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Kenya pooled with Uganda in Africa Games



By JOHN ASHIHUNDU jashihundu@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Thursday, December 16 2010 at 18:20

Harambee Stars’ rivalry with Uganda Cranes is set to continue when they face each other in the 2011 All Africa Games qualifiers.

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Following CAF draws held this week in Cairo, Stars will also face Tanzania and Eritrea in other Group ‘E’ matches.

The qualifiers, which will take place between January - July 2011, will determine the eight teams for both men and women’s competitions.

The Games will be held between September 3-18 in Maputo, Mozambique.

In the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Harambee Stars are grouped together with Uganda, Angola and Guinea Bissau.

Kenya will also be represented in women qualifiers where they host Sudan between June 24-26, 2011.

Zone A (men); Algeria, Libya.

Zone B: Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal.

Zone C: Benin, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria.

Zone D: Cameroon, Congo RD and Gabon.

Zone E: Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Zone F: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zone G: Madagascar and Seychelles.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Yanga, Azam dimbani kutambulisha wapya Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:24

Mwandishi Wetu

BAADA ya kumalizika kwa mikikimikiki ya michuano ya Kombe la Chalenji iliyomalizika kwa Tanzania Bara 'kusitiri aibu' kwa kutwaa ubingwa, Yanga na Azam zinazoshiriki Ligi Kuu Bara leo zitacheza mechi maalumu kwenye Uwanja wa Uhuru.
Mchezo huo wa kirafiki, ni mahususi kwa ajili ya timu zote kujiweka sawa na mechi za ligi mwezi ujao pamoja na kutambulisha wachezaji na makocha wapya waliosajiliwa na kuajiriwa hivi karibuni.

Mashabiki wa Yanga ndio watapata nafasi ya kutuliza kiu yao kwa kumwona mshambuliaji mpya, Mzambia Davis Mwape, kiungo kutoka JKT Ruvu, Juma Seif.

Lakini, shauku ya mashabiki hao zaidi takuwa ni kumwona Mwape, ambaye alisajiliwa kwa ushauri wa kocha Kostadin Papic bila kuona makali yake na akitazamiwa kurithi nafasi ya Kenneth Asamoah.

Kiungo Seif na Mwape wataunganisha nguvu na nyota wengine aliokuwapo klabuni hapo msimu huu ili kuhakikisha wanafanya vizuri katika mechi za ligi.

Kwa upande wake, Azam itaingia dimbani kwa lengo la kumtambulisha kocha wao mpya, John Stewart Hall, raia wa Uingereza aliyeingia mkataba na klabu hiyo katikati ya wiki akitokea timu ya taifa ya Zanzibar.

Awali, Azam ilikuwa chini ya Amorin Itamar, raia wa Brazil aliyeiacha karibuni kutokana na kutokubali mkataba mpya.

Mratibu wa pambano hilo, Bonga Teacher aliiambia Mwananchi jana kuwa maandalizi yamekamilika na kila timu imeahidi kushusha 'jeshi' lake kamili .

Kulingana na mratibu huyo, viingilio katika mchezo huo vimepangwa kuwa Sh15,000, Sh10,000 na mzunguko Sh3,000.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Arsenal yapewa mtihani mgumu wa Barcelona
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:23

NYON, Uswisi
ARSENAL ya England imepewa kibarua kigumu na nafasi nyingine ya ama kulipa kisasi dhidi ya mabingwa wa Hispania na mabingwa wa Ulaya mwaka jana, Barcelona katika hatua ya mtoano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya, kinyume chake itaiaga mapema michuano hiyo.

Katika ratiba iliyopangwa jana na Shirikisho la Soka Ulaya, (Uefa) mjini Nyon, Uswisi, Arsenal imekutanishwa tena na miamba hao wa Hispania ambao waliwabwaga kwa mabao 2-1 kwenye fainali ya 2006 mjini Paris, Ufaransa ambako kipa Jens Lehmann alitolewa kwa kadi nyekundu.
Mwaka jana, Barca ndiyo iliyoitoa Arsenal kwenye michuano hiyo, hatua ya robo fainali kwa mabao 4-0 katika mchezo wa marudiano uliofanyika Uwanja wa Nou Camp.

Katika mchezo huo, mshambuliaji ambaye Arsenal hawataweza kumsahau ni Lionel Messi ambaye alikuwa mwiba mkali kwa vijana hao wa Arsene Wenger.

Kulingana na ratiba hiyo, Arsenal iliyomaliza ya pili Kundi H itaanzia nyumbani, Emirates, London kati ya Februari 15 / 16 au wiki moja baadaye, Februari 22au 23 .

Mechi za marudiano ambazo zitaamua ni timu zipi nane zitacheza robo fainali mwezi Aprili zitachezwa Machi 8/9 na 15/16, huku Uefa ikiwa imezipanga timu hizo kwa mfumo ambao unaziepusha timu za nchi moja kukutana katika hatua hiyo .

Katika ratiba hiyo, mchuano mwingine mkali na mgumu utakuwa baina ya Inter Milan, bingwa mtetezi wa michuano hiyo dhidi ya Bayern Munich ya Ujerumani.

Timu hizo zilikutana katika mchezo wa fainali msimu uliopita ambako Inter iliilaza Bayern kwa mabao 2-0 ya Diego Milito katika mchezo uliochezwa kwenye Uwanja wa Santiago Bernabeu mjini Madrid, Jumamosi Mei 22 mwaka huu.

