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Giggs will be next United boss - LVG

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Louis van Gaal believes Ryan Giggs will succeed him as Manchester United manager.

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Louis van Gaal has said he believes Ryan Giggs will succeed him as Manchester United manager.

Van Gaal, 63, is nearing the end of his first season in charge at Old Trafford and is contracted to the club until 2017.

“I expect that he will be the next manager after I am gone,” he told the club's MUTV channel about the future of Giggs, the Dutchman's assistant since he took over last May.

“Now I have the responsibility. He has tasks that he has to perform like the players. What he has to do, for me, he does it very well,” added Van Gaal.

Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances for United, took charge of the team for four matches last season after David Moyes was sacked.

The Welshman won two games, drew one and lost one while at the helm. – Reuters

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Hazard was too pricey - Wenger

Arsene Wenger insists he isn’t haunted by his decision to back out of signing Eden Hazard in 2012.

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Arsene Wenger insists he isn’t haunted by his decision to back out of signing Eden Hazard in 2012.

Talks got to such an advanced stage that Hazard’s agent discussed the move at Wenger’s house, but the Frenchman ruled he could not compete financially with Chelsea, who landed this season’s stand-out player for £32million from Lille.

Wenger said: ‘I have no big regrets because at the time there was so much financially, so much money involved, we could not afford it. And (I could) not defend it, honestly. It was not feasible for us financially.’

Hazard and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez are competing for the PFA player of the year award and Wenger said: ‘It’s very close... I think everybody would agree Hazard has had a great season.’ – Daily Mail

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Barcelona reunion for Guardiola

Pep Guardiola will return to face his former club Barcelona after the draw for the Champions League semi-finals paired the Catalans with Bayern Munich.

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Pep Guardiola will return to face his former club Barcelona after the draw for the Champions League semi-finals paired the Catalans with Bayern Munich while holders Real Madrid were drawn against Juventus.

Barcelona, who are in the last four for the seventh time in eight seasons, will be at home to the Bundesliga side in the first leg on May 6 with the return at the Allianz Arena on May 12.

Guardiola won the European Cup as a player with Barcelona in 1992 and then won 14 trophies in four seasons as coach, including the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.

He had made way for Tito Vilanova by the time Barca were destroyed 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern in the semi-finals in 2013, when the German giants went on to win the trophy.

“When you play in the semi-finals, you always get a big team. I have great respect for them and I am very, very happy to have had this experience in my life, but at the end of the day it's a football match,” said Guardiola.

“Of course it is special for me and very, very emotional, whether it is one game or two.”

“Of course, only football can write stories like this,” remarked Bayern's sporting director Matthias Sammer.

“We know we'll be facing a good opponent. It's a great situation to be in and I'm looking forward to it hugely.”

After leaving in 2012, Guardiola did not go back to the Camp Nou until he attended Barcelona's victory over Manchester City in the last 16 last month.

His old side are now coached by Luis Enrique, alongside whom he played at Barcelona in the 1990s.

“It is a special game because Pep is on the other side. It will be the first time that he has faced his Barca, it will be the first time that I have faced him as a coach which will be special for me, and I am sure it will be for my players,” said Luis Enrique, who did not seem too concerned about having to play the first leg at home.

“We have played 10 games in the Champions League, and we have won nine and lost one, playing both home and away.”

Meanwhile, Madrid go to Italy for the first leg of their tie against Serie A leaders Juventus on May 5 as they look to become the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.

The tie is a repeat of the 1998 final, which Madrid won 1-0 in Amsterdam, and the Spanish side will be fancied to come out on top on this occasion too.

“We will face a legendary club, I think it is good news for football and the Champions League that Juventus have returned to this level and obviously it will be a very even tie,” said former Real player Emilio Butragueno, now the club's Director of Institutional Relations.

“We faced them last year, they are a very competitive team and hopefully we can recover the injured players to be able to face this tie at our maximum level.”

The 10-time European champions beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in a tense quarter-final despite being without the injured Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, although coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident that at least the latter two will be fit for the semi-finals.

Italian Ancelotti played in the last team to win the European Cup in successive seasons, the AC Milan side of 1989 and 1990, and coached Juventus between 1999 and 2001.

Juventus, who will go to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return on May 13, are through to their first Champions League semi-final since losing on penalties to Ancelotti's Milan in the 2003 final.

