Sport magazine Issue - 289

Issue 289 | January 18 2013

africa cup of nations

Drogba

unfinisheD business

ISSUE 289, JANUARY 18 2013 Radar 05 Boxers on the box Haye, Khan, Froch, Ogogo and Johnny Nelson talk candidly in Britain’s Best: The Gloves Are Off

06 Soka Afrika The documentary following the differing paths of two African trainees in Europe comes to DVD

08 On yer bike Don’t have one? Get down to the London Bike Show and put it right – or see plenty who do in action oFeatures this coming week

16 Didier Drogba Africa’s favourite footballing son dreams of winning the continent’s own tournament – and he tells us, exclusively, all about it

16

25 Africa Cup of Nations We preview the groups and let you know who to drop from your Fantasy Premier League team for the coming month

27 Sporting endorsements

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27 08

Rory McIlroy’s new deal has even obliterated the $200m George Foreman has raked in from his lean, mean grilling machine

Extra Time 40 Gadgets The Huawei Ascend Mate boasts the biggest smartphone screen ever – just the 6.1 inches, then

42 Kit

Cover image: Marco Grob/Trunk Archive

Take a run at our selection of backpacks for the more active commuters among you

45 Entertainment See the fun version of slavery in Django Unchained and visit a sex surrogate in The Sessions

45

46 Grooming A selection of products to help shave the fluff from your chops | January 18 2013 | 03

letting their guard down

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f press coverage was all you went by, you might think boxers spent all of their time outside of the ring trash talking, buying pet tigers or belting Dereck Chisora around the head. The truth is that pugilists are often among the more complex and sensitive of athletes, acutely aware of the trauma they have to put themselves and their families through.

This point is made eloquently in a revealing Sky Sports special next Tuesday. In Britain’s Best: The Gloves Are Off, David Haye, Amir Khan, Carl Froch, Anthony Ogogo and former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson talk candidly about their lives in and outside of the ring. Choice insights include:

p06 – 2020 Olympics: we run the rule over the candidate cities p08 – We ask Ray Wilkins who can replace Frank Lampard at Chelsea

DaviD Haye a Different persona “You’ve got your family life, then you have your on-screen, in-ring persona.

I’ve always said from day one they are very separate. Boxing life? Talk to me [about] whatever you want, film me wherever I’m going – but behind closed doors; that’s for them. I’ve stuck by that, very happy that I’ve done that. There’s enough pressure in life as it is without getting your family involved.”

amir KHan family prayers “My mum never came to a fight, she is always in a room praying the whole day on the prayer mat. She even fasts on that day. She says to me she’s not bothered about me winning or losing the fight, she just doesn’t want me to

get hurt. My sisters and my fiancée do the same thing. My fiancée said she was praying for me so much she’s had headaches.”

JoHnny nelson public pariaH “In 1990, I boxed Carlos De Leon and I stunk the place out. Eleven million viewers on TV, 22 years old – my big chance. Everybody I had ever seen in my life was in the crowd: Linda Lusardi, the cast from Eastenders.

They were all in the crowd and I absolutely froze. After that, I couldn’t walk down my own streets in Sheffield. I had to get work abroad. It was how the public were towards me that moulded me into the man I am.”

Britain’s Best: The Gloves Are Off airs on January 22, Sky Sports 1 at 10pm

| January 18 2013 | 05

© Jack Barnes

Radar

p06 – DVD release Soka Afrika tells the tale of two African trainees

Radar

Broken dreams

or every African footballer who secures a lucrative European career, there are hundreds – if not thousands – who fall by the wayside. Shamefully, the very people who are meant to help them land dream moves to Europe sometimes end up exploiting their charges in the name of profit.

Thought-provoking documentary Soka Afrika explores the dark side to the rags-to-riches stories, as it follows two African teenagers seeking to carve out a career in football.

The first, 19-year-old South African

F

Soka Afrika is out on DVD tomorrow, £11 from sokaafrika.com

Kermit Erasmus, lands a dream move to Feyenoord, while the other, Ndomo Julien Sabo, is not so lucky.

After being approached by an agent offering trials with a French club, funded by his family selling their home, the Cameroonian ends up stranded in Paris, while the agent absconds with the cash.

The film highlights the very real problem of so-called ‘football trafficking’, and the efforts being made to stop the exploitation of African players trying to fulfil their dreams of professional football.

Twentytwenty vision even years from now, one of these three cities will host an Olympic Games – an honour they will welcome with delight, in stark contrast to some ungrateful Londoners back in 2005. The International Olympic Committee will visit the three candidates before making an announcement in Buenos Aires in September. But, now that all the details are in, we decided to do our own analysis of the contenders...

S

06 | January 18 2013 |

The bid This is Istanbul’s fifth attempt, but it is considered an outsider because only 11 of the 36 venues have been built.

That said, the high budget and the lure of a cross-continental Games could swing things Turkey’s way.

They say “It will be the people’s Games, open, accessible, and affordable.”

Why it will win Istanbul has the highest budget of the three cities: $19.2bn.

The bid Given Spain’s delicate financial situation, Madrid’s third consecutive bid is a surprise. The logo (above) was derided for seeming to read ‘20020’.

The bid Tokyo hosted the Games in 1964, and an 80,000-seater stadium is being built on the site of the old one.

The slogan is ‘Discover Tomorrow’.

They say “A Games for all” - are you spotting a theme developing?

They say “The radiation numbers in Tokyo are normal. The radiation levels in Tokyo are the same as in London.”

Err... it’s different, at least.

Why it will win The Spanish capital is the largest European city never to have hosted an Olympics, and the majority of the venues required already exist.

Why it will win It’s the odds-on pick according to bookies, with odds of 8/11.

Radar

ARE CHELSEA RIGHT TO GET RID OF THEIR OLDER PLAYERS?

WHO COULD REPLACE FRANK LAMPARD?

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Answered by former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins

Cheer up, gear up... onday, apparently, marks the most depressing day of the year – unless you’re Jonathan Walters, in which case it was probably last Saturday.

What better way to chase away the winter blues, then, than the London Bike Show, which runs until Sunday at the ExCeL centre. As well as the usual collection of bikes and kit to peruse and purchase, there is also racing in the form of the IG London Nocturne – a specially constructed 500m circuit that will host elite riders, plus folding bike and penny farthing races. £16, thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

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08 | January 18 2013 |

an extremely successful period since Roman Abramovich has been at Chelsea, so I would imagine that he would still like to be winning in transition.

That’s another very difficult problem you face when you bring in a number of new players – they have to settle quickly into the system and the way the new manager wishes to play.

Ray Wilkins has been appointed Coral’s director of football. Ray is signing people looking to ‘move for the money’ to Coral. Visit coral.co.uk/moveforthemoney

“Nathaniel Chalobah is out at Watford at the moment on loan with Gianfranco Zola, and doing a very good job as a holding midfield player – he should be an outstanding young footballer. And, of course, Josh McEachran is out at Middlesborough, and he’s another outstanding young man. There’s not too many others, so it’s a very important phase as far as Chelsea are concerned, because the academy has been a very important part of their planning for the past five or six years.”

WHAT TOPIC SHOULD WE TACKLE NEXT? LET US KNOW ON TWITTER @SPORTMAGUK

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A

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images, Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

o, I don’t think they are. And it’s only my personal opinion, but I still feel that Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole would have a lot to offer if they were to stay at the club.

It’s a tad premature, but Chelsea have decided that this is the way they want to proceed. I think it’s been very heavily thought out, and I wouldn’t have thought that the hierarchy at Chelsea would have come to this decision in a rash manner. When the new manager comes in, it looks very much like he will have a clean slate to work from. It’s been

Radar Editor’s letter Golf sale: Nike have given McIlroy 125 million reasons to sign with them www.sport-magazine.co.uk @sportmaguk facebook.com/sportmagazine Free iPad app available on Newsstand

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Money money money...

