African Sports

Friday, 6 February 2015

Tottenham - Arsenal Preview: Alexis out but Welbeck in for north London derby

The Gunners star is still struggling with injury, along with Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Spurs boast a fully fit squad

Arsenal will have to make do without star forward Alexis Sanchez when they visit fierce rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Chile international missed his side's 5-0 drubbing of Aston Villa last weekend and has failed to recover sufficiently from a hamstring problem.

The news will come as a blow to manager Arsene Wenger, as Arsenal look to record back-to-back victories at White Hart Lane for the first time since the 1980s.

"[Alexis] is not far away, the Leicester game [on Tuesday] is a possibility," Wenger said. "He is of course very difficult to keep quiet. He is training, but it's light training."

Wenger is boosted by the return of Danny Welbeck, but remains without the services of Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere (both ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin).

One former Arsenal man who crossed the divide via stints at Manchester City and Real Madrid is enduring a difficult time of things in north London at the moment.

Emmanuel Adebayor looked set to leave Tottenham for West Ham on Monday, but the loan move fell through before the deadline, with reports suggesting Spurs chairman Daniel Levy vetoed the transfer.

However, Pochettino insists he is happy for Adebayor to remain in his squad, and says the Togo international has an important part to play.

"If you review the last two or three months, maybe people understand that he needs time to get his confidence back and to return to his best level," he said.

"We need to analyse the past. It was difficult for him, and it's always hard for a player to come back. We are happy that he has stayed as he is a very important player.

"We need to provide him with the tools to improve, as we do with all the players. We push them, make sure they train in a good way and, after, when they have the chance to play, they give their best."

Adebayor looks unlikely to line up against his former employers, having not made a Premier League XI in three months, while Pochettino has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from.

Depending on Southampton's result earlier in the day, Arsenal - who are on a five-match winning run in all competitions - could climb to third, while Tottenham - two points adrift of the visitors - could go fourth.

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ARS

19%

68%

Swansea City - Sunderland Preview: Johnson, Rodwell & Wickham in race to be fit

The trio missed Tuesday's 3-1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup and remain doubts for the trip to Wales, while star Swans man Gylfi Sigurdsson is serving the second of a three-game ban

Sunderland coach Gus Poyet is waiting on the fitness of Jack Rodwell, Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Swansea City.

The winger missed Tuesday's 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round replay win at Fulham after undergoing minor thumb surgery, while midfielder Rodwell (knock) and forward Wickham (calf) also sat out the Craven Cottage clash.

Poyet refused to rule out any chance of the trio being involved at the Liberty Stadium but bemoaned the number of his squad that have joined Lee Cattermole (knee) on the sidelines over the past week.

"It will be touch and go for Adam Johnson so it is a big decision, but we have got a few of them," Poyet told his club's official website.

"It is incredible that on Wednesday last week we had 20 players available with Lee Cattermole the only one out, and then we went from there to having five or six out of Saturday.

"There are a few decisions to make tomorrow. I think one [Rodwell or Wickham] of them has a chance but the other one doesn't, but we will wait until Friday."

Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez reminded their boss that he has plenty of attacking options in midweek despite any injury dilemmas.

Both impressed and Alvarez scored his first goal for the club as Sunderland overhauled Hugo Rodallega's opener.

"You need to be smart in your squad and it is important to have options so you can adapt to different games," Poyet said.

"The mobility of Giaccherini and the ability of Ricky helped us a lot in the game against Fulham and if they can bring that week in week out it is going to be difficult for the rest to get back in the team.

"I always say to the players to be in the team when it clicks and we start winning because then it is going to be difficult to take you out."

Sunderland ended a five-match winless run in the Premier League when they beat fellow strugglers Burnley on Wearside last weekend - Wickham and January recruit Jermain Defoe getting the goals.

Swansea were winless in four league outings and had suffered an FA Cup exit at the hands of Blackburn before a 1-0 win at high-flying Southampton, courtesy of Jonjo Shelvey's spectacular 83rd-minute strike.

Manager Garry Monk celebrated one year in charge at the Liberty this week and he is boosted by having defender Kyle Bartley and midfielder Ki Sung-yueng available against Sunderland.

Bartley was sent off at Blackburn, while Ki was part of the South Korea squad that reached last weekend's Asian Cup final.

