WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017 SPORTS Captain Moukandjo shoulders depleted Cameroon hopes

LIBREVILLE: Benjamin Moukandjo insists he leading leagues to be in the Cameroon Equatorial Guinea two years ago. avoid the drop this season and will greatly Guinea-Bissau and the hosts Gabon in feels no pressure taking over the Cameroon squad as they look to improve on a dismal He has since turned into one of the most miss him during the Cup of Nations, when Group A in Libreville. captaincy as the forward prepares to lead a recent record in the tournament. consistent goal-scorers in France’s top flight, interest from elsewhere could increase if he “It is going to be a great competition. It diminished squad into the Africa Cup of “I am proud, but it doesn’t really change with 20 goals in 36 league appearances for does well. Linked with a big-money move to has been a while now since we made it past Nations this weekend. things,” Moukandjo recently told beIN Lorient since the beginning of last season. several English clubs over the first round. Our main aim this time will The 28-year-old striker with French Ligue Sports France of becoming captain. “There A decade has now passed since he the past year, Moukandjo must nevertheless be to do that and go further,” added the 1 strugglers Lorient was handed the arm- is no extra pressure. Of course it comes with arrived in France, having started out at the remain fully focused on his country as they player whose goal handed Cameroon a pre- band by the Indomitable Lions’ coach Hugo responsibility. There are five or six potential Kadji Sports Academie in his home city of go to Gabon as outsiders despite being cious draw in in World Cup qualify- Broos and has since seen established stars captains in the team and we all try to com- Douala, where the Cup of Nations’ all-time four-time winners of the trophy. ing in October. “If we can get out of the such as Liverpool defender Joel Matip and municate with one another.” top scorer Samuel Eto’o began his glittering “We don’t fear anyone but we respect all group then we will look at our target again Schalke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Moukandjo played a part in Cameroon’s career. Moukandjo has played for half a the teams who have qualified. We are going and reassess it as we go along. People will choose to dodge the tournament in Gabon. ill-fated adventure at the 2014 World Cup in dozen French sides having started at Rennes there to try to win our matches and go as far look at our group and say we should get out Now Moukandjo finds himself as one of Brazil and scored once as Cameroon made and been relegated with both Monaco and as possible,” said Moukandjo as Cameroon of it but we still need to go and win the only a handful of players based in Europe’s an early exit from the last Cup of Nations in Nancy. His current side are scrapping to prepare to face Burkina Faso, minnows matches.” — AFP Leicester hit hardest by African departures

LONDON: Manchester United and Liverpool have each lost an important player, but in the Premier League it is Leicester City for whom the Africa Cup of Nations is the biggest inconven- ience. While United centre-back Eric Bailly has been called up by the Ivory Coast and Liverpool have lost Senegalese flier Sadio Mane, Leicester have had to cede , Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey. Fifteenth in the table, Leicester are fighting to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight and left-back says it is a chance for the squad’s fringe players to prove their worth. “These are very essential players for us,” Fuchs told local newspaper the Leicester Mercury. “We can talk about how it will hurt us and make us weaker, but it is the time for the other guys to step up and show they are needed.” Mahrez, 25, was named African Player of the Year last week for his starring role in Leicester’s 5,000- 1 title triumph, having also been named England’s Players’ Player of the Year for last sea- son. Although he has gone off the boil this term, the quicksilver Algerian winger remains a key figure for Leicester and with seven goals in all competitions he is the club’s leading scorer. He is joined in Algeria’s squad by Slimani, who has scored six goals since his club-record £29 million ($35.3 million, 33.4 million euros) switch from Sporting Lisbon. LEICESTER: This file photo taken on October 18, 2016 shows Leicester City’s Algerian striker LIVERPOOL: File photo shows Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, centre, and Completing the triumvirate is Ghana mid- Islam Slimani (L) and Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez as they warm up ahead Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams shake hands on the final whistle of their fielder Amartey, but his compatriot Jeff Schlupp of the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between Leicester City and FC FA Cup. — AP remains at Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri’s Copenhagen at the in Leicester, central England. Manchester United and disposal after missing out on selection by Avram Liverpool have each lost a key player, but Leicester City stand to be the most inconvenienced Klopp demands Liverpool Grant. While the three absentees will be missed, by the Africa Cup of