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Chelsea 'will win the league' predicts Frank Lampard

Chelsea have been desperately short of statements of intent in recent weeks but there was a clear one on Monday from Frank Lampard.

At last: a welcome sight for Chelsea fans at White Hart Lane as Frank Lampard prepares to make his comeback after a longh lay-off Photo: PA

By Jason Burt 6:50AM GMT 14 Dec 2010 Jason's Twitter


"I have no doubt we will win the league," the 32-year-old midfielder said in the wake of his return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after almost four months out with a series of injuries.

Lampard said that Chelsea needed to continue to show the same "spirit" as had been demonstrated at White Hart Lane and hoped that the 1-1 draw - which could so easily have been a victory – would act as a staging post for a season that was beginning to unravel.

"We have got the quality in our team," Lampard said. "Injuries have been tough on us and some months tough on us. But with the spirit and ability we have got in our team if we play like that, I have confidence we can do it.

"It is very tough. We will have to fight on a few fronts. Man City are there now, Arsenal, Man United, as we know. Teams like Tottenham are pushing from behind. So we have to be at our best, but if we are at our best I think we can win it."

Lampard was a surprise substitute against Spurs. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had planned to field him in a practice match on Thursday - and will still do – before starting the player against Manchester United on Sunday. But, after a discussion on Saturday afternoon, it was decided Lampard, who has been debilitated by a groin injury and then a detached tendon, could be on the bench against Spurs.

Chelsea 'will win the league' predicts Frank Lampard

Chelsea have been desperately short of statements of intent in recent weeks but there was a clear one on Monday from Frank Lampard.

At last: a welcome sight for Chelsea fans at White Hart Lane as Frank Lampard prepares to make his comeback after a longh lay-off Photo: PA

By Jason Burt 6:50AM GMT 14 Dec 2010 Jason's Twitter


“I have no doubt we will win the league,” the 32-year-old midfielder said in the wake of his return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after almost four months out with a series of injuries.

Lampard said that Chelsea needed to continue to show the same “spirit” as had been demonstrated at White Hart Lane and hoped that the 1-1 draw — which could so easily have been a victory – would act as a staging post for a season that was beginning to unravel.

“We have got the quality in our team,” Lampard said. “Injuries have been tough on us and some months tough on us. But with the spirit and ability we have got in our team if we play like that, I have confidence we can do it.

“It is very tough. We will have to fight on a few fronts. Man City are there now, Arsenal, Man United, as we know. Teams like Tottenham are pushing from behind. So we have to be at our best, but if we are at our best I think we can win it.”

Lampard was a surprise substitute against Spurs. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had planned to field him in a practice match on Thursday — and will still do – before starting the player against Manchester United on Sunday. But, after a discussion on Saturday afternoon, it was decided Lampard, who has been debilitated by a groin injury and then a detached tendon, could be on the bench against Spurs.

'Simba, Yanga zijiandae mapema, si kulemaa'
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 21:03

Waandishi Wetu

SHIRIKISHO la Soka Tanzania ( TFF) limezitaka klabu za Simba na Yanga kutumia muda huu kuhakikisha zinajiandaa vya kutosha ili ziweze kufanya vizuri katika michuano ya kimataifa inayowakabili baadaye mwezi ujao.

Simba inayoshiriki Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika imepangiwa klabu ya Elan de Mitsoudje ya Comoro huku Yanga wakianza na Dedebit ya Ethiopia.

Endapo timu hizo zitafanya vizuri katika mchezo wa awali zitakutana na TP Mazembe kwa upande wa Simba huku Yanga ikiwa na kibarua dhidi ya Haras el Hodoud ya Misri.

Kaimu Katibu wa TFF, Sunday Kayuni alisema kuwa vi vyema timu hizo zikatumia muda huo kwa kujiandaa na kuepuka aibu ya kuishia hatua ya makundi kwani sasa tungependa kuona kuwa wanafika Robo fainali, Nusu na Fainali.

Kayuni aliwataka kutumia mechi za mzunguko wa pili wa ligi kuu inayoanza kutimua vumbi kama maandalizi la kimataifa.

Naye ofisa habari wa Yanga, Louis Sendeu alisema kuwa kwa upande wao baada ya kupata ratiba wameanza kujiandaa kwa kufanya mikakati mbalimbali.

Alisema kwa upande wao wameandaa mechi kadhaa za kirafiki mojawapo watacheza na timu kutoka Brazil Januari 9 na pia watashiriki Kombe la Mapinduzi, yote ikiwa ni maandalizi ya Ligi Kuu na michuano hiyo.

Alisema waethiopia hawawapi homa kwa kuwa wanajua wanawamudu lakini kinachowanyima usingizi ni Hares El Hadoud ya Misri kwani mwaka huu mwanzoni walicheza na watani wao Simba na kuwafunga bao tano.

