SPORT IT OUT

SA bad minton team triumphs

2008-07-15T11:39:00.003+03:00

Uganda could only settle for second best as South Africa dominated both the men’s and women’s bad Minton events at the ongoing University games at Makerere University.

The Southern African nation took home eights medals in total winning five gold medals in the Men’s and Women’s singles, Doubles, and mixed doubles plus three silver medals.

Uganda came second overall in a group that had South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Namibia after settling for two silver and five bronze medals.

South African star player Wiaan Viljoen overcame fellow country-mate Rowen Brown in straight sets 21-16, 21-13 in the men’s singles final while Annari Viljoen had a ride over her compatriot Ilana Viljoen 21-9, 21-8 in the women’s.

Uganda’s hope of a gold medal was ended by a 21-12, 21-7 loss to Annari Viljoen and Ilana Viljoen in the women’s doubles while the men had an even easier task with a walk-over in the men’s doubles.

Singles winners Wiaan Viljoen and Annari Viljoen combined to beat fellow country-mates Rowen Brown and Ilana Viljoen 21-12, 21-14 in the mixed doubles to complete their medal sweep of the event.

Botswana, finished third ahead of Namibia after Martin N. Ngwanabotho and Kabelo C. Mosinyi got a bronze in the men’s doubles.

South African Officials content with facilities

2008-07-09T19:16:00.000+03:00

Ugandans will not have the opportunity to watch the South African University Rugby team for a reason the Chairperson of the University Sport South Africa (USSA) called “prioritization.”

This would have provided an excitement the fact that South Africa are the current world rugby champions, among Ugandans who themselves are proud African champions.

“It’s not about just playing but prioritizing,” Mmbulaheni Nematandani, the Chairperson of USSA said. “I don’t think at the present time rugby was on the priority list because it’s about competition not just winning.”

South Africa, who are the current All Africa University games champions, won the last edition with 138 medlas opposed to Uganda who came a distant third with 31 medals from the seven disciplines they entered.

Uganda won 9 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals.

The South African team which will have a combined 147 players and officials, according to Mmbulaheni will take part in six games, (Table Tennis, Basketball, Chess, Football, Volleyball, and Judo.

Despite coming from a more developed country with better facilities, Mmbulaheni was content with the facilities availed to them despite a last minute rush to patch up some areas by the local organizing committee of the games.
He was short of comparing the facilities with those back home.

“We know whatever is on the ground is a collective effort from the organizers,” Mmbulaheni said. “So we will appreciate what we meet. I can see they have painted the halls (referring to Livingstone Hall) and the players look content with the facilities.”

Team officials from Botswana, the other Southern Africa team in the country had not inspected facilities at disposal.

“We have just reached and we don’t know the conditions around yet. In fact we have not been accredited yet,” Dr. Dele O, Akpata, Director of Culture, Sports and Recreation, the University of Botswana who is leading the delegation said.

Giggs:Yet another award.

2007-12-12T10:08:00.000+03:00

Ryan Giggs is a veteran at Man Utd who has won nothing but everything a player would want.

Well, on top of that bulging medal collection, he has just been recognised by the Queen of England with an OBE award.

OBE stands for Order of the British Empire.

He is currently the longest serving Utd player, a football journey that dates back to teh 1990-91 season.

He has played the second highest number of competitive games for the Man Utd with only Bobby Charlton standing on his way.

Giggs is one the most decorated British footballers of all time, with nine Premier League titles, four FA Cup wins, two League Cups and the European Cup win in 1999. Giggs is one the most decorated British footballers of all time, with nine Premier League titles, four FA Cup wins, two League Cups and the European Cup win in 1999.

Keep winning Giggs.

Photo: Timesonline.co.uk

Mourinho's English Drama.

2007-09-30T16:47:00.000+03:00

Jose Mourinho by now i guess you already know left Chelsea in what came to be understood as "mutual agreement."

Mutual or not, it is a big loss to the premiership. May be only Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Rafael Banitez may celebrate because he had proved his worth in less than four years of his stint in England.

But his departure leaves us with more than just fond memories.He spoke in such authoritative and annoying angles that you sounded a fool if he ever didnt annoy you.

Simple, here is Mourihno during his stay with us in England.

