South Africa's World Cup stadiums already proving useless

It's only been a little over a month since the World Cup ended and the stadiums that cost South Africa $1.5 billion to construct and renovate for the tournament are already proving to be a "massive problem." Despite government officials insisting that the stadiums wouldn't turn into white elephants as the World Cup drew to a close, it seems like some of them are already becoming just that.

The AP reports:

South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins told members of parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday that there had been no discussions between Durban city officials and rugby representatives before the $400 million, 70,000-capacity Moses Mabhida Stadium was built, and now it did not have enough suites to accommodate the local suite holders for the Sharks rugby team.

Hoskins said that the Sharks, who compete in the annual Super Rugby competition and the domestic Currie Cup—and who could offer near year-round use of the stadium—would have a “massive problem” moving into it now.

Hoskins went on to say that discussions have also broken down between the Western Province rugby union and the operators of the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, which would result in Western Province remaining in their current stadium (as independent financial advisors are recommending). This leaves the Green Point Stadium on track for rare use and a cost of more than $6 million a year just to maintain it.

So if the stadiums can't be used for rugby, how about cricket? Well, failure to consult Cricket South Africa in the planning stage that also excluded rugby representatives has results in the fields being built too small for cricket matches.

As FIFA president Sepp Blatter said before the World Cup final, "There is not one single European country which has so many good and high level stadiums as the ones which are here in South Africa." And now that all those good and high level stadiums are proving unfit for other uses and financial drains on the cities that have too foot the annual bills, you have to wonder how much longer that will hold true.

Photo: Getty Images

Paul the octopus supports England bid, is honored with golden idol

It's been more than a month since Spain won the World Cup and Paul the octopus won the hearts of the human world (except the Dutch) by perfectly predicting the winners of Germany's seven matches and Spain's victory in the final. But his fame and influence are apparently holding strong as he nears the end of his life expectancy.

With starring roles in Chinese movies, book deals, and a line of merchandise all in the works, Paul's German handlers are cashing in on his stardom and giving the proceeds to charity. Paul isn't just working for the Germans, though. He's also been hired to support the country in which he was first hatched, England, as they bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Competing against Russia, the U.S. (who are more likely to get the 2022 World Cup), Australia, and joint bids from Spain and Portugal, and Holland and Belgium, England brought on Paul to be the big gun in their arsenal of celebrity supporters that also includes David Beckham, Sting and Oasis' Noel Gallagher.

From the AFP:

"Paul has spent the last two years of his life in Germany, but he is definitely a proud Englishman and is therefore delighted to put his support behind England 2018," said Nicola Hamilton, manager at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre in southern England, where Paul was born.

"We have had a number of football approaches from around the world but Paul was only ever going to choose his homeland."

...unless the others offered a more delicious looking mussel for him to choose.

While you may rightfully doubt just how capable of being a "proud Englishman" Paul is, another member of the England bid team has high hopes for the octopus' influence (via HuffPo):

"Paul the Octopus is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in football," former England winger John Barnes said [thoroughly depressing millions of humans who have devoted their lives to the sport --Ed.]. "Huge numbers of people will follow Paul's lead and back the bid."

And just in case you were doubting Paul's idol status, at India International Jewelry Show on Friday, a likeness of Paul made of 3.3 kilograms (7.3 lbs) of solid gold was unveiled. It's valued at exactly $133,404. I'm sure Paul would be pleased if he were capable of such a feeling.

Photos: Getty Images

Aladdin Sodiq Blog Profiles: Diego Forlán

Diego Martín Forlán Corazo (born 19 May 1979 in Montevideo) is an Uruguayan footballer who currently plays for Atlético Madrid of La Liga. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe.

He was born into a family of footballers. His father Pablo had played for the Uruguay national football team during the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England and the 1974 FIFA World Cup held in West Germany and his grandfather (through his mother), Juan Carlos Corazo, played for Independiente in Argentina.



