Durban loses right to host 2022 Commonwealth Games

Durban has lost the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Gideon Sam told Reuters on Monday.

"This is a huge disappointment for us and for the whole African continent. But without the necessary government guarantees, we couldn’t move on," the Commonwealth Games Federation vice-president said by telephone.

"Everybody was very excited to see the Commonwealth Games staged in Durban, which was very well equipped to host the event, but once the economics started to play a role, it became difficult.

"We had hoped to make this a Games for all of Africa, and so this is a very sad day for the whole continent."

-Reuters

Bayern go 10-point clear on the log

Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 10 points with a comfortable win over Eintracht Frankfurt, as their title rivals lost.

Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring on 38 minutes and Douglas Costa doubled the lead two minutes later.

The Poland striker scored his second of the game after half-time to reach 100 goals for Bayern in his 136th game.

Elsewhere title chasing RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund both lost ground on Bayern with costly defeats.

Mario Gomez scored the winner as second-placed Leipzig lost 1-0 at home to Wolfsburg.

Third-placed Dortmund, who beat Benfica 4-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, conceded after 11 minutes away to Hertha Berlin as ex-Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou scored.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his 32nd of the season to equalise for Dortmund on 55 minutes, before Marvin Plattenhardt scored Hertha's winner with a free-kick on 71 minutes.

Bayern, who beat Arsenal 5-1 on Tuesday in their Champions League round-of-16 tie, lead the table on 59 points, with Leipzig on 49 and Dortmund on 43.

-BBC

Silva and Aguero send City into Semi-Finals

Goals from David Silva and Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City a deserved win over Middlesbrough and earned Pep Guardiola's side a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Silva scored just three minutes in from six yards out after Pablo Zabaleta had time and space to cross low from the right.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Guzan produced a number of fine saves to deny Silva, Leroy Sane and deflect an Aguero shot on to the post.

But Aguero finally made the result safe for the visitors when he converted from Sane's low cross to earn his side a Wembley semi-final.

City have reached the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in four years as Guardiola aims to win some silverware in his first season in English football.

The Spanish manager also had the luxury of taking off Sane and Aguero before City play the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie in Monaco on Wednesday. City hold a 5-3 lead after a thrilling first leg.

Easy for dominant City

City had defeated West Ham, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town so far in the competition and completely dominated against Middlesbrough.

The visitors had 69% of possession and 10 shots on target compared with only three from the hosts at a packed Riverside Stadium.

City's movement off the ball was excellent as they repeatedly carved open a Boro defence that could not cope with the visitors.

Poor marking enabled Zabaleta to get free early on and his low cross was missed by Raheem Sterling before Silva lashed City ahead.

Only an outstanding performance by Guzan kept his side in it as he produced a number of saves to frustrate the visitors.

Aguero, who had earlier hit the post, got a goal he deserved when he finished well from the delivery from the excellent Sane.

Injury problems for struggling Boro

For Middlesbrough, 18th in the Premier League, it was another afternoon to forget.

Not only were they outclassed, they also suffered two injuries to key players as forward Rudy Gestede and defender Bernardo limped off.

Gestede had two attempts - heading just over and also having a header cleared off the line by Pablo Zabaleta - before going off after only 26 minutes with what appeared to be a lower back injury.

Boro have scored the fewest goals in the Premier League - 19 in 27 matches - and may now be without a striker who only joined them in January in a £6m move from Aston Villa.

Defender Bernardo also went off early in the second half with 19-year-old centre-half Dael Fry coming on to make only his second appearance of the season.

Boro, against the run of play, had a late chance to score but John Stones cleared off the line after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo had parried Fabio's header.

With 11 Premier League games left, Boro can now focus their attentions on trying to stay in the top flight.

Mali facing possible Fifa ban due to government interference

Mali is facing a possible Fifa suspension after the country's sports minister missed a deadline to revoke his dissolution of the football federation's Executive Committee.

Mali Sports Minister Housseini Amion Guindo took his action on Wednesday and duly installed an interim committee to lead the federation (Femafoot) until a new board can be elected.

Femafoot informed Fifa the same day whereupon football's world governing body gave Mali until Friday to cancel the suspension or face possible consequences.

Fifa outlaws governmental interference in the running of any of its member associations.

"We remind you that according to the Fifa statutes, all our member associations must handle their affairs in an independent fashion," Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura informed Femafoot president Boubacar Baba Diarra.

