DRC Beat Cameroon To CHAN

The Democratic Republic of Congo, has qualified to the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa, by knocking out Cameroon in a 2 -1
aggregate score line.

 

The two teams played in a two leg play-off matches. DRC defeated the home based Indormitable Lions in a 1 - 0 win last week in Cameroon, but played a one all draw in Congo yesterday.

The African Nations Championship is a tournament organised by CAF for the locally based footballers. The tournament next year in South Africa will be the third edition of the competition.

Uche Nwofor Joins Heerenveen

The Nigerian international and VVV Venlo striker, Uche Nwofor (21), has signed a one year loan deal with FC Heerenveen.

After signing the contract, the striker said that he was happy to join the club of the Dutch great striker, Marco van Basten, Uche said that he joined the club in the hope that he will improve his game and learn a lot from van Basten.

Uche Nwofor - highlight

 

"I am happy. This is an opportunity to further improve my development as a player," he said.

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"I want to continue my football education in Holland, and I believe, I am at the right club. I'm excited and looking forward, to working under Marco van Basten. I believe as a striker, I will learn a lot from him," Uche added.

The gifted striker who scored the two goals, in the friendly match between, Nigeria and South Africa, two weeks ago in Durban, was a transfer target, from several clubs in the premier league, such as Tottenham, Arsenal Sunderland, and a club in Turkey. It was also reported in the media, that he rejected a €4.6m transfer to CSKA Russia in January.

His agent Tony Harris, told the BBC in London that, "He has a incredible opportunity to grow, under legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten."

"But more significantly Nwofor, wants to keep improving and get better as a striker. He has a chance to do that in Heerenveen.

"The club produced Ruud van Nistelrooy and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, so he has made the right choice," he concluded.

Uche Nwofor, is among the players the Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, called up for the world cup decider match, against Malawi on the 7th of September, in Calabar.

Sessegnon Charged With Drink - Drive

Stephane Sessegnon (29), the English Premier League (EPL), player for Sunderland FC and Benin Republic international forward, was arrested on Tuesday evening, in Newcastle and charged with drink driving.

Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland

The footballer was stopped by the police on the Westgate road in Newcastle, according to the Northumbria police.

The incident occured yesterday evening, as his team - Sunderland was playing a league cup match, against Mk Dons (a league one club) at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland won the match with 4 - 2.

Sessegnon, will appear in court on the 4th of October, at the Newcastle magistrate court. Sunderland has not made any statement about the incident.

Saintfiet Acusses Keshi of Racism

Tom Saintfiet, the Belgium born Malawi coach, has accused Stephen Keshi, the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, of racism. He said that it is unacceptable and that he is 100% sure that his lawyer will be filing a complaint to FIFA.

The Belgian said that the words that Keshi used in the interview about him was clear racism and that it was unacceptable.

In an interview with an African TV based in the UK called Vox Africa's Sports 360, Keshi was asked in a telephone interview for his reaction to Mr Saintfiet request to FIFA to change the venue of the World Cup decider in Calabar. Keshi replied that he thinks that the Malawi coach was crazy.

Stephen Keshi   (Nigeria Coach)

"I think the coach of Malawi is crazy. If he wants to talk to FIFA, he should go back to Belgium. He is not an African person, he is a white dude, he should go back to Belgium," Stephen Keshi answered.

He added, "I have never used any words like these to any coach. He has no right, who is he? The Nigeria coach went on and said that when Nigeria went to other countries, that the Super Eagles played in any place their host selected for the match without complaint. He mentioned Kenya and Namibia etc. He said that in Namibia, Nigeria played in artificial turf.

Keshi said that Calabar is one of the safest places in Nigeria and that other countries have played in Calabar without any problem. He also said that Saintfiet is mad and that he wish he could say it to him face to face.

"All other countries play in Calabar. Calabar is one of the safest places in Nigeria. He is mad. I wish I could say it to his face."

Keshi said that Saintfiet has never been to Calabar and never border to check for himself, if it was safe or not, instead he started making comments that the place is not safe according to commonwealth office in London.

The Malawi coach said that he was shocked at Keshi's comment. He said that he will not say any bad word about Keshi or Nigeria, that he only asked that the match be moved to Abuja or another country.

"I will not say any bad words about Mr Keshi, or Nigeria. I only spoke about moving the game.

Saintfiet said that, he is against racism and that, if FIFA is serious about tackling racism, they should consider it in both directions. He said, that if an European said something like what Keshi said about an African, there would be a big problem.

"I am against racism in all directions. If FIFA takes racism seriously, then you have to take it seriously in both directions. If a European said something of this nature, about an African, you would have a huge problem," he said.

After Saintfiet and Football Association of Malawi, wrote to FIFA to change the venue, because the Foreign and commonwealth office in London said, that Calabar is no go area. FIFA then delved into the matter and was satisfied, with the assurances from the security department responsible, and conluded that since matches were played there continually, without any problem, the venue Calabar remains the place for the match.

Football Agents To Take Exams In South Africa

The South African Football Association, (SAFA), will be conducting examination on the 26th of September for aspiring football players' agents, according to the statement in the organisation's website.

It says that every applicant is required to fill a form, get a personal tax clearance from South African Revenue Service (SARS) and also a clearance from the South African Police Service SAPS), with two passport photos.

 

All candidates are also required to submit the documents with a fee of R5,000 (€365) payable to the SAFA account.

Miss Pinky Lehoko, the SAFA director of international affairs, said that the organisation is ready for the examination. She said that the examination is conducted  twice in a year - March and September.

The examination will be based on applicants knowledge of SAFA regulations and FIFA regulations.

