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Machuppa, SMG waitwa Stars

Imeandikwa na Grace Chilongola, Mwanza; Tarehe: 24th December 2010 @ 23:59

WASHAMBULIAJI Athumani Machuppa anayecheza soka ya kulipwa Sweden na Saidi Maulidi ‘SMG anayecheza Angola wameitwa kwenye kikosi cha timu ya soka ya taifa, Taifa Stars kitakachokwenda Cairo, Misri kwa ajili ya michuano maalumu ya mto Nile.

Mbali na wachezaji hao ambao hawajaitwa Stars kwa takriban miaka mitatu, mshambuliaji wa Yanga Jerryson Tegete, mchezaji mpya wa Simba Ally Ahmed ‘Shiboli' na mchezaji wa Kagera Sugar Godfrey Taita nao wameitwa kwenye kikosi cha timu hiyo.

Tegete aliachwa takribani mara mbili na Kocha Mkuu wa Stars Jan Poulsen.

Katika kikosi cha jana kilichotangazwa kwenye Uwanja wa Nyamagana mjini hapa na Kocha Msaidizi wa Stars Silvestre Marsh, mshambuliaji Gaudence Mwaikimba ameachwa pamoja na kiungo wa Simba Mohamed Banka ambao walikuwapo kwenye kikosi cha Tanzania Bara ‘Kilimanjaro Stars' kilichotwaa ubingwa wa Kombe la Chalenji katikati ya mwezi huu.

Michuano ya mto Nile inatarajiwa kuanza kutimua vumbi Cairo, Misri Januari 5 na Stars itaingia kambini keshokutwa kabla ya kuondoka Januari 2.

Timu hiyo itakuwa kambini chini ya Marsh na kocha wa makipa Juma Pondamali na Kocha Mkuu Poulsen ambaye yuko nyumbani kwao Denmark kwa mapumziko ya sikukuu za mwisho wa mwaka ataungana nayo Cairo, Januari 3.

Mbali na Tanzania, nchi nyingine zinazoshiriki katika michuano hiyo inayoshirikisha nchi zilizo ukanda wa ziwa Victoria na mto Nile ni Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan na wenyeji Misri.

Lengo la michuano hiyo ni kuhamasisha kutunza vyanzo vya maji kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo.

Kwa mujibu wa ratiba, Stars itaanza kufungua dimba la michuano hiyo dhidi ya wenyeji Misri Januari 5 saa moja jioni, kabla ya mechi hiyo Kenya itacheza na Sudan saa kumi jioni.

Stars itacheza mechi nyingine dhidi ya Sudan Januari 11 kabla ya kumenyana na Kenya Januari 14 na kisha itamaliza na Uganda Januari 17.

Kikosi kamili: Makipa ni Juma Kaseja (Simba), Shaaban Kado (Mtibwa) na Said Mohamed (Majimaji). Walinzi ni Shadrack Nsajigwa, Stephano Mwasika , Nadur Haroub ‘Canavaro'(Yanga), Aggrey Morris, (Azam), Kelvin Yondani, Jumma Nyosso, (Simba).

Viungo ni Idrissa Rajabu (Sofapaka, Kenya), Nurdin Bakari, Abdi Kassim ‘Babi', (Yanga), Shaaban Nditti (Mtibwa) Henry Joseph, (Norway), Jabir Aziz.

Washambuliaji ni Salum Machaku (Mtibwa), Mrisho Ngassa (Azam), Nizar Khalfan, (Canada), Godfrey Taita (Kagera Sugar), Athuman Machuppa, (Sweden), Jerry Tegete, (Yanga) Said Maulid(Angola) na Ali Ahmed Shiboli (Simba)
 

Wachezaji Yanga wagoma

Imeandikwa na Mwandishi Wetu; Tarehe: 24th December 2010 @ 23:50

WACHEZAJI wa Yanga jana waligomea mazoezi wakishinikiza uongozi uwalipe fedha zao za usajili wanazoidai klabu hiyo.

Juzi wachezaji hao walizungumza na baadhi ya vyombo vya habari na kusema kwamba wameamua kufikia uamuzi wa kugoma kutokana na ahadi waliyopewa ya kumaliziwa fedha zao zilizobaki kutotekelezwa, huku tayari wakiwa wameshaugawa msimu.

Habari zilizopatikana Dar es Salaam jana jioni zilisema kuwa wachezaji hao walifika kama kawaida kwenye Uwanja wa Uhuru ambapo kocha mkuu pia Kostadin Papic alikuwepo lakini badala yake hawakuingia uwanjani kama inavyotakiwa bali walipanda kwenye gari na kuamua
kuondoka.

Ofisa Habari wa Yanga, Louis Sendeu alikiri kutokea kwa sakata hilo na kuwalaumu wachezaji kuwa kitendo walichokifanya si cha kiungwana.

"Ni kweli wanadai lakini njia waliyoitumia kudai haki yao si ya kiungwana wangetafuta utaratibu mwingine wa kufanya hivyo".

Habari zaidi zinasema, wachezaji hao wametishia kutocheza hata mechi ya kirafiki ya kesho dhidi ya AFC Leopard ya Kenya.

Inadaiwa kuwa fedha zote za wachezaji wanazoudai uongozi zinafika Sh milioni 70 na kwamba waliahidiwa wangelipwa Novemba 15, lakini imekuwa kimya na wao suala hilo tayari wameshalifikisha kwa kocha.

Akizungumza kwa njia ya simu kutoka Afrika Kusini alipo kwa mapumziko ya sikukuu za mwisho wa mwaka, Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Yanga Davis Mosha alisema taarifa hizo zinamchanganya na kushusha lawama kwa mfadhili Yusuf Manji.

"Unajua tatizo ni kwamba sisi tulipochaguliwa timu tuliikuta, hivyo kuhusu malipo yao ya usajili walipatana na mfadhili na yeye ndio anatakiwa kuwalipa, sasa hajalitekeleza hilo," alisema.

"Kwa sasa inakuwa ngumu kufanya uamuzi wowote kwani watu wote hatupo, tupo likizo, mimi nipo huku, Mfadhili nae yuko likizo, Mwenyekiti naye yuko huko, ningewaomba wavute subira ili tukirudi tuangalie namna ya kufanya," alisema.

Gazeti hili lilifanya jitihada kumtafuta Manji ili kulitolea ufafanuzi suala hilo lakini halikufanikiwa.
 
Yanga kwafukuta Friday, 24 December 2010 21:49

Clara Alphonce na Vicky Kimaro
UPEPO mbaya umeendelea kuvuma ndani ya klabu ya Yanga baada ya wachezaji wake wote kugomea kufanya mazoezi ya kujiandaa na michuano ya Kombe la Shirikisho na Ligi Kuu mzungumko wa pili hadi hapo watakapolipwa fedha zao za usajili pamoja na mishahara yao.

Fedha wanazodai wachezaji hao ni za usajili ambazo waliaidiwa kuanza kulipwa kwa awamu kuanzia Julai 15 hadi Oktoba 15, lakini imekuwa tofauti kwani tangu walipopewa shilingi milioni 1 kwa ajili ya kusaini mkataba hawajalipwa tena chochote.

Tukio hili la wachezaji wa Yanga kugomea mazoezi linakuja siku mbili baada ya kiungo Athuman Idd 'Chuji' kujiondoa mazoezini bila ya taarifa yoyote kwa kocha wa Kostadin Papic, lakini viongozi wa klabu hiyo walishindwa kuchukua hatua yoyote.

Wachezaji hao jana walifika kwenye mazoezi uwanja wa taifa lakini nahodha wa timu hiyo Fredy Mbuna alimwambia kocha wao Kostadin Papic hawawezi kufanya mazoezi hadi hapo uongozi utakapowakamilishia madai yao.

