UEFA Champions League Preview Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich

UEFA Champions League Preview 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich return to UEFA Champions League action this week against Shakhtar Donetsk having dispatched Hamburg 8-0 on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola could hardly have asked for better preparation for Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

The Spaniard saw the Bundesliga champions return to top form with Saturday's 8-0 hammering of Hamburg, claiming his side are now "back in the groove" following a sluggish return after the winter break.

Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller both grabbed braces at the Allianz Arena to help set Bayern up for their return to European action.

The Ukrainian champions have not beaten Bundesliga opposition at home in the Champions League since 1980, and Philipp Lahm knows his side "have to make the next round".

'Bayern's minimum target is always the quarter-finals,' he added after the draw for the last 16 was made.

Guardiola could see Xabi Alonso (hamstring) join Lahm (ankle), Javi Martinez (knee) and Thiago Alcantara (knee) on the sidelines but still has plenty of strength in his squad.

The cause for Mircea Lucescu's hosts will also likely be made all the more tricky by the fact that they have not played a competitive fixture since December's 1-1 draw with Porto.

Shakhtar - without suspended midfielder Taras Stepanenko - do not get their domestic title defence back under way until later this month but Luiz Adriano, the Champions League's leading goalscorer this season with nine, is confident there will be no signs of rustiness from his team-mates.

'[Bayern] are still in a different rhythm of the game. Bayern play matches every three to four days, whereas we played several friendly matches during a month-and-half," the Brazilian told the club's official website.

'However, they were not easy and for us it is also a good training session. I can say that the team are now in excellent physical condition.

'We have a few more training sessions left before the game. I think we can come fully prepared to face Bayern.'

Bayern have not found Ukraine a happy hunting ground in recent years, with just one win, one draw and three defeats from their visits to the country.

Lucescu's side have also been given backing by former player Henrikh Mkhitaryan to cause an upset.

He has witnessed first-hand the quality that Bayern have at their disposal, and the Borussia Dortmund playmaker feels his former club have the capabilities to take a positive result into the second leg in Munich on March 11.

'Every game starts at 0-0. I"m sure that Mircea Lucescu"s team have every chance to beat Bayern,' he told his former club's website.

'Shakhtar are a great team with decent players. If the Pitmen play the way they are capable of, Bayern will have a lot of problems.'

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UEFA Champions League preview Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea

UEFA Champions League preview

 Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea 

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva says the club's supporters have a key role to play in the UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Thiago Silva has urged Paris Saint-Germain fans to stir up an intimidating atmosphere when the injury-hit Ligue 1 champions attempt to gain UEFA Champions League revenge over Chelsea.
A late Demba Ba strike at Stamford Bridge ensured Chelsea knocked PSG out of Europe's premier club competition on away goals at the quarter-final stage last April.
Laurent Blanc's side held a 3-1 lead after the first leg at the Parc des Princes, but the Premier League leaders produced a stirring second-leg fightback and progressed courtesy of goals from Andre Schurrle and Ba - who have both since left the club.
PSG's preparations for Tuesday's round of 16 first-leg tie in the French capital were rocked by a dramatic 2-2 home draw with Caen on Saturday, which could prove costly in the Ligue 1 title race and also leaves Blanc with a depleted squad.
Yohan Cabaye (groin), Marquinhos (hamstring), Blaise Matuidi (knee), Serge Aurier (thigh) and Lucas Moura (hamstring) all sustained injuries as PSG finished the game with nine men after making all of their substitutions.
Caen struck twice late on to add insult to injury and PSG captain Silva has called on the Parisian giants' supporters to play their part when Blanc's men try and secure a first-leg advantage over Jose Mourinho's side.
The Brazil defender said: "It was a really bizarre game (against Caen). I really can't understand what happened. We were playing really well and then we suffered those injuries, four for us (Matuidi is expected to be passed fit after suffering a knock) and two from Caen.
"We need to stay positive and think about Tuesday. We have a very important home match against Chelsea.
"We need all our supporters behind us. It will be very difficult for us and I hope our supporters will get behind the team because we will need them for this crucial match. We are a lot stronger when we have our supporters pushing us on."
David Luiz scored an own goal when Chelsea were beaten in Paris last season and the Brazil defender will be hoping to find the back of the Chelsea net again after leaving the London club to join PSG in a big-money move back in June.
Chelsea make the trip to France after a weekend off due to being dumped out of the FA Cup by Bradford City last month, and they will be striving to end PSG's 32-game unbeaten home record in UEFA competition.
Mourinho's side hold a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are in the hunt for three trophies, as the Portuguese attempts to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three clubs.
Diego Costa has been serving a domestic suspension, but Chelsea's leading scorer will be available and recent signing Juan Cuadrado is also eligible to make his Champions League debut for the club.
Chelsea, who have reached the last eight of the Champions League in six of the last eight seasons, will check on the fitness of midfielder John Obi Mikel (knee).

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UEFA Champions League Preview Schalke v Real Madrid

UEFA Champions League Preview 

Schalke v Real Madrid

European champions Real Madrid return to Schalke's Veltins-Arena this week almost a year after hitting six past their Bundesliga opponents.

 

Real Madrid return to Schalke in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday just short of a year since recording a 6-1 victory at the same stage in last year's competition.

Carlo Ancelotti's men hammered their Bundesliga counterparts at the Veltins-Arena in the last-16 first leg a year ago on their way to a historic 10th European title.

Schalke have since changed their coach, with Roberto Di Matteo now the man charged with helping Schalke past their Spanish opponents and into the quarter-finals.

While Di Matteo will be without the likes of Julian Draxler (hamstring), Leon Goretzka (hamstring) and Jefferson Farfan (knee), former Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos - now at Real - warned of the challenge his team-mates will face.

'There are five or six teams that can win the Champions League and we are one of them," he told UEFA outlets.

'We will try to win it but it will be very difficult because how you do in the knockout ties depends very much on your form that day.

'It won't be easy. Schalke are enjoying success in the Bundesliga. They are well organised, they drew in Munich and are strong at the back.