It makes the world go round, and all that, but is $125m for one man just too much?

F

ootballers get a pretty bad press where money is concerned. Pretty much everyone seems to agree they are overpaid prima donnas.

That is the received wisdom. ’They earn £100,000 a week!’ people cry. ’What about Editor-in-chief the nurses?’

Simon Caney Well, yes, it would be nice if nurses earned @simoncaney a bit more. But let’s take that £100,000, which would seem to be a fairly average salary for a decent Premier League footballer. Some earn more, some less.

Now, £100,000 a week equates to £5.2m a year. Over 10 years, that makes £52m.

It’s a lot, isn’t it? But why are they vilified when Rory McIlroy has just signed a contract for (if we believe what we read) significantly more than that amount in just half the time? The general consensus is that Rory’s done well for himself – good luck to the lad and away you go to win more majors.

Personally, I don’t have any great issue with how much any sportsman earns.

Market forces dictate the price. I’m a huge fan of Rory, have met him a couple of times and like him a lot. If Nike want to pay him a king’s ransom to use their kit, and it has no adverse effect on his game (watch this space), then he’d be daft to turn it away.

Similarly, footballers are paid a lot of money because someone thinks they’re worth it and is prepared to cough up. It may be because they’re actually good enough, it may be because they will help the club shift a few replica shirts in the Far East. Whatever, there will be a business rationale.

However, in this mag we carry a great interview with Didier Drogba, who gives every penny of his endorsements to his foundation in the Ivory Coast. An exceptional gesture, worth millions – and I also wouldn’t have any argument if other sportsmen considered doing the same thing.

Delighted to see that Paul McGinley was announced as European Ryder Cup captain this week. There was a bizarre late move for Colin Montgomerie, who does not emerge well from this process, but McGinley, on the other hand, carries the team’s complete support. Bring it on.

By the time you read this, Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah Winfrey will have been aired. As long as he has admitted everything, offered up the names of everyone else involved in his wholesale cheating, guaranteed to pay back every cent he earned from cycling, accepted he should now be charged with perjury and promised to never, ever take part in any sort of sport ever again, that would be a start. It would be strange if he did that, though, because he’s a lying, cheating bully. Still, hope springs eternal, eh?

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Cover of the Year

Reader comments of the week “13 questions for 2013” A great feature in today’s @Sportmaguk @sarahsportmag @simoncaney @tonyhodson1 If you love sport read it now.

@simoncaney I see your Jimmy Anderson and raise you Phil the Power Taylor for SPOTY. E/W at 80-1 when level with MVG looked too good!

A welcome return and lovely ‘contribution’ from @davidflatman in this morning’s @Sportmaguk.

You’ve been missed

@BeardyBoulderer Twitter

@HarryMaidment Twitter

@Fredsas7 Twitter

@rossgarritty Twitter

10 | January 18 2013 |

David Flatman’s Lions XV 14 English/Irish players, one Welsh and no Scots.

Is it the British Lions or the English/Irish Lions?

LAUNCH OF THE YEAR

2008

Total Average Distribution: 305,676 Jan-Jun 2012 Don’t forget: Help keep public transport clean and tidy for everyone by taking your copy of Sport away with you when you leave the bus or train.

David Via email

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@simoncaney great to have the paper edition back for the tablet-less, but a look ahead to 2013 and no mention of rugby league World Cup?

Radar Opinion

David Lyttleton

Flats on Friday

BT the new big beast of rugby on the box

W

hat I sometimes like to do is ensure everybody knows that I know some really important stuff, but that I can’t tell them.

In doing so, I seem to win both ways. “Wow, he’s one important hombre,” I hear them thinking. “But gee-whizz, can he keep a secret – his integrity makes me want to be a better human being.”

I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re saying under their breath as they turn and seem to whisper.

Anyway, all this means is that I can’t tell you very much at all about the all-day conference I attended on Monday at the BT Tower, with lots of media types from the rugby clubs we know and love. The view was quite incredible, and BT even laid on some snow in order that the panoramic vista might be maximised. Lunch was a choice between pork belly and fish and chips, and both were lovely.

The coffee was piping hot and they even had

Earl Grey, for those who wished to pretend they were posh.

What I can tell you is that rugby coverage in this country is about to go somewhere it has never been before. This isn’t an attempt to look important, I promise, but if the respective directors of rugby and head coaches agree that revving up the consumer experience serves the sport in the best way, the noble, largely insular and actually rather complicated game of rugger might well find itself becoming more transparent – and, frankly, more interesting – than it has ever been. Short of a rear-waist-mounted, Anneka Rice camera, we look set to see more of the men behind the muscles. Though the man who suggested filming Nick Easter in the shower needs putting down.

I must say, I do get quite protective when it comes to these things. I have, over the years, crowbarred myself into a suit and commented upon the odd game

“Rugby coverage in this country is about to go somewhere it has never been before” 12 | January 18 2013 |

with Sky Sports and ESPN, and I love them both.

Admittedly, their styles vary hugely – Sky being more formal, ESPN more casual – but they have both achieved institutional status, at least in my house. So I arrived to hear from the new boys with a not terribly well disguised scepticism in my eyes.

Perhaps the dark sunglasses I wore throughout the conference hid my cynicism, or perhaps they just thought Bono had been on the pasties.

But I left as sure as I could have hoped that our game is in good hands. In fact, it’s in such good hands that those of us who are employed by a club might have to think harder about selling tickets, as leaving home will never have been less attractive.

Okay, I’ll admit: they didn’t offer me loads of top-secret info. But we were given a real taste of the ambition of our new provider, both in terms of customer service and likely content.

We will soon know, and indeed see, who these behemoths really are before the ref knocks on the door and shouts ‘time’. I know who they are already – I’m just not telling you. @davidflatman

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

Frozen in time

14 | January 18 2013 |

Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Uphill struggle Every weekend, all over Britain, there are people taking part in races like this. As if it wasn’t hard enough running (or indeed walking) up a chuffing great muddy hill, or cycling up one, this lot – the veterans’ section of the National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bradford – choose to carry their bikes instead. Think of them on Sunday morning, when you’re sitting back with your coffee and croissant.

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16 | January 18 2013 |

dIdIer drogba

Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images

"I've seen people cryIng for players lIke yaya and kolo Toure‚ salomon kalou, for me. people are cryIng jusT To see us, and when They Touch us They go InTo a dIfferenT sTaTe. I don'T know - IT's The passIon... The passIon"

| 17

Didier Drogba

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or Didier Drogba, the Africa Cup of Nations represents a melting pot of sporting, cultural and human emotions. A complex mixture of feelings are driving him on ahead of the 2013 tournament, which kicks off in South Africa tomorrow, but few words could summarise his and his nation’s relationship with the competition better than the term ’unfinished business’.

Ivory Coast’s captain and talisman, recognised the world over as a symbol of African football, has realised more than his fair share of childhood dreams in a career that has seen him win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and, with his final kick at the end of eight trophy-laden years at Chelsea, the Champions League.

Now, at the age of 34, the powerful centre forward is in determined mood ahead of his fifth attempt to bring the coveted Cup of Nations back to Abidjan, the bustling Ivorian city where nothing is taken as seriously as football.

I DREAMED A DREAM “I think I’m lucky to be able to realise my dreams,” he tells Sport ahead of this year’s tournament. “Some people don’t even get close to their dream. But I dreamed about winning the Champions League, and I won it.

I also dreamed about winning the Africa Cup of Nations, and I still haven’t won it. You have to have a dream; you have to believe and you have to give everything to achieve it so that you have no regrets. After last year’s competition, I have regrets.”

The reasons behind that powerful statement become clear when you look at the recent history of Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. Drogba has been the leading man in the national team’s quest to become champions of Africa, and has twice looked destined to succeed in his mission, only to miss penalties at key moments with his team on the brink of glory.

