Messi rues failure to close match

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Lionel Messi has been left frustrated after Argentina were held to a draw by Paraguay on Saturday.

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La Serena, Chile – Lionel Messi, who came to the Copa America looking to end Argentina’s 22-year trophy drought, was bitterly disappointed after his team were reeled in by Paraguay for a 2-2 draw in their opening match.

Argentina overran Paraguay in the first half and took a two-goal lead through Sergio Aguero and Messi’s penalty only for their opponents to hit back with a goal from Nelson Haedo Valdez on the hour and Lucas Barrios’s 90th minute equaliser.

“We were at fault in that we should have had more of the ball in the second half and controlled the match, not they,” said Messi, who left the field head bowed after Saturday’s Group B match at La Serena.

“It’s maddening to go winning 2-0 and finish with a draw,” said Messi who has come off a brilliant season helping Barcelona win a treble of La Liga, the King’s Cup and the Champions League.

“We should have slowed the match down when they were coming at us,” he told reporters.

“Now we have to think about Uruguay and we know we must win. There’s a lot to improve and this is only the first match, now we’ve got to be calmer than ever.”

Paraguay became more daring in the second half, throwing off their defensive shackles and putting the Argentine defence under pressure, sometimes outnumbering them in counter-attacks as Argentina continued to pour forward but missed glaring chances, two of them almost on the line.

Holders Uruguay, who eliminated Argentina on penalties in the 2011 Copa America, will provide another tough test even if they were unconvincing in a 1-0 win over guest team Jamaica in Antofagasta on Saturday. – Reuters



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Goal drought irks Shakes

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After their third successive goalless draw, Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba admits scoring is a problem.

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Durban – Following their third successive goalless draw, Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba says scoring goals is a nationwide problem.

Bafana ended 0-0 with Gambia in their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on Saturday. Hosts South Africa were also beaten twice on penalties in the Cosafa Cup last month after finishing goalless in two matches in four days.

Despite countless chances, Bafana could not manage a goal against their opponents ranked 160th in the world.

“We’re not going to kill ourselves and it’s just something we need to address,” said Mashaba after the game.

“It’s not only the national team’s problem, it’s from our football at home, it is the biggest problem. All teams play, but they don’t score goals.”

Bafana may be lacking in confidence according to Gambia coach Raoul Savov.

“They missed a lot of chances at the end of the game, we were lucky,” said Savov.

“But they have not been going well the last two or three months. Maybe it’s a lack of confidence, maybe Afcon is still in their heads.”

With striker Tokelo Rantie pulling out of the match due to wedding commitments during the week, his services were severely missed up front. Mashaba, admitted his side needed a clinical striker to find the back of the net.

“People could say that the strike force today was not good but we created chances. We just need that one person that can finish.

“If we had a finisher I think I would be talking different stories. I want to warn people, this is a different level, it’s not what we take it to be.”

Mashaba said the defensive approach of Gambia helped secure the draw for his opponents.

“We knew they were going to come and not even park a bus, but a train at the back,” said Mashaba.

“The boys gave their best. The only thing is scoring goals. In the last 15 minutes we should’ve scored close to three or four goals.”

Thabo Matlaba who missed a number of chances was judged to be man of the match, and he paid tribute to Gambia for sticking to their gameplan.

“Credit must go to Gambia, they’re a good side. We didn’t know about them, I hope they knew about us,” said Matlaba.

“They were tired in the second half but we didn’t convert our chances, we were supposed to bury them but we didn’t.” – ANA



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Coach frets over Argentina’s extremes

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Argentine coach Gerardo Martino is concerned by the way his side squandered their lead against Paraguay.

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Santiago – Argentine coach Gerardo Martino is concerned by the way his side squandered a two-goal lead against Paraguay in their opening Copa America match on Saturday.

Argentina looked to be cruising to victory in the Chilean city of La Serena, thanks to first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi from the penalty spot, but Paraguay fought back to score twice in the second half for a 2-2 draw.

“What worries me most are the two extremes that the team played at,” Martino said. “It’s clear that we need to play matches with absolute control.”

Argentina were in cruise control early on, enjoying 75 percent of first-half possession and firing in seven shots on goal without reply.

But the Paraguayans came out fighting in the second half and scored through Nelson Haedo Valdez before Lucas Barrios slammed home a 90th minute equaliser.

