Italy Remain Unbeaten

Substitute Mario Balotelli equalised to keep Italy's unbeaten World Cup qualifying run intact as the hosts drew 2-2 with Armenia at the Stadio San Paolo. Italy started off this tie having already qualified for next year's World Cup in Brazil, and this showed as Armenia grabbed an early opener through a Yura Movsisyan shot when Alberto Aquilani had lost possession in midfield to the dangerous Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne hit the post in the 23rd minute signalling the 2006 World Cup champion's intentions. A minute later and the hosts were on level terms; again it was Insigne that was the creator as he chipped an accurate cross into the box where Alessandro Florenzi was on hand to head past the helpless Armenia goalkeeper Roman Berezovski. Armenia would not give up and pressed forward in search of their second, Borussia Dortmund's Mkhitaryan coming close after beating his marker but he could only drag his shot wide of Federico Marchetti's goal with 30 minutes played. The Lazio's keeper, who is standing in for the rested Gianluigi Buffon was forced into a save in the 34th minute when he palmed a way a low drive by Armenia's Aras Ozbiliz. Insigne had a lively first-half and came close again in the 36th minute; the Napoli man produced a wonderful back-heel creating space for himself but his shot went just wide of the far post. Two minutes later and the little man from Naples then saw his cushioned volley flashes marginally wide of the target after a cross from Ignazio Abate. The teams went into the half-time break with one goal apiece and Armenia's playmaker Mkhitaryan putting in a solid performance and Italian youngster Insinge proving a thorn in the side of the Armenian defence. The playmaker then did grab a deserved goal for Armenia in the 70th minute, after the second-half had started where it left off with some more end to end play. However, their blushes were spared somewhat as Balotelli ran on to Andrea Pirlo's pass and hooked the ball in. Armenia's Haroyan should have claimed a famous winner for his side with 10 minutes to play, but he could only send his free header over ensuring the Italians remain unbeaten in the qualifiers having already booked their place on the plane to Brazil.

Black Stars Too Good For Egypt

Ghana crushed a below-par Egypt 6-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi in their first leg play-off qualifying game for the 2014 World Cup and now have one foot on the plane to Brazil. A brace from captain Asamoah Gyan inspired the hosts to a comfortable victory over the Pharaohs and the visitors will rue the defensive frailties which haunted them throughout the 90 minutes. Gyan gave the Black Stars an ideal start to the qualifier when he linked up with striker Majeed Waris in the fourth minute, and his shot had too much power to give Egypt's goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami any chance. The Egyptians seemed to spring to life after the goal and started to keep more possession for the visitors but they conceded an own goal by Wael Gomaa and this seemed to kill any momentum from the visitors. Mohammed Abu Trika did however manage to claw one back for Egypt four minutes before the half-time break, after Rashid Sumaila brought down striker Mohamed Salah in the box. Ghana waited just three minutes before they responded and scored their third of the qualifier when Abdul Majeed Waris headed home after getting on the end of a Sulley Muntari cross. Gyan's header, his second of the game in the 54th minute all but ended the match as well as Egypt's hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup. Things went from bad to worse for Egypt, when their goalkeeper Ekrami had to be stretchered off and replaced by Ahmed Al Shenawy in the 57th minute. Al Shenawy was called into action in the 70th minute but was only able to pull down striker Warris and concede a penalty after being on the field for just over 10 minutes. The ever impressive Muntari stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home for the hosts, scoring their fifth of this first leg tie with 71 minutes played. Substitute Christian Atsu capped off a wonderful performance for the Black Stars when he scored a solo goal, cutting in from the right wing and smashing a left-footed shot that cannoned in off the right post and into the back of the net with just three minutes plus stoppage time left. The Black Stars will have sent out a warning with this result before next year's World Cup handing Egypt their biggest loss in over 20 years, while the Pharaohs will know that their dream to make Brazil is all but over.

