Thursday, November 24, 2011

SOCCER AFRICA: I said goodbye to Ghana because I’m keen on my hea...

SOCCER AFRICA: I said goodbye to Ghana because I’m keen on my hea...: The midfielder said that after having suffered six knee injuries and the same number of surgeries, it was prudent to fo...

I said goodbye to Ghana because I’m keen on my health:Boateng

Kevin Prince Boateng - Milan-Brescia - Serie A (Getty Images)
  The midfielder said that after having suffered six knee injuries and the same number of surgeries, it was prudent to focus exclusively on his club career
Former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng has been explaining the details concerning his abrupt international football retirement.
The midfielder has spoken for the first time on his Ghana snub after he sent a statement to the west African FA revealing that he could no longer combine both club and national duties due to health reasons.


"When I was at Borussia Dortmund,  I could divide myself [between club and country]," he told Vanity Fair.

"But with AC Milan,  between the Italian league, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, I am no more able to do this.”

The 24-year-old said his knee injury worsens whenever he has had to board flights and that has contributed to his decision to quit national duty.

"My knee has suffered six injuries and six surgeries. It gives me pain on flights due to pressure changes.

"So I have to say goodbye to Ghana because I am keen on my health," he added.

The former Portsmouth player shocked Ghanaian fans when he decided to hang up his international boots on November 4. He switched nationality to Ghana a few months before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He has won nine caps with Ghana and scored a goal in the Round of 16 game against the USA at the global showpiece.


AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng: Barcelona are the best club in the world, but we were unfortunate
The Ghanaian midfielder hailed his side's fighting spirit against the Spanish giants, whom he described as the strongest team in the game today more »

Yaya Toure, Gervinho & Didier Drogba among nominees for 2011 Caf Player of the Year award

Ten foreign-based African players have been shortlisted for the 2011 Caf Player of the Year award with Manchester City's Yaya Toure touted as the favourite 

FA Cup Semi Final-   Manchester City v Manchester United, Yaya Toure

Caf has announced the nominees for the 2011 African Player of the Year awards.

The ten shortlisted players include four-time winner Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon, Ivory Coast duo Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, Asamoah Gyan of Ghana and Morocco's Adel Taarabt.

Others are Ghana midfielders Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng, Moussa Sow of Senegal, Mali's Seydou Keita and another Ivorian, Gervinho.

 
The nominees were revealed by Ghana FA president and Caf executive committee member, Kwesi Nyantakyi, in Accra.

The players were named based on their performances and contribution at club and national level during the year under review.

The eventual winner will be declared on December 22 in Ghana's capital, Accra, after the list has been pruned down to three. It will be the third time the Ghanaian capital will be hosting the annual event after 2006 and 2009.

For the first time, there are ten nominees for the African Player of the Year (based in Africa), contrary to the five for last year.

Namibia FA boss fumes at Caf 'delay'

Page last updated at 15:11 GMT, Wednesday, 23 November 2011
John Muinjo 

Namibia FA boss John Muinjo wants the spirit of fair play to prevail

The head of the Namibia FA says the Confederation of African Football must preserve "the spirit of fair play" in their dispute with Burkina Faso. 

 Namibia wants Burkina Faso thrown out of next year's African Cup of Nations finals for allegedly using an ineligible player in the qualifiers.

The Namibians contend that Burkina Faso's Herve Zengue does not meet Fifa's eligibility rules.
Should the Cameroon-born defender be found to be ineligible, Burkina Faso's place at the finals would be taken by Namibia.
But Caf outraged the Namibians last month when they dismissed their protest on a technicality, one which the southern Africans have now appealled against.
The appeal was heard in Cairo last week but there has been a deafening silence from the continental body's headquaters since.
The most important thing for us is for justice to take place
John Muinjo President: Namibia FA
Namibia FA president John Muinjo told BBC Sport on Wednesday that he was unhappy with the delay and accused Caf of not acting in good faith.
"Up to now we haven't anything from them [Caf] and that's not in the spirit of fair play," said Muinjo.
"I'm a principled person and if principles are not being respected, then obviously I won't be happy with that.
"In my view the decision to dismiss our original protest was not a football but political decision."
Muinjo said the NFA is so convinced of the merits of its case that they will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, sport's highest legal power, if need be.
"We're going to move on, and moving on means if the right decision doesn't come our way, then we're going for arbitration.
"The most important thing for us is for justice to take place, and to us it's a matter of principle, so it doesn't matter how long it's going to take.
"The fact of the matter is that we're prepared to go further and follow all the routes that will bring the right decision to the table."
May Mahlangu, Swedish League's Player of the Year, misses Olympic qualifiers.