“We controlled the game for 50 minutes and we could have scored again,” Martino said. “But after that it was a game in which we were filled with doubt. We retreated into our own half and we couldn’t keep up the pressure of the first half.”

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero also acknowledged the Argentines had taken their foot off the pedal in the latter stages.

“But South America is like that. No team gives you anything as a gift. We knew that Paraguay would play hard,” he said. – Reuters



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Bafana dominate, but can’t find net

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Bafana Bafana’s attacking gamble against Gambia backfired as a makeshift frontline was neutralised in a dour draw.

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Moses Mabhida Stadium -

Bafana (0) 0

Gambia (0) 0

Bafana Bafana’s attacking gamble against Gambia backfired as a makeshift frontline was neutralised in a dour draw in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Durban on Saturday night.

Newcomer Thamsanqa Gabuza and a five-man attacking midfield failed to click as the West Africans comfortably sat back and dismantled the home team’s forays with a calmness that belied their lowly ranking and their relative new-look team.

Gabuza was thrust into the starting line-up after one training session and after he was replaced the side had no attacking thrust aerially, while on the ground the Gambians were hardly lacking in pace to close down the home midfielders.

After the drama of a four-hour delay because of the late arrival of some of the match officials, the clash got underway at 7pm with the expected line-up.

As released by coach Ephraim Mashaba on the eve of the game, the squad did not reflect any major surprises.

Right-back Anele Ngcongca shouldered the captain’s responsibilities ahead of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, and striker Gabuza came in from the international wilderness to lead the attack in front of a loaded attacking midfield dominated by Europe-based pros.

Mashaba promised to take the game to the visitors, which Bafana tried to do early on, via the foreign trio of Thulani Serero, Ayanda Patosi and May Mahlangu, supported by home-based Oupa Manyisa, who appeared restricted on the right flank.

The first clear move on the Gambian goal warmed Gabuza to the crowd of about 20 000 as he collected Patosi’s threaded pass and fired a shot which goalkeeper Modou Jobe blocked.

However, that was about it from the lanky marksman for the rest of the half, as he faded along with South Africa’s attacking thrusts.

Manyisa attempted a shot at the quarter-hour mark which the goalie gloved cleanly at the second take.

The Bucs man who sat out part of the training because of tight muscles was replaced injured six minutes before the break by livewire Mandla Masango.

There were mostly half chances from Mahlangu, Ngcongca and Matlaba as the 160th-ranked side in the world sat back and worked their way forward through counter-attacks.

The best effort in the opening period came off Patosi’s free kick, which the ’keeper dropped, but the ball rolled past the post and out for a corner.

The team, nicknamed the Scorpions, had no sting, though they were unruffled in their task. Rebuilding after a ban for age-group cheating, their federation appointed Swiss coach Raoul Savoy last month and scoured the globe for players.

As many as six players debuted this week in an international 1-1 friendly against Uganda. At right-back Ousman Koli was a towering figure and teenager Sulayman Marreh tried to orchestrate their midfield.

After the break Savoy gave his attack fresh legs as Assan Ceesay took over from Omar Colley and he packed his midfield with the introductions of Ken Mansally and Hamza Barry. Needing to counter Gambia’s “park the bus” strategy, Mashaba sent on Thuso Phala and Siphelele Ntshangase for Gabuza and Serero respectively.

With 15 minutes to go Thabo Matlaba rifled a shot which the goalkeeper parried, but to the dismay of the crowd Phala’s follow-up went straight to the ’keeper.

Ntshangase had the miss of the game with two minutes of regulation time left, when he shot wide from a good angle with only Jobe to beat.

Gambia deservedly banked a point while for South Africa it marked a continuation of a barren run following from the disappointment of the early exits from the Afcon tournament earlier this year and the recent Cosafa Cup event.

Bafana Bafana’s next qualifier is away to Mauritania in early September.

Today the side leaves for Cape Town, where they host Angola in an international friendly on Tuesday afternoon.

SA: Itumeleng Khune, Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Oupa Manyisa (Mandla Masango 39), Andile Jali, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero (Siphelele Ntshangase 67), Ayanda Patosi, Thamsanqa Gabuza (Thuso Phala 70)

Gambia: Abdou Jammeh, Sulayman Marreh, Demba Savage (Ken Mansally 65), Pa Modou Jagne, Modou Barrow, Omar Colley (Assan Ceesay 53), Ebrima Sohna, Pa Amat Dibba, Sanna Nyassi (Hamza Barry 78), Modou Jobe, Ousman Koli

Referee: Hamada Nampiandraza

Sunday Tribune



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South Africa vs Gambia game delayed

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As a result of logistical challenges, two of the match officials for the SA vs Gambia clash were unable to arrive in SA last night.

