Michezo magazetini leo...

[Rutashubanyuma]

Fifa yabuni kamati ya kupambana na rushwa Monday, 03 January 2011 18:11

BERNE, Uswisi

RAIS wa Shirikisho la Soka la Kimataifa ( Fifa), Sepp Blatter amesema umefika wakati wa kuanzisha chombo cha kupambana na rushwa ndani ya shirikisho hilo ili kujenga heshima ya mchez huo duniani.

Blater alisema juzi kwamba Fifa itaunda kamati ya kupambana na rushwa ambayo itachunguza, kusikiliza madai yote kuhusu rushwa katika soka ambayo mwaka jana ililitikisa shirikisho hilo.

Pia, Blatter amekosoa mfumo wa mikwaju ya penalti, akipendekeza kwamba lilikuwa kosa kuutumia, kwa kuwa unamgeuza mchezaji mmoja kuwa kisingizio.
Blatter, pia alipendekeza kwamba mikwaju ya penalti si sahihi mwisho wa mchezo ambao umemalizika kwa sare hasa kwenye mashindano makubwa.

"Bado majadiliano yanaendelea, kwa mtazamo wa kimichezo hasa soka, tunatafuta suluhisho kama timu ili kupata matokeo mazuri ," alisema.

"Si kitu kizuri kuamua mchezo kwa penalti, ambako mchezaji mmoja anayekosa hufanywa sababu."

Blatter alisema kupata suluhisho kwa mechi ambayo imemalizika kwa sare ni kazi ya kamati maalum ambayo tayari imeundwa na imeanza kulifanyia kazi kabla ya fainali za Kombe la Dunia mwaka 2014 nchini Brazil.

Mwaka jana, wajumbe wawili wa Kamati ya Utendaji ya Fifa kutoka miongoni mwa wajumbe 24 , Reynald Temarii kutoka Tahiti na Amos Adamu, Nigeria walisimamishwa kwa madai ya kutaka kuuza kura zao wakati wa mchakato wa kuteua nchi ambazo zitaandaa fainali za Kombe la Dunia mwaka 2018 na 2022.

Wawili hao walifichuliwa na ripoti ya gazeti la Sunday Times la Uingereza ambalo waandishi wake walijifanya maofisa kutoka nchi ambazo zilikuwa zikiomba uenyeji huo.

Kutokana na kashfa hiyo, Temarii na Adam waliondolewa katika orodha ya wajumbe waliopiga kura Desemba 2 ambao walitoa uenyeji kwa Russia mwaka 2018 na Qatar mwaka 2022.

"Binafsi nitasimamia kamati hiyo ili kuhakikisha hakuna rushwa Fifa ," Blatter alisema katika mahojiano na gazeti la Uswisi la SonntagsZeitung. "Kamati hiyo itaimarisha kiwango cha kuaminika kwetu na kutupa sura mpya."

Alisema kamati yake hiyo itaundwa na wajumbe saba hadi tisa, ambao si kutoka ndani ya masuala ya michezo, bali siasa, fedha, biashara na utamaduni.

Rais huyo wa Fifa alieleza kuwa binafsi hatakuwa mjumbe wa kamati hiyo.

"Kamati itakuwa huru ili kuweza kufanya kazi zake na kuaminiwa ," alisema . "Ninataka kuwasilisha tume hiyo kwenye mkutano wa Fifa mjini Zurich mwanzo waJuni."

Tayari Fifa ina kamati ya maadili ambayo ndiyo iliyoshughulikia suala la rushwa ambalo liliwakumba maofisa wengine wanne waliosimamishwa.

Blatter, ambaye tayari ameeleza kuwa atagombea tena urais wa Fifa mwezi Juni, alisema kwamba hakuwahi kuwa na mpango wa kujiuzulu licha ya shirikisho lake kukumbwa na kashfa.

"Hakuna muda ambao niliwahi kujiwa na mawazo ya kujiuzulu ," alisema . "Nitaendelea kuwa hapa kwa muda mrefu zaidi . Lakini, ninahitaji kusaidiwa na kuwa na nguvu za kukabiliana na wakosoaji wangu."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Xavi aikamata rekodi ya miaka 30 Barcelona Monday, 03 January 2011 18:12

MADRID, Hispania

KIUNGO wa Hispania, Xavi ameifikia rekodi ya mkongwe wa zamani wa Barcelona, Migueli iliyodumu tangu miaka ya '80 kwa kucheza mechi yake ya 549.

