Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
SOCCER AFRICA(Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea this summer)
Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea this summer
Striker Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea this summer after eight years while at that club.
The Ivory Coast striker, 34, who scored the
winning penalty in the Champions League final victory over Bayern
, is set to be a free agent when his Blues contract expires next month.
"Winning the [Champions League] final was key, that was the turning point," Drogba told BBC Radio 5 live.
"We made history together but I think now is the best time to move on."
In a statement on the club's website, Drogba said: "I wanted to put an end the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea."
"It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved, but the time is right for a new challenge for me."
Drogba feels that the Champions League win was a fitting note for his departure.
He added: "As a team we have accomplished so much and have won every single trophy possible.
le.
"Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans. I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club, especially Roman Abramovich and my team-mates."
Drogba's contract stand-off dated back to last summer, with the
club refusing to bow to his demands
for a two-year extension.
Speculation has intensified in recent weeks, after Drogba scored the winner in the FA Cup final victory over Liverpool, and then equalised against Bayern on Saturday before converting the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
The forward, who joined from Marseille for £24m in 2004, has been linked with a move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
Drogba was one of Jose Mourinho's first signings as Chelsea manager and he has enjoyed a highly successful stint in London.
As well as three Premier League titles, he has won four FA Cups and two League Cups before Saturday's Champions League triumph, scoring nine goals in finals.
He is fourth on the list of Chelsea's
all-time goal-scorers with 157 and is also the club's leading scorer in
European competition with 34.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay paid tribute to the striker.
He said: "Didier is undoubtedly a Chelsea legend and will always be part of the Chelsea family. He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night.
"Of course Didier has contributed so much to all of Chelsea's recent successes. He has been a consummate professional during his entire time here. As one of the natural leaders in our squad he has been an inspiration to a lot of our younger players.
"We have known for some time that this outcome was likely but Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last couple of days. For obvious reasons neither Didier nor the club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League final.
"The talks were amicable all the way through and we wish him all the best for the future."
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino says Drogba's decision to leave the club doesn't come as a huge surprise.
"I think there was a number of reasons why both he and the club didn't pursue it," Cascarino told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Didier had a great two months but he didn't have a great season; he was in and out of the team and wasn't scoring like he did in the latter games of the Premier League and the cup competitions.
"I don't think Chelsea were quite so hot to give a 34-year-old a contract that they felt would be over-paying to him."
BBC Match of the Day host and former England international Gary Lineker wrote on social networking site Twitter: "Farewell Didier Drogba. You have enthralled us, occasionally enraged us, but always entertained us. A striking superstar."
Didier Drogba's Chelsea record
- Debut: v Manchester United, August 15, 2004
- First goal: v Crystal Palace, August 24, 2004
- Appearances: 342
- Goals: 157
- Honours: Premier League: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10; FA Cup: 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12; League Cup: 2004-05, 2006-07 Champions League: 2011-12
- Premier League top goalscorer: 2007, 2010
Torres is the future - Drogba
Drogba's finals goal record
2005 Carling Cup final - scores in extra-time in 3-2 win over Liverpool.2007 Carling Cup final - scores both goals in 2-1 win over Arsenal.
2007 FA Cup final - scores the only goal in 1-0 win over Man United.
2008 Carling Cup final - puts Chelsea ahead in 2-1 loss to Spurs.
2009 FA Cup final - scores equaliser in a 2-1 win over Everton.
2010 FA Cup final - scores only goal in 1-0 win against Portsmouth.
2012 FA Cup final - scores Chelsea's second in 2-1 victory against Liverpool.
2012 Champions League final - his 88th minute header took the game against Bayern into extra-time before he scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
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18:40The African striker has been in the news recently with reports suggesting that he could be completing a move to a Ligue 1 side from his current Russian employers -
17:48The powerful striker has announced that his time at the club is coming to an end this summer after an eight-year spell at Stamford Bridge that will be forever remembered
10:37
The Ivorian forward who uses
his Chelsea salary to support his family and friends after civil war
back home wants victory against Bayern Munich to ameliorate their
suffering
LuaLua calls for DR Congo changes
DR Congo and Blackpool star Lomana LuaLua says he will not play for his country again until major changes are made.
Burundi's Nsekera to join Fifa ex-co
Burundi Football Association President Lydia Nsekera is to be the first female member of Fifa's Executive Committee.-
Montpellier's secret
How John Utaka and Younes Belhanda's Montpellier overcame big-spending Paris Saint-Germain to win the French title -
Chelsea old guard deserve their moment of glory
Experienced quintet finally add Champions League medals to their vast collections of silverware -
'So long Sevilla' says Kanoute
The BBC's Phil Minshull recalls Fredi Kanoute's glittering career in southern Spain
Fifa says Egypt and Libya to play behind closed doors
Fans are to be excluded from 2014 World Cup qualifiers featuring Egypt and Libya next month.
The Associated Press (AP) reports that Egypt versus
Mozambique and Libya against Cameroon will both take place behind closed
doors.
The Libya-Cameroon game will be played in Sfax in Tunisia.
Football's world governing body Fifa confirmed the move to AP and said the decisions had been taken by the authorities in the countries involved.
