Didier Zokora Fined About $20,000

Didier Zokora (32) - the Ivorian international and Turkish club Trabzonspor midfielder, has been fined the sum of approximately $20,000 for leaving the national team camp in anger, when the coach handed the captain's armband back to Didier Drogba, as the team was preparing for their last World Cup qualifier match against Morocco, on September 7th 2013.

Didier Zokora

Zokora was the assistant captain of the national team known as - The Elephant. He has been the intrim captain. Drogba is the team's captain but has not featured for the team for several months.

So when he was recalled backed by the coach, Mr Sabri Lamouchi, he was given back the armband. But Zokora stormed out of the camp, as a result of the action of the coach.

This behaviour did not sit well with the Football Federation of Ivory Coast, so the organisation fined the player.

In a statement the president of the federation, Mr Sidy Diallo, said, ''Mr Didier Zokora, will no longer wear the captain armband of the national team no matter the circumstances.''

Mr Diallo, added, ''The last grouping of the Ivorian national team was marked by an unacceptable reaction from Didier Zokora concerning the captaincy of the team.''

The Elephant went on and drew 1 - 1, in the World Cup qualifier against Morocco. The team qualified for the play-offs, and the draw for the play-offs will be held on Monday, 16th September, in Cairo, Egypt.

Tunisia Replaces Cape Verde In The WC Playoff

The amazing fairy-tale story of Cape Verde Island qualification, for the World Cup play-off, has suffered a massive blow, as FIFA sanctioned the Cape Verdean Football Association, for fielding an ineligible player, in the World Cup qualifing decider match against Tunisia on 7th September, 2013.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ordered the forfeiture of the match and awarded 3 - 0 to Tunisia. The three points awarded to Tunisia, brings their total tally to 14 points, while Cape Verde now in second position finished with 9 points.

The ineligible player in question was Fernando Varela, who was suspended for four matches, for his unsportman behaviour against a match official, during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match in March, 2013, after he was given a red card. He did not serve his full suspension, before playing in the match against Tunisia, on the 7th of September.

The play-offs draw will be held on Monday, the 16th of September in Cairo, with the five best placed African countries on the FIFA Ranking list, that was just released for September, seeded.

Nigeria Thrashed Burkina Faso 4 - 1 In A Friendly

The Nigeria's Super Eagles thrashed Burkina Faso's Stallions 4 - 1 today in Kaduna in what seemed like a repeat performance of their African Cup of Nations final match earlier this year in South Africa. Though the scoreline margin were not the same.

In the African Cup of Nations in February, Nigeria defeated the Stallions by a lone goal to lift up the trophy for a third time.

Stephen Keshi

 

Ideye Brown of Dynamo Kiev, who has been finding it difficult recently to score goals for the Super Eagles, scored twice in the first half.
The other two goal were scored by Shola Ameobi of Newcastle United and Emmanuel Emenike of Fenerbahce who also scored the first goal on Saturday in the 2 - 0 win of Nigeria against Malawi in the world cup qualifying match.

Read melvinsports.blogspot.com

Burkina Faso player Saidou Simpore, scored a consolation goal for the Stallions. Both teams missed some star players in this match. Nigeria missed Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa who all were allowed to go back to their clubs, after the Malawi match. Burkina Faso also missed star players - Traore and Bance.

In the other African friendly match today, Ghana was defeated 3 - 1 in Tokyo by Japan. Ghana scored the first goal of the match on the 24th minute by Frank Acheampong. On the 50th minute Shinji Kagawa equalised for Japan, while on the 64th minute Japan increased the their scoreline, with a goal from Yasuhito Endo. Then on the 72 minute mark, Japan struck again through the goal of Keisuke Honda.

The Super Eagles Flew Over The Flames

The Super Eagles of Nigeria over powered the Flames of Malawi in their world cup Brazil 2014 qualifying decider in Calabar with a 2 - 0 win. The goals came from the former Spartak Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike and Chelsea winger now on loan to Liverpool, Victor Moses. It could have been more, but for the wonderful saves from their goalkeeper.

Emmanuel Emenike, joined the Turkish top club, Fenerbahce last month from Spartak Moscow on a fee of €13.2m, while Victor Moses was sent on a season loan to Liverpool for a fee of €1.2m. Moses goal came from penalty.

 As anticipated, Nigeria dorminated the match, ball possession, pace and skills, but the Malawi Flames did their best to keep the score margin at a minimum level. The Malawian keeper made a couple of good saves.

