By Alan Duffy

“Oi Xavi, stop poncing about, go long… hit the channels, you f*****g big girl’s blouse”

Never one to hide his light under a bushel, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has eased Hammers fans fears by reiterating that, despite being linked to the England job (a tiny bit), he is still fully focused on his job at Upton Park. Phew.

The great exponent of the beautiful game said:

“My focus is West Ham United. We’re top of the league and we want to move forward and clinch promotion. My thoughts are not on the England job at the moment, they are on West Ham. What we hope for is that it gets resolved as soon as possible.”

There is little doubt that Allardyce sincerely believes that he would succeed with the Three Lions, after all, a few years back, he did say this:

“I’m not suited to Bolton or Blackburn, I would be more suited to Inter or Real Madrid. It wouldn’t be a problem to me to go and manage those clubs because I would win the double or the league every time. Give me Manchester United or Chelsea and I would do the same, it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not where I’m suited to, it’s just where I’ve been for most of the time.

“It’s not a problem to take me into the higher reaches of the Champions League or Premier League and (it) would make my job a lot easier in winning it.”

Is he the man for the job?

Note to The FA: Forget all this foreign rubbish about keeping the ball on the deck, get Big Sam in, stick Crouchie up front, get the ball out wide and then straight into the box. Bob’s your uncle. Job done. EURO 2012 will be ours.

                          

Germany have finally gotten around to launching their new change strip for Euro 2012 and, as we stated when it was originally leaked ages and ages ago, it’s a work of true retro kunst – harking back to their beautiful green strip from 1972 and marking the 40th anniversary of their first European Championship win…

The inside neck also features some nice detailing, marking the date of Germany’s first European Championship win in ’72 and the exploits of golden-boot winner Gerd Muller and captain Franz Beckenbauer at said tournament…

It’s a bobby dazzler, ain’t it?

Here’s a little look at Germany’s ’72 kit for a bit of compare and contrast-ination (apologies for the quality, there aren’t many colour photographs to go at)…

The shirts will be officially unveiled before Germany’s friendly against France on February 29th in Bremen, though it will be available on the DFB and Adidas websites a few days prior.

Love it. Love it. Liebe es! Adidas never get it wrong when it comes to decking out Die Mannschaft.

So, the question goes out again Pies fan: ‘Ja bitte’ or ‘nein danke’?

                          

By Alan Duffy

Who would want to be the England manager? It seems far more trouble than it’s worth. The Three Lions’ new caretaker boss, Stuart Pearce, is now feeling the heat from the nation’s press, after his brother’s far-right views were once again highlighted by the newspapers. Dennis Pearce is a BNP activist, something that his brother Stuart has previously distanced himself from.

FA big-wig Adrian Bevington has also dismissed the story has having no impact on Pearce’s role with England. He said:

“There have been a few occasions where Stuart has been asked this specific question and, as an individual, he has made it clear that he is not involved in his brother’s political beliefs, in the same way as I’m sure that everybody who has siblings does not always share their political stance.”

“It is a matter for Stuart Pearce’s brother rather than Stuart, we would suggest. I don’t think we can get into the realms of being judgmental on someone because of what their brother or any sibling’s views may be.”

Interestingly, back in 1994, Pearce was reported to have racially abused England team-mate Paul Ince during a Nottingham Forest v Manchester United game, with ‘Psycho’ even apologising to Ince after the incident.

At the time, the PFA’s Gordon Taylor said:

“Stuart regrets what he said. It was said in the heat of the moment. He wants to make sure everybody knows he is sorry and hopefully that will be the end of the matter. I am sure Paul will accept the apology in the manner in which it is intended.”

Things would have, no doubt, been very different had he been caught doing the same thing now. However, the question remains, is this re-hashing of Pearce’s past an unnecessary complication or, in the current climate, a story which deserves to (and needs to) be re-told?

                          

In 1993, April 27th to be precise, the Zambian national team suffered a terrible tragedy (the country’s worst sporting disaster) when a flight taking the entire Zambian squad and their management to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal crashed into the Atlantic Ocean 500 metres off the coast of Libreville, Gabon. All 25 passengers and the five crew members on-board were killed.

This Sunday, almost two decades later, Zambia are due to appear in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 1994 against the Ivory Coast – a match which is fittingly scheduled to take place in Libreville, Gabon…

AP Photo: Francois Mori

                          

By Greg Evans

So, here we stand. Just one game away from finding out who will win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations – a tournament which stampeded out of the blocks with a thrilling start, but has since turned into something of a pale imitation of itself with a few drab games starting to crop up as the stakes get higher.

By way of a quick recap, after a roller-coaster group phase, the quarter-finals plodded along with a couple of noteworthy upsets but nothing overly outrageous to dwell upon. Anyway, before we begin looking forward to Sunday’s thoroughly unexpected final match-up in Libreville, let’s have a little look at what cracked off in yesterday’s semi-final encounters to produce it.

