It's Christmas, and what else is this festive period about if it isn't presents? Yes, you could mention family, love, and even Jesus at a push, but here at MirrorFootball we know how it really is. So we thought, which player would you like to find under your club Christmas tree? And who better to ask than those dedicated people from all around the country, who dedicate their lives to running a tribute website for your club. We asked them to name two players; firstly a player they want to join who they could realistically see coming, and secondly a fantasy choice, from any club around the world. Here are their answers - and feel free to add your own suggestions by leaving a comment below... Arsenal: Andrew atwww.arseblog.com
1) Realistically I don't see Arsene Wenger signing anyone. Arsene is likely to be Scrooge this Christmas. 2) A dream signing - getting a centre-half for Christmas would be like getting a toaster or something. Even though you need one it's still not exciting. So Lionel Messi. You wouldn't need much wrapping paper either, he's so tiny! Aston Villa: Stuart Young atwww.avillafan.com
1) Realistically, Moussa Sissoko looks like a possibility as there is rumours he wants to return to the Premier League. He is a player we have lacked at Villa for so long, but I still question whether he could be the one to replace Gareth Barry or James Milner. 2) Dream player would have to be Michael Essien. You did say a dream pick and I like Essien more than any other player on the planet. I long to see Essien in a Villa number 5 shirt! Birmingham City: Brian atwww.singingtheblues.co.uk
1) Realistic pick would have to be Robbie Keane. 2) A dream pick for the blues would be Dimitar Berbatov. Blackpool: John Aspinall atwww.seasiderspodcast.co.uk (temporarily A Blackpool FC fans podcast | Welcome to the Seasiders Podcast)
1) David Nugent, because he's got good experience in the League and he's an ex-hero at Preston North End who are our local rivals, so it would be two fingers up to them. 2) Carlos Puyol, because I think he's the best defender in the world, he gets goals, and Barcelona already play in a tangerine kit! Bolton: Antony McLoughlin atwww.boltonwanderers-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic pick would be Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson, swiped from under the noses of Burnley. 2) Emmanuel Adebayor would be a dream pick, that is if Johan Elmander decides to leave. Chelsea: Chelseadaft atwww.chelseadaft.org
1) Realistic pick would be Phil Jones of Blackburn. Has already shown ability to be versatile, and looks to me of being similar to John Terry. Would provide Chelsea with good cover options at Centre Back and also in the middle of Midfield. 2) Dream Signing would be Fernando Torres. A natural finisher who so nearly joined us in the Summer. Alongside Didier Drogba, he would form a devastating partnership that would strike fear in Defences throughout the league. Everton: Simon Paul atwww.NSNO.co.uk
1) The first player most Evertonians would like to find under the Christmas tree would be Landon Donovan. He made such an incredible impact last season and we are crying out for someone with his pace and work ethic on the right again this time around. He's said he'll make a decision on whether he comes back or not when he gets back from his holidays, so we're all keeping our fingers crossed! 2) A dream pick? It'll go against the grain but probably Wayne Rooney - on a free, and with his pay being his tea each matchday rather than any actual money! We desperately need a striker who knows how to score and someone who can knuckle down and work hard for the shirt. Rooney would be that man if he ever came back. Fulham: Kevin Markey atwww.fulham-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic choice would be Robbie Keane from Spurs. He's too good to be a squad player that would fit in nicely in the Fulham side and get us up that table! 2) Dream choice would be David Beckham who could follow in the footsteps of Bobby Moore, George Best and Rodney Marsh at the Cottage by ending an eventful career with a flourish! Liverpool: Matt Ladson atwww.ThisIsAnfield.com
1) Realistic Signing - Ashley Young: We desperately need some pace and goals from midfield, Young is apparently on the radar and we all know how much Roy loves his English players. 2) Dream Signing - A new manager. Failing that, a forward to support Torres, a replacement for Konchesky or take your pick from Eden Hazard, Arda Turan or Juan Mata please. Man City: Ric atwww.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
1) The player I can realistically see coming is Edin Dzeko 2) The dream pick would be Andreas Iniesta. Manchester United: Dave Woods atwww.unitedonline.co.uk
1) Realistically, I'd like Gareth Bale. Thought we made a bit of a mistake not being in for him when Tottenham signed him and it's definitely looking like a great bit of business for Spurs when they cash in on him. 2) Dream pick would have to be Lionel Messi, he'd pretty much be the first name on any team sheet in the world. Pretty sure he'll be at Barcelona for the rest of his career though. Newcastle: Kev Fletcher atwww.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk
1) The "realistic" player would be Liverpool's Glen Johnson. We only have one Premiership quality right-back in Danny Simpson, new signing James Perch has been a massive disapointment. Johnson wouldn't be out of Mike Ashley's financial reach, if our owner thought about the well-being of the playing staff, rather than profit. 2) The "one we could not afford" would be Didier Drogba. Andy Carroll is a fabulous prospect, but he needs someone with international experience to work beside. No disrespect to Shola Ameobi, but I'm sure we could do better. Who better than Drogba? Stoke City: Dan Buxton atwww.stokecity-mad.co.uk
1) The realistic signing would have to be Jermaine Pennant on a permanent transfer. Has been on loan but is due back in Spain in the New Year and Zaragoza have jumped up the fee, they initially wanted £2m but now want £6m! He adds great balance to the team and is sorely missed when he has been unavailable. 2) Fantasy signing would be Michael Essien. TP is never going to change the way he sets his sides up, we will always have two holding central midfielders and I think Essien is easily the best player in this position in the world so would be the best addition we could have and let us dominate games from the middle of the park. Sunderland: Adam Capper atwww.a-love-supreme.com
1) Realistic Target - Danny Welbeck (Permanently) - He has proven himself to be of Premier League quality and has taken to SAFC like a duck to water. He is right with the team spirit and is forming great partnerships up front. Bruce is building a young and strong team here and Welbeck fits the bill. It would be a great loss if we couldn't keep him at the end of the deal. We only need to point out players like Richardson, Bardsley and Frazier Campbell to show just how wrong things can go at Man United. 2) Dream Target - Andres Iniesta - We have an incredible crop of strikers but could really use someone like him with world class to feed them. With him pitching in a few goals as well we'd win the league for sure. Tottenham: Neil Vaughn atwww.spurs-web.com
1) Carlos Tevez - A real quality striker who has proven himself in the Premier League. Unhappy at City, could Harry possibily work his magic and get us that world class centre forward partner we need for Defoe? 2) Cristiano Ronaldo - Bale down the left, Ronaldo down the right. Would there be possibly a better attacking wing pairing than those two? WBA: Iain Bate atwww.wba-mad.co.uk