Wachezaji wa Yanga walisema hawatafanya mazoezi hadi watakapolipwa deni lao hilo, huku wakisisitiza hawatakuwa tayari kucheza mechi ya kesho dhidi AFC Leopard hadi watakapolipwa.

Akizungumza kwa sharti la kutotajwa jina mmoja wa wachezaji alisema: "Hawa viongozi wamezidi wamekuwa wakitufanya sisi kama watoto wadogo, sio kwamba hela hakuna tunajua hela wanazo wanatuzungusha tu sisi tumechoka kudanganywa kama watoto wadogo, hapa hatufanyi chochote mpaka kieleweke."

"Tunasikitishwa na kitendo cha mdhamini kutoa Shs 100m kwa matawi wakati wao bado wanaida klabu hiyo, sisi ni watu muhimu kuliko hayo matawi kwani bila wao matawi yasingekuwepo."
Akizungumzia tatizo hilo Afisa Habari wa Yanga, Luis Sendeu alithibisha kutokea kwa jambo hilo, lakini alisema uongozi umesikitishwa na kitendo hicho.

"Ni kweli, lakini kitendo walichokifanya wachezaji si kizuri walipaswa kukaa chini na uongozi na kulitatua hili kuliko hichi walichokifanya."

"Mshahara kweli tuliwaambia tutawapa kabla ya Krismasi, lakini bahati mbaya haujatoka si wa wachezaji tu hata wa viongozi pia hawajalipwa, na hizo za usajili tuliwaambia wavumilie kuna taratibu zinafanyika ili walipwwe…"
Tunasikitika sana kwa kitendo walichofanya, tunalaani kwa nguvu zote hatua waliyochukua ni utomvu wa nidhamu hata kama wanadai hawakupaswa kugoma, kwani uongozi unajua wazi kuwa unadaiwa na hayo masuala yao yanashugulikiwa,"alisisitiza.

Wakati Chuji alipoamua kutoka uwanjani Katibu mkuu wa Yanga, Laurance Mwalusako alisema "Kumekuwa na matatizo ya Chuji na mwalimu mara kwa mara, kama uongozi tumelisikia suala hilo na tunasubiri ripoti ya kocha ili tuweze kutoa maamuzi."
 
Kirafiki: Simba vs AFC Leopard leo

Imeandikwa na Mwandishi Wetu; Tarehe: 24th December 2010 @ 23:30

MABINGWA wa soka Tanzania Bara, Simba leo watajitupa kwenye Uwanja wa Uhuru
kumenyana na AFC Leopard ya Kenya.

Mechi hiyo ni ya kirafiki ambayo Simba inaitumia kujinoa na mzunguko wa pili wa Ligi Kuu unaotarajiwa kuanza Januari 15 na michuano ya klabu bingwa Afrika inayotarajiwa kuanza mwishoni mwa Januari.

Akizungumza na gazeti hili kwa njia ya simu Dar es Salaam jana kocha wa Simba, Patrick Phiri alisema mechi hiyo anaipa uzito kwani lengo lake ni kujaribu wachezaji wake katika mechi
za kimataifa.

"Kutokana na kwamba mimi mwenyewe nimetaka mechi za kimataifa, hii ni mojawapo kwa hiyo sitaifanyia mzaha nitataka wachezaji wangu wacheze kwa kutafuta ushindi,"alisema.

Phiri alisema atachezesha kikosi chake kilichocheza kwenye mzunguko wa kwanza wa ligi ili kuanza kukipa mazoezi zaidi.

Simba inakabiliwa na mtihani mgumu kwenye michuano ya klabu bingwa kwani kuna hatihati ikakutana na bingwa mtetezi TP Mazembe ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo endapo itaiondoa Elan de Mitsoudje ya Comoro.

Katika Ligi Kuu Simba inaongoza kwa tofauti ya pointi mbili ikiwa kileleni na pointi 27 ikifuatiwa na Yanga yenye pointi 25 na Azam inashika nafasi ya tatu ikiwa na pointi 20.
 
Shiboli aahidi zawadi ya Krismasi leo
Friday, 24 December 2010 21:45

Doris Maliyaga
MABINGWA wa Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara, Simba inacheza leo na AFC Leopards ya Kenya kaitka mchezo wa kimataifa wa kirafiki.
Hata hivyo mshambuliaji wao mpya, Ally Ahmed Shiboli amewaambia mashabiki wa timu hiyo kuwa atawapa zawadi ya Krismasi kwenye mchezo huo utakaochezwa Uwanja wa Uhuru.

Shiboli amesajiliwa mzunguko huu pamoja na beki Meshack Abel hajawahi kucheza mechi hata moja, lakini kocha Patrick Phiri amekuwa akimsifia tangu alipoanza mazoezi ya Jumamosi iliyopita akisema ni hatari.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi, Shiboli alisema anafahamu wadau wana hamu kubwa ya kumuona yeye wasubiri ili waone uwajibikaji wake leo akiwa na Simba.

''Ninaanza kazi rasmi leo kama mwalimu atanipa nafasi, mafanikio tutakayoyapata ni kwa ajili ya mashabiki wangu na ni zawadi ya siku ya leo na nitawapa kile nilichokikusudia kikubwa ni ushirikiano,''alisema.

Simba ambayo inatumia mchezo huo kwa ajili ya maandalizi ya michuano mbalimbali kama Ligi Kuu na ya kimataifa huenda ikawakosa wachezaji wake wa kimataifa kutoka Uganda.

Katibu mkuu wao, Evodius Mtawala alisema jana kuwa wachezaji hao walichelewa kufika ambapo Patrick Ochan na Emmanuel Okwi waliomba wabaki hadi jana Ijumaa kwa ajili ya kuandaa Krismasi kwa familia zao.

''Okwi na Ochan watafika muda wowote kuanzia Ijumaa [jana] walitakiwa wawe wamefika,''alisema Mtawala.

Katika hatua nyingine, A FC Leopards iliwasili nchini tangu jana kwa usafiri wa basi ikitokea Nairobi pamoja na nyota wake wote baada ya Simba kesho itacheza na Yanga.

 
Polisi, TRA kudhibiti wezi wa sanaa

Imeandikwa na Mohammed Mussa; Tarehe: 24th December 2010 @ 23:20

CHAMA cha Usambazaji filamu nchini ‘TSDA', kimezindua mpango wa kulinda na kusimamia haki na kazi za wasanii wa filamu kupitia Polisi na Shirika la Mapato Tanzania (TRA).

Akizungumza na gazeti hili Katibu Mkuu wa chama hicho Haji Adam ‘Baba Haji', alisema lengo lao ni kuanzisha mapambano dhidi ya wizi wa kazi za wasanii wa filamu katika nyanja tofauti tofauti.

Alisema katika mikakati hiyo, itakayoanza mwakani 2011, watashughulikia matumizi ya Pires, Cable Tv, malipo ya madeni toka kwa mawakala wa soko la ndani na nje pia na kuhakiki kiwango cha ubora wa filamu za Kitanzania kinakuwa cha juu.

Alisema katika mikakati hiyo, itashughulikia kupunguza wingi wa filamu sokoni kwa kupunguza mtindo wa kutengeneza filamu mbilimbili, namba moja na mbili badala yake itakuwa filamu moja yenye ubora ili kukidhi mahitaji ya watazamaji.

Aidha bei ya kila nakala moja itapanda kutoka Sh 1,500 hadi Sh 3,000 ambazo zitakuwa katika kalenda maalumu za kuonesha bei ya kila kitu kinachohusiana na usambazaji wa filamu hizo.

"Mpango huu tutashirikiana kwa wasanii wote wanaojihusisha na filamu tu, kwa kuwa chama hiki kilianzishwa kwa dhumuni hilo," alisema Baba Haji.

Chama hicho kilianzishwa Mei, 2009 kwa lengo la kusaidia wasanii wa filamu lakini hakikufanikiwa kuungwa mkono na badala yake kwa sasa ndio kinaibuka upya kwa nguvu.
 
