Gharib Is The New Pharaohs' Coach

Shawki Gharib (54), has been appointed the new coach of the Egyptian national football team. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA), signed him, to replace the American coach, Bob Bradley, whose contract was not renewed, after the team failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

The former Egyptian national midfielder, won the African Cup of Nations in 1986 as a player and in 2006, 2008 and 2010 as the assistant coach to the great Hassan Shehata.

Shawki  Gharib

The Egyptian Football Association authorities did not mention the duration of the contract of Mr Shawki Gharib.

Gharib later told the media, that he will do his best, to rebuild the national team and produce a team, that will be capable of achieving the success the fans wanted.

''I will do my best to make the fans happy and to build a team capable of achieving the ambitions of the Egyptian people,'' Gharib said.

He added, ''I am happy that the EFA has confidence in me.''
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Andre Ayew Knee Operation Was Successful

Andre Ayew

The Ghanian international and Olympic Marseille midfielder, Andre Ayew(23),  has just undergone a successful operation on his knee to repair a torn
meniscus, his club announced.

He has been discharged from the hospital and it will take about 8 weeks for
him to fully recover from the injury.

Andre Ayew, the son of Ghana football legend, Abdi 'Pele' Ayew, suffered the injury last week, while playing for Ghana against Egypt in the second leg of the World Cup qualification play-off in Cairo.

Ghana lost the match 2 - 1 but qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, on the aggregate of 7 - 3. They won the first leg of the play-off 6 - 1 in Kumasi, Ghana last month.

Andre and his Junior brother Jordan plays for Marseille, the same club where their father made his name as a striker. Their Father Abdi Pele won many awards as a player, including Champions League title with Marseille in 1993. He was also African footballer of the year. Andre has won the BBC African footballer of the year in 2012.

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12 Dead As Algeria Celebrated World Cup Qualification

The government of Algeria has released a statement which stated that 12 people died and over 200 injured during the celebration of the country's 2014 World Cup qualification yesterday, after the national team, nicknamed the Desert Foxes defeated Burkina Faso 1 - 0 in the play-off.

Five fans were killed as their van went off the road in the capital, Algiers.
Another four died in a car accident in Biskra, while three were reported dead in other towns.

Algerian Fans

As soon as the match was over yesterday, many people took to the streets and city centres in jubilations.

Many drivers were driving recklessly and blowing their horns very loud in shared joy. Infact, the whole country was in a euphoric mood throughout yesterday, and even early hours of today.

Algeria lost the first leg of the play-off in Ouagadugou 3 - 2, but with the aggregate of 3 - 3, they qualified on the away goals rule.
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Cameroon Book Their World Cup Spot

The Indormitable Lions of Cameroon, has qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, after thrashing Tunisia 4 - 1 on Sunday in the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaounde, in the second leg of the WC playoff.

Cameroon came into today's match, with the advantage of having drawn 0 - 0 in Tunis last month, during the first leg. The Indormitable Lions booked their place with a 4 - 1 aggregate scoreline.

The first goal of Cameroon was scored, just after four minutes of play, through the Fenerbahce striker Webo, who capitalized on the opponents defensive error and fired into the net. The host dorminated the match from the kickoff time.

In the 30th minute of the game, the FC Nancy player Moukandjo registered Cameroon's second goal beating the goalkeeper, Ben Cherifia again.

Like Victor Moses did yesterday after scoring against Ethiopia, he removed his jersey in celebration and was booked also.

The first half ended with 2 - 0, but Tunisia did not waste time in pulling one goal back as soon as the second half started, through Akaichi.

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The Tunisia goal seemed to have made the Lions very angry, so they roared, within a few minutes, Makoun increased the scoreline to 3 - 1 giving them a comfortable two goals lead.

Cameroon continued their dorminance of the game and a few minutes to stoppage time, Makoun struck again and put the scoreline 4 - 1 beyond the reach of the Cartage Eagles.

Cameroon is the 3rd African country, to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, after Nigeria and Ivory Coast qualified yesterday.
The country has now qualified for a 7th World Cup appearance, which is an African record.

The remaining two spots for Africa will be filled on Tuesday, when Ghana play against Egypt in Cairo and Burkina Faso against Algeria in Algiers.
Ghana has a 6 - 1 lead over Egypt, while Burkina Faso has a slim lead of 3 - 2 against Algeria. The teams that has a higher aggregate score will qualify.

