Latest News
Algeria coach slams Fifa for 'inadequate' sanctions on Egypt
Egypt were fined 100,000 Swiss francs ($88,160) for incidents before and after their match at home to the Algerians on November 14.
They were ordered to play their first two matches in the 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament at least 100 kms outside Cairo.
Saadane, whose team are training in Switzerland ahead of the 2010 World Cup, told Reuters the punishment was not adequate considering the degree of violence his team had suffered.
“Sincerely, we have to respect it because it’s FIFA’s decision, I’m not sure it really reflects what we went through and the damage to the bus for example,” he said in an interview before a training session.
“Certainly it’s not satisfactory, but now that we’re in the World Cup, it’s over, it doesn’t matter.”
Four members of the Algerian delegation, including three players, were injured in the attack.
Egypt won 2-0 to leave both teams level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the top of African Group C. Algeria won a playoff in Khartoum 1-0.
FIFA said the Egyptians had failed to put in place proper security measures and also found them guilty of overcrowding at the Cairo International Stadium and detaining the Algerian bus for over 45 minutes after the end.
It was the latest twist to a long-running soccer feud between the two nations, which stretches back to a World Cup qualifier 20 years ago in Cairo, when Egypt won 1-0 to guarantee a place at the 1990 finals in Italy.
Players clashed on the field after the game and the Egyptian team doctor was partially blinded.
Egypt then threatened to pull out of the following year’s African Nations Cup in Algeria. They eventually sent a B team and lost all three group games.
Saadane said it was up to the Egyptians to end the tension.
“I think it’s up to the Egyptian political leaders,” he said.
“They’re the ones who have created all this controversy, I think they should make an effort, to ask for an apology from Algeria.”
But he was optimistic differences could be put aside.
“Football is there to bring people together, not war. I think that through football we can reconciliate, maybe it’s just a question of time.”
South Africa captain Makoena unsure over Portsmouth future
South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena admits he doesn’t know his next move as he comes off contract at Portsmouth.
The 29-year-old sported a T-shirt with “Thank you Pompey,” as the players waved farewell to the fans who stayed behind at Wembley on Saturday.
“People never thought we would even get to the final because of all the things happening at the club,” Mokoena said.
“Most people wrote us off, but we showed the character that we have in our dressing room.
“The pride will remain. We feel so proud because we gave it our all.”
Mokoena added: “We all know that a few players will leave because of the club’s problems and the fact that a lot of players are on loan.
“Next season will be totally different and at the moment I don’t know what the future holds.”
Portsmouth in shock contract offer for Nigeria's Kanu
Nwankwo Kanu has been offered a new contract by his financially striken club Portsmouth despite doubts over his ability to carry on in a tough league.
The Nigeria captain was eyeing a move to the Middle East to start his process of ending his playing career and the new offer has come as a shock to fans of the Super Eagles.
This is a huge confidence boost for him ahead of coach Lars Lagerback naming of his final 23 players for the World Cup.
The FA Cup runners-up, who have been relegated from the English Premier League and are tens of millions of pounds in debt, say they want to retain a “firm base” for the future.
England star David James is among those who have also been offered a new deal.
But Aruna Dindane and Hassan Yebda will return to their previous clubs after the expiry of their loan deals.
“The football club can confirm it has offered new contracts to influential first-team FA Cup heroes David James, Kanu, Hermann Hreidarsson and Ricardo Rocha,” a Portsmouth statement said.
“It’s hoped the popular quartet will bring a wealth of experience and strength to the Blues’ side as they seek to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.”
Kanu has made more than 120 appearances for Pompey, including coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea.
The 33-year-old is preparing to lead Nigeria at the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa.
Ivory Coast’s Dindane will return to his French club Lens, whilst Hassan Yebda of Algeria is to go back to Benfica of Portugal.
World Cup 2010: Ghana coach says injury crisis 'a dire situation'
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has described the injury crisis that threatens to hamper his team’s prospects at the World Cup finals as a “disaster”.
Rajevac came through a similar dilemma with flying colours at the African Nations Cup in January but is less confident of pulling off the same feat again against much more formidable opposition at the World Cup.
Injuries could deprive Ghana of their three acknowledged leaders, including the inspirational Michael Essien who has been battling with knee and ankle complaints over the last nine months.
Also in jeopardy are captain Stephen Appiah, who has played a limited number of games over the last two years because of a serious knee complaint, and John Mensah, the towering defender known as ‘the Rock’, whose long-standing back problems have led to a seemingly endless run of niggling muscle complaints.
“It’s a dire situation because the three have been our captains,” said the Serbian-born coach. “I want to put together a powerful mix of young and experienced players.”
The trio were among eight regulars out of action at the Nations Cup in Angola.
Ghana unexpectedly overcame that adversity to finish runners-up, with Rajevac successfully drawing from the pool of talented U20 players who had been crowned world champions three months earlier.
The youngsters who filled the problem positions were quick to prove their competitiveness and by the end of the Nations Cup Rajevac was beaming and talking about having a pleasant selection headache for the World Cup.
The injury crisis has not abated, however, and things look much more difficult this time, with Ghana in Group D alongside Germany, Australia and Serbia.
“The group is hard but the World Cup is not a request programme,” said Rajevac.
The Africa Cup of Nations will now be played in odd years
The Confederation of African Football (Caf), has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will now be held in odd- numbered years.
A statement on the Caf website says the switch will take place from 2013.
The decision was rubber-stamped at a CAF executive committee meeting at its headquarters in Cairo on Saturday.
The change means that two tournaments will be staged within a year with Gabon and Equatorial Guinea co-hosting one in 2012 and Libya 12 months later.
The decision means the Nations Cup will no longer be held in the same year as the World Cup, one of the reasons given for the poor performance of African teams at the world event.
In February Algeria coach Rabah Saadane had told the BBC the qualification matches for the 2012 edition would also serve for Libya.
The 11 different qualifying groups are going to count for both 2012 and 2013,” he told the BBC.
“It’s official and what’s more, the qualifiers for the Nations Cup and World Cup are going to be separate from now on,” he continued.
Caf also announced that the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) will now be held in even-numbered years, starting with Libya in 2014.
The Nations Cup has been played in an even year since 1968, although the very first competition in Sudan took place in 1957.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla dignissim malesuada pulvinar. Phasellus mattis mauris ut leo ornare aliquam.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla dignissim malesuada pulvinar. Phasellus mattis mauris ut leo ornare aliquam.
LATEST HEADLINES
Cote d’Ivoire have maintained their position as the best-placed African country in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Wednesday.
Juventus have accepted an offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Momo Sissoko, according to reports in Italy.
Emmanuel Eboue is heading for the Arsenal exit with confirmed interests from Turkish side Galatasaray.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted with the showing of Gervinho on debut against Cologne.
Reading have secured the services of defender Bongani Khumalo on a season-long lone deal following the approval of Tottenham.
Nania FC made history by becoming the first team outside the top-flight to win the MTN Ghana FA Cup when beating holders Asante Kotoko 1-0 after extra-time on Sunday.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla dignissim malesuada pulvinar. Phasellus mattis mauris ut leo ornare aliquam.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla dignissim malesuada pulvinar. Phasellus mattis mauris ut leo ornare aliquam.