Latest Football Transfer Stories, Rumors And Titbits For The 30th Of July 2015

here are the top football transfer stories, done deals, Speculations and titbits as compiled by our man Paul Ayorinde

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Done Deals:

– Besiktas have confirmed that they have signed Mario Gomez on a season-long loan from Fiorentina with an option to buy.

– Napoli have completed the signing of defender Vlad Chiriches from Tottenham.

– Newcastle have completed the signing of Chancel Mbemba from Anderlecht.

– Carpi have signed Brazilian winger Gabriel Silva on loan from Udinese.

– Lille have signed Zambian defender Stoppila Sunzu on a season-long loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

– Hellas Verona have confirmed the signing of defender Michelangelo Albertazzi from AC Milan.

Edin Dzeko
photo credit: Ulicar Streets
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Today’s reports and rumours:

– Jose Callejon’s agent has denied any contact with Chelsea and says the Spaniard will be staying with Napoli.

– According to Sky Sports sources, Edin Dzeko representatives have agreed personal terms with Roma but a deal between the clubs has yet to be reached.

– Atalanta defender Yohan Benalouane is on the verge of a transfer to Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City, according to reports.

– Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs insists Kevin de Bruyne will not be leaving the club this summer.

– According to Sky Sports sources, the fee agreed between Crystal Palace and Sunderland for Connor Wickham is £9m including add-ons.

Laurent Blanc
Pic by Mohan
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

– Laurent Blanc says Paris St-Germain are close to signing Manchester United’s Angel di Maria.

– PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says his next move will be a “big surprise”.

– Lucas Digne’s agent has denied reports he has held talks with Liverpool regarding a move to Anfield for the Paris Saint-Germain left-back.

– According to reports in Italy, Everton are back in the running for Inter Milan man Xherdan Shaqiri.

– Pedro’s move from Barcelona to Man United is matter of “when, not if”, According to Marca.

– According to reports, Blackburn Rovers striker Rudy Gestede is close to joining Aston Villa.

– Emmanuel Mayuka has no future at Southampton,according to manager Ronald Koeman.

– Sunderland have not made an offer for Ola Toivonen, according to French Ligue 1 side Rennes.

– Palermo are in advanced negotiations with Arsenal for Joel Campbell, according to reports.

– Real Madrid are interested in signing Real Betis starlet Dani Ceballos, according to Marca.

– Chelsea are prepared to bid up to £30m with a series of add-ons for Everton defender John Stones, according to reports.

– West Brom are locked in talks with Liverpool over the transfer of striker Rickie Lambert, according to Sky Sports sources.

– Inter Milan defender Danilo D’Ambrosio is heading for the San Siro exit, according to reports.

– According to reports, Juventus are interested in signing Davide Astori after injuries to both Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

– Godfred Donsah’s agent confirms Cagliari “rejected a €6m offer” with Juventus, Sampdoria and Bologna interested.

Mario Balotelli, photo credit liverpoolfc.com

– Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli’s agent has reportedly offered him to Lazio.

– The agent of Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has reportedly flown to London to talk with Arsenal about a possible move.

– Swansea have reportedly put a £25m price tag on Ashley Williams to fend off interest from Crystal Palace.

– Stoke City are still interested in signing Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko and Barcelona winger Adama Traore, according to reports

– Leicester City are prepared to pay £11m to sign Chile midfielder Charles Aranguiz from Brazilian club Internacional, according to reports.

– Emmanuel Adebayor is set to complete a move to Aston Villa after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

– According to reports, Manchester United winger Ashley Young will hold crunch talks with the club on his return from their pre-season tour of the USA.

– According to reports in Portugal, Porto are closing in on a deal for Pablo Osvaldo, who is available on a free transfer.

– According to reports, Real Madrid and Manchester United will agree on a €35million deal for David De Gea before the end of the week.

– Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has admitted he does not know where Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria is.

– Domenico Criscito’s agent opened the door to Inter, noting a Zenit exit would “depend on many factors.