Club career
Early career

Forlán, son of former player and Uruguayan international Pablo Forlán, was a promising tennis player in his youth, but when his sister Alejandra was involved in a car accident which killed her boyfriend and left her in intensive care for five months, he decided to follow the family tradition and concentrate on football. He played for several South American clubs, including Argentine side Independiente before transferring in January 2002 to play for Manchester United in England for a fee of £6.9 million.

Manchester United

He made his debut for the team on 29 January against Bolton Wanderers, but did not score his first goal for the club, a penalty, until 18 September in a Champions League game against Maccabi Haifa. It took him eight months and 27 games to score that first goal, to the extent that he was dubbed "Diego Forlorn" and "Diego Birtles" (after Garry Birtles, a former United striker who had flopped) for his goal drought by some quarters of the English press.

Forlán enjoyed the occasional patch of scoring, but inconsistency blighted his time at United. He was, however, noted for scoring important goals, such as the late equaliser at home to Aston Villa and the remarkable volleyed winner in the last minutes of the home game against Chelsea during United's Premiership-winning season of 2002–03. During this period, Forlán became known for characteristically removing his shirt and baring his torso in celebration of his goals. The first such example of this routine resulted in quite an amusing incident; Forlán whipped his shirt off in excitement after scoring an 85th minute winner against Southampton in November 2002 but struggled to get it back on in time for the re-start of play, resulting in the spectacle of Forlán briefly running around the Old Trafford pitch bare-chested, with his shirt still in his hand, then recovering the ball for his team. The referee soon stopped play and ordered Forlán off the pitch to get dressed.

He became a fan favourite in 2002 when he scored two goals against Liverpool in a 2–1 victory at Anfield. Forlán's record of 17 goals from 95 appearances for the club does not compare favourably against his former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy's 150 goals in 210 games, and it was widely thought that he would not start the 2004–05 season in the Red Devils' team colours. That eventually proving true after signing for Villareal in August of 2004, the same month Manchester United signed Wayne Rooney.

Villarreal

Forlán was strongly linked to a move to Spanish club Levante UD, but signed on 21 August 2004 with another Spanish club, Villarreal CF, where he became the Spanish 2004–05 season Pichichi Trophy with 25 goals, helping Villareal to their first ever UEFA Champions League spot. He also jointly won the European Golden Boot award with Thierry Henry.

Atlético Madrid

Forlán was linked to transfer with Juan Román Riquelme to Atlético Madrid in exchange for Luis Perea and money in June 2007. On 30 June 2007, following the departure of their captain Fernando Torres to Liverpool, Atlético Madrid confirmed that they had agreed a fee of around €21 million.[1] He returned to England in February 2008 to take part in Atlético's UEFA Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers (the club against whom he made his Manchester United debut), but the side lost out 1–0 on aggregate. For the 2008–09 season, he was once again the recipient of the La Liga Pichichi Trophy award, with 32 goals in 33 matches, as well as the European Golden Boot for a second time.

On 22 April 2010, Forlán scored the only goal of the game in Atlético's Europa League semi-final first leg at home to Liverpool. A week later, Liverpool took the tie to extra time before taking a 2–1 aggregate lead. Forlán then scored again to make it 2–2 on aggregate, giving Atlético the away goal they needed to reach the final, in which they played against Fulham at Hamburg's HSH Nordbank Arena on 12 May. Forlán scored twice against Fulham in the Final, in a 2–1 win.

International career

Forlán debuted for the Uruguayan national team in 2002. He scored in the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Senegal with a volley. He also scored against Brazil in the 35th minute of the 2007 Copa América semi-final. However, he missed his shot during the subsequent penalty shootout, which Brazil ultimately won 5–4. Since the 2007 Copa America, Forlán has become a regular for Uruguay and often has a place in the starting XI. On 17 June 2008, he scored a hat trick in a World Cup qualifying game against Peru. During the second game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup against the South Africa national football team he scored a 25 yard shot that took a deflection off Aaron Mokeona. This was his 25th national goal.

