Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: Alexis Sanchez helps Gunners into FA Cup fifth round – 5 things we learned

Calum Chambers and Sam Vokes traded first-half goals before the Chilean settled the tie with a cool finish

Arsenal booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-1 win over Burnley.

Alexis Sanchez was the matchwinner for the Gunners, netting a second-half winner on his first start since returning from injury.

That was after Calum Chambers and Sam Vokes had exchanged goals in an intriguing first half in north London.

There were also appearances for Mohamed Elneny (his first for his new club) and Tomas Rosicky, who appeared for the first time since last May.

1. Calum Chambers enjoys playing Burnley

Chambers scored his second goal of Arsenal . His first was also against Burnley in November 2014.

So, Chambers could be forgiven for asking Burnley: can we play you every week?

More importantly, Chambers played at right back. He was nice and solid, his goal was a lovely curling shot with the top corner.

Chambers can play right-back, centre-back and holding midfielder. He is an excellent squad member.

2. Burnley make 4-4-2 work

Burnley and Sean Dyche won a lot of friends and admirers in the Premier League. Not least because they always tried to play football, it didn’t always come off, but they always tried to attack.

They came to the Emirates with two strikers in Sam Vokes and Andre Gray. Their movement and threat caused Arsenal problems.

Vokes’ towering header for Burnley’s equaliser was top quality and no more than he deserved.

3. David Ospina lacks height

This was Ospina’s first game for Arsenal since his nightmare in the Champions League against Olympiacos.

No-one has ever doubted Ospina’s ability as a shot stopper and a good reflex keeper.

But his height (I can’t believe he really is 6ft as the stats say) and lack of presence mean that he can leave Arsenal’s penalty area looking vulnerable.

Sure enough, opponents target high balls, crosses and set pieces. It was one of those high balls which allowed Sam Vokes to head home.

4. The FA Cup is useful for Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny was neat and tidy without being outstanding on his Arsenal debut.

He is clearly going to need time to settle in and adapt to English football as he looked a bit headless chicken at times.

Alex Iwobi is a bright prospect, has got great control and skill. But he couldn’t really get on the ball enough to influence the game. But played a part in Arsenal’s first two goals.

Arsenal were also to bring back Alexis Sanchez and Francis Coquelin to give them some match sharpness.

To that end, the FA Cup was useful rather than an unwanted distraction from bigger prizes.

5. Arsenal respond well to setbacks

After the defeat against Chelsea, Arsenal needed to regain some momentum. They couldn’t afford to lose against Burnley.

This should restore some confidence, get them bubbling again and also keep them in line to become the first team to win the FA Cup three times in a row since Blackburn in the 19th century.

They make a habit of responding well after body blows. Now their season nicely placed ahead of facing Southampton on Tuesday.

Player ratings

ARSENAL

1. Ospina 6 - Made some good saves, but lacks Cech’s presence.
2. Chambers 7 - Super goal, terrific curling effort. Nice game at right back.
3. Gabriel 7 - His pace gives him such an advantage, did well.
4. Koscielny 7 - Booked. Good strong combative display in defence.
5. Gibbs 7 - Looked sharp in front of England boss Roy Hodgson.
6. Coquelin 6 - His first start since November, clearly lacked sharpness.
7. Elneny 6 - Did OK, but will take time to adjust to English football.
8. Iwobi 7 - Big prospect, skilful and involved in both Arsenal goals.
9. Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 - His cut back set up Sanchez. Will boost his confidence.
10. Sanchez 8 (MOTM)- Marked his return with a goal. Always lively and trying.
11. Giroud 6 - Disappointing. Didn’t make enough of an impression.
12. Subs: Arteta 6, Rosick 6, Walcott

BURNLEY

1. Heaton 7 - You can see why he is a regular member of the England squad.
2. Darikwa 7 - Really caught the eye. Excellent crossing, good on the ball.
3. Keane 7 - Did well, strong and commanding in defence.
4. Mee 7 - Looks a good player. Helped marshall the defence.
5. Ward 6 Decent game at left back, solid in defence.
6. Boyd 6 - Lively and tried to make things happen.
7. Jones 5 - Subbed early, tried hard for Burnley.
8. Ulvestad 6 - Solid. Hung in there against Arsenal’s quality.
9. Anfield 6 - Booked. Made a good goal line clearance.
10. Vokes 7 - Excellent towering header for Burnley’s equaliser. A big threat.
11. Gray 6 - His pace caused Arsenal problems, looks a good player.
12. Subs: Barton 6, Hennings 6, Kightly

For more photos click here
Video credit : Youtube

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Simba yatakata TAIFA huku Yanga ikifungwa MKWAKWANI

• Simba leo imezidi kuwapa raha mashabiki wake baada ya kuibuka na ushindi wa mabao 4 - 0 dhidi ya African Sports uwanja wa Taifa Dar es salaam, huku Yanga ikilala kwa mabao 2 - 0 mbele ya Coastal Union uwanja wa Mkwakwani Tanga. 

Ushindi wa Simba ulipokelewa kwa furaha kubwa na mashabiki wa timu hiyo na umeifanya iendeleze rekodi nzuri ya ushindi katika mechi zake tatu mfululizo sasa.