"If they are not in position to do this, they are liable to sanctions, including a possible suspension.

"The ministerial decision of 8 March 2017 goes against this principle and its implementation would constitute an interference in Femafoot's internal affairs.

"If the decision is not revoked by Friday, 10 March 2017, the case will automatically be submitted to the Fifa Council for consideration," added the Senegalese, in a letter dated 9 March.

Africa Cup of Nations runners-up in 1972, Mali have appeared at eight of the last nine Nations Cups.

They exited in the group stages of this year's competition, after contesting a pool including eventual semi-finalists Ghana and Egypt, who lost to Cameroon in the final.

-BBC

ARSENAL 1-5 BAYERN MUNICH (AGG: 2-10): 10-MAN GUNNERS CRASH OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Theo Walcott opened the scoring at the Emirates, but Laurent Koscielny saw red before the floodgates opened on another tough night for Arsene Wenger
Bayern Munich inflicted another 5-1 defeat on Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie to send the Gunners crashing out of Europe 10-2 on aggregate.

Things had started brightly for Arsene Wenger’s side, after a pre-game protest against his tenure, with Theo Walcott opening the scoring inside 20 minutes.

The tide turned, though, after Laurent Koscielny saw red for bringing down Robert Lewandowski inside the box early in the second half.

The Polish striker dusted himself down to convert from the spot and the floodgates opened.

Former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben returned to haunt Arsenal once more, before Douglas Costa and a brace from Arturo Vidal compounded the misery for Wenger and his beleaguered troops.

-Goal

Hazard and Costa sends Blues 10 points clear

Antonio Conte's side put in a professional performance in a capital derby at the London Stadium to cement their standing at the Premier League summit

Eden Hazard and Diego Costa helped Chelsea to restore their 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over West Ham.

A capital derby at the London Stadium produced a bright opening, with the hosts posing plenty of problems for the table-topping Blues.

It was, however, to be the kind of flowing counter that has become Chelsea’s trademark this season which allowed them to open the scoring.

Hazard exchanged passes with Pedro to spring in behind and the Belgian made no mistake as he calmly rounded Darren Randolph and rolled into the back of the net.

Costa then doubled that advantage five minutes into the second half as he bundled home his 17th league goal of the season from a corner.

Manuel Lanzini pulled one back in stoppage-time to set up a nervy finish for the visitors, but they were able to leave with all three points.

-Goal

David Haye v Tony Bellew: Liverpudlian wins in 11th round

WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew produced a stunning upset to stop bitter rival David Haye in a thrilling heavyweight contest at London's O2 Arena.

The Liverpudlian, 34, pounced when Haye appeared to turn his ankle in the sixth round to score a knockdown and seize momentum.

Haye, who quickly had his ankle strapped, fatigued in the middle rounds as Bellew stressed he would, his attacks becoming wild and wayward.

And in the 11th, a second knockdown saw ex-WBA heavyweight champion Haye tangled in the ropes, the towel enter from his corner and his hopes of a return to the world-title level of the sport left in tatters.

Bellew - a big underdog with bookmakers - raced to trainer Dave Coldwell in celebration as he scored a victory which will likely filter through to non-boxing fans far more than his 2016 world-title win at Goodison Park did.

And the bitter war of words leading up to the fight ended with Haye congratulating Bellew in the centre of the ring and the victor offering a rematch which will likely be the best offer Haye has.

The first round had those in the O2 Arena intrigued. A hate-fuelled slug-fest or artistic boxing?

The latter won the day, with Bellew happy to see Haye jump in while he fired off solid replies in-between darting out of trouble.

And so established a pattern, Haye taking the centre of the ring, Bellew nearer the ropes.

As the established heavyweight stalked his man, often they stood statue-esque for moments as Bellew looked for Haye's trigger - his own prompt to counter.

But slipping shots can be a dangerous game and a straight right to Bellew's jaw in the fifth was audible ringside, though nothing could be heard in the sixth as the Arena screamed to the drama.

Both men went down - Haye twice - though neither faced a count as their falls to the canvas were deemed slips but the sheer punch volume from Bellew then legally felled Haye, who looked stunned and shattered in answering a nine count.

Bellew, who stressed his rival would fatigue after four rounds, had his wish, dominating, boxing at his own pace, jabbing when he wanted to slow down and engaging more violently when the chance arose.