1) Realistic: We really need another striker with Premier League quality. Somebody who is strong and pacy would be ideal. Although we don't really have any money to spend and our chairman prefers loan deals at this stage of the season. Nicolas Bendtner from Arsenal maybe worth enquiring about! 2) Unrealistic: I suppose that everybody would like to see Lionel Messi in their starting XI - although we've got Jerome Thomas, so he'd struggle to get in the side on the left. The one player I'd really like to see wearing the Blue and White stripes would be Didier Drogba though. He'd fit our style of play perfectly; and when on song, is the best striker in the division. West Ham: John Curle at mirror.co.uk 1) Realistic pick is Yossi Benayoun. A bit part player at Liverpool and Chelsea. We never replaced him after he left for Anfield three years ago. We need a play-maker and he fits the bill. Still a top class player, even at the age of 30. Come back Yossi .. all is forgiven. 2) Dream pick is Yaya Toure. Amazing physique, amazing control, amazing ability. The complete midfielder. Forget Scott Parker, this bloke is the business. Perhaps we can offer him £500 quid a week plus a free plate of pie and mash. Well, he might come! If not .. it must be the god Tevez. Wigan: Bernard Ramsdale atwww.yeoldetreeandcrown.co.uk
1) Shaun Wright-Phillips. Most Wigan Athletic supporters have given up believing that Charles N'Zogbia will be a Latics player after January. Shaun would be an ideal replacement, even if in just a loan capacity. 2) Carlos Tevez. Despite all the perceived/alleged problems that he can give a manager, he is one of the best and hardest working strikers in the world and scoring goals is what the Premier League is all about. Wolves: Gavin atwww.thewolvessite.co.uk
1) For Wolves Id like to have Joleon Lescott back to stop the goals we keep conceding. 2) Dimitar Berbatov to score some for us as hes the top goal scorer in the Premiership at the moment!! Which players would you like for Christmas? Let us know by leaving a comment below...
World Exclusive: Qatar royal family plan £1.5bn takeover of Manchester United Qatar Holdings is owned by the mega wealthy Qatari Royal family. They also founded the Qatar Foundation, which is their route to making charity donations and investing in education, science, research and community development. The Foundation, founded in 1995, is seen as a "non-profit" organisation. It was founded by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and claims to adopt the principle that a "nation's greatest resource is the potential of its people." Qatar Holdings is the business wing with massive worldwide investments. This includes Qatari Diar, the property wing that last week launched a £500m bid to buy a stake in the London Olympic village after the 2012 London Olympics.
Tis the season to be jolly. That is except if you're an Evertonian. This campaign has been anything but jolly so far and after being tipped for a Champions League spot, Everton arrived at a freezing Eastlands just two points above the drop zone. But then David Moyes has proved time after time he is the man for all seasons. He turned Everton around in 2005-06 and again 12 months ago when they lost just twice during a barnstorming second half to the campaign. Moyes still believes it is not too late to engineer another remarkable recovery - and with Tim Cahill anything is possible. Goodness knows where Everton would be without Cahill's goals this season and he is averaging one every two games for the Blues. Despite standing just 5ft 10ins tall, he is one of the best headers of the ball in the Premier League. He has scored more headed goals per game than anyone in the history of the Premier League, more than even the likes of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson. Cahill did more damage with his nut on Monday night as he bagged his third headed goal in his last four appearances against City. His simple free header was his ninth in 17 goals and any striker in the Premier League, let alone an attacking midfielder, would give his best snood for stats like those. He is well on course to beat his best-ever tally for Everton of 12 and incredibly the Aussie international claims he should have more. "I probably should be on a few more goals than I already am," he said. "I think this year I have focused a lot more on trying to stay fit and trying to make sure I complete 90 minutes and that I train every day and don't miss a session Monday to Friday. "As you get older, people question you and they seem to try and find holes in your game. So I want to keep giving my best every single day." It's not hard then to see why Moyes is so upset about losing Cahilll when he heads off next month to compete in the Asian Cup in Qatar. Cahill leaves on January 2 and will be away for a whole month if the Socceroos go all the way and reach the final on January 29. The challenge for Cahill's team-mates is to plug the massive hole he will leave and it is shocking that Everton's strike quartet of Louis Saha, Yakubu, Victor Anichebe and Jermaine Beckford have managed just three league goals between them. It's not too hard to work out what their New Year's Resolution should be. Manchester City 1-2 Everton: Daily Mirror match report Top 10 things we learned from Manchester City v Everton
Why it's vital for English football that Wilshere wins his looming club vs country row with Arsenal
By John Cross Published 23:02 22/12/10
Jack Wilshere has almost guaranteed himself a club versus country row next summer. Wilshere, 18, has made it plain he wants to go to the England under-21s Championships in Denmark. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would almost certainly rather his prodigious midfielder stay at home, enjoy a rare summer off and rest his body. It would be unfair to single out Wenger and Arsenal, but it is easy to do that because Wilshere is one of England's most promising young players. Most clubs will inevitably take a similar view, and that will extend to the under-20s World Cup in Colombia which takes place for three weeks next summer from the end of July. Club versus country rows are nothing new, of course. But they have taken on an extra pertinence since England's abject failure in the World Cup in South Africa last summer. If England are to improve as a footballing nation, then we must embrace tournament football from u-17s, u-19s, u-20s, u-21s and all the way through to the seniors. Spain and Germany do it to great effect. Their best players grow up together, they play football together, they live together in tournaments and it's no coincidence they excel at the senior level. The England set-up, meanwhile, is often hampered by squabbles over players. Spain enforce call-ups. The English Football Association take a more relaxed approach, preferring to pick up the phone to managers as much as send out formal letters. And yet it would appear that the FA's approach is being taken advantage of. Clubs will regularly pull players out of tournaments for no better reason than they can. That's exactly what happened at the last under-20s World Cup in 2009 in Egypt. The under-20s manager Brian Eastick saw his first choice 40 - yes, FORTY - players get pulled out by their clubs. Because there is a clash with club football, the FA can't