Tag Futebol

اتخذ رئيس نادي مازيمبي، مويس كاتومبي، قرارًا مفاجئًا قبل أيام قليلة من مباراة الأهلي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2023/2024.

ونجح مازيمبي في الوصول إلى مرحلة نصف النهائي من البطولة بعد سنوات من الغياب بعد الفوز على بترو أتلتيكو بنتيجة 2-1 بمجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب في دور الثمانية.

ويستضيف الفريق الكونغولي على ملعبه ووسط جماهيره الأهلي يوم السبت 20 أبريل في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصرًا على ملعبه في مدينة “لوبومباشي”، كما صرح مازيمبي لـ “btolat.com”.

اقرأ ايضًا.. خاص | أول تعليق من مازيمبي على مواجهة الأهلي في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وكشف كاتومبي عن قراره في تصريحات بعد مباراة بترو أتلتيكو لشبكة “بي بي سي إفريقيا”، وقال: “لا يزال لدي خبرة، لقد شاركت في كرة القدم لمدة 40 عامًا تقريبًا، بما في ذلك 27 عامًا كرئيس لنادي مازيمبي”.

وتابع: “قريبًا سأعتزل كرة القدم، اعتقد أنني أكبر رئيس نادٍ في القارة، لقد حان الوقت لإفساح المجال للشباب”.

واستمر رئيس مازيمبي: “لقد نجحت في إعادة الفريق إلى سابق عهده، عندما كنت في المنفى (بسبب التزوير) ولمدة 4 سنوات كنت أفكر في كيفية عودة المدرب، لامين نداي، لقد قادنا إلى نهائي كأس العالم للأندية في عام 2010”.

وأتم: “الجميع هنا في مازيمبي يثقون فيه وفي قدراته، اعتقد أننا قادرين على تحقيق الكثير معه في المستقبل”.

Leeds United have placed Scott Parker under serious consideration to be their new long-term manager, according to reports.

Where is Scott Parker now?

Parker is a former professional turned coach who has gradually built up experience over the years, having started out in charge of Tottenham Hotspur’s U18s before going on to take the helm himself at Fulham, Bournemouth and most recently Club Brugge, who he departed in March, as per Transfermarkt.

Following the 42-year-old’s exit from the Belgian Pro League, he is now a free agent on the market and waiting to embark on his next adventure, and it sounds like he’s got admirers within the hierarchy at Elland Road.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported that the Whites were set to interview Parker last week alongside Daniel Farke and Patrick Vieira, and the 49ers must have liked what they saw from him as he is firmly being thought about to return to the Championship.

Are Leeds appointing Parker?

According to Football Insider, Parker is “in the frame” at Leeds to be appointed as their new boss ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Yorkshire outfit are “keen” to recruit someone who is currently out of work and that has experience in the top-flight, a criteria which all of the above mentioned trio meet, therefore making them the “leading candidates” for the job.

The report adds that the board are hoping to bring in their news boss over the course of the next week in time for the beginning of pre-season.

Leeds supporters will recognise that Parker is a younger candidate to be targeting compared to the likes of Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce, but Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola lauded him as an “innovative” coach for his new ideas, so he could be an ideal fit for a team in need of a new dawn.

In the Championship, the Lambeth-born coach, whose preferred formation is an attack-minded 4-3-3, has won 48, drawn 25 and lost just 19 games from 92, taking 169 points from a possible 276, via Transfermarkt, which is an impressive track record.

During his time at Fulham and Bournemouth respectively, this consistent form saw him guide both clubs to promotion from the second-tier, so he will already know what it takes to compete and be successful at the necessary level, and when you consider that no compensation would need to be paid to acquire his services, this is a swoop worth taking a chance on.