Gylfi Sigurdsson serves the second game of a three-match ban following his own red card in the Rovers reverse.

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SUN

41%

18%

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Liverpool captain Gerrard will not change approach for final Merseyside derby

As he prepares to face Everton for the last time in a red shirt on Saturday, the LA Galaxy-bound midfielder is keen to extend his good record in the fixture

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists that he will not change his approach for his 33rd and final Merseyside derby against Everton, on Saturday.

The midfielder is to leave the Reds at the end of the season to join MLS franchise LA Galaxy, bringing to an end a glittering career with his hometown club.

Gerrard has scored 10 goals against Everton - including a hat-trick in 2012 - and will naturally be keen to get one over on the old enemy for the last time, but the former England international is adamant that the occasion of his last local derby will not alter his mindset for a game that could prove pivotal in the race for the Champions League places.

"It's the fixture that I look for at the beginning of the season," Gerrard told the club's official website.

"I love playing against Everton. I've got friends and family members who are big blues and it's all about the bragging rights in the city.

"I'll focus on [Saturday's game] exactly how I have done in the previous derbies I've played in.

"It's a bit different from a normal league game but I'm looking forward to that one and hopefully I can add to my good derby record."

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers feels that Gerrard's impending move to the United States will be greeted with delight by the blue half of Merseyside.

"I'm sure [Everton] will be glad to see the back of him," the Northern Irishman added. "He's been an incredible player for this club. He's played in so many derby games and been outstanding."

Canadian university offers chance to study Ronaldo

Ever wanted to take a course for which the subject is the three-time Ballon d'Or winner? Now's your chance

A Canadian university is offering fans of Cristiano Ronaldo the opportunity to take a course in the Real Madrid star.
The University of British Columbia Okanagan is enrolling for a fourth-year sociology module on Ronaldo due to his popularity and influence on Portuguese and global society.
Luis LM Aguiar, associate professor of sociology in UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, said: "Sociology is nothing if not the delving into the processes of structuring identities and experiences and exposing the social forces that push these processes.
"In this case, I'm interested in how Ronaldo has been used to construct several discourses about who he is, what makes him distinct as a footballer, what is his relationship to Portugal, Madeira (his hometown) and indeed Portuguese identity."
During the semester-long course, students will examine the stereotypical image of Ronaldo and the Portuguese diaspora.
"Ronaldo is said to embody features and characteristics of speed, strength, competetiveness, dogged work ethic, discipline, and adaptability," added Aguiar on news.ok.ubc.ca.
"These features are also in a sense 'very Portuguese' since the Portuguese outside the homeland are nothing if not constructed as hard workers, disciplined and determined. Even as a global athlete transcending geographical boundaries, Ronaldo cannot escape the stereotypical constructions of 'the Portuguese'.
"My two greatest passions are football and critical sociology. A course on Cristiano Ronaldo gives me the opportunity to combine the two.
"While I’m an admirer of Ronaldo, I’m also a sociologist interested in understanding the social and economic forces driving the various constructions of this athlete and what this says about our contemporary values and culture."
Ronaldo is not the first Madrid name to become the subject of higher education. Staffordshire University offered students the chance to take a module in 'David Beckham studies' prior to the former England captain's move from Manchester United to Spain.

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

Fortune: 'Outstanding' South Africa starlet Coetzee needs European move

EXCLUSIVE: The former Bafana Bafana midfielder was impressed with the defender’s performances at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations but believes the national team lacks experience

Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has backed young defender Rivaldo Coetzee to be a star of the future for South Africa but believes a lack of experience cost the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana Bafana were drawn into a difficult group containing Ghana, Senegal and Algeria and finished fourth with just one point from their three matches.

And while Fortune is concerned about the lack of South African players currently playing in major European leagues, he does hope Coetzee can lead a generation capable of moving on from the domestic top flight.

"If you look at our team in 1998 [when South Africa finished as runners up], most of our players were playing all over Europe, which helped the national team," he told Goal.

"They have a lot of good young players but they lack experience and they were going to find it tough in that group.

"The player that caught my eye for Bafana is Coetzee. He's been outstanding so far from what I've heard and I got the opportunity to see him for 90 minutes against Ghana.

"He looked really, really good – I hope he leaves South Africa as soon as possible to try his luck in Europe."

Watch the video above to hear Fortune's thoughts on South Africa's Afcon performance in full.

