Javier Mascherano admits he desired Barcelona move

Javier Mascherano has described his failure to secure a move to Barcelona last summer as "a shame" and cast further doubt on his long-term future at Liverpool by revealing his difficulties with life in England.

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Javier Mascherano joined Liverpool from West Ham

Mascherano was a transfer target for the Spanish champions but a deal was not agreed between the two clubs. Speaking candidly about the transfer talks, the Argentina captain admits he was keen to leave Anfield.

"The situation with Barcelona really affected me," Mascherano told the News of the World. "It was a shame it didn't happen as it was the city I wanted to live in.

"There were many discussions and problems during that month and a half. They were difficult times for me. One day I was off to Barcelona, the next I wasn't. And Liverpool said I was non-transferable.

"Psychologically, it affected me as I couldn't think in Liverpool and I was focused on other stuff and not on my work, my training and playing. Also we were having problems with Argentina as our qualification to the World Cup was in danger. There was a lot of complicated stuff at that time."

Mascherano also admits his family have struggled to settle in England and has painted a lonely picture of his day-to-day life on Merseyside.

"I don't do much stuff in my free time, that's the truth," Mascherano said. "I could go to London with my wife to do some shopping but I have already been to London 1,000 times and if I want to go to another city I would have to take a plane.

"What kills me about living in Liverpool is that there are only two Argentinians here with me,Emiliano Insua and Maxi Rodriguez. Insua and I live in a private neighbourhood. He lives in one tower and I live in the other. There are 15 metres between us and we used to look at each other through the window.

"Sometimes Zabaleta comes from Manchester but there is no way Carlos Tevez comes here. If I want to see him, I have to go to his place and knock on his door. He doesn't like to leave his home. So during the winter, during those four or five months, I have to stay at home all day with my family.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool, but I think my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives - but they have to be at home all day. My wife doesn't speak a word of English, so she depends 100% on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life."

It was reported on Saturday that Mascherano has postponed talks over a new contract with Liverpool as he waits to see whether Rafael Benitez will remain at the club.

Thai troops clash with protesters

Thai security forces have fired live rounds after moving in to seal off a heavily defended encampment of protesters in the centre of Bangkok.

Protesters set fire to a police bus near foreign embassies as gunshots rang out, following clashes overnight that left one person dead in the capital.

A BBC correspondent says the area is like a warzone, with troops firing across a park at protesters.

The demonstrators want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down.

Many of the red-shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

'Tightening the noose'

Overnight, security forces shut down the electricity supply to the area around the large protest camp in the city centre.

A renegade general backing the protest remains in a critical condition a day after he was shot by an unknown gunman.

On Friday, troops fired tear gas while advancing on dozens of protesters who had set up a checkpoint outside the Suan Lum night market to stop soldiers advancing on their main base.

Residents fled in panic as gunshots rang out and soldiers moved in to the area, which is popular with tourists.

Army spokesman Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd was quoted by AFP news agency as saying: "They have intimidated authorities with weapons so security officials have asked the commander to disperse them."

The British embassy in the city has been temporarily closed amid the upsurge in violence.

Thousands of protesters, known as red-shirts after the colour they wear, have reinforced their bamboo barricades and vowed to maintain their camp in a commercial district of Bangkok until elections are called.

"They are tightening a noose on us but we will fight to the end, brothers and sisters," a protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, told a cheering crowd, reports news agency Reuters.

Guards were seen at the sprawling protest site armed with slingshots and arrows.

The authorities have also begun to cut public transport and some mobile phone services to the area occupied by the protesters.

'Expressionless'

The government has threatened for days to cut off power, water and food supplies to the red-shirt camp.

But the protesters have their own supplies and appear ready for a long siege, says our correspondent.

One protester was shot dead on Thursday night after a group of red-shirts confronted armed security personnel on the outskirts of the encampment.

The clashes followed the wounding of a renegade Thai general who had been organising the red-shirts' security.

Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), was shot in the head and seriously injured.

Seh Daeng is part of the protesters' more radical wing and had accused red-shirt leaders - many of whom have distanced themselves from him - of not being hard-line enough.

Circumstances surrounding the shooting, near the Silom business area, are not clear.

A New York Times journalist, Thomas Fuller, was interviewing the general at the moment the shot rang out.

The reporter told the BBC's World Today: "He immediately dropped to the ground, his eyes were open but he was expressionless and his body wasn't moving at all."

A spokesman for the red-shirt movement blamed an army sniper but military officials said troops had orders to fire only in self-defence.

The protesters - who have been occupying parts of Bangkok for more than two months - want Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.

Their camp stretches from the city's shopping district south to its business hub.

Thailand's worst political unrest in nearly two decades has left some 30 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.

Mr Abhisit is under severe pressure to end the protests, which have paralysed Bangkok since mid-March.