Nigeria Qualifies For Brazil 2014

The Nigeria Super Eagles, has booked their place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, by beating Ethiopia 2 - 0 in the second leg encounter, at the U.J Esuene Stadium, in Calabar on Saturday. The Super Eagles had already beaten the Walya Antelopes 2 - 1 in the first leg in Addis Ababa, last month. Nigeria qualify for the summer soccer fiesta on a 4 - 1 aggregate scoreline.

The match was keenly contested, with the Nigerians creating more chances, which were not utilized as was anticipated, by their teeming fans that filled the stadium.

Nigeria's first goal came in the 18th minute, when Victor Moses' shot hit Aynalem Hailu, on his left hand and the referee Mr B. Gassama, awarded Nigeria a penalty. Victor Moses, calmly took a very good shot, directing the goalkeeper, Sisay Bancha, the wrong side for a 1 - 0 lead.

 

 

The first half of the match ended with the 1 - 0 in favour of the African Champions. The second half began much like the first half. The pacey Ethiopians had good possession of the ball but could not creat the much needed chances to score.

The Nigerians on the other hand played very well, though they did not dominate the match, as much as some fans were expecting them to do. Their experience in the international stage was came in handy, as they kept on pressing for another goal. They also defended very well.

The Super Eagles second goal came at the 80th minute, when Emenike was fouled as he was about to beat Bargicho, near the edge of his box. The referee gave Nigeria free kick. Victor Obinna Nsofor, who came in two minutes earlier on as a substituted for Victor Moses, took the free kick, which curled into the far post, beating Bancha the keeper, who could have done better.

Obinna Nsofor's free kick goal brought the scoreline to 2 - 0 and that was how the match ended, damping the hope of Ethiopians of upstaging Nigeria to the World Cup.

Nigeria is the first of the five African teams to qualify for the 2014 FIFA world Cup in Brazil. This is Nigeria's fifth World Cup qualification. Had it been that Ethiopia defeated Nigeria, it would have been their first world Cup qualification in their history.

Nigeria will now go ahead and start making good preparations for the tournament proper in Brazil. But before the players can go home, they have a friendly match in two days time in London against Italy. Congratulations to Nigeria, for their fifth World Cup qualification.

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African Footballer Of The Year Nominations

The 2013 African player of the year nominees has been released by the African football governing body - the Confederation of African Football (CAF). There are 25 names on the list of African player of the year and 21 names on the list of African player of the year (based in Africa).

The nominees will be announced during the Glo - CAF Awards Gala on the 9th of January, 2014, in Lagos Nigeria. Here are the nominees in alphabetical order.

 

Names                                Country & Club

Ahmed Musa                      Nigeria    (CSKA Moscow)
Asamoah Gyan                   Ghana      (Al Ain)
Dame N'Doye                     Senegal    (Lokomotiv Moscow)
Didier Drogba                     Ivory Coast  (Galatasaray)
Emmanuel Emenike            Nigeria    (Fenerbahce)
Islam Slimani                      Algeria     (Sporting Lisbon)
John Mikel Obi                   Nigeria     (Chelsea)
Jonathan Pitroipa                 Burkina Faso  (Stade Rennais)
Kevin Constant                    Guinea      (AC Milan)
Kwado Asamoah                 Ghana         (Juventus)
Luis Carlos Soares (Platini) Cape Verde  (AC Omonia)
Mehdi Benattia                    Morocco    (AS Roma)
Mohamed Salah                   Egypt        (Basel FC)
Mohamed Aboutrika            Egypt       (Al Ahly
Nicolas Nkoulou                  Cameroon   (Marseille)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang    Gabon  (Borussia Dortmund)
Ryan Isaac Mendes da Graca    Cape Verde  (Lille)
Saladin Said                               Ethiopia  (Wadi Degla FC)
Seydou Keita                          Mali     (Dalian Aerbin FC)
Sofiane Feghouli                    Algeria    (Valencia)
Sunday Mba                           Nigeria    (Warri Wolves)
Victor Wanyama                    Kenya      (Southampton)
Vincent Enyeama                   Nigeria     (Lille)
Yao Kouassi Gervais (Gervinho)  Ivory Coast  (AS Roma)
Yaya Toure                             Ivory Coast  (Man City)


     Africa Player Of The Year (Based in Africa)

