Monday, February 27, 2012
SOCCER AFRICA: SOCCER AFRICA : CURRENT AND PAST EVENTS
SOCCER AFRICA: SOCCER AFRICA : CURRENT AND PAST EVENTS: Osaze Odemwingie rallies Nigeria's Super Eagles ...
SOCCER AFRICA : CURRENT AND PAST EVENTS
Osaze Odemwingie rallies Nigeria's Super Eagles
Nigeria striker Osaze Odemwingie has issued a rallying call to his team-mates as they start their campaign to reach the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 edition, leading to the sacking of coach Samson Siasia.
Now, under new boss Stephen Keshi, Nigeria will play Rwanda on Wednesday in Kigali.
"I think the period of claiming to be the giants of Africa is over," Odemwingie told BBC Sport.
Continue reading the main story
“We need to work harder, respect our opponents and fight together...”Osaze Odemwingie Nigeria
"Now we need to fight hard on the pitch and do away with the egos off it as well.
"We let ourselves and the country down by not playing at the last Cup of Nations, now we have a second chance to fix things.
"If we want to win back the support of our fans, we must go out and show them a strong reason to never turn their back on us."
The West Bromwich Albion forward revealed the frustration of watching the recent-completed Nations Cup on television.
"Sincerely, I couldn't watch. I've been playing in it since 2004 and missing out was very hard to deal with," he said.
"Collectively we all contributed to our failure to qualify - but we honestly need to change our attitude and mindset as players now.
"[We need to] work harder, respect our opponents and know that collectively we need to fight together to achieve success."
Former international skipper Keshi has named a squad with a blend of European and locally-based players in his bid to rebuild the faltering side.
With only six players recalled from the squad that failed under Siasia, Odemwingie admits the rebuilding process has already started under the "Big Boss".
"This is a direct message to us [players] that names and clubs can no longer guarantee you a call-up," the striker told the BBC.
"I think now I understand why the media and former players call him the 'big boss' - you either perform or face the exit door.
"Everyone has to earn their place on the pitch and that is an extra motivation and fresh challenge.
"If we want to be called the Super Eagles, then now is the time to prove it on the pitch and not on paper."
The game against Rwanda in Kigali is the first leg of the tie - the second leg will be played in Abuja in June.
A full list of all Wednesday's 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers.
OTHER STORIES
AFRICANS IN EUROPE
 | |
Dipsy calls time Botswana's top-scorer ends his international career
Serb under fire Ghana coach gets hostile reception after Nations Cup failure
Benjani in Harare
Former Warriors captain plans star-studded game in May
Time for change? Liberia stand-in coach Kelvin Sebwe faces tough task
"I didn't want it"
Ivorian Tiote gives away Nations Cup runners-up medal
Saturday, 25 February 2012
-
08:56The rejuvenated Togolese striker will return to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, when he celebrates his 28th birthday, wearing the white of Spurs against his former club
Thursday, 23 February 2012
-
10:36Two powerhouse performances from the Ivorian midfielder upon his return from international duty have sent his side to the Europa League last 16 and now focus turns to the title
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
-
10:30It was a worthwhile experience reporting for the world’s biggest football website at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, where I discovered myself and the power of new media
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
-
18:35The Ivory Coast star is determined to put the disappointment of the final defeat to Zambia behind him by helping the Magpies to realise their ambitions this season -
13:50Speculations that the Wigan forward would play for the Three Lions instead of the Super Eagles have been laid to rest by the national team trainer
Monday, 20 February 2012
-
11:39The striker is set to take a break from international football claiming he has never got over missing a last-minute spot-kick in a quarter-final the Black Stars went on to lose -
10:56The Al Ain marksman has called it quits as far as international football is concerned, but the FA feels that it is not the way to go for a player of his calibreLatest News Search Al Ahly resume training after Port Said disaster 
22 Feb 2012:
© Reuters
Al Ahly players held a minute's silence on Tuesday as they returned to training for the first time since 74 spectators were killed three weeks ago in a riot following a match against al-Masry in Port Said.
