Monday, November 11, 2013

Eto'o scores, Song gets Barca start


In the Premier League Wilfried Bony's double helped Swansea to a 3-3 draw with Stoke, while Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o was on the mark in Chelsea's 2-2 stalemate with West Brom.
Elsewhere around Europe Alex Song was handed a rare start for Barcelona, Kevin Prince-Boateng was in double form for Schalke, and Seydou Doumbia got on the scoresheet for CSKA Moscow.
ENGLAND
WILFRIED BONY (Swansea)
The Ivory Coast forward scored twice against Stoke but even his efforts weren't enough to secure victory in a 3-3 Premier League draw. Nevertheless, he started Swansea's recovery from 2-0 down with a powerful 56th-minute header before appearing to have scored the winner when he put the Welsh club 3-2 in front with four minutes left when he turned in Jonjo Shelvey's pull-back.
SAMUEL ETO'O (Chelsea)
The Cameroon star showed a typical striker's instinct to give the Blues a first-half stoppage time lead in their eventual 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Boaz Myhill had produced an excellent full-length save to parry Eden Hazard's angled shot and Liam Ridgewell should have cleared immediately when the ball rolled to his feet. Instead, the Albion left-back paused for long enough for Eto'o to stab his left foot at the ball and send it into the empty net.
STEPHANE SESSEGNON (West Brom)
The Benin forward looked to have won all three points for the Baggies when he put them 2-1 up in the 68th minute at Stamford Bridge before Chelsea equalised late on through Hazard's controversial stoppage-time penalty. Played in by Ridgewell, Sessegnon had the satisfaction of wrongfooting Chelsea captain and former England centre-half John Terry from 16 yards out before beating Petr Cech with a low drive.
YANNICK SAGBO (Hull)
Provided a rare highlight for the Tigers by scoring their only goal in a 4-1 defeat at high-flyers Southampton. Victor Wanyama was caught out 10 minutes into the second half when, collecting a simple pass from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, the Kenyan was dispossessed and the Ivory Coast's Sagbo scored from the edge of the box - the first goal conceded by south coast side Southampton at their St Mary's home ground since August 24. Unfortunately for Hull, the Saints already led 3-0 when Sagbo found the back of the net.
SPAIN
YOUSSEF EL-ARABI (Granada)
Moroccan forward El-Arabi scored a hat-trick as Granada moved into the top-half of the table with a 3-1 win over Malaga. The 26-year-old now has six league goals to his name in just nine league starts this season.
RICHMOND BOAKYE (Elche)
Ghanian Boakye headed home Elche's equaliser in their 1-1 draw away to Getafe on Saturday as their winless streak extended to four games.
SOFIANE FEGHOULI (Valencia)
Feghouli came off the bench to score his first league goal of the season as Valencia were held 2-2 at home to Valladolid on Sunday.
The Algerian was introduced just before the hour mark and took just 18 minutes to make an impact as he swept home Sergio Canales' cross to salvage a point for the hosts.
ALEX SONG (Barcelona)
Song was handed a rare start in place of the rested Sergio Busquets and played the full 90 minutes in Barca's 4-1 win over Real Betis.
The Cameroonian even had a big part to play in the Catalans' opener as he released Cesc Fabregas who squared for Neymar to score.
GERMANY
KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (Schalke 04)
The Ghana midfielder scored twice – both from headers – as Schalke 04 made up for their Champions League defeat at Chelsea with a 3-1 win at home to Werder Bremen on Saturday. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has scored six goals for Schalke since joining from AC Milan in August. Despite falling behind against strugglers Bremen, the Royal Blues roared back with Boateng netting on 64 and 85 minutes before Peru winger Jefferson Farfan hit the third in added time. The victory leaves Schalke sixth in the league with six wins from their first 12 league matches.
ERIC CHOUPO-MOTING (Mainz 05)
The Cameroon striker came off the bench to net a late goal to lift Mainz 05 up to eighth in the Bundesliga on Sunday and sealed a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. The 24-year-old came on in the 64th minute and headed home on 88 minutes at the far give Thomas Tuchel's side three points and kick off the party with carnival season to begin in Mainz on Monday. It was Choupo-Moting's fourth goal of the season and the result leaves Frankfurt 15th in the league, just above the relegation places after their fourth straight defeat.
ITALY
KWADWO ASAMOAH (Juventus)
After playing at left-back in Juventus's last outing, in last week's 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid, Asamoah was back on the wing for the Serie A champions in a 3-0 win over Napoli in Turin that could go down as one of the turning points of the season. Asamoah had an opportunity to add to Fernando Llorente's second-minute opener for the hosts but skewed his effort into the side-netting. An Andrea Pirlo free kick and a stunning volley from Paul Pogba sealed the points for Juve to move the champions to within one point of leaders Roma.
SULLEY MUNTARI (AC Milan)
Sulley Muntari produced two efforts for Milan in a frustrating first half for the Rossoneri in a 0-0 draw at Chievo, but missed the target with both. In dire need of a win to turn around their disastrous season so far, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri replaced the Ghanaian with Robinho in the 66th minute, to no avail.
FRANCE
Papy Djilobodji (Nantes)
The international defender, who made his debut for Senegal in August during the 1-1 draw against Zambia, scored the second goal for Nantes in their 3-0 drubbing at Bordeaux which lifted the promoted 'Canaries' within three points of third-placed Monaco and a coveted Champions League place. The towering 24-year-old from Kaolack has been a regular in central defence since signing from fifth division US Senart-Moissy in 2009 and was on the books of Rome-based Serie A club Lazio before settling in France.
Benjamin Angoua (Valenciennes)
The 26-year-old scored a rare but crucial goal for Valenciennes after just six minutes during their 1-1 home draw against 2012 champions Montpellier. The Anyama native scored one goal in four seasons at Hungarian side Honved Budapest before joining the Ligue 1 outfit. He has also scored one goal in 14 matches for the Ivory Coast who will defend a 3-1 lead against Senegal in the second leg of their decisive World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
RUSSIA
Guelor Kanga (Rostov)
The Gabon midfielder was one of the main driving forces of Rostov's 4-0 win against Ural Yekaterinburg. In the 11th minute Kanga set up the second goal when his cross onto the edge of the hosts' six-yard box was redirected into the net by a teammate. In the 62nd minute Kanga made it 4-0 for Rostov sending the ball into unguarded net after a monumental error by the hosts 'keeper Igor Kot.
Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow)
Ivory Coast striker kept Terek Grozny's defence under pressure from the start, scoring CSKA's opener after nine minutes old sending the ball home from a Bulgarian teammate midfielder Georgi Milanov's left-handed cross. In the 29th minute he set up CSKA's second as Serbian midfielder Zoran Tosic lobbed the ball in over Terek 'keeper on Doumbia's precise pass into the area. In the 38th minute Doumbia netted his second of the match firing home from the spot after Terek defenders fouled hism in the area.

