Sudan 0-3 Zambia

Goals early in each half proved decisive for Zambia as they moved to the top of Group C with a comfortable win over Sudan in Kumasi. A well-struck shot by James Chamanga put Zambia ahead after three minutes before Sudan wasted several good first-half chances to equalise.

Jacob Mulenga headed in Zambia’s second goal early in the second half after Clive Hachilensa hit the crossbar.

Felix Katongo wrapped up the victory from close range just before the hour.

Sudan had waited 32 years to play at the Nations Cup, but their hopes of starting with a win were dented when Zambia scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

Chamanga played a one-two with Jacob Mulenga outside the box, before powering the ball into the far corner.

Namibia 1-5 Morocco

Morocco thrashed a hapless Namibian side in Accra thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Soufiane Alloudi. Alloudi scored within two minutes after Maroune Chamakh hit the post, his second came three minutes later, before Brian Brendell hit back for Namibia.

A cross from Tarik Sektioui set up Alloudi’s headed third, Sektioui then scored himself from the penalty spot.

Moncef Zerka came off the bench to convert the Atlas Lions’ fifth, heading in a corner at the back post.

In an almost empty Ohene Djan stadium, in Accra, Morocco were quick to make their mark and took the lead after only two minutes, thanks to a close-range effort from Alloudi.

Mali 1-0 Benin

An unconvincing Mali secured three points with a win against Benin to go joint top of Group B with Ivory Coast. Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute scored a penalty on 49 minutes after Dramane Traore had been fouled by Alain Gaspoz.

Benin’s best chances came from Seidath Tchomogo who headed over after 15 minutes from a right-wing cross.

Mamady Sidibe fluffed his chance of doubling Mali’s lead on 75 minutes while Mahamadou Diarra forced a save from Rachad Chitou with a long shot.

The second match of the day to be played at the Sekondi stadium started fifteen minutes late after a power failure turned off the floodlights and plunged the arena into darkness.

Ghana omit striker Amoah from ANC squad

ACCRA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Hosts Ghana have released their final 23-man squad for the African Nations Cup, leaving out Germany-based striker Matthew Amoah but featuring injured midfielder Laryea Kingston.

The team, currently preparing for the tournament in Abu Dhabi, are expected to arrive in Ghana on Jan. 15, ahead of their opening match with Guinea five days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Birmingham City), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold)

Defenders: John Mensah (Stade Rennes); John Paintsil (West Ham United), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelen), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayern Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (IK Start), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Bernard Kumodzi (Panionios FC), Laryea Kingston (Hearts), Haminu Draman (Lokomotiv Moscow), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Udinese), Baffuor Gyan (FC Saturn), Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest), Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Celta Vigo), Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals)

 source:espnsoccernet

England quartet up for Fifa award

Four England internationals have made the shortlist for the Fifa world player of the year award. Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are among the 30 players in the running.

From that list national team coaches and captains will vote for their top three players, to be revealed at Fifa’s world player gala on 17 December.

AC Milan’s Kaka is the favourite to win the award for the first time, ahead of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

Chelsea have five nominees for the Fifa award, behind only Barcelona who have seven.

There are five Italian players in the final 30, including current world player of the year Fabio Cannavaro.

Brazil star Kaka, 25, is the current FIFPro world player of the year - an award voted for by 45,000 members of the players’ union.

Addo: I’m enjoying the game

 

Winning against Brazil in the Round of 16 on Wednesday put Ghana on course for their third world title in eight attempts. And if the Black Starlets manage to do that on 9 September, it is their captain Paul Addo who will lift the trophy at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Seoul.

Although he sat out the famous 1-0 win in Gwangyang, Addo was confident that his team-mates would get better of Lulinha and Co. despite being down to ten men. Ghana faced the Brazilians at the eight-nation tournament in Suwon two months ago, and they earned a 1-1 draw after a player had been sent off in the first half.

With the Black Starlets preparing to overcome the next huddle in the shape of Peru, FIFA.com sat down with the 17-year-old ahead of his side’s quarter-final match in Changwon on Saturday.

“Our morale is very high after the victory against Brazil,” said the diminutive wing-back. “Everything’s going well and we will concentrate and try our best to win the Peru game.”

Ghana shine against Trinidad and Tobago

Ghana made a dream start to their campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. On Monday 20 August, in their opening Group F match, the Africans celebrated a convincing 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at the Cheonan Sports Complex.

The Ghanaians had their first clear chance after only two minutes, but Sadick Adams failed to convert. However, Ransford Osei made no mistake in the 12th minute as he rounded off a rapid break down the right wing to put the Black Starlets into a 1-0 lead. T&T had a couple of chances through Daniel Joseph, but in general Ghana dominated the play. Inspired by the excellent Adams and Osei, the Africans created plenty of openings themselves, with the latter making it 2-0 just before the break, before Adams added a third in first-half stoppage time.

In the second half the Ghanaians sat back a little, allowing T&T to create a few opportunities. One of these was converted by substitute Stephan Campbell, who struck a powerful free kick from almost 30 metres to notch a consolation goal for his team. But in the 85th minute Ghana had the final say, when substitute Kelvin Bossmann converted to make the final score 4-1.

source:fifa

Kaka, Ronaldinho to face Algeria

Kaka and Ronaldinho will return to the Brazil team for Wednesday’s friendly against Algeria in France. The two players skipped the Copa America - held in Venezuela from 26 June to 15 July - to go on vacation after the European season.

Coach Dunga made four other changes to the squad on Tuesday, bringing in goalkeeper Julio Cesar, defender Lucio, midfielder Lucas and striker Rafael Sobis for the match at Montepellier’s La Mosson stadium.

Dunga left out Helton, Alex, Gilberto Silva, Anderson, Afonso and Fred.

It will be Brazil’s 12th friendly since Dunga replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira after the team’s World Cup quarterfinal elimination to France.

Unhappy Diouf plots Bolton escape

El-Hadji Diouf is eager to quit Bolton for a club with Champions League ambitions - but insists the Trotters have overpriced him at £10million. The Senegal striker claims Tottenham, Celtic and Lyon have all made bids for him, as have two other unnamed clubs.

Diouf said: “I don’t want to be going just for going’s sake.

“I want to go to where I will be happy but Bolton want a lot of money. I want to play in the Champions League or at a club wanting to be there next season.”

Bolton have lost all three of their Premier League games this season, putting new boss Sammy Lee under pressure.

Speculation also surrounds the future of Diouf’s fellow Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka, who has also been valued at £10million.

Lula headlines 2007 crop of U-17 stars

Landon Donovan, Cesc Fabregas and Anderson are just some of today’s leading players who made their initial impact at the U-17 World Cup.

This year’s tournament in Korea (which runs from Aug. 18 — Sept. 9) again will provide a good indication of soccer’s next crop of young talent.

The players will experience heavy rainfall during Korea’s summer, but a couple of eye-catching performances could see them showered in the glory and wealth of the world’s top leagues.

Here’s my pick for the top 10 players at this year’s tournament.