'Sisi hatujawabeba waamuzi waliopitishwa Fifa' Friday, 24 December 2010 21:47

Kaimu Katibu Mkuu wa TFF, Sunday Kayuni

Sweetbert Lukonge
SHIRIKISHO la Soka Tanzania (TFF) limepinga shutuma mbalimbali zinazotolewa na baadhi ya waamuzi nchini kuwa limesababisha baadhi ya waamuzi kutopitishwa na Shirikisho la Soka la Kimataifa (Fifa ) na hivyo kukosekana katika orodha ya waamuzi wa kimataifa.

Akizunguna na Mwananchi jana, Kaimu Katibu Mkuu wa TFF, Sunday Kayuni alisema kuwa shirikisho hilo halikuhusika na suala hilo isipokuwa wale ambao majina yao yamepitishwa na Fifa wamekidhi vigezo vyote vinavyotambuliwa na shirikisho hilo la kimataifa.

"Fifa ilituma orodha ya waamuzi wa kimataifa waliopitishwa kwa mwaka wa 2011, orodha hiyo ilitangazwa na Desemba 12 mwaka huu ambapo baada ya kutangazwa tuu kumekuwepo na shutuma mbalimbali zinazoereze kutorizishwa na uteuzi huo.

"Shutuma hizo zimekuwa zikielekezwa kwetu hasa katibu mkuu na ofisa anayeshugulikia masuala ya waamuzi kwenye dawati la waamuzi katika ofisi zetu.

"Ningependa kuwaambia wate wanaotoa shutuma hizo kuwa TFF ipo kwa kuhakikisha haki inatendeka kwa kila mdau kwa mjiubu wa kanuni taratibu na sheria zake pamoja na zile za Fifa," alisema Kayuni.

Alisema vigezo vilivyotumika kuwapata waamuzi wa kimataifa vinapangwa na Fifa na nchi nyingine wanachama wa shirikisho hilo ambavyo wanalazimika kuvitumia katika kupata waamuzi wa kimataifa.

Alisema baadhi ya vigezo hivyo ambavyo ni muhimu katika suala hilo vyote vinapatikana katika kitabu kinachojulikana kwa kama 'Refereeing International List'.

Alivitaja vigezo na kanuni zinazotumika katika kuwasajili waamuzi na waamuzi wasaidizi wa kimataifa katika orodha ya Fifa ni vile vya ibara ya 4 kifungu cha 5, ibara ya 4 kifungu cha 7 pamoja na ibara ya 10 ambazo zimu katika kitabu hicho.

Alisema kutokana na vigezo hivyo inawezekana wale
wote ambao hawakufanikiwa kuingia katika orodha hiyo hawakufikia vigezo ambavyo Fufa inavitaka kwao.
 
MWANAMUZIKI nyota wa nyimbo za Injili nchini Jennifer Mgendi anakusudia kuibuka na filamu mbili mpya ikiwepo ya vichekesho mwakani.


Jennifer Mgendi kuja na ‘Komedi'

Imeandikwa na Mbonile Burton; Tarehe: 24th December 2010 @ 23:00

Akizungumza na HABARILEO Dar es Salaam jana, Mgendi alisema amepanga kutoa filamu ya vichekesho kwa mara ya kwanza ili kuwapa ladha tofauti mashabiki wake.

"Nakusudia kutoa filamu ya vichekesho yote ni katika kujenga, kufundisha na kuwaburudisha watu watakaotazama na kwa Utukufu wa Mungu.

Itakuwa kati ya filamu mbili ninazotarajia kutoa mwakani." Hata hivyo, hakuweka wazi filamu hizo ambazo alisema tayari ameanza kuzifanyia kazi.

Mgendi alisema pia anatarajia kukamilisha malengo ambayo alipanga kufanya mwaka 2010, lakini kwa sababu moja au nyingine hakufanikisha.

Kati ya malengo ya mwaka huu ambayo hakufanikisha Mgendi ni kutoa sehemu ya pili ya filamu ya ‘Teke la Mama' na albam ya collection ya ‘Best of Jennifer'.

"Nilipanga kukamilisha sehemu ya pili ya ‘Teke la Mama' lakini sijafanya hivyo, natarajia kutekeleza hilo mwakani," alisema.

Aliongeza kuwa : "Pia nilipanga kutoa albamu ya ‘best of Jennifer' ambayo ingekuwa na nyimbo zangu zote pendwa za zamani, mwakani nitatimiza lengo hilo," alisisitiza.

Mgendi amejipatia umaarufu mkubwa katika muziki wa Injili ambapo sasa anatamba na wimbo wa ‘Mchimba Mashimo' na albamu yake ya karibuni ya ‘Kiu ya Nafsi' ambayo imebaba nyimbo kama ‘Jaribu Langu' ‘Neno Lako' na ‘Yesu Yupo'.

Mwanadada huyo pia ni mahiri katika utunzi ambapo tayari ana filamu ya ‘Pigo la Faraja', ‘Joto la Roho' na ‘Teke la Mama'.

Mgendi ambaye alianza kujishughulisha na muziki wa Injili mwaka 1995 albamu yake ya kwanza inaitwa ‘Nini?'ambayo ilifuatiwa na ‘Ukarimu wake', ‘Yesu Nakupenda', 'Nikiona Fahari' na ‘Mchimba Mashimo'.
 
Machupa, Maulid earn Stars recall


By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 24th December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 147

FORMER Young Africans winger Said Maulid was a surprise inclusion when the national soccer team, Taifa Stars squad, for the Nile Basin tournament was announced in Mwanza on Friday.

Mohamed Abdallah Machupa, who features for a Swedish first division side, Vasuland IF has also been recalled in the 23-man after almost two years of being overlooked.

Yanga's Jerryson Tegete has made his return to the Stars' set-up, but there is no place for Simba striker Mussa Hassan ‘Mgosi' and industrious midfielder Mohamed Banka.

Kagera Sugar hitman Gaudence Mwaikimba has been overlooked after suffering a form dip during the Cecafa Challenge Cup which climaxed in Dar es Salaam recently.

New Simba striker, Ali Ahmed Shiboli and Kagera Sugar's Godfrey Taita have earned their first call up.

The former represented Zanzibar Heroes in the Challenge Cup, scoring two goals. With the Stars' Head Coach Jan Poulsen still stranded in his homeland Denmark, his right hand man, Sylvester Marsh announced the squad.

Goalkeepers are Juma Kaseja (Simba), Shabaan Hassan ‘Kado' (Mtibwa) and Said Mohamed (Majimaji).

Defenders: Shadrack Nsajigwa (Yanga), Stephano Mwasika (Yanga), Nadir Haroub ‘Canavaro'(Yanga), Aggrey Morris (Azam), Kelvin Yondani (Simba), Jumma Nyosso (Simba).

Midfielders: Idrissa Rajabu (Sofapaka, Kenya), Nurdin Bakari (Yanga), Abdi Kassim (Yanga), Shaaban Nditi (Mtibwa) Henry Joseph, (Norway), Jabir Aziz (Azam).

Strikers: Mrisho Ngassa(Azam), Nizar Khalfan, (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada ), Godfrey Taita (Kagera Sugar), Athuman Machuppa, (Vasuland IF), Jerry Tegete (Yanga), Said Maulid (Onze Bravos, Angola) and Ali Ahmed Shiboli (Simba).

The team will assemble in Dar es Salaam on Monday under Marsh and goalkeepers' coach Juma Pondamali.

Meanwhile, the national soccer team ‘Taifa Stars' coach Jan Poulsen will not make it in time to prepare the team for the inaugural Nile Basin Soccer tournament, it has been confirmed.

Poulsen, who is on Christmas holiday back home in Denmark, was recalled to start preparations for the championships set to kick off in Cairo, Egypt in two weeks' time.

However, Poulsen's return has hit snags following a big freeze that has concurred most European countries.