Names                                     Country & Club

Adane Girma                            Ethiopia      (St. George)
Ahmed Fathi                             Egypt          (Al Ahly)
Alexis Yougouda Kada            Cameroon    (Coton Sport)
Ali Machani                              Tunisia         (CAB)
Bapidi Fils Jean Jules                Cameroon    (Coton Sport)
Daine Marcelle - Klate              South Africa  (Orlando Pirates)
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef         Tunisia           (CSS)
Getaneh Kebede                        Ethiopia         (Bidvest Wits)
Idrissa Kouyate                          Ivory Coast    (CS Sfaxien)
Iheb Msakni                               South Africa  (Orlando Pirates)
Mbwana Samatta                       Tanzania       (TP  Mazembe)
Moez Ben Cherifia                    Tunisia          (EST)
Mohamed Aboutrika                  Egypt            (Al Ahly) 
Rainford Kalaba                         Zambia         (TP Mazembe) 
Senzo Meyiwa                           S. Africa        (Orlando Pirates)
Soumbeila Diakite                     Mali               (Stade Malien)
Sunday Mba                              Nigeria           (Warri Wolves)
Tresor Mputu                             DRC              (TP Mazembe)
Waleed Soliman                        Egypt             (Al Ahly)
Yannick N'djeng                       Cameroon       (EST) 

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The 2013 BBC African Footballer Of The Year

The shortlist for the 2013 BBC African footballer of the year has been released. But non of the five listed candidates has ever won the award before. Without much ado, here are the names of this year's candidates.

1.  John Mikel Obi (Chelsea & Nigeria)
2.  Yaya Toure       (Man City & Ivory Coast)
3.  Jonathan Pitroipa (Rennes & Burkina Faso)
4.  Victor Moses      (Chelsea/Liverpool & Nigeria)
5.  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

BBC African Footballer of the Year Trophy

John Mikel Obi, has been in a very fine form this year for Chelsea and Nigeria. His performance at the African Cup of Nations and the Confederation Cup in Brazil, was very impressive. In both tournaments football fans saw a different Mikel. A player that has matured into one that can take control of the midfield and direct or dictate the flow of the game, especially when playing for the Super Eagles.

He won the African Cup of Nations at the beginning of the year, played in all the Super Eagles games in the Confederation Cup. Mikel scored the only goal in the Nigeria's 3 - 1 loss to Spain. He also won the Europa Cup with Chelsea this year.

Yaya Toure of Manchester City and Ivory Coast national team (The Elephant), has also been in great form for club and country. He is the only African named in the FIFA list for the footballer of the year. Toure and Mikel are the only two in this year's list that has made the list a couple of times before.

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The Burkina Faso international and FC Rennes player, Jonathan Pitroipa, who is the first player from his country to make the list, was so amazing in the African Cup of Nations, that he was named the player of the tournamnet in South Africa.

Victor Moses is another exceptionally gifted player that made the list. He was one of the influential players for Nigeria, at the African Cup of Nations. He did not participate in the Confederation Cup in Brazil due to injury. Moses is a Chelsea player but on a season loan to Liverpool. Moses like Obi won African Cup of Nations and the Europa Cup.

The Fifth player on the shortlist is the Gabonese, Pierre Emerick Aubamayang. Like Pitroipa is the first player to ever make the list from his country. Pierre is another player who is in top form. He scored 19 goals for St Etienne last season and was the second highest scorer in the French Ligue 1. Pierre won the French Cup with St Etienne before joining Borussia Dortmund this season.

All Set For The Champions League Final In Cairo

Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates meet at Cairo’s Arab Contractors Stadium on Sunday 10 November with the winner going to be crowned African club champions. The Orange CAF Champions League two leg final is pegged at 1-1 going into the second match on Sunday.

Orlando Pirates, nicknamed the Buccaneers descended on the Egyptian capital with hordes of fans and coach Roger de Sa told Cafonline.com that there is all to play for and his charges will be go all out to emulate the team of 1995, “We are expecting a tough encounter and Ahly will have the support of their fans, something that has not happened for a while. They are at home and will feel they have the edge. We have relished playing away from home and the boys have coped well on tough away games, so the combination of these factors sets up a thrilling encounter” said Roger de Sa

Pirates have been forced into changes after the suspension of key players Happy Jele and Andile Jali but coach and players believe they will still put up a team strong enough to challenge Ahly.

Champions League Trophy (CAF)

Al Ahly for their part are happy that four of their keys players will be available to play after fears of various injuries. Earlier in the week, Mohammed Aboutrika scorer of Ahly ‘s goal last week in Soweto, South Africa, Walid Soliman, Ahmed Fathi and Emad Moteab were said to be nursing injuries but they are all expected to be available for Sunday’s game according to news from Al Ahly.

