Martins double gives Newcastle victory over Villa

Obafemi Martins scored twice as Newcastle United produced a stirring second-half performance to beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Monday.

SA vs Nigeria: A titanic rivalry

Football statistics are weighted in Nigeria's favour at this weekend's clash between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana. Nigeria may be in a renewal process of their own, but one cannot see how a Bafana side with a new coach, with no proven strikers and playing in front of a hostile crowd, will defeat them, writes Percy Zvomuya.

Africa kicks off month of World Cup qualifiers

Africa's top footballers head wearily back from a demanding club season in Europe for an intensive month of World Cup qualifiers starting this weekend. Players like Michael Essien, Samuel Eto'o, Frederic Kanoute, Nwankwo Kanu and Emmanuel Adebayor go from the cauldron of top club competition into an equally demanding round of qualifiers for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Bafana are ready, says Pitso

Now is the time for budding Bafana Bafana stars to stand up and be counted as South Africa take on Nigeria in a tough 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja on Sunday. Kick-off is at 5pm South African time. There is no Benni McCarthy, and three midfield aces in Teko Modise, Delron Buckley and Lerato Chabangu are all nursing an assortment of injuries.

Chelsea keep pressure on United

Chelsea signalled their intention to push Manchester United all the way to the wire in the Premier League title battle by cutting the champions' lead at the top back to two points with a 2-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday. United can re-establish a five-point advantage with five games to play by winning at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Newcastle not safe yet, warns Keegan

Kevin Keegan insists Premier League safety hasn't yet been secured despite watching rampant Newcastle United dismantle Tottenham Hotspur 4-1. Keegan's free-flowing side moved back into mid-table and nine points clear of trouble as they capitalised on a shambolic defensive display from the League Cup holders to run out emphatic winners.

Chelsea keep pressure on United with narrow win

Chelsea kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday but their performance would have caused few alarms for leaders Manchester United. Ricardo Carvalho's well-placed header inside the opening six minutes at Stamford Bridge proved sufficient for Avram Grant's side to close the gap to five points.

Owen goal saves point for Newcastle

Newcastle United drew a scrappy Premier League relegation clash 1-1 at Birmingham City on Monday leaving coach Kevin Keegan still without a win in eight league matches since returning to the club. James McFadden opened the scoring for the home side with a well taken goal after muscling Abdoulaye Faye out of his way.

Perhaps there are some positives for Bafana

Although his new side failed to make it past round one at the Africa Cup of Nations, Carlos Alberto Parreira won't be entirely depressed. Bafana's performance at the tournament in Egypt in 2006 was marked by a medley of administrative foibles, disruptive player mutinies, pre-tournament shenanigans and sepulchral lethargy that showed on the field when they failed to score.

Côte d'Ivoire ready for quarterfinals

Côte d'Ivoire are the favourites to go one step better than two years ago and win the Africa Cup of Nations. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba captained the Elephants to three straight wins in a tough Group B that included Nigeria, Mali and Benin. They next play Guinea in the quarterfinals on Sunday in Sekondi.

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