Xavi alicheza katika mchezo wa juzi ambao walishinda kwa mabao 2-1 dhidi ya Levante.

Kabla ya kuanza kwa mchezo huo, kiungo huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 30 aliungana na Migueli katikati ya dimba la Nou Camp na kisha kurejea hapo baada ya filimbi ya mwisho na kushangiliwa kwa makofi na mashabiki.

"Ninajisikia faraja kuvaa jezi hii na kuifikia rekodi ya mtu kama Migueli," alisema Xavi akizungumza na televisheni ya Hispania.

"Ninapenda kuendelea kutunza heshima ya klabu na kwa moyo wangu wote, kuisaidia kutwaa mataji zaidi . Kwa hakika nimefurahi sana."
Kocha wake, Pep Guardiola, alisema baada ya mchezo huo kuwa: "Kwa hakika Xaxi amekuwa na mafanikio makubwa.

"Nilicheza mechi 300, nilidhani kuwa zilikuwa nyingi mno. Mtu kama Migueli aliyecheza mechi 549 na kustaafu akiwa na umri wa miaka 38. Xavi amefikia rekodi hiyo akiwa bado na umri wa miaka 30 , hakika amepitia mambo mengi, ikiwamo upasuaji wa kurekebisha misuli yake.

"Nisingeshangaa kuona akifikia hata mechi 700."

Xavi alijiunga na klabu hiyo ya Catalunia akiwa na umri wa miaka 11 mwaka 1991 na baada ya kupitia kikosi cha vijana alianza kucheza kikosi cha kwanza chini ya kocha Louis van Gaal dhidi ya Real Mallorca mwaka 1998.

Alicheza mechi 367 za ligi na nyingine 110 za Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya, akitwaaa ubingwa wa ligi mara tano na mataji mawili ya Ulaya.

Pia, mchezaji huyo ameichezea Hispania mechi 97, akiisaidia kutwaa ubingwa wa Ulaya, Euro 2008, ambako aliteuliwa mchezaji bora wa michuano hiyo na kisha mwaka jana alikuwamo katika kikosi kilichotwaa Kombe la Dunia nchini Afrika Kusini.

Kwa sasa, amerodheshwa na wenzake wa Barca, Lionel Messi na Andres Iniesta kuwania tuzo ya mchezaji bora wa dunia, Fifa Ballon d'Or, ambayo mshindi wake atatangazwa Januari10.

Mchezaji wa zamani wa Barca, Migueli ambaye alikuwa beki alianza kucheza mwaka 1973na kustaafu baada ya misimu 16.

Wakati huohuo, kiungo wa Real Madrid, Kaka alitarajiwa jana kucheza mechi ya kwanza ya ligi dhidi ya Getafe.

Kaka hajaichezea klabu hiyo tangu alipofanyiwa upasuaji kwenye goti lake la kushoto Agosti 5 mwaka jana.

Kocha wake, Jose Mourinho amesema kwamba Kaka hatarajiwi kucheza kwa kiwango kikubwa katika kikosi cha kwanza, ingawa anaweza kupewa dakika15 hadi 20.

Kaka aliandika katika mtandao wake, kwamba alikuwa akijiona mtu mwenye furaha baada ya kuwa nje ya dimba kwa muda mrefu.

Mourinho alisema pia mshambuliaji wake majeruhi Gonzalo Higuain anatakiwa kufanyiwa upasuaji . Higuain amekuwa nje ya uwanja kwa mwezi sasa kutokana na maumivu ya mgongo.

"Tulimkosa Kaka , lakini tulijenga kikosi na kucheza bila kuwa naye ," alisema Mourinho . " Kwa sasa, Higuain naye hawezi kucheza, tutakabiliana na wapinzani wetu bila msaada wake."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Dzeko backed for City success