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Cape Town - As a result of logistical challenges, two of the match officials of the above mentioned match were unable to arrive in the country in time aboard their scheduled flight to South Africa on Friday night.

The two match officials are scheduled to arrive in South Africa around 16h00 on Saturday, 13 June 2015.

As a result hereof, the kick off of Satuday’s match is regrettably delayed until 19h00 on Saturday, 13 June 2015, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

ANA



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Taarabt leaves QPR for Benfica

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Morocco midfielder Adel Taarabt has joined Benfica on a five-year deal after his QPR contract was terminated.

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London - Morocco's controversial midfielder Adel Taarabt has joined Benfica on a five-year deal after his Queen's Park Rangers contract was terminated by mutual consent.

“I don't think it's necessary to explain why I chose Benfica. It's a great club that have produced great players over the years and they were champions last season,” he told Benfica TV.

“When my manager told me of Benfica, I said I was ready to change because this is a great opportunity for me”, the 26-year-old Taarabt was quoted as saying on the club's official website (www.slbenfica.pt).

Taarabt made 164 appearances for QPR, scoring 34 goals, after joining in March 2009 from Tottenham Hotspur, initially on loan before a permanent move the following year.

In 2010/11, he captained QPR to the Championship (second tier) title and was the division's Player of the Year after a season in which he scored 19 goals and had 19 assists, helping the club return to the Premier League after a 15-year absence.

The next season he helped QPR retain their Premier League status, scoring crucial goals in wins over Arsenal and Spurs.

Taarabt, who had loan spells in 2013-14 at Fulham and AC Milan, has courted controversy during his career and was criticised by then-QPR manager Harry Redknapp in October last year for being “about three stone overweight”.

He played five times after Redknapp quit for health reasons and was replaced by Chris Ramsey in February but was unable to help the club avoid relegation to the Championship.

Reuters



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Bafana blast-off

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A return to the Afcon qualifying campaign, and the venue of SA’s last competitive win, will back bring happy memories for Bafana.

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Durban - A return to the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and to the venue of South Africa’s last competitive win, will bring back happy memories as Bafana Bafana target a morale-boosting victory over Gambia at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The bar was set high when qualification for the last edition was achieved with a match to spare.

South Africa thereafter disappointed with early exits from the 2015 Afcon finals in Equatorial Guinea and the Cosafa Cup on home soil.

In between those events, Bafana drew with Nigeria at home and beat Swaziland away in international friendlies.

Durban sets a bright mood for some of the regulars in the squad, such as Thulani Serero, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca, Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali.

They featured in the 2-1 victory over Sudan in November that booked Bafana’s spot in Equatorial Guinea.

Following a topsy-turvy week for coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, in which players pulled out for a variety of reasons, the squad could do with a dose of positivity to tackle the unknown Gambians.

After one player withdrew, citing ”family commitments”, and another failed to show up after his wedding, there may be doubts about players’ motivation.

Before the camp began, defender Tefu Mashamaite was excused after he said he needed to attend to “family commitments”, while striker Tokelo Rantie indicated he might arrive late because he was to get married.

Mashaba accepted both reasons, but after Rantie’s no-show he had to call up replacement striker Thamsanqa Gabuza two days before this Group M opener.

If the withdrawals question the players’ commitment, the nation can rest assured those who are in camp will give their all.

Besides several newcomers hungry for action at the highest level, there are a few seniors raring to have a go at Gambia.

The changes for this game essentially cover the absences of central defender Eric Mathoho, midfield anchor Dean Furman and forwards Rantie and Bernard Parker.

Among the established stars, midfielder May Mahlangu and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune won’t be spurred purely by national pride. Both are soon to be out of contract with their clubs, Mahlangu with Konyaspor of Turkey and Khune with Kaizer Chiefs.

Turning out for South Africa affords them an international platform to remind potential suitors about what they offer.

The pair are favourites to start when the clash gets under way at 3pm.

Khune’s vast experience places him ahead of Jackson Mabokgwane, who is likely to be the bench-warmer as Brilliant Khuzwayo was felled by flu midway through the camp.

Khune has a chance to close in on André Arendse’s record as the most-capped goalkeeper.