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"We have two exams in a year - in March  and September. Anyone aspiring to become an agent, must thoroughly learn and comprehend SAFA regulations, FIFA statutes, FIFA players agent regulations on the  status and transfer of players," Lehoko said.

The examination will take place at the South African Football Association  headquarters (SAFA House).

I think that this is a good idea. Often times you read of players, who are entangled in a bad situation that threatens their career, because their agents are incompetent, and does not know much about the rules and regulations, governing players transfer.

And in situations like that, the career of the player will be in the balance. If all the agents knows the rules and regulations very well, the problems will be curtailed immensely.

Muntari Must Apologize To Coach Appiah

Sulley Muntari (28), the Serie A midfielder for AC Milan and Ghana international has been asked by the Ghanaian deputy sports minister, Mr Joseph Yammin, to apologize unreservedly to the Black Stars coach, Kwesie Appiah, over his gross disrespect to the coach, after he was substituted in the World Cup qualifier match in June.

The incident happened during the Black Stars World Cup qualifier away match against Lesotho. Muntari was very angry with the coach when he was substituted in the game, which they eventually won 2 - 0.

Sulley Muntari

"I think it is proper and right, for Sulley to apologize for his behaviour towards coach Appiah, in the Lesotho - Ghana game," Mr Yammin, said.

"Why am I saying this? He is a senior player, and should set a good example for the young players to follow."

"Discipline is key to every success story, and as we strive for our third World Cup appearance, we must ensure that we instill discipline in the team, by setting good precedents.

"It appears coach Appiah is not happy, and the earlier Muntari apologizes for his rude behaviour, the better it will be for him.

Mr Yammin, added, "In as much as we need him in the team, over looking what he did to the coach, will set a bad precedent, hence the need for him to apologize, to serve as an example to all the players."

In conclusion the deputy sports minister said, "He must apologize to coach
Appiah, before the Zambia game in Kumasi, if indeed he wants to return to the Stars fold. We must back coach Appiah to instill discipline in the team."

Ghana will be hosting Zambia, in the decisive World Cup qualifier match, on the 6th of September in Kumasi. The Black Stars are leading the group D table with 12 points, while Zambia is in second position with 11 points.
So Ghana needs a draw to qualify for the final play-offs, while Zambia needs a win to qualify for the play-offs.

I think what the minister's stance is correct. Many footballers especially some of the African players in Europe, don't respect their national coaches much, especially if the coach himself did not play football in Europe. Discipline is needed in every sphere of human endeavour.

 It is even needed in sports more due to arrogance which is twin brother of success. One strong indiscipline player can cause disruption in the team, especially, if it is coming from a senior player, who suppose to be a shining example to the junior players.

Sulley Muntari is a very important player in the Ghana National team, especially with the absence of Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Andre Ayaw. Muntari is a good player but it is not enough being a good player, he should also learn how to control his temper and lead by example.

I read where he, Muntari, said that he was angry, because he was not expecting the coach to substitute him in the match. But I think that was not a good reason to be rude to your coach. Does he do that to AC Milan coach whenever he is substituted? No. I have seen him substituted in Porthsmouth when he was in the EPL. I have also seen him, removed in a match in AC Milan. He just quietly come out of the field. I think he should apologize to Mr Appiah. What do you think. Should he apologize?

Keshi Reacts To Malawi Coach Comment

Nigeria's Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was unhappy with the statement of the Belgian born Malawi national football coach, Mr Tom Saintifiet, over the security of Calabar, the venue of the decisive World Cup qualifier next month, on the 7th of September.

Mr Saintifiet, said last week to the media, "Nigeria would like to play in Calabar, because it is close to Cameroon in the South-East of Nigeria, - not so easy to reach with the only connection via Lagos and Abuja, but with no international flights."

Stephen Keshi

 

"There are not so many hotels available, so it will be very difficult to get there. I have one question also about security, because the UK's foreign and commonwealth office says it is a no-travel area."

The Belgian continued, "FIFA they may have to think of shifting the match, either to Abuja or to another place outside Nigeria, because Calabar is obviously not the capital and it is not a big city. The accommodation is not good for such a big game."

He concluding his media satatement by adding, "But I think it is also  a plan by Nigeria. They try to disturb their opponents on and off the pitch. So in all the ways we must be prepared as top professionals to try to find solutions and make good plans."

The football Association of Malawi (FAM), wrote a letter to FIFA, requesting that the match should  be move to Abuja or to a neutral country, so that they will feel secured.

Reacting to the comment of the Malawi coach, Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles coach, siad, "The Malawi coach cannot tell us where to play our matches."

"He can say whatever he likes, that's his own opinion and problem. We have no problem and he is not qualified enough to make that call or request.

"This is where we play our games and other countries are fine with that. Someone cannot say to Nigeria to take the game elsewhere because he feels too important," Keshi told BBC.

"Please tell him (Saintfiet) the game will take place in Calabar, he can choose not to come, we have no problem with that," Keshi concluded.

FIFA has already written a letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),
to submit to them a security guarantee and detailed security plans from the
authority responsible for doing so.

The Inspector General of Police in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Abubaka, has written a comprehensive security plan for the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The security covers not only the stadium, but also accommodations and transportations for the two teams.

Anti-bomb squad will sweep the stadium and the hotels before the match starts. The Nigerian special mobile police force will be involved in providing security on the 7th of September for the match.

The Nigeria Football Federation released a statement, that the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria, has submitted to FIFA the detailed security plan for the match. It says that the letter guarantees, that the police, ``will provide adequate security to ensure a conducive environment before, during and after the match between Nigeria and Malawi scheduled for 7 September at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.``