Haye's low blow in the ninth summed up his increasing desperation and, two rounds later, his clamber from the ropes after a barrage of punches was pitiful for one once at the top of the sport. The towel entered, signalling the third defeat of a 31-fight career.

-BBC

Murray wins first title of year in Dubai

World number one Andy Murray won his first title of 2017 with a 6-3 6-2 victory over unseeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Saturday.

Murray lost his first two service games of the match but overcame that poor start to win in Dubai for the first time.

"Obviously I'm very happy to do it here for the first time. It's been a good start to the year," Murray told the BBC.

"Often when you get through matches like that (quarter-final against Philipp Kohlschreiber when I saved seven match points) it settles you down for the rest of the tournament.

"It's been quite a few late finishes this week. Maybe the last couple of matches, I didn't start as well as I would like. It's been the same for all the players, a bit tricky with the rain. Once I got going today, I was moving well and I finished strong.

"This year has given me great momentum."

Murray, who had won 12 of his past 13 matches against the Spaniard, started slowly and was broken in the first game before breaking back in what was a nervous start by both players.

The heavy-hitting Verdasco cracked a series of powerful winners to break an uncomfortable-looking Murray again in the third game and consolidated to hold for a 3-1 lead.



Despite a shaky serving performance, Murray, helped by a string of Verdasco errors, reeled off five successive games to take the first set 6-3.

Murray continued in the same vein in the second set and slowly began to dictate from the baseline on the back of an improved serve to open up a 3-1 lead which he did not relinquish.



The three-times grand slam winner, who cut a frustrated figure throughout an uncharacteristically sloppy performance, sealed victory with a powerful serve to claim his 45th career title.

-Reuters

'Unsung hero' Kante pushing Chelsea towards title: Wise

Former Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise has likened N'Golo Kante to club great Claude Makelele and said the 25-year-old's stellar performance is one of the reasons the London side appear to be cruising towards the Premier League title.

Since joining from Leicester City last year, France International Kante has made the anchorman role his own at Chelsea, who have a 10-point cushion over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur with 12 games remaining.

"He is very much like him (Makelele). He breaks things up really well and his passing is impressive," Wise, who made over 300 appearances in 11 years at Chelsea, told the club's website.

"He's an unsung hero and people are recognising what he is doing for the team. He closes people down and he shuts hole, protects the back three and I think he's done fantastic ever since he's come in."

Wise also felt Chelsea would have no problem dealing with the pressure having won the title in 2015.

"Some of these players, they're big players, they've been in this situation before so I can see them coping quite easily with the pressure coming towards them," Wise added.

Chelsea travel to face London rivals West Ham United on Monday.

-Reuters

Footbal: Victor Moses extends Chelsea stay

Victor Moses has today signed a new contract with the Blues.

The 26-year-old has established himself as a regular in the side this season, playing an integral role in our pursuit of silverware under Antonio Conte.

Upon signing the two-year extension to his deal, which will now run until 2021, Moses said: ‘I feel very excited. I’m delighted to be here for another few years now and to sign a new deal. Now it’s time to concentrate on the team and keep working hard to make sure we win games and try to win the Premier League this season.

‘We’re having a great season, I’m enjoying my football and we have a good manager here that has given every single one of us confidence. I just want to keep on enjoying it and working hard for the team.’

Technical director Michael Emenalo added: ‘We are extremely pleased Victor has chosen to extend his contract with us. He is enjoying an excellent season and, under Antonio’s leadership, has proved to be an important member of the squad.

‘This new contract is testament to Victor’s hard work and dedication to succeed at Chelsea and we believe he will be a big part of our future success.’

A Nigerian international, Moses has produced incredible consistency in his performances, starting every Premier League game since 1 October when he was named in the line-up away at Hull City.

It was in that fixture that Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation for the first time and Moses, deployed in an unfamiliar right wing-back role, impressed in a 2-0 victory. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, growing in stature with every game and thriving under Conte’s guidance.

The combination of his natural attacking instincts, and ability to defend intelligently when the opposition are in possession, ensure Moses is ideally suited to the way in which Conte wants his team to play. He has become a valuable member of the side as well as a popular figure among supporters, scoring four goals so far this season, including a winner at home to Tottenham in November.

Moses arrived at Chelsea in 2012 from Wigan Athletic and enjoyed a solid first season at the club, helping us lift the Europa League trophy.

