Tunisia out, Togo in.

A missed penalty from Khaled Mouelhi saw Tunisia exit the 2013 African Cup of Nations after they drew 1-1 with Togo in their final Group D game at Mbombela Stadium on Thursday night.

The first 45 minutes saw Togo start the better of the two sides as they used the width of the pitch to their advantage and attacked down the flanks.

Togo, consequently, created their first chance on goal in the seventh minute when Gakpe attacked down the left and supplied an inch perfect pass for Floyd Ayite, but he fired wide from six-yards out.

Three minutes later and Togo were on the attack again, this time down the right. But again the ball into the box was wasted as Emmanuel Adebayor fired over from 14-yards.

Finally, in 13th minute Togo were able to make their pressure pay off when Gakpe gave them the lead.

Adebayor supplied the through ball for Gakpe who produced a clinical finish from just inside the box, 1-0.

In the 21st minute Adebayor should have double Togo's lead when he met a right wing cross, but he shot wide from ten-yards out under no pressure.

Slowly Tunisia found their footing in the match, but were lucky to get back in the game when the referee awarded a soft penalty in the 29th minute.

The referee, harshly, pointed to the spot when he adjudged Nibombe to have pushed Hichri at a corner-kick.

Khaled Mouelhi stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty to restore parity at 1-1 going into the break.

The second 45 saw Tunisia pressing forward in search of the goal that would send them into the quarters, but their passing in the final third let them down.

Instead, it was at the other end where the clearest chance of the half came in the 70th minute.

Adebayor showed his aerial strength as he rose above his marker to head a left wing cross onto the woodwork.

Nonetheless, Tunisia continued to press forward and won a second soft penalty in the 76th minute, after the referee adjudged Nibombe to have pulled down a Tunisia attacker inside the box.

But unlike his first conversion, Mouelhi struck the right-hand post with the spot-kick.

In the end that missed penalty cost his side a place in the quarterfinals as the game ended 1-1, and Togo progressed into the knockout stages of AFCON 2013.

source: mtnfootball.com

Annan worried over fitness level at AFCON

Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan says he is battling for fitness ahead of Thursday’s crucial game against Group B leaders Mali.

The Osasuna player has been an injury doubt since picking up an ankle injury last week during a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt in Abu Dhabi.

But Annan was a second half appearance last Sunday in Ghana's 2-2 draw with DR Congo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

It was after the match the combative midfielder admitted he was far from his best form.

"I am not 100% fit. I am working on my fitness level and hopefully, I should be in line against Mali," Annan said.

''The team's medics are doing a great job and in no time I expect to be fully fit without any problems.

"We're disappointed with the result but we must understand DR Congo is also a good side and played well.

"We need to go back to the drawing board to see where we went wrong. But I’m confident we’ll bounce back."

By MTNFootball.com

No Bail for Deeba!

A Ghanaian musician, Akyeampong Deeba, also known as Richard Nimo and Kofi Akyeampong, was yesterday remanded by the Accra Circuit Court pending his extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for allegedly defiling his stepdaughter.

He was arraigned on five counts of defilement and another count of assault, but his plea was not taken. He will reappear on February 7, 2013.

The facts of the case, as narrated by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. Cletus Abedamlora, were that in December 2012, INTERPOL Accra received a request of arrest warrant from its counterpart in London to the effect that between 2004 and 2008, while living in the UK, the accused person had a relationship with a woman who already had two daughters, aged eight and six, from her previous relationship.

Subsequently, Deeba and the woman had two children from their union. Initially, they lived separately, but when the woman went on night shift, Deeba took care of the home and cared for the children. That, the prosecutor said, continued until September 2008 when Deeba returned to Ghana to pursue his musical career.

But two weeks after his departure from the UK, Deeba’s stepdaughter told her mother that her stepfather had sexual intercourse with her on several occasions whenever her mother went to work in the night.

According to the prosecutor, on those occasions, Deeba invited the little girl into the bedroom to watch pornographic films with him, after which he would lay her on the bed, kiss her mouth, apply baby oil on his penis and have sex with her.

The little girl also alleged that the accused person sometimes had anal sex with her and that after each act; he put a sanitary towel in her panties to avoid evidence of bloodstains and also hid his stained bed sheet.

She further alleged that Deeba threatened to beat her if she disclosed the acts to anyone. Deeba, the prosecutor said, assaulted the little girl’s sister between June 1 and 4, 2008 when she attempted to satisfy her inquisitiveness about what was happening to her sister and that led to a cut on the back of the girl’s head.

