Nigeria: Olympic Eagles’ Final List Emerges July 23
July 21, 2008
21 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Orkula Shaagee
Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Asso- ciation, Bolaji Ojo-Oba has said that the final list of the National Under-23 Team to the Beijing 2008 lympic Games would be ready on July 23.
He said the association in conjunction with the team’s handlers is working hard to ensure that all invited players report to camp on time in preparation for the quadrennial sports fiesta.
He explained that the decision to set the July 23 date was informed by FIFA’s directive that all invited players for the Olympic Games must report to their national team camps two weeks to the kick off of the fiesta.
"We are still within the stipulated time. The regulation guiding the release of players to the national team for the Olympics Games is very clear, and that is two weeks to the games.
"Two weeks to the games, the called-up players should report to the national team’s camp; and in this case, the first game holds on the 7th of August and you have to calculate backward. So it is after the expiration of this time that one could say this club has refused to release a player for the championship.
"We have been contacting them and we will keep up the tempo, and if the thing goes beyond us, we will inform their FAs, and if the FA can not do it, we will report the matter to FIFA, and that is the procedure; first to FA, then to FIFA.
"We are working; we don’t want to be stampeded into taking any hasty decision, so I am assuring you that by 23rd of July the final list will be communicated to FIFA.
"Anything that the coach tells us, we will move in and see how fast we will salvage the situation. So, we will not process the request of a player that was not called up by the coach, unless he tells us to do so. If he tells us that he wants all the players in camp to be removed and he gives us the substitute, we will process.
"We are doing everything at our disposal to ensure that we get to China with a solid and consolidated team", Ojo-Oba said.
Zimbabwe: Team Zimbabwe Named
July 21, 2008
Zimbabwe: Team Zimbabwe Named
Nigeria: 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup - Not Yet Uhuru for Eagles
July 21, 2008
20 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Fidelis Ebu
Embattled Executive member of the Nigeria Football Association,(NFA) Dr Peter Singabele believes that the Super Eagles would clinch the tickets to the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup of Nations, but strongly doubts the team making impact at the mundial.
Dr Singabele, whose suspension is yet to be lifted by the NFA, was emphatic when he said that the Eagles were still far from that 2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations target.
"If I want to recall my briefing in Lagos shortly after the Nations Cup in Ghana, I made a point that this is the time for us to bring in our indigenous coaches. For me it doesn’t matter who comes in, but provided he is one of the competent hands in the land. So, Amodu’s coming in is most welcome.
"So far so good, I also want to agree with those who believe that our performance is still not good enough even though we’ve won all our qualifying matches played so far.
"We are talking of teams that are yet not too strong. We should be able to increase our goal tallies. Like Segun Odegbami said "almost any coach can make us qualify, because the materials are there.
" "My worry and the biggest problem is performance when the real thing comes otherwise in the Nations Cup, and in the World Cup, we are not there yet. We still need to do a lot of work", Dr Singabele said. While emphasising that the Super Eagles would pick the ticket to the World Cup finals and the African Cup of Nations, the permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State Sports Ministry said, "Yes, we will qualify, but making impact at the next Nations Cup and in the World Cup is still something else.
We are still far from that target. "I’m not a coach, but I want to believe that we still need to engage more of our younger players; those who are hungry to play this game, not really relying on the ones that are fading out now, because 2010 is still some two years away.
We should be thinking of younger players; in particular the squad from that Under-17 that did us proud. Get some of these younger ones from the Under-23 and begin to build a stronger squad around younger players who are hungry to play the game," said Dr. Singabele, who believes that he is still part of the Executive Board of the NFA.
He however hinted that the process of reconciling with the NFA is in top gear, which perhaps might be resolved in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for this weekend in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Botswana: NDB Chess Tourney to Be Hard Fought
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Kenneth Boikhutswane
The much-awaited National Development Bank (NDB) Teams Chess Championships take place at Mogoditshane’s Yarona Country Lodge from tomorrow to Tuesday.
The tournament, Botswana’s premier club event, has this year been sponsored to the tune of P40, 000 by NDB, the same amount as last year. This marks the third year of collaboration between the bank and Botswana Chess Federation (BCF), the first event having been sponsored to the tune of P15, 000.
According to BCF president Boitumelo Keinyatse, the format for this year’s championship has not changed. "Just like in 2008 teams will have to register eight players in their line-up, including an Under-21 and a woman player. At any given time, a team will have to field six players for a game," said Keinyatse. The move to reinforce female players and juniors follows observations that teams tended to put winning ahead of developing these two marginalised groups.
He also said that the tournament will be played at the international standard time control of World Chess Federation in order that as many players as possible get to feel what proper chess entails.
