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.``

Bennie McCarthy With Glasgow Celtic?

The former Ajax Amsterdam striker and South African international, Bennie McCarthy, (35), who announced his retirement from playing competitive football, last june, has just joined Celtic of Glasgow to learn about coaching.

Bennie McCarthy for South Africa

He is in Scotland to earn a coaching license. He will be watching the training method of the club. Neil Lennon, Celtic coach confirmed it.

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McCarthy played for a number of clubs in Europe, such as Ajax in Netherlands, where he won the league title. In Porto, he won the league title and also the champions league in 2004, under Jose Mourinho. He played in Spain for Celta de Vigo, and also in the English Premier League (EPL), for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.

He went back to South Africa in 2011, and joined Orlando Pirates, where he won more titles with them, before his retirement.

He said in the website of the Premier Soccer League of South Africa,
"Football has been good to me - it has provided special moments and enabled me to be in a position, to have improved the lives of my family members. For that, I am most grateful," Bennie said.

He represented his counrty 80 times, and scored 31 times, which is the highest, any player has scored for the Bafana Bafana. He liked to wear number 17 in the national team.

Gabon Shocked Cameroon To CHAN

Gabon has just defeated Cameroon to qualify for the 2014, African Nations Championship (CHAN), that will be taking place in South Africa.

Gabon beat Cameroon with a lone goal (1 - 0), in Libreville to even the score as they also lost with a lone goal in the first leg in Cameroon.
After the full time, the score was still 1 - 1 on aggregate, so the match went into penalties and Gabon won.

Football Fans

 Cameroon still has one last opportunity to qualify for the CHAN tornament in South Africa. They will play against Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the play-offs, the winner will then qualify.

Already, Ghana, Nigeria, Burundi, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, Congo Brazzaville, Uganda, Mauritania and morocco had qualified. The tournament is organised for only locally based footballers.

Mourinho: First Game Will Be Emotional

Jose Mourinho (50), the new Chelsea coach, in his second term with the club, said, that his first match of the EPL season on Sunday, against Hull City, at the Stamford Bridge dugout will be emotional for him.

"When I go to my stadium, my dugout, my people, I will have to control it a little bit," he said.

"I will feel something different for sure. On Sunday, I think the fans will focus on me and Roman (Abromavich, the owner), but then they have to forget us and focus on the team."

Jose Mourinho

 

Jose Mourinho, said that he can't wait to experience, "the salt and pepper of football," at the Stamford Bridge. He said that he will like, "to try and give joy to everyone."

According to the coach, the players will train on Saturday at the Stamford Bridge stadium, because he wants them to know where the dressing room is and the dugout.

"We train there tomorrow because I want them to know where the dressing room is, where the dugout is," he said.

On the young Brazilian defender, David Luiz, who Barcelona wants to sign,
the coach said, that Luiz was not going anywhere.

"He is a young player that signed a new contract last year, and when he did that, he was very happy to do it, so we want to keep him. A big club like Barcelona wants the best, but we are being honest, by saying there is no chance David is leaving," Mourinho concluded.

Jose Mourinho, first became Chelsea coach in 2004, after he won the champions league with Porto. After winning a couple of premier league titles, two FA titles and league, he left and joined Inter Milan, where he
won a treble including his second champions league in 2010.

After that he moved to Real Madrid, where he won one league title and one copa del rey in three seasons before coming back to Chelsea a second time.

Super Eagles Defeats Bafana Bafana

Uche Nwofor, the Nigeria international and striker of the Dutch club, VVV Venlo scored twice (2 - 0), in the Mandela Cup match against South Africa at the Moses Mabhida stadium, in Durban on wednesday.

The skillful striker came in, in the second half as a substitute for the Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi, who incidentally was also like Nwofor, appearing for Nigeria in his second international competition.

Obinna Nsofor of Nigeria

Within three minutes of Nwofor's coming into the match he showed the fans why a couple of English Premier League (EPL) sides wants him to join them. His first goal on the 49th minute was a beautiful, amazingly skillful back-heel, which had spectators up from their seats. It was pure talent.

