By Samson Michael
Steven Gerrard, who played in central midfield role for England against Andorra, showed his quality by scoring two great goals to try and revamp England’s Euro 2008 qualification fixtures.
Gerrard was a commanding figure in midfield, as he played the perfect bridge between the attack and the defense, as he himslef participated in both attacking and marshalling the midfield.
Arguably the best all round midfielder in the world, Gerrard has sealed his place as one of the most sought after midlfielders with a sublime performance against Andorra.
If McLaren decides to play Gerrard in place of Frank Lampard in midfield, then the 25 year old Liverpool captain could show his creed in the qualification series.
Steven Gerrard, who played in central midfield role for England against Andorra, showed his quality by scoring two great goals to try and revamp England’s Euro 2008 qualification fixtures.
Gerrard was a commanding figure in midfield, as he played the perfect bridge between the attack and the defense, as he himslef participated in both attacking and marshalling the midfield.
Arguably the best all round midfielder in the world, Gerrard has sealed his place as one of the most sought after midlfielders with a sublime performance against Andorra.
If McLaren decides to play Gerrard in place of Frank Lampard in midfield, then the 25 year old Liverpool captain could show his creed in the qualification series.
Maradona Hospitalized
Legendary football star Diego Armando Maradona, 46, has been hospitalized yet again in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986 and is almost worshiped in Italy, has suffered from health problems in the past. Maradona has been battling with weight problems and has been a cocain addict. He has also been in hospital twice due to heart problems.
Though no one knows why he was hospitalized, it was stated that it had nothing to do with his drug problems. It was only stated that he was suffering from an ‘imbalance’.
"He's staying, he's staying... his life is not in danger," said his personal doctor Aldredo Cahe, speaking outside the hospital, according to the BBC.
His two daughters, Dalma and Giannina, were seen arriving at the hospital a few minutes after he was admitted. Families of patients on the 13th floor of the hospital were asked to leave and police and security guards were brought in to control the area.
Maradona is still revered in Argentina and his fans will be watching and waiting for any news of their idol, the BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires.
Maradona led Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, and won league titles at home and in Italy. But in 1991, he was banned for 15 months after failing a drugs test and tested positive again for banned drugs at the 1994 World Cup in the US.
He retired from competitive sport in 1997. In 2004, he spent 10 days in intensive care with high blood pressure, breathing problems and a lung infection.
Two years ago, he had a stomach stapling operation. He lost 30kg (66lb), began playing football again and appeared to be getting his life back on track.
But the Argentine media reported that Maradona had put on weight and was considering taking a slimming cure. Earlier this month, Argentina's central bank said it was investigating him for alleged financial irregularities.
Olympic team makes qualification
For the first time in its history, the Ethiopian National Olympic team beat Algeria 4-2 on aggregate to make it to the group qualification stage of the Olympic Games.
Taking into consideration that the visiting Algerian Olympic side was hammered 3-1 in front of its own people, the return leg in Addis Ababa was a done deal as the Ethiopian side was sure to win the game on aggregate. The visitors however had other things in mind and opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Yahiya Sheriff's opener woke the dozing Ethiopian team who went on attack with Orlando Pirates striker Fikru Teffera up front. The Algerian players opted for a more physical game than clean football, but that didn't prompt the Rwandan referee to award a booking.
The Algerians started their nasty way of playing when rising Mugher Cement striker Salahadin Said scored the equalizer. Though there were no more goals to be scored from either side, the Ethiopian team dominated the rest of the game to celebrate the qualification for the group stage.
Algeria's woes were added when just moments before the final whistle, their goalkeeper was given his marching orders for punching an Ethiopian player. That didn't help the home team score another goal, though.
The group qualification campaign starts after six weeks with twelve nations being leveled in three groups, out of which the three, group winners would qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Though a provisional three man coaching staff was assigned for the encounter against Congo, the game was postponed. Tesfaye Fetene is expected to take over the national team after steering the Olympic team to new heights. Tesfaye, so far displays a good record with one loss in five international matches.