The first goal came at the last minute of the first half, Onazi sent a long range ball from the midfield into the Malawian eighteen to Emenike who beat the defender marking him and lobe the ball over the body of the onrushing goalkeeper. It was a world class finishing from the striker.

The Nigerian team played very well, they showed that they have superior qualities to the Malawians, as virtually all the Nigerian players are playing in the major leagues in Europe, while just a couple of the Malawian play in South Africa.

The second goal was a beautiful combination between Nnamdi Oduamadi and Ahmed Musa. Oduamadi already beaten the first player and also beaten their captain who brought him down and referee gave penalty, which the new Liverpool man, Victor Moses, made no mistake in putting into the net.

After the match the Malawian coach, Mr Tom Saintfiet, said that, "We came with a game plan to hold the Eagles to a goalless draw in the first 45 minutes and then leave them apprehensive in the second half, but that didn't work"

"But that goal, with 30 secs left. It was a killer. It killed us and it was a mistake from my left defender.

"He was not coming back to defend and you could have seen me shouting, about five times to ask him to come back," he said.

"But I must admit we lost to a better side and I wish the super Eagles all the best and hope that they qualify for the world cup in 2014," he added.

As for the penalty given, he said that he was 90% sure that it was not a penalty, but would like to watch it again.

"For the penalty, I have to look at it again. But I am 90% sure it was not a penalty.''

Mr Saintfiet, acknowledged that the player, Limbikani Mvaza, as the last man, was wrong when he brought Musa down as he was rushing to the goal. He was sent off for a second bookable offence in the match towards the ending part.

''When I saw it, I would have given a red myself. But I spoke to the player and he told me he got the ball. I would still have given a red,'' he said.

On his own reaction the Nigerian coach, Mr Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, said that the Malawians came to defend. He said, that the game was difficult but he thanked God for the victory which is very important.

Victor Moses

''Malawi is a great team, they came here with one target and that was to defend. It was a difficult game but we thank God that we got the victory, which is very important.''

''In all I thought we had a good game in the second half. In the first half the Malawians made it difficult because we didn't have enough mobility in the front line, but immediately we picked it we got the first goal from Emenike.''

''We decided to come out in the second half and play more intensive game and got the second goal again, penalty," Keshi added.

With this victory Nigeria has qualified for the ten teams play-off, it would be a two way matches, the winner would qualify for the 2014 world cup. The five victors will go to Brazil 2014. The draw for the play-off will be drawn on the 16th of September in Cairo.

The following 9 teams have qualified for the play-off, they are Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Algeria and Senegal. On Sunday, the winner of the match between Cameroon and Libya will complete the set.

The Result of this weekend WC Qualifier
South Africa                    4 - 1  Botswana  
Central Africa Republic  1 - 2  Ethiopia
Nigeria                            2 - 0  Malawi
Angola                            4 - 1  Liberia
Niger                               2 - 2  Congo
Burkina Faso                  1 - 0  Gabon
Sierra Leone                   3 - 2  Equatorial Guinea
Gambia                           2 - 0  Tanzania
Ivory Coast                     1 - 1  Morocco
Tunisia                            0 - 2  Cape Verde
Senegal                           1 - 0  Uganda
Cameroon                          -     Libya  

Some Notable African Transfers In The EPL

The open window for transfer of footballers has just been concluded and many players were bought and sold, while some were sent on loan by their teams for one reason or the other. Teams brought in players to help strenghten their squad in order to be in a better position to win matches.

This season the transfer record of last season was broken. A total of €747m was spent by the premier league. Last year's record was €628m. Among the players bought with part of the above mentioned amount were some African players.

Kolo Toure of Liverpool

The Celtic and Kenyan international, Victor Wanyama (22), joined Southampton on a transfer fee of €15m while the Ivorian and Vitesse striker, Wilfried Bony, joined Swansea City, on a transfer fee of €13.5m. Samuel Etoo (32), the undoubtably African most successful footballer, of Russia's Anzhi and Cameroon international signed a one year deal with Chelsea on a free transfer.

Victor Anichebe (25) of Everton and Nigerian international striker, joined West Brom on a fee of €7m and Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland and Benin Republic international joined West Brom for a sign on fee of €7m.

Derek Boateng, of Ghana and Dnipro joined Fulham on a free transfer. Benoit Assou-Ekotto, of Tottenham and Cameroon international joined Queens Park Rangers (QPR) on a long season loan.

Read: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Peter Odemwingie (32), of West Brom and Nigerian international joined Cardiff City, after he was frozened out by the club for his failed attempt to force West Brom to sell him to Harry Redknap's QPR in January. He joined Cardiff on a transfer fee of €3m. He now has a fresh start to his career.