In the 2006 final, he looked on ruefully as Egypt triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout

"WHEN I MISSED THAT PENALTY IN THE LAST FINAL, MY PARENTS TOLD ME THAT SOMEBODY HAD A HEART ATTACK AND DIED FROM WATCHING IT. CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING TOLD THAT?"

18 | January 18 2013 |

LEARNING FROM THE PAST Far from forgetting the anguish of that night, though, Drogba insists the team will use the positives from last year’s tournament – alongside the pain of defeat – to drive them on this time around.

“We are lucky to have a new competition coming so quickly after that one,” he says.

“We shouldn’t look at that final and just say ’the past is the past’, because I think we have to keep the good things we did.

“We went there and had the best defence in the tournament, and we were the best attacking team as well [though we should point out Zambia also scored nine]. We didn’t concede one goal and we didn’t win the title, which is very unusual. So, I think we need to keep this – and I also think we need to improve our preparation going into the final, if we get there again. We need to be more calm, more confident and more ruthless.

We had some chances to kill the game last year: my penalty, Yaya Toure’s chance and a few others. But we didn’t take them.

“The thing about finals is that, if you don’t win, you still remember them. Of course, when you win you remember them as well, but there is something about finals. When you lose in a semi final, it’s painful but you deal with it. You get over it, and you even forget it sometimes. But finals – they are special.”

Drogba knows a thing or two about dusting himself off and trying again. Hours after falling short in the final in Gabon last February, >

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

HE MAY BE HIS CONTINENT'S MOST CELEBRATED CURRENT FOOTBALLER, BUT DIDIER DROGBA WILL NOT BE TRULY HAPPY UNTIL HE HAS LED HIS BELOVED IVORY COAST TO AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS GLORY. AHEAD OF THE 2013 TOURNAMENT, WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW, HE SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO SPORT

after he had failed to score his team’s opening spot-kick following a 0-0 draw in Cairo. Then, after semi-final and quarter-final exits in the intervening tournaments, last year saw the Elephants reach the final once again – this time as hot favourites against an unfancied yet emotionally charged Zambia.

The Ivorians’ opponents had every reason to be the neutrals’ darlings that night. As a nation not well known for its pedigree in tournament football – and boasting few, if any, household names among their lineup – they were the underdogs. Then there was the emotional symmetry provided by the venue for the final, Libreville. Nineteen years earlier, the Gabonese capital had been the site of a tragic air disaster as the plane carrying the Zambian football team to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal crashed, killing everyone on board.

With the 2012 final taking place so close to the scene of the crash, the team nicknamed the Copper Bullets were playing in memory of their lost predecessors against a side packed with star quality, which had scored nine goals and conceded none in the five games en route to the final.

Drogba’s men dominated the game, but could not overcome the spirited Zambian defence in wet conditions. And, when the captain saw his penalty fly over the bar during the second half of normal time in a goalless draw, the scene was set for another remarkable penalty shootout – one that saw the Ivory Coast’s dreams shattered again.

Didier Drogba

he was on a flight back to London to try and help his club side Chelsea rescue a season that was going desperately awry. Three months later, he was placing the ball on the penalty spot in another defining match, as the Champions League final went to a shootout in Munich. This time, of course, he scored – winning the trophy for Chelsea at the eighth attempt, with his last kick for the club.

“As I walked up to take that penalty, I was just thinking: ’This is the last kick of the game because, if I score, we win it,’” reveals Drogba. “I wasn’t thinking it was my last kick for Chelsea. Maybe afterwards I was thinking a little bit about that, but when I was on the pitch, I wasn’t.

“I hadn’t made my mind up to leave at that point. It was a very difficult decision, but the circumstances – winning the trophy and giving everything for the club – maybe helped.

I just took time to enjoy the moment, to realise what we had achieved... and then, the next day, I said: ’Okay, it’s done.’”

PLANET DROGBA Away from the pressures of the pitch, Drogba is a calm and philosophical character who manages to keep things in perspective – no mean feat for a man who seems to be surrounded by hysteria, whether in the form of screaming fans or sensationalist headlines, at every turn. When we ask him what it is like being Didier Drogba in Abidjan, he takes a deep breath before answering.

“I can talk about it and I can give you some examples, but you won’t believe it,” he says.

“You would have to come and see it with your own eyes. When I was a small boy in Ivory Coast, things were very simple. I could go into the centre and nobody would even pay

20 | January 18 2013 |

attention because nobody even noticed I was there. I would be doing normal things, playing out on the streets for hours and hours.

“Now, I can’t drive into town because people will stop my car. I can’t go there with my kids because they will be scared by all the people coming over to me. Of course, it’s nice because you get the attention of people, but your life is not the same any more.

“It’s an experience and I’m lucky to be in this position – to be able to receive a lot of support from fans, from the people of my country – and that’s one of the reasons why I decided to create my foundation, to give something back. I feel happy when I give some joy and some happiness to people like them, and it’s a very special relationship that I have with Ivory Coast and with Africa.

Very special.”

It is not widely publicised, but Drogba gives every penny he earns from commercial deals with the likes of Pepsi, Nike, Orange and Samsung to the foundation that bears his name, which was set up in 2007.

Drog days: celebrating his equaliser in the Champions League final (top); and with children at his foundation

He is building five clinics in the Ivory Coast – the first in Abidjan – and has personally involved himself in activities for children living in very challenging circumstances. It is something that has affected him greatly.

“At Christmas time, the foundation brought 80 kids here, from six to 13 years old, from places that were touched by the civil war in the north of the country, as well as kids with HIV and homeless kids, who had never been to somewhere like Abidjan before,” he tells us. “We took them there for three days and they really, really enjoyed it. We had fun. I spent three days with them and, for me, it was the best three days of my life.

“My own kids were there with me. They were born in France, but they realised that these were their roots; that this is where their parents come from. They even wanted to come and help with the work. It’s fantastic when you see young kids caring for kids the same age because they understand that they are lucky to have family who can afford an interesting life, a good life. They have a lot of respect for the other kids.”

UNITING A NATION His interest in the welfare of the West African country, which sits on the Gulf of Guinea, dates back several years. In 2006, Drogba returned home to accept the first of his two African Player of the Year awards; he capitalised on the celebratory mood of the public, as well as interest shown by the president, to request – along with his international teammates – that the next national team fixture be played in the north of the country. That would mean playing in territory that had been a rebel stronghold >

John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images, The Didier Drogba Foundation/Richard Young

"I WASN'T THINKING IT WAS MY LAST KICK FOR CHELSEA. MAYBE AFTERWARDS I WAS THINKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, BUT WHEN I WAS ON THE PITCH, I WASN'T"

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Didier Drogba

during the period of civil unrest between 2002 and 2007.

It seems incredible from a British perspective that a sporting achievement could be used to calm a nation divided by politics and war, but that is what Drogba and his teammates achieved, as his individual award and the national team’s qualification for the 2006 World Cup united the nation through a sense of patriotic sporting pride.

“Everywhere you go in Ivory Coast, people talk about the national team, about players like Yaya Toure and me,” he explains. “People talk about the players more than they do about the politicians. Can you imagine?

We are like the ambassadors of this country, and that’s why they put all their faith in us.”

In this context, faith could easily be seen as a euphemism for pressure. Drogba admits that the nation’s love for the game can sometimes raise the stakes to a dangerous level ahead of major tournaments.

As such, the Africa Cup of Nations is not experienced as a mere sporting event; it is viewed as a statement of pride in Africa’s footballing heritage and the talent the continent produces, generation after generation. Footballers are seen as the chosen few, who have risen out of poverty and sometimes seemingly hopeless situations to achieve fame and success in Europe and further afield.

The people of Africa might support a team in the Premier League, follow the Champions League religiously and fall in love with the World Cup. But the competition that begins

22 | January 18 2013 |

when hosts South Africa take on debutants Cape Verde in Johannesburg tomorrow afternoon is Africa’s tournament.