– According to reports, Ligue 1 side FC Nantes have had a bid rejected by Dijon for starlet Mouameth Sané.

– Bordeaux are in advanced talks to sign Vitoria Guimaraes defender Josué Sa.

– Manchester City 18-year old striker Enes Unal is set to join Belgian side Genk on loan, according to reports.

– Leicester have reportedly signed defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante from SM Caen.

– Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admits USA defender DeAndre Yedlin could go out on loan next season.

– Manchester United have reportedly had a sensational £42million double transfer bid for Lazio pair Felipe Anderson and Stefan De Vrij rejected this week.

– Louis van Gaal accepted that David De Gea may want to leave Manchester United as he contemplated a problematic situation that he described as “not favourable” for anyone.

– Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has revealed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s “good favour” in selling Petr Cech to Arsenal was a surprise

Lionel Messi, photo credit Nathan Rupert
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/14307985524/in/photolist-nNmaBA-9kvmyi-f16Xt6-gGhfC-bbQpdK-6wCZ9J-om9h3n-8iSbb4-531B8T-aJBkwp-6tF6hH-aYaW3z-qCifcz-4FYTwf-3GuT6f-aVRCP2-51fGWF-bciVop-duhSwE-7YRoNs-ao44m5-9yg77c-ccF5K1-nkVUQg-2TkMHq-5WBfgp-6nxKbV-pABb72-8iVtV9-a4FggC-aJYY2x-aixQd6-c87EGm-2iuKWn-aJBkY2-mF9VG2-9ufmyM-8iSdn8-aJYY3H-8iVmy5-6NnzXT-8iSKAp-cNruM9-dT4RFb-oMYKu-8iRJDz-HBDMQ-diGsUZ-4cSrsj-8aP7ud

Football tit bits:

– Blackpool have been fined £50,000 by the Football Association following the pitch invasion which caused their final match of last season, against Huddersfield at Bloomfield Road,to be abandoned.

– Crowd trouble caused the abandonment of Thursday’s Europa League qualifier between Kukesi and Legia Warsaw in Albania. Legia had just taken a 2-1 lead in the first leg of the third qualifying round tie when their player Ondrej Duda was hit by an object thrown from the stand.

– Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano have returned to training ahead of schedule for Barcelona as the club prepares for the 2015-16 season.

– South Korean Chung Mong-Joon has confirmed he plans to run for the FIFA presidency at next year’s election, saying
Michel Platini is not the right man for the job.

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015: Five Teams Chasing Points At Round 16 In Hickstead

The 16th qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 season will take place in Hickstead, Great Britain tomorrow, Friday 31 July, attracting a field of eight teams.

The starting order, which was determined by a draw held at Hickstead this afternoon, will be as follows:

‎1. Italy
2. The Netherlands
3. Great Britain
4. Switzerland
5. Belgium
6. USA
7. Germany
8. France

This is the seventh leg of the Europe Division 1 League, and the teams from Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Switzerland will be eligible for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping points. A total of 10 nations will compete in Europe Division I during the season, and seven teams will qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 24 to 27 September..

Tomorrow’s competition will begin at 14.15 local time and will be broadcast live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform.

The FEI is providing a wide range of online information resources in connection with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping.

Pinnick Pumps Up Falcons, Dream Team’s Spirit Ahead Big Games

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has charged the Super Falcons and the U-23 boys to do the nation proud as both teams negotiate tough bends in the race to next year’s Olympics.

Pinnick was at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport early on Thursday to receive the Falcons as as they arrived Lagos, on their way to Bata, where they clash with their Equatorial Guinean counterparts on Sunday.

“The whole country is proud of what you have done in the past, winning seven African Women Championship titles out of nine so far, and qualifying for the Olympics in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

“Your superiority on the African continent has never been in doubt. What is left is for us to take that capability to the global stage. The entire nation has faith in you to overcome in Equatorial Guinea and eventually qualify for the Olympics,” he told the players.

