South Africa lose Confed Cup 3rd place match

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa lost a thrilling Confederations Cup 3rd place match to Spain 3-2. After losing a narrow semi-final match to Brazil 1-0 on Thursday, South Africa came in with growing confidence and despite a slow first half, the introduction of Katlego Mashego got things going for the home team. Mashego put the Bafana Bafana ahead in the 73rd minute by calmly slotting in a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala. Spain responded through two strikes by Daniel Guiza in the 87th and 88th minute before Mashego dispatched a sublime free-kick to tie the match and send it to extra-time. In the extra period, Spain's Xabi Alonso curled in a free-kick that eluded everyone and found the back of the South African goal. Despite the loss, South Africa have shown the world that they can play with flair and with their strikers staying calm in front of goal, the Bafana Bafana might surprise a number of people in 2010 by advancing past the group stages.

Post Match News

Joel Santana has a team!


South Africa get thumbs up for staging Confed. Cup.

Joel Santana feels his boys are progressing.

Mashego is the striker to lead South Africa.

NBA Draft Recap

The 2009 NBA draft has is over and a few African players heard their names called yesterday. The list:

Hasheem Thabeet- The big man from Tanzania was the 2nd overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Christian Eyenga-The swingman from D.R. Congo was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 30th pick in the 1st round.

Chinemelu Elonu-The former Texas A&M forward/center was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 29th pick in the 2nd round of the draft.

We'll keep you updated on the free agent signings of other players as the summer months go on.

NBA Draft Preview-African players

The 2009 NBA Draft is tomorrow and there are a number of prospects from Africa in the mix. Don Palacas breaks it down for the readers.


Hasheem Thabeet 7’3” Junior UCONN( Tanzania)


Labeled as the rawest of raw projects coming out of the Houston area; Thabeet’s game has improved immensely during his three years at UCONN. Thabeet put up respectable numbers on the offensive end this past season, he has a good shooting stroke, is an above average shooting big man with a soft touch around the basket. Defensively he is the ultimate shot blocking force and is deceptively strong defending the post. Thabeet will be a work in progress on the offensive end in the NBA but will make an immediate impact defensively. He is a rare combination of size and athleticism and has a huge upside.

Projection:

2nd overall pick

Alade Aminu 6’10 Senior Georgia Tech(Nigeria)


When most basketball experts hear the name Aminu they likely think of Alade's younger brother Al-Farouq. However, the older Aminu brother has worked his way onto various team’s draft radars after his impressive showing at the Portsmouth pre-draft camp where he made the first team. Georgia Tech’s 6th man is a very good finisher at the rim and is able to alter shots on the defensive end. At just 21, Aminu has huge upside and whichever team drafts him or signs him as a free agent may find a hidden gem.

Projection: Late Second Round to undrafted

Josh Akognon 6’1 Senior Cal State Fullerton(Nigeria



If the Nigerian International guard were a few inches taller he would likely either already be plying his trade in the NBA or be a sure first round pick in this draft. However, at 6’1 no one questions his scoring ability but since he was not the primary ball handler at Cal State Fullerton there are questions about his ability to run a team from the PG position. Akognon will likely have to play PG and he will have to prove to his team that he can play that position in summer camp.

Projection: Late Second Round

Chinemelu Elonu 6’10 Junior Texas A&M(Nigeria)


Elonu and two of his Texas A&M teammates declared for the draft in April presumably to get a feel of what they needed to work on for the 2010 draft. Elonu surprised draft experts by not removing his name from draft consideration by the June 15th deadline. He has impressed teams in workouts with his high energy, ‘NBA size’ and is a solid shot blocker.

Projection: Undrafted

Rudy Mbemba 5-11 Frankfurt Skyliners Sweden (Congolese Descent)



Mbemba is a lightning fast, excellent ball handler who is aggressive going to the basket; he also has tremendous leaping ability and good shooting range. On the downside Mbemba has a tendency to shoot too many three pointers and is turnover prone.

Projection: Undrafted


Christian Eyenga 6-6 DKV Joventut DR Congo



Eyenga is a defensive-minded superb athlete who'll be turning 20 two days before the draft and is a raw talent. Eyenga uses his athleticism to make spectacular defensive plays and is able to defend multiple positions. If he is drafted he will likely remain in Europe for a few years to polish his game.