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one"

"In the second half it was whistle and whistle, fault and fault, cheat and cheat. The referee controlled the game in one way during the first half but in the second they had dozens of free-kicks. I know the referee did not walk to the dressing rooms alone at half-time"

"I don't regret it. The only thing I have to understand is I'm in England, so maybe even when I think I am not wrong, I have to adapt to your country and I have to respect that. I have a lot of respect for Liverpool fans and what I did, the sign of silence - 'shut your mouth' - was not for them, it was for the English press" -

"When I saw Rijkaard entering the referee's dressing room I couldn't believe it. When Drogba was sent off I didn't get surprised. There is something that tells me that in London the referee will be Collina, the best in the world. A perfect referee with personality and quality"

"I felt the power of Anfield, it was magnificent. I felt it didn't interfere with my players but maybe it interfered with other people and maybe it interfered with the result. You should ask the linesman why he gave a goal. Because, to give a goal, the ball must be 100% in and he must be 100% sure that the ball is in"

"It is not a red card, of course not, and for the second time we have to play 55, 60 minutes without a man and the game is completely different. I shouldn't speak about the game, because the game is not a game"

"We have played against them four matches in two seasons. (When it was) 11 against 11 they never beat us. That is the reality"

"It is not possible (for) penalties (to be awarded) against Manchester United, and it is not possible (to get) penalties in favour of Chelsea. If somebody punishes me because I tell the truth, it is the end of democracy, we go back to the old times" -

"It is omelettes and eggs. No eggs - no omelettes! It depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket you have class one, two or class three eggs and some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelettes. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem" -

Am so disappointed that i won be able to feel his tension each time Chelsea go into the pitch.
Could Ferguson retire so that space is created for the Portuguese?

Finally ,Thiery Henry is gone.

2007-06-23T19:13:00.000+03:00

Am not close to supporting Arsenal but am even closer sympathizing with them at these turbulent mourning times. “Goal gangster”, Theiry Henry finally has hit the last nail in England.

No more rumours, No more debates. No more biting nails. No more vroom voom! He is joining not only Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi but the king as well Ronaldo de Assís Moreira or better known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

The question is; what took Thierry that long to realize that Arsenal didn’t much his abilities. Oh! Thank God he finally got to realize, though late. Thanks dude!

Thiery and Wenger Where the journay starte (Photo from bbc online)

At 29, his football career literally is one year left. Signing an extension at Arsenal would have surely been a gamble especially with David Dein and the continuous rotten speculation surrounding Arsene Wengers job in London.

Well if you are still a doubting gooner, this is what your legend is telling you.

"Arsene has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” "Unfortunately and understandably he has said that at this moment he will not commit to the club past the expiration of his current deal which finishes at the end of the coming season.

"I respect his decision and his honesty but I will be 31 at the end of next season and I cannot take the chance to be there without Arsene Wenger and David Dein.

"This is solely my decision, no-one has forced me to do anything and I will represent myself in this transaction. I feel it is something I just had to do."

Barca here I come.. (Photo from bbc online)

Just in case the word transaction doesn’t convince you enough, then let me give you its meaning briefly. “Transaction is an agreement or movement carried out between separate entities often involving the exchange of items of value, such as information, goods, services and money. Henry’s involved money.

Have I convinced you now? If not, never mind, I will still endeavor to go on as long us Thiery Henry is not going to score an injury time winner over Man United.

I think Henry realized that Arsenals Kids were no longer producing beautiful football, giving it as one of the reasons for the departure.

"Barcelona are a wonderful club steeped in tradition and play beautiful football. I'm sure I will be very happy there," I wish you would have added, “excellently happy there”, but it’s ok.

"But I will miss the Arsenal fans dearly; they have supported me through thick and thin. "They will always be in my heart, as will all the fans who make the game here so special.

I will always have a special bond with Arsenal Football Club."

Ssebo, say anything as long as you are not going to kick a thing for them. Do you have an idea of the pain you caused when you hit the last nail on United last season at a time we were trying to stop the boring Chelsea soccer? Ok, now that you on the way to Barca, I forgive you.

Now continue telling these fans of yours what they should have expected some years ago.

"I still must pass a medical on Monday but yes, I have chosen Barcelona," the 29-year-old striker told me on a phone booth.

Read it carefully, he said, “I must pass a medical”. Virtually, it’s a done deal. Those doctors know how worth their cheques will read as long as drug free comes first.

I don’t think he takes drugs but when his music idols are the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, its worth being worried.