They are the outsiders in the last four, with Barcelona, Bayern and Madrid having racked up 13 semi-final appearances between them in the last six seasons and having won the Champions League four times between them over the same period.

However, they beat the then-holders Madrid in the semi-finals in 2003, and former player Pavel Nedved, now an ambassador for the club, said: “This reminds me of something.

“They are monsters. We are happy to be competing with these three teams, who are the best sides in the world. I have great confidence in the team.”

This year's final will be played in Berlin on Saturday, June 6. – AFP

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Ajax out to secure Cup final spot

Ajax Cape Town are seeking progression to the final ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against SuperSport United.

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Johannesburg – Ajax Cape Town are seeking progression to the final ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against SuperSport United at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town.

The youthful Cape side under coach Roger de Sa are confident they can get a result against a well-drilled SuperSport outfit.

“The guys are well motivated and they’ve been looking forward to it for quite some time,” said De Sa.

“We haven’t reached this stage for a couple years, and with our young squad we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully we can stay in it.”In the two previous league encounters between the sides, Ajax played out to a goalless draw in December in Cape Town and beat SuperSport 2-1 in the return fixture in March.

“It’s good that we won one and drew one, they haven’t beaten us yet.

“But you can’t look to much into that. I think we’ve got to focus on our game and it’s quite different to be playing a cup semi-final to a PSL match.”

Ajax were currently placed sixth in the league table, with the prospect of moving further up in the four remaining games. Cup success and a top finish in the league would go down well according to defender Nazeer Allie.

“We’re having a fantastic season – in the top eight in the league and in the semis here,” said Allie.

“But we really want to make it one of those seasons you don’t forget by making the final.”

On Sunday, Mamelodi Sundowns attempt to salvage something from their season when they take on National First Division side Vasco da Gama at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Sundowns were officially dumped out of the league title race on Wednesday with Kaizer Chiefs clinching league honours with a 4-1 victory over Polokwane City. With the race to the championship over, even more emphasis would be on garnering some silverware this season according to Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.

“We are playing Vasco and we are expected to win,” said Mosimane.

“It’s a must win for us if we are serious about gaining something this year, we need to win this game and do it convincingly.”

The final nail in the coffin of The Brazilians’ title challenge came with a crushing 5-0 loss to Bloemfontein Celtic last week, but they rebounded with a 1-1 draw against Platinum Stars on Wednesday, albeit handing the trophy to Chiefs in the process.

“When I look at the last two games we are progressing well,” said Mosimane.

“The game against Celtic was not that impressive, but with the one against Platinum Stars there was some improvement, especially in the second half. I just want to finish the season on a high.

“I saw that Sundowns is back again after the draw against Platinum Stars. We are not going to take Vasco for granted. They are an awkward team with a very good coach in Tony de Nobrega.” – ANA

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No chance of Hazard leaving - Jose

Jose Mourinho insists top midfielder Eden Hazard will not be leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid.

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Jose Mourinho insists top midfielder Eden Hazard will not be leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid.

The Belgium playmaker was the target of praise from Bernabeu insider Zinedine Zidane, prompting speculation Hazard could be a summer target for the Spanish club.

But Chelsea manager Mourinho is adamant there is no risk of Hazard wanting to leave Stamford Bridge after signing a five-and-a-half year contract to remain at the club earlier this year.

He said: “He has just signed a new contract. We didn't put a gun against his head. He had lots of time to think about it.

“He had the family to assist him in his analysis. He likes Chelsea, he likes the league, he likes the team.

“He made a commitment for the future of the team by signing up. It is a very good contract. I don't think he is interested in anything else.”

Zidane bracketed the Chelsea man with Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Messi when singling out players he likes currently.

Hazard is a strong favourite to dominate the domestic player of the year awards after an impressive season with Chelsea.

But while Mourinho agrees with the former France international's assessment of his player's standing, but insists individual recognition is secondary to the achievements of his team who are poised to clinch the Premier league title.

The manager said: “I think he is now (among the top three players in the world) but this is not our culture in this country, it's not our culture in the club. And it's not even my culture as a coach to be going in the direction; 'the best, the second best, the third best..'

“I would say that in this moment he is a fantastic player. I always say that the most important thing is the team target and the objective for this season is for the team.

“If he wins the Premier League, his season is absolutely fantastic. If on the top of that he has some individual awards, it's nice.”