Both Egypt and Tunisia have bans on fans attending matches in place because of the security situation following the political upheavals of the last year.
Fifa also said that security arrangements in Mali were being reviewed, after two clubs were trapped in the capital Bamako by a further outbreak of violence.
Mali are due to host Algeria in a 2014 qualifier next month.
Fifa confirmed they had already looked at security plans for Nigeria's game against Namibia - which has been moved from Kaduna because of a series of attacks in the northern city.
The match will instead be played in Calabar in the south-east of the country, and Fifa said safety measures for the game were "comprehensive and very thorough".
There will be two rounds of World Cup qualifiers in June at the start of Africa's long road to Brazil 2014 - with games taking place on the first two weekends of the month.
'Sacking' will not stop Milla pushing for Fecafoot change
Roger Milla has branded as "useless" the move by Cameroon's Football
Federation (Fecafoot) to strip him of his title of Honorary President.
The decision to oust Milla from his position was taken at a Fecafoot General Assembly meeting last week.
It follows recent criticism by the former Indomitable Lion over the running of football in Cameroon.
A star of the 1990 World Cup, Milla has often clashed with the country's football authorities.
But when he set up a group last month calling for the dismissal of Fecafoot's executive committee, Fecafoot took steps to have him removed.
The 1987 African Footballer of the Year has come out fighting, insisting: "It is only the President of the Republic, not even the Minister, that can sack me from Cameroon football."
Indeed, Milla has pledged to pursue his goal with even greater vigour.
"I held back initially because I was Honorary President," he said.
"Now that they have liberated me, I can unveil their manoeuverings."
Milla was made honorary president of Fecafoot in March 2008.
His criticism of the governing body began after Samuel Eto'o was banned for 15 matches for his role in last year's players' strike over unpaid bonuses.
Milla and the players' union said the suspension was excessive and Fecafoot later reduced Eto'o's ban to eight months - effectively four games.
Winners of the Africa Cup of Nations four times, Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2012 edition. It was the first time since 1994 that they had failed to feature.
Their absence from the Cup of Nations was reflected in their Fifa ranking. In February they were down at 66 - their lowest rating since the world governing body began its classification in 1993.
Milla shot to prominence at the 1990 World Cup when his four goals propelled Cameroon to the quarter-finals, before extending his record as the World Cup's oldest scorer in 1994, netting against Russia aged 42.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over making his loan deal permanent.
Adebayor has enjoyed a prolific season at the north London club, scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances.
The Togo international played a key part in Tottenham's top-four finish.
Adebayor said on Twitter: "Loved my spell at Tottenham, we are working hard with the chairman to make it permanent. Will keep you informed!!"
The news that Adebayor is keen to make the move permanent is a huge boost for Harry Redknapp, especially as Tottenham will not be playing Champions League football next season.
With Chelsea winning the Champions League trophy on Saturday evening, Tottenham now face Europa League football for a second successive season.
Arsene Wenger brought Adebayor into the Premier League from Monaco in 2006, the striker scoring 46 goals in 105 appearances for Arsenal.
He then made a £25m move to Manchester City, scoring 15 goals in 34 appearances.
During his spell at City the Togolese also spent time at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, the La Liga side choosing not to sign him on a permanent contract at the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Tottenham signed him from City on a season-long loan last year. Adebayor has been enjoying his football at White Hart Lane, flourishing under Redknapp's managerial style.
Pirates' Benni McCarthy tipped for Bafana Bafana return
Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Augusto Palacios has urged South
Africa to recall Benni McCarthy after the striker fired his club to
their second successive league title.
The 34-year-old was overlooked for the Bafana Bafana
squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Botswana in
June.
But after striking twice in the Pirates' 4-2 win over Golden Arrows to seal their league triumph , Palacios urged South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane to reconsider.
"Benni might have had his differences with some national football association officials in the past, but he has been a reformed character playing at Pirates this season," the former Peru midfielder said.
"I have found him to be a model footballer who is disciplined and trains hard.
"It is all very well saying South Africa must find players for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but first you have to get there."
Former South Africa coach Ted Dumitru backed Palacios, telling the South African newspaper, the Mail and Guardian: "There is nobody [in South Africa] close to the playing intelligence of Benni and that counts even though he is 10 kilograms overweight."
The Cape Town-born striker has struggled with his weight in recent years.
He was fined by English Premier League club West Ham United after failing to meet weight-loss targets. He was released by the London club and signed for the Pirates in August 2011.
McCarthy went on to hit 10 South African Premiership goals this season - an average of one every three games.
His two goals on Saturday sealed a second successive domestic treble, after the Buccaneers had already won the South African League Cup and Top 8 Cup.
McCarthy is Bafana Bafana's record goalscorer, with 31 international goals in 79 appearances - a run which came to an end when he was omitted from hosts' 2010 World Cup squad .
Sierra Leone league resumes thanks to local generosity
Sierra Leone's football league resumed on Friday,
less than a week after suspending operations because of a shortage of funds.
League chairman Victor Lewis said that generosity from those close to the game has enabled the resumption.
"We are using money from friends and family members, as well as my own pocket and those of the league board as well," Lewis told BBC Sport.
