2, February 2020

CPDM: Cameroon’s Coronavirus ⁰

As China fights a vast threat that has already killed some 300 people, Cameroonians are also engaged in a struggle that has consumed millions.

China’s virus is natural and the authorities are making a conscious effort to limit its spread, though the stubborn virus has gone global and it is likely to reach many parts of the world with relative ease due to globalization.

In Cameroon, the CPDM, the country’s state party which is more dangerous than the Chinese version of the Coronavirus, has ruined the state.

In 38 years, the party has morphed into a consortium of crime syndicates made of the same mould as the Sicilian Mafia.

The crime syndicate has wasted huge financial resources on programs that have never delivered any results.

Corruption is its hallmark, while intimidation is its motto.

Over the last three years, the ruining and ruling CPDM has killed more than 5,000 people in Southern Cameroons, making it a more dangerous strain of the Coronavirus.

In East Cameroon, more than half a million people have died due to hardship and corruption. Thousands of women have died while in labor and an unknown number of children have disappeared because of neglect.

State resources are owned by the party and it conducts itself like a belligerent monarch who only gives you something when you praise it.

The party is designed to humiliate and dehumanize even its own members.

You must be corrupt and prepared to take humiliation for you to rise in the party. There must be huge skeletons in your cupboard for you to be a recognized as a good member of the party.

The party has impoverished its own people to the point where millions have to bow to the party leadership as Angels do to God to have something to eat.

It is a party without a genuine development plan. As far as this party is concerned, it is normal for a mechanic to be appointed as a health minister.

Recent appointments have seen teachers being appointed as delegates of agriculture, drivers have been appointed as translation service heads and stark illiterates have become regional planning experts. It is not a surprise that the country is making giant strides backwards.

Well, many Cameroonians are now running away from this Coronavirus that mostly attacks the state treasury.

With fake elections announced for February 9, 2020, it is clear that the few coins in the country’s coffers will vanish.

The CPDM is the only party on earth whose members don’t pay their dues. The entire country pays into state coffers, and the virus consumes everything.

As China seeks solutions to its own virus, so too are Cameroonians of goodwill struggling to eradicate the CPDM, this virus that has dehumanized Cameroonians and underdeveloped the country.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

2, February 2020

Football: Liverpool opens up the biggest lead by any team in English top-flight history ⁰

Liverpool opened up the biggest lead by any team at the end of a day in English top-flight history with an emphatic victory over Southampton – but manager Jurgen Klopp says his side are “not even close to being perfect”.

The Reds extended their advantage in the Premier League to 22 points over second-placed Manchester City, who face Tottenham on Sunday, with a 4-0 win against Southampton at Anfield.

They have also equalled City’s record of 20 consecutive Premier League wins at home and only Bill Shankly’s Liverpool team in 1972 had a longer winning streak on home soil in English top-flight history.

“We’re not even close to being perfect. We just look to use our skills in the best possible way. The boys have done that for a while pretty good and that’s why we have these numbers,” said Klopp.

“We didn’t want a 22-point lead. We wanted 73 points at the end of today.”

Four second-half goals gave Liverpool a victory that extends their unbeaten run in the league to 42 games and means they have picked up 100 points from the last 102 available.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the opener against Southampton just after half time – his second goal in as many league matches – when he drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

Reds’ skipper Jordan Henderson made it 2-0 on the hour mark with a calm finish after being set up by Roberto Firmino.

Henderson then played in Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s third and the Egypt forward added a fourth from close range in the last minute.

The scoreline was harsh on the visitors, who matched Liverpool for much of the first hour with Danny Ings going close in the first half and Shane Long also denied by home keeper Alisson.

It was Southampton’s first away defeat in five games and they fall to 11th place.

Title gets closer, unbeaten run rolls on

Liverpool’s wait for a first league title in 30 years will surely end this season. They have one hand on the trophy and seven wins from their remaining 13 games will guarantee success.

Liverpool are unbeaten in 42 games across two seasons, have conceded just one league goal in their last 10 matches and have 73 points from 25 games – a top-flight record.

Before Saturday, only City had won more consecutive games at home in the Premier League, between March 2011 and March 2012.

With only 13 matches left, it is increasingly surely only a question of whether Liverpool can remain unbeaten for the whole season rather than if they end their drought.

Nevertheless, their performance in the first half against Southampton was nervous and suggested the visitors could have a chance to inflict a first defeat on Klopp’s side.

Sloppy passes, mistakes at the back and a lack of intensity going forward meant the Saints had opportunities to score and were barely stretched at the back.

Southampton, spearheaded by top-scorer Ings in attack, finished the half as the better team, going close through the former Reds striker as well as Long and Moussa Djenepo.

But Liverpool, no doubt invigorated by a half-time talk from Klopp, were quick out of the blocks in the second half and as soon as they scored the victory that most will have expected before the match felt inevitable.

The scorer of that opener, Oxlade-Chamberlain, is starting to regain the form he demonstrated prior to picking up a serious knee injury while Henderson was magnificent again in controlling the midfield. They were solid at the back, with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partnership continuing to flourish.

The Reds were without the injured Sadio Mane, but Firmino and Salah delivered the goods; the Brazil striker produced a hat-trick of assists to take his total to 51 in all competitions for the club, while Salah scored twice.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said before the game he wanted his side to “show how far we have come, how competitive we are”.

They certainly did that, especially in the first half.

Ings, who left Liverpool to join the Saints for £20m in July, had scored 14 goals in 19 starts heading into the match and he was a threat throughout.

His close-range effort in the first half looked like it was heading in before it clipped the heel of team-mate Long and bounced away from goal.

The striker, who was praised for his tireless work ethic by Klopp, threatened early in the second half when he bundled into the box before being stopped by a challenge from Fabinho.

There were appeals for a penalty but it was reviewed by VAR, who must have decided it was the eager Ings’ effort to evade Fabinho that sent him to the ground rather contact from Liverpool’s midfielder – although Hasenhuttl believed it was a foul.

To rub salt into Saints’ wound, immediately after the incident Liverpool went up the other end and scored the opener.

Ings continued to cause problems though, earning a corner off a deflected shot after taking on Andy Robertson and Van Dijk as well as linking up with James Ward-Prowse, who fired just wide of the right post.

He was substituted in the 70th minute, alongside strike partner Long, and was given a standing ovation by the fans of his former club.

Ings’ form has been one of the reasons for Southampton’s surge away from the relegation zone and if he continues to be such a threat, Saints look good for a top-half finish in the table.

They had 10 shots in the first half against Liverpool, the most the Reds have faced in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match at Anfield since Chelsea in November 2014.

Klopp mirrors Shankly – best of the stats

Only once in English top-flight history has a team had a longer winning streak on home soil – Liverpool themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly.
Liverpool have earned 100 points from the last 102 available to them in the Premier League, winning 33 of their last 34 matches in the competition while only failing to win away at Manchester United in October 2019.
Southampton have lost each of their last six Premier League meetings with Liverpool, losing their last three visits to Anfield in the competition by a 10-0 aggregate score.
This result was Southampton’s heaviest margin of defeat in an away league game since November 2018 when they lost 1-6 at Manchester City.
Salah has scored more home goals in this season’s Premier League (12) than any other player; indeed, since he joined Liverpool in 2017, only Lionel Messi (51) has more home goals in Europe’s big-five leagues than the Egyptian (44).

‘When we are rolling, it’s difficult to stop’ – what they said

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “The readiness to improve in the game and learn from the game [is what we had to do to win]. The set-up of Southampton I could not give more credit to. What a strange result in the end. It’s deserved because we score the goals, but what a team.

“They had too many shots on target and we had to change in the second half. That helped massively and when we are rolling it’s difficult to stop.

“Even when it was 4-0 Southampton did not stop and I have so much respect for that.”

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: “Maybe the result is a little high but I would like to watch this game if we had gone a goal up. The best team in the world, for 50 minutes had no real chances and we had a massive one.

“It must be brave at that moment to say goal, so it’s no penalty here at Anfield. The way we played was unbelievably good and I am proud and stand by our plan. It is a clear penalty but in such moments the game can turn in our direction. But in the end it was a deserved win for Liverpool. We played the best we can so I am very proud.”

What’s next?

Liverpool’s first-team players will be given the night off on Tuesday for the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury, while their next Premier League match is against Norwich City on Saturday, 15 February (17:30 GMT).

Southampton travel to Tottenham on Wednesday for their FA Cup replay, before hosting Burnley in the Premier League on 15 February (12:30 GMT).

Culled from the BBC

2, February 2020

Lions: Young Boys forward Nsame hints at Cameroon return ⁰

Young Boys forward Jean-Pierre Nsame has said that he would be happy to play again for Cameroon.