Honours
Club

Manchester United

* Premier League (1): 2002–03
* FA Cup (1): 2003–04
* FA Community Shield (1): 2003

Villarreal

* UEFA Intertoto Cup (1): 2004

Atlético Madrid

* UEFA Europa League (1): 2009–10

Individual

* European Golden Shoe (2): 2004–05*, 2008–09
* Pichichi Trophy (2): 2004–05, 2008–09

(* Jointly shared with Thierry Henry)

Personal life

Forlán is in partnership with the Argentine fashion model and actress Zaira Nara.

Trivia

* Diego Forlán and Youri Djorkaeff were, respectively, members of the Uruguay and France squads that met in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Their fathers, Pablo and Jean, featured in the match between Uruguay and France at the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
* In 2009, Forlán appeared in a music video for Coti starring alongside Maxi Rodríguez.


Source: Wikipedia

Aladdin Sodiq Blog Profiles: Gelson Fernandes

Gelson Fernandes (born 2 September 1986 in Praia, Cape Verde) is a Swiss footballer, who currently plays as a midfielder for Saint-Étienne and the Swiss national team.

Club career
Manchester City

Fernandes signed for Manchester City from Sion on 14 July 2007 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around €6 million (£4.2 million), which would make his sale the second highest transfer in the history of the Swiss League. Following his signing, Sven-Göran Eriksson commented that he thought Fernandes was the "best young player in Switzerland." He made his debut in the 0–0 draw against Portsmouth.

He scored his first goal in a 2–0 victory against Newcastle United on 2 January 2008, after coming on as a substitute for Stephen Ireland. It took just 40 seconds for Fernandes and Kelvin Etuhu to combine for the former to finish from the edge of the box. Gelson scored his second goal in the 1–3 loss to Arsenal at the City of Manchester Stadium. Vedran Ćorluka took advantage of a Gaël Clichy defensive error, who slipped in a pass into the six-yard box for Gelson to tuck home. The goal was not enough to secure any points for Manchester City, but showed the City fans that he was also capable of having an eye for goal like fellow youth midfielder, Michael Johnson.

At the start of the 2008–09 season, Fernandes had his number changed from number 28 to number 19. The number 28 shirt was taken by Daniel Sturridge. He has since scored twice in the 2008–09 season with goals against Brighton & Hove Albion and the final goal in the 6–0 win against Portsmouth. Gelson made 59 appearances for City, scoring four times, but he was increasingly used as a substitute after Mark Hughes took over as manager.

Saint-Etienne

On 9 July 2009, Fernandes moved on trial to Saint-Étienne. He passed a medical on 9 July 2009 to complete a £2 million move to Saint-Étienne. He signed a two-year contract and moved on a undisclosed fee.

International career

Fernandes was captain of the Switzerland U-21 that played against the England U-21 side in their Euro 2007 qualifying match.

He made his first full international appearance for Switzerland against the Netherlands on 22 August 2007. He has since continued to be a regular for Switzerland, playing in their friendly defeat to England at Wembley in February 2008. He also played in all three of the Swiss side's Euro 2008 fixtures. On 28 March 2009, Fernandes scored his first goal for Switzerland, heading in a corner to seal a 2–0 win against Moldova. He scored his first World Cup goal for Switzerland against Spain on 16 June 2010, which Switzerland went on to win 1–0.

Personal life

Gelson Fernandes arrived in Switzerland with his mother at the age of five from the Cape Verde islands, the family settling in Sion.

According to former Manchester City teammate Micah Richards, he is fluent in five languages. The five languages are: English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Although these are the most widely known languages that Fernandes speaks, it is also known that he can speak Portuguese due to it being the official language of his birthplace, Cape Verde. He is the cousin of Portuguese footballer Manuel Fernandes.