Al-Ahly players
In a report on their website (www.el-ahly.com) the club said some players missed training as they were giving police statements about the Feb. 1 league game which also left up to 1,000 people injured after supporters of the Cairo club were set upon at the end of the match.
Training should have resumed last Friday but was postponed while players received counselling.
Coach Manuel Jose, who has amassed the best record in African club football during his time with the Cairo giants, wore a black armband as he took charge.
He said he and the squad were donating some of their salaries to a fund set up for victims.
The future of midfielder Mohamed Barakat also remained uncertain after the 35-year-old abruptly retired from the sport following the riots, saying he was traumatised by the scenes he witnessed .
The club's football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz said he was still trying to convince Barakat to change his mind.
EMOTIONAL DECISION
"Barakat suffered a lot after the horrific disaster in Port Said. I still consider his decision as an emotional one that was taken in the heat of the moment," added Abdel-Hafiz.
"Ahly need Barakat who is not only a good player but also an icon. I will keep in touch with him and we will not give up hope to convince him to come out of retirement."
Other players, including Mohamed Abou-Treika, Emad Meteab and Sherif Ekramy, said they would quit unless the culprits of the violence were brought to justice.
In statements submitted to the police, Jose and his players said Ahly's footballers were attacked and beaten as they fled the pitch following a mass invasion at the final whistle and then watched, cloistered in their changing room, as spectators died around them.
A resumption of the league is unlikely, Egypt Football Association caretaker chairman Anwar Saleh told the Al Ahram newspaper but Al Ahly will participate in the African Champions League.
"Whether we play any ties at home in the competition will depend on the approval of security officials," said Ahly's director of football Sayed Abdelhafiz.
17 Feb 2012:Egypt qualifier postponed after Port Said violence
© Reuters
Egypt's African Nations Cup qualifier in the Central African Republic has been postponed until June following the violence at a football match in Port Said that left 74 people dead on Feb. 1.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday confirmed the match, originally due to be played on Feb. 29, had been rescheduled. It is one of the qualifiers for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.
The Egypt Football Association successfully requested the postponement from their Central African Republic counterparts last week and CAF have confirmed the agreement, a spokesman told Reuters.
The two countries will now meet on successive weekends in June. The first leg of their first-round tie will be played in Cairo on June 15 and the return in Bangui on June 24.
Several members of the Egypt squad announced their intention to stop playing after the violence in the port city which followed a game between local club Al Masry and champions Al Ahly.
12 Feb 2012:Egypt inquiry blame fans, police for stadium deaths
© Reuters
An Egyptian parliamentary inquiry into the deaths of 74 people in a soccer stadium disaster has found both fans and lax security to blame for the worst incident of its kind in the country's history, the legislator leading it said on Sunday.
Soccer fans flee from a fire at Port Said Stadium February 1, 2012
The preliminary findings of the inquiry into the Port Said deaths offered little to support the view of those Egyptians who believed the deaths were the result of a plot hatched by elements within the establishment seeking to create chaos.
Ashraf Thabet, the member of parliament who headed the inquiry, listed factors including incitement by sports TV channels as the cause of the incident which touched off several days of violent protests in which 16 more people were killed.
The incident occurred at the end of a match between Port Said-based al-Masry and Cairo's Al Ahly, the most successful club in Africa.
Witnesses to the Feb. 2 incident had said hundreds of al-Masry supporters surged across the pitch to the visitors' end causing panicked Ahly fans to dash for the exit. But the steel doors were bolted shut and dozens were crushed to death in the stampede. Many believe the incident was sparked by hired thugs.
Thabet spoke of instigators who had used thugs and hardcore soccer fans to take "advantage of the tension surrounding the game to achieve some political gains", but without giving further details. "We will announce their names," he said.
