TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 SPORTS Five Africa Cup of Nations talking points JOHANNESBURG: Record seven-time champions would have dreamt of scoring five goals in the dry, NIGERIA South Africa levelled with 10 men after newcomer Egypt scored five goals, but title-holders Ivory Coast scorching heat of N’Djamena, but Bassem Morsy If new Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh had any Siyabonga Zulu was red-carded, then collapsed in the could not manage even one during a dramatic match- thought differently. The bearded striker from resur- doubts about the enormity of his task, they were dis- closing stages as Mauritania scored two outstanding day 2 of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying at the week- gent Cairo club Zamalek bagged a hat-trick and pelled during a 0-0 deadlock with Tanzania in Dar es individual goals. end. Chad crumbled 5-1 at home against the revi- another emerging star, Kahraba, also scored in a tri- Salaam. It could have been even worse as Carl Ikeme, a Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba was in talised Pharaohs while the Yaya Toure-less Elephants umph that sends a warning to Nigeria ahead of two 29-year-old debutant goalkeeper from English second- denial, as usual, blaming the north-west African heat. struggled on a heavy, wet Nigerian pitch when held 0- clashes next March. tier club Wolves, produced several top-class saves to What did he expect in Nouakchott ... snow? 0 by combative Sierra Leone. Egypt are among nine foil the Taifa Stars. countries who have a maximum six points after a third KENYA In a group also containing back-in-form Egypt, the UGANDA of the qualifiers while eight other nations have yet to The Harambee Stars have not featured at the Cup three-time champions really needed to bring maxi- The Cranes have not competed at the Cup of collect a point. AFP sport looks at five talking points of Nations since 2004 and their chances of ending this mum points back from east Africa. But after early Nations since losing the 1978 final to hosts Ghana from a weekend that delivered seven home wins, sev- depressing run appear slim after a 2-1 home defeat by promise as Nigeria used the wings effectively, the when notorious Idi Amin ruled the east African coun- en draws, 11 away wins and 54 goals at an average of Zambia. momentum was lost and Tanzania had the better scor- try. There have been many close calls since with 2.16 per game. Having forced a creditable 1-1 draw in Congo ing chances. Uganda mastering the art of snatching failure from the Brazzaville three months ago, Scotland-born Kenya jaws of success. EGYPT coach Bobby Williamson would have hoped for at least SOUTH AFRICA But a 1-0 win in the Comoros, coupled with likely After three failed qualifying campaigns, the a point in Nairobi. While Bafana Bafana (The Boys) no longer rank closest rivals Burkina Faso losing by the same score Pharaohs are looking good for a place at the 2017 Cup But after Michael Olunga gave the hosts an early among the African football giants, no football support- in Botswana, has given the Cranes a three-point of Nations in Gabon. Boosted by a convincing 3-0 lead, loose defending allowed Winston Kalengo and er in the republic imagined a 3-1 loss away to star-less lead. A draw in Ouagadougou and a win in Kampala home victory over Tanzania last June, they travelled to Collins Mbesuma to score for the Chipolopolo (Copper lightweights Mauritania. next March against shock 2013 Cup of Nations Chad hopeful of winning against opponents who Bullets). Next up for Kenya are away and home games But an early howler from captain and goalkeeper finalists Burkina Faso and the Ugandans could end restricted Nigeria to two goals in Kaduna on matchday against Guinea-Bissau and only two victories will keep Itumeleng Khune, who allowed a soft, long-range free- a near 40-year absence from the African football 1. Not even the most partisan Pharaohs followers the east Africans in contention for first place. kick to slip from his grasp into the net, set the tone. showpiece. — AFP Prince Ali: FIFA leaders knew of corruption MANCHESTER: Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who led a challenge against Sepp Blatter this year, hit out yesterday at FIFA leaders links to cor- ruption ahead of his entry into the FIFA presi- dential race. The Jordanian prince is expected to declare his candidacy on Wednesday in Amman, according to sources close to the former FIFA vice president. Standing as a reform candidate the prince lost to Blatter in an election in May, just two days after the arrest of seven FIFA officials in Zurich. The prince said at the Soccerex convention in Manchester that he was still considering a bid. He indicated however that he believed he could win