Mazembe confident in African Champions League

Former African champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo are confident of making it to the group phase of this year's tournament.

The Lubumbashi-based side beat Sudan's El Merreikh 2-0 at home in the first leg of their round of 16 tie on Sunday.

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And striker Given Singuluma has told the BBC his side can get the result they need in Sudan in two weeks' time.
"When we play in Sudan we will be able to score, even away from home," the Zambian international said.
"In Sudan we only need to score [to go through to the last eight] - I know my team, we can score one or even two goals."
Mazembe are making their return to the competition after a year on the sidelines, following a ban for fielding an ineligible player.
The team have looked impressive so far in the tournament and have high hopes of going a long way.
But first they have to complete the job over Merreikh, and Singuluma says they are ready to do that.
"We didn't want to concede a goal and we managed that," he said.
"When we go to Sudan we won't have any pressure, they (Merreikh) will have the pressure."
The second legs of the round-of-16 ties take place over the weekend of 11-13 May.

African champions Esperance thump Zimbabwe's Dynamos

Title holders Esperance took a huge step towards a place in the group phase of this year's African Champions League with a 6-0 thrashing of Dynamos of Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Tunisian sides did well over the weekend, with Etoile du Sahel also earning a big win - a 4-1 victory over Amadou Diallo of Ivory Coast.
There was a good away win for Zamalek of Egypt over MAS of Morocco, while Mali's Djoliba and Nigeria's Sunshine Stars drew 1-1 and DR Congo's TP Mazembe beat Sudan's Al Merreikh 2-0.
Esperance's win came thanks to an opener from Walid Hichri in just the 7th minute, with Karim Aouadhi doubling the lead before 15 minutes had been played.
A brace of goals from Tunisian international Youssef Msakni, plus one from Yannick N'djeng and Iheb Msakni rounded off the victory.
Etoile's win was less emphatic, with the Ivorian visitors keeping in touch with the score at 2-1 until six minutes from time, even though they had a man sent off.
Etoile also missed two penlaties during the match but late goals from Sassi and Bejaoui made it likely that they too will make it through to the last eight.
Zamalek also left it late - opening the scoring against MAS only in the 78th minute - but a 2-0 away victory represents a big stride towards qualification.
Mazembe have returned to the champions league after a one year suspension and seem intent on going a long way once again.
Their win over Merreikh came thanks to goals from Tanzania's Mbwana Ali Samata and local favourite Tersor Mputu Mabi.
Ghana's Berekum Chelsea missed out on the chance to take a strong lead in their tie with former finalists Coton Sport of Cameroon after the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Multiple champions Al Ahly of Egypt looked to have held on for a 0-0 draw in Bamako against Stade Malien but conceded in the 90th minute of the game and now have some work to do back home in Cairo.
In the final Champions League game on Sunday Al Hilal of Sudan were held to a 1-1 home draw by visiting AS Chlef of Algeria who will fancy their chances of making it through to the group stage.

Tunisians romp as Ahly crash

(African Football Media) Monday 30 April 2012

Tunisian sides did well over the weekend in the CAF Champions League, with holders Esperance winning 6-0 and Etoile du Sahel coasting to a 4-1 victory in the first leg of the Round of 16. Egypt's two clubs had varying fortunes as Zamalek claimed a settling win in Morocco but Al Ahly were left with egg on their face in Mali.

Game of the week
Etoile du Sahel 4-1 AFAD Djekanou
The Tunisians won this event in 2007, and they took a big step toward a place in the group stage for the time since 2009 in Saturday's eventful win over the Ivorians in Sousse. The visitors had a man sent off midway through the second half, while the hosts missed a penalty in each period. The score remained 2-1 until the last five minutes when coach Faouzi Benzarti's team pushed forward and were rewarded with late goals by Mossaab Saasi and Hatem Bejaoui, which will help ease nerves for the return leg in Abidjan in a fortnight,

The surprise
Stade Malian 1-0 Al Ahly
Not much went right for Ahly in Bamako. Wael Gomaa was forced off with injury not even ten minutes into his comeback from injury, and the Egyptians looked rudderless without out of favour captain Hossam Ghali. Emad Meteab had the best chance for the visitors a quarter-hour before fulltime, but he failed to shoot when in alone on the goalkeeper. When the match seemed to be drifting to a draw, Ahly's defence failed to react as quickly as Lamine Diawara, who rose to head home from close range. Frequent qualifiers for the Champions League, Stade Malien have failed to make significant headway in the competition since reaching the final of the first-ever continental club title in 1964, but they will try to hold their advantage and reach the group stage for the first time at the expense of the six-time African champions in Cairo.