The 26-year-old, who has two caps, hasn’t appeared for the five-time African champions since being dropped from their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

He’s subsequently declined call-ups to the national team, citing personal reasons.

This season, Nsame has been in mesmerizing form hitting a league-leading 16 goals in 18 outings as his Young Boys side top the Swiss top-tier.

“I took a decision based on what was happening, to sit out a few games but I’ll be glad to play again for Cameroon” Nsame told BBC Sport

“The national team is always on my mind but I needed this time off to focus on my club duties and my family which is a very important component of my life”

“The national team is very important and it means a lot to me to be able to play for the Indomitable Lions. There have been rumours about me and the national team but I felt the timing wasn’t right back then”

The former Angers striker has scored 22 goals this season and recently scooped the best player distinction in the Swiss championship as well as being named in the team of the year.

His ultimate goal this term is to fire Young Boys to a 14th league title and reward the clubs fans whom he thinks are the fuel to the side’s fire.

“We have very amazing fans who are firmly behind the club and who have the same objectives as the players do. It’ll be good if we can give them something to celebrate at the end of the season”

“My motivation is to help the team and my mates play at their best level. It’s not about me but the club and because we have the same ambitions it’s easy for us to produce good results”

“We have to maintain the same intensity and mentality during the second phase of the season to end the season on a high”

Nsame is aware that maintaining his form will heighten his chances at a return to the national team, just in time for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which will be the second time Cameroon has hosted the biggest tournament in African football since the 1972.

“Just like every Cameroonian footballer, there’s great excitement when I think that we’ll host the Afcon next year” Nsame added

“But I’m not letting this cloud my reflections because I have to stay focused to perform. Only my displays with Young Boys can get me a spot in the Afcon”

“When the time is right, I’ll think about the Afcon and if I’m granted the opportunity, my ambitions will be the same as that of the team”

Nsame’s performances for Young Boys have attracted interest from several European clubs.

“I hear of the transfer rumours but I’m not bothered by them. When the time will be right for a new adventure, I’ll talk about it with my family and we’ll decide”

“I’m a player of Young Boys and this is what is most important. We have some major goals and I’m keen on achieving those before thinking about anything else”

Source: BBC

2, February 2020

Coronavirus: First death outside China reported in Philippines ⁰

A man has died of the coronavirus in the Philippines, the first confirmed fatality outside China.

The patient was a 44-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan, in Hubei province, where the virus was first detected.

He appeared to have been infected before arriving in the Philippines, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

More than 300 people have died in the outbreak so far, the vast majority from Hubei. More than 14,000 people have been infected.

The US, Australia and an increasing number of other countries have barred the arrival of foreigners from China and are requiring their own citizens to be quarantined.

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has overtaken that of the similar Sars epidemic, which spread to more than two dozen countries in 2003. But the mortality rate of the new virus is much lower, suggesting it is not as deadly.

What do we know about this death?

The man travelled to the Philippines from Wuhan, via Hong Kong, with a 38-year-old Chinese woman who also tested positive last week, the Philippines Department of Health said.

Officials said he was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Manila, where he developed severe pneumonia.

The man is thought to have had other pre-existing health conditions.

Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the WHO representative to the Philippines, urged people to remain calm: “This is the first reported death outside China. However, we need to take into mind that this is not a locally acquired case. This patient came from the epicentre of this outbreak.”

People buying face masks in a pharmacy in Manila — Image captionPeople in Manila rushed to buy face masks after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Philippines last week

According to local news outlet Rappler, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the patient was “stable and showed signs of improvement”, but his condition deteriorated rapidly over 24 hours.

“We are currently working with the Chinese embassy to ensure the dignified management of the remains according to national and international standards to contain the disease,” Mr Duque said, adding that the man would be cremated.

The Department of Health was now trying to track down people who were on the same flight as the man so that they could be quarantined, he said, as well as any other people the man and woman may have come into contact with, such as hotel staff.

The man’s death was confirmed shortly after the Philippines announced it would immediately halt the arrivals of any foreign travellers from China.

It had previously restricted only those from Hubei, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak.

What is the latest from China?

Authorities said 45 more deaths were recorded in Hubei province by the end of Saturday, bringing the death toll in the country to 304.