 
AFRICA'S FOREIGN LEGION
 
OTHER STORIES
 
Dynamos of Zimbabwe Dynamos dilemma
Zimbabwe club face choice over continental competition

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi Change is coming
Coach Stephen Keshi will make changes his Nigeria squad
 
 
 
 Cameroon in action against Morocco Lions strike
Cameroon players refuse to travel in a dispute over money

BBC African Footballer of the Year logo BBC award quintet
The BBC shortlist for its African Footballer of the Year award 
 
 
Sepp Blatter in front of a South Africa World Cup poster Blatter row
Farai Sevenzo on the fallout from Blatter's racism comments

Newspaper gossip Thursday's gossip column
Kaka to Chelsea, Adebayor open to permanent move to Tottenham, plus more
 
 
 
 African Confederation Cup 2011
 
   Sunday 4 Dec 2011          
18:30Maghreb de Fes - Morocco-- : --Club Africain - Tunisia Complexe sportif de Fès
Home match
0:1Away game score
 
 
 

 

Friday, November 18, 2011

SOCCER AFRICA: BBC World Service On Air Now: 23:50-23:59 GMT Spor...

SOCCER AFRICA: BBC World Service On Air Now: 23:50-23:59 GMT Spor...: The Nominees: Read the profiles of the five players Dede Ayew Plays for Ghana and French club Marseille...

BBC World Service On Air Now: 23:50-23:59 GMT Sporting Witness BBC African Footballer of the Year 2011

The Nominees: Read the profiles of the five players

  • Plays for Ghana and French club Marseille
  • Plays for Cameroon and Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia
  • Plays for Ivory Coast and English team Arsenal

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    Chelsea striker Didier Drogba back in training ahead of Liverpool meeting - report

    Ivorian forward has not featured since being sent off against Queens Park Rangers in October, but could return to the side for the Blues' crunch clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

    Didier Drogba - Chelsea (Getty Images)
    For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here.
    Didier Drogba has returned to training this week ahead of Chelsea's meeting with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, according to reports.

     Chelsea forward Didier Drogba rejects Anzhi Makhachkala - report

    Ivorian apparently turned down lucrative offer to join the Russian side and would prefer to end his career at Stamford Bridge despite the Blues' unwillingness to offer a long deal

     Chamakh vows to stay at Arsenal despite Bordeaux interest



    Marouane Chamakh 
       
    Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh hinted on Thursday he wanted to stay at Arsenal despite his struggle to settle at the Emirates and interest from his former club to get him back.

    Girondins Bordeaux said on Tuesday they were keen to re-sign Chamakh, who left in 2010 to join Arsenal, but the player is happy in London.

    "I haven't played as much, what with (Robin) Van Persie coming back from injury, but for me, it's been a settling in period," Chamakh, who scored seven goals from 29 Premier League appearances last season, told Arsenal's website (www.arsenal.com).

    "It's been good to play for a club like Arsenal and getting used to the league, but I'm trying to learn, enjoy it and long may it continue."

    Chamakh has made just one start so far this term.

     



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    Ba hat-trick lifts Newcastle to third  Previous  Next 



    Newcastle United's Demba Ba (R) challenges Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker
    Demba Ba scored a hat-trick as Newcastle United continued their impressive start to the season with a deserved 3-1 win at Stoke City in the Premier League on Monday.

    Newcastle, among the pre-season favourites for relegation, climbed to third place in the table and remain unbeaten after 10 matches
    .

    French-born Senegalese striker Ba headed home Gabriel Obertan's teasing cross from close range after 12 minutes and he doubled the away side's lead with another neat finish five minutes before halftime.

    Ba gave away a penalty with a clumsy foul on Peter Crouch and Jon Walters converted the spot-kick to give Stoke hope with 15 minutes remaining.

    Ba, however, quickly made amends when he coolly dispatched a penalty, his eighth goal of the season, after Robert Huth was adjudged to have shoved Leon Best in the area.

    "I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't play the way we should have in the second half but we defended well and you don't get to 22 points without showing different sides to your game," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told Sky Sports.

    "All the big sides have been here and not won so that just shows how good Stoke are. They are a top team and will finish top 10."

    Newcastle climbed above Chelsea into third place, one point behind Manchester United and six adrift of leaders Manchester City. Stoke remained 11th in the standings.
  •  

  • Arsenal reserve Armand Traore is in line for his competitive international debut for Senegal after being named in the squad for their African Nations Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sept. 3.