A medical examination on the little girl by a forensic physician, Dr. Ainsley Kassie, revealed extensive damage to her hymen as a result of vaginal penetration.

Deeba was said to have denied the offence when he was confronted by his fiancée, who later lodged a complaint with the police, following which a warrant was issued by the Northampton-shire Magistrate Court for the arrest of the accused person.

The prosecutor said Deeba was arrested at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra during an undercover operation.

Deeba denied the offence in his caution statement to the police. The judge, Mr Ebenezer Osei-Darko, turned down an application for bail by Deeba’s lawyer, Mr Kofi Kwakye.
Source: Daily Graphic

Agya Koo granted bail

The popular actor and comedian, Kofi Adu, other wise known as Agya Koo, has been granted bail to the tune of 20,000 Ghana cedis with two sureties.

Agya Koo, who appeared before an Accra Circuit Court Monday, is facing charges of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit, migrant smuggling, and defrauding by false pretenses.

A member of his legal team, Nkrabeah Effah Darteh appealed to the judge to grant his client bail since the charges do not involve murder nor narcotics.

Agya Koo reported himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18, 20I3 but the actor was arrested and placed in police custody until Monday.

A report of fraud had been made against the suspect by Mr Kwarteng, who alleged that the comedian had taken GHc3,800 from him on the pretext of helping him travel to the United States of America (USA).

Following a Daily Graphic publication on the case last Friday, 13 more people have reported to the police that each of them has been defrauded of $1,850 by the popular Ghanaian actor and comedian under the pretext of securing United States of America (USA) visas for them.

He is expected to reappear before the court on Tuesday, January 22.

Source: radioxyzonline.com

Mbesuma set to start against Ethiopia

Reports from Zambia  is that Collins Mbesuma might make a rare start and play against Ethiopia.

The Orlando Pirates striker has never started in an Africa Cup game under Renard and played just once in three tournaments under the Frenchman.

His only appearance was on January 25, 2012 in Bata in a 2-2 Group A draw against Libya when he came on in the 74th minute for Emmanuel Mayuka, the player he is expected to usurp in today’s starting 11.  Zambia probable lineup: Mweene-Nkausu, Himonde, Sunzu, Mbola-Sinkala,Chansa, Chisamba, Kalaba- Katongo, Mbesuma

source: mtnfootball.com

No pressure to play Mukuka says Renard

Herve Renard has warned that he will not be pressured to play teenage midfielder Mukuka Mulenga at the 2013 Africa Cup.

Renard told MTNFootball.com that the 19-year-old Power Dynamos midfielder and Africa Cup debutant needed time to adjust to playing at the highest level.

"Mukuka Mulenga is one of the players who has improved a lot and he deserves to be in the 23," Renard said.

"If you look at all the games he has played for the national team he has come on and played half a game or less."

The midfielder from Arthur Davies in Kitwe won the 2012 MTN Zambia Player of The Year Award and scored 10 goals for Power last year.

"I will let him to come in slowly. You know the pressure of the Africa Cup is not like playing at Arthur Davies Stadium," Renard said.

"And people request all the time for a player and when he is not good they say: Ah! Why are you playing him?! It is easy for them to say that."

Mukuka is one of two Zambia debutant's in South Africa together with Red Arrows goalkeeper Daniel Munyau

 

source: mtnfootball.com

'A LESSON FROM DR CONGO’S GAME'

 By Ebenezer Zor
The saying ‘to everything there is a first time’ should not be used as yardstick in the ongoing AFCON 2013 tournament as far as Ghana is concerned.

Ghana's 2-2 drawn game against their Congolese counterparts in the group B opener played at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Port Elizabeth has raised some eyebrows and i want to add my voice to it.

I believe football fellows will be on the same page with me as the stars in that particular duel though managed a drawn game however the Congolese lead by Mputu, Lua Lua, Mbokani were individually brilliant over the entire 90 minutes.

As I watched the game from afar the stars lacked quality, cohesion, poor marking, easily giving away passes, low recovery rate and the above Kwadwo Asamoah’s left foot back was totally a negative decision.

The Congolese predominantly foresaw the left foot back as a low point and did justice to that which unfortunately caused a large problem for the team.

I wonder why a left foot back like Harrison Afful came in as substitute for midfielder Kwadwo Asmoah who manned such a position.

