Vasco ready for Chiefs

We have been working hard preparing for this game and we hope the plan comes together for us on the night. We will not sit back but intend taking the game to Chiefs,” said Vasco assistant coach Tony de Nobrega on Tuesday.

De Nobrega said he and head coach Carlos das Neves, are reasonably happy with their eight points from as many matches in their first ever season in the top flight, but believe they could have collected more points.

“We dropped some silly points, especially giving away a late goal in a (2-2) draw with Ajax Cape Town recently. Had we not dropped those points we could have been sitting on 12 or 13 at the moment, but we are not complaining as we are learning and improving.”

De Nobrega said the team would want to build on their last win - a 3-1 home victory over AmaZulu. “That was a good result and boosted the players. It has given us confidence ahead of the big clash against Chiefs.”

De Nobrega, who also worked as a coach with Bloemfontein Celtic, said the team will have nothing to lose and everything to gain in te match. He conceded, however, it will be a massive test and hopefully they can pass it with flying colours.

He also does not not expect Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic to field a weakened side, resting players for Amakhosi's Telkom Knockout final against arch enemies Orlando Pirates at the same venue on December 4.

“The cup final is a week after our match so I do not think that will affect Chiefs in the slightest. They will play their best side, as they want to win the league as well as the cup. "Even if they should rest a couple of players, it would not matter as they have such a strong squad.”

De Nobrega said the signing of veteran former Bafana Bafana striker Sibusiso Zuma at the start of the season, had been masterstroke.

“Zuma has been brilliant for us. He leads the line and leads by example both on and off the field. He is a fantastic all round professional.”

Zuma is backed up from an attacking midfield position by former BidVest Wits player Brian Kgafane, but the key to Vasco causing an upset could lie with central defenders François Adams and former Chiefs defender Mokete Tsotsetsi.

What has given Vasco inspiration was their Cape neighbours Santos, who recently defeated Chiefs 1-0 at the Rand Stadium and then took Amakhosi to extra time in their Knockout semi-final played in Polokwane at the weekend.

Santos were beaten 1-0 in the Knockout with a 115th minute goal from dangerman Knowledge Musona.

“If Santos can do it, then we will also be up for the challenge. It is gong to be a big night for the club and we are looking forward to playing at Soccer City and playing Chiefs in front of what will be a big crowd.”

Onuoha tips Rangers for title

Enugu Rangers striker, Emeka Onuoha has tipped his side to emerge champions of the 2010/2011 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season.

Rangers were imperious, Sunday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, smashing Ocean Boys five-two to raise hopes among the long suffering faithful.

Super sub, Onuoha is fanning the blue torch paper of public expectancy as he has now declared the flying antelopes favourites for the title.

“I think we have what it takes to win the title. We have very good players this season and I will be surprised if don’t win the league or at least get a champions league place,” he told SuperSport.com.

Rangers will now look to consolidate in their next game at home to Zamfara United who are hovering just above the relegation zone but Onuoha does not want his teammates to be lulled into a false sense of security.

“We must approach that game with seriousness because in football anything can happen. It will not be an easy game but I pray we get all three points,” he said.

Rangers have won all but one of their three games thus far, one point behind the joint leaders and are the top scorers so far with eight goals from three matches.

SS to feature Africa’s oldest football tournament

The 34th CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, to be held in Tanzania, is all set for kick-off, featuring nine countries from the East African region as well as special invitees from Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi and Zambia.

The tournament, including its predecessor the Gossage Cup, is the oldest international competition on the African continent, having first been played in 1926, and is held in high esteem by the entrants as their regional championship.

The 2010 installment is the third time that the tournament in its current format has been held in Tanzania and runs from November 27 to December 12.

The hosts are in Group A along with Zambia, Burundi and Somalia, a tough pool, and Kili Stars' Danish coach Jan Poulsen has targeted his team’s opener against Chipolopolo as the key game.

“Zambia is a tough opponent; being drawn against them is a challenge. So beating them will be a big achievement,” Poulsen said. “Our aim is to make our fans happy by doing well in the tournament we are going to host.”