Last year, Hamilton produced a dry, turning pitch which New Zealand exploited brilliantly. More of the same can be expected for this year’s Chappel-Hadlee Trophy decider

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale04-Feb-2017

Match factsSunday, February 5, 2017
Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT)Big PictureThe washout fiasco in Napier means that the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy comes down to this final match in Hamilton. If Australia win and force a 1-1 series result, then as the holders of the trophy they will retain it. If New Zealand win, they take possession of the trophy with a 2-0 series outcome. In fact, more than that is potentially on the line for Australia: if South Africa defeat Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Saturday, then a loss to New Zealand would not only mean Australia giving up the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, but also the No.1 ODI ranking. In that case, South Africa would be the new No.1, Australia would slip to No. 2, and New Zealand would move up to No. 3.Australia enter this match with a fourth-choice captain – Aaron Finch was given the job because Steven Smith is injured, vice-captain David Warner is resting, and stand-in Matthew Wade hurt his back on the eve of the series – and a batting line-up that requires significant improvement after game one. Focusing on the remarkable unbeaten 146 from Marcus Stoinis at No. 7 obscures the fact that none of the top six batsmen passed 20. And five members of the team – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh – could be forgiven for having a lot on their minds, for straight after this game they will fly to Dubai to join the Test squad in a training camp ahead of their tour of India.New Zealand, likewise, have injury concerns, with Martin Guptill ruled out due to a hamstring issue. But they had a wider group of batting contributors in the first match than Australia, with fifties from both Guptill and Neil Broom, and 48 from James Neesham. They will push for a series win in front of a capacity crowd at Hamilton’s Seddon Park: it was announced on the eve of the match that tickets had sold out.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)

New Zealand: WWWWL
Australia: LWWWL
Sam Heazlett made a century and two fifties in five matches against South Africa A and India A last winter•Getty Images

In the spotlightIn a horses-for-courses approach, New Zealand have brought legspinner Ish Sodhi into the squad for the last match of the series. The selectors recalled the way Sodhi troubled the Australians in the corresponding ODI at the same venue last summer, when he picked up 2 for 31 and claimed the key wickets of Smith and Maxwell. Sodhi is also coming off some impressive form against Australians in another competition: in his final BBL match for the Adelaide Strikers, he took 6 for 11.Through no fault of his own, Sam Heazlett has found himself at the centre of a debate about selection principles in the past week, given he has made his ODI debut without having played a one-day game for Queensland. But there is no question that Heazlett is a talented young batsman: he scored a century and two fifties in five one-day games for the National Performance Squad against South Africa A and India A last winter, and averaged 40 in his maiden Sheffield Shield season in 2015-16. The best thing Heazlett can do in Hamilton is clear his mind of all other matters and prove his worth with a focused batting display.Team newsGuptill’s injury means Dean Brownlie will play his first match for New Zealand since late 2014, and will open the batting. Sodhi has joined the group for this match and would likely be included in the XI. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has been released from the squad, and Tom Latham will again take the gloves.New Zealand (possible) 1 Dean Brownlie, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 Colin Munro, 7 James Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult.Wade has departed the squad due to his back injury, so Finch will again captain and Handscomb will keep wicket. That should mean another opportunity for the young batsman Heazlett. Adam Zampa will be considered, especially given New Zealand’s mulling over their own legspinner.Australia (possible) 1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Peter Handscomb (wk), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Sam Heazlett, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Pat Cummins/Adam Zampa, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Josh Hazlewood.Pitch and conditionsWhen the teams played at Seddon Park at the same time of year last summer, New Zealand’s first-innings 246 was more than adequate for victory on a dry, slowing pitch. The forecast for Sunday in Hamilton is for a fine day and a top temperate of 27C.Stats and trivia These teams have met in four ODIs in Hamilton – New Zealand have won three and Australia one Australia boast four batsmen in the top 20 of the ICC’s ODI rankings but only one of them – Glenn Maxwell – will play in this game. Smith is injured, Warner resting, and George Bailey dropped

Though he has been in good form, and seems set to be part of the South African Test side for a sustained period of time, Kyle Abbott feels he can’t relax just yet