The Falcons have a battle on their hands, having only drawn the first leg at home 1-1 against the only other substantial rival they have on the African continent.

“On Sunday, Nigerians expect you to deliver as you have always done. A place in the final round of the qualifying race to the Olympics is certainly within your grasp.”

In his response, Coach Chris Danjuma assured that the Falcons will take Sunday’s match as a battle that must be won. “The way it is, we have no choice but to fight and fight, because we must score goals. I want to assure Nigerians that my team is up to the task.”

NFF President Amaju Pinnick Addressing the Falcons before departure for Equatorial Guinea

Pinnick also sent a message to the U-23 boys, who were led out of the country on Thursday afternoon by NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi.

“We are fully aware of the fact that we are fighting two battles in one day. But they say that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

“Samson Siasia has been in this kind of situation several times and he has come out victorious. We believe in him and the team that he is taking to Pointe Noire.”

Siasia’s boys hold a thin 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Port Harcourt, and know they have to prepare to battle against not only the host team, but several other forces as well.

Friends Of Rugby Firm Up Plans For Nigeria Independence Rugby 7s Tournament 2015

Organisers of Independence International 7s Tournament have begun planning ahead for the event. The Independence Rugby 7s tournament is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. The tournament will be staged again at the Onikan stadium on the 9th and 10th of October 2015. The two day tournament which started in the year 2009 has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in West Africa. Its 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour. However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria competed extremely well last year and we witnessed an electrifying final year between Cowrie RFC and Barewa RFC of Kano. Cowrie RFC beat Barewa RFC 27-14 to emerge 2014 champions.

Cowrie RFC Captain Azeez Adenopo Receiving the winner’s Trophy from then Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola

“The 2015 edition promises to be bigger and better, eleven local and five international teams will battle for this year’s trophy, We have received expression of interest from Ultimate Rugby 7s team from the Uk, Blitzboks 7s from South Africa, Accra Sharks of Ghana and two more foreign teams. This tournament is potentially a major tourist attraction and we are putting all structures in place for a great tournament”. Says Tournament coordinator; Olatunji Fasimoye

Fasimoye also stressed that last year’s finalists, Cowrie RFC and Barewa RFC have automatic spots if they express interests this year but other local teams across the country will have to go through a “playoff” for a spot in the tournament due to increasing number of foreign team’s participation as it was done last year. Modalities of Playoffs will be announced shortly.

Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side, Sevens, 7s or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by World Rugby, the body responsible for rugby union worldwide. The game originated in Melrose where the Melrose Sevens tournament is still played annually. The game in an Olympic sport and is popular at all levels, with amateur and club tournaments generally held in the summer months. Sevens is one of the most well distributed forms of rugby, and is popular in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Opening Ceremony hits all the right notes as 128th IOC Session opens in Kuala Lumpur

The 128th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially got under way tonight with a music-themed Opening Ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The IOC Members were greeted by Olympic Council of Malaysia President and IOC Member HRH Prince Tunku Imram, who delivered the welcome speech.

In the keynote speech, IOC President Thomas Bach detailed the great impact the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, approved at the last IOC Session in December 2014, have already had on the Olympic Movement. He called on the IOC Members to continue the process of change with the same energy as on the day the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement was passed, 8 December 2014.

Opening Ceremony of the 128th Session IOC President Thomas Bach during his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 128th IOC Session. ©IOC : Ian Jones

President Bach said: “We have a big year ahead of us and a big agenda to tackle. These are exciting times. There are a lot of ‘firsts’ on our plan – the first Olympic Games in South America; the launch of the first Olympic Channel; the first full participation of the IOC with the United Nations to shape the future of the global community.

“Let us use these many ‘firsts’ as an inspiration to celebrate our unity in diversity. The Olympic Agenda 2020 has set us on the right path forward. If we are united in our vision and our values, then our future will be one of progress.”