Nations in the Premier League. United centre-back Eric Bailly has been Ranieri can count himself lucky that Nigeria are called up by the Ivory Coast and Liverpool have lost their Senegalese flier Sadio Mane, but not among the 16 teams assembled in Gabon. Leicester have had to cede Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey. — AFP response at Southampton Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa scored twice as Kalou wrenched from their grasp mid-season. from England to the Ivory Coast, particularly Leicester came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 But with Nigerian Victor Moses the only African having also lost Bakary Sako to Mali. SOUTHAMPTON: Jurgen Klopp has urged have to beat Southampton and then in the FA Cup on Saturday and his international player in Antonio Conte’s first-team squad, they Stoke City have lost three players-Wilfried Liverpool to make amends for their FA Cup Manchester United or Hull, who meet in team-mate has just arrived in a £15 will be completely unscathed by the latest edi- Bony (Ivory Coast), Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt) and flop by delivering a dominant display in the other semi. million move from Genk. Bailly’s departure tion of the tournament. Mame Biram Diouf (Senegal) — and West Ham today’s League Cup semi-final first leg leaves Manchester United light in central Yaya Toure having retired from Ivory Coast United must do without Cheikhou Kouyate against Southampton. ‘NO PRESSURE’ defence, particularly with Marcos Rojo having duty and ’s Nigeria having not (Senegal) and Andre Ayew (Ghana). The tourna- Klopp fielded Liverpool’s youngest ever “There is no more pressure on us. It is an sustained a muscular injury during Saturday’s 4- qualified, Manchester City are in the same boat. ment could have weighty consequences at the line-up against Plymouth in the FA Cup opportunity. It is always a new day,” said 0 FA Cup win over Reading. Kenya’s non-qualification means Tottenham foot of the table. Sunderland will miss Lamine third round on Sunday and the raw rookies Klopp, who welcomes back Brazil playmak- Hotspur will retain the services of midfield Kone (Ivory Coast), Didier N’Dong (Gabon) and failed to impress as the fourth-tier min- er Philippe Coutinho after an ankle injury. CHELSEA SPARED destroyer Victor Wanyama and Arsenal have lost Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia), while bottom club Hull nows easily held on for a goalless draw at “I said to the lads last year it would not Mane will be missed by Liverpool, having only Egyptian reserve Mohamed Elneny. City are now without Ahmed Elmohamady Anfield. Liverpool can still advance in the be the last final they would be involved in scored nine goals since arriving from Everton have also released only one player, (Egypt) and Dieumerci Mbokani (DR Congo). “It FA Cup when they face Plymouth in a and this is the first chance to prove this.” Southampton to help Jurgen Klopp’s side climb but Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye has will put us at risk as far as numbers in our squad replay, but that is on the back burner for Although Klopp’s side have lost and to second place in the table. Chelsea, the league become a vital cog since his close-season switch go, but some of these players could be back in now as the Reds focus on their other road drawn on their last two visits to St Mary’s, leaders, have learnt to rue the Africa Cup of from Aston Villa. Crystal Palace manager Sam three weeks,” said Sunderland manager David to Wembley. they thrashed Southampton 6-1 at the Nations in the past, having seen stars such as Allardyce will be lamenting in-form winger Moyes. “We just don’t know how long they will After losing to Manchester City on same venue in the League Cup quarter- Didier Drogba, and Salomon ’s decision to switch allegiances be in the tournament.” — AFP penalties in last season’s League Cup final, finals last season. Liverpool are one step away from a return And Liverpool’s hopes of advancing to to Wembley and Klopp will send out a Wembley will be aided by the absence of stronger line-up at St Mary’s as he looks to Southampton defender Jose Fonte. get his side back on track. Southampton manager Claude Puel has Aware of accusations that he and his confirmed Fonte will not be part of his players were guilty of complacency against squad after the club captain handed in a Plymouth, the Liverpool manager said: “The transfer request amid reports of possible question I asked this morning in the dress- bids from Manchester United, Manchester ing room was ‘Could we have done better?’ City and Liverpool. 