"If the money runs out and there is no further support it will be a disaster."
Continue reading the main story
“I hope some companies can come to our aid and save Sierra Leonean football”League chairman Victor Lewis
"But we hope it will not get to that point."
Lewis revealed that Sierra Leone's FA is also helping
out a league which restarted as Old Edwardians took on FC Johansen on
Friday.
However, he estimates that the funds that the league board has managed to acquire will only cover a third of the season's remaining games.
"We are still looking out for sponsorship but we can't sit down and just watch the days roll by," he explained.
"The rains are coming, so we have to do something and we have to make sure we push Sierra Leonean football forward.
"The clubs want to play and the board wants the league to move on as well."
Lewis described himself as 'dumbfounded' at the lack of sponsors willing to invest in the Sierra Leonean game.
Despite repeated requests to companies from the mining, banking, gambling and mobile phone sectors, the league is still without a sponsor.
"I am dumbfounded as to why they don't want to sponsor us - but I hope some companies can come to our aid and save Sierra Leonean football," he said.
"Somewhere along the line, maybe someone can come in and we are still calling on people from the private sector to come in."
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08:41The Latics owner believes the Nigeria international should remain at the DW Stadium to further develop as a player before potentially leaving for a "big club" in 12 months' time
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
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23:43The 34-year-old striker has no desire to line-up against the Rojiblancos for one of their Liga rivals and therefore has his heart set on a move abroad
Saturday, 5 May 2012
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17:54Former Netherlands international is apparently one of the men who could be in line to take charge of the Buccaneers in South Africa's PSL after Julio Leal's departure -
00:50The ex-striker, who is perhaps best known for his memorable goal celebration versus Bulgaria at World Cup 1994, has sadly been found dead after suffering from sickness
Friday, 4 May 2012
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20:48The Frenchman has admitted that the visit to Nigeria will compromise some of his preparations for the new Premier League season but acknowledged the benefits -
19:09There were a few surprises in store when the South African government revealed plans for the the cities that would host matches during the competition
- Milla unmoved by Fecafoot 'sacking'
- Adebayor discusses Tottenham deal
- Utaka the toast of Montpellier
- McCarthy tipped for Bafana return
- Injured Yobo to miss crunch matches
- Future of coach Renard a little clearer
- Pirates are champions once again
- Sierra Leone league resumes
- Nigeria axe Premier League stars
- Gyan and Dede absent from Ghana
- Yorke inspires Sierra Leonean youth
- Sessegnon headlines Benin squad
- Rwanda's Mafisango in fatal crash
- Goalshy Bafana turn to Nomvethe
- Egypt, Libya to play without fans
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AudioIt's time for change says LuaLua
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AudioCoach pays tribute to Mafisango
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AudioVieira hails Diambars success
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AudioBerekum react to Champs Lge Draw
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AudioPoulsen on coaching Tanzania
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Montpellier's secret
How John Utaka and Younes Belhanda's Montpellier overcame big-spending Paris Saint-Germain to win the French title
-
Chelsea old guard deserve their moment of glory
Experienced quintet finally add Champions League medals to their vast collections of silverware
-
'So long Sevilla' says Kanoute
The BBC's Phil Minshull recalls Fredi Kanoute's glittering career in southern Spain.
Photo Galleries
But Adel Taarabt could be on his way out of Loftus Road with Wolfsburg reviving an interest in the £8m-rated 22-year-old
Friday, May 18, 2012
SOCCER AFRICA: Stephen Keshi has dropped some established names!
SOCCER AFRICA: Stephen Keshi has dropped some established names!: Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo and Peter Odemwingie dropped from Nigeria squad Stephen Keshi has dropped some established names from the te...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Stephen Keshi has dropped some established names!
Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo and Peter Odemwingie dropped from Nigeria squad
Stephen Keshi has dropped some established names from the team while handing out call ups to Sone Aluko and John Utaka
Mikel, Odemwingie and Taiwo omitted from Nigeria squad
Mikel has yet to play for Nigeria since Keshi took charge in November.
"Mikel is in my plans but we will give other players an opportunity as well," said Keshi on Thursday.
Continue reading the main story
“We should focus on preparation instead of those who didn't make the squad”
"We need to give players from
the local league a chance. After all, how many knew about such players
as Uche Kalu, Ejike Uzoenyi or Godfrey Oboabona before now?"
Mikel's situation is unusual since a midfielder who
could start Saturday's Uefa Champions League final against Bayern Munich
in Germany has not made his national squad for World Cup and Nations
Cup qualifiers.
The 25-year-old, who played every minute of Chelsea's semi-final victory over Barcelona, has already won the FA Cup with the Blues this season.
Although he cuts a divisive figure in Nigeria, where some fans believe his international performances do not match those for his club, Keshi does not rule out a return in future.
"The door is not closed on anyone," Keshi told BBC Sport.
"We should focus on preparation instead of those who didn't make the squad."
Austin Ejide, Fengor Ogude, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile and John Utaka have all been recalled in a group of 11 overseas-based players, which also features Wigan Athletic forward Victor Moses.