Projection: late Second Round to undrafted


The 2010 NBA Draft will likely see three Nigerians chosen in the lottery as we expect top prospects Solomon Alabi, Florida State; Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech; and Al-Farouq Aminu to declare for the draft



Don Palacas

Nigerian Basketball news

A bit of news to report as we get ready for the African championships in Libya next month.
The NBBF has named former NBA player,coach and mentor John Lucas as the new head coach of D'Tigers. Lucas coached at San Antonio, Philadelphia and Cleveland after a playing career in Houston, Golden State, Washington, Cleveland and San Antonio and now works with NBA, college and high school players in Houston.

Lucas will try to get Hakeem Olajuwon more involved with the team.

New NBBF president Tijjani Umar answers a variety of questions and discusses some of the issues with D'Tigers in preparation for the African Championships.

The NBBF has released the list of the 26 players called up for the national team camp in Houston.

The list
Josh Akognon, Ben Uzo, Michael Umeh, Anthony Skinn, Kingsley Oguchi, Ime Udoka, Stanley Asunmu, Aloysius Angonye, Churchill Odia, Uche Echefu, Gabe Mouneke, Sani Ibrahim, Ike Diogu, Ayodeji Akindele, Uche Nsonwu, Olumide Oyedeji, Ben Eze, Benson Egemonye,Jayson Obazuaye, Ebi Ere, Weyinmi Efejuku, Chamberlain Oguchi, Mike Efevberha, Ibekwe Ekene, Ejike Ugbuaja and Abdullahi Kuso.

Fall out from Egypts Confed. Cup exit

After an ignominious 3-0 loss to the United States, the defending African Champs. Egypt have returned home but the fallout from their exit remains. Allegations of consorting with prostitutes along with tired legs are all playing a role in the blame game.

The Egyptian FA is threatening legal action over the prostitution issue.

Mohamed Aboutrika threatens to quit international Football over the claims.

The Pharoahs blame their exit on burn-out.

The Times discusses Egypt's struggle to make it back to South Africa next year.

Nigeria-Tunisia roundup

Highlights of yesterdays match courtesy of 2dramatv.



Mali defeat Benin 3-1 as Kanoute ensures victory.

Feindouno gets a brace to help Guinea defeat Malawi 2-1.

Postmatch roundup

Samm Audu sets things straight for Super Eagles fans.

Amodu lets folks know that his boys aren't done yet.

Ezeugo urges Amodu to find a solution in midfield.

Nigeria draw with Tunisia, Kenya defeat Mozambique

The Super Eagles of Nigeria drew 0-0 with Tunisia on Saturday. The World Cup qualifier in Rades, Tunisia saw both teams fail to capitalize on their goalscoring chances in the tense encounter. Vincent Enyeama pulled off an important save to keep the score even in the seventh minute and in the second half, sub Michael Eneramo failed to connect with an Osaze Odemwingie cross that would have put the Eagles a goal up. The Carthage Eagles still lead Group B with 7 points while Nigeria are second with 5 points. Both teams go at it again on September 5th in Nigeria.

KENYA DEFEAT MOZAMBIQUE 2-1.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya picked up their first points in qualifying thanks to a penalty from McDonald Mariaga with 14 minutes left in the match.

IVORY COAST DEFEAT BURKINA-FASO
Didier "Droggles" Drogba scored the match winner in the 70th minute to help Ivory Coast beat Burkina-Faso 3-2.

Morocco draw with Togo 0-0
AZ Alkmaar and Morocco star striker Mounir El Hamdaoui missed a penalty in the 32nd minute as Morocco drew with an Emmanuel Adebayor(less) Togo squad. Morocco are in third place in Group A while Togo are in second.

Algeria beat Zambia 2-0 to retain top spot in Group C.

Ghana maintained their perfect record as they 2-0 in Sudan thanks to a brace from Matthew Amoah.

Cameroon vs Gabon was postponed.

CAF Fixtures

Fixtures for this weekends CAF World Cup qualifiers

20/06/09 - Burkina Faso - Côte d'Ivoire
20/06/09 - Tunisia - Nigeria
21/06/09 - Guinea - Malawi
21/06/09 - Mali - Benin

Egypt defeat Italy 1-0

The Pharoahs of Egypt beat defending World Cup champions Italy 1-0 in Johannesburg, South Africa this afternoon. Egypt scored the decisive goal on a Mohamed Homos header off a corner kick in the 40th minute. Next up for Egypt is a match against the United States as teams jostle for position in Group B and try to avoid Spain in the semi-finals of the Confederations cup.