He netted the second goal for Nigeria on the 68th minute of the match. Though the match was a friendly to honour the legendry Nelson Mandela, the Super Eagles took the game very seriously.

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Nigeria was the better of the two teams, and had much better finishing, than their wastful chances infront of goalkeepers, at last month's Confederation Cup tournament in Brazil. One wonders whether Uche Nwofor, could have done better, in taking multitude of chances created in the tournament, if he was invited by Stephen Keshi.

South Africa played very well in the first half and in the beginning of the second, until Uche's wonderful back-heel goal was registered. After the goal, the Bafana Bafana seemed like, they were playing catch up. But when they conceded the second goal, it became a bit hard for them, as they found it difficult to break the Nigerian defence.

But credit to the Bafana Boys, they kept on fighting to pull at least one goal back but they were giving no space for that.

At the end of the match, the South Africa coach, Gordon Igesund, said,
"I'd like to congratulate Nigeria, they beat us convincingly and I think they deserve their victory."

"Throughout the game, especially in the last third, they were much better than us, they used the ball better and they were more patient. I think we created a couple of chances, especially in the first half, but we just couldn't get on the end of them," he said.

"In the second half they scored the goal that made us chase the game, and after that the second goal game.

"We kept trying to get back into the game, but I think the difference between the two teams was our play in the last third." Mr Igesund, saw the match as a good preparation for their next friendly match against Burkina Faso and also their World Cup qualifier next month.

"It was a good exercise for us because we need to play teams like Nigeria. They are very strong team with good players, who play at a high level and it was a good test for us."

He added, "We can only improve, you can see they've been playing against good opposition and we need to continue doing this in order to grow."

On his own part after the match, the Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi, who was obviously very happy with the result of the game said, "With due respect, Bafana Bafana are a good side."

"A lot of potential in the team. But we wanted to do something and make our nation proud and make ourselves proud and I'm proud of the kids, mostly in the second half, when we did very well," he said.

Keshi thinks that the match was a good test for the Super Eagles' World Cup qualifier match against Malawi in Nigeria on the 7th of September. Nigeria is on top of the table with two points difference and Malawi in the second position. Nigeria needs a draw to qualify while Malawi need a win.

"This will keep us in shape for the game against Malawi in three weeks,"
Keshi concluded.

As afore mentioned, the match was a very good test for the two countries, as they are preparing for their decisive World Cup qualifiers.

With this winning, Nigeria has continued their dorminance of South Africa in  international football. The two countries had now met eight times, in competitions and Nigeria has won six times, lost once and drew once.

Kofi Boakye Reported To FIFA

The  Ghanaian striker for Asante Kotoko in Kumasi, Kofi Nti Boakye, has been reported to FIFA by the club after he signed a new contract with the Libyan club Al Ahli as the contract with Kotoko was still valid. Al Ahli was also reported for signing a player still under contract with another club.

Asante kotoko was very angry that Kofi Boakye signed a new contract with Al Ahli three days before the expiration of his contract with them on the 10th of August.

Kotoko sent copies of his contract with a strong letter through the Ghanian Football Association (GFA) to FIFA. A member of the three man team administring the club, Mr Opoku Nti, said in the club website that, "We attached copies of his contract and every necessary documents in our letter to FIFA, because this is not right."

Another report said that the footballer will be receiving $900,000 for the three year contract with Al Ahli.
"He will receive $900,000, with Kumasi Asante Kotoko having none of the said figure."

Well, this is what is at the heart of the matter, the club was angry that a player whose contract will be expiring in three days time signed a better contract with another club and they (Asante Kotoko) will not benefit financially from it as the player signed as a free agent.

In a way Asante Kotoko was correct to want some of the share of the money since he was still under their contract. After all if Kofi was well informed, he could have waited another three days when the contract would have expired before signing for Al Ahli.