''Unajua wale ndio wanatupa homa bao tatu walizofungwa Simba sio mchezo kwa hali ya kawaida lazima tuakikishe tunajipanga vyema na sio kudharau'' alisema Sendeu.

Ofisa habari wa Simba, Clifford Ndimbo alisema kuwa wameshaanza mikakati mizito ili kuhakikisha wanafanya vizuri katika michuano hiyo na sasa akili yao yote wameiweka katika mchezo dhidi ya Wacomoro.

Alisema wanajua watakuja kukutana na TP Mazembe ambao ni mabingwa wa Afrika, lakini hawawzii bingwa hao kabla hawajawafunga mabingwa wa Comoro, hivyo wanajua watamfunga tu kuzidi kusonga mbele.

Naye kocha wa Toto African ya Mwanza, Choke Abeid amezitaka timu hizo kuanza kujiandaa mapema ili kufanya vema katika michuano hiyo.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi jana kwa simu Choke alisema kila timu inapaswa kuanza maandalizi mapema ya kujiandaa na nafasi ambayo iliyopangwa ili kwenda kufanya yale ambayo yanatarajiwa na Watanzania wengi.

"Nafikiri hakuna cha kuogopwa hapa mpira ni ule ule, sheria ni zile zile uchawi hapa ni maandalizi tu na kujipanga na mikiki hiyo mikubwa kwa vilabu vyetu nchini ," alisema Choke.

Aliwataka makocha wa timu hizo kuanza kuwajenga kisaikolojia zaidi ili kuwatoa hofu ambazo tayari wameshaanza kujengewa na mashabiki wao.

*Imeandaliwa na Clara Alphonce, Calvin Kiwia na Sweetbert Lukonge

Eto'o aweka kihistoria mpya Afrika Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:56

CAIRO, Misri

SAMUEL Eto'o Fils, 29 ameteuliwa kuwa mwanasoka bora wa kihistoria wa mwaka wa Afrika.

Eto'o ametwaa tuzo hiyo kwa mara ya nne akiwapiku mkongwe aliyewahi kutwaa tuzo hiyo mara tatu, akiwamo Abedi Pele na George Weah na El Hadji Diouf (mara mbili kila mmoja).

Mshambuliaji huyo wa Cameroon ambaye alishindwa kuisaidia nchi yake kutamba kimataifa, aliwaangusha Asamoah Gyan kutoka Ghana na Didier Drogba wa Ivory Coast.

Lakini, Eto'o ambaye alishinda tuzo hiyo baada ya kufanya hivyo mwaka 2003, 2004 na 2005, aliiongoza Inter Milan ya Italia kutwaa mataji matatu.

Mbali ya Eto'o, mkongwe wa Misri, Ahmed Hassan aliteuliwa mwanamichezo bora wa Afrika kwa wachezaji wanaocheza ligi za ndani baada ya kuiongoza nchi yake kutetea ubingwa wake nchini Angola mwaka huu kwa mara ya nne.

Yeye, aliwaangusha mshambuliaji wa TP Mazembe, Alain Kaluyituka Dioko ambaye nyuma ya mafanikio ya klabu hiyo kutoka Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) baada ya kuiwezesha kutetea taji lake mwaka huu, 2010.

Naye Perpetua Nkwocha aliteuliwa kuwa mwanasoka bora wa kile wa Afrika baada ya kuiwezesha Super Falcons kutwaa taji la ubingwa Afrika mwaka huu.

Nkwocha pia aliwahi kushinda taji hilo mwaka 2004 na 2005. Nigeria, pia ilitwaa tuzo ya timu bora ya mwaka kwa wanawake.

Timu ya taifa ya Ghana, Black Stars iliteuliwa kuwa mshindi wa tuzo ya timu bora ya taifa ya mwaka Afrika huku tuzo ya chipukizi bora wa mwaka ikinyakuliwa na kiungo wa Ghana anayeichezea Udinese ya Italia, Kwadwo Asamoah.

Aliyekuwa kocha wa Ghana, Milovan Rajevac alichukua tuzo ya kocha bora wa mwaka baada ya kuiongoza timu hiyo kwa mafanikio makubwa wakati wa fainali za Kombe la Dunia na zile za Afrika.

Klabu ya TP Mazembe imeshinda tuzo ya klabu bora kwa kufanya vizuri kwenye michuano hiyo ya dunia.

Nao marais wa vyama vya soka vya Misri, Samir Zaher, Kwesi Nyantakyi wa Ghana, Mohammed Raouraoua wa Algeria, Jacques Anouma wa Ivory Coast, Iya Mohammed wa Cameroon , Kirsten Nemantandani wa Afrika Kusini na Aminu Maigari wakishinda tuzo ya Rais wa Soka wa Afrika kwa timu zao kufanya vizuri.