The other matches
Esperance showed no signs their form is slipping. Currently on a 12-match unbeaten run in Tunisia, the Sang et Or never let up on Dynamos and scored three times in each half. Starlet Youssef Msakni continued to sparkle with a double, but the entire team showed why they won the league, cup and continental treble last term. The club that preceded Esperance at the top of the African heap, Congo DR's TP Mazembe, also kept up momentum by beating Sudan's well-regarded Al Merreikh 2-0 in Lubumbashi. Goals from Mbwana Ali Samata and Tresor Mabi Mputu give the Crows a welcome cushion for what always figures to be a tough match in Omdurman.

In contrast to rivals Ahly, Zamalek had a good away day, and the Whites ran out to a surprisingly straightforward 2-0 win at Maghreb de Fes. It was a heartening performance by the five-time African champions, who were without several key players. Mahmoud Fathallah and Salah Soliman led a backline that blunted the attack of CAF Confederation Cup and Super Cup champions MAS. Zamalek scored their goals in the late going, with captain Ahmed Hassan leading the way in the 78th minute before promising targetman Ahmed Gaafar headed home.

Coton Sport did well to stymie the usually free-scoring Ghanaians Berekum Chelsea, who missed a handful of quality chances in a scoreless draw with the Cameroonian champions. Emmanuel Clottey and Ibrahim Issaka misfired in the first half when they might have bulged the net, while the skilful Solomon Asante pulled two chances of his own wide in the second period. Sunshine Stars of Nigeria scored inside the first minute and held on for a 1-1 draw at Mali’s Djoliba. Striker Izu Azuka opened the scoring with a slick solo effort, and goalkeeper Moses Ocheje did his best to maintain the advantage until substitute Ibourahima Sidibe finally equalised from 20 yards out. ASO Chlef's Karim Ali Hadji scored the all-important away goal at Al Hilal, who went ahead in the early going through Mudathir El Tahir.

Player to watch
Esperance's Youssef Msakni is rumoured to be Africa's next big export to Europe, but the 22-year-old attacking midfielder shows no signs of distraction. He has three goals in his last two continental games, and he is second in the domestic scoring charts with nine goals - just one behind team-mate Joseph Yannick Ndjeng.

The stat
2 – The number of Moroccan clubs that reached the eight-team group stage last year – the Casablanca duo of Wydad and Raja – but unless MAS can overturn their two-goal deficit in Cairo, there will be none this term.

What they said
“Any team who has ambitions to win the Champions League must be able to win away from their home” Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata

Sunderland loanee Asamoah Gyan celebrates UAE title but reveals little about his future

The Ghanaian, leased from the Stadium of Light, helped to clinch the Pro-League crown on Friday, but was coy regarding his own plans while admitting he's happy staying at Al Ain

Striker Asamoah Gyan, on loan from Sunderland, has remained tight-lipped on his playing future as Al Ain clinched the 2011-12 UAE Pro-League title with a 2-0 victory over Al Jazira on Friday.

The 26-year-old has spent the season on loan in the UAE from the Black Cats, whose boss, Martin O'Neill, recently admitted that the striker's return looks unlikely.

Speaking to reporters after the victory, the former Rennes and Udinese attacker said that his future remains unclear at this stage, but revealed that he is happy where he is.

“On June 30 I will know then when my loan finishes, but I don’t know anything before that. I’m happy to be an Al Ain player. I’m very happy to be here,” Gyan explained.
As for the title which, was secured with three games to play, he added: “We are so happy. The team has worked so hard for past 10 months and I am happy to be part of the team.

“We have a very good coach [Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu] with an incredible CV. I’ve no doubt we won because we worked so hard. We deserved this."

Gyan has been a key part of Al Ain's 10th UAE title, netting 17 goals during the term to mark himself out as the league's leading goalscorer.