    Traore, a former French under-21 international fullback whom the London club loaned to Juventus last season, won his first cap for Senegal in a friendly against Morocco on Aug. 10.

    Senegal coach Amara Traore, who will have to sit in the stands after being sent off in their last qualifier, made no changes to his squad from the August friendly which Senegal lost 2-0.

    The 24-man selection excludes the Turkish-based Issiar Dia and Mamadou Niang, both suspended for the game after being red carded in the last qualifier.

    If Senegal beat the Congolese in Dakar they will secure top place in Group E and qualify for the 2012 finals, having missed out on the 2010 tournament in Angola.
     
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  • Striking Cameroon players forced the abandonment of a friendly in Algeria on Tuesday, refusing to play after not being paid an appearance fee for two internationals at the weekend.

    "This postponement is as a result of an internal administrative problem in the Cameroon national team," the Algerian Football Federation said in a brief statement.

    "FAF deplores this unacceptable and unsporting situation," hinting it would seek compensation for lost costs.

    A statement from Cameroon's players said they had not received money promised for their appearance in a four-nation tournament in Morocco at the weekend, where they played on Friday against Sudan and on Sunday against the host nation.

    "We have decided not to make the trip to Algiers and call on the authorities in Cameroon to keep to their agreements," a statement signed by the players and published on the www.camfoot.com website said.

    "The problem of the fees was raised a week ago and no solution found. The team played with commitment and professionalism in Marrakech but have decided not to go to Algeria."

    They took their action after Sunday's match against Morocco in Marrakech, where captain Samuel Eto'o first told reporters of the squad's intention.

    Several meetings between Cameroon federation officials and players, plus reports of the arrival of cash to pay the players, followed but they failed to solve the situation.

    It is the second game between top African sides that has been cancelled this week after Ivory Coast pulled out of their friendly with Senegal in Paris on Tuesday because of travel problems.

    Algeria will play a match between their squad members in place of the clash with Cameroon and allow free entry to spectators, the federation said.

    Disputes over money and threats of strikes are common in African football but rarely are matches called off because of payment disputes.
     
  •  
  • Current Competitions
    International Competitions: Football
    African Nations Cup 2012
    Friendlies - National
    African Confederation Cup 2011
    CAF Champions League
    African Olympic Qualifiers
    African U23 Championship
     

Thursday, November 3, 2011

SOCCER AFRICA: Samson Siasia takes NFF to court over sacking

SOCCER AFRICA: Samson Siasia takes NFF to court over sacking: Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia is unhappy at the way he was dismissed by the country's football association ...

Samson Siasia takes NFF to court over sacking

Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia is unhappy at the way he was dismissed by the country's football association
Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has launched a legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following his sacking last Friday.
Siasia is suing the NFF for breach of contract after he was fired for failing to take the country to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, BBC Sport can reveal.
The 44-year-old's legal team served his former employer with an 'originating summons' following his dismissal from the post, but no date has been set for the hearing yet.
The news comes with the NFF on the verge of announcing a replacement for Siasia.

AN ORIGINATING SUMMONS

  • An originating summons is a document which formally begins a legal case where people agree on the facts, but need a judge to decide on the meaning of a law, contract, or other document.
The NFF announced that Siasia was sacked after he "breached a key clause in the contract" signed with the football authority on 1 December.
But Siasia's legal team are claiming a breach in contractual agreement signed with the Nigeria football authority upon 'termination of contract'.
According to them, the NFF has violated a formal 30 days' notice and deprived the former Nigeria international of important working conditions, as agreed.
They claim he was not served a 'dismissal letter', provided with a physical trainer whilst he was in charge of the team and nor given accommodation as outlined in his contract.
The NFF legal department informed BBC Sport that a statement on this latest saga will be made available to the media at an appropriate time.
Last week, the NFF's technical committee recommended the dismissal of the former international.
He came under huge pressure after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the continent's flagship tournament for the first time since the 1986 edition in Egypt.
Siasia was a popular choice after he guided Nigeria to the final of the 2005 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands and then the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
However, he fell out of favour after his team could only draw 2-2 with Guinea in Abuja earlier this month in a match Nigeria needed to win to stand a chance of qualifying for the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Local media have speculated that former Nigeria skipper Stephen Keshi will take over the team in an interim capacity for six months.


