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Angola beat Sudan to reach CHAN final against Tunisia


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Saifeldin Ali Idris put Sudan in front against Angola

Angola are through to the final of the African Nations Championship after beating hosts Sudan on penalties.
They won the shoot-out 4-2 after the match had ended at 1-1 after 90 minutes and after extra-time.
The game was marred by the behaviour of the Sudanese fans, who threw bottles on to the pitch in response to the result.
Sudan's Saifeldin Ali Idris gave them the lead at the end of the first half but with 20 minutes to go Angola's Arsenio Cabungula levelled the score.
Angola should have been awarded a late penalty and Sudan's goalkeeper sent-off, after a high-kick on an opponent, but the referee took no action.
At the start of extra-time, Sudan once again looked the more likely team to score - the hosts fashioned several chances without being able to apply the final touch.
Sudan's captain was sent off late in the game after headbutting one Angolan opponent and punching another.
Neither team was able to make a breakthrough in the extra 30 minutes and the match went to penalties.
Angola won the shoot-out 4-2 and will play Tunisia in the final on 25 February.
 
Inter Milan, Bayern Munich set for rematch


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Updated Feb 22, 2011 12:10 PM ET
Inter Milan and Bayern Munich will meet in a rematch of last year's Champions League final on Wednesday in the first leg of the round of 16.
Defending champion Inter, however, will be without Diego Milito, who scored two goals in the final but has a hamstring strain, while Bayern will have Franck Ribery, who missed the 2010 final through suspension but is now available.

Tue., Feb. 15
AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham | Recap
Valencia 1-1 Schalke | Recap
Wed., Feb. 16
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona | Recap
AS Roma 2-3 Shakhtar | Recap
Tue., Feb. 22
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Wed., Feb. 23
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CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

"Both teams have changed a bit and will be missing important players," Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "We heard from (Munich coach Louis) Van Gaal yesterday how important the return of (Arjen) Robben and Ribery has been and how much strength they add.
"We are more or less the same apart from Diego. It will be a tough match, well balanced and the tactics each side choses will be important, but we are confident."
One thing that hasn't changed though is Van Gaal's opinion of Inter's style of play. Much of the buildup to the 2010 final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium was dominated by the Dutch coach's criticism of Inter's conservative style under Jose Mourinho.
Since then, Rafa Benitez came and went as Mourinho's successor and he in turn was replaced by Leonardo. But Van Gaal, who won the trophy with Ajax in 1995, says the coaching changes have altered little.
"If you watch Inter every Sunday, you can see that Inter is a defensive team," Van Gaal said. "Against Cagliari last Saturday it was Cagliari that had all the possession and was the more attacking team.
"Last year Inter won everything playing this way and good luck to them. It is the coach who decides the style of play, but I am different. I want a team to play attacking football.
"You can't compare last year's final with tomorrow's game. Players have come, players have gone and players are playing different roles to the final. But we are Bayern Munich and we will try to win and we want to win."
Lucio and Wesley Sneijder - another two mainstays of the team that won the Champions League - should be back after sitting out the 1-0 win over Cagliari as part of their recuperation.
Argentine center back Walter Samuel's absence with a knee injury has been noticeable and Andrea Ranocchia has yet to convince as his replacement since he joined from Genoa in the transfer window.
"We have to play well to give ourselves the advantage ahead of the away leg," Inter defender Ivan Cordoba said. "We can't expect Bayern to give us much room on Wednesday, so we will have to work hard to create space and match its players from the kick off."
Despite the injuries, Inter is in strong form and has moved up to third place in Serie A, five points behind leader AC Milan, after nine wins in 11 games since the start of 2011.

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"We are tired out from all these matches, but going back into the Champions League is something different," Stankovic said. "I'd be happy with a 1-0 win."
Munich is worried about the fitness of top scorer Mario Gomez after the striker injured his ankle in Bayern's 3-1 win at Mainz on Saturday.
However, the striker was quick to play down concerns that he would miss the match at the San Siro.
"The pain's completely gone away," Gomez said. "It was a bit swollen after the match, but it's OK again now. I don't think it will be a problem for Wednesday."
If Gomez is unable to play, he is likely to be replaced by Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who has been left on the bench since Gomez hit form.
"We have to wait to see if he can play," Van Gaal said. "Miro has been in very good shape."
Klose also scored Germany's goal in a 1-1 draw with Italy on Feb. 9.
At the other end of the field, Van Gaal has concerns over his first-choice goalkeeper. Thomas Kraft was hit in the head in the Mainz match and came off at halftime. However, Van Gaal expects him to be fit for the game.
"He doesn't have a headache anymore but still has some pain in his neck," Van Gaal said. "If Joerg Butt has to play that's not a problem for us."
 