Most airports in Europe have been closed to air traffics due to poor visibility caused by heavy snow.

And the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Acting General Secretary said yesterday that the coach will now join the team on January 3 in Cairo, Egypt where the tournament will take place.

According to draw conducted in Cairo on Saturday, Taifa Stars will open their campaign against the hosts ‘Pharaohs' on January 5th, the match that will kick off at 7pm.

It will be preceded by a match to pit Kenya and Sudan at 4:30pm. Stars next game will be against Sudan on January 11, before facing Kenya on January 14 and they will conclude their campaign on January 17 against Uganda Cranes.

The objective of the Nile Basin soccer tournament was to create awareness among all countries sharing the Nile Basin, to safeguard the water resource for the benefit of future generations.

The Egyptians will cater for the air tickets and full board accommodation for all the visiting teams, according to the invitation letter from the Egyptian FA president Samir Hazel.
 
Red Ribbon Fashion Gala collects 24m
​

By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 24th December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 39

A SUM of 24m/- has been raised for the Mitindo House HIV Orphanage Centre after a moving night of Red Ribbon Fund-raising Fashion Gala staged at Double Tree Hotel in Masaki, Dar es Salaam on Thursday.

It was a night to help the victims of the killer disease, HIV/Aids. The amount raised, according to the event organisers, will purchase a mini-bus for the centre as well as catering for other running expenses.

The thrilling gala featured among others, Tanzanian beauty queen and fashion model, Flaviana Matata, the ambassador of the centre.

The New York runway model had travelled all the way from the US to co-ordinate the fund-raising gala. She showcased her international experiences. Also in the long list were Victoria Martin, the South Africa-based model, Redds 2010 ambassador Consolata Lukosi and Jamillah Nyangasa, who represented Tanzania in Miss International 2008.

There was a huge number of both big and small donations. Singida Urban Member of Parliament, Mohammed Dewji contributed 7m/-, the same amount was donated by Vodacom Foundation.

January Makamba, a legislator for Bumbuli constituency, donated 3m/- while Sophia Byanaku, who once contested for Miss Tanzania and Miss Tanga offered 1.6m/-. A Choice FM presenter, Peter Ngaiza was not left behind as he donated 800,000/-. There were pledges too from other fashion stakeholders at the gala, sponsored by Vodacom Tanzania and Redds Premium Cold.

Renowned local fashion designers joined forces to support for the orphanage Centre situated at Magomeni area in the city. The designers include Mustafa Hassanali, Jamila Swai, Farha Sultan, Martin Kadinda, Subira Wahure, Binti Afrika, Bianca Timoth, Zamda George, Franko Designs, Paka Wear, Gabriel Mollel, Manju Msita, Diana Magesa, Kim Dean and chairperson of the Tanzania Mitindo House, Khadija Mwanamboka.

Speaking during the occasion, Mwanamboka said that Tanzania is a vibrant country and fashion designers are a part of jigsaw that adds wealthy and colour to its beauty. She said the Red Ribbon gala celebrated vitality, innovative design, as well as being an example of how people could contribute to others through what they loved and enjoyed doing.

"We have been blessed with outstanding project and have managed to keep our orphanage a float through your direct and indirect assistance. Our greatest achievement is that of seeing our children at the orphanage with positive and hopeful dreams well and healthy more importantly normal lives just like you and I," added Mwanamboka.

Other sponsors were View Media, Benchmark Productions, KCI, MJ Records, Double Tree By Hilton and Clouds Entertainment. The event was also supported by Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (METL), EFFCO Tanzania Limited, Azania Bank Limited, Uhuru One, Women in Power, BancABC and Summer Trends, among others.
 

Simba, Leopards spice up Christmas

By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 24th December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 85

DAR ES SALAAM soccer fans are bracing themselves for a rousing Christmas that will be spiced with an international friendly match between Premier League champions Simba and AFC Leopards from Kenya at the Uhuru Stadium ton Saturday evening.

The Kenyan outfit, formerly East and Central African champions, arrived in Dar es Salaam with a contingent of 20 players ready for the Christmas invitational friendly matches against the record-regional champions and Yanga.

They are scheduled to play their second match on Boxing Day at the same venue. Both Simba and AFC Leopards will be using the encounter to shape up their respective charges and test newly signed up players.

Patrick Phiri's Simba will be taking part in the Mapinduzi Cup due in Zanzibar next month. It will also serve as a preparation for the second round of the top flight league.

Simba fans are expected to pack the historic Uhuru stadium to get the glimpses of among others, new striker Ali Ahmed ‘Shiboli' who joined the Msimbazi Street team from KMKM of Zanzibar. Meshack Abel is another player recruited during the mini-transfer window last month.

Phiri would likely cherish the opportunity of studying the towering no nonsense defender who spent the previous season on loan at African Lyon.

With the future of Ugandan defender Joseph Owino seemingly uncertain, Abel, the former Taifa Stars ace, is expected to provide cover for established central defenders Juma Nyoso and Kelvin Yondan.

The match will also provide Phiri with a viable platform to test sensational young striker Mbwana Samatta.

Signed from African Lyon ahead of this season, the Tanzanian youth international is yet to represent his new club, as he was pushing for implementation of the agreements he had reached with the club before they signed him.

On the other hand, Leopards chairman Julius Ochiel said they would use this trip to gauge their new signings before the Kenyan league kicks off in February.

Leopard squad include: Barnabas Tiema, Raphael Omondi, Nicholas Muyoti, Douglas Okullu, Abraham Koki, Brian Masiolo, Itubu Imbem, Silas Aluvisia, Edward Seda, Emmanuel Tostao, Edwin Misiko, Shamalla, Wycliffe Ogola, Edgar Waudo, Maxwell Ouma, Peter Wainaina, Abdul Shaaban and Joseph Okumu.

The entrance fees are 15,000/- for a VIP ticket, 10,000/- for Main Stand and Popular Stand 3,000/-.
 
Young Africans players boycott training session


By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 24th December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 76

IN an unprecedented move, Yanga players on Friday refused to participate in a training
session in front of the public and head coach Kostadin Papic.

The players reportedly arrived at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam as usual, but as coach Papic started to arrange his equipments for the training to kick off, the squad left the ground and returned to their team bus and drove away.

It was revealed that the club owe the players some of the transfer money promised to them during the registration exercise prior to start of the current season and decided to strike in demanding for their rights. And when reached, Yanga spokesperson, Louis Sendeu confirmed it.

He said: "It is true that the club owes them, but boycotting the training was not a wise decision, they should have followed the right procedures of demanding for their rights." It is believed that the players are owed by the the club around 70m/-.

According to an insider, the management promised the players that they would have been paid their money by November 15, but it was an empty promise.

It was further claimed that the players are planning to boycott tomorrow's build-up match against AFC Leopards from Kenya.

Speaking from South Africa Yanga vice-chairman expressed his dismay over the row, and launched a stunning attack against the club's sponsor Yusuf Manji, accusing him as the main cause of what is eating the club.

He said that when they came into power after the general elections, all the players had already signed contracts with the previous regime and their sponsor, Manji.

"He is the one who entered contracts with the players and he was supposed to pay them the transfer money, but to my surprise he has failed to do so," said Mosha adding,

"It is very difficult for me to solve this problem at the moment, because I am currently in South Africa for holiday, the chairman is also on holiday, so is Manji."

He hence called for the players to be patient and wait for the leaders to come back and work on the matter. Efforts to reach Manji for his comments proved futile as his mobile phone had no answers.
 
By ABDALLAH MSUYA, 23rd December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 145

THE future of the national youth soccer team coach, Rodrigo Stockler hangs in balance after it emerged that the Brazilian has been offered a coaching job at his home land club Flamengo.

Stockler's future uncertain

Stockler, who is contracted to manage U-17 and U-20 national teams until April, next year, told the ‘Daily News' that he is being tapped to become coach of Flamengo's U-20 youth side.