Chelsea can move a step closer towards clinching the title if they can beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Victory will move them 13 points clear of Arsene Wenger's side with just five games remaining and the game will carry an added edge for Cesc Fabregas who will make a first return to his former club since joining Chelsea from Barcelona last June.

The former Arsenal captain could receive a mixed reception but Mourinho insists his player will remain unaffected.

He said: “I am not worried about that. Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge without any kind of problem and got a good reception.

“I don't see a reason for Cesc Fabregas to have the same at the Emirates.

“But if he has some bad reactions, I think he is one of the players who is more than ready. He played at Barcelona in a Arsenal shirt so I don't see him playing at the Emirates in a Chelsea shirt.”

Diego Costa remains doubtful with a hamstring injury while Loic Remy is definitely out, prompting Mourinho to put teenage striker Dominic Solanke on standby for a possible Premier League debut.

Mourinho said: “Didier Drogba for sure, he's good, he's fine. Remy not, for sure. And Diego, let's take a decision tomorrow.

“Diego is a very important player for us but the reality is we are coping with the difficulties of every match without him. Remy did well for us, Didier is doing well for us. The team is playing in a different way, we are doing our job.

“We played amazingly well during most part of the season, scoring a lot of goals and controlling the games very, very well by having very good quality in our possession.

“But in the last few weeks we have played in a different way. We have been more strategic and less artistic.” – AFP

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Five keys to Chiefs’ success

Television analyst Farouk Khan tells Matshelane Mamabolo the five key aspects to Chiefs' PSL title triumph.

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We are all agreed that Kaizer Chiefs were deserving winners of the 2014/15 Absa Premier-ship title, Amakhosi capturing their second championship in three seasons with three matches left to spare.

But what was it that made Stuart Baxter’s team better than the rest? What were the keys to their dominating the season as much as they did? Farouk Khan, a former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach and championship winner with Mamelodi Sundowns who is now a television analyst, tells Matshelane Mamabolo that there were five key aspects to Chiefs’ triumph.

Flawless start

The general saying in football is that “a good start means a good finish”. Of course this was not the case for Chiefs last season as they dropped the ball towards the end, but they got it right this time. To go 19 matches unbeaten – that’s almost two thirds of a season – will always make you unstoppable and this is what really put them in a good position. And of course their case was helped by the fact that Sundowns had a topsy-turvy start.

Solid defence

They have only conceded 12 goals in 27 matches, which is fantastic and it only happened because they had a very good defence. Their two towers (Erick) Mathoho and Tefu (Mashamaite) were superb and even when (Itumeleng) Khune was injured, young Brilliant (Khuzwayuo) could go into goal with some confidence in the knowledge that he had a protective wall in front of him.

Well structured and organised tactical approach

I’ve not seen such an organised team in our league in a long time. Chiefs players always looked like they knew what to do and when to do it – whether they were in possession or not. The structure of the team was always evident and even when the likes of (Kingston) Nkhatha or later (Matthew) Rusike were running up front, you could tell there was a plan to their running.

Tactical discipline

This is basically about players knowing what to do and when to do it. You could see that the likes of Tsepo Masilela knew when to make the overlap and when to stay at the back. You never saw Mashamaite wandering aimlessly up front and often when he did it was to good effect. Willard Katsande hardly ever left the heart of the midfield and on the few occasions he did, a teammate always came in to plug the gap he left.

Grinding out results

Championship sides are those who win matches they should have drawn or draw matches they should have lost. Chiefs did this on a number of occasions and I particularly remember how they managed to eke out a win against AmaTuks via that Shabba free-kick when it looked like they might only get a point. Also that win over AmaZulu after they had a tough trip to Morocco. - The Star

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Mouth-watering CL semis

Barcelona will face Bayern Munich and Juventus will take on holders Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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Barcelona will face Bayern Munich and Juventus will take on holders Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League after the draw was made.

The draw throws up the tantalising prospect of seeing former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola return to face his former club with his current charges Bayern, with the first leg to be played at the Camp Nou.

The sides met in the semi-finals two years ago, when Bayern hammered Tito Vilanova's Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate on the way to winning the trophy.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid must go to Italy for the first leg of their tie against Serie A leaders Juventus as they look to become the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.

The tie is a repeat of the 1998 final, which Madrid won 1-0 in Amsterdam.– AFP

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Rodgers needs a good transfer window

Brendan Rodgers has spent around £215m on transfers in his three years at Anfield. What does he have to show for it?