The IOC President was followed at the podium by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak.

The evening took a musical turn from there, with a song commissioned exclusively for the event by HRH Prince Imram getting things started. “Together in the Spirit of the Games” was composed by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra for performance by the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The Youth Orchestra then performed more traditional Malaysian music, including the popular song “Tanah Pusaka.”

The election of the host cities for the Olympic Winter Games 2022 and the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020 will be the highlights of the upcoming IOC Session, which begins tomorrow and concludes on 3 August. The entire IOC Session will be broadcast live on Olympic.org. Tune in to see where the Games will go in 2022 – to Almaty (Kazakhstan) or Beijing (China)*; and which city will host the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2020 – Brasov (Romania) or Lausanne (Switzerland)**.

* cities listed in the order of drawing of lots

** cities listed in alphabetical order

Olatunbosun Plays Up Cowrie/Racing Rugby Football Club Rivalry

Ahead of this weekend’s clash between Racing Rugby Football Club and Cowrie RFC in the CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Limited/ South West Rugby league, Head coach of Racing, Ayo Olatunbosun Johnson has boasted that his team is always ready to come against any team.

Speaking after their evening training session on Wednesday, the ex-coaching coordinator for grassroots development, Lagos said Racing has a reputation to protect because they are the best rugby club in the country despite Cowries doing very well with couple of points clear on top of the South West league table after an impressive start to the season.

“I believe that with the spirit in camp plus our recent game pattern and records, we should be able to get a surprise win against Cowrie RFC on Saturday.”

Although many people describe our recent form as “medicine after death” but we want to maintain our second spot on the table and play in the national finals taking place in Abuja later this year.

He lamented the elongation of the 2014 league calendar which spilled into 2015 due to the breaks that normally comes in with mixing up international events with the domestic ones but acknowledged that the board is doing a great job.

Racing Fly half; Ekpo Williams in action during a South West Rugby league game

“I must give thumbs up to the NRFF Technical Director Tunji Fasimoye for the great job he is doing as per the South West Rugby league, and I think he is doing exceptionally well”

In other matches to be played on Saturday, third placed team, Police RFC will take on Eco II RFC while fourth placed Gosar RFC of Ajegunle will hope to fend off the surge of fifth placed Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin.

See Snooker Stars Free In Barnsley

Snooker fans will have another chance to see a host of green baize stars for FREE when the Shanghai Masters qualifiers take place at the Barnsley Metrodome next week.

For the third consecutive year, World Snooker is providing free access to supporters to attend the qualifying rounds of world ranking events at the South Yorkshire venue.

This time the event runs from Wednesday August 5th to Sunday August 9th, with the 16 winners to go through to the final stages in Shanghai in September.

Oliver Lines

There is no need to book tickets, fans can just turn up at the Metrodome on the day and gain free entry to the arena to watch the sport played at the highest level – live.

Session times on each day are 10am, 2.30pm and 7pm, with all matches the best of nine frames.

Snooker legend Jimmy White enters the fray on Wednesday at 10am and will face talented Leeds-based potter Oliver Lines, who won the Rookie of the Year award after a promising debut season.

Other crowd favourites in action over the five days include Tony Drago, James Wattana, Luca Brecel, Matthew Stevens, Dominic Dale, Ali Carter and former World Champions Peter Ebdon and Ken Doherty.

Jimmy White

For the full draw and format see http://www.worldsnooker.com

A spokesman for World Snooker said: “Once again we are delighted to give fans the chance to see top quality snooker for free. It’s our way of paying gratitude to the supporters who attend many of our events, as well as a fantastic chance for new fans to get involved.”

Date: Thursday July 30, 2015

GOtv To Give Ailing Boxing Legend, Dele Jonathan, Financial Assistance

Ailing former Commonwealth Lightweight boxing champion, Mr. Dele Jonathan, is to receive financial assistance from GOtv, headline sponsors of the GOtv Boxing Night.

An announcement to this effect was made at the third edition of the GOtv Boxing Night, held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, on Sunday.

According to the sponsors, the 68-year old Jonathan, who is suffering from bladder and prostate enlargement and requires surgery, will be given 25 per cent of gate takings from the well attended event.

L-R: Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria; Olaide Fijabi, winner of a trophy and One Million Naira; Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Productions; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport during 3rd GOtv Boxing Night held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium Surulere, Lagos Sunday 26th of July, 2015

“Mr. Dele Jonathan deserves every help he can use. He brought great honour to the country through boxing and there is a need to ensure that he regains his health,” said Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director of Flykite Productions, promoters of the GOtv Boxing Night, a competition conceived to revive the sport in the country.

A bold sign of revival was visible at the third edition of the event, with Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, a Light Welterweight boxer, winning the N1million cash prize for the competition’s best boxer award.

Fijabi also won the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy. He defeated Kazeem “Iberu” Ariyo in their eight-round duel. Also on the night, Sule “Tyson” Olagbade, National Light Middleweight champion, retained his title by defeating his challenger, Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji in their closely-contested 12-round title bout.

In the Lightweight division, Prince Nurudeen Fatai defeated Chibuzor “T-Boy” Obi, while Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa saw off the challenge of Femi “Easywhite” Ajayi in an eight-round Cruiserweight challenge.

In the Heavyweight category, Onoriode “Onos” Ehwarieme knocked out Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu in the second of their six-round challenge bout.

Onoriode used the opportunity to announce his readiness to take on National Heavyweight champion, Adewale “Tiger’ Abbey, who he boasted would be dethroned when they meet.

The event featured an international female bout between Nigeria’s Helen “Iron Lady” Johnson and Ghana’s Gifty “Tiger” Ankrah. The former won by unanimous decision.

GOtv Boxing Night is supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Complete Sports, Brilla FM and Paragonis Multimedia Limited.

Pinnick: Media Has Huge Role To Project Nigeria Sports

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has, once more, emphasized the strategic position of the media in projecting Nigeria football, nay sports, to the global audience in a positive manner, to engender development.

Delivering paper on “Globalising Nigerian Sports: The Challenge for the Nigerian Media” at a seminar organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos State chapter) in Lagos on Wednesday, the NFF boss harped on the need to objective and balanced reporting by the media, as well as a conscious effort towards positive projection of individuals and institutions in the country to the outside world.

“I keep saying this at every opportunity I have: The media is key to the development of any institution or sector. Even the IOC and FIFA recognize that. At every sporting event, the media have more sections of the stadium than any other arm. There are the media tribune, media centre, main press centre, international broadcast centre, mixed zone, press conference room, et cetera.

“What the media puts out goes a long way in moulding opinion of the world about individuals and institutions.

“It is time for the Nigeria media to start to project our leading lights positively, in order for them to take up positions they are appropriately qualified for in international sports bodies. If you project me positively; it is not about Amaju Pinnick, it is about Nigeria.”

Tracing the history of Nigeria’s participation at global sporting events, especially the Olympic Games, since 1952, and noting the three gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals, Pinnick reiterated that Nigeria has the potential to be a world beater in sports.

“As a country, we have come a long way. There are countries in the world who don’t have the resources that we have, and cannot present the kind of quality personnel that we are capable of. But they are in influential positions in world sports because their countries’ media projected them to high heavens.

“At all times, we welcome criticisms, but let them be constructive. Criticize fairly and offer solutions so that administrators can take you serious.”

LMC Trains Media Officers On New Media Principles

Arrangements have been concluded by the League Management Company to train the media officers of all the 20 Glo NPFL clubs on the principles of new media and its fascinating merits at a one –day seminar in Abuja on Thursday.

The training programme, which has drawn all the media officers to the Federal Capital Territory, is part of a three –day integrated mid-Season program for club administrators, media officers and heads of supporters’ clubs of the various teams.

With the theme as “Capacity of New Media and Effective Communication to Open New Business Frontiers”, resource persons have been drawn from leading new media company Google, with veteran journalist China Acheru (himself media officer of Dolphins FC) and ace new media journalist Ayo Ibidapo also in the mix.

Lanre Aina of Google Nigeria will take the participants on “Building Football Brand Equity and Monetization via Social Media (Google platforms, Google Adsense)”, while Toyosi Oyetunji, social media enabler with Google, will speak on “Social Media and Football”. Acheru will dwell on “Evolution from Old to New Media”, while Ibidapo will talk on “Football Reportage: Sound and Graphics Approach”.

Invited to Abuja for what promises a robust experience are Wahab Bankole (Sunshine Stars), Farriel Allaputa (Enyimba FC), Moses Etu (Warri Wolves), Cajetan Nkwopara (Heartland FC), Sammy Adesoji (Giwa FC), Igwe Onuoha (Abia Warriors), Emeka Kalu (FC IfeanyiUbah), Idris Malikawa (Kano Pillars), Foster Chime (Enugu Rangers), Jubril Arowolo (Shooting Stars), Musa Eleyo (Nasarawa United), Uwem Ekoh (Akwa United), Anthony Obaseki (El-Kanemi Warriors), Mark Agbo (Lobi Stars), Peter Abaje (Sharks FC), Eddy Ohis (Bayelsa United), Martins Odiete (FC Taraba), Owolewa (Kwara United) and (Wikki Tourists).

Shehu Dikko, LMC Chairman, and NFF’s 2nd Vice President,

LMC Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, who is also NFF’s 2nd Vice President, said on Wednesday: “This is part of our plans to forge a new attitude among the Club media officers. They have a lot to do in promoting their clubs and by using new media tools, they can actually open new business frontiers for their teams.

“The media officers are the first-line charge of information in the clubs, so their role is very key to changing so many things. A lot of positive aspects can be highlighted through them and that will impact very positively on our programs to take the League to a very different level.”

BIRD’S NEST STADIUM TO BE FULL FOR EVENING SESSIONS AT IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEIJING 2015

IAAF President Lamine Diack has welcomed the news from the Local Organising Committee of the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 that the Bird’s Nest stadium will be full for all the evening sessions at the championships.

The IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 will take place between 22-30 August.

“I am delighted to hear that the latest sales chart indicates that we will have a full house for all the evening sessions and that for the morning sessions the stadium will be at around 90% capacity. This is a magnificent effort from everyone involved with the Local Organising Committee,” commented President Diack.

“I can only reiterate what I said recently, I am now convinced that we will have a great atmosphere in the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the world’s top sporting event of 2015, and I would like to thank our friends in China – especially the Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China Liu Peng and the Mayor of Beijing Wang Anshun – for stepping up their efforts in the promotional campaign,” added President Diack.

photo credit Rising Fan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/legalcode

“I am sure that these championships will capture the imagination of everyone who is in the stadium in person and the hundreds of millions of viewers on television around the world; and that they will leave a lasting impression and legacy, especially on the youth of China.”

IAAF

Cameroon claim 5th place at Men’s African Volleyball Championship

2015 Men’s African Nations Championship- Ranking 5 to 8

Cameroon ended their campaign at the 2015 Men’s African Nations Championship at the fifth position after they overcame Rwanda 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22) in the ranking positions held at Cairo Stadium Complex in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.

Botswana upset Kenya in epic tiebreaker 3-2 (14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13) to finish 7th leaving the Kenyans at the 8th position. Mauritius automatically was ranked 9th after finishing at the 5th position in Pool B.

Egypt will take on Tunisia in African classic final on Thursday to determine the champions of the 20th edition of the cup. Algeria face Morocco in another North African face off to determine the bronze medallists.

Rwanda blocking against Cameroon

Ranking 5 to 8 Places
Cameroon v Rwanda 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22)

Cameroon defeated Rwanda 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22) in the 5th and 6th place match lasting 70 minutes. The Rwandan team led in each of the three sets, but due to the experience of Cameroon team in attacks they succeeded to come back each time to win the three sets.

Didier Sali was Cameroon’s top scorer with 18 points followed by Nathan Wounmbaina 16 points. Rwanda’s scorer was Flavien Ndamukunda with 12 points.

Botswana players celebrating

Botswana v Kenya 3-2 (14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13)

Botswana rebounded back aggressively to take on Kenya 3-2 (14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13) in the 7th and 8th place match lasting 129 minutes. After Kenya led widely 2-0, Botswana team came back strongly to capture two sets and draw 2-2. even in the tiebreak Botswana again overcame the shaky start and came back from 2-6 to draw 8-8 before they win 15-13 in a big joy.

Botswana finished the competition at the 7th place , while Kenya ended 8th.

Kabo Moetse came as Botswana scorer with 23 points, followed by middle blocker Pactor Rebabonye 13 points. James Ontere led Kenya and match scorers with 24 points followed by Michael Chemos 16. Although Kenya had a big dominance in blocking (16/ 9 kill block), the improvement of backline defence in Botswana helped them to claim the thrilling victory.

Algeria double block

Final 1 to 4 Programme on July 30, 2015
3-4 15:00 Morocco x Algeria
1-2 17:00 Egypt x Tunisia

Final Ranking
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Cameroon
6. Rwanda
7. Botswana
8. Kenya
9. Mauritius

Botswana players after the match

2015 Men’s African Nations Championship- Top performances

Top Scoring Performances
30 – Jean Ndaki of Cameroon v Tunisia (July 23)
27 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Cameroon (July 24)
26 – Marouen Garci of Tunisia v Algeria (July 28)
25 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Tunisia (July 26)
24 – James Ontere of Kenya v Botswana (July 29)
24 – Christophe Mukunzi of Rwanda v Kenya (July 28)
24 – Michael Chemos of Kenya v Rwanda (July 28)
23 – Kabo Moetse of Botswana v Kenya (July 29)
23 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Mauritius (July 25)
22 – Jean Ndaki of Cameroon v Morocco (July 24)
20 – Marouen Garci of Tunisia v Morocco (July 26)
20 – Mohammed Hachdadi of Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
19 – Toufik Mahdjoubi of Algeria v Botswana (July 23)
19 – Ahmed Salah of Egypt v Algeria (July 25)
18 – Didier Sali of Cameroon v Rwanda (July 29)
18 – Ahmed Salah of Egypt v Morocco (July 28)
18 – Elyes Karamosli of Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)
17 – Michael Chemos of Kenya v Algeria (July 24)
16 – Ayoub Dikkiche of Algeria v Egypt (July 25)
16 – Mohamed Chikhi of Algeria v Kenya (July 24)
16 – Toufik Mahdjoubi of Algeria v Kenya (July 24)
16 – Marouane Garci of Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)

Cameroon triple block

Top Blocking Performances
8 – Marchal Kwizera of Rwanda v Kenya (July 28)
7 – Amine oumssad of Algeria v Tunisia (July 28)
7 – Skander Ben Tara of Tunisia v Algeria (July 28)
6 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Mauritius (July 25)
5 – Wesley Rono of Kenya v Botswana (July 29)
5 – Nongni Mefani of Cameroon v Morocco (July 24)
4 – Pastor Rebabonye of Botswana v Kenya (July 29)
4 – Marchal Kwizera of Rwanda v Cameroon (July 26)
4 – Sofiane Bouyoucef of Algeria v Egypt (July 25)
4 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Cameroon (July 24)
4 – Kamal Ouali of Morocco v Cameroon (July 24)
4 – Skander Ben Tara of Tunisia v Mauritius (July 24)
4- Skander Ben Tara of Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)
4 – Mohamed Chikhi of Algeria v Botswana (July 23)
4 – Zouhair Elgaraoui of Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
4 – Mohammed Hachdadi of Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)

Top Blocking Performances by Team
21 – Algeria v Tunisia (July 28)
18 – Rwanda v Kenya (July 28)
16 – Kenya v Botswana (July 29)
16 – Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
14 – Tunisia v Morocco (July 26)
13 – Algeria v Tunisia (July 28)
13 – Morocco v Cameroon (July 24)
13 – Cameroon v Morocco (July 24)
12 – Tunisia v Mauritius (July 24)
12 – Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)
12 – Cameroon v Tunisia (July 23)
11 – Cameroon v Mauritius (July 22)

George Kari of Botswana spiking against Kenya

Top Serving Performances
4 – Toufik Mahdjoubi of Algeria v Botswana (July 23)
3 – Maroen Garci of Tunisia v Algeria (July 28)
3 – Hudson Wanyama of Kenya v Rwanda (July 28)
3 – Ivan Nsabimana of Rwanda v Tunisia (July 25)
3 – Sofiane Bouyoucef of Algeria v Kenya (July 24)
3 – Khalid Ben Slimane of Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)
3 – Hossam Youssef of Egypt v Kenya (July 22)
3 – Mohammed Hachdadi of Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
3 – Mohammed Hachdadi of Morocco v Mauritius(July 25)

Top Serving Performances by Team
9 – Egypt v Kenya (July 22)
7 – Tunisia v Mauritius (July 24)
7 – Algeria v Botswana (July 23)
6 – Cameroon v Rwanda (July 29)
6 – Kenya v Botswana (July 29)
6 – Botswana v Kenya (July 29)
6 – Tunisia v Algeria (July))
6 – Kenya v Rwanda (July 28)
5 – Rwanda v Kenya (July 28)
5 – Tunisia v Cameroon (July 23)
5 – Cameroon v Tunisia (July 23)
4 – Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
4 – Rwanda v Morocco (July 22)
4 – Tunisia v Rwanda (July 25)
4 – Rwanda v Tunisia (July 25)

Ismail Moalla of Tunisia receiving

Highest Scorer by Round
Day 1: 20 – Mohammed Hachdadi of Morocco v Rwanda (July 22)
Day 2: 30 – Jean Ndaki of Cameroon v Tunisia (July 23)
Day 3: 27 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Cameroon (July 24)
Day 4: 23 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Mauritius (July 25)
Day 5: 25 – Mohamed Hachdadi of Morocco v Tunisia (July 26)
Day 6: 26 – Marouen Garci of Tunisia v Algeria (July 28)
Day 7: 24 – James Ontere of Kenya v Botswana (July 29)

Highest Set Score
Day 1: Morocco v Rwanda, 25-23 (July 22)
Day 2: Rwanda v Mauritius 26-24 (July 23)
Day 3: Morocco v Cameroon 30-28 (July 24)
Day 4: Morocco v Mauritius 28-26 (July 25)
Day 5: Tunisia v Morocco 29-27 (July 26)
Day 6: Kenya v Rwanda 28-26 (July 28)
Egypt v Morocco 28-26 (July 28)
Day 7: Cameroon v Rwanda 25-23 (July 29)

Highest Scoring Matches
Day 1: Cameroon v Mauritius (July 22) 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-18) – 133 points
Day 2: Cameroon v Tunisia (July 23) 3-2 (25-23, 12-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-12) – 205 points
Day 3: Cameroon v Morocco (July 24) 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21) – 193 points
Day 4: Egypt v Algeria (July 25) 3-2 (24-26, 25-19 ,25-20, 22-25, 15-10) – 211 Points
Day 5: Tunisia v Morocco (July 26) 3-1 (25-19, 16-25, 25-22, 29-27) – 188 points
Day 6: Tunisia v Algeria (July 28) 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 27-25, 21-25, 15-12) – 216 points
Day 7: Botswana v Kenya (July 29) 3-2 (14-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13) – 202 points

More about the competition here
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