This is the time when the stars that have made it in the big leagues come home to represent their nations and show the world what African football represents. All the virtues of the African footballer – the improvisation, the creativity, the artistry – will be on show, untethered. And the continent’s most revered footballer knows what it means to the football-loving public across the continent.

Ambassadors’ reception: fans celebrate beating Mali in last year’s semi final (top left); and greet the team on their return to Abidjan after their final defeat (above)

SEEING IS BELIEVING “It’s a big deal,” he announces, his voice rising as he emphasises the point. “Let me explain something to you: when I missed that penalty in the last final, my parents told me that somebody had a heart attack and died from watching it. Can you imagine being told that?

“You don’t understand unless you’ve experienced it. That’s why I say you have to see it to believe it, but it’s very sad because it goes beyond football, beyond sport... it’s more than that. Maybe, in some ways, you might say it’s a good thing that they have such passion for the game, but not when it reaches that level.

“The passion! I’ve seen people crying for players like Yaya and Kolo Toure, Salomon Kalou, for me. People are crying just to see us, and when they touch us they go into a different state. I don’t know, it’s the passion... the passion.”

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS Jan 19 – Feb 10, South Africa. Live coverage on British Eurosport and ITV4, see listings for details

SATURDAY GROUP A: SOUTH AFRICA v CAPE VERDE BRITISH EUROSPORT 4PM

TUESDAY GROUP D: IVORY COAST v TOGO BRITISH EUROSPORT 3PM

He trails off after repeating this last phrase like Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. But Drogba is far from viewing the passion of his countrymen as some kind of horror.

Instead of being haunted by their desire to win, he is determined to harness it so that he can finally realise his dream – their dream.

Almost a year after that fateful night in Libreville, and nine months after his moment of glory in Munich, Africa’s most famous footballer is focused on winning the continent’s flagship tournament at the fifth attempt.

“Look, Ivory Coast won the African Nations Cup only one time, and that was 21 years ago,” he says. “And there is also a weight of expectation because of this generation of players that we have.

“It’s difficult in a way and, if you weren’t used to it, it could be a big pressure. You could lose your football when you are on the pitch, because you’re thinking about doing something for the nation, not wanting to disappoint.

“But, with time, and with people around me helping me to understand, I realise that, if I win, people will be happy and it will be fantastic.

But it’s not the end of the world if I don’t.

“You take it in a different way; you take the pressure in a different way. I know that, if I win it, then it’s going to be great for the fans. And, if I don’t, it’s God’s decision.

“But I would love to see it. I’m praying every day because I want to see it happen.”

Dominic Bliss @theinsidelefty Follow the Didier Drogba Foundation on Twitter @fondationdrogba

Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images

"IN IVORY COAST, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM AND THE PLAYERS MORE THAN THEY DO ABOUT THE POLITICIANS. WE ARE LIKE THE AMBASSADORS OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THAT'S WHY THEY PUT ALL THEIR FAITH IN US"

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Africa Cup of Nations

IT'S TIME FOR AFRICA* A YEAR ON FROM ZAMBIA’S SHOCK WIN IN LIBREVILLE, THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS IS BACK, WITH PLENTY OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED. ENJOY IT, THE NEXT ONE IS NOT FOR TWO WHOLE YEARS

Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images, Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images, Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images, Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images

GROUP A

CAN THE BAFANA BAFANA BOUNCE BACK?

GROUP B

ARE GHANA’S GOLDEN GROUP THE REAL DEAL?

The 2010 World Cup was meant to be South Africa’s moment in the sun, but it was Ghana who stole the plaudits with their run to the semi finals. That was nothing, though, compared with Bafana Bafana’s embarrassing failure to qualify for last year’s Cup of Nations.

They played for – and got – a draw against Sierra Leone in their final qualifier, but hadn’t read the rules, leaving Niger to go through thanks to their superior head-to-head record.

This is their chance to repair their reputation.

A number of golden generations in African football have failed to live up to their early promise – Cameroon and Nigeria in the 1990s, Senegal and the Ivory Coast in the 2000s. If there’s a golden generation to be found at the moment, though, it’s in Ghana, who were a Luis Suarez handball away from the semi finals of the last World Cup. They’ve lost Kevin-Prince Boateng to international retirement, but can still call on Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan (right) and Andre Ayew as they seek to better 2012’s fourth-place finish.

ALSO IN GROUP A Morocco have left QPR’s Adel Taarabt at home, but 14 of their squad still ply their trade in Europe. Despite that, FIFA’s rankings actually have Cape Verde (69th), as the best Group A team, even though this is their first major tournament. Angola (84th) lie three places above the hosts.

ALSO IN GROUP B Mali are the third best team in the tournament, according to FIFA rankings, while Niger and DR Congo are among the worst-ranked sides. Niger lost all three of their group games last year – their Africa Cup of Nations debut – and this will be Congo’s first tournament in seven years.

GROUP C

GROUP D

CAN THE TEAM TRIUMPH OVER THE INDIVIDUAL ONCE MORE?

Unlikely 2012 champions Zambia demonstrated the power of team spirit over individual talents by winning last year’s tournament, in the same country and 19 years on from the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of their entire national team. Their squad is still composed largely of Africa-based players, although the performances of striker Emmanuel Mayuka (right) last year went some way to earning him a summer move to Southampton.

ALSO IN GROUP C Peter Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi won’t be taking part in Nigeria’s tournament – they’ve been left out for lacking the commitment required by coach Stephen Keshi. Burkina Faso lost all three group games in 2012, while Ethiopia are competing in their first major tournament since 1982.

AFCON MISSION

SOME OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S BRIGHTEST AND BEST (AND GERVINHO) HAVE GONE TO SOUTH AFRICA TO REPRESENT THEIR COUNTRY. HERE’S THE FULL LIST...

*AGAIN

WILL DIDIER DROGBA GO OUT ON A HIGH?*

*AGAIN

Redemption will be weighing heavy on the minds of the Ivory Coast, matched only by the pressure on their shoulders. Their team of stars is undoubtedly the best equipped at the tournament, and they’ve been installed as clear favourites. Just like last year, in fact, when they steamrollered their way to the final, only to lose out to unfancied Zambia on penalties after a goalless two hours. It will probably be the last chance for this week’s cover star and national icon Didier Drogba (right, who missed a penalty in normal time in last year’s final) to win a major tournament with his country. As Chelsea fans saw last summer, he’s pretty good at goodbyes.

ALSO IN GROUP D Tunisia are perennial Cup of Nations qualifiers, but haven’t made it past the quarters since they won it in 2004. Algeria are in a rich vein of form under Bosnian coach Vaha Halilhodzic, having won eight of their past 10 games, while Togo are boosted by the surprise inclusion of Emmanuel Adebayor.

Arsenal Gervinho (Ivory Coast) Aston Villa Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco) Chelsea John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses (both Nigeria) Liverpool Oussama Assaidi (Morocco) Manchester City Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Abdul Razak (all Ivory Coast)

Newcastle Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast) QPR Samba Diakite (Mali) Southampton Emmanuel Mayuka (Zambia) Tottenham Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) West Brom Youssouf Mulumbu (DR Congo) West Ham Modibo Maiga (Mali) Wigan Arouna Kone (Ivory Coast)

| January 18 2013 | 25

Rules of

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BASKETBALL “I can’t wear that shoe, those are devil colours,” is what Michael Jordan is said to have commented when he saw Nike’s Air Jordan 1 sketches for the first time in 1984. To the long-term benefit of both parties, the Chicago Bulls rookie was offered 2.5 million reasons (or dollars) over five years to change his mind on that.

The deal revived the shoe manufacturer’s fortunes and the Air Jordan brand is now worth more than $1bn, while Jordan himself earns more from endorsements – more than $60m in 2010 alone – than he ever did while playing basketball.