After spending time out on loan, he caught Conte’s eye during pre-season due to his technique, physical strength and high energy levels, and the Italian made the decision to keep him at Stamford Bridge for the 2016/17 campaign.

In total, Moses has made 72 appearances for the Blues, 28 coming so far this season, scoring 14 goals.

Football: Transfer rumours update

ALDERWEIRELD TO SIGN NEW SPURS DEAL

Toby Alderweireld is set to sign a new contract at Tottenham, according to the Daily Mail.

The Belgium international has become a key part of the club's defence since joining from Southampton in 2015, with Spurs conceding just 32 goals in 26 games thus far this season.

Alderweireld's current contract contains a £25 million release clause, but the new deal would see that eradicated as Spurs bid to retain the services of the 27-year-old.

WENGER TURNS DOWN £30M CHINA OFFER

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rejected a staggering £30 million offer to manage in China, according to the Daily Telegraph.

An unnamed Chinese club were willing to pay the Frenchman, who has claimed he will not retire next season amid intense speculation over his Gunners future, £30m-per-year net, double the salary of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Wenger has not yet made a decision on his Arsenal future, but has been offered a new contract, which is believed to be worth around £10m-per-year. However, Wenger is not keen on a move to China.

MAN UTD EYE FABREGAS

Manchester United will consider a summer move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Jose Mourinho has long been a fan of the Spain international, and wants the Red Devils to make a bid should it become apparent the Blues are willing to sell.

AC Milan remain the forerunners in the chase for Fabregas, and would be willing to offer £27 million to land the former Arsenal captain.

JUVENTUS JOIN FORWARD FIGHT

Juventus have joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the hunt for Fiorentina forward Federico Bernardeschi, according to La Stampa.

The 23-year-old playmaker, who has been billed 'the new Baggio', has netted 10 times this season to spark interest in a summer transfer from leading clubs in England and Italy.

DE VRIJ FAVOURS MAN UTD

Lazio defender Stefan De Vrij would relish the opportunity to join Manchester United this summer, according to The Express.

The Netherlands international is also interesting Chelsea, but he has expressed a desire to make a £30 million move to Old Trafford.

ARSENAL CHASING KURZAWA

Arsenal are keen to move for Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa, reports Sport Mediaset.

The Gunners are ready to bring in reinforcements at the back following their struggles this season and have earmarked the left-back - expected to cost them £17 million - as a summer signing regardless of whether Arsene Wenger stays on as manager.

ARSENAL WATCH INSIGNE

Arsenal scouts were present at Napoli's 2-0 loss at home to Atalanta on Saturday to watch Lorenzo Insigne in action, reports Tuttomercatoweb.

The Italy international has been in top form of late, with spectacular efforts against Real Madrid and Chievo Verona intensifying long-standing links to the Emirates Stadium outfit.

Another player the Arsenal scouts were reportedly viewing was Faouzi Ghoulam, whose contract situation at Napoli has led to speculation that Bayern Munich could swoop for the left-back.

MILAN STILL WANT FABREGAS

AC Milan still have Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas on their transfer radar, according to Calciomercato.

The Serie A side were heavily linked with the Spain international while he was out of favour at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and are weighing up the merits of a summer approach.

BELLERIN EYES UP MAN CITY

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is keen on joining Manchester City this summer, according to Don Balon.

Despite only signing a new deal with the Gunners in November, the Spain international is concerned about the direction the club is going in and is looking to leave.

Barcelona remain an option, though he is wary of returning to the Camp Nou after leaving as a teenager, and City represent a more appealing option.

AGUERO WANTS MADRID MOVE

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero wants to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, according to The Sun.

Following the emergence of Gabriel Jesus, the Argentine is worried about spending too much time on the bench and is desperate to move to Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

SPURS COULD TURN TO RABIOT

Tottenham could be about to reignite their interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to the Daily Mirror.

Spurs have previously failed in a loan bid for the 21-year-old, who has indicated he would be open to leaving Parc des Princes if the right club came in for him.

MAN CITY PLAN £140M MONACO RAID

Manchester City are preparing to spend £140 million to lure four stars away from Monaco, according to Calcio Mercato.

The Citizens have been linked with £50m-rated teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, but are also interested in defenders Fabinho and Benjamin Mendy, as well as attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar.

Pep Guardiola's side would have to cough up another £90m to land the trio, who all played in the 5-3 defeat to City at the Etihad on Tuesday.

