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Roger Milla: African half century’s best

On the anniversary of its golden jubilee, the Confederation of African Football( CAF) voted Cameroon’s legendary striker Roger Milla as African player of the half century, while one of the pre-favorites for the accolade George Weah, claimed 6th place. The former African and World Player of the Year, Weah’s placing was seen as unfair by many.
The voting for the accolade took place on- line and after 4000 voters visited CAF’s website, one of Africa’s all time great players, Roger Milla won the accolade on 2246 points.
Milla, who had won the African player of the year award twice during his playing days, is also the most memorable player of the 1990 world cup final. Milla also put his name in the world soccer record books as the only player in history to score at a world cup final at the age of 41. He did this when Cameroon played in the 1994 World Cup held in USA.
Mohamed Al-Katib and Hossam Hassen of Egypt earned 2165 and 2011 points respectively to finish second and third. Though the contribution of both players to international soccer was somewhat minimal, their popularity in the continent’s football made them heroes of African football.
Former three time African player of the year Samuel Eto’o came fourth with 1840 points followed by former three time African player of the year Ghanaian soccer god Abedi Pele. Cameroon and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, who also was the second runner up in last year’s world player of the season, was lucky enough to pip Abedi Pele to fourth place.
Though Abedi Pele couldn’t help Ghana to the World Cup finals, his greatness at international football made way for many African players to become professionals at big European clubs. He played for Marseilles at the peak of his soccer career.
George Weah, the one and only African to be crowned World player of the season, Europe and African player of the year in the same season, got 1604 points to claim sixth place. Though Weah couldn’t help his country to the nation’s championship title and a world cup final place, his success at club level in Europe helped the player to finish sixth in CAF’s half century greatest list.
Chelsea’s one-man strike force Didier Drogba finished seventh followed by former twice African player of the year Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu. Algeria’s sensational striker Rabah Majer finished ninth with 1176 points while Zambian all time great footballer Kalusha Bwalia came tenth with 1073 points. Bwalya is currently the vice president of Zambian Football Federation.
Ghana and Egypt, who won the African Cup of Nations title three and four times respectively have contributed five players each to CAF’s list while Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon each contributed three players.
Morocco and South Africa contributed two players each while Tunisia, Sudan Zambia, Ivory Coast Mali, Liberia and Senegal were each represented by one player.
Though Ethiopian soccer legend Mengistu Worku, and Luciano Vassalo, who captained the Ethiopian side that won the 3rd African Cup of Nation’s were in the first 50 nominees, they could not make in to the top 30 players list of African half century soccer stars.
Whether that was because they weren’t good enough or because Ethiopian’s didn’t vote for them, it remains a mystery.

Shell Ethiopia back in motor sport center stage

24th Ethiopian Highland Rally kicks-off Friday

Thanks to Shell Ethiopia’s return to its strong partnership with Ethiopian Motor Association, the seasons biggest motor event the 24th Ethiopian High Land Rally kicks off the three day gut wrecking, nerve testing 1212km race on Friday. Busy looking for a way out from the current financial constraint, the association appealed to Shell Ethiopia from which a totally stunning fast response came in no time. Taken in awe association public relation and marketing officer Ato Tsega Kumlachew told Capital Sport that had it not been for Mr. Edgard Omoto, managing director of Shell Ethiopia and his colleagues, this historical event, the last of the millennium, would have been in jeopardy. “It is beyond description what Shell Ethiopia’s managing director and colleagues did for us. The entire family of Ethiopian Motor sport highly appreciated and sincerely thank the exemplary action, Tsega Kumelachew told Capital.
Securing the recent time biggest sponsorship package the association has now completed the historical 24th Ethiopian High Land Rally organization bringing together twelve race cars finely tuned to face nature’s challenges. Including the defending champion Stefano Mollinari, the veterans as well as the young bloods are in the line up to claim the millennium closing championship title.
Sponsored by Shell Ethiopia the 24th edition of the High Land three days race covers a total of 1212km mainly to pass through Eastern Shoa suburbs. The popular Meskel square is the starting point. The circuit goes through Fata, Atlas, Dukem, Deberzeit, Goro, Mojo, Dibandiba, Ude and Koka roads.
The eagerly awaited event features many of the veteran Ethiopian racers as well as youngsters who want to try their luck for the first time.
The first leg on February 2nd starts at 11:30 am covering 287km while the hardest one on Saturday covers 562 kms. On the final day, Sunday the race cars lucky enough to stay on the road need to cover another 371 kms stretch before claiming the coveted championship.