In-form Montpellier winger Utaka is making his first return to the Super Eagles squad since the team's first-round exit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Utaka, Aluko and Elderson have been in great form for their clubs and we are confident they'll translate their club form to the national side," added the captain of Nigeria's 1982 Nations Cup-winning side.
Nigeria will name another squad of 18 players from the domestic league, who are due to fly out this weekend for a friendly in Peru.
The Super Eagles host Namibia on 3 June in Calabar, before travelling to Malawi the following weekend for another qualifier.
On the weekend of 15-17 June, Nigeria entertain Rwanda as the sides contest the second leg of a first round Nations Cup tie, whose opening tie ended goalless in February.
Keshi was appointed coach of Nigeria after previous incumbent Samson Siasia failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.
Overseas-based players called up by Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille, France), Austin Ejide (Petach Tikva, Israel)
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Ashdod, Israel), Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal)
Midfielders: Fengor Ogude (Valrenga, Norway)
Forwards: Ike Uche (Granada, Spain), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow ,Russia), Sone Aluko (Rangers, Scotland), John Utaka (Montpellier, France), Victor Moses (Wigan Athletic, England)
Nigeria have left Premier League stars John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo
and Peter Odemwingie out of their squad for next month's series of
qualifiers.
The names of the players that will be called
up to prosecute key qualifying matches in June in the Nations Cup and
World Cup has been released with some established names missing the cut.
John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo and Peter Odemwingie were part of the
players dropped from the team. Yakubu Aiyegbeni is another notable
absentee from the team despite the 17 goals that the Blackburn Rovers
striker plundered in the English Premier League this season.All the afore-mentioned players are England based. While Odemwingie’s exclusion could be put down to injury and his impending marriage ceremony in June, Mikel, Taiwo and Aiyegbeni are fit and do not have serious engagements before them.
Israel-based duo of goalkeeper Austin Ejide and defender, Efe Ambrose, have been recalled as well as Montpellier winger, John Utaka, who last played for the national team in 2010.
Also invited to the team is Glasgow Rangers' Sone Aluko who last played in a 2009 friendly game against Ireland. Wigan's Victor Moses also makes a return after helping Wigan to escape relegation from the EPL this season.
Injured captain Joseph Yobo will be expected to return to lead the team. Keshi will pick the balance of 18 players from the Nigeria Premier League.
Nigeria host Namibia in Calabar in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 3, before travelling to Malawi a week later in a continuation of the qualifying series.
Then they face a must-win match against Rwanda in a second leg qualifier for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by South Africa. The first leg played in February ended 0-0.
Friday, 11 May 2012
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08:41The Latics owner believes the Nigeria international should remain at the DW Stadium to further develop as a player before potentially leaving for a "big club" in 12 months' time
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
-
23:43The 34-year-old striker has no desire to line-up against the Rojiblancos for one of their Liga rivals and therefore has his heart set on a move abroad
Saturday, 5 May 2012
-
17:54Former Netherlands international is apparently one of the men who could be in line to take charge of the Buccaneers in South Africa's PSL after Julio Leal's departure
-
00:50The ex-striker, who is perhaps best known for his memorable goal celebration versus Bulgaria at World Cup 1994, has sadly been found dead after suffering from sickness
Friday, 4 May 2012
-
20:48The Frenchman has admitted that the visit to Nigeria will compromise some of his preparations for the new Premier League season but acknowledged the benefits
-
19:09There were a few surprises in store when the South African government revealed plans for the the cities that would host matches during the competition
Thursday, 3 May 2012
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16:02The Black Stars' coach has extended an olive branch to all players who felt aggrieved in the previous administration, and we outline reasons why two players should heed the call -
07:24The former Freiburg man has shown - with his spectacular form since arriving on Tyneside at the end of January - that transfers in the winter window can work out handsomely
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
17:40
The newly-named England boss
moved to Berea Park in 1973 and has claimed that he did not give the
political system much thought, only being desperate to play
professionally again
Rwanda's Mafisango in fatal crash
Patrick Mafisango, a member of Rwanda's World Cup qualifying squad, dies in a car accident on Thursday in Dar es Salaam. 
Goalshy Bafana turn to Nomvethe
South Africa recall veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe for June's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Botswana.-
'So long Sevilla' says Kanoute
The BBC's Phil Minshull recalls Fredi Kanoute's glittering career in southern Spain.
Drogba: Finals are there to be won
© Getty Images
The Côte d’Ivoire icon missed out on long-awaited national team glory in the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in February against Zambia, but he received some consolation as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final earlier this month. Always a central part of the club’s success, Drogba became the first player to score a goal in four different FA Cup finals.
Saturday's match will be his third European final, having lost in the UEFA Cup with Olympique Marseille against Valencia in 2004, and also the Champions League final four years later in Russia when Manchester United won the all-England encounter on penalties.
That match in Moscow is a game Drogba is eager to forget - not only did his side lose, but he was famously sent off in the second half of extra time. The striker is now hoping to put that behind him as he looks forward to Saturday's big game at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
FIFA.com: This is another huge game for you, is it the biggest game of your life?
Didier Drogba: It is certainly one of the biggest games. I think I have played a lot of important games with Chelsea, but this one ranks highly. This is going to be special because it’s only the second time we reached the final of the Champions League. We want to do everything to go there and be ready to play against the German team.