Injury-hit Marseille faces depleted Man United


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Updated Feb 22, 2011 12:11 PM ET
Marseille will be playing with an under-strength attack against a depleted Manchester United in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac is out for two weeks with a groin injury, while forwards Loic Remy (heel) and Brandao (ankle) are trying to recover in time.

Tue., Feb. 15
AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham | Recap
Valencia 1-1 Schalke | Recap
Wed., Feb. 16
Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona | Recap
AS Roma 2-3 Shakhtar | Recap
Tue., Feb. 22
Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea | Recap
Lyon 1-1 Real Madrid | Recap
Wed., Feb. 23
Marseille vs. Man Utd | Preview
Inter vs. Bayern Munich | Preview
CL Scores | Tables | Fixtures

"They trained normally today. I hope there won't be any further complications between now and tomorrow," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said on Tuesday.
Also, France winger Mathieu Valbuena is trying to make it back to action less than a month after partially tearing his knee ligaments and damaging his ankle in a training accident.
"I won't take any risks with him given the matches we have coming up," Deschamps said.
United is missing center half Rio Ferdinand, veteran winger Ryan Giggs and Brazilian midfielder Anderson, although manager Alex Ferguson was boosted by the news that fullback twins Rafael and Fabio are both available.
Valbuena has been Marseille's best player this season and he resumed light training on Sunday, but Deschamps must decide whether to risk him at Stade Velodrome or wait until the return leg at Old Trafford against one of the top teams in the competition.
"Manchester starts the competition at the same level as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter (Milan), AC Milan or Bayern (Munich). There are six or seven teams who have the objective of winning the Champions League," Deschamps said. "They don't always get there, but Manchester regularly reaches the last four."
Deschamps, who regularly came up against United when he played for Juventus, expects a tight match.
"They have great talent in attack but they also defend very, very well. I don't think there will be a lot of goals," Deschamps said. "Knowing how important away goals are, we know it's vital we don't concede."
Keeping a clean sheet will be even harder because Deschamps also has problems in defense. Right back Rod Fanni and center back Stephane M'Bia are both nursing sore hamstrings.
Gignac's injury comes as he was starting to hit form after a terrible start following his offseason move from Toulouse. Gignac scored one goal in his first 10 matches, but managed five in the last six and set up Lucho Gonzalez for the opening goal against Saint-Etienne in last Saturday's 2-1 win.
With Gignac out, even more depends on Gonzalez, who has failed to match the form he showed helping Marseille win the league title last season.

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United's 1-0 win over non-league team Crawley in the FA Cup last weekend has not dimmed Gonzalez's view of the Red Devils.
"We will pay a high price for every mistake," Gonzalez said. "They've got great players but there's nothing to say there won't be an upset. We saw that when Shakhtar Donetsk won in Rome."
Ferguson must decide whether to play strikers Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov together, or play a lone striker.
Deschamps will be likely to stick with one center forward - possibly Brandao or Remy - with Gonzalez playing just behind and two wingers.
"They are going to be confident of beating us, there is no doubt about that," Manchester United left back Patrice Evra said.
Evra reached the Champions League final with Monaco in 2004, when Deschamps was his coach.
"You can see they are a good team and they have a great manager," Evra said. "He is not afraid of any team, and I know he will get his players motivated."
Evra and Serbia center half Nemanja Vidic have been rare mainstays in United's injury-hit defense this season.
Ferdinand has not played since injuring a calf before United's loss at Wolves on Feb. 5, and fellow central defender Jonny Evans will also miss Wednesday's match because of a persistent ankle problem.
Chris Smalling was in line to start alongside Vidic.
Also, veteran striker Michael Owen is sidelined with a groin injury, while Anderson hurt his knee against Crawley.
 
Ancelotti won't quit Blues cause


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Updated Feb 21, 2011 6:51 AM ET
Carlo Ancelotti reckons only three of his Chelsea players are at their best, but he has no intention of quitting as the pressure builds.
Chelsea's FA Cup penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of Everton at the weekend has intensified the pressure on Ancelotti.