Rodrigo said to be offered a coaching role at the most popular club in Brazil was big honour to him but reiterated his desire to extend his contract with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).

"My contract with Tanzania runs out in April and I'm yet to receive any word from the TFF about their plans. Flamengo present a very good opportunity because they are big club, but I need to know if TFF want to extend my contract (before making decision)," said Stockler in mail conversation with Daily News.

He added: "I want to discuss with President Tenga (Leodegar) when I come back in the first week of January, because the season in Brazil begins in February. If they're prepared to give me a new deal, I'll seriously consider it but I need it to be improved because Flamengo proposal is very good."

Stockler travelled to his native Brazil earlier this month to attend his ailing father. "I came back to Brazil a week before the end of the Cecafa tournament because my father was in very difficult condition, he's using machine and in comma.

"But I worked with Jan Poulsen and Sylvester Marsh in camping for Cecafa and I'm very happy with our performance," he said applauding the achievement attained by Mainland soccer team, Kilimanjaro Stars, during the tournament.

Should Stockler decide to pack his bags and go when his contract expires in April, he will be following on the footsteps of his predecessor and fellow-Brazilian Marcos Tinoco, who quit before accomplishing his mission to change the fortune of the country's youth soccer.

Last year, Stockler guided Serengeti Boys to finish third in the the Cecafa Under-17 football tournament, beating hosts Sudan in the play-off.

His dreams to take the national U-20 side, the Ngorongoro Heroes, to their first ever Africa Youth Championship finals were shattered, as they lost their first round tie to West African football powerhouses, Ivory Coast, beaten 2-1 on aggregate in August this year.

The Heroes had reached the first round, knocking out Malawi's Junior Flames. They held their opponents to a 2-2 draw before battering them 3-1 in Dar es Salaam to complete a 5-3 win on aggregate.

Last week, the TFF appointed local coach Jamhuri Kihwelo, to take charge of the U-17 national soccer team, ‘Serengeti Boys', ahead of mini-Cecafa tournament that climaxed on Wednesday in Kigali Rwanda.

The Tanzania youngsters finished bottom after losing 1-0 to hosts Rwanda and playing out to a 2-2 draw with eventual winners Kenya.
 
Liverpool


Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is a 'nothing', says Blackburn's El-Hadji Diouf

Blackburn forward El-Hadji Diouf has taken a swipe at former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher, labelling the defender a "nothing".


Verbal spat: El-Hadji Diouf used to be a team-mate of Jamie Carragher at Liverpool Photo: PA






By Telegraph staff 9:06AM GMT 23 Dec 2010

According to The Sun, the Senegal international has a built-up resentment towards Carragher stemming back to their Liverpool days and further inflamed by comments made by the Englishman about Diouf in his autobiography.

Diouf is quoted as saying: "If Liverpool had 10 players like Carragher, then they would never win anything.

"Carragher, for me, is nothing. He's like a make of ketchup or mustard to a normal person, not important.

"I played for Liverpool for two years and Carragher never spoke to me. That's life, some peope are like that.

"We didn't have a team at Liverpool. We had the English somewhere and the French boys somewhere. If it's like that you can do nothing together.



"Carragher is just a guy who loves to talk. But Carragher doesn't sell papers, Carragher doesn't sell shirts.
"When I played at Liverpool, Carragher could have talked to me then - but he didn't.
"He was jealous of me - that's why he talked about me. Because when I came to Liverpool I earned more than him and I was a bigger name than him.
"I took my country to the World Cup and to the finals of the African Nations Cup.
"So Carragher can't criticise me because, to me, he has done nothing with his life."
 
Why I think Villa will sell Ashley Young next month
By James Nursey
Published 10:00 23/12/10







First it was Gareth Barry, then it was James Milner and now I believe Aston Villa fans must steel themselves for the exit of Ashley Young.
And it may well be a lot earlier than supporters, owner Randy Lerner and manager Gerard Houllier would dread to think - like next month even.
No doubt some fans will accuse me of scare-mongering.
But I hope they bear in mind I did accurately predict in July both Martin O'Neill and Milner's exits the following month .


I also revealed Spurs' summer interest in Young and wrote previously in October why I doubted the England international would sign a new contract at Villa this season despite claims from the club he was on the verge of committing his future.
Young's possible transfer to White Hart Lane never materialised as Spurs wouldn't break their rigid wage structure to give the versatile attacking star a better deal than the current £62,000-a-week he earns.
It left Young disillusioned with both his agent at the time and Tottenham, who raised his hopes of a transfer both the last two summers only to dash them by refusing to pay both his price tag and personal demands.
Now Young has swapped agents and all the signs suggest the star now also wishes to change clubs.
For example, I reported recently he has given up renting a house in Stourbridge and now commutes from his Hertfordshire home.
And, crucially, the balance of power to determine Young's future has now swung firmly in the player's favour.
So he is in a much stronger bargaining position to lever his way out of the Midlands club.
For starters, Villa are struggling badly and are nearer the bottom of the Premier League than the top.
Given Young's aspirations, it is hardly a convincing time for new Villa manager Gerard Houllier stand in his way and insist the club are going places.
The player himself has also put the club under huge pressure to sell by breaking off contract talks until the summer when he will have just 12 months left on his contract.
Then Villa will not be able to command as high a transfer fee for Young,25, who they bought in January 2007 from Watford for £9.65m.
And realistically it is going to be almost impossible to retain Young if Liverpool or Manchester United, two suitors, come in for him next month with a bid.
If either of those clubs firm up their initial interest, Young is certainly going to want to leave.
Because then we will be in another Barry/Milner situation where it is prudent business sense for Villa to sell if the player is refusing to sign a new contract as his price tag is just decreasing all the time.
Villa bowed to pressure eventually to cash in on Barry and Milner to Man City in similar scenarios.
They have fought off interest previously in Young by persuading him to stay with a pay-rise in 2009 to make him the club's highest earner.
But the club and ex-manager Martin O'Neill begged him to remain in the hope of future silverware at Villa which has not materialised.
And sadly clubs like Villa can only stand in a player's way of leaving for so long.
Of course what Young says publicly and thinks privately are two entirely different things.
But fans must admit his claims to have loved every minute at Villa and never considered leaving are completely at odd with the actions above.
Young's body language on the pitch has also become increasingly frustrated as Villa have struggled.
And his request to play off the striker in the hole rather than on the wing smacks of a star wanting glory for himself to get a move rather than helping the team by playing wide where I think he most effective.
So I genuinely believe Young wants to land a move to a big five club next month.
But should it not materialise, the odds will still be stacked against him staying in the summer.
I know where I shall put my money - and it may help pay off the festive bills!
 
The Secret Diary of Joe Cole, aged 29 and 1/12


By
Published 08:00 24/12/10



http://twitter.com/





Dear Diary,
I am very upset. Today is not a good day for Joey.
The manager says I haven't been doing well at Liverpool but how else was I supposed to fit in?
What does he know anyway? Stevie says I'm the best in the world.