The big stage is the one you have always vied for. Are finals what you are made for?
I don't know if I am made for finals, but I certainly enjoy them. I think we are going to prepare the best we can, and I am going to do my best. I think everybody has to do his own work for the club and for the team and then trust that everything is going to work out well.
After losing the final in Moscow did you worry that that would be your only opportunity?
No, no just the opposite. After losing in Moscow, we thought that we were going to get into the final the next year. But then that is not so easy. It is very difficult to reach a final in a long competition, and I think that doing so this year shows how much we deserve to be there. It has been four years since we last played in a Champions League final.
Does it make you realise that these chances do not come around often?
Exactly, exactly.
I do not like to speak about the past. We have a great moment here.... I prefer not to worry about what happened four years ago.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba
What is your lasting memory of the defeat in Moscow four years ago?You know, I do not like to speak about the past. I think it is not good. We have a great moment here, and I can speak about Bayern Munich and the Champions League final on Saturday, but I prefer not to worry about what happened four years ago.
Bayern Munich lost the German cup final 5-2 against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Did you watch that game or analyse the match?
No I did not. I leave that kind of stuff to the coaches.
You will face former Chelsea player Arjen Robben in the final. Are you looking forward to seeing him again?
He is a very good player, and we won many trophies together. It will be great to see him again.
Having won one final already this year with Chelsea, will that give you an advantage in the Champions League?
No, it is a totally different competition.
About your record in finals, you have lost several for club and country, would winning in Munich ease the pain of those disappointments?
I have had a lot of disappointments, but I have also had some great moments in other finals. Now I and my team-mates will try to make sure that this is one of the great ones. Finals are there to be won, and I am hoping we will do that.
Final shot at group glory in Africa
(African Football Media) Friday 11 May 2012
© AFP
It
will be a weekend of drama in African club football as the remaining 16
teams in the CAF Champions League complete the second leg of their
ties, which will determine the participants in the lucrative eight-club
group stage. While several teams look to have done enough to advance
already, the competition's most successful team Al Ahly must overturn a
single-goal deficit.
Game of the week
Coton Sport – Berekum Chelsea
Cameroon 's Coton Sport of Garoua have the pedigree in what should be a nail-biting battle, having dominated their domestic league for the last decade and reached the final of the Champions League in 2008, but they will be wary of giving up an away goal to the up-and-coming Ghanaians after the first leg ended scoreless. The attack-minded underdogs had put five past each of their previous two opponents, most notably three-time continental champions Raja Casablanca of Morocco, so they have to like their chances of finding the net. But their Dutch coach Hans van der Pluijm has been playing down the pressure, saying that “anything is possible.” On the flip-side, Coton's French coach Robert Boivin says he is “very confident” his team will win at home and advance to the group stage for the second consecutive year.
Coton Sport – Berekum Chelsea
Cameroon 's Coton Sport of Garoua have the pedigree in what should be a nail-biting battle, having dominated their domestic league for the last decade and reached the final of the Champions League in 2008, but they will be wary of giving up an away goal to the up-and-coming Ghanaians after the first leg ended scoreless. The attack-minded underdogs had put five past each of their previous two opponents, most notably three-time continental champions Raja Casablanca of Morocco, so they have to like their chances of finding the net. But their Dutch coach Hans van der Pluijm has been playing down the pressure, saying that “anything is possible.” On the flip-side, Coton's French coach Robert Boivin says he is “very confident” his team will win at home and advance to the group stage for the second consecutive year.
The other matches
Nigeria 's remaining representatives Sunshine Stars will have the advantage of an away goal as they host Djoliba of Mali after a 1-1 draw in the opening match. The Malians have more experience in this competition, but debutantes Stars did put some big matches under their belt in reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup last term. The Nigerians will be able to call upon captain Oboabona Godfrey and Izu Azuka, who had been away with the national team, and they are hoping attacking midfielder Ibrahim Ajani can find his lost scoring boots.
Nigeria 's remaining representatives Sunshine Stars will have the advantage of an away goal as they host Djoliba of Mali after a 1-1 draw in the opening match. The Malians have more experience in this competition, but debutantes Stars did put some big matches under their belt in reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup last term. The Nigerians will be able to call upon captain Oboabona Godfrey and Izu Azuka, who had been away with the national team, and they are hoping attacking midfielder Ibrahim Ajani can find his lost scoring boots.
Stars had a worrying run-up
to the match after they were stuck in Bamako following the first leg a
fortnight ago. Violence shut the airport and left much of the team
closeted in their hotel. It was a similar fate for Al Ahly, who lost to
Stade Malien 1-0 and also were delayed in their trip home. Because of
that, CAF has delayed the second leg of Ahly's tie to Monday, allowing
the six-time continental champions to play a friendly midweek against a
local opponent – a necessary warm-up given the suspension of Egypt's
domestic football. Faced with having to overturn the deficit, all does
not seem well with the African royalty. They were denied the possibility
of playing the match in front of their supporters, and instead will
have to continue to make due with an empty stadium following February's
Port Said tragedy. There also has been some unrest concerning the
stripping of the captaincy from Hossam Ghaly, who again will not be on
the team sheet. Veteran defender Wael Gomaa, who went off injured early
in the first leg, will also miss out with a knee problem.
