This list might very well create some controversy (hopefully positive) and that is fine.
Choosing this list is much like choosing who England should take to Euro 2012, everyone will have
an opinion and this opinion can be debated down at the pub until closing time. But I do want to set
a list of ground rules for my Premier League MVP XI.
Papiss Cisse: My Signing of the Season! - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
For me, Newcastle's number nine has been the best transfer for not just this season, but the
past few years.
Yesterday evening, Cisse produced two goals of the highest quality to keep Newcastle United
firmly in contention for a place in the Premier League's top four with victory at Chelsea.
Yossi Benayoun probably hasn't done enough to achieve cult status. His imprint is far larger
amongst the squad than the fans. When he scored the winner against Aston Villa in December the
euphoria in the celebrations said it all. It wasn't just that it was such a crucial goal, it was
scored by a popular player in the team and one of the signings who did much to improve morale
amongst the group.
Newcastle United: Cisse on fire but is the Ba / Cisse partnership working? is a post from: Just
Football
by Amit Singh
Papiss Cisse has been something of a revelation since signing for
Newcastle United in January. Despite Newcastle fans having to wait some time to
see him in action due to the Africa Cup of Nations he has hit the ground running scoring 7 goals in
7 games including two crucial goals against Liverpool last Sunday.
EXCLUSIVE: Al Jazeera Sports Network has won the US TV rights to La Liga,
beginning with the 2012-13 season, according to a source.
The shocking news means that GolTV's flagship league will no longer be shown on the Miami-based
network. Al Jazeera Sports Network's acquisition of La Liga rights comes hot on the heels of
similar acquisitions by Al Jazeera Sports Network worldwide including winning the bid to show Ligue
1 in France from 2012-13 through 2018-18, as well as the rights to show UEFA Champions League in
France from 2012-2015.
Team of the Week
African team of the week
Selection of a goalkeeper was pretty easy this week. Ivory Coast international
keeper Boubacar Barry not only kept a clean sheet against Westerlo but he also
scored a 63rd minute penalty to help his side Lokeren win four goals to nil.
By Chris Wright
Before his country's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria yesterday afternoon,
Gambia 'keeper Musa Camara was seen sprinkling mysterious white powder across his goal-line which
has since been identified as 'Gri Gri' an African voodoo amulet that is supposed to ward off bad
luck and stop stitched leather crossing white paint.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Philadelphia Union
This day in history, February 28, 2008: MLS announces Philadelphia will join the league as its
16th franchise in the 2010 season. (Not sure if this counts as a birthday, but it makes for a nice
headline. More importantly, it's just a great day to remember.
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Zambia answer the call of destiny is a post from: Just Football
In my final Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for FourFourTwo I took a look at
Zambia's triumph on penalties in a final of incredible drama, tension and,
ultimately, joy for the Chipolopolo and despair for Côte d'Ivoire:
When he saw the shot sail wide he could take it no more.
Ghana finished fourth in the 2012 African Cup of Nations, which was ultimately a disappointment
for the team that outlasted all other African sides in the 2010 World Cup. And now, Ghana's Serbian
manager is blaming witchcraft and self-sabotage for their inability to meet expectations.
From the BBC:
Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic has revealed deep divisions within the squad, saying some players
used witchcraft against their own team-mates.
Nizar Khalfan's tenure with the Philadelphia Union was cut short, as the midfielder was waived
by the Philadelphia Union.
The Tanzanian international was called up to his national team this week, but the opportunity to
play in an Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match did not prevent the Union from placing Khalfan on
MLS waivers.
Tanzania's coach Jan Poulsen has called up the Philadelphia Union's Nizar Khalfan to the
country's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying squad.
The 23-year-old will be available to play for his national team against Mozambique on February
29, which just so happens to be on the same day as both the United States Men's National Team
(USMNT)-Italy friendly, and the Chile-Ghana friendly at the Union's PPL Park.
Asamoah Gyan's weekend was full of surprises for Ghanian soccer fans. The striker wrote a letter
to the country's football association (FA) informing the national team's leadership that he would
be retiring "indefinitely" from international play.
The 26-year-old has claimed that he has not fully recovered psychologically from missing a
crucial penalty in the 120th minute of Ghana's loss to Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup
Quarterfinals.