'With their new manager they have become extremely solid in defence. We have injuries so this will be a tough challenge, but our aim is to qualify to the next round.'

Real - who lead La Liga by a point from Barcelona - boast a nine-match winning streak in the Champions League and have won seven of their last nine away games in the competition.

Ancelotti's men are bidding to become the first side to retain the Champions League trophy and, despite the absences of James Rodriguez (toe) and Luca Modric thigh), Sidney Sam is under no illusion as to the threat Real will pose.

'They have a world-class squad full of big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and many more,' he told Schalke's official website.

'If we defend in a compact manner, we will make life difficult for any team in the world. We have good players too. I'm certain that we're going to have chances.

'It's a new season, a new situation. I think we are more stable as a team this year.

'Our fans believe in us, we believe in ourselves - these are key features should we wish to succeed against Real.'

Sam made his comeback from a long-term leg problem in Schalke's 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, while Real could welcome back Pepe this week following a rib injury.

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Emmanuel Emenike

Nigerian striker shines in Fenerbahce 5-0 win on Valentine’s Day

Emmanuel Emenike continued his scoring spree for the Yello Canaries with another goal on Saturday’s 5-0 win over Gaziantepspor.

Emmanuel Emenike opened scoring for Fenerbahce against Gaziantepspor in Saturday's 5-0 trouncing  (Milliyet)

Super Eagles and Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike continued his scoring spree for the Yello Canaries with another goal on Saturday’s 5-0 win over Gaziantepspor.

The 27 year-old Nigerian international opened scoring with just seven minutes gone in the game to put the visitors in the lead.

Saturday fixtures turned out very well for the Nigerians involved in action, especially in England.

Brown Ideye scored a brace for West Brom to help them in the 4-0 win over West Ham in the FA Cup.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni also scored the winner for Reading in the same competition for Reading against Derby County.

 

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Talking Money

CBN Curbs Dollar Sale To Save Naira

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that they will stop the sale of dollar to some importers to save the Naira from falling.

CBN says the move is to save the Naira from falling further more (EPOHCJ Nigeria )

The Central Bank of Nigeria has stopped the sale of dollars to some categories of importers at its bi-weekly regulated foreign exchange market in order to curb the fall of Naira.

In a statement signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department Mr. O.I Gbadamosi and released last Thursday, November  6, the Central Bank said it would no longer sell dollars to importers of electronics, finished products, information technology equipment, generators, telecommunication equipment and invisible transactions at its Retail Dutch Auction System forex market. Therefore, the importation of the listed items will now be funded at the interbank forex market only.

“In order to maintain the existing stability in the foreign exchange market and to further strengthen the various policies already initiated by the CBN, the importation of the items shall henceforth be funded from the interbank foreign exchange market only,” part of the circular read.

 

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Brown IdeyeWest Brom striker eulogises Nwankwo Kanu

 Brown Ideye 

West Brom striker eulogises Nwankwo Kanu

West Brom new found hero, Brown Ideye thanks ex-international Nwankwo Kanu for encouraging him during his tough drought at the club.

Brown Ideye classic celebration following brace against West Ham on Saturday

West Brom new found hero, Brown Ideye thanks ex-international captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Nwaknwo Kanu for being the inspiration behind recent from for the Hawthorns.

Ideye on Saturday scored a brace for the Albions against West Ham as they progressed to the quarter final stages of the English FA Cup.

An improvement coming after a deal had been agreed for him to leave the club to Qatari side, Al Gharafa following a dismal display in the Baggies colours, scoring just two goals before Saturday, in all appearances.

Ideye said of Kanu who himself played for the club: ‘In Nigeria, Kanu is one of the big players who everybody looks up to, so I am happy that we talk. He calls me sometimes and I get advice from him because he played here, too. He tells me to keep working hard and things will turn out to be good for me. That’s what happened on Saturday.’

Having hit four in three games now, the 26 year-old looks to the final of the competition; he hopes to replicate Kanu’s record of taking Portsmouth to Wembley.

‘I have never been to Wembley so it would be a dream come true to play there. We have to win one more game. I would look forward to playing there.

‘There is Wembley and the Maracana in Brazil. Everyone wants to play in the best stadiums.’

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Devaluation 

Naira now 204 to dollar, 314 to pound

At the black market, the Naira-Dollar exchange rate is said to be as high as N209.

 

   

   

The plunge of the Naira seems unending as the Nigerian currency as at today, February 15, is selling at N204 to the Dollar.

At the black market, the Naira-Dollar exchange rate is said to be as high as N209.

The Pound Sterling on the other hand is selling for 314 to the Naira at the Bureau De Change segment and N310 at the black market.

The fall of the Naira continues despite attempts made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stem the trend.

According to Bloomberg, the Naira has tumbled 17 percent over the past three months and may further decline to an exchange rate of N263 to the dollar.

 

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Olusegun Obasanjo 

How Ex-President tore his PDP membership card [PHOTOS]

Obasanjo officially dumped the PDP during a press conference and symbolized the move with the tearing of the card.

 

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, February 16, tore his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership card.

Obasanjo officially dumped the PDP during a press conference and symbolized the move with the tearing of the card.

The former President however didn’t tear the card himself but instead apparently instructed an associate to rip it into the shreds.

 

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Nigerian Forces Retakes Monguno, And Other Communities From Boko Haram

Nigerian Forces Retakes Monguno, And Other Communities From Boko Haram The Nigerian Army have completely secured Monguno, Marte and other communities in the North of Borno State from Boko Haram occupation. It would be recalled that Boko Haram fighters had launched an offensive on Monguno from different directions and eventually captured the town on January 25, 2015. A statement issued Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said that a combined operation spearheaded by the Air Force, had completely cleared Monguno, Marte and other towns in the general area of terrorists’ presence. Olukolade added that some terrorists with arms and ammunition were captured by troops during the latest operation. According to him, the troops also captured truckloads of food items such as rice and beans and other logistics supply meant for members of the sect. “Troops in a military operation spearheaded by highly coordinated air assaults have completed the mission of clearing terrorists from Monguno and environs this morning. “A number of terrorists as well as truckloads of rice, beans and other logistics meant for supply to the terrorists operating around Baga have been captured in the course of operation. “Casualty inflicted and arms recovered as well as other outcome of the operation in Munguno, Marte and other communities already secured, will be determined after the ongoing cordon and search in the environs. “The air and land operation is continuing with aggressive advance towards other designated communities and locations meant to be cleared in the ongoing offensive against the terrorists”, he said.