Obviously, the group stage would bring together the continent's soccer heavy weights such as former Olympic champions Nigeria and Cameroon. Tesfaye is expected to build a strong squad and lead the team to China in 2008.
"I could not compete against four factors" Kenenisa Bekele
"I miscalculated the laps and thought that I had reached the finish when I strode clear. I used all the little reserve energy I had to do that." Kenenisa said after losing to Eritrea’s Zeresenay Tadesse in the World Cross Country Championships in Mombassa.
After dropping out of the senior men's 12km race at the 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Ethiopia's five-time double champion Kenenisa Bekele has released the following statement through the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF).
"Even before I started the race, I was completely shocked to see some of our junior women runners drop out or collapse at the finish line. I knew that it was going to be a bad race."
"I was preparing for my race when I saw Emebet Etea running backwards. Soon afterwards, I also witnessed the junior men collapsing. I did not start my race in a relaxed manner as I usually do."
"The course of the race was not to my liking. There was some sand and it prevented me from gliding over the turf as I am used to. My spikes could not handle the course. It was very difficult competing against four factors- the sand, the asphalt, the weather, and of course, the world class challengers."
"I felt dehydrated for much of the race. At times, I just wanted to stop, take some fluid, and carry on."
"I would like to say congratulations to Zeresenay. He is a strong runner. I beat him for the last three years, but well done to him for coming back and handling the conditions. Congratulations! Capital sport admires Kenenisa’s sportsmanship.
Olympic team makes qualification
For the first time in its history, the Ethiopian National Olympic team beat Algeria 4-2 on aggregate to make it to the group qualification stage of the Olympic Games.
Taking into consideration that the visiting Algerian Olympic side was hammered 3-1 in front of its own people, the return leg in Addis Ababa was a done deal as the Ethiopian side was sure to win the game on aggregate. The visitors however had other things in mind and opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Yahiya Sheriff's opener woke the dozing Ethiopian team who went on attack with Orlando Pirates striker Fikru Teffera up front. The Algerian players opted for a more physical game than clean football, but that didn't prompt the Rwandan referee to award a booking.
The Algerians started their nasty way of playing when rising Mugher Cement striker Salahadin Said scored the equalizer. Though there were no more goals to be scored from either side, the Ethiopian team dominated the rest of the game to celebrate the qualification for the group stage.
Algeria's woes were added when just moments before the final whistle, their goalkeeper was given his marching orders for punching an Ethiopian player. That didn't help the home team score another goal, though.
The group qualification campaign starts after six weeks with twelve nations being leveled in three groups, out of which the three, group winners would qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Though a provisional three man coaching staff was assigned for the encounter against Congo, the game was postponed. Tesfaye Fetene is expected to take over the national team after steering the Olympic team to new heights. Tesfaye, so far displays a good record with one loss in five international matches.
Obviously, the group stage would bring together the continent's soccer heavy weights such as former Olympic champions Nigeria and Cameroon. Tesfaye is expected to build a strong squad and lead the team to China in 2008.
Kassahun heads to Texas
Kassahun Teka, former National team and St George winger, was announced as the guest of honor for the annual ESFNA football tournament to be held in Dallas, Texas.
Kassahun, probably one of the very few coaches who have coached every level of football in Ethiopia, received his instructor's certificate following in the footsteps of legendary Ethiopian player Mengistu Worku. During his playing years, Kassahun was known for his lethal left shot and his ability to get past defenders
Though he quit coaching about five years ago due to health problems, he still serves soccer as the Chairperson of the National Technical Committee of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).
Many close to the EFF believe that his invitation was long overdue, considering his service to the game, both a player and as a coach. "Many with thinner resumes than Kassahun have been to the USA as guests of honor. I suspect the selection used to be more favoritism than merit," remarked a former national team player.
"Kassahun was not on good terms with ESFNA officials until recently when former electric player Rico Giordano returned home after a long stay in USA. I believe that Rico rallied for Kassahun's invitation because he had his own agenda. Rico has plans of opening a youth soccer academy here in Ethiopia and wants Kassahun to manage it. This is irregular and I am very disappointed about it," said another soccer veteran and former Insurance player now living in the US.
