoured defending champions Diego Maradona’s Argentina at Italia ’90?Senegal did the same to France in 2002.It is more honourable to fumble in friendlies and win in competitions.It takes time to rebuild,football is highly technical,”,he added.
Kalu would later punch a joker when he implied that Keshi could as well read Westerhof’s Green Book that made him a die hard strategist in the murky pool of officialdom.
“I remember the story of the Netherlander finding his way to Adm.Augustus Aikhomu’s office while some top sports officials waited at the reception.I know President Goodluck Jonathan has officially descended on God fatherism,but when it comes to the round leather game, Nigerians may gladly sing Niccolo Machiavelli’s dictum ‘the end justifies the means’.Fans do not need any more heartbreak”,Kalu summed up.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Senegal expect to name new coach within a week

Senegal expect to name their new coach within the next week, says the president of the Senegal Football Federation Augustin Senghor.
"Will we name him at the end of this week or start of next week," Senghor told BBC Sport. "We have a shortlist, but now is not the time to give names.
"The committee members will meet this week and we will finalise our choice.
"Then we will meet with the new minister for sport to decide who the coach will be for the future."
Senegal have been without a coach since sacking Amara Traoreshortly after their first round exit from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The appointment of a new coach, which was delayed by the presidential elections, was originally expected to have been made within the first two weeks of April but has taken longer than anticipated.
"During the election period we thought it was better to wait," explained Senghor. "Now we have the new minister of sport for our country, which was necessary because it is the government official who is in charge of paying the salary of the coach, we will be able to make an appointment shortly."
Although Senghor would not reveal the candidates for the position, he did say that the new coach would be a "charismatic" figure who would command respect from the players.
"We have very good players. Many are playing in the major championships in Europe - in England, France, Spain, Turkey - and I think that if we have a good coach who can manage these great players, we can do well at the next Africa Cup Of Nations in 2013 and also at the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014," added Senghor.
Meanwhile, Senghor is hopeful that his country's best players will be available for selection for their London Olympics qualification play-off match against Oman on 23 April in the English city of Coventry - the one-off tie is for the last spot in the 2012 Games.
"The difficulty for the African national teams is the 23rd of April is not a Fifa date so the players are not allowed to attend this competition if they don't have the co-operation of their clubs.
"It was very difficult, what we did was to visit the managers of all the different clubs and we think we have about 14 players from their teams in Europe to attend this match. Also we have four players in Dakar who will join them in Paris and go to Coventry."
Senghor believes qualifying for the Olympics would be a major boost for Senegal following their poor performance at the Africa Cup Of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon earlier this year.
"We have never played in the Olympic Games and if we qualify it would be an historic moment for Senegalese football." he said.
"It would be a great thing because in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations Senegal played very badly and went out in the first stage. If we qualify it will mean we have put that difficulty behind us, that we are still alive and we can go on with our football."

Botswana coach Tshosane 'not 100% happy' despite new deal

Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane has revealed he is not "happy with everything" despite signing a new three-year deal, keeping him in the job until 2015.
While Tshosane is thought to have doubled his salary to $9000 a month, players' bonuses remain an issue.
He said: "I signed a new three-year deal, but that does not necessarily mean I'm happy with everything.
"I'm not 100% satisfied - some issues I raised are yet to be resolved."
Tshosane and the Botswana Football Association started contract talks before the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year but the veteran coach stalled, claiming the main problem concerned payments to the players.
"I think the most important thing for any coach is to have a group of happy players whose welfare is a top priority for the association," he told BBC Sport.
"But that is still a cause for concern because, as I speak, players are protesting.
" They are unhappy about the issue of bonuses and I should be meeting the technical director over the issue."
The Zebras are presently at a training camp in Gaborone preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifiers.
BFA president, David Fani, said in a media statement that Tshosane's new contract was offerd as a result of his excellent record with the Zebras.
Under Tshosane, Botswana qualified for the Africa Cup Of Nations finals for the first time, although they last all three of their matches at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
"In the light of the Zebras unprecedented achievements, the BFA believes that the offer of another contract to Tshosane is well deserved," said Fani.
"During the 36 months contract period, the BFA will support Tshosane to guide the Zebras through the qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations South Africa in 2103 and Libya in 2015 as well as the 2104 Fifa World Cup in Brazil."

Egypt's football deaths trial opens amid chaotic scenes




The trial of dozens of people charged in connection with Egypt's worst football violence has opened in Cairo amid chaotic scenes.
The defendants, including nine police officers, disrupted proceedings as they chanted to proclaim their innocence and protests took place outside.
They are charged with murder or negligence over the violence.
At least 74 people died after clashes erupted following a match in the city of Port Said on 1 February.
Conspiracy theory
On Monday, the defendants appeared in the same courtroom at the Cairo Police College where former President Hosni Mubarak was put on trial last year.
The proceedings then quickly descended into chaos, as some of the accused jumped on benches in the court cage and waved their fists at the prosecutors.
"We either get our rights or we die," they chanted.
Meanwhile, relatives of the victims held up pictures of their loved ones, and some of them wept, the BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo reports.
For a time the session was adjourned, but it was resumed for the charges to be read out.
Outside the court building, supporters of the two clubs involved in the disaster also demonstrated.
February's game was between the home team, al-Masry, and Cairo's club, al-Ahly.
Al-Masry won 3-1, but its fans later invaded the pitch, attacking al-Ahly players and fans.
The two clubs are long-standing rivals whose games have required a large security presence.
Rumours that the police had failed to intervene sparked days of clashes across the country in which a further 16 people died.
There were also claims that fans had been allowed to take knives and other weapons into the stadium.
Many Egyptians believe the tragedy was orchestrated as a way of taking revenge for the role played by al-Ahly supporters in last year's revolution that ousted Mr Mubarak, our correspondent says.
In the days after the game, large protests blaming the military government for the deaths were held outside the interior ministry in Cairo.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Fabrice Muamba: Bolton midfielder discharged from hospital