Updated Jan 4, 2011 8:20 AM ET
Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren believes outgoing striker Edin Dzeko will prove to be the "ideal" partner for Carlos Tevez at Manchester City.
City are closing in on a deal to sign Dzeko for a fee believed to be in the region of £27million.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Dzeko has been one of the most prolific strikers in Europe in recent seasons and has been a target for many of the continent's leading clubs.
City appear to have won the race for the 24-year-old and Wolfsburg coach McClaren believes he will be a hit in England.
"He will be ideal for City, especially alongside Carlos Tevez," said the former England boss in the Daily Mirror. "That will be a very potent partnership, very strong.
"I wish him well and hope he fulfils his dream and potential there.
"He is a very, very good player and that is reflected in the price.
"He is a big lad, strong and quick too. He also has good technique.
"But most importantly he is a goalscorer who gets them with his left foot, his right foot, his head. That is what City are getting. He is a good buy for them."
McClaren feels Dzeko will adapt to playing in the Premier League, but did suggest the forward will need to up his work-rate.
He added: "He is a good boy, but he needs to work harder now he is in the Premier League than he does at present. But he will adjust, no problem."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Egypt's Mido leaves Ajax at his own request

Mido's second spell with the Dutch giants lasted only four months

Egypt striker Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam has left Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam after just four months at the club.
The 27-year-old's request to leave the Dutch outfit was approved by Ajax officials on Tuesday.
Mido rejoined Ajax in September on a one-year loan deal under then-coach Martin Jol.
But Jol resigned in December and has since been replaced by Frank de Boer, with the change of coach leading to the departure of the Pharoahs star.
"It's over now. I agreed with Ajax's officials to annul my deal," said Mido, who also played for Ajax between 2001 and 2003.
He played 11 matches and scored four goals since rejoining the club in September, but the presence of Mounir El Hamdaoui and Luis Suarez meant he was mainly used as a substitute.
The striker insists he will stay in Europe to continue his career despite reported interest from one of his former clubs, Zamalek of Egypt.
His agents say they are in talks with Deportivo La Coruna over a permanent move to the Spanish side.
"Now I'm free to join any other club in the current winter transfer window," the former Middlesbrough player added.
"I have received several offers from Spain and England that I'm now considering."
Mido has featured for 10 different clubs since starting his career with Zamalek, including the likes of Marseille, Celta Vigo, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Hodgson wants to mould own team




Updated Jan 4, 2011 10:35 AM ET
Roy Hodgson hopes he is allowed to stamp his mark at Liverpool after pointing out that he has "not been that active in the transfer market."

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

So tough has Hodgson's start to his Reds career been that rumours have circulated the club's American owners, New England Sports Ventures, are looking for a replacement.
Hodgson, though, is keen to point out he is still by and large working with the squad he inherited from former boss Rafa Benitez.
"I'm hoping that one day I will get a chance to stamp a little bit more of my authority and philosophy on the team by choosing some more of the players," he said.
"Although it's not often mentioned I've not been that active in the transfer market since I've been here.
"The players here have done exceptionally well for me in accepting a new manager, but they are the ones you have watched for the past few years."
One of the men linked with the Liverpool job should Hodgson depart is Jurgen Klopp, but the Borussia Dortmund coach has dismissed the speculation.
"There has been no approach and there's no point talking about it," he said at a training camp in Spain.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke also ruled out the possibility that Klopp would take charge at Liverpool.
Watzke said: "There's been no official approach because it would be a waste of time.
"Everybody knows there's no chance we'd let him go. We can but laugh [about this story].
"Jurgen is a friend of mine and he has a contract until 2014. He would never break it."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Pictures: Toure and Adebayor in Man City training fight

Published 14:06 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

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Adebayor and Toure fight during Manchester City training session (Pic:Tony Spencer)




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Manchester City's former Arsenal stars Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor have been involved in an amazing training ground fight on the eve of the club's big game at the Emirates.
The duelling team-mates had to be pulled apart by another ex-Gunner, Patrick Viera, defender Vincent Kompany and six other players.
While Toure is ready to return after suspension, disgruntled Adebayor was unlikely to figure against his old club and is thought to be ready to move on loan to Real Madrid.
But a public expression of disharmony in the ranks will be another blow to boss Roberto Mancini, who has been hit by injuries to brilliant playmaker David Silva and young striker Mario Balotelli which have ruled them out of the crunch clash at Arsenal.