100 per cent yes with this line-up. Fonte was absent for Saturday’s FA Cup “I don’t expect perfection but I have draw against Norwich and Puel has decid- high expectations because I see them ed to leave him out again. every day in training and I was convinced “Jose won’t participate for this game. We we could play really well. will see for the next game. It is important to “I have absolutely no problem with criti- keep stability,” said Puel, whose club cism but it was not about underestimating haven’t reached the League Cup final since an opponent.” Liverpool are hoping to add a 1979 defeat against Nottingham Forest. to their record haul of eight League Cup “We do not know the future of Jose, it is ZURICH: Malaysian trophies by winning the competition for a difficult situation in the market. I respect Mohd Faiz Subri the first time since 2012. Jose, it is not an easy situation for the staff celebrates with the That would also be a first piece of major or players. It is difficult. trophy after winning the silverware for Klopp, who arrived on “It is an opportunity also for Jose to view FIFA Puskas Award award Merseyside in October 2015, after different opportunities and it is important during the FIFA Awards Liverpool’s defeats in the League Cup and to respect this. “For me, it is important to 2016 gala at the Swiss TV Europa League finals last term. keep stability in defence first, and second, studio in Zurich, But before they start to prepare a space we will see what the situation of Jose in this Switzerland. — AP in the Anfield trophy cabinet, Liverpool market is.” — AFP Premier League big guns Malaysia delights in Faiz’s get favourable FA Cup draws LONDON: Holders Manchester United Southampton or Norwich City. goal of the year award and Premier League leaders Chelsea were Sutton United, the lowest-ranked both handed favourable home draws on team left in the competition, will play Monday against second-tier opposition in home to Cambridge or Leeds if they win KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian soccer fans heaped scored similar goals playing in the lower divi- the fourth round of the FA Cup. their replay against AFC Wimbledon. praise on Mohd Faiz Subri yesterday after the sions. “That means he must have trained very Matches on TV United host nearby Wigan Athletic, The ties will take place January 27-30. FA player received the Puskas Award for hard,” Loh said, adding that Mohd Faiz was (Local Timings) the 2012-13 FA Cup winners, at Old Draw for the fourth round of the FA the best goal of 2016 at a FIFA ceremony in inspired by Ronaldo to hone his free kick skills. Trafford while Chelsea will also be strong Cup: Zurich. Mohd Faiz’s long-range, swerving free The trophy, which was given out late on favourites to go through when they play Tottenham v Wycombe kick was overwhelmingly voted goal of the year Monday in Switzerland, will give new hope to ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP Brentford at Stamford Bridge in a west Derby v Leicester and will restore some pride in Malaysian foot- Malaysian fans, long frustrated by their country’s Southampton v Liverpool 22:45 London derby. Oxford v Birmingham or Newcastle ball, which has suffered a decline over the past decline in the sport. The national team are beIN SPORTS Wigan are just one place off the foot Sutton or AFC Wimbledon v Leeds four decades. ranked 161st out of 209 countries, a far cry from of the Championship and in a relegation Liverpool or Plymouth v Wolves Mohd Faiz, the first Asian to win the annual their time as a regional powerhouse and ITALIAN CUP battle. Brentford are mid-table. If Southampton or Norwich v Arsenal award since it was first handed out in 2009, was Olympic contender in the 1970s. Fiorentina v Chievo Verona 19:30 Plymouth Argyle can pull off a shock in Ipswich or Lincoln v Brighton a virtual unknown before his Feb. 16 wonder Malaysia qualified for the 1972 Munich AD SPORTS 3 HD their home replay with Liverpool their Chelsea v Brentford goal and he joins an elite club that includes Games where they beat the United States 3-0 Juventus v Atalanta 22:45 reward will be a home tie with Manchester United v Wigan , Zlatan Ibrahimovic and but lost by the same score to West Germany and AD SPORTS 3 HD Wolverhampton Wanderers, also of the Millwall v Watford . Social media was flooded with congrat- 6-0 to Morocco. Championship. Rochdale v Huddersfield ulatory messages for the Malaysian Super The match that defined the “Golden Era” was SPAIN COPA DEL REY Manchester City travel to either Sunderland or Burnley v Bristol City or League player, including from Prime Minister their 2-1 victory over South Korea which earned Cordoba CF v Alcorcon 21:00 Bolton or Crystal Palace and local pride Fleetwood Najib Razak and other national leaders. “Your them a spot at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. beIN SPORTS will be at stake when Derby host Premier Blackburn v Barnsley or Blackpool achievement in the #FIFAPuskasAward 2016 will However, Malaysia eventually boycotted the Villarreal v 21:00 League champions Leicester City. Fulham v Hull inspire all Malaysian footballers and also makes Olympics over Russia’s 1979 invasion of beIN SPORTS Tottenham Hotspur will expect to Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley the country proud!” the prime minister said in a Afghanistan. Alaves v Deportivo La Coruna 21:00 beat Wycombe Wanderers, of the fourth Bolton or Crystal Palace v Manchester Twitter post. That was the last time Malaysia qualified for beIN SPORTS tier, at White Hart Lane, but Arsenal face City Laurence Loh, deputy president of the the Olympics. Away from the pitch, local foot- Barcelona v Athletic de Bilbao 23:15 a potentially tricky away trip to either Matches to be played January 27-30. — AFP Penang Football Association, said the award- ball is still reeling from a nationwide match-fix- beIN SPORTS winning goal was no fluke as the forward has ing scandal in the mid-1990s. — Reuters