Egypt knocked out of Nations Cup qualifiers

Record winners Egypt were knocked out of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with the rank outsiders from Central African Republic to lose 4-3 on aggregate.

The Egyptians will miss the finals for the second time in a row, representing a major setback for American coach Bob Bradley who was hired last year after they had failed to qualify for the 2012 edition.

Foxi Kethevoama put Central African Republic in front midway through the first half and the visitors equalised with a goal from Emad Moteab 13 minutes from time.

Egypt's 3-2 home defeat in Alexandria in the first leg was one of the biggest ever upsets in Nations Cup qualification.

Central African Republic are now through to the last round of qualifying for the 2013 finals in South Africa.

Thirty teams will be drawn on Thursday into 15 final round, two-legged knockout ties to be played in September and October.

The winners go to the finals in January, along with the host nation.

Egypt have won a record seven Nations Cup titles, three of them in a row in an unprecedented spell of dominance from 2006 to 2010.

Lexo më shumë

South Africa name host cities for Nations Cu

Soccer City in Johannesburg will hold the opening game and final of next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals, the South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula said on Friday as all the host cities were announced.

The rest of the 16-team tournament will be played in Durban, Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg, which were all venues for the 2010 World Cup.

But new stadiums built for the World Cup in Cape Town and Polokwane have been left out, it was announced at a government briefing.

Cape Town had been the only proposed venue to publicly raise objections to being asked to pay around 22 million rand ($2.85 million) for the right to host matches.

The South African Football Association needs more than 100 million rand to finance the hosting of the three-week tournament next January 19-February 10.

The controversy over the funding of the tournament has seen the announcement of the host cities delayed three times.

Mbalula provided no clarity on the solution to the funding issue, but said the government would meet with the cities soon for talks. 

Lexo më shumë

Levski beat leaders CSKA, 15 fans arrested over violence

 SOFIA, April 29 (Reuters) - Levski Sofia beat bitter city rivals CSKA 1-0 at home to end the leaders' nine-match winning streak in the Bulgarian league as police arrested 15 fans following violence at Sunday's derby.

Unmarked Portuguese midfielder Cristovao Ramos scored the winner five minutes after the break when he gave CSKA's Algeria keeper Rais M'Bolhi no chance with a precise shot from close range.

"Levski didn't outplay us in any department," CSKA coach Stoycho Mladenov told reporters. "God helped them today and that's why they won, they're very, very lucky.

"And I don't want this referee (Nikolay Yordanov) to officiate CSKA games anymore... I knew he'd create problems."

CSKA, searching for their 32nd league title, top the standings with 63 points from 26 matches followed by surprise packages Ludogorets on 58. Levski moved up to fourth on 53 points.

The heavily-policed "Eternal derby", as matches between the two most popular clubs in the Balkan country are known, has often been bad tempered with hooliganism rife.

Some 1,000 police officers were on duty to prevent public order offences before, during and after the match at the Vasil Levski national stadium. (Reporting by Angel Krasimirov, editing by Mark Meadows)   

Lexo më shumë

Team attacked in dressing room before Nigerian match

 PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, April 29 (Reuters) - The assistant coach and a defender of visiting soccer club Ocean Boys were taken to hospital in serious condition after being attacked in the dressing room ahead of a league game with local side Sharks, officials said.

Two other team members were bruised and bloodied in the attack, they said.

“"We were in the dressing room preparing to warm-up when their fans entered and attacked us," Ocean Boys media officer Eddy Ohis said.

Officials said assistant coach Timi Akosubo and defender Anthony Nwodo were in a serious condition. The Premier League game was called off.

The attack was the latest incident in a growing spiral of violence in the professional game in the west African country, which has included attacks on referees by spectators and crowd invasions of pitches in which visiting players are targeted.

There was widespread condemnation of Sunday's incident but the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) said it was waiting for a report before commenting.

Philip Obaji of the 'Football without Violence' campaign said: "“Such a situation is unacceptable. This is an attack not only on innocent people but on the image of the NPL and we call for a full investigation and holding those responsible to account." 

Lexo më shumë

Olympiakos win Greek Cup to seal domestic double

 ATHENS, April 28 (Reuters) - Olympiakos Piraeus overcame Atromitos 2-1 to win the Greek Cup thanks to a goal from substitute David Fuster a minute from the end of extra time on Saturday as they completed a domestic double.

Algeria striker Rafik Djebbour had opened the scoring in the 29th minute for the Greek champions at the Olympic Stadium but Argentine midfielder Walter Iglesias equalised with a deflected shot 15 minutes from time.

Both sets of players ran out of steam in the extra period but with the clock ticking down Spaniard Fuster rose to head home a cross from his captain Vasilis Torosidis and send the Olympiakos fans into frenzied celebrations.

The victory ensured outgoing Olympiakos coach Ernesto Valverde could celebrate winning another trophy at the end of his second spell with the club.

Having already celebrated their 38th Super League title, Valverde's team were the overwhelming favourites and they dominated proceedings during normal time.

Djebbour was thwarted by Atromitos keeper Charles Itandje and Jean Makoun shot over the bar from edge of the area in the first 20 minutes as the Red and Whites made a confident start.

Atromitos, playing in only their second cup final after losing 3-0 to AEK Athens last season, struggled to gain possession with only a speculative effort by striker Kostas Mitroglou to show for their first half efforts.

Olympiakos were given a golden opportunity to go in front in the 24th minute after Giannis Maniatis was brought down in the penalty area but Jose Holebas fired his spot-kick wide.

Djebbour finally broke the deadlock five minutes later, rifling home Djamel Abdoun's centre after great interplay down the right flank from Vasilis Torosidis and Maniatis.

A low key second half came to life when Atromitos levelled through Iglesias strike from Dennis Epstine's left wing cross forcing the game into extra time.

After an uneventful 29 minutes Fuster rose to glance home a header that earned the spoils as Olympiakos claimed their 25th success in the competition and their 15th domestic double. 

Lexo më shumë