Ethiopia travel to Nigeria on Thursday


Ethiopia national team Walia are set to travel directly to Calabar for the second leg World cup 2014 playoff clash against Nigeria's Super Eagles on Thursday with a chartered Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa.
An advance party led by secretary general Yigsaw Bezuayehu is already in Calabar setting up modalities and logistics ahead of the crucial game on Saturday.
Ethiopian Football Federation(EFF) President Junedin Bashah told supersport.com they will also be travelling with fans to give the team motivation in a match he described as very important to his country.
"All arrangements are in place and on Thursday we will get a chartered flight direct to Calabar to avoid any confusing. An advanced party has ensured everything has been put in place and now we wait for the 90 minutes on the pitch that will decide our destiny. We are planning to travel with fans to boast the morale of the players but we will finalise on the list on Tuesday," Junedin told supersport.com.
Ethiopia lost 1-2 to Nigeria in the first leg match played in Addis Ababa on October 13 and will need a two goal margin to be assured of qualifying for the 2014 World cup to be hosted by Brazil.

Samuel named Prime FC coach


The management of Prime FC have confirmed Abimbola Samuel as the club's head coach for the 2013/14 Nigeria National League (NNL)season.
The Osogbo-based side's management said they decided to invest their trust and confidence in Samuel due to his penchant and keen eye for emerging talents.
The former Sunshine Stars gaffer has agreed personal terms and he is expected to sign the dotted line next week and be unveiled after he must have conclude his contractual terms.
Samuel will be assisted by the former player of Prime FC, Deji Ayeni who last season coached Nigeria Nation-Wide League side, llesha West FC and former Ajiroba Ooni FC coach, Oluwashina Wasiu.
Former Lobi Stars goalkeeper, Tunji Baruwa and former Gabros FC goalkeeper trainer, Anayo Offor were appointed to oversee the goalkeeping department of the team.
The chairman of the Omoluabi Giants, Taiwo Ogunjobi confirmed the appointment of the coaches to supersport.com.
The terms for the newly constituted coaching crew will be formalised next week when the team resume from their one week break.
Ogunjobi urged the coaches to work hard so as to actualise the team promotion dream to the Glo Premier League.