Wiki za hivi karibuni Simba ilimuondoa kocha wake Dylan Kerr na kocha wa makipa, Iddi Salim kwa kilichoelezwa timu haichezi vizuri na jukumu kukabidhiwa Mganda Jackson Mayanja, ambaye alikuwa Kocha Msaidizi.

Huo ni ushindi wa pili mfululizo kwa Simba katika ligi hiyo ikiwa chi ya Mayanja baada ya mchezo wa kwanza kuifunga Mtibwa Sugar bao 1-0 wiki mbili zilizopita, lakini ni wa tatu mfululizo kwa kocha huyo baada ya Jumamosi wiki iliyopita kuifunga Burkina Faso mabao 3-0 iliyopo Ligi Daraja la Kwanza katika kuwania Kombe la Shirikisho Uwanja wa jamhuri Morogoro.

Kutokana na ushindi huo wa jana, Simba sasa imefikisha pointi 36 ikiendelea kushika nafasi ya tatu nyuma ya Azam inayoshika nafasi ya pili ikiwa na pointi 39 na Yanga inayoongoza ligi hiyo ikiwa na pointi 39, lakini ina uwiano mzuri wa mabao ya kufunga na kufungwa. Azam ipo nyuma mchezo mmoja.

Katika mchezo wa jana, Simba ilipata bao la kwanza dakika ya 14 mfungaji akiwa Hamisi Kiiza akimalizia krosi ya Hassan Ramadhan Kessy, kabla ya Kessy kuifungia Simba bao la pili dakika ya 30 baada ya kuwalamba chenga mabeki wa African Sports.

Simba iliendelea kufanya mashambulizi ya nguvu, huku Sports wakionekana kuzidiwa kila idara, ambapo dakika ya 42 Kiiza alifunga bao la tatu kutokana na uzembe wa beki Halfan Twenye aliyerudisha mpira kwa kipa wake  na Kiiza kuunasa.

Bao hilo la Kiiza lilikuwa la 12 kwake kufunga katika msimu huu akiendelea kuwa nyuma ya Amis Tambwe wa Yanga anayeongoza akiwa na mabao 13.

Sports ilijaribu mara chache kufurukuta, lakini umaliziaji haukuwa mzuri, ambapo wachezaji Pera Ramadhan na Rajabu Isihaka walishindwa kuzitumia.

Simba iliongeza bao la nne dakika ya 75 mfungaji akiwa Haji Ugando baada ya kupokea pasi ya Kessy na kuibua shangwe kwa mashabiki wa timu hiyo.

Wakati huohuo, Yanga jana ilipoteza mchezo wa kwanza katika ligi ya msimu huu baada ya kupokea kipigo cha mabao 2-0 Uwanja wa Mkwakwani, Tanga.

Yanga na Azam zilikuwa ndiyo timu pekee katika ligi hiyo msimu huu, ambazo hazifungwa mechi, hivyo kwa matokeo hayo imebaki Azam pekee.

Coastal ilipata bao la kwanza dakika ya 27 mfungaji akiwa Miraji Adamu kwa mpira wa adhabu baada ya beki Kelvin Yondani kuunawa mpira na kupiga adhabu hiyo iliyomshinda kipa Deogratias Munishi ‘Dida’.

Washambuliaji wa Yanga wakiongozwa na Donald Ngoma walijaribu kufukuta kutaka kusawazisha bao hilo, lakini umaliziaji ulikuwa butu.

Dakika ya 62, Juma Mahadhi alifunga bao la pili kwa shuti kali, bao ambalo liliwaamsha mashabiki wa Coastal, ambao matokeo hayo yamewafanya wafikishe pointi 13.

Naye Alexander Sanga anaripoti kutoka Shinyanga kuwa Mwadui imeibuka na ushindi wa bao 1-0 dhidi ya Toto Aficans mchezo uliofanyika Uwanja wa Mwadui.Bao hilo lilifungwa dakika ya 63 na Kelvin Kongwe kwa shuti la mbali.

Hicho ni kipigo cha nne mfululizo kwa Toto Africans baada ya kufungwa na African Sports, Prisons na Stand United.

Mchezo mwingine uliofanyika Uwanja wa Karume, Dar es Salaam, ambapo JKT Ruvu na Majimaji zilitoka 0-0.

Na Lenzi ya Michezo 

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Man United waishinda Derby katika FA

Manchester United wamempunguzia shinikizo meneja wao Louis van Gaal kwa kulaza klabu ya Derby 3-1 katika raundi ya nne ya Kombe la FA.

Van Gaal alipuuzilia mbali habari kwamba alikuwa radhi kujiuzulu baada ya klabu yake kushindwa na Southampton Jumamosi, na timu yake ilicheza vyema dhidi ya klabu hiyo ya ligi ya Championship.

Wayne Rooney alifunga kwa kombora alilolitoa akiwa hatua 20 kutoka kwa goli na kuwaweka United mbele dakika ya 16 kabla ya George Thorne kupenya safu ya ulinzi ya vijana hao wa Van Gaal na kusawazisha dakika ya 37.

Kipindi cha pili Daley Blind aliwarejesha mbele baada ya kupokea krosi kutoka kwa Jesse Lingard dakika ya 65.

Juan Mata alikamilisha ushindi wao dakika ya 83.