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Funny Pictures: This was me on valentines day

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Brilliant Bony puts Yaya Toure in the shade

 

COMMENT: The new Manchester City signing bagged a precious brace to send his nation into the last four of the Africa Cup of Nations

By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

In a Cote d’Ivoire shirt, Wilfried Bony hasn’t been particularly prolific.

He may have racked up enough goals at club level with Vitesse and Swansea City to persuade English Premier League champions Manchester City to part with €35 million, but a return of 11 in 36 international fixtures had left many in his homeland feeling short-changed.

He failed to score in any of the three nip-and-tuck group fixtures which saw the Elephants scrape through to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. That stretched his scoreless streak in his nation’s orange colours to six matches.

But against Algeria on Sunday, Bony netted only his second double for Cote d’Ivoire in a 3-1 win to seal a semi-final against DR Congo. His return to scoring form couldn’t have been better timed.

Billed as a clash of the two favourites – of the overwhelming underachievers of the Afcon – it summed up the countries’ wider reputations in the competition that one entered the match as runners-up in their group, the other having squeezed through with a single win.

As a contest, it was everything it was expected to be, but Bony proved to be the difference.

In the build-up to the tournament many had questioned whether Africa had the kind of talent that could push Yaya Toure for future Caf Player of the Year crowns after he won a record fourth successive trophy.

Yet a combination of the Manchester City midfielder’s listlessness in Equatorial Guinea and his new club-mate’s timely double suggests that the African public may review their rankings in the near future.

While Cote d’Ivoire largely deserved their win – they were bigger, stronger and, for long spells, simply better – they wouldn’t have managed it but for Bony.

First, he nodded home Max Gradel’s excellent cross midway through the opening period only to see it cancelled out by a comedy piece of defending by Kolo Toure and more notably Max Bailly, which led to Hilal Soudani equalising.

Soudani could have given Algeria the lead soon afterwards but was denied by a wonderful save from Sylvain Gbohouo, and within minutes Bony was at it again. Yaya Toure, with his first memorable moment of the tournament, fired over a pinpoint free-kick from the right and the former Swansea man headed superbly home.

The Elephants’ defence showed signs of crumbling once more late on but just about held it together before Gervinho clinched the win in injury-time. Difficulties in their rearguard signifies that they shouldn’t be considered champions elect just yet, as if they haven’t given enough examples in tournaments past as to why nothing should be taken for granted.

But Cote d’Ivoire are in a fourth semi-final in six attempts, and have a €35m striker back in goalscoring form. Watch out, Africa.

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'Messi is God's reflection, but Ronaldo's not the devil'

 

Well-known nun Sister Lucia Caram has suggested that the Barcelona forward has holy qualities but slammed the attitude of the Ballon d'Or winner

Lionel Messi's is a "reflection of God's perfection", according to well-known nun and Barcelona supporter Sister Lucia Caram, who commented that Cristiano Ronaldo is not the devil despite his "cocky and unfriendly attitude".

Messi's claim to be the best footballer in the world has taken a knock over the past two years as Ronaldo, his Real Madrid rival, has won back-to-back Ballons d'Or.

Despite Barca underperforming in 2014, the forward elicited praise for captaining Argentina to the World Cup final and has scored an amazing 31 goals in 29 games for the Catalans this season.

"For me the evidence for the existence of God is manifested in goodness and beauty, and when I see Messi play I see that," Sister Lucia Caram, who is from Argentina but has been based in Spain for over two decades, told Sport.

"One looks entranced, like by a beautiful painting or a sunset, when one faces Messi. I'm not saying he's God, but he's a reflection of God's perfection. He dazzles everyone."



She was also critical of Ronaldo's attitude and demeanour in comparison to Messi's, but the nun stopped short of suggesting the Madrid forward has satanic motivations.

"Is Messi an angel and Ronaldo the devil? Well Messi has the virtue of being a great player but he is also a good person," he added. "He is humble.

"Cristiano plays football very well, but he has a very cocky and unfriendly attitude. He's not my greatest enemy, I think he plays very good football, but there is not harmony in him."

The Christianity follower took one final dig at Ronaldo - as well as Barca forward Luis Suarez and referencing Arda Turan's recent infamous boot throw - in her criticism at the idolisation of footballers in modern society.

"I worry that it's a weakness for people to defend their idols against the indefensible," Sister Lucia Caram continued.

"You cannot defend Suarez's bite or applaud the throwing of a shoe at a linesman, and the attitude of Cristiano Ronaldo recently [for his red card last month] was not good."

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Afcon 2015: An Unforgettable Weekend and two mouth-watering semi-finals

 

Goal's Ed Dove reflects on a remarkable weekend and a terrific pair of semi-finals at the Nations Cup in Malabo

EDITORIAL
Ed Dove, in Malabo

Last weekend is not one I’ll forget in a hurry.

I watched four Nations Cup quarter-finals, saw a stunning comeback, witnessed ugly scenes of vitriol and was impressed by two talented sides finally finding their feet in the competition.

I left Malabo on Saturday morning, taking a 9 am flight across to the African mainland and Equatorial Guinea’s second city, Bata.

My immediate rendezvous was at the exotically named Villa Celotti, where the Democratic Republic of Congo side are being housed in ‘shacks’ as Gabriel Zakuani described them to me. The Leopards were relaxed—something that I hadn’t anticipated.