 I was playing FIFA 11 yesterday with the boys. I haven't been able to play for a while because I've got a sore thumb but Paul Konchesky told everyone I'm the best in the world. Everybody wanted me to be their partner, wanted me on their team and they've all been trying to persuade me.
I went on Carra's team, we lost. I was played out of position, I'm much better sitting in the middle of the couch than out on the edge. How am I able to show my talent when messed about like that?
We visited a hospital to cheer up some sick kids before Christmas. Sammy Lee said he'd heard I was the best in the world at this, the anticipation was huge with all the players looking to me to bring the smiles to the kids faces.
Fernando wanted to know why, in his words: ‘Why are you rubbish at this Joe, you were supposed to be good. You're making the children cry, what's your beef?'.
I told him that I should always be deployed on the middle paediatrics ward and not out here on admissions, how am I supposed to display what I can do when treated like this?
At the Christmas party we played pass the parcel. Glen Johnson told everyone that he'd never seen anyone play pass the parcel like me, he said the stories from West Ham about my prowess at this were legendary. We sat there and the parcel went around and around, Jose unwrapped a bit, Raul unwrapped a bit, as did others, and then Stevie unwrapped the last bit and won.
Glen wanted to know what had happened ‘You didn't have control of it once, in fact you hardly touched it and here's me telling everyone you're really good.'
I explained to Glen that I was simply put in the wrong position and should they want to make the most of my ability then I need to be used more centrally. If it had been me where Stevie was, then I'd have done well too.
Later at the party, we had a disco and Milan was telling everyone that he'd heard throughout Europe that I was the most naturally gifted English dancer around. He had told all the lads and everyone was looking forward to seeing me do my stuff.
I gave it a go and they all seemed very disappointed but I had to explain to them that if the DJ plays the wrong music then how am I supposed to be able to dance at all?
I think they understood.
As imagined by Annie Eaves
​
 
Why the Christmas football fixtures will sort the title-chasing men from the boys
By Martin Lipton in Laptop with Martin Lipton
Published 16:41 23/12/10







Time for the biggest test. Time for the real depth of the Premier League squads to be shown. Time for truth.
Christmas may mean time off for most of the country but four high intensity games in 11 days will tell us a great deal about the eventual destination of the title battle.
With the exception of Monday's game at the Emirates, where Chelsea aim to continue their Indian sign over Arsenal, there are not too many titanic clashes.
But it is the sheer wear and tear that makes a mark when the games come so think and fast, the bumps, bruises and strains that add up to managers having to play mix and match to get a team on the pitch, picking the matches where they can rest those who would normally have to play.

 And looking at the current top five - who are likely to finish as the top five as well - it does look like the team at summit may well emerge from the maelstrom with their credentials not only intact, but bolstered.
United host improving Sunderland on Boxing Day, followed by trips to Birmingham and West Brom before welcoming Stoke to Old Trafford.
All four threaten to be tough, bruising encounters. Sunderland showed at Chelsea last month they deserve to be taken seriously, Birmingham do not tend to lose at St Andrews, Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies have already held United to a draw this season while Stoke are always exactly what it says on the packet.
But United's strength, one that none of their rivals can truly claim, is that priceless ability to chisel out wins when they are not thoroughly deserved.
Remember, Fergie and his men are top of the table despite the fact that Wayne Rooney has not scored a goal in open play for United since March. That, surely, has to change. He is too good a player for it to continue inexorably. The goals will come, with Christmas the perfect time for him to start delivering the presents.
Chelsea and Arsenal are the late starters, playing the only game on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti's side then tackle Bolton and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge before travelling to Wolves, while Arsenal face visits to Wigan and Birmingham before perhaps the other key clash of the period against Manchester City.
That final game of the whole frenzied Christmas list could prove to be the one that has real long-term ramifications.
By the time they arrive at the Emirates, City will have gone to Newcastle and played Villa and Blackpool at Eastlands, while Spurs, still the outsiders of the quintet despite their remarkable Champions League efforts, start at Villa Park before welcoming Newcastle and Fulham to White Hart Lane and then finish at Everton.
In other years, Chelsea would look at such fixtures with relish, assuming a win at Arsenal, six points at home and then momentum carrying them over the line at Molineux.
This is not like other years, though. Chelsea, remember, have not won in five, have dropped 15 points out of 21, look more vulnerable than ever before.
Ancelotti claimed the draw at Spurs was the turning point but the chance to demonstrate that against United was lost to the snow which fell on London at the weekend and while Frank Lampard will have had an extra eight days to build himself up to match fitness, he cannot have match sharpness after four months out.
At 32, asking Lampard to rush back into four flat-out games would be a genuine risk for the rest of the season. It means his contribution will have to be balanced out - but we have all seen what Chelsea are without Lampard.
Arsenal's two home game provide hard covers book-ending a series of games that may end their bid for good unless they show real strength of character.
Lose to Chelsea and Arsene Wenger's side will have been beaten six times before the half-way point of the season, surely too many defeats for them to emerge as champions, with the damage likely to stretch into the following games.
City, despite blowing their chance of being Christmas Number One, know that they have a real opportunity to prove their desire and while lack of game-time has added to the mood of in-fighting among some of Roberto Mancini's players, this is where the benefits of a real squad start to tell.
The likes of Joleon Lescott, Adam Johnson, Patrick Vieira, even Jo and Emmanuel Adebayor are likely to feature, with points to prove to the manager and points to win for the club.
As for Spurs, long-standing Tottenham fans will tell you that it is at this stage, when they are truly in the mix, that the club traditionally cocks it up.
Emerge from Christmas with nine points and they will look serious contenders. The normal Spurs thing, though, would be to win one, draw two and lose the fourth.
United, on the other hand, could win all four. If they even pick up 10 points, it will be hard to see anyone stopping them. Fergie knows that too. It is why he will be demanding an effort that can shape the rest of the campaign. Let battle commence.

​
 
Liverpool


Lucas Leiva is one of the few shining lights in Liverpool's dark year

Since January, there has been a sense at Anfield that 2010 simply cannot end soon enough.

Up and down: Lucas has enjoyed an eventful career full of highs and lows with Liverpool and the Brazil national team Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Rory Smith 7:00AM GMT 23 Dec 2010 Rory's Twitter
11 Comments


Liverpool's 118th year of existence was the one when the pressure of the past became too much to bear, condemning the five-year reign of Rafael Benítez to the most ignominious of ends, and when fear of what the future may hold reached fever pitch on the steps of the High Court.

Alone among the wreckage of 12 months to forget, Lucas Leiva has been able to live in the present.

If he left 2009 widely regarded by most inside and outside Anfield as a laughing stock, evidence of Benítez's blinkered folly, he will enter 2011 as a mainstay for club and country.

It is a remarkable turnaround. In the Brazilian's case, after all, it is not just any club, and not just any country.

Not that his ascension to acceptance has been easy. Nothing has, since the £6 million transfer in 2007 that took him from one side of the Atlantic to the other. This is a man, after all, who was one handball away from being an instant hero, but somehow found himself cast as the emblem of all that was wrong with Benítez's tenure.