Kolo Toure (32), the Ivorian international and Manchester City defender joined Liverpool on a free transfer. While Chealsea and Nigerian winger Victor Moses, also joined Liverpool on a season loan for a fee of €1.2m.

The Ghanian international, Christian Atsu, signed a long time contract with Chelsea but was immediately sent on a season loan to Vitesse of Holland. The Nigerian footballer, Semi Ajayi, joined Norwich from Charlton Athletics while Arouna Kone, the Wigan and Ivorian international joined Everton for a sign on fee of €7m.

The above mentioned players were some of the African footballers, that were transfered to a new club in the English Premier League etc.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Malawi Makes A U-Turn Over Calabar

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM), has made a u-turn in their objection to Calabar, being used as the host city and U. J. Esuene Stadium, for the world cup qualifing decider match against Nigeria, this Saturday, the 7th of September, 2013.

Mr Suzgo Nyirenda, the secretary-general of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the organisation's accoutant, Mr Christopher Mdoloto, formed a the two-man team sent to Calabar to inspect the city and stadium, the association so vehemently opposed to being used for the important duel.

After their inspection visit to Calabar, the secretary, Mr Nyirenda, said to the media, and also in their website, that FAM was happy with the conditions in Nigeria ahead of the Flames and Super Eagles 2014 World Cup qualifying decider match on Saturday.

 "NFF has provided every support required and there are no stone unturned in making sure that all is set for the game."

Nyirenda said while in Nigeria, "Everyone in Calabar is talking about the game and the game fever is so high here."

The FAM secretary said of the U. J. Esuene stadium, Calabar, the venue of the match, "It was inaugurated in April 1977 and it has a capacity of 25,000 less like CIVO stadium.

"The stadium which has been upgraded to include a multi modern electronic video matrix scoreboard and floodlights, is in the centre of Calabar.

"It is a multi-purpose stadium. The match will kickoff at 4pm (5pm Malawi time).

"The Malawi team which is expected to arrive on Thursday, will train at UNICA stadium (University of Calabar). So far the NFF has managed to be on top of things, which we had highlighted in the letter to FIFA," he said.

The city of Calabar and the stadium was what caused the hostile war of words between coaches Tom Saintfiet of Malawi and Stephen Keshi of Nigeria.

 The criticism of Calabar by Saintfiet and FAM was so much that the association wrote to FIFA to move the match to Abuja or another country for security reasons.Read the two articles on the, Keshi Reacts To Malawi Coach Comment and Saintfiet Accuses Keshi of Racism.

The Football Association of Malawi did what they should have done in the first place and that was to send a team to go and inspect the venue for themselves and not solely rely on what the Uk foreign and commonwealth office said.

It seem like FAM decided to send a team after FIFA confirmed that the place where other countries have played against Nigeria was safe and security Chief, (Inspector General of Police) pledged to provide adequate security for both teams and accommodations.

Anyway, it is good that the issue has been settled before the match. Though the issue between Keshi and Saintfiet is not yet resolved. Last week FIFA confirmed to the media, that they received Mr Saintfiet's
complaint of racism by Stephen Keshi. FIFA said that they have not deal with the complaint.

Victor Moses Joins Liverpool

Victor Moses (22), the Chelsea and Nigeria international, has joined Liverpool on a one year loan deal. Moses, who joined Chelsea last season from Wigan, has not played for his club since the season began, under the second term of Jose Mourinho reign.

The young player was happy after signing the contract, he said that the target for Liverpool, was to get into the top four and compete in the champions league. He said, that he wants to fit into the set up and believes, that the players there would help him with that.

Victor Moses

"The target is to get into the top four, and for the club to compete in the champions league and I'm delighted to be here," Moses said.

"I just want to gel in the formation and players here will help me."

It was reported in the media, that Mourinho wants only loan deal, without the option of Liverpool, buying him at the end of the season. The two clubs have finally agreed, on who should be responsible for the player's salary.

According to some media, Liverpool wanted Chelsea to share with them in paying his weekly wage/salary of €65,000, but Chelsea refused. It is then obvious, that with this signing the issue has been resolved.

Victor was very happy that the issue has finally been settled, and now he can join a big club like Liverpool.

"First and foremost, I'm delighted to have made the loan from Chelsea, to a big club like Liverpool," he said.

The pacey and gifted winger was among the players, the Nigerian coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, selected to prosecute, the world cup qualifying decider match, against Malawi, on the 7th of September in Calabar.