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In the room where he has shared 1 000 ambitions, just as many strategies and no few dreams these past three years, Brendan Rodgers sat down once again yesterday to say that Liverpool would rise and that he would be at their helm when it happened.

Even his characteristic sheen could not disguise that it was hard to come back to this training ground and start over.

The central plank of his defence of Sunday's desperate, confused, desultory FA Cup semi-final defeat by Aston Villa - “Give me the tools” - was standard managerial issue, the inference being that it is not his fault that he has become the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s not to win a trophy in his first three seasons.

There was certainly some justification in that. The manager's latest bout of uncertainty about when he might next be able to call upon Daniel Sturridge - “we're unsure at the moment”, he said, for the umpteenth time, yesterday - crystallised what a cavernous hole he has had in the goal-scoring department since Luis Suarez left last summer. No one could have foretold that.

But Rodgers sanctioned the spending that Liverpool have made - £215m over those three years - and where some of this man's shine has gone is in that conviction of his that he is the alchemy manager. The one capable, through sheer force of communication and power of motivation, of curing the madness of Mario Balotelli, bringing out the brilliance that Liverpool saw in Lazar Markovic, while Manchester United and Chelsea took a look and concluded he was not world class.

It is Rodgers' conviction that he can alter the innate course of a player's career which informs his dubious record in the transfer market. His associated conviction that he can engineer the course of a match with his tactical manipulations leads him to place himself far more at the centre of events than others.

Twice altering formation at Wembley - from 3-5-2 to 4-2-3-1 on 25 minutes and again to 4-3-3 at half-time, when withdrawing the desolate Markovic for Balotelli - simply left a side wondering what to do next. Rodgers made it all too complicated.

Liverpool fans have been discussing all week the Wembley statistic they see as most symptomatic of the malaise. Their team committed five fouls. Give us more trench warfare, less tactical faff, they say.

That criticism is complicated, because the 3-4-3 model Rodgers dreamed up in the midst of a personal torture last autumn - pacing his kitchen in Formby late at night, fearing for his job, wondering how to revive his team - was a piece of genius. An insider observed as the 3-4-3 began to bear fruit that it would not last forever and that other teams would cotton on to how to deal with it and those words feel prescient now. But Rodgers rescued the season in his kitchen and for that, above all else, his position should be unimpeachable.

“This isn't a group of ready-made players used to winning. I've not taken over a machine that for 10 years was winning trophies,” Rodgers said.

Yet his appreciation of that Bob Paisley era might have taught him the very different approach adopted by the most successful manager of them all. Paisley didn't fiddle. He only used substitutes in 11 games in the entire 1978-79 season. And Liverpool exuded such emphatic certainty about all they did.

That story belongs to more benign commercial years, of course, when there was no commercial juggernaut from Manchester or London to contend with in the transfer market. But the players bought in those days were Liverpool material, not those who could be turned into such metal by the force of the manager's personality.

Liverpool's attempts at spotting tomorrow's winners in the transfer market must surely be done now. This summer must be about spending the additional money which will give them more certainty about their single most significant acquisition this summer - a striker. “We've enough potential and players we can develop and improve,” Rodgers rightly said. “But I think it is definitely starters we [now] need and we have to be really forceful to get them.”

The names in the frame for Liverpool - Burnley's Danny Ings and Manchester City's James Milner - are typical of Anfield targets of recent years: those buyable on the cheap because they are untested at the very top level or verging on being out of contract.

But there is nothing in Ings' game to suggest he will take Liverpool to the promised land. Nor Divock Origi - who finally arrives from Lille as very much a work in progress. These players will not do.

Rodgers' Liverpool future rests on him persuading his club's owners to abandon the idea they are smarter than the rest, to pay just the same money as all the rest, and then wait for his proclamations to bear fruit.

Reds in decline - their fall in numbers:

Goals scored by Liverpool after 32 league games last season - compared with just 47 after 32 this term

The Reds are 14 points worse off than at the same stage last year

Defeats for Liverpool in their last five matches in all competitions – The Independent

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Europa League dilemma for Spurs

Mauricio Pochettino returns to Southampton trying to keep his Tottenham Hotspur side on course for the prize that he clearly does not really desire.

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Enfiled, England - Mauricio Pochettino returns to his old club Southampton trying to keep his Tottenham Hotspur side on course for the prize that he clearly does not really desire.