Mahlangu, back in the fold after being banned by Safa for not honouring a call-up late last year, has been a key performer at training.

And with Mashaba set to rely on a loaded attacking midfield to supplement the inexperienced striking unit, Mahlangu will have ample opportunity to win over the supporters.

He could feature in a five-man midfield with Ayanda Patosi, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa and Thulani Serero.

Defender Thulani Hlatshwayo enjoyed the last qualifiers and looks forward to another solid run with a home win.

“We started well against Sudan last year, so it’s important we start well again because only one team go through from the group,” Hlatshwayo said after the team’s final preparation on Friday.

“A lot of guys went through the last qualifiers and got a taste of Afcon, and we want to do better than last time. It’s very important to start well with a few goals and not concede.”

A backline of Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca and Hlatshwayo pretty much selects itself, although Marc van Heerden and Clayton Daniels have been pushing hard to sneak in. Chances are they will feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Angola in the Mother City.

Mashaba could throw in one of the surprise call-ups, such as Jabulani Shongwe, Gift Motupa, or Siphelele Ntshangase in a shadow striker role.

The Gambians were also set to train at the match venue on Friday.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabokgwane, Brilliant Khuzwayo, Itumeleng Khune

Defenders: Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Marc van Heerden, Clayton Daniels, Patrick Phungwayo, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Tshepo Gumede, Ntsikelelo Nyauza

Midfielders: Oupa Manyisa, Andile Jali, May Mahlangu, Thulani Serero, Mandla Masango, Bongani Zungu, Ayanda Patosi, Thuso Phala, Jabulani Shongwe

Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Vuyisile Wana, Gift Motupa, Siphelele Ntshangase

Saturday Star



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'Sex scandal' Seymour seeks recall

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Former Safa Cape vice-president Vernon Seymour, banned after a sexual harassment scandal, wants back in the game.

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Cape Town - Former South African Football Association (Safa) Cape Town vice-president Vernon Seymour, who was banned from football for life following a sexual harassment scandal, has turned to the Western Cape High Court in his bid to return to the sport.

However, Safa threw him a curve ball this week when it went to the same court, asking for the case to be kicked out because Seymour knew full well that he should use internal Safa processes to resolve the issue.

The matter came briefly before Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe on Friday, who postponed it to September 10 this year and gave the parties time to file further papers.

Seymour was banned after being found guilty of sexually harassing a female intern at Safa offices in November 2013, allegations he has denied.

He was also charged with bringing the organisation into disrepute, and for allegedly falsely accusing Safa’s Cape Town general secretary of lying.

In Seymour’s application, he suggested that the sexual harassment allegations were part of a campaign to “humiliate and eliminate” him, after he was nominated to Safa’s national executive committee.

The charges were laid about two months after his nomination, he said in an affidavit.

Seymour said he resigned from Safa Cape Town in September last year because he had already experienced “one of the worst years of my life in the game, and could not see any good reason why I should continue”.

However, disciplinary proceedings against him continued and, the following month, the life ban was imposed.

But Seymour said the fact that he resigned meant he was not a member of Safa Cape Town, and so not subject to its jurisdiction.

He alleged that the letter requesting that disciplinary proceedings be initiated was written without a mandate from Safa Cape Town, and claimed that there was no resolution from Safa’s national executive committee.

In addition, he submitted that Safa Cape Town’s statutes provided that only the general council had the power to suspend or expel members.The recommendation that he be banned for life was not tabled for consideration at general council meetings, he said.

Seymour also alleged that other Safa Cape Town members had similar allegations levelled against them, but were never summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee.

“The fact that the members concerned were not charged clearly demonstrated that I was targeted and victimised by Safa Cape Town and by Safa national,” he said.

But Safa said the court should dismiss Seymour’s application. Alternatively, it wants the application stayed until Seymour has exhausted internal mechanisms.

In an affidavit, Safa Cape Town general secretary Nomonde Dlakana said the constitutions of Safa and Safa Cape Town provided for a detailed internal process, in terms of which disputes should be resolved without resorting to the courts.

Internally, Seymour had three options open to him – appealing to the national appeals board, referring the dispute to the Safa arbitration tribunal, and appealing to the court of arbitration for sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Dlakana said Seymour was an experienced football administrator, who had served at the highest levels of football administration in South Africa. “There can therefore be no excuse for him having failed to make use of the Safa structures to resolve his dispute,” he said.

Dlakana also pointed out that Seymour resigned as a member of Safa Cape Town.

