SOCCER AFRICA: African Cup of Nations 2012 Updates: Africa's big guns caught resting on laurels 1 Feb 2012: Michel Platini UEFA President Michel Platini, a staunch supporter of Eu..
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Fifa president Sep Blatter has written to Egyptian FA president Samir Zaher.
"Today is a black day for football and we must take steps to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again," wrote Blatter.
"Football is a force for good and we must not allow it to be abused by those who mean evil.
"I await further news from you concerning the circumstances of this tragedy."
Senior officials in the Egyptian city of Port Said, where the deaths occurred, and the national football association have already been sacked.
The governor of Port Said has resigned, while two senior security officials have been suspended and are in custody.
Three days of national mourning have been declared.
A minute's silence will be held before this weekend's quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou, whose organisation is based in Cairo, told www.cafonline.com : "African football is in a state of mourning."
1 Feb 2012:
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu sent Ghana into the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a stunning goal in their 1-1 draw against Guinea on Wednesday while Mali joined them thanks to Seydou Keita's winner against Botswana.
Midfielder Badu, 21, collected a corner just outside the penalty area, flicked the ball up with his left foot and then sent a dipping volley into the far corner with his right to give the Black Stars the point they needed.
African Footballer of the Year runner-up Keita's first goal of the tournament in the 75th minute gave Mali a 2-1 win over debutants Botswana, who at least kept the score respectable after losing 6-1 to Guinea in their previous match.
Ghana topped Group D with seven points, with Mali on six and Guinea with four. Botswana failed to get off the mark.
Both Ghana's game in Franceville and the Mali match in Libreville were played in near deserted stadiums, a problem which has plagued the tournament both in Gabon, where Wednesday's matches were played, and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.
The tournament was hit by another case of indiscipline as Tunisian midfielder Adel Chedi walked out on his team after failing to get any playing time at the tournament.
Chedli had left the team in Franceville and was heading back to Tunisia, Tunisian media officer Zouhaier Ward said.
The French-born Chedli, one of two survivors from the squad that won the Nations Cup in 2004, was sent to the stands for Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by co-hosts Gabon after reacting angrily to being left out of the team for the game.
Chedli's departure, ahead of Tunisia's appearance in Sunday's quarter-final, follows the expulsion of Zambian Clifford Mulenga by his side for breaking a curfew and failing to apologise.
Ghana will face Tunisia in Sunday's quarter-final while Mali play Gabon in one of the most open and entertaining Nations Cup tournaments in years. In the other matches on Saturday, Equatorial Guinea will meet Ivory Coast, the co-favourites alongside Ghana, and Zambia play Sudan.
Ghana had the run of the dice against Guinea, who were unlucky not to win the game and force a three-way tie with their opponents and Mali. That would have forced organisers to bring the calculators out to determine the top two sides under the complicated head-to-head system.
Guinea had a penalty appeal turned down and goal ruled out for offside before Badu, part of Ghana's world under-20 championship winning team in 2009, produced his masterpiece.
Guinea levelled in first half stoppage time with a fortuitous effort. Abdoul Razzagui Camara sent what appeared to be an intended cross over from the left but the ball flew over a bemused Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and into the net, the first goal Ghana have conceded at the tournament.
Guinea continued to have the better of the game after the break but lost momentum when Mamadou Dioulde Bah was sent off in the 70th minute, receiving a second yellow card for a high tackle.
In Libreville, Botswana scored first against the run of play with a sweeping move out of their midfield, started and finished by Mogakolodi Ngele in the 51st minute.
But Mali's pressure paid off six minutes later with Abdou Traore turning the defence before providing a cross that Modibo Maiga forcefully headed goalward. Botswana goalkeeper Modiri Marumo could only parry it right to Garra Dembele who hammered home from close range.
Keita's goal was set up by his persistence on the edge of the penalty area as he probed an opening and then got a return pass from Cheick Tidiane Diabate to perfectly place the ball into the roof of the net.
Then there was the further agony for a full five minute wait until Guinea's failure to beat Ghana was confirmed. The Mali players stood anxiously waiting, watching pictures on the big screen before erupting in celebration.
2 Feb 2012:
A minute's silence for the victims of Egypt's stadium disaster will be held at this weekend's African Nations Cup quarter-finals, the continent's soccer body said on Thursday in a statement expressing shock at the tragedy.