enforce call-ups. They rely on goodwill. And look what happened. Some of the best young players, including Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Nathan Delfouneso, Fabian Delph, Dan Gosling, Kieran Gibbs, James Tomkins, Freddie Sears, Jack Rodwell and Daniel Sturridge, did not go to Egypt. Watford reserve Jordan Parkes went. He's now at Barnet. England finished bottom of their Group, were thrashed 4-0 by eventual winners Ghana and only managed a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan. The under-20s World Cup is classed by FIFA as their second most important tournament, after the senior World Cup. And we wonder why FIFA don't like us. Not every manager is against it. Sam Allardyce championed Phil Jones' progress at England youth level while in charge of Blackburn, insisting international call-ups and tournaments would only help his progress. I was one of a few journalists to sit down for a chat with Sir Trevor Brooking on Tuesday, the FA's director of youth development. And Trevor can certainly chat. But while Brooking spelt out the need for England to improve, to play the right way, to emulate Spain and, to generate a new Golden Generation for 2018, there is a glaring obstacle in the way: Premier League clubs. For players to develop, according to Brooking, they need to be well versed in tournament football. Who travels well, getting used to being away and, ahead of Brazil in 2014, next summer in Colombia would help with acclimatising to altitude. That's why it's essential that not only are players released for the under-21s, but all of the youth tournaments. Brooking was quick to point out that players shouldn't - and probably won't - be called up for the u-20s if they've been with the u-21s. So next time you see your manager whinge about how players should not be called up and they need a rest, just think on. You may be happy to have your best young player nicely back for pre-season. But don't start complaining if England fail again in Brazil in 2014.
When is the right time to call it quits as a manager? George Graham hasn't had a job since being sacked by Tottenham. His time appears to have gone now, as does Glenn Hoddle's. Ditto Graeme Souness and Paul Jewell, who worked miracles at Wigan. Alan Curbishley did a brilliant job at Charlton - and his stint at West Ham looks increasingly better with every crisis at Upton Park - yet surely he mustn't leave it much longer before finding a permanent position. Gerard Houllier is in a tricky situation at Aston Villa. He's been out of day-to-day management for so long that he now looks past his sell by date.
Villa have gone from having Champions League aspirations to fending off relegation within the space of a few months. How can a squad with good, talented players like Friedel, Dunne, Young and Agbonlahor be struggling so badly? We're told that Villa have some outstanding young players. But do they? Look at the players coming through. They're a touch older than being teenagers, in the main, and generally that normally means they're not destined for the very top. But for Houllier, the criticism doesn't seem to have arrived yet. Odd that. He is very media savvy and it appears to be paying off. Meanwhile, Villa fans are getting restless - already
Why Wenger must buy in January and win the Carling Cup
By John Cross Published 22:59 01/12/10
For a manager so astute and intelligent, Arsene Wenger is either playing dumb or appears to be misreading Arsenal fans and their list of priorities. No-one is disputing Wenger's record as Arsenal boss. The Frenchman has been the club's most successful manager, winning titles, Doubles and is still on course to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages for an 11th consecutive season. After knocking out Wigan and reaching the semi-finals, Wenger seemed almost affronted at the suggestion that the Carling Cup was important. He said winning it was NOT an "obsession." He was quick to stress the importance of being at the top, meaning in the Champions League places. That's as maybe. Arsenal's consistency in the Champions League - without winning it - and the Premier League is the envy of most clubs.
But when I tweeted the other night, after Arsenal had knocked out Wigan, that Wenger had said that winning the Carling Cup should not become an obsession, replies flooded in saying that it should. That's the trouble for Wenger. Arsenal fans have become obsessed with winning a trophy. Any trophy. Just some silverware to end the five-year drought since they last won something with the FA Cup in 2005. Even the Carling Cup would give Arsenal an excuse to enjoy another open top bus parade. Just something to show off come the end of the season. It would also shut people like me up going on about five years without a trophy. Furthermore, Wenger insisting that Arsenal will not buy in January is also unlikely to go down well. This comes just a few weeks after the club announced record profits. What is the point for a football club making lots of money if they are not prepared to spend it to gain more success? Arsenal will never get a better opportunity not just to win a trophy with the Carling Cup but the Premier League as well. Chelsea, title favourites at the start of the season, are showing inconsistencies while Manchester United have looked terrific in flashes but are not an all conquering dominant force. Wenger's Arsenal are sure to be in the title shake-up and yet with another centre half and keeper they could be more than just contenders. They could definitely nail their first Premier League since the Invincibles in 2004. It was a frustration for fans that Arsenal would not buy last January to make a final push for the title. They look in an even stronger position this time and one or two new arrivals would make them an even better bet for the title. But even if they don't win the Premier League, the supporters will be happy with the Carling Cup. It may also be a catalyst for the younger players to break through an important mental barrier holding them back in other competitions and put them on course for a new era of success. Manchester United were going through a relative lean period when they won the League Cup in 2006. That revived the club, put them on course for three back-to-back titles and the European Cup. No-one can underestimate the importance confidence, belief and psychology plays in football. Lifting the Carling Cup at the end of February could break down a barrier in the younger players' head. They would suddenly become winners. There can be no doubt that Wenger does view the Carling Cup differently now. He insists the teams he is fielding this season just reflect the fact that Arsenal are stronger right throughout the squad. I don't actually believe him when he says that. I think the truth lies somewhere in between. The players have grown older, are better and there is more strength in depth. Wenger also wants a trophy but just doesn't want to admit his new-found yearning for the Carling Cup after years of treating it as a nursery school for his youngsters. They will never have a better chance of winning the Carling Cup, especially with all the other members of the Big Four out already. And they will also never have a better chance of winning the Premier League. We all know which is more important to Wenger. But he should also realise that while he regards qualifying for the Champions League as all-important, the dear old Carling Cup has become massive for Arsenal fans.