Don't Miss

Gyan won't return to Sunderland - O'Neill

Fabrice Muamba with Dr Andrew Deaner and Dr Sam Mohiddin

Fabrice Muamba could attend Bolton v Tottenham match

Fabrice Muamba could attend Bolton's home match against Tottenham on 2 May, according to manager Owen Coyle.

Muamba, 24, suffered a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup tie at Spurs on 17 February and he was released from hospital on 16 April.

Coyle admits it would be a major boost to have Muamba in the crowd if he is considered well enough.
"If Fabrice is fit and well then I think the game against Tottenham would be a great opportunity," Coyle said.
"We have to remember after everything he has been through, it has to be the right thing for him, his family and the medical team.
"It would give a chance for everybody to see how well he is doing and it would also give him a chance to thank both sets of fans, who were magnificent on the night, and the Tottenham players - he has already been touching base with our players - because the concern they showed for Fabrice that night was remarkable."
Muamba was technically dead for 78 minutes and unconscious for three days after collapsing on the pitch during his team's FA Cup quarter-final match at White Hart Lane.
Bolton, who have a game in hand on the teams around them, have the chance to move out of the relegation zone against Spurs on Wednesday.

Related to this story

Muamba thanks fans over support 28 Apr 2012 Bolton
Muamba on his 'miracle recovery' 22 Apr 2012 Bolton

Reading place Yakubu at top of summer shopping list

The Championship winners will only make a move for the experienced Nigerian striker if Blackburn Rovers are relegated from the Premier League this season

EPL,Yakubu,Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Getty Images

Reading are preparing a summer swoop for Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu, Goal.com can reveal.

The Championship winners have placed the Nigerian at the top of their summer shopping list and want him to lead their line when they return to the Premier League next season.

However, Goal.com has learned that Reading will only make a move if Rovers are relegated from the top flight.

The Berkshire club have won the Championship despite scoring a relatively paltry 69 goals in 45 games, with their top scorers Adam Le Fondre with 12 goals, Noel Hunt (eight) and Simon Church (seven)

Yakubu, 29, has two years remaining on his Blackburn contract after moving from Everton for £1.5 million last summer.

But he is unlikely to be willing to drop down a division following a prolific season in which his Premier League haul of 16 goals from 27 matches is bettered only by Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero.

Yakubu, who is playing for his fifth English club since moving to Portsmouth in 2003, revealed in February that he rejected interest from QPR in the January window.

"I said 'I don’t want to go'," he explained. "Blackburn gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League again so for me to just go and want to leave, I don’t want to do that.

"I’m lucky to be here, they gave me the opportunity to prove myself so why do I have to leave? I had made the decision I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay here and help the team stay in the Premier League."

Cameroon and Senegal to face host nation at Olympics

Africa's contenders for Olympic gold at London 2012 have been handed tough tasks after the draw for the tournament took place on Tuesday.

Cameroon women's team winning All Africa Games gold

Cameroon's women and Senegal's men will both face the host nation, Great Britain, in the group phase.
Meanwhile Egypt's men must take on the mighty Brazil, one of the most consistent Olympic performers.
Gabon and Morocco are Africa's other male contenders while South Africa were the other team in the women's draw.

Senegal qualified for the Olympic football tournament after a 2-0 win over Oman. Photo: Getty

Senegal, the last team to qualify for the men's event , will face GB in the first game of the men's competition, to be played on 26 July at the home of Manchester United, Old Trafford.

They will then play Uruguay and the UAE in their remaining pool matches in Group A.
Gabon, who like Senegal are making their Olympic debut, must meet Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland in Group B.
In Group C, Egypt's task against Brazil will be a tough one, although the South Americans have never actually won Olympic gold - making do with two silver medals and two bronze medals so far.
Morocco meanwhile, in Group D, take on Spain, Japan and Honduras.

Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses must begin their tournament against Brazil before meeting the hosts.

New Zealand are the other team in their pool, Group E.
South Africa's women's team must take on reigning world champions Japan in Group F, with Sweden - another powerhouse of the women's game - and Canada completing the list of their opponents.
The women's final is at Wembley on 9 August followed by the men's two days later.