Seventy four people died and at least 1,000 were injured when supporters invaded the pitch at a match in Port Said on Wednesday.
Most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd while others fell or were thrown from terraces.
"African football is in a state of mourning," said Issa Hayatou, president of the Cairo-based Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.
The quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup are played in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on Saturday and Sunday. Egypt, who won the last three tournaments, failed to qualify for this year's edition.
1 Feb 2012:
Seventy-three people were killed and at least 1,000 injured on Wednesday when Egyptian soccer fans staged a pitch invasion in the city of Port Said, in what a deputy minister called the biggest disaster in the nation's soccer history.
Violence at football matches across north Africa has increased significantly since political unrest began sweeping the region more than a year ago, and one player described Wednesday's riot as "a war, not football".
Angry politicians and sports officials decried a lack of security at the match between Port Said team al-Masry and Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs, and blamed the nation's leaders for allowing - or even causing - the tragedy.
Some enraged Egyptian politicians accused officials still in their jobs after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak of complicity in the tragedy, or at least of allowing a security vacuum in which violence has soared since last year's revolution.
"This is unfortunate and deeply saddening. It is the biggest disaster in Egypt's soccer history," Deputy Health Minister Hesham Sheiha told state television.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the head of Egypt's ruling military council, ordered two helicopters be sent to Port Said to fly out some of the visiting Al Ahli soccer team and its fans, military sources said.
The helicopters would transfer the injured to military hospitals, the sources said.
Egypt's top Muslim cleric called the events a massacre that violated the words and teachings of Islam.
HISTORY OF RIVALRY
The violence flared after a match between Port Said team al-Masry and Cairo's Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs - whose fans have a history of fierce rivalry.
Witnesses said fighting began after Ahli fans unfurled banners insulting Port Said and one descended to the pitch carrying an iron bar at the end of the match, which al-Masry won 3-1.
Al-Masry fans reacted by pouring onto the pitch and attacking Ahli players before turning to the terraces to attack rival supporters, including "ultra" al Ahli fans who played a leading role in Egypt's revolution last year.
Most of the deaths were among people who were trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd or who fell from terraces, witnesses and health workers said.
Many fans died in a subsequent stampede, while some were flung off their seats onto the pitch and were killed by the fall. Meanwhile, rioting fans fired flares straight into the stands.
Live television coverage showed fans running onto the field and chasing Ahli players. A small group of riot police formed a corridor to try to protect the players, but they appeared overwhelmed and fans were still able to kick and punch the players as they fled.
"This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us. There is no movement and no security and no ambulances," Ahli player Mohamed Abo Treika told his club's television channel.
"I call for the premier league to be cancelled. This is horrible situation and today can never be forgotten."
State television reported that Egypt's football federation had indefinitely suspended premier league matches.
A BLACK DAY FOR FOOTBALL
Sepp Blatter, president of the FIFA world soccer federation, expressed his shock at the tragedy. "This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen," he said in a statement.
Albadry Farghali, a member of parliament for Port Said, accused officials and security forces of allowing the disaster, saying they still had ties to the government of Mubarak, who was overthrown a year ago.
"The security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions," he screamed in a telephone call to live television.
"Where is the security? Where is the government?"
A number of policemen were among the dead, a medical source and witnesses said.
Many of the fans involved were hardline supporters of Ahli who fought during last year's revolution with police, one of the most hated arms of Mubarak's state.
These "ultras" again battled with police in and around Cairo's Tahrir Square in November and December last year in protests calling for the military to hand over power to civilians immediately.
Hospitals throughout the Suez Canal zone were put on a state of emergency, and dozens of ambulances rushed to Port Said from the Canal cities of Ismailia and Suez, said an official in the zone's local ambulance service.
Another match in Cairo was halted by the referee after receiving news of the violence in Port Said, prompting fans to set parts of the stadium on fire, television footage showed.
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Chicago Fire could sign the 33-year-old on a free transfer since his contract expires with Chelsea this summer and the MLS side's coach would welcome the Ivory Coast international as one of the club's designated players.
"If there's a DP [designated player] that's out there that can fit in with our team, we're always open to it," Klopas told Goal.com. "Drogba? Of course, yes, [the Fire would be interested]," he stated. "There's talks but would he really come and what would it take?"