Mchezo mwingine ambao utakuwa kivutio kikubwa ni baina ya Lyon ya Ufaransa na Real Madrid, ambazo zilikutana pia mwaka 2009 na Madrid wakatupwa nje.

Wawakilishi wengine wa England, Tottenham Hotspur ambao msimu huu wamefuzu kwa mara ya kwanza lakini wakaoonyesha maajabu makubwa, wamekutanishwa na wakongwe AC Milan kutoka Italia.

Nao vinara wa Ligi Kuu England, Manchester United wamepangwa dhidi ya Olympique Marseille ya Ufaransa.

Chelsea, ambayo msimu huu imekuwa haitabiriki imepangwa dhidi ya timu ngeni katika michuano hiyo, FC Copenhagen ya Denmark. Copenhagen ndiyo zaidi itakuwa na kibarua cha kusaka nafasi ya kucheza robo fainali kwa mara ya kwanza kwenye michuano hiyo ya Ulaya.

Mechi nyingine itakuwa baina ya AS Roma ya Italia dhidi ya Shakhtar Donestsk ya Ukraine, zikikamilisha ratiba hiyo ambayo inashirikisha timu 16.

Nao Valencia kutoka Hispania watakuwa kibaruani dhidi ya Schalke 04 kutoka Ujerumani.

Akizungumza baada ya kupangwa kwa makundi hayo jana, kipa wa Arsenal, Lukasz Fabianski ambaye msimu huu amekuwa akicheza badala ya Manuel Almunia alisema kuwa kupangwa dhidi ya Barca ndicho kitu ambacho kila mmoja wao alikihitaji.

"Utakuwa mchezo mgumu, lakini hatuwezi kuifikiria sana Barcelona.

"Si kama ilivyokuwa msimu uliopita, lakini tutacheza nao kwa kumbukumbu ya kilichotokea. Timu hizo zinafahamiana.

"Lakini, hatuwaogopi . Tunajiamini, tutawamudu."

Kocha wa Spurs, Harry Redknapp ameeleza kuwa anarejea San Siro akifahamu kuwa AC Milan ni timu ngumu.

"Tuliwafunga Inter Milan msimu huu uwanjani hapo, sasa tunajiandaa kuikabili AC Milan. Itakuwa mechi ngumu. Lakini, ningepewa nafasi ya kuchagua, ningeichagua AC Milan.

"Wanaongoza Ligi Kuu (Serie A), lakini tusubiri mchezo mgumu. Ninausubiri kwa hamu."

Mechi muhimu England leo:

Arsenal v Stoke City (Saa 12:00)
Liverpool v Fulham (Saa1.30 Usiku)

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Pwani yarekebisha makosa
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:22

Jessca Nangawe

MICHUANO ya Kombe la Taifa ya netiboli imeendelea kushika kasi jana katika viwanja vya Shule ya Sekondari ya Filbert Bayi na kuwashuhudia mabingwa watetezi Pwani wakiamka kutoka usingizini na kushinda kwa magoli 34-20 dhidi ya Mwanza.

Pwani, juzi walianza vibaya kwa kukubali kipigo toka kwa jirani, zao Temeke 28- 21.

Wenyeji hao wakiongozwa na wafungaji wao maarufu Jackline Sikozi na Matalena Mhagama walikuwa kivutio kikubwa katika mchezo huo huku wakiongoza timu hiyo kupata ushindi ambapo mpaka mapumziko watetezi hao walikuwa wakiongoza kwa 18-10.

Katika mchezo mwingine, Dodoma imeendeleleza wimbi la ushindi baada ya kuifunga Ruvuma magoli 34-15.

Mchezo huo ambao ulianza kwa Dodoma kuonekana kutawala kwa kiasi kikubwa ulikuwa kivutio tosha kwa mashabiki baada ya timu hiyo kuonyesha kucheza kwa kujiamini hali iliyoifanya hadi mapumziko iwe mbele kwa magoli 14-9.

Katika mchezo wa tatu Mbeya na Kinondoni, Mbeya waliwafunga wapinzani wao magoli 23-12.
Magoli ya Mbeya yalifungwa na Evalyne Damas na Zuhura Ally na hadi mapumziko walikuwa mbele kwa magoli 12-5.

Aidha, Arusha ambao mchezo wa awali walifungwa na Mwanza jana waliamka na kuilaza Lindi kwa 18-5, ambayo yaliwekwa kimiani na Mwasiti Mgode pamoja na Mwantumu Ally.

Mwanyekiti wa Chaneta, Anna Bay alisema licha ya uchache wa timu shiriki, mashindano hayo yamekuwa na ushindani mkubwa na kusema mara baada ya hatua ya makundi timu zilizofanya vyema zitaingia hatua ya robo fainali.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Sneijder kuikosa TP Mazembe fainali leo
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:20

ABU DHABI, Falme za Kiarabu

INTER Milan ya Italia inakutana na TP Mazembe kutoka Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) kwenye fainali za dunia za klabu bingwa leo bila kuwa naye kiungo wao, Wesley Sneijder ambaye ni majeruhi.

Inter, mabingwa wa Ulaya walifuzu kucheza fainali kwa ushindi mnono wa mabao 3-0 dhidi ya Seongnam Ilhwa ya Korea Kusini mjini Abu Dhabi.
Hata hivyo, ushindi huo uliitokea puani timu hiyo baada ya kumpoteza kiungo huyo Mdachi, ambaye ana ndoto ya kushinda taji lake la tano mwaka 2010.

Sneijder, ambaye aliachwa kwenye orodha ya wachezaji waoanwania tuzo ya mchezaji bora duniani aliumia paja na alitolewa katika mchezo dhidi ya Ilhwa, Jumatano usiku.

Dejan Stankovic, Javier Zanetti na Diego Milito , walifunga bao dhidi ya mabingwa hao wa Asia na kumpa faraja kocha Rafa Benitez na kumsahaulisha machungu ya kumkosa Sneijder.

"Haikuwa rahisi mwanzoni , tulikuwa na wakati mgumu, sasa ni vigumu kumkosa Sneijder . Tunatakiwa kucheza bila kuwa naye ," alieleza Benitez.

"Ninadhani aliumia msuli, sina hakika kama ataweza kucheza fainali Jumamosi."

Wakati huohuo, Rais wa Inter, Massimo Moratti amemuunga mkono Benitez ambaye amekuwa akikabiliwa na wakati mgumu klabuni hapo.

Aliuambia mtandao wa Mediaset: "Yeye (Benitez) alijiandaa vizuri kwa mchezo huo . Nimefurahishwa na umakini wa wachezaji wake."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Sneijder kuikosa TP Mazembe fainali leo
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:20

ABU DHABI, Falme za Kiarabu

INTER Milan ya Italia inakutana na TP Mazembe kutoka Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) kwenye fainali za dunia za klabu bingwa leo bila kuwa naye kiungo wao, Wesley Sneijder ambaye ni majeruhi.

Inter, mabingwa wa Ulaya walifuzu kucheza fainali kwa ushindi mnono wa mabao 3-0 dhidi ya Seongnam Ilhwa ya Korea Kusini mjini Abu Dhabi.
Hata hivyo, ushindi huo uliitokea puani timu hiyo baada ya kumpoteza kiungo huyo Mdachi, ambaye ana ndoto ya kushinda taji lake la tano mwaka 2010.

Sneijder, ambaye aliachwa kwenye orodha ya wachezaji waoanwania tuzo ya mchezaji bora duniani aliumia paja na alitolewa katika mchezo dhidi ya Ilhwa, Jumatano usiku.

Dejan Stankovic, Javier Zanetti na Diego Milito , walifunga bao dhidi ya mabingwa hao wa Asia na kumpa faraja kocha Rafa Benitez na kumsahaulisha machungu ya kumkosa Sneijder.

"Haikuwa rahisi mwanzoni , tulikuwa na wakati mgumu, sasa ni vigumu kumkosa Sneijder . Tunatakiwa kucheza bila kuwa naye ," alieleza Benitez.

"Ninadhani aliumia msuli, sina hakika kama ataweza kucheza fainali Jumamosi."

Wakati huohuo, Rais wa Inter, Massimo Moratti amemuunga mkono Benitez ambaye amekuwa akikabiliwa na wakati mgumu klabuni hapo.

Aliuambia mtandao wa Mediaset: "Yeye (Benitez) alijiandaa vizuri kwa mchezo huo . Nimefurahishwa na umakini wa wachezaji wake."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Atletico yatupwa nje Europa League
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:19

BERLIN, Ujerumani
NDOTO za Atletico Madrid kutetea taji lake la michuano ya Europa League zimetoweka baada ya juzi kutoka sare ya bao 1-1 dhidi ya Bayer Leverkusen ya Ujerumani.

Atletico, ambayo iliilaza Fulham msimu wa mwaka jana kwenye fainali mwezi Mei ilishindwa kubebwa na Aris Salonika ambayo ilifungwa 2-0 na Rosenborg ya Norway na kuungana na Madrid kuaga.

Katika mchezo ambao ulichezwa kukiwa na baridi kali, Atletico waliingia Uwanja wa BayArena wakihitaji ushindi ili kufuzu kuingia 32 bora.

Bao la Patrick Helmes dakika ya 69 lilitibua ndoto ya Madrid kufuzu.

Lakini, Madrid walijibu haraka baada ya mchezaji wa zamani wa Arsenal, Fran Merida kufunga bao dakika ya 72, lakini ushindi wa Aris uliiondoa Madrid.

Vinara wa Ligi Kuu ya Ufaransa, Lille walifuzu kwa ushindi wa mabao 3-0 dhidi ya Ghent ya Ubelgiji.

Wawakilishi hao wa Ufaransa waliungana na Sporting Lisbon, Kundi C na walianza kupata bao dakika ya 30 kupitia kwa Ludovic Obraniak.

Mabao mengine yaliwekwa kimiani na Pierre-Alain Frau na Moussa Sow .Kundi A, Manchester City ilimaliza kileleni kwa sare ya 1-1 dhidi ya Juventus mjini Turin.

Niccolo Giannetti, kinda wa miaka 19 alianza kuipa Juve bao dakika ya 42 kabla ya Mbrazili, Jo kusawazisha dakika ya 77 ya mchezo.

Juve, ambao tayari walikuwa wameotolewa wamemaliza wakiwa na pointi sita baada ya sare sita, ikiwa ni ya pili baada ya AEK Athens msimu wa 2002-03 kwenye Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya.

Timu ndogo ya Poland, Lech Poznan, imefuzu pamoja na Man City, na ilimaliza kwa ushindi wa 1-0 dhidi ya Red Bull Salzburg.

Mechi zote za juzi zilikuwa mahususi kwa kukata tiketi ya michuano hiyo ambayo ratiba yake ilipangwa jana sambamba na ile ya Ligi ya Mabingwa.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Usajili wetu umegharimu Shilingi 326 milioni- Rage
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:18

Clara Alphonce
KLABU ya Simba imefanya usajili wa Shilingi 326 milioni kwa msimu huku kocha wao Patrick Phiri akiongezewa mkataba baada ya ule wa awali kumalizika.
Mwenyekiti wa klabu hiyo, Aden Rage alisema jana kuwa fedha hizo ni usajili wa wachezaji wote wa klabu hiyo kuanzia ule mkubwa hadi dirisha dogo lililoisha mwezi uliopita.

Kuhusu suala la mkataba wa Phiri, Rage ambaye ni Mbunge wa Tabora Mjini alisema kuwa kamati ya utendaji ya klabu hiyo ilikutana naye na kufikia maridhiano ya kumwongezea mkataba baada ya kuridhishwa na utendaji wake.

Pia, Rage alizungumzia suala la kukaa meza moja na wapinzani wao, Yanga ili kupanga mikakati ya kuhakikisha wanasaidiana katika mechi za kimataifa ili kukuza soka ya Tanzania.

'' Unajua safari hii tumeungana na Yanga watu wanaona kama tumefanya makosa Watanzania inabidi na kuletea maendeleo kwani timu hizo zinawakilisha nchi na zikifungwa ni aibu kwa nchi siyo Simba na Yanga peke yake, lakini nin imani kwamba mashabiki wetu watatuunga mkono,'' alisema Rage.

Alisema maandalizi ya ligi mzunguko wa pili pamoja na klabu bingwa yanaendelea vizuri na hivi karibuni watakuwa wakicheza mechi za kirafiki na watacheza Kombe la Mapinduzi, yote ikiwa ni moja ya maandalizi.

Alisema makubaliano waliokubalia na Yanga ni kuomba kutumia Uwanja wa Taifa kwa mechi zao na kama watakataliwa, basi watakaa nchini na Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania ( TFF) ili kutaka wapunguziwe makato ya mlangoni kwani wamekuwa wakipata hasara.

Rage alikusia suala la uwanja wao uliopo Bunju, nje kidogo ya jiji la Dar es Salaam wanahitaji Sh100 milioni ilikupata hati ya kiwanja, hivyo wameamua kuwaomba wanachama kuchangia fedha hizo na shabiki atakayechangia zaidi ya Sh15,000 atazawadia jezi ya klabu hiyo.

Alisema wazabuni wao kutoka Uturuki wanakuja baada ya Krismasi tayari kwa ajili ya kufanya kazi hiyo ya kujenga uwanja ambapo pia wataweka kambi yao ili kuondokana na suala la kuwa omba omba.

Hata hivyo, Rage alilalamikia suala la kukatwa Kodi ya Ongezeko la Thamani (VAT) kuwa wanakatwa kimakosa wamekaa na kuipitia Sheria ya VAT na kugundua kuwa wanaotakiwa kukatwa ni wale ambao ni wanachama, hivyo wameamua kwenda juu zaidi kulilalamikia hilo.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Manji kuzindua tawi la vijana Yanga kesho
Saturday, 18 December 2010 09:17

Mwandishi Wetu

UONGOZI wa klabu ya Yanga kesho utazindua tawi jipya la vijana wa kundi la Yanga Bomba lililopo Mtaa wa Ndanda na Magila ,Kariakoo jijini Dar es Salaam.

Akizungumza jijini jana, mratibu wa uzinduzi huo, Kaisi Edwin alisema mfadhili wao mkuu Yusuf Manji ndiye atazindua tawi hilo ambalo litakuwa kubwa kuliko matawi yote jijini.

"Tawi hili ni la vijana wote wa Yanga ambao wanajulikana kama Yanga Bomba na hili tawi litajulikana kama tawi la Uhuru litakuwa na wanachama wengi,"alisema Kaisi.

Alisema mara baada ya uzinduzi huo watafanya mchakato wa kuhakikisha wanafanya uchaguzi na kupata viongozi wa tawi hilo kabla ya Desemba 31.

Tayari uongozi wa klabu hiyo chini ya Lloyd Nchunga imewataka viongozi hao wa matawi kufanya uhakiki wa wanachama wao na wasipungue 100 na kupeleka leja makao makuu ya klabu hiyo Mtaa wa Twiga na Jangwani.

"Lengo la uzinduzi huo wa tawi ikiwa ni pamoja na kufanya uhakiki wa wanachama katika matawi yote ni kutaka kupata idadi sahihi ya wanachama wao ikiwa ni pamoja na kuongeza wanachama wengine katika jitihada za kukusanya Shilingi bilioni moja kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya klabu," alisema mratibu huyo.

Mikakati ya viongozi hao wa Yanga ni kupata wanachama 100,000 jijini Dar es Salaam ambapo katika uzinduzi huo bidhaa mbali mbali zitauzwa ikiwa ni pamoja na kuandaa tamasha la Yanga Day kwa ajili ya kukusanya kiasi hicho cha fedha.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Liverpool v Fulham is off

Published 10:34 18/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Liverpool's match against Fulham today has been called off due to icy conditions around the ground, the Merseyside club announced.
It and Wigan's home match against Aston Villa at the DW Stadium were both postponed due to heavy overnight snow.
Temperatures were predicted to be -6 degrees at the scheduled 5.30pm kick-off time at Anfield, but conditions around the ground and on roads in the area forced an early postponement.
"Club officials met with the police this morning to assess the prevailing weather conditions," said a Liverpool spokesman.

