100 days to South Africa 2010

The journey to the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been one long road filled with great expectations, heart-rending disappointments, and unprecedented joy not only for those people involved in bidding for the football tournament, but for Africans at large. Johannesburg residents took a break from their busy schedules, donned their Bafana Bafana jerseys and kicked back with the rest of the country on Tuesday to celebrate the 100 days countdown to the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

BuaNews spoke to some of the South Africans who gathered at the 100 days countdown celebration on Maude Street, Sandton, on Tuesday.

Thami Makhaya, wearing his Bafana jersey and sporting a vuvuzela, spoke of the long road to 2010, beginning with the country winning the bid in 2004 to host the World Cup.

"This World Cup will unite this country," Makhaya said. "I think once people realise just how big this event is, they will look beyond the differences and unite as South Africans to show the world what we can offer as a nation.

"We have travelled a long journey as a country, and this is an opportunity to take yet another step forward."

The Khan family of four, who where dressed up for the occasion, said they came to Maude Street to support their country.

"It is important for us be part of this historic occasion ... All of Africa is supporting South Africa," said Suraya Khan. "The World Cup is already a success, because it has shown that Africa is capable."

2010 will undoubtedly go down in the history books as one of the country's most memorable moments, she said.

For Josef Mkhabinde, the World Cup is about the legacy it will leave behind. "It's what Africa has been dreaming about ... I approach the tournament with confidence. Our stadiums are ready, our transport and security plans have been fine-tuned.

"I can assure you we will not disappoint," Mkhabinde said, "because we are a loving nation."

The world will descend on South African shores on 11 June – more than six years after the country was chosen as hosts – to witness the world's greatest sporting event being held on African soil for the first time.

Credit: Beau News

Clottey Braces Up for Paquiao

Pacquiao is a very fast-handed, hard-punching southpaw. He uses rapid in-and-out and side-to-side movement to set up stinging punches from angles. Clottey is a quick-fisted, accurate counter-puncher with an excellent left hook. And he has a good jab when he decides to use it. The story of the Pacquiao vs. Clottey fight is going to be about whether Clottey’s pressure and counter-punching can overcome Pacquiao’s foot speed and quick-handed, sharp-punching attacks. Clottey is the type of fighter who needs to be set before he can throw. Pacquiao’s foot speed and movement are going to create all manner of vexation for Clottey, as he’ll have a hard time planting his feet to mount any type of sustained offense. My head tells me Clottey, but my heart tells me Pacquiao. And every time your heart tells you something, it always turns out true. All the best to the two boxers though!

Joshua Clottey wept, openly, earlier this month when a work Visa to the U.S. was denied to his preferred chief second, Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey.

Kotey is perceived by many in their native Ghana as legendary and a father figure, having been the trainer for former welterweight star, Ike Quartey, of Ghana. Kotey was to be in Clottey's corner for the first time against Manny Pacquiao.

Kotey's presence was sought after Clottey had split with Kwame Asante in a reported disagreement over money -- this after Asante had served as Clottey's chief second for June's 12-round split-decision loss to then-WBO king, Miguel Cotto.

But now, with the biggest fight of his life on the horizon, Clottey was trainer-less.

Enter Lenny DeJesus (pictured above, left, with Clottey), a man Clottey had known of prior to employing DeJeus as the cutman for the Cotto fight.

A resident of the Bronx, the 32-year-old Clottey had seen DeJesus working with other fighters at the John's Gym, a venue he, himself, frequents that is located not too far from Yankees Stadium.

"I knew of DeJeus, but I didn't talk to him. Vinnie introduced me to him," said Clottey, referring to his manager, Vinnie Scolpino. "So he was used as a cut man in my fight with Miguel Cotto because he's been around for a long time. He seemed like a good choice."

Clottey said that DeJesus turned out to be even more of an asset during the fight with Cotto,

"When he was my cut man against Miguel Cotto, he pushed me. He sort of wakes you up, tells me some good things. We established a good relationship during the Cotto fight, so I chose him" to be primary trainer for the Pacquiao fight, said Clottey. "It was an easy transition. He motivates you."

Another advantage, said Clottey, is the fact that DeJesus knows a little bit about Pacquiao, having worked as the Filipino superstar's cut man throughout much the early part of his career.

DeJesus was last in Pacquiao's corner for the latter's March, 2005 loss to Erik Morales at super featherweight (130 pounds), after which Pacquiao won his next 11 bouts, eight of them by knockout.

A southpaw, Pacquiao has gotten more-and-more powerful as his weight has risen, having stopped his past four opponents, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and, Miguel Cotto, respectively, while weighing 134, 142, 138, and, 144 pounds.

"Does DeJesus know a little bit about Manny Pacquiao? Yes," said Scolpino. "But we also know that Manny Pacquiao is a different fighter now than he once was. We're prepared, but we're preparing for the Manny Pacquiao of today."

Clottey said that his respect for Pacquiao's power is among the reasons he will dethrone him.

"I have more confidence this time around because I'm taking this fight like if I win, I have bigger things ahead. I have so much respect for Manny, so that gives me more confidence because I respect the guy," said Clottey. "I respect the guy because, if he has the chance, he can stop me. So I respect him because of that, and because of that, I'm more confident."

Conversely, said Clottey, it was his lack of respect for Cotto that led to his demise.

"When I went to fight Cotto, I knew, within me, or at least my thinking was, 'I could beat Cotto because I knew Cotto had not faced a guy like me before.' That was my thinking," said Clottey.

"I didn't respect him like he was going to cause any damage," said Clottey. "So, compared to that, I respect this guy, Manny Pacquiao, because he's stopped a lot of good guys. So, I'm giving him respect, and the respect will carry me through the fight."

Clottey, who weighed out at 154 pounds on Thursday, claims to be in the best shape of his life, and punching with more power than ever.

"We're two weeks from the fight, and that's where I want to be right now. I don't want to come down too much or too fast from sparring because that might hurt you," said Clottey.

"I eat a lot of chicken and a lot of fish. It's African food. I don't eat any other meat," said Clottey. "Sometimes, I have salads -- things that make me strong and to wake up in the morning and go jogging, or which can make me go to the gym and work out. I drink a lot of water and I'm very strong in the gym at work."

"This is the best shape that I've ever been in. Because, I know that I've got a really tough fight with Manny, Pacquiao. All that you've seen from my photos is from the hard work of training," said Clottey, who a week ago, already was sparring 10, four-minute rounds with a 30 second rest in between and little if any fatigue.

"You know, I'm always in shape. I train even when I'm not fighting," said Clottey. "I play soccer. So when I start training, it doesn't take long. After a three weeks or a month, I'm strong."

And that, for Clottey, has meant more energy during sparring sessions, and, throughout his training overall.

"I've been trainig to do what I have to do. When the opening's there, I'm going to find them. When he's running, and he's moving around, I'll be able to cut off the ring," said Clottey. "When he stops running, I'll throw punches. And when I throw a punch, and he's there, I will be able to land it."

There are some who have questioned Pacquiao's ability to rise from one weight class to another with power, believing that he is on steroids or some other performance-enhancing drug.

Clottey, however, said that he is not among those who believes Pacquiao is dirty.

"Manny is a good man. He prays a lot. God gave him his power. He is a great champion, and this is going to be a difficult fight," said Clottey. "However, I have a plan: Hard punching, back him up, don't let him take charge. I will pressure him."

Ghana's Squad To Face Bosnia on March 3

Milovan Rajevac has always shown steel and proved he's got fine balls with his team to play Bosnia on March 3. Muntari, Tagoe and Kingston's return were imminent but Derek Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Eric Bekoe are still missing in the pack. Lets see how well the odds spurn out. Below is a full list of the players to face Bosnia in South Africa.


Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan, England), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals)

Defender: Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt).

Midfielders: Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Laryea Kingston (Hearts, Scotland), Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway) (, Haminu Dramani, (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Andre Ayew, (Arles Avignon, France)

Strikers: Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim, Germany), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan, Italy)

Rajevac Ditches Mario Balotelli

There is no doubt Ballotelli is a great player given his mercurial artifice, but he'll only would have been a great addition to the Black stars on the condition that he dealt with his class indiscipline, and augment his egregious character with a touch of that saintly humility. If he is to play for Ghana (which he has ruled out) then we must be ready to shoulder with him the uncouth braggadocios and criticisms that will ensue. We must remember he is young and a bit naive, and also stitched on the stench of the amalgam of arrogance and inglorious pride. We do not need more Muntari-like attitudes, but want passion, patriotism and ability. I like him as a footballer, but Ghana needs more than a footballer. We need the exemplary kind to kindle buoyancy and unity within the team and to uplift the spirit of Ghanaians and the hopes of Africans.. sadly, he's chosen not to play for us. Good luck, mate!

Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac has declared that there is no place in the Black Stars squad for Internazionale striker Mario Balotelli.

Ghana had courted the talented 20-year old whose parents gave him up for adoption at the age of three, but Balotelli quashed any hopes of playing for the West Africans claiming his only desire is to play for Italy.

Rajevac blames the player's snub on Ghana's the eagerness in landing the youngster in the past.

"We are partly to blame. In the past, we made him look like our messiah and saviour. We kept going after him with high powered delegations," Rajevac told Football365.co.za.

"All these, made it seem as though, there won't be any Black Stars without him. But that is not true.

"Everybody knows how Ghana has players in excess and the difficulty sometimes I go through just to have my squad. To put it bluntly, this Black Stars team is spoilt for choice. The team has quality in excess and has no place for guys like Balotelli", he said.

"He was talking as if, the next day, he is going to be allowed to wear the jersey of the Azzurri. It doesn't happen that way. Balotelli has a long way to go. If he thinks by snubbing Ghana he would be winning the heart of Marcello Lippi, then I am sorry, it won't happen."

Rajevac insisted that under his reign, Balotelli will never wear Ghana's colours.

"As long as I continue to be the coach of the Black Stars, Mario will never get to play for my team. We have treated him with very soft and tender gloves in the past. This time, it won't happen. Mario should forget it," Rajevac said.

Inter vs Chelsea- The battle of Africa

In our connected world, millions will watch the biggest clash of the round in Milan this European night, and there will be little doubt of a strong African flavour to the coffee. Across Africa millions will emphatise with the vanquished, but will sooner file behind the victors in their chase for glory a continent away.

On a night when every African football fan should be proud of how much colour the continent's players are adding to the European game, I am sad. Sad because this is a game that has come several rounds too soon.

Whatever happens today at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, and two weeks later at Stamford Bridge in London, at least three of Africa's finest talents, with otherwise real chances of lifting the European Cup, will be out of the race.

It could be the Chelsea set of Michael Essien, Mikel Obi, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba cursing their luck or Inter's Samuel Eto'o, Sulley Muntari and McDonald Mariga cringing in pain.

It is tough on an African football fan like me, but I guess in the end, it is to the successful set of players that Africa will look, and pray for to go all the way, so that on the final night in May, as it was last year with Eto'o and Yaya Toure, there will be more joy and pride on the continent.



The attackers

This clash will pit the finest two predators on the continent, if not the world, in a head-to-head combat. It will be the all-action Drogba against lightning fast poacher Eto'o.

Both come to this match with diametrically opposed fortunes. While at 31 years Drogba has watchers of the Age Clock befuddled with a potential best-ever-season run, Samuel Eto'o appears a ghost of his old gladiatorial self.

The goals have been few and far between for the Cameroon star, with some even speculating he might lose his first option privilege to Macedonia's Goran Pandev who joined Inter in January, and appears to have settled in nicely.

Red-hot Drogba has vented his spleen after another failed attempt at lifting the Africa Cup of Nations, on defenders in England. He has scored in all, but one match, since returning from Angola, racking up 6 goals in 5 games.

On the contrary Eto'o is yet to net for the Nerazzurris post-Angola albeit playing a vital role in their attacking onslaughts.

In Europe Drogba also leads despite serving a three-match ban, with 3 goals in three games, while Eto'o has 1 goal in 6 appearances for Inter.

Nonetheless underestimate this Lion, and you may end up with your guts wrenched out.

Three-time champion of Europe with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Eto'o is a formidable competitor who flowers on the big stage. His poor run in Europe noted, but who is to say this is not the day the Lion is unshackled?

Another African player likely to feature in attack is Ivorian Salomon Kalou who could come in as a second half marauder in Inter's den.

The enforcers

There are other big battles too. Young Nigerian Mikel Obi, who appears to have grown in stature at the London club under Ancelotti, will seek to break Sulley Muntari's rhythm for the Italian champions.

That battle will be fought more in Mikel's end of the pitch, for while the Nigerian is at the based of Ancelotti's diamond, the more experienced Ghanaian is an attacking player with a bullet left foot when he finds the space.

I expect both players to start the match, but while Mikel should last the distance, I foresee Muntari giving way in the second half, possibly, though unlikely, to Kenyan McDonald Mariga.

The 22-year old Mariga has been compared to Mikel, and has impressed since joining Inter from Parma, but whether he can be trusted at this level is highly uncertain.

credit: Kenneth Ezaga

Tagoe Finds Fine Form

Earning his ruined glory bits on the best pages. The "beleaguered" chap needed support and not to be frozen out in such a brazen manner. To have his contract terminated just when he had been signed seemed incomprehensible and numb to say the least. Good to see he is working to hit heights and rightfully, earning the respect of the fans and board alike. Wish him all the best!

Ghanaian striker Prince Tagoe is the new darling boy of German club Hoffenheim after putting in excellent performances for the Bundesliga side since overcoming a threat to his career.

His impact has been so immense since his return that Hoffenheim president Dietmar Hopp says the former Hearts of Oak striker is one of their most important players.

Even the club supporters last Friday unveiled their newly composed song for Tagoe as he helped the club to rally from two goals down to hold Moenchengladbach to a 2-2 draw.

This comes just six months after he was told by officials of the club that his career is over after a fictitious heart report but his agents fought the club in court and his contract was reinstated.

Now Tagoe is serving his Hoffenheim critics particularly club director Jan Schindelmeiser large and copious amounts of humble pie for leading the crude attempt to oust him.

The Ghanaian scored in his debut first team appearance for the club in a German FA Cup match two weeks ago and has since contributed immensely particularly on Saturday when he played a great role in their amazing comeback.

In appreciation of his efforts for Hoffenheim the club supporters happily released the song: “We shall we see thePrince again.”

His performance has not gone unnoticed by the club’s billionaire owner Hopp, who is Germany’s Bill Gates for gaining his riches from the computer industry.

“I know the arrival of Prince will help our club immensely because he is hugely talented,” Hopp is quoted as saying.

Hopp has hailed the Ghanaian for reviving the club’s influential striker Vedad Ibisevic, who failed to find his form until Tagoe arrived on the scene to put pressure on the Bosnian over a starting place in the team.

Tagoe is happy about the praise he is getting from the club and the German media but he remains modest.

"It is only through teamwork that we are able to make things happen for the club and the fans. When I am alone I am nothing. It is all team-work.”

Hoffenheim came from 2-0 down to earn a draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday.

Tagoe was introduced in the 69th minute to assist in the great comeback which earned his team the crucial draw.

Muntari Handed Two-Match Ban

Ghana and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has been suspended for two games for hitting out at the referee during a Serie A game at the weekend.


Muntari is reported to have insulted referee Paolo Tagliavento, who sent off Inter players Walter Samuel and Ramiro Cordoba and Samdporia's Giampaolo Pazzini in a game the two sides drew 0-0 late Saturday.

Muntari received the two-game ban for insulting the referee as he was being replaced by a teammate in the wake of the red cards shown to his team-mates.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho was also banned for three matches and fined for his gesture towards the referee during the game.

The Portuguese coach argued with referee Tagliavento after he sent off Inter players Walter Samuel and Ramiro Cordoba.

Sports judge Gianpaolo Tosel said that Mourinho 'repeatedly contested the referee calls with glaring gestures, particularly mimicking (twice) the handcuffs with his wrists crossed, showing them to the public and the television cameras by the pitch.'

Mourinho, was also fined 40,000 euros (54,000 dollars). He had been fined twice and suspended once, for one game, since March 2009.

Argentine Samuel, Colombian Cordoba and Pazzini were suspended for one game, while Argentine Esteban Cambiasso was also banned for two games for trying to punch Samp striker Nicola Pozzi in the changing rooms at half time.

The Serie A leaders were fined 25,000 euros for their responsibility in the behaviour of the fans at the Giuseppe Meazza, plus 5,000 euros for delaying the start of the second half.

credit: Ghanasoccernet