Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria celebrates after scoring the winning penalty during their quarter final match at the African Cup of Nations CAN2010 at the Tundavala stadium in Lubango, Angola. Enyeama turned Africa Cup of Nations matchwinner by converting the decisive kick in a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Zambia on Monday after a goalless quarter-final.

Egypt kept their title defence firmly on track with a 3-1 extra time win over Cameroon while goalkeeper Victor Enyeama was Nigeria’s penalty shoot-out hero against Zambia in Monday’s quarter-final action at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt now face bitter rivals Algeria and Nigeria take on Ghana in Thursday’s semi-finals with the victors meeting in Luanda’s 11 November stadium in Sunday’s finale.

It was always going to be hard to live up to Algeria’s thrilling five goal extra time win over favourites Ivory Coast on Monday, but silky smooth Egypt managed it.

The Pharoahs extended their unbeaten run in the continental championship to 17 games despite going a goal down with skipper Ahmed Hassan heading in to his own net.

But Hassan celebrated earning an African record 170th cap with a peach of a goal in the 37th minute, firing in from 35 yards to land the ball inches in front of keeper Carlos Kameni who watched in despair as the ball bounced past him.

Dickson Etuhu of Nigeria plays a shot during their quarter final match against Zambia at the African Cup of Nations CAN2010 at the Tundavala stadium in Lubango, Angola. Nigeria reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Monday with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Zambia after a 0-0 draw following extra time.

Extra time was only two minutes old when substitute Mohamed ‘Gedo’ Nafy put Egypt in front and they turned the screw on 95 minutes when a curling freekick by Hassan was adjudged to have been palmed beyond the goalline by Kameni.

Television replays showed that the ball did not cross the line.

A startling statistic from this last eight fixture in Benguela was that Cameroon had no fewer than 24 corners to Egypt’s’ none.

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen angrily walked out of the post-match press conference, leaving skipper Samuel Eto’o to take issue with South African referee Jerome Damon.

Ahmed Hassan (R) of Egypt vies for the ball with Bedimo Nsame Henri of Cameroon during their quarter final match in the African Cup of Nations CAN2010 at the Ombaka stadium in Benguela. Egypt won 3-1.

“The referee supported Egypt a bit because they did not deserve to win this game. But I won’t blame the referee because this is Africa and we still have a lot to learn.”

Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib saluted Cameroon and defended Damon’s performance. (more…)

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, pictured on January 23, said Monday that while interest from other clubs was flattering, he had no plans to leave Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney said Monday that while interest from other clubs was flattering, he had no plans to leave Old Trafford.

The England striker has been in superb form this season, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League alone – including all four in United’s 4-0 win over Hull on Saturday that took the defending champions back to the top of the table.

Rooney’s goals have been a huge boon to United in the absence of Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Old Trafford before the season started for Spanish giants Real Madrid in an 80 million pounds move.

Real and domestic rivals Barcelona are both reportedly interested in Rooney but the 24-year-old said he was happy to stay with the Red Devils, telling United’s official website: “There’s always speculation, and when other big teams are talking about you, it’s nice that you’re talked about.

“But as I’ve said many times before, I’m a United player and I’m very happy here.”

The ex-Everton forward added: “I hope we can win the title again this year.

“We’ve won the league the last three years and nobody has ever won it four times in a row. We want to create history.

“The title race is much tighter this year and it’s probably more exciting for the neutrals or fans around the country. But we’re hoping that now we are top we can go on and remain there for the rest of the season.”

Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking after the Hull match, said Rooney had been the key factor in United staying in title contention, telling BBC Radio: “They would not be where they are in the league (without Rooney).

“He has carried them at times but he is a great player and that’s what great players do.

“When the clubs need them they step forward.” (more…)

Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder Denilson (L) vies for the ball against Stoke City’s Dean Whitehead (R) during the FA Cup fourth round football match. Arsene Wenger defended his right to field a weakened team in Arsenal’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Stoke and insisted his desire to lift the Premier League title had been behind his decision.

Arsene Wenger defended his right to field a weakened team in Arsenal’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Stoke and insisted his desire to lift the Premier League title had been behind his decision.

Wenger made nine changes at the Britannia Stadium but will recall the likes of William Gallas, Thomas Vermalaen, Gael Clichy, Andrey Arshavin and Eduardo for the crucial league trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

This disappointing defeat leaves Wenger still waiting for his first trophy since 2005 but the Frenchman places far more importance on the league.

After the visit to Villa Park, the Gunners – currently two points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand – face three more crunch encounters against Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions, then Chelsea and Liverpool.

Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Arsenal during the FA Cup fourth round football match at The Brittania Stadium in Stoke. Stoke City won the game 3-1.

And Wenger insisted injuries left him with no alternative but to operate a rotation policy ahead of those matches.

He said: “I wanted to win this game and I don’t regret the team I picked, I did not have much choice.

“If you look at our schedule it’s simply that you cannot always play with the same eleven.

“If you rotate and you don’t win it’s your fault. I can only stand up and say that’s the team that I picked.

“It’s unfortunate but we had 10 injuries and we’re going into a period where we cannot rotate a lot in the big games.

“We’ve got to focus on those games because we are in an interesting position. We didn’t want to go out of the competition. If we’d been at home we could have got away with it.

Manchester City’s Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov celebrates scoring against Scunthorpe United during their English FA Cup football match at Glandford Park in Scunthorpe. City won 4-2.

“You get no surprise when you come here. We weakened the more the game went on and they were more dangerous than us.”

The one highlight on an otherwise dismal afternoon for Wenger was an impressive ’second debut’ for Sol Campbell. (more…)

Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey scores his goal against Blackburn Rovers during the league cup semi final second leg football match at Villa Park in Birmingham, West Midlands. Villa won 6-4.

Aston Villa booked their first Wembley final appearance in a decade after a 6-4 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final here on Wednesday.

Victory at Villa Park saw Martin O’Neill’s men win the tie 7-4 on aggregate and they will now face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the final.

But his pre-match claim that this was the best Villa team their supporters had seen in 20 years looked hollow as a double from Nikola Kalinic put Rovers 2-0 up.

Villa endured a dreadful opening 25 minutes as they squandered the first leg advantage James Milner had given them in a 1-0 win at Ewood Park before the tie swung in their favour with the sending off of Rovers’ Christopher Samba five minutes before half-time.

Milner converted the penalty, which resulted from Samba’s foul in bringing down Gabriel Agbonlahor and added a second goal to cap a wonderful personal display which will only further enhance his England credentials as Villa moved within a match of winning their first trophy in 14 years.

But Blackburn continued to push Villa all the way, even a man down.

Aston Villa’s James Milner (L) celebrates scoring his second goal against Blackburn Rovers with Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock during the league cup semi final second leg football match at Villa Park in Birmingham, West Midlands. Villa won 6-4.

After Kalinic’s double, Stephen Warnock converted at the far post, following Ashley Young’s cross, to put Villa back into the tie and make amends for his earlier error that gave Rovers such an emphatic start.

Warnock was at fault at the far post, failing to challenge Croatia’s Kalinic for David Dunn’s corner under the crossbar and the Rovers striker’s header struck Warnock on the head before beating American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Villa were two down before the half hour mark when Kalinic started the move, which resulted in him tapping home the rebound after Martin Olsson’s header from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross had been half saved by Guzan.

Villa simply could not get to grips with Rovers’ five-man midfield, but that all changed when Samba was shown a straight red card for his trip on Agbonlahor as the pair chased Emile Heskey’s through ball. (more…)

A Ghanian fan cheers for his team during the Group B match between Ghana and Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations at November 11 stadium in Luanda, on January 19. Missing Michael Essien and a score of first choice players the four-time champions Ghana still managed to book their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win.

Ghana avoided the ignominy of becoming the first World Cup qualifiers not to make it past the Africa Cup of Nations first round thanks to a little help from a legend’s son.

Missing Michael Essien and a score of first choice players the four-time champions still managed to book their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over 10-man Burkina Faso here on Tuesday.

The only goal came from French-based Andre Ayew, son of one of Africa’s most decorated players, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, three-time Africa Footballer of the Year and a member of Marseille’s 1993 Champions League winning side.

Ghana’s reward was a last eight date with hosts Angola at Luanda’s 11 November stadium on Sunday.

Algeria, the Group A runners-up, face Group B winners Ivory Coast, with Burkina Faso down and out.

Dede Ayew of Ghana (right) celebrates his goal during the group stage match between Ghana and Burkina Faso during African Cup of Nations at November 11 stadium in Luanda. Ghana defeated 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

The main news off the pitch on day 10 of the competition came from Cabinda where Mali despatched a letter of protest at Monday’s goalless draw between Angola and Algeria.

The shared point put those two sides through from Group A at the expense of Mali, who cried foul.

That attitude incensed the Mali team who wrote to organisers the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to make an official complaint.

“We are lodging a vehement protest against the behaviour of the Algeria and Angola teams,” the Mali Football Federation president Boubacar Thiam wrote in the letter, a copy of which has been seen by AFP.