Kikosi cha bora cha Afrika:

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Wael Gomaa (Misri), Madjid Bougherra (Algeria), Taye Taiwo (Nigeria), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana), Ahmed Hassan (Misri), Ahmed El Mohamady (Misri), Andre Ayew (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)na Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria).

Inter Milan to confirm Rafael Benitez sacking with Leonardo lined up as replacement at San Siro

The end of Rafael Benitez's six-month reign at Inter Milan will be confirmed on Wednesday, with the former Brazilian international Leonardo - who spent last season in charge of the club's fierce rivals AC Milan - expected to replace the former Liverpool manager.

Time's up: Rafael Benitez's brief reign at Inter Milan appears to have come to a premature end Photo: ACTION IMAGES

By Rory Smith 11:14PM GMT 21 Dec 2010



Despite the insistence on Tuesday of the club's owner, Massimo Moratti, that Benitez "is still manager of Inter," it is believed the Spaniard was informed he would be dismissed by email late on Monday night. Inter are thought to have spent Tuesday drawing up the terms of his departure, with their decision to be made official on Wednesday.

Benitez is likely to be given a golden handshake worth around £6 million - a similar figure to that which he received after leaving Liverpool in June - while his pay-off is expected to contain a clause forbidding him from managing another club in the next six months.

Though Moratti - who has spent some £600 million and appointed 14 coaches since taking over at San Siro in 1995 - was infuriated by Benitez's ill-timed demand for funds in the January transfer window in the aftermath of Inter's victory in the Club World Cup on Saturday, the pair's relationship had been strained for some time.

Benitez had felt let down by the club's failure to strengthen their squad after his arrival as replacement for Jose Mourinho - under whom the Italian side won an unprecedented domestic and European treble last season - despite being promised funds to move for the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano, his former charges at Anfield.

His persistent attempts to bolster his squad are thought to have led to an uneasy relationship with Inter's senior players. Benitez was unimpressed with the physical condition of much of the squad he inherited from Mourinho, with his more exacting physical work received anything but warmly by an ageing dressing room.

Arsenal


Alisher Usmanov declares plans to increase Arsenal stake to overtake Stan Kroenke as main shareholder

Alisher Usmanov has delivered a fresh statement of intent in the battle for control of Arsenal by declaring that he will keep buying shares until he has matched Stan Kroenke's 29.9 per cent stake.

Gunning for a takeover: Alisher Usmanov wants a 'blocking stake of 29.9 per cent' in Arsenal Photo: REUTERS

By Jeremy Wilson 4:40PM GMT 21 Dec 2010



The Uzbek billionaire has been the most active of the club's main investors throughout 2010 to increase his shareholding to just under 27 per cent and, although Kroenke and fellow director Danny Fiszman continue to hold the balance of power, the gap has been steadily closing.

Intriguingly, Usmanov also kept his options open in explaining his plans for Arsenal if he should reach 29.9 per cent.

"The goal is to increase the holding up to a blocking stake, 29.9 per cent," he said. "Afterwards, we'll see what to do further. If all the shareholders are united by then like they are now, we'll keep it at that level.

"I chose to invest significant money in Arsenal because I consider it to be one the world's most well-structured football clubs, with one of the best stadiums and led by a genius coach, Arsène Wenger. I don't regret this investment. It's not dropping in value, it's rising only."

The 29.9 per cent threshold is significant because any shareholder who gets beyond 30 per cent would be obliged to make a full takeover offer.


Usmanov's stated public position has always been that he is a long-term investor who favours plurality of ownership and it is understood that outlook has not changed. Indeed, according to sources, it had always been his intention to keep buying shares until he reached the 29.9 per cent threshold.
Despite being the second largest shareholder, Usmanov has not been invited onto an Arsenal board that is effectively controlled by the alliance between Kroenke and Fiszman, who owns 16.1 per cent.
The fourth major shareholder is Lady Bracewell-Smith who has put her 15.9 per cent stake up for sale through Blackstone, a global financial services company.
Kroenke, an American billionaire sports team owner, is eventually expected to launch a full takeover of Arsenal, but completed a £292 million deal in August to take full control of the St. Louis Rams American Football team. It means that he now has a controlling stake in five different sports teams in the United States.
Lazio, meanwhile, are understood to have made an approach to Arsenal about the possibility of a loan deal for Nicklas Bendtner from January until the end of the season.

Arsenal


Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger rules out big money signings in January transfer window

Arsène Wenger will not change his approach to dealing in the transfer market this coming, or any, window, insisting Arsenal will only ever spend what they can afford, effectively ruling out any major acquisitions in January.