Honours

Sion

* Swiss Cup: 1

2006

Source: Wikipedia

Aladdin Sodiq Blog Profiles: Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuijt, commonly known as Dirk Kuyt; born 22 July 1980) is a Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for English club Liverpool. His primary position is as a striker, but now he is more often deployed as a winger for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

Kuyt began his professional career with FC Utrecht in 1998 and quickly became part of their first team. He spent five years at the club and in his final season he won his first senior honour, the Dutch Cup, and was chosen as the season's Dutch Golden Shoe Winner. Following this, he left Utrecht in a €1 million transfer to Feyenoord. He became the club captain in 2005 and was a prolific goalscorer at the Rotterdam club; he was the club's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, the top goalscorer in the 2004–05 Eredivisie season, and the 2005–06 Dutch Footballer of the Year. Kuyt missed only five games over seven seasons from 1999 until 2006 and appeared in 179 consecutive matches between 2001–06.

He left Feyenoord after three years, having scored 71 league goals in 101 appearances, and joined Premier League side Liverpool for £10 million. He made his Premier League debut late in 2006 and immediately became part of the first team squad. He scored in his first ever UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool against AC Milan, with Kuyt offering late hope for Liverpool although eventually losing 2–1.

He made his international debut in 2004 and has represented the Netherlands at three major international tournaments, the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Biography
Early life

Kuyt is the third of four children. He grew up in the fishing town of Katwijk aan Zee.

His football career began when he joined the local amateur team Quick Boys at age 5. He broke into the first team in March 1998, playing the last six games of the season, and catching the eye of Eredivisie team FC Utrecht. Kuyt still regularly visits Katwijk and his old club Quick Boys, who benefited from a £300,000 windfall as a result of the player's move to Liverpool.

Club career
FC Utrecht


Kuyt signed professionally for FC Utrecht that summer, aged 18, and immediately established himself in the first team. However he was more often than not played as a winger, as they preferred to play Serbian Igor Gluščević up front.

This continued until the 2002–03 season when Foeke Booy was installed as the club's new manager. Booy played Kuyt as a striker / attacking midfielder (behind the striker) for the entire season, and Kuyt repaid him with 20 league goals. FC Utrecht also reached the Dutch Cup final, where they met Feyenoord. Although they were the underdogs Utrecht comfortably won the cup 4–1, with Kuyt scoring one and being given the man-of-the-match award. At the end of the season Kuyt completed a €1 million move to Feyenoord, where he replaced the out-going Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Feyenoord

At Feyenoord, Kuyt immediately became a fan's favourite with his continued goal scoring success. His first season saw him net another 20 league goals. The opening game of the 2004–05 season marked Kuyt's first ever hat-trick against De Graafschap. He later went on to score three in the 6–3 victory against Den Haag and ended the season as the Eredivisie's top scorer with 29 goals—a career high.

In 2005 Kuyt was handed the Feyenoord club captaincy and went on to have a third successful season with the club, scoring 25 goals in all competitions.

Over the summer of 2006 Kuyt was again linked with moves to many top English clubs, most notably Liverpool and Newcastle United. Rumours started in May with Dirk Kuyt stating "I am happy at Feyenoord but I would like to play in the Premier League." Kuyt completed a move to Liverpool on 18 August for an undisclosed fee.

Kuyt missed only five games over seven seasons from 1999 until 2006, making 233 appearances. Between March 2001 and April 2006 he played 179 consecutive matches.

Liverpool
2006–07 season

Upon joining Liverpool, Kuyt stated "I only wanted to leave Feyenoord for a really big club, and that is what Liverpool are. They are a fantastic big club and it will be a real pleasure to play here."

After sitting out the first game Kuyt made his Liverpool debut as a substitute against West Ham on 26 August 2006. His first start came against PSV in the Champions League and he has been first choice in most games since. He immediately got praises for the new defensive approach by a striker. In his third start for the club on 20 September 2006 Kuyt scored his first goal against Newcastle United in a Premier League game at Anfield, and followed up with another against Tottenham Hotspur in the next game. He scored his third goal for Liverpool with his father watching the game at Anfield, contributing to Liverpool's 3–1 win over Aston Villa. Two weeks later he bagged a brace, as the only scorer in the Reds' 2–0 victory against Premiership newcomers Reading.

