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Maldini and Ancelotti set for San Siro farewell

ROME (AFP) – After 24 seasons as one of Italy’s finest defenders and AC Milan’s emblem, Paolo Maldini will play his last match at the San Siro this weekend when AS Roma are in town.

But while it has been known for some time that this game — while possibly not Maldini’s last ever in a Milan shirt as the club travels to Fiorentina next weekend for their last game of the season — will be his final bow in front of his home fans, the suggestion that it will also be coach Carlo Ancelotti’s swansong in front of the Milan faithful is more recent.

Ancelotti has been at the helm since 2001 but the voices announcing his imminent departure at the season’s end have been becomming more frequent and noisy.

It is now generally accepted in the Italian media that the 49-year-old will leave despite there being another year to run on his contract and he is widely expected to take over the reins at Chelsea in the summer.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani did nothing to dampen the rumours in midweek either when rather than confirming the club’s intent to keep Ancelotti he instead seemingly delayed announcing the inevitable.

“I hope to say something on Monday because it will mean we have achieved direct Champions League qualification,” he said.

A victory for Milan would assure them of a top three finish and direct Champions League group stage qualification next season while several other permutations, including the failure to win by either Juventus or Fiorentina at Siena and Lecce respectively, would also see Milan secure a top three spot.

But while that would seem like a good achievement by almost any other team’s standards, for the Milan hierarchy it is simply not enough.

They are waiting for a first title since 2004 and will have to hold on for at least another year after their defeat at Udinese last weekend ensured city rivals Inter Milan claimed a fourth straight Serie A crown.

If Ancelotti’s departure were to be announced after this weekend it would follow hot on the heels of Claudio Ranieri’s sacking from third-placed Juve on Monday.

Having finished third in their first season back in Serie A and being Inter’s closest challengers for most of this season, that still was not enough to placate the Juve board and likewise Ancelotti’s continued inability to spark a title challenge down to the wire almost certainly will see him shown the door.

It would thus be a bitter sweet day in Milan with one hero being celebrated and applauded into retirement from a glorious playing career while another hero — Ancelotti was a hugely successful player at Milan before also winning two Champions League crowns as a coach — faces the inglorious prospect of being fired.

If the rumours are true, though, it could even be seen as a career move with a higher salary expected at Chelsea and a new league to add to his CV.

As Inter are already champions it is only the minor issues that still need to be decided in Serie A.

Two from Milan, Juve and Fiorentina will join Inter in the top three this season and next season’s Champions League group stages.

Either Fiorentina or Genoa could finish fourth and thus play Champions League qualifiers next season while thwo from Torino, Bologna and Lecce will join already relegated Reggina in Serie B.

And finally there is UEFA Europa League qualification to be sorted. Lazio already have one spot having won the Italian Cup.

Fiorentina or Genoa will take a second while Roma, Palermo or Udinese will battle for the final berth.

Fixtures:

Sunday

AC Milan v AS Roma, Atalanta v Palermo, Cagliari v Inter Milan, Catania v Napoli, Chievo v Bologna, Lecce v Fiorentina, Sampdoria v Udinese, Siena v Juventus, Torino v Genoa

Played Wednesday

Lazio 1 (Zarate 26) Reggina 0

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Lippi rules out Juventus return

MILAN, Italy (AFP) – Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Thursday dismissed speculation he would return to Juventus after next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Lippi, who guided Italy to World Cup glory in Germany three years ago, has a contract with the Italian Football Association until the end of the next tournament.

But the coach who led Juve to five league titles and a Champions League during two previous spells at the club does not want to retrace his steps.

“I’m not going back to Juventus, neither as coach nor as a technical director, have I made myself clear,” he said during a sporting press congress in Milan.

“Whatever anyone says, it’s not true, I’m not going back to Juve.

“The reality is this and this alone … the only truth is that I went to lunch with (Juve general manager ) Blanc just as I go to lunch with (AC Milan vice-president Adriano) Galliani, with the Lazio president (Claudio Lotito) and with (AS Roma general manager) Bruno Conti.

“I’m the coach of the national team and I’m thinking exclusively about that.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Sacchi praises new Italy boss Prandelli

Arrigo Sacchi is full of praise for Cesare Prandelli, as “he is a great Coach and a great man.”

Fiorentina boss Prandelli will take over from current Italy coach Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

“Cesare has proved numerous times, first with Parma and then Fiorentina, that he is a great Coach and a great man,” said Sacchi.

Sacchi also worked alongside Prandelli at the Stadio Tardini when he was a director for Parma.

“He was excellent with Parma, as we finished fifth twice and even battled for a Champions League spot.

“Above all he got the best out of many players. My recollection of him as a Coach and a human being are wonderful. I respect him a great deal and wish him all the best.”