Dilating on output, goalkeeper Fatau Dauda for the first time kept his composure, calmness and courage through out the game even though conceded two unquestionable goals. For this reason he deceiving another chance is okay by me.

The central pair of John Boye and Jerry Akaminko was a flop as they were greatly exploited by Laulua, Mbokani to create a an opportunity for Mputu to pull one back. In my view I would like to see Jonathan Mensah or Vorsah in the next game against Mali on Thursday.

It was fire on the mountain as far as the midfield was concerned. Wakasu Mubarak and Agyemang Badu did quite well but Derek Boateng looked so fatigued and flat-footed not even to  say a bad day until Anthony Annan came on from the bench to substitute him. Still on this, Atsu was virtually missing in action (MIA) due to the role assigned to him on the left flanks.

In the course of the game the stars again lacked one exceptional player and Albert Adomah did not own up to that task.

For the strikers that least said about them is better and I know people would be contemplating about who should be or out of the team.

These agitations must not be raised rather let’s in our own encourage players so that they do not loose focus and hope.

But the team must lift up their game in the next match against Mali who won 1-0 against Niger.

Ghana needs a win and anything less than such expectation could spell doom for them on the backdrop of the outcome between DR Congo and Niger.

GRC leases land to Togolese for 99 years

Source: George Osei
News gathered indicates that the Ghana Railway Company (GRC) has leased land to a Togolese by name ‘Holy Boy’ who has taken the law into his hands threatening those currently occupying it.

According to sources the GRC has leased part of its land on the Achimota train way station behind the Tesano Police Station to this Togolese for 99 years and he has served notice of his intention to evict tenants off it.

The tenants according to them, have been occupying the land for close to 10 years and have developed it themselves,to make the area look good.

A spokes person for the group Johny De Souza told this reporter that they cannot understand why a state institution like the GRC could lease to a foreigner for that long and questioned why this should be so.

The Togolese (Holy Boy) according to Mr. De Souza, has notified them of his intention to forcibly clear them off the land by this week and develop it privately for commercial purposes and this they (tenants) cannot understand.

They claim Holy Boy is in league with the GRC authorities to sell off the land and wants government to step into the matter as soon as possible and investigate the authenticity of the claims being made by the Togolese.

Mr. De Souza said they used to pay rent to the GRC, but, have been told that Holy Boy is now in charge and he is refusing to listen to any of their offers as all he wants is to see them off “his land”.

The tenants according to their spokes person, are refusing to leave the place and this could result in some scuffle if Holy Boy carries out his threat of evicting them off the land by this week.

BADU SCORED FIRST IN 2013 AFCON TOURNEY

 BY Ebenezer Zor

Agyemang Badu

Ghana’s midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu scored the first goal of the 2013 ongoing AFCON tourney after the two opening group A matches produced no goals.

Badu who plies his trade with Italian Seria A side, Udinese got the goal in the 40th minute in their group B opener against DR Congo yesterday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Badu, Egypt 2009 U-20 world cup winner popped from the middle into the six yards box of the opponent to connect a brilliant pass from Kwadwo Asamoah for the first goal of the tournament.

GHANA SETTLES 2-2 GAME AGAINST DR CONGO

 By Ebenezer Zor

Ghana was shocked when DR Congo staged a come back in the four goals thriller settling the game two apiece in ongoing 2013 AFCON tournament of the group B opener played at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Four times Africa champions, the Black Stars of Ghana had their noses in front in the 40^th minute after Kwadwo Asamoah’s brilliant pass found Emmanuel Agyemeng Badu who the played the ball into the entwine for his side.

The leopards of Congo having pushed to the wall kept probing for the equalizer but lucky eluded them.

Both teams created decent chances and could not put the ball at the back of each others net ending the first half 1-0 in favor of Ghana.

Back from recess, a powerful corner from Wakasu Munarak which landed on the head of Kwadwo Asamoah  directly through the arms of goalkeeper Robert Kidiabi into the entwine in the 49^th minute to increased the tally for the stars.

But a well determine Congolese who could not relent finally hard their efforts paid off in the 53^rd minute as captain Tresor Mputu who also plies his trade with TP Mzembe bleach the defense set –up to plunge the ball at the far ridge of goalkeeper Fatau Dauda with his limbo right –footed.