Tottenham are sixth in the Premier League, one above Southampton, and should they remain there they would automatically be rewarded with a Europa League spot.

The nature of Europe's secondary club competition means Thursday night trips to far flung destinations and lots of Sunday kickoffs in the Premier League - a routine that puts an inevitable strain on domestic ambitions.

Tottenham slogged their way through to the Europa League last 32 this season before losing to Fiorentina, extra games that appear to have damaged their top-four challenge.

“The Europa League is not an easy competition, it's very tough, because it effects your domestic league,” Pochettino, who transformed Southampton's fortunes in his 18-months on the south coast and took them to eighth, told reporters at Tottenham's training ground on Thursday.

“I confirm because that was always my opinion at Southampton and I confirm that it's very difficult to manage the Europa League with the Premier League and domestic cups.”

The only time Tottenham have played in the Champions League, under Harry Redknapp in 2010-11, they were not involved in Europe the season before and ended fourth in the Premier League.

“Maybe we would have been closer (to top four) this season,” he said. You spend a lot of energy when you play in the Europa League.”

Tottenham are seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City so they are still mathematically in the hunt for a top-four finish, but the Europa League is the more likely destination.

Even if Tottenham collapsed in the run-in they would almost certainly finish seventh and should Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final that would also seal a Europa League spot.

Pochettino said he just wants a strong finish to what he calls a “transition” season at White Hart Lane.

“In football you need to always try to be positive and to win,” he said. “If we achieve the Europa League maybe it's not the supporters' dream or the players dream but maybe it's good for the financial side of the club.

“The most important thing is to be ambitious and understand we need to build a strong team for next season and fight for the top four. You have to be competitive and ambitious.” – Reuters

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I’m the best man for Reds - Brendan

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes he is the best man to lead the club and he expects to be in charge next season.

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London - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed speculation about his job by saying he is the best man to lead the club and that he expects to be in charge next season.

The Northern Irishman came out fighting on Thursday after defeat by Aston Villa in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final ensured he became the first Liverpool manager since the 1950s not to win silverware in his first three seasons in charge.

The club are currently out of the Champions League qualification places and have developed a reputation for stumbling on the big occasion.

Rodgers has also come in for criticism for last season's recruitment policy that saw several players arrive in the wake of striker Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona.

He does not feel, however, that his job is under any immediate threat.

“Do I expect to be manager next season? Very much so, yes. I don't think there's anyone better,” Rodgers told reporters.

“That's the reality of how I see it. Three months ago I was a tactical genius, performing to a good level.

“We lost a couple of games, some important games, and now you're not so good. But that is football, that's what will happen, people will speculate.”

Outgoing Borussia Dortmund manager Juergen Klopp, who announced last week that he was quitting the German club at the end of the season, has been linked by British media with a move to Anfield.

“There will always be people linked with this job because it's such a great club,” Rodgers added.

“In my time alone there have been lots of names mentioned. This is a club that's worldwide so there's absolutely no problem, it's something that happens all the time if you lose a couple of games.

“We've had former managers linked here with the job before and that will continue for however long I'm here - whether you're doing good, bad or indifferent.”

Liverpool, who are fifth in the Premier League and seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, visit West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. – Reuters

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Sunderland’s Johnson charged with sex offence

Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson has been charged with four alleged offences related to sex with an under-age girl.

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London - Sunderland and England midfielder Adam Johnson has been charged with four alleged offences related to sex with an under-age girl, a prosecutor said.

“Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorised police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003,” said Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, in a statement.

“The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.”

Johnson, who has been capped 12 times by England, was initially arrested at his home on March 2 on suspicion of sex with an under-age girl. He will appear at Peterlee magistrates court on May 20.

The charges related to one alleged offence of sexual grooming, and three of sexual activity with a child. The alleged offences dated from Dec 30, 2014, to Feb 26 of this year.

Sunderland are currently 16th in the 20 team Premier League and only a point above the relegation zone. – Reuters

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Sevilla reach Europa League semis

Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro grabbed a late equaliser at Zenit St Petersburg to send the Europa League holders into the semi-finals.

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London - Sevilla's Kevin Gameiro grabbed a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Zenit St Petersburg to send the Europa League holders into the semi-finals after woeful goalkeeping had threatened to ruin their night.