Group B sees Rwanda, Sudan, Zanzibar and Cote d’Ivoire do battle, while Group C has the look of a “Group of Death”, with Kenya, their bitter rivals Uganda, Malawi and Ethiopia all in the mix. That pool has 23 tournament wins between them.

The top two sides in each pool qualify automatically for the quarterfinals, along with the two best third-place finishers.

Uganda have won the last two installments of the annual CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, beating Rwanda 2-0 in the decider in 2009, and as such come into this year’s tournament under the weight of expectation.

“Being the defending champions puts pressure on us, but we were also the defending champions last year and we won,” Williamson said. “Winning the competition means a lot to the squad as it will boost their morale.”

Uganda’s Cranes are by far and away the most successful side in the competition's history with 11 wins in all, followed by Kenya (five), Ethiopia (four), and Malawi and Sudan with three each.

No automatic return for Salami – Amoo

Shooting Stars coach, Fatai Amoo, says the club’s forward, Gbolahan Salami, will not have an automatic shirt after his two-match suspension.

Salami scored a brace against his former team, Sunshine Stars, on match day one, but was suspended for two matches by the Nigeria Premier League due to indecent conduct.

Amoo stated that the battle for places in the team has become tougher with the performance of the club in the last two matches without Salami.

“It won’t be easy for him to get his place back because the team has scored four goals in his absence. He has been training with the club during the period of his suspension and hasn’t shown any loss of form.

“Salami’s return will depend on the pattern of play to be adopted when we analyse our next opponent, Kano Pillars,” he said toSuperSport.com.

The former Super Eagles assistant coach noted that the performance of youngster, Chima Okass, has brought more options in the attack.

“Chima Okass has not only played well for the team, but has also registered two goals. It’s now a challenge for him and the team to maintain their form. I’m not surprised at his performance because he has the potentials to excel,” he said.

Okass, who has no previous league experience in the county, scored his first goal on the road at Zamfara United. The youngster confirmed his performance at Zamfara United was no fluke when he registered his second Premier League goal against Bukola Babes in front of the home fans.

The youngster is among the leading scorers this term with two goals.

Swallows sign striker Ritson

Struggling Moroka Swallows on Tuesday signed striker Bradley Ritson from AmaZulu in an attempt to solve their goal-scoring problem.

- Great cash prizes in the score-prediction game

Ritson is expected to make his Birds debut in a tough Absa Premiership clash against defending champions SuperSport United at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday night.

"Ritson will be a major asset. He has a proven track record and he will be a big help in solving our goal drought. We are busy (Tuesday) finalising the paperwork and hopefully he will be available for Saturday," said Birds' assistant coach Zeca Marques.

The Birds are bottom of the Premiership without a win and a draw from their eight matches.

So serious is the problem that coach Rainer Zobel could finally face the axe if the Birds suffer another defeat against the champions.

Ritson, at 28, is a late bloomer.

The Durban-born striker was discovered by former AmaZulu coach Clive Barker and made his PSL debut two seasons back.

"We need somebody to stick the ball in the back of the net and hopefully Ritson is the answer. When a side is not scoring it follows that defenders make mistakes and concede goals that is the way it goes," said Marques.

"The bottom line is we need to pull up our socks and get our season back on track."

With only five goals from eight matches, Zobel is praying Ritson will hit the ground running against United.

The former Bayern Munich player is not solely to blame for this slump.

Marques has told his players they have to accept some of the responsibility.

"We had a 10-day break due to the recent Fifa international date and that has done the players and training staff the world of good," he said.

"We are refreshed. We had a chance to sit down and work out where we went wrong.

"We have to improve and try and put everything right. One point from eight games is simply not good enough we all know that.

"There is a new energy and enthusiasm at training. We need to take that onto the field against SuperSport."

Marques said part of the problem was the failure of the Birds' two new midfielder signings Georgian-born Giorgi Nergadze and Zimbabwean international Oscar Machapa to settle in.

"We were banking on both Machapa and Nergadze to fire up our midfield, but they have battled to settle in quickly. However, Machapa has come back from playing for Zimbabwe revitalised this week. There is a new spring in his step."

The Birds other problem was injures to key players.

