5 - 11 April 2001
Issue No.528
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 5 - 11 April 2001 Issue No.528 |
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Definitely Africa
SEPP BLATTER, president of football's world governing body FIFA, has confirmed that Africa would definitely host football's 2010 World Cup. Blatter repeated the decision, already made by FIFA's powerful executive committee in Zurich on 15 March, at a press conference on Sunday in Addis Ababa.
The decision comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the election of 2006 hosts Germany. South Africa was beaten in its bid for candidacy for the 2006 World Cup when Germany pipped it by one vote after Charlie Dempsey, Oceania's representative on the FIFA executive committee, abstained from the final round of voting, causing an international outcry.
FIFA said earlier this month that South Africa would be a front runner to host 2010. "It is the best placed. There are not too many countries in Africa capable of holding such a massive tournament," said one source.
Macala to coach Oman
CZECH Milan Macala has been named head coach of Oman for its forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. The move, announced by an Oman Football Federation official, marks a return to the Middle East for Macala after his dismissal by Saudi Arabia at the Asian Cup in Lebanon in October, when his side lost its opening game 4-1 to Japan.
Macala had made his mark in the region with Kuwait, winning the Gulf Cup in 1996 and 1998 and the silver medal at the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. He moved to Saudi Arabia after completing his contract in February 1999 but was fired after the heavy defeat by Philippe Troussier's side. The Czech also coached the United Arab Emirates briefly, taking temporary control of the team for the 1997 Confederations' Cup in Riyadh.
Delayed by paperwork
FORMER Algerian international Rabah Madjer will take over as the country's national team coach two months later than planned.
Madjer, currently living in Qatar, said last week that he had to delay his transfer to Algiers until June because of "administrative paperwork." Madjer, who coached Algeria for a brief period in 1999, will not join the team for their next World Cup qualifier against Senegal in Dakar on 22 April. Hamid Zouba, head of national teams, and technical adviser Mircea Radulesca, are in charge of the squad on an interim basis.
Previous coach Abdel-Ghani Jeddaoui resigned earlier last month after Algeria's 5-2 defeat by Egypt in a World Cup qualifier.
Algeria, which reached the World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986, is fourth in the African World Cup qualifying Group C, two points behind leaders Senegal, Egypt and Morocco, which are separated only by goal difference. Namibia is bottom.
Rivaldo rules out Brazil
BARCELONA'S Brazilian forward Rivaldo has said he will move to another European club when his contract is up in two years' time. The former World and European Player of the Year ruled out a move back to Brazil as he complained about being made the scapegoat for his country's defeats.
"I want to stay at Barcelona for the next two years but I won't renew my contract," he said on his Web site at www.rivaldo10.com.
"I'll be 31 then but it's not my intention to return to Brazil. I'll still want to play football and I suppose there will be other European clubs who want to sign me."
On the reaction he received from fans following Brazil's shock 1-0 defeat to Ecuador last week, he added: "The worst criticism is always for me. When Brazil loses someone has to be guilty and it's always Rivaldo.
"It's different with Romario. He plays in Brazil and they love him more. I'm treated like a foreign player. I won't quit the national team, though. I want to play in the next World Cup."
In memoriam
CHELSEA striker Gianfranco Zola dedicated the goal that put the London club on course for a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough to former teammate David Rocastle who lost his fight against cancer. Former Arsenal and England midfielder Rocastle died Friday night at the age of 33.
Rocastle, who represented England 14 times, made his name at Arsenal where he won the League Championship in 1989 and 1991 as well as picking up a League Cup winners medal in 1987.
The skilful midfielder, who struggled to break into the first team at Stamford Bridge, helped Zola settle in at Chelsea when he arrived from Italy in 1997. And Zola repaid that kindness with a touching gesture of his own.
"I want to dedicate my goal to David Rocastle," said Zola, who scored his first goal for two months on his return to the side after a six-week absence.
Rocastle leaves a wife Janet and three children.
(Compiled from wire services)
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