He had offered polls on 14 November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month.

60 dead in Russian mine blasts.

Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- The death toll from a Russian coal mine accident has reached 60, with 30 people still missing, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said Wednesday.

Rescue teams have combed more than 75 percent of the mine's labyrinth of underground tunnels looking for survivors and the dead.

"We have about 24 hours left to rescue miners (who are alive), if they are still there," emergency Minister Sergei Shoigu said on the ministry's website.

The gas explosion in the Raspadskaya mine occurred at 8:55 p.m. Saturday (12:55 p.m. ET), when 359 people were working at the time. The mine is located near the western Siberian town of Mezhdurechensk, more than 2,300 miles east of Moscow. Nearly 300 people were evacuated shortly after the explosion.

More than 50 rescue workers had gone into the mine to recover the rest of the victims when a second gas explosion rocked the structure about four-and-a-half hours later, causing more fatalities and destruction, officials said. Dozens of miners and rescue workers were trapped as a result of that second, much more powerful explosion, and all communications with them were disrupted.

Thick smoke and high methane concentrations in the mine prevented active rescue operations underground on Sunday and most of Monday morning, Russian officials said.

The operation was further complicated by the very size of the mine: Raspadskaya is one of the largest in Russia's mining industry. It has dozens of underground tunnels with a total length of almost 200 miles, according to Kemerovo Gov. Aman Tuleyev.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Russian state television Tuesday that the investigation is closely analyzing all possible clues to determine the cause of the blasts.

The victims' families will be paid 1 million rubles (more than $33,000) in moral damages, and underage children of those killed in the accident will be paid a pension of 10,000 rubles (more than $330) every month until they reach the age of 18, the Russian government decided Tuesday.

Team Profile: Algeria

Appearances at finals:
1982 - First round 1986 - First round

Overall record at finals: Played 6, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 3. Best performance: First round in 1982 and 1986. Most appearances at finals: Faouzi Mansouri (1982, 1986), Mahmoud Guendouz (1982, 1986), Rabah Madjer (1982, 1986) - 6. Most goals at finals: Salah Assad (1982) - 2. World Cup high: Beating European champions West Germany at Espana 82 in Gijon. Goals from Lahkdar Belloumi and Rabah Madjer provided one of the greatest shocks in the tournament's history.World Cup low: The exit from the '82 tournament, which remains one of the greatest scandals of the modern game. In the final group games, West Germany and Austria cooked up a footballing Anschluss that took both teams through via a 1-0 German win. Algeria, despite beating Chile, exited in rage. Many German fans of a certain age still admit their embarassment about the affair. World Cup legend: Midfielder Lakhdar Belloumi scored the winner against West Germany in 1982 and was singled out as a playmaker by Pele for his showings in 1982. He is also notorious for the ban he received for his involvement in a brawl that erupted during a 1990 qualifier with Egypt. An Egyptian doctor was injured by a broken bottle and Belloumi was accused. Only in 2009 was he cleared of the affair. The story so far: Algeria looked capable of becoming the first African team to make the knockout stages in 1982 before the Austro-German scandal. The quality of their play had surprised many and the manner of their exit saw sympathy extended across the world. The scandal forced FIFA to play final group games simultaneously, though that was scant consolation to Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes), who had beaten Chile 3-2 in their final game. Four years later, they qualified for Mexico but found a tough group in their way. A draw with Northern Ireland in the first game saw Djamel Zidane (no relation) score their only goal of the finals. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Brazil gave cause for encouragement but Spain destroyed them 3-0 in Monterrey. The brawl with Egypt in qualifying for 1990 came as a result of non-qualification for that tournament. It was to signal another 20 years in the World Cup wilderness. Qualification: The exile was finally ended but it arrived via several twists and turns. The first qualifying group saw Senegal and Gambia held off before the final round drew them with sworn rivals Egypt. A 3-1 win against the Pharoahs put Algeria in the driving seat but the final match against the African champions in Cairo saw Egypt secure the 2-0 victory they needed to secure a supplementary play-off. Sudan provided the neutral venue for another meeting between the two teams and Algeria shocked many observers by qualifying after a 1-0 win. Centre-back Anthar Yahia finished like a forward in crashing home a volley before half-time. The expected ructions did not take place and, from there, Algeria looked the better side in Khartoum and thus became deserved visitors to South Africa. Qualifying record: P13, W8, D2, L3, F17, A8.

Most appearances: Karim Ziani, Lounes Gaouaoui (12).

Top goalscorers: Antar Yahia, Karim Ziani (3).

Team Profile: South Africa

Appearances at finals:

1998 - First round
2002 - First round

Overall record at finals: Played 6, Won 1, Draw 3, Lost 2.

Best performance: First round in 1998 and 2002.