Firdose Moonda in Port Elizabeth23-Dec-20161:51

‘Attacking the stumps will be key’ – Abbott

Boxing Day could bring Kyle Abbott a belated Christmas present. It’s one he has tried not to think too much about. It’s the gift of security.If Abbott is in the XI to take on Sri Lanka – and all indications, from his own form, to coach Russell Domingo’s hope that players use this series to cement spots, suggested as much – it would be his fourth Test in 2016, the most in a calendar year for him. It would also be Abbott’s third consecutive Test for South Africa and his tenth overall. These are hardly milestones, but considering he has taken 46 months to rack up these numbers, they are important.In another country, perhaps, Abbott might have established himself in far less time. But in South Africa, where Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been mainstays for a decade, where Vernon Philander recorded the best start a seamer has made in more than a hundred years, and where Kagiso Rabada’s prodigious talent fast-forwarded his progression, Abbot has had to fight. And wait. And hope.After a productive tour of Australia – 13 wickets at 14.84 – he seems to have finally earned a sustained run in the Test side. His Christmas present is almost at hand, but he is not quite sure about tearing the wrapping off just yet.”I don’t think anything is secure at this level unfortunately, or cricket in general,” Abbott said. “At the end of the day, we’ve still got to put in performances. As long as the team is winning, those selections become easier. It’s a case of putting in the performances and winning games. I will go about like I do every game – probably still having to prove myself – but I will cross that bridge when I get there.”Abbott’s hesitation may stem from the fact that there is still some competition. Wayne Parnell is the reserve quick, offering a left-arm option and hometown flavour, though he was with the Cobras in Cape Town last season. More importantly, he hasn’t played any long-form cricket this summer after picking up a rib injury in October, and last played a Test almost three years ago.As a result, It is unlikely that South Africa would tinker with the attack that won them the series in Australia. It looks a strong one too. Abbott, who has recently moved to the Port Elizabeth based Warriors franchise, offers swing and bounce. Philander moves the ball off the seam. Rabada is fast and fiery. And Keshav Maharaj chips in with left-arm spin. While they may not have played together often, they have learnt to adjust to each other’s styles quickly and were flexible when it came to their roles.”We complement each other so well, which is key,” Abbott said. “Although fairly similar, I think there is quite a bit of variation amongst us. We work well together.”We look at what the other guy is doing from the other end. It’s not like one of us has to do something and stick to it. It changes through the Test match and through the series.”All of them have to be highly disciplined at St George’s Park. The pitch has a thick covering of grass, but is expected to flatten out with Saturday’s westerly wind. For Abbott, who has built his career on consistency, it presents exactly the kind of challenge he enjoys.”We always feel we are in the game here as fast bowlers because we get to bowl wicket to wicket,” he said. “We are attacking the stumps, attacking the pads quite a bit and it brings in quite a few different dismissals. Sometimes on bouncy tracks you get caught out a bit in the channel and are only really looking for the nick off but on a wicket like this we are bringing in lbws, bowled, caught midwicket, some scrappy dismissals. It’s also quite a nice ground to build pressure as bowlers because it’s not a very fast-scoring ground.”It could also be the place Abbott enjoys his best Christmas; the one where he becomes a regular.

Liverpool are gathering information regarding what it would take to bring Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat to the Premier League, according to reports.

Who is Sofyan Amrabat?

Amrabat is a defensive midfielder who currently plays his football at the Artemio Franchi Stadium having joined back in 2020 from Hellas Verona. With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, Vincenzo Italiano is now facing his final opportunity to cash in should he not want to lose his prized asset for free in 12 months.

The Morocco international was his nation’s most regular outfield player at the 2022 World Cup having played 660 minutes of football, and excelled to the point where they made it all the way to the semi-finals, and these displays for his country grabbed the attention of Jurgen Klopp back in January.

The Athletic’s James Pearce reported that the Reds were considering a swoop for the 26-year-old as an outside alternative compared to some of their more high-profile targets at the time, Jude Bellingham being an example, and despite them eventually deciding against a move, it sounds like they might have since had a change of heart.

Are Liverpool signing Amrabat?