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has paid tribute to the London Chest Hospital staff after being discharged.
The 24-year-old was technically "dead" for 78 minutes after suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing in a game against Tottenham on 17 March and had been in hospital since then.
"I am naturally very pleased to be discharged from hospital," he said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to every single member of staff who played a part in my care."
Muamba, pictured with Dr Andrew Deaner and Dr Sam Mohiddin of the Barts Health NHS Trust on his discharge, said: "Their dedication, professionalism and expertise is simply amazing and I will forever be in their debt. I also wish to say thank you to all the many well-wishers who have sent thousands of messages of support."
And in a joint press release issued by the Trust and his club, the midfielder continued: "Now I am out of hospital, I am looking forward to continuing my recovery and spending precious time with my family."
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle said: "It is absolutely fantastic news that Fabrice has been discharged from hospital and everyone at the club is delighted.
"We would also like to add our thanks to the staff at The London Chest Hospital for their care and treatment of Fabrice, which has been outstanding.
"It is important that Fabrice and his family are now given time and space to be together, and we would ask the media to continue to respect their privacy."
A spokesman for the Trust said: "Barts Health can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has now been discharged following several weeks of treatment. All our staff wish him the very best in his ongoing recovery."
Muamba collapsed after 41 minutes of the FA Cup quarter-final tie with Spurs and was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and 15 defibrillator shocks before he arrived at the intensive care unit of the heart attack centre at the London Chest Hospital.
The former England Under-21 international was helped on the pitch by Deaner, consultant cardiologist at London Chest Hospital, who was at the game as a fan, and ran out of the stands to lend his expertise.
Last month, Trotters club doctor Jonathan Tobin said: "It was 48 minutes when he collapsed to reaching hospital and a further 30 minutes after that. He was, in effect, dead at that time.
"We were fearing the worst and didn't think we would get the recovery we had. It's incredible."



Sunday, April 15, 2012

Falconets thrash Zimbabwe 6-0

Nigeria’s U-20 Women national team on Sunday afternoon proved too hot for Zimbabwe whipping them  3-0. The Nigerians thus moved  to the next round of the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers on a 6-0 aggregate having beaten them 3-0 in the first leg in Abeokuta.
Striker, Desire Oparanozie opened scores for the Nigerian side in the 10th minute while Esther Sunday grabbed the second in the 27th minute to keep scores 2-0 at half time.
In the second period, substitute, Ebere Orji who came in for Sunday in the 46th minute struck in the 86th minute to compound Zimbabwe’s woes and eliminate them.
Nigeria had more ball possession, had more corner kicks and more attempts at goal unlike the Young Mighty Warriors.
Kudos must be given to Chief Coach, Edwin Okon for propelling his girls to victory. “Today l am a happy man because my girls played well,” he said.
Falconets Keeper, Ebubuleye Whtye was virtually on holiday unlike her counterpart, Portia Makucha who was kept on her toes throughout the encounter.
Nigeria will now meet the winner of the Mali/Congo DR encounter next month. The winner will be among the 16 teams at the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Japan in August.

Flying Eagles battle Brazil, Argentina

Nigeria’s U20 team will defend the trophy they won at an invitational tournament in South Africa against Brazil and Argentina from May 24.
Organisers of the eight-nation invitational tournament in Cape Town, South Africa, have confirmed that the event will be played between May 24 and June 3 with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles as cup holders, having won the 2010 inaugural edition that also featured Brazil and Ghana.
The eight participating countries are champions Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, Cameroon and Ghana, who are all leading youth football powers in the world.
Brazil lifted a fifth FIFA U20 World Cup title in Colombia last year.
Argentina won their first world title in 1979 in Japan, defeating Cup holders Soviet Union with the exquisite skills of Diego Maradona and Ramon Diaz. The South Americans also won in 1995, 1997 and 2001, 2005 (defeating Nigeria in the final in Utrecht) and 2007.
But Brazil also reached the final in 1991, 1995 and 2009, losing to Portugal, Argentina and Ghana respectively.

Egypt coach tips Eagles to rule Africa

All the players of the national team that lost 2-3 to Egypt last Thursday in an international friendly in Dubai, have vowed that they will not make the mistakes that caused the last minute loss in their qualifiers for the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup and the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier.
First to speak was the man regarded as a surprise pick by Coach Stephen Keshi for the encounter on Thursday, Enyimba of Aba’s Henry Uche. “The referee was poor, but I think we lost concentration at some point and that was why they were able to get the last minute goal”, the fair skinned midfield anchor, whose performance was rated above average said. He said he forsees a better outing when the team steps out against Gabon next month in Libreville.
Towering defender, Azubuike Egwueke of Warri Wolves, said the Egyptians were ordinary but were overrated by the team. “I think we thought of them as the team that won two Cup of Nations back to back and it affected us, but we are learning fast and soon the world will see the real Super Eagles”.;
Team skipper, Chigozie Agbuim, said he has taken some lessons from the game but noted that the entire team caved in at the wrong time. “We let our guards down thinking that we have drawn the game and we paid for it, I know that it won’t happen next time, because we have learnt this one the bitter way”, he said.
Egyptian Head Coach Bob Bradley on his part, while blaming his team’s lack of finesse against Nigeria on match rustiness, said he foresees the Nigerian side ruling African football in less than six months if the NFF is able to hold the team together. “Wonderful players with wonderful skills that we could not match, they have a bright future if they stick together”, he said.