BENDI ya African Stars ‘Twanga Pepeta' na Jahazi Modern Taarab ni miongoni mwa makundi yaliyoalikwa kutumbuiza katika tamasha la Sauti za Busara linalotarajiwa kufanyika Februari 9 hadi 13 mwakani visiwani Zanzibar. Akizungumza na mwandishi wa habari hizi meneja wa tamasha la Sauti za Busara, Stellah Stephen alisema kuwa mbali ya makundi hayo, kutakuwa na bendi nyingine pamoja na vikundi vya ngoma za asili. Aliyataja makundi mengine kuwa ni Mlimani Park Orchestra ya jijini Dar es Salaam na Culture Musical Club kutoka visiwani Zanzibar. "Maandalizi kuhusiana na tamasha hilo yamekamilika kwa asilimia 95," alisema Stella. Alisema kuwa kwa hivi sasa kamati ya maandalizi imekuwa ikishughulikia maeneo ambayo wasanii watafikia, kabla ya kuanza kwa tamasha hilo mwakani. Alizitaja bendi zingine zitakazotumbuiza tamasha hilo kuwa mbali ya wasanii kutoka Tanzania Bara na Visiwani wengine watatoka Cameroon, Mauritius, Afrika Kusini, Reunion, Senegal na Guinea. Aliongeza kuwa wasanii takriban 400 watashiriki ambapo kutakuwa na vikundi 40 kutoka Tanzania na 20 nchi nyingine.
MKURUGENZI wa Kampuni ya Benchmark Production, Rita Paulsen ‘Madame', amesifu juhudi zinazoonyeshwa na mshindi wa pili wa shindano la Tusker Project Fame kwa mwaka huu, Peter Msechu. Madame Rita alitoa pongezi hizo hivi karibuni jijini Dar es Salaam wakati wa hafla ya kukabidhi zawadi kwa washindi wa shindano la kusaka vipaji vya kuimba nchini (BSS), mwaka huu. Alisema, Msechu ambaye pia amewahi kushika nafasi ya pili katika shindano la BSS mwaka jana, ni mtu mwenye juhudi na suala hilo ndilo linalomfanya hadi leo kuendelea kuwika katika anga hiyo ya muziki. "Msechu ana juhudi ndio maana hadi leo hii anaonekana hivi, ninyi wenyewe ni mashahidi na mlimwona alivyoshiriki katika Tusker Project Fame…wengine wanajisapia," alisema Rita. Alipoulizwa wao kama waandaaji wa BSS wana mpango gani wa kubadili majaji kama yalivyo mashindano ya Tusker Project Fame, Rita alisema hafanyi kazi kwa kuiga wafanyavyo Tusker Project Fame. Alisema, mashindano ya Tusker Project Fame yana utaratibu wake, kama ambavyo BSS wanafanya kwa kuwa wana mashabiki wao na mambo mengine. Hata hivyo alisema, majaji walioshiriki shindano hilo mwaka huu, walitokana na kuchaguliwa na Watanzania tena kwa kura nyingi. Alisema, tofauti na mashindano anayoandaa yeye na Tusker, mashindano hayo yana bajeti kubwa za mamilioni na yanawika Afrika Mashariki tofauti na BSS. Alisema, hata hivyo Watanzania wengi wameweza kuifahamu Tusker Project Fame kutokana na kurushwa na TBC 1. Mshindi wa BSS kwa mwaka huu ni Mariam Mohamed aliyejinyakulia sh milioni 30, akifuatiwa na James Martin (milioni 10) na wa tatu ni Joseph Payne aliyepata sh milioni 5. Wa nne ni Bella Kombo (milioni 1) na wa tano Waziri Salumu.
MWANAMUZIKI anayekimbiza hivi sasa anga la muziki wa kizazi kipya, Chege Chigunda ‘Mtoto wa Mama Saidi', sasa ameamua kuwa mjasiriamali baada ya kufungua duka la nguo. Akizungumza katika mahojiano na kituo kimoja cha radio jijini Dar es Salaam juzi, Chege alisema, duka hilo linalokwenda kwa jina la ‘Chigunda Boutique' liko Kinondoni, litakuwa likiuza nguo zenye ‘lebo' yake pamoja na za wanamuziki wengine. "Hii ni mara yangu ya kwanza kufungua duka na kuingia kwenye ujasiriamali, lakini huu ni mwanzo tu yapo mazuri mengi yatafuata," alisema Chege. Chege amefuata nyayo za wanamuziki wengine wanaomiliki maduka ya nguo hapa jijini kama AY na Lady Jay De ambaye anamiliki pia mgahawa wenye hadhi unaouza samaki wenye majina kama ‘Binti Machozi na Captain' Chege kwa sasa anatamba na nyimbo kama ‘Mkono Mmoja' na ‘Vijana Fungeni Mikanda' alizoimba na Mheshimiwa Temba ambazo zinasumbua kwenye vituo mbalimbali vya radio na runinga.
SHIRIKISHO la Soka Tanzania (TFF) limekana kuchakachua majina ya waamuzi waliopewa beji na Shirikisho la Mpira wa Miguu Duniani (FIFA), hivi karibuni. Kauli hiyo ya TFF, imekuja siku chache baada ya kuibuka malalamiko kutoka kwa baadhi ya waamuzi kuwa, majina yao yalichakachuliwa na Shirikisho hilo tofauti na yaliyopendekezwa na Chama cha Waamuzi (FRAT). Kwa mujibu wa Kaimu Katibu Mkuu wa TFF, Sunday Kayuni, waamuzi waliopewa beji na FIFA, walikuwa na vigezo vilivyoliridhisha Shirikisho hilo hadi kufikia uamuzi wa kuwapa na TFF haikuhusika na tuhuma zinazoelekezwa dhidi yao na waamuzi walitemwa katika mchakato huo. Alisema, kwa mujibu wa FIFA waamuzi wanaotakiwa kupewa beji hizo wanatakiwa kuchezesha bila kukosa ligi Kuu ya nchi yake angalau kwa miaka miwili na kuwa amefaulu jaribio la shirikisho hilo la utimamu wa mwili miezi minne kabla ya tarehe ya mwisho ya mchakato huo, ikiwemo kufaulu vipimo vya afya. Alifafanua kuwa, chama husika kinapaswa kupeleka matokeo yenye mpangilio wa ubora wa waamuzi na alama walizopata kutokana na michezo waliyochezesha miezi 12 kabla ya mchakato wa FIFA, jambo ambalo TFF ililizingatia kwa waamuzi wote waliongia katika mchakato na hakuwa namna yoyote ya kuchakachua majina ya waamuzi hao wanaolalamika. Aidha, Kayuni alifafanua kuwa, walipewa taarifa za mdomo na wakufunzi wa FIFA kuwa waamuzi wa Tanzania walikuwa na matatizo, hivyo wanatakiwa kuliandikia shirikisho lisiwapange katika michezo, jambo ambalo walitekeleza agizo hilo kwa masharti ya kuletewa taarifa ya maandishi inayoeleza matatizo lakini hawakupewa hadi leo. Alisema, wakati wakisubiri taarifa ya maandishi ya FIFA walipokea uteuzi waamuzi hao kwenda kuchezesha mechi nchini Botswana mchezo kati ya nchi hiyo na Namibia na ndipo wao walipoanza kuwatumia katika michezo yao. Kayuni alisema, matatizo waliyonayo waamuzi mpaka sasa hawajafahamishwa na hivyo hawawezi kufanyia kazi kauli ya mdomo inayowataka kuwataka kuwaondoa katika orodha waamuzi hao wa kimataifa.
Hatimaye Yanga wagoma rasmi • Mechi ya kesho nayo hatihati na Dina Ismail
WACHEZAJI wa klabu ya Yanga ya jijini Dar es Salaam jana wamegoma kufanya mazoezi wakishinikiza kulipwa mishahara yao pamoja na fedha za usajili. Taarifa zilizopatikana jana jioni zinasema kwamba, wachezaji hao waliazimia hivyo walipokutana kwenye uwanja wa Uhuru jijini Dar es Salaam kwa ajili ya mazoezi ya kawaida. Pamoja na kugomea mazoezi hayo, wachezaji hao pia walidai hawatocheza mechi yao ya kirafiki dhidi ya AFC Leopards ya Kenya inayotarajiwa kufanyika kesho. Wachezaji hao wanadai shilingi milioni 75, huku kila mmoja akiwa na kiwango tofauti anachodai kulingana na makubaliano yake na uongozi. Ofisa habari wa Yanga, Louis Sendeu, alithibitisha kutokea kwa mgomo huo na kusema uongozi umesikitishwa na kitendo hicho, kwani walikuwa wanayafanyia kazi madai hayo. "Wamekwenda mbali kwa hatua hiyo, kwani walitakiwa kutafuta njia nyingine za kupigania maslahi yao badala ya kugoma, lakini kwa vile wameamua kugoma hatuna la kufanya kwa sasa," alisema. Sendeu aliongeza kuwa, wachezaji hao wameajiriwa kuitumikia Yanga, hivyo suala la kugoma kwao litarudisha nyuma mambo mengi na hasa ikizingatiwa timu ilikuwa katika maandalizi ya mashindano mbalimbali. Hata hivyo, Sendeu alisema uongozi unaendelea kushughulikia suala hilo ili kuhakikisha wachezaji wanaendelea na ratiba yao kama kawaida.
MABINGWA watetezi na vinara wa Ligi Kuu ya soka Tanzania Bara, Simba ya Dar es Salaam, wameahidi kuonyesha kandanda safi leo watakapoikaribisha AF Leopards ya Kenya kwenye Uwanja wa Uhuru jijini. Akizungumza na mwandishi wa habari hizi jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Msemaji wa Simba, Clifford Ndimbo alisema kuwa, kikosi chao kiko vizuri na hakina majeruhi. Alisema kuwa, wanaamini wapenzi na mashabiki watakaohudhuria mechi ya leo kwenye dimba la Uhuru jijini, watasuuzika na kiwango kitakachoonyeshwa. "Kwa kweli maandalizi kuhusiana na mechi yetu ya kesho ‘leo' yanaendelea vizuri na hatuna majeruhi, hivyo tunaahidi burudani nzuri kwa mashabiki wetu," alisema Ndimbo. Alisema kuwa, wanauchukulia mchezo huo kwa umkini wa hali ya juu kama maandalizi na kipimo cha kikosi chao kwa ajili ya michuano Ligi ya mabingwa Afrika. Katika michuano hiyo, Simba imepangwa kuanza na mabingwa wa Comoro timu ya Elan na ikivuka hatua hiyo itakumbana na mabingwa watetezi wa taji hilo TP Mazembe ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasi ya Congo. Lakini wapenzi wengi wa Simba watakuwa na shauku ya kuvishuhudia vitu vya mshambuliaji wao mpya Ally Ahmed Shiboli, aliyesajiliwa katika dirisha dogo, mwezi uliopita.