Zambia 1-0 Ghana…

On paper, and to those otherwise unaware of Ghana’s off-colour showing this year, this game looked like a gimme for the Black Stars, but Zambia managed to dispatch their staggeringly poor opposition without too much fuss.

Uncharacteristically, the Zambian team were quite happy to sit back and absorb pressure, hitting Ghana on the counter-attack as and when. The ‘long haul’ tactic eventually paid off – but it could have easily backfired when Ghana were awarded a penalty in the first half.

UAE-based money grabber Asamoah Gyan stepped up with the intentions of breezing Ghana into a cocksure lead, though his wan effort was repelled thanks to a fine save from Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene.

In all fairness, a fluffed penalty was about the only thing Gyan contributed to the game, and his lacklustre approach saw him subbed on the 74-minute mark. He’s since become a national scapegoat rather unfairly though, given his blunt African Nations campaign, I doubt Martin O’Neill will be recalling him into a rejuvenated Sunderland set-up once the striker’s Arabian vacation comes to an end in July.

Anyway, shortly after Gyan’s departure Zambia found the back of the net. Second-half substitute Emmanuel Mayuka, held the ball up on the edge of the area, fooled the defender with an exquisite feinted backheel and curled the ball low into the far bottom corner, well beyond the reach of Adam Kwarasey.

That wasn’t the end of things though. Ghana pressed the Chipolopolos for a late equaliser and came close on several occasions, no thanks to some shocking defending from Zambia. Unfortunately, it all fell apart on 83 minutes when Derek Boateng, who had otherwise been fantastic, was shown a harsh red card for a second bookable offence (both offences added together barely warranted a yellow).

Great scenes followed the final whistle, as the Zambia team, who have been through the mangle and suffered some true tragedies in their recent history, celebrated reaching their first ACoN final since 1994.

A lot of questions will be asked in the Ghanaian camp though, especially after so many of their big stars underperformed so very badly.

Mali 0-1 Ivory Coast…

As they have done all tournament, Ivory Coast stormed to yet another easy victory as their collective charge towards the Liberville final continued in the last 4 – this time at the expense of Mali.

A uninspiring game was settled by just one goal, but a special goal nonetheless. Gervinho picked the ball just inside his own half and, after a quick nutmeg through Ousmane Berthe’s pins, he was away – bursting down the left hand flank, unopposed by any oncoming defenders, the spindly Arsenal forward slotted the ball into the opposite corner and ran off to celebrate.

Impressive as it was, the Ivory Coast’s goal was conceded far too softly. Indeed, there is an argument that it could have been prevented if the Malian captain, Cedric Kante, had actually decided to close down Gervinho rather than watching what Yaya Toure was doing elsewhere. Guess we’ll never know now.

That’s not to take anything away from Gervinho himself, who galloped a vast distance before retaining a cool head (his forehead probably regulates cranium temperature far more efficiently than your average human being) to roll an angled finish in from a tight-ish angle. Gunners fans will be hoping to see a lot more of that when he returns to these shores.

The second half was a scrappy affair as both teams pressed but neither side managed to score again. Ivory Coast were denied by some timely saves from Soumbeila Diakite, whilst Mali simply couldn’t get past the colossal duo of Kolo Toure and Leicester’s Sol Bamba. Toure was a real rock in the heart of the defence. Any Manchester City fans who have been watching will be eager to see him return to their starting line up if this form continues. Let’s just say “he’s considerably better than Stefan Savic” and leave it at that.

For Mali, it was an impressive effort to get this far, considering they have relied heavily on Seydou Keita throughout most of the tournament. As talented as the Barcelona midfielder clearly is, he’s not the kind of player that can carry a side to tournament glory.

As for the Elephants, they’re now just one game away from getting their hands back on Africa’s most prestigious trophy. Incidentally, they’ve not conceded a single goal throughout the entire tournament so far – which is just about as ominous as stats come from an opponent’s perspective.

* * * * *

Sunday’s final, on paper at least, should be a classic. The fast-paced passing and shoot-on-sight mentality of Zambia playing off against the strong and direct football of Ivory Coast.

It will undoubtedly be an emotional occasion as Zambia look to exorcise the demons of their fallen comrades in 1993, whilst this golden generation of Ivory Coast players are looking to win their first major tournament together.

For Mali and Ghana, an unwanted third-place play-off remains for them to contest. There’s a good chance that the lure of the wooden spoon game will be ‘niche’ at best, however Sunday’s final looks like a special event – celebrating all that is great about African football.

More from Greg ‘One Eye on Africa’ Evans on Pies…

2012 ACoN Group Stage Review: The Intoxicatingly Ebullient Story So Far
2012 ACoN Quarter-Final Review: Boom And Bust As Co-Hosts Bow Out

                          

By Chris Wright

Fabio Capello’s four-year England tenure over the course of 20 (you must promise here and now not to count them!) fabulous photos…

So long Fabio, and thanks for all the fish. Farewell and good luck.