Men's Olympic draw

Group A: Great Britain, Senegal , United Arab Emirates, Uruguay
Group B: Mexico, South Korea, Gabon , Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Egypt , Belarus, New Zealand
Group D: Spain, Japan, Honduras, Morocco

Women's Olympic draw

Group E: Great Britain, Cameroon , New Zealand, Brazil
Group F: Japan, Sweden, South Africa , Canada
Group G: USA, France, Colombia, North Korea

Simba looking good in Confed Cup Simba get a decent home win plus details of the rest of the weekend's action in the Confederation Cup.

African champions thump Dynamos A round up of all the weekend's African Champions League action, with a good win for Esperance but work to do for Hilal and Ahly.

Premier League - 23:35

Taarabt: QPR need to believe

QPR midfielder was banned for yesterdays 6-1 defeat at neighbours Chelsea, but believes they need to believe in themselves and get a good result at home to Stoke on Saturday

15:49

El-Hadji Diouf expresses interest in summer move to Leeds

The Senegalese international has had previous issues with Elland Road boss Neil Warnock, but would be willing to settle their differences to seal a deal from relegated Doncaster

15:05

Tiote keen to fulfil ambitions with Newcastle

The Ivorian midfielder feels confident of achieving all of his goals with the Magpies and has praised the impact of Papiss Cisse as the club lie fourth in the Premier League

SA's Serero targets return to form South Africa's Thulani Serero is confident he can be fit and at his best for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

11:42

Newcastle duo Ba and Cisse may not go to Olympics

Magpies manager Alan Pardew could have his Senegalese strike partnership available for the whole of pre-season and any potential European qualifier

Di Matteo undecided over Drogba or Torres for FA Cup final

The Chelsea interim boss has a striker selection headache as he plots how to beat Liverpool at Wembley in the end of season showpiece

Getty Images

Interim Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has stated that he is yet to decide what his team will be for the FA Cup final against Liverpool, and whether he will start with either Fernando Torres or Didier Drogba up front.

Since taking over from the sacked Andre Villas-Boas in March, the Italian has steered the club to 11 wins in his 16 matches in charge, a run of form which has seen them reach the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

A recurring theme during that superb run has been the willingness with which Di Matteo has utilised his whole squad, often opting to rotate between both Torres and Drogba, rather than starting both, but the 41 year-old is not looking beyond the Blues' upcoming league clash against Newcastle just yet, as the club remain well in the hunt for fourth spot."We have to play Newcastle on Wednesday and I need to reassess my players in the next couple of days to see how they have recovered and how they are, to pick a strong team," Di Matteo told reporters.

"Then we'll think about the final."
After Drogba's heroics in both legs against Barcelona and Torres' first hat-trick for the club in Sunday's 6-1 derby demolition of QPR, Di Matteo has an embarrassment of riches to pick from, and he believes that this is absolutely vital for future success.

"It's great for this football club that we've got all these players now full of confidence and belief in themselves, and everybody wants to play. It's fantastic.

"It's the only way we can achieve our targets."

Lechantre appointed Senegal coach

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.

Senegal FA's bank account frozen in Traore dispute

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has had its bank account frozen on the orders of a court in the country.

The move is part of a dispute between the FSF and its former coach, Amara Traore.
He was sacked after the Teranga Lions' shock exit after the first round of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Traore claims he is owed salary and redundancy payments and the country's state news agency says the FSF has been ordered to pay him US$72000.
Since that money has not yet been forthcoming, the court has ordered that the federation's bank account be frozen.
The news comes on the day Senegal were paired with host nation Great Britain in the Olympic football tournament, after they qualified for the competition with a 2-0 play-off win over Oman on Monday.

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

Duarte takes over as Gabon coach

Paulo Duarte has been appointed coach of Gabon on a two-year contract.