Highlights of Egypt's 4-3 loss to Brazil

All the goals right here from the goalfest between Egypt and Brazil on Monday.

South Africa get 2-0 win over New Zealand

The Bafana Bafana got their first win in the Confederations Cup thanks to two goals from Bernard Parker on either side of the half. A solid performance from the opening whistle was enhanced with Steven Pienaar orchestrating proceedings from the midfield and left-back Tsepo Masilela who caused havoc on the New Zealand right flank. After a dominating performance, Joel Santana and his squad would have prepared an additional one or two more goals to assist them if qualification for the semi-finals comes down to goal difference but for now the players and fans will settle for the victory. Next up is a match against European Champions Spain on Saturday.

CAF Qualifier preview-Nigera vs Tunisia

The Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in Rades on Saturday June 20th and preparations are moving into high gear for the important match. Saturdays match will go a long way to deciding who grabs first place in group and secures a spot in South Africa next year.

Most of the players and coaching staff are in Malta for training while a few have been left behind as they await their visa's to be issued.
Blog-Ed
At some point the NFA staff have to take responsibility and wonder why Super Eagles players seems to always have visa issues before a match abroad. Common sense would dictate you put in such request and sort out visa issues months ahead as opposed to the week before an important match. At some point one can only hope the modus operandi of the NFA changes.

Mikel is fighting for a starting spot on saturday.

Former head coach Clemens Westerhof and ex SE defender Ben Iroha have their say on how Nigeria can win the match.
Another ex SE player weighs in. Emeka Ezeugo warns the Eagles on what to expect from Tunisia.

Former Leventis Football Club GM expresses his support for Amodu.

Daniel Amokachi's Tunisian wife is apparently supporting Nigeria on saturday. Amo explains all in the article. How can you not love the reasoning?
"She is rooting for the Super Eagles because she is married to a Nigerian. Again she knows that my job is very much at stake if Nigeria fail to qualify for the World Cup. And in the event of that, there will be no food for her because the head of the house will not be in position to provide. In this situation she has no choice than to hope for Nigeria’s victory’’ Amokachi said.
Spoken like a true Nigerian, the one and only "Bull".

South Africa draw with Iraq in Confederations Cup opener

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa drew their first match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 0-0 with Asian champs.
Iraq on Sunday. Playing with Steven Pienaar on the bench, South Africa tried to work with Teko Modise providing the creative spark in midfield but it wasn't to be their night after Iraq Keeper Mohammed Kassid made a save at the feet of Bafana Bafana substitute striker Katlego Mashego in the 2nd half. A late header by Kagisho Dikgacoi was headed for the back of the net when it struck South African striker Bernard Parker on the calf and rolled away from the goal. South Africa will look to bounce back against New Zealand on Wednesday.

NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA


Player ratings from the match

Coach Joel Santana's men are confident ahead of the New Zealand match.

Why the Bafana need Pienaar to play.

Benni McCarthy fears for his SA future.

Blog-Ed
Really Benni, amazing that as the Confederations Cup starts up and the WC is on the horizon he starts to fear for his SA future. Perhaps the Blackburn striker should have thought about that when he was picking and choosing when to play for his country.

Clottey loses to Cotto

Joshua Clottey lost his fight to Miguel Cotto on Saturday night by a split decision. The fight at Madison Square Garden was the main bout of the night and despite the overwhelming Puerto Rican support at MSG for Cotto, a small contingent of Clottey supporters made their presence known. In the 1st round, Clottey was knocked down by a Cotto punch but the Ghanaian suffered no ill effects but a loss of points. Clottey responded well the rest of the fight and kept Cotto on the defensive but an unimpressive last few rounds appeared to hinder Clottey in the Judge's scorecards and that was in evidence at the end of the fight.
The first judge Don Trella scored it 116-111 to Cotto, the second judge Tom Miller had it 114-113 for Clottey while the third judge John McKaie scored it 115-112 to Cotto.
After the fight Clottey had this to say to the press:
"I think I won the fight, but I didn't get the decision," the 32-year-old Ghanaian said, shortly after dropping the narrow split verdict to crowd favorite Miguel Cotto in front of the raucously partisan crowd Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

"I think I was the more active guy, chasing him down, and most of his punches just hit my hands. I want (promoter) Bob Arum to get me a rematch. I'm very, very upset, but that's life and I have to move on."

