Zambia coach open to offer from ´big African team´

January 23, 2010

Zambia coach Herve Renard has disclosed that he is willing to handle a top African team when his two-year contract with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) runs out in July.

The 41-year-old Frenchman has led Zambia into their first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in 14 years and said his ambition was to soon work with a higher profile team than Zambia.

“I know what I want, I’m very ambitious and I’m not scared to say so. I said even before this tournament that I wish to be coach of a very top team one day.

“I’m young but I’m not scared about anything,” said Renard, who assisted Claude Le Roy with Ghana two years ago.

“Now I can speak English and I’m French, so it’s only the Portuguese-speaking countries like Angola and Mozambique that it would be difficult for me to work with because the language is very important.

“But if they qualify for the World Cup, I will sign immediately for them.

“But really, I would want to stay in Africa with a bigger team. Claude Le Roy explained to me a lot of things about Africa. There are good things and bad things in Africa, but he said his heart is always in Africa. I’m the same now. I like this continent.”

The Frenchman admitted his time with the Chipolopolo of Zambia may soon come to an end.

“My contract will finish very soon, in a few months. I’m not sure I want to extend or renew my contract, so even if they don’t want me, it won’t be a problem,” he said.

Zambia take on Nigeria in Monday’s quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Lubango with the winner up against the winner of the match between hosts Angola and Ghana.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, ambition, Angola, benguela, Claude Le, claude le roy, continent, faz, football association of zambia, frenchman, ghana, herve renard, match, Mozambique, nigeria, portuguese speaking countries, profile team, Renard, World Cup, zambia coach

Centurion scorer Messi hungry for more success

January 18, 2010

At just 22, Lionel Messi just can’t stop making history and on Saturday his glittering career shone even brighter when he became the youngest player in Barcelona history to score 100 goals for the club.

It was the latest landmark for the Argentine star who has already won three league titles, two Champions Leagues and collected both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2009.

Messi scored twice in the final five minutes in Barcelona’s 4-0 home win over Sevilla on Saturday to mark his 100th and 101st goals in Barca’s colours and he has needed just 188 games to reach his century.

The Argentine has 68 goals in the league, 19 in the Champions League, 10 in the Kings Cup, two in the Spanish Super Cup and two in the World Club Championship.

Messi said he was happy to bring up his century but cherished the vital goals he scored in finals last season such as the header against Manchester United in the 2-0 Champions league final win and his goal in the World Club Championship victory.

“I remember the important goals, the ones in finals, more than the nice goals,” said Messi.

“Just like the other important things that have happened in the past this doesn’t hold too much importance and I don’t think about it. I am relaxed over the whole thing and just want to do more things.”

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the modest Messi and said the forward could go on to write many more new chapters in Barcelona history.

“You just have to congratulate him. It’s amazing at his age and it’s in his hands to break all the records,” said Guardiola.

“What we all like about him is his endless ambition. I can tell he wants more. The figures show what a great trajectory he’s had and he’s a great example for future generations.”

The two late goals from Messi against Sevilla made it five in his last two matches following a hat-trick at Tenerife last weekend and he now leads the goalscoring charts on 14.

Barcelona are now five points ahead of Real Madrid in the standings after their rivals lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao, but Messi called for caution with the season not even at the halfway point.

“It is an important advantage because five points is a decent lead but we know there are a lot of games to go and it is a long season,” said Messi. “There is the whole second half of the season left and Madrid will be up there.

“We don’t have anything to prove to anyone. We will continue with the same mentality as last season and we want to continue winning things and I think we have shown that.”

Barcelona crashed out of the Kings Cup to Sevilla on Wednesday so they won’t be able to match last season’s treble.

But they are unbeaten leaders in the league and are in the last 16 of the Champions League where they face VfB Stuttgart.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: ambition, Argentine, ballon, Barcelona, Bilbao, champions league, champions leagues, championship victory, five minutes, five points, future generations, hat trick, important things, kings cup, league titles, lionel messi, MADRID, Manchester, pep, SEVILLA, stuttgart, Tenerife, trajectory, vital goals, world club championship

Guardiola hails record-breaking Messi

January 17, 2010

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised Lionel Messi after the Argentina superstar became the youngest player to score a hundred goals for the Catalan club.

The FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or 2009 winner reached the milestone after scoring his side’s third goal as Barcelona clinched a 4-0 victory over Sevilla.

When asked about Messi after the conclusion of the match, Guardiola said, “I congratulate him. It’s outrageous to have done what he has at his age.

“It only depends on him to break all possible records. He has some very, very high numbers.

“What we like most is that his ambition has no limit. I feel that he wants more.

“He is a wonderful example to the future generations.”

Tags: ambition, Argentina, ballon, Barcelona, catalan, coach, conclusion, FIFA, fifa world player, fifa world player of the year, future generations, lionel messi, match, milestone, pep guardiola, SEVILLA, Superstar, victory, world player of the year

Dossena returns to Italy with Napoli

January 9, 2010

Italy international full-back Andrea Dossena has joined Napoli from Liverpool after an unhappy 18 months on Merseyside.