The stars could have capitalized on the on lead but a more aggressive Congolese side mounted pressure untill a penalty was awarded when defender Jerry Akaminko held on the jersey of striker Dieumerci Mbokani in the six yards box.

Dieumerci Mbokani scored in the 68^th minute to restore parity.

Else where in the other group B match, Mali won 1-0 against Niger by kind courtesy Sedyou Keita 83^rd minute goal.

Mali tops group b with three points preceded by DR Congo and Ghana with a point each and Niger at the bottom without any point.

Mali takes on Ghana on Thursday whiles DR Congo slug it out with Niger in the second group B matches.

AFCON RECORDS

These are the records for the Africa Cup of Nation since its inception in the year 1957 till date.

Years          Champions
1957            Egypt
1959           UA Republic
1962            Ethiopia
1963            Ghana
1965            Ghana
1968            Congo DR
1970            Sudan
1972            Congo
1974            Zaire
1976            Morroco
1978            Ghana
1980            Nigeria
1982            Ghana
1984            Cameroon
1986            Egypt
1988            Cameroon
1990            Algeria
1992            Cote D’lvoire
1994            Nigeria
1996            South Africa
1998            Egypt
2000            Cameroon
2002            Cameroon
2004            Tunisia
2006            Egypt
2008            Egypt
2010            Egypt
2012            Zambia
2013              ?

AFCON 2013 FIXTURES

Below are the full parings for the 2013 AFCON which kicks off in South Africa today. This will enable all and sundry to fill in the results as the matches are played.

Group A
Teams
South Africa
  Angola
  Morocco
  Cape Verde
 

19 January 2013
Match 1
16:00 South Africa vrs
  Cape Verde
Soccer City, Johannesburg
19 January 2013
19:00    Angola Vrs
Match 2
  Morocco
Soccer City, Johannesburg
23 January 2013
15:00    South Africa  vrs
Match 9
  Angola
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
23 January 2013
18:00    Morocco  vrs
Match 10
  Cape Verde
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
27 January 2013
17:00    Morocco vrs
Match 17
  South Africa
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
27 January 2013
17:00    Cape Verde vrs
Match 18
  Angola
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
               
Group B
Teams
  Ghana
  Mali
  Niger
  Congo DR

20 January 2013
15:00    Ghana  vrs
Match 3
  Congo DR
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
20 January 2013
18:00    Mali  vrs
Match 4
  Niger
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
24 January 2013
13:00    Ghana  vrs
Match 11
  Mali
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
24 January 2013
18:00    Niger  vrs
Match 12
  Congo DR
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
               
28 January 2013
17:00    Niger  vrs
Match 19
  Ghana
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
       
28 January 2013
17:00    Congo DR  vrs
Match 20
  Mali
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
               
Group C

Team   
  Zambia
  Nigeria
  Burkina Faso
  Ethiopia
21 January 2013
15:00    Zambia  vrs
Match 5
  Ethiopia
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
21 January 2013
18:00    Nigeria  Vrs
Match 6
  Burkina Faso
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
               
25 January 2013
15:00    Zambia  Vrs
Match 13
  Nigeria
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
25 January 2013
18:00    Burkina Faso Vrs
Match 14
  Ethiopia
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
29 January 2013
17:00    Burkina Faso Vrs
Match 21
  Zambia
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
               

29 January 2013
17:00    Ethiopia  Vrs
Match 22
  Nigeria
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
               
Group D
Teams
  Côte d'Ivoire
  Tunisia
  Algeria
  Togo

22 January 2013
15:00    Côte d'Ivoire  Vrs
Match 7
  Togo
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
22 January 2013
18:00    Tunisia  Vrs
Match 8
  Algeria
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
26 January 2013
15:00    Côte d’Ivoire Vrs
Match 15
  Tunisia
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
26 January 2013
18:00    Algeria  Vrs
Match 16
  Togo
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
30 January 2013
17:00    Algeria  Vrs
Match 23
  Côte d'Ivoire
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
30 January 2013
17:00    Togo  Vrs
Match 24
  Tunisia
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
    Quarterfinals
2 February 2013
15:00    Winner Group B   
Match 26    Runner-up Group A    Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
               
2 February 2013
18:30    Winner Group A    Match 25    Runner-up Group B    Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
       
3 February 2013
15:00    Winner Group D    Match 28    Runner-up Group C    Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
           
3 February 2013
18:30    Winner Group C    Match 27    Runner-up Group D    Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
               