Derby, ambao hawajashinda mechi yoyote katika ligi yao mwaka 2016 wanashikilia nafari ya tano katika ligi ya Championship, walitatiza United kidogo mwishoni mwa kipindi cha kwanza Thorne alipofikia mpira kutoka kwa Chris Martin.

Lakini kwa jumla, ulikuwa ushindi ambao ulitoa matumaini kwa timu hiyo ya Van Gaal, ambayo baada ya kutoshinda Desemba, imeshindwa mechi moja pekee Januari.

Isitoshe, ilikuwa mara ya kwanza kwa United kushinda mechi kwa kuwa magoli mawili mbele katika mechi 15.

Baada ya mechi, Van Gaal alisema: "Tulicheza vyema wakati uliofaa dhidi ya Derby. Tuliwazawadi goli lakini wakati wa mapumziko nilisema tulicheza vyema, niliwaambia wachezaji washikilie hapo na tungeshinda. Na tulishinda.”

Kwa upande wake, meneja wa Derby Paul Clement alisema: "Daima lazima uingiwe na wasiwasi kuhusu wachezaji nyota kama vile Juan Mata na Anthony Martial. Walikuwa hatari sana.”

Derby watakuwa wenyeji wa Preston Jumanne wakijaribu kufufua kampeni yao ligini, nao Manchester United watawakaribisha Stoke nyumbani Old Trafford jioni hiyo.

BBC Swahili

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Samatta atambulishwa rasmi Genk Ubelgiji

Mshambuliaji wa timu ya taifa ya Tanzania Mbwana Samatta ametambulishwa kama mchezaji mpya wa klabu ya Genk ya Ubelgiji.

Samatta amejiunga na klabu hiyo inayocheza Ligi Kuu ya Ubelgiji kutoka kwa TP Mazembe ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo.

Samatta, aliyetawazwa mchezaji bora wa mwaka Afrika 2015 kwa wachezaji wanaocheza ligi za ndani, ametia saini mkataba wa hadi mwisho wa msimu wa 2019/2020.

Mshambuliaji huyo mwenye umri wa miaka 23, ambaye pia hucheza kama winga, alishinda vikombe sita vikubwa akiwa na TP Mazembe, ikiwa ni pamoja na kushinda Ligi ya Klabu Bingwa Afrika mwaka 2015.

Ameichezea timu ya taifa mara 20 na kufunga magoli saba.

Akiandika kwenye akaunti yake ya Twitter, Samatta alisema: “Nimejiunga rasmi na <span >@KRCGenkofficial. Nasubiri kwa hamu kipindi hiki kipya maishani mwangu.”

Alimshukuru mmiliki wa TP Mazembe Bw Moise Katumbi na mashabiki kwa kumuunga mkono.

Habari na Picha : BBC Swahili

Video: Simu TV

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Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea: Diego Costa makes Per Mertesacker pay for early dismissal by scoring winner five minutes after red card

• Arsenal centre back Per Mertesacker was sent off in the 18th minute after bringing down Chelsea's Diego Costa
• Mertesacker could have no complaints as he brought down Costa while the Chelsea man was running at goal
• Costa piled further misery on Arsenal by poking a delightful Branislav Ivanovic cross past goalkeeper Petr Cech
• Home defeat means Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal are three points behind leaders Leicester

Chelsea striker Diego Costa celebrates his 23rd-minute goal against Arsenal after poking a Branislav Ivanovic cross into the net

As he made his way, slowly, to the touchline the derision filled the night air. Then the response from blue corner. 'Diego Costa – he’s done it again'. And he had. Drawn the red card, got the goal, got right up Arsenal’s hooter. It was just like old times.

The result was familiar, too. A Chelsea win. These teams have met 27 times competitively in 12 seasons and this was Chelsea’s 16th win, with seven draws. The last 12 goals, in league fixtures, have belonged to Chelsea too. Do Arsenal have the nerve to win the title this season? They certainly don’t have the steel to beat Chelsea.

Not many teams will drop six points to them this season, but Arsenal have. And while they curse bad luck and Costa’s dark side for the defeat at Stamford Bridge, the buck stops with the home team here.  

Per Mertesacker made a dreadful decision leading to his dismissal and Arsenal barely managed a shot at goal. Cesc Fabregas ran the game in midfield, aided as ever by the tireless, Willian and was unfortunate not to win a penalty when bodychecked by Laurent Koscielny after a beautiful run in the second half. That Nemanja Matic gave away a foul, and was booked, for an identical challenge on Alexis Sanchez in midfield soon after shows the inconsistency. 

True, Arsenal were down to 10 for 71 minutes of the match but, even handicapped, they knew what they had to do after half-time and disappointed. Their best chances were scrappy, scrambles with opportunity coming by fortuitous deflection rather than invention. Leicester will have looked at this with quiet satisfaction. Everyone thought they would be the ones that blinked first. 

Petr Cech is the best goalkeeper around these parts since David Seaman. So, knowing that, why didn’t Per Mertesacker trust him to deal with Diego Costa, even one on one? 

When a quite lovely pass put Costa through after 19 minutes, Mertesacker’s lack of pace left him floundering. At that point, he had a choice. Lunge, risk missing his tackle, and play the inevitable game of red card roulette, or chase Costa, applying as much pressure as possible and hope that Cech can do the rest. 