Critics of the military-led authorities had laid the blame on the government, some saying the violence was planned to create an air of chaos that would add to the case for army rule.
Thabet said fans were not inspected while entering the stands and there was a lack of order inside and outside the stadium. "Security facilitated, allowed and enabled this massacre," he said. The security forces had failed to predict trouble and control the crowd stampede, he added.
He also laid blame on "Ultras", the hardcore soccer fans who regularly confront riot police at matches and have been on the front line of confrontations with the security forces since the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak from power.
Most Egyptian teams have their own group of Ultras.
Thabet said there had been tension between the fans before the match. "Both ultras and thugs attacked Ahly fans and this is part of Ultras' culture," Thabet said.
Similar instances of pitch invasions had occurred in Port Said in the past few months, Thabet said, but without causing casualties.
Demonstrators blaming the security forces for the deaths targeted the Interior Ministry in downtown Cairo in protest at what some saw as police complacency. Others said the security forces had a role in igniting trouble.
The committee said investigations were still ongoing and that it would announce final results in its final report which would assign political responsibility for the events.Kenya coach Kimanzi relishes Togo test02-27-2012
Kenya’s Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has challenged his charges to take full advantage of playing at home when they face Togo in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup first leg knock-out round qualifier at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.Kenya welcomes Togo, led by the in-form English Premier League Tottenham striker, Emmanuel Adebayor and coach Kimanzi is confident that they can craft a home leg advantage to take to Lome with the aggregate winner qualifying for the next qualifier knock-outs in June. Kimanzi was speaking to Cafonline.com.in Nairobi ahead of the match against Togo.Cafonline.com: How prepared is your team for the Togo match?Kumauni: Well, the progress has been slow since it has been a huge task for the same players to honour league matches so most of the time we have had an uneven number in camp which makes it difficult in tactical preparation. Having said that we have made some progress, I don’t believe it is enough, it can never be enough, I would have preferred to have all the players around but it is not possible. With the few days we have been working we have managed to score five training sessions in two weeks but it is not enough.Cafonline.com: Considering that this will be a knock-out duel, what are your tactical plans to help Kenya progress?Kimanzi: I have asked my players to take full advantage of playing at home in the first leg and win convincingly. We need a good result to take to Lome and that should be our target on Wednesday. It will also be fantastic if we triumph without conceding.Cafonline.com: Togo’s line-up has the in-form striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Are worried about him?Kimanzi: No…not at all. It makes the game more interesting when they bring in the big players, it is very good for us when we play them at home and it is very good for the mental aspect of our players. I prefer playing a team of that magnitude as opposed to playing a team you know none of the players since psychologically, you lose a lot in terms of the mental strength.Cafonline.com: Despite hanging his gloves internationally, you decided to recall goalkeeper Arnold Origi for the crucial match. Are you expecting to make it for this match?Kimanzi: I prefer to talk about the players who are arriving and the preparations. We already have three keepers in camp. I talked to Origi before including him in the provisional squad. I don’t know whether he will be available but we can still work with those players we have in camp already.Cafonline.com: How have the professional players’ Dennis Oliech Macdonald Mariga and Victor Mugubi been performing for you?Kimanzi: Yes. I have been following their performances and I must admit that they are doing well. They are making steps in developing themselves by having more playing time. Their maturity in the game will help a lot and the experience they will bring to the side when we play the big match at home; we need them to inject the calmness and confidence needed.Cafonline.com: What is your main dream for Kenya?Kimanzi: It is always a dream of anyone to see a team in a big tournament but what is important for me is the qualifiers. My Cup of Nations, be it World Cup starts on Wednesday, that is our World Cup match , that is our Nations Cup match and we have to win at all cost.2013 Orange AFCON first round qualifying games02-26-2012
