CAF unveils candidates for African Player of 2008

Massimiliano Allegri says it is more important for Juventus to be effective than beautiful after a 2-0 Serie A win over Spezia.

Dusan Vlahovic scored another stunning free-kick and new signing Arkadiusz Milik opened his Juve account to seal the victory in stoppage time on Wednesday.

There were boos from frustrated Bianconeri fans as Allegri s side showed they are a work in progress on a day in which they signed midfielder Leandro Paredes from Paris Saint-Germain.

Juve were sloppy in possession after a strong start, but Spezia lacked the quality to make them pay at Allianz Stadium, where the Turin giants maintained their unbeaten record this season.

Allegri called for patience, but made it clear that securing three points in more important than fluent fo…

Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero will have to watch the coming six World Cup qualification matches from the sidelines, after his behaviour during the match with Uruguay.

Guerrero attacked the referee during the match played on June 18th. Uruguay ended up winning the clash 6-0.

As result of the suspension, Guerrero will miss the following matches:

Sep 06 Colombia away
Sep 10 Ecuador home
Oct 11 Argentina away
Oct 15 Bolivia away
Mar 28 Paraguay home
Apr 01 Chile away

If the Peruvian FA allow the player to return after his suspension, he would be able to make an appearance versus Brazil on June 6th of 2009, almost a year after the offense.

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Porto have completed the signing of striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo on a free transfer.

The Italy international joined Southampton in a club-record deal only two years ago, but was released by the Premier League club last month.

Osvaldo proved to be a disruptive influence during his time on the south coast and will now aim to kickstart his career in Portugal.

Porto will be hoping the 29-year-old frontman is able to hit the ground running after they sold the prolific Jackson Martinez to Atletico Madrid.

Osvaldo was suspended for three games by Southampton following a touchline fracas with Newcastle United s goalkeeping coach in December 2013, before being banned by the club following a training-ground incident.

The ex-Roma forward was then loane…

According to a recent report from Sky sources, Premier League side Manchester United have agreed on and £80 million fee that will see them complete the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City. The defender has been heavily linked with a move away from the Foxes for longer than most of us can remember, dating all the way back to last summer. The interest in Maguire really stepped up a level when he helped England to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, before they just fell short to a really strong Croatia side.

Personal terms have not yet been agreed and there is a medical that will be standing between Harry and getting the deal over the finish line, but one way or another, it feels like only a matter of time before we see him in a red shirt.

Will the…

Arsene Wenger has told his Arsenal stars to forget about a looming showdown with Chelsea and the absence of injured striker Robin van Persie as they look to book their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

A point at home to Standard Liege on Tuesday will ensure the Gunners of progression to the last 16 while victory over the Belgian champions would guarantee them top spot in group H.

That outcome would provide a welcome tonic five days ahead of Chelsea s visit to the Emirates for an encounter that looks like being pivotal to Arsenal s prospects of sustaining their Premier League challenge.

An unexpected defeat at Sunderland on Saturday has inevitably been interpreted as a sign of trouble along the road for Arsenal following the loss of top goalsc…

Manchester United have confirmed that Brazilian youngster Rodrigo Possebon will spend next season on loan at Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

The midfielder joined United from Internacional in January 2008 and made his first appearance for the club last season against Newcastle United.

A statement on United s official website said: Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Possebon will spend the entire 2009/10 season on loan at Portuguese side Sporting Braga.

Reports suggest Sir Alex Ferguson wants Possebon to gain experience before moving back to Old Trafford for a chance to become a regular at United.

[Source: Manchester United s official website]

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Cristiano Ronaldo s blockbusting move to Juventus was not enough to keep Lionel Messi off the agenda on his first day with his new employers.

Ronaldo was greeted by a throng of buoyant Juve supporters on Monday before completing his medical and staging an unveiling news conference.

The 33-year-old is locked on five Ballons d Or apiece with Barcelona superstar Messi, with their tussles on either side of El Clasico s divide having defined a footballing generation.

Asked about how facing up to the goalscoring exploits of Serie A rivals such as Edin Dzeko might compare, Ronaldo acknowledged his and Messi s link that will endure despite leaving Real Madrid.

I don t see players as rivals. That s not as I live, he said.

Of course, we want to win. We re…

(GSM) Peruvian side Alianza Lima made a perfect start to their 2010 Copa Libertadores campaign, earning a valuable 1-3 win at Bolivar in Bolivia.

Most of the match, played at La Paz s Hernando Siles stadium went by without goals but the best action was saved for last as Jose Fernandez put the visitors ahead in the 72nd minute.

The forward, who also spend some months at Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge in 2008, went on to add a second goal two minutes later.

Home fans were given new hope in the 89th minute when Uruguayan striker William Ferreira pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Colombian substitute Johnnier Montaño made it 1-3 three minutes later.

Alianza and Bolivar share Group 3 with Estudiantes of Argentina and Juan Aurich of Peru, who play thei…

Italian daily newspaper Il Tempo understands that AS Roma hope to cash in on Paraguayan forward Juan Manuel Iturbe in the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old has a contract until June 2019 at Stadio Olimpico, but he has only made three substitute appearances in Serie A this season.

Iturbe has utterly failed to prove his worth to AS Roma after joining from Hellas Verona in a €22 million deal in July 2014.

The Argentine-born footballer, who recently switched his allegiance to Paraguay, has largely struggled for form and playing time of late, and it is clear that his spell with the Giallorossi is drawing to a close.

Having largely impressed playing for Hellas Verona a couple of years back, Iturbe may be offered a chance to remain in Italian Serie A, …

Atlanta United picked up a critical win in their quest for the MLS play-offs, defeating Orlando City 3-0 Friday to give Gonzalo Pineda his first win as head coach. 

George Campbell headed home the opener in the 25th minute for his first MLS goal and Atlanta benefitted from an own goal by Daryl Dike in the 38th. 

Ezequiel Barco ended any suspense by netting in the 72nd minute after taking a long ball and working his way laterally across the penalty area before firing home with his right foot.

The emphatic win leaves Atlanta level on points with D.C. United, who remain seventh in the Eastern Conference on goal differential.

Take em all on, why not

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD)

In Western Conference play, Portland defeated Vancouver 1-…