Keshi Commends SAFA on Igesund

Stephen Keshi believes South Africa's decision to retain Bafana Bafana Coach, Gordon Igesund after Afcon 2013 is a lesson for for Africa on continuity and development and a vote for African coaches.

Credit: SuperSport

Keshi explained to supersport.com that

"I thought he's doing a great Job. His message is getting there. you know it's not easy. He was appointed about seven months ago and his team only lost narrowly on penalties to Mali"

Gordon is doing a great Job and I am happy they retained him after Afcon. He really got his team playing some sweet flowing football and I really enjoyed their pressing game."

"The South African Football Association(Safa) has shown a good example and they will reap their rewards in due course"

Source: SuperSport

Jose Mourinho Comeback to Chelsea!

This is very interesting. Jose Mourinho stages a comeback...

Jose Mourinho last night confirmed football’s worst-kept secret — that he is returning to manage Chelsea.

The Special One touched down at Heathrow late yesterday afternoon and was immediately photographed by members of the public. Within minutes the pictures were posted on Twitter, with excited Chelsea fans welcoming Jose home.

Barcelona versus AC Milan 4 - 0

Ownership Controversy threatens Sunday Mba's Football Career

Credit: Sam Ade Oguns

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Stephen Keshi, Nigerian national team trainer, has threatened to drop Sunday Mba if the warring  clubs over the midfielder's signature failed to reach compromise.
Mba is torn between playing for Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers, a situation which the Nigeria Football Federation is currently investigating.
You will remember Sunday Mba scored the winning goal against Burkina Faso in the AFCON final against Burkina Faso.
Keshi  sad about the issue and has warned not to feature a rusty player in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya, pointing that the controversy might distract the player from giving his best.

“The two clubs should quickly resolve the issue and think about the boy’s career as very important and not to jeopardize it,” Keshi told Goal.com on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Every local player, every Nigerian player is important for the national team. So if [Mba] is not playing I may decide to drop him. If he is not playing he may not be good for us in the team,” Keshi said.

Source: Goaldotcom

Chelsea inflicts more pain on United

Credit: Supersport.com

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Holders Chelsea inflicted more pain on Manchester United when they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in a fluctuating FA Cup quarterfinal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The hosts, knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday after a controversial red card for Nani, took a fifth-minute lead through Javier Hernandez and soon doubled it with a Wayne Rooney free kick.


Just when the Premier League leaders had started to smell a Wembley date and some comfort after a horrible week, Chelsea made a double substitution count and pulled one back on 59 minutes through Eden Hazard before Ramires levelled on 68.

Chelsea had a golden chance to win the game in the dying seconds but United keeper David de Gea brilliantly stuck out a foot to divert Juan Mata's powerful effort, leaving the Londoners disappointed that they had not snatched victory.

"We deserved to win, the first half we made two mistakes, we conceded two goals but after we had some good chances in the counter-attack and in the second half we were on top of them," Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez told a news conference.

There is no date yet for the replay as Chelsea have a Europa League last-16 second leg to play against Steaua Bucharest this week but when they do meet again it will be amid fresh tension between Benitez and United counterpart Alex Ferguson.

The Spaniard accused the Scot of failing to shake hands with him before the match.

"I was waiting at the beginning ... I have education because I know a lot of people are watching so I know what you have to do," he said.

Ferguson, who did not give a post-match news conference, did not comment on the matter.

The day's other quarterfinal will also be replayed after Championship (second division) Millwall and Blackburn Rovers played out a 0-0 draw. Manchester City and Wigan Athletic booked their places in the semifinals on Saturday.

Issa Hayatou re-elected CAF president

Credit: Goal.com

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Confederation of African Football (CAF) - Cameroonian Issa Hayatou was unanimously re-elected on Sunday president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a new term that runs until 2017.

The Cameroonian was given a seventh term of office on Sunday during the Confederation of African Football’s congress in Marrakech, Morocco Caf incumbent president Issa Hayatou obtained a standing ovation re-election on Sunday during the body’s congress in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.

Real Madrid Beats Manchester United to Move into the Quarter Finals

Real Madrid from a position of advantage beat Machester United yesterday after scoring two goals by Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo which took the FC into the quarter-finals.

United's Sir Alex Ferguson took the unprecedented step of avoiding media duties, presumably for fear of what he might say. "The manager is not in fit state to talk to the referee about the decision," said Phelan.

     

 To say we are disappointed is an understatement," said Phelan. "We felt as though we had got things right tactically and were reasonably comfortable. That amazing decision changed things totally."

Jose Mourinho who showed sympathy towards Machester for the referee Cakir's decision to red card Nani for a high tackle on Arvelo Arbeloa. According to Maurinho,

"Football at this level is such a fine balance," he said. "Playing with a man down for such a long period of time is going to change a lot. I can say for certain Arbeloa did not feign contact. It was quite strong and he was shown a red. It could have been a yellow.
"Somebody can cry. I am the first one. My history is to play with 10 in the semi-finals, not in last 16. I try to be honest. In my opinion, the best team lost. That is football. When we were against 10, we played very well for 10 minutes. We gave them a new problem they couldn't solve.
"But I know Old Trafford and what Sir Alex Ferguson could do. We couldn't control the game by possession. That frustrated me. In that moment Diego Lopez gave us part of the victory. David de Gea was man of the match in Madrid. Today it was Diego Lopez."

However, Cristiano Ronaldo believes that referee's decision should be respected.

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Extracts from Yahoo Euro Sport