Klopas denied his side are interested in bringing Drogba's former Chelsea team-mate Michael Ballack to the MLS, stating the Bayer Leverkusen man is not what his team needs.
"With Ballack, I mean we signed a guy Rafael Robayo who is a two-way player like him and we have [Pavel] Pardo coming back," Klopas said.
"With those players, you always have to see where they are, what stage of their career are they in. But we made some signings in the middle and I think that's not an area where we are looking at [to improve]."
"Our midfielder Robayo from Millionaros, not trying to compare him to a Ballack, but at 27 years old, you're bringing him at an age where he's at his prime," Klopas said.
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AFRICA FOOTBALL
Relaxation the key
Causing a stir
GFA boss says Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria are no longer giants
.
2012 Nations Cup
Fixtures and tables for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
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Fifa demands answers after violence in Egypt
Fifa has demanded a "full report" into the violence in Egypt which has left more than 70 people dead.
It has asked the Egyptian authorities to explain exactly what happened following the match between Al-Ahly and Al Masry on Wednesday. Fifa president Sep Blatter has written to Egyptian FA president Samir Zaher.
"Today is a black day for football and we must take steps to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again," wrote Blatter.
"Football is a force for good and we must not allow it to be abused by those who mean evil.
"I await further news from you concerning the circumstances of this tragedy."
Senior officials in the Egyptian city of Port Said, where the deaths occurred, and the national football association have already been sacked.
The governor of Port Said has resigned, while two senior security officials have been suspended and are in custody.
Three days of national mourning have been declared.
A minute's silence will be held before this weekend's quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou, whose organisation is based in Cairo, told www.cafonline.com : "African football is in a state of mourning."
| Stunning Badu goal sends Ghana through with Mali |   |
 Ghana's Badu Emmanuel Agyemang (8) celebrates his goal |
Midfielder Badu, 21, collected a corner just outside the penalty area, flicked the ball up with his left foot and then sent a dipping volley into the far corner with his right to give the Black Stars the point they needed.
African Footballer of the Year runner-up Keita's first goal of the tournament in the 75th minute gave Mali a 2-1 win over debutants Botswana, who at least kept the score respectable after losing 6-1 to Guinea in their previous match.
Ghana topped Group D with seven points, with Mali on six and Guinea with four. Botswana failed to get off the mark.
Both Ghana's game in Franceville and the Mali match in Libreville were played in near deserted stadiums, a problem which has plagued the tournament both in Gabon, where Wednesday's matches were played, and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea.
The tournament was hit by another case of indiscipline as Tunisian midfielder Adel Chedi walked out on his team after failing to get any playing time at the tournament.
Chedli had left the team in Franceville and was heading back to Tunisia, Tunisian media officer Zouhaier Ward said.
The French-born Chedli, one of two survivors from the squad that won the Nations Cup in 2004, was sent to the stands for Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by co-hosts Gabon after reacting angrily to being left out of the team for the game.
Chedli's departure, ahead of Tunisia's appearance in Sunday's quarter-final, follows the expulsion of Zambian Clifford Mulenga by his side for breaking a curfew and failing to apologise.
Ghana will face Tunisia in Sunday's quarter-final while Mali play Gabon in one of the most open and entertaining Nations Cup tournaments in years. In the other matches on Saturday, Equatorial Guinea will meet Ivory Coast, the co-favourites alongside Ghana, and Zambia play Sudan.
Ghana had the run of the dice against Guinea, who were unlucky not to win the game and force a three-way tie with their opponents and Mali. That would have forced organisers to bring the calculators out to determine the top two sides under the complicated head-to-head system.
Guinea had a penalty appeal turned down and goal ruled out for offside before Badu, part of Ghana's world under-20 championship winning team in 2009, produced his masterpiece.
Guinea levelled in first half stoppage time with a fortuitous effort. Abdoul Razzagui Camara sent what appeared to be an intended cross over from the left but the ball flew over a bemused Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and into the net, the first goal Ghana have conceded at the tournament.
Guinea continued to have the better of the game after the break but lost momentum when Mamadou Dioulde Bah was sent off in the 70th minute, receiving a second yellow card for a high tackle.