Sevilla went through 4-3 on aggregate, but only after a 1-0 lead in Russia turned into a 2-1 deficit following two terrible errors of judgment from Portuguese stopper Beto.

The re-emergence of Italy from the footballing doldrums continued as Fiorentina and Napoli reached the semi-finals of Europe's second tier competition after Juventus made the last four of the Champions League on Wednesday

Fiorentina beat 10-man Dynamo Kiev 2-0 for a 3-1 aggregate win while Napoli completed a 6-3 victory over two legs against VfL Wolfsburg after a 2-2 draw in Italy.

Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk completed the semi-final lineup but Uefa's worst fears of a final between teams from Russia and Ukraine were avoided.

Dnipro became the only team from those two countries to reach the last four by beating Club Bruges 1-0 after the first leg ended goalless.

Sevilla's clash with Zenit was in the balance heading into the second leg with the Spaniards holding a 2-1 lead which they increased after six minutes through Carlos Bacca's penalty.

If the Spaniards hoped it would be smooth sailing from that point on, they did not factor in goalkeeper Beto handing their opponents a route back into the match.

The Russians, the only side left who had dropped into the competition in the last 32 from the Champions League, hit back when a speculative cross from Oleg Shatov was dropped by Beto and tapped into the empty net by Jose Rondon after 48 minutes.

The unfortunate keeper was then caught hopelessly off his line by Hulk, whose effort from 40 metres had Beto furiously back-peddling in vain as the Brazilian's shot came down off the bar and dropped over the line.

Beto's errors, however, did not prove decisive as the visitors wrapped up the tie when Gameiro rifled into the corner with five minutes remaining.

With Wolfsburg trailing 4-1 from the first leg they were always going to be up against it facing a Napoli side who had conceded only five times in 11 Europa League matches, the fewest of any of the sides who started in the group stage.

They were also up against a canny European operator in coach Rafa Benitez, seeking to become the second man after Giovanni Trapattoni to win the trophy a third time after triumphs in the the UEFA Cup with Valencia and the Europa League at Chelsea.

The game had the feel of a dead rubber in a tame first half and any hope of a German comeback was effectively extinguished by goals at the start of the second half from Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens.

The visitors salvaged some pride, however, with late strikes from Timm Klose and Ivan Perisic in two minutes.

Fiorentina completed a good week for Italian teams, after Juve became the first Serie A side to reach the Champions League semis since 2010, with a typically gritty defensive display against Kiev.

Vincenzo Montella's side have endured woeful recent form, losing four of their last five matches and scoring once in that time, but they were strong at the back and quick on the counter.

The Ukrainians' hopes of upsetting Fiore were hit when Jeremain Lens received a dubious second booking for diving and was dismissed in the 40th minute.

Fiorentina took the lead three minutes later with a goal from Mario Gomez before substitute Juan Manuel Vargas made it 2-0 deep into stoppage time.

Dnipro reached the semi-finals when Yevhen Shakhov's deflected effort found the back of the net after 82 minutes.

The draw for the semi-finals will take place on Friday with the two-legged ties scheduled for May 7 and 14. – Reuters

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Benitez likes City ‘rumour’

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez touted to return to Premier League, says he likes “rumour” linking him to Manchester City

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Rome - Rafa Benitez is still unsure of his Napoli future despite leading a revival that has boosted their flagging Champions League qualification hopes.

The Spaniard was under pressure after his side slipped from third to sixth in Serie A but have won three straight in all competitions, scoring 10 go als in the process.

Fourth-placed Napoli play Sampdoria, one place below them, on Sunday with Benitez yet to decide if he will renew his contract at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool boss has been linked with a return to the Premier League and Benitez said he liked the “rumour” mentioning his name in conjunction with Manchester City.

“I've lived in England for many years and I know which teams work hard, and City are one of them. I like this rumour regarding Manchester City but there's really nothing more to it,” Benitez told a press conference ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg match against VfL Wolfsburg.

He added: “We want to get back to the Champions League, a competition that hands out money and prestige to a club.

“I want to leave Napoli as high as possible in the table and in the Europa League final.

“If (Napoli's) business-plan allows us to be competitive at the highest levels, I'll sit down with my family and discuss our future...”

If Benitez does return to England at the end of the season he could be replaced at Napoli by Sunday's opposing manager Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Elsewhere, Juventus look to secure one of the two wins they need, with seven games remaining, to win a fourth straight title.