Let me take this occasion as well to pronounce the downfall of Arsenal. Jose Mourihno my co-loud mouth will do the needful after me.

For starters; Now the signs are that Wenger, the genius who took Arsenal to a higher plane, will fly the nest next summer — if not before. No Dein, no Henry and soon no Wenger. Arsenal as we know it, is dying a painful death. Barca was last night celebrating victory after a two-year chase for Henry, who will form a devastating strike force with Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o.

Secondly, which professional player is left at Arsenal? Ok, pass me a pencil I try the “try and error” game here.

Gilberto Silva? He’s also plus 30 and clubs are already on his back. Oooh! Who else? I don’t know whether Cesc Fabrigas can chip in. But he’s too young and though maturing, has a raw temper. Now who else? No I think these two are the remaining but endangered professionals as well.

But on a serious note, it’s a big loss to the premiership. That is even small; England. Apart from the recent import of stars by Mourihno, the guy has been at the top of games from the time he got into England.

If you have a poor memory, then I guess you can easily remember that Henry is Arsenals all time great not withstanding their highest ever goal scorer. Ian Wright should be a happy man because the guy was almost making his record look an easy get and by-pass.

Now that the brother has gone, I guess no more troubles from United in terms of threat and occasionally chipping in pains. There’s though one concern and may be that’s the reason he didn’t tell us why he was leaving.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was the top scorer in Spain. Jealousy! Now he’s gone to torment the Dutch Swamee. Ok, let not add pains on the already rusting Emirates guns.

Let me keep my devil pot in the bag. After all, as the great Theiry Henry leaves, two young prospects jet in; Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira and Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha better known as Nani.

"Goodbye Arsenal" Happy 2007/2008 season

A mystery on the African Legends.

2007-04-29T09:39:00.000+03:00

It continues to be a mystery in African football for legends who add up their years to retirement disappear even before we think of putting them in our history archives.

Typical of that clan is Patrick Mboma.

He was endowed with undoubtable skill .His calmness talked talent in him. His weight like many African footballers made him such an energetic striker to mark.

On an illustrious career that started from Paris Saint Germain, Mboma went on to make a name that only our short African memory can forget.
His achievement can only be best praised by an English man.

33 goals in just 55 caps for Cameroun has made him Cameroun’s all time goal scorer explaining the criticality he carried in his head and foot.

Patrick Mboma played in 2 worlds caps(1998,2002),was among that class of the indomitable lions who won back to back African cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002,African footballer of the year 2000, J-League top scorer in 1997 playing for Gamba Osaka making it to the J-League best eleven of that same year .

He last played for Vissel Kobe before retiring in 2005. The mystery continues, where is Patrick Mboma now?

JAY JAY OKOCHA

Jay Jay Okocha’s fans might not be too late to start asking. He is one one of the most entertaining footballers the world has ever witnessed.

In 2004 he released a DVD called "Superskills with Jay-Jay Okocha" where he teaches children at a football school the most difficult tricks in football.

Enugu, the capital of Enugu State bows Okocha’s copyright birth place. Paris Saint-Germain, Fenerbahçe, and Eintracht Frankfurt,Bolton and Qatar fc are his club exploits.

He is member of the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé in conjunction with FIFA's centenary celebrations.

Currently fading out the last of his football talent in Qatar, where he will go next is yet another question I leave for his fans to answer.

The list keeps growing. What should these players do to stay in the lime light? Coaching looks an impossibility.So what else?

Mourihno takes on Rafael not Chelsea V Liverpool!

2007-04-25T19:58:00.000+03:00

The Champions league is a beauty.

Who thought Roma,Real Madrid,Barcelona,Bayern would be waiting for a chance to try out the competition next season?

Down to the wire, Uniteds hopes of winning the trebble is still alive but after jumping the San Siro mountain.Winning 3-2 at Old Trafford would have been asking a lot in consideration to the injury list Alex Ferguson had.

AC Milan though this season have had that typical Champions league game they had at Old Trafford.The first leg games for Ancelloti`s side have been shaky only to turn around games in the second leg.

Man United therefore still has some way to go if the season is to end in style as every mancurian awaits.

Chelsea V Liverpool has been nothing but a war of words.Rafael Banitez has provided the perfect ground for Mourinho to play his cleanical mind games.

Considering the words that have been flashed between the two former Champions league winners, only 90 minutes will have one victim.