Though the Italian secured a historic Double for the Blues last season in his first year in charge at Stamford Bridge, this term is in danger of petering away.
Ancelotti's side lie 12 points behind Manchester United in the Premier League and the Champions League is now their only realistic chance of silverware this season.
Speaking after being knocked out by Everton on Saturday, Ancelotti was at pains to stress that qualification for next season's Champions League would still represent a successful season for the club.
And, when asked if he would ever consider resigning, the former AC Milan coach said: "No, not me.
"I have never quit, resigned or walked out and I'm not in the mood to quit now.
"I don't have to consider my position. It is the owner that has to consider my position, not myself.
"I just have to work and try to do my best. This is football, you have to be able to manage at this moment with confidence."
Chelsea face FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie on Tuesday and Ancelotti is targeting a positive performance in Denmark.

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"The Champions League is not easy, but it will bring a lot of motivation for every one of us," he continued.
"We have to have the right pressure. We have to play against Copenhagen. We have 180 minutes to win this game."
He added: "Chelsea won't go out against Copenhagen. I think we have the possibility to win against Copenhagen."
Ancelotti will need his players to step up their game if they are to beat Copenhagen but he believes only Petr Cech, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have been playing anywhere near their best.
He said: "How many players are playing near the top of their level at this moment besides Cech? Ivanovic, who is playing consistently. Terry.
"A couple are not at 100 per cent fitness. Frank Lampard played well against Everton.
"We have lost confidence in our play, we have no continuity. That is the reason for these results.
"Saturday was not good, we are disappointed. But the performance was good, we worked hard for 90 minutes. We created 10 chances.
"We have to stay together, work hard."
Chelsea travel to Denmark for their last 16 clash with Copenhagen on Tuesday night, hoping for a positive result to leave them with something still to play for this term.
 
Tunisia through to CHAN final


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Sami Trabelsi's side will meet either Sudan or Angola in Friday's final

Tunisia booked their place in Friday's final of the African Nations Championship when beating North African rivals Algeria on penalties.
The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, forcing a period of extra-time where neither side could find a winner.
Eventually, the Tunisians won through after triumphing 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out in Khartoum.
Sami Trabelsi's side will meet either hosts Sudan or Angola, who clash on Tuesday evening, in the final.
Slama Gasdaoui put the Tunisians ahead on 18 minutes with his third goal of the tournament as he stabbed a low cross from the left past goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche.
Tunisia bossed the first half while Algeria gained control in the second of a match watched by Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa chief Michel Platini, who are in Sudan for Caf's general assembly on Wednesday.
Nine minutes after the break, Algeria introduced 'super sub' Hadj Aissa and persistent pressure paid dividends on 62 minutes when Abdelmoumene Djabou scored via a long-range shot.
In the shoot-out, Tunisia scored from all five penalties with Khaled Korbi converting the match-winning kick after Hocine Metref failed with Algeria's fourth effort.
The Tunisians will be taking nothing for granted from the final, with many of their players knowing what it means to finish second in a major tournament.
In 2010, Esperance were thumped 6-1 by TP Mazembe in the African Champions League final while compatriots CS Sfaxien were surprisingly beaten by Morocco's FUS Rabat in the Confederation Cup.
Meanwhile, the Algerians will now meet the loser of the second semi-final in Thursday's third-place play-off.
 
Hleb could still play in final


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Updated Feb 22, 2011 12:43 PM ET
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has not ruled out midfielder Alexander Hleb for Sunday's Carling Cup final clash with his former club Arsenal.
The 29-year-old was stretchered off with a knee problem during Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday at St Andrew's.
The on-loan Barcelona player left the ground on crutches and his chances of being ready to face the Gunners appeared to be slim.

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But a scan on Monday revealed no ligament damage and now Hleb will await the results of a meeting with a surgeon in London on Tuesday before a final decision is made.
McLeish said: "It is not a ligament problem. Alexander had a scan and it is just severe bruising.
"He is seeing the surgeon in London and I haven't ruled him out for Sunday.
"Alex has great skill and massive experience and it is something I'd like to be able to call upon at some stage in the game if he is fit.
"We will probably know more by Wednesday lunchtime."
Striker Cameron Jerome and defender Martin Jiranek are expected to be fit after ankle and thigh problems respectively.
McLeish said: "Cameron has not trained yet this week but I believe he will be okay for the final and it is the same with Martin."
The former Scotland boss is close to finalising his team to face the Gunners.
He said: "I'm pretty sure about the nucleus of the side and I know that some people will miss out but that is my job.
"I always pick my teams fairly without any influence from what players may say or what the media may say."
 
Agger 'enjoying' run for Reds


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Updated Feb 22, 2011 8:15 AM ET
Daniel Agger has admitted his frustration at the injury problems which have plagued his career - but has grown to cope with the setbacks.
The former Brondby centre-back has been a Liverpool first-team regular since Kenny Dalglish took charge in January, but that has not always been the case.

