Black Stars enjoy audience with Nelson Mandela

Sulley and Mandela

Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has entertained the Ghana team in his Johannesburg home the day after their dramatic 2010 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final defeat against Uruguay.

The meeting followed an earlier one with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and other members of the family at her Soweto house. Sowetans greeted the players with applause and cheers as they got off their bus, which bore a sign reading, “The Hope of Africa.”

Mr Mandela had sent a letter on Friday wishing the squad well for their match against Uruguay last night. The Ghanaian squad had earlier expressed the wish to visit the family to pass on their respects after the tragic passing of Madiba’s great grand-daughter, Zenani, on 11 July.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation commended the Ghana team after the visit. “They represented the continent well,” it said. “They can return home with their heads held high.”

Though suffering the pain of a penalty shoot-out defeat, the Black Stars’ run to the last eight captured the hearts of the African people in the first tournament to be held on the continent.

Source: FIFA.COM

Germans thump Argentina in quarters

Germany are through to the World Cup semifinals after a comprehensive 4-0 win over Argentina at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Thomas Mueller, Arne Friedrich and two from Miroslav Klose scored as Diego Maradona’s dream run at the finals came to an inglorious end.

Germany started like a team with something to prove and took the lead after just three minutes through Mueller. Lukas Podolski won a free-kick on the left which Bastian Sweinsteiger swung in, and the Bayern Munich striker got in front of his marker to head home.

Twenty minutes later and it should have been 2-0. A defensive slip by Martin Demichelis allowed Mueller a run in on goal. Instead of taking a shot, he squared to Klose, who uncharacteristically blasted over from 12 yards out.

Germany were controlling the play, and it took Argentina all of 33 minutes to get their first shot on target as Di Maria found space on the right and then cut inside a defender, but his shot was tame and straight at goalkeeper Manuel Nauer.

Gonzalo Higuain, who had hardly touched the ball up until that point, then found some space on the edge of the area, beat a defender and fired in a shot, but the goalie got down well to save. Argentina did have the ball in the back of the net through Di Maria on 38 minutes, but the effort was rightfully ruled offside.

Podolski and Muller had more chances for the Germans just before the break, while Lionel Messi summed up his afternoon by firing well over on the stroke of halftime.

Whatever Maradona’s teamtalk was, it seemed to do the trick as Argentina came out firing after the break.

Di Maria bent one just wide, before Carlos Tevez and Higuain both fired straight at Nauer. Argentina were dominating at this stage, but on 68 minutes, and against the run of play, Germany added a second.

The ball fell to Mueller just outside the area, and his run and cutback found Klose, who made no mistake this time around, tapping in from two yards out.

Six minutes later and the game was dome and dusted. The brilliant Sweinsteiger looked like he had nowhere to go when the ball was played to him on the edge of the area, but his mazy run beat three defenders before cutting back for Friedrich to tap in.

Argentina kept trying, but were unable to create and clearcut chances as the world’s best player, Messi, finished the tournament without a goal to his name.

Insult was then added to injury as Klose got his second on the stroke of fulltime, volleying home from Mesut Oezil’s pinpoint cross.

Source: Kickoff.com

Gyan anticipates tough U.S clash

Ghana are not just satisfied with their berth in the last16 as the Black Stars aim to go a step better than they did in 2006 in their debut World Cup.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who has so far been Ghana’s only goal scorer at the competition in South Africa with two goals, both coming from the spot, is targeting victory against the United States, in a game that he anticipates to be difficult.

A win over the Americans, who Ghana defeated 2-1 in the final group stage match of the World Cup four years ago would see the Black Stars become the first African country after Cameroon and Senegal to make it to the last eight of the competition.

Gyan is aware of the task ahead but is very confident of Ghana’s chances against the U.S at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

"We are very happy (to have qualified), even if we wanted to have other African teams come through as well," said Gyan. 

"We are on the right path and we are representing our continent, which makes us very happy.

"The Americans, though, are a very good team, they expend a lot of energy and are strong physically. But we too have good players, it is for that that we have so much self-confidence." 

Source: Ghanafa.org

No pressure on Kevin against Germany

Milovan Rajevac believes the controversy that followed Kevin-Prince Boateng's unfortunate tackle on Michael Ballack will not affect the Ghanaian in the clash against the Germans at the World Cup.

Boateng's attempted tackle left Ballack with an ankle injury during the English FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Chelsea and it cost the Germany captain his place at the World Cup.

Ahead of the potential knockout match against a German side which includes Boateng’s junior brother, Jerome, Rajevac insists the Black Stars midfielder has put the incident behind him. 

“I was in London to watch the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Chelsea and I think the injury to Michael Ballack was not intentional. It’s become a big story but there are not enough reasons for that,” Rajevac said on Sunday.