[Photos: PA]

                          

By Chris Wright

You turn your back for one second and what happens? Just three months and three friendly games before Euro 2012 gets under way in June, Fabio Capello resigned as England manager last night after spending the afternoon bickering with FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley over his comments made to the Italian media vis-a-vis the FA’s premature decision to strip John Terry of the national captaincy.

The FA released the following statement:

“The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England manager.

“The discussions focused on the FA Board’s decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello’s response through an Italian broadcast interview.

“In a meeting for over an hour, Fabio’s resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect.”

Capello felt undermined, so did Bernstein and Horne. They employ him. He got canned. That seems to be the long and short of it.

The FA, the English press and Capello; It was a loveless tri-pronged marriage from the offing. One of the great, weeping epics of our time. Like a husband and wife (and wife), growing old and decrepit together while the relationship gradually becomes utterly sapped of requited romance - only continuing to sleep in the same bed at night as he’s handy to have around when the fuses need changing and she’s willing to do all the household paperwork. By the end, they all despised each other.

It’s over. Rightly or wrongly, it’s over. Capello leaves behind him the best winning ratio of any permanent England manager ever (66.67%, beating Sir Alf’s 61.1%), breezing through two separate qualification campaigns with ne’er a hitch while losing only two competitive matches during his 41-game, four-year tenure.

The fractious World Cup debacle is an albatross he’ll have to bear, though the contributing factors are myriad and the blame is to be shared out equally. Capello went in with a distant, disciplinarian modus operandi and the players weren’t malleable or willing enough to conform. It just didn’t work.

And so, quite naturally it would seem, our thoughts turn to Harry Redknapp – who is, unfortunately for those of us who perish the thought, the only real outstanding candidate for the post. If this morning’s Tweets are anything to go by, all the major players (Rooney, Ferdinand, etc) want Redknapp sworn in post haste as well as every single journalist in the land – though leaving an ascendant Tottenham in the lurch will undoubtedly be a wrench.

It seems Arry’s reluctance to go in for the whole ‘drafting up in-depth player dossiers and tactical gubbins bordering on telemetry’ approach is proving to be a popular prospect for a dumb squad who just couldn’t deal with Capello’s rigorous scrutiny.

Is Redknapp a better, more thorough manager and tactician than Capello? No, absolutely not. Is he more likely to see this current crop of England internationals through the Euro 2012 group stage on a wave of brevity and BANTAAAH! Quite possibly.

The whispers on the wind are that Stuart Pearce will be taking temporary charge of England for their friendly against Holland at the end of February, with a decision being made on the course of action imminent shortly after.

(UPDATE: The FA have just confirmed that Pearce will be put in temporary charge for the Holland game.)

My personal prediction? Redknapp will take charge for Euro 2012 on a temporary basis and then return to Spurs for pre-season. England will do ‘the usual’, exit with a whimper and Arry will get off scot free (again) as it was all Capello’s big, slab-faced fault for upsetting the nation’s apple cart so close to the start of the tournament. The excuse is ready-made and nigh-on irrefutable.

Any thoughts folks?

                          

Presenting: The best of the morning’s memes. Ah, the internet.

1. Arry’s job application…

2. Arry’s job application (first draft)…

3. The real reason for Capello’s resignation…

4. The stand-off…

5. Arry’s Facebook page…

6. (Via OTP) FA unveil new England HQ…

Via Reddit

                          

By Greg Evans

Ayew do you do guvnor?

After the entertaining, exciting, exuberant and down-right enthralling set of matches that the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations laid on for us in the group stages, surely it could only get better for the last 8?

The quarters threw up some potentially great matches, with established African giants taking on ballsy underdogs and vice-versa. Star names like Drogba, Toure, Gyan and Keita were in the hat and purring along as expected, but newer emerging talent; names like Pierre Aubameyang, Christopher Katongo and Rainford Kalaba, had all shone in the previous rounds (and wreaked havoc with spell check). The promise of the new blood mixing it with the old guard was an enticing one.

It stood to reason that, with the deadwood flushed from the competition, the knockout stages should have been chock-full of all-guns-blazing, high octane football. How verily wrong we were.

Zambia 3-0 Sudan…

Sudan’s unlikely success came to an end on Saturday night at the hands of the ever-impressive Zambia. The Sudanese were completely torn apart by the Zambian front three of Kabala, Katongo and Mayuka.

Following Stophira Sunzu’s 15th minute opener, the score stood at 1-0 to Zambia for what seemed like an age. For roughly an hour or so, Sudan competed fairly well, moving the ball around comfortably and creating a number of chances – yet, on the 66th-minute mark, it all fell apart on 66 when Ali Saif Eldin brought down Kalaba in the area and was duly given his marching orders.

