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Santana arrives to begin South Africa job

Brazilian coach Joel Santana arrived in South Africa on Sunday to begin his job as national team manager of the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts. Santana succeeds compatriot Carlos Alberto Parreira, the 1994 World Cup winning manager of Brazil, who quit his post with South Africa last month due to the ill health of his wife.

The 59-year-old Brazilian coach left the airport into a waiting car and headed for his hotel without talking to the national media. He later took in a first division league match but it has been announced he will meet the local media for the first time on Monday before naming his first squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup-CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria on June 1st.

Santana’s appointment has been widely criticised by the national media who were hoping for a more high profile appointment to lead the country into the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Santana resigned from Brazilian club side Flamengo to take charge of South Africa’s World Cup bid, aiming to turn the floundering South African side into genuine competitors. However, given South Africa’s poor showing at the 2008 African Cup of Nations just a few months ago, with just two points from three games earning a first round exit, that seems a tall order.

However, March’s 3-0 win over current COMENBOL leaders Paraguay did offer hope for the future, although the match with bogey side Nigeria in Abuja should help identify if that win was just a one-off.

Santana inherits a team that has discovered a promising goalkeeper in 20-year-old Itumeleng Khune, but lacks authority at the back, guile in the middle and punch up front.

One of Santana’s major decisions will be to decide whether or not to recall star striker Benni McCarthy, who was omitted by Parreira in recent games.

Adriano earns recall to Brazil 2010 bid

Adriano has been given a surprise recall by Brazil coach Dunga ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 qualifiers - only his second callup to the national team since the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

The 26-year-old forward, once one of the most feared strikers in the world is included in the 25 man Brasilian squad for two crucial matches away to Paraguay on June 15 and a home match with bitter rivals Argentina in Belo Horizonte three days later.

It’s an important week for Brazil, with Paraguay currently top of the 10-team South American qualifying section, one point ahead of Argentina and two ahead of Brazil.

Adriano is currently on loan with Sao Paolo, where he has started to regain his form after an alcohol and injury plagured spell at Inter Milan last season. Since joining Sao Paolo in December, he has scored 16 goals in all competitions.

“Everyone knows his potential and he has shown great willpower and capability to come back,” Dunga told reporters. “His footballing talent was never in doubt. He deserves to return to the national team. Great players like important games. That’s where we see their potential.”

“He has been under a lot of pressure for a long time and a striker gets back his form by scoring goals. We have been watching him and hoping for his recovery,” the coach added.

The most notable absentee from the Brazil squad is fallen hero Ronaldinho, who has not played for Barcelona in some time due to fitness and weight problems.

Dunga asked for understanding for Ronaldinho, saying his recent problems should not cloud his previous years with Barcelona.

“There’s a lot of sensationalism with Ronaldinho,” said Dunga. “He gave Barcelona back their soul, winning important titles. Now we have to leave him in peace so he can get back his form. We know we can count on him in the future.”

AC Milan duo Kaka and Alexandre Pato are included in the squad however however despite Pato marking his international debut last month with a stunning goal against Sweden, Dunga has called for calm over the teenage prodigy.

“I want to protect Pato as much as possible and I can’t put the expectations of millions of people on his shoulders,” said Dunga. “Things have to happen naturally. We have to deposit confidence in him, give him incentives. There’s no point in doing things in a hurry, we have to let him play his football.”

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Diego Alves (Almeria)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Maicon (Inter Milan), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Kleber (Santos), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Alex Costa (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Elano (Manchester City), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen), Kaka (AC Milan)

Forwards: Adriano (Sao Paulo), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Robinho (Real Madrid)

Lemerre handed Morocco 2010 job

The Moroccon Football Federation have announced that French coach Roger Lemerre will take over as boss of the Morocco National football team for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The former French national team coach will take over the reigns from compatriot Henri Michel, armed with the task of reaching 2010 South Africa, the first World Cup the Moroccan’s would have participated in since France 1998.

The much-travelled Lemerre was most recently in charge of Morocco’s north African neighbours Tunisia at the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year, but he was dismissed after the Tunisians were eliminated at the semi-final stage.