I must admit, I’ve never had to prepare for an Afcon quarter-final against bitter local rivals in the resumption of a historic derby, but if I ever do, I can’t imagine I’ll be as chilled out as Yannick Bolasie, Dieumerci Mbokani, Youssouf Mulumbu and co. were on that Saturday morning.

They certainly weren’t several hours later, two-nil down and heading out of the competition in one of the worst ways possible.

The Leopards, it seems, are made of strong stuff, and their four-goal comeback was something special, and a half-an-hour of football that I’m unlikely to forget anytime soon.

They were rampant, daring, bold, and in Bolasie and Mbokani, possess forwards that can definitely do some damage to the Ivorians in the first semi-final on Wednesday.
 
DR Congo | Capable of Anything

Mbokani, in particular, has a point to prove, having missed so much football through injury in 2014 and having endured an (understandably) slow start to the 2015 Nations Cup. I spoke to him at the weekend and he acknowledged that he wasn’t at his best during those early matches—I’d suggest he’s there now though, so Elephants beware!

While the Congo derby revealed the best of African football, Saturday’s second quarter-final revealed the worst.

My hostess here in Malabo asked me earlier whether Equatorial Guinea deserved to go through. My answer was neither a simple ‘yes’ nor a simple ‘no’.

In one sense, they didn’t, because their late penalty—the subject of several convoluted conspiracy theories—was clearly soft and obviously given by a referee who struggled to keep a handle on a tempestuous contest throughout.

However, by the same token, I believe they did deserve to go through, even if the manner of their progression wasn’t completely fair.

Equatorial Guinea were infinitely more adventurous, ambitious and earnest than Tunisia. While the latter team sought to spoil the game, to disrupt the play, to waste time and to commit cynical fouls, the hosts sought to create chances, to spread the play and to unlock their talented forwards.

Javier Balboa—a player I had never seen in the flesh before—was outstanding. Naturally, his penalty and then his sumptuous free kick stole the headlines, but his all-round play was excellent as well. He can hold up the ball, he can beat a man, he can play a pass and, perhaps most importantly, he is a thinking footballer, he knows when to wait, when to go, how to control the play.

In him, and with the fans behind them, it’s not inconceivable (although it is unlikely) that the Nzalang National will oust Ghana in the second semi-final.

The tournament is no worse off for the elimination of Tunisia. Despite talented players—including the excellent Yassine Chikhaoui—they were desperately negative in Bata. A great disappointment on the pitch, while their play-acting antics have no place in such a major tournament.


Equatorial Guinea | Sons of Fortune 

The manner in which they hounded the (admittedly sub-par) Rajindraparsad Seechurn at the final whistle was disgraceful, regardless of the perceived injustice, and heavy sanctions are inevitable.

Bata was a cauldron, and the Tunisians had a responsibility—in my opinion—to control themselves and to respond with dignity. The penalty decision changed the game, but they are still a superior collection of players than Equatorial Guinea and ought to have seen them off.

That night I was pulverised by mosquitoes in my ‘squat’ in Bata (not my words), but it was worth it to have watched a day of football that I will recount to my grandchildren.

Earlier today I spoke to Guinea goalkeeper Bouba Camara of Spanish side Murcia. In his mind, Ghana and the Cote d’Ivoire are nailed on to be the combatants in Sunday’s final.

The Black Stars vanquished the Syli National on Sunday in some style, bringing to an end Guinea’s unlikely Afcon journey. Avram Grant spoke after the match about how his side are growing into the tournament, and it’s hard to disagree, will they bring another fairytale to an end when they meet Equatorial Guinea in Malabo?

While Ghana are steadily improving under Grant, Herve Renard looks to have the bit between his teeth as far as the Cote d’Ivoire are concerned.

Admittedly, qualification might have been a little testing, and they hardly flourished in escaping from Group D, but consecutive victories over Cameroon and Algeria cannot be ignored.

Their victory over the Desert Foxes in the ‘Battle of the Afcon favourites’ may well go down in history as the match where this talented collection of Elephants finally secured that signature victory that cements their legacy.

There was no Drogba, but as Wilfried Bony demonstrated, maybe he won’t be missed.

The West Africans’ clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo ought to be an excellent display of attacking football. Expect goals, as neither defence have convinced, while both sides’ strengths can be found in their offensive three.

The second semi-final looks like a little bit of a mis-match, but trust me, home crowds are something special here and if the supporters in Malabo can recreate the same kind of expression of national pride as their counterparts in Bata did on Saturday, then they could spur their side to new levels of achievement.

My hostess asked me, earlier this evening, whether she should go to Thursday’s semi-final…I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

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Claude Le Roy - 50 years in football and the coaching King of Africa

 

PROFILE: The veteran coach will return to a hero's welcome in Congo after taking the no-hopers to the Afcon quarter-finals. But there is no chance of him resting on his laurels

By Brian Oliver in Malabo

Claude Le Roy prides himself on being the opposite of what he calls “the Club Med coaches”. He has worked in Africa for over four decades, and for most of that time he has lived in Africa – as have his family. He laughs when European coaches talk about the pressure of their job.

“It is nothing,” said Le Roy. “They make me laugh. Let them try Africa.”

There are all the usual problems to deal with – players who need firm management and frequent encouragement, engaging with an often hostile local media, organising effective training camps, finding reliable and capable assistants, picking the right team and formation, building team spirit, earning respect.

But then there is so much more, such as the lack of resources, of professional administrators who can make things happen. There is political interference from government officials. There are long and often unsuccessful attempts to persuade players of dual nationality to choose Africa over Europe.

And, when it comes to tournament time, there is the Confederation of African Football.

“Look at this place,” said the Frenchman at the Hotel Carmen in Bata, where he has masterminded Congo’s remarkable achievement of winning Group A at the Cup of Nations. “Do you see any Caf officials here? They’ll be at the Hilton. People don’t like me for criticising, but that doesn’t stop me.”

The Carmen is a basic local hotel, upmarket by Bata standards but a two-star, at best, in Europe. Meanwhile Caf’s executive members – who like to call each other “your Excellency” – always have the most expensive five-star hotels.

