Burkina Faso coach hoping to Put back time

A Burkina Faso victory in Sunday's final against Nigeria would prove a second straight Africa Cup of Nations fairytale - but Belgian coach Paul Put simply hopes it can mark his redemption back home.

For the 56-year-old may not have ventured into the African game were it not for the ban he received in Belgium following his implication in a match-fixing scandal.

Paul Put, Head Coach Burkina Faso

The former Lierse coach received a three-year ban from the Belgian FA (RBFA) following allegations the side had taken money from a Chinese betting syndicate to lose matches under his tenure in 2004-05.

 “Now everybody in Belgium is calling me - radio programmes, television programmes - but I'm still the same Paul Put as before ”

The man who has guided the rank outsiders to their first Nations Cup final says he was made a scapegoat by Belgian football for what was a widespread problem. He also claims he was acting under duress after being threatened by those leading the scam.

"I was threatened by the mafia," Put told reporters this week. "My child was not safe.

"Fixing games is a big word. The team at that moment had nothing. It was in a very bad condition. It was not by our will."

Paul Put Critics: Chicken Hearts die of Shame

The former Coach of the Gambia national football team Paul Put has proven his critics wrong by qualifying Burkina Faso for their first ever Nations Cup final in history.

Paul Put, Former Gambian Coach

He guided the stallions of Burkina to 3-2 penalties win over tournament favorite Ghana on Wednesday night in South Africa.

Paul Put was doing a great job in the Gambia until then Ministry of Youth and Sports,headed by  Sheriff Gomez and his then permanent Secretary, now at the helm at the Ministry, issued a press release that Paul contract was termanated .

Some people are in favour of  Paul Put sacking by the Ministry of Youth and now those same people are now using the case of  Coach Steve Keshi  of  Nigeria and Coach Appiah of Ghana  for example of successful local coaches in Africa.

More than 25 Staffs Sacked at Gambia Football Association

Barely four weeks after Sports View Newspaper reported a possible sacking of the entire staff of the Gambia Football Association, it has been confirmed that about 25 staffs of the GFA have received their termination letter on Wednesday February 06th, 2013.

Sanna Bojang, GFA Kits Manager

According to sources, the terminations, which will take effect from March 01^st, 2012, were contained in dispatched letters signed by the Acting Secretary General of The Gambia Football Association to affected staff yesterday.

The terminated staffs include technical staff and some office employees.

The high profiled manes advanced on the list of the terminated staff list include   National team goalkeeper coach trainer  Alhagie Marong, U-20 and National team  assistant  coach Lamin Sarr, U-17 coach  Lamin Sambou, National team kits Manager Sanna Bojang, secretaries such as Fatou Sambou,  Fatou Ceesay, all the GFA regional coaches  and security personals  to name but a few.

Drogba:I want to win the Champions League with Galatasaray

The veteran attacker is hungry for European glory following his transfer to Istanbul, and is looking forward to teaming up with his new team-mates

Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba is hoping to win the Champions League for a second season in a row, having sealed a move to Galatasaray.

The Cote d'Ivoire international signed an 18-month deal with Cimbom in the winter transfer window after a short spell with Shanghai Shenhua, and is determined to make his stay in Turkey a success.

Suarez casts doubt over long-term Liverpool future

The striker says he is happy "for now" but wants to wait and see what the club's position is at the end of the season, admitting it is not a title contender any longer.

Luis Suarez is happy at Liverpool for now, but has hinted at doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been in terrific form for the Reds this term, netting 17 goals in 24 league games, and has been a key figure at Anfield since his 26.5 million euro move from Ajax in January 2011.

Nigeria in first Africa Cup of Nations final in 13 years

By Stephen Fottrell BBC Sport

Nigeria eased through to their first Africa Cup of Nations final in 13 years with a comfortable victory over Mali.

Defender Elderson Echiejile opened the scoring, heading home Victor Moses' cross, before Brown Ideye bundled past Mali keeper Mamadou Samassa.

The Super Eagles made it three with Emmanuel Emenike's shot deflecting in off Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko.

Substitute Ahmed Musa stroked home Nigeria's fourth, before Cheick Diarra grabbed a consolation for the Eagles.

Burkina Faso reached first Africa Cup of Nations final

By Ian Hughes BBC Sport

Burkina Faso reached their first Africa Cup of Nations final by beating Ghana on penalties in a dramatic and controversial semi-final in Nelspruit.

The Burkinabe were denied spot-kicks in normal time and in extra-time, when they also had a goal ruled out, and saw Jonathan Pitroipa harshly sent off.

Burkina Faso Team

Mubarak Wakaso put Ghana ahead in normal time with a debatable spot-kick, before Aristide Bance equalised.

Burkina Faso won the penalty shoot-out 3-2 to set up a meeting with Nigeria.

That Pitroipa - outstanding throughout the tournament - will not be a part of that showpiece match in Johannesburg will take some of the joy out of the victors' celebrations.