CONGO LIMP INTO LAST EIGHT
Democratic Republic of Congo squeezed into the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations despite losing 2-0 to Cameroon yesterday, while Angola tumbled out even though they beat Togo 3-2. Angola, who have qualified for the World Cup finals in Germany this summer, needed to score another goal to qualify, but failed even though Togo played for more than an hour with ten men. Angola would have advanced if Cameroon had scored another against Congo, who also finished the game with ten men and went through on goal difference.
Samuel Eto’o, the Barcelona striker, scored his fifth goal of the tournament and Gérémi, the Chelsea midfield player, got the other to give Cameroon their third successive win. Cameroon, who will play Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, are chasing a record fifth tournament win. Congo play Egypt next.
FERGUSON FOILED
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Sir Alex Ferguson looks like drawing a blank in his bid to reinforce his depleted midfield before tomorrrow’s transfer deadline. The Manchester United manager identified Johann Vogel, AC Milan’s Switzerland international, as a short-term solution, but Milan are reluctant to sanction a deal. Ariedo Braida, the Milan general manager, said: “United want to take him in the transfer window, but we are not planning to sell.”
SPURS SWOOP
Tottenham Hotspur are confident of completing a £2 million deal with Feyenoord for Hossam Ghaly, the combative midfield player, in a move that would lead to the sale of Michael Brown to Fulham for £1.5 million. The only potential sticking-point is a groin injury that Ghaly is carrying. John Viafara, the Portsmouth midfield player, is expected to move on loan to Real Sociedad, who also want Mark Gonz ález, the Liverpool midfield player.
BECKHAM VOW
David Beckham has insisted that he wants to see out his playing career with Real Madrid despite speculation linking him with a return to England. “I will always keep my home in London but I have never hidden the fact that I want to spend the rest of my career with Real Madrid,” Beckham said. “I want to stay and remain captain of England. My children are at school here and I would like to stay here even after my career is over.”