Gelete, Kenenisa take Seville by surprise

Just a week after winning the Edinburgh cross country, Gelete Burka and Kenenisa Bekele repeated the feat again at the Seville, Spain international cross country event.
The five time world cross country double gold medalist Kenenisa Bekele won the 10.8 km race to bring his tally to two victories in the new athletics season. It would be fair to say that this was an Ethiopian affair save for Kenya’s Abraham Chebi who took the bronze medal to spoil an Ethiopian top five finish.
Olympic gold medalist Kenenisa, who was the pre-race favorite kept with the leading group until the five km mark, where he made his get away before anyone made up their minds of upsetting him. Only younger brother Tariku his tried to keep up with Kenenisa’s pace, but was not able to do so. Kenenisa, who had dictated the better half of the race, came in 31:05 to take the gold medal. The silver medal went to Tariku, the fast rising star. Kenenisa’s sudden injection of pace must have dazed defending champion Abebe Dinkesa, who seemed to have forgotten about winning the race for the second successive year and concentrated on finishing third. But even that dream was shattered as Kenya’s Abraham Chebi turned took the third spot. Chebi had to beat off competition from compatriots Charles Kamati and Hosia Marichang to finish third in 31: 30. Abebe Dinkesa and compatriot Maregu Zewde finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the women’s event, the new athletics season seem to have favored Gelete Burka who returned to competition after a long absence to win her first race in Edinburgh. Twenty one year old Gelete took the gold medal in Seville finishing the 6.6 km race in 21:14 followed by Kenyan Vivian Chehayt two seconds later. For Gelete, the race was an easy victory once she split from the crowed in the second round. With no one strong enough to challenge her, Burka simply kept her leading pace and won the race comfortably.
“Though I won Edinburgh last week the impact of the difficult weather there wasn’t as favorable, so I have to consider myself lucky to win this race,” remarked a smiling Gelete after the race.
Last year winner Bezunesh Bekele finished a surprise fourth in a time of 21:30, about eight seconds ahead of compatriot Wude Ayalew who took the bronze medal coming third.
Gelelte has her sights set on winning the national cross country race, a selection stage for the world cross country event to be held in Mombassa, Kenya.

St. George favorites for 6th title

Ethiopian Coffee is leading the now interrupted Ethiopian premier league while Nyala FC with only five points from eleven matches is bottom of the table.
The youngest Ethiopian premier league coach Kifle Boltena seem to find the key of how to drive his squad to a winning spirit with only one defeat so far in the season. Statistics shows last year’s runner up Coffee won six of the seven home games with two wins, one draw and one defeat from four away matches.
In the meantime, defending champion Saint George who had been busy in international fixtures participating in CECAFA club championship is second on the table with no defeat so far. Having a game in hand, Saints are only two points below arch rivals Coffee. Still, the hottest favorite to win the league title for a third consecutive season, Saint George won five of the six home games, settling for a draw on one occasion.
Leading the league table up to two weeks back, Awasa Kenema is now third in the table with 23 points. Five wins out of seven home matches, Awasa’s performance at the start of the season was one to frighten the capital city’s big clubs. Two away wins and a draw would have been enough to keep the side in second place. But that 1-0 home defeat by Muger cement cost the club three important points.
So far in the season the surprise package is Tikur Abay Transport FC and Muger Cement. After a much criticized start Muger managed successive home wins to come fourth with 19 points followed by premier league new comers Tikur Abay fifth with 17 points. Tikur Abay did not lose a match in the last six matches out of which four are wins. This may be the greatest ever achievement for head coach Tsegaye Desta who is much criticized for winning zilch in the past three decades. Promoting Methara Sugar is so far the biggest achievement of Tsegaye. While Trans Ethiopia, Electric, Ethiopia Banks and Defense Forces went down below expectations, Nyala FC appeared a side happy to stay bottom of the table with only one win and two draws. Signing Wondemagene Kebede to the hot seat seems no remedy for the problem at hand. Nyala has lost all games at home and away since Wondenagene’s appointment. Only one win of seven home matches, two draws, one each at home and away, conceding 31 goals while scoring only eight, scratching to go up on the ladder and to the safety of mid table may be too late once the league’s first round comes to an end.
Defense Force FC also stood in poor form despite representing Ethiopia in the nation’s knock out championship final. Renowned head coach Asrat Haile faces the worst ever result in his colorful three decads of coaching at the highest level.