Mahamoudou Kere of Burkina Faso (left) and Hans Sarpei of Ghana vie for the ball during their group stage match during African Cup of Nations at November 11 stadium in Luanda. Ghana defeated 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 to add their names to the quarter-final cast list.

“In fact the second half of the game was a total non-match, the two sides systematically refusing to play in order to maintain the score at 0-0 which was sufficient for qualification.”

He continued: “This anti-sporting behaviour is contrary to the ethics and the fair-play policy put forward by FIFA and CAF must condemn it with the utmost vigour.

“It does a disservice to African football and to the game in general. We hope that CAF will take the necessary disciplinary measures.” (more…)

Manchester City’s Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez chases the ball against Manchester United during their English League Cup semi final first leg football match at The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester. City won 2-1.

Carlos Tevez, whose move across Manchester was the source of so much controversy, made the difference as City claimed a 2-1 win over United in the rivals’ League Cup semi-final first leg here on Tuesday.

Ryan Giggs’s first derby goal since 1996 handed United the lead but Tevez, whose decision to reject United and sign for their wealthy neighbours in the close season was accompanied by such ill feeling, scored twice, taking his tally to 13 goals from his last 11 games.

Tevez was always destined to play a pivotal role in this semi-final, one way or another.

Sure enough, when Craig Bellamy was held back by badly beaten United full-back Fabio five minutes before the interval, it was the Argentinian forward who was handed the responsibility of converting from the penalty spot, one he gleefully accepted with an emphatic finish.

Tevez’s gesture to former team mate Gary Neville, sat in his customary position on the United bench, told the defender to be silent and was sweet revenge for the City man having endured a half of baiting and abuse from visiting supporters.

The penalty cancelled out Giggs’s early opening goal, which came from United’s first attack of note.

Manchester United’s English forward Wayne Rooney (R) is tackled by Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Vincent Kompany during their English League Cup semi final first leg football match at The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester. City won 2-1.

Patrice Evra found Antonio Valencia on the right wing. Bellamy appeared to have stifled the danger with a challenge on the winger but Valencia slipped past the City man and took advantage of Vincent Kompany’s failure to cut out the cross.

A near-post touch from Wayne Rooney took the ball away from City keeper Shay Given and Giggs was well placed to convert into an open net from practically on the goalline.

The second half winner was vintage Tevez although it was again the result of poor defending from United, something that has happened with alarming regularity for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team this season. (more…)

Former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have taken control of West Ham after acquiring a 50 percent stake in the English Premier League club.

Former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan have taken control of West Ham after acquiring a 50 percent stake in the English Premier League club, they confirmed on Tuesday.

The announcement came after Tony Fernandes, the chief executive of AirAsia and the boss of the Lotus Formula One team, confirmed that he had pulled out of the race.

The Malaysian businessman posted a message on Twitter which read: “Deal lost on West Ham. Hopefully new owners protect what’s good. We gave awesome deal and new ideas to rejuvenate a club and bring excitement.”

Sullivan and Gold will have the final say in the running of the club although CB Holdings, the current owner which is headed by Icelandic bank Straumur, retains a 50 percent stake.

The two businessmen have been working towards a takeover of West Ham since leaving Birmingham in November following the sale of their controlling interest in that club to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

The duo have promised that they will provide funds for manager Gianfranco Zola to bolster his relegation-threatened squad in the current transfer window, but Sullivan also warned that they would seek to address the “imbalance in the squad and the crazy wages” the club has been paying.

Angola’s team captain Kali waits for players at the beginning of the Angolan football team’s practice during the African Cup of Nations football championships. Angola go into Monday’s decisive Group A game against Algeria safe in the knowledge that a draw will be enough to see them progress to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Angola go into Monday’s decisive Group A game against Algeria safe in the knowledge that a draw will be enough to see them progress to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

The table-topping hosts have four points and are sitting pretty as even defeat would see them go through if Mali beat Malawi in the mini-league’s second fixture being staged at the same time up in Cabinda.

Algeria on the other hand need a win to ensure their place in the last eight if they are not to be reliant on the right result from Cabinda.

The World Cup qualifiers lost 3-0 to Malawi in their opener last Monday, a match played out to a crowd that barely reached triple figures.

It will be an altogether different story this time around when they will have 50,000 vocal local fans up against them.

In glaring contrast only half a dozen fans have travelled from Algeria to support the Desert Foxes, with visa restrictions and high costs – Luanda is the most expensive city in the world for visitors, a pizza can cost 50 US dollars – - the reasons behind the Algerian fans no-show.