The left-back, who has 10 international caps, signed a contract until the end of the 2013-14 season.

“I am delighted to be able to wear the Napoli shirt. I’ve chosen a place of great prestige with great ambition,” said the 28-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Udinese.

“I can’t wait to play at the San Paolo stadium in front of incredible fans.”

Dossena, who will wear the number eight shirt, could make his debut on Sunday at home to Sampdoria.

Napoli are enjoying their most promising season since the heady days of Diego Maradona when the southern Italians won the Serie A title in 1987 and 1990.

They currently sit fourth in Serie A, in a Champions League qualification position, and have been unbeaten in 12 matches since Walter Mazzarri took over from former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni in October.

Dossena played only 30 matches for Liverpool and was rarely first choice this season.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ambition, Andrea, Andrea Dossena, boss, champions league, debut, diego maradona, dossena, first choice, heady days, international caps, Italy, Liverpool, Merseyside, napoli, number eight, prestige, promising season, Roberto Donadoni, ROME, San, san paolo, southern italians, udinese, Walter Mazzarri

Toni hails dream move

January 2, 2010

Italian World Cup wining striker Luca Toni hailed his six month loan move from German giants Bayern Munich to Serie A side AS Roma on Saturday saying that they were the only club he wanted to move to.

The 32-year-old added that it wasn’t because he wanted to get enough first team action – he moved after falling out with Bayern’s autocratic coach Louis van Gaal – to get into contention for the national squad for the World Cup finals.

“I am not just here so I can get into the World Cup squad,” Toni said.

“My ambition is to score as many goals as possible and to play well for the red and yellow. Then we will see what happens in June, the national side is simply an afterthought.”

Toni, who moved from Fiorentina to Bayern in 2007 and was the Bundesliga’s top scorer in his first season, with 24 goals in 31 league games on the way to Bayern winning the German title, was not afraid to be compared to former Roma hero Gabriel Batistuta.

“They often made the comparison between the two of us when I was at Fiorentina but I went on to beat Gabriel’s goalscoring record there,” said Toni.

“At Roma he won the title. We will see what happens with the red and yellow.”

Toni went to great lengths to insist that it had only been Roma he wanted to move to.

“In the past month there have been plenty of teams who wanted to sign me but I only wanted to move to Roma,” he said.

“We worked hard to reach an agreement and I am happy to be here.”

TRIGORIA, Italy (AFP)

Tags: AFP, afterthought, ambition, Bayern, Bundesliga, contention, fiorentina, Gabriel, Gabriel Batistuta, german title, giants, great lengths, hero, italian world, Italy, league games, louis van gaal, luca toni, Munich, Roma, striker, Toni, world cup finals, world cup squad

Ronaldo: “I will win the Ballon d’Or in 2010 or 2011″

December 30, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo has never showed any lack of self confidence. The Real Madrid attacker has recovered from an ankle injury and has revealed his target for next year: winning the Ballon d’Or.

The Portugal international relinquished the crown he won in 2008 to Barcelona star Lionel Messi who also took over the title of FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009 and won several trophies with Barca. Ronaldo has his sights firmly set on returning to being recognised as the best footballer on the planet.

“I’m going to win the Ballon d’Or back, this year or next,” he told Marca.

I have an ambition to become the best player in history.”

The 24-year-old also declared that his troublesome ankle, which kept him out of action for two months, is in good shape and will not require surgery.

“The ankle is fine and if not the Real Madrid doctors will see it right. I am sure I will not need an operation,” he noted.

Tags: ambition, ankle injury, attacker, ballon, Barcelona, best footballer, best player, doctors, good shape, lionel messi, MADRID, portugal, real madrid, ronaldo, self confidence, target, trophies, world player of the year

Hughes confident Robinho has long future at City

December 12, 2009

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is confident Robinho will enjoy a long stay at Eastlands after the Brazilian played down reports linking him with Barcelona.

Former Real Madrid star Robinho has emerged as a target for Barca this season, but he said in a recent television interview that he would like to remain with City for five to 10 years.

Hughes believes the forward will be true to his word and said: “I know Robi’s feelings. He is very happy around the place and with life in Manchester. He always has a smile on his face.

“He is playing alongside good players in a good team. He knows he can be successful with the club and the players that are here already. He likes the way we play and wants to be a part of that.

“Robi was frustrated earlier in the season because he wasn’t playing. Now he is playing perhaps people will start speaking about his performances.”

Robinho has returned to full fitness after a three-month absence because of an ankle injury and should feature against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Hughes believes Robinho’s creativity will play a crucial role in the club’s bid for a top four finish.

“We have a lot of players who have the ability to produce something out of nothing,” he said. “You need that if you have the ambition to be a top team.

“There are going to be occasions where you don’t play particularly well and those type of players can win you games.