the race against UEFA leader Michael Platini, South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-Joon and Brazilian football hero Zico. “If (the election is) done correctly, cleanly, properly and without interference I believe I can for sure,” he said. And he again hit out at his rivals, particularly Platini, who announced his bid in July and is considered a strong favorite. “I have tremendous respect for Platini as both UEFA president and a footballer, but there’s a difference between UEFA and FIFA,” Prince Ali said. “Platini’s introduction into football gover- MANCHESTER: FIFA Vice-President Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein speaks during the nance was as a protege of Sepp Blatter. We Soccerex Global Convention 2015 in Manchester. — AFP TURKEY: Georgino Wijnaldum of Netherlands reacts after they lost 3-0 against need a new beginning.” The prince said he executive committee “undoubtedly” knew 14 people charged by US authorities over Turkey during their Euro 2016 Group A qualifying soccer match. — AP had been unconvinced by the French football what was going on in football deals, he more than $150 million in bribes given for tel- legend’s reform proposals. added. “If a player or if somebody breaks the evision and marketing deals. Dutch defeats leave nation The prince said that Chung had also been rules then they are punished regardless of The prince challenged Blatter for the FIFA involved in FIFA for “too long”. Prince Ali said where they come from, OK So why is the exec- presidency two days later but gave up after wondering what went wrong the FIFA brand is now “extremely damaged” utive committee different.” the first round of voting. “Right now we need a and that its top leaders could not escape the The prince repeated that Blatter “should candidate who is forward-thinking, brings new THE HAGUE: The same Netherlands team campaign. But more than any individual spotlight caused by the arrest of seven FIFA take responsibility” and stand down immedi- ideas and not tainted by the past,” he said. that humiliated Spain early in last year’s absences, the Netherlands’ team spirit officials in a Zurich hotel in May on US bribery ately. The longstanding FIFA president said he October 26 is the deadline for candidates to World Cup is fading - and fading fast. After appears to be missing. charges. “I do believe that anything that hap- will give up when the special election is held declare. All must get five of FIFA’s national losses to Turkey and Iceland over the last few “In Oranje, there are a number of players pened within FIFA was known within the lead- on February 26. FIFA has been embroiled in a associations to sign their candidacy to get into days, the Dutch are on the brink of missing who are only concerned about themselves,” ership of FIFA,” the prince said. “There is no major corruption scandal since the arrest of the election. Prince Ali is confident he will get out on next year’s European Championship in former Netherlands player Willem van way that is not the case.” Members of the the seven officials on May 27. They are among the five signatures, the sources said. — AFP France - a tournament expanded to accom- Hanegem wrote in his Monday column in the modate 24 teams. Algemeen Dagblad daily newspaper. He sin- The Netherlands lineup that lost to Iceland gled out Memphis for criticism. 1-0 at home on Thursday and then 3-0 at “He only lay on the ground,” Van Hanegem Italian giants Roma Turkey on Sunday is virtually unchanged from wrote, overlooking the fact that the the one that overwhelmingly defeated the Manchester United winger supplied a num- defending World Cup champions 5-1 last year ber of crosses from the left that could - in Brazil and ended up finishing third. should - have led to Dutch goals. launch refugee initiative “This whole qualification campaign has The misfiring Memphis, out-of-form Van been incredibly difficult,” Netherlands striker Persie and often-injured Robben have con- MILAN: Serie A giants Roma have followed in cial website, www.legaseriea.it. A statement by ticularly proactive in launching initiatives. Robin van Persie said after the loss in Turkey. tributed to a shocking attacking impotence the footsteps of clubs from across Europe by Roma said: “Football has the power to reach Bayern are working with Munich authorities to “We still have a chance, but it is no longer in against all but the lowliest teams in Group A. launching an initiative aimed at gathering millions and by uniting for ‘Football Cares’, we set up ‘training camps’ for children to receive our hands and that is terrible.” These days, the The Dutch have scored 11 goals in three funds to help ease the burden of the ongoing can make a real difference no matter how small German lessons, meals and football kits.