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[Rutashubanyuma]

U20 draw pits Ghana against Nigeria at Libya 2011

The next generation of Ghana players want to emulate their 2009 double-winning colleagues


Defending champions Ghana have been paired with Nigeria, Cameroon and The Gambia in Group B of the upcoming African U20 championship in March.
Hosts Libya are in Group A, along with Mali, Egypt and Lesotho.
The tournament takes place from 18 March to 1 April and the four semi-finalists will qualify for the U20 World Cup later in 2011.
Ghana are also defending World champions and the Black Satellites are determined to hold on to both crowns.
"It's very important for us," coach Orlando Wellington told the BBC before the draw was made.
"It's a big challenge for me and the players - we have to work very hard to go to the World Cup. It's not easy but financially and physically we are prepared."
Wellington insisted that his crop of youngsters have even more potential than their double-winning predecessors.
"When you talk about technique this team is far ahead of the past champions," he told the BBC's African sports programme Fast Track.
"These people are tactically and technically [more] sound than the other team. The others play more aggressively but this team can play very good football."
The four teams in each group will meet in a round robin format, with group winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals - and a place at the World Cup in Colombia in July.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ancelotti rules out Beckham bid




Updated Jan 4, 2011 9:18 AM ET
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has become the latest Premier League manager to rule out a move for David Beckham in the January transfer window.
Beckham has been linked with a loan move to Tottenham is believed to be open to that move, but Chelsea have no intentions of throwing their hat into the ring.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Ancelotti worked with Beckham during the 35-year-old's loan spell at AC Milan two seasons ago, but the Blues boss feels he is well stocked in midfield.
He said: "I read Beckham would like to come back for Tottenham. He is a fantastic professional player and could be good support for Tottenham if he comes back.
"But we are not interested. In that position we have good players."
Beckham spent the last two close seasons on loan at AC Milan and is keen to return to Europe in order to prove to England manager Fabio Capello that he deserves a recall to the national side.
And Ancelotti believes he could do a job for a top Premier League club until the MLS season begins again in March.
He said: "When he came to Milan he was not young. He came from the American league and it is not a league with fantastic football but he gave fantastic support.
"Beckham is a professional player, it is easy to manage him. Every time he does total support for the team. He is an unselfish player. I was happy to manage him for six months because he is a fantastic player and a good man."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

No rift between Terry and Drogba, insists Ancelotti

Published 13:53 04/01/11 By Martin Lipton

Carlo Ancelotti today insisted Chelsea are in a false position in the title race and guaranteed three points at Wolves tomorrow.
Ciaran Clark's injury time leveller for Aston Villa on Sunday meant that Ancelotti's Blues have dropped from top of the table to fifth after picking up just 10 points from their last 10 games.
It is more relegation form than the results of champions and anything other than victory at Molineux could prove fatal for the Italian if Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea board decide the pattern of results cannot be turned round.
But a chipper and upbeat Ancelotti maintained that a turning point of the season has been reached and suggested the snapshot picture of the top of the table painted a misleading picture.

Asked about the consequences of a defeat at Wolves, Ancelotti said: "We will not lose. We will win.
"I'm confident. We are improving and the team is very close to moving on from this moment.
"We have to keep it going but I have confidence the team improved a little bit and sometimes instead of drawing in last minute we can win in last minute.
"Against Villa we showed more intensity. The only problem was the result.
"For us it was very important to win that game. We tried to do everything to win and we were a but unlucky.
"If you look at our recent games, Everton equalised with a goal in the 86th minute, we missed a penalty against Tottenham and conceded in the last minute against Aston Villa.
"So we lost six points in the last minute. With those six points we would be top of table.
"It is true that we are not playing so well. Also, if we concede in the last minute, like we did in the Villa game, that is our fault.
"But we have to keep focused on little details and I'm sure we're moving from difficult moment. The performance are starting to be better with continuity. Sometimes we have not been able to play 90 minutes as we want but quickly everything will be okay."
Branislav Ivanovic returns after suspension at Molineux although Ancelotti is still without John Obi Mikel, Yury Zhirkov, Alex and Yossi Benayoun.
But Ancelotti insisted there were no rifts in the dressing room after Didier Drogba and skipper John Terry made their frustrations clear after Villa's late equaliser.
"I spoke to them," said Ancelotti. "There was not an argument. They were speaking about positions on the goal. It is normal that players speak about this but there was absolutely no argument. They are involved.
"Some people said that our celebrations after the third goal were too much but I don't agree. The players really showed fantastic attitude and wanted to win that game.
"When you score a goal you have to celebrate, especially when the goal is as important as John's was. We didn't lose concentration at that moment. We needed to stay more in focus and conceded when the ball arrived in the box in the last minute."
Ancelotti ruled out a Chelsea move for former England skipper David Beckham, who played for him at Milan two years ago.
"I read that Beckham would like to come back to play for Tottenham," added the Chelsea manager. "Beckham is fantastic professional player and could be a good support for Tottenham if he comes back to play for them.
"The same questions were asked about him when he came to Milan two years ago. He was not young and came from MLS and that is not a league with fantastic football.
"He gave fantastic support for the team. He worked very hard, fresh and fit. He's professional and it's easy to manage him. He is an unselfish player and I was very happy to manage him because he's a fantastic professional player and a very good man.
"But we are not interested. Our game is different. In that position have good players."


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[Rutashubanyuma]

Kean backing for Ronaldinho bid




Updated Jan 4, 2011 7:26 AM ET
Blackburn boss Steve Kean insists the club's ambitious bid for Brazil international Ronaldinho is a statement of intent from the new owners.
Anuradha Desai, chairman of Venky's - who took over at Ewood Park in November - has confirmed Rovers had made a £6.2million bid for the AC Milan forward.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

And although it may seem fanciful that the former Barcelona playmaker would move to Lancashire Kean believes it sends out the right message to other would-be targets.
"I know there has been contact made by the owners to representatives of Ronaldinho but I don't know how far down the line it is and whether it will actually happen," he said.
"If any Premier League manager was asked if they wanted to sign someone who has been World Player of the Year twice they would be interested.
"That is something that puts us on the map in terms of trying to bring players of that stature to the club.
"Everyone should look as it as a positive because if we can attract players - maybe not that individual if it doesn't happen - but players of that stature I think it has been a long time since we have been able to do that."
Rovers are believed to have offered the 30-year-old Ronaldinho a three-year £20million-plus deal.
"He is keen to play in the EPL (English Premier League) and I think that goes in our favour," Desai told BBC Radio Lancashire.
She stressed paying the Brazilian's wages would not be a problem.
"To be precise [it is] 7.6million euros (£6.5million) for the first year and about 8.5million euros (£7.2million) for the second and third years."
She also said the club had made attempts to sign former England captain David Beckham on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, adding that the club were "open whenever he is ready to come".

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Newcastle's Carroll to miss West Ham match

Published 16:06 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Shola Ameobi is again likely to lead the line for Newcastle against West Ham with Andy Carroll still sidelined.
Carroll will miss out again with a thigh injury and is unlikely to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage as he targets a return at Sunderland on January 16.
Ameobi could once again be partnered by Peter Lovenkrands, although manager Alan Pardew has promised Leon Best and Nile Ranger that they will get chances as he attempts to make the most of his squad.
Defender Sol Campbell will sit out again as he recovers from illness, while Dan Gosling is approaching full fitness after his long-term knee injury.

Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) remain on the sidelines.
Provisional squad (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Best, Ranger, Xisco.



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Drogba searching for best form




Updated Jan 4, 2011 4:04 AM ET
Didier Drogba accepts his recent form for Chelsea has hardly helped to lift a manager and dressing room that has been unhappy in recent weeks.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Both Chelsea and their Ivorian forward have been some way short of their best since a promising start to the season, with the Blues recording just one win in nine and Drogba contributing only eight goals in all competitions.
His fitness problems have been well documented, not least the bout of malaria which was diagnosed in November.
Drogba told The Sun: "Injuries and the malaria have damaged my performances. I am still not 100% but I am fighting in each match to improve my playing levels and help the team.
"This season has been complicated for me by physical problems.
"It has not been easy to regain my strength but we need the points and my presence is necessary. I have always sacrificed for the team - and Chelsea need me."
As for the team's struggles, during which they have slipped from pace-setters to outside the Champions League spots, the 32-year-old added: "Chelsea's current position compared to last season is actually very similar but maybe our injuries and less goals have brought about a negative mood.
"In the last weeks Carlo Ancelotti has been unhappy - and the squad, too. Chelsea are not accustomed to defeats and the dressing room has suffered.
"But the season is long and it is normal to suffer lots of changes."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Togo's Razak Boukari signs for Rennes from Lens

Razak Boukari has joined Rennes on a four-and-a-half year deal

Togo international striker Razak Boukari has moved to Rennes from his French club side Lens.
Rennes are currently second in the Ligue 1 table, behind leaders Lille.
Boukari, who moved to Lens in 2006 from a lower league French club side, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Brittany-based outfit.
"I am very happy to have signed for Rennes - I had made up my mind a long time ago [to come here]", the striker said.
"A lot of good players have played here in the past [and] I really hope I'm going to grow here.
"This year, the team is still strong and plays good football. I can bring my skills and quickly adapt to their system.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wolves must face the champions without key men

Published 16:00 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Wolves are still missing a number of key players ahead of their match against Chelsea.
Kevin Doyle (thigh) and Jody Craddock (hip and thigh) will miss the game, but have returned to training.
Karl Henry and Michael Mancienne (both knee) are still out, as is Steven Mouyokolo (back).
Michael Kightly (knee) and Adlene Guedioura (leg) are long-term absentees.

Provisional squad: Hahnemann, Foley, Jarvis, Jones, Ward, Fletcher, Ebanks-Blake, Stearman, Mujangi Bia, Mouyokolo, Halford, Milijas, Elokobi, Hill, Hennessey, Hunt, Bent, Zubar, Batth.



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Sunderland's Gyan and Elmohamady could miss Villa trip

Published 15:55 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

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Record signing Asamoah Gyan is a doubt for Sunderland's Barclays Premier League visit to Aston Villa.
The Ghana international shrugged off a hamstring problem to score as a substitute in Saturday's 3-0 win over Blackburn, but is suffering from the after-effects of his exertions and a toe injury.
Winger Ahmed Elmohamady is also being monitored after receiving a bang to the head in the Blackburn game, while skipper Lee Cattermole (back) is being rested for a month on medical advice.
Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) and John Mensah (ankle) are likely to miss out once again, while Michael Turner and Fraizer Campbell (both knee) are still on the casualty list.

Provisional squad: Gordon, Mignolet, Bardsley, Richardson, Angeleri, Ferdinand, Bramble, Da Silva, Meyler, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Welbeck, Zenden, Bent, Gyan, Adams, Cook, Reed.



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Bolton's Robinson returns to face Wigan

Published 16:16 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Bolton have Paul Robinson back for Wednesday's Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan at the Reebok Stadium but are still missing a number of players.
Robinson is available again after serving a one-match suspension but it is thought that the game will be too soon for injured pair Stuart Holden and Gretar Steinsson.
Lee Chung-yong remains on international duty with South Korea while Tamir Cohen is not expected to return for this fixture following the death of his father.
Joey O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel are all absent too.

Team (from): Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Bogdan, Cahill, Knight, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, Elmander, Blake, Taylor, Klasnic, Ricketts, Alonso, Moreno, M Davies.


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[Rutashubanyuma]

Meireles out of Liverpool's trip to Blackburn

Published 16:21 04/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has been ruled out of their Premier League match at Blackburn with an ankle injury.
The Portugal international was forced off in the first half of Saturday's victory over Bolton, and although the bruising on the bone is not as bad as initially thought he will not feature at Ewood Park.
Steven Gerrard, who played a pivotal role after coming off the bench to replace Meireles, appears the most obvious replacement but manager Roy Hodgson has admitted the likes of the captain and Fernando Torres could be rested in a busy January.
Midfielder Jay Spearing has returned to training after breaking a bone in his ankle in November.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Ngog, Gulacsi, Hansen, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Poulsen, Cole, Babel.



​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Bowyer accepts three-game ban





Updated Jan 4, 2011 10:16 AM ET
Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer has accepted a three-match ban for violent conduct after a challenge on Arsenal's Bacary Sagna.
Referee Peter Walton confirmed to the FA that if he had seen the challenge he would have sent Bowyer off during Saturday's Premier League clash at St Andrew's.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

Bowyer will now miss Tuesday night's Premier League fixture at Blackpool, the FA Cup trip to Millwall on Saturday and next Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final, first leg at West Ham.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish told the club's official website: "We accept the decision and will now have to move forward into the next three games without the services of Bowyer.
"We have got a good discipline record at this club and stress to the players every week how important discipline is."
Television replays highlighted the incident - Bowyer standing on Sagna while the Arsenal player was grounded near the touchline - in the aftermath of Arsenal's 3-0 success.
Bowyer, 34, will be back for the derby clash with Aston Villa at St Andrew's on January 16.

Blues manager Alex McLeish has already indicated he has no problems with trial by television, providing it focuses on all controversial incidents.
He highlighted a late challenge by Gunners midfielder Samir Nasri on City captain Stephen Carr which did not come under the same sort of scrutiny from the cameras.
McLeish also praised the maturity shown by Bowyer during his three seasons with Blues after leaving Upton Park.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger preferred not to highlight Bowyer's challenge after the game.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Benin football president Moucharafou back in charge


By Ibrahim Sannie
BBC Sport

Moucharafou is back in charge of Benin football

Authorities in Benin have reinstated Anjorin Moucharafou as the president of the country's federation in a bid to avoid a Fifa ban.
The world governing body gave the West African country a deadline of Monday to return the businessman to his post.
Moucharafou was booted out of office last week by security forces sent by the Ministry of Sport in the wake of an internal power struggle.
However, the government has now asked Moucharafou to return to office.
"The Ministry of Sport has written to me to confirm that I can return to my post on Monday without any interference," Moucharafou told BBC Sport.
"I am returning to my office on Monday knowing that I am fully in charge of the Benin Football Federation after the turmoil of the past few weeks.
"This action will surely dissuade Fifa from banning Benin from international football.
"All football activities in the country will also start from Monday after they were halted by the commotion of the past few weeks."
Under Fifa rules, national football associations must not be subject to government control.

This action will surely dissuade Fifa from banning Benin from international football.


Benin football president Anjorin Moucharafou

Twelve of the 15-member executive committee resigned two weeks ago accusing Moucharafou of being a dictator.
The Sport Ministry waded into the matter claiming the resignations had made his position untenable and asked him to step down.
The businessman resisted saying that the demands of the Ministry were unconstitutional which prompted the military to intervene.
Fifa subsequently warned the country that the removal of Moucharafou from his position could lead to a ban from international football.
Zambia and Ghana have faced similar problems over the past two months with both countries avoiding a Fifa ban after governments complied with the ruling of the world governing body.
Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Kenya have all received bans from international football because of government interference.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Rangnick would relish PL chance




Updated Jan 4, 2011 9:34 AM ET
Former Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick would relish the chance to manage a Premier League club, according to his agent Oliver Mintzlaff.
The 52-year-old has been linked with replacing Roy Hodgson at Liverpool after leaving the Bundesliga club on New Year's Day, and Mintzlaff has admitted that his client would jump at the chance to further his career in England.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Tue., Jan. 4​

Blackpool vs. Birmingham
Fulham vs. West Brom
Man Utd vs. Stoke City

Wed., Jan. 5​

Arsenal vs. Man City
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. West Ham
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Liverpool
Bolton vs. Wigan
Everton vs. Tottenham

BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​

"Ralf Rangnick is very interested in the Premier League and Liverpool is certainly a very interesting club with a great tradition," he said.
"Ralf is a great fan of English football and he has followed it a great deal.
"The English Premier League is something which interests him very much, but there have not been any discussions with Liverpool."
Rangnick left Hoffenheim after four and a half years in charge at the turn of the year due to a difference of opinion with the club's owner Dietmar Hopp.
Hopp, one of the richest men in Germany, appointed the former Stuttgart, Hannover and Schalke coach in 2006 to realise his personal ambitions of turning Hoffenheim into a Bundesliga club within five years.
Rangnick, who had shown his pedigree in the late 1990s by helping to lead Ulm from the third division into the top flight in successive seasons, repeated that feat with Hoffenheim and even took them to the top of the Bundesliga at the midway stage of their maiden season among Germany's elite.
They eventually ended that year in seventh and finished 11th last season.
Rangnick's aim for this year was to lead the club into Europe for the first time, but when one of his key players, Luiz Gustavo, was sold to Bayern Munich against his will and he quickly realised that his objectives were no longer correlating with Hopp's.
"Of course if you don't have any ambition, then you cannot be a football manager," added Mintzlaff.
"Hoffenheim was an exciting, unique project and he led them into the Bundesliga in only two years, and they were never even close to a relegation berth.
"Now, in the third year in the Bundesliga, it is only understandable that he has the ambition to play in Europe.
"Unfortunately, his aims and those of Hopp were not entirely compatible."
Rangnick therefore realised that his dream of managing once again in the Champions League, where he had a brief experience in charge of Schalke in 2005, was unlikely to be fulfilled with Hoffenheim.
He is now waiting for the opportunity to lead a club that shares his own aspirations of competing at the very top.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

"After four and a half years (with Hoffenheim), it is only normal that he takes a short pause to catch his breath," added Mintzlaff.
"But he is, of course, really burning to get a new job."
A call from England would be a preference, and the language would not be an issue.
After completing his A-Levels in Germany, Rangnick spent a semester studying at the University of Sussex in Brighton and graduated with a degree in English and Sports Studies at Stuttgart University in 1985.
"Of course he speaks English fluently," confirmed Mintzlaff. "That would not be a problem."