See also

Related links

  • Related internet links


FROM OTHER SPORT SITES
Daily Trust Nigera Siasia to drag NFF to court ....over breach of contract - 31 mins ago
Modern Ghana Siasia takes NFF to court over sacking - 6 hrs ago
This Day Online Eagles: NFF Picks Keshi, as Siasia Heads to Court - 13 hrs ago
Kick Off Keshi gets Nigeria nod - 14 hrs ago
National Daily The burden of failure - 26 hrs ago
 

Namibia appeal set to affect 2012 Africa Cup of Nations                                                                                                   ''We are going to appeal in terms of the regulations to Caf but even if that appeal does not succeed, because we believe we have a very good case, we will go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport"

Barry Rukoro Namibian FA General Secretary
Herve Zengue (in white) and Siboniso Gaxa of South Africa Herve Zengue (in white) was born in Cameroon but is married to a Burkinabe
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations could be thrown into chaos after Namibia pledged to take their protest over Burkina Faso's involvement to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On Friday, the Confederation of African Football dismissed Namibia's appeal over the eligibilty of Burkina Faso's Herve Zengue on a technicality.
But the Namibians maintain that Caf is ignoring one of its own rulings, which states that any team fielding a 'non-qualified player' should still lose a match regardless of any protest.
We are going to appeal in terms of the regulations to Caf but even if that appeal does not succeed, because we believe we have a very good case, we will go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Barry Rukoro Namibian FA General Secretary
The Namibian FA has told the BBC it will first appeal to Caf and, if necessary, the Court of Arbitration for Sport afterwards.
Article 36.12 states that a team which allows a 'non-qualified or a suspended player to take part in group matches shall lose the match by penalty (3-0), even in the absence of protests/reservations'.
Cameroon-born Zengue appeared in two matches for Burkina Faso during the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers, both of which resulted in victories over Namibia.
However, had Namibia been awarded the points - since they believe Zengue to be ineligible to play for Burkina Faso since he has yet to receive Fifa clearance - then the Brave Warriors would have qualified for the finals.
This is because the six points from two technical 3-0 victories would have seen them finish Group F with an unsurpassed nine points - five more than the Burkinabes' revised total.
"For us, it is very clear that the reason it took so long to arrive at what appears to be a simple decision is because people were looking for technicalities," Barry Rukoro, the General Secretary of the Namibian FA, told BBC Sport.

GROUP F TABLE IF NAMIBIA WINS ITS APPEAL

  • Namibia 9 points
  • Burkina Faso 4 points
  • Gambia 4 points
"Because you will note that the merits of the case were never addressed."
When Caf dismissed the case, it did so on the grounds that Namibia had failed to fulfil Article 37.1 of its Nations Cup rules.
'[A protest against the qualification of a player] must be preceded by a nominal and motivated protest formulated before the match on the proper form of the match by the captain of the protesting team and communicated to the captain of the opposing team who will countersign it,' the rules state.
Rukoro stresses that his organisation did indeed follow the ruling.
"We approached the match commissioner before the match, who directed us to the match referee. Before kick-off, the two captains were called, they signed the protest and the documents were taken by the referee," he explained.
"If the referee did not submit those documents as part of his document, it should not be our problem as we are not the ones appointing the referee."
"The provisions of Article 37.1 evolved right in front of thousands of Namibians sitting in the pavilion waiting for the match to happen so it is very unfair for someone in Cairo to say that did not happen."
Sport
While freely admitting that Namibia is pursuing its case partly to appear at next January's Nations Cup, Rukoro also says his FA is fighting on behalf of Africa's smaller associations.
"It is not only a case of us wanting to play at the Nations Cup but a case that this thing is happening all over the continent," he said. "I think that some of our smaller associations are being disadvantaged by these kinds of actions."
"We are going to appeal in terms of the regulations to Caf but even if that appeal does not succeed, because we believe we have a very good case, we will go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"Some people presume that because we are a small national association, we can be tramped on and we will do nothing. I think it is high time that we spent some of the resources that we would have spent on development on enforcing people to come clean."
"I would have listened to the decision more sympathetically had Caf pronounced themselves on the merits of the case - but they are quiet on whether Zengue qualifies or not.
"They want to knock us out on a technicality - as is normally done with smaller national associations - but if we want to play with the big guys, we have to act like some of them."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is based in the Swiss city Lausanne, is global sport's highest ruling body.
On Saturday, Burkina Faso were drawn in Group B for the 2012 finals, alongside Ivory Coast, Sudan and Angola

Namibia is prepared to take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland 

See also

Related links 

Caf

AFRICA'S FOREIGN LEGION

OTHER STORIES
 
 
Ghana squad Official backing
Ghana FA wants government's backing for the Cup of Nations

Kenyan football fans Kimanzi's return
Ex-Kenya coach Francis Kimanzi takes charge of the team

Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane Ready to go again
Botswana will take qualifying confidence into Nations Cup 

Tunisia coach wants politics to inspire Nations Cup side.