The 43-year-old Portuguese replaces Gernot Rohr, the German who led the team at this year's African Nations Cup they co-hosted with Equatorial Guinea.
Despite guiding the team to the quarrter-finals, where they lost on penalties to Mali, Rohr was allowed to leave apparently because of his poor relations with members of the squad.
Duarte himself was fired as Burkina Faso coach after the Nations Cup.
He parted ways with the Stallions following the team's failure to progress from the group stage.
The Portuguese beat off opposition from former French club PSG coach Antoine Kombouare to land the Gabon job.
Also in the running were former France international striker Jean-Pierre Papin and the experienced Frenchman Bruno Metsu.
"I'm glad, it's a good project," Duatre said.
"I'm taking over as a coach and technical director, responsible for all training, with the freedom to organise and oversee the national teams in the country."
Duarte spent four years at the helm of the Stallions, qualifying them to two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations - 2010 and 2012.
His first competitive match will be the 2014 World Cup qualifier agaisnt Niger on 1 June.

Wigan 4

Moses 13′, 15′
Maloney 36′
Di Santo 45′

Newcastle 0

Wigan celebrate Franco di Santo's goal against Newcastle

Wigan made it five wins out of seven as they moved three points clear of the relegation zone and dented Newcastle's hopes of finishing in the top four.

Victor Moses headed home to open the scoring and fired a second past Tim Krul less than two minutes later.
Shaun Maloney slotted in to extend the lead and Franco di Santo curled a brilliant fourth just before half-time.

Papiss Cisse struck the bar and post but Newcastle were soundly beaten as Wigan secured three vital points.
The Latics looked destined to go down for much of the season but incredibly they have taken 15 points from a possible 21, with two games remaining.
Roberto Martinez's men have lost just three of 13 fixtures since the start of February and will be confident of extending their Premier League stay to eight years.
Their feat was all the more remarkable given that Newcastle arrived at the DW Stadium following a run of six consecutive wins.
They remain in fourth place but know if Tottenham beat Blackburn at White Hart Lane they will drop to fifth on goal difference.
Fourth spot could ensure qualification for the Champions League - but only if Chelsea lose this year's final against Bayern Munich on 19 May.
Wigan passed and moved with pace and intent from the very first minute, utilising their wide players to pin their opponents back.
Their reward came when Emmerson Boyce crossed from the right and Moses held off Mike Williamson to nod the opener.
It was the first goal Newcastle had conceded in four games and they looked shell-shocked.
Yet that was no excuse for the space they afforded Wigan on their next attack as Maloney and Moses combined to feed Jean Beausejour.
The Chilean's cross was only partially cleared by Fabricio Coloccini and an on-rushing Moses slotted first-time into the bottom corner.

Newcastle tried to respond - Hatem ben Arfa curling a set-piece narrowly off target - but the visitors were horribly out of sorts.

Further punishment arrived when Di Santo threaded a pass behind Davide Santon for Maloney to race clear and finish across Krul.
Newcastle complained that James McCarthy was only cautioned for a challenge on Yohan Cabaye and then went close as Demba Ba drilled wide.
However, that was their only period of in the ascendancy all half and two minutes into stoppage time Wigan struck again.
Maloney shifted possession to Di Santo and with Cheik Tiote standing off, the Argentine unleashed a sensational curling chip.
Newcastle memorably came from 4-0 down at half-time to draw 4-4 with Arsenal last season and boss Alan Pardew would have sought a similar response on this occasion.
Yet it was Wigan who started the second half with greater urgency and Moses sliced wide before drawing a one-handed save from Krul.
Newcastle eventually generated some momentum and Cisse's curling effort came back off the bar, Ben Arfa shot just wide and Cisse inexplicably headed Ben Arfa's cross against the post from five yards.
It took a goal-line clearance from Coloccini to deny Wigan substitute Conon Sammon, but the result was never in doubt.

Ugandan David Obua on his way out at Hearts

Hearts forward David Obua is to leave the club at the end of the season after four years in Edinburgh.

The Tynecastle club have announced they will not be renewing the Ugandan's contract when it expires in the summer.
"We'd like to thank David for his services to the club during his time with us and wish him well for the future," said a Hearts spokesperson.
Young players Aaron Murdoch, Chris Tobin, Ryan Stewart, Colin Hamilton and Matthew Park will also leave the club.
Like Obua, the quintet have been told by manager Paulo Sergio that no new contract is on offer.
Obua, 28, joined Hearts from South African side Kaizer Chiefs in 2008 and has made more than 90 appearances.

South Africa's Shaun Bartlett gets first coaching job

Former South Africa striker Shaun Bartlett has got his first coaching job as he joins local club Golden Arrows as an assistant.