"SuperSport have also had their troubles also this season and that makes this game a really tough one for both sides, but we are fighting for our lives and need to rise to the occasion."

Ogoli returns to training after injury

Ocean Boys’ left back, Emmanuel Ogoli has resumed training just eight days after picking up a horror injury.

Ogoli was hurt after a clash with Plateau United’s Obinna Nwokolo in a week two Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game against Plateau United at the Samson Siasia Stadium on November 14.

It was feared that the former Bayelsa United captain would be out for not less than two months but feelers from within the ocean boys camp now reveal the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Ogoli, as expected missed Ocean’s last game, away to Rangers but he is now expected to be back for their next game against Sharks in Yenagoa.

“He trained today (Tuesday) and there were no problems,” goalkeeper of the team, Femi Thomas toldSuperSport.com.

“We expect him back for our next game. He is a very important player and will he will help our cause,” he said.

Ocean Boys have had an inauspicious start to the 2010/2011 NPL season with points from one point from three matches.

They are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

Akpulluma calls for Uche's head

She may have gone into the record books as the first female coach to lead a side to success at the African Women’s Championships (AWC) but Super Falcons coach, Uche Eucharia is by no means the most popular lady in Nigeria.

Despite seeing her wards sweep all before them in Erkuhurleni, South Africa, last month, Uche has been roundly dismissed by a cross section of the nation’s ever demanding fans that have labeled her coaching style ineffective and out dated.

One of her harshest critics is Mablas Akpulluma former team manager of Bayelsa Queens, Nigeria’s ex-League and cup winners who says Nigeria will be in for a hard time at next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Germany unless sweeping changes are made in the technical crew of the falcons.

“The only reason why we won in the trophy in South Africa was because we had the best players on the continent,” Mablas told SuperSport.com.

“The coaching was really poor as our girls played all the matches without any clear-cut game plan. Even if the federation does not want to sack her, they can bring in a more capable coach and make Uche the assistant,” he said.

Telkom Knockout final tickets on sale

Tickets for next weekend’s eagerly anticipated Telkom Knockout final between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City went on sale on Tuesday.

By 15h00 on Tuesday afternoon, already six thousand tickets were sold.

Tickets range from R60, R40 and R10 for children and are available from Shoprite/Checkers and Computicket.

For the first time, the League will be experimenting with a concept that will see suite tickets being sold as reserved seating.

These tickets will cost R230 and fans will have a guaranteed reserved seat in a suite on the eastern side of the stadium.

There will be no catering in this suite and these tickets can be purchased from Shoprite/Checkers and Computicket as well.

In addition, fans can also purchase a limited catering suite ticket with reserved seating for R750 and this is also available from Shoprite/Checkers and Computicket.

The League will issue further details later this week regarding public transport arrangements that will be on offer to fans attending the match.

Modise expected to lead Bucs

Teko Modise returns to the Orlando Pirates starting line-up on Friday evening as coach Rudi Krol intends a huge shakes-up of his usual line-up when the Buccaneers tackle Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership match viewed by the hosts as “revenge” at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

- Great cash prizes in the score-prediction game

United were eliminated from the Telkom Knockout 3-0 by Pirates in a game they felt the forces were against them. They were already on the back foot before the start of the game after the fixture was switched from Harry Gwala to Chatsworth, a venue Maritzburg felt gave the visitors an advantage.

Then they complained about some of Fifa referee Daniel Bennett’s calls before their coach Ernst Middendorp as well as Nigerian strong man Felix Obada were sent off for dissent and dangerous play respectively, which has added an element of a grudge affair to this week’s fixture at Harry Gwala.

Krol meanwhile is said to be considering handing “The General” and several other fringe players a starting berth in a line-up that will see even prodigal son Gert Schalkwyk return to the black and white in what is seen as a ploy to “rest” most of his key players ahead of the Telkom Knockout final against traditional rivals Kaizer Chiefs next week.

Katlego Mashego, Patrick Malokase, Phenyo Mongala, Tlou Segolela and Mark Mayambela are also said to be some of the players who are likely to get a run during Friday night’s grudge game with the Dutchman handing them all an opportunity to prove to him they have what it takes to displace the players that have been in the team since the start of the season.