The worst that could happen would be that Arsenal went a goal down, against a team that started the day in 14th place, and with 70 minutes to retrieve the game. Instead, Mertesacker pressed the doomsday button.

As usual, when things happen in a rush, there was the debate about whether Costa was taken out, clipped or merely fell over taking evasive action. It really doesn’t matter. Mertesacker’s tackle was wild and did not allow Costa to continue his run on goal. Of course, the same could be said of a challenge made by Nicolas Otamendi on Michail Antonio during Manchester City’s match with West Ham on Saturday, and that was only judged to be a yellow card. 

This time, Clattenburg did the right thing. Mertesacker was dismissed and the angry reaction of the locals probably had more to do with the involvement of bogeyman Costa than any true sense of injustice. Had it been the other way around, they would have been howling for a straight red. 

It was the seventh time in the Premier League that an Arsenal player had been sent off against Chelsea — not including Gabriel’s red at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, later rescinded. They have a way of getting under red skins and, momentarily, Arsenal lost their way. Arsene Wenger’s reaction to the calamity — removing Olivier Giroud for a centre half, Gabriel, was not well received, and Gabriel’s first involvement was, frankly, calamitous. 

He had been on the pitch barely a minute when Branislav Ivanovic whipped in a cross from the right, which Costa met at the near post, getting across Gabriel, and forcing the ball into the net. He is back to his best, no doubt of that, recording more goals and assists under Guus Hiddink than he did in 16 league games with Jose Mourinho this season. Make of that what you will.

Arsenal rallied, in terms of possession if not chances, but Chelsea could have moved further ahead shortly before half-time. Another beautiful ball from Willian — Chelsea’s player of all the season, not just a fraction of it — found Costa but Cech saved well at the near post. From Willian’s corner, Ivanovic’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Nacho Monreal.

Arsenal had one good chance before being numerically disadvantaged, and one after. In the second minute, a cross by Theo Walcott — honorary captain on the day after 10 years at the club — deserved better than a skewed finish from Joel Campbell. 

Then, with the last attack of the half, a neat chip from Aaron Ramsey was met by Mathieu Flamini, beating the offside trap but not his own nerves before goal, and choosing an ambitious volley which troubled only those departing early for a half-time cup of tea.

For more photos click here

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Lionel Messi Greatest Skills & Tricks

Best skills ever performed by the legendary leo messi

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Man United yalazwa,Liverpool yanusurika

Mchezaji wa ziada Charlie Austin alifunga dakika saba baada ya kuingia na kuijeruhi Manchester United.

Manchester United na meneja wao Louis Van Gaal walizomwa na mashabiki baada ya timu hiyo kushindwa kufanya mashambulizi yoyote katika dakika 90.

Wakati huohuo Adam Lallana alifunga bao la dakika za lala salama na kuiwezesha Liverpool kuishinda Norwich City 5-4 katika mechi iliojaa mashambulizi msimu huu.

Robert Firmino aliiweka kifua mbele Liverpool lakini bao la kisigino la Dieumerci Mbokani lilisawazisha kabla ya bao La Steve Naismith kuiweka mbele Norwich Wes Hoolan alifunga bao la penalti kwa upande wa wenyeji kabla ya Jordan Henderson na Frimino kusawazisha.

James Milner aliiweka Liverpool kifua mbele huku Sabastian Basson akisawazisha lakini Lallana akafunga bao la Ushindi.

BBC Swahili

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Marseille yajitosa kumtaka Samatta

Dar es Salaam. Wakati timu za Nantes na RCK Genk zikiendelea  kupigana vikumbo kwa ajili ya kuinasa saini ya mshambuliaji, Mbwana Samatta, klabu ya Olympique de Marseille nayo imejitosa kumuwania mshambuliaji huyo.

Kwa mujibu wa gazeti la L’Equipe la Ufaransa, Marseille imetajwa kuwa na tatizo kubwa kwenye safu yake ya ushambuliaji na inaamini ikimpata Samatta aliyefunga mabao 19 katika mechi 35 msimu uliopita, atakuwa tiba ya tatizo lao.

Uamuzi wa Marseille kuingia kwenye mbio za kumuwania Samatta umekuja baada ya kubaini kuwa hakuna timu yoyote kati ya Nantes na Genk ambayo ina uhakika wa asilimia mia kumchukua mshambuliaji huyo., Hhivyo, wanaamini kuwa wanaweza kubadili mawazo ya Samatta na kumnasa kwenye kipindi hiki cha uhamisho wa dirisha dogo barani Ulaya.

“Marseille inaamini kuwa ina nafasi kubwa ya kumnasa mshambuliaji huyo na kumfanya awe staa, na inajivunia kutoa ofa kubwa ya fedha kuzidi ile iliyotolewa na Genk pamoja na Nantes. Inaonekana inaweza kuzipiku Genk na Nantes kwani wanaamini wana uwezo mkubwa wa kuishawishi Mazembe,” ilisema sehemu ya taarifa hiyo.

Wakati huohuo, klabu ya Nantes nayo haijakata tamaa ya kumpata Samatta, ikidaiwa kupambana usiku na mchana kuhakikisha mchezaji huyo anamwaga wino na kujiunga nayo na kuipiga chini ofa iliyotolewa na klabu ya Genk.