Tiote close to Ivory Coast return

The midfielder has made good progress after picking up an ankle injury during the group stage clash against Mali.

Cheick Tiote could return for Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday.
The Newcastle United midfielder has not featured for Herve Renard's side since their second group game against Mali on January 24 due to an ankle injury.
However, Renard hopes to have the 28-year-old back as they look to reach a third final in six years at the continental competition.
"Tiote has started light training and he is in the squad [for Wednesday]," he said.
"It will be difficult for him to start the game, but he is in the squad."
Ivory Coast are looking to win their first AFCON title since 1992 in Equatorial Guinea, with Renard hoping to taste success again after succeeding with Zambia in 2012.

Caf sack referee over penalty storm

The Mauritian official was blamed for awarding a dubious penalty in injury-time during Equatorial Guinea's 2-1 win over Tunisia, which sparked violent scenes

The referee in the middle of the biggest controversy at the 2015 Cup of Nations has been sacked and sent home from the tournament – and Tunisia have been threatened with a ban unless they apologise for accusing the Confederation of African Football of bias.

The Mauritian official, Seechurn Rajindaparsad, took most of the blame for the violent scenes that marred Equatorial Guinea’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Tunisia.

Seechurn awarded the hosts a dubious penalty in the third minute of stoppage time. Their captain, Javier Balboa, scored it, then netted a brilliant second goal from a free-kick in extra time.

Just before the full-time whistle both teams – players, substitutes and coaches – had a confrontation, and at the final whistle the furious Tunisians tried to assault Seechurn, who needed a police escort. Players vandalised their dressing room, and the head of the Tunisian federation, Wadie Jary, resigned from the tournament’s organising committee.

The Tunisia manager, Georges Leekens, said of the penalty decision, “In 45 years in football I have never seen anything like it.”

The Caf referees’ committee said Seechurn’s “poor performance and failure to maintain control” were unacceptable. The disciplinary board suspended him for six months, took him off the list of elite referees, and ended his involvement in the tournament.

The Tunisians were told to apologise in writing by Friday or risk being thrown out of future Caf competitions. In a letter to Caf written on Monday, the Tunisian federation had accused Caf of bias and a lack of ethics.

The Tunisians were fined €44,000 for the “Insolent, aggressive and unacceptable” behaviour of their players, and told to pay for the damage caused in the dressing room.

Feguifut, the Equatorial Guinea federation, was held responsible for a minor pitch invasion by home fans at the Bata stadium and was fined €4358, and told to improve security at future matches.

Seechurn had been involved in a similar controversy in 2011, when his handling of a qualifier between Algeria and Morocco infuriated the Moroccans. They complained about the award of a penalty to Algeria, and of a complete lack of protection.

A facebook group called ‘One million Moroccans against Mauritian referee Seechurn Rajindraparsad’ was set up after the game.

'I'm not a casino man but we have a real chance' - Van Gaal

The Dutchman says his team are favourites to win the competition for the first time since 2004 after they beat Cambridge United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Louis van Gaal says he would not bet on Manchester United to win the FA Cup because he is "not a casino man", but is confident the club can go all the way this season.

After a goalless draw with Cambridge United at the end of January, United made no mistake in their fourth-round replay on Tuesday night as goals from Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo and James Wilson booked a meeting with Preston North End.

And Van Gaal, who prioritised success in the competition before kick-off, believes his team are in a great position.

"We have a real chance now, we are the highest qualifed team in the FA Cup," he told reporters. "Our status is the highest club. People are maybe betting on us. I'm not allowed... I'm not a casino man.

"Of course I think that the highest qualified teams have the highest possibilities to win than lower, but Arsenal is still in the cup, and is also a very high competitor, Liverpool is also there, we will see tomorrow, Bolton Wanderers is not so easy.

"For the club, the fans and the coach and my staff, we want to win a title this year. The biggest chance is the FA Cup, but we still have to win four games to do that.

"Tonight, I don't think we played a very good match. But it is always difficult against a defensive team. We could have done better but I am pleased with the result."

Cambridge boss Richard Money left Manchester in positive mood, but admitted that victory was always unlikely for his side even if Tom Elliott had converted his gilt-edged opportunity in the very first minute.

"I thought it [Elliott's shot] was in," he told BT Sport. "It probably wouldn't have made any difference, but he has done everything right.