However, Sacchi warns that it is quite a big step to go from club football to the Squadra Azzurra.

“The work is different, as you are above all a selector rather than a Coach. He must hope all of Italian football works well throughout the season and that clubs use their youngsters more than they currently do. Then it’s up to him to find that touch of class to complete the squad.

“Prandelli must make the most of his experiences at club level, but in general international football lacks two important elements: time and day-to-day work.”

Marcello Lippi will leave after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the team already knows Prandelli is set to take over.

“It absolutely won’t be a distraction for the side, as the World Cup is too important and every player will try to give their best.

“There can be no alibis or excuses. If Italy don’t do well, it certainly will not be because Prandelli was appointed before the tournament.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Woods has good reason to look ahead in US PGA

CHASKA, Minnesota — Tiger Woods barely had a chance to down a post-round bottle of Gatorade Tiger, and already he was thinking ahead. The weather report for Friday's second round in the U.S. PGA Championship was in, and it was clear Woods liked the idea of strong winds raking Hazeltine Country Club while others try to catch him from behind.

By the weekend he should have his plan to win a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics down, too. Woods will be 40 by the time he gets a shot at Olympic glory, but by then he will have long since been declared the greatest golfer ever and it will give him some incentive to get off his yacht and take on a new challenge.

Most in golf would crown Woods right now, if only he would sit still long enough for the coronation. The things he has done for himself and the sport are staggering, but he's not about to name himself the best until he stands on the 18th green somewhere holding major championship trophy No. 19.

The way he cruised through the opening round of the U.S. PGA on Thursday, that time will not be far away.

Hold off on the engraving on the Wanamaker Trophy just for now. This is Minnesota, after all, so there's always a chance for a tornado or a freak August snowstorm to hit.

Barring that or Woods hitting a sleeve of balls into the Hazeltine Lake, though, No. 15 is in the bag.

Woods himself said so after his seemingly effortless 67 on a monster of a course gave him his first lead after the opening round of a major in four years. Well, maybe he didn't come right out and say it, but it doesn't take much to read between the lines.

'When I'm playing well," Woods said, "I usually don't make that many mistakes."

Hopefully, the other players weren't listening. They usually genuflect when Woods walks by anyway, and it wouldn't look good for them to just up and quit before the tournament reaches the weekend.

Actually, one did. John Daly showed up in wild pants, then played some wild golf before claiming a back injury and heading out of town in his custom RV.

The fact is nobody beats Woods when he gets out in front in a major, and he got out in front in this one so early that they barely had time to show him on television. The margin may only be a stroke over Padraig Harrington, but the message his flawless opening round sent made it seem even bigger.

Woods is statistically a stroke a round better than his nearest challenger even in a year he's been making mistakes — and a lot of them. But he didn't make many while winning his last two tournaments and he didn't on this day, hitting fairway after fairway and green after green on his way to five birdies.

There was none of the wildness that plagued him off the tee at the other three majors this year, none of the frustration that cost him a lost weekend at the British Open.

Just cool, collected golf.

"No big tee shots way right or way left or anything like that," playing partner Rich Beem said. "It was easy."

The huge crowds that lined fairways 10 to 20 deep certainly appreciated the effort. Minnesotans love their golf and anyone who appreciates great talent has to love what Woods has done for the sport.

Those behind golf's inclusion in the Olympics have to be loving him even more. Without Woods' enthusiastic endorsement, it's hard to imagine that the sport would have won a recommendation on Thursday from the International Olympic Committee that all but assured golf a spot in the 2016 Games.

Just why Woods likes the idea is easy to see. As the face of the sport he stands to profit most if the Olympics spurs golf to take off in countries like, shall we say, China. He'll get the endorsement contracts and course design deals that will add even more millions to his already fat bank accounts.

But it's more than the money. Jack Nicklaus and his 18 majors were always the target on Woods' bedroom wall growing up in Southern California, but even as great as Nicklaus was, he never won an Olympic gold.

It's one more thing that will separate Woods from Nicklaus, one more conquest that will keep others behind him from ever matching his feats on the golf course.

Source: http://thewebtalk.net

Oman still the best in Gulf

Muscat - Oman repeated history and proved the pundits why they are arguably the best team in the region after the Claude Le Roy-coached side once again beat World Cup regulars Saudi Arabia in a spectacular fashion as a pulsating atmosphere at the newly built Sa’ad Stadium in Salalah powered the host to a 2-1 win.

Le Roy had said that a different Oman would be on show and the colourful hordes who filled the 12,000-capacity stadium hours before kickoff got their reward as Oman looked a more powerful team.