Le Roy was furious with Caf after the first game of the tournament, a 1-1 draw with hosts Equatorial Guinea. Congo were given no police escort to the stadium and were stuck in traffic on a bus without air conditioning, in 90F heat, for more than an hour.

Congo started slowly but improved. They won their next two games, and play the Congolese derby on Saturday – Congo-Brazzaville against DR Congo – for a place in the semi-finals. Nobody expected them to qualify for the tournament, never mind for the knockout stages.

“Many people thought it inconceivable that Congo would qualify, with South Africa and the champions, Nigeria, in our group. But South Africa went, and now we have eliminated the team (Nigeria) beat in the final, Burkina Faso. I am so proud.”

Le Roy shouted so many instructions in the 2-1 win against Burkina Faso that he lost his voice. When he recovered he said, “We are the only team in the competition without even one player who has played in the Cup of Nations before. Congo hasn’t been in the tournament for 15 years.”

Among those who congratulated Le Roy on winning Group A was Francois Hollande, the French Premier – and a boyhood team-mate of Le Roy at Rouen.

"The people love him when he wins and hate him when he loses, like everywhere else in Africa," said Camille Delourme, who follows the Congo team for a newspaper in Brazzaville. "But after this, when he returns home he will be the king."  

His first job in Africa was as coach of Cameroon – with Roger Milla in the side – in the mid-1980s. He led them to Cup of Nations glory in 1988.

He has been to the tournament as coach eight times, and has only once failed to reach the knockouts – when he was in charge of Saturday’s opponents, DR Congo, in 2004.

“The gap between Europe and Africa is smaller now than it was in the 1980s,” said Le Roy. “I see 2015 as a renaissance, when a new generation of players will come through. There is unbelievable potential in this continent.

“There is still a big problem with Europe taking players too young. They should stay longer in Africa. Look at the great names of African football – Milla, Weah, Okocha, Yaya Toure – they were all known in their national league before they went to Europe. It is better to develop here.

“There are 40 or 50 Congo players in Europe but I didn’t take them all – I have eight from the Congo league in my squad.”

The man who has arguably made the most difference is forward Thievy Bifouma, whose club career has had its ups and downs but who has fitted in well for Le Roy. It took a lot of persuasion, with two of his Congolese assistants trailing Bifouma around Spain, where he plays for Almeria on loan from Espanyol. Attempts to recruit two other players, midfielder Christopher Maboulou (Bastia) and the Marseille goalkeeper Brice Samba, failed. 

Le Roy is a strict disciplinarian. Everyone in his delegation must wear the team uniform, and they have to be on time for meals and meetings. Even a minute late and they will be told off, as they will if they under-perform. 

“I am not easy on them,” he said. “I tell them exactly what I feel – but I try to give them responsibility. I don’t try to act as their father. These players are intelligent, in a practical way. And they know I am the boss.”

His contract with Congo runs until the end of this year. He has already earned results way beyond expectations, with another target to come: the African Games in September, hosted by Congo. After that, who knows?

Le Roy will be 67 next week, and celebrates 50 years in football in June. But he shows no signs of quitting yet.

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Golden Shoe: Messi closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo

Players such as Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan have won the European Golden Shoe in the past few seasons, with Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo as the latest winners of the award following their 31 goals in 2013-14. The weightings are determined by the league's ranking on the Uefa coefficients. Goals scored in the top five leagues are multiplied by a factor of two, and goals scored in the leagues ranked six to 21 are multiplied by 1.5. Goals in all other leagues are worth one single point.

 

=8 | Neymar | Barcelona | 15 goals (+1) | factor 2.0 | 30 points

=8 | Jackson Martinez | Porto | 15 goals (+1) | factor 2.0 | 30 points

8 | Manucho | Infonet | 30 goals | factor 1.0 | 30 points

=6 | Andrej Kramaric | Rijeka/Leicester City | 21 goals | factor 1.5 | 31.5 points

5 | Igor Subbotin | Levadia/Mlada Boleslav | 32 goals | factor 1.0 | 32 points

4 | Diego Costa | Chelsea | 17 goals | factor 2.0 | 34 points

3 | Yevgeni Kabayev | Kalev | 36 goals | factor 1.0 | 36 points

1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 28 goals | factor 2.0 | 56 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Messi, Benzema and Griezmann the stars of the show again

The Argentine has now scored in eight consecutive home games while all ten of the Real Madrid star's goals have been hit first-time

Karim Benzema showed his finishing prowess once again at the weekend as his two goals saw Real Madrid come back from a goal down to see off Real Sociedad.

The France international now has 10 Liga goals for the season – all of which have been converted with just one touch.

Lionel Messi set yet another record as a Barcelona player, scoring in his eighth consecutive home match for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile reigning champions Atletico Madrid claimed victory as an in-form Antoine Griezmann inspired Diego Simeone’s side to a 3-1 victory at Eibar with his first assist of the league season.

On a weekend of firsts in Spain, Sevilla’s 3-2 victory over Espanyol set a bizarre record as a 40th-minute red for Kiko Casilla and a half-time injury to Beto ensure a single match saw four different goalkeepers concede for the first time in Spanish football history.

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Coutinho signs new long-term Liverpool deal

 

The Brazilian midfielder, who joined from Inter back in 2013, has agreed a new contract at Anfield and insists that it is a dream come true to play for the Merseyside club

Liverpool have confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The 22-year-old, who arrived from Inter back in 2013, has flourished under Brendan Rodgers and been one of the club's stand-out performers in the 2014-15 campaign.

Speaking after having put pen to paper over a new deal, Coutinho told the club's official website: "I'm really happy. It's a dream come true playing for this great club and being part of this squad.

"Today I've committed my future to the club and for this I'm feeling very pleased. This club is great and the fans have always supported me, so I've been eager to sign this new deal since conversations started. Today is a very happy day.