Portugal Ease Past 10-Man Luxembourg

Portugal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over 10-man Luxembourg in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night but will still need to go through the play-offs to book a spot in Brazil. The Portuguese had a slim chance of toppling Russia in Group F but the latter confirmed automatic qualification with a 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan. Portugal started the game well, even without star player and captain Cristiano Ronaldo who was out due to suspension. Nani, who was given the armband for the clash, stepped up in his absence though, testing the goalkeeper with a low drive in the ninth minute before Helder Postiga was denied on the rebound. Fabio Coentrao then rattled the woodwork with a header before Nani was denied again by a brilliant save from Jonathan Joubert. The pressure was starting to tell for the visitors and they would crack when Aurelien Joachim was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Andre Almeida. The opening goal then arrived two minutes later when Joao Moutinho slid a perfect pass through to Silvestre Varela who rounded the goalkeeper and fired into an empty. The hosts were in complete control and six minutes later Nani traded passes with Moutinho before smashing a superb finish into the roof of the net. The game slowed down after the break with Portugal in command, though Lars Krogh Gerson had a rare chance for the visitors and fired straight at the goalkeeper. Nani was denied on a few more occasions while the Manchester United man saw his inviting cross wasted late on. The hosts would finally wrap things up with 11 minutes to go though as Hugo Almeida flicked on a cross from Josue and Postiga slotted his finish under the goalkeeper.

Bukenya Happy With First Chiefs Game

Although it was an unofficial debut for Kaizer Chiefs, new signing Ivan Bukenya was happing with his showing in the Macufe Cup against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday. Chiefs may have lost 1-0 on the day, but the 21-year-old Ugandan defender was happy to get some playing time. "When I stepped out of the tunnel to a full stadium, I felt at home because I enjoy playing in front of a big crowd," said Bekenya. "It felt great to represent a big team as I have always waited for the chance to play for my team. "I see myself growing as a player here because I am playing for the right team. "The Technical Team, Management and the players are helping me to adapt. "I want to achieve big things for the club. Every time I come to training and playing in friendlies, I see myself helping the club to achieve things going forward." Reflecting on the game itself, Bekenya felt he did will, but admitted he was sad to lose. "They scored through a set play," added Bekenya. "We saw our mistake and we will rectify that at training. "A loss in a first game gives me a chance to learn, but despite the loss, after 90 minutes I felt good. "My first touch was superb because I enjoyed the game from the warm up. The South African style of football is good, this is really what I hoped to be a part of, it is really good. "The referee booked me unfairly though, because I was protecting the ball. I was shielding the ball and football is about charging your opponent."

We Need Career Guidance in Ugandan Socer:

Uganda is one of the most gifted countries in Africa when it comes to sports talents. However, the authorities have done less or nothing atall in as far as grooming these talents is concerned. Where in the world will you find athletes struggling on their own to represent their country? It is only in Uganda where an athlete will suffer alone for a medal only to be hosted for dinners on their return! With Football,it's even worse. Players are scattered allover the country playing for fun. No body is there to help them know that playing socer is another career that can lead one to success,thus, they realise it when age isn't on their side. Because they're desparate at that time,then things like playing 'bicuba',absconding from their clubs arise. After,local club officials(most of them grew under the same set up)urge these players to re-sign for their clubs! So Aren't we spoiling the future?

Brazil Beat Chipolopolo In Friendly

Second-half goals from Oscar and Dede took Brazil to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Zambia in a friendly match in Beijing on Tuesday. The 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts started the game on the front foot and hit the crossbar just three minutes in through a superb free-kick from Neymar while Dani Alves shot just wide moments later. Alexandre Pato tried an audacious lobbed effort from distance but couldn't catch out Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Mweene, while Ramires combined well with Neymar in the 15th minute before sending his shot wayward. Jacob Mulenga failed to beat the goalkeeper as Zambia finally put on some pressure while Neymar couldn't get enough on his header in the 37th minute after being picked out by Maxwell. Brazil finished the half strong but Mweene was determined as he kept out shots from Pato and Neymar to ensure that the deadlock remained at the break. Chipolopolo could have snatched the opener six minutes after the break but Mayuka just missed out on poking the ball home after a shot was deflected across goal. Brazil responded perfectly though as Oscar's shot took a wicked deflection and looped over the goalkeeper in the 59th minute to put the South Americans ahead. Paulinho's went close with a rising effort moments later but a second was on the way and it arrived in the 66th minute as Dede got away from his defender a nodded home from close range off of a free-kick from Neymar. Zambia tried to get back into the game but Brazil threatened to score more with Oscar being denied by the goalkeeper and Hulk smashing a shot just wide as they secured the win.