Modise has watched at least four matches from the bench and even failed to break into the Bafana Bafana team that lost 1-0 to the United States of America during the Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Cape Town Stadium last week.

A dip in form for the player known as the “General” has seen him relegated to the bench, an unfamiliar position for a man who only a season ago was hailed as the greatest playmaker to emerge from Mzansi since the days of Doctor Khumalo and Shoes Moshoeu.

Ironically, the very same supporters who endorsed the benching of Modise claiming he was more of a liability than an asset are the same ones who were questioning the continued benching of “The General” following a heart-breaking 3-1 pasting at the hands of rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

And as debates raged regarding who should and should not be included in the starting eleven, another player who faces a tough challenge to win back the fickle supporters is captain Lucky Lekgwathi who had a nightmare game against Chiefs as Knowledge Musona took him to the cleaners and literally skinned him alive in that match.

Schalkwyk contemplated hanging up his boots due a serious lack of game time and even missed a couple of training in frustration, although the club explained that they were aware why the player was missing in action.

And he seemed to fall way down the pecking order after missing a pre-season training programme at the Pretoria Sports Science Institute but if Krol gets his way and bring him back into the team, he cannot wish for a greater opportunity to stake his claim in the starting eleven than against the “Team of Choice!”

Euro goals for Chamakh, Eto'o and Allagui

Free-scoring Moroccan Marouane Chamakh was on the mark again for Arsenal, but could not prevent the Londoners losing 3-2 to city rivals Tottenham, while Yaya Toure was in fine form for Manchester City as they lashed Fulham 4-1.

Samuel Eto'o scored for Inter, but the slumping champions still lost 2-1 to Cheivo, while in Germany, Tunisia striker Samy Allagui came off the bench at Moenchengladbach with his side 2-1 down and scored twice to hand three much-needed points to struggling Mainz 05.

ENGLAND

DIDIER DROGBA (Chelsea)

The Ivory Coast striker endured a disappointing afternoon as Chelsea crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham, but always looked the likeliest scorer for the champions. Set up a gilt-edged chance for Salomon Kalou and saw one superb cannon off the woodwork.

MAROUANE CHAMAKH (Arsenal)

The Morocco international's ninth goal of the season looked to have given Arsenal an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the north London derby with Spurs.

However Chamakh's afternoon ended disappointingly with a substitution after 68 minutes as Spurs fought back to win 3-2.

YAYA TOURE (Manchester City)

Toure gave one of his best performances of the season, even if he is yet to convince most observers that he is worth his reported 220,000-pound weekly salary. Scored City's third goal in a 4-1 win at Fulham, rounding off a flowing 24-pass move as Roberto Mancini's men moved to within three points of first.

ITALY

SAMUEL ETO'O (Inter Milan)

It was mixed fortunes for the Cameroon captain. First, feeling aggrieved at having been hit in the neck with a forearm by Chievo defender Bostjan Cesar, he ran over to the Slovenian centre-back and headbutted him in the chest. Somehow the referee did not see it and Eto'o was not punished in any way. That allowed him to still be on the field in injury time when he scored a brilliant individual goal, beating three men from out on the left before firing home. Inter still lost 2-1 though.

NWANKWO OBIORA (Inter Milan)

The Nigerian came into the game against Chievo 10 minutes into the second half to replace the tiring Esteban Cambiasso and make his Serie A debut. However, it was not a day in which he would cover himself in glory as he was virtually anonymous in a struggling Inter side which fell to its third league defeat of the season and dropped to sixth in the league.

MOHAMED SISSOKO (Juventus)

The Mali midfielder was again named on the bench against Genoa in this frustrating season for the former Valencia and Liverpool player. He came on at the start of the second half to replace the star of the first 45 minutes Milos Krasic. Sissoko was played in an unfamiliar position on the right of midfield and did not look comfortable there. Juve were already in command of the game, which they won 2-0.

HOUSSINE KHARJA (Genoa)

Introduced in the second half as Genoa chased the game at home to Juventus the Moroccan midfielder was a lively presence. His best moment came when he crashed a strike from 25 yards against the bar but he also forced Juve goalkeeper Marco Storari to scramble desperately to tip over another shot which was deflected and appeared to be looping in.

