Born in Parque, Bitaru, a poor neighborhood of Sao Vicente in 1984, it took Robinho a long walk to acclaimed world recognition. The Brazilian attacking midfielder, who for the first time received his regular schedule of three meals a day at Santos FC youth club, is now the pride of his country helping his side to a Copa America semi final place. Robinho traveled to Spain to join Real Madrid worth 30 million dollar to stay at Bernabu for five seasons. Helping Madrid for the first ever Spanish title since 2003, the attacking midfielder joined the Brazilian squad in Venezuela for the Copa America soccer championship cup final. The 23 years old fast dribbler scored the first hat trick of the tournament at the opening group much followed by another one that helped Brazil, wobble in to the next quarter final. Robinho is the leading scorer of the ongoing Copa America.
Awasa are controversialy champions
Awasa Kenema has been crowned the Ethiopian premier league title for the second time. The 2005 Ethiopian premier league Awasa took the controversial season champions title claiming they forfeited on all remaining matches against the club’s that decided to boycott.
Though ten of the sixteen premier league sides boycotted the season five rounds to go, Ethiopian football federation resumed the season among the six sides out of which Awasa Kenema stood on top of the league table collecting forty four points.
Led by low profiled head coach Kemal Ahmed, the first ever regional side to win the Ethiopian premier league title Awasa Kenema claimed it again for the second time in three years time. Awasa is the third club to win the premier league title next to Saint George and Electric. Saints took for a record five times while Electric club enjoyed. The Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples regional state flag ship Awasa Kenema had been a far third on the table when the confrontation between EFF and the newly founded Club’s Union. The Union members pressured EFF to call a general national assembly and to give way for the formation of league committee plus additional ten demands.
EFF executive committee agreed to call the assembly on July 28, 2007 and announced the formation of league committee is on its final phase and urged the clubs to carry on the interrupted season. While member’s of the union said no to the call, six clubs namely Awasa Kenema, Harar Brewery, Trans Ethiopia, Mugher Cement, Air Force and Defense Force stayed on course to finish the season. Thus Awasa Kenema FC, having the highest number of points crowned the latest Ethiopian premier league champion at the same time an automatic representative of Ethiopia in the coming African champion’s league.
By hailing Awasa Kenema the Ethiopian premier league champion amidst the ongoing stand-off against the club’s union, EFF appeared to enjoy twisting the matter further.
Mestewat and Etalemahu qualif for Osaka
National 10,000m champion Mestewat Tufa led four of her compatriots across the finish line in Valekenwaard, the Netherlands on Tuesday evening to all but secure her place on Ethiopia’s team for the 11th IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan (25 August- 2 September 2007).
The 23-year old, who has winning experience in the Netherlands after picking up victories in road races in Njimegen last year, easily won the race in 31:00.27 ahead of compatriot Etalemahu Kidane (31:33.49). Bizunesh Bekele (31:45:98), Alemu Deriba (31:58:44), and Genet Getaneh (32:09:50) occupied the remaining places in the top five.
The result means that only Mestewat and Etalemahu have achieved the qualifying A standard of 31:40.00 for Osaka. Defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba has already assured herself of a place with Teyiba Erkesso the only other runner in the women’s 10000m. Athletes will have until the last week of July to confirm their place on the team.
However, world record holder and Olympic silver medalist Kenenisa Bekele and world championship silver medalist Sileshi Sihine have yet to make their 5000m outdoor debuts this season.
Southern Police & Agricultural Marketing joins premier league
Southern Police and Agricultural Marketing football clubs have been promoted to the Ethiopian Premier League following their domination over their respective groups in the national league. Never heard at high level, Southern Police joined the coming Premier League season after winning the National League championship defeating Agricultural Marketing in a penalty shootout after a two leg round in their respective home towns.
More than a decade in the backwoods, Agricultural Marketing FC, one of the most entertaining sides in the early eighties, had been to Awasa on the first leg match to return with a comfortable 2-1 victory and hot favorites to take the title at home. However things turned out sour when the home side surrendered 1-0 to the visitors’ Southern Police. After the away victory, no one expected Agricultural Marketing to lose in front of the home crowd in the capital. The 2-2 aggregate called for a penalty shoot out from which the visitors came out the best to be crowned the National League champions and at the same time win promotion to the Premier League.