Meanwhile Pirates striker Lennox Bacela had been reflective about the first leg encounter and saying that the teams' and his approach on Sunday will be different. “We did not get much success out of our attempts to breakdown their defence during the Soweto match. The chances we created we also did not do justice to them and that what we have been working on. Ahly has massive experience in these matches and in this tournament and it is not going to be an easy game at all. We believe we can get a positive result on Sunday and will certainly use our speed and skill to unlock Ahly on Sunday. Said Becela

Al Ahly will be going for an eighth title while Pirates will be seeking their second win. The winner on Sunday will not only pocket US $1, 5 million dollars but earn the ticket to represent African at next month’s FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Morocco. Africa will have two club sides at this tournament with, Raja Casablanca (winners of Morocco league) already qualified.

Al Ahly will have a special visitor in the stands with news that former “Red Devil” coach, Portuguese Manuel Jose returns to Cairo to watch the final match. Under Jose Al Ahly reached four consecutive Champions League finals from 2005 to 2008, winning all but the 2007 final.

So whether the presence of Manuel Jose or the memory of Buccaneers’ historic away win to ASEC MIMOSAS in 1995 will provide the extra drive and spur “Red Devils” or “Sea Robbers” by end of Sunday we will know who 2013 Orange CAF Champions League winner is.

Source: Cafonline

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets Win The Under 17 World Cup

The Nigeria's Golden Eaglets has won the FIFA Under - 17 World Cup for a record fourth time after beating Mexico 3 - 0 in the final on Friday, at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, in Abu Dhabi.

The match started with both sides sizing each other, the Mexicans - the defending champions took the first shot at the goal-post. But it was the Nigerians that booked an early lead in the 9th minute, when Yahaya was about to take a well placed shot in the box, Erick Aguirre, kicked the ball into his own net. First half ended with 1 - 0.

The second half began with each trying to score a goal. They both missed some opportunities to score, untill the 56th minute when the energetic Nigerian captain, Musa Mohammed, crossed a shot from the right flank, which spined off from the goalkeeper Raul Gudino and Kelechi Iheanacho, stabbed it into the net for a 2 - 0 lead.

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The Nigerian goalkeeper Dele Alampasu was exceptional. He denied the Mexicans some chances to score.

In the 81st minute Kelechi Iheanacho, was fouled at the edge of the box. Musa Mohammed, took the free-kick and scored direct, taking the score -line to 3 - 0, and that was how it ended.

The Nigerians not only won a record fourth World Cup title, one more than Brazil, but the free scoring Eaglets also broke the record of most goals scored by a team in a tournament. They scored a total of 26 goals to surpass the 24 goals held by the Germans.

Iheanacho, who was outstanding throughout the tournament won the individual awards of Adidas golden ball and silver boot. Dele Alampasu won the golden gloves while the team won the fair play award. The Berishia

Golden Eaglets Reaches Under - 17 WC Final

The Nigeria's Golden Eaglets, has booked their place in the final of the FIFA Under - 17 World Cup tournament, taking place at the United Arab Emirates, by convincingly beating Sweden 3 - 0 today in the Dubai Rashid stadium.

The young Nigerians took the lead after 21 minutes, through their new goal merchant, Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been very out-standing like Kelechi Iheanacho, who is the driving force in the Nigeria's attack. Their combination and understanding of each other is very amazing to watch.

It was the left footed defender, Samuel Okon, who increased the scoreline for the Africans, in the 80th minute to 2 - 0.

Nigeria vs Sweden (U 17 WC)

To put the game beyond the reach of the Swedes, two minutes later at the 82nd minute, as the Swedes were trying to recover from the shock of conceding another goal, the 16 year old, the youngest player in the Nigeria team, Chidera Ezeh, who had missed a couple of scoring chances, scored the third goal of the match and his first of the tournament.

The Nigerian youngsters won the game 3 - 0, after playing each other 3 - 3 in the group phase. Nigeria will meet Mexico in the final on Friday.

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The El Tri which the Golden Eaglets crushed 6 - 1 in their opening group match beat Argentina 3 - 0 in the other semi final.

Mexico is the defending champion and wants to retain the cup, while Nigeria - a three times winner, a position they shares with Brazil, are aiming to win the title a record fourth time.

The final promises to be a thriller. Mexico hoping to revenge their 6 - 1 humiliation, while the high flying Eaglets, wants to write their names in gold and make history, while achieving that goal.