In Libreville, Botswana scored first against the run of play with a sweeping move out of their midfield, started and finished by Mogakolodi Ngele in the 51st minute.
But Mali's pressure paid off six minutes later with Abdou Traore turning the defence before providing a cross that Modibo Maiga forcefully headed goalward. Botswana goalkeeper Modiri Marumo could only parry it right to Garra Dembele who hammered home from close range.
Keita's goal was set up by his persistence on the edge of the penalty area as he probed an opening and then got a return pass from Cheick Tidiane Diabate to perfectly place the ball into the roof of the net.
Then there was the further agony for a full five minute wait until Guinea's failure to beat Ghana was confirmed. The Mali players stood anxiously waiting, watching pictures on the big screen before erupting in celebration.
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| Upcoming Matches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals | 4 Feb | Zambia | Sudan | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals | 4 Feb | Côte d'Ivoire | Equatorial Guinea | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals | 5 Feb | Gabon | Mali | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarterfinals | 5 Feb | Ghana | Tunisia | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simifinals | 8 Feb | -- | -- | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simifinals | 8 Feb | -- | -- | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Place | 11 Feb | -- | -- | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Final | 12 Feb | -- | -- | Head 2 Head | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nations Cup to hold minute's silence after Egypt deaths | |
A minute's silence for the victims of Egypt's stadium disaster will be held at this weekend's African Nations Cup quarter-finals, the continent's soccer body said on Thursday in a statement expressing shock at the tragedy.
Seventy four people died and at least 1,000 were injured when supporters invaded the pitch at a match in Port Said on Wednesday.
Most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd while others fell or were thrown from terraces.
"African football is in a state of mourning," said Issa Hayatou, president of the Cairo-based Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.
The quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup are played in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on Saturday and Sunday. Egypt, who won the last three tournaments, failed to qualify for this year's edition.
| More than 70 die in Egyptian soccer pitch invasion | |
 Police officers react as chaos erupts at a soccer stadium in Port Said |
Violence at football matches across north Africa has increased significantly since political unrest began sweeping the region more than a year ago, and one player described Wednesday's riot as "a war, not football".
Angry politicians and sports officials decried a lack of security at the match between Port Said team al-Masry and Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs, and blamed the nation's leaders for allowing - or even causing - the tragedy.
Some enraged Egyptian politicians accused officials still in their jobs after the fall of President Hosni Mubarak of complicity in the tragedy, or at least of allowing a security vacuum in which violence has soared since last year's revolution.
"This is unfortunate and deeply saddening. It is the biggest disaster in Egypt's soccer history," Deputy Health Minister Hesham Sheiha told state television.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the head of Egypt's ruling military council, ordered two helicopters be sent to Port Said to fly out some of the visiting Al Ahli soccer team and its fans, military sources said.
The helicopters would transfer the injured to military hospitals, the sources said.
Egypt's top Muslim cleric called the events a massacre that violated the words and teachings of Islam.
HISTORY OF RIVALRY
The violence flared after a match between Port Said team al-Masry and Cairo's Al Ahli, one of Egypt's most successful clubs - whose fans have a history of fierce rivalry.
Witnesses said fighting began after Ahli fans unfurled banners insulting Port Said and one descended to the pitch carrying an iron bar at the end of the match, which al-Masry won 3-1.
Al-Masry fans reacted by pouring onto the pitch and attacking Ahli players before turning to the terraces to attack rival supporters, including "ultra" al Ahli fans who played a leading role in Egypt's revolution last year.
Most of the deaths were among people who were trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd or who fell from terraces, witnesses and health workers said.
Many fans died in a subsequent stampede, while some were flung off their seats onto the pitch and were killed by the fall. Meanwhile, rioting fans fired flares straight into the stands.
Live television coverage showed fans running onto the field and chasing Ahli players. A small group of riot police formed a corridor to try to protect the players, but they appeared overwhelmed and fans were still able to kick and punch the players as they fled.
"This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us. There is no movement and no security and no ambulances," Ahli player Mohamed Abo Treika told his club's television channel.
"I call for the premier league to be cancelled. This is horrible situation and today can never be forgotten."
State television reported that Egypt's football federation had indefinitely suspended premier league matches.
A BLACK DAY FOR FOOTBALL
Sepp Blatter, president of the FIFA world soccer federation, expressed his shock at the tragedy. "This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen," he said in a statement.