MILAN EYE AUBAMEYANG AND KEITA

AC Milan have targeted both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Keita Balde as they look to strengthen their attack in the summer, according to Correire dello Sport.

Gabon international Aubameyang has revealed his desire to leave Borussia Dortmund, and Milan could beat Real Madrid to his signature.

They are also eyeing 21-year-old Lazio forward Keita, who is having his best season to date for the Rome club, with seven goals in 19 Serie A appearances.

LEICESTER PLAYERS WANT PEARSON

Leicester City's players would welcome Nigel Pearson back to the club following the departure of Claudio Ranieri, according to the Daily Mirror.

Pearson helped Leicester stay in the Premier League in 2014-15, but was dismissed the following summer after falling out with the team's owners. Roberto Mancini and Frank de Boer have both been linked with the vacant position, but have ruled themselves out.

MAN UTD FAVOURITES TO SIGN DONNARUMMA

Manchester United are firm favourites to sign Milan wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to the Daily Mirror.

The newspaper reports that the 18-year-old goalkeeper, who is valued at £40 million (€47m), has been identified by Jose Mourinho as a potential replacement for David de Gea, should the Spaniard leave Old Trafford.

CHELSEA SLAP £127M PRICE TAG ON COSTA

Diego Costa will cost Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian a world record £127 million if Chelsea are to agree a deal, the Daily Star reports.

The Spain international, who has been a key player for Antonio Conte's side this sason, has been linked with a move to China in recent months, but will command a hefty fee.

DE GEA CALLS MADRID OVER MOVE

David de Gea has called Real Madrid to discuss the interest that Los Blancos are reported to have in Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, according to Don Ballon.

The Spain international has long been a target of the European champions and is concerned any move for the Belgian could prevent him from one day making the move.

INTER TO MOVE FOR JAMES

Inter are to continue their pursuit of Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Serie A side tried to sign the Colombian in January and are willing to pay up to €80 million for the player.

MAN UTD STEP UP NEYMAR PURSUIT

Jose Mourinho has been in regular contact with Barcelona forward Neymar in an effort to get him to join Manchester United, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

The Red Devils boss is said to have spent several weeks attempting to convince the Brazilian that a move to Old Trafford would be beneficial to his career.

-Goal

Footbal: The Unethical Manner Of Claudio Ranieri's Sacking By Leicester City Fc

By Jimmy Broni Smith

Leicester City FC should have handled Claudio Ranieri's ousting a tad bit respectfully in my humble opinion. For all intents and purposes and by all indications too, the Italian is the greatest manager ever in the 133 year long history of the English club. Why? The answer is as simple as drinking water: The Rome born 65 year old masterminded the club's shock win of the English Premier League last season. A feat which was described by one writer as the greatest "ever unexpected assault on organised sport".

Ranieri became a global sensation as a result, captivating viewers from Albania to Zimbabawe with his candour, humility and easy going mannerisms. FIFA's current coach of the year had in the run-down to that famous victory with Leicester, hitherto a yo-yo team commuting between the Premier League and the second tier of English football, the Championship, forged a strong sense of belief and brotherhood within the squad. The players talked all through that season of playing for one another from the Dane, Kasper Scheimeichel in goal to Jamie Vardy the Englishman upfront. Leicester had the footballing world drooling in excitement with win after win. On a personal level I voluntarily became a Leicester City fan especially as my favourite team Manchester United was punching below its weight under the tutorship of the eccentric Louis Van Gaal. Leicester's is the best underdog story EVER! 

But here is how I think they could have handled the sextuagenarian's sacking and respectfully too to boot.

Who remembers Jose Mourinho's ouster from Chelsea in the middle of the 2015/16 season? After a very bad run for Chelsea (which rumour attributed to a fallout between Mourinho and his players), the uncharacteristic type of bad runs one cannot and will not equate with any Mourinho side, the Portuguese was sent packing by the Abramovich led oligarchy. Chelsea released a statement detailing that the now Manchester United manager had left the West London club by mutual consent. That was somehow less nerve wracking and shocking in comparison with Tinkerman Ranieri's dismissal around this same time last night. The message last evening was stark and tactless in the way it came across: "Claudio Ranieri sacked!" I didn't see that coming. Ranieri a cult figure at the club would still be loved if Leicester plummeted down to the second tier. At least that was my conviction. I thought he was simply UNSACKABLE. But back to Mourinho's sacking last season: regardless of that finely worded script released by Chelsea's PR unit, Mourinho was visibly furious and it apparently took him a couple of months to get over the apoplexy. 