Let this serve as a warning to other players, not to rush into signing any contract with a new club without making inquiries about the implications of signing a contract without good information. If a player is a free agent, he may ask a lawyer about legal impilications of any issue he is not well informed about, before putting pen to paper.

Is Etoo Joining Chelsea?

Samuel Fils Etoo (32), the Anzhi Makhachkala striker and Cameroon international may be leaving the ambitious and high spending Dagestan-Russia club with a couple of other stars of the club. Etoo has just indicated that he would be interested in joining Chelsea to reunite with his former coach, the Portuguese Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho wants to add a world class striker to his team, but has set his sight on Manchester United's want-away striker and England international, Wayne Rooney (27). Chelsea's second bid of €35m was rejected with the club's stance being that Rooney is not for sale.

Though Jose Mourinho, has stated publicly, that he will not give up on chasing the signature of Rooney until the transfer window closes at the end of the month, indications are that he may be also discretely looking elsewhere as a backup plan, since the new season is starting this weekend.

Samuel Etoo

 

It has been reported in the media, that he may be thinking of bringing Etoo Samuel, to the Stamford Bridge.

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Etoo is quoted in the Daily Mirror, as having interest to play under Mourinho again, after their time together at Inter, where they won some trophies including a treble, among which was a champions' league cup.

"There is only one Jose Mourinho. I have played under a lot of great coaches - but there is no other character in the game like Jose."

"He is one of the best coaches in the world - and we had a lot of success together at Inter Milan. I would like to have the chance to play under him again - because it is never boring when Jose is around," he said.

The footballer continued, "Of course Chelsea are a great team - and when we have all the offers on the table then I will discuss with my agent and see what my next step is."

The Dagestan club, Anzhi, are very keen to allow some of their big stars to leave due to financial problems. It was reported in the media that the billionaire owner, Suleiman Kerimov, lost hundreds of millions of Euros in the stock market through Uralkali the Russian company that produces potash, in which he has the majority shares.

Following this situation, he ordered a sharp cut down on the club's budget. The president of the club, Remchukov, said in his twitter account that, "many of our expensive stars will leave Anzhi, while the club's budget will be decreased to €40m - €54m a year."

"We failed to clinch rapid success. Now Anzhi will develop it's academy to the medium-term plans of the club development," Remchukov said.

Samuel Etoo, who happened to be among the most expensive players in the world since he joined the club, earning a salary of €20m. No one is sure if Chelsea, will be ready to offer him the same salary or not. Samuel may also take a pay cut to join Chelsea, since the club owner, Roman Abramovich has toned down, his father christmas spending on the club.

Samuel Fils Etoo is undeniably, the most successful African footballer. He has won many league titles which included three champions' league and the African Cup of Nations trophies and two Olympic golds. He is the only African player to have won the African footballer of the year award, three times. And at 32 years, he is still hungry for more glories.

Gervinho Moves From Arsenal To Roma

Arsenal and Ivory Coast international striker Gervinho, (26), joins Italy's serie A club, AS Roma in a €9.2m deal.

The North London club made a statement thanking the player for his  contribution to the club. It also wish him all the best in his career.

"Everyone would like to thank Gervinho for his contribution to the club and wish him well for his future career."

Gervinho

Gervinho joined Arsenal in 2011 from the French Ligue 1- Lille.


But he has struggled to hold down a position in the team.
Before joining Lille, he played for the Belgium club - Beveren and the French club - Le Mans. He has featured for Ivory Coast for 45 times including, this years African Cup of Nations.

Drogba Recalled To The Elephant

The Ivorian international and Galatasaray striker, Didier Drogba (35), has been recalled back to the Ivory Coast national team, (The Elephant), ahead of the country's friendly match, against Mexico on the 14th of August, in New York.

The mercurial goal merchant, was dropped in the country's World Cup qualification matches in March and June, after Ivory Coast disappointing performances, at the 2013 African Cup of Nations, in January, in South Africa.

