Tim Vickery on the start of the Copa Libertadores together with comments on Chelsea and Birmingham City’s new Argentine recruits.

For all the complaining we have heard about the African Cup of Nations it does not appear to have stopped the majority of Premier clubs from intensely scouting the tournament.

A decision with significant implications for players looking to walk away from long term contracts has finally been made.

And Sepp Blatter’s response to the rule that he helped to bring in.


The Times looks back half a century.


The African Cup of Nations is down to the last eight and fans in Canada will be glad to know that French language broadcaster TV5 will be televising games from the quarter finals on. For others in North America there are internet options including All Soccer Africa. 

My viewing to date has been limited to the highlights of each game delivered over the internet so take the predictions with plenty of salt. However, there has been some cracking goals and a couple of good matches. Now that we have reached the last eight here is hoping that the quality is maintained.  Two games are scheduled for Sunday and the others on Monday.


Ghana vs. Nigeria
Former MLS (Chicago, Colorado and San Jose) striker Junior Agogo has become a bit of a folk hero during this tournament. The consummate journeyman player looks to have finally settled at Nottingham Forest and despite being left out of the 2006 World Cup he seems to have established himself as a regular member of the Ghanaian international squad. 

Ghana needed two very late goals (one from Agogo against Namibia) to secure wins in the first two matches before a straight forward 2-0 win over Morocco sealed a quarter final spot.

Although Nigeria could be considered slightly fortunate to qualify from group B they should not be underestimated. A stunning goal from Salomon Kalou was the difference in their opener against Ivory Coast and although a scoreless draw versus Mali was a disappointing result it did leave the door slightly ajar for Nigeria.

Goals finally came Nigeria’s way as Mikel and Yakubu notched second half markers to beat a Benin side that was far out of their depth. Ivory Coast did the rest by refusing the rest on the fact that they had already secured passage to the knock stage and beat Mali 3-0.

Nigeria has a terrific record in the African Cup of Nations since 1984. Out of the thirteen tournaments Nigeria has made it to the final five times while wining once in 1994. On four other occasions they have reached the semi final stage and taken 3rd place each time.

Prediction – Ghana 1-0 Nigeria


Ivory Coast vs. Guinea
The FIFA rankings may be suspect at the best of times but even so few soccer fans outside of Africa would be able to name Guinea as the third ranked side on the continent. They may have never made it to the World Cup Finals to date but 2010 may become their first.

This is  the third straight time that Guinea has made the last eight in this tournament but any hope of progressing further this time has been severely damaged by the suspension handed to Pascal Feindouno of St. Etienne.

Between qualification games and the first two of the finals the attacking midfielder has scored eight goals in 10 games. However, his double over Morocco was overshadowed by a sending off for violent conduct. A two game ban meant he missed the final group game (a 1-1 draw) against Namibia but more importantly he will also miss the quarter final against Ivory Coast.

The Ivorians can score goals (8 so far) and give little away in defense – only one goal conceded in seven games at the qualifying and finals stages.

Prediction – Ivory Coast 2-0 Guinea


Egypt vs. Angola
This might very well be the time of the round with the reigning African Champions facing a 2006 World Cup qualifier that proved tough to break down. Despite winning at home two years ago Egypt was less than impressive during the qualification phase for this edition.

But you would hardly know it based on their opening two games that saw them blow away Cameroon 4-2 and Sudan 3-0. The opportunity to rest Mohamed Zidan was taken in the final game and the resulting 1-1 draw with Zambia was more than enough to see the Champions through as group C winners.

This is the 22nd time that Egypt has appeared in the African finals and five times they have gone on to win the tournament. For a country that has historically done so well regionally only two World Cup appearances in 1934 and 1990 seems meager.

On the other hand their quarter final opponents Angola will be making a first appearance in the last eight and are looking to build on some fine displays in Germany in 2006. At World Cup 2006 the Angolans proved to be exceedingly tough to break down although they were missing a cutting edge up front.

This problem may have now been solved with the emergence of Manucho, a recent Manchester United signing. A converted winger Manucho entered the tournament with two goals in 10 international appearances but has since scored three more. With veteran Flavio also available up front Angola now have a legitimate scoring threat from their front pairing. Angola will also be eager to move deeper into the tournament as they are scheduled to host in 2010.  

Prediction – Egypt 2-1 Angola


Tunisia vs. Cameroon
Cameroon has bounced back from a first game loss to Egypt and with Samuel Eto’o (5 goals and an African Cup of Nations scoring record) in the side they present a potent threat. With ten goals so far Cameroon is the top scorers in the tournament and a defense record of five conceded has to be placed in the context of four goals lost to Egypt.  

Tunisia won the tournament when they hosted four years ago and they have also reached the quarter finals twice and a semi final in their last six tournament appearances. Tunisia is unbeaten with a win over a bitterly disappointing South Africa side and two draws with Angola and Senegal.

Prediction – Tunisia 1-3 Cameroon


For my money the best game of the weekend in Europe is set for Florence where Fiorentina faces a Milan side that desperately want to dislodge the Viola from the fourth spot that they currently occupy. Both clubs are enjoying a fine run of form with Fiorentina having won four straight and Milan with four wins in their last five games.

Milan sits in sixth spot seven points behind Fiorentina but with a game fewer played. While Brazilian teenager Pato has been capturing the headlines with three goals since his debut against Napoli three weeks ago, the much maligned Gilardino has quietly gone about his business and has scored two vital away goals against Udinese and Reggina. Both were game winners and in all Gilardino has scored seven Serie A goals and all have come away from home.  

Fiorentina’s game breaker has been Romanian Adrian Mutu. Mutu has rediscovered the form that made him one of the most sought after players in the world and it is surely no coincidence that it has coincided with him reuniting with his old boss from the Parma days Cesare Prandelli.

After being sacked by Chelsea Mutu signed on at Juventus but failed to make a signicant impact. Fiorentina moved in and last season brought 16 goals in 33 Serie A games. This season Mutu has been responsible for close to 40% of Fiorentina’s goal production with thirteen goals in his twenty appearances.

George Weah asks “With Anelka possibly linking up with Diouf at Bolton the Trotters could have the most combustible strike force in the EPL. What are the odds on one of these two being dropped by December?”

 

Bobby – Or how long until Anelka’s first sulk? What a fantastic talent, what a moaner.

Reggae_Boy_23 – What’s your opinion on Jens Lehmann.

Bobby – Up until last season my opinion of Lehmann was not great. However, being dropped for a spell the season before seems to have made a ton of difference. He was fantastic last season and although he did have his little tantrums now and again he really did come into his own.

JohnQuinn – Frank Lampard and deflected goals.

Bobby – I’m not aware of any statistic being kept on deflected goals but it is an interesting point. It seems to me that there are a lot more than there was a decade ago – but there again I don’t have anything to prove that. Maybe it has something to do the ball?

 TheFishingWidow – Sheva and Drogba

Bobby – Shevchenko will bring out the best in Drogba. Not only is he a great striker but he also works hard to create chances for others as well. Sheva will create space for Drogba and if they both stay fit I can see them scoring 40 between them in the Premiership.

 thedream “Why was Pascal Chimbonda not in Wigan's line-up this past weekend?”

Bobby – Because Paul Jewell and Wigan are royally pissed off at him for wanting a transfer. Next he is going to be sent to his room early, without supper, and no internet privileges.

SLRed – Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.

Bobby – What I have seen of Kuyt has not been all that impressive but I don’t think Benitez has bought a dud – although he did sign Crouch. I can see Crouch becoming a role player who is brought off the bench to give the opposition a different look. I just don’t think Crouch is up to what is needed week in and week out.

 

Looneyrooney14 - Does Man U's performance today make you want to edit your prediction? Especially since Liverpool were disappointing on Saturday.+ I am the only Tottenham fan in my family, everyone else is a Man U fan, so I was teased pretty bad this weekend, do you think my team can turn it around?

Bobby – Not after one game I am not. United were great on Sunday but it is far too early tell. Mind you drawing conclusions after every team has played one game is not as bad as what we saw on Sportsnet in Canada after the Sheffield United and Liverpool game on Saturday. As you all know this game was the first of the season and finished before the others kicked off. Sportsnet put up the league standings with Liverpool and Sheffield United top and all the other 18 teams showing zero records. Talk about pointless!  For a comment on Spurs see below.

milanfan – Lack of action from Milan in the transfer market.

Bobby – I find this surprising as well. Could the rumour of a Ronaldo bid be true?

 djnima – 1. Your prediction for Spurs not challenging for the top four this season surprised me. The front 6 line up for them looks quite dangerous. If Zokora succeeds in the EPL, and I think he will, then Tottenham's midfield and striking options surely look promising. They only seem to lack quality in defense which would seem to be their only weakness. Chimbonda was the answer to some of those questions. Since Tottenham failed to sign him, do you think their lack of spending at the back will lead to their demise?