Ahly's Egyptian rivals Zamalek have a less worrying home leg after they beat Morocco's
Maghreb de Fes 2-0 away. The Whites will be without suspended striker
Razak Omotoyossi, but the five-time African champions will be heavily
favoured to hold off the comeback aspirations of CAF Confederation Cup
and Super Cup champions MAS. Similarly, the Tunisian duo of holders
Esperance and Etoile du Sahel would seem to have their tickets to the
group stage booked after 6-0 and 4-1 victories in the first leg over
Dynamos and AFAD Djekanou respectively. Four-time champions TP Mazembe
will be wary of a difficult trip despite their 2-0 home victory over Sudan's Al Merreikh, while it's all to play for when Algeria's ASO Chlef host the other Sudanese team Al Hilal, who will be without disciplined veteran Haitham Mustafa.
Player to watch
With Egyptian football in a confusing period, the status of famous Zamalek son Mido should be cleared up this weekend when the former Tottenham, Marseille and Ajax forward figures to make his return to the side against MAS. With a flair for the dramatic, Mido, who was rumoured to be on his way out of the club, could have something to prove as the Whites battle to keep momentum in a trying time.
With Egyptian football in a confusing period, the status of famous Zamalek son Mido should be cleared up this weekend when the former Tottenham, Marseille and Ajax forward figures to make his return to the side against MAS. With a flair for the dramatic, Mido, who was rumoured to be on his way out of the club, could have something to prove as the Whites battle to keep momentum in a trying time.
Stat
6 – The number of years it has been since a Ghanaian club reached the group stage. In 2006, both of Ghana's big clubs, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, went out in the last eight.
6 – The number of years it has been since a Ghanaian club reached the group stage. In 2006, both of Ghana's big clubs, Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, went out in the last eight.
What they said
“We are not getting carried away by the result from the first leg. On our soil, in front of our fans, we are approaching this match with all of the seriousness and focus needed to achieve victory,” Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote ahead of their match with Djoliba.
“We are not getting carried away by the result from the first leg. On our soil, in front of our fans, we are approaching this match with all of the seriousness and focus needed to achieve victory,” Stars coach Gbenga Ogunbote ahead of their match with Djoliba.
Sudan seeking an African club title
(FIFA.com) Thursday 10 May 2012
© AFP
Sudanese
football is certainly going through something of a purple patch these
days. Indeed, earlier this year the national team reached the
quarter-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, their best continental
showing since being crowned African champions way back in 1970.
And with progress being made at international level, there are high hopes that Sudan’s
club sides can follow in their footsteps, with both Al Hilal and Al
Merreikh still in contention in the CAF Champions League’s Round of 16.
Al Hilal
The closest any Sudanese club has come to winning Africa’s premier club competition has been a spot in the final, with Al Hilal managing the feat twice. These appearances came in 1987 and 1992, when they were beaten by Egypt's Al Ahly and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca respectively. In 2011 they looked likely to do it again, only be to be comprehensively ousted 3-0 in the semi-finals by eventual champions Esperance of Tunisia.
The closest any Sudanese club has come to winning Africa’s premier club competition has been a spot in the final, with Al Hilal managing the feat twice. These appearances came in 1987 and 1992, when they were beaten by Egypt's Al Ahly and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca respectively. In 2011 they looked likely to do it again, only be to be comprehensively ousted 3-0 in the semi-finals by eventual champions Esperance of Tunisia.
In their first Round of 16 match against ASO Chlef, Sudan’s
most-decorated club failed to capitalize on home advantage, having been
held to a 1-1 draw. However, ahead of their trip to Algeria for the
return leg, staff and players seem confident in their ability to get the
win that will send them into the next round.
“All
the players are determined to give the supporters something to cheer
about after our draw at home,” stated the head of Al Hilal’s tour party,
Ahmad Adam. “We want to return from Algeria bearing good news:
something to make everyone in Sudan happy.”
Al
Hilal have enjoyed an excellent season in the Sudanese league thus far.
Their 3-0 defeat of Al Nil on 7 May leaves them top of the table, four
points clear of rivals Al Merreikh. Not that everything is running
smoothly in the camp, despite this success. Much to supporters’ chagrin,
star player Haitham Mustafa
has been left out of the squad travelling to Algeria after a
high-profile spat with French coach Diego Garzitto, caused by the
veteran’s frequent absences from training.
“Mustafa
does not turn up for training sessions regularly,” said Garzitto. “He
has missed 32 of 67 sessions, so I’m making his place available to more
committed members of the squad.”
Al Merreikh
Sudani league title holders Al Merreikh were handed a very tough tie in the CAF Champions League Round of 16, squaring off against four-time tournament winners TP Mazembe. The Congolese outfit are also the first African side to have reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, when they lost 3-0 to Inter Milan in 2010.
Sudani league title holders Al Merreikh were handed a very tough tie in the CAF Champions League Round of 16, squaring off against four-time tournament winners TP Mazembe. The Congolese outfit are also the first African side to have reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, when they lost 3-0 to Inter Milan in 2010.