Semifinals
6 February 2013
15:30    Winner Match 25    Match 29    Winner Match 28    Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
               
6 February 2013
18:30    Winner Match 27    Match 30    Winner Match 26    Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
               
Third place play-off
9 February 2013
18:00    Loser Match 29    Match 31    Loser Match 30    Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
               
Final
10 February 2013
18:00    Winner Match 29    Match 32    Winner Match 30    Soccer City, Johannesburg
                   

Right to play hands over a rehabilated schol block

 By Ebenezer Zor

from left Mr. Gao(in white lac oust shirt) handing over the keys to chief of the area-Nii Aryee Oppong (dressed in ordinary cloth) surrounded by some pupils'

As part of it's social responsibilities, Right to play yesterday handed over the keys for the rehabilitated Obeilakwa Baic school to the natives of Obom in the Greater Accra Region.

The GH¢7,500 completed project saw dignitaries, teachers, pupils and some community folks from all walks of life o grace the occasion under the Ga South Municipal Assembly.

At the ceremony, Headmaster of the school Mr. Saheed Mohammemd Habib in his short speech disclosed that the school had its roof ripped off thereafter produced cracks within the walls and floors as a consequence of a heavy downpour of rain last year in May.

He noted his outfit did not had any option than to get in touch to the district heads through series of letters till Right to play intervened since the lives and future of the children were at stake.

Mr. Habib indicated the renovation which started about four months ago has been completed and for that matter glad entreating all and sundry to put in their maximum best so that the resources committed will not be in vain.

The Deputy district statistician, Paul Antwi commended the initiative of Right to play adding that if the renovation had been left to  government it could not have gotten to such a rapid completion since there are a lot of challenges facing the country.

Mr. Antwi was worried about the drop out of pupils consistently from the school especially among the girls adding that guardians, teachers and stakeholders must ensure that pupils' get the needed assistance to complete Junior High School (JHS).

Opinion leader and spokesperson for the Chief, John Ahaiba on behalf of the community expressed his profound gratitude to Right to play and also appealed to the group to again assist in the rehabilitation of the schools library.

Speaking on behalf of country manager, Mr. Kwabena Gao believes the completed project will motivate the teachers and pupils' to strive for more academic excellence.

In a closing remarks, chairman for the function, Mr. C.Y Loko who also doubles as a circuit supervisor thanked Right to play and look forward to strengthen their partnership for the sake of the school. 

ARE STARS READY FOR THE TITLE?

 By Ebenezer Zor  

With some few days to kicck-start the 29th phase of Africa’s most prestigious Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 in South Africa, a cross section of Ghana’s population believes the  Black Stars are in stupendous form following victories chalked in their last two matches.  

The Black Stars engaged in a two-international duels some days back against Egypt and Tunisia as a warm-up geared toward the AFCON tourney.  Surprisingly the Stars whitewash the Pharoahs of Egypt by 3-0 and staged a coruscating 4-2 comeback against the Carthage of Eagles from Tunisia all played at the Sheikh Zayhed Sports Complex in Abu Dhabi, UAE.  

Precisely these huge score lines against the north African football giants have erased the tag of one goal project with reference to Coach James Akwasi Appiah predecessors- Goran Stevanovic and Milovan Rajevac.  

On the strength of this, could Stars translate the hope, confidence, skill, oneness and telepathy to earn the continental crown for the fifth time in 31 years ?  

To be very honest, I think some of the football connoisseurs’ are in a rush tipping Ghana for the penultimate base on their two successful international hostilities.  

However let’s not forget that friendly games and tournaments are not of the same magnitude and uniqueness.  

It will be prudent as a denizen of a country not make a molehill out of a mountain and as such tournaments of this sort are unpredictable.

KEITA TURNS 33 TODAY

 By Ebenezer Zor

2008: In action for Barcelona

Today marks Malian and Dalian Arebin FC midfielder Seydou Keita's 33rd birthday. The former Barcelona star who now plies his trade with Dalian Arebin FC in China is noited for both his central and defensive style of play.

During his days with Barcelona he won three La Liga Cups: 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 two UEAF champions league titles (2008–09, 2010–11), two UEFA Super Cups: 2009, 2011,two FIFA Club World Cups: 2009, 2011, three Supercopa de Españas: 2009, 2010, 2011 and two Copa del Reys: 2008–09, 2011–12.