Prudent: Arsene Wenger is in no mood to splash the kind of cash Arsenal can't afford Photo: ACTION IMAGES






By Telegraph staff and agencies 8:09AM GMT 21 Dec 2010

Wenger has long plotted a path that is focused on investment in youth rather than buying ready made stars. However, a trophy drought that stretches back to May 2005 means that he has come in for some criticism as a result of his reluctance to land big-name players.

Wenger, though, believes his way of doing things is better than that of some of Arsenal's rivals, who he has accused of not respecting ''financial fair play.''

''We respect our budget. You look at clubs who lose £100 million or £150 million and if we do that, then we go bust.," Wenger said.

"It's as simple as that. We pay what we can afford.

''I'm amazed that people are amazed that we do that. I think what is surprising is that people don't respect that.

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''The beauty of the competition and this club is to be successful while respecting the financial balance.
''People will maybe realise one day that it's not as easy to stay at the top and as well to cope with financial compulsories that you have at the top.
''We face rivals who do not respect the financial fair play. Instead of us being accused, maybe people should look somewhere else.''

Arsenal


Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas admits team are 'scared of losing big matches' against Premier League title rivals

Cesc Fabregas admits Arsenal have developed a psychological block in major matches against their Premier League title rivals.

Scared: Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas had admitted that the team are 'scared of losing big matches' against their Premier League title rivals Photo: REUTERS

By Jeremy Wilson 10:16AM GMT 20 Dec 2010



The Spanish midfielder believes his team were "scared" of losing last week's meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford, with their callow mental approach contributing to their 1-0 defeat.

That result extended Arsenal's poor run in games against United and Chelsea. Arsène Wenger's side have now lost 10 of their last 11 matches against the two clubs, a run that helps explain their failure to compete for the title in the last two seasons. Arsenal's next game is at home to Chelsea, on Dec 27.

"I'm realising more and more that football is all about confidence and mentality," Fabregas said. "Sometimes you do the right thing, but if people tell you it's not right, you start believing it, even though you were right at first.

"I think the difference on the night was that we were scared of losing, but they were not scared of winning. That was a big difference that played in our heads. Sometimes we seem scared of losing these big games."

Wenger, who admits his side "put a bit too much pressure" on themselves at United, is confident that Thomas Vermaelen can finally return from his mystery Achilles tendon injury next month.

Eto'o aweka kihistoria mpya Afrika Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:56

CAIRO, Misri

SAMUEL Eto'o Fils, 29 ameteuliwa kuwa mwanasoka bora wa kihistoria wa mwaka wa Afrika.

Eto'o ametwaa tuzo hiyo kwa mara ya nne akiwapiku mkongwe aliyewahi kutwaa tuzo hiyo mara tatu, akiwamo Abedi Pele na George Weah na El Hadji Diouf (mara mbili kila mmoja).

Mshambuliaji huyo wa Cameroon ambaye alishindwa kuisaidia nchi yake kutamba kimataifa, aliwaangusha Asamoah Gyan kutoka Ghana na Didier Drogba wa Ivory Coast.

Lakini, Eto'o ambaye alishinda tuzo hiyo baada ya kufanya hivyo mwaka 2003, 2004 na 2005, aliiongoza Inter Milan ya Italia kutwaa mataji matatu.

Mbali ya Eto'o, mkongwe wa Misri, Ahmed Hassan aliteuliwa mwanamichezo bora wa Afrika kwa wachezaji wanaocheza ligi za ndani baada ya kuiongoza nchi yake kutetea ubingwa wake nchini Angola mwaka huu kwa mara ya nne.

Yeye, aliwaangusha mshambuliaji wa TP Mazembe, Alain Kaluyituka Dioko ambaye nyuma ya mafanikio ya klabu hiyo kutoka Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) baada ya kuiwezesha kutetea taji lake mwaka huu, 2010.

Naye Perpetua Nkwocha aliteuliwa kuwa mwanasoka bora wa kile wa Afrika baada ya kuiwezesha Super Falcons kutwaa taji la ubingwa Afrika mwaka huu.

Nkwocha pia aliwahi kushinda taji hilo mwaka 2004 na 2005. Nigeria, pia ilitwaa tuzo ya timu bora ya mwaka kwa wanawake.

Timu ya taifa ya Ghana, Black Stars iliteuliwa kuwa mshindi wa tuzo ya timu bora ya taifa ya mwaka Afrika huku tuzo ya chipukizi bora wa mwaka ikinyakuliwa na kiungo wa Ghana anayeichezea Udinese ya Italia, Kwadwo Asamoah.