Given their opponents’ pedigree,
it was little surprise that the Sudani club lost 2-0 in Lubumbashi in
the first leg. Despite the scoreline, their Brazilian coach Heron
Ricardo Ferreira expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance
and insisted Al Merreikh can still qualify.
“I
urge the fans to get behind us for the return leg,” Ferreira said.
“Wiping out a two-goal deficit isn’t impossible and their support will
be a vital if we are to succeed.”
Al
Merreikh are still relative newcomers to the tournament, with the first
of their seven appearances coming in 2001. Since then the side have only
reached the last eight once, back in 2009, though supporters will be
hoping that their last league game - a 3-0 trouncing of Al Hilal Port Sudan - will have given their players the confidence to repeat the feat.
The availability of Ivorian striker Remi Adiko, who missed the Al Hilal Port Sudan
game through injury, remains in doubt. That said, the club physio has
reported that the forward is on the verge of recovery, which suggests he
may well make the flight.
In the event
that Adiko is not available, Ferreira will have to rely on the abilities
of veteran international striker and captain Faisal Agab. The latter has won the league five times and scored a record 104 domestic goals over the course of his 20-year career.
Have your sayCan one of the two Sudanese sides emulate the successes of the national team and challenge for the CAF Champions League crown?
CAF
The final
of the CAF Champions League will be a two-legged contest, with home and
away legs to take place on the first two weekends in November. The
winner will represent Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012.
Vieira: Senegal can compete on big stage
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 15 May 2012
© Getty Images
The former Arsenal and Inter Milan midfielder may have been a FIFA World Cup™ and UEFA EURO winner with France, for whom he made more than 100 appearances, but he was born in Senegal and retains a keen interest in his native country’s performance on the pitch.
Vieira could therefore not hide his delight after goals from Ibrahima Balde and Abdoulaye Sane booked Senegal’s spot at London 2012, telling FIFA.com immediately after the match: “I think it was a good game to watch and I’m glad Senegal won, of course, because of my origins.
Of course they are not going to be the favourites for the tournament but surprises always happen in football.
Patrick Vieira on Senegal's chances at the Olympics
Having ensured their maiden appearance on that “big stage”, Senegal did not have to wait long to discover exactly which teams they would be facing during the July/August tournament, with the draw held at Wembley the day after their play-off in Coventry.
With the previous night’s celebrations barely completed, the Lions of Teranga were handed one of the toughest groups imaginable as they were drawn alongside competition hosts Great Britain, United Arab Emirates and two-time champions Uruguay.
Although Aliou Cisse’s men face the daunting prospect of an opening match against Great Britain at Old Trafford before taking on Uruguay at Wembley, Vieira believes Senegal should approach the event with confidence.
Squad intends to compete
“Of course Senegal can compete,” said Vieira, who currently holds the position of Football Development Executive at Premier League side Manchester City, where he ended his 18-year playing career.
“It is a really exciting moment for them, I don’t know if they realise what they have achieved yet. When you believe in yourself you can beat any team. Of course they are not going to be the favourites for the tournament but surprises always happen in football.
“When you look at a big squad like Brazil, they are among the favourites because they are used to playing on that stage, but why not Senegal? I wish them all the best and I will be here watching them.”
That sentiment is shared by the players too, according to defender Kara Mbodji, who was among those to impress during the win over Oman. The need to qualify via a play-off, having only finished fourth during the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship, has not dampened the enthusiasm in the squad.
Mbodji explained to FIFA.com: “It’s really good because it’s the first time Senegal will go to the Olympics. We’re very happy to play in England and it’s a good chance to show yourself because myself and other players may one day come to play here because we like the Premier League. We will keep working and we want to come to the Olympics to win something.”
Olympics 'deserves credit'
Vieira’s excitement is not confined to the fortunes of Senegal, however, and the 35-year-old talked in glowing terms about the importance of the Olympic football tournament. “It is a fantastic tournament because you are looking for experience,” he continued.
“In England every single game will be packed and full because it is a country of football and you will not find that experience for young players anywhere else. I think the Olympics deserves more credit than it gets.
“I was with France at the Olympics at Atlanta 1996. I got injured and had to leave but the other players told me it was fantastic and well-organised, they had a really good time and it was a fantastic experience for them. So I think football at the Olympics deserves more credit.”
Match times are currently set to local time, please click here to convert to your time zone. 