He led France to the European Championships in 2000 and has been in charge of Tunisia since 2002, winning the continental crown in 2004.

Michel was also dismissed following Ghana 2008, having failed to steer Morocco beyond the first phase.

Mendez rejoins Ecuador’s 2010 South Africa bid

Ecuador midfielder Edison Mendez has announced his desire to rejoin his countries bid to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa following his decision to quit international football in February.

“I want to apologise to the Ecuadorean people, to my mother and my son,” the PSV Eindhoven player told reporters. “I want to be part of the team which qualifies for the World Cup in South Africa.”

The 29-year old has scored 13 goals in 81 international appearances and represented Ecuador in both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.

However he quit the squad in February claiming he was burnt out from the travelling between Ecuador and Europe, although media reports claimed it was due to a fall out with coach Sixto Vizuete.

His announcement came after a meeting with directors of the Ecuadorean Football Federation (FEF).

Vizuete, formerly in charge of the U-20 side, replaced Luis Fernando Suarez, who quit after a 5-1 South Africa 2010 qualifying defeat in Paraguay in November.

He admitted on Monday that Mendez would be welcomed back to the squad.

Ecuador’s hopes of qualifying for 2010 South Africa look bleak as they sit 8th in the South American qualifying group having picked up just three points in four games.

Ecuador’s next game is a friendly away to France on 27 May. Their next qualifier is against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 15 June.

Hart / Jagielka earn England call-ups

Fabio Capello has used the friendlies against USA on the 28th of May at Wembley and the away fixture to Trinidad and Tobago to call up a few of this years young premiership stars in preparation for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka, after helping Everton clinch Uefa cup football next season, and Manchester City keeper Joe Hart have been star performers for their clubs and have seen their hard work recognised by a call up. This is even more remarkable for Hart having only spent one season as a first team regular following a move from Shrewsbury in 2006.

Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone and Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock also find their way into the 31 man squad. 

Confirmed absentees through injury are Everton defender Joleon Lescott, Manchester City’s Micah Richards and West Ham’s Matthew Upson.

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott will meet up with Capello’s squad after first appearing for the under-21 squad against Wales.

All the squad bar the 9 men on champion’s league duty will report on the 22nd of May.
Full England squad:

Goalkeepers
 David James (Portsmouth), Joe Hart (Man City), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders
 Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Man Utd), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham)

Midfielders
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), David Bentley (Blackburn), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Frank Lampard (Chelsea),

Attackers
Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Dean Ashton (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd).

Ghana on hunt for new coach for 2010 campaign

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy has turned down the opportunity to extend his contract with the national team for an additional two years.

The French coach, who led Ghana to third place as they hosted the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, was offered the opportunity to lead the team in their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

However Le Roy said: “They offered me a new contract but I think it’s the end of a chapter.

“I think I’ve given everything that I could give. I think it’s for the best.”

Le Roy, who says he has nothing concrete on the horizon, added: “Everyone thought I’d signed for another two years but no, the federation made me an offer, that’s all.”

He said he’d had “two good years” managing the Black Stars and when asked why he’d decided to move on he commented: “A number of things, after a certain time you begin to see the other’s faults.”

Port Elizabeth launches website for 2010 World Cup

Port Elizabeth is the first of South Africa’s hosting cities to launch their official website for the 2010 Fifa World Cup Finals.

As part of the agreement when you get the tournament the cities have to set up their own website to give the visitors information on the area, maps, accommodation links, travel information and other general information about the city. The website is also a keep the locals up to date with all the local news surrounding the event.

Nelson Mandela Bay 2010 director Errol Heyns is fully aware of the potential and is asking people to get involved “Today‘s launch is the start of a full-blown marketing campaign which will assist people in looking up the latest with regard to the tournaments.

“Everyone in the city needs to own the website – become its disciples and ensure we all add value to it.”

You can visit the website here to have a look Port Elizabeth.

Zambia appoint new coach for 2010 campaign

Zambia have confirmed Frenchman Herve Renard as their new national team coach for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. In preparation for the battle to reach South Africa, Zambia have moved to appoint the 39-year-old former Cannes defender, who has signed a contract until the end of the 2010 World Cup Finals.