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Udinese)

The Ghana midfielder, one of the stand-out performers for Udinese this season, was again busy in midfield, breaking up Roma attacks and winning back the ball. However, he had less effect going forward as Roma took control of the game and ran out 2-0 winners. Asamoah was not spectacular but he played well without influencing the result.

STEPHEN APPIAH (Cesena)

The Ghana midfielder had an entertaining battle in the middle of the park with Palermo's Antonio Nocerino before eventually coming out second best. Appiah brought the experience and calm that Cesena are going to need this season, but he could not get the better of the midfield struggle and Palermo claimed a 2-1 success that keeps Cesena in deep trouble.

DJAMEL MESBAH (Lecce)

Another difficult afternoon for the Algerian midfielder with his team leaking goals. They did put in a spirited display to come back from 2-0 down and a man down to level the scores against Sampdoria before conceding a late winner. Mesbah played well, though, and was a dominant presence on the flank to keep Samp's Vladimir Koman quiet.

SOULEYMANE DIAMOUTENE (Lecce)

The Mali centre-back had an excellent game in his first appearance this season as a second half substitute, capped with a goal. Diamoutene was a giant at the back as the 10 men of Lecce fought back from a two goal deficit to draw level before cruelly conceding a late winner.

GERMANY

SAMI ALLAGUI (Mainz 05)

The Tunisia striker came off the bench at Moenchengladbach with his side 2-1 down and equalised, then headed the winner in the 88th-minute. The visitors won their first league match this month to seal a 3-2 victory to go second.

PAPISS DEMBA CISSE (Freiburg)

The Senegal striker failed to add to his tally of 10 Bundesliga goals this season as his side Freiburg lost 2-1 to league leaders Dortmund. The 25-year-old was part of the move which led to Dortmund's Germany defender Mats Hummels scoring an own goal in the 26th minute. But Dortmund hit back with two late goals to claim their 11th win out of 13 games.

SPAIN

CARLOS KAMENI (Espanyol)

Cameroon international goalkeeper Kameni kept another clean sheet as Espanyol defeated Hercules 3-0 on Sunday to maintain their 100 percent home record at the Cornella-El Prat stadium and go fourth in the Spanish first division. Shot-stopper Kameni has helped Espanyol to have the meanest home defence in the league conceding just twice in their six home victories.

SEYDOU KEITA (Barcelona)

Mali international midfielder Keita came on as a second half substitute as champions Barcelona crushed Almeria 8-0 on Saturday to warm up for their Clasico showdown against Real Madrid on November 29. Keita came on for Spanish World Cup star Xavi Hernandez at the interval with Barcelona 5-0 up and helped the club notch three more goals and equal the biggest away win in league history as Barcelona stay within a point of league leaders Madrid.

PIERRE WEBO (Real Mallorca)

The Cameroon striker scored a vital 89th minute winner as Mallorca defeated Sevilla 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on Sunday. Brazilian Luis Fabiano had equalised in the 87th minute. However, Webo struck two minutes later with his third league goal of the season as Mallorca became the first side to beat Sevilla at home in the league this season.

FRANCE

ANDRE AYEW (Marseille)

The 20-year-old Ghanaian winger, son of Marseille great Abedi Pele, notched an 88th-minute winner to give the French champions a 1-0 victory at Toulouse on Saturday. Ayew entered the fray as a substitute in the 60th minute and scored with two minutes remaining, converting Cesar Azpilicueta's cross with a powerful header to move Marseille to within two points of top spot.

GERVINHO (Lille)

Ivorian international Gervinho was a constant source of menace in his side's 2-1 defeat of Monaco on Sunday, as Lille climbed to the top of the table on goal difference above Montpellier. He tested visiting goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier after running in behind the Monaco defence in the first half and also called Ruffier into action with a point-blank header in the second period.

YOUSSEF EL ARABI (Caen)

Moroccan hitman El Arabi was on the losing side as Caen went down 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain, but his 85th-minute consolation strike was his 10th goal of the season and enabled him to move a goal clear of Lille's Senegal striker Moussa Sow at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts.