Friday Thoughts From The Editor

I’ll begin with the obvious. Why the hell is the African Cup of Nations only available via pay-per-view on my computer?! This tournament will offer some fantastic matches and plenty of free-flowing, dramatic, innovative soccer. But I won’t see it. Sorry, but I can’t sit at a computer and watch a match. Call me a luddite if you must. But I need a television. So it’s no Ghana, no Ivory Coast, no Cameroon. It’s a damn shame.

What’s also a damn shame is this clown Lassana Diarra. He bails on Chelsea because he’s not getting enough playing time. So where does he go? Arsenal. Funny, but he doesn’t break into their midfield either. So, in search of first team soccer, he leaves for Pompey. And then proceeds to tell everyone that it is only a stepping stone move and as soon as a “big club” comes asking he’ll move on. What an ass.

I’m going to see some jazz tomorrow night so I won’t be watching the USA/Sweden match. It’s all MLS and Northern Europe guys and it would be nice to see some of the new faces in action. But it’s not really terribly important so it’s fine to give it a miss. Perhaps I’ll enjoy it on the DVR Sunday.

It was sad to see Cookie resign from Real Sociedad. I like the guy, and hoped that he would lead them back to La Liga and be a savior and all of that. Not to be. Any club in England that needs somebody would be a fool not to snatch him up. What he did at Fulham was remarkable. If he were still in charge they wouldn’t be in the drop zone.

And speaking of saviors, welcome back Kevin Keegan. I have no doubt he’ll turn things around at Newcastle in the short term. I do doubt that he’ll be able to do any better than Sir Bobby or Souness in the long-term. Whatever he does, he’ll be entertaining and the side will be a lot more fun to watch. Geordies have to be excited about that. Until next week -- Sanford

The African Cup of Nations: Group Previews

Group A
Ghana, Morocco, Guinea, Namibia
Preview

Group B
Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Benin
Preview

Group C
Cameroon, Egypt, Zambia, Sudan
Preview

Group D
Senegal, Angola, Tunisia, South Africa
Preview

Joy of Six: African Footballers

From Black Panthers to ageless lions, The Guardian presents our selection of the greatest players to come out of Africa.

2) Rabah Madjer (Algeria)
Best remembered in these parts for scoring the opener in Algeria's sensational win over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup, but that was just one of the 40 goals he hit in 87 appearances for his country. He was also the star of the Porto team that won the 1987 European Cup, his outrageous backheeled winner in the final against Bayern Munich typifying his irrepressible brilliance. The following season AC Milan had a £4m bid turned down for him - had it gone through Madjer would have been more expensive than Gary Lineker, Mark Hughes and Marco Van Basten.

USA vs. Sweden: Bradley's men continue to find comfort zone

International Friendly

U.S.A vs. Sweden
Jan. 19
Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
8:30 p.m. ET
Fox Soccer Channel
Preview

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview

Inter host Parma, Juventus welcome Sampdoria and Milan face a tricky test away to Udinese...

Previews

England: Premier League Weekend Action

Manchester City host West Ham, Liverpool welcome Villa on Monday while table-toppers Manchester United travel to Reading...

Fasteddy's Tips

Weekend Preview

Lawro's Predictions

Team News

The truth the soccerphobes refuse to face

Some Americans regard soccer as the devil's spawn. In reality it is as much a part of their nation as mom's apple pie.

Thornton returns to New York area with Red Bulls

Thornton, who played one game with the Colorado Rapids last season before being waived, will be returning to the New York area for a second stint.

Spain: Primera Liga Weekend Preview

The Madrid Derby dominates the fixture list for the weekend...

Saturday 19 January 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Getafe - Sevilla
22:00 Villarreal - Valencia


That's Sanford on the left, Bobbie in the middle, and Alec on the right...





Saturday 20 January
17:00 Osasuna - Athletic
17:00 Zaragoza - Murcia
17:00 Levante - Mallorca
17:00 Almeria - Deportivo
17:00 Valladolid - Espanyol
17:00 Betis - Recreativo
19:00 Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid
21:00 Barcelona - Racing
Previews

Keegan Anointed as Newcastle's Saviour

Kevin Keegan's second coming as Newcastle United's manager last night captured Geordie imaginations and succeeded in taking the football world by surprise. The once familiar refrain of "Walking in a Keegan wonderland" rang out again at St James' Park after Newcastle's 4-1 FA Cup third-round replay win against Stoke City as the club's new manager, who has signed a 3½-year deal, entered the dressing room to address his players.

KK's Newcastle Career in Pictures

Keegan wants fans to dream again




There's a resemblance...

African Nations Cup 2008

When the 26th edition of the African Nations Cup begins on January 20 reigning champions Egypt will face stiff competition as they seek to retain their title, not least from host nation Ghana but also from the likes of Nigeria and this year's favourites and the runners-up at the previous tournament, the Ivory Coast. Having sprung a few surprises in qualifying, the likes of Benin, Namibia and Guinea will also be in action and hoping to prove that they're not just there to make up the numbers; while some of the nations' lesser-known players will be using the competition as a shop window for their big move.

With that in mind, below is a team-by-team guide for the tournament, which culminates in the final in Accra on February 10.

Coleman resigns from Sociedad

Coleman brought the curtain down on his six-month tenure at the Spanish second division side yesterday when he and assistant Steve Kean announced their joint resignations.

Olympiakos Fan Stabbed To Death After Cup Match

Greek police say a fan of Olympiakos has been stabbed to death following Wednesday's game with Panathinaikos.

Marina Hyde on Liverpool

In urban slang - and a hilariously bad Jerry Bruckheimer movie - the phrase "coyote ugly" refers to the business of waking after a drunken evening next to a suitor so hideous that one would rather chew one's arm off than wake him or her, much as some coyotes will gnaw off their paw if it is caught in a trap.
Hicks gives Liverpool plenty to chew on

Havant full of hope and off to Liverpool

Havant & Waterlooville 4 - 2 Swansea City

The Conference South side eliminated Swansea City, the leaders of League One, on a fervent night in Hampshire, scoring four and making a mockery of the 83 league places that separate the two sides. The reward for the only semi-professional club left in the competition is a fourth-round tie at Liverpool.


H&W's Ground: A tad different from Anfield...

Feilhaber poised for potential move to MLS

The United States international Benny Feilhaber is poised for a potential move to Major League Soccer after being informed he can leave English Premier League side Derby County.

City Edge West Ham In Drab Cup Replay

Manchester City 1-0 West Ham United

Elano’s header was enough to give Manchester City a victory over West Ham in this FA Cup third round replay.

Transfers

Bolton Sign Portsmouth's Taylor
Portsmouth Sign Arsenal's Diarra

The Mill ++ +++

Wednesday's Rumours

++

+++

FA Cup Previews: Manchester City – West Ham, Newcastle - Stoke

What: FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
Who: Manchester City (7th EPL, 39pts) v West Ham United (10th EPL, 32pts)
When: Wednesday 16th January, 20:05 (GMT)
Where: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Preview


What: FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
Who: Newcastle United (11th EPL, 26pts) v Stoke (4th Championship, 44pts)
When: Wednesday 16th January, 19:45 (GMT)
Where: St. James Park, Newcastle
Preview