Aliyekuwa kocha wa Ghana, Milovan Rajevac alichukua tuzo ya kocha bora wa mwaka baada ya kuiongoza timu hiyo kwa mafanikio makubwa wakati wa fainali za Kombe la Dunia na zile za Afrika.

Klabu ya TP Mazembe imeshinda tuzo ya klabu bora kwa kufanya vizuri kwenye michuano hiyo ya dunia.

Nao marais wa vyama vya soka vya Misri, Samir Zaher, Kwesi Nyantakyi wa Ghana, Mohammed Raouraoua wa Algeria, Jacques Anouma wa Ivory Coast, Iya Mohammed wa Cameroon , Kirsten Nemantandani wa Afrika Kusini na Aminu Maigari wakishinda tuzo ya Rais wa Soka wa Afrika kwa timu zao kufanya vizuri.

Kikosi cha bora cha Afrika:

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Wael Gomaa (Misri), Madjid Bougherra (Algeria), Taye Taiwo (Nigeria), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana), Ahmed Hassan (Misri), Ahmed El Mohamady (Misri), Andre Ayew (Ghana), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)na Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria).

Michuano Misri kuathiri Ligi Kuu
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:56

Clara Alphonce

RATIBA ya Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara mzunguko wa pili huenda ikabadilishwa kutokana na mashindano mapya ya soka ya Bonde la Mto Nile ( Nile Basin Football Championiship) yanayoanza Januari 5.

TFF, walikuwa wameshatoa ratiba ya Ligi Kuu kabla ya msimu kuanza ambayo ilikuwa inatumika kwa msimu mzima lakini kwa sasa uenda ikafanyiwa marekebisho ili kuingiza ratiba ya michuano hiyo.

Michuano hiyo itashirikisha timu tano zilizopo kando ya Ziwa Victoria na Mto Nile yatafanyika mjini Cairo, Misri.

Nchi ambazo zimealikwa kshiriki michuano hiyo ni Tanzania, Misri, Sudan, Uganda na Kenya ambako Tanzania watafungua michuano hiyo na wenyeji Misri.

Kaimu Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF) alisema kuwa taarifa rasmi za kushiriki michuano hiyo walipata juzi na kwa kuwa kocha wa TaifaStars, Jan Poulsen yuko likizo kwao , lakini wanasubiri jibu kutoka kwake.

Pia, aliongeza kuwa kwa sasa wanasubiri jibu la kocha huyo ili waaanze kujipanga na kuongeza kuwa michuano hiyo ni muhimu kwa Taifa Stars kwani itakuwa ni moja ya maandalizi ya michuano ya Mataifa ya Afrika ( CAN).

Mmarekani kufunga mafunzo ya makocha Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:53

Happy Kiula

FAZA John Eyeble wa Chicago Marekani anatarajiwa kuwa mgeni rasmi katika hitimisho la mafunzo ya siku kumi ya makocha wa mchezo wa ngumi linalotarajiwa kufanyika kesho jijini Dar es Salaam.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi, Kaimu Rais wa Shirikisho la Ngumi Tanzania (BFT), Michael Changarawe alisema mafunzo hayo yalianza Desemba 14 na yatamalizika leo.

Alisema mafunzo hayo yalishirikisha makocha kumi na ambao watapatiwa vyeti vyao vya kuhitimu mafunzo hayo .

Aidha, Changarawe aliwataja makocha hao kuwa ni, Lucas Hillary wa Ngome, George Sabuni wa Magomeni, Lucas Msomba wa Bandari , Junior Kimaro wa JKT, Miraji Mbagota wa Mbagala, Moses Lema, Shime Mgeni, Mohammed Rajab na Kupa Kisyo.

"Natumaini makocha wote kwa ujumla wanaelewa mafunzo hayo yanayoendelea na kwa hakika watafanya kazi yao vizuri kama walivyo elekezwa na walimu wao, mimi sina mengi zaidi ya kuwapongeza makocha waliobahatika kupata mafunzo hayo stadi,"alisema Changarawe

Premier League


Manchester United defeat of Arsenal in Premier League was 'rubbish', says Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane

Roy Keane, the Ipswich Town manager and former Manchester United captain, has said Monday night's Premier League match at Old Traford "was rubbish", lacked "intensity" and "annoyed" him.

Speaking his mind: Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has never been shy about letting his opinions known Photo: GETTY IMAGES








By Telegraph staff 11:00AM GMT 17 Dec 2010

Keane, talking in today's Daily Mail, said: "I saw it on television and I don't think I've ever been so annoyed watching a game.

"There was no intensity, players weren't getting stuck in and everyone seemed to be pals with each other.

"I thought it was rubbish for a game between two top teams, although to be fair to United they showed a great will to win."

The former Republic of Ireland international added: "It [English football] is changing and not for the good. Far from it – if you ask me it is going downhill.