AS RORY McILROY SIGNS A NIKE CONTRACT REPORTEDLY WORTH $125M OVER FIVE YEARS, SPORT EXAMINES THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ATHLETE ENDORSEMENTS IN SPORTING HISTORY GOLF

Focus on Sport/Getty Images, Steve Finn/Getty Images, Getty Images, Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images

Since the Michael Jordan success, Nike has targeted individual athletes rather than sports. In 1996, the company risked $40m on a five-year deal for Tiger Woods just as he turned professional – despite the fact they didn’t have any Nike clubs or balls for him to use. The announcement caused a five per cent drop in stock, but was a long-term win. In 2000, Woods was re-signing for $20m a year. And by 2008, Nike Golf was generating more than $600m a year for the company.

BOXING CRICKET Hulk Hogan first had the opportunity to put his name to the Lean Mean FatReducing Grilling Machine in the early 1990s. But, displaying the business acumen of someone who regularly takes chair shots to the head, he declined.

George Foreman was the next bald-pated muscleman on their list, and the grill was such a hit that Foreman – on an original deal that gave him 40 per cent of the profits – has earned more than $200m from the venture.

A healthy 2.1 billion rupees is the value of the threeyear endorsement deal signed by the India captain in 2010, making Dhoni the highest-earning Indian sports star ever. That equates to around £24m for endorsing 22 brands including Pepsi, Reebok and Hershey’s. By contrast, a 1980s Ian Botham was paid a single rupee plus all the cereal he could eat to wolf down Shredded Wheat on TV (probably). >

| January 18 2013 | 27

Sporting endorsements

FOOTBALL Concerned that the sportsman widely considered the most marketable athlete on the planet might jump ship to rivals Nike, adidas sat down to offer David Beckham a contract in 2003 – and just kept adding digits until their hands hurt. The alleged value of the deal signed by Becks was $160m (including a whopping half of that in one downpayment), making it the largest sports endorsement deal of its kind.

TENNIS She may not have had the kind of $40m, five-year contract that Reebok gave to Venus Williams in 2000, but Sharapova has been creative with her endorsements. Her Sugarpova line of ’chewable candy’ launched in 2012 with the tennis star blowing kisses in the ads. It must be delicious, as we can’t think of any other reason that it’s expected to sell a million bags in its first year – a welcome addition to the reported $18m in endorsements Sharapova already earns every year.

Gary M Prior/Getty Images, Scott Barbour/Getty Images, General Photographic Agency/Getty Images, Rabih Moghrabi/AFP/Getty Images, The Advertising Archives

BOXING In the 1970s, Brut had a problem: the view widely held among British men was that cologne was worn solely by Johnny Foreigner and Mr Humphries from Are You Being Served? Only the most manly man in Britain was deemed able to change this view, so Brut enlisted British heavyweight Henry Cooper to encourage TV viewers to “splash it all over”. British males diligently commenced splashing – and the partnership betwixt man and Brut was so fruitful that it lasted until Our ’Enry’s death in 2011.

28 | January 18 2013 |

BASEBALL

FOOTBALL

Baseball players in the 1920s and ’30s were among the earliest recipients of athlete endorsement deals.

Plugging soap, candy bars, breakfast cereal and – for reasons beyond even the wisest of us – Girl Scout Cookies helped Babe Ruth make $5,000 more than the president earned each year.

The New York Yankees icon also appeared in ads for Old Gold cigarettes, despite the fact he never smoked anything but cigars.

Living proof of the increasing power of athlete endorsements, the 72-year-old Pele’s earning power has grown as his playing career has slipped further into the distance. Deals with the likes of MasterCard, Viagra producers Pfizer – as the face of what the company refers to as its ’public service ads’ – and Coca-Cola (who apparently sponsor a Pele museum on wheels that travels Brazil) means O Rei now reportedly earns between $20m and $30m each year. With a Brazilian World Cup that will likely only increase revenue in 2014, we hope there’s plenty of petrol left in both man and museum.

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The game changers

Advertising Feature

It’s semi final second leg time in the Capital One Cup – when games, and entire seasons, can turn on single moments...

W

e’re really getting to the sharp end of the Capital One Cup now – down to four teams,

two of whom can almost smell Wembley.

The season’s first trophy is within their grasp – but who will actually get their hands on it?

That will depend on how the semi final second legs play out, and the individual flashes of brilliance that can turn games. They are the things that make great, memorable matches: we all love to watch our team win 5-0, but the games that stick in the mind are the nail-biters with genuine talking points – the ones that we reminisce about for years afterwards.

Already, in the first legs of this season’s semi finals, we saw decisive moments that could well play a vital role in who finally wins the Capital One Cup. Bradford City fans will never forget their team’s performance against Aston Villa in this year’s semi final first leg – but if one moment summed it up, it was the third goal in their 3-1 win.

Meanwhile, for Swansea, a famous victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was capped when Danny Graham

converted into an empty net to secure a 2-0 win. With 90 minutes still to play, a two-goal cushion feels much more secure than just the one.

But all great games have those crucial moments when the result seems to hang in the balance. These moments can completely change the complexion of a match – and a whole season – captivating the imagination of fans of any team. As we reach the semi-final stage of the competition, the stakes couldn’t be higher – the glory of Wembley or the despair of coming so close but leaving with nothing.

Over the last two legs before the final, a fiercely fought game could be sealed by a key moment that turns the tide and makes the difference. Will there be a dramatic last-minute winner? Will a star player display an amazing piece of skill to clinch victory? It could be an incredible last-ditch tackle, or maybe an inspired substitution.

We take a look back at our top five League Cup semi-final moments: the game changers that really made an impact...

THE GREATEST LEAGUE CUP GAME CHANGERS Brilliant Bellamy Craig Bellamy was the difference between Liverpool and Manchester City in 2012.

With the semi final second leg locked at 2-2, Bellamy, a former City player, came back to haunt them when he scored past Joe Hart to send the Reds to Wembley for the first time in 15 years.

2

Wigan advance For a club that had only been in The Football League for less than 30 years, reaching a major final was a significant achievement. They had keeper Mike Pollitt to thank in 2006 though, as he pulled off a superb penalty save from Jose Antonio Reyes in the second leg of the semi final against Arsenal. Wigan eventually made the final after an extra-time winner from Jason Roberts – they came up short against Man Utd, but their fans still fondly recall Pollitt’s magic.

3

United on the clock Injury time can often be crucial in big cup games, and no team is better at playing to the final whistle than Manchester United. Against

rivals Man City in the 2010 semi final they did it again, Wayne Rooney popping up with a crucial goal deep in stoppage time.

4

McHugh’s the Daddy Carl McHugh may not have been the most famous footballer in the Capital One Cup at the start of the season, but he is certainly one of them now. With his Bradford City side conceding a late goal against Aston Villa last week, their two-goal lead halved, it would have been easy for heads to drop. Not McHugh’s, though – the defender went up for an 88th-minute corner and headed in to make it a famous 3-1 win.

5

Golden Graham Swansea are renowned for playing lovely football, but found themselves up against it taking on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, showing terrific resilience, they took a surprise 1-0 lead – then found themselves dreaming of silverware when Danny Graham doubled their margin in the dying minutes. Swans fans reckon their name is on the cup this season...

Alex Livesey/Getty Images, Clive Mason/Getty Images

1

Capital One, Official Credit Card of The Football League.

