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Who said one of Ethiopian women’s first generation distance runners Gete Wami is past her glorious days? At thirty- plus, double Olympic silver medallist Gete appears determined not to hang her spiks with out an Olympic gold medal to her name. Motherhood rather left her with greater ambition to book a place among Ethiopian great athletes with Olympic gold medals. It now appears her dream is to come true considering her latest performance at the London Marathon. Her die hard determination brought her back to international stage becoming one of world leading marathon athlete. A win at Berlin, then runner-up at London, Gete Wami is riding high to become number one choice in the Ethiopian marathon squad bound for Beijing Olympic.

Ethiopian national side clash against DR Congo today, Fikru leads Ethiopian strike force

An anxiously awaited clash between Ethiopian national senior side against hosts Democratic Republic Congo takes place today in the capital Kinshasa.
Led by Ethiopian all time most successful soccer coach Asrat Haile and assistance Tsegaye Desta, the home side that comprises many players from the already qualified for Olympic group stage national team plus four senior players and other four who joined the squid following Asrat’s appointment.
Though encountering one of Africa’s popular national soccer side at home might be considered an up hill task for any one visiting Kinshasa, the Ethiopian side has a big surprise in the squad thanks to the return of former Saint Goerge currently with South African side Orlando Pirates striker Fikru Tefera to lead the strike force.
Degu Debebe at central defense, Dawit Mebratu, Mulugeta Mehrete, Adane and Edelu Derege in the mid field, pairing Fikru with currently in form Binyam Assefa or back from injury premier league leading scorer Tafesse Tesfaye for the strike force, Asrat may push all the way to grab the most important away three points. How ever Asrat’s short coming, that is some one trustworthy between the goal posts, might affect his whole strategy. A tightly defensive play with some counter attacks could be Asrat’s realistic option at least to come back with a point sharing. Favorites to top the group table DR Congo is already on the lead with four points out of two matches while Libya second with same points from three matches. The hosts appeared not yet in grave danger to call home the likes of world class striker Lumanwa Lwa Lwa from English premier league. Ethiopia with three points from two matches is third followed by Namibia bottom of the table with three points from three matches. For the Kinshasa bound Ethiopian side, to day’s clash is the most decisive in the qualification campaign.
Dumb founded about the nation’s qualification campaign since the two foreign coaches left home cursing him, Ethiopian Football Federation President Dr Asheber W/Giorgis and company appeared busily engaged somewhere else may be more important than their public duty. No press release, no press conference, the decisive qualification clash against DR Congo seems an ordinary event for the nation’s soccer governing body. Failing to announce the postponement of the initial fixture, no news about the player’s selection and no official announcement Asrat Haile’s appointment as head coach for the Kinshasa bound squad, the federation seems to get further and further away from soccer fans.

Chelsea in commanding position for Tuesday
return leg
KaKa shocked later to revive Manchester United

When twice European champions Manchester United took the lead just five minutes into the game many suspected it may be the carbon copy of the 7-1 slaughter over As Roma two weeks back. However, despite 74,000 home fans making Old Trafford hell for the visitors AC Milan stood un- flinched until almost the final minute of the fascinating night. Taking control of the midfield, the visitors went on to exploit injury stricken Manchester United defense.
The champions’ league leading scorer with nine goals Kaka tormented the Devils defense scoring twice in fifteen minutes time. Rocketing from the box he collected Clarance Seedorf’s through pass to send home the equalizer. Shocked by the sudden equalizer the home side was still bewildered what to do about it when Brazilian wizard Kaka once again tormented United’s defense to score his second which saw Ac- Milan with a 2-1 half time lead.
Back from the dressing room United took charge from the start widening the ball to stretch the visitors’ defense that returned at half time without Captain Paulo Maldini. One minute to the hour mark, Rooney took a magnificent pass from Paul Scholes to level the match at the same time invoking his side for fresh revival. Then after it was United that took control of the match despite AC Milan boss Carlo Ancgelotti’s success in closing off English premier league best player of the season Christainao Ronaldo. Dida’s fantastic save from Fletcher’s near shot then Carrick trouncing golden chance from a cross ball, Manchester over powered for a winner that came in injury time from Wayne Rooney. Rooney the long pass form Ryan Giggs to volley it home for the winner that sent Old Trafford wild. “We are disappointed about that last minutes goal and United probably do have a slight advantage on the return leg” said Carlo Anchelotti after the match. Ferguson said the paces of his sides attack can take them all the way to the final.
The anxiously awaited all England semi final clash between five time European champion Liverpool and new comer Chelsea at Stamford bridge ended 1-0 to the hosts. In front of 39000 home fans the Blues led by the one man strike force African player of the season Didier Drogba had had earlier chances to grab the lead but denied by Liverpool’s goalie Reina. A magnificent long ball from defender Ricardo Carvaliho Drogba turned Agger before he sent a perfect low pass for Joe Cole to slide past Reina for the winner. Though the match was full of paces and flying tackles both sides could come up with additional goals. Both managers told reporters the result is as good as one expected from the big clash. The semi final return leg takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