Nationally, there were 2,590 new confirmed infections. The total number of infections in China is now 14,380, state TV quoted the National Health Commission as saying.

Media captionThe BBC’s online health editor on what we know about the virus

Estimates by the University of Hong Kong suggest the total number of cases could be far higher than the official figures. More than 75,000 people may have been infected in the city of Wuhan, which is at the epicentre of the outbreak, experts say.

Which countries are restricting arrivals?

The US and Australia have said they will deny entry to all foreign visitors who had recently been to China, where the 2019-nCov strain of the coronavirus first emerged in December.

Other countries including New Zealand, Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Italy and Singapore have also announced travel restrictions.

On Sunday, South Korea said it would bar entry to foreigners who had recently visited Hubei.

In the US, citizens and residents returning from Hubei will be quarantined for 14 days. Those returning from other parts of China will be allowed to monitor their own condition for a similar period.

The Pentagon said it would provide housing for 1,000 people who may need to be quarantined after arriving in the US from abroad. Four military bases in California, Colorado and Texas would provide up to 250 rooms each.

Another confirmed case in the US on Saturday – in Massachusetts – brought the total number there to eight.

Australia said any of its own citizens arriving from China would also be quarantined for two weeks.

There have also been a number of evacuations from China as foreign governments work to bring their citizens back.

What restrictions are there in China?

Wuhan is in lockdown and other major cities across the country have suspended non-essential business.

The mayor of Huanggang – a city of six million people to the east of Wuhan – has warned that the number of cases there is set to spike in the coming days, state media said. Up to 700,000 people had returned to the city from Wuhan before travel out of Wuhan was banned.

Huanggang and the eastern city of Wenzhou have imposed draconian restrictions on residents, only allowing one designated person per family to leave home once every two days to buy food and other supplies, Chinese media reported.

Hubei officials have extended the Lunar New Year holiday to 13 February and said that marriage registrations would be suspended in an effort to discourage public gatherings.

Meanwhile, hospital workers in Hong Kong have voted to go on strike from Monday unless the territory’s border with mainland China is completely closed. The Hong Kong government has refused to do so, citing WHO recommendations to introduce screening measures at borders instead.

Do the travel bans work?

Global health officials have advised against the bans.

“Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing, medical supply chains and harming economies,” the head of the WHO said on Friday.

Media captionInside the US laboratory developing a coronavirus vaccine

The WHO recommends introducing screening at official border crossings. It has warned that closing borders could accelerate the spread of the virus, with travellers entering countries unofficially.

China has criticised the wave of travel restrictions, accusing foreign governments of ignoring official advice.

What other international action has been taken?

India has evacuated 300 citizens from Wuhan. About 100 Germans have been flown home. Thailand and Russia are due to evacuate citizens from Wuhan and Hubei province in the coming days
China asked the European Union to facilitate the sending of medical supplies from member countries
Vietnam Airlines suspended all flights to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Other airlines, including Qantas, Air New Zealand, Air Canada and British Airways, cancelled or scaled back flights
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered his condolences in a letter to China’s president
Hotel chains, including Hyatt, Radisson and Hilton, extended their cancellation policies for guests travelling to China
Apple said it would temporarily close its stores in China
The UK announced it would pull dozens of Foreign Office staff out of the mainland
Russia said two Chinese citizens had been placed in isolation after they tested positive for the virus
Germany, Italy, and Sweden confirmed further cases in Europe

Culled from the BBC

2, February 2020

Biya, world leaders support China’s anti-epidemic efforts ⁰

In recent days, more foreign leaders have spoken positively of and supported China’s efforts to battle the novel coronavirus outbreak through various means.

In his call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered sympathies over the pain and loss inflicted on Chinese families and wished each patient a speedy recovery.

He expressed belief that under Xi’s leadership, China’s resolute measures will contain the epidemic and minimize losses.

The Russian people are willing to offer necessary aid to the friendly Chinese people, Putin said, adding that relevant Russian departments will work with counterparts in China through closest coordination to eliminate this common threat.

Calling Chinese leaders’ efficient response and the heroism of the Chinese people admirable, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus, always China’s reliable and loyal friend, will offer medical supplies to help the Chinese people battle the epidemic.

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn said that the international community is greatly impressed by the efforts and determination of the Chinese government to fight the epidemic and the extensive epidemic prevention measures it has taken.

The Thai people and himself will pull together with the Chinese people in times of trouble, the king said, extending wishes that China will secure an early victory against the epidemic.