KOCHA mkuu wa Azam FC, Muingereza, Hall Stewart, ameondoka nchini juzi kwenda kwao kwa ajili ya likizo ya sikukuu za Krismasi na Mwaka Mpya kabla ya kurejea nchini kuendelea kuinoa timu hiyo inayojiwinda na Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara itakayoanza kutimua vumbi Januri 15 mwaka huu. Akizungumza jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Katibu Mkuu wa timu hiyo, Nassoro Idrisa, alisema, wamemruhusu Stewart, kwenda likizo hiyo fupi kwa kuwa ni sikukuu muhimu za mwisho wa mwaka na atarejea Januari Mosi kumalizia programu ya mafunzo aliyoianza hivi karibuni, baada ya kusaini mkataba wa kuinoa timu hiyo. Alisema, wameridhishwa na uwezo wa kocha huyo alioonyesha kwa muda mfupi, ambapo amedhamiria kuiwezesha Azam kutwaa ubingwa wa Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara (VPL) ambao unashikiliwa na ‘Wekundu wa Msimbazi' Simba ambao ndio wanaongoza ligi hiyo. Stewart alijunga Azam FC hivi karibuni kwa mkataba wa miaka miwili akiwa ni Kocha Mkuu wa timu ya Taifa ya Zanzibar ‘Zanzibar Heroes' kuchukua nafasi iliyoachwa na Mbrazil Itamar Amorin ambaye klabu hiyo iliamua kuvunja naye mkataba.
MABONDIA Francis Cheka na Mada Maugo wanatarajiwa kupima uzito Desemba 31 kwa ajili ya kujiandaa na pambano lisilo la ubingwa litakalofanyika Januari Mosi kwenye Ukumbi wa PTA Sabasaba, jijini Dar es Salaam. Akizungumza na Tanzania Daima jijini Dar es Salaam jana, mratibu wa pambano hilo, Kaike Silaji, alisema mabondia hao watapimana uzito majira ya saa 4:00 asubuhi ili wapate muda mzuri wa kufanya maandalizi. Kaike alisema, tayari wamepewa taarifa za siku ya kupima uzito, ambako Cheka anatarajiwa kufika Jumatano na timu yake yenye wachezaji wanane, ambao watapigana katika mapambano ya utangulizi katika pambano lao la kukata na shoka. Alisema kuwa, pambano hilo limeandaliwa kwa ajili ya kuukaribisha mwaka mpya ambapo aliwataka mashabiki na wadau wa mchezo huo kujitokeza kwa wingi siku hiyo ili kujionea pambano lenye kusisimua. Alitoa wito kwa waandishi wa habari kujitokeza kwa wingi siku ya upimaji, ili waweze kupata uthibitisho wa kuingia siku ya pambano hilo ambapo asiye fika siku hiyo hataruhusiwa kuingia Januari mosi.
Rafael Benitez's transfer demands cost him Inter Milan job, says Massimo Moratti
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti admitted he lost patience with Rafael Benitez after the Spaniard demanded money to spend in the January transfer window.
Time's up: Rafael Benítez has been sacked as manager of Inter Milan Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Telegraph staff and agencies 6:36PM GMT 23 Dec 2010
But he remained tight-lipped over the identity of Benitez's successor with former AC Milan boss Leonardo reportedly set for the post.
The Serie A side confirmed this afternoon an agreement had been reached over the termination of Benitez's contract. Talks had been ongoing between the former Liverpool coach's agent and the Inter hierarchy to find a resolution.
"I'm sorry the relationship with Benitez is over, but the split had now become inevitable," ANSA quoted Moratti as saying.
With Benitez back in Liverpool, his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon met yesterday with Inter vice-president Rinaldo Ghelfi and technical director Marco Branca, as well as the club lawyer Angelo Capellini in a bid to thrash out a compensation package.
Benitez's future at the San Siro had looked bleak since he appeared to issue an ultimatum after leading Inter to success in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.
The Spaniard called for Moratti to back him in the upcoming transfer market after an otherwise poor start to the season, which has left the Nerazzurri well off the pace in the league, or dispense with his services. The Inter president said in Gazzetta Dello Sport: "Maybe I was not very satisfied, regardless of the statements (from Benitez), up to the success in the Club World Cup, but then after the statements of the coach I no longer had any desire or patience to get on with it. "If he had not made those statements would he have remained? I don't know." Brazilian Leonardo, who had two spells at Inter's great rivals Milan as a player and also served as technical director and last season as coach of the Rossoneri, is widely expected to be appointed to replace Benitez. But Moratti was giving little away. He said to ANSA: "All the names that circulate about the next Inter coach are interesting." Asked if it would be Leonardo, he told reporters: "We'll see, I will tell you when we decide. "All the people we have in mind are experienced, brave and intelligent. However, when the time comes we'll tell." Asked if former Inter and Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga, currently in charge of Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, was also a candidate, he said: "We'll see." Despite his time at the San Siro turning sour so quickly, Benitez does not bear a grudge against his former employers. "I want to thank everyone for the support received during my experience at Inter," ANSA quoted Benitez as saying. "I want to thank personally and on behalf of my staff, players, employees of the club and fans who have placed their trust in us. "The two titles we won were the result of the commitment of all those who have been on our side, maintaining the basic principles of professionalism, education, respect and dedication to the club. "Regardless of the sadness that is natural when you leave a big club like Inter, we take with us the joy of the memories of the fans who welcomed us after winning the Club World Cup. "I would also like to greet the players, staff and employees who, because of the holiday period, I can personally greet in the coming days. I wish all of them, as well as the club and the fans, the greatest sporting success for the future. "Finally, it is incumbent on my part to thank president Massimo Moratti for choosing me as coach." The five-time reigning Serie A champions sit seventh in the 2010-11 table while they only qualified second in their Champions League group behind competition debutants Tottenham. Inter's season has been undermined by injuries, but with a 13-point gap to make up to leaders and city rivals Milan Benitez came under intense fire just six months into the job. Benitez always had a tough task in succeeding Jose Mourinho, who led Inter to the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles last season before leaving for Real Madrid in the summer. Injuries to key personnel like Wesley Sneijder have not helped his cause, but the Nerazzurri have won just six of their 15 league games this term. They lie closer to the relegation zone than the top of the standings. BIG PAY OFFS £12m Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, September 2007) £7.5m Luiz Felipe Scolari (Chelsea, February 2009) £6m Rafael Benitez (Liverpool, June 2010) £3m Mark Hughes (Manchester City, December 2009) £3m Sven Goran Eriksson (England, July 2006)
Inter Milan appoint Leonardo as Rafael Benitez's successor
Brazilian coach named as the new manager of European and Italian champions Inter Milan, taking over from the sacked Rafael Benítez.