"It means so much. This club has given me the opportunity to play and believed in me even though I hadn't been playing regularly at my previous club. I've had a great reception since my first day here. As I always say, Liverpool is a big family and I'm a happy person here."

Liverpool FC         ✔ @LFC

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#LFC are delighted to confirm that @Phil_Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract with the club #CoutinhoLFC

3:59 PM - 3 Feb 2015

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Meet Man Utd's new signing Andy Kellett

 

 

 

PROFILE: The 21-year-old wing-back will link up with the Red Devils' Under-21 side after making a shock move on loan to Old Trafford in exchange for young defender Saidy Janko

By Oliver Platt & Daniel Lomax

If this winter's relatively quiet deadline day was disappointing for fans, it was the opposite for a young Bolton Wanderers defender named Andy Kellett.

The 21-year-old, who has spent most of his season so far on loan at Plymouth Argyle in League Two, is now a Manchester United player – at least for a few months.

"It's a great opportunity for Andy," Bolton manager Neil Lennon said. "We called about Saidy [Janko] and Man United asked for him to go the other way. He thought it was a wind-up."

The Bolton News recounts the scene as Kellett was informed of his next destination. "Sit down, Andy," first team coach Garry Parker said. "We've got some good news and some bad news.

"You're not going back to Plymouth," was the bad. "You're going to Manchester United."

This is not, in all likelihood, a case of United spotting a potential star but a strengthening of their Under-21 side following the departures of the versatile Janko, who has been loaned to Bolton, and Marnick Vermijl, who joins Sheffield Wednesday permanently.

Those moves had left the development squad thin on the ground at full-back and coach Warren Joyce will have been aware of Kellett, who has played for Bolton's reserve side in the same league. "We were aware of United's interest last week and I know Warren Joyce likes him a lot," Lennon added.

Kellett played regularly while on loan at Plymouth earlier this season and scored a sensational first professional goal, dancing past three players from the left touchline to the penalty area before prodding a shot past the goalkeeper from no more than eight yards.



He is a fast and direct attacker, if still perfecting the defensive side of his game, and Argyle's 3-5-2 system, in which he played at left wing-back, suited him down to the ground. Kellett's comfort in that formation is an intriguing detail given Louis van Gaal's frequent use of it, although it would take another significant injury crisis for him to follow the likes of Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair to the first team.

Much like Van Gaal, former Celtic boss Lennon has looked to give more of Bolton's academy players a chance in the first team since replacing Dougie Freedman and his faith has been repaid by the likes of Zach Clough and Josh Vela, who are now considered first-team regulars.

That is a marked shift at a club where Kellett, at the back end of last season, became the first local academy player in eight years to make a first-team appearance.

He played again at wing-back on Tuesday, against Rotherham, but a Bolton side that has tightened up in defence since changing managers suffered a 4-2 defeat and Kellett was hooked after 51 minutes.

A subsequent return to Plymouth for further exposure to senior football was expected before the unexpected call came. At worst, Kellett will spend a few months enjoying top-class facilities while working with some of the best coaches in the world – and perhaps United will take a liking to him.

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Clubs will be ready to pay €300m for Ronaldo, says agent

The prolific attacker's representative does not believe his client will leave Real Madrid but is confident he would not be short on suitors if that changed

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes believes several clubs would be ready to pay €300 million for the attacker if Real Madrid were to sell him.

The Portugal international was named the best player in the world for the third time in his career at the Fifa Ballon d'Or gala earlier this year and has been in exceptional scoring form for the current Liga leaders so far in the current campaign.

Ronaldo's representative does not think any club would be willing to meet his buyout clause of €1 billion, but is confident teams would be willing to pay three times the value of Gareth Bale's current world-record fee of €100m - although he expects the 29-year-old to stay put.

"He's the most expensive player ever in the world, because Ronaldo is the best player ever in the world, the best sportsman ever," Mendes told BBC Radio 4. "You can't compare him to anyone.

"A €1 billion transfer is impossible, but if for any reason the club decide to sell him for €300m, someone will pay.

"He loves the Man United supporters, he told me, he started there, but he will not leave Real Madrid."

Ronaldo has a contract with Real Madrid until June 2018.

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Chelsea, Odegaard, Dortmund and the winners and losers of the January transfer window

 

COMMENT: The January transfer window brought notable movement all over the world with some of the biggest clubs in Europe active

By Peter Staunton

What makes a good January transfer window is very different from one team to another. There are a number of factors to consider. Irrespective of their requirements, however, a solid base is essential and every club should strive to keep hold of their best players. No team wants to be scrambling around mid-season in pursuit of six or more recruits in order to achieve their ambitions over the rest of the term.

In any case, it is difficult to sign players in January for a number of reasons. Prices are high as players tend not to be out of contract during the middle of the season and selling clubs know that a mid-season premium can be added. The bigger teams tend not to do major business in January either as the very best players do not generally want to uproot during the season. They prefer to wait until summer to assess their options and make the right move with no countdown pressure on them.

In that respect, it becomes something of a novelty to see a big team make a splash. Manchester City have done so this winter but their move for Wilfried Bony was the right one. There was nothing panicky about their €32m signing of the Ivorian. It is an enviable position to be in for any club when a move for a target can be sanctioned and executed with minimal fuss. Bony is a proven Premier League striker, the highest-scoring player in the league in 2014, and will provide plenty of goals and assists.

With no Alvaro Negredo and with Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko blowing hot and cold, the signing of Bony could be the difference between City winning the title and not. So although they have only signed one player they can be deemed to have had a good window.



Similarly, at the top end of the Premier League, Chelsea have arguably done good business despite their relative inactivity. Deadline day brought the signing of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina. The Colombian will add pace and immense dribbling ability to the Chelsea attack and the net outlay for his signature has been minimal. That is because no team is capable of playing the market like Chelsea.