According to Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are "attentive" to Amrabat's situation and have "sounded out" the midfielder about a potential summer switch to Anfield.

Fiorentina are believed to have set a price tag of €30m (£25m) plus objectives for the player, who wants to leave and start afresh elsewhere "as soon as possible", but it's not specified whether the fee is one that the board would be happy to pay.

Could Amrabat be a good addition for Klopp?

Liverpool will know that Amrabat is stronger in the natural defensive aspect of his game having only recorded one assist across all competitions last season, but with the protection that he could give to the backline, he would be a great acquisition for FSG.

The Huizen native ranked in the 95th percentile for pass completion so is calm and composed in possession, and loves to get stuck in after averaging 1.3 tackles per league game during the previous campaign, preventing the danger before it was too late.

Fiorentina’s “monster”, as dubbed by reporter Carlo Garganese, would also add wonderful versatility to Klopp’s squad with his ability to operate in eight various positions across the pitch, including everywhere in the centre and even in defence, making him a useful option to have available.

Finally, Amrabat shares the same agent, CAA Stellar, as Ibrahima Konate, Caoimhin Kelleher and Rhys Williams, so this existing connection that their representative has to the club could hand them a small advantage should they try and get a deal over the line this summer.

Cameron White’s 130-ball 145 helped Victoria amass 343 and thump South Australia by 135 runs in their Matador Cup match in Perth

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2016
ScorecardCameron White’s 10th List A century helped Victoria amass 343•Getty Images

Cameron White’s 130-ball 145 helped Victoria amass 343 and thump South Australia by 135 runs in their Matador Cup match in Perth.South Australia’s chase crumbled to 208, propped up only by a maiden List A century by Cameron Valente and a fifty from Tom Cooper. The rest of the line-up could muster only 44 runs between them.White and Marcus Harris gave Victoria a promising start, adding 70 in a little over 13 overs. White then forged two stands of exactly 100 – with Victoria captain Peter Handscomb for the third wicket, and with Marcus Stoinis for the fifth.White’s knock included 12 fours and four sixes and his partnership with Stoinis helped Victoria plunder 109 runs from the last 10 overs. Stoinis finished unbeaten on 59 off 45 balls with four sixes and two fours.South Australia’s chase had fallen apart by the eighth over as strikes from left-arm spinner Michael Beer and fast bowler Jackson Coleman left them at 5 for 35. Beer took a hat-trick spread across two overs in this period, dismissing Jake Weatherald, Jake Lehmann and Sam Raphael. Valente, who had made his List A debut in the tied match against Western Australia last week, and Cooper averted the possibility of the side being bowled out for less than 100, adding 101 for the sixth wicket, but once Cooper fell, South Australia crumbled again. No. 10 Nick Benton struck 21, and helped Valente push the score past 200 before Victoria wrapped up the match in the 43rd over.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be hoping to bolster the squad with firepower boasting Champions League credentials after securing top four, and Mohammed Kudus could be the perfect acquisition.

What's the latest on Mohammed Kudus to Newcastle?

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, Newcastle – alongside divisional rivals Arsenal and Manchester United – have earmarked Ajax attacker Kudus following recent revelations over his availability this summer.

The Ghanaian World Cup star is contracted to the Johann Cruyff Arena until 2025 but rejected his outfit's proposal of a contract extension, sparking fresh life into rumours that a deal could be achieved.

Valued at £40m, the 22-year-old would be an affordable option with proven pedigree on the biggest stage both for club and country, offering dynamism and cutting edge that will only serve to enhance the thriving crop at St. James's Park.

Who could Kudus replace at Newcastle?

The aforementioned report states that Kudus might not be the first choice pick for the ambitious Premier League outfits, though this is something that could play into the hand of Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth as he charts a course for success at the recruitment table.

This season, the prolific gem has plundered 18 goals and six assists from 41 matches for Ajax, starting just 28 times; in the Champions League, Kudus has netted four goals and provided two assists, hailed as a "monster" by journalist Muftawa Nabila Abdulai.