Mtandao wa French 20minutes uliandika kwamba, kocha wa Nantes, Michel Der Zakarian amekuwa akivutiwa na kiwango cha Samatta na anaamini kuwa kumnasa mshambuliaji huyo kutaongeza nguvu kwenye kikosi chake.

Nantes imepania kushinda vita ya kumnasa Samatta na kuziacha kwenye mataa Genk na Marseille.

Charles Abel / Mwananchi

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Mourinho hakutuma ombi la kazi Man Utd

Ripoti inayodai kuwa aliyekuwa meneja wa Chelsea,Jose Mourinho aliiandika Manchester United barua yenye kurasa sita akielezea upungufu wa kocha wa Man United Louis van Gaal imetajwa kuwa "ajabu kabisa", anasema wakala wake, Jorge Mendes.

Jarida la Independent la Jumapili pia limedai Mourinho aliwasilisha "uchambuzi wa kisayansi" wa kikosi kizima cha Old Trafford katika kile kinachoitwa " barua ya upendo" kwa klabu hiyo.

United walizomewa na mashabiki wao wa nyumbani hapo jana Jumamosi baada ya kulazwa bao 1-0 dhidi ya Southampton.

Mourinho, 52, hana kazi haswa baada ya kutimuliwa na Chelsea katika wa Desemba kufuatia matokeo duni.

Mendes alisema dhana ya kuwa Mreno huyo aliandika barua hiyo ilikuwa "ujinga".

Katika taarifa fupi: Mendez alisema "hamuoni kuwa kocha mwenye hadhi kama ya Mourinho hawezi kujidunisha kwa kuandikia vilabu nyaraka za kuomba kazi ?''

Baada ya kichapo hicho Old Trafford, vijana wa Van Gaal walizomewa sana na mashabiki .

Kilichowaaudhi sana ni takwimu kuwa Manchester United ilijifurukuta na kushambulia lango la wapinzani wao mara moja pekee katika mechi hiyo.

Van Gaal alinukuliwa akikiri kuwa yeye pamoja na vijana wake hawakufanya vyema katika mechi hiyo na kuwa walistahili kubezwa na kutupiwa matusi makali na mashabiki.

United wako katika nafasi ya 5 katika jedwali la ligi kuu ya Uingereza ikiwa na jumla ya alama 37.

Timu hiyo inahitaji zaidi ya alama 5 ilikunusuru nafasi nne za kwanza zitakayoiwezesha kushiriki katika ligi ya mabingwa barani Ulaya.

Alama hizo 37 ni za chini zaidi katika hiztoria ya klabu hiyo maarufu duniani baada ya kucheza mechi 23.

BBC Swahili

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Mayanja aula mfupa uliomshinda Kerr

Dar es Salaam . Kocha wa Simba, Jackson Mayanja ameamua kucheza kamali iliyomshinda mtangulizi wake Dylan Kerr kwa kuamua kuwapa nafasi wachezaji Rafael Kiongera na Hassan Isihaka katika kikosi chake cha kwanza.

Kauli ya Mayanja imekuja wakati mashabiki wa klabu hiyo wakilalamikia kiwango cha Kiongera aliyerudishwa kwenye usajili wa dirisha dogo kuwa ni cha chini na hapaswi kupewa nafasi.

Isihaka amekuwa akilaumiwa kwa kushuka kiwango na mara kwa mara hunyooshewa kidole kuwa kuwa uzembe wake umekuwa ukiigharimu Simba.

Hata hivyo, Mayanja amedai kukoshwa na viwango cha wachezaji hao na ameahidi kuwa ataendelea kuwapa nafasi kwa sababu wanafanya kazi ambayo huwatuma.

Mayanja alisema haoni sababu kwa wachezaji hao kulaumiwa kwa sababu yeye kama kocha ndiye anayefahamu ubora na uwezo wa mchezaji mmoja mmoja kiufundi na siyo mashabiki.

“Isihaka amecheza mechi mbili mfululizo na hatujaruhusu bao na sioni tatizo lolote kutoka kwake.

Pia, Kiongera naamini ana kitu kikubwa kwa sababu anasaidia kuipeleka timu mbele sifa ambayo mshambuliaji anatakiwa kuwa nao.

Bado ni wachezaji ninaowaamini na wakiendelea kufanya vizuri nitazidi kuwapa nafasi,” alisema Mayanja.

Mayanja alisema kuwa falsafa yake ni wachezaji kuzingatia kile anachowaelekeza na yeye binafsi hawezi kuingia kwenye mkumbo wa kupangiwa kikosi na mtu yeyote<

 Charles Abel/Mwananchi

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I wouldn't sign for Chelsea right now - and nor would any top player, says Thierry Henry

Sticking the boot in: Henry doesn't believe Chelsea will attract top talent this month

The Blues are unlikely to qualify for next season's Champions League and it is not yet known who will manage the club when Guus Hiddink leaves in the summer

Thierry Henry believes Chelsea will fail to attract ANY top players this month due to the club's uncertain future.

The Blues are currently 14th in the Premier League, 17 points off the top four, meaning they are unlikely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea are also on the lookout for a manager for next season, with interim boss Guus Hiddink set to leave in the summer.