Nepali President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said that at this difficult time, Nepal will firmly unite with the Chinese government and the friendly Chinese people. Bhandari expressed appreciation of and support for the Chinese leaders’ extraordinary efforts to contain the epidemic, and thanked China for taking care of Nepali citizens in China.

Tunisian President Kais Saied spoke highly of the Chinese government’s efforts in combating the epidemic, expressing belief that under the strong and wise leadership of Xi, China’s efforts to contain the outbreak will soon pay off.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya said that on behalf of the Cameroonian people, he offered sympathies and support to the Chinese people at a time when the Chinese government and people are fighting a heroic battle against the epidemic.

Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara said the government and people of Cote d’Ivoire firmly support the efforts made by the Chinese government and people in fighting the epidemic.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Pakistani side highly appreciates and firmly supports China’s efforts to combat the epidemic and thanks China for providing help to Pakistani citizens in China.

The Pakistani side firmly believes that China can give full play to its unique institutional advantages to overcome the epidemic, Khan said, adding that Pakistan is willing to mobilize all the country’s medical supplies reserves to assist China, and will firmly stand alongside the brotherly Chinese people.

Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh said the people of Mongolia understand the feelings of the Chinese government and people, who are facing the challenges posed by the epidemic. The Mongolian people believe that under the strong leadership of the Chinese government and with the concerted efforts of the Chinese people, China will soon rein in the epidemic.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore will closely cooperate with China to jointly combat the epidemic. China is making efforts to control the illness and Singapore has been prepared. There is no need to panic.

Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe Jorge Bom Jesus offered his sympathy and support to the Chinese government and believed that China will defeat the epidemic.

Source: Xinhuanet

2, February 2020

Looming Elections Exacerbate Southern Cameroons Crisis ⁰

The Ambazonia Interim Government has declared Cameroon’s upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections illegal, announcing a six-day “lockdown” in the country’s West in the lead up to the 9 February poll. Preparations for the vote have been met with fierce resistance by separatists, as the AGC – which, in 2017, declared an independent state in English-speaking Western Cameroon – pushes back against the authority of Paul Biya’s Francophone government in Yaoundé. In December, Voice of Africa reported that approximately forty candidates for office were abducted by militants, and earlier this month fighters claimed responsibility for burning down a government election office in Misaje.

Political parties such as the Social Democratic Front (SDF) opposition are now weighing up their participation in the elections, wary of backlash from militants. President Biya himself, meanwhile, announced further troop deployments to the region in his new year’s address, insisting that the elections would go ahead as planned. With Cameroon deeply divided, observers have lambasted the international community’s disinterest in the crisis. Last week, Hannibal Uwaifo, President of the African Bar Association, wrote to Boris Johnson to criticize Britain and the rest of the Commonwealth, as well as the UN, for “refus[ing] to speak decisively” on the issue even as the situation deteriorates.

Tensions over the elections will only compound the already-dire humanitarian conditions in Western Cameroon. ACAPS notes that 40% of health centres in the English-speaking region have closed, with a dearth of hospital beds and medical professionals contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera. Last year, UNICEF said that more than 80% of schools in Western Cameroon had been shut at the behest of militias since 2017. Already, the UN estimates that the collapse of essential services has led to the internal displacement of nearly 700,000 people, with a further 50,000 refugees fleeing across the border into Nigeria. The election “lockdown” announced by the AGC will force remaining schools, markets and businesses to close, and a round-the-clock curfew will be imposed. In addition, the Biya government’s provocative promise of a heightened military presence in the coming weeks is unlikely to safeguard the electoral process, and may instead serve to further inflame the situation.

The crisis is the latest – and most violent – expression of longstanding grievances held by Western Cameroon’s English-speaking population. The region, previously a separate British colony, was united with French Cameroon as an independent state following a closely fought referendum in 1961. In 1972, another contentious referendum abolished the country’s federal system – which had preserved some of the West’s independence – and replaced it with a unitary state with a powerful central government. The trajectory toward Francophone dominance has continued under President Biya, and regional autonomy has been further eroded in the nearly forty years that have passed since he came to power. Strikes and protests against further centralization began in 2016, catalyzing a series of violent clashes and ultimately leading to the AGC’s declaration of independence the following year.