Just as the last of our African players (Cheick Tiote) was returning from the recent Africa Cup of
Nations finals, there was news that Papiss Cissé will have to pack his bags for Africa once more.
Cissé, though not his fellow "Lion of Teranga," Demba Ba, has been selected for to play for
Senegal in [.
Eighteen years after eighteen of Zambia's footballers were killed off the coast of Libreville,
Stippola Sunzu scored the eighteenth penalty of a marathon shootout to win his country their first
ever Africa Cup of Nations.
During the shootout the Zambian players could be heard indulging in communal singing in support
of their team-mates as they faced the dreaded walk to the penalty spot.
Eighteen years after eighteen of Zambia's footballers were killed off the coast of Libreville,
Stippola Sunzu scored the eighteenth penalty of a marathon shootout to win his country their first
ever Africa Cup of Nations.
During the shootout the Zambian players could be heard indulging in communal singing in support
of their team-mates as they faced the dreaded walk to the penalty spot.
Fifa's World Rankings for February 2012 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain remain on top followed by Germany, the Netherlands and Copa America
champions Uruguay. England are still in 5th and Ireland move into the top 20 ahead of Euro 2012.
On this week's review we congratulate Zambia on winning the Africa Cup of Nations, we wonder if
Barcelona are in a crisis and ask whether Luis Suarez' days may be numbered at Liverpool.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOThis can't be real! This can't be happening! Let's hope not! Wish for a cruel hoax!
This is supposedly one of the next USA shirts.
-Thank to Terry T. for the image.
We saw that hideous "Where's Waldo?
Image: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh.
While we were thrilled to see Zambia lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Sunday night,
we're not (quite) cold-hearted enough to take pleasure in the devastation felt of the Ivory Coast
players as they lost on penalties.
Well, ok. We are. But we don't mean anything bad by it.
From afar, Matthew Acconciamessa (of US Soccer Daily) is taken by the African Cup
of Nations Final
-
The Stade d'Angondje fell silent for an instant. Pulsing with support throughout the evening,
fans grew quiet, drawing the shortest of breaths as Didier Drogba approached the penalty spot in
the 70th minute.
Header writer, Elizabeth Powley, celebrates Zambia's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations
Header writer, Elizabeth Powley, celebrates Zambia's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
Michael Farfan talks about his training stint with Sunderland, most of which was spent with the
Sunderland reserves. "I don't think it was any change of play compared to here," Marfan says. "It
was a good level and I held my own.
Marfan says players were interested to learn more about MLS.
By Chris Wright
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations was a tournament peppered with great goals at almost every stage,
so you can be guaran-damn-teed that there's some absolute belters in here...
Pies' personal favourite? We're going to have to agree and go with Yaya's free-kick against
Guinea.
COUNTDOWN TO MLS 2012STARTERSAfter a big Real Madrid win and another Barcelona loss the gap is now 10 points at the top.
dN
The UEFA Champions League returns this week with 4 matches. See details in section below.
By Greg Evans
If recent, handshake-centric events in this country had ruined your faith in
football, then the exploits of Zambia over the past fortnight-and-a-bit may just restore it for
you. Last night, the rank outsiders and the most 'under' of all the underdogs climbed the
proverbial mountain and won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zambia emerged as the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions on Sunday after defeating the heavily
favoured Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties following a 0-0 draw. While the Zambia Nike...
Philadelphia Union drew 1-1 in a friendly against Florida Gulf Coast University on Saturday.
Carlos Valdes scored for the Union. So far, there's little info available on the game, so if you
were there or have photos or more info, please share observations, links, etc. in the comments
below.
For those of you wondering, FGCU made the NCAA tournament last year and will play Seattle next
week.
Africa Cup of Nations final preview Zambia are winners regardless of result is a post from: Just
Football
With the final today, here is my latest Africa Cup of Nations 2012 column for
FourFourTwo.com on Zambia and their remarkable journey to the final:
Together they walked slowly to the coastline, singing in unison.
Ghana vs Mali African Cup of Nations 2012 Highlights 0-2 Video Goals Diabate Vorsah Red Card is
a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Ghana vs Mali African Cup of Nations 2012 Highlights 0-2 Video Goals Diabate Vorsah Red Card is a
post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Ghana vs Mali 2012 ( Ghana Mali AFCON
Video below) Final score and result:- Ghana vs Mali 0-2 ( Diabate*2) Nuevo Estadio de Malabo- 11
February, 2012- Africa [.