Kuyt won much praise for his early performances, with Daily Mirror stating: "The Dutch striker has the look of a cult hero in the making" and The People reporting that he is "propelling himself towards iconic status." One of the reasons for his early popularity is his post match courtesy to the fans. After each match he walks to every corner of the ground, and applauds the Liverpool supporters.

On 20 January 2007, Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring against Chelsea after only 4 minutes after a Peter Crouch flick-on. Liverpool went on to defeat the champions 2–0. It was the first time Rafael Benítez had defeated José Mourinho in the Premiership. It was also the first goal scored by Liverpool against a top four club in the league in the 2006–07 season. Kuyt moved his league-goal tally into double figures by scoring the first goal in the game against West Ham on 30, January 2007.

Kuyt played a key part in Liverpool's penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in the semi-finals of the 2006–07 Champions League. Firstly in extra-time he had a goal disallowed for offside from Xabi Alonso's strike. Kuyt also scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out, and scored a consolation goal in their 2–1 defeat to Milan in the final.

2007–08 season

He scored his first goals of the 2007–2008 season in Liverpools 4–0 victory over Toulouse in their 3rd round qualifying encounter at Anfield on 28 August 2007. He scored two penalties against Everton in the Merseyside derby to give Liverpool a 2–1 win.

Kuyt failed to score in 13 games for Liverpool, before netting against Barnsley in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

On 19 February 2008, Kuyt scored the first goal in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2007–08 Champions League against favourites Internazionale in a 2–0 win.

Starting in early 2008, Kuyt began to be employed as a right winger and set up two of Fernando Torres's goals against West Ham in March. He adapted to this new role and soon regained his overall form, playing himself into the starting XI again after putting on various vital team performances. On 2 April 2008, Kuyt scored an equalising goal against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium.

On 22 April 2008, in the first leg of the Champions League all-English semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield, Kuyt scored the opening goal just before half time.

2008–09 season

Dirk Kuyt scored a late extra time goal against Standard Liège in the 2008–09 Champions League qualifiers return match to put Liverpool through to the group stages of the competition. In his next game, a 2–1 win in the Premier League against Manchester United, he assisted fellow countryman Ryan Babel's winning goal.

Kuyt's goals at vital moments in important games, such as the last minute strike against Standard Liege, an injury time winner against Manchester City on 5 October 2008 and twice in Liverpool's 3–2 comeback win over Wigan Athletic on 18 October 2008, have led to his reputation as a "Big Game Player"

The 2008/09 season saw Kuyt score 15 goals for the club, his best return for the club.

2009–10 season

As a result of heavy injuries sustained by the Liverpool squad, Kuyt often found himself playing a central striker role. Kuyt scored against Stoke and Burnley in two home 4–0 triumphs. He also scored the winning goal in Liverpool's opening Champions League group game against Hungarian team Debrecen in a 1–0 win. Kuyt's goal against Debreceni means only Ian Rush and Steven Gerrard have scored more goals for the club in the European Cup. It was his 12th goal in Europe's premier club competition. Kuyt scored his 4th league goal of the season in a vital 2–0 win against Everton at Goodison Park, in the Merseyside derby. He took his season's goal tally to six, his fifth in the league, by scoring in a 2–1 premier league loss to Arsenal at Anfield. On 20 January, Kuyt scored both goals at Anfield against Spurs in a 2–0 victory and a week later, scored the opener against Bolton. For both goals, he was assisted by Alberto Aquilani which could be the start of a new partnership. Against Spurs, he played a delightful one-two with Alberto Aquilani before slotting it home. While against Bolton, Alberto Aquilani guided an Emiliano Insua cross back into the path of Kuyt who slotted it home. On many occasions, have they linked up together and threatened to score.