Having scored seven times for his nation – including twice at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – the 21-cap Ghanaian would be a brilliant addition to the Newcastle set-up, with one tactical report illustrating his incredible versatility, the ace flourishing in a deeper midfield role, the false-nine position and as an inverted forward out on the right flank.

Per FBref, the "electric" phenom – as lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig – ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Men's Next 8 divisions – the leagues beneath the top European five – for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 1% for pass completion, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 3% for touches in the attacking box, underscoring his brilliance both as an assured passer and a direct presence, unflinching and destructive in swift transitions.

He would be the dream replacement for Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin, who boasts fleet-footed excellence himself but is certainly lacking potency in front of the net.

Saint-Maximin has only scored once in the top flight this season from 30 appearances, despite his side's resounding and resurgent success, and he has actually failed to get past the five-goal mark across all four of his campaigns on Tyneside.

With Kudus' versatility and 'electric' presence on the ball partnering an innate knack for sniffing out goals in abundance, securing his services could come at a providential time for Howe and co, who could certainly do with a player boasting success in the Champions League.

After Man United's loss to West Ham at the weekend, Mark Goldbridge admitted via his Twitter account that he felt the club's owners were not to blame for the defeat.

What has Mark Goldbridge said about Man United?

It was a bad day at the office for the Red Devils when they came up against David Moyes' side, with all of their efforts ultimately amounting to nothing. Despite dominating possession – United had 65% – it was just the one Hammers goal that decided which was the points would go in this Premier League fixture.

It was Said Benrahma who gave West Ham the lead, with a howler from goalkeeper David De Gea allowing them to go in front within the opening half an hour. United pushed for an equaliser, with Erik Ten Hag even throwing on Anthony Martial for Wout Weghorst in the second half to try and find a response.

However, Lukasz Fabianski held firm in the Hammers' goal and despite managing 19 shots, United couldn't find the back of the net and went home empty handed.

It led to an angry tweet from former player Gary Neville, who stated after the loss that: "The real disgrace are the Glazers. Are they waiting for the last game at OT to pass??? It would be typical of them. Weak and shirking accountability and responsibility to the end! Members of staff on and off the pitch are in an uncertain position waiting for new owners! Let alone recruitment and what budget their is going to be! This should have been done! Classless to the end!"

This seemingly led to a response from talkSPORT host Goldbridge, who then tweeted on his own account that it was "a bit far" to try and pin the reason for United's defeat on the Glazers, instead claiming "ridiculous" decision making from players was to blame. He said: "Blaming the Glazers for last night is a bit far even I'd admit. The Glazers aren't taking shots from ridiculous distances instead of showing patience and composure. Last two games that's killed us."

Did Man United deserve to lose against West Ham?

United struggled to score in their match against the Hammers and that ultimately led to their defeat. Their xG rate during the game was just 1.18, which was worse than West Ham's 1.30xG but it did suggest that perhaps the points should have been shared.

With the Red Devils also managing the same amount of shots on target as David Moyes' side (four) and having had one big chance that they missed, it showed that based on the opportunities they had, they probably should have taken something away from the game.

The fact that they didn't shows how wasteful they were in front of goal instead. If they had a player to finish off the chances created, then it could have been a different story but no player in the side could find the equaliser at the weekend. It perhaps instead highlights a need for United to definitely target a new striker during the summer window.

Rangers could be set to lose Ryan Kent this summer, with Fenerbahce now eyeing a move for the winger, according to Sports Digitale journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglo.

Which Rangers players could leave this summer?

A number of Rangers players could be on the move in the upcoming window, with midfielder Glen Kamara being linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Nantes, having previously made an approach for the 27-year-old last summer.

Michael Beale may need to bring in quite a few new players to bolster the central midfield area, as Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack and Steven Davis are all set to be out of contract this summer, while striker Alfredo Morelos could also be on the move.

It has recently been reported the Colombian's time at Ibrox is set to come to an end, with no new deal currently on the horizon, and his representatives are said to have held talks with Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray.