The 23 year-old player, a former German youth international secured a nationality swap to enable him play for Ghana and is expected to be available for the game against the Germans at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium on Wednesday.

Milovan Rajevac explains that the Ghana player would be freed from the tensions that such situations come with.

“We talk to him and he’s preparing for the match. It’s our responsibility to prepare him for such a game. He’s a professional and he would be ready.”

Ghana goes into the final group game with four points and on top of the table in Group D, one better than Germany.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Essien Weeps……As He Visits Colleagues In Camp

Grief-stricken Michael Essien has wished the Black Stars good luck in their preparations towards the World Cup finals in South Africa. The midfielder, who has been ruled out of next month’s competition after failing to recover from a knee injury, made an appearance at Ghana’s training camp in Paris.

Essien, who was in tears after a meeting between Ghana officials and some personnel from Chelsea over his injury situation, has since left the camp.

Ghana Football Association Spokesman, Randy Abbey, said it was an emotional scene at the team’s camp. “At the meeting, Michael Essien reiterated his commitment to the Black Stars and explained how he wished to have been part of the team preparing for the World Cup. “It was an emotional moment for him as he made his way upstairs to see his colleagues.

He visited every member of the squad in their rooms and wished them well. “Essien was close to tears,” Abbey said, adding that “after meeting with his teammates, he made his way out of the camp as he would be heading back to London to continue with his rehabilitation.”

Abbey said no decision had been taken yet, over whether Essien would be in South Africa in any capacity with Ghana. “We haven’t gotten to that state yet. No decision has been taken as to whether he will be there (World Cup) in any capacity. For now, the most important thing is to allow him to continue with his recovery programme which we are very concerned about.”

Meanwhile, Black Stars coach, Milovan Rajavac, has sent out a consoling and rallying cry to his players after the loss of influential midfielder, Michael Essien’s absence, and the Serbian Manager admits it is a blow to their aspirations. “I am really disappointed that Michael Essien will not be at the World Cup for Ghana as a player,” a broken Rajavac said. “He is an important player on and off field, but we can’t use him this time.

“Essien brings lots of advantages; he brings so many things to the team and always gives us options. “It’s most unfortunate. But I hope and believe that the other players would give of their best.”

Despite the absence of Essien, Rajevac says unity and hard work would make the Black Stars prevail in a difficult tournament. “We want to achieve with the team and must work hard. We will focus on the task ahead and hope we have a good World Cup,” the Serbian said.

“I hope the past experiences with injuries, though unfortunate, will help us stay united and fight for each other. Ghana will play Serbia, Australia and Germany in Group D of the tournament.

Michael Essien, after a review of his injury, is not expected to make full recovery until the end of July. He has been recovering from a knee injury picked up during training at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.


Source: The Ghanaian Times

US warns of World Cup terrorism in South Africa

The US government has issued a travel alert warning its citizens that South Africa faces a heightened risk of terrorism during the World Cup.

It says that large-scale public events present an attractive target.
"There is a heightened risk that extremist groups will conduct terrorist acts within South Africa in the near future," the US state department said.

The warning came as US President Barack Obama wished the the American World Cup football team good luck.

"I just want to say how incredibly proud we are of the team," said Mr Obama, who was joined by former President Bill Clinton to give the players a presidential send-off at the White House in Washington.

"Everybody's going to be rooting for you," he said.
"And although sometimes we don't remember it here in the United States, this is going to be the biggest world stage there is."

In a statement, the state department said it had no information on any specific, credible threat during the tournament, but noted that such threats have been reported in the media.

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South Africa has mobilised thousands of specially trained police to deal with fans' safety.
Some 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the World Cup, which is being held in Africa for the first time and starts on 11 June.

Source: BBC

France beat Turkey and Italy to stage Euro 2016

Uefa president Michel Platini announces France's victory

France have beaten Turkey and Italy for the right to stage the European Championship in 2016.

France previously staged the tournament in 1960 and were hosts again in 1984, winning it with a team captained by Michel Platini, the Uefa president.

The French, hosts and winners of the 1998 World Cup, beat Turkey by just a single vote after Italy were eliminated in the first round of voting.

Euro 2016 will feature 24 countries playing 51 matches over one month.

"This is a beautiful day for us," said Jean-Pierre Escalettes, president of the French Football Federation.

"It is a moment of intense emotion to know that in 2016 France will welcome European football and will fulfil its promises.

"What counts for us is to have the full confidence of Uefa and this trust will not be betrayed.

"We also understand the frustration of Italy and Turkey - particularly Turkey, who lost by a single vote after bidding for a third time."

Turkey rejected the suggestion that it represented a risky option after being pipped 7-6 in the final round of voting.