"The safety of all fans attending the game is paramount and although the Anfield pitch is playable, the conditions around the stadium and further afield for people travelling to the match are such that the decision was taken, following police advice on safety grounds, to postpone the game.
"All existing tickets will remain valid for the re-arranged fixture and supporters will be advised of the new date as soon as possible."
The Latics earlier issued a statement confirming their game had been postponed, citing "freak snow" as the reason.
Today's cancellations so far:
Barclays Premier League
Wigan v Aston Villa
npower Championship
Cardiff v Burnley
Portsmouth v Scunthorpe
npower League 1
Rochdale v Bournemouth
Walsall v Southampton
Hartlepool v Charlton
Leyton Orient v Plymouth
Yeovil v Carlisle
Brentford v Huddersfield
Bristol Rovers v Colchester
Milton Keynes Dons v Oldham
Swindon v Tranmere
npower League 2
Bury v Stevenage
Accrington v Burton Albion
Hereford v Macclesfield
Cheltenham v Stockport
Oxford Utd v Shrewsbury
Aldershot v Lincoln City
Port Vale v Barnet
Crewe v Bradford
Northampton v Morecambe
Blue Square Bet Premier
Gateshead v Hayes & Yeading
Bath City v Southport
Cambridge Utd v Darlington
Grimsby v Forest Green
Barrow v Tamworth
Altrincham v Histon
Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Rangers v St Mirren
Aberdeen v Motherwell
St Johnstone v Dundee Utd
Hamilton v Celtic
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship First Division
Queen of the South v Morton
Ross County v Dunfermline
Raith v Cowdenbeath
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship Second Division
Ayr Utd v Forfar Athletic
Brechin City v East Fife
Dumbarton v Peterhead
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship Third Division
Albion Rovers v Annan Athletic
Clyde v Arbroath
Berwick v Montrose
Stranraer v East Stirling







​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Freeze kills off Wigan v Villa

Published 10:12 18/12/10 By MirrorFootball

This afternoon's Barclays Premier League game between Wigan and Aston Villa has been called off due to "freak weather conditions in the town overnight", the Latics have confirmed.
The north-west club issued a statement this morning describing the surrounding conditions as "treacherous" and warning the match, scheduled to kick off at 3pm at the DW Stadium, was in "serious doubt".
They then confirmed the postponement was on the advice of Greater Manchester Police, citing "freak snow" as the reason.
A Wigan statement read: "Today's Barclays Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa at the DW Stadium has been called off after freak weather conditions in the town overnight.

"The decision was made on the advice of Superintendent Stuart Ellison of Greater Manchester Police, on safety grounds."
"Despite the club's best efforts using today's game on by bringing in snow ploughs and gritters, the 10 inches of snow that fell overnight, and is still falling at the time of going to press, has made the surrounding area extremely hazardous for supporters travelling to the game.
"Public transport isn't running, there are motorway closures and the general condition of the surrounding routes is treacherous.
"The DW Stadium playing surface, ironically, is fine, with the undersoil heating doing its job, and the stadium is also okay.
"The club wants to apologise for the inconvenience this causes but the situation is beyond anyone's control. News of the postponement has been circulated as early as possible to all official news channels and news contacts.
"Club staff have also been unable to reach the stadium in order to send out text message alerts to Latics supporters."
In the npower Championship, Cardiff's match against Burnley fell foul of the latest big freeze last night following heavy snowfall in south Wales and Portsmouth v Scunthorpe is now off too.
The League One games at Rochdale, Walsall, Hartlepool, Leyton Orient, Yeovil, Brentford, Bristol Rovers, MK Dons and Swindon are also off, along with those at Bury, Accrington, Hereford, Cheltenham, Oxford, Aldershot, Port Vale and Crewe in League Two.
In Scotland, Hamilton's home game against Celtic today became the fourth casualty in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after the Rangers-St Mirren, Aberdeen-Motherwell and St Johnstone-Dundee United clashes were postponed yesterday.
Ten other games in the Scottish leagues have also been called off.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Spurs starlet wants out of the Lane

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By Football Spy

Danny Rose has told Harry Redknapp he wants to quit White Hart Lane for Bristol City after sickening of life in the stands.
The Tottenham starlet, 20, burst on the scene last season with a superb long-range goal on his league debut against Arsenal, then sent on loan in September.
He said; "I don't want to go back if I'm sitting in the stands every Saturday."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers

Published 11:20 18/12/10 By Football Spy

Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror
Pards looking to pinch star Saints duo
Richards pleads with 'special' Tevez to stay at City
Spurs starlet wants out of the Lane

Rangers line up bid for Leeds midfielder Brad
Transfer stories from other newspapers and websites
Real Madrid will go to £60m, plus an unnamed player, for Tottenham's Gareth Bale (Talksport)
Spurs will offer Newcastle a £15m package, including David Bentley and Robbie Keane, for Andy Carroll in January (Goal.com)
Manchester United want Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Marco Reus (Talksport)
Fergie must have a think for German midfielders, as he also fancies Borussia Dortmund's Mario Goetze (CaughtOffside)
And he's in a three-way-battle with Chelsea and Arsenal for Shakthar Donetsk's Douglas Costa... who plays in midfield (Sport.co.uk)
Manchester City will bid £10m for River Plate striker Rogelio Funes Mori as they look to replace Carlos Tevez (Talksport)
But the Blues face competition from Arsenal for long-term forward target Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg, with the Gunners readying a £24m bid (CaughtOffside)
Everton want to cure their striking woes by bringing in City misfits Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz on loan (Daily Mail)
Chelsea are eyeing CSKA Moscow stopper Igor Akinfeev as a replacement for Petr Cech, with Zenit St Petersburg interested in the veteran Bridge star (IM Scouting)
Blckpool and Wigan are bidding for Portsmouth's David Nugent but Pompey want him to sign a new deal (Daily Mail)