Whatever the procedure, Kassahun will be going to the US to be part of an occasion seen as almost a pilgrimage by Ethiopians. This an occasion where Ethiopians come from all over the US and gather to celebrate what is much more than just a soccer event.
Mengestu Worku was the first guest of honor when the tournament was launched 20 years ago.
Famous Ethiopian artist, Maitre Laureate Afework Tekle will accompany Kassahun to Dallas, Texas. The occasion is scheduled to take place a week after the American's celebrate July 4th, American independence day.
Cross country fact box
Ethiopian athletes fail to add to an already bulging number of gold medals.
One of the most popular athletics events in the world is the IAAF Cross Country Championship held every year. This event was first kicked off in Belgium in 1973 and is now 34 years young.
This year's event in Mombassa brought together 161 nations represented by 9550 athletes. Mombassa, a beach town about 135 mm from Kenyan capital Nairobi, was the host for this year's occasion.
According to information obtained from the IAAF web site, six nations Belgium, France, England, Spain, North Ireland and USA take part in the tournament more frequently, but only two East African Nations, Kenya and Ethiopia dominate the medal tables.
Kenyans have long dominated the championship, in particular the 12 km group event, which they monopolized for 12 years. They also stand taller than any other nation in collecting the highest number of gold medals, with 64 and counting.
However, when it comes to personal achievement Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele leads others by miles. As the only athlete to win five double world cross-country medals, Kenenisa has 25 medals in the tournament - 15 gold, eight silver, and two bronze medals from years in the race.
Workinesh Kidane is Ethiopian flag bearer in collecting the highest number of medals in the women's category. She has managed to win 11 gold, five silver and four bronze medals in the world cross country championships, making her a legend in the tournament.
Ethiopia and Kenya have taken part in 102 cross country events, with Ethiopia winning on 40 occasions and Kenya winning a record 63 times. The highest number of medals collected however, goes to Ethiopia with 98 medals, closely followed by Kenya's 96. Until last year, there were six different categories to run in, but that has shrunk to four now. Ethiopian athletes have the record in winning gold in all four races.
Hailu Mekonen, Gete Wami, Kenenisa Bekele, Workinesh Melkamu have each won two individual and two group gold medals.
In the overall medal count, Kenyans have overshadowed Ethiopian athletes. Kenya stood first bagging, 235 medals while Ethiopia comes second with 201 followed by the USA with 59 medals.
Portugal, who also has some good runners, has hosted the event with the highest number of athletes and countries. The 28th world cross-country athletics championship held in Villamare brought together 806 athletes from 76 countries. The event in Mombassa saw 66 countries represented by 576 athletes. Kenya featured the highest number of athletes with 35 while Ethiopia had 28.
Ethiopia, who dominated the last tfew world cross country championships wasn’t able to continue doing so this season as they were not able to cope with the unbearable heat and humidity in Mombassa.
All Ethiopian Games ends colorfully
When the first ever All Ethiopian Games was wrapped up last Sunday here in the capital, Addis Ababa finished top of the medal table followed by the Oromia and Amhara regions respectively.
Nine regions and two administrative councils, represented by more than 3,000 athletes made the closing ceremony one of the most colorful and memorable events in the history of sports in Ethiopia. Two weeks of sweating, gut wrenching, nerve racking, fist clenching, wild dancing and tearful sobbing later, heroes and villains of the game gathered together for a heart-warming farewell, wishing to see each other for the next event.
In one of the events, highly regarded competition - football - the SNNPR claimed the title as Mugher Cement striker Salahadin Said and his younger brother helped crush Addis Ababa on their way to the finals. SNNPR then beat Benishangul Gumuz Region to claim the title, though the best team title went to the runners up. SNNPR duo Salahadin and his brother won the top scorer and player of the tournament award respectively.
The eagerly awaited men's 10,000 meters race was the closing race of the occasion, and as expected, was the best race of the tournament.
Though the game was strongly contested, Addis Ababa born Lishan Yigezu won the race in a time of 30:09 minutes, followed by teammate Dereje Tadesse who crossed the line four seconds latter. Gebre Sewssie from Tigray finished third in a time of 30:14 minutes to claim the bronze medal. The title for the 4 x 100 men's relay went to the SNNPR, while Oromia claimed the gold in the women's event.