Cotto retains the WBO Welterweight title and moves on to a possible matchup with Manny Pacquaio, the pound for pound king and Jr. Welterweight champion or a matchup with "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

Clottey vs Cotto fight preview

Opportunity Knocks Twice for Ghana’s Joshua Clottey
By Don Palacas

After the first four rounds of his December 12, 2006 fight with Antonio Margarito who was at that time known as ‘The most feared man in boxing’, unheralded Joshua Clottey from Accra, Ghana was making easy work of the rugged Margarito. Effectively counter-punching, ripping vicious left hooks and jabs, landing four and five punch combinations to the body and head of his opponent and flustering Margarito with his excellent defense. It appeared it would be an easy night.

The tide changed in the fifth round however as Clottey came out in a shell defense. Commentator Al Bernstein suggested that Clottey might have been playing possum but it turned out the hand injury he suffered in training two weeks prior to the fight flared up again causing him to be unable to effectively use his left hand. Clottey went on to lose the fight in a unanimous decision.

Since the disappointing defeat Clottey has won five bouts in a row and in his most recent fight he defeated Brooklyn Veteran Zab Judah to become the IBF Welterweight champion of the World. Clottey has earned himself a second chance to arrive on the world’s stage. On June 13 at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City on the eve of the Puerto Rican day parade, his opponent will be the highly skilled WBO champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on HBO. Cotto is coming off his first defeat in which he was stopped by the now suspended Antonio Margarito. Clottey feels the trauma from that defeat still lingers in Cotto’s mind and he plans to take full advantage of it by pressing the action early and often as Cotto ultimately wilted from the pressure Margarito applied in their fight.

Ghana has produced past boxing greats in Ike Quartey and Azumah Nelson and can add another champion to the list if Clottey is successful on June 13. This is likely his last chance at superstardom, lose and he will like go back being to a fringe contender, a win will mean millions of dollars and mega fights against the likes of Shane Mosley, Manny Pacquiao and even Floyd Mayweather.

The challenge will be daunting; Clottey will face an environment the likes of which he has never seen. 18,000 raucous fans rooting for Cotto, intimidating most but not Clottey. The Ghanaian has been through so much in his boxing career and won’t let this opportunity pass him by. He won’t be intimidated as he carries the hopes and dreams of a nation with him and Ghanaians will be rooting for him loudly an ocean away.

CAF Results

Algeria [3:1] Egypt
Mali [0:2] Ghana
Nigeria [3:0] Kenya
Guinea [1:2] Côte d'Ivoire
Benin [1:0] Sudan
Cameroon [0:0] Morocco
Tunisia [2:0] Mozambique
Gabon [3:0] Togo
Malawi [0:1] Burkina Faso
Zambia [1:0] Rwanda

Highlights of Nigeria vs Kenya

Thanks to 2dramasports for the highlights of yesterday's match between Nigeria and Kenya.

Super Eagles beat Kenya 3-0

The Super Eagles of Nigera pulled out a 3-0 win over Kenya in Abuja today. A goal in the 2nd minute by Ikechukwu Uche put the Super Eagles ahead early on. As the 1st half wore on, Kenya began to match up with the Super Eagles and make the match competitive. A poor 10 minute spell defensively almost allowed the Harambee Stars to get back in the game but the Super Eagles regrouped and finished off the match with a penalty set up by a Kanu Nwankwo pass to Osaze Odemwingie. 2nd half sub Victor Obinna Nsofor stepped up to put the penalty past Kenyan goalkeeper Arnold Origi in goal and Nsofor finished off the match with a venomous strike from the corner of the penalty box in the 77th minute.
Nigerian head coach Amodu Shuaibu will have a little breathing room for now until the next qualifier vs Tunisia.

Amodu felt his team were unconvincing in victory but believes they are on the right path.

Two goal hero Victor Nsofor is ready for Tunisia.

South Africa announce squad for Confed.Cup

The Bafana Bafana have released the names of the players participating in this months Confederations Cup and not suprisingly Benni McCarthy did not make the squad. A bigger surprise is the omission of Recreativo Huelva defender Nasief Morris and a number of European based players including Siyabonga Nkosi.
Here's the full list.

South Africa

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld).

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United).

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Djurgardens), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates).

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates).

