Champions Egypt, Nigeria in top spot battle

January 12, 2010

Defending champions Egypt and Nigeria clash in the Africa Cup of Nations Group C curtain raiser under the scorching afternoon sun at the brand-new Ombaka Stadium here on Tuesday.

Both teams are expected to progress to the knockout of stage of the continental showpiece at the expense of Mozambique and Benin in the sleepy town of Benguela, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the capital Luanda known for its bananas and great beaches.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are using Angola 2010 as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, while six-times African champions Egypt again failed to qualify for the global finals after they were upset by fierce regional rivals Algeria in a play-off.

Egypt have not beaten Nigeria since 1977 and the last time both sides clashed at this competition was 16 years ago, when they drew 0-0 in a group match as Nigeria went on to win their second Nations Cup title in Tunisia.

“Egypt are in a decline now and we have one of the best teams for a Nations Cup in a long time,” boasted Nigeria assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, who played in that game in Tunis in 1994.

However, Amokachi’s teammate in that same game, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, has warned the Pharaohs have to be taken seriously.

“They are double champions for a reason and a skillful midfield could carry them to a hat-trick,” warned Okocha.

Egypt are clear that this clash will go a long way in determining how well they will fare in their title defence in Angola.

“Our match against Nigeria will show how we will perform in the following matches, just like the 2008 tournament,” said Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan.

At Ghana 2008, Egypt got off to a flying start with an impressive 4-2 opening group win over Cameroon in Kumasi and they then went all the way to clinch a record sixth Nations Cup crown at the expense of the same team three weeks later in Accra.

“Nigeria are a strong team, but we are now familiar with all African teams. I told the players they should do their best to realise their own dreams.

“Personally, I want to win a fourth African title with the national team,” said Hassan.

Despite a dramatic qualification for their fourth World Cup in November, there remains a growing dissatisfaction by the public with both the Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, and the performance of the Eagles.

Amodu may have now qualified Nigeria for the World Cup a second time, but his tactics and team selection continue to be questioned as pressure mounts for him to be replaeced with a foreign coach for the World Cup in June.

He may well be sacked if they do not reach at least the semi-finals in Angola.

The Eagles barely managed to beat South African first division side Thanda Royal Zulu courtesy of a penalty goal before they were held to a goalless draw by Zambia in the build-up.

Locomotiv Moscow striker Osaze Odemwingie is likely to miss out after suffering from an infection, meaning Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni will either be partnered upfront by Obafemi Martins or Obinna Nsofor, who scored four goals as Nigeria booked their flight to South Africa 2010.

At 33, Skipper Nwankwo Kanu is also pressing for a place on the starting line-up after an eye-catching display against Zambia in Durban last week.

This would be his last Nations Cup and it would therefore be a most fitting farewell gift should he finally break his goal scoring duck at this tournament in Angola.

Egypt are missing striker Amr Zaki, Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Aboutrika, who have been sidelined by injury.

Al Ahly defence strongman Wael Gomaa made the final squad to Angola, but he is a major injury doubt too.

Borussia Dortmund striker Mohamed Zidan, who made his Nations Cup debut two years ago, will also be leading a relatively inexperienced attack.

BENGUELA, Angola (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african champions, ahmed hassan, assistant coach, austin jay jay okocha, benguela, curtain raiser, daniel amokachi, double champions, dress rehearsal, ghana 2008, global finals, kumasi, nations cup, nations group, same game, sleepy town, title defence

Barca on the hunt for revenge

November 3, 2009

Barcelona travels to Russia to face Rubin Kazan on Wednesday. The reigning Champions League winner will aim for revenge for their shock defeat at home a fortnight ago. Director of football Txiki Begiristain is convinced Barça can put on a good show despite the cold in Kazan.

Barcelona is aware of the tricky situation in their group, with three clubs with the same amount of points. Barca know they have to give their best considering their difficult schedule, with still two away games in eastern Europe to come: they meet Russia’s Rubin on Wednesday and then Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev in their final outing in December.