Admit it, there's nothing more exciting than football drama, and
today's United-Liverpool showdown at Old Trafford has all the ingredients that
scream "Phantom Of The SuarezGate II!" Whether Patrice
Evra and Luis Suarez will be :
a) shaking hands (-20 points),
b) doing the Uruguayan cumbia dance (+10 points) or
c) shoving jalapeños down each other's throats (+40 points) ;
Past statistics favour goals from both sides and hopefully mio dios!
STARTERSBoth Charlie Davies and Tim Ream were named to their respective team's game day 18 player roster
for this weekend.
dN
Today was the 2nd preseason game of the year for Vancouver and guess what: "20'- old friend Atiba
Harris gets first caution for hard tackle on sideline against Bengelloun".
Friday, February 10
2:30pm Wolfsburg vs Freiburg ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
3pm Spain vs USA (beach soccer) Fox Deportes
4pm El Salvador vs Mexico (beach soccer) Fox Deportes
7:15pm Boca Juniors vs Olimpo GolTV
7:15pm Lanús vs San Lorenzo TyCSports
8pm Atlético Nacional vs Boyacá Chicó TV Colombia
9:10pm Morelia vs Santos Laguna Fox Deportes, Azteca America
9:45pm Universidad Guadalajara vs León GolTV
Saturday, February 11
7:45pm Manchester United vs Liverpool ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
9am Auxerre vs Lorient Fox Soccer 2Go
9am Evian TG vs Olympique Marseille Fox Soccer 2Go
9am Olympique Lyon vs Caen Fox Soccer 2Go
9am Montpellier vs Ajaccio Fox Soccer 2Go
9am Valenciennes vs Nancy Fox Soccer 2Go
9:30am Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen GolTV
9:30am Bayern München vs Kaiserslautern ESPN3
10am Everton vs Chelsea FSC, Fox Deportes
10am Sunderland vs Arsenal Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Soccer 2Go
10am Blackburn Rovers vs Queens Park Rangers Fox Soccer 2Go
10am Bolton vs Wigan Athletic Fox Soccer 2Go
10am Fulham vs Stoke City Fox Soccer 2Go
10am Swansea City vs Norwich City Fox Soccer 2Go
10am Peterborough United vs West Ham United Fox Soccer 2Go
12pm Udinese vs Milan Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Deportes, RAI Internazionale, ESPN3, Fox Soccer 2Go
12pm Racing Santander vs Atlético Madrid ESPN3
12:20pm Blackpool vs Portsmouth Fox Soccer 2Go
12:30pm Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United FSC
1pm Brest vs Dijon Fox Soccer 2Go
2pm Osasuna vs Barcelona GolTV
2pm Ghana vs Mali (Africa Cup of Nations 3rd Place Match) Al Jazeera Sports USA
2pm Cobresal vs Colo Colo TV Chile
2:45pm Cagliari vs Palermo FSC, Fox Deportes, RAI Internazionale
3pm USA v New Zealand USsoccer.
By Chris Wright
In 1993, April 27th to be precise, the Zambian national team suffered a terrible tragedy (the
country's worst sporting disaster) when a flight taking the entire Zambian squad and their
management to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 500 metres
off the coast of Libreville, Gabon.
Egypt head coach Bob Bradley and his team are scheduled to open their qualifying campaign for
the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Feb. 29, but that could be pushed back after the Egyptian
Federation requested a postponement.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
that its road match against Central African Republic be postponed due to the events that transpired
in Port Said last Wednesday.
Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Jacques Gosso Gosso celebrates his team's progress to the final by
mounting Emmanuel Eboue. How nice! Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images.
Well, despite our promises, the Africa Cup of Nations has been continuing without us paying it
the slightest bit of attention.
By Greg Evans
So, here we stand. Just one game away from finding out who will win the 2012 Africa Cup of
Nations a tournament which stampeded out of the blocks with a thrilling start, but has since turned
into something of a pale imitation of itself with a few drab games starting to crop up as the
stakes get higher.
Zambia is into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 after surprising pre-tournament
favorites Ghana 1-0 in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday. Featuring a squad of...
On this week's review section we congratulate Zambia and the Ivory Coast on making it through to
the Africa Cup of Nations final, while we look at the crisis with the England national team. You
can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast
