Brian Oliver on the build up and impact of the African Cup of Nations.

Paul Doyle says that the African Cup of Nations is more than just another tournament for the players.

Jonathan Wilson looks at Benin’s preparation for the tournament.

Here is another place where you can access the African Cup of Nations. You can buy per game, the group phase or the highlights. Muntari’s winner against Guinea was an absolute cracker.

A BBC article marking the 25th anniversary of Garrincha’s death. For anyone who has not read Ruy Castro’s book, get it and you will enjoy. It is an incredible story. Someone once said that before there was George Best there was Garrincha – that applied to the on-field and off-field exploits.

Harry Pearson's original review of the book contained the following: "It's hard to imagine the biography of any English footballer featuring cannibalism, masturbation contests and the subject losing his virginity with a goat inside the first twenty pages..."  

A very sober and fair assessment of Kevin Keegan from Nick Townsend.

A look at the Anfield situation. 

And Rob Hughes’ take on the Liverpool Boot Room, Hicks, Gillett, Rafa and possibly new owners.

The latest on cuddly Jack Warner from Andrew Jennings. It’s a pity that the larger CONCACAF nations can’t gather up the courage to take a run at this on-going embarrassment.

Here is some additional background to the Antigua story.

Celtic executive Peter Lawwell looks at what the dismantling of the G-14 means for his club as well as to club football in Europe.

Finally a massive thank you to all the people I met at the NSCAA convention in Baltimore. And in particular thank you to Charlie Cooke for his patience in listening to my boyhood memeories of his time in the dark blue of Dundee and Scotland.

It is midnight in Baltimore and I have a ridiculously early flight tomorrow morning. The weekend preview is truncated for that reason.

There are a number of questions that have been posted that I cannot answer given time constraints. I try to keep up and contribute during the week but the bottom line is that the only questions that I can guarantee you an answer to are the ones posted on Speakers' Corner on Monday.

Ian Plenderleith on the debate over whether or US players should or should not head overseas.

A man who went on to make his mark in international sport remembers Tommy Taylor who lost his life in the Munich air disaster.

Saturday will mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Garrincha. Here is some you tube video of him.

The Newcastle vs. Bolton game has taken on a great more relevance with the eturn of wee Kev. Liverpool and Aston Villa could be a pivotal clash for these teams.

In Spain the Madrid derby takes pride of place. An Atletico win or even a draw will provide a boost as the second half of the season gets underway while it would also provide an opportunity for Barcelona to close the present seven-point gap.

The top Italian game is Udinse hosting Milan. The 5-2 win over Napoli has invigerated Milan fans and with Udinese one of theams positioned to push for a top four place the stage is set for an excellent match.

With the start of the World Cup just a day away, injuries and sickness are front and centre. The Rooney recovery still dominates the headlines although I have a feeling that the true test will come when Sven decides to give young Wayne his first serious action.

As English fans rejoice at the news of Rooney’s recovery, a doubt about Steven Gerrard’s fitness for the first game has now surfaced. Gerrard’s name joins the likes of Gattuso (Italy), Ballack (Germany), Isaksson (Sweden), Ronaldo (Brazil) and Cisse of France as either being doubtful for their countries opening game or – in the case of Cisse – out of the competition altogether. 

Moreover, these are just the players we know about. As in other World Cups, countries that can avoid injuries to key players have an advantage but often an understudy gets a chance to play Hamlet and pulls off a standing ovation or two.

 Pele was injured and missed most of the 1962 Finals in Chile. His replacement Amarildo scored and set-up goals in the final while Garrincha became the star of the tournament.

Four years later Jimmy Greaves – the Michael Owen of his generation except better – damaged his shin during group play. Alf Ramsay brought in Geoff Hurst who at that time was considered largely untested. Hurst scored the only game of the quarterfinal against Argentina and then had a hat trick in a winning cause against West Germany in the final.

A legend was born.

Few people remember that the injury to Emerson – while playing goalie during practice – sent tremors through the Brazilian camp four years ago. Gilberto Silva was the beneficiary and earned himself a move to the Premiership based on some great performances.

Of course, sometimes the injuries are just too much to overcome. Think about the 1994 Final with Baggio on the limp and Baresi struggling badly. However, World Cup history has shown that often a very dark cloud has a silver lining. Who will step forward this time?