CAF President Inspects Angolan Nations Cup Facilities

According to reports from the Angolan Press Agency (ANGOP), Hayatou is expected to visit the Municipal Sadium of Benguela. as well as the construction site of the new, as yet unnamed soccer stadium expected to host matches for the tournament.

Hayatou is also expected to assess the conditions of the Benguela Central Hospital, which is currently under reconstruction, and both the Mombaka and Praia Morena Hotels.

He will finally inspect the Wesa Guest House, which could play host to visiting teams.

ANGOP revealed that Hayatou, upon arrival at the “September 17” Airport in Benguela, was received warmly by the vice-governor of the province, Joao Evangelista, and the Local Director of Youth and Sports Pedro Garcia, among other officials

The CAF president is expected afterwards to travel to the Cabinda province to oversee the construction work at the local stadium, as well as other preparations for the tournament.

The Benguala, Luanda, Huila, Huambo and Cabinda provinces will all play host to teams at the 2010 African Nations Cup.

Africa on her marks

The continent's elite got down to the hard work of preparing for the upcoming CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the week, with the majority now able to call upon all of their players with the tournament kick-off less than a fortnight away.

The 16 finalists are spread far and wide, with some trying to experience the conditions that will greet them in Ghana later this month, or alternatively seeking refuge away from the expectations of their demanding supporters. A few countries, like 2010 FIFA World Cup™ hosts South Africa, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, are staying put on familiar territory in order to retain as many home comforts as possible before heading off to the cauldron of competition.

Outsiders Benin, who have been given little chance in a tough group also comprising Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Nigeria, have traveled the farthest to prepare for the tournament, camping out for ten days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Les Eccureils (the Squirrels) have already spent time in Tunisia as new coach Reinhard Fabisch gets to grips with the quality of his charges. Rio is not their last port of call either, as the Beninese will finish off in Burkina Faso before heading down to Ghana.

Hosts Ghana, the heavily fancied Ivorians and Mali are all in the Middle East and will be joined by Egypt briefly this week. Mali play the Egyptians in Abu Dhabi on 10 January, having made the United Arab Emirates their temporary home.

Up in Dubai, Claude Le Roy has taken his Black Stars away from the frenzied Cup of Nations fever back home in Ghana. A sense of tranquility in the Arabian deserts should have the hosts raring to go for the opening match against Guinea in Accra on 20 January.

The Ivorians are en route to Kuwait, but suffered a massive blow when coach Uli Stielike had to rush to Germany to be at the bedside of his son, who officials said had fallen into a coma. The Iberian Peninsula has proven a popular destination with Angola, Guinea, Nigeria and Sudan all fine-tuning their preparations there.

Behind the Pyrenees
Angola have been in Villamoura on the Algarve, a familiar destination, since Christmas. The Germany 2006 participants will pay Egypt on Sunday in their last warm-up game in Portugal. Egypt fly directly there from their stay in Abu Dhabi.

Nigeria are in Malaga, where coach Berti Vogts had been impatiently awaiting the arrival of his major stars, some of whom will first play their last game for their clubs in midweek before joining up with the Super Eagles. Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Joseph Yobo will play for Everton in the English League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, up against Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who will become their team-mate a day later.

Zambia spent a week in Jerez, Spain before returning to Africa for two friendlies in Tunisia and then a further game against Morocco. Meanwhile Namibia, who are headed for only their second continental finals appearance, have had a nomadic existence since the New Year, traveling to Egypt for a friendly on Saturday and then on to Dakar for a confrontation with the Lions of Teranga.

Nigeria's Osaze Ready For African Cup Of Nations

Russian-based attacker Osaze Odemwingie has restated his intentions to shine at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations, which takes place in Ghana later in the month.

Speaking with Nigeria sport website brilafm.net, the Lokomotiv Moscow said everything was going to plan at the pre-tournament training camp in Malaga, and all the players and coaching crew were in very high spirits.

"We are all doing our best in training and everything is going well. All of us are feeling good and okay - we have no complaints for now,” the former La Louviere and Lille forward told the website.

The player also used the opportunity to discuss his move from OSC Lille to Locomotiv Moscow in currently-cold Russia, saying that football is a global language that made is eays to adjust.

"It’s the same everywhere and I have nothing to worry as about," shrugged the 26-year-old.

"The weather could be colder once in a while, but I’m getting used to it.

"We did not have enough motivation in the club last season, and that affected us in the championship and UEFA Cup. We now have a new coach, and I believe this year will be better for the team," concluded the Tashkent-born Super Eagles player.

Nigeria will kickstart their tournament campaign against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on January 21 at the Sekondi Sports stadium in Ghana.

South Africa Tell FIFA: Punish Everton Over Pienaar

The war of words between South Africa and Everton continues following the debacle over Steven Pienaar and the African Cup of Nations.

The Toffees midfielder had hoped to remain in England for a few more days to participate in Tuesday's Carling Cup semi final first leg match at Chelsea.

And while it initially appeared that Pienaar would be allowed to do so, the South African FA have come down hard on Everton, demanding he be released for international duty immediately.

14 Day Rule

Both sides invoked the 14-day ruling, claiming they had a right to acquire the player's services on Tuesday, but ultimately FIFA have sided with South Africa, citing that the 14-day period is that prior to the start of the African Cup of Nations on 20th January, not prior to South Africa's first game in the competition, three days later.

Therefore Everton must do without Pienaar for Tuesday's game, even though the Nigerian federation has allowed stars such as Yobo, Yakubu and Chelsea's Obi to remain behind.

Toffees Disappointed

"We are extremely disappointed that a common sense attitude has not been shown, as has been the case with a number of other federations," Everton secretary David Harrison told the club's official website.

"Despite FIFA's attempts to clarify the regulation, we do feel - as do a number of other European clubs - that there is a distinct grey area on this ruling and we are extremely disappointed that this has only been made clear at this late stage."

Manager David Moyes added: "The rules, in my view, do not stipulate exactly whether it is 14 days before the tournament or 14 days before South Africa's first game. We have taken the latter view.

"We pay his wages, we pay him well and he is an employee of Everton and 14 days is more than enough time to prepare for the African Cup of Nations - which comes in the middle of our season. From my point of view as Everton manager, I fought tooth and nail for him. I was not going to let it go without a fight."

South Africa Demand Action

South Africa meanwhile, want FIFA to come down hard on Everton for attempting to break the rules. "For the South African Football Association, our intention is not to punish the player, because the player is not to be blamed in this particular instance," a spokesman said. "We've played the game by the rules, so FIFA will have to sanction the team." It remains to be seen whether the world governing body will act.