The failures of a summit called by the Cameroonian government last year are instructive in assessing what must change in order to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Though President Biya’s ‘Major National Dialogue’ involved multiparty meetings, it sidelined the leaders of the separatist movements themselves, many of whom boycotted the event, and some of whom were in jail. Moreover, the lack of international oversight – a precondition for the participation of several separatist groups – undermined the legitimacy of the talks and enabled the Biya government to persist unchecked with their focus on military force in responding to the crisis. Meaningful attempts by the international community to alleviate the crisis are a necessity, especially in the cases of Britain and France – the countries whose cartographical choices helped land Cameroon in this situation. Without that involvement, and as long as the Biya government and the separatist groups refuse to engage in a meaningful dialogue, the dreadful material costs of the violence will continue to be borne by the people of Cameroon.

Culled from The Organization for world peace

1, February 2020

France Football: Neymar helps PSG to five-goal romp ⁰

Neymar shook off an injury scare and raged with the match officials while helping Paris Saint-Germain romp to a 5-0 win over Montpellier that stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Pablo Sarabia, Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappe and Layvin Kurzawa all scored along with a Daniel Congre own goal, with the outcome never in doubt after Montpellier goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud was sent off early on.

Montpellier finished the game with nine men, and the result means PSG start February by making it 19 games unbeaten and are now 13 points ahead of nearest rivals Marseille.

But it was Neymar, his hair dyed shocking pink for the occasion, who predictably caught the eye.

The Brazilian warmed up with a shirt bearing the name of Kobe Bryant and the number 24 of the basketball star who was killed in a helicopter crash last weekend. PSG also held a minute’s applause for Bryant ahead of kick-off.

Neymar didn’t score, having to settle just for one assist, but he produced his usual tricks, provoked the opposition, and required lengthy treatment at the end of the first half after appearing to hurt his ribs as he grappled for the ball with Montpellier’s Arnaud Souquet.

Unhappy with the some of the treatment reserved for him, Neymar was then caught by television cameras angrily remonstrating in Portuguese with the fourth official in the tunnel at half-time.

Despite the knock, the world’s most expensive player — who on Sunday is set to host a lavish party for his 28th birthday at a Parisian nightclub — lasted the 90 minutes.

– Cavani back on bench –

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel had opted to leave Mauro Icardi on the bench at kick-off alongside Edinson Cavani, who remains in the French capital after a January move to Atletico Madrid never materialised.

Instead Sarabia started with Mbappe up front, and the former Real Madrid player pounced on a loose ball to curl home a fine opener from 22 yards in the eighth minute for his 10th goal of the season.

Andy Delort then missed a chance to equalise for Montpellier, and their hopes of getting back into the game were as good as over when Bertaud was sent off in the 17th minute.

Only playing because usual first choice Geronimo Rulli was suspended, Bertaud raced out of his box to stop Mbappe bearing down on goal, only to block the ball with his arm and receive a straight red.

On came young debutant Matis Carvalho in goal for the visitors and he had to pick the ball out of his net twice before the interval.

Di Maria exchanged passes with Sarabia before lifting the ball over Carvalho to make it 2-0 in the 41st minute, and shortly afterwards Teji Savanier’s attempt to clear a Di Maria corner rebounded off the face of defender Congre and in.

After Neymar had cooled down at the break, he set up Mbappe for one shot that hit the outside of the post, and then played in the France World Cup winner to round Carvalho and score his 14th league goal of the season.

Kurzawa drilled in the fifth in the 65th minute, and Cavani came on before having a late header disallowed for offside. By that point the visitors were playing with nine men after substitute Joris Chotard saw two quick yellow cards.

Marseille go to Bordeaux on Sunday looking for a first win there in 43 years, while Rennes strengthened their grip on third by scoring twice in injury time to claim a 3-2 win over local rivals Nantes on Friday.

Source: AFP

1, February 2020

FIFA President wants African Cup of Nations every four years, not two ⁰

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino told African football leaders on Saturday that he wants their continental Cup of Nations to be played every four years as part of a package of reforms designed to lift “African football to the top of the world”.

Infantino also told a seminar in Rabat attended by delegates from each of the Confederation of African Football’s 54 member associations, that he wanted new stadiums in every member state and had earmarked $1 billion to finance the ambitious program.

The Africa Cup of Nations is currently staged every two years, which makes it unpopular with European clubs.

“What I’m asking you, and it’s your decision, is to discuss and consider moving to a Nations Cup every four years,” Infantino said.