On the 6th of February he scored his fourth goal in the Merseyside Derby, a header from a corner against Everton in the 55th minute bringing his tally of goals for Liverpool to 50 in all competitions. He was also awarded man of the match for this game which Liverpool won 1–0. On the 8th April he notched his 51st goal for Liverpool with a crucial yet controversial header in the Europa League against Benfica. The goal, a header direct from a corner, was originally dissallowed by the linesmen for offside, but after some heavy protests by the Liverpool players and manager Rafael Benitez that you couldn't be offside directly from a corner, the referee changed his mind and allowed the goal.

International career

When Marco van Basten took over as coach of the Dutch national team he dropped many established players, including strikers Roy Makaay and Patrick Kluivert. Kuyt was to benefit as in September 2004 he made his international debut in van Basten's first game against Liechtenstein. He has been a permanent fixture in the Dutch squad ever since, making the starting line-up for eleven of the Netherlands' twelve 2006 World Cup qualification matches.

2006 World Cup

At the 2006 World Cup, Kuyt found himself relegated to the substitutes bench. Although he made an appearance as a 69th minute replacement in the first game against Serbia and Montenegro, he sat the entire second game out. With the team already qualified for the next round van Basten decided to rest many of his first choice players for the final group game against Argentina, and Kuyt was handed a start in the right wing position.

For the Netherlands' Round of 16 tie against Portugal, Kuyt was given a surprise start ahead of star-striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, Kuyt did not have a successful game and the Netherlands eventually lost 1–0 in a game that was more reputable for its record breaking disciplinary record (4 red cards and 16 yellow cards).

Euro 2008

Kuyt was selected for the Dutch squad for Euro 2008. On 9 June, he played in their opening Group C match, a 3–0 victory over 2006 World Champions Italy, assisting in two goals, his most notable act being the header that provided the link between Giovanni van Bronckhorst's crossfield pass and Wesley Sneijder's goal to make it 2–0 on 31 minutes. On 13 June, Kuyt contributed his team's second in the next game of Group C, a 4–1 victory over 2006 World Cup finalists France by opening the scoring with a ninth minute header from a corner, taking his tally of international goals to eight. During Euro 2008, Kuyt was employed as a winger, partnering with Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart in the midfield due to the team's change of formation from 4-3-3/4–4–2 to 4–2–3–1.

Post Euro 2008

Thus far, Kuyt has scored 3 goals in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. During a friendly against England, he opened the scoring less than ten minutes after kick-off, pouncing on Rio Ferdinand's poor back pass.

2010 World Cup

Kuyt was included in the preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On 27 May 2010, Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk announced that the player would be part of the final squad of 23 participating in the competition.

Kuyt scored Holland's second goal in the 85th minute of their 2-0 win over Denmark in their opening group match on a tap-in after Eljero Elia's shot hit the post.

Personal life

Kuyt's wife Gertrude has found favour in the Dutch media for her down-to-earth attitude. She continued to work as a nurse in an old people's home after marrying Kuyt until their daughter, Noelle, was born. Kuyt and his wife now carry out extensive charity work off the pitch. Most notably, he and his wife set up the Dirk Kuyt Foundation to help disadvantaged children in his homeland and the Third World. One of the ways the foundation raises money is by selling DK-branded clothes.[18]

Kuyt's father died of cancer on 29 June 2007.

Career honours
Club

Netherlands Utrecht

* KNVB Cup: 2002–03

Individual

* Eredivisie Top Scorer: 2005
* Dutch Golden Shoe 2003, 2006

Source: Wikipedia

Aladdin Sodiq Blog Profiles: Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan (born 22 November 1985 in Accra) is a Ghanaian International football player who plays as a striker for Stade Rennais in the French Ligue 1. He had his high school education at Accra Academy where he played in the school's soccer team.