With 580 athletes in the line up, Oromia won 39 gold, 39 silver and 88 bronze medals to finish second on the over all counting followed by Amhara Region (with 342 athletes) won 28 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals to finish third on the medal table. Beside finishing third on the medal table, Tigray won a special trophy for fair play. SNNPR collected 22 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze medals to stand fourth in the medal table.
It was beleived that national team coaches feasted their eyes on some fresh talents and will scout some new blood for the national team.
With Ethiopia getting ready to host the All African Games, the experience of organizing such a huge event will be a plus as it is set to play host to over 40 African countries who will take part in the continent’s biggest athletics meeting.
Who is going to succeed Kenenisa?
Capital Sport had predicted in a previous edition that the only reason that the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) insisted that Kenenisa Bekele take part in the 35th World Cross Country Championships in Mombassa was because there was no one else to challenge the Kenyan's on their own turf.
Capital's prediction was accompanied with the senior athlete winning a gold medal in Mombassa.
If we take the case of the men's 12 km race, no Ethiopian athlete finished in the top ten. In the juniors 8 km race, Demesew Tsega recorded the men's best result as he finished 12th followed by Abraham Cherkose who finished 15th.
There was no doubt that Kenenisa showed how formidable an athlete he was as he ran with the pack and then left Eritrean athlete Zeresenay Tadesse before being taken over and eventually quitting the race. Though there were eight other Ethiopian athletes in the race, Kenenisa was the only athlete who competed against a couple of Eritreans and six Kenyan athletes. Abebe Dinkesa, who once was dubbed as the hope of Ethiopian athletics was in second place for just a few moments, while Sileshi Sihin could not take the heat and fatigue was read all over his face.
Tadesse Tola and Solomm Tsege, who finished first and second at the Janmeda cross-country championships here in Addis Ababe were left far behind along with Kenenisa's brother Tariku Bekele. Ibrahim Jelan, who won the junior race here in Janmeda was also insignificant in Mombassa.
Capital was proved right in its statement that there was no upcoming athlete to replace Kenenisa or Sileshi Sihin, who finished third at Janmeda after nine months out due to injury. The Mombassa cross-country championships showed that there is no one worth mentioning. If there were any real upcoming athletes, Sileshi and Abebe - who both came from injuries - would never have made the team.
Though the national athletics team head coach Captain Tolossa Kotu once remarked that there were several upcoming athletes in all disciplines, the truth was far from his professional opinion.
Legendary athletics coach Dr Woldemeskel Kostere, who said that Ethiopia was short of young athletes however was the one who spoke the truth. No lame excuse like the hot weather, or problems in counting laps could hide the fact that there is no athlete to take over from Kenenisa Bekele.
Dr Woldemeskel, who was responsible for the rise of Kenenisa from a good athlete to a world phenomena, has now had his feet taken from under him as he has not been able to select and groom ahletes and make them national and international heroes.
The likes of Abebe and Sileshi haven’t been able to live up to expectations as their performance keeps walloing and they jump in and out of injury every now and then.
With Ethiopia getting ready to host the All African Games, athletes could be hard to find. The fact that Kenyan athletes have seen how Ethiopian athletes could be susceptible to heat and humidity they might come here thinking that Ethiopians are easy game. As the Bible says, 'Only the truth shall set you free' and so the truth is athletes are not being groomed.
Even a silver medal from Tirunesh Dibaba is not satisfactory as she and every other athlete on the field had beaten the Dutch athlete convincingly again and again.
The women's team won gold in the group category, and that shows that it is only the females that can win races in abundance these days.
Female athletes such as Meselech Melkamu and Gelete Burka - who finished third and fourth in Mombassa respectively - are in poll position to take on the glory ways from Tirunesh and Meseret Defar.
Other athletes such as Ahaza Kiros are still not good enough to be seen as potential replacements for the two female athletes who have taken the athletics world by storm for the past two seasons.
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