New beginnings: Leonardo is the ffith manager to have been in charge of both AC Milan and Inter Milan Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Telegraph staff and agencies 7:22PM GMT 24 Dec 2010
"Leonardo has just signed a contract with Inter until June 30, 2012," said a statement on the club's official website. "Everybody at Inter wishes to welcome Leonardo. He will take charge from December 29 when training resumes. The club will make an announcement over the next few days regarding his official presentation.
"We are sure that with his class, experience and winning mentality the club and the team can achieve the results that everyone at Inter and all the Inter fans want to see."
The 41-year-old Leonardo, who played in Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning squad and speaks five languages, spent a season in charge at AC Milan from 2009-2010 as successor to Chelsea-bound Carlo Ancelotti.
Defending league champions Inter are currently seventh in Serie A, 13 points adrift of their bitter city rivals although they do have two games in hand.
Leonardo spent 12 years at AC Milan – four as a player, seven as part of the backroom staff and one as coach when he took the club to third place in the championship before leaving in the aftermath of a bitter fallout with owner Silvio Berlusconi. As well as attempting to boost Inter's league position, Leonardo also has a last-16 Champions League date against Bayern Munich on February 23 and March 15 in a repeat of last season's final. Inter captain Javier Zanetti said the appointment of Leonardo was the right move. "I know Leonardo well. He is a very intelligent person, someone who is always on the ball," said Zanetti. "He has a lot to give as a coach thanks to the experiences he gathered as a player and as a man." Media reports in Italy suggested that Leonardo, the fifth man to have coached both Milan clubs, will be paid around 2.5 million euros a year. Benítez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, had only been in the Inter post since July after leaving Anfield by mutual consent. But he failed to convince the Inter fans that he could repeat the success of Mourinho who secured the domestic double and the Champions League trophy last season. Benítez had looked to have ensured he would stay in the post with Saturday's 3-0 World Club Cup final win over Tout Puissant Mazembe in Abu Dhabi and was warmly embraced by Inter President Massimo Moratti. However, the 50-year-old used the post-match press conference to attack the Inter board over transfer policy, an outburst which eventually persuaded Moratti to seek a new man for the San Siro hot seat
Arsenal v Chelsea: Ashley Cole warns former club Chelsea are back to their best
Ashley Cole has warned Arsenal that Chelsea are ready to fire after finally getting all their big names back ahead of Monday's night's derby clash.
Watch your back: Ashley Cole insists Chelsea's slump is behind them and they are back to their best in time to play Arsenal Photo: EPA
By Telegraph staff and agencies 1:38PM GMT 25 Dec 2010
The faltering Premier League champions will be at full strength for the first time in four months at the Emirates Stadium, where they romped to a 3-0 win last season.
Chelsea are on their worst run in the league for more than a decade, having won just one of their last seven games and slumping from top to fourth spot. Injuries to the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien hit them hard but all three are back, with star midfielder Lampard set to start his first game since August.
And England left back Cole is confident Chelsea can reignite their title defence with a victory over his former club.
"We've been disappointing in our last six games and it's a big contrast to how we started the season, but we have a lot of big players back to fitness and it's going to give us a boost," he said.
"Any team who has their top players out is going to be affected.
"The players who have come in have done a good job but you're always going to miss JT, Lamps and Essien. We seem to play better when they are all in the team; hopefully we can start to push on. "They're major players for us and we have missed their personalities, desire, will to win and leadership. "We have been unlucky in games, even though we haven't been playing well. We have still had a lot of shots and chances. "It has not gone our way but, now the big guys are back, hopefully we can turn our season around because it is getting to the important part. "We're fourth in the table; we have to get back on track and start winning again." Manager Carlo Ancelotti yesterday claimed Arsenal were "afraid" of Didier Drogba, who has scored 13 goals in 13 games against them. The Ivory Coast striker has not been in top form this season following a malaria scare and also had to cope with the pressure of the captaincy in Terry's absence. Cole added: "It was hard for Didier to get the guys' morale up and focused. But now everyone is back, everyone is going to come together again and push on." Arsenal are a point better off than Chelsea in the table but this did not stop Manchester United winger Nani dismissing their title chances this week. Ancelotti disagrees with that assessment, saying: "Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have an opportunity and the skill to fight for the title until the end. "It will be a race with balance because a lot of teams have the ability to win, not just United." And despite Chelsea boasting five wins in their last five meetings with the Gunners, Ancelotti will take nothing for granted on Monday. "Either team can win this game," he said. "It will be an exciting game in this period. I'm happy to play this game because we've moved on from the bad moment and we're able to come back and fight for the title." Ancelotti yesterday bemoaned a fixture schedule that sees his side play Bolton less than 48 hours after Monday night's match. He is understandably reluctant, therefore, to set a points target for the hectic festive period, saying: "It's difficult to think about this. "It's easier to think that we have to do our best to win against Arsenal and then against Bolton."