Saints return with unexpected third place

Ethiopian premier league defending champions Saint George, who traveled to Rwanda for the CECAFA club championship, failed to return home with the eagerly awaited title.
Though Saint’s had been performing well above expectations in the group stage where they scored nine goals, conceded only two and went through to the semi final stage, winning all three group matches, they lost 2-1 to Ugandan side Revenue Authority FC after extra time. When Saint George hammered defending champions Uganda Police 3-1 in the first stage, many sports fans including BBC Africa Sport reporters believed that St George would win the title this time around.
“The defending champions were the strongest side to beat, yet Saint George beat them convincingly,” said one ardent supporter who called from Kigali after the match. However, missing number one choice goalkeeper for injury, second goalkeeper Wubeshet‘s costly errors led to them losing 2-1 to one of the tournament’s under dogs, Revenue Authority.
Revenue scored both goals from set pieces and almost from the same spot, and with that crushing Saint’s dream of becoming the first Ethiopian side to win the CECAFA championship title. Though Wubeshet’s poor goalkeeping happened to be the turning point, the tournaments top scorer Binyam Assefa and Nigerian giant striker Ochi missed some impossible chances, making the day miserable for the Saints. Though the combination of Ochi and Binyam was perfect, lady luck decided to favor Revenue Authority FC. They went through to the cup final to clash against APR FC, the home team.
Openly heralded as Rwanda president’s Paul Kagme’s favorite and well financed army team, APR FC won the championship title beating Revenue Authority FC 2-1. APR collected the gold medal, the coveted trophy for the second time along with the 30,000 USD prize money.
A side well built in discipline and a bulging squad with professional players, APR didn’t have to labor much to win the title. Revenue collected the silver medal along with the 20,000 USD prize money.
The third place play off between Saint George and Uganda Natracon was a one way traffic as Saint’s found the back of the net on three occasions. Saint George took the bronze medal for the second time in the championships history along with the 10,000 USD prize money. St George’s achievement however was not one that was met with much delight by its fans as everyone believed that this was the year St George should have won the title.

Message to the Ethiopian people

Diego Garzitto and Raoul Savoy

We would like to inform all media about the ambiguous and sad situation to which we, the Ethiopian National Team coaches, are confronted with.
It was undeniable from the outset that we came to Ethiopia upon the request and invitation of the Ethiopian Football Federation President to coach the Ethiopian National Team for a two (2) year period. On November 13, 2006, we signed a two (2) year contract essentially to prepare the National Team for the upcoming qualification matches of the 2008 African Cup of Nations to be held in Ghana.
However, to our surprise; we were told to prepare the 2006 CECAFA A-Amoudi Challenge Cup within a limited time period of 12 days, a sporting event we were not informed about previously. We endeavored to accomplish this duty diligently and to the best of our capacities during the whole tournament and before, an effort saluted and praised by several coaches of the opposing teams.
Our first shock came when we were simply abandoned after the tournament.
We requested as is usual practice, to have an authorization to see our family for Christmas and the New Year, which was granted upon arrival from our holidays on the 3 January 2007. We were fully ignored and ostracized by the President of the Ethiopian Football Federation; this constituted the second and greatest shock. Left with no other recourse, we decided to give a Press Conference on the 13th January 2007 -although the president had tried .a day earlier to convince Mr Raoul Savoy with new empty promises at the hotel we were residing in.
After the press conference, we tried numerous amounts of time to reach an end to the confusion and to come to an understanding because we felt it normal to be treated with honesty trust and respect
Unfortunately it is only after 18 days of this antagonistic situation that the President finally contacted us by phone, on Sunday 21 January. We met at the Sheraton Hotel on that day to try to reach a compromise solution. He presented us with a new modified version of the contract signed on the 13 of November and attempted to convince us we had signed this grossly aberrant, falsified document. The new falsified contract provided for 44 days of work and dates for the duration of the contract that were absolutely illogical. Why would the Head Coach, Mr Diego Garzitto break the fulfillment of a coaching contract in France that was to end on the 30 of June 2000 (8 months remaining) to sign in Ethiopia for only 44 days?
The President pursued by exposing the lack of financial capabilities of the Ethiopian Football Federation and underscored that it could not financially support the signing of long-term contracts. A situation that .is understandable. But why were we invited and why did we sign 2 year contracts in the first place with great fanfare and all the media present?
Hence, he offered to have us sign a two (2) months contract lasting from 11 December 2006 to 11 February 2007, We refused this unreasonable offer after seeking advice from the French Embassy and that of our attorney. We came to comprehend it was impossible to work under such an ambiguous and illogical management.
Therefore, we apologize but are forced to inform the media and the public at large that we have decided to proceed with the legal procedures at FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland after the deadlock of the last negotiations, held on Monday 22~ January 2007, that were still unfruitful, with the President accepting only cosmetic changes to his position while refusing to accept standard clauses in any such contracts.
We are completely taken aback by such an arrogant person who seems to consistently utter lies as a rule of thumb. He has forgotten to be honest and humble. In this world, one can buy everything except knowledge, something the president should ponder on. Irresponsible, his behavior reminds us of something that should stay foreign to sport, swindling.
We were betrayed and so were all the Ethiopian football supporters, Please, wake up and act!
This situation put aside, we are very touched by the support we received by all in Ethiopia and it is with a heavy heart that we leave this country we adore and we hope that another opportunity will arise for us to come to meet the expectations of Ethiopian football supporters to bring them happiness and joy by developing such a promising sector so full of potential.
It is with great regret that we can affirm that, at present, Ethiopian Football is not managed properly, although many in the Federation try to improve the situation. It is in these unfortunate circumstances that we are forced to leave and that we extend our best wishes to you all for the Ethiopian Millennium, hoping for a brighter future.
We love you very much… Signed, Diego Garzitoo, Raoul Savoy