| Match | Date - Time | Venue | Results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 26/07 17:00 | Manchester | United Arab Emirates | - | Uruguay | ||
| 8 | 26/07 19:45 | Manchester | Great Britain | - | Senegal | ||
| 13 | 29/07 17:00 | London | Senegal | - | Uruguay | ||
| 16 | 29/07 19:45 | London | Great Britain | - | United Arab Emirates | ||
| 23 | 01/08 19:45 | Coventry | Senegal | - | United Arab Emirates | ||
| 24 | 01/08 19:45 | Cardiff | Great Britain | - | Uruguay |
| Match | Date - Time | Venue | Results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 26/07 14:30 | Newcastle | Mexico | - | Korea Republic | ||
| 5 | 26/07 17:15 | Newcastle | Gabon | - | Switzerland | ||
| 10 | 29/07 14:30 | Coventry | Mexico | - | Gabon | ||
| 14 | 29/07 17:15 | Coventry | Korea Republic | - | Switzerland | ||
| 21 | 01/08 17:00 | Cardiff | Mexico | - | Switzerland | ||
| 22 | 01/08 17:00 | London | Korea Republic | - | Gabon |
| Match | Date - Time | Venue | Results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 26/07 19:45 | Coventry | Belarus | - | New Zealand | ||
| 7 | 26/07 19:45 | Cardiff | Brazil | - | Egypt | ||
| 9 | 29/07 12:00 | Manchester | Brazil | - | Belarus | ||
| 11 | 29/07 14:45 | Manchester | Egypt | - | New Zealand | ||
| 17 | 01/08 14:30 | Newcastle | Brazil | - | New Zealand | ||
| 18 | 01/08 14:30 | Glasgow | Egypt | - | Belarus |
| Match | Date - Time | Venue | Results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26/07 12:00 | Glasgow | Spain | - | Japan | ||
| 3 | 26/07 14:45 | Glasgow | Honduras | - | Morocco | ||
| 12 | 29/07 17:00 | Newcastle | Spain | - | Honduras | ||
| 15 | 29/07 19:45 | Newcastle | Japan | - | Morocco | ||
| 19 | 01/08 17:00 | Coventry | Japan | - | Honduras | ||
| 20 | 01/08 17:00 | Manchester | Spain | - | Morocco |
Match times are currently set to local time, please click here to convert to your time zone.
| Date | Venue | Matches | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/06/12 17:00 | Kumasi | | Ghana | - | Lesotho | |
| 01/06/12 20:00 | Alexandria | | Egypt | - | Mozambique | |
| 02/06/12 15:00 | Bangui | | Central African Republic | - | Botswana | |
| 02/06/12 15:30 | Yaounde | | Cameroon | - | Congo DR | |
| 02/06/12 16:00 | Nairobi | | Kenya | - | Malawi | |
| 02/06/12 16:30 | Freetown | | Sierra Leone | - | Cape Verde Islands | |
| 02/06/12 16:30 | Bakau | | Gambia | - | Morocco | |
| 02/06/12 17:00 | Abidjan | | Côte d'Ivoire | - | Tanzania | |
| 02/06/12 18:00 | Monastir | | Tunisia | - | Equatorial Guinea | |
| 02/06/12 18:00 | Ouagadougou | | Burkina Faso | - | Congo | |
| 02/06/12 18:00 | Dakar | | Senegal | - | Liberia | |
| 02/06/12 20:00 | Khartoum | | Sudan | - | Zambia | |
| 02/06/12 20:30 | Blida | | Algeria | - | Rwanda | |
| 03/06/12 15:00 | Rustenburg | | South Africa | - | Ethiopia | |
| 03/06/12 15:00 | Harare | | Zimbabwe | - | Guinea | |
| 03/06/12 15:30 | Lome | | Togo | - | Libya | |
| 03/06/12 16:00 | Niamey | | Niger | - | Gabon | |
| 03/06/12 16:00 | Cotonou | | Benin | - | Mali | |
| 03/06/12 16:00 | Luanda | | Angola | - | Uganda | |
| 03/06/12 17:00 | Abuja | | Nigeria | - | Namibia | |
| 09/06/12 | TBA | | Mali | - | Algeria | |
| 09/06/12 14:30 | Blantyre | | Malawi | - | Nigeria | |
| 09/06/12 15:00 | Gaborone | | Botswana | - | South Africa | |
| 09/06/12 15:00 | Ndola | | Zambia | - | Ghana | |
| 09/06/12 15:30 | Pointe Noire | | Congo | - | Niger | |
| 09/06/12 15:30 | Libreville | | Gabon | - | Burkina Faso | |
| 09/06/12 16:00 | Kampala | | Uganda | - | Senegal | |
| 09/06/12 16:30 | Praia | | Cape Verde Islands | - | Tunisia | |
| 09/06/12 18:00 | Bata | | Equatorial Guinea | - | Sierra Leone | |
| 09/06/12 18:00 | Windhoek | | Namibia | - | Kenya | |
| 09/06/12 21:00 | Marrakech | | Morocco | - | Côte d'Ivoire | |
| 10/06/12 15:00 | Maseru | | Lesotho | - | Sudan | |
| 10/06/12 15:00 | Maputo | | Mozambique | - | Zimbabwe | |
| 10/06/12 15:30 | Kigali | | Rwanda | - | Benin | |
| 10/06/12 15:30 | Kinshasa | | Congo DR | - | Togo | |
| 10/06/12 16:00 | Addis Abeba | | Ethiopia | - | Central African Republic | |
| 10/06/12 16:00 | Dar Es Salaam | | Tanzania | - | Gambia | |
| 10/06/12 16:00 | Monrovia | | Liberia | - | Angola | |
| 10/06/12 17:00 | Conakry | | Guinea | - | Egypt | |
| 10/06/12 17:00 | Sfax | | Libya | - | Cameroon | |
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