"It's not the game we knew 15 or 20 years ago, the one I first got involved in. I don't think we love it the way we did years ago because of what we see every day of the week.



The 39 year-old, whose Ipswish side are currently 18th in the Championship table just three points off the relegation zone, continued: "If I lost my job there would be nobody complaining too much but top managers getting good results are being sacked.
"Owners are coming in from other countries and I don't know if they understand the game of football.
"It's an ego thing, like a toy they can play with. They buy clubs, sack managers – it's crazy.
"We see players wanting to leave a club after only being there two minutes because they are not happy with what's going on."
"We have praised a lot of foreigners for what they have done over the years.
"But a lot of them have to look at what they have done in recent months and weeks, whether it be players or owners."

Premier League


Manchester United defeat of Arsenal in Premier League was 'rubbish', says Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane

Roy Keane, the Ipswich Town manager and former Manchester United captain, has said Monday night's Premier League match at Old Traford "was rubbish", lacked "intensity" and "annoyed" him.

Speaking his mind: Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has never been shy about letting his opinions known Photo: GETTY IMAGES








By Telegraph staff 11:00AM GMT 17 Dec 2010

Keane, talking in today's Daily Mail, said: "I saw it on television and I don’t think I’ve ever been so annoyed watching a game.

"There was no intensity, players weren’t getting stuck in and everyone seemed to be pals with each other.

"I thought it was rubbish for a game between two top teams, although to be fair to United they showed a great will to win."

The former Republic of Ireland international added: "It [English football] is changing and not for the good. Far from it – if you ask me it is going downhill.

"It’s not the game we knew 15 or 20 years ago, the one I first got involved in. I don’t think we love it the way we did years ago because of what we see every day of the week.



The 39 year-old, whose Ipswish side are currently 18th in the Championship table just three points off the relegation zone, continued: "If I lost my job there would be nobody complaining too much but top managers getting good results are being sacked.
"Owners are coming in from other countries and I don’t know if they understand the game of football.
"It’s an ego thing, like a toy they can play with. They buy clubs, sack managers – it’s crazy.
"We see players wanting to leave a club after only being there two minutes because they are not happy with what’s going on."
"We have praised a lot of foreigners for what they have done over the years.
"But a lot of them have to look at what they have done in recent months and weeks, whether it be players or owners."

Chelsea, Man United kukabiliwa na mtihani mgumu mwisho wa msimu
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:51

LONDON, Uingereza

CHELSEA na Manchester United zinaweza kukabiliana katika mechi ambazo zitaamua bingwa wa msimu huu wa Ligi Kuu England.

Uwezekano huo unafuatia msongamano wa mechi za ligi hiyo ambao umeongezeka mwisho wa wiki baada ya mechi kadhaa ikiwamo ile baina ya klabu hizo mbili kuahirishwa kutokana na hali mbaya ya hewa.

Timu hizo zilitarajiwa kucheza Mei 7 kwenye Uwanja wa Old Trafford, mchezo ambao unatazamwa na wengi kuwa unaweza kuamua ubingwa.

Lakini, kutokana na kuahirishwa kwa mechi ya Jumapili iliyopita, sasa kuna uwezekano mkubwa zikakutana Stamford Bridge siku kumi baadaye, kama mchezo wa kiporo.

Mipango ya dharura inafanywa na uongozi wa Chama cha Ligi Kuu England kupanga upya mechi zote zilizoathiriwa na hali mbaya ya hewa Jumamosi na Jumapili.

Pia, kuna uwezekano mkubwa kukawa na mechi zaidi kutokana na nyingine zaidi za Krismasi na Mwaka Mpya, ambazo pia zipo hatarini kuahirishwa, jambo ambalo linaifanya ligi hiyo kuwa na wakati mgumu mwishoni.

Hadi sasa, Man United imeahirishiwa mechi zake mbili. Awali, mechi dhidi ya Blackpool iliahirishwa mwezi na sasa imepangiwa Januari 25, ingawa bado ni vigumu kuipangia siku mechi dhidi ya Chelsea.

Kwa sasa, klabu hizo mbili zinakabiliwa na uwezekano wa kucheza mechi 15 kati ya Aprili na Mei, kutokana na ushiriki wake kwenye mechi za Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya, hatua ya mtoano na Kombe la FA .

Kawaida, uongozi wa ligi hiyo huandaa mipango ya dharura kwa mechi ambazo zinaweza kuahirishwa.

Lakini, uongozi huo hauwezi kupanga mechi kati ya Januari 11 na 24, pamoja na Aprili 19, tarehe ambazo ni mahususi kwa mechi za marudiano za Kombe la FA.