Henry, whose former side Arsenal face Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, also claimed the Blues' continued struggles since Jose Mourinho's sacking are proof that the players are solely to blame for the club's current plight.

"Clearly, the damage the team has suffered in recent months runs far deeper than anyone realised," Henry wrote in his column for The Sun. And now that they don’t have the manager or the doctor to blame, it’s clearly the players who are responsible for this mess.

"No top player is going to sign for Chelsea during the January window because they don’t know who the manager will be next season or if they will be playing in the Champions League.

"It looks as though they could be signing Alexandre Pato from Corinthians. But if I had the chance to join Chelsea this month, I would sit tight until the summer and wait for some of those questions to be answered."

Mirror

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Niyonzima rasmi Yanga

Sakata la Niyonzima kufukuzwa Yanga limechukua mwezi mmoja kabla ya wiki iliyopita kumalizana na kiungo huyo kuomba radhi ili aweze kurejeshwa kikosini.

Yanga ilitangaza kuvunja mkataba na Niyonzima kwa madai kwamba kwa kipindi kirefu mchezaji huyo amekuwa akifanya mambo na kuonyesha tabia ambazo si za kimichezo, gandamizi na ambazo zinaiathiri timu.

Ilidaiwa Niyonzima amekuwa akirudia mambo hayo, licha ya klabu kumuonya mara kadhaa kwa barua na wakati mwingine kumkata mshahara, lakini tabia zake zimekuwa zikiigharimu timu.

Pia ilidaiwa alikuwa akichelewa na kukosekana mara kwa mara katika programu za timu, hususan anapokuwa amekwenda likizo au kutumikia timu yake ya Taifa ya Rwanda, ambako mara zote amekuwa akiondoka bila hata klabu kupata taarifa au kuombwa ruhusa.

Lakini pia Yanga imemtuhumu Niyonzima kushiriki katika mashindano ambayo siyo rasmi na bila kuruhusiwa na klabu, akiweka maslahi yake mbele na si yale ya klabu.

Kutokana na mambo hayo, Yanga ilidai Niyonzima ameshindwa kuishi kwa kufuata vipengele vya mkataba wake kwa kushindwa kuthamini kazi yake na utovu wa nidhamu kwa programu za Yanga, hususan mazoezi ya maandalizi.

Hivyo basi, Yanga ilimtaka mchezaji huyo kulipa dola za Kimarekani 71,175 (sawa na Sh milioni 143) kama gharama za kuvunja mkataba na kwamba itapinga usajili wake popote bila kulipwa fedha hizo.

Lakini wiki iliyopita mabingwa hao watetezi wa Ligi Kuu Bara walimalizana na mchezaji huyo ambapo aliomba msamaha na kurejeshwa katika timu.

Akizungumza baada ya kurudi katika kikosi hicho, Niyonzima alisema anajisikia furaha kurejeshwa kwenye timu na atatumia uwezo wake kusogeza Yanga mbele zaidi.

“Nashukuru kwa nafasi hii nyingine, naipenda sana Yanga, nafurahi kuungana na wenzangu tena. Hata kama kipindi niliposimamishwa niliendelea kuwasiliana na wenzangu kuwatia moyo na kuwakumbusha kuwa msimu huu tubebe ubingwa, kwani hiyo ndiyo heshima yetu pekee na kudhihirisha ubora wetu.

“Yalisemwa mengi, eti nina mapenzi na Simba, hapana si kweli, sasa nimerudi mashabiki wa Yanga wasubiri vitu zaidi, ni kawaida kupishana, nina imani hayatatokea tena,” alisema.

NA MSHAMU NGOJWIKE, DAR ES SALAAM

CHANZO : MTANZANIA

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Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey jeered as Gunners return to the top of the table - 5 things we learned

The Gunners struggled to create chances without star man Mesut Ozil, who was injured, and had to settle for a point

Arsenal came through their title test at the Brit to return to the top of the Premier League.

The Britannia has been Arsenal's bogey ground and they still have only won once here in nine visits.

But Arsene Wenger's men showed character to earn a point on an ice-cold evening in the Potteries and were denied all three by Jack Butland.

Butland was outstanding and denied Olivier Giroud twice and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to underline his standing as a serious rival to England No 1 Joe Hart.

Stoke also had chances to win and Petr Cech thwarted Joselu and Bojan.

In form: Petr Cech jumps to make a save

1. True grit from the Gunners

Arsenal can show grit at the Brit. Arsenal had lost five of their last eight visits here and it is Stoke fans' favourite fixture of the season. But Arsene Wenger's side stood up to the challenge manfully and took the sting out of the crowd.

Cold snap: Arsene Wenger and Mark Hughes watch their players

2. Oxlade-Chamberlain can play in the middle

The Ox can play in the middle. This was a big test for Oxlade-Chamberlain playing in the heart of Arsenal's midfield because the Gunners were missing the injured Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez and he performed well against his dad's old team. He was denied a goal by a great save by Jack Butland.

Chance: Olivier Giroud has a shot saved by Jack Butland

3. A day to forget for the referee

Craig Pawson was not at his best today. Pawson got too many decisions wrong and Arsenal will feel they should hve had a penalty for Philipp Wollscheid's challenge on Theo Walcott just inside the area.