Hayatou's Surprise Visit To The Golden Eagles Camp

Isa Hayatou (67), the President of the Confederation of the African Football, paid a surprise visit to the Golden Eaglets at the Intercontinental Hotel where they are camped for the ongoing FIFA under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

He praised them for their high level skills and intelligence in the tournament which he said was lacking for quite some time now from African teams. The CAF president told the youngsters, that he was not surprised at their progress in the tournament, because he saw their performance at the CAF under 17 championship, this year in Morocco and was highly impressed.

 

Issa  Hayatou (President of CAF)

''You have displayed a high level of skills and intelligence in this tournament, that we have not seen in an African team for a long time.

''I am not surprised at your progress here, because I saw you at the CAN
U-17 championship in Morocco and I was highly impressed.''

''I am particularly excited with your performance against Uruguay, despite missing a number of injured players. I believe you are already in the final. The African football family is fully behind you,'' he said.

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Hayatou who was accompanied in the visit by the second vice president of CAF, Almamy Kabele Camara and the FIFA executive member, Mohammed Raouraoua, urged the young Nigerian players to forget that Nigeria has won the title thrice before and concentrate on writing their own names in gold, by winning the tournament a record four times.

''Yes, Nigeria has won the competition three times before but that was done by other players. Now, it is your opportunity to write your own names in gold. I believe you have the talent, intelligence and resilience to go all the way,'' he added.

After Hayatou's encouraging words the Nigerian Football Federation, president Aminu Maigari thanked him for his visit and assured him that the Eaglets are fully motivated and ready to do Africa proud.

''It is a huge honour to have the CAF president visit any team in the middle of a tournament, because of his very tight schedules. We are assuring you that our boys are able and ready to do the African continent proud,'' he said.

On his own part, the chief coach of the Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, said that the boys whom he called ''great warriors of Africa'' is motivated by his visit and will not fail Africa at this stage of the soccer mundial.

''We will take our remaining challenges in the tournament one at a time, starting with the semi final against Sweden on Tuesday evening,'' he said.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Nigeria In The Semi-Final of FIFA Under 17 World Cup

The Nigerian Golden Eaglets has qualified for the semi - final of the ongoing FIFA Under - 17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, by knocking out Uruguay with the goal margin of 2 - 0 scored by Taiwo Awoniyi on Saturday.

Awoniyi who replaced the injured Success Isaac, scored the first goal in the 18th minute when Kelechi Iheanacho, put a pass through to him and he tucked it away into the net like a gifted goal poacher.

The Eaglets dorminated the match with good ball possessions and passes, but the Uruguay put up a good fight. Both teams missed some good chances to score. The two goalkeepers saved some scary moments for their teams too.

                                  Nigeria vs Uruguay U 17 W. Cup

In the 79th minute of the game, Kelechi Iheanacho, who had scored five goals in the tournament so far, unselfishly laid a good pass in the box for Awoniyi, who did not make any mistake in putting away the ball into the net.
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Iheanacho and Awoniyi had good understanding up front, just as Isaac and Iheanacho had good understanding of each other's movements.

In the other Q-final match, the African Under - 17 champions - Ivory Coast lost 2 - 1 to Argentina. On Tuesday, Nigeria will play the semi-final against Sweden, a team they played a 3 - 3 draw with in the group phase of the tournament.

Argentina will then play the other semi-final against the defending champion - Mexico.

This is the first time in the history of the FIFA Under -17 World Cup, that three teams from the same group will be playing in the semis. Nigeria, Sweden and Mexico were in group F, while Argentina was in group E.

Burkinabe Teenager Signs With Chelsea

The English Premier League club, Chelsea announced yesterday that the club has signed the skillful 18 year old Burkina Faso, attacking midfielder, Bertrand Traore, on a four and half year contract.

He was signed from the Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo - Dioulasso. The teenager was on trial in the summer and went on Asia tour with Chelsea and scored two goals against Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a statement on the Chelsea website, the club said, ''Traore, joining from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo - Dioulasso, is a full international for Burkina Faso, having made his debut in September 2011, a few days before his 16th birthday.''

''In 2011 he helped his nation win the African Under - 17s championship.''

''An attacking midfielder, Traore was taken as a trialist on Chelsea's tour of Asia in the summer and played a part in all three games, scoring in Malaysia and in Indonesia.''

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The highly talented player is the junior brother of Alain Traore of FC Lorient and one of the big stars of Burkina Faso's Stallion (national team).

In the video Bertrand is wearing jersey No 37. (Really gifted player).