Kutokana na hali hiyo, nafasi pekee inayoweza kupatikana ni katikati ya wiki, Mei 7na 18 , kabla ya ligi hiyo kukamilika Mei 22.

Viongozi wa ligi hiyo wana uhakika kuwa wanaweza kuepuka mrundikano wa mechi hizo. Msemaji wa ligi hiyo alisema: "Tutakutana na klabu zinazohusika na kukubaliana tarehe ya kufanyika kwa mechi hizo."

Wakati hilo likifanyika, kocha wa Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti ameionya Arsenal kwamba wasubiri adhabu yao Jumatatu katika mchezo wa Ligi Kuu.

Ancelotti, ameeleza kuwa mbaya wao, Didier Drogba yuko tayari kuwaangamiza.

Kocha huyo ambaye alimwacha benchi Drogba katika mchezo dhidi ya Tottenham Hotspur kabla ya kumwingiza mwisho ambako alisawazisha bao, ameeleza kuwa mshambuliaji wake huyo amerejea katika kiwango chake.

Drogba, ambaye alishuka kiwango tangu alipougua malaria mapema mwaka huu alikasirishwa na uamuzi wa kocha wake kumwacha benchi kwenye Uwan ja wa White Hart Lane.

Kwa sasa, Ancelotti amesema hana shaka na kiwango cha mchezaji wake huyo raia wa Ivory Coast akieleza kuwa atarudi uwanjani kwa nguvu zake zote na kuishukia Arsenal kwenye Uwanja wa Emirates.

Alisema : "Ninajua kuwa hakuwa kwenye kiwango chake cha kawaida.

"Amekuwa na wakati mgumu kucheza kutokana na kuugua malaria, alikuwa mchovu, hakuwa fiti kwa asilimia 100, amekuwa na wakati mgumu kufanya mazoezi.

"Nilimchezesha mechi kadhaa za mwisho, hakuwa fiti kamili, lakini sisi tunataka awe kwenye kiwango chake.

"Kwa sasa, hali yake imeimarika . Ndiyo maana alipoingia dimbani kuikabili Spurs alionyesha makali.

"Bao lake dhidi ya Tottenham, linaonyesha kuwa atakuwa Drogba mwingine siku chache zijazo."

Waamuzi 14 Tanzania wapata beji ya Fifa
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:54

Clara Alphonce
WAAMUZI 14 kutoka sehemu mbalimbali nchini wamepitishwa na Shirikisho la Soka la Kimataifa ( Fifa ) na kukabidhiwa beji ambayo itawawezesha kuchezesha michezo mbalimbali ya kitafa na kimataifa ikiwemo Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara.

Kaibu Katibu Mkuu wa Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania ( TFF), Sunday Kayuni alisema kuwa waamuzi hao ni wale walioshinda mitihani ya shirikisho hilo la kimataifa iliyofanyika Septemba.
Alisema baada ya kufaulu mitihani hiyo majina yao yalitumwa Fifa na juzi walipokea majibu na majina hayo ambayo ni waamuzi wa kati wanne wanaume na mwanamke mmoja.

Pia, katika orodha hiyo wamo wasaidizi saba wanaume na wanawake wawili.

Kayuni aliwataja waamuzi hao waliopitishwa kuwa ni Ramadhan Kibo, Oden Mbaga, Israel Nkongo, Waziri Sheha na Judith Gamba ambaye ni mwanamke pekee katika orodha hiyo .

Waamuzi wasaidizi ni Josephat Deu, Hamis Chang'walu, Erasto Kanyenye, Ally Kombo, Maswa Hamis na Mpenzu Samwel.

Manchester United


Manchester United sale a long way off, says Michael Edelson

Manchester United director Michael Edelson has insisted that plans by the Glazer family to sell the club are a "long way down the line" after earlier unguarded comments had led him to claim it was "no secret" that the Americans would offload the Premier League leaders.

Staying put: The unpopular Glazer family have no plans to sell Manchester United yet Photo: AFP

By Mark Ogden 10:20PM GMT 21 Dec 2010



Despite consistently stating that they have no plans to sell United, having bought the club in a leveraged takeover in May 2005, reports from the Middle East in recent weeks have suggested that the Qatari royal family is preparing a £1.5 billion bid to buy United from the Florida-based Glazers.

The recent payment of a PIK loan totalling £220 million by the Glazers has increased speculation within the City that they are preparing the ground for a sale at the end of a turbulent year that has seen United supporters launch the green-and-gold campaign aimed at driving the owners out of the club.

But having been overheard at a private networking event in Manchester last week claiming that "It's no secret that at some time the family will sell the club", Edelson has now moved to backtrack on his comments by insisting that a sale is unlikely anytime in the near future.