Jeers: Aaron Ramsey is booed by Stoke fans

4. Bojan disappointing again

Bojan has gone off the boil. Bojan has been great for Stoke this season and has been one of their main creative forces. But the little Spaniard's form has dipped over the last game or two and he was subbed for the second match running.

Wry smile: Theo Walcott and referee Craig Pawson

5. Stoke fans let themselves down

The Stoke fans should lay off Aaron Ramsey. We all know about his history with Ryan Shawcross and the broken leg he suffered here in 2010, so why should his every touch be jeered by the home supporters who chanted "Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp"?

Their abuse of Arsene Wenger wasn't pleasant either. The Brit crowd is one of the best, but they don't need to do that.

Shot: Marko Arnautovic is closed down by Per Mertesacker

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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry reveals the two players he believes can guide the Gunners to the title

 Duo: Ozil and Giroud are key to Arsenal's title charge, says Henry

Arsene Wenger's side will return to the summit of the Premier League with either a draw or a victory at Stoke this afternoon

Thierry Henry has backed Arsenal duo Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil to deliver the title for the Gunners this season.

A draw or a victory at Stoke this afternoon would return Arsene Wenger's side to the Premier League's summit, and Henry has backed them to last the distance, led by Giroud and Ozil.

Leicester City currently possess top spot after their draw at Midlands rivals Aston Villa yesterday, with Manchester City, who demolished Crystal Palace, and Arsenal a point further back.

The Londoners' superior goal difference will see them reclaim top spot even if they only manage a stalemate in the Potteries, but the chance to rediscover a two-point buffer is what they will be eyeing.

Frenchman Giroud has scored 12 goals in 21 Premier League games so far this term, 15 of which have been starts.

Key men: Will the pair fire Arsenal past Stoke today?

Former Real Madrid man Ozil comfortably leads the league in assists, having laid on 16 goals for his teammates so far this term, seven more than nearest rival Kevin De Bruyne.

"Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil are finally showing the consistency to match their unquestionable ability," Henry wrote in his column in The Sun.

"Now they can lead Arsenal to the title because the team has learned how to win the big games even when they don’t dominate possession.

"In the past Arsenal have always been accused of having only one way to play — passing their way through opponents and walking the ball in. But this season they have developed a Plan B which is proving so successful in matches."

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Samatta azawadiwa na serikali ya Tanzania

Mchezaji bora wa Afrika kwa wachezaji wa nyumbani Mbwana Samatta amekabidhiwa sehemu ya ardhi na serikali ya Tanzania kufuatia uhodari wake uliomwezesha kuondoka na tuzo hiyo na kuisaidia TP Mazembe kutwaa kombe la vilabu bingwa Afrika.

Mchezaji huyo pia alitunukiwa zawadi nyinginezo kwenye hafla iliyoandaliwa ili kusherekea mafanikio yake katika soka yaliyoiweka Tanzania katika ramani ya soka.

Hafla hiyo pia ilihudhuriwa na wadau wa michezo nchini Tazania wakiwemo waziri wa michezo Nape Nnauye na Thomas Ulimwengu ambaye ni mchezaji mwenza wa Samatta.

Amepewa kipande cha ardhi eneo la Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam na serikali kupitia wizara ya ardhi na nyumba.

Mchezaji huyo pia ameteuliwa nahodha mpya wa timu ya taifa Taifa Stars, nafasi ambayo awali ilishikiliwa na beki Nadir Haroub ‘Cannavaro’ anayeichezea klabu ya Yanga, kwa mujibu wa gazeti la Mwananchi.

Samatta, maarufu ‘Samagoal’ aliwapiku Robert Kadiaba na Bounedjah Baghdad wa Algeria anayeichezea klabu ya Etoile du Sahel na kutwaa tuzo hiyo.

Baada ya kupokea taji lake katika sherehe za kuwatuza wachezaji bora Afrika, mjini Abuja, Samatta alirejea Tanzania na baadaye kualikwa na Rais wa Zamani wa Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete.

Mnamo mwaka wa 2013, serikali ya Nigeria iliwakabidhi wachezaji wake sehemu ya ardhi mjini Abuja na pesa kwa kushinda kombe la Afcon.

Habari:BBC Swahili

Picha: Kwa msaada wa Mtandao

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Liverpool 0-1 Man United: Wayne Rooney scores with visitors' only shot on target - 5 things we learned

Jurgen Klopp's side looked the likelier to score at Anfield, but the Man United skipper saves the day for Louis van Gaal

Wayne Rooney struck with Man United's only shot on target to claim three points at Liverpool - and save Louis van Gaal's bacon.

The Red Devils skipper scored his first goal at Anfield for 11 years to secure the win despite another disappointing display.

Tempers flared early on when Lucas reacted to a Marouane Fellaini challenge in a quiet first half for both sides.

David De Gea made a fine save from Emre Can just after the hour mark and parried Firminho's follow-up as Liverpool pressed for an opener.

Sakho then head a chance to head the Reds in front, before Jordon Ibe replaced Adam Lallana.

Then Rooney struck with the visitors' first shot on target in the game to secure three points.