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Konchesky's mum calls Liverpool fans 'Scouse scum' on Facebook

Published 10:24 18/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Paul Konchesky's unhappy move to Liverpool hit a new low today as his mother branded Anfield fans "Scouse scum" found himself in an embarrassing fix after LFC fans were branded ‘Scouse scum' on his mother's Facebook site.
The ex-Fulham left back has been heavily criticised since arriving for £4m over the summer as one of Roy Hodgson's first buys.
After Liverpool were embarrassed at Stoke on November 14, Mrs Konchesky wrote: "To all you Liverpool Scouse scum, take a real look at your team. Stop living in the past. The team are crap. Never should have left Fulham."
A club spokesman said: "Mrs Konchensky's comments are inappropriate and have already been removed from Facebook. This does remain, however, a private family matter."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Hodgson: I was right to come to Anfield pressure-cooker

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By David Anderson

Roy Hodgson admits Liverpool has been a "hardening" experience for him after the comfort of Fulham.
Hodgson faces his old club this evening for the first time since quitting to take over at Anfield and says the demands of managing Liverpool have been an eye opener.
Hodgson has endured a torrid time and has had to put up with calls from the Kop for Kenny Dalglish to replace him because of the Reds' poor form.
Yet he insists he was right to swap his easy life at Craven Cottage for the pressure-cooker atmosphere at Anfield.

"I suppose I lost a bit of the weathering," he said. "I had two-and-a-half years at Inter Milan and I remember once losing a friendly to Barcelona to a goal, which should have been disallowed. That was a disaster so I should have been aware.
"It has been a hardening and weathering process that I have had to come to terms with. But it is something, again, that should be seen as a positive rather than a negative.
"It is going to be that type of attitude and desire from everybody at the club which will lift us in to a better position."
Hodgson, who hopes to have Steven Gerrard back tonight, could be forgiven for pining for his former life at Fulham and says he had the club running almost like clockwork.
"The difficult thing about leaving Fulham was the fact it was a good job," he said. "I was very happy living in the apartment we had owned for 10 years and we were 15 minutes from the training ground.
"We had worked very hard with the players on the training ground to reach a certain level and understanding.
"It wasn't a self-playing piano, but it was so engrained in what we were trying to do that it was very satisfying.
"I did say at the time, and I will say it again, that I wouldn't have moved just anywhere from Fulham. Liverpool is a very special club. It's an institution in world football.
"When the offer came, sentiment had to be put aside. Any thoughts of comfort had to be put aside and I had to say ‘thanks for asking, I would be delighted to take up the challenge and I will do my best for you'.
"Hopefully the good memories from Fulham will always remain with me. You can only hope that people will have good memories of you."
Despite saving Fulham in his first campaign and taking them to last season's Europa League Final, Hodgson still ranks winning the Swedish title with Halmstads as his best achievement.
"It's difficult," he said. "I still think 1976 was my best ever year. Getting a club that had been up and down for two years, that had stayed in the Premiership on goal difference the previous year, to go and win the league by six points when it was two points for a win, that was quite an achievement.
"I started off too well and it's been downhill ever since!"
After getting stick for going back on his word to play Fernando Torres against Utrecht, Hodgson was refusing to say if Gerrard would return from his hamstring injury.
He claims he will make a late decision on the Reds skipper, who has missed the last six games with the tear he suffered on England duty.
"Steven is training hard and is desperate to get back playing, but with my record of saying things and then getting them wrong, I think I am best being cagey and saying let's wait and see," he said.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Bolton are the new 'Crazy Gang', says Robinson

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By Alan Nixon

Paul Robinson reckons Bolton Wanderers are the new Crazy Gang - a modern madcap version of the old Wimbldeon of Vinnie Jones fame.
Veteran left back Robinson has seen a lot in his time in the game and knows a good dressing room when he is in one, with the happy Wanderers right at the top of that table.
The secret of Owen Coyle's side's success has been their togetherness and Robinson thinks that is the super glue behind the scenes and on the pitch.
Wilmbedon defied the odds a decade or more ago with their larks and laddish behaviour and Bolton are doing the same. The way their ten men beat Blackburn Rovers last week told a story - as did their celebrations.

Robinson thought the way they went wild showed the mixture of cameraderie and comedy that is their special blend. He laughed: "There's a picture where I am in mid-air and it looks like I am about to flatten them.
"I might have hurt them if I had come down like that, so it was a deliberate miss."
Robbo was at the heart of the second celebration too when he and scorer Stuart Holden do a silly dance and fall over. He smiled and said: "That one is a dressing room secret - I can't say what that is about.
"But you will see that one again - and we come up with new ones all of the time. The banter is great. There is a great atmosphere among the lads, even the ones who are not playing or are injured."
Robinson is interrupted in full flow by mate Holden, putting on a mock accent and saying: "And I've been relegated with all of these clubs." He replies: "Yeah, talk to me when you have played 500 games..."
There are no big egos at Bolton and Robinson added: "It's a great mixture. We have people like Stuart, Robbie Blake, me and Sean Davis when he is around. Matty Taylor likes to think he is funny too.
"We have a few 'lads' about and even Chung Yong Lee gets involved now. We have got a great selection of characters."
Robinson and his merry mates could climb a place to fifth this weekend if they beat fellow high fliers Sunderland, managed by Steve Bruce - a boss he has clashed with but who wanted to buy him.
The pair were at each other's throats after Robinson crocked Damien Johnson in a Midlands derby between West Brom and Birmingham, but they have made up.
He said: "Steve Bruce pointed the finger at me as if it was intentional, but it wasn't. I didn't like the headlines, my kids had to read it and were hearing about it at school - and being told what their dad was labelled.
"I know why Steve said it, it was his player and he was trying to protect him. He had a right to. I think he was sorry about it after. But it's done and dusted now.
"In fact, Steve tried to sign me for Wigan a couple of times after that. He knows the type of player I am."
At that point Coyle heard Robinson's comments and butted in: "Tell Steve to give us a call, Robbo." The defender chuckled and quipped back: "And I thought I was getting another year."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Pulis praises Gerrard for comforting Shawcross