The tournament has never failed to produce fireworks and this year promises to be no exception. Although it comes at a time when five players are doing duty for the country in Mozambique in a zonal tournament, there is enough depth within the individual clubs to guarantee good games.
Bonyonyo Chess Club, who are the defending champions, should once more start the event as hot favourites based on the general strength of their players on all boards. With Tebogo Pitlagano away in Maputo, it is likely that either Baone Kealeboga or Moakofi Notha will start on the tough board one.
However, the club will have difficulty fending off Kings Club, who in the past two years have shown tremendous improvement.
Working in their favour is the fact that they will be fielding a full strength team led by Jona Chaka and Edwin Kabelo.
Desert Knights will also challenge although the absence of Ignatius Njobvu and Barileng Gaealafhwe will definitely have a serious dent on their chances. The duo usually play the top two boards and, therefore, the club is stretched, as they will lack experience in the high board.
Poisonous Snakes club also looks set to make a big impact this year and could win their maiden title.
The club welcomes back internationals in International Master Kudzanai Mamombe and Dion Moyo, who are expected to make up for the missing FIDE Master Phemelo Khetho. Garrison Chess Club, winners in 2006, will have a hard time covering up the gap created by the absence of national champion Providence Oatlhotse. However, as in the past, Dumisani Mfanenyama has shown himself a capable top board replacement when the need arises.
At the time of going to press, there was no information on the prize structure as Keinyatse and his committee were still to meet. Last year, the top three teams were awarded laptops in addition to prize money, as a way of empowering the clubs with equipment necessary for them to excel in the sport.
Botswana: Botswana Tennis Open Takes Off
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Mosah Mokganedi
The annual Motor Centre Tennis Open starts at the Notwane and University of Botswana (UB) courts tomorrow.
The three-day event is expected to draw about 160 participants. Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) spokesperson Tuelo Serufho said they expect an "influx" of players from the rest of the Southern African region. At the time of going to press many players from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho had confirmed participation and the association was awaiting a confirmation form from South Africa.
Most players are expected to arrive today. Serufho said this time they expect more participants after the introduction of new categories.
Unlike in the past when the competition only had an open event and the veterans’ section, this year it will feature the juniors’ category that will be divided into about three segments. Serufho said it was important that they introduce a juniors’ category, as the code did not have a pool of youngsters to feed national teams.
"We want to give our players international exposure while they are still young," Serufho said. The senior men’s category will also be divided into two sub-groups of 35-44 years and 45 years and above.
The veteran women’s category will not be divided because of a low entry. Tennis lovers have hailed the increase of categories, as many players will have a chance to play. Motor Centre has sponsored this year’s edition to the tune of P75, 000.
Serufho thanked all the stakeholders who helped BTA prepare for the competition. He pleaded with more companies to support them as they still have a challenge of running tournaments, especially for young children.
Serufho also expressed concern at the number of women in tennis. He said they are considering ways of luring more of them into the sport. Meanwhile, the winner of the men’s open event will walk away with P3,500 while the women winner will get P2,500.
Winners in all the veterans’ categories will go home P7,000 richer. Serufho said youngsters will receive shopping vouchers as "BTA is not in the habit of giving kids money".
Botswana: Gunners, Naughty Boys to Work As Team
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Chippa Legodimo
Lobatse giants Extension Gunners and newly promoted Naughty Boys have started a working relationship, which will see both clubs sharing ideas from time to time on how to improve standards, according to the two teams’ officials.
Gunners’ spokesperson Kitso Dlamini told Mmegi Sport that as a starting point the two teams will play a friendly game at the UB Stadium on July 26, whose proceeds will be donated to a charity organisation in Tlokweng.
Explaining the idea, Dlamini said: "It is the type of relationship aimed at lifting the standards of both teams. For instance in our team we have some experts in various fields like psychologists and they have some.
We have arranged for some psychologists to give both teams’ players motivational talks before our friendly game," he said.
But more importantly Dlamini said that they decided to come up with such an idea of a cordial working relationship because they realised that the competitive atmosphere in football should not be allowed to develop into acute rivalry.
"Football should not be about bitter rivalry, the clubs can compete on the ground and still work together to grow the sport.
This is especially important in view of the fact that the Premier League will in the coming season be run by a board of governors composed of club chairpersons.
How do they work together in that board if they are total strangers or even enemies? We are trying to do away with the hostile atmosphere," he said.
As for the two teams, Dlamini said that the arrangement could help them grow their support base as well as solidify their community services.
"Through this we will play friendly games whenever we get the space in our schedules. Naughty Boys is a smaller team than us and this could help raise funds through such friendly games. But they are not the only beneficiary, we at Gunners believe they could have some ideas which can help us grow bigger," he said.