Perez Upset Over Bale Nonsense

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has voiced his surprise following more reports which suggest Gareth Bale had a slipped disc in his back and could require surgery. Perez did not mince his words when he said that this story was intended to hurt the club's and Bale's reputation, and their lawyers are looking into taking action. "I'm surprised. It's difficult to understand such a cruel story," said Perez. "It was the first time I had heard talk of that subject (a herniated disc). The paper also wrote that I had been told about this problem during the medical. It's totally false. "It's very serious as it plays with the image of Real Madrid and Bale. It can be very damaging and is not a minor issue. We want to know why it happened. "It surprised us even more when we found out a reporter from the paper (Marca) called our medical team, as well as Bale's representative, and decided not to even put a line in about what they said. "It was something that was intended to do harm and that's why we are surprised. It affects the image, dignity and economic value of Bale. "The player and his team are worried because they have contracts and campaigns that this could affect. They've said he has a hernia when he doesn't and our lawyers are looking at what can be done." Perez was so adamant that Balewas fit he suggested he could play on Sunday against Malaga. "Gareth is calm and ready and is hoping to play on Saturday," added Perez. "Everybody knows that, because he did not have a proper pre-season, he suffered a thigh strain. "He is training well and wants to play and demonstrate that all this has just been an unpleasant and unfortunate start." -

Amnesty: Hundreds die in harsh Nigerian prisons

Nearly 1 000 people, mostly suspected Islamist militants, have died in Nigerian prisons in 2013 alone, says Amnesty International.
Nearly 1 000 people, mostly suspected Islamist militants, died in Nigerian prisons in the first half of this year, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

Amnesty said some of the 950 victims were suspected to have been executed but many died because of the harsh, overcrowded conditions of the prisons.

Some starved to death. Others died after being shot or badly beaten then getting no medical attention.

"The evidence we've gathered suggests that hundreds of people died in military custody in 2013 alone. This is a staggeringly high figure that requires urgent action by the Nigerian government," Lucy Freeman, Amnesty International's deputy Africa director, said in a statement.

Military spokesperson Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said the army had not yet seen the report but would respond when it became available to them. The government's habitual position is that detainees are well treated and rare cases of abuse dealt with.

A four-year-old insurgency waged by Islamist sect Boko Haram, aiming to revive a medieval Islamic empire in Nigeria's largely Muslim northeast, has killed thousands and brought a heavy military presence across the region.

Residents of affected areas, as well as numerous human rights groups, have long accused the Nigerian military of carrying out summary executions of Boko Haram suspects and others - a charge it always denies.

Arbitrary detention
Privately, security officials admit such abuses are more widespread but see them as a reaction to an enemy whose vicious guerrilla tactics create a climate of fear.

Amnesty said that in April, delegates counted 20 emaciated corpses lying on the ground in the compound of a hospital. It showed grisly pictures of the corpses.

In July, a Nigerian government rights watchdog said it had credible reports the country's forces carried out extra-judicial killings, torture, rape and arbitrary detention in the northeast. That study was notable as it is rare for a government agency publish reports of abuses.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a military offensive against the Islamist rebels in May, including air strikes on bases, which authorities say has driven fighters out of camps near the border with Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

But it has so far failed to quell the insurgency, still seen as the main threat to Africa's top oil producer, and which has become more targeted towards civilians.

Rights groups say army abuses may be counter-productive because they stir anti-government rage that helps keep the insurgency going.

In the first big crackdown on Boko Haram in 2009, 800 members were killed, including its founder Mohammed Yusuf. Far from ending the insurgency, it transformed it into something much more radical with ties to al-Qaeda's Saharan wing. - Reuters
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