Albadry Farghali, a member of parliament for Port Said, accused officials and security forces of allowing the disaster, saying they still had ties to the government of Mubarak, who was overthrown a year ago.
"The security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions," he screamed in a telephone call to live television.
"Where is the security? Where is the government?"
A number of policemen were among the dead, a medical source and witnesses said.
Many of the fans involved were hardline supporters of Ahli who fought during last year's revolution with police, one of the most hated arms of Mubarak's state.
These "ultras" again battled with police in and around Cairo's Tahrir Square in November and December last year in protests calling for the military to hand over power to civilians immediately.
Hospitals throughout the Suez Canal zone were put on a state of emergency, and dozens of ambulances rushed to Port Said from the Canal cities of Ismailia and Suez, said an official in the zone's local ambulance service.
Another match in Cairo was halted by the referee after receiving news of the violence in Port Said, prompting fans to set parts of the stadium on fire, television footage showed.
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Chicago Fire interested in signing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba
The MLS side's coach, Frank Klopas, admits signing the Ivory Coast international would be a long shot and has denied the club are targeted Michael Ballack
Getty Images
Chicago Fire are interested in signing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, according to the MLS club's head coach Frank Klopas.
Drobga, who had been targeted by Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua last month, has yet to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, amid reports he is unhappy at not being offered more an a one-year deal.
Drobga, who had been targeted by Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua last month, has yet to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, amid reports he is unhappy at not being offered more an a one-year deal.
Chicago Fire could sign the 33-year-old on a free transfer since his contract expires with Chelsea this summer and the MLS side's coach would welcome the Ivory Coast international as one of the club's designated players.
"If there's a DP [designated player] that's out there that can fit in with our team, we're always open to it," Klopas told Goal.com. "Drogba? Of course, yes, [the Fire would be interested]," he stated. "There's talks but would he really come and what would it take?"
Klopas denied his side are interested in bringing Drogba's former Chelsea team-mate Michael Ballack to the MLS, stating the Bayer Leverkusen man is not what his team needs.
"With Ballack, I mean we signed a guy Rafael Robayo who is a two-way player like him and we have [Pavel] Pardo coming back," Klopas said.
"With those players, you always have to see where they are, what stage of their career are they in. But we made some signings in the middle and I think that's not an area where we are looking at [to improve]."
"Our midfielder Robayo from Millionaros, not trying to compare him to a Ballack, but at 27 years old, you're bringing him at an age where he's at his prime," Klopas said.
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AFRICA FOOTBALL
Friday, 3 February 2012
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00:01A day after dozens of soccer fans died in Egypt, the former USA national team coach spoke about the tragedy and reiterated his desire to carry the nation to the World Cup.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
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23:00The former Barcelona midfielder is currently representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations but is still tracking affairs at his club side very carefully -
20:22The Frenchman believes the quality of players in the Black Stars squad makes them a strong contender for their fifth trophy -
19:03The Magpies boss can now call on Demba Ba and January signing Papiss Cisse but underlined his pride at how his side had coped without their first-choice forwards -
18:07The violence, which has claimed the lives of at least 73 people, has shocked the footballing world and the Liga leaders have been moved to issue a statement on the tragedy -
14:27During an emergency assembly of the Egyptian parliament on Thursday morning, the decision was taken to dismiss the association's president and all of his staff -
10:32The four groups have been decided and eight teams remain in the competition, but Goal.com looks back at the best 11 players of the first 24 games -
07:24The Portuguese coach is considering his options after Wednesday's riots and stated that safety conditions for football in the country are not ensured -
00:53The Manchester City midfielder is aiming to take the Afcon trophy home after the final in Libreville on February 12 -
00:44The head of the governing body for world football was gutted to learn about the clashes between rival fans, which resulted in the death of at least 73 people in Africa::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Manuel Jose describes how he was "beaten with fists and sticks" and saw fans killed during Wednesday's tragedy.
Shock in Egypt
Egypt's media reflects the nation's shock at the football violence
Dishing up a treat
Which famous player's mother is cooking for the travelling fans?
Relaxation the key Gabon reveal the secret behind their Nations Cup progress
Causing a stir GFA boss says Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria are no longer giants
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2012 Nations Cup Fixtures and tables for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
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