PROFILE
Full name     Seydou Keita
Date of birth     16 January 1980 (age 33)
Place of birth     Bamako, Mali
Playing position     Midfielder

Club information
Current club     Dalian Aerbin
Number     20

Youth career
1995–1997     Centre Salif Keita
1997–1999     Marseille

Senior career
Years                Team          APP      GLS
1999–2000     Marseille       6       ( 0)
2000–2002     Lorient         58         (1)
2002–2007     Lens           157     (19)
2007–2008     Sevilla         31         (4)
2008–2012     Barcelona   119     (16)
2012–     Dalian Aerbin       12     (4)

National
2001–                Mali            74     (20

Hearts In Relegation Zone?

The debate on the performance of one of Ghana’s most glamorous club Accra Hearts of Oak this season has been far from worse ending the 15 matches of the first round of the Glo Premiership with 15 points and 14th on the league.

Alhaji Grusah's King Faisal denied Hearts a win at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the last round of matches extending Hearts campaign to three wins, six losses and six draws of the first round of the Glo premiership.

Having not won the last seven matches with the new code '1415' for the team base on the recent terrible performance has been a shame for the Phobian fraternity likewise football fellows in the country.

In the course of the first round, ex-coach C.K Akunnor was made to vacate his position for the former Ashantigold handler, Coach David Duncan. Coach David Duncan and his lads have not lift up to the expectations of the supporters.

For all we know some football connoisseurs find it cumbersome to indicate factors responsible for the diminish returns of Hearts of Oak this season.

Could the above analogy be attributed to the unexceptional quality of players, disunity among members or be it spiritual confrontations?

I know football has come of age to be unpredictable in the full glare of impossibilities becoming possible.

About two years ago, River Plate, a team after 110 years in the Argentina topflight league suffered the same faith and got relegated.

Similarly, RTU, Olympics and King Faisal cannot be left out from this scenario. I believe to everything there is a season but one need to position itself well for the season to locate it.

Now that the first round is over, Hearts must visit their drawing board and rectify all mistakes before the second leg kick start immediately after 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

There should be unity among the old and new members so that they all could solve this menace bedeviling the Phobians.

For the team to bounce back to its former glory, the onus hugely is upon the technical team likewise the players. Any player chosen to do the battle for team must embark on that mission with all their might and skill to expunge Hearts for relegation zone as history beckons them.

If prudent measures are not drafted and implemented, Hearts could kiss bye-bye to the topflight after the second round and not even their motto; never say die until the Oak tree is uprooted and bones rotten could save them.

By Ebenezer Zor
zorebenezer.blogspot.com

18 Referees and 21 Assistant Referees chosen for AFCON 2013

By Ebenezer Zor

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has chosen 18 referees and 21 assistant referees for the South 2013 AFCON fever with just two days for the opening ceremony.

The officials are:

    Country        Referee

    Algeria        Mohamed Benouza

    Algeria        Djamel Haimoudi

    Cameroon   Néant Alioum

    Ivory Coast Noumandiez Doue

    Egypt          Gehad Grisha

    Gabon Eric Otogo-Castane

           

    Gambia          Bakary Gassama

    Kenya           Sylvester Kirwa

    Madagascar   Hamada Nampiandraza

    Mali Koman   Coulibaly

    Mauritania      Ali Lemghaifry

    Mauritius        Rajindraparsad Seechurn

       

    Morocco       Bouchaib El Ahrach

    Senegal         Badara Diatta

    Seychelles     Bernard Camille

    South Africa Daniel Bennett

    Tunisia         Slim Jedidi

    Zambia         Janny Sikazwe

Assistant referees

    Algeria        Albdelhak Etchiali

    Angola        Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos

    Burundi       Jean-Claude Birumushahu

    Cameroon   Evarist Menkouande

    Cameroon    Yanoussa Moussa

    Ivory Coast Yéo Songuifolo

    Eritrea         Angesom Ogbamariam

           

    Gabon             Theophile Vinga

    Ghana            Malik Alidu Salifu

    Kenya            Marwa Range

    Mali               Balla Diarra

    Morocco       Redouane Achik

    Mozambique  Arsénio Chadreque Marengula

    Nigeria Peter   Edibe

           

    Rwanda           Félicien Kabanda

    Senegal            Djibril Camara

    Senegal           El Hadji Malick Samba

    South Africa     Zakhele Siwela

    Sudan Ali        Waleed Ahmed

    Tunisia Béchir   Hassani

    Tunisia Anouar Hmila