Here are five things we learned from the game:

Early clash: Lucas Leiva and Marouane Fellalini in action

Referee Mark Clattenburg keeps Marouane Fellaini out of the way after the clash with Lucas Leiva

1) Animosity on the pitch... but not off it

For all the animosity between Manchester United and Liverpool – and there was lots on the pitch, with Lucas apparently taking a personal and precise dislike towards Fellaini – there seemed to be a genuine warmth between two managers.

Louis van Gaal didn't test Jurgen Klopp's fiery temperament on the touch line mind, preferring to remain stoically seated virtually throughout the game, but the pair embraced as though old friends before kick off, and shared what seemed liked an extended comedy riff to the amusement of both.

Maybe it was something on how the hell have they swapped the top of the Bundesliga, from when they last met as Dortmund and Munich managers, to a mid-table clash in frozen northern England?

Adam Lallana has a header saved by David De Gea

2) Man United's tactics continue to baffle

That though, was about as warm as this got in this contest, which rarely thawed, never mind reached the boiling point contests between these two sides normally sustain. United's tactics didn't help, as they seemed pathologically reluctant to commit forward in numbers, and were content instead to pass the ball slowly across the pitch, even when they seemed to have the chance to break swiftly.

Liverpool though, appeared to anticipate as much, and set out with a 4-3-3 formation that morphed quickly into 4-4-2 and too easily slipped into 4-5-1, which created a dour midfield struggle for a good hour of the game.

3) Real Madrid should be kicking themselves over De Gea

Even so, the home side did create some opportunities with their – at times, it has to be said – slick interchange of passing between Firmino, Lallana and Milner.

They really should have done better in the first half when Lallana, Firmino and Henderson all probably should have converted, but that is ignoring the obvious and psychologically challenging barrier of David De Gea though, who seems to intimidate forwards with his mere presence. He made three fine saves here. Again. Without him, United would surely be a mid table side this season, just as they would have been last season.

That was some business not selling him last summer...or some appalling decision making by Real Madrid.

Adam Lallana in action with Chris Smalling

4) Klopp a little slow to change things up

In such a gritty, turgid contest, it was a puzzle why Klopp didn't try to change things around a little earlier, and revert to the Benteke option...especially with Blind playing at centre half for their opponents.

There was a moment midway through the second half when Liverpool finally overloaded United on the far post, Milner delivered the perfect cross; and Mama Sakho mistimed his jump woefully to head over.

Say what you like about Benteke, but had he been on the pitch then, he'd have been in that position and would have got above the ball. He is a goalscorer, and given in this game the home side so desperately required someone to finish off their superior approach play, it was mystifying why he wasn't used sooner.

Marcos Rojo with the Manchester United fans in the stand

5) Set pieces still Liverpool's woe at the back - and you wonder how

Which of course gave Manchester United a foothold in the game their unimaginative play didn't truly deserve. The goal, when it arrived, came from a set piece – obviously with this Liverpool side – and the only surprise was that it took Van Gaal's side SO long to work out that their opponents are vulnerable when you swing the ball into the box.

Seriously, have they not watched any tv for the past 12 months. Match of the Day? You wonder what video work they can be doing when their first four set pieces were all directed away from goal instead of swinging it into the mixer. When they finally did (and even then only from a short corner) they scored. It's not rocket science is it?

Player ratings - by Dave Kidd:

Liverpool

• Mignolet 5 Rarely tested but doesn't command box and distribution was poor.
• Clyne 7 Quality performer defensively and on the overlap.
• Toure 7 Rolled back the years with some good old-school defending
• Sakho 6 The cult hero won his usual quota of big headers.
• Moreno 6 Good defensively, started brightly when going forward but faded
• Lucas 6 Certainly knew it was a derby – kicked everything in a white shirt early on.
• Henderson 5 The captain adopted a weird shoot-on-sight policy which didn't work.
• Can 7 Worked himself sockless, twice forced good saves from De Gea.
• Milner 6 Manic workrate but no great quality about his end product.
• Lallana 6 Some pleasing touches around the box but no penetration
• Firmino 5 He's not a true centre forward and – unlike the Arsenal game – it showed.
• Subs: Ibe (for Lallana, 76 min, 5), Benteke (for Toure, 81 min, 5), Caulker (for Milner, 84 min, 5)

Star performer: Man United would be in all kinds of problems without this man

Manchester United

• De Gea 7 Three fine saves in the second half – where would United be without him?
• Young 6 Solid enough until suffering groin injury before half-time.
• Smalling MOM booked 8 Back to his accomplished best after some recent wobbles
• Blind 7 Tidied up well at the back and used the ball effectively.
• Darmian 6 Better at right-back in the second half than left-back in the first.
• Schneiderlin 7 Effective job screening the back four. A real Van Gaal player.
• Fellaini booked 5 Untidy and niggly. Riled the home crowd.
• Herrera 7 The fans' favourite was one of the few United players with creative spark
• Lingard 5 Failed to make any real impact before being replaced by Mata
• Rooney 6 Won it with a fifth goal in four but did very little else of note.
• Martial 6 Isolated on the left when his pace might have caused problems centrally.
• Subs: Borthwick-Jackson (for Young, 42 min, 6), Mata (for Lingard, 66 min, 6), Depay (for Herrera, 72 min, 6).

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