According to journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglo, who recently took to Twitter, Kent could also be on his way to Turkey, as Fenerbahce are now interested in signing the winger, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Turkish Super Lig is not the only potential destination for the winger, however, as Premier League side Burnley are also said to have made their move to sign the Rangers ace on a free transfer.

How much will Rangers miss Ryan Kent?

Of course, nothing is confirmed at this stage, however it seems increasingly unlikely the 26-year-old will remain at Ibrox beyond the end of the season, and he will be a huge miss for Beale.

The Englishman has been a vital player for the Gers this season, averaging a 7.31 match rating from WhoScored, the fifth-highest in the squad, having weighed in with a total of three goals and eight assists.

Hailed as "brilliant" by members of the media, the £18k-per-week speedster has amassed 90 goal contributions in 217 appearances for the Light Blues since joining the club on an initial loan spell, before signing permanently for £7.5m in 2019.

The winger's exit will be particularly frustrating for Rangers fans as he is yet another player set to leave on a free transfer, with the Gers unable to recoup any of the sizeable transfer fee they shelled out for him a few years ago.

As such, it may be difficult to bring in a suitable replacement for Kent next season, should his move to either Fenerbahce or Burnley materialise.

Leeds United have been embroiled in their fair share of transfer sagas throughout the last couple of years.

Whether it's Michel Cuisance's alleged failed medical or Jean-Kevin Augustin's remarkable tail of woe, Victor Orta has often been left with egg on his face.

What happened with Leeds and Jean-Kevin Augustin?

The latter is perhaps the most notable saga, with the Frenchman arriving in the final days of the January window in 2020 on a loan deal.

The deal included an option to buy of £18m, but that would become an obligation if Leeds secured promotion from the Championship.

They duly did, but come the start of the new Premier League campaign, Augustin wasn't at the club.

The Whites had refused to cough up the sum required, a decision that left RB Leipzig enraged.

It caused a huge dispute among both clubs with Leeds losing a case in the court of arbitration with a £15m settlement being reached.

However, in fresh news, Leeds have now been ordered by FIFA to pay the player a whopping £24.5m for breach of contract.

The move ended up being somewhat of a farce, particularly when you consider that the striker only actually played 48 minutes of football for the Yorkshire club during an injury-hit spell.

That said, there has been poorer business since, notably the club-record purchase of Giorginio Rutter at a time when Leeds arguably needed experience, and the deal to sign Daniel James.

How much did Leeds sign Dan James for?

The saga surrounding James is arguably equally as crazy as Augustin's, with Marcelo Bielsa and co having chased the Welshman for a number of years.

Back in 2019, James famously nearly signed for the Elland Road outfit, as he was spotted at the stadium after embarking on media duties at what he thought was his new club.

It was the dying embers of the transfer window but as Leeds tried to wrap up the paperwork, his team at the time, Swansea City, never answered the phone.

Just a few months later, James remarkably ended up a Manchester United player but after scoring just nine times in 74 outings, was shipped away once more.

His destination this time was Leeds as Bielsa and co finally concluded a deal for a sum of £25m in the summer of 2021.

Clearly a player the famous Argentine admired greatly, it was a deal that simply hasn't worked out for either party, with James notably being dubbed "awful" by journalist Tom Dutton for his displays.

That is a rather apt assessment of the £50k-per-week speedster who has only found the net four times in 40 appearances for the club.

So poor has his spell been that he's now on loan at Fulham where his record is equally bad having beaten the 'keeper on two occasions in 18 outings.

As such, Leeds stand very little chance of recouping anywhere near the fee they paid in 2021, with this deal set to end poorly for everyone involved.

There was a sense of romanticism when the Wales international finally arrived at Thorp Arch but he will leave arguably as a flop. Considering the vast sum of money they shelled out, and the saga that had played out two years prior to his move, there is a case to suggest that this is up there, or even worse than the move for Augustin.

Indeed, it was certainly not worth two to three years' worth of work trying to bring him to west Yorkshire.