WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2017 SPORTS

Outside pressure child’s play for Zlatan Ibrahimovic

LONDON: Swedish star Zlatan equaliser in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with national football following a disappoint- better the pressure becomes even things. “But it’s part of the game now. Ibrahmovic says the pressure on him Liverpool which ended his side’s six ing Euro 2016 finals, defended team- greater. “So it’s something that we learn What is too much, what is too less? We that comes from outside is like a kinder- match winning streak and leaves them mate and the world’s most expensive from and something we have to handle don’t know. We just follow the game. We garten compared to the pressure he 12 points behind leaders Chelsea. “I player France midfielder Paul Pogba because we belong to the top, Paul are professional, we train like always, try places on himself every time he trains or think the pressure I have all around me who was slammed for his below-par per- belongs to the top absolutely and the to do our best every game.” plays for Manchester United. is nothing compared to the pressure I formance against Liverpool. pressure will be there.” Ibrahimovic suggested the reason The 35-year-old striker-who has put on myself,” said Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic said although he didn’t Pogba’s poor performance came on the game passed Pogba by is that the defied the sceptics who thought he was “I really want to do not perfect, more know Pogba that well he felt he could the day the Old Trafford hoardings pro- game was not really played in midfield. too old to flourish at United but has than perfect, every game, even in train- handle pressure too. moted his #Pogba twitter hashtag- “For Paul (on Sunday) the game was scored 14 goals in 20 Premier League ing. I’m not happy if I don’t win in train- “Pressure is something I enjoy,” said Ibrahimovic admitted it was easier when different. It was a dirty game, in the way appearances-said the pressure he placed ing so imagine what it’s like in the Ibrahimovic. “I don’t know Paul personal- he started playing as social media was we had to play more direct, by jumping on himself was so immense because games. “That is the pressure I put on ly to be able to answer that for him. “But not part and parcel of life. “I think foot- over the midfield because the pressure nothing less than winning counted. myself and so your pressure becomes I think he likes it also because, without ball is like that today. With the social Liverpool put on us was hard. Ibrahimovic, who joined United in like a kindergarten for me. “My pressure pressure, we would not be on our toes at media, the media building up the game,” “It was difficult. The first game the close season last year after a hugely is really high. I’m not satisfied until I get the top level. said Ibrahimovic. against them was the same. The guys successful period at French champions what I want. What I want is to win.” “If you want to play at the top, pres- “When I started to play football there told me every game we play against Paris Saint Germain, scored United’s Ibrahimovic, who retired from inter- sure is 24 hours, and if you play well or was no social media, none of these Liverpool looks like this.” — AFP

Maradona set for Napoli role, if tax settled

MILAN: Napoli president Aurelio De goal against England at the 1986 World Laurentiis says a global ambassador’s role Cup remains a legend in Naples. will be offered to Diego Maradona-if the Thirty-metre high murals of Maradona former club legend settles his score with are painted on many of the city’s buildings the Italian tax man. while effigies, paintings and graffitti paying Maradona was served with a tax bill of tribute to ‘Il Pibe d’Oro’ (the Golden Child), around 39 million euros (£33m) four years who joined the club from Barcelona in ago when he returned to Italy, where he 1984, are omnipresent. led Napoli to their two Serie A titles in 1987 Maradona on Monday evening told and 1990. He is reportedly still in the red, hundreds of fans from a balcony: “I am real- having claimed in an interview with ly happy to be here with you.” Corriere della Sera last October: “I don’t Holding up his Napoli shirt to fans, owe them anything. The penalty, even Maradona claimed he rejected an offer by though it was unfair, was paid by Napoli in then Barcelona vice-president Joan Gaspart 2003.” De Laurentiis says once the dispute is to double his salary to remain with the settled, the 56-year-old Maradona, in Catalan giants. Napoli to help celebrate the 30th anniver- “This shirt allowed me to dream,” added sary of their maiden Serie A title, could be Maradona. “When I signed for Napoli, handed an official role at the club. Gaspart wanted me to stay, he offered to “For me, Maradona is a legend... as soon double my salary. as he resolves his issues over outstanding “I told him no, that I wanted to follow taxes, he will become our global ambassa- my heart. Napoli is beautiful and unique, dor,” said De Laurentiis, a film producer, on but they need to win another two league Monday evening. titles to become an even bigger club. “We Despite the controversy that has fol- have faith in president De Laurentiis.” lowed Maradona on and off the pitch Napoli sit third in Serie A at four points throughout his career, the player who behind leaders and champions Juventus became notorious for his ‘Hand of God’ and one point behind Roma. —AFP OYEM: Congo’s Lomalisa Mutambala, right, vies with Morocco’s Faycal Fajr, left, during