"We are devastated. This was our third bid so it is not much consolation to know that we lost by a small margin," said Turkey's Euro 2016 bid manager Orhan Gorbon.

"Losing is one thing but it is an underestimation of Turkey to say it was not capable of hosting a larger tournament.

"I don't understand why France should be seen as the safe option."

Platini admitted the contest had put him in a difficult situation - he is French, but of Italian descent and enjoyed his best playing years at Juventus.

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"It was not an easy situation for me - I am French, my name is Italian and I have many friends in Turkey. But Uefa has proved once again that we have democracy."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former national team star Zinedine Zidane supported their country's case in a presentation to Uefa's ruling executive in Geneva on Friday.

The French government has pledged to help guarantee the projected 1.7bn euro (£1.45bn) cost of building and renovating stadiums despite the worldwide economic problems.

"When I spoke to the French Football Federation, we asked ourselves whether we wanted to be candidates in the middle of a crisis," he told the ceremony during the French presentation.

"But sport is an answer to the crisis. It is because we are in a crisis that we need sport. Nothing is more powerful than sport and, within sport, nothing is more powerful that football."

France's winning bid for 2016 consisted of 12 venues - the Stade de France where France defeated Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final, Paris Saint Germain's Parc des Princes, Lens, Lille, Bordeaux, Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Saint Etienne and Nancy.

Zidane spoke of being a young fan in the Marseille stadium watching Platini's extra-time goal carry France past Portugal in a classic semi-final in 1984.

"That is the type of experience I want to live again," said Zidane. "Winning is beautiful but it's great to see all the people in the streets partying. This is what I would like to give my children."

Platini added: "It was a very narrow decision - the work done by all three federations was outstanding, and I would like to congratulate the French.

"It has been a complicated situation from the outset and I believe there is a sigh of relief from French football, and they can now upgrade all their stadia to make them up to the same standard as other countries in Europe."

Turkey were bidding to host their first major football tournament while Italy's chances had been written off after a critical review of their bid following Uefa's inspection visits.

Problems and delays in Poland and Ukraine, who will jointly host Euro 2012, may have persuaded Uefa's executive committee to avoid choosing Turkey, an untried country.

"We all did our best," said Turkey President Abdullah Gul, who had called on Uefa to take a "historic decision" and help bring Turkey, which has a Muslim majority, closer to the heart of Europe. "We are saddened that it was lost by one point."

The 2016 event will feature 24 countries for the first time, up from 16 in 2012, as France becomes the first country to stage the European Championship three times.

Source: BBC

Report: Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City Eye £46 million Swoop For Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Barcelona superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set for a £46 million switch to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City after David Villa's arrival at the Nou Camp.

The Catalan giants have agreed a £34.2 million deal with Valencia to bring the lethal centre forward to the club. Sport has reported this has pushed Ibrahimovic towards the Premier League as Barcelona look to balance the books.

United have been linked all summer with a move for a top-line centre forward to support Wayne Rooney. City's billions and the presence of Ibrahimovic's ex-Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini makes them a possible destination, while Chelsea are in the market for a "marquee signing".

Ibrahimovic has struggled to win over the fans at the Nou Camp since his £60 million move last summer. Despite grabbing 21 goals in all competitions, he could be forced out after just one campaign.

Fifa admit World Cup sales in Africa 'poor'

   Mr Valcke previously said the event was a "real African World Cup"

A senior Fifa official has said he was "disappointed" by the number of World Cup tickets sold to fans in African countries.

Jerome Valcke said only 40,000 tickets have been sold in countries in the continent outside of South Africa.
The football body has faced criticism for not making tickets accessible to Africans, as most tickets were being sold via the internet.
It is the first time the World Cup is being held on African soil.
'Priced out' Mr Valcke - who has previously billed the event as a "real African World Cup" - said that African sales were "poor" and that Fifa would have to re-think its strategy towards Brazil, hosts of the 2014 Cup.
"It's really not a lot of tickets when you think that we have so many African countries playing in the World Cup," he said at a press event in South Africa.
"The system that we put in place was not perfect for South Africa and for Africa".
He said that there were also difficulties in air travel from one African country to South Africa.
South African Tourism Minister Martinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday that the figures were 76% less than those forecasted for the event.
He said that only 11,300 people in Africa made ticket purchases, out of a total of 230,000 foreign fans.
In March, Mr Valcke denied that Africans were being priced out of tournaments.
While tickets in South Africa were offered at a lower price, fans in other African countries had to pay the standard amount - with the cheapest costing $80 (£54).
Critics also said that many Africans would face difficulties accessing the internet, or might not have a credit card to make purchases online.
Over 2.5 million tickets have been sold out of 3 million available for the World Cup, which begins in three weeks.
More than a million have been bought by South Africans.

Source: BBC