It is clearly the Sliding Doors moment which, to the 23 year-old, encapsulates his early troubles in England.
"My beginning here was strange," he says, seated in an anteroom at Liverpool's Melwood base, wearing the sort of padded jacket trademarked by the Michelin Man.
The instant he is referring to, of course, was his first taste of the Merseyside derby, a 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park in October 2007, just three months into his Liverpool career. He was brought on for Steven Gerrard, no less, much to the bafflement of club captain and fans alike.
It might all have passed unnoticed, had Lucas's goal-bound shot not been handballed by Phil Neville on the line ("it was a better save than [Luis] Suarez's for Uruguay in the World Cup"). Lucas would have been a hero, Benítez a genius. The Everton captain's intervention did not alter the course of the game - Dirk Kuyt scored from the resultant penalty - but for the Brazilian, the die was cast.
"That maybe showed me my career would not be easy," he says, "But maybe it showed too that it would be successful in the end."
That he can reminisce about that moment now perhaps illustrates how far he has come.
Twelve months ago, it may not have been so romantic. Still fresh in his mind then was the disdain and derision he received from his own supporters that, at one point, grew so fierce he admits he feared the prospect of playing at Anfield.
"I liked to play there because we had the supporters, of course," he admits, "but when you do not have their full confidence, sometimes you prefer to play away. Then you hear things but you can blame the away fans."
He said the fans booed him "only once or twice", and added: "The rest of the time the fans have been very good with me and now I can see they believe in me. I feel comfortable, and when you feel comfortable, you play better."
That comfort has, in truth, been evident in Lucas for almost 12 months, ever since the man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Dec 29 last year, but it is in the first half of this season that he has finally started to earn praise from outside observers. Indeed, few would argue that he has been one of the few positives to emerge from the first six months of Roy Hodgson's time at Anfield.
Here too, though, Lucas's progression was not easy. Despite his improved performances in the second half of last season, he was informed in the summer that, should a suitable offer arrive for his services, Liverpool would be happy to sell. Three years on, he found himself back at the Sliding Doors.
"When they told me, I said I will try to find a club, but that I would not go just anywhere," he says.
"[I said] I think I can be at a good club, since Liverpool is a good club and I had been here for three years. But I also said I would fight for my place, I will train, that I am a professional. It was not easy, but sometimes you have to be calm.
A few offers came, but Liverpool did not accept them. I am glad that I stayed, because I am playing well, helping the team, and I am more important now than I was a few months ago."
While that is clearly a sentiment shared by Liverpool - Hodgson revealed earlier this month that the player would be handed a new contract, though discussions are yet to start - it is no surprise Lucas feels he has passed both tests.
Not only has he shaken off the tag of below-par substitute which seemed destined to haunt his time in England, he has also emerged as a key part of the new Brazil, as crafted by Mano Menezes, his former coach at Gremio.
He may not don the No 10, the most iconic of the Selecao's yellow shirts, but he is not far off. Menezes has entrusted him with the No 5, marking him as heir to Dunga, Mauro Silva, Cerezo and Gilberto.
"It is a really important shirt," says Lucas. "In Brazil, they think everything starts with this player. The No 5 is expected to make the game. It is one of the most important positions."
At one of the most important times, too. Menezes has been tasked with honing a Brazil side for the 2014 World Cup, held on home soil for the first time since 1950.
"We have to win it," says Lucas. "There is no option. It will be 12 years since we won it, and it is in Brazil. Everyone still remembers what happened in 1950 against Uruguay, and the final will be at Maracana again. There is a lot of pressure. People are thinking only about winning. It is a big responsibility for me."
Weighed down by the past, he would be forgiven for being intimidated by the future.
For Liverpool's Lucas Leiva, the reformed laughing stock, the present is so enticing, though, there is no need now to think beyond it.
 
Liverpool


Lucas Leiva is one of the few shining lights in Liverpool's dark year

Since January, there has been a sense at Anfield that 2010 simply cannot end soon enough.

Up and down: Lucas has enjoyed an eventful career full of highs and lows with Liverpool and the Brazil national team Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Rory Smith 7:00AM GMT 23 Dec 2010 Rory's Twitter
11 Comments


Liverpool’s 118th year of existence was the one when the pressure of the past became too much to bear, condemning the five-year reign of Rafael Benítez to the most ignominious of ends, and when fear of what the future may hold reached fever pitch on the steps of the High Court.

Alone among the wreckage of 12 months to forget, Lucas Leiva has been able to live in the present.

If he left 2009 widely regarded by most inside and outside Anfield as a laughing stock, evidence of Benítez’s blinkered folly, he will enter 2011 as a mainstay for club and country.

It is a remarkable turnaround. In the Brazilian’s case, after all, it is not just any club, and not just any country.

Not that his ascension to acceptance has been easy. Nothing has, since the £6 million transfer in 2007 that took him from one side of the Atlantic to the other. This is a man, after all, who was one handball away from being an instant hero, but somehow found himself cast as the emblem of all that was wrong with Benítez’s tenure.



It is clearly the Sliding Doors moment which, to the 23 year-old, encapsulates his early troubles in England.
“My beginning here was strange,” he says, seated in an anteroom at Liverpool’s Melwood base, wearing the sort of padded jacket trademarked by the Michelin Man.
The instant he is referring to, of course, was his first taste of the Merseyside derby, a 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park in October 2007, just three months into his Liverpool career. He was brought on for Steven Gerrard, no less, much to the bafflement of club captain and fans alike.
It might all have passed unnoticed, had Lucas’s goal-bound shot not been handballed by Phil Neville on the line (“it was a better save than [Luis] Suarez’s for Uruguay in the World Cup”). Lucas would have been a hero, Benítez a genius. The Everton captain’s intervention did not alter the course of the game - Dirk Kuyt scored from the resultant penalty - but for the Brazilian, the die was cast.
“That maybe showed me my career would not be easy,” he says, “But maybe it showed too that it would be successful in the end.”
That he can reminisce about that moment now perhaps illustrates how far he has come.
Twelve months ago, it may not have been so romantic. Still fresh in his mind then was the disdain and derision he received from his own supporters that, at one point, grew so fierce he admits he feared the prospect of playing at Anfield.
“I liked to play there because we had the supporters, of course,” he admits, “but when you do not have their full confidence, sometimes you prefer to play away. Then you hear things but you can blame the away fans.”
He said the fans booed him “only once or twice”, and added: “The rest of the time the fans have been very good with me and now I can see they believe in me. I feel comfortable, and when you feel comfortable, you play better.”
That comfort has, in truth, been evident in Lucas for almost 12 months, ever since the man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Dec 29 last year, but it is in the first half of this season that he has finally started to earn praise from outside observers. Indeed, few would argue that he has been one of the few positives to emerge from the first six months of Roy Hodgson’s time at Anfield.
Here too, though, Lucas’s progression was not easy. Despite his improved performances in the second half of last season, he was informed in the summer that, should a suitable offer arrive for his services, Liverpool would be happy to sell. Three years on, he found himself back at the Sliding Doors.
“When they told me, I said I will try to find a club, but that I would not go just anywhere,” he says.
“[I said] I think I can be at a good club, since Liverpool is a good club and I had been here for three years. But I also said I would fight for my place, I will train, that I am a professional. It was not easy, but sometimes you have to be calm.
A few offers came, but Liverpool did not accept them. I am glad that I stayed, because I am playing well, helping the team, and I am more important now than I was a few months ago.”
While that is clearly a sentiment shared by Liverpool - Hodgson revealed earlier this month that the player would be handed a new contract, though discussions are yet to start - it is no surprise Lucas feels he has passed both tests.
Not only has he shaken off the tag of below-par substitute which seemed destined to haunt his time in England, he has also emerged as a key part of the new Brazil, as crafted by Mano Menezes, his former coach at Gremio.
He may not don the No 10, the most iconic of the Selecao’s yellow shirts, but he is not far off. Menezes has entrusted him with the No 5, marking him as heir to Dunga, Mauro Silva, Cerezo and Gilberto.
“It is a really important shirt,” says Lucas. “In Brazil, they think everything starts with this player. The No 5 is expected to make the game. It is one of the most important positions.”
At one of the most important times, too. Menezes has been tasked with honing a Brazil side for the 2014 World Cup, held on home soil for the first time since 1950.
“We have to win it,” says Lucas. “There is no option. It will be 12 years since we won it, and it is in Brazil. Everyone still remembers what happened in 1950 against Uruguay, and the final will be at Maracana again. There is a lot of pressure. People are thinking only about winning. It is a big responsibility for me.”
Weighed down by the past, he would be forgiven for being intimidated by the future.
For Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva, the reformed laughing stock, the present is so enticing, though, there is no need now to think beyond it.
 
All I want for Christmas is... Lionel Messi? The players Prem fans want their clubs to sign revealed
By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog
Published 14:11 23/12/10







It's Christmas, and what else is this festive period about if it isn't presents? Yes, you could mention family, love, and even Jesus at a push, but here at MirrorFootball we know how it really is.
So we thought, which player would you like to find under your club Christmas tree? And who better to ask than those dedicated people from all around the country, who dedicate their lives to running a tribute website for your club.
We asked them to name two players; firstly a player they want to join who they could realistically see coming, and secondly a fantasy choice, from any club around the world.
Here are their answers - and feel free to add your own suggestions by leaving a comment below...