Nigerian players paint Europe with goals


Unknown Nigerian striker, John Chibuike is slowly earning recognition in Europe.
The 25-year-old bagged a brace in Rosenborg’s 3-0 win over Lillestrom in Norway’s Elisterian.
Chibuike has now scored nine league goals this season.
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama continued with his good habit of keeping clean sheets as he helped Lille OSC draw 0-0 at En avant Guingamp.
Leke James, Michael Eneramo, Taye Taiwo and Brown Ideye all scored for their respective clubs as supersport.com now rounds up the best of the action.
Belgium (Jupiler Pro League)
Kim Ojo continues to go about his business quietly and effectively for Genk but failed to help prevent a 0-1 loss to Anderlecht at the Cristal Arena.
Ojo replaced Benjamin de Ceulaer after 86 minutes.
Ezekiel Imoh started for Standard Liege but was replaced after 65 minutes by Igor de Camargo in the 0-0 draw against Club Brugge at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.
Kehinda Fatai was not listed by the Club Brugge manager, Michel Preud'homme.
Michael Uchebo scored for Cercle Brugge’s 3-1 win over Kortrijk at the Jan Breydelstadion.
Denmark (Superliga)
Sylvester Igboun, Izunna Uzochukwu and Hassan Rilwan were all involved in FC Midtjylland’s 3-2 win over Viborg at the Energi Viborg Arena.
Ebere Onuachu was an unused substitute for FC Midtjylland.
Fanendo Adi was not listed in FC København’s 0-0 draw against Esbjerg at the Blue Water-Arena.
England (Barclays English Premier League)
Shola Ameobi was impressive for the Magpies and was eventually substituted after 60 minutes with the Vurnon Anita taking his place as the Magpies shocked Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
Shola’s younger brother, Sammy was an unused substitute in the game.
Peter Odemwingie played for 55 minutes for Cardiff City and was substituted by Frasier Campbell as the Bluebirds capitulated to a 0-2 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Omatsone Aluko is out for the next two months and Hull City suffered a crushing 1-4 loss to Southampton at the St. Marys stadium in the absence of the Nigerian.
Victor Moses took the place of Daniel Sturridge after 76 minutes in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Fulham at Anfield.
John Obi Mikel and Victor Anichebe were both in action for their respective sides as Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel replaced Cesar Azpilicueta in the 73rd minute as Jose Mourinho tried to salvage a game that threatened to slip away.
Anichebe took the place of Shane Long in the 79th minute.
France (Ligue 1)
Vincent Enyeama is now a really top player at Lille OSC in Ligue 1.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper was outstanding for Les Dogues as he produced three top saves to help the club earn a point in the 0-0 draw against En avant Guingamp at the Stade du Roudourou.
Enyeama has played in 13 league games this season and kept and impressive 11 clean sheets in Lille’s games against Lorient, Saint-Etienne, Rennes, Sochaux, Evian, Lyon, Ajaccio, Montpellier, Nantes, AS Monaco and his latest victims, En avant Guingamp.
Germany (Bundesliga)
Chinedu Obasi’s horror season in Germany continues as he was again left out in Schalke’s 3-1 win over Werder Bremen at the Veltins Arena.
Obasi has not played a single minute in any competition for Schalke this season.
Italy (Serie B)
Nnamdi Oduamadi made a rare start and played for all 90 minutes leading the Brescia line to little effect in the club’s 0-2 defeat to Avellinho at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti.