Look, nobody is to be fooled into believing that leaving by mutual consent isn't a sacking! The obvious truth is: it is a sacking. Just that it is less controversial and in the minds of many fans it sounds benign and creates the impression that both parties have not had a damaging fall-out. That things were conscientiously worked out in the interest of both sides. Let's take an example from the world of matrimony where many a fall-out is frequent! Some celebrity couples or those with grown children normally announce their falling-out as due to "irreconciliable differences". Thus they should move on but nonetheless remain friends. Think of the most extreme of paradoxes!

Claudio Ranieri is well travelled and has coached top clubs around Europe: Chelsea, Roma, Monaco et al. That is a CV many coaches will die for. Largely viewed as a spent force for many years, his stock rose high up to the firmament when he masterfully tinkered with Leicester to win the Premier League. Such a coach as "The Tinkerman" deserves a lot of respect. Trophies earn you that and what a trophy -- the most hyphed in the world of football! Mourinho was left fuming when he departed Stamford Bridge by "mutual consent", but he walked out through the door with his dignity intact. The Portuguese knows how galling it is to be sacked! Twice at Chelsea! But in his case the professional way it was handled first time out paved the way for his second coming. Hearing him speak today to the press, he was clearly unimpressed with the manner of the veteran Italian's sacking. He paid him "homage" by wearing a shirt emblazoned with his compatriot's CR initials. On seeing it I thought CR7 had come back to town! LOL!

Leicester City should have released a statement in this guise:

"Following a thorough introspection by the club's board in conjunction with its title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri, it is disappointed to announce that it has reached a deal with him to end his contract with immediate effect. Claudio therefore leaves the club by mutual consent. However, his legacy here will never be erased in this age nor the next. This decision is in the best interest of both club and manager. We wish him all the best in his fresh foray elsewhere."

Jimmy writes from Sierra Leone

Feature: ISSA HAYATOU MUST GO! We Want A forward thinking CAF !!!

By

Jimmy Broni Smith

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is in dire need of a new body politic. It's election for a new president takes place on March 17th and as ever, its effervescent but seemingly power hungry president has thrown his hat into the ring again.

Issa Hayatou has been there forever but the truth remains lucid that the organisation lacks a clear vision and mandate going forward. CAF lags behind other continental football bodies by a mile methinks -- organisation-wise, infrastructurally and financially! 

 For one, the African Nations Cup, its BIENNIAL continental flagship showpiece has lost its appeal in the eyes of many especially football managers in the top leagues in Europe. It comes around too often, that's the contention! The Afcon will be more respected and given the recognition it deserves if it comes around or is hosted every four years like its European counterpart The UEFA Nations Cup! 

Its timing should also be synchronised to meet up with the seasonal end of the major leagues in Europe. Any wonder that many African footy stars refused to turn up for their respective nations during the just concluded Afcon tournament in Gabon? I'd rather stay in Europe and perform for my club who pays my weekly wages than come play for a country whose FA is corrupt, inept and rotten to the core. BESIDES, leaving their respective clubs in midseason to come play in Africa has consequences too both on a personal and team level. Take Sadio Mane for a simple example: he being Liverpool's most mercurial player at present was sorely missed by the club which went many weeks without a win because he was away in Gabon representing his homeland Senegal. But as soon as the club hurriedly jetted him back in (after ironically missing a penalty himself which knocked Senegal out of the tournament) and got settled, the team quickly returned to winning ways thanks to his goals. With football being a result-oriented business, top clubs are staunchly averse to losing their best performers. More goals, more points, more monies: that's the philosophy of professional football clubs. On the other hand, players can get seriously injured or return back to Europe only to find that their managers have frozen them out of the first team picture or the squad altogether. 

Some African players cannot also for the life of them obviously reconcile between the organisational nous at play on all frontiers in their European football clubs with the disaster playing out with the National teams. The very reason why many top footballers of African origin have opted not to play for the countries of their parents. The dirty politicking is too strong for their stomachs to take. 

 Most African FAs are guilty of this and CAF has really done little in addressing these recurring issues. CAF should get past the Pan Africanist mindset and accept its place in the universal fraternity that is football. Colonialism has ended and it's hightime Africa engaged with the wider world in a rational, confident and mature manner. 