They always receive top dollar for their outgoing players and Andre Schurrle is no different. Although the German is a player of genuine pedigree and was a star of the World Cup, his Chelsea career had stalled and it was increasingly tough for him to find game time under Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea managed to offload the winger for around €30m while paying similar for Cuadrado. David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku effectively paid for the transfers of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa last summer and Mourinho has again ensured that his club's budget is balanced with the signing of Cuadrado, with Mohamed Salah going the opposite way on loan, and the sale of Schurrle as well as Ryan Bertrand to Southampton. If Cuadrado can be as successful as their last big January signing, Nemanja Matic, then Mourinho will be very pleased indeed.

Due to the acquisition of Schurrle, Wolfsburg were the biggest spending team in what is traditionally a quiet Bundesliga market. They have already given their Champions League prospects a timely boost after beating Bayern Munich last week.

However, the bulk of German spending should probably have been carried out by Borussia Dortmund. They are bottom of the table in Germany and could really have done with more than a solitary signing in the shape of midfielder Kevin Kampl from Red Bull Salzburg.

The latest indications are that they are likely to lose Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer with captain Mats Hummels also rumoured to be ready to quit. It could be a big rebuild at the Westfalenstadion in 2015 with or without Jurgen Klopp.

Dortmund's business plan is heavily contingent on qualifying for the Champions League but it is a long way back from 18th to fourth over the course of 16 matches. Therefore the club was unprepared to bring forward much of their summer transfer budget with the uncertainty over their Champions League participation money. This window could well have ushered in the end of the Klopp era.

Another team to have their January spending restricted, of course, was Barcelona due to their 2015 transfer ban. As such, Real Madrid capitalised on their great rivals' plight to set themselves up for the future.

There was forethought in the signing of Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro, who is regarded as a long-term prospect for the centre of midfield, as well as Martin Odegaard. The Norway sensation had the pick of Europe's top clubs during January and has signed a deal worth between €60,000 and €80,000 a week at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has a lot of work to do to ensure that he eventually demonstrates his quality in the Real Madrid first team but he has made a good start, financially, to life in the big leagues.



Another individual who should be happy with his window is Fernando Torres. He can barely disguise his delight at being back with Atletico Madrid and started strongly with goals against Real and Barcelona. His last January move, to Chelsea, arguably ended his career as a top-level player. Despite Atletico's current jittery form, working with former team-mate Diego Simeone could bring the Spain striker back to something approaching his best.

Valencia also demonstrated their new spending power with the acquisition of Enzo Perez from Benfica for around €25m. That signing showed again the ability of Benfica to export talent for big money. They also sold Bernardo Silva to Monaco, where he had been on loan, for around €15m and remain top of the league.

Their summer sales left them out of luck in the Champions League and as such season priorities have now shifted. They should be well able to qualify again for the top competition and they will do so while bringing in another €40m in sales. Combined with that they have potentially unearthed more South American gems in the shape of Jonathan Rodriguez and Elbio Alvarez from Penarol.

A situation any club needs to avoid is the one currently happening at AC Milan. Their January transfer campaign has emphasised just how chaotic things are at this once-great institution. Players were added seemingly at random and Filippo Inzaghi has a huge task ahead attempting to integrate so many players at once. Salvatore Bocchetti, Gabriel Paletta, Suso, Mattia Destro, Alessio Cerci, Luca Antonelli and Kingsley Boateng are just some of the players brought to the club in January and there is precious little time for them to come together and forge a winning side.

Better business was done by San Siro rivals Inter. They identified shortcomings in the squad and solved the issues short-term, in the shape of Lukas Podolski, and long term with the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri. Marcelo Brozovic was also added despite interest from elsewhere in Europe.

Further afield and Guangzhou Evergrande again demonstrated their increasing power in the market. Alan, of Red Bull Salzburg, and Ricardo Goulart were bought for a combined total of around €25m. The Asian super club boast Fabio Cannavaro as coach and Marcello Lippi as sporting director and can now comfortably compete with Europe's elite for the best emerging talent.

Goulart was added from Brazilian champions Cruzeiro who have broken up the squad which led the side to two consecutive Brazilian championships. Lucas Silva, Goulart, Everton Ribeiro and Egidio are among the players to have departed and there is uncertainty regarding their replacements and their suitability to go for the title again as well as the Copa Libertadores.

Probably one of the bigger surprises though was Italy forward Sebastian Giovinco's decision to leave Juventus for MLS side Toronto. At the age of 27, it is a statement of intent from the North American league, which had previously contented itself by placing local talent alongside ageing superstars.

So while Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid have operated wisely and effectively this January, the real winners appear to have been outside Europe's traditional elite. A sign of the times and not just for football.

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'I'm a cross between Gerrard and Yaya Toure' - Tottenham's Alli

 

 

The 18-year-old completed a €6.6m switch to Spurs on deadline day and although he will remain with MK Dons until the summer, he has given the fans an idea of what they can expect

Latest Tottenham signing Dele Alli has likened himself to a mixture of Premier League stars Steven Gerrard and Yaya Toure.

The 18-year-old moved to Spurs on deadline day in a deal that sees him remain with MK Dons for the remainder of the season before linking up with Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

And, despite receiving interest from the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool, the England under-19 international chose to move to White Hart Lane, in a move on Tuesday morning.

In an interview with the Football Association in September, Alli said: “Harry Winks and I were talking about who I play like and he was trying to tell me I’m like Fernandinho but I’m not having that.

“I’d prefer to think I’m a cross between Gerrard and Yaya Toure.”

Spurs are believed to have paid €6.6 million for the box-to-box midfielder and Alli told the club's official website: “It’s a massive club and I’m really happy to be here.

"I’m looking forward to meeting all the lads and getting to work with the manager. It’s a dream come true."

Pochettino has shown faith in the club's young players this season, with the likes of Harry Kane and Ryan Mason thriving in the first team, and Alli says this was a big factor in his decision to join Spurs.

He added: “I like the way the manager has been working, developing the youth and bring a lot of young players in. I wanted to come to a club where the manager puts a lot of trust into young players.

“I’d love to play for Spurs and play at White Hart Lane. It won’t be easy and I’ll have fight for my place in the team but I’ll work hard to do that.”