Serie A
Joel Obi was not listed for Parma in the 0-0 draw against SS Lazio at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Ogenyi Onazi played all 90 minutes for SS Lazio in the game.
The Netherlands (Eredivisie)
Uche Nwofor was slowly gaining the faith of the SC Heerenveen manager, Marco Van Basten but disaster has now struck for the 22-year-old.
Last week, the former junior international picked up an injury and has now been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup playoff against Ethiopia and the friendly international against four-time World champions, Italy.
Norway (Eliteserien)
Daniel Chima and Emmanuel Ekpo both played the entire 90 minutes as Molde lost 0-1 to IK Start at the Aker Stadion.
John Chibuike scored twice for Rosenbrg in their 3-0 win over Lillestrom 3-0 at the Åråsen Stadion.
Youngster, Freddy Friday came on as a second half substitute for Lillestrom.
Osita Chikere was an unused substitute for Viking in the 2-1 win over Sarpsborg at the Viking Stadion.
Aaron Olanare played all 90 minutes and led the line upfront for the vanquished side.
Akeem Latifu and Leke James played all 90 minutes for Aalesund in the club’s 2-1 win over Sogndal at the Fosshaugane Campus.
James scored the winner after 71 minutes.
Poland (Ekstraklasa)
Former junior international, Emmanuel Sarki came on as a second half substitute for Wisla Kraków but failed to prevent a 2-3 defeat to Górnik Zabzreat the Stadion im.
Princewill Okachi played all 90 minutes for Widzew club’s 0-1 loss to Leia Warsaw at the Stadion im. Ludwika Sobolewskiego.
Russia (Premier League)
Victor Obinna was an unused substitute in Lokomotiv Moscow’s 0-2 loss to Tom’Tomsk at the Stadio Trud.
Ahmed Musa played just two minutes as CSKA Moscow thrashed Terek Groznyi at the Stadion Torpedo im. Eduarda Strel'tsova.
Scotland (Premiership)
Efe Ambrose played all 90 minutes for Celtic in the Hoops’ 4-0 win over Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.
Rabiu Ibrahim is back to first-team action as he was included in the Kilmarnock squad as the club lost 1-3 to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Spain (Primera Lig)
Nosa Igiebor was not listed as Real Betis lost 1-4 to champions, FC Barcelona at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Odion Ighalo played no part in Granada’s 3-0 win over Malaga at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.
Ighalo was an unused substitute.
Ikechukwu Uche scored for the second week in succession for Villareal as the Yellow Submarine claimed the spoils in a 1-1 draw against high-flying Atletico Madrid at El Madrigal.
Turkey (Super Lig)
Taye Taiwo scored Bursaspor’s consolation in the club’s 1-2 loss to Sivasspor at the 4. Eylül Stadyumu.
Emmanuel Emenike played in the final 45 minutes as he helped Fenerbahce beat bitter rivals Galatasaray 2-0 at the Sukru Saracoglu.
Godfrey Oboabona and Uche Kalu played all 90 minutes for Rizespor in the club’s 1-2 loss to Karabukspor at the Dr. Necmettin Seyhoglu Stadi.
Michael Eneramo replaced the Portuguese forward, Hugo Almeyda after 72 minutes and scored for Besiktas with the last kick of the game in the 3-0 win over Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Sehir Stadi.
Ukraine (Premier League)
Lukman Haruna and Brown Ideye both played all 90 minutes to help Dynamo Kyiv beat Volyn 4-1 at the Stadion Avanhard.
Ideye scored for Dynamo Kyiv after 67 minutes.