Gambia is facing several absentees in the team ahead of their game against the Fennecs of Algeria. Goalkeeper Pa Dembo Touray, who recently signed for Santos Cape Town in South Africa, has asked to be excluded from the 2013 Orange AFCON qualifiers in order to ease his integration in his new club. Abdourahman Dampha also made the same plea having also changed club, leaving Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax for a Croatian team. Defender Lamin Samateh who plays for Lokomotive of Zagreb in Serbia is still recovering from injury. Finally, Sainey Nyassi who plays for New England Revolution in the US championship has to make a choice between the Gambian national team and that of the United States. The midfielder who played the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup for Gambia is now eligible to play for USA for whom he has just been accorded resident status. Meanwhile, his brother Sanna will be among 15 other players playing out of Gambia who will make the Scorpion squad and includes Ebrima Sohna, Aziz Corr Nyang, Ousman Jallow and Momodou Ceesay.Chad: The Sao is training in anticipation of its match in D’Djamenda against Malawi. The team coached by Modou Kouta has undertaken a two-week training with two training session daily. The Chadian team and the opponents met twice during the 2012 Orange AFCON qualifiers. Having conceded a 6-1 defeat in the away game, the Chadians held the Malawians to a 2-2 draw on the last day a result that stopped the latter from making the Gabon and Equatorial Guinea finals. Many foreign based players such as Mahamat Labbo, Marius Mbaiam (France), Jules Hamidou (Switzerland), Ngar Ezechiel (Tunisia), Djime Nam Leger (Egypt) and Kevin (Belgium) are expected to reinforce the team.Malawi: Coach Kinnah Phiri has warned his international players from the South Africa league that there will be no blank check, but only the current form will be considered when he picks the team for the match against Chad. This message will be of concern to striker Chiukepo Msowoya recently put on loan by his club Orlando Pirates. Others who might be concerned are Platinum Stars midfielder Robert Ngambi, the duo of Peter Santos and Tawonga Chimodzi Mponda, Moses Chavula of AmaZulu and Davie Banda of Black Leopards. Chad is not a happy hunting ground for Malawi and the memories of the last visit will be fresh in The Fames’ mind. It was against Chad in October in the last qualifier for CAN 2012 finals that Malawi conceded a late equaliser in added time that would deny them a place at the finals. That 2-2 draw opened the door for Tunisia to qualify alongside Botswana from the group. All Malawi needed was a win to make it to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Namibia: The Brave Warriors head to Monrovia to meet the host on 29th February on the back of an encouraging 3 - 0 win over Mozambique in a friendly last week. Two goals from Benson Shilongo and one from Sadney Urikhob. Namibia used a largely home based side for the match and when coach Bernard Kaanjuka combines the South Africa based players with young side, The Brave Warriors’ fortunes could be on the rise. After that good start the Namibian caretaker coach will travel to Liberia with positive aspirations.
Zimbabwe: Caretaker coach Rahman Gumbo and his assistants David Mandigora, Peter Ndlovu and Richard Tswatswa have been training with a largely home based pool of players in Harare with the news that some of the foreign based players will meet the team in Bujumbura. The Warriors will engage Burundi on the 29th of February and in Bujumbura and this means Knowledge Musona, Noel Kaseke and Vusa Nyoni will arrive in Burundi 72 hours before the match. Some of the South Africa based players will only join camp after playing for their clubs said Nicky Chifamba, team manager.Mas Fes win CAF Super Cup02-25-2012
Moroccan side MAS Fes defied the odds to beat Esperance 4-3 on penalties to win the 2012 CAF Super Cup.It was the first time since 1998 that a non-CAF Champions League winner had annexed the annual title.Rachid Taoussi scored the decisive kick as Tunisia cruised unto the title of the continental club championship. The match ended one all before Taoussi scored the winning kick from the spot to hand the Fes-based club the winner.Hamza Abourazzouk shot MAS Fes into the lead on 20 minutes before Khelil Chammam grabbed the equalizer on added-on time.During penalties, Taoussi converted the decisive kick to hand the Moroccans their first win in the one-off match.Orange Super Cup result02-25-2012
Esperance (Tunisia) 1-1 (3-4 pen) MAS Fès (Morocco)
Zoom
Libyans celebrate as football returns
02-23-2012
Libyan football fans have been celebrating the resumption of football activities in their country watching the friendly tournament arranged in remembrance of the Libyan revolution that started on February 17th last year.
Benghazi based Libyan club side Al Nasr hosted the tournament at the “Benina Martyrs” stadium and appreciative crowds turned up for the matches taking place a year after the 17th February Revolution. The home crowd welcomed fellow Libyan club Al Ahly Tripoli and the Bulgarian club side CSKA Sofia who become the first foreign football team to visit Libya after the uprising.
CSKA Sofia won the friendly tournament trophy on goal difference from Al Nasr after both teams finished on 7 points, while Al Ahly Tripoli came 3 rd.
On Wednesday: Day 2 of the tournament Al Nasr and Al Ahly played a goalless draw before Al Nasr won 5-4 on penalties. CSKA Sofia defeated Al Ahly 2-0 with Carchino (20) and Staisa Slavokostov (28) on the score sheet. Al Nasr then defeated CSKA Sofia 3-1 on penalties after the match had ended in a draw.
Day 1 of the tournament was played on Monday and saw Al Ahly beating CSKA Sofia 1-0 through Gomaa Qutait’s goal (20). CSKA Sofia, Bulgarian League record champions with 31 titles then defeated Al Nasr 1-0 with Staisa Slavokostov scoring in the (42) minute. Al Nasr then defeated Ahly by the same score with Ali Al Sharif finding the net after 13 minutes.
Competition rules stated that each match was 45 minutes long with the winner taking 3 points and loser none. In case of a draw penalty shootout was to be taken with the winner getting an extra point for the draw.
CSKA finished on 7 points, same as Al-Nasr but with a better goal difference, while Al Ahly had 4 points. CSKA Sofia emerged the tournament champions and received the trophy with great joy.
Namibia beat Mozambique in a friendly match
02-23-2012
Namibia senior football team upstaged visiting Mozambique in a friendly match played in Windhoek winning the match 3-0 as both teams prepare for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month. The hosts put on an impressive show and outplayed Mozambique and took the lead just before half time through Sadney Urikhob. Further goals in the second half, both from Benson Shilongo completed Namibia’s resounding victory.
Namibia coach Bernard Kaanjuka fielded a youthful side made up of home based players and they took the game to the visitors dominating early play and threatening the Mozambique goal. The service from wingers Eslin Kamuhanga and Willy Stephanus was instrumental in maintaining pressure on Mozambique whose defence realised from first whistle that there in for a tough time.
After creating numerous chances which they did not put away Namibia eventually opened the scoring when Sadney Urikhob finished off a well constructed move with a shot that sailed into the roof of the net past Joao Rafael in goal for Mozambique. Namibian captain Ronald Ketjijere started the move picking up midfielder Willy Stephanus who in turn fed Urikhob but the striker still had work to do with defenders in attendance.
Mozambique went close with a free-kick which was just over the cross bar and from Manuel Uetimane and Diogo Alberto forced Namibia keeper to concede a corner after tipping over the cross bar a shot that was on target. Except for that brief period when Mozambique threatened to score the bulk of the scoring opportunities were created by Namibia.
Substitute Benson Shilongo increased Namibia’s lead in the 64th minute after bringing down the ball in the box and shooting home Namibia’s second goal. Five minutes from full time Shilongo returned to haunt Mozambique with his second and Namibia’s third. The striker ‘s first time shot from a lovely cross into the box hit the back of the net before the keeper could do much about it. Namibia is preparing for a Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifier against Liberia on February 29 while Mozambique will travel away to play Tanzania on the same day .
http://www.cafonline.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)