their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer match Zidane leans on squad to between Congo and Morocco at the Stade de Oyem in Oyem, Gabon, Monday. —AP bounce back from defeat Ivory Coast stumbles, MADRID: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Barcelona aren’t in action until Thursday Zidane insists he has no reason to panic when they travel to Real Sociedad hoping and will once again use the depths of his to end an eight-game winless run in San squad against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Sebastian, stretching back to 2007. Congo beat Morocco Rey today looking to bounce back from a The Catalans were so outplayed on their first defeat in 40 games. most recent visit to Anoeta in November Madrid conceded twice in the final five that coach Luis Enrique described their 1-1 OYEM: Ivory Coast’s Europe-based stars stum- d’Oyem held up despite a desperate race to be do anything about the heat during the opening minutes in losing 2-1 to Sevilla on Sunday draw as “almost a miracle”. bled in the heat of northern Gabon in their ready in time, which saw workers scrambling match, though, with Togo coach ’s to see their lead at the top of La Liga over However, after a difficult start to the African Cup of Nations opener, with the defend- around the venue finishing all sorts of jobs on shirt covered in dark sweat patches after urging the Europa League holders cut to one year, Barca have begun to find their form in ing champion held by Togo to 0-0 on Monday in the day of the game. Television viewers won’t his team on to a promising draw against the point. Real did get the better of Sevilla in the past week in defeating Athletic Bilbao another twist to start the tournament. have seen the construction debris that sur- defending champion Ivorians. the Cup last 16 despite Zidane heavily to reach the last eight before hammering Ivory Coast’s title-winning coach fared worse rounds the outside of the stadium, which juts “It was very hot. We were sweating so much,” rotating his side with Cristiano Ronaldo not Las Palmas 5-0 on Saturday. as Congo beat Herve Renard’s Morocco 1-0 in out of dense jungle canopy around 15 kilome- Le Roy said. “We did what it takes. We are satis- even making the squad for both legs of a 6- Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and the day’s second game. ters outside of Oyem. Even organizers couldn’t fied with the draw.” — AP 3 aggregate win. Neymar are set to return after being rested Congo, a team that was on strike and refusing And, whilst Zidane refused to confirm at the weekend, but Brazilian international to train two days ago, finished with 10 men on whether the four-time World Player of the midfielder Rafinha was ruled out on the field and on top of Group D. Year will make his first appearance in this Tuesday with a hamstring injury. Ivory Coast created few clear chances against Aubameyang promises year’s competition in the first leg of their Eibar have reached the quarter-finals for Togo, with ’s blocked shot in the quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu the first time in their history, but face a second half after a clever run probably its best. against Celta, the Frenchman insisted a first daunting task to reach the last four as they Zaha was substituted two minutes later and, better by hosts Gabon defeat since April last year won’t discour- travel to Atletico Madrid for the first leg of although Ivory Coast pressed hard in stages, it LIBREVILLE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and made against Guinea-Bissau, like conceding a age him from rotating once more. their tie on Thursday. never broke open Togo’s well-drilled defense in hosts Gabon vowed to put a poor start to their goal in the final minute. We must now rectify “We are a group of 24 and I am going to Alcorcon are also making their bow in the first game in Group C in the northern jungle Africa Cup of Nations behind them and beat those errors and defeat Burkina Faso.” The use everyone,” Zidane said yesterday. the last eight as the only second division town of Oyem. Burkina Faso today in the second series of Group Burkinabe, whose best showing was finishing “I am going to count on all 24 until the side left in the competition and welcome Togo was competitive in the first half and had A matches. A “Panthers” team captained by the runners-up to 2013 champions Nigeria, fell end (of the season). If we win something it Alaves yesterday. — AFP two good openings with around 10 minutes to Borussia Dortmund star striker conceded a last- behind to Cameroon and survived an onslaught will be because of the 24 players, I am sure go, when Kodjo Laba missed with a header from minute goal to only draw 1-1 with minnows before levelling. Centre-back Bakary Kone, mid- of that.” Ronaldo netted from the penalty in front of goal and Mathieu Dossevi’s deflected Guinea-Bissau in the tournament opener. fielder and captain Charles Kabore and winger spot at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday but shot dropped onto the roof of the net. Former African Footballer of the Year Jonathan Pitroipa form an experienced back- was otherwise largely ineffective. Four of the first six games at the African Cup Matches on TV Aubameyang put the home team ahead with a bone to an unpredictable side. However, Zidane rejected suggestions have been draws, with Ivory Coast’s fellow title tap-in only for Juary Soares to nod the leveller the Portuguese was rusty due to his lack of (Local Timings) challenger, Algeria, held to 2-2 by Zimbabwe, a off a free-kick. With