Bucs outclassed in Cairo


Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League campaign came to an honourable but disappointing end in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday night when they were beaten 2-0 by Al Ahly at the Arab Contractors Stadium in the second leg of the final.
Al Ahly won the two-legged tie 3-1 on aggregate to claim a record-extending eighth Champions League crown. Pirates were the clear underdogs heading into the match and were unable to overcome their illustrious opponents, though they will look back on missed chances and wonder what could have been.
Al Ahly enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, but their only real threat at goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Ahmed Abdel-Zaher let fly from long range and forced Senzo Meyiwa into a good save.


The two best chances of the first 45 minutes went the way of Bucs. On 20 minutes Tlou Segolela cut inside from the right of the penalty area to be faced with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Sherif Ekramy made a brave block.
On 35 minutes a teasing cross from the right found Segolela arriving late at the back post, but he put his header wide of the target when he should have at least tested Ekramy again.
Just before halftime Al Ahly threatened to go through on goal with Abdallah Said, but Meyiwa came quickly off his line and the attacker was unable to get a shot away thanks to the ‘keeper’s pressure.
Nine minutes into the second half Al Ahly broke the deadlock. A low shot-cross from the right deflected off a Bucs defender and fell kindly for Mohamed Aboutrika, who stabbed home from close range to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.
Just past the hour mark Pirates had a great chance to draw level. Lennox Bacela sprung the offside trap and rounded Ekramy, but he was unable to direct a shot on target from a tight angle as Ahly defenders sprinted back to protect the goal line.
Ahly made Pirates pay in the 79th minute when Ahmed Abdel-Zaher turned home a low cross from the right to make it 2-0 and kill off the South Africans.
The Egyptians, however, did end the game with 10 men after the late dismissal for a second bookable offence of Sherif Abdel Fadil.
Al Ahly (0) 2 (Aboutrika 54’, Abdel-Zaher 79’)
Orlando Pirates 0
Al Ahly win 3-1 on aggregate.
Al Ahly: Ekramy, Abdel-Fadil, Gomaa, Nagieb, Moawad, Fathi, Ashour, Said, Soliman (Kenawi 73’), Aboutrika (Meteab 90+2’), Abdel-Zaher (Rabiea 85’)
Pirates: Meyiwa, Matlaba, Lekgwathi, Gcaba, Mahamutsa, Manyisa, Masalesa (Ntshumayelo 90+4’), Klate (Makola 86’), Segolela (Mbesuma 76’), Myeni, Bacela

Lekgwathi proud of his teammates


Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi said his teammates had made it easy for him to return into the side after he had been dropped for dissent.
"For the respect, I sent a letter to the club, just to apologise to all of them, to the chairman, to the technical committee, management, supporters, Orlando Pirates ladies and to my teammates," Lekgwathi said in Cairo on Sunday night.
"But now I am back in the team. As a senior player they were needing me, but unfortunately, my luck did not work in the final. But there is always next time."
The veteran defender led the Buccaneers onto the field in Cairo in the return-leg of the African Champions League final against Al Ahly, who retained the trophy after a 2-0 win on the night for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Lekgwathi had not played for Pirates since September after voicing his disapproval not to be selected for the MTN8 cup final against Platinum Stars.
"It was not difficult at all to get back into the team. Credit must go to my teammates, they made it easy for me, even if I played right back."
The 37-year-old former Bafana international said he would leave Cairo with mixed emotions.


I am proud of myself and I am proud of my team. I think we showed character. Reaching the final, playing in Egypt, it was not easy.

"I think we lost it in South Africa, where we gave away a goal. But we still came here and we played well and created a few chances, but fortunately for them, they got two lousy chances and buried them. That is part of the game.
"But I am also disappointed as this is the cup that I was looking forward to winning. I have won everything there is to win in South Africa, so I was looking forward to winning this cup for my family, for the chairman of the team and for the Pirates supporters, but unfortunately we lost in the final, but I am still proud."
Lekgwathi said he had no plans to retire.
"My legs will tell me when the time is right. I will just continue working hard and helping the youngsters to reach where I reached."
He did not rule out extending his stay with Pirates.
"I am still going to see the chairman, but as long as my legs can carry me, I will continue playing.

De Villiers commends ‘gutsy’ Bucs


Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Brand de Villiers has commended the ‘gutsy’ spirit of Orlando Pirates following their loss in the CAF Champions League final.
Orlando Pirates were defeated by African giants, Al Ahly in the second leg of the CAF Champions League in Cairo, Egypt.
De Villiers said: “Even though results didn’t go their way, we would like to commend Orlando Pirates for their gallant performance and resilience throughout the CAF Champions League. We would have loved to celebrate the second star on Orlando Pirate’s jersey, but I’m certain that this campaign has given them valuable lessons that will be profitable to them and other South African clubs that will participate in continental competitions.”
The PSL CEO added: “Orlando Pirate’s majestic journey in the CAF Champions League has been dominated by heroic moments whereby they defied odds and achieved results in difficult conditions at times.
"I would like to congratulate Orlando Pirates chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, the club technical staff led by coach Roger de Sa, the players and supporters for going this far. They might have lost in the final, but we are still proud of them and what they have done for South African and Southern African football.”
De Villiers said Pirates’ campaign in the Champions League was a sign that domestic football is now on the ascendance. “One of the most important things for us is to see our clubs compete and dominate at continental level. We have to test our strength against the best in our continent,” he said.