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Tony Pulis has thanked Steven Gerrard for seeing Ryan Shawcross through his darkest hours.
Stoke were desperate to put a protective arm around their starlet on the night his tackle broke Aaron Ramsey's leg in two places last February.
But a distressed Shawcross left the Britannia Stadium immediately after the clash with Arsenal to join up with the England squad for the first time.
But while the football world debated whether the youngster had intentionally tried to harm the Gunners' teenager, Gerrard was reassuring Shawcross he had not crossed the line.

Gerrard carried on comforting Shawcross as the Stoke defender came to terms with furore surrounding the incident while on England duty ahead of the Egypt game.
And Pulis said: "Steven will always be respected here for the way he did that.
"We couldn't look after Ryan because he was off straight away and for Steven to do that was absolutely fantastic. Ryan was distraught on the day.
"Gerrard looked after him. I spoke to Steve and thanked him very much. There were other lads in the squad who helped him as well and were very good.''
Shawcross faces a feisty visit to the Emirates today as he plays against Arsenal for the first time since the incident.
But Pulis has no concerns about his captain crumbling under the weight of abuse from angry Arsenal fans.
He reckons the defender is mentally stronger than ever and has urged him to follow David Beckham's example of how to rebound from adversity.
The Los Angeles Galaxy man was vilified for his costly red card in the 1998 World Cup but quickly became a football icon.
He added: "Ryan's bounced back from it. I really do think with certain incidents in your career, you either sink or swim.
"We can go back to David Beckham in St Etienne. The anger of a whole nation and the weight of that defeat was thrown on David.
"And when you look at what he gave back; he showed his true colours and that kid has got stronger and stronger and won everyone's heart.''
Pulis showed his faith in Shawcross at the start of the season by presenting him with the captain's armband at Stoke.
And the repayment has come in the shape of some standout performances from the former Manchester United trainee.
Pulis added: "He's been exceptional this year, week on week he's got better and better.
"He's taken the armband and that was a big decision for this club. We have more experienced players that we could've given it to.
"It was a big call but everything he's been asked to do, he's stepped up. I thought it would improve him as a player and as a character."
To Shawcross' frustration he has never been able to speak to Ramsey about the controversial tackle but Pulis has made contact with the Welsh youngster.
He said: "I've spoken to Aaron and sent him a couple of letters on behalf of the club. I don't think Ryan has to get involved in that. As long as
we've done our bit, which we've done.''
Ramsey is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, ensuring a high-profile match up with Shawcross has been avoided.
But Pulis added: "Personally, as a Welshman, I'd prefer Aaron to be playing exceptionally well for his club and then his country - especially with the old enemy England coming up!"

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mancini facing dilemma over Tevez captaincy

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By David Anderson

Carlos Tevez could be stripped of the Manchester City captaincy over his demands to leave.
Roberto Mancini is considering taking the skipper's armband from Argentina ace Tevez while his transfer request is on the table.
Although Mancini will play Tevez against Everton on Monday, he is understood to be concerned the striker may be distracted by the events of the last 10 days since he told City he wanted out.
The Eastlands boss has told him he is staying put but could now relieve him of the captaincy – and has a ready-made *replacement in Vincent Kompany.

However the move could backfire on Mancini, as Tevez is likely to see it as a snub and become even more determined to go.
Mancini has tried to play down the crisis and met Tevez yesterday at Carrington after jetting back to Manchester on his delayed flight from Turin following Thursday's draw with Juventus.
It is understood he told Tevez he would not let him go. Football *administrator Brian Marwood said: "We're looking forward to him staying."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Harry: Mourinho couldn't have done a better job at Blackpool

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By Mike Walters

Beach boy Harry Redknapp takes Tottenham along the Golden Mile tomorrow admitting: "Ian Holloway has proved us all wrong."
Tottenham messiah Redknapp claimed even the Special One himself, Jose Mourinho, could not have matched Holloway's astonishing feat of winning promotion and guiding Blackpool into the top half of the Premier League.
Ever resourceful, Ollie has taken his players training on the beach when the Tangerines' training ground has been out of bounds in the deep freeze and even took them on a works outing to a casino to forge team spirit.
King 'Arry last night paid tribute to Holloway's inspired unorthodoxy and revealed he was likely to cast his vote for Ollie as manager of the season.