Though some Agricultural Marketing club officials blamed the league committee for denying them the title, the truth is that an away goal advantage is not applicable in Ethiopian football. The runner up’s accused the committee they are entitled to the title due to the 2-1 away victory. Any ways, Southern Region home to the regions football pride Awasa Kenema now discovered a city rival which the city’s soccer loving people to enjoy premier league football every week. Many suggest that the side showed strong character in the national league season not only to top the group table but also to snatch the trophy from favorite Agricultural Marketing, the side to every advantage of being in the capital. Southern Region is now represented by two clubs in the Ethiopian premier league. Led by head coach Zelalem Shiferaw, Southern Police elevated to the top flight in three years time the latest to the premier league with no defeat. Seven wins and nine draws it won the group top spot with thirty points to swiftly join the premier league.
Agricultural Marketing also joined the top flight where seven Addis Ababa clubs already suffocating the premier league. Financed by Agricultural Marketing Corporation, a state owned enterprise, the club is expected to have a strong support in order to build a side capable of challenging veteran premier league clubs. It is recalled many former popular Agricultural Marketing FC plays are currently based in the United States of America.
EFF’s P.R officer Dawit resigns
Months after his appointment as Ethiopian Football Federation Public Relation Officer, sports journalist Dawit Negussie resigned in bitter mood by reason of the federation blaming him for the disappointing reception given to the victorious the Ethiopian women’s national side.
Dawit, who had traveled with the national women side for the return leg encounter against Morocco in Rabat, submitted his resignation following federation’s general secretary Ashenafi Ejigu’s statement in relation to the disappointing reception of the women’s national side. In his brief statement to the weekly “Abbi Sport” news, Dawit said he couldn’t stand the secretaries accusation in personal terms for the failure of the reception thus he decided to resign from his public relation officer position.” I went to Morocco only for media purposes, not to perform public relations duty. With out that knowledge Ato Ashenafi, who himself was on his way out to Burundi as a match commissioner accused me of not performing my duty. That was really too much and I walked out”, remarked Dawit whose frustration was shown clearly on his face. Asked whom he thinks will take responsibility for what ever happened, Dawit declined not to mention name’s but said the main thing is to be careful not to repeat the incident.
In his part, Ato Ashenafi told “Abbi Sport” that he does not believe Dawit resigned because of his statement. According to the federation’s secretary, the statement was not meant to pin point Dawit. Rather it was an apology for the mistake in the name of the Ethiopian Foot Ball federation.
Asked why Dawit is to be accused of the incident, Ato Ashenafi suggested that since he is the one who processed the travel process for the team the team and part of the journey himself, he believes he has better information than any one in the federation as to when and how to handle the trip back home. The least Dawit can do was inform the team’s service driver, when is their arrival home so that he is to wait for them. No one can deny this.
“Before his resignation Dawit should have come to me to discuss the matter. I never thought he would resign at this very time. I still don’t believe my statement is the reason for this resignation.” remarked the federation secretary general. “Apologizing for the incident, the federation would be in assistance to the national women’s side that is on the final chapter of making history. “ Ashenafi told the news.
Young Dawit, already armed with an ILS college degree, would have been an ideal public relation official for Ethiopian Football Federation cursed all the time for hiding information from the public.
Title favorite Argentina plays Peru today
Mexico entertain Uruguay
The hottest favorite to take the title for a record 15th time, Argentina encounters Peru today while the tournament’s surprise package invited Mexico entertains Uruguay. Coming to the tournament with the strongest squad the last Copa America runner –ups that squashed by historical enemy Brazil, this time appeared to come for revenge with no defeat on the way up to top spot.