While this did not stop the disciplinary process from continuing, it deprived Seymour of any right to challenge the decisions made by means of a court review.

Weekend Argus



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Premier League bidders vie for superstars

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Manchester City’s R577m bid for Raheem Sterling has signalled the opening of the serious summer transfer trading.

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London - Manchester City’s £30-million (about R577m) bid for Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling has signalled the opening of the serious summer transfer trading.

News of City’s offer came 24 hours after chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke of “an aggressive market” and the former Premier League champions are bound to face plenty of competition from their rivals at home and abroad in the coming months.

Some deals will go smoothly, others could rumble on. We assess the summer’s biggest transfer sagas and what direction they might take.

Raheem Sterling - Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid

City’s opening offer is £25m plus £5m in add-ons but Liverpool want double that and are prepared to keep Sterling, pictured, at Anfield for another year. There is still a feeling the England star wants to return to London so Chelsea and Arsenal will be keeping a close eye on developments. It’s 50-50 if Sterling goes. This one could run and run.

Madrid want David de Gea and he wants to go home to Madrid - that’s the long and the short of it. Real would like the deal concluded before they go on their pre-season tour but United want £30m to let De Gea leave Old Trafford. This has gone on long enough, though, so expect it to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Paul Pogba - Man City, PSG, Barcelona

Juventus are holding out for £55m for the former Manchester United midfielder and his agent, Mino Raiola, has admitted that Pogba will move on if the right offer comes in.

The player is said to favour Barcelona and with the Spanish club under a transfer embargo until January, this saga could run until then.

Monaco have dropped their asking price to £25m after the Colombia striker’s less-than-impressive season at Manchester United, but Chelsea would prefer to pay £6m for a season’s loan. José Mourinho has spoken of his desire to bring out the best in Falcao and the player would like his future sorted out before the start of the Copa America, so there shouldn’t be too many delays.

Theo Walcott - Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Man United

Walcott has only a year left on his contract at the Emirates and that has inevitably alerted a number of Premier League rivals. Manchester City, in particular, are keen to increase the number of English players in their squad but they will not be the only bidders if Arsenal cannot convince Walcott to sign a new deal and feel they have no option but to sell for around £20m. The power lies with the player, so this one has the legs to go on for a while.

Harry Kane - Man United

Kane is on United’s radar after his spectacular first full season in the Premier League and promotion to the full England squad but persuading Daniel Levy to part with his crown jewel is another matter, even with an offer of £50m. The striker signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal in February and is unlikely to be leaving anytime soon.

Gozalo Higuain - Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid

Higuain is set to follow Rafael Benitez out of Napoli and could link up with fellow Argentine Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, especially if he is joined there by Carlos Tevez. The Italians will want to recoup the £35m they paid Real two years ago, however, and that could open the door to United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Another auction that could stretch well into August.

Morgan Schneiderlin - Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham

The Southampton midfielder wants to stay in England and play for a Champions League club which in theory narrows down the options, although Tottenham’s former Southampton boss, Mauricio Pochettino, may fancy his chances. United have yet to firm up their interest and are known to be considering higher profile options like Bastian Schweinsteiger so Schneiderlin may have to be patient.

Christian Benteke - Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Roma

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has made no secret of the £32.5m release clause in Benteke’s contract and the big Belgium striker will leave the club if he refuses to sign a new deal. Liverpool are desperate for a striker and have made Benteke their No1 target.

Karim Benzema - Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City

Benzema’s agent says he wants to retire at Real Madrid but the Frenchman may have a change of heart when he realises the implication of new coach Rafael Benitez’s plan to play Cristiano Ronaldo at centre-forward. There would be no shortage of takers for Benzema, who would cost around £30m, although he has already been mentioned as a possible makeweight in De Gea’s move from United to Real. This is another slow burner.

Daily Mail



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'Kane is no one-hit wonder'

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Gareth Southgate has backed Harry Kane to establish himself and prove he is more than a one-season wonder.

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London - Gareth Southgate has backed Harry Kane to establish himself as one of Europe’s top young strikers and prove he is more than a one-season wonder.

The past 12 months have gone better than Kane could have envisaged, as he scored 31 times for Tottenham, marked his England senior debut with a goal against Lithuania and was named PFA Young Player of the Year.

That, as Sportsmail revealed last month, has led Manchester United to put him on their list of possible targets this summer - there has not been any contact between the clubs - but for the moment his focus is on helping the Under 21s’ quest to win Euro 2015.