He will be working under Turkish coach Mushin Ertugral at the club.
Bartlett spent six years in England with Charlton before returning to South Africa to end his playing career with Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic.
The club said on its website: "His appointment is a welcome addition to Golden Arrows' coaching team."
"It's expected that his technical input will enable an exciting partnership, and thus continue, the exciting form shown this season," the website added.
Golden Arrows are currently 11th in the 16-team Premier Soccer League with four matches remaining this season.
Bartlett is South Africa's second all-time leading scorer behind Benni McCarthy, with 28 goals in 74 appearances.
He also won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations with Bafana Bafana as well as featuring for them at the 1998 World Cup, scoring two goals.

Scotland debutant Islam Feruz makes his way past Federico Viviani (left)

Scotland U21 1-4 Italy U21

Islam Feruz became Scotland's youngest Under-21 international as Italy ran out comprehensive winners in a friendly at Easter Road.

The Chelsea forward, aged 16 years and 197 days, appeared on the hour but had a limited impact on a one-sided game.
Gary Mackay-Steven levelled after Alessandro Florenzi headed Italy into an early lead but Ciro Immobile tucked the visitors ahead again on 55 minutes.
Lorenzo Insigne and Samuele Longo then added to the visitors' tally.
Somalia-born Feruz was one of seven debutants as manager Billy Stark elected to experiment with team selection against top quality opposition in preparation for next month's European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria.
Scotland were behind from the visitors' first attack as Giuliuo Donati's right-wing cross found an unmarked Florenzi to head beyond Mark Ridgers.
Ridgers reacted well to save with his feet from Immobile before Scotland's first strike on goal came after 22 minutes when Scott Allan shot straight at Simone Colombi from 25 yards.
Ridgers spread himself well to save from Immobile twice either side of a left-footed Mackay-Steven shot which hit the post.
An equaliser soon followed as Johnny Russell reacted to a ricochet off an Italian arm and made his way to the by-line before crossing for Dundee United team-mate Mackay-Steven to tap in.
Russell forced Simone Colombi into a save and Immobile volleyed over as the half ended level.
Grant Adam was one of three half-time replacements, but his involvement lasted less than a minute as he was caught by Marco Crimi before departing after lengthy treatment.
Rochdale's Matthew Edwards then became Scotland's third goalkeeper of the evening and his first task was to pick the ball out of the net as Immobile ghosted through the middle and stroked in a neat finish.
Edwards' goal was under continual pressure and Sansone hit the bar with a strike from wide on the right.
A Rhys McCabe free-kick was repelled by Italy substitute goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio as Scotland briefly threatened before Insigne found the top corner with a free kick following a Ross Perry foul on the edge of the box.
Feruz found space for a shot which Pinsoglio parried wide before Scotland conceded a late fourth when Longo netted.

The aftermath of the Easter bomb blast in the Nigerian city of Kaduna

Nigeria's security worries ahead of June qualifiers

By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

The Nigerian Football Federation admit they have a security headache ahead of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualifiers in June.

The two home matches were set to be played in the northern city of Kaduna.
But some players and officials have expressed concerns about playing in the city following a bombing over Easter which killed more than 30 people.
The concerns will not have been helped by another blast at a newspaper's offices in Kaduna on Thursday.

Continue reading the main story

“We can assure our visiting opponents that safety is paramount and the NFF will ensure that is taken care of”

NFF board member Chris Green

There was also a further attack in the capital Abuja.

The NFF is now seeking help from the government on the matter.
"We are concerned about the situation and will consider the safety of fans, players, officials and everyone that will be involved," NFF board member Chris Green told BBC Sport.
"A venue or venues for these games will be made known to the public at the right time.
"Importantly, we'll seek the help and direction of the government before making our decision.
"We can assure our visiting opponents that safety is paramount and the NFF will ensure that is taken care of."
The Super Eagles' traditional home venue, the Abuja national stadium, is in a poor condition, with one official quoted as saying it would require about US$500,000 to fix.
Hence Kaduna being earmarked to host the World Cup tie against Namibia on the opening weekend in June as well as the Nations Cup qualifier second leg against Rwanda a fortnight later.
Despite Zambian concerns Kaduna did host a friendly against the eventual African champions in November last year, which the Super Eagles won 2-0.