The only side to win three, out of three Argentina scored the highest number of goals in the first group stage nine goals. Led by Italian based striker Hernan Crespo(no more to play for a hamstring) the two time world champions crushed invited U.S. America side to 4-1 ion the opening match followed by a 4-2 victory over Colombia then a 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the final group match. With the dream combination of Veron, Lionel Messi, Javier Macharano and Crespo, Argentinos impressive performance brought behind even the host Venezuela’s soccer lovers donned with the blue and white shirt. Crespo with three goals is top scorer of the side though he is not expected in today’s quarter final match.
Peru on the other hand reached for the knock out stage finishing second in group one where host Venezuela, Uruguay, and Bolivia drawn together. Thrashing 3-0 on the opening day many thought Peru is coming from the back woods. How ever, with an only victory followed by a 2-0 defeat to Venezuela and a goalless draw with Uruguay Peru stood second equal on four points with Uruguay. The fate of being second in the group is the big clash against Argentina today. Group one winner Venezuela reached the tournament’s quarterfinal for the first time. Hosting the tournament with one billion dollar
Venezuela President Hugo Shavez has at least a quarter final place for some pride
Thrashing seven times champion Brazil 2-0 at the opening group match, Mexico surprised soccer believers coming on top of the group with seven points so far with out a defeat. Victory over Ecuador followed by a goal less draw with Chile Mexico plays against group one second runner up Uruguay today. Sharing the top spot with Argentina for taking the tournament title fourteen times, Uruguay, so far only scored once in three matches that is a poor record to fetch some respect from invited Mexico favorite to a semi final place.
sport commentary
The stand-off, a blessing for some
Even though the majority of Ethiopian Premier League clubs boycotted themselves from the season’s remaining fixtures accusing Ethiopian football federation of incompetence, some of these clubs I think, have their own agendas. Although what the club’s provisional union’s grievance over the nation’s soccer governing body is the common issue for all those under the union’s flag, deep down, some I believe have a strong individual motive to stick to the union.
To start from the worst scenario, Nyala FC and Shashmene Kenema, the hottest relegation favorites, need to stand guard for the union’s demand for it is the only means to their survival in the premier league. Except a mathematical probability, relegation seemed inevitable for the two sides. Especially Nyala, under head coach Wondemagne Kebede is bottom of the table with only eleven points so far in the campaign.
Shashmene Kenema, the newcomers to the premier league battled strongly in the premier league season but not strong enough to feel comfortable for their stay in the top flight coming season, if at all there is one. Shashemene, known as one of financially weaker sides is hugely victimized from the season’s extended schedule. Thus the new development appeared the best way out from the looming danger of relegation. Stay with the majority by all means then see what happens to them seem the side’s stand on the matter. It does not mean that is the real motive for siding with the union. Rather I mean this is a side issue for the side.
Electric FC also has its own agenda that is not taking part in the remaining season for the club head coach British Ken Norton already gone home before the season ends. If the season resumes, it appears no one is there to take charge of the club in the remaining matches. Of course the very reason for Ken’s departure is the extended season that is back to square one for the Ethiopian Football Federation. Rather than facing encounters with out a designated head coach, Electric appeared to prefer stronger ties with the Union. Though Ken Norton was a target for consistent critics for not helping Electric to become a strong title contender, his departure before the season’s end may have an impact on their its final result.
Ethiopia Bank’s is also with an individual’s home problem. The club’s executive committee led by Ato Abebe, had been under pressure for the side’s poor performance since the start of the second round. The sacking of players favorite head coach Girma Tsegaye in mid season to bring back Ashenafi Bekele for a fourth spell triggered strong opposition from different angles. Despite the club’s president Ato Abebe’s personal choice Ashenafi’s reappointment, Ethiopia Banks failed to rebound to form. Successive defeats some on home turf, pressure on the president was on the mount when the confrontation suddenly arose. Now every one forgot about it for the bigger issue is at hand. It is a blessing in disguise for the president and deputies. What a diversion?
Well, some others still may have their own agendas at the same time pursuing what is really at hand, that is, saving the nation’s soccer from a further down slide. I for one simply sent my comment to say that there is also the interests of particular clubs interest in the boycott and it is good to bring it out in the open so that every one be may be aware of it.
|