 Arsenal: Andrew at www.arseblog.com
1) Realistically I don't see Arsene Wenger signing anyone. Arsene is likely to be Scrooge this Christmas.
2) A dream signing - getting a centre-half for Christmas would be like getting a toaster or something. Even though you need one it's still not exciting. So Lionel Messi. You wouldn't need much wrapping paper either, he's so tiny!
Aston Villa: Stuart Young at www.avillafan.com
1) Realistically, Moussa Sissoko looks like a possibility as there is rumours he wants to return to the Premier League. He is a player we have lacked at Villa for so long, but I still question whether he could be the one to replace Gareth Barry or James Milner.
2) Dream player would have to be Michael Essien. You did say a dream pick and I like Essien more than any other player on the planet. I long to see Essien in a Villa number 5 shirt!
Birmingham City: Brian at www.singingtheblues.co.uk
1) Realistic pick would have to be Robbie Keane.
2) A dream pick for the blues would be Dimitar Berbatov.
Blackpool: John Aspinall at www.seasiderspodcast.co.uk (temporarily A Blackpool FC fans podcast | Welcome to the Seasiders Podcast)
1) David Nugent, because he's got good experience in the League and he's an ex-hero at Preston North End who are our local rivals, so it would be two fingers up to them.
2) Carlos Puyol, because I think he's the best defender in the world, he gets goals, and Barcelona already play in a tangerine kit!
Bolton: Antony McLoughlin at www.boltonwanderers-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic pick would be Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson, swiped from under the noses of Burnley.
2) Emmanuel Adebayor would be a dream pick, that is if Johan Elmander decides to leave.
Chelsea: Chelseadaft at www.chelseadaft.org
1) Realistic pick would be Phil Jones of Blackburn. Has already shown ability to be versatile, and looks to me of being similar to John Terry. Would provide Chelsea with good cover options at Centre Back and also in the middle of Midfield.
2) Dream Signing would be Fernando Torres. A natural finisher who so nearly joined us in the Summer. Alongside Didier Drogba, he would form a devastating partnership that would strike fear in Defences throughout the league.
Everton: Simon Paul at www.NSNO.co.uk
1) The first player most Evertonians would like to find under the Christmas tree would be Landon Donovan. He made such an incredible impact last season and we are crying out for someone with his pace and work ethic on the right again this time around. He's said he'll make a decision on whether he comes back or not when he gets back from his holidays, so we're all keeping our fingers crossed!
2) A dream pick? It'll go against the grain but probably Wayne Rooney - on a free, and with his pay being his tea each matchday rather than any actual money! We desperately need a striker who knows how to score and someone who can knuckle down and work hard for the shirt. Rooney would be that man if he ever came back.
Fulham: Kevin Markey at www.fulham-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic choice would be Robbie Keane from Spurs. He's too good to be a squad player that would fit in nicely in the Fulham side and get us up that table!
2) Dream choice would be David Beckham who could follow in the footsteps of Bobby Moore, George Best and Rodney Marsh at the Cottage by ending an eventful career with a flourish!
Liverpool: Matt Ladson at www.ThisIsAnfield.com
1) Realistic Signing - Ashley Young: We desperately need some pace and goals from midfield, Young is apparently on the radar and we all know how much Roy loves his English players.
2) Dream Signing - A new manager. Failing that, a forward to support Torres, a replacement for Konchesky or take your pick from Eden Hazard, Arda Turan or Juan Mata please.
Man City: Ric at www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
1) The player I can realistically see coming is Edin Dzeko
2) The dream pick would be Andreas Iniesta.
Manchester United: Dave Woods at www.unitedonline.co.uk
1) Realistically, I'd like Gareth Bale. Thought we made a bit of a mistake not being in for him when Tottenham signed him and it's definitely looking like a great bit of business for Spurs when they cash in on him.
2) Dream pick would have to be Lionel Messi, he'd pretty much be the first name on any team sheet in the world. Pretty sure he'll be at Barcelona for the rest of his career though.
Newcastle: Kev Fletcher at www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk
1) The "realistic" player would be Liverpool's Glen Johnson. We only have one Premiership quality right-back in Danny Simpson, new signing James Perch has been a massive disapointment. Johnson wouldn't be out of Mike Ashley's financial reach, if our owner thought about the well-being of the playing staff, rather than profit.
2) The "one we could not afford" would be Didier Drogba. Andy Carroll is a fabulous prospect, but he needs someone with international experience to work beside. No disrespect to Shola Ameobi, but I'm sure we could do better. Who better than Drogba?
Stoke City: Dan Buxton at www.stokecity-mad.co.uk
1) The realistic signing would have to be Jermaine Pennant on a permanent transfer. Has been on loan but is due back in Spain in the New Year and Zaragoza have jumped up the fee, they initially wanted £2m but now want £6m! He adds great balance to the team and is sorely missed when he has been unavailable.
2) Fantasy signing would be Michael Essien. TP is never going to change the way he sets his sides up, we will always have two holding central midfielders and I think Essien is easily the best player in this position in the world so would be the best addition we could have and let us dominate games from the middle of the park.
Sunderland: Adam Capper at www.a-love-supreme.com
1) Realistic Target - Danny Welbeck (Permanently) - He has proven himself to be of Premier League quality and has taken to SAFC like a duck to water. He is right with the team spirit and is forming great partnerships up front. Bruce is building a young and strong team here and Welbeck fits the bill. It would be a great loss if we couldn't keep him at the end of the deal. We only need to point out players like Richardson, Bardsley and Frazier Campbell to show just how wrong things can go at Man United.
2) Dream Target - Andres Iniesta - We have an incredible crop of strikers but could really use someone like him with world class to feed them. With him pitching in a few goals as well we'd win the league for sure.
Tottenham: Neil Vaughn at www.spurs-web.com
1) Carlos Tevez - A real quality striker who has proven himself in the Premier League. Unhappy at City, could Harry possibily work his magic and get us that world class centre forward partner we need for Defoe?
2) Cristiano Ronaldo - Bale down the left, Ronaldo down the right. Would there be possibly a better attacking wing pairing than those two?
WBA: Iain Bate at www.wba-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic: We really need another striker with Premier League quality. Somebody who is strong and pacy would be ideal. Although we don't really have any money to spend and our chairman prefers loan deals at this stage of the season. Nicolas Bendtner from Arsenal maybe worth enquiring about!
2) Unrealistic: I suppose that everybody would like to see Lionel Messi in their starting XI - although we've got Jerome Thomas, so he'd struggle to get in the side on the left. The one player I'd really like to see wearing the Blue and White stripes would be Didier Drogba though. He'd fit our style of play perfectly; and when on song, is the best striker in the division.
West Ham: John Curle at mirror.co.uk
1) Realistic pick is Yossi Benayoun. A bit part player at Liverpool and Chelsea. We never replaced him after he left for Anfield three years ago. We need a play-maker and he fits the bill. Still a top class player, even at the age of 30. Come back Yossi .. all is forgiven.
2) Dream pick is Yaya Toure. Amazing physique, amazing control, amazing ability. The complete midfielder. Forget Scott Parker, this bloke is the business. Perhaps we can offer him £500 quid a week plus a free plate of pie and mash. Well, he might come! If not .. it must be the god Tevez.
Wigan: Bernard Ramsdale at www.yeoldetreeandcrown.co.uk
1) Shaun Wright-Phillips. Most Wigan Athletic supporters have given up believing that Charles N'Zogbia will be a Latics player after January. Shaun would be an ideal replacement, even if in just a loan capacity.
2) Carlos Tevez. Despite all the perceived/alleged problems that he can give a manager, he is one of the best and hardest working strikers in the world and scoring goals is what the Premier League is all about.
Wolves: Gavin at www.thewolvessite.co.uk
1) For Wolves I'd like to have Joleon Lescott back to stop the goals we keep conceding.
2) Dimitar Berbatov to score some for us as he's the top goal scorer in the Premiership at the moment!!
Which players would you like for Christmas? Let us know by leaving a comment below...
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