It will not come easy as they play on Sunday against city-rivals Torino who are still seething from the stoppage-time defeat they suffered against Juve in November.

Second-placed Lazio host lowly Chievo Verona while AS Roma, in third level on points with their city rivals, should welcome back Ivorian winger Gervinho from injury when they travel to Inter Milan. – Reuters

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Chiefs not celebrating yet

Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says his players will only celebrate clinching the league title after the final game of the season.

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Johannesburg – Despite clinching the Premiership title with three games to go, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter says his players will only celebrate after the final game of the season.

Chiefs dispatched a resilient Polokwane City 4-1 at FNB Stadium to move to 63 points to hand the AmaKhosi league honours.

“The season is not finished for us,” said Baxter.

“I told the guys in the dressing room, they’ve got three big games left to play. If anybody is not professional enough to hold the celebrations until the end of the season maybe they shouldn’t be at a club like Kaizer Chiefs.”

The current record for a 30-game league season stands at 65 points – achieved by Mamelodi Sundowns last season – a mark Chiefs would be expected to pass with ease.

“I’m delighted for the players, but the champagne will be on ice at least for the players.

“That doesn’t stretch to the staff, but we’ll keep ourselves on an even keel and make sure we finish off the season in the best possible way.”

Regardless of when the all-out celebrations are held, Baxter was proud of what his side had achieved.

“Obviously it’s a good night for Kaizer Chiefs. Whether you look at the result, the performance or where we are in the table and everyone connected to the club.”

Polokwane are third in the goals scored column in the league with 38 strikes, and Baxter was aware of the challenge his opposition posed ahead of the encounter.

“I’m really pleased the players worked so hard and came away with a convincing victory.

“[Coach] Kosta Papic has been working with more meagre means than me and produced a fine team.”

Chiefs could have gone behind early, but weathered the storm from Polokwane before the Soweto side began finding the back of the net.

“The boys played well, they opened nervously. We know Polokwane are a good side, Kosta has produced a good side, they always want to play football. They have a definite way they want to play. They knew we would be a bit nervous so they played in a certain way.”

Tefu Mashamaite played in every minute of Chiefs’ successful campaign and was similarly proud of his side’s achievements.

“We knew we had an opportunity to clinch it tonight,” said Mashamaite.

“We went for it, like the coach said we opened nervously but I’m just happy we were able to defend against them.

“Going 19 games without being beaten, it was a good season for us. It’s a great achievement.”

Chiefs had been particularly strong at home this season, with no defeats on home soil. Premier Soccer League CEO Brand de Villiers said Chiefs had been impressive the entire season.

“We would like to congratulate 2014/15 Absa Premiership champions Kaizer Chiefs for a sterling performance this season,” said De Villiers.

“We would like to congratulate the club chairman Mr Kaizer Motaung, club management, coach Stuart Baxter, the players and the club supporters following their success in the Absa Premiership this season. Kaizer Chiefs have earned this achievement after leading the Absa Premiership long standings from day one of the 2014/15 campaign.” – ANA

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Henderson signs new Liverpool deal

Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson has committed his future to the Reds by signing a new long-term contract.

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London - Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson has committed his future to the Reds by signing a new long-term contract, the Premier League club said.

No details were given on the Liverpool website but media reports indicated the midfielders' deal was for five years and worth at least 100,000 pounds ($150,000) a week.

“It's brilliant news for me to commit my future to this football club - I really feel that it's a good time for us to look forward to the future, with the squad we've got, the manager, the size of the club and the fans we've got,” said the 24-year-old England international.

“I really think, over the next few years, we can challenge and start winning trophies.”

Henderson, who had been in contract talks for months, joined Liverpool from Sunderland in June 2011 and has made 180 appearances for the club.

With club captain Steven Gerrard moving on to Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, Henderson has emerged as the next leader on the field.

“The fact he has made such a long-term commitment to Liverpool is a sign of his belief in what we are looking to do here,” said manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He will have a crucial role to play as we look to take this side forward and look to add success to the progress we have made.”

Rodgers added that he expected to see more contract renewals as well as additions to the squad. Midfielder Philippe Coutinho and forward Daniel Sturridge have both already agreed long-term contract renewals.

Another key player Liverpool want to keep is England forward Raheem Sterling, although Rodgers has said a new contract will not be discussed until the end of the season.– Reuters

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