There will be a lot of focus on Kane during the next two weeks, as critics look to see whether he can replicate his club exploits in the Czech Republic but Southgate, the Under 21 head coach, has no concerns about his form tailing off.

Kane, who was given a week’s holiday in Dubai before he joined the Under 21 squad last Tuesday, has impressed Southgate with his attitude and that is why the coach expects him to keep progressing.

‘It is his mentality, really,’ said Southgate. ‘Will he score exactly as many goals (next year)? That is difficult to say, although the crowd that play in Spain seem to do that, don’t they? I don’t see him being distracted. He wants to keep improving and there are still more challenges ahead.

‘He is the type to think, “What’s next?” - so he will want to push his team into the Champions League. He wants the team to succeed. He’s been very big on that when we have been together.

‘He is also surrounded by really good people at Spurs. None of us have a crystal ball, but all the signs - the support at home, the close family unit - will play a part in the player remaining grounded.’

Kane played the last 30 minutes of Thursday’s 1-0 win over Belarus but is expected to start their opening Group B game against Portugal in Uherske Hradiste on Thursday.

Southgate feels the striker can be one of the stars of the tournament but points out that England can score from all over the pitch, as Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson showed in Barnsley.

‘We’ve been encouraging our midfielders to score,’ said Southgate, whose squad fly out to their base in Olomouc tomorrow. ‘The last thing we want to be is a team where if you stop a player like Harry, then you stop the team.’

Daily Mail



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Sexwale to lead Fifa Monitoring Committee

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Tokyo Sexwale was chosen to lead a monitoring committee to oversee issues affecting the development of football in Palestine.

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Cape Town - Fifa has appointed Tokyo Sexwale to lead a monitoring committee to oversee issues affecting the development of football in Palestine.

The committee was established based on the decision by the 65th Fifa Congress in May 2015 after the Palestine FA withdrew its proposal for suspension of the Israel Football Association.

Representatives from Israel and Palestine will work with Mr Sexwale to address issues relating to a good understanding between the football organisations of Israel and Palestine.

Fifa President Joseph S. Blatter said: “From his own experiences and expertise in community reconciliation and conflict resolution in South Africa, we believe Mr Sexwale is well placed to help improve access for football in the Palestinian territories.”

Tokyo Sexwale said: “This assignment regarding the tension between Palestine and Israel is no easy walk and shall have to be approached with sensitivity and circumspection. I therefore hope that an acceptable solution shall be arrived at.”

ANA



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Wenger closing in on Cech

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Arsenal will push to complete an £11million swoop for Petr Cech by the end of next week.

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London - Arsenal will push to complete an £11million swoop for Petr Cech by the end of next week.

And, in a further boost, Theo Walcott looks likely to commit his long-term future to the club following positive talks over a new deal. But it is the potential capture of goalkeeper Cech that will excite Gunners supporters.

Sportsmail understands that Arsene Wenger is growing increasingly confident of concluding a deal to sign the Czech Republic shot-stopper this summer. Arsenal have already made a formal enquiry to Chelsea about a move for Cech, but talks will accelerate next week.

Chelsea are demanding a minimum of £10m for the 33-year-old and if, as expected, that issue is resolved then the goalkeeper should complete a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are also growing increasingly confident of tying England star Walcott down to a new deal this summer.

Talks over improved terms for the forward, whose contract expires at the end of next season, took place earlier this month and both parties are positive a deal for Walcott to stay will be reached.

Daily Mail



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Adebayor set to play for Togo

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Emmanuel Adebayor looks set to play for Togo against Liberia despite turning up late for pre-match preparations.

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Lome - Emmanuel Adebayor appeared set to play for Togo in Sunday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia despite turning up late for pre-match preparations, officials said.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker was accused of a lack of discipline by new coach Tom Saintfiet when he failed to pitch at the start of pre-match preparations almost a fortnight ago.

Saintfiet said he would not tolerate players who did not adhere to the rules but on Wednesday, some 10 days after the squad first got together to begin preparations, Adebayor finally pitched for practice and was allowed to join up with the rest of the squad.

Adebayor has been the subject of much off-field intrigue over the last months, twice being given compassionate leave by his London club to attend to a family feud, which he has played out publicly on social media. Adebayor claimed it had left him suicidal.

His role as Togo's only major international star has long given Adebayor license to set his own agenda with the national team. He has often skipped preparations and matches but always been welcomed back.