Redknapp said: "If I Iived in Blackpool, I would take the players training on the beach too. When I was at Bournemouth we always used to have a jog, on days like today - we'd wrap up warm, have a run up the beach and stop on the pier for a cup of tea.
"It's important that teams like Blackpool and managers like Ian Holloway are a success. It's been amazing, how he's put a team together there: they just got up through the play-offs and everybody's just looked at them and thought, 'Well, they've got no chance of surviving.'
"But the way they have played has been amazing. Ollie himself was written off after his spell at Leicester and suddenly he took over a team at Blackpool that was struggling to stay in the Championship, and look at them now.
"It's just been unbelievable, fantastic really. It's like going back to the old fairy-stories like Wimbledon coming up and going through the divisions.
"In this day and age when a lot of people try to buy success, you couldn't have found another manager in the world who could have come in and done as well at Blackpool as Ian Holloway.
"Mourinho couldn't have done it, could he? The way he scraped a team together on free transfers, or people that have been here, there and everywhere, and just got them to play... it's been fantastic really.
"You need characters like him. He tells it as it is, what you see is what you get with Ollie. He's done brilliant.
"I don't think I've ever managed a team against him, but I saw him at a League Managers Association meeting at the start of the year and he was absolutely brilliant.
"Sir Alex Ferguson was there, along with everyone else, but he took the meeting over. No one got a word in. I said at the end, 'Ollie, it has been great having you here, you've been great value this year, but I don't think that we will be seeing you next season.'
"He said, 'I think you are right' and I told him, 'Don't worry, at least you can get another Premier League club.' But it looks like he has proved us all wrong. He has done absolutely brilliant.
"One thing I like about Blackpool is that they go for it. They won't sit back and look to hang on or get people behind the ball. They will get right stuck into us. They will steam right into us.
"It is another test for us, but they are not such a surprise now. They went and won away 4-0 in the first game and people thought 'cor blimey' - but they have done it on a regular basis."
Redknapp, who will have midfielder Rafael van der Vaart available again after his recovery from a tweaked hamstring, will give club captain Ledley King a dressing-down after the England defender was pictured looking worse for wear after Spurs' Christmas party.
He said: "I'll speak to Ledley. I had reservations about the players having a party in the first place, but Ledley came to see me and said 'Look, the lads want to go out for a meal' and they all behaved OK apparently.
"What can you do? They have all got big houses, they could have the biggest party in the world if they want to can't they? And when I go home, I don't sit having my dinner thinking, 'I wonder what they are doing.'
"If they want to have a party, they will have a party. If they want to have a drink, they'll have a drink. You can't be 24 hours a day looking after players, it's impossible.
"They may just have to run around a bit more in training to get it out of their system!"

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Harry: Mourinho couldn't have done a better job at Blackpool

Published 23:00 17/12/10 By Mike Walters

Beach boy Harry Redknapp takes Tottenham along the Golden Mile tomorrow admitting: "Ian Holloway has proved us all wrong."
Tottenham messiah Redknapp claimed even the Special One himself, Jose Mourinho, could not have matched Holloway's astonishing feat of winning promotion and guiding Blackpool into the top half of the Premier League.
Ever resourceful, Ollie has taken his players training on the beach when the Tangerines' training ground has been out of bounds in the deep freeze and even took them on a works outing to a casino to forge team spirit.
King 'Arry last night paid tribute to Holloway's inspired unorthodoxy and revealed he was likely to cast his vote for Ollie as manager of the season.

Redknapp said: "If I Iived in Blackpool, I would take the players training on the beach too. When I was at Bournemouth we always used to have a jog, on days like today - we'd wrap up warm, have a run up the beach and stop on the pier for a cup of tea.
"It's important that teams like Blackpool and managers like Ian Holloway are a success. It's been amazing, how he's put a team together there: they just got up through the play-offs and everybody's just looked at them and thought, 'Well, they've got no chance of surviving.'
"But the way they have played has been amazing. Ollie himself was written off after his spell at Leicester and suddenly he took over a team at Blackpool that was struggling to stay in the Championship, and look at them now.
"It's just been unbelievable, fantastic really. It's like going back to the old fairy-stories like Wimbledon coming up and going through the divisions.
"In this day and age when a lot of people try to buy success, you couldn't have found another manager in the world who could have come in and done as well at Blackpool as Ian Holloway.
"Mourinho couldn't have done it, could he? The way he scraped a team together on free transfers, or people that have been here, there and everywhere, and just got them to play... it's been fantastic really.
"You need characters like him. He tells it as it is, what you see is what you get with Ollie. He's done brilliant.
"I don't think I've ever managed a team against him, but I saw him at a League Managers Association meeting at the start of the year and he was absolutely brilliant.
"Sir Alex Ferguson was there, along with everyone else, but he took the meeting over. No one got a word in. I said at the end, 'Ollie, it has been great having you here, you've been great value this year, but I don't think that we will be seeing you next season.'
"He said, 'I think you are right' and I told him, 'Don't worry, at least you can get another Premier League club.' But it looks like he has proved us all wrong. He has done absolutely brilliant.
"One thing I like about Blackpool is that they go for it. They won't sit back and look to hang on or get people behind the ball. They will get right stuck into us. They will steam right into us.
"It is another test for us, but they are not such a surprise now. They went and won away 4-0 in the first game and people thought 'cor blimey' - but they have done it on a regular basis."
Redknapp, who will have midfielder Rafael van der Vaart available again after his recovery from a tweaked hamstring, will give club captain Ledley King a dressing-down after the England defender was pictured looking worse for wear after Spurs' Christmas party.
He said: "I'll speak to Ledley. I had reservations about the players having a party in the first place, but Ledley came to see me and said 'Look, the lads want to go out for a meal' and they all behaved OK apparently.
"What can you do? They have all got big houses, they could have the biggest party in the world if they want to can't they? And when I go home, I don't sit having my dinner thinking, 'I wonder what they are doing.'
"If they want to have a party, they will have a party. If they want to have a drink, they'll have a drink. You can't be 24 hours a day looking after players, it's impossible.





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