Gulf Cup top scorer Hassan Rabe’ea continued his brilliant form to shine for his country. The host completely dominated the game from the start and Le Roy’s boys rightfully followed his “attack, attack” mantra when the athletic Fouzi Bashir, whose extraordinary extendible legs hit a 25-yard strike straight that failed to hit the nets in the 10th minute of first half of play.

Oman missed a couple of chances in the form of Sheeba, Hassan Mudhafar and the star striker Imad Al Hosni.

With the score nil-nil at half-time, Hassan Rabe’ea fired his first goal connected through a pass from Ahmed Hadid in the 46th minute of second half.

The Saudis were seen being more defensive while Omani players kept the match alive. Hassan struck for the second time with a neat header in the 63rd minute of second half and once again it was delicate cross from Ahmed Hadid.

But as the referee signalled for an extra five minutes injury time, Sheeba collided with a Saudi player only to bring a penalty goal in favour of the Saudis. But crowd chanted ‘Habsi, Habsi’ in anticipation of the ever reliable star keeper Ali’s heroics. The optimism was misplaced. Nasser Al Shamrani stepped up and stroked the ball to Habsi’s left — but the Bolton Wanderers couldn’t stop it.

Crowd delighted
But within a minute after that, the referee signalled the final whistle as Al Habsi roared his delight to the crowd, pumping both fists, before crashing chests with a relieved Hashim Saleh.

Staccato cries of ‘Oman’ continued to pulse round the ground, with stands full of white dishdashas mingled with red Oman shirts making an impressive spectacle under the black sky.

The Sultanate side had earlier defeated the Asian giants during the final of the 19th Gulf Cup and it was after seven months the rivals were meeting against each other.

After celebrating on the pitch, coach Le Roy hailed his side’s ‘fantastic’ performance.

“Some of the Saudi media had predicted that Hassan Rabe’ea will not play well today (yesterday) but he proved them all wrong and I am delighted with his performance,” he said during the post match press conference yesterday.

Hassan had four of Oman’s seven goals during the Gulf Cup and later became the highest paid football player in the Middle East.

He went on to praise Al Habsi, and said his team had respected Saudis for 90 minutes despite the score line. “When you have a goalkeeper like Al Habsi you’re always a better coach,” Le Roy said.

“We also have four very good defenders and it won’t be easy for any team to beat us. But it is only one game,” said the sharp-suited French extrovert. “I want my players always to attack and attack.”

“But we also respected the Saudi team and played very seriously right until the end. So I like both the performance and the behaviour of my players,” he said.

“Saudi Arabian football was not new to me,” he roared in response to one question.

“I led my Cameroon side against Saudi in the Afro-Asian cup back in 1985. Then my own boys beat them in the Gulf Cup. We had prepared in a better way this time,” he said with a big smile.

Home advantage

Saudi coach Jose Peseiro congratulated the Omanis and praised Le Roy for his tactics while admitting that his side took the ‘red-warriors’ for granted.

“They were simply superb and once again shown why they are the best in this region. The crowd advantage was another factor which supported them. To be frank we were outplayed completely by a far superior side,” said the former assistant coach of Real Madrid.

Oman’s Ahmed Hadid and Saudis Naif Hazzazi were declared the best players. Le Roy’s boys will next host South Korea this month and then will fly to Qatar for a friendly before heading to Australia for the Asia Cup qualification round in October.

Source: http://thewebtalk.net

Equity Bank Jobs and Careers in Kenya

Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading Banks whose purpose is to transform the lives
and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities.

With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda and Southern Sudan, Equity Bank is now home
to more than 4.6 million customers, the largest customer base in the Eastern African Region.

The Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the roles outlined below:-

Relationship Managers (SME Sector)

The Person

The Relationship Manager- SME will be based at the Branch but reporting to the General Manager, Credit. The person will be responsible for the growth and development of the SME sector at the branch level and maintain cordial relationships with all SME customers.

Candidate’s Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

* A university degree in a business related field from a recognized University
* In-depth knowledge of products, services and delivery channels available to small-medium enterprises
* Knowledge of commercial law and recovery practices
* Over 3 years working experience in relationship management and lending to SME
* Those with Legal qualifications or experience will have an added advantage
* Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (word, excel, powerpoint)

Key Responsibilities

* Develop new business opportunities and proactively market for SME lending and deposit opportunities from current and prospective clients
* Cross–sell bank products and services to SME clients (e.g. Trade Finance, Forex, custodial etc)
* Build, maintain and enhance existing and prospective customer relationships
* Maintaining credit files according to the laid down policies and procedures
* Conduct customer visits, business appraisal and prepare business proposals
* Originate quality loan applications and proposals to meet individual needs of the clients
* Ensure loan documentation and security perfection is in place before disbursement
* Maintain Quality Loan portfolio by daily monitoring and immediate follow-up of all accounts in arrears
* Provide timely and organized responses to customer questions, disputes and complaints
* Prepare performance reports (monthly work plan, activity report etc)