Reuters



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Chikhaoui hat-trick sets up Tunisia win

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Yassine Chikhaoui scored a hat-trick as Tunisia made a winning start to the Afcon qualifying campaign.

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Cape Town - Tunisia's Yassine Chikhaoui scored a hat-trick in the first 25 minutes as they made a winning start to the African Nations Cup qualifying campaign with an 8-1 thumping of Djibouti.

There was also success for Morocco, who edged Libya 1-0, but tiny Swaziland stunned Guinea in Friday's other match with a 2-1 win away to this year's Nations Cup quarter-finalists.

Tunisia captain Chikhaoui converted a ninth-minute penalty and added two more goals in two minutes to put Tunisia 3-0 up after 23 minutes in a one-sided match against the small Red Sea state at the Rades stadium, just outside the capital.

Ferjani Sassi made it 4-0 by halftime with Saber Khalifa, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef, Maher Hannachi and Yoann Touzghar adding four more goals in the second half. Djibouti got their consolation from the penalty spot through Mohamed Liban.

Morocco's Omar El Kaddouri scored a 51st minute goal to give them a 1-0 home win over Libya in Agadir and a winning start to their bid to reach the 2017 finals in Gabon.

But in nearby Casablanca, Swaziland upset Guinea in a horror debut for former France World Cup great Luis Fernandez.

Diminutive attacker Tony Tsabedze scored both goals for the small southern African kingdom in a Group L clash, hosted in Morocco because Guinea are banned from staging international matches following the Ebola outbreak in the country.

Guinea's defeat capped a bad first week in charge for new coach Fernandez, who banned five players from internationals for failing to heed his call-up.

Friday's three games marked the opening salvoes in the 18-month preliminary campaign to determine 15 places at the next finals in Gabon.

Each of the 13 group winners qualify along with the two best placed runners-up.

Reuters



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Bafana to rekindle qualifying memories

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Bafana are trying to rekindle the memories of their successful 2015 Afcon qualifying campaign, when they take on Gambia.

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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana are trying to rekindle the memories of their successful 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, when they take on Gambia at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on Saturday.

For the 2015 edition, coach Shakes Mashaba’s troops qualified with a game to spare and the 2017 tournament presents an entirely new challenge.

“In the 2015 AFCON qualifiers everybody was willing to go because of the opposition (South Africa was drawn against Nigeria, Sudan and Congo), but now everyone thinks of Gambia and Mauritania and ask who are those?” said Mashaba on Friday.

“Those people (Gambia) have about ten overseas-based players in their squad. They are playing away, they might come here, park the bus and be happy with a point, so it’s a big task for us to dismantle that defence,” said Mashaba.

In the last qualifiers, two teams qualified from each group for the tournament but this time around it is different.

“This is going to be very tricky and perhaps more difficult. It is important that we win all our home games and ensure we even do well on the road. Crucially we need to score goals because in the end goal difference might see us through. If we find Gambia open at the back we need to score as much as possible - at the end of the qualifiers you might have two nations deadlocked on points and the goal difference could come in handy,” added Mashaba.

Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo is a doubtful starter as he is still recovering from a bout of flu - he sat out the final training session.

Bafana will also face Gambia without the services of striker Tokelo Rantie who has asked to be withdrawn from the squad due wedding to celebrations - this leaves strikers Thamsanqa Gabuza (who replaces Rantie), Vuyisile Wana, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Gift Motupa and Sphelele Ntshangase as options upfront.

“We want to take the game to Gambia on Saturday and see their reaction, but if we’re going to run like headless chickens we will be punished. If a team scores a goal when playing away, it becomes a double task to even matters,” said Mashaba.

“If you look at our midfielders they are very pacy and quick on the ball which will make our lives easy, because we will be having players who will add numbers in attack and also when we defend. We can only hope that the strikers that we play there, because all of them are new in the team, will come to the party.”

Gambia landed in South African on Wednesday after playing to a 1-all draw against Uganda. This is Gambia’s first match in South Africa against Bafana.

The Scorpions, as the Gambia national football team is known, have just recently returned to the international arena. They played the qualifiers for the 2013 tournament in South Africa but lost to Algeria.

In the preliminary rounds of the 2015 qualifiers, they were drawn against the Seychelles but Gambia were kicked out before the match was played due to age cheating in their under-20 side at the African Youth Championship.

ANA



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