Naughty Boys’ chairman Thulaganyo Segokgo said that it is important for club administrators to forge such working relationships because supporters would follow suit, hence curtailing the unnecessary attacks by opposing fans at games.
"It should not end with the clubs’ leadership but the payers themselves should be made to understand that they only go into the field to compete but they can still have a cordial working relationship.
If players from different teams share ideas it could help them improve on their performance as well because the same person that you beat could have a better idea of how you could do even better," he said.
Both clubs however denied the move was meant to facilitate a "smooth" transfer of payers between the two sides.
Botswana: Players Sour Bright Prospects Abroad
July 19, 2008
OPINION
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Dennis Keagile
The prospect of Joel Mogorosi and Boitumelo Mafoko joining South Africa’s premier soccer league giants, Orlando Pirates for a reported combined fee of at least P1.4million has many people talking.
The talk does not only centre around the record fee, but it also revolves around the benefits that will accrue to the players, Botswana football as well as Township Rollers as a club. The spin off would have been immense given the fact that the likes of Diphetogo Selolwane, Mogogi Gabonamong and David Bright are doing well.
Added to that, there is Jerome Ramatlhakwane who also recently joined Cape Town Santos. Over and above that, the players would have joined a big club straight from an amateur team in Botswana.
But what looked like a turning point in the lives of the players suddenly turned into anger, despair and dejection, thanks to their indiscretions. They did not only disappoint their families, agents and club, but the football fraternity as a whole. Pirates have, according to reports, chased the players away for lack of good conduct, or should I say professionalism. Yes, the issue might look like a Rollers-Pirates issue, but there is no doubt that the players equally damaged the reputation of Botswana soccer. Once you are in a foreign country you automatically become an ambassador of your country. But this was a very big opportunity which one thinks the players would have tried by all means to grab with both hands but pity, they could not adjust.
Being a professional player in a foreign country is not always easy, especially in Africa. One has to forgo all niceties: how many times do we ridicule our own foreign players here?
How many times have other people in society complained of foreign people taking jobs that belong to them? This is part of the package when in a foreign country. Conduct has to be exemplary and the commitment and discipline beyond reproach. In fact, given the circumstances surrounding the return of Moemedi Jomo Moatlhaping from Platinum Stars a year ago, one would have thought that both Joel and Navara would have been much wiser.
Perhaps, with regard to Mafoko, it did not come as a total shock because he once attacked his management over the radio after they reshuffled the management committee. Given that he was still relatively new at Rollers after joining them from TASC, I found some of his comments surprising by then. It would also look like our training and body conditioning, especially the physical part, is not good enough hence its time our clubs invest in some specialized training.
This is because, for proper professional teams, there is usually a physical trainer and the going could have been tough for the players, hence the element of homesickness. Just a little perseverance could have seen the players turning the corner. What more with the likes of Manchester United going to South Africa over the weekend, this would have been a fulfilling experience.
All that is left now is for the players to be taken through a counselling process so as to regain self-esteem. Whether someone is angry or not, they will need a lot of help, otherwise they might have problems trying to readjust.
COSAFA
As of now, the log positions of the 2010 AFCON finals in Angola rule Botswana out as we have the lowest points and the most number of goals conceded for those countries that are currently lying second in their groups.
This means that Botswana will have to use the COSAFA Cup as a serious training camp to get the scoring options right. The deficit is so huge that we stand the risk of not making it to the next stage.
The Zebras coach has to study the Mozambicans carefully because they are a threat to Botswana’s aspirations. If possible, he should bench some of his star players so that the Mozambicans do not read all our strengths.
Luckily for Mozambique, they will not have the bulk of their foreign-based players, which means that they won’t fully expose their strengths.
Blatter
At times FIFA president, Joseph Sepp Blatter, amazes me because some of his comments are so reckless they seem not to come from football’s highest office in the world.
His comments on Manchester United’s Christiano Ronaldo have been out of order and they have the potential to throw football into a dispute. In fact he ought to be called to order or be sanctioned.
Apparently, he tends to think that a contract is nothing more than just a piece of paper, yet he is the one who says players should have contracts. Part of this was to avoid players moving as they like whenever it suits them. And now he seems to be saying this is wrong.
You cannot have your cake and eat it, Blatter.
Angola: Football/Can2010 - CAF Inspectors Expected in August
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Luanda
A delegation of inspectors of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected next August 04 to assess the preparations of the African Nations Cup (CAN2010), to be held in Angola.
The information was released this Friday at a press conference by the director general of the Organising Committee of the African Nations Cup (COCAN), Justino Fernandes. At the occasion, the mascot, website and logotype of the competition were presented.
Benguela, Lubango, Luanda and Cabinda provinces will host CAN2010.