Ref justice as Simba put title celebrations on hold

By Emmanuel Muga BBC Sport, Dar es Salaam

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has punished match officials for failing to control a game, the result of which would have decided the league champions.

Referee Rashid Msangi, who was in charge of Mtibwa Sugar against Azam game on Monday, has been removed from the list of premier league referees along with his two assistants.
It was felt that the referee was at fault for the situation that led to Mtibwa abandoning the game before the final whistle.

Continue reading the main story

“The referee was found responsible for disrupting the game.”

Michael Wambura TFF

With the scoreline at 1-1, Mtibwa's players walked off, angered at the referee's decision to award Azam a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.

Had the scoreline remained at 1-1, then Simba would have been crowned champions, having beaten Moro United 3-0 on the same day.
"The referee was found responsible for disrupting the game and thereby removed from the list of premier league officials" said federation spokesman Michael Wambura, adding that Azam had been awarded three points.
Azam, who are on 53 points, can claim their maiden title by winning both remaining matches next month. Simba, who are six points clear, will only need a draw in their last game - against arch rivals Yanga - to seal their first title in two years.

Hall of shame 2011-2012

Peter Mujaya: banned for a year after performing poorly in the match between JKT Ruvu Stars and Yanga.
Isihaka Shirikisho: removed from the premier league list after falling short in the contest between Simba and JKT Oljoro.
Kennedy Mapunda: lost his premier league status following a poor display in the match involving Villa Squad and Simba.
Yanga fined $4,000 and two players banned for assaulting referee, Israel Nkongo.

In a further twist, Azam coach Stuart Hall has alleged widespread corruption in the Tanzanian league, suggesting this would prevent his team from winning the championship.

The TFF has reacted strongly, with Wambura saying that Hall will be asked to substantiate his allegations when he is called before the disciplinary committee.
Wambura, though, did admit that they are working with the country's anti-corruption body to investigate the possible existence of wrong-doing in the league.

Cameroon prepare for Olympic test against Great Britain

The coach of Cameroon's women's football team says his side are expecting a "tough" competition when they take part in the Olympic Games.

Cameroon have been drawn against hosts Great Britain plus New Zealand and Brazil in Group E of the tournament.

Women's Olympic draw

Group E: Great Britain, Cameroon , New Zealand, Brazil
Group F: Japan, Sweden, South Africa , Canada
Group G: USA, France, Colombia, North Korea

"It will be pretty tough because it will be our first participation," Enow Ngachu told the BBC.

"We have experienced teams who will be playing against us - we are coming here to learn and to gain experience."
Cameroon qualified for the Games by beating reigning African champions Nigeria in a play-off but had previously taken gold at the All Africa Games in Mozambique.
The other African female team to qualify for the Games, South Africa, face the challenge of meeting the reigning world champions, Japan.
They are joined in their pool by Sweden and Canada - and for veteran Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza, the chance to lead his team at the Olympic Games is more than a 'dream come true'.
"For me this day is an historic day in my life because, back in the days of apartheid, when I played football - I only used to dream of playing teams in South Africa, because internationally there was nothing," he told the BBC.
"When I took up coaching I dreamt of coaching at the highest level - and here I am."

Al Ahly fans protest against the circumstances that lay behind the Port Said disaster

Egyptian government cancels Cup over security

The Egyptian authorities have cancelled the country's cup competition because of continuing security concerns.

The move means there will be no more football in Egypt this season.
The Egyptian league was called off in the wake of the violence which killed 74 people at a club game in Port Said in February.
The Ministry of Interior says it wants legal action relating to the violence to be completed before football resumes in the country.
75 people have been charged in relation to the disaster but the case has been postponed after there were disturbances outside the court last week.
The country's Football Association, the EFA, says it will appeal to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf), which still has overall control of the country.
The cup had been scheduled to take place between 30 April and 30 May.
Egyptian teams have been taking part in continental competition, but there has been no domestic football since the riot in the Mediterranean city of Port Said on 1 February.

Al Ahly players head from the field during the match against Al Masry

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.

Monday, April 30, 2012