Katongo missed the penalty but knocked in the rebound to put the Chipolopolos two up, with the Desert Hawks completely collapsing thereafter -substitute James Chamanga rounding off Sudan’s miserable evening, slotting away a lovely third goal to flesh out the victory.

Ivory Coast 3-0 Equatorial Guinea…

Once again, Ivory Coast cruised to another victory, winning 3-0 against co-hosts Equatorial Guinea – a side who had won the hearts of a fair few neutrals thanks to some gutsy displays during the group stages. However, this game was proved to be the dreaded ‘game too far’.

A determined Didier Drogba ran riot, scoring a brace -indeed, the Ivorian goal machine had earlier missed a penalty, which probably spurred him onto to make amends. The Nzalang Nacional had tried fought hard but the Elephants were just too strong, skillful and damned elephantish. Yaya Toure’s emphatic 30-yard free-kick rounded up proceedings nicely and sent the men from the Equator packing.

However, they can certainly hold their heads high as, when you factor in that they were the lowest ranked team in the tournament (151st) – to have made it to the knockout phase was in and of itself an undertaking of near-Herculean magnitude.

Gabon 1-1 Mali (Mali win 4-5 on pens)…

Sad, sad news.

Gabon; co-hosts and my personal team of the tournament, have crashed out of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. They finally succumbed to a resolute (and fairly boring) Mali team, who defended well but probably didn’t deserve to go through in the grand scheme of things on account of being – as I alluded to earlier – fairly boring.

Gabon’s Eric Mouloungui scored the opening goal early in the second half but the Panthers failed to capitalise on their advantage. Instead, Mali bided bid bade? boded? bideded their time until sub Cheick Diabate scrambled the ball across the line in the 84th minute to break Gabonese hearts.

As extra-time rumbled on, both sides looked fairly content to wear down the clock and settle things over penalties…and that’s exactly what happened.

With the two teams tied at three penalties-a-piece, Gabon’s rhinestone-booted pin-up boy Pierre Aubameyang stepped up to surely clip his spot-kick home with carefree abandon? Wrong! The Neymar-a-like saw his effort parried away by Mali keeper Soumbeila Diakite.

It was then left to Mali’s Mr Dependable, Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita, to seal the victory from 12 yards, which he duly did do – very dependably.

You have to feel for Aubameyang, who had been a real shining light in the competition up until that point. For his failed spot-kick to be the one to knock his country out of the Africa Cup of Nations was a really cruel twist of the knife.

Ghana 2-1 Tunisia…

Quite how Ghana have managed to stumble their way through to this point in the tournament is staggering. Once again, they somehow engineered themselves a win out of absolutely nothing after coming up trumps against the Tunisians.

In fairness, the Black Stars got off to a flyer when John Mensah nodded home after ten minutes, yet they were pegged back before half time when influential Tunisian striker Sabeur Khalifa scored from close range.

The second half saw an end-to-end game with both Emmanuel Badu and Youssef Msakni coming close for their respective teams. Extra-time was soon upon us and just when it looked penalties would be ushered in to determine things, the Tunisian goalkeeper dropped an absolute clanger to gift Ghana a late, late win.

A fairly innocuous cross was floated into the box, a cross that should have been an easy routine take for the hapless Aymen Mathlouthi. Unfortunately for him,common sense abandoned him in this trying hour and the ball simply squibbled free of his grasp for Marseille winger Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew to poke into the vacant net and thus secure Ghana’s passage to the semi-finals.

Aymen Abdennour didn’t help his fellow Tunisian compatriots by getting needlessly sent-off as the game descended into something of a farce in the closing minutes. Oh silly Abdennour, will you ever learn?

* * * * *

So, within the matter of 48 hours, both co-host nations have been knocked out and the stronger, more experienced nations have restored some sort of footballing order. As such, the semi-finals look a bit like this…

Zambia vs Ghana
Mali vs Ivory Coast

I’m not one to make predictions, but with Ghana being rather uninspiring so far and having to face the electric Zambians, I fancy we may have a real upset on the cards.

A Ghana-Ivory Coast final it is then.

In a ‘suggested further reading’-type thing, you can read Greg’s all-encompassing retrospective of the ACoN’s group stages here.

                          

By Chris Wright

‘Twas the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals over the weekend, with Ivory Coast whupping co-hosts Equatorial Guinea 3-0 on Saturday courtesy of a brace from young Didier of Drogbashire and a colossal 32.808399-yard free-kick from Yaya Toure…

Would you just look at the swing on that? Beautiful stuff from the Yaya Monster, which nicely set up the Cote D’Ivoire with a semi-final berth against Mali on Wednesday while Ghana take on Zambia in the other last 4 tie on the same day.