CAF inspectors last visited the country in May. The delegation was led by its vice president Molefi Oliphant and, apart from Luanda, the aforementioned CAF team visited ongoing works in the cities of Benguela and Lubango.
Botswana: Rollers Have Chance to Redeem Dented Pride
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Tshepo Molwane
After missing a chance to win the annual Kabelano Charity Cup last month something, which has left their supporters heartbroken, Township Rollers have another chance to lift some silverware when they take part in the Kgafela Kgafela Coronation Soccer Spectacular at the National Stadium tomorrow.
Rollers take on their old rivals Extension Gunners in the second semi-final billed for 12noon. Mapalastina have recently been a disappointment, with people in various quarters calling for change in their arsenal. The Kabelano Charity Cup raised the hopes of their ardent supporters, but nothing came of it. Their problems started when they lost to Notwane in the semi-final of the Goitsemang Merafe Charity Cup early this month.
Anyone close to Rollers knows that this time around they cannot afford to lose another one-day tournament. Hence their clash against Gunners is expected to be a thriller. Clashes between the sides in the past have been full of drama and this one will be no exception. Though efforts to get a comment from Rollers’ coach Dickson Ngwenya were fruitless, as he said he was in a meeting, news from their camp is that they were not banking on new players at least by close of business on Wednesday.
However, the good news for Rollers is that former Mogoditshane Fighters’ goalkeeper Anthony Matengu, has been training with the Gaborone-West based outfit and chances are that he will be given a run tomorrow.
Matengu has not been active for a long time and it will be interesting to see if he can still stand the pressure in the elite league.
When contacted for comment yesterday, Gunners’ coach Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare said that they have recruited a number of youngsters from lower division sides and will give them a run against Mapalastina. "I will give them a taste of the big stage and see how they cope.
These are the kind of games I expect them to play next season; so it is important that they play. The good thing about these games is that there is no pressure to win because we are building a side which will be able to compete when the season resumes," he said.
Nare encouraged Gunners’ supporters to come in large numbers to witness if the youngsters they have recruited can take them somewhere. He pleaded with the supporters not to put the youngsters under unnecessary pressure as they are still learning. Other players, who are expected to be given a chance to parade their skills, are goalkeeper Ntungamile Tshoganetso, and Thapelo Mokgothu from Jwaneng Comets and veteran defender Thebeetsile ‘Mkhari’ Raditsebe from Rollers. It will be interesting to see how Raditsebe copes against his former team-mates.
Clifford Mogomotsi, who sits on the organising committee, pleaded with the supporters to come and support the initiative. He said this tournament is not going to benefit Mochudi Centre Chiefs, as many are made to believe, but the Bakgatla community who are preparing for the coronation of their Paramount Chief Kgafela Kgafela in September. "This is not the first time the same teams will be taking part in such initiative. We did it some years back to raise funds for the coronation of Kgosi Kgari of Bakwena," he said.
South Africa: Anderson’s Role in Tie is Pivotal
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Mark Smit
Johannesburg
WESLEY Moodie is still nursing a knee injury so his regular partner, Jeff Coetzee, will pair up with Izak van der Merwe for the doubles in the Davis Cup tennis tie against Denmark starting at Emperors Palace today.
In essence, this means that a match the South Africans would have counted on winning in normal circumstances, is no longer a sure thing.
Van der Merwe and Coetzee have never played under match conditions before, while the Danish combinations have been settled for quite some time.
What this means is that the host team in the Euro Africa zone group 2 clash will be relying more than ever on their big-serving No1 singles player, Kevin Anderson. If Anderson can win both of his singles matches, it will make life much easier for captain John-Laffnie de Jager.
Yet there could still be a twist in the tail. De Jager admitted during team practice yesterday that he was still unsure who his doubles team would be.
Even though he nominated Van der Merwe and Coetzee at the draw on Wednesday, Davis Cup rules allow him to change his doubles pair up to an hour before the match starts.
This means he could still pair Coetzee and Rik de Voest, the South African No2 singles player. These two have played Davis Cup doubles together before — in a tie against Greece at the Groenkloof a few years back. They played well together, so De Jager is bound to be tempted.
What he might be waiting for, is to see how strenuous De Voest’s singles match is today, in his opening encounter against Danish No1 Frederik Nielsen.
If the match does not take too much out of De Voest, De Jager may ask him to play doubles and then see how things pan out for the reverse singles on Sunday. De Voest plays the second match today, so there will be less recovery time before the doubles. But this will only become a problem if he has to play a marathon five-setter.
The Danes have given very little away so far, and there is a low-key look to them. But they are an unknown quantity to SA which is, in itself, a danger.
Action starts today at 10am with Anderson playing Danish No2 Martin Pederson, followed by De Voest against Nielsen.