For further details, see

facebook.com/capitaloneuk | January 18 2013 | 31

7 Days OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

JAN HIGHLIGHTS 18-JAN 24 » Football: Premier League Preview » p34 » Capital One Cup: Semi Final 2nd Legs » p36 » NFL: Conference Championships » p37 » Cricket: India v England, 3rd ODI » p38 » Horse Racing: Victor Chandler Chase » p38

Sunday RUGby UNION | HEINEKEN CUP: LEICESTER v TOULOUSE | WELFORD ROAD | SKy SPORTS 2 3PM

So we come to round six of the Heineken Cup, and with four teams having already secured their place in the quarter finals, all eyes are on Pool 2 – in which Leicester host Toulouse. With the French side just two points clear of the Tigers, it’s a case of winner takes all at Welford Road. That said, Toulouse could technically still go through with a bonus-point defeat – but they’d be relying on results elsewhere, it would mean a much tougher draw and, most importantly, it kind of ruins our point. Victory, then, is the aim.

The two European giants, with six Heineken Cup trophies between them, went head to head to kick off the Pool 2 action back in October, with the French outfit triumphing 23-9 that time. Travelling to Welford Road is a different prospect, however – Leicester have lost only once at home this season – and Toulouse know it. The platform the Tigers have up front, coupled with the Tom youngs/Toby Flood (the latter pictured, left) combination at half back will cause any team problems, and the Tigers’ faithful are certain to bring a fierce rally of support.

Toulouse have a powerful pack and a potent backline, not to mention the right foot of Luke McAlister to call on, but Leicester will fancy themselves in a forwards’ dogfight and a battle of the boot. A bit of rain on Saturday evening might just suit the Tigers down to the very muddy ground.

Elsewhere, Munster and Leinster are fighting for quarter-final spots. both with 15 points in their respective pools, the two Irish provinces will be in the hunt for bonus-point wins to take them to 20 points and into qualification territory. If Montpellier lose at home to Toulon in Pool 6, they can both go through. If Montpellier win, it’ll come down to tries scored between the Irish sides. Munster have the upper hand, being at home, but Leinster have their big guns back for their trip to the Exeter Chiefs – and the three-time champions aren’t in the mood to give up just yet. It’s a shame some pools are already dead, but some epic encounters still lie ahead.

32 | January 18 2013 |

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Winner takes it all

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7 Days

Premier League

SUNDAY CHELSEA v ARSENAL | STAMFORD BRIDGE SKY SPORTS 1 1PM

Manchester United welcome a striker’s return, Spurs see one depart and things can only get better for Villa... right?

SUNDAY TOTTENHAM v MAN UTD | WHITE HART LANE | SKY SPORTS 1 4PM

A comical John Terry slip and an avalanche of goals made this fixture a memorable one last season. Arsenal’s 5-3 victory was inspired by a Robin van Persie hat-trick and some superb play from Theo Walcott – the man now trying to fill the Dutchman’s special boots.

While some things have changed at Arsenal, others have not. Their defensive frailties were glaringly obvious at Stamford Bridge then, and recent performances have shown the Gunners are still capable of making some truly horrific errors. Chelsea have looked fairly sturdy under Rafa Benitez, and have Terry back in the fold after two months out. They also now have Demba Ba to threaten up front – a man who scored twice against Arsenal just last month.

Feeling blue

SATURDAY WEST BROM v ASTON VILLA | THE HAWTHORNS ESPN 5.30PM

Tottenham secured their 40th point of the season in the face of some resolute defending at Loftus Road last weekend. But that scoreless draw brought to an end Spurs’ run of four consecutive wins and their record of having scored in every away game in the league this season. Consider the Londoners’ momentum well and truly squashed, then.

Alex Ferguson’s table-toppers arrive at the Lane with theirs in full flow, however, after a 2-1 win over the old enemy on Sunday. Victory over Liverpool was United’s fourth league win in a row – a stat that’s even more impressive when you consider Wayne Rooney has been missing with a knee injury for all of those.

The striker is expected to be back in the squad this week, though, leaving Fergie with an embarrassment of riches to choose from in attacking terms – chief of which is the prolific Robin Van Persie, whose goal against Liverpool was his tenth in 10 games.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas will be eyeing the opposition bench enviously on Sunday, then, when he will have only Jermain

Defoe available in terms of recognised strikers. Emmanuel Adebayor might have notched only three goals this season, but his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations leaves AVB woefully short of attacking options.

The Portuguese boss will take heart from the last meeting between the sides, when goals from Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey (together with an additional own goal from Jonny Evans) gave his team their first win at Old Trafford in 23 years.

Spurs’ poor record against United is only slightly less embarrassing at White Hart Lane, mind, their last win coming in 2001.

Overturn that record, however, and their momentum will swing right back into view.

16

34 | January 18 2013 |

Number of different United scorers in the league this season – more than any other side

Paul Lambert might not survive the winter chill if Aston Villa’s form doesn’t enter a period of rapid recovery some time very soon. Without a win in the league since mid-December, Villa are in the bottom three after defeat to Southampton last weekend saw the Saints leapfrog them. A Midlands derby won’t be high on Lambert’s wish list, then – particularly as it comes against a Baggies side still riled from a last-minute defeat to Reading last weekend. Having been two goals up with eight minutes to go at the Madejski, Steve Clarke’s side did astoundingly well to leave Berkshire empty-handed after 90 minutes.

“Strange things happen in football,” said Clarke afterwards. He should beware: a Villa win on Saturday would probably fit that bill.

SATURDAY WEST HAM v QPR UPTON PARK | 3PM

The signing of Marseille forward Loic Remy will boost QPR, although he has scored only three times in 19 games this season. And, if Harry Redknapp has his way, Remy will be followed by Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila. Could they be ‘Arry’s modern answer to the Hartson/ Kitson combo that kept West Ham up in 1997? The Hammers’ own new duo, Joe Cole and Marouane Chamakh, would do well to forge a similar understanding.

Only Javier Hernandez (74.75) has a better minutes-per-goal ratio in the league this season than Edin Dzeko (88.90) for players who have scored more than twice – the Bosnian has four in his past three, despite missing a penalty at Arsenal. He also scored the winner with three minutes to go at Craven Cottage in September. Fulham, with only two wins since mid-October, “need the points” according to Martin Jol.

SATURDAY WIGAN v SUNDERLAND DW STADIUM | 3PM

It’s four wins in the last seven in the league for Martin O’Neill’s team, and the former Aston Villa boss will fancy his chances of making it five against a Wigan side that has lost more home league games than any other team this season.

A point away at Fulham last week took the Latics just clear of the relegation zone, but two wins in their past 10 league games still leaves them very much in danger of the drop. As per...

SATURDAY NEWCASTLE v READING ST JAMES’ PARK | 3PM

SATURDAY SWANSEA v STOKE CITY LIBERTY STADIUM | 3PM

They’ve lost their top scorer to Chelsea, their most influential defender wants to return to Argentina and the bottom club hijacked their signing of Loic Remy. A good time for Newcastle to play Reading – perhaps. No team has conceded more than the Royals in the league (they’ve shipped 42), but the Magpies (on 39) are not far behind. That’s surely the spur Papiss Cissé needs to rediscover his unstoppable late-season form.

Their attacking players have been praised far and wide this season, but Swansea’s defenders have pulled their weight too.

Ashley Williams, for example, has blocked more opposition shots – 33 – than any other player in the top five European leagues this season. Stoke’s loss to Chelsea last weekend was their first at the Britannia since February, but they have won only once on the road in the league – at West Brom.

MONDAY SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON | ST MARY’S | SS1 8PM

Southampton’s first home game in the league since New Year’s Day pits them against a side whose results on the road almost match up to their home record this term. That form has put the Toffees within touching distance of the top four, but hasn’t always been as clinical as it could be. Saints have two wins and three draws in their past six league games, and look a team more likely to escape the drop every week.

