LONDON ─ Here’s a roundup of African soccer brought weekly courtesy of the African Soccer Agency.
2010 FIFA World Cup
So FIFA president Sepp Blatter does have a 'plan B' - just in case South Africa proves unable to host the big event he has spoken to 3 alternative (unnamed) countries. The Port Elizabeth (NelsonMandelaBay) stadium will not be available for the 2009 Confederations Cup. However, it is still expected to be ready for the World Cup itself. FIFA has re-structured the sale of tickets for the next tournament. More tickets (12% of capacity) will be sold to fans of competing nations – at least for the first round of games. Additionally, tickets will have to collect in the host country -part of plan to try to stop black market activities.
The first phase of ticket sales is scheduled to begin in February next year.
Distribution will be done through an organisation called MATCH, based in the UK. All category 4 tickets will be sold exclusively to South African citizens. Player News and Gossip
It's certainly a busy time for transfer activity (and speculation) Nadir Belhadj (Algeria) could be going to Premiership team Portsmouth however fellow Algerian Madjid Bougherra seems set to leave England and go to Spain (Real Betis) Amr Zaki (Egypt) seems likely to join Wigan Athletic and compatriot Emad Moteab could be going to Bristol City. Junior Agogo (Ghana) has signed for Egyptian side Zamalek,Akwasi Oduro is on trial at SwindonTown whilst Asamoah Gyan is off to Rennes in France. Other Ghanaians on the move could be Eric Bekoe (to Spurs ?) and Sulley Muntari(to Juventus in Italy ?) Edrissa Sonko (Gambia) now has a one year contract with League 1 club Tranmere Rovers. Ex-Chelsea player Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria) could become another Portsmouth recruit. Jean-Jacques Gosso (Ivory Coast) has a trial at Monaco. Moumouni Dagano (Burlina Faso) is off to Qatar. General News
In the July FIFA rankings there were significant upward movements for : Nigeria (up 8 positions to 26th), Burkina Faso (up 47 to 64th), Gabon (up 20 to 74th), Cape Verde (up 24 to 85th), Rwanda (up 19 to 87th), Kenya (up23 to 92nd), Algeria (up 10 to 93rd), Congo (up 10 to 100th), Malawi (up 19 to 107th), Ethiopia (up 23 to 108th), Swaziland (up 38 to 123rd), Chad (up 21 to 127th), Madagascar (up 5 to 130th) and Sierra Leone (up 26 to 137th) Cameroon remain the top African nation.
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