Club career

Having signed for Udinese in 2003 from Ghanaian club Liberty Professionals, Gyan would spend two-years on loan at Serie B club Modena primarily to gain experience. Following some excellent displays during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he attracted interest from Russia. He would return to Udinese at the beginning of 2006, but on 17 February 2007, Udinese pulled out of a deal to sell Gyan in the January transfer window. The then 21-year-old striker was on the verge of signing a three-year deal with Russian Club Lokomotiv Moscow for US$10.5m, the fourth largest in Russian football history. "The striker Udinese targeted to replace me did not sign for them," Gyan told BBC Sport. "I've been told I will now have to stay in Italy for the rest of the season."

On 10 August, along with Fabio Quagliarella, Asamoah signed an improved 5-year contract-extension which would keep him at Udinese until 30 June 2012 as a reward of his fine form in the 2007–08 Pre-season. "I have decided to stay here because it is one of the top leagues in the world," Asamoah said, "There is the possibility of me playing regular football here to make me a better player. "I am comfortable with the new deal and I know I can help Udinese achieve great things for the future". Asamoah and Quagliarella marked their contract extensions with a brace each in Udinese’s 7–0 friendly win later that evening.

He was linked with a move to Manchester United, Arsenal and A.C. Milan by the Italian media on 29 July 2007 following his impressive Pre-season form, including a hat-trick in a friendly against Serie B outfit Spezia on 25 July, before Udinese tied him to the long term deal. Gyan scored ten goals in 2006–07 to help the Stadio Friuli Club to finish in tenth place in Serie A.

He got injured during the 2007–08 Season and never played for Udinese again after January 2008. He played in 13 Serie A matches and scored 4 times that season. On July 11, 2008, Asamoah was signed by French Ligue 1 Club Stade Rennais for 4 years on an €8 million transfer fee.

International career

Gyan scored the fastest goal of the 2006 FIFA World Cup; a 68-seconds goal, which also happened to be Ghana's first ever goal in the world cup finals, in the World Cup game against the Czech Republic on 17 June 2006 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany, which set the Black Stars on their way to a thrilling 2–0 victory. He missed a penalty later in the game, and received a yellow card (ruling him out of the final group game) for trying to take the penalty too early. In Ghana's defeat to Brazil in the Round of 16, he was sent off in the 81st minute after collecting his second booking of the match (for diving).

He was part of the 2004 Ghana Olympic football squad, who exited in the first round, having finished in third place in Group B after Ghana was tied on 4 points, 0 goal difference and 2–2 Head-to-Head with eventual gold medal winners Italy. Ghana had scored 4 and conceded 4.

Gyan scored on his senior International debut for Ghana against Somalia on 19 November 2003 in the 90th minute, after coming on for Isaac Boakye in the 62nd minute in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier, 3 days before he turned 18 years; helping Ghana to win that game. He went on to score four times in seven matches during that successful World Cup qualifying campaign. He has scored 20 times in 32 appearances for Ghana.

On January 24, 2008 during the 2008 African Cup of Nations Gyan and his brother Baffour decided to walk out on the Black Stars following criticism after their unconvincing 1–0 win over Namibia. The media learnt the brothers had packed their bags and were ready to leave the team hotel but were persuaded to stay by team-mates. In the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Asamoah Gyan helped a Ghana team, ravaged by injuries to the finals. Gyan scored three out of the four Ghana goals during the tournament.

Gyan scored with a penalty in the 85th minute of Ghana's first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Serbia, it proved to be the deciding goal in a 1–0 win, he went on to hit the post in the 92nd minute before being substituted to a standing ovation just before the final whistle.

Personal life

His brother, Baffour Gyan, currently plays in Ghana for Asante Kotoko.

Source: Wikipedia

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP: A GREAT EVENT DESRVES A GREAT SEGMENT

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! The FIFA World Cup, South Africa 2010 is finally here and we start off with the opening ceremony which was a great deal of fun. The likes of R n B Legend Robert ‘R’ Kelly, Afrobeat Legend Femi Kuti and lots of other artistes are on parade at the Opening Ceremony.