A look at the war, the match with some hours to go has already begin in the mouth.

Rafael has been that gentle manager who in his first years in England would be mistaken to be "dumb".Statements that came out of his mouth would always be patial and well framed.

This though has turned around that one can mistake him to be way above Arsene or Alex..

But this is good news for the premiership because certainly a lot of grip has now taken over in terms of managerial rivalry.

Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson had their time and non of the above has gone in the extremes of the current war between the Liverpool and the Chelsea managers.

If words is anything to judge with, then the mentality of the players on the pitch is going to be certainly seen.

Let the show progress.Its Liverpool V Chelsea.

Treble talk just Football Lust.

2007-03-18T10:49:00.000+03:00

Lets talk about the word "Treble".Its a hattrick in sporting terms.

This word is the most dangerous.Deceiving.Flirtering.Annoying.Fictious.Name it.Manchester United fans by far are the most farmiliar with the above word.

This takes me to the English Premier league.Man Uniteds' season start was unpredictable.A burren season was expected in contrast with Chelsea`s summer recruitment installing them as favorites to win just about any presentation in trophy form.If you do not know them, then you certainly seize being a footbal fan.Ballack and Shevchenko.

Then suddenly a big cloud stretched across Old Trafford and the Treble word made its way once more like it does for every season United have played from the 1999 season.United are miraculously in a hunt for the magic 1999 figure this season.
Champions league

The league of luck i call it.Winning the Champions league primarily is something that happens without awareness.

Arsenal for their history and reputation had been too short to peep into the quarterfinals.Even so quarter final berths are still so much counted.However who said Arsenal could not reach the Champions League final?They did and were threatening to carry it to London.

To United.The past four seasons need no rememberance.Shamefully last season being knocked out in the group stages by Benfica.In the Treble year,it was not about Uniteds brilliance or class but luck.

Who could ever Imagine United in the semi final drawing 2-2 with Juventus at Old Trafford needing a win or any draw of 2-plus to progress?

They weirdly got their first win on Italian soil leaving Juventus for dead 2-3 it ended.The Red Devils record against Italian opposition is not convincing at all.Enroute to the final, they have to uncover Roma with higher prospects of getting an AC Milan date should the Italians go past Bayern Munich.

It remains a guess in Europe.

FA Cup

With knocking pressure from The Premier League and the Champions league, the FA Cup is blantly the disadvantaged choice.

Concentration will be at an approximation of 50-60% which is not satisfying.Middlesborough their Monday opponents surprisingly are Uniteds cane masters.Boro could shock the Old Trafford wave by teaching them a thing or two about giant saffocation.

If Chelsea continue their progress too , without a debate that is a block. United fans know that knocking Chelsea will rely on chance.The record aganst Chelsea of late is unrevisitable.

The FA Cup is a probably.

Premier League.

This is where United have the highest chance of grabbing a treble incase winning the Premier league equates to that.

With eight games to go,Alex Ferguson knows that winning 6 games would lift that trophy back to Manchester.They are getting almost everything right even with the growing number of injuries.

Top scorers in the League at 70 goals.Top three in defence.Having the best both home and away records of this season, the Red Devils are standing in greater stands of bagging the league title.

The whole treble talk is nonsence.Arsenal in less than a month had the hopes of winning all 4 trophies but lost out on all four in a space of days!!!.Why is the treble thing burdening our lips anyway?Chelsea are in the hunt for 4 trophies with one already in the archive.

The quadruple talk at Standford Bridge is minimal and even journalists have found it not selling to ask Mourihno those very 'realistic questions' on Chelsea`s side.

They had never won a league in 50 years.They have now won it for two seasons running.Why can`t they win all the four trophies on display!!They have a better squad,better mentality,better fighting spirit and almost everything in comparison to Man United.With their defensive problems, they still command a better defence in terms of goals conceded in the league than a more settled United back four.

United should talk less because they risk being sentenced to many years of disappointments and shame if they carelessly throw statements.Winning a treble is a composition of winning games on the pitch not in press rooms or Kafunda`s by fans.

If talking guaranteed trophies, then Arsenal would be proud holders of quadruple.Learn from Arsenals mystery and focus.

My Premier leagueTeam of the season.

2007-03-11T10:49:00.000+03:00

A few weeks to the end of the English Premier league,a cloud of players are seperating and affirming their season in either fair, good or worse.For some reason others are already thinking of the coming season.

Pundits on their side should be listing their corrections down from their earlier projections as in who is going to be who,who is taking this position,who is lifting the premier league trophy, who is headed for relelgation and the list stretches.

For starters,Chelsea were pure favourites to retain the trophy for a third season running.At current,9 points adrift the premier league summit, that is in a balance.Alongside them was Arsenal and Liverpool.The former and latter made meaningful signings and didn`t leave wide open their exit transfer doors except for a dot of contraversy for the Gunners following the exit of Ashley Cole.He has won the Carling cup anyway.

Manchester United on the other hand made one "important" signing and made quite a few other internal signings in Ole Gunnre Solksjaer and Paul Scholes whose careers had been threatened because of injuries.

The season started and things turned around.This post though is meant to fish out what i can call my team of the season so far not to assume who is going down or taking the league.Employing the traditional 4-4-2, assembling it would come out of the following.

Jose Manuel Reina.

(Liverpool)

He has been a wall this season.His command has left his defenders well displined and aware of any pray in the 18 yard box letting in a handful of goals.The reflexes he has made on several occassions has salvaged points for the kops and he is the one reason Liverpool are where they are.

RB CB CB LB

Steve Finnan. Nemanja Vidic. Kolo Toure. Gareth Barry

(Liverpool) (Man Utd) (Arsenal) (Aston Villa)

RM CM CM LM

Cristiano Ronaldo Michael Essien Cesc Fabregas Arjen Robben

(Man Utd) (Chelsea) ( Arsenal) (Chelsea)

S S

Didier Drogba Benni McCarthy

(Chelsea) (Blackburn)

On the Bench.

Edwin Van Dar Sar(GK)

Frank Lampard.

Wayne Rooney.

Rio Ferdinand.

Dimitar berbatov.

MANAGER

Jose Mourihno

..........Roma going all the way......

2007-03-09T18:24:00.000+03:00

.
Champions league football is a dream league.Its only reserved for the best. champions ofcourse.Every game counts.Drop points today,in a fortnights time,only 90 minutes will save.Club Organisational skills are part and percel of this league.Even the weakest side can turn around to dorminate pages on its way to claim glory.

Arsenal last season holds my nearest witness.Even the unknown FC Porto came from no where to rewrite history.They took the Champions League. No wonder some one declared himself the special one.Luck adds a lot.Real Madrid bought the best players they would find on the market but have all faded without adding a single trophy to their trophy room close to 4 years now.

Fridays draw is yet another intriging one.After burying an English giantArsenal, PSV are yet again on the road to the Island they previuosly had the worst record.Now the mission is to end 2005 Champions Liverpool.

Man United have good memories against Italian opposition especially during their trebble season of 1999.Drawn against Roma a club they have never played, claiming to have an upper hand my be a grave mistake they would live to remember should they take the currently high flying Club for granted.

Chelsea should by now be used to playing in Spain having been paired with Valencia, another Spanish opposition.The only difference is Mourinho will be going back to a country where he worked as a translator for Barcelona more relaxed.He is facing Valencia not Barcelona.
Going past another Spanish opponent will surely open even wider, the large mouthed Manager.

AC Milan V Bayern Munich is the real deal.Milan has been shaky in the course of the season.After surviving the Celtic scare courtesy of a Kaka goal, a win against a resurrected Bayern will without doubts affirm them to go all the way to the Olympic Stadium in Athens for the Final.
The German champions however have the Champions league as their last breath for any Silverware this season and therefore will work their muscles in all directions to progress.

Irrespective of the outcomes, i have a feeling an English club once again is going all the way to the finals.Man Uniteds` season has been great.Liverpool domestically have been oweful but never the same in European competitions.By all standards, doubting Chelsea would qualify automatically to be a mistake.They are good enough for any team.

In close seasons, bigger Clubs have not had their luck paving way for Underdogs to take headlines.FC porto,Liverpool have all taken it with endless question marks.Arsenal with a combination of "talented kids" defied all odds to reach the final.This season is most probably going to follow the same footing.

Of the big 8, the unsung Roma may turn out to be cult.They have had a good season with the brilliance of Intermilan relegating them in the domestic league to limited healine making.Having knocked out Lyon, Roma has without second thoughts the ability to steal the hard-to-get trophy.

The underdogs have taken center stage in recent season and thats what makes the Champions league even sweater.Athens awaits.I have made my judgements.