Premier League table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

P Man Utd 22 Man City 22 Chelsea 21 Tottenham 22 Everton 22 Arsenal 21 West Brom 22 Liverpool 22 Swansea 22 Stoke 22 West Ham 21 Norwich 22 Fulham 22 Sunderland 22 Southampton21 Newcastle 22 Wigan 22 Aston Villa 22 Reading 22 QPR 22

W 18 14 12 12 9 9 10 8 7 6 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 2

55

D 1 6 5 4 10 7 3 7 9 11 5 8 7 7 6 6 4 7 7 8

L 3 2 4 6 3 5 9 7 6 5 9 8 9 9 10 11 13 11 12 12

F 56 43 43 39 35 40 31 35 31 21 24 24 33 24 28 27 23 17 26 17

A 29 19 19 27 26 24 30 28 26 24 27 34 38 29 38 39 40 42 42 36

Pts 55 48 41 40 37 34 33 31 30 29 26 26 25 25 21 21 19 19 16 14

This is Manchester United’s best ever points tally after 22 games of a Premier League season

| 35

League table and (reported) signings correct at time of going to press, prior to Chelsea’s game with Southampton

It’s been a season of slow progress for Liverpool, but captain Steven Gerrard continues to be their Mr Reliable; he is now the only Premier League midfielder to play every minute of every league game this season, and he has 11 assists to boot. His team’s 5-2 thrashing of Saturday’s opponents Norwich at Carrow Road in September was their first league win of the season – most will be expecting a repeat show here.

SATURDAY MAN CITY v FULHAM ETIHAD STADIUM | 3PM

All pictures Getty Images

SATURDAY LIVERPOOL v NORWICH ANFIELD | 3PM

7 Days TUESDAY FOOTBALL | CAPITAL ONE CUP: ASTON VILLA v BRADFORD | SKY SPORTS 1 7.45PM

WEDNESDAY SWANSEA v CHELSEA | SKY SPORTS 1 7.45PM

Clive Mason/Getty Images, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images, Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Big boys on the ropes

36 | January 18 2013 |

Well, who saw that coming? We’re just 180 minutes of football from knowing who is in the Capital One Cup final, and it’s the two pre-semi-final underdogs who hold all the aces heading into next week’s second legs.

Not that Swansea will have seen themselves as underdogs, mind. Michael Laudrup’s men rode their luck at times in the first leg at Stamford Bridge – and were practically handed two goals by Bratislav Ivanovic – but now the Welsh side are within reach of a first major cup final appearance in their history.

And having lost at home just twice this season, they’ll be confident of keeping Lampard, Mata, Hazard and co quiet in Wales.

Chelsea have been back among the goals recently, though – they have scored three or more on 14 occasions this season, so they know they can overturn the deficit. An early goal could be key, while they could do with someone keeping an eye on that Michu fellow at the other end.

If Wednesday’s game is a tough one to call, Tuesday’s is a total lottery, as an Aston Villa side devoid of confidence welcome Bradford, and a 3-1 deficit, to Villa Park. Bradford’s first-leg performance was a classic cup win, with a home crowd baying for blood and big men causing chaos from set-pieces. That result was the exception rather than the rule for Phil Parkinson’s men, though, who have been on a terrible run in the league since early December. That said, Villa’s form can rival them in that regard.

Still, there’s nothing like a Wembley final to save a season. Just ask Birmingham City. What? Oh...

FRIDAY NBA | BOSTON CELTICS v CHICAGO BULLS | TD GARDEN, BOSTON | ESPN 12AM

What’s up Doc? Boston “is not a good team right now”, said their coach Doc Rivers (real name Glenn, but he once wore a Dr J T-shirt to a summer basketball camp while at university) after their 11-point defeat to Chicago Bulls last month. That defeat was Boston’s third in succession, with Rivers consigned to the fact the Bulls were “clearly the tougher, more physical team”.

Tonight, the Bulls pay a return visit to Boston, who have started 2013 in improved form, winning six of their first seven games. The Bulls are also without star player Derrick Rose, who has been missing since last April with a torn ACL, something former Bulls champ Scottie Pippen thinks they’ve coped with well: “This team has been very tenacious. They have found ways to win games. You have to appreciate the intensity they play with.”

Matching that intensity tonight will be, for Boston, just what the Doc ordered.

SUNDAY NFL | NFC/AFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SKY SPORTS 2 7.30PM

Ravens rise After one of the most exciting playoff weekends in memory, this weekend’s Championship games will have to go some to match the drama. An exhilarating AFC tie saw the Baltimore Ravens need double overtime to beat the Denver Broncos; they will need quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Torrey Smith (left) to be on similar form against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. In the NFC, it was no less dramatic.

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Seattle Seahawks with seconds to go and will need to be at their best to stop the San Francisco 49ers, for whom Colin Kaepernick set a playoff rushing record for a QB in victory over the Green Bay Packers.

| 37

7 Days SATURDAY UFC | MICHAEL BISPING v VITOR BELFORT | SAO PAULO, BRAZIL | ESPN 3AM

Count on Bisping The UFC returns to its spiritual home in Brazil this weekend, as Britain’s best known fighter – Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping (23 wins, four defeats) – looks to secure a middleweight title shot by defeating Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort (21 wins, 10 defeats) in the Brazilian’s own back yard.

Motormouth Bisping (below) usually backs up his boasts with impressive technical boxing skills and a strong

takedown defence, although he has yet to post a victory over a genuine world-class opponent. Belfort, not as vocal as his British foe, gained his ‘Phenom’ nickname after bursting on to the MMA scene in the mid 1990s aged just 19, and obliterating everyone in sight.

At 35, Belfort is not the fighter he once was, but he would still represent the biggest scalp of Bisping’s career – one that would most likely set up a clash with indomitable champion Anderson Silva.

Defeat for the Brit in Brazil though, would surely spell the end of his title dream.

Bisping is claiming to be in the best shape he’s ever been, saying he’s now able to spend 25 minutes standing on his head. Impressive, sort of.

SATURDAY CRICKET | INDIA v ENGLAND: 3RD ODI | RANCHI SKY SPORTS 1 8.30AM

Crunch match All to play for, then, in the one-day series between India and England.

The tourists got off to a fast start with victory in the first match, but were brought back to earth with a thump on Tuesday, when India ran out the winners by 127 runs.

England’s chances rest largely on the broad shoulders of Kevin Pietersen (left) – it was noticeable in the second match how the batting fell apart once their talisman was gone. On the battingfriendly Ranchi wicket, however, Pietersen will look to make a big score.

Elsewhere, unfancied Brisbane Heat will be looking to cause an upset in the final of Australia’s Big Bash tomorrow (Sky Sports 4, 8am). Luke Pomersbach smashed 112 off 70 balls in the semi-final victory over the Melbourne Renegades; more of the same and the Heat will take some stopping.

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images, Gareth Copley/ Getty Images, Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

SATURDAY HORSE RACING | VICTOR CHANDLER CHASE | ASCOT | CHANNEL 4 3.35PM

Flying machine 38 | January 18 2013 |

Anyone wanting to watch the most exciting jumps horse currently in training should head for Ascot (or tune in to Channel 4) on Saturday afternoon. For that is where you will find Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old superstar Sprinter Sacre, who bids to make it seven chase wins from as many starts in the Victor Chandler Chase. He will start long odds-on to rout his field, so is not really a betting proposition – but this horse combines pace, power and grace like no other steeplechaser. A Frankel over jumps, if you will – so sit back and enjoy the show.

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Walk through the understated entrance and be greeted by the world’s greatest honing their skills on the practice range. A few yards on, the official store offers you all manner of merchandise – the ultimate gift for a golfing pal. Stroll along pristine fairways, tuck into a pimento cheese sandwich, then settle into your chosen vantage point.

Perhaps left of the 16th, with views across the water to the famously sloped green; or behind the 11th tee, as the world’s best shoot drives up the avenue of trees. Or maybe Amen Corner will prove too alluring – the sight of Tiger, Rory et al battling the most famous stretch of holes in the world.

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Extra timE

P45 Jamie Foxx is a rambunctious sort in Django Unchained

Making the most of your time and money

Gadgets

Size matters Huawei ascend mate

This behemoth of a smartphone from Chinese manufacturers Huawei boasts the biggest screen ever – a frankly ludicrous 6.1 inches.