Angolan youngsters play football next to the stadium where the Angolan football team have been training in Luanda. Angola go into Monday’s decisive Group A game against Algeria safe in the knowledge that a draw will be enough to see them progress to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Angola captain Kali, paying tribute to the home support, said: “The fans have been amazing. Our biggest responsibility is to win for them.”

While midfielder Dede is out, he picked up a thigh injury in last Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Mali, doubts also persist over the fitness of star striker Flavio.

The Saudi Arabia-based forward is leading scorer in the competition with three goals, but was taken off in the second half in the 2-0 win over Malawi.

Gilberto, who has also been in good scoring form at the competition, and Zuela, are also concerns for the hosts.

Kali noted on Friday: “Of course we’ve got injuries but there are still another 48 hours to go. (more…)

Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Diego Alberto Milito (L) fights for a ball against Bari’s defender Andrea Masiello during their Italian Serie A football match at Bari’s stadium. Bari breathed new life into the Serie A title race by holding champions Inter Milan to a draw for the second time this season after a 2-2 stalemate that included three penalties.

Bari breathed new life into the Serie A title race by holding champions Inter Milan to a draw for the second time this season after a 2-2 stalemate that included three penalties.

Inter, who were 2-0 down at one stage, now lead city rivals AC Milan by nine points, but the Rossonero have two games in hand with the derby to come next weekend.

But while Inter coach Jose Mourinho may feel this was two points dropped, as was the case when Inter hosted the southerners on the opening day of the season, this result was testament to Inter’s powers of recovery.

Two Paulo Baretto penalties looked to have given Bari victory but Macedonia striker Goran Pandev pulled a goal back before Argentine strike partner Diego Milito’s penalty earned the champions a share of the spoils.

Few clear-cut chances were created in the first half but Bari clearly had the better of things with Honduran winger Edgar Alvarez’s pace causing considerable problems for makeshift left-back Ivan Cordoba.

And it was Alvarez who had the first clear sight of goal on 28 minutes as Massimo Donati’s pass found a gap between Cordoba and centre-back Lucio with the Honduran racing on to the ball but with only Julio Cesar to beat he fired against the goalkeeper’s legs.

Four minutes later Hungarian Vladimir Koman slipped the ball wide to overlapping left-back Alessandro Parisi and his fierce drive was beaten away by Julio Cesar.

Inter seemed to be coming back into the match early in the second period as Wesley Sneijder struck a powerful free-kick from distance wide out on the left only for Belgian goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet to tip the ball around the post.

From the resulting corner Milito’s shot was blocked and Cordoba sliced the rebound wide.

But the game changed on two penalties, the first given when Riccardo Meggiorini’s cross from the left hit Walter Samuel’s arm. (more…)

Chelsea’s John Terry (right) celebrates a goal with teammate Nicolas Anelka during their Premier League match vs Manchester City at the City Of Manchester Stadium, north-west England, on December 5. Terry has told his Chelsea team-mates they must take their chance to put the pressure back on to Manchester United and Arsenal in the most unpredictable Premier League title battle in years.

John Terry has told his Chelsea team-mates they must take their chance to put the pressure back on to Manchester United and Arsenal in the most unpredictable Premier League title battle in years.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side appeared to be well on their way to reclaiming the trophy after they beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates at the end of November.

But a December blip allowed their rivals back into the race and, with last weekend’s trip to Hull falling victim to the weather, Chelsea would have surrendered top spot if United had managed to beat Birmingham.

As it turned out, United were held to a draw at St Andrews while Arsenal also dropped points in a 2-2 stalemate with Everton, handing the initiative back to Chelsea as well as allowing Manchester City to creep back into contention.

Ancelotti’s squad have not played since hitting five goals past Watford in an FA Cup tie on January 3 and Terry underlined the significance of Sunderland’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“We cannot afford any more slip-ups,” the Chelsea captain said. “Thankfully the teams in and around us have been slipping up as well, but Arsenal are right back in the frame again. When we beat them 3-0 I thought they were out of it to be honest.

“We need to concentrate on ourselves because apart from the Watford game, when we were brilliant albeit against a lesser side, we haven’t been playing as well.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney (right) celebrates with Darren Fletcher after scoring against Hull City during their Premier League match at The KC Stadium in Hull, northern England, on December 27. Manchester United play Burnley on Saturday.

“Hopefully we can kick on now, and pull away when the other teams are slipping up.”

It has been a frustrating start to the new year for champions United, who will seek revenge for a shock defeat at Burnley back in August when the Premier League newcomers visit Old Trafford.

It will be Burnley’s first match under new manager Brian Laws, who was appointed this week as the successor to Owen Coyle, who will be busy preparing his new charges at Bolton for Arsenal’s visit on Sunday. (more…)