But the big one was the death of the great-grand daughter of the man believed to be the greatest man to come out of Africa, Nelson Mandela who is also the country’s Ex-President; what a big loss it was for Papa Mandela who spent most of his life in Prison during the Apartheid period in South Africa. I hereby send my condolence to his entire family and the nation as a whole.

Let’s get into the business of the day, everyday we will be profiling a dedicated player from each of the Thirty Two teams at the Finals, though we have started on Friday as we profile players each from the South African and Mexican team. Now seat back, relax and read on as we profile other players who we believe will play an important role in their team’s performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

CIAO

Bitter/Sweet Day For South Africa as Mandela's Great-Grand Daughter Dies

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—It should have been a moment of triumph—Nelson Mandela, basking in the cheers as Africa’s first World Cup opened.

Instead, South Africa’s beloved anti-apartheid icon stayed at home with his family Friday in northern Johannesburg during the opening ceremony and game, mourning his 13-year-old great-granddaughter Zenani, who died in a car crash on the way home from a tournament-eve concert in Soweto.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy “made it inappropriate” for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.


“We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy,” the foundation said, adding that Mandela “will be there with you in spirit today.”

Johannesburg Metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said the driver of the car had been arrested and charged with drunk driving. Mamonyane said the driver, whom police didn’t identify, could also face homicide charges.

“The Metro police found that he was drunk,” Mamonyane said. “He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade.”

Police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, who earlier said the driver would appear in court for a preliminary hearing Friday, said that had been postponed for more investigations, and that the driver was not being held. Mariemuthoo said that was not unusual.

“It’s a decision of the prosecutor,” he said.

The Mandela foundation denied reports that the former president’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was in the car, but said she was treated in hospital for shock after being told of the fatal accident. She was discharged after a few hours.

She later attended the opening ceremony, with her two daughters.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who was in South Africa to lead his country’s delegation to the opening ceremony, and South Africa’s governing African National Congress party were among those who offered condolences.

“The nation shares your loss and mourns with you, especially on the day on which our dreams and hopes come alive in the opening of the first FIFA World Cup on African soil,” President Jacob Zuma said in a message of condolence to Mandela, who has achieved glory as a politician and human rights campaigner, but suffered many personal tragedies.

In 1969, three years after arriving on Robben Island to serve a life sentence for sabotage, Mandela received a telegram from his younger son, Makgatho, informing him that his eldest son, Madiba Thembekile, had died in a car crash.

Prison authorities refused to allow Mandela to attend the funeral.

“I do not have words to express the sorrow, or the loss I felt,” Mandela wrote in his autobiography. “It left a hole in my heart that can never be filled.”

Thirty-six years later, Makgatho died. Mandela announced his last surviving son had died of AIDS-related complications, saying the only way to fight the disease’s stigma was to speak openly.

Mandela’s family life suffered during years devoted to politics, as an underground anti-apartheid fighter and in prison. Two marriages fell apart, the second to Winnie. He began his 27-year imprisonment only four years after marrying her.

Mandela was freed in 1990. Four years later, his lifelong battle over apartheid won, he became South Africa’s first black president. He served just one term, then devoted himself to international causes, including fighting AIDS.

He has announced his retirement and desire to devote time to his family several times. Increasingly, those close to him and other South Africans have said the reward for all he has done for his country should now be freedom from the public’s demands.

On his 80th birthday July 18, 1998, he married Graca Machel, a veteran of the anti-colonial struggle in her native Mozambique, former education minister, noted international child rights advocate and widow of Mozambique’s first president, Samora Machel.

Graca Machel once told a television interviewer she helped Mandela reconnect with his family. Family photos released by his foundation Friday showed a relaxed and smiling Mandela with Zenani and other great-grandchildren.

Zenani was one of the anti-apartheid icon’s nine great-grandchildren.