"It was a good chance, not sure how much more he could have done.

"I think 3-0 is par for the course. We walked off the pitch with our pride intact.

"In the second half we have done ourselves proud. We gave everything we wanted to give, we have got to use it to keep going as a team and football club."

Rodgers: Liverpool going all out for FA Cup win.

After missing out on a League Cup final berth, the Reds have another chance of reaching Wembley but they must overcome Bolton Wanderers in their fourth-round replay.

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool will be doing all they can to reach the FA Cup final after narrowly missing out on an appearance at Wembley in the League Cup.

The Merseyside outfit are preparing to face Bolton in an FA Cup fourth-round replay at the Macron Stadium on Wednesday - a week on from their painful 2-1 aggregate reverse to Chelsea in the League Cup semi-finals.

That defeat represents Liverpool's only loss in 12 matches in all competitions and Rodgers is backing his players to make a charge towards the FA Cup final.

"Obviously after that game [against Chelsea], there's a feeling that maybe it would disrupt or provoke a negative reaction to our season," Rodgers told reporters.

"But if anything, it's only promoted the development and the momentum that we have. Of course we wanted to get through to the final. But the performance level over the two games and leading into those games has given us great encouragement that our best football is yet to come."

Rodgers, who has helped to reverse Liverpool's form this term despite the 0-0 draw at home to Bolton on January 24, added: "There are still good teams in it [the FA Cup]. As I said, it only counts if we get through ourselves.

"So for us it's looking at the Bolton game and it being a tough game but for sure you get through each game and it optimises your chances of getting through to the final.

"We're in two competitions now [the FA Cup and the Europa League]. Two cup competitions and we want to go as far as we possibly can in them.

"That will be reflective in our teams and in our drive and desire to get through in the competition."

Mendes: Only a god could have replaced Ferguson at Manchester United... but he's at Chelsea.

The 49-year-old feels that the Red Devils would be 12-15 points better off with the Scot still in charge while claiming Jose Mourinho will build a dynasty at Stamford Bridge.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes believes only a god could have replaced Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager - and Chelsea have one in Jose Mourinho.

The Scot left Old Trafford in 2013 after winning 38 trophies in 27 years at the club, and both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal have struggled to replicate the form needed to be that successful in their short tenures with the Red Devils.

And Mendes feels that if Ferguson were still in charge rather than Van Gaal, the 20-time English champions would be much better off in terms of their league position.

"[Ed Woodward] is the right guy to drive Manchester United to find a way to win important trophies," he told BBC Sport.

"But at the same time, he has just one problem - it's completely impossible to find someone like Sir Alex Ferguson because he's a god, he's a genius and to find a genius is very difficult.

"You have one in England - Jose Mourinho.

"Having Sir Alex Ferguson ensures at this moment you have 12 or 15 points more. He's finished his career, but he's someone that's the difference."

As well as representing a large number of the world's top players, Mendes also acts as Mourinho's agent, and he revealed that the former Real Madrid boss intends to remain at Stamford Bridge for at least the next decade and become a Ferguson-like figure.

"Jose will stay for sure. He will be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Chelsea Football Club.

"He loves the supporters, he loves the city and I think he will stay there for more than 10 years."

Wanyama returns from hamstring injury

Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin have started training with first team once again after brief spells on sidelines with groin and hamstring injuries.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama gave Southampton a timely lift on Monday when they returned to training after recovering from injuries.

Schneiderlin has not featured since the 1-0 victory at Manchester United last month after sustaining a groin injury, while fellow midfielder Wanyama has been sidelined by a hamstring problem which he suffered during the FA Cup win at Ipswich Town three days later.

Both players were back on the training field a day after Southampton's 1-0 Premier League defeat against Swansea City. Southampton lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and then 1-0 in the Premier League to Swansea. Saints' recent dip in form means they are now ahead of Arsenal on goal difference alone.

And with the Gunners' dominant 5-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday the south coast side are sure to be looking over their shoulders. Southampton manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping the duo prove their fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to struggling QPR.

Jonjo Shelvey's late strike at St Mary's Stadium ensured Koeman's side stayed fourth in the table, above Arsenal on goal difference and a point behind United. The news is perfectly timed considering Saints were looking light in the middle of the park after the sale of Jack Cork to Garry Monk's Swansea.