Newspaper gossip Thursday's gossip column
Neymar set for Real, Man City make Adebayor offer to Spurs, plus other rumours 

Victor Moses included in Nigeria squad for friendlies

Wigan striker Victor Moses Victor Moses is set to make his long-awaited debut for Nigeria
Nigeria have included Victor Moses in their squad for back-to-back friendlies against Botswana and Zambia later this month.
It is a first call-up for the Wigan striker since he was cleared this week to swap national allegiances and play for the Super Eagles.
The 20-year-old was first called up for Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations clash with Ethiopia in March but he was ruled out of the game as he was yet to receive official clearance from Fifa to play for his country of birth.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced a 28-man squad, chosen by its technical committee, on Thursday in what will be new coach Stephen Keshi's first game in charge.

NIGERIA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva, Israel), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves)
Defenders: Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland), Gege Soriola (Free State Stars, South Africa), Taye Taiwo (AC Milan, Italy), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Ashdod MS, Israel), Ayodele Adeleye (SC Tavriya Simferopol, Ukraine), Ugo Ukah (Widzew Lopdz, Poland), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Fengor Ogude (Valerenga, Norway), Kalu Uche (Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland), Nosa Igiebor (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic, England), Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy)
Strikers: Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo, Netherlands), Ikechukwu Uche (Granada, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (West Bromwich Albion, England), Ekigho Ehiosun (Samsunspor, Turkey), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Edward Ofere (US Lecce, Italy)
Moses was born in Kaduna, north-central Nigeria but was only cleared by Fifa this week after playing for England at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.
Newcastle United's Shola Ameobi was also cleared by football's world governing body but misses out on a debut due to injury.
Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu has also been handed a recall for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Etuhu had a spat with former coach Samson Siasia after he turned down a late call-up for the cancelled friendly against Ghana in August.
Another man making a return is goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who had a highly-publicised dispute with Siasia and was left out of the squad.
But some regular names miss out - including Israel-based goalkeeper Dele Ayenugba and Peter Utaka of Danish club Odense.
There is a first call-up for striker Edward Ofere, who plays for Lecce in Italy.
The NFF say the friendlies were set up to keep the national team busy.
"It's very important to get the squad together for the matches hence the technical committee called up 28 players for the international friendlies," NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told BBC Sport.
"They are two countries participating at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so they fit perfectly for us to get the Super Eagles busy.
"The new coach only needs to focus on getting started and we wish him all the best."
The Super Eagles will take on the Zebras of Botswana in Benin City on 12 November then face Zambia's Chipolopolo in Kaduna three days later.

Thursday, 3 November 2011
 
Nigeria national team (Getty Images)
In an interview with the BBC just before he was sacked, former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia claimed that a number of his players attempted to take control of the squad. The coach, who was famous for his rifts with star players, tried to ensure discipline but all-in-all was perhaps too heavy-handed in some cases, and not hard enough in others.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Monday, 31 October 2011


info
gha
gha
Points
Prev.Pts
734
700
Points Last Month

M
*
I
*
T
*
C
=
P
GHA - NGA0:01
1
157
0.86
135.02
SUD - GHA0:23
2.5
97
0.86
625.65

Points outside Ranking calculation

M
*
I
*
T
*
C
=
P
Points in the past 4 years

Average WeightAvg. Weight
2008472.9320%94.59
2009360.1730%108.05
2010531.550%265.75
2011265.29100%265.29
Total 734

Ranking Prognosis



teamFlag Ghana Current Rank 33
 
teamFlag Senegal Current Rank 42
teamFlag Cameroon Current Rank 47

CMR-SUD:LG Cup Africa 2011
MAR-CMR:LG Cup Africa 2011
ALG-CMR:Friendly 2011

Ranking Prognosis


teamFlag Burkina Faso Current Rank 54
 

Ranking Prognosis



teamFlag Morocco Current Rank 56

MAR-UGA:LG Cup Africa 2011
MAR-CMR:LG Cup Africa 2011
MAR-GAB:Friendly 2011
teamFlag Tunisia Current Rank 60

ALG-TUN:Friendly 2011  
teamFlag Mauritania Current Rank 200