“They make their reputations by doing something out of the ordinary and certainly Robi is one of those type of players.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: ambition, ankle injury, Barcelona, Bolton, CITY, creativity, Eastlands, England, long stay, MADRID, Manchester, manchester city, manchester england, Mark Hughes, real madrid, reebok stadium, reputations, Robi, Robinho, something out of nothing, target, television interview, true to his word

Gignac commits future to Toulouse

December 11, 2009

After being linked with moves away from Toulouse, France international Andre-Pierre Gignac insists he is committed to his club.

It had been reported that the French striker could leave his current employers and head to Arsenal at the end of the current Ligue 1 season.

Valencia are also said to be interested in Gignac, who has scored 32 goals to date and is in his third season with Toulouse, having joined the le Téfécé from Lorient.

The talented 24-year-old is keen to play in a different league further down the line, but insists there is no rush to move on.

“I am here at Toulouse, so I cannot comment on any newspaper talks,” he said.

“If there’s an offer for me then Toulouse will need to consider it.

“I’m open to a move abroad. It’s an ambition of mine to play abroad, but it’s not the end of the world if I don’t.”

Tags: ambition, Andre-Pierre Gignac, arsenal, France, france international, Ligue 1, Lorient, rush, striker, third season, Toulouse, toulouse france, Valencia

Mourinho sees future in England

November 14, 2009

Inter Milan’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho revealed on Saturday that he sees his future in English football.

The former Chelsea coach is doing well with Inter Milan, leading them to the Serie A title last season and they currently have a five-point lead in the championship.

However, after five titles in seven seasons in three countries the Portuguese admitted: “I want to build something.

“Clearly it is unrealistic to expect to stay at a club as long as Sir Alex Ferguson – but I am ready for the next phase of my career. I want to work with a different perspective.

“At Porto my objective was to win to earn the right to go abroad. At Chelsea my ambition was to create a bit of history.

“But I always knew Chelsea lacked the normal English culture of stability.

“I was never under any illusions. I understood the personality of (owner) Roman Abramovich and the culture of the people around him. I knew it was not a job for 10 years.”

The 46-year-old, who left Chelsea in September 2007, added in The Times: “I love Inter and would love to build for the future here.

“In fact, I am doing it now, because I am not a selfish coach and I’m thinking about the future in terms of youth development and the age structure of my first team.

“But Italy is not the country for this. England is the country – and my football is English football.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 10 years, age structure, alex ferguson, ambition, CHELSEA, different perspective, England, english culture, english football, football london, future in english, illusions, inter milan, Italy, jose mourinho, Milan, owner roman abramovich, personality, PORTO, portuguese, seven seasons, sir alex ferguson

Parreira, Mosimane ready to revive WC hosts SAfrica

October 22, 2009

Former colleagues Carlos Alberto Parreira and Pitso Mosimane are ready to accept the challenge of transforming struggling 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa into a formidable force.

The national football association is scheduled to reveal Friday who will succeed Brazilian coach Joel Santana, fired this week after a run of eight losses from nine outings.

Santana last year replaced compatriot Parreira, who left Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after 16 months in charge to return home and aid his ill wife who has made a full recovery.

Parreira and Santana had the same assistants, Brazilian Jairo Leal and former South Africa striker and SuperSport United coach Mosimane, while in charge of a team that has slumped to a 16-year low of 85 in the world ratings.

“It is possible for me to work in South Africa again,” Parreira told the Brazilian media soon after being fired by Rio de Janeiro-based Fluminense following a string of poor results.

“There is immense pressure on the national team as World Cup hosts and I know the people of that country respect me. I believe they want to retain a Brazilian system of play.”

Mosimane told local journalists that South African Football Association (SAFA) officials indicated he was being groomed to take over Bafana after the 32-nation world championship next June and July.

“That has been my ambition all along, but if taking over immediately would help my country then I am available for the challenge,” stressed the former Greece-based professional.

“On the other hand, if the national association appoint Carlos or someone else I will remain totally dedicated in my role of assistant coach and give 100 percent support.”

Spain (twice), Brazil, Serbia, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Norway and Iceland inflicted defeats on Bafana in a five-month spell from hell that cost 60-year-old Santana his 200,000-dollar-a-month post.

His sole success since June came at home to African minnows Madagascar, the sort of opposition that brought the South American many of his 10 victories in 27 matches since taking charge in mid-2008.

The run of losses plunged South African football into an advance state of depression with politicians, officials, coaches and players debating cures for the national-team ills.

Many fear that unless desperate measures are taken, the first African country to stage the World Cup will also become the first host nation to be eliminated after the first round.

Gavin Hunt, a South African who has coached SuperSport to two league titles in a row and been linked with the national post, labelled Santana “a disgrace” after the 1-0 loss at football lightweights Iceland last week.

Bafana have friendly fixtures scheduled against fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in Johannesburg on November 14 and against Jamaica in Bloemfontein three days later.

JOHANNESBURG (AFP)