CAF Fixtures

Fixtures
06/06/09 14:00 Zambia -Rwanda
06/06/09 14:30 Malawi -Burkina Faso
06/06/09 15:30 Gabon -Togo
06/06/09 18:00 Tunisia -Mozambique
07/06/09 15:30 Cameroon -Morocco
07/06/09 16:00 Benin -Sudan
07/06/09 17:00 Nigeria -Kenya
07/06/09 17:00 Guinea -Côte d'Ivoire
07/06/09 19:00 Mali -Ghana
07/06/09 20:30 Algeria -Egypt

CAF World Cup Qualifying News

After their positive displays in a draw vs Ireland and win vs France, Super Eagles players are expressing their support for Coach Amodu Shuaibu.
In the meanwhile, Amodu is cautioning the players and fans to avoid overconfidence heading into the match vs. Kenya.
The spirited displays shown by Amodu's new boys in the European friendlies has led to a tough battle for shirts and places in the upcoming qualifiers.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya are prepping for the match and their Coach Antoine Hey is promising a tough match for the Eagles.

Coach Hey has finally arrived in Abuja to meet up with his lads after a salary dispute with the Kenyan FA.

Sulley Muntari is out of the Ghana squad to face Mali as he is claiming an injury but the Ghanaian FA and their fans aren't so easily convinced.
NAC Breda striker Matthew Amoah is ready for the Mali match and can't wait for kickoff.
Chelsea Midfielder Michael Essien is primed for the match and awaiting a midfield tussle with Mali Coach Stephen Keshi's squad.
Ghanaian coach Milovan Rajevac has named his 22 man squad for Sundays match.
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson and George Owu.

Defenders: John Mensah, John Paintsil, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Jonathan Quartey and Eric Addo

Midfielders: Anthony Annan, Moussa Narry, Samuel Kyere, Michael Essien, Kwadwo Asamoah, Bernard Yao Kumordzi, Haminu Draman and Isaac Vorsah.

Strikers: Joetex Frimpong, Prince Tagoe, Opoku Agyeman, Junior Agogo, Ernest Papa Arko and Mathew Amoah.

Nigeria beats France 1-0

A solid performance by a Super Eagles squad without a number of 1st team regulars due to injuries and an assortment of reasons saw them emerge with a 1-0 win over France in St. Etienne today. Coach Amodu Shuaibu fielded a squad without the likes of Yakubu, Obafemi Martins, John Mikel Obi, Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi and Joseph Yobo among others and his squad was still able to punish France on the counter attack and hold their own against Les Bleus. A fantastic 1st half perfomance by Peter Odemwingie was supplemented with excellent performances from Seyi Olofinjana, Ike Uche, Dele Adeleye and the back four as well as keeper Vincent Enyeama. In the 30th minute, Joseph Akpala scored the only goal of the match as he had little to do but tap in a sitter off an Ike Uche shot that rebounded off French keeper Steve Mandanda's post. Next up for the Eagles is the World Cup Qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on June 7th.

The match lineups

France
Steve Mandanda, Rod Fanni, Patrick Vieira (capt), Julien Escudé, Patrice Evra, Sébastien Squillaci, Alou Diarra, Franck Ribéry, Loïc Rémy, Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema.

Coach: Raymond Domenech.


Nigeria
1. Vincent Enyeama, 3. Adefemi Olubayo, 2. Elderson Echiejile, 14. Seyi Olofinjana, 19. Sam Sodje, 20. Dele Adeleye, 4. Nwankwo Kanu (capt), 11. Osaze Odemwingie, 16 Kalu Uche, 15 Ike Uche, 17, Joseph Akpala


Coach: Amodu Shuaibu


Check out the video of the lone goal

France vs Nigeria preview

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are prepping to take on Les Bleus in a friendly match today at the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard in Saint Etienne.Eagles coach Amodu Shuaibu will look to show fans that despite a 1st team squad again due to the inability of several players to get visa's, the Eagles are capable of doing the business and upsetting the French team.
After the disrespect he felt in the last friendly vs Ireland Amodu will have his work cut out for him again as unconfirmed reports state he will be without John Mikel Obi, Joseph Yobo and Michael Eneramo-scorer of the tying goal vs. Ireland last week. The three players were unable to procure visa's for the friendly in France while Danny Shittu is out with an injury.
The match will be shown live on AIT in Nigeria and is available on ESPN360 for US viewers at 2pm. It will be available online as well on several livelinks.

http://www.omnisport.tv/page/purchasePage/0,,12637~447214,00.html
http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=40414&part=sports
For minute-by-minute action head over to Soccernet
http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=266290&league=FIFA.FRIENDLY&cc=5901

Footage of Ireland-Nigeria match

Many thanks to Lite10 for the footage below. Match footage of the friendly between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.