The country once again under performed in the biannual tournament, even though an over-whelming football loving fans believed, that they were the favourites to win the trophy. But the star filled team lost 2 -1 to Nigeria, the eventual Cup winner in the quater final.

Didier Drogba

When the national coach, Sabri Lamouchi, did not include the captain Drogba, in the March and June World Cup qualifier, people began to speculate, including the media, that there may be problem between the coach and the captain.

So Lamouchi decided to speak to the media. He said, that there was no problem between him and Drogba. He said that he dropped him, because he was not in top fitness.

He then added, that Drogba will be back when he's very fit again, and that is exactly what the coach has done by recalling him now.

After Didier Drogba's late two goals against Arsenal at the Emirate stadium for the Emirate Cup which Galatasaray won 2 - 1, he was then recalled for national duties again.

Drogba, has been in good form since he joined Galatasaray from the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua FC, which he joined from Chelsea, after helping the London club win their first champions league, two seasons ago. His two and half year contract with the Chinese club, lasted only half a year.

He left after club poor performances and some months of unpaid wages. The chinese club claimed that he cannot leave, since he still has two years contratual obligation to the club. But Drogba took the case to Fifa, who decided that the player can leave, because of months of un-paid wages to him.

Ethiopia Vs Central African Republic WC Qualifier Moved

The venue of September 7th World Cup qualifier match between Ethiopia and Central African Republic has been moved by Fifa to a neutral country - Republic of Congo due to some security reasons.

Fifa changed the venue because of the over-throw of the government  of the Central African Republic earlier this year.

The Ethiopian Football Federation announced the change of the venue few days ago. The match is the last and the decider of the winner of Group A. The winner of the group will qualify to play in the ten teams final play-offs.

Football Fans

Ethiopia needs to win the match to qualify while South Africa which is two points in second position behind Ethiopia will qualify if they win against     

Botswana and Ethiopia lose against Central African Republic.                     

Ethiopia was leading the group with 5 points but their last match which they won 2 - 1 against Botswana was forfeited. Fifa gave the three points to Botswana because Ethiopia fielded an unqualified player.

Senegal also will play their last decider match against Uganda in a neutral country - Morocco. Senegal has been playing their home matches in Guinea because Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned their stadiums for one year after their fans rioted in Dakar against Ivory Coast when they lost last year in African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Teranga Lions are on top of their group with one point difference, so they also need to win their last match to qualify for the play-offs.

Isha Johansen Is New SLFA President

Isha Johansen (48), has been elected opposed as the new Sierra Leone Football Association President. She was the only one of the original four candidates who was not disqualified from contesting for the post.

The other three candidates who were disqualified were, the former striker of AS Monaco and Inter Milan, Mohamed Kallon, Rodney Michael and Foday Turay. Kallon was disqualified because he did not meet up with the regulation which stipulated that a candidate must be living in the country for the past five years of an election.

President Isha Johansen

The other two, Rodney Michael and Foday Turay, contravened article 25 of FIFA code of ethics which entails betting, gambling, lottery etc.

The men protested their disqualifications and even some football clubs boycotted the local league in protest as well. This caused the league to be suspended up till now.

After the poll today which declared Isha Johansen the winner, the happy lady said, that she was extending hand of friend during the holy month of ramadan to the three men. She said, that she would like to work with them to move forward as she did not have all the ideas.

"I want to use this holy month of ramadan and this opportunity to extend my hand of peace to Rodney Michael, Mohamed Kallon and Foday Turay.
I am the winner but I don't consider them as losers," she said.

"We can work together because I don't have all the ideas - I appeal for the anger to stop."

The newly elected president said that within the coming three months they will be holding an extra ordinary conference to map ourt the blue print for moving forward.

"In the next three months we 'll be holding an extra ordinary conference to map out the way forward, we 'll have a blue print," she said.

When the three men were disqualified, there was some sort of chaos as some clubs
refused to continue in the league. Then the disqualified candidates asked the President of Sierra Leone, Mr Ernest Koromah to mediate but the two FIFA officials Primo Corvaro and Prosper Abega, that came to monitor the election told the president that the decision disqualifying the men was upheld by FIFA.

Before today's election there was an imtrime council after FIFA dissolved the SLFA executive committee when the president Nahim Khadi became ill and his vice Alie Kargbo resigned.

Isha Johansen is the second woman to be elected the President of an FA. The first woman elected was Lydia Nsekera of Burundi. She also made history by becoming the first woman to be elected into the FIFA executive committee.

Sassuolo Fined €30,000 For Racial Abuse

The newly promoted Italian football club, Sassuolo has been fined the sum of €30,000 for their fans racial chants and shouts of abuse against the AC Milan player, Kevin Constant, during a friendly match on the 23rd of last month.

The punishment was handed down to the club by the Lega Serie A, the statement following this says, "A €30,000 fine and a warning for Sassuolo for having supporters direct shouts and chants of racial discriminination at an opposition player in the 32nd minute of the game.

The statement went on to mention that Kevin Constant, himself was also fined for kicking the ball towards a group of Sassuolo fans who abused him, before he asked to be substituted and walked off the pitch.It claimed that the player disrupted the game for about two minutes.

 

"A €3,000 fine for Kevin Constant, who kicked a ball towards a group of opposition fans who insulted him with shouts and chants of racial discrimination, before asking to be substituted and walking off the field of play, disrupting the game for around two minutes."

The incident involving the Guinean international occured at the Reggio Emilia's Stadio del tricolore. AC Milan condemned the racial abuse but also said that Constant should not have left the field. It says that it was referee's decision as to what to do about the incident.

Six months ago the AC Milan and Ghanian international, Kevin-Prince Boateng suffered racist abuse in a friendly match with a division four team -Pro Patria. In that incident Boateng kicked the ball away and left the pitch and his team-mates followed him out of the field.

I don't think it was fair that Kevin Constant was also fined for leaving the field. It is a terrible thing to come to play football in a match, but end up being racial abused by those you don't even know. The primitive people doing these are either uneducated and afraid or they are purely doing it to disrupt the rythem and concentration of the black players against their team.

The players who are racially abused, are affected emotionally by the abuse because they are human beings. So it is quite understandable when a victim of such abuse decides to walk off the field.

There are racism everywhere you go in the human society,
but it must not have place in sports. The action taken recently by FIFA in making a new law that if any team or their fans are found to be involved in racism, the club may be punished by losing of the match or deductions of points or even relegation to the lower division etc. This is a good way to go about it, but we will see whether the fooball body will implement the new rules or not.

Enyeama: The New Nr 1 Goalkeeper at Lille

The French Ligue 1 coach of Lille, Rene Girard, has made the Nigeria's Super Eagle goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (30), the number one keeper for the new season, according to the french sports magazine - Le Equipe.

"Vincent Enyeama, will be the number one goalkeeper of Lille next season, as Rene Girard has decided."

Vincent Enyeama

 

Reacting to the good news, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper and current goalkeeper coach with Super Eagles, Ike Shorunmu, said that he was not surprised, that Girard chose Enyeama as the number one goalkeeper for the coming season.

"Honestly I'm happy for him and it shows that he is our best and one of the best in Africa and the world at the moment. I am not surprised that he is now number one at his club," he said.

Shorunmu told the media, that every coach has their own plan and philosophy and he thinks that Mr Girard, feels Enyeama is good enough to be Lille's number one choice keeper. He was happy and it will be to the advantage of the Super Eagles.

"You know every coach has different philosophy or plan, so I believe his present coach feels Enyeama is good enough to be number one and I am happy, that has happened and it is an advantage to us at the national team,"
the former goalkeeper said.

Ike Shorummu, was the goalkeeper for FC Zurich and FC Luzern in Switzerland and also keeper for the Turkish clubs, FC Besiktas Istanbul
and Samsunspor.