Desired Skills and Ability

* World class customer service and relationship management skills
* Strong analytical skills to interpret and evaluate financial statements
* Commitment to working with this segment of the population
* Effective Writing and presentation skills
* Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
* Able to work independently, with minimum supervision and demonstrate a good level of maturity
* Team player with excellent interpersonal skills

Business Growth and Development Managers (Branch Managers)

The Person

Reporting to the General Manager, Operations, the role holder will be in charge of the overall leadership of a Branch. He/she will be expected to aggressively drive the Branch growth and profitability targets by identifying, developing and maintaining relationships
with customers as well as providing leadership to the branch staff.

Candidate’s Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

* Business related degree from a recognized University
* Over 4 years working experience in the Banking sector 2 of which must have been as Branch Manager of a Commercial Bank.
* Banking professional qualifications such as AKIB, ACIB will have an added advantage
* Thorough knowledge and understanding of the banking industry
* Hands on experience in lending /credit
* Proven track record of leading and managing teams
* Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (word, excel, powerpoint)

Key Responsibilities

* Lead business growth development of the branch
* Mobilize deposits to exceed branch targets
* Ensure 100% compliance to the Bank’s policies and procedures
* Budget planning, control and evaluation for the Branch
* Champion customer service
* Promote the Bank’s corporate image
* Build and develop a high performing team through embedding performance development and coaching
* Understand and provide clear direction to the branch, based on market analysis and local area customer trends and competitor offering
* Manage staff issues at the Branch level and advise head office on a timely basis where need be

Desired Skills and Ability

* Strong people management skills
* Strong Sales/Marketing skills
* Good financial analytical skills
* Proven leadership skills
* World class customer service skills
* Strong communication and negotiation skills
* Team player with excellent interpersonal skills

If you meet the above requirements, submit your application quoting the job you are applying for to the email address below by 4th June 2010.

Please include detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of the relevant certificates, testimonials, current pay and daytime telephone contact and email address. All applications should be in soft and through the email indicated below.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Email to: jobs@equitybank.co.ke

Equity Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of individuals,
ideas, perspectives, insights and values, and what they bring to the workplace.

Source: http://kenyanjobs.blogspot.com

Indonesian Thomas Cup team expects to repeat 2000 success

Kuala Lumpur - The Indonesian Thomas Cup team is hoping it would be able to repeat its success in 2000 when it meets China in the final of the group badminton championship on Sunday.

However, one of the players who contributed to the 2000 success, Taufik Hidayat, said that the situation now was different compared to 2000 when the country had a lot of players to choose.

"At the time we were a little better than China and had many players to choose to play in the single or double events. Right now or since 2004 the single players have always been me, Sony and Simon," he said.

Taufik who is ranked fifth in the world said the situation now was the opposite of that of 2000 because China had a lot of choices.

For the final on Sunday Indonesia would likely field the same players it fielded in the semifinal due to a question of Sony`s fitness.

Coach Agus Dwi Santoso however said it was still a day away to monitor the developement of the physical condition of Sony who had been put to rest since the quarterfinals due to injury.

If Indonesia finally fielded its semifinal team Simon who lost against Sho Sasaki from Japan would again be played as a second player.

Taufik Hidayat meanwhile is expected to be a point opener for the team.

Regarding the role he said "the pressure as a determining player or an opener is the same. If he could play well and make a point it will give a positive effect to the whole team but on the contrary if he plays badly the burden will be heavier considering how the next players would perform."

Taufik however promised he would not consider the pressure as a burden that would affect his performance.

As the first single he would likely meet Beijing Olympic champion Lin Dan.

Although he has always lost against him he hoped he could repeat his success in beating the world`s second-ranked player in some big tournaments.

"In several big tournaments I could win. Hopefully I could do it again this time. Or if I have to lose I hope it will not be easy to achieve," he said after training with other team members.

Taufik defeated Lin Dan twice namely in the final of the World Championship in 2005 and the Asian Games in 2006.

Lin Dan however had won in five of the last meetings with the recent one in the French Open in 2009.

Regarding the double event coach Sigit Pamungkas said that in the final round the most important thing was not technical and physical capability but mental readiness.

"Although technically and phyisically they are good they would not be able to play well if their mental readiness is not good," he said.

In view of that he would ask the six double players about their readiness.

Based on records Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan would likely be fielded as the first double players to meet against Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun.

For the second double players Indonesia has Nova Widianto, Alvent Yulianto and Hendra Aprida Gunawan to choose.

Source: http://www.antara.co.id