Edelson said: "It is inevitable that at some time they (Glazers) will sell, but that will be a long way down the line."

Edelson has been a non-executive director at United since 1982, when he was handed a seat on the board by chairman Martin Edwards following Sir Matt Busby's elevation to the role of club president.

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As a non-executive director of the football club board at United, Edelson is a peripheral figure at Old Trafford and has no role on the board of Manchester United Ltd, which is populated by six Glazer siblings, or any of the Glazers' Red Football companies.
His role as a director of the football club board, alongside chief executive David Gill, Maurice Watkins and Sir Bobby Charlton, is, in reality, a powerless position retained only as the body recognised by the Football Association.
It is understood that Edelson added during the private dinner that the Glazers would sell "long after I am dead" and that it could be another "20-30 years" before the family chooses to cash in on its asset.
Sources close to the Glazers, who rejected a £1.5 billion offer for the club from the Middle East last year, have insisted that the owners are focusing on the long-term at Old Trafford and that, when the £520 million bond take out against the club in January is due to be paid in 2017, they will merely refinance their existing loans.
The Americans, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL franchise, believe they can alleviate much of the club's debt burden by securing a world record kit deal in excess of £450 million before the current contract with Nike expires in 2015.
And manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been told that he has substantial funds to spend to strengthen his squad, despite interest payments on the debt totalling £45 million-a-year.
The Glazers also reassured Wayne Rooney of their ability to compete for leading players during the 25-year-old's contract stand-off with the club in October.
With Forbes magazine estimating that United is worth $1.8 billion - making it the most valuable football team for the sixth straight year - the Glazers believe that they own an asset that will only grow in value in the coming years.
And despite attempts by the Red Knights, a group of financiers and wealthy United supporters, to fund a bid for the club earlier this year, staunch resistance by the Glazers to any potential offer prompted the group to shelve their attempts to launch a takeover bid.

Now we're top, we can't switch off - Carrick

Published 23:00 21/12/10 By David McDonnell

Michael Carrick has admitted Manchester United's title challenge will come unstuck if they take their foot off the pedal in 2011.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side remain top at Christmas, despite failing to hit top gear in the first half of the campaign.
Chelsea's remarkable loss of form, combined with the failure of Arsenal and Manchester City to seize the initiative, has seen Fergie's men stay in pole position.
But midfielder Carrick conceded United must guard against complacency setting in, just because their immediate rivals are slipping up.

"You hope that spell is behind us," said Carrick. "It's never far away though if you start to take your foot off the pedal.
"A couple of bad performances and bad results aren't far behind. That's what keeps you going and keeps you on your toes.
"You've got to keep the standard high and that's been the strength of this club over the years, maintaining that quality.
"It was a frustrating time earlier on in the season when we felt we were throwing away some games when we were in front.
"Now we look back and it seems as though we've had a good run under the circumstances, having not lost a Premier League game yet, and we're satisfied with the position we're in."

Guardiola: Siwezi kukataa ofa England Tuesday, 21 December 2010 20:50

MADRID, Hispania

KOCHA wa Barcelona, Pep Guardiola amekataa kuondoa uwezekano wa siku moja kufundisha soka katika klabu ya Ligi Kuu England.

Lakini, ameeleza kuwa kwa sasa hafikirii chochote zaidi ya akili yake kuwa katika Ligi Kuu ya Hispania.

Guardiola ataiongoza Barca kuikabili Arsenal mwezi Februari katika mchezo wa mtoano wa Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya.

Raia huyo wa Hispania amekuwa akihusishwa na kazi katika klabu kadhaa za England, akielezwa wakati mwingine kuwa mrithi wa kocha wa Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pia, Chelsea inayonolewa na Carlo Ancelotti, pia imetajwa kuwa inamtolea macho .

"Nikiwa mchezaji nilitamani kucheza soka England, lakini hilo halikuwezekana ," alisema Guardiola na kukaririwa na gazeti la The Mail on Sunday.

"Siwezi kuondoa uwezekano wa kwenda huko na kufanya kazi.

"Si kitu ambacho hakiwezekani kabisa katika maisha, nimekuwa na mipango yangu, lakini haijafanikiwa kutokana na kazi niliyo nayo hapa Barcelona, ninajua kwamba siwezi kukaa hapa daima kwa miaka mingi.

"Siwezi kukataa ofa, pia siwezi kusema kwamba hakuna watu wanaonitafuta kwa kazi, lakini kwa sasa sina mpango huo."

Kocha huyo kijana ambaye amekuwa ni mwenye mafanikio makubwa licha ya umri wake mdogo, amekuwa akijianisha kwa utendaji wake, tabia ya upole, kiasi cha kuwa tofauti na makocha kama Jose Mourinho wa Real Madrid.