Preparing Roman Kids for Tournament

 By Hakeem Babalola

Community Report

Some talented Roman kids are being prepared for soccer tournament slated for February to be held at district 8 in downtown Budapest.

Tagged Tolerance Tournament, the competition is expected to feature four teams from different schools attended by Roman children whose ages range from 11 to 16.

Small Voice visited the training ground of one of the expected teams at Lokotos Menyhert ALT Iskola, where Amoudu Sane coach the Roman Kids Football Club every Wednesday from 16.00 to 17.50.

Small Voice had a chat with the youngsters most of who expressed their passion for football and the dream of becoming professionals when they grow up.

Kökáy Sándor 13, who said that he liked scoring goals and whose favourite player is Ronaldhinho, would one day play professional football.

Jáno Béla 13, could not hide his joy as he explained that he awaited the tournament. Béla proved to be a master dribbler and goal getter during training. His favourite club is real Madrid.

For Gulycs Dávid, 13 whose favourite player is Roberto Carlos, the team must win the competition. Rácz Dzsulió 12, Szaló Csaba 11, Nyárú Károly 13, also share the same sentiment as their team mates. 

Most importantly, the boys are said to be well disciplined. "They are doing well," said their trainer. 

Mr. Sane whose training is never completed without words of encouragement, told his players the importance of regular training. 

"Football is training. If you can't train, you can't play football. You have to listen to the coach," he instructed in English while his wife served as translator.

Viewers Discretion Is Advised

Perfect Pharaohs Beat Superb Black Stars

 By Hakeem Babalola

Egypt maintained their perfect record in the 2010 Nations Cup by defeating Ghana by a lone goal in the final at Estadio 11 Novembro in Luanda, Angola.

It seemed at some point that the match would go on to the extra-time until the 85th minutes when Gedo through a one touch pass netted home the winning goal in the 85th minute.

The Pharaohs have become the first nation to win the cup for three consecutive times having won it in 2008 and 2006 respectively.

Egypt who is unbeaten in the tournament has now lifted the trophy for the seventh time thus extend their record as the most successful nation.

Although Egypt did not qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup in June, the win is a solid consolation for the Pharaohs who defeated Algeria who had sealed their world cup hope - by 4-0 in the semi-final read more

CAF Decision To Suspend Togo Laughable

 By Hakeem Babalola                                     

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended Togo national team from participating in the next two nations cup.

In addition, CAF also fined the Hawks $50,000 for quitting the competition. 

The decision by CAF to suspend Togo is due to the latter's withdrawal from 2010 Angola Orange Cup.

CAF president Issa Hayatou told AFP the decision was based on "governmental interference", which led to the team's decision to pull out of this year's edition.

Meanwhile, the Togo government has protested the decision, threatening court action.

It could be recalled that three members of the team were killed when the rebels in the region attacked them a day before the competition on their way to the tournament arena. .  

The armed wing of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility for the attack.

CAF DECISION LAUGHABLE

Small Voice says Hayatou led CAF is not serious in their myopic and selfish decision to suspend a nation which suffered such tragedy. If there's anyone to be suspended, it should be Hayatou and his entire cabinet who seems to prefer business management to human safety. 

They should all be ashamed of themselves for such impaired thinking. Small Voice therefore urges CAF to rescind its decision immediately as it portrays them as people without sound judgement.

What should Togo have done? To take part in spite of the tragedy? This is sadistic expectation in its highest form. Will CAF have made the same decision if one of the dead players was a son of any members of CAF? So the one minute silence for the dead players during matches was hypocritical.

The ball is in Mr. Hayatou court to save CAF from embarrassment over the suspension of Togo. It is simply a callous way of management. Those guys lost their lives due to lack of security by the organisers of the tournament read more

Young Black Stars Beat Old Super Eagles

 By Hakeem Babalola

The Black Stars of Ghana defeated the Semi final specialists, the Super Eagles of Nigeria by a million lone goal in a match the latter had better possession.

The Super Eagles had many chances while the Black Stars converted only the chance they have. Ghanaian goal came in the 21st minute from a corner kick which was beautifully headed in by Asamoah Gyan.

The goal happens to be the only and the winning goal of the match for the young Black Stars who have won the tournament four times but have not since 1982.

The old Super Eagles however have won the cup twice but have since become the semi-final specialists ever since they won the cup in 1994. They have appeared in 13 semi-finals.

While the Super Eagles paraded most of their old players, the Black Stars made use of the team that won the Under-20.

Ghana will now meet Egypt who trashed Algeria 4-0 in the other semi-final in Sunday's final.

It will be recalled that Algeria had sealed Egypt hope of qualifying for the South Africa 2010 world cup last year. What a sweet revenge for the Pharaohs. 

Nigeria and Algeria will fight it out for the third position on Saturday.

Eurospot will show both matches live at 17.00 (Eastern European Time)