Sun., Feb. 20
West Brom 1-1 Wolves | Recap
Tue., Feb. 22
Blackpool 3-1 Tottenham | Recap
Wed., Feb. 23
Arsenal vs. Stoke City
Sat., Feb. 26
Aston Villa vs. Blackburn
Everton vs. Sunderland
Newcastle vs. Bolton
Wigan vs. Man Utd
Wolves vs. Blackpool
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures


Agger has suffered from a succession of injuries since arriving in England in 2006 and in the first half of this season he suffered from a serious calf problem.
The 26-year-old missed Thursday's Europa League meeting with Sparta Prague due to a groin complaint, but he is expected to be fit for this week's return leg and does not let his injuries cause the same mental impact as they did in the past.
Agger told the Liverpool Echo: "Nobody was more frustrated than me with my injuries.
"I've learnt to live with it now. I've definitely learnt to be happier and enjoy it more when I'm fit because I don't know if my body's not built to play football, or if I'm unlucky, I don't know.
"I don't get small injuries, just big ones. That's the problem which keeps me out for a long time, so maybe it's down to luck."
Liverpool will welcome Sparta Prague to Anfield with the last-32 tie scoreline poised at 0-0 following the dreadfully dull first leg in the Czech Republic.
Agger is expecting a more attacking mindset from his club in the return meeting, as he said: "We will approach Thursday like we do every home game.
"Try to get forward and keep the ball, playing attacking football, and at Anfield if we play well, it will be difficult for every team.
"So we've got a good chance, but it's not easy, it's never easy in the knockout stages."
 
New KPL youth tourney to start in April


Updated 13 hr(s) 23 min(s) ago
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KPL On Ulinzi Performance


By FP Correspondent
Played alongside the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) this season will be an inaugural under-18 youth tournament featuring the 16 KPL teams.
This means that all the clubs must now have junior teams in line with KPL requirements.
The first youth tournament will be played in April. Other tournaments will be during August and December school holidays.
The KPL will cater for all expenses during the tournaments and all the clubs need is to recruit and train players at their home bases.
"All clubs will have a team in this programme." said KPL Chief Executive Officer, Jack Oguda.
The decision was finalised after a meeting of club chairmen and Oguda said they expect all clubs to begin the process of coming up with youth sides under this age bracket.
The youth programme will be financed by money raised during Sunday's SuperSport/Dstv Super Cup charity match and anticipated revenue from, the "KPL Top 8" tournament to run on Wednesday evenings from March 2 to June 11.
Registration for the tournament begins on February 25 and will go on for one month.
Players will not be required to sign contracts for the various youth teams because they are minors. However, those already in existing KPL clubs will be free to play in the new competition.
The competitions will be two weeks long and the KPL has warned against age cheating which is a rampant practice on the local football scene.
"We will expect high integrity on the matter of identification of the players' ages. There will be zero tolerance on the wrong information about age, " Oguda said.
The youth tournament aims at creating playing depth in clubs as well as availing youngsters the opportunity to play in well-structured competitions.
Mathare United, which has one of the strongest youth structures, is one of the teams that are tipped to do well in the new tournament.
The Mathare Youth Sports Association has youth structures starting from as low as under-8 and have built great experience taking part in international tournaments in Norway and Netherlands.
 
New KPL youth tourney to start in April


Updated 13 hr(s) 23 min(s) ago
Related Stories

Settling scores

President Kibaki rings a bell to mark the commencement of trading of the new KPLC shares on the Nairobi Stock Exchange o

KPLC to make transformers locally

KPL hands amnesty to 43 players

League action draws closer

KPL On Ulinzi Performance


By FP Correspondent
Played alongside the Kenyan PremierLeague (KPL) this season will be an inaugural under-18 youth tournament featuring the 16 KPL teams.
This means that all the clubs must now have junior teams in line with KPL requirements.
The first youth tournament will be played in April. Other tournaments will be during August and December school holidays.
The KPL will cater for all expenses during the tournaments and all the clubs need is to recruit and train players at their home bases.
"All clubs will have a team in this programme." said KPL ChiefExecutive Officer, Jack Oguda.
The decision was finalised after a meeting of club chairmen and Oguda said they expect all clubs to begin the process of coming up with youth sides under this age bracket.
The youth programme will be financed by money raised during Sunday’s SuperSport/Dstv Super Cup charity match and anticipated revenue from, the "KPL Top 8" tournament to run on Wednesday evenings from March 2 to June 11.
Registration for the tournament begins on February 25 and will go on for one month.
Players will not be required to sign contracts for the various youth teams because they are minors. However, those already in existing KPL clubs will be free to play in the new competition.
The competitions will be two weeks long and the KPL has warned against age cheating which is a rampant practice on the local football scene.
"We will expect high integrity on the matter of identification of the players’ ages. There will be zero tolerance on the wrong information about age, " Oguda said.
The youth tournament aims at creating playing depth in clubs as well as availing youngsters the opportunity to play in well-structured competitions.
Mathare United, which has one of the strongest youth structures, is one of the teams that are tipped to do well in the new tournament.
The Mathare Youth Sports Association has youth structures starting from as low as under-8 and have built great experience taking part in international tournaments in Norway and Netherlands.
 
Football stars to watch in KPL season


Updated 13 hr(s) 25 min(s) ago


John Baraza (Sofapaka)


Baraza has won almost everything there is to win in the league, but he remains thirsty for success. Two years ago he was named the player of the season apart from emerging the top scorer. He repeated the same feat last season and also won various other awards, including being named KPL fair play runner-up award, as well as being shortlisted for the best player of the year award.
His goals will be key to helping his club win the title. Baraza's key to success seems to be his discipline on and off the pitch something that has ensured he remains on the top of his game against much younger players.
With his national team career almost on its last legs, Baraza should has even greater motivation to excel at club level and his sense of self-belief is sure to propel him to greater heights.
Baraza finally scored last weekend against Ulinzi in the DSTV/Super Cup match after a goal drought lasting almost five matches. This has boasted his moral ahead of the season's kick-off.
 
Francis Ochieng' (Ulinzi)
The Ulinzi goalkeeper is enjoying one of his best forms after ditching the striker's boots for the goal. Last year he was named goalkeeper of the year, which was his first ever major award on the local scene and it came after a successful season with his club, which won the Kenyan Premier League title.
Despite being voted goalkeeper of the year last season we are yet to see the best of the towering Ochieng' who will be pushed by an extra drive to help his team retain the title they won last year.
Despite a poor start to the season with Ulinzi in which they lost 4-0 to Zamalek in the CAF champions league first round match and a 1-0 loss to Sofapaka in the DSTV/SuperSport charity match, a better performance is expected from him.
Apart from his sharp instincts in goal, Ochieng also enjoys a good cover at the back having some of the most experienced defenders in the league.
He had a good outing with the national team Harambee Stars last month during the Nile Basin tournament perhaps an indicator of what he has in store this season.
Paul Were (Tusker)
He did not enjoy regular playing time last season, but scored in almost all the matches he was fielded.
He proved an instant success for Tusker even as a second half substitute and despite reports that he was moving to AFC Leopards, the brewers did everything to keep him.
This season may as well bring out the best in Were who is one of the youngest players in the league. He has pace and speed which should make him a nightmare to most defenders. The fact that he will want to prove himself is another factor that should raise his performance.
He has certainly done enough to convince coach Sammy Omollo of a regular start this season. His expected good performance may finally translate into a move abroad. This has been on the cards for a while. He may also find himself a regular place in the national team Harambee Stars.
To achieve this, however, Were will need to be focused and avoid off-the pitch theatrics that do not help his performance on the pitch.
Ezekiel Odera (Gor)
Odera has already been an instant hit at Gor with the K'Ogalo faithful nicknaming him ‘Alcatel'.
The former KCB striker has so far scored twice for Gor in several build-up matches including against Ghana's national team perhaps an indicator of what to expect from him this season.
The new revelation at Gor Mahia will be under extreme pressure to fit in the shoes of George ‘Blackberry' Odhiambo whom he is constantly being compared to. Odhiambo helped Gor finish runners-up last season before being sold off to Randers FC of Denmark and Odera will be under pressure to equal or even surpass the man he replaced.
But Odera has the experience having featured for KCB last season and emerged one of the top scorers in the league. Rather than make him crumble, the pressure of playing for Gor should bring out his true ability as the club goes for the top title.
Odera will also want to quickly prove that he his own man and silence the comparison with ‘Blackbery'. This he can only do with a great performance on the pitch.
Martin Musalia (Tusker)
After several seasons under the shadow of veteran goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng, Musalia finally asserted his authority as the best goalkeeper at United last season.
His performance was so impressive that Ochieng' never had a reason to wear the number one jersey forcing him to relocate to Tusker at the end of last season.
Musalia's performance earned his several call-ups to the national team Harambee Stars and he looks set to continue from where he left from this season.
With United rebuilding after two poor seasons Musalia's performance in goal will be critical and he is expected to rise up to the new demands at the club.
He is one of those who opted to stick with United after a good number of his colleagues opted for greener pastures and this leaves him as one of the senior players.
 
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