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Ancelotti: Bale has the support of Madrid fans

The Italian has given the 25-year-old his full support and has stressed that Madrid will not underestimate Sevilla in Wednesday's Liga encounter

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has again defended Gareth Bale against accusations of selfishness and believes the Wales international still has the backing of the fans.

The former Tottenham man came in for criticism last month after going for goal himself rather than set up Cristiano Ronaldo in a dangerous position, while he was again jeered by parts of the crowd at the weekend after taking a chance off James Rodriguez, only to aim wide from close range.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti sees no reason for Bale to change his game and was quick to stress that the 25-year-old was also applauded by the Madrid fans at certain stages.

"Bale being selfish? Gareth is doing everything he can to help the team," Ancelotti said at a press conference.

"The Bernabeu also applauded him two or three times last Saturday.

"Could he play on the left and Ronaldo in the centre? I don't see that happening..."

The Madrid coach then went on to stress that they will not take Wednesday's match against Sevilla lightly, insisting he will not rest any players for the derby against Atletico at the weekend.

"I will field more or less the same team that beat Sociedad on Saturday.

"Resting players? The most important game is the one against Sevilla. Not the one against Atletico after that. Sevilla are very dangerous opponents."

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Official: Anderson leaves Manchester United for Internacional

The 26-year-old spent seven years at Old Trafford but failed to nail down a place in the starting XI following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, leading to his return to Brazil

Anderson has left Manchester United and returned to Brazil, signing a four-year contract with Internacional.

The Porto Alegre-based club have confirmed the news on their official website, meaning the 26-year-old ends his seven-year spell at the Red Devils.

Anderson has struggled to hold down a place in the starting XI at Old Trafford, playing just 10 games in the last two seasons and failing to break into Louis van Gaal's side this year.

It had emerged that talks with Internacional had progressed well after the Brazilian flew back to his homeland to complete a medical on Sunday and now a deal has been completed.

However Goal understands United will have to pay a six-figure fee to compensate a loss in wages as Anderson returns to the Brazilian top-flight.

He began his career at Gremio, moving to Porto as an 18-year-old in 2006, before United paid over €30 million for the 2008 Golden Boy winner.

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All quiet on the transfer front - beginning of the end for the January sales?

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COMMENT: The spending seems to have been curtailed around Europe as clubs' reluctance to splash out on big talent left fans disappointed

By Peter Staunton

It came and went with a whimper in the end. The January transfer window was a disappointment for many fans who had hoped to see their favourite teams add new players. However, it proved not to be the case with the spending curtailed in most parts.

New federal regulations, self-imposed restrictions, the reluctance of some players to conduct business mid-season and the more prosaic matter of not having any money all contributed to a window of relative transfer inertia.

Usual suspects for spending, such as Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, were handicapped by ongoing obligations to meet Uefa's Financial Fair Play terms. PSG's spending for the season must not exceed €60m and their wage bill must remain as last season's total. The signing of David Luiz gobbled up much of their transfer kitty and a failure to shed fringe men, Clement Chantome aside, leaves them with much the same squad in February.

Manchester City - the other major power to encounter difficulty with Uefa's sanctions - were active, but only after offloading Matija Nastasic to Schalke. City needed to lose the Serb's wages to construct a package for Wilfried Bony. By their standards, it was a quiet preceding summer and so money was available to reinvest.

In any case, the band of Champions League contending teams, to which City and PSG belong, are shopping in a restricted market at this time of year. Elite performers have probably already featured in the competition for other clubs and so cannot be added to continental rosters for the remainder of the season. The fact that a squad can be improved for domestic play but not the Champions League, where difference-makers are needed, makes clubs reluctant to spend big.

"We have restrictions about the amount of money and about the number of players we can put in the Champions League so I don’t think it will be a special transfer window for our team,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini said at the start of the window.



The English Premier League clubs broadly spent about the same in total as in last year's January sales. That total is down about €100m from the peak of Premier League winter spending in 2011.

The Premier League is set to cut a new television deal worth about €120m per club per season from 2016-17. The competition to braodcast games, between Sky and BT, will be worth over €5bn and so clubs' spending power will increase again.

As prices increase so will wages. Agents have told players to hold tight on potential moves this winter as details of the new TV deals will emerge towards the end of the season. By then, players and advisors will be well aware that their services will be even more handsomely remunerated. There is logic in being inactive this January, for players as well as teams. A new contract signed in summer will be worth a lot more.

It is the opposite story in much of the rest of Europe where debt and nosediving revenues mean that clubs simply have no money to spend. Outside of the Clasico duo, Atletico Madrid and Valencia, funds for new players are severely restricted in Spain.

Likewise in France, where PSG and Monaco dominate the landscape at the expense of all others. Italian football's seemingly inexorable decline has been well documented and the Fifa Transfer Matching System reveals that nearly 40 per cent of all deals in Serie A this winter came in the form of loans. That is indicative of the short-tem outlook that continues to blight clubs in this once-proud league.

German clubs too proved reluctant to join the spending party. Wolfsburg's €30m outlay on Andre Schurrle was more than all the other 17 Bundesliga clubs put together spent collectively in January. There were only a small number of modest acquisitions in the Bundesliga with the clubs traditionally content to let a young native talent prosper, rather than block his path to the first team with an overseas import.

Clubs in general do not need major reconstructive surgery in January unless it is a total basket case. Think AC Milan this time around and QPR a few seasons ago.

The money may not be flowing in the big leagues of Europe currently but elsewhere the transfer window seemed to be in rude health. The Mexican Liga MX boasted more international transfers with fees attached than any other league in the world while Chinese Super League behemoths Guangzhou Evergrande added two emerging Brazilian talents in Alan and Ricardo Goulart for €25m.

While that, in part, points to a shift in global revenues towards emerging markets - China in particular - the spending situation is part of a wider strategic change within Europe, one towards sustainability and fostering responsible club management.

European clubs, particularly in the Premier League, will continue to spend big in the summer window. But the winter sales may well become a relic of a reckless past.

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