Still, Begiristain remains confident that Pep Guardiola’s side will get their title defence back on track. ““If the pitch is OK then I’m not worried. I believe we are the better team and the main thing is that the players warm up thoroughly.

“Kazan work hard and have a good group of players. We mustn’t forget that they are champions of their country and they’ve got money to spend”.

Begiristain isn’t surprised by the good performances of their east European opponents. “I remember perfectly how I assessed the draw. I especially emphasized the difficulty of the away matches.

“In all senses it’s a very balanced group. Inter and Barça were the favourites and now we have to fight to qualify in two away matches”

Paul Haring

Tags: Barcelona, champions league, difficult schedule, director of football, dynamo kiev, East European, eastern Europe, favourites, fortnight, Kiev, league winner, opponents, Paul Haring, pep guardiola, pitch, revenge, rubin kazan, russia, senses, shock defeat, title defence, tricky situation, txiki

Barcelona´s Gudjohnsen joins Monaco – club

September 1, 2009

European champions Barcelona have announced they have reached a deal with Monaco to sell their Icelandic international striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to the French first division side.

The fee “could reach two million euros depending on the player’s performance,” the club said in a statement on its website late Sunday, the last day of the close season transfer window.

It said the 30-year-old striker will sign a two-year contract with Monaco.

Gudjohnsen joined Barca in 2006 from Chelsea. In three seasons he played 72 league matches and scored 10 goals, while helping the club to win the Champions League, the title and the Kings Cup.

But he has recently been sidelined and has made no secret of his desire to leave.

Barcelona began their title defence on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon.

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP)

Tags: Barcelona, barcelona spain, champions league, CHELSEA, desire, Eidur, european champions, gudjohnsen, kings cup, Monaco, Spain, sporting gijon, statement, striker, three seasons, title defence, two million, website

Debut goal for Ibrahimovic as Barca cruise to opening win

September 1, 2009

Club record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late debut goal as Barcelona began their title defence with a convincing 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon on Monday.

Birthday boy Bojan Krkic, who turned 19 three days ago, and Seydou Keita had put Barca 2-0 up at the interval before Ibrahimovic, a 69-million-euro capture from Inter Milan, netted his first goal for the club on 82 minutes.

It was a largely disappointing debut from Ibrahimovic, who was upstaged by brilliant teenager Bojan, but the goal will certainly lift some of the immense pressure to prove he is the equal of departed hero Samuel Eto’o.

Last season Barcelona lost 1-0 to Numancia on the opening day of the season but there was no slip-up this time around in a convincing win.

After a marvellous pre-season in which they won the Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to make it five trophies in a year, Barcelona went into their first game on a high but missing some big names.

Andres Iniesta failed to recover from injury and Lionel Messi was away on international duty with Argentina so several fringe players were given a chance to stake their claim.

European Super Cup hero Pedro Rodriguez, the latest off the club’s infamous youth production line, started the match in Messi’s right wing slot while Bojan played on the left of central striker Ibrahimovic.

With just five minutes gone the tall Swede had a great chance to score a debut goal but fluffed his lines, scuffing his shot wide of the target.

At the other end Sporting almost took a shock 10th minute lead with Brazilian debutant Maxwell, recruited from Inter Milan, preventing a certain goal with a last-ditch tackle.

It is the type of quality defending Barca will expect from their new 25 million euro Ukrainian centre-half Dmytro Chygrynskiy who watched on from the stands.

With 17 minutes gone the hosts opened the scoring from a corner with Keita’s header falling to Bojan to convert at the back post.

Bojan, a real menace throughout, showed quick feet to create a chance for himself on 40 minutes but his shot was deflected for a corner.

But Gijon could not hold out and two minutes before the break Dani Alves curled in a brilliant cross for Mali international Keita to head home.

In the opening stages of the second half Barca coach Pep Guardiola was forced to make a change with the injured Maxwell coming off for Eric Abidal.

The reorganising defence were almost caught cold and Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes had to pull off a reflex save to deny Mate Bilic.

Sporting, who had the worst defence in the league last season, were looking vulnerable at every corner and Keita hit the post with a 68th minute header.

Bojan’s evening was ruined in the 80th minute when he had to be subbed off injured and Guardiola will hope that the injuries to him and Maxwell are not serious.

With eight minutes left Ibrahimovic got his debut goal smashing in after a cross from Alves to complete the scoring.

The international break means the Spanish league resumes in a fortnight with Barcelona travelling to Getafe who won their first match 4-1 at Racing Santander.

BARCELONA (AFP)

Tags: Argentina, Barcelona, birthday boy, eric abidal, immense pressure, last ditch, lionel messi, mali, Milan, numancia, pedro rodriguez, santander, sporting gijon, target, title defence, trophies, ukrainian centre, victor valdes, zlatan ibrahimovic

Real fans wait for stars to take Spanish League stage

August 29, 2009

Real Madrid fans are tingling with excitement at the prospect of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and company strut their stuff as their new-look ‘Galactico’ team host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in the curtain-raiser to the 2009/10 Spanish league season.

It has been an unforgettable summer with Real splashing around 250 million euros to build a star-studded team and there are likely to be a number of debutants against Depor with Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol all expected to start.

French striker Benzema has been firing in the goals in pre-season while Ronaldo has been installed as chief free-kick taker as he was at Manchester United.

It will also be Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive game in charge of Real and everyone will expect the former Villarreal coach to have Real playing attractive winning football.

“We have to play a game of two or three touches to play attractive football,” explained Pellegrini. “We have to take it a game at a time but a club of Madrid’s stature has to aspire to win all the competitions.”

Pellegrini will be without centre-back Pepe who is suspended for the first four matches as his ten-match ban for stamping is carried over into the new season.

Depor will hope to gatecrash the first outing of the Galacticos and Real should be wary as they lost the opening fixture of last season 2-1 against Depor at their Riazor Stadium.

Due to European Super Cup commitments treble winners Barcelona begin their title defence on Monday at home to Sporting Gijon.

Sporting were beaten 6-1 and 3-1 last season so it looks a good game for Barcelona’s 69 million euro club record signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make an impact.

Striker Ibrahimovic has to convince Barca fans that he is a worthy replacement for the departed Samuel Eto’o and shrug off his reputation as someone who often flatters to deceive.

“Ibrahimovic has been adapting to our style of play and I am happy with him,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. “He is so tall that sometimes he doesn’t seem so dynamic but he has proven it in the past and will do in the future.”

Last season Barca lost their opening game 1-0 to promoted Numancia before clicking into gear as they won a league, Kings Cup and Champions League treble.

The big game of the opening weekend is on Sunday when Valencia host Sevilla in a duel between two teams aiming for a top four finish.

Valencia had a disastrous finish to last season missing out on the Champions League but managed to hang onto Spanish internationals David Villa and David Silva amid strong interest from Europe’s top clubs.

“We are one of the best teams in the league going forward but conceded too many goals last season,” said Villa.

Sevilla, third last season, should test Valencia’s suspect backline with striker Alvaro Negredo giving them more firepower following a 15 million euro move from Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid go into the new season with wind in their sails after defeating Panathinaikos 5-2 on aggregate in their Champions League qualifier.

Atletico travel to Malaga on Sunday as they start their bid for a first piece of silverware since 1996.

Atletico have been quiet in the transfer market with promising Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, 20, the only big name arrival from Valladolid.

Villarreal begin a new era after losing coach Pellegrini to Real and his replacement Ernesto Valverde makes his bow on Sunday at Osasuna.

Pellegrini achieved a lot in his five seasons at Villarreal so Valverde has big shoes to fill and he will hope record 12 million euro Brazilian signing Nilmar delivers the goods.

Elsewhere Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is poised to make his debut for Espanyol in Sunday’s match at Athletic Bilbao.

Nakamura, 31, has arrived on a free transfer from Celtic and Espanyol fans can look forward to some spectacular free-kicks from the dead-ball specialist.

Fixtures

Saturday

Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna 20:00 (1800 GMT), Real Zaragoza v Tenerife 22:00 (2000 GMT)

Sunday – all 15:00 GMT unless stated

Malaga v Atletico Madrid, Real Mallorca v Xerez, Racing Santander v Getafe, Osasuna v Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao v Espanyol, Valencia v Sevilla (17:00 GMT), Almería v Valladolid (1900 GMT)

Monday

Barcelona v Sporting Gijon (2000 GMT)

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: curtain raiser, debutants, depor, free kick, galacticos, kaka, Karim Benzema, la coruna, manchester united, manuel pellegrini, pep guardiola, samuel eto o, spanish league, star studded, team host, title defence, treble winners, worthy replacement

United aim to show Burnley defeat was just a blip

August 22, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a response from his Manchester United side as they attempt to kick-start their title defence at Wigan on Saturday.

The Premier League champions opened the campaign with a less than convincing 1-0 win over Birmingham and then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss at Burnley in midweek.

Even though United’s under-whelming start has provoked plenty of questions about his options, Ferguson is set to keep faith with his players.

Ferguson has claimed time and again that he is satisfied with his squad despite limited spending in the transfer market.

Following the high-profile departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, the United boss has brought in Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and French youngster Gabriel Obertan.

Ferguson acknowledges that United traditionally do not find their rhythm until October.

But he will be desperate for his team to make a statement at the DW Stadium, where they have picked up vital victories in the past two seasons.

The Scot is still without Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van der Sar, Rafael da Silva and Owen Hargreaves for the short trip across Lancashire.

Despite Ronaldo and Tevez leaving Old Trafford during the close-season, midfielder Darren Fletcher feels United have plenty of youngsters that can step up and make an impression this season.

The likes of Rafael, Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda all made contributions last season. And Fletcher feels that talent coming through the ranks is as vital to the club as big-money signings.

“The club strives for young players to come through the ranks. It’s part of the United ethos,” he said.

“We have got a great crop of young players and some featured a lot last season. Those lads look very strong and are raring to go.

“Everyone, from the players to the coaches in the academy and our scouts feels proud when a player makes it through the system.

“The United fans want to see that as well. When the supporters see a local lad coming through and doing well it sometimes means a lot more than going out and spending big money on someone.

“We train with them every day and so we know what they’re capable of. The difficult part is taking that on to the pitch but a lot of them have already done that.

“After every chance you get in the first team you just want more. It’s a big squad with a lot of quality but these boys are a confident bunch. They want to play and deserve to be there.

“It’s up to them now to go and prove it to the manager – to show that they’re ready and that they’re good enough.

“I definitely believe they are good enough because they wouldn’t be at United if they weren’t.”

Following an opening day victory of their own – a 2-0 success at Aston Villa – Wigan were also brought down to earth with a bump against newly-promoted opposition when they went down 1-0 to Wolverhampton in midweek.

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is sure that Roberto Martinez’s side will rise to the occasion as they look to make up for that defeat.

“We have to pick ourselves up because we’ve got a massive game coming up against Manchester United,” he said.

“The important thing is not to get too despondent. There’s a lot of good about our team and we need to get that back.

“I’m sure they gaffer will be drilling that into us and have us ready for the Manchester United game.”

WIGAN, England (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, Birmingham, burnley, Carlos, carlos tevez, cristiano ronaldo, da silva, Danny Welbeck, darren fletcher, DW Stadium, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, Fletcher, Gabriel Obertan, Lancashire, league champions, Manchester, michael owen, midweek, old trafford, owen hargreaves, premier league, Rafael, Rio, rio ferdinand, ronaldo, Scot, short trip, sir alex ferguson, tevez, title defence, van der sar, welbeck, Wigan

United aim to show Burnley defeat was just a blip

August 22, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded a response from his Manchester United side as they attempt to kick-start their title defence at Wigan on Saturday.