The HD display built into this ‘phablet’ also incorporates Magic Touch technology to boost responsiveness, and means it can be used without having to take off your gloves. It runs the Jelly Bean flavour of Android’s mobile operating system and will hit UK shores later in the year – plenty of time to get your pockets enlarged so the thing actually fits in them. £TBC | huawei.com/uk

ACTUAL size!

40 | January 18 2013 |

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Kit

STRAP ONE ON AND GET GOING The perfect running companions for carrying your essentials

Source Spinner 1.5 One for the warmer weather, the Spinner allows you to carry 1.5 litres of water, plus the bare essentials, on your back, so you can take a swig when you need it. And the light materials and ergonomic fit make it perfect for more extreme adventures. £55 | sourcehydration.co.uk

Converse Stacked Star Padded straps, front zip pocket and a large central compartment make this ideal for running home from work (and taking your stuff with you), while the wipe-clean synthetic outer ensures it will always stay shiny and new (looking). £25 | usc.co.uk

42 | January 18 2013 |

Puma Faas

Gregory Diablo 6

It might not look much, but Puma’s backpack has a large central compartment and two side pockets. It will keep you comfy over long distances thanks to a cushioned back, plus it has adjustable straps that can be clipped together to reduce bouncing. £32 | jjbsports.com

Designed for use during high aerobic activities, the Diablo 6 uses dual stretch waistbelts and cargo stabiliser loops to keep weight spread evenly, while Active Trail Suspension technology ensures the pack stretches and retracts as you move. £45 | gregorypacks.co.uk

Nike Cheyenne Vapor Running Convex straps hold the pack off your back, thus reducing sweat, while revolutionary materials ensure a lightweight feel. Interior padding, meanwhile, will stop your stuff bouncing around. And it has a removable rain cover. £35 | prodirectrunning.co.uk

Karrimor X Lite Also available in fluorescent pink or yellow (or black, for the more discreet among you), Karrimor’s 15-litre capacity pack features a large main compartment and various zip pockets.

Padded shoulder straps and a clipped chest strap make it perfect for a quick run. £15 | sportsdirect.com

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Transform Blue Monday from the most depressing day of the year to you, warm at home, trying to contain your snorts of laughter on the sofa.

How do you go about achieving this?

KNOW that The Campaign arrives perfectly timed on Blu-ray™ and DVD on Monday January 21 itself WATCH The Campaign videos online at facebook.com/TheCampaignMovieUK, laugh in front of your colleagues’ astonishing faces – and discover how to get hold of your Blue Monday treats

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44 | January 18 2013 |

CHECK out these great comedies: Due Date, The Hangover and The Hangover II , also out now on Blu-ray and DVD. Come on people: let’s turn Blue Monday into Blu-ray Monday

© 2013 Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Entertainment

FANTASTIC MR FOXX Quentin Tarantino’s return to form is aided by a stellar cast, while two comedies also make superb use of their acting talent

Film

Film

The Sessions

Django Unchained Quentin Tarantino unshackles himself from the laboured pacing and clunky dialogue of his recent films to create a western melodrama that zings with wit and energy. Jamie Foxx excels as the titular slave, freed by a bounty hunter with whom he forms a plan to buy his wife’s freedom. The villains the pair face are unsubtly repugnant: not only Leonardo DiCaprio’s charismatic plantation owner, but also sinister loyal servant Stephen (Samuel L Jackson),

Music

who hates the freed Django even more than his master. You can understand the accusations that Tarantino is treating the serious topic of US slavery too lightly, but pulp fiction has always been his style (if you’ll excuse the pun). He certainly directs the bloody action with flair, while the script is full of the kind of sparky exchanges that made his name.

It may be a poor history lesson, but as a dazzling revenge fantasy this hits the mark like one of Django’s pistol shots.

Out today

Blu-ray

Big Inner Matthew E White

The Campaign

A debut as rich and lush as the man behind its beard, as Virginia native Matthew E White releases an album of soothing southern soul. Gentle drums, strings and brass provide a perfect backing for the main attraction: White’s languid baritone. Listening to opener One of These Days is like having warm honey poured into your ears – in a good way.

Out Monday

Will Ferrell mixes George W Bush with a dash of Ron ‘Anchorman’ Burgundy as slick congressman Cam Brady in this bawdy political satire. A naïve Zach Galifianakis is the man running against him, and the pair’s campaign warfare ends up dirtier than Cam’s phone calls to his aerobics mistress. It’s often over the top, but this is the funniest Ferrell has been in years.

Out Monday

Book

Sorry! The English and their Manners Henry Hitchings Hold the door open. No elbows on the table. Don’t sneeze into your super, soaraway Sport then leave it on the train. We all know etiquette rules, but where did they originate from? This could be a dry old subject in the wrong hands, but Henry Hitchings is amusing, informative and adept at dissecting English quirks.

Out now

Sex and disability are made humorous bedfellows in this comedy drama, which we’re probably obliged to call ‘heartwarming’ by the big book of media cliches.

It’s based on the true story of poet Mark O’Brien, paralysed from the neck down, who hires a sex surrogate in order to lose his virginity – but only after consulting his priest, naturally.

John Hawkes, Helen Hunt and the always excellent William H Macy as Father Brendan make up the cast that won the Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

It’s unlikely to be The Sessions’ last award win.

Out today

DVD

American Mary This body-mod horror had a limited cinema release, but will find a wider audience on DVD. Katharine Isabelle (excellent in teen werewolf flick Ginger Snaps) is a medical student who gets involved in the murky world of illegal body alterations. Great to see a modern horror with female characters who aren’t screaming bimbos or quivering virgins.

Out Monday

| 45

ET

Grooming

FRESH FACE No, we’re not talking about Bradley Cooper in The A-Team. This selection is far less irritating

The razor

Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 Power Select Wilkinson Sword’s latest crack at ‘redefining shaving’ is a wet-shave razor with three vibration settings, which means you can adjust it to suit the contours of your own visage. The aim, as ever, is to reduce irritation. To that end, the Hydro 5 Power Select boasts five Ultra Glide blades, with skin guards that reduce friction between the skin and cartridge, and a Hydrating Gel Reservoir that lasts, they say, up to twice as long as ordinary lubrication strips. There is the option of the Flip Trimmer, for those important little details, and an LED battery life indicator handily tells you when you’re short on juice. It also looks like a Stormtrooper accessory. This is the razor you’re looking for. £12.99 | boots.com

The cream and gel Natio For Men It’s a given that Natio’s range will enhance razor glide and soften skin.

But the cream’s rich lather is also made with natural plant extracts and pure essential oils, while the gel’s low-foam formula includes aloe vera to moisturise and heal, and lavender to cleanse. They will leave skin smooth, comfortable and conditioned – worth paying that little bit extra for, in Sport’s humble opinion. £7.20 each for 150g | tesco.com

The new shave range

The skincare range

Dove Men+Care

Nivea For Men Skin Energy

This new range is designed, as with the razor above, to help combat irritation. The selection of shave gels, foams and creams is available in either Hydrate+ (for dry skin, pictured), Revitalise+ (tired skin) or Sensitive+ (you’ve got this by now) flavours. Dove’s formula softens stubble on contact, reduces burn, enables a smooth razor glide and leaves skin soft. To this Dove from above, we say: Eranu. £3.49 each for 200ml | In Boots stores nationwide from Monday

Its new formula Skin Energy Moisturiser (£8.99, 50ml), says Nivea, reduces noticeable signs of fatigue, hydrates and – of course – intensely moisturises. It contains coenzyme Q10, which already exists in your skin, guarana and vitamins to give your mug a boost. The Skin Energy Face Wash (£4.34, 100ml) has that same Q10 ingredient, as well as taurine to effectively remove dirt and oil without drying out your skin. niveaformen.co.uk

46 | January 18 2013 |

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