The move was announced by Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya, who declared his excitement at the appointment.

“He is one of a new generation of exciting European coaches with experience on the African circuit. We believe he will be able to work well with our ambitions,” Bwalya said.

Renard had previously had a short spell in charge of English Conference side Cambridge United and also assisted Ghana coach Claude le Roy as they hosted the 2008 African Cup of Nations at the start of the year. He also has coaching experience in his native France and also in China.

Renard replaces Patrick Phiri, whose contract was not renewed in March.

Zambia play their opening South Africa 2010 qualifier against Togo in Accra, Ghana on 31 May. They also meet Swaziland in their first round group in June.

Capello aims for last four at South Africa 2010

England coach Fabio Capello believes he will meet the Football Association’s demand of leading England to at least the 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. The FA revealed their ambitious plan for the next four years earlier this week, setting out a number of new iniatives to effect the game right through from grassroots level up to the national team itself.

Included in the proposal was the requirement that England reach the last four at the South Africa World Cup in 2010, or the semi-finals of the European Championships two years later. Despite the huge improvement in fortunes required after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, Capello is adamant that they can fulfil the FA’s goals.

“I am not under any pressure - I came here to become England manager with the view and the intent of doing things and I think we can achieve good things because we have got a good team,” Capello said. “You need to work all the time knowing that the road is long and you need to improve from one day to the next with the view of achieving the important targets that we have set.

“First and foremost (we must realise) the past is past. I am confident, I have a good team and I can work on it in order to achieve the targets I have been set. I need to see what players can give me so in the France game we wanted to experiment and to test various players.

“So I have been experimenting and I will be experimenting in the next couple of games and the important thing is to get ready for the qualifying campaign.”

The FA will appoint an international performance director who will oversee all national teams below the England men’s senior side. “This person will be in charge of researching, gathering information. Looking at the outside world - the football world in particular,” Capello told Sky Sports News.

“But also the sports world in order to gather the best possible information and everything we might need to help us achieve our targets. This was something that was thought out in a meeting with the chairman and chief executive and it is aimed at giving us the best possible means to obtain what we want.”

Pressure builds on Saudi 2010 World Cup hopes

Saudi Arabia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa suffered a major setback last month when they were shocked 3-0 by Uzbekistan in Tashkent - one of the biggest upsets in the Asian Qualification section in many years.

The result, which puts real pressure on the Saudi’s qualifying aspirations, led to calls for coach Helio Cesar dos Anjos to be sacked immediately.

However, it seems that Anjos acceptance of full responsibility for the defeat has been accepted by the country’s football federation and he will be given the opportunity to turn things around.

“I take full charge for our defeat in Tashkent,” said Anjos. “It was a good lesson for us, we might have been only thinking of Australia or Japan as our main contenders to reach the World Cup finals, but we are aware now that we should respect all of our opponents.”

The coach insists he has faith in his players and will instead focus on modifying tactics instead of a mass change in personnel.”There is nothing wrong with my players,” Anjos said. “I know I am not coaching Brazil or Argentina, but I also have some of the best Asian talents. We need to alter our tactics and maybe our formation to meet our objectives.”

” Saudi Arabia is currently in the middle of a transitional period, we are depending on a youth team full of inexperienced players, and I hope they will gain the sufficient experience throughout the qualifiers.”

However the knifes are out for the national team coach with many critics convinced that Saudi Arabia have become a one-man team as they failed to recover from an early injury setback to key striker Yasser Al Kahtani during their 3-0 reverse in Tashkent.

“Yasser is an outstanding striker and there is no doubt he is one of a kind, but we have some very promising players who could fill in his place like Taysser Al Jassem. And we need to adapt to the absence of Yasser or we will face some serious trouble in these qualifiers,” Yasser’s usual strike partner Malek Moaaz said.

Qualification for 2010 South Africa is still within Saudi Arabia’s hands, but there is now real pressure on the team to turn things round quickly or avoid the heartbreak of missing out on the World Cup Finals.

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