2. I joined the Fox EPL fantasy so I could see your picks. I can't seem to be able to view your team. How can I do so?

 Bobby – 1. Taken from another blog response to a similar question.  My take is that few teams have been able to produce back to back seasons that have moved them into the top four. Spurs will also have the UEFA Cup and are unlikely to be knocked out at the first attempt in the Carling and FA Cups. Finally (a) Spurs had a fantastic record against teams that finished in the bottom half of the table while (b) they had a poor record against the top four and (c) they had a great home record. I can't see them doing much better against the top four while I don't think that they will be able to replicate the record against poorer sides and it will be difficult to match the home record from last season.

 2. This is my rookie year in the Fantasy League so I will be happy to avoid relegation. I have made some four transfers all ready but this is what I have at the moment under Tayport. Van der Sar; Carr, Ferdinand Rio, Gabbidon, Hunt: Parker, Nolan (captain), Arteta, Benayoun; Johnson Andy, Henry; Sub Solskjaer.


travel_coach -   What can be done about the disparity in cash? I watched Chelski beat my Man. City side handily, despite that Chelski were missing 3 starters. The Prem. really has split into super teams and the rest of the lot. Is that really what we want? EU labour laws to the side for a minute would instituting a "4 non-U.K. player maximum in the Prem. help restore a reasonable level of parity? How about a salary cap like we have in the Fantasy league? Or, given the Sheffield United game, are such efforts really unnecessary?

Bobby – There has always been a disparity of cash, the only difference is that now it is greater than ever and Chelsea has more money than anyone can reasonably dream of. Unfortunately any discussion has to involve European Union Laws. UEFA and FIFA chose to ignore that reality so when the Bosman decision came down they were totally ill-equipped to respond. The fact that UEFA and the European Union cooperated in the report tabled in May was very important and a sign that UEFA now sees the EU has part of a long term solution rather than the problem.

Keane16 - dmanufan07: I believe the addition of Hargreaves would be excellent as it would give an added option in the midfield(if we can get him for 6 to 8 million), but what I would prefer is the addition of more young players who can fill gaps and do a good job there. Such as a younger Quinton Fortune or Phil Neville type player who can be put anywhere on the field and do an above average job and doesn't complain if he doesn’t get to start every week but when called upon puts the shirt on and plays for his place. John O'Shea is an excellent example of this even if you wince every time he needs to control a ball.

Bobby – I can’t believe that United are willing to fork out $30M plus for a player who they could have had on a Bosman pre-contract last season given that his deal was up in June of 2006. Hargreaves is a competent and energetic ball winner and that is all. He is a younger Philip Neville. He plays a couple of good games for England and suddenly Fergie is willing to pay silly money for him.

 henry 14 - bobby l am now getting confused l heard that arsenal bid for Gallas and Chelsea refuse at the same time Mourinho is prepared to trade him with Cole +money, to be honest l feel Chelsea have money to spend and can afford to pay A PLAYER WHILIST IN THE RESERVES which tells me that the coming of cannibal does not affect the Gallas issue, l still feel that they will be no deal, l le boss just said if nothing happens till Friday he closes his door and Cole will stay. At the same time they are rumours that Cole does not want to leave arsenal until December because he wants a 2m pound loyalty bonus so he might be dragging his feet for the deal, he gets me sick. What do you feel about the sudden twist of events?

Bobby – Patrick Barclay in his Jose Mourinho biography put it very well. When a manager or a coach speaks publicly, he his only out to achieve one thing – an advantage. If the truth is also spoken then it is just a fortunate side effect. 

 davard - Actually my real question involves South American futbol. I have enjoyed watching some of the Argentina league on FSC, and I was wondering about the Copa Libertadores. Do the South / Central American clubs view it as the Euro clubs view the Champions League? Is it as prestigious? I just like to know what I'm watching, since I wouldn't know if the teams were fielding weakened sides as I don't know any of the players that well.

Also, what is the possibility of MLS teams participating? Do they already? That would be excellent to see them in a cup like that.

 Bobby – The Copa Libertadores is the most important club tournament for South Americans but a country mile. Clubs will play weakened sides in their domestic competitions in order to have their best available for the Copa Libertadores. Mexican clubs participate by invite and have done so for a few years. MLS clubs being invited might a few years away yet.