Logistics too, has turned out to be a fraught area for the continent's football governing body. The poor state of the pitches tournament after tournament is a vexing spectacle. All the more reason calls get louder for the tournament to be staged quadrilaterally. That is ample time for CAF to get its logistical acts together and give the continent a befitting event.

CAF under Hayatou has bumbled severally for my liking. A major howler was when it banned Togo from football after the terrorist attack on that team's bus while it travelled to its base in the enclave of Cabinda during Angola 2010. A player in the team's rank died after the bus came under fire from Angolan Separatist Rebels. When Togo announced their non-participation in the tournament as a result, CAF passed their most controversial judgment EVER! The disappointment was nothing like I have ever felt as a football fan. Injustice par excellence!

Issa Hayatou, that Cameroonian geriartic who hardly smiles (LOL) must give way to the new generation which MUST take our CAF forward!

If FIFA, the world football governing body could chase Sepp Blatter (its once powerful czar) from the hot seat after almost two decades in charge on charges of corruption and patronage, then why can't CAF supposedly do the same to Hatayou albeit through an election? I hope he loses to the 57 year old Ahmad Ahmad head of the Madagascar FA. His decision to run was triggered after he heard some Federation Presidents say they want change. Many, including the Nigerian FA President Amaju Pinnick have offered their backing. CAF wants change and that change must begin with the ousting of the 70 year old Hayatou who's been at the helm two years shy of 30. It's obvious that CAF which represents the FAs of perhaps the most exciting footballers in the world is still playing catch-up to other continental football bodies in the 21st century! This must

Jimmy Broni Smith

Sports writer, Political and Public affairs commentator

He writes from Freetown, Sierra Leone

Europa League: Tottenham crash out

Tottenham Hotspurs were on Thursday knocked out of the Europa League as Gent held them to a 2-2 draw at a sell-out Wembley match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Spurs, who trailed 1-0 after the first leg of the last-32 tie, made a great start as Christian Eriksen slipped an angled shot under Gent keeper Lovre Kalinic.

The visitors equalised through Harry Kane’s own goal, leaving Spurs needing to score twice more in front of a Europa League record attendance of 80,465.

Their task became harder when midfielder Dele Alli was sent off shortly before half-time for a dangerous tackle.

Victor Wanyama’s curler into the top-left corner revived Spurs’ hopes, only for substitute Jeremy Perbet to prod Gent into the last 16 with less than 10 minutes left.

Spurs’ elimination means they have only reached the Europa League quarter-finals once in the past six seasons.

Manchester United, who beat French side Saint-Etienne 4-0 on aggregate, will be the only British side in the last-16 draw on Friday.

-NAN

Football: Claudio Ranieri sacked by Leceister City

Leicester have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri, less than a year after the Italian led to the Premier League title.

Leicester show ‘big heart’ to keep hopes alive at Sevilla, says Claudio Ranieri

Despite a late goal from Jamie Vardy on Wednesday night that ensured they head into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Sevilla with a 2-1 deficit, it is understood that the 65-year-old was informed of the decision on his return from Spain.

“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make in nearly seven years since King Power took ownership of Leicester City,” said a statement from vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

“But we are duty-bound to put the club’s long-term interests above all sense of personal sentiment, no matter how strong that might be.

“Claudio has brought outstanding qualities to his office. His skilful management, powers of motivation and measured approach have been reflective of the rich experience we always knew he would bring to Leicester City. His warmth, charm and charisma have helped transform perceptions of the Club and develop its profile on a global scale. We will forever be grateful to him for what he has helped us to achieve.

“It was never our expectation that the extraordinary feats of last season should be replicated this season. Indeed, survival in the Premier League was our first and only target at the start of the campaign. But we are now faced with a fight to reach that objective and feel a change is necessary to maximise the opportunity presented by the final 13 games.”

Europa League: Mkhitaryan sends United through to round of 16

Manchester United cruised into the last 16 of the Europa League as a 1-0 victory at Saint-Etienne crowned a dominant 4-0 aggregate triumph, but match-winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan left boss Jose Mourinho with an injury worry.

The sight of the Armenia captain – who continued his recent fine form with a smartly taken goal from Juan Mata’s cross – departing before the half hour with an apparent hamstring problem was far from welcome with Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton on the horizon.