Aston Villa Gerard Houllier has said Ashley Young will leave the club in the new year if the right amount of money is offered. (Mirror) The Frenchman has also said the club will keep veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel in January, if the American feels fit to continue playing. (Clubcall) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham City Securing the signature of Robbie Keane is believed to be the top priority for Alex McLeish this January. (Guardian) Steven Carr has called on the club to bring in reinforcements in January to guarantee the club's Premier League safety. (Birmingham Mail) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Blackburn Rovers Stand-in manager Steve Kean has said he will sell Chris Samba but as yet has had no enquiries about the out-of-favour centre-back. (Mirror) Blackburn turned down a £10m bid for teenager Phil Jones last summer. (Lanacashire Telegraph) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Blackpool David Vaughan is ready to commit his future to Blackpool, but won't sign a new deal unless it's right for him. (Clubcall) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton Wanderers Bolton target Sergio Canales of Real Madrid will not make a move to the Reebok Stadium, according to his father. (Goal.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea Nicolas Anelka will follow his countryman Thierry Henry's lead and leave Chelsea to join MLS in the USA. (Star) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Everton Everton face a battle with Aston Villa to sign Middlesbrough defender David Wheater. (Mail) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham Fulham are favourites to sign Spurs midfielder David Bentley on loan. (Eat Sleep Sport) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool Roy Hodgson is poreparing to make a £5 million bid to land Stoke defender Robert Huth. (Mirror) Liverpool's manager has also revitalised his interest in FC Twente attacking midfielder Bryan Ruiz. (Tribal Football) The club are also eblieved to be eager to sign Manchester City's Michael Johnson who has struggled to secure a first team place at Eastlands. (caughtoffside.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Manchester City The £38m asking price Wolfsburg have put on striker and City target Edin Dzeko may force Roberto Mancini to turn his attention back to Liverpool's Fernando Torres. (Mail) Hamburg will offer out-of-favour striker Jo a route out of Eastlands. (Mail) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Manchester United United target Leighton Baines says he will not be leaving Everton in January. (Metro) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Newcastle Steven Taylor will stay at Newcastle, and has hailed the arrival of Alan Pardew at the club. (Star) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke City Fringe player Andrew Davies is hoping for a permanent move back to boyhood club Middlesbrough. (Clubcall) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sunderland Steve Bruce will be forced to work with what he has, due to poor crowds affecting his transfer kitty. (Tribal Football) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Tottenham Hotspur Former Arsenal striker Julio Baptista has been offered a deal by Spurs. (TalkSPORT) ------------------------------------------------------------- West Bromwich Albion Roberto Di Matteo plans to only bring in players that he feels will improve his squad in January, and not spend for the sake of it. (Tribal Football) ---------------------------------------------------------------- West Ham United Robbie Keane's move to Upton Park is in danger of collapsing because of the cash demands the transfer will place on the club. (Waltham Forest Guardian) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Wigan Athletic Manchester City and Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Wigan loan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. (Clubcall) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Wolverhampton Wanderers Mick McCarthy's plans to bring Joleon Lescott back to the club have been scuppered, as Manchester City have no plans to loan out the defender. (Mail)
Liverpool's new owners have made clear there will be no emotional return to the club for Rafa Benitez. The Spanish coach has returned to his home on Merseyside after being sacked less than six months into his reign at Inter Milan. Already some Reds fans are calling for the *Champions League-winning boss to be brought back by the new regime, after being sacked by the previous owners in June. But John Henry and Tom Werner, the men behind NESV, who completed a takeover of Liverpool two months ago, have privately indicated there is no way back for Benitez. Both owners have a good relationship with current manager Roy Hodgson and publicly defended him when asked about his job by supporters on a TV question-and-answer session
Tenga was appointed to oversee the process leading up to the elections.
Fifa has appointed an eight-man committee to organise elections in Kenyan football in April 2011. Among those named on the committee are former internationals Joe Masiga and Nahashon "Lule" Oluoch. The announcement was made at a press conference in Nairobi by Leodegar Tenga, who heads the region's football body Cecafa. "The overall mandate of Independent Electoral Board is to deliver free and fair elections," said Tenga, who is also the Tanzanian FA Chairman. Joe Okwach, a Kenyan lawyer, will head the Independent Electoral Board (IEB). Kenyan football has been embroiled in a leadership tussle for several years, pitting two factions, the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) and Football Kenya Limited (FKL), against each other. The FKL is currently recognised by Fifa as the legitimate managers of football in the country. Meanwhile the KFF insists FKL is a private company and should not be in charge of Kenyan football. Fifa now says the KFL must convert to an association after the elections. "This is a directive from Fifa and does not only affect Kenya," Tenga said during Thursday's press conference. "It [comes] as a result of complaints from the African body Caf which is also against a private company running football,'' he stated. Tenga, a former international footballer for Tanzania and a member of Fifa's Associations Committee, was appointed by football's world governing body to monitor and follow up the process leading up to the elections. He was accompanied at the conference by another Fifa representative Ashford Mamelodi from Botswana. Tenga listed some of the IEB's other duties ahead of the elections. They include: publishing electoral guidelines, supervision of the registration process and managing the members register as well as supervising the election. The IEB is also mandated with announcing the results of the elections. Kenya's sports minister Paul Otuoma, who attended the press conference, welcomed the setting up of the IEB and was optimistic it would organise and supervise credible elections. On his part, chairman of the FKL, Mohammed Hatmy, denied the setting up of the IEB was an indication of a lack of confidence in his leadership. "We will give them all the support they need," said Hatmy "We also want a fair election that will end our problems," he concluded. Contrary to some reports, Hatmy also said he had not decided whether or not to stand in the elections.
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