four-time champions ‘LITTERED WITH UPSETS’ playing time in 2017. team that hasn’t qualified for the African Cup in Cameroon held 1-1 by Burkina Faso later last Belgium-born Cameroon coach is “Everyone will have their opinion. Some SPAIN COPA DEL REY over a decade. Also, host Gabon couldn’t beat Saturday, every team has one point and identical nervous about facing shock qualifiers Guinea- say it is best to rest, others that it is better outsider and tournament debutant Guinea- Alcorcon v Alaves 21:15 goal records going into the second round of Bissau in the second half of a double-header. to have rhythm.” added Zidane. “You will Bissau in the opening game. beIN SPORTS group games. Gabon and Burkina Faso clash at “Playing against less-well-known teams can see tomorrow whether he plays.” Isco “After Algeria-Zimbabwe and Gabon-Guinea- Real Madrid v Vigo 23:15 5:00 pm local time (1600 GMT) in the 40,000-seat be tricky,” he warned, “and we do not want to go returns to Zidane’s 19-man squad after Bissau, we were very careful,” Ivory Coast coach beIN SPORTS Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville followed by into our final group game against Gabon need- missing the defeat at Sevilla through injury, said. “But we still have two Cameroon against Guinea-Bissau three hours lat- ing a win to survive. but James Rodriguez, Pepe and Gareth Bale ITALIAN CUP (group) matches so we are still confident.” er. Aubameyang knows he and his team-mates “I have studied the history of the Cup of remain out. Sassuolo v Cesena 19:30 MOOD-CHANGER let supporters of the central African team down Nations and it is littered with upsets. Remember, beIN SPORTS and has promised a better performance against Zambia won the 2012 title here (Libreville) SOCIEDAD HOODOO Togo even started better, and Dossevi was Lazio v Genoa 23:00 opponents they beat 2-0 at the same stage two against massive odds. “The days when higher- Celta will definitely be missing one of clear on goal in the 29th minute only for Ivorian beIN SPORTS years ago. “We have learnt from our mistakes,” ranked countries could go into a group game their star men as coach Eduardo Berizzo goalkeeper to smother the said the 27-year-old born in France to a confident of winning convincingly are long said on Tuesday that Chilean international chance. Zaha was at the heart of Ivory Coast’s AFRICAN NATIONS CUP Gabonese father and a Spanish mother, making gone. “We want to reach the quarter-finals and Fabian Orellana will not play again for him two best attacks, first in the first half when he Gabon v Burkina Faso 19:00 him eligible to represent three nations. then see where we go from there,” said the suc- due to an “unacceptable lack of respect.” sped down the right wing and sent across a dan- beIN SPORTS He opted for Gabon, a country once cap- cessor to underachieving German as “I have decided to remove him from the gerous low cross that was scrambled away. Then, Cameroon v Bissau 22:00 tained by his father who have never gone fur- coach of the “Indomitable Lions”. squad. The decision is based in an unac- in the 68th minute, he tricked his marker with a beIN SPORTS ther than the quarter-finals at the Cup of Guinea-Bissau sensationally won a qualifying ceptable lack of respect,” said Berizzo. “With clever turn, cut inside, and hit a low shot that Nations. “I remain positive that we can reach our group including former champions Congo me he will no longer belong to the team.” was headed to goal before two Togo defenders managed to get in the way. first goal, which is qualifying for the knockout Brazzaville and Zambia and continued the fairy- Senegal and Congo are the only teams to win phase,” said the leading Bundesliga scorer this tale run by holding Gabon. at the tournament. season with 16 goals from 15 matches. “We now have the motivation to go far,” said Junior Kabananga got the winner for Congo “We have lofty ambitions in this tournament Baciro Cande, who took charge of the “Wild in the 55th minute after a mistake from Morocco and playing at home in front of our wonderful Dogs” when Portuguese Paulo Torres was barred ‘keeper Monir el-Kajoui. Congo’s Lomalisa supporters is a great advantage. “Mistakes were for four matches during the qualifiers. —AFP Mutambala was sent off for a wild tackle in the 81st and the Congolese played for about seven minutes with nine men when captain went off injured in the 83rd with all their substitutes used up. Zakuani returned in injury time but was limping heavily and not much use. This victory was a major mood-changer for Congo, whose players refused to train on Friday and Saturday, claiming they hadn’t been paid tournament bonuses. They also posted a video on social media during their strike, where they complained about their treatment. On Monday, Morocco was the one frustrated: Midfielder M’Bark Boussoufa hit the crossbar in the second minute. Goalkeeper El-Kajoui tried to block a cross with his feet and managed only to divert the ball to Kabananga to score the winning goal. Then, substitutes Youssef En PORT-GENTI: Uganda’s midfielder Mike Azira (R) challenges Ghana’s forward Jordan Nesyri and Youssef el-Arabi missed late chances. Although Ivory Coast and later Renard failed LIBREVILLE: Gabon’s forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes part in a training session in Ayew during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Ghana Libreville yesterday, as part of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament. — AFP and Uganda in Port-Gentil yesterday. —AFP their first tests at the tournament, the Stade