Mourinho’s scope for tactical substitutions with an eye on that Wembley date was further limited when centre-back Eric Bailly was booked for two fouls on Romain Hamouma in the space of three needlessly rash minutes in the second-half.

It means the Ivory Coast international will be suspended when United begin their last-16 tie and his manager will have been pleased to see the remaining action at a buoyant Stade Geoffroy-Guichard pass without incident.

FA Cup Quarter Finals: United face Chelsea

Chelsea have been drawn at home to Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in the quarter-final stage of the FA Cup.

The Portuguese will return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving the west London club as he looks to replicate Louis van Gaal's success with the Red Devils last season.

Elsewhere, non-league Lincoln City were handed a potential trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal, should Arsene Wenger's side put out Sutton United on Monday evening.

Should Sutton beat the Premier League club, however, it would guarantee a non-league club in the semi-final stage of the competition.

Tottenham will host London rivals Millwall, having beaten Fulham on Sunday thanks to a Harry Kane hat-trick, while Middlesbrough will welcome either Huddersfield or Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's team could only draw with David Wagner's Championship side on Saturday, despite the Terriers fielding a weakened XI as they continue their bid to reach the Premier League.

FA Cup: Zlatan and Pogba rescues United

A rotated Red Devils team came close to being shown up by their lower league opponents, until the two stars came in to save the day.

For 62 minutes, Blackburn Rovers’s hopes of knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup were very much alive. Having taken the lead before being pegged back in the first half, the Championship outfit could certainly argue they were deserving of at least a replay following a spirited performance.

Kept on the bench by Jose Mourinho in the hope of resting them ahead of next week’s EFL Cup final, United’s two biggest superstars were woken from their slumber to provide the quality an otherwise lacklustre United required to force themselves into the quarter-finals. Thirteen minutes later, the pair combined to do just that.

Picking the ball up inside his own half, Pogba showed great class to lift a perfectly-weighted ball over the top of the Blackburn defence that Ibrahimovic was able to let bounce before slotting past goalkeeper Jason Steele with aplomb. This United squad is still going through something of a rebuild under Mourinho, but in his dynamic duo he has two world-class talents on which lean for at least the next 18 months.

Ibrahimovic in particular continues to defy those who felt that, at 35, he would not be able to recreate his best form in the English game. Just three days after netting a hat-trick against Saint-Etienne he stood up to net yet his 24th goal of an increasingly fruitful season. That no player has played more matches than him in all competitions this term (36) is just a further testament to his fitness.

His reward will likely be a week at home while his team-mates jet off to France to seal their passage to the last-16 of the Europa League.

That they were able to conjure up a moment of magic will come as great relief for Mourinho, who for over an hour was staring down the barrel of massively unwanted replay that would have further added to the potential fixture chaos United are facing in the coming weeks.

Victory at Ewood Park means they remain on track for a slightly unprecedented treble in Mourinho’s first season while a place in the top four of the Premier League is certainly within their grasp. But a draw in Lancashire would have left them facing up to 26 fixtures to play in just 13 weeks. Even with a squad of United’s depth Mourinho would have required a magic wand to steer them to three pieces of silverware and a place in the Champions League on merit.

Fortunately for the Portuguese, he does have players capable of magic in the shape of Ibrahimovic and Pogba, and if their workloads can be managed effectively over the final weeks of the season then they look set to be pivotal in terms of what this United side can go onto achieve. Certainly if the Red Devils go onto retain the FA Cup, their contribution on a miserable day in Blackburn will not be forgotten.

-Goal

CAF: Rangers, Rivers United advance, Wikki out

Wikki Tourists have crashed out of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup competition, despite beating RSLAF of Sierra-Leone  1-0 in Bauchi today. But Rangers International and Rivers United advance into the next round of CAF Champions League.

Wikki Tourists  lost 1-2 aggregate, having conceded two goals away  to RSLAF in Sierra Leone in the first leg.

It was a different story for Rangers International FC of Enugu and Rivers United who are representing Nigeria in the CAF Champions League.Rangers managed to squeeze into the second round  after drawing 0-0 at home to JS Saoura of Algeria. They  advanced on the away goals rule following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

It was an easier task for Rivers United FC  as they strolled into the second round after whipping AS Real Bamako of Mali 4-0 in Port Harcourt, for a 4-0 aggregate victory.

-NAN