He said he wanted to “revolutionise African football”.

“Pele once said that an African team would win the World Cup, but this hasn’t happened and it seems we are not making progress. Today must be the day we turn that page” Infantino said.

“Our objective must be to project African football to the top of the world,” he said.

He said FIFA was “elaborating a proposal to mobilise $1bn.”

“In the countries where there is already at least one very good stadium, the investments can be done in other infrastructures,” he said.

After decades of being accused of not adequately supervising how its money is spent by members, FIFA has been rolling out best practice standards and says it will ensure that the African development project funding is managed via transparent accountable procedures.

– African club championships –

Infantino also promised to create a pan-African league that would feature 20-24 clubs with a maximum of maybe two clubs per country that would still play in their national leagues.

“So we can really crown the club champions of Africa,” Infantino said although the African Champions League already does that.

“Let us show the world what we can do,” Infantino challenged Africa’s footballing community.

“This day is special — it’s the start of a new chapter for African football.”

Source: AFP

1, February 2020

Tennis: American Sofia Kenin wins Australian Open to claim first Grand Slam title at 21 ⁰

America’s Sofia Kenin stunned two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza to win the Australian Open on Saturday, completing a surprise run where she came from nowhere to earn her first Grand Slam title.

Despite making her debut in a Major final Kenin, 21, showed all her trademark aggression as she fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2hrs 3mins against the shellshocked Spaniard.

The 14th seed, who will now jump to seventh in the world and usurp Serena Williams as America’s number one, was in tears at the end and headed straight for her father Alexander, who is her coach.

It was the final twist in a tournament of upsets, after Williams crashed out in the third round and Kenin beat Australia’s world number one Ashleigh Barty in the semi-finals.

“It’s just such an honour to have my name on that beautiful trophy, it’s something I’ve dreamed about,” said Moscow-born Kenin.

“Of course it’s an exciting moment for me and for my family, I get to share this.

“Obviously things are going to change for me, but we’re just going to move forward, get ready for next tournaments.

“Right now we got to figure out how to celebrate.”

Former world number one Muguruza was unseeded for the first time at a Slam since 2014, having suffered a marked loss of form in the last 18 months.

The 26-year-old was resurgent in Melbourne over the past fortnight, but after grabbing the first-set lead her serve failed her spectacularly.

She totted up eight double-faults in all, three of them in the final game—including one on the second championship point, handing the title to her younger opponent.

Kenin fights back

Muguruza drew first blood at Rod Laver Arena, where the roof was closed for rain in Melbourne, getting the first break of serve.

Kenin, who ended the fairytale run of 15-year-old Coco Gauff on her way to the final, bounced her American stars-and-stripes racquet on the hardcourt in anger.

The 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon winner Muguruza took the first set in 52 minutes when the young American planted her forehand out.

Kenin, not one to hide her feelings on court, said that she had struggled to rein in her emotions at that point.

“I was obviously devastated, I knew I didn’t take my chances,” she said. “I knew I needed to somehow forget what happened, just move forward and just keep believing in myself.”

The aggressive Kenin upped the ante in the second set, breaking her more experienced opponent in the fourth game and easily holding to sprint into a 4-1 lead.

Kenin, who won their only previous encounter in three sets, grabbed the second set in an emphatic 32 minutes. A rattled Muguruza was seen briefly by a physio for what appeared to be a lower-back problem.

Into the deciding set and the gutsy Kenin saved three game points in a pivotal fifth game, tossing the ball back over her head by way of a defiant celebration.

Kenin adds by far the biggest title of her fast-burgeoning career to the three WTA crowns she won last year.

“The past two weeks have been the best of my life,” she told Rod Laver Arena, as her father—who left the Soviet Union in 1987 to give the family a better life—filmed her victory speech on his phone.

“I love you guys from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much,” she told the crowd.

At 21 years and 80 days, Kenin is 22 days younger than Japan’s Naomi Osaka when she won the title last year.

Kenin is the youngest Australian Open champion since Maria Sharapova—her idol—won aged 20 in 2008.

(AFP)

1, February 2020

Southern Cameroons: Pirates kidnap passenger from ferry off Limbe sea ⁰

A pirate gang has abducted a passenger from a ferry off Southern Cameroons. The incident took place five nautical miles (9 km) off Limbe on Thursday morning; we understand six gunmen in speed boat were involved in the action.