sport commentry

Premier league under achievers
Electric, Banks and Trans Ethiopia

Despite having better financial muscle, well organized and more than enough premier league experience, Electric, Ethiopia Banks and Trans Ethiopia soccer clubs ended the first round campaign as under achievers.
Though two time premier league champions Electric has a foreign coach from soccer land England, Trans Ethiopia signing back former head coach Gebremedin Haile together with bunches of new signings and Banks rolling greens to sign many new faces at the start of the season, all three failed to impress their respective supporters as well as finishing the first round above mid table.
Even though Electric has a long rooted problem of keeping home grown youngsters for more than two seasons, head coach Ken Norton should have some strategy to see his side perform better than most clubs. Otherwise, why is he there fore? Sending away the likes of currently the country’s number one striker Tafesse Tesfaye, the club went on to sign veterans the likes of Ashenafi Girma and Getu Teshomme only to strand them on the bench even before midseason. With one of the brightest young club managers Belayeh Teshome and highly in love with soccer corporate manager Meheret Debebe to his side, Ken Norton and company should have performed well above many league clubs. Electric, surprisingly with no designated front man is currently dwelling 12th in the league table with 16 points. Four wins four draws and seven defeats is hardly a result to be proud of.
Notorious for signing in and signing out the highest number of head coaches about 15 in the past two decades, Ethiopia Banks chronic problem appears to lie with club executive committee than the infield performance.
As recently as last week the club sacked former long time assistance coach who appointed to the hot seat at the start of the season Girma Tsegaye to bring back Ashenafi Bekele for his fourth spell. Even with strong support from the players and club technical committee Tsegaye booted out unceremoniously. Signing in managers, coaches and players is executive committee’s responsibility and yet when ever things get soared the committee is the one to sack who ever come across them considered the sinner. According to many Banks supporters the problem with the club is that there is no limit for the term one executive committee stays bin power. “Inconsistency is the trade mark of the club and it is the reflection from with in the committee” said a former player. Banks is now 11th on the table with 17 points with only three wins, eight draws and four defeats. Throwing out coaches and managers and signing- in new players every season for sure would not help Ethiopia Banks to achieve what the club aspires most that is the premier league title.
Once considered an inspiration to regional clubs Trans Ethiopia’s current season premier league performance is below par that it finished 13th on the table. Only three wins out of six home matches and scores of draws in both home and away matches. Trans is no more a side to be afraid of. Reappointing Gebremedin Haile after two seasons with Ethiopia Banks, sport’s fans taught the club’s luck would have a turn around. However, so far in the first round things appeared harder, currently struggling 13th on the table. Trans Ethiopia is considered one of the financially strong sides with a strong support in the region. Signing new players almost every other season might not be a lasting solution to become title contender. Tigray region would be an ideal scouting territory for young talents and nurturing them might tackle the problem of looking for players from the capital city. In addition to that the side’s current performance in the field is also below expectation and for this the players as well as the coaches seem to be responsible.

Cristiano Ronaldo crowned double, PFA accolade Eight Devils for the seasons best eleven

After three decades in English premier league Portuguese wonder boy Cristiano Ronaldo became the first ever professional player to win England’s senior and young player of the season award after three decades. Twenty two year old Ronaldo who signed 120,000 pound weekly salary new five years contract deal with Manchester United is held as the most sensational player of the premier league season by professional footballers association. Twenty one goals so far in the season to his name, young Ronaldo became the first player to win both honors in same season since Aston Vilas Andrew Carrie in 1977. “So much honor in one season, this is the best moment of my life and it inspires me to work harder” The young magician remarked. In the seniors category African player of the season Dediar Drogba finished runner up.
The Blue’s savior Drogba currently leading top scorer of the premier league with 18 goals has already claimed the season’s first title with the remaining three in the pipe line.
For the Ivory Coast giant striker the season appears the best in his soccer life. The seasoned Manchester United mid field wizard arguably English soccer most talented play maker Paul Scholes. Recent time best ever England play maker Paul Scholes featured a surprised come back to his best ever playing time steering United to three title contentions. “At thirty four, Scholes’ performance is hard to believe” said BBC sport commentator.
In the youth category Arsenal’s midfield general Cesk Fabregas finished runner up
followed by Tottenham’s Aron Lenon.
Sixty four year old Manchester United’s all time greatest manager Sir Alex Ferguson received a special Merit Award as the best manager of the season. What is the surpris of Professional Footballer’ s Association choice is the premier leagues of the season best eleven that ended up with eight Red Devils in the squad. Liverpool’s Steven Gerald and Tottenham’s Berbatov are the only players to join the all Manchester United squad.