Most appearances at finals: Lucas Radebe (1998, 2002), Quinton Fortune (1998, 2002), Benni McCarthy (1998, 2002) - 6.

Most goals at finals: Benni McCarthy (1998, 2002), Shaun Bartlett (1998) - 2.

World Cup high: Their first ever finals victory at their second tournament appearance in 2002, beating Slovenia 1-0 with a Siyabonga Nomvethe goal the difference between the sides.

World Cup low: Bafana Bafana's embarrassing failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, finishing third in their qualification group behind Ghana and Congo DR, after having been named hosts of the 2010 tournament.

World Cup legend: Benni McCarthy is the country's record goal-scorer and second most capped player, with 31 goals in 76 appearances. He scored at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments against Denmark and Spain respectively.

The story so far: The history of the South African football team, like the country itself, has been greatly affected by the system of apartheid. The enforced racial segregation of the country was hugely contentious and numerous attempts were made to suspend the national side from FIFA because the country's constitution prohibited the fielding of racially mixed teams. But South Africa, along with Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, were one of the founding members of the Confederation of African Football and continued to escape expulsion because of a widespread reluctance for FIFA to become embroiled in political matters.

They were suspended from FIFA competition in 1966 but, after the violence of the Soweto uprising in 1976, a horrified FIFA finally expelled South Africa and the national team would not play again for 16 years. In 1991, as apartheid drew to a close, a new multi-racial South African Football Association was born and the new team played its first game against Cameroon in 1992, winning 1-0. Four years later, hosting and competing in their first African Nations Cup as a multi-racial side, Bafana Bafana lifted the trophy and were joined in celebration by an overjoyed Nelson Mandela.

They went on to play in the 1998 World Cup in France and, after being soundly beaten 3-0 by the hosts in their first ever finals match, South Africa went on to earn admirable draws against Denmark and Saudi Arabia, but finished in third place in the group, two points behind the Danes.

At the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, an improved South Africa side were agonisingly close to making the second round, missing out to Paraguay on goals scored. A 2-2 draw with the South Americans in the first game was followed up by a first finals victory, a 1-0 win over Slovenia. In their final game against Spain, Bafana Bafana twice came from behind but were denied by a Raul goal as Jose Antonio Camacho's side narrowly triumphed 3-2. A disappointing failure to qualify for the 2006 finals followed but in 2004 it had been announced that, in 2010, South Africa would become the first African country to host the World Cup.

Qualification: As hosts, South Africa qualified for the tournament automatically but did play a number of friendlies while qualification was taking place. They were involved in the first stage of African qualifying with a place at the 2010 African Nations Cup at stake but finished 11 points adrift of Nigeria in the group, missing out on a place at the tournament.

It has been a tumultuous time for Bafana Bafana and, although they performed creditably at the Confederations Cup - losing in the semi-finals to Brazil and the third place play-off to European Championship winners Spain by just a single goal - they continued to crash to defeat after defeat in friendlies, which eventually saw the sacking of boss Joel Santana and the re-appointment of former boss Carlos Parreira.

Qualifying record (second round): P6, W2, D1, L3, F5, A5, Pts7.

Confederations Cup record: P5, W1, D1, L3, F4, A6.

Most appearances: Kagisho Dikgacoi (11).

Top goalscorer: Kagisho Dikgacoi, Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker (2).

Team Profile: Ivory Coast

Appearances at finals:
2006 - First round

Overall record at finals: Played 3, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 2.

Best performance: First round in 2006.

Most appearances at finals: Didier Zokora (2006), Arthur Boka (2006), Yaya Toure (2006), Emmanuel Eboue (2006) - 3.

Most goals at finals: Aruna Dindane (2006) - 2.

World Cup high: Beating Serbia & Montenegro 3-2 in their final group game at the 2006 finals to record their first ever World Cup victory.

World Cup low: After winning the 1992 African Nations Cup, big things were expected of the 'Elephants', but they failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals, crashing 4-1 to Nigeria in their final qualification group game and losing out to the 'Super Eagles' on goal difference.

World Cup legend: The likes of Didier Drogba or Yaya Toure may spring to mind, but Aruna Dindane is the man who handed the 'Elephants' their first finals victory with his double salvo against Serbia & Montenegro.

The story so far: In 2006, Ivory Coast made history by competing in their first finals and were tipped to impress with a host of Premier League stars in their ranks. They had emerged as victors of a tricky African qualification group containing Egypt and Cameroon but, unfortunately, the 'Elephants' were again drawn in the so-called 'group of death' for the finals - alongside Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia & Montenegro. The 'Elephants' gave a good account of themselves, losing by a single goal to the Netherlands (2-1) and Argentina (2-1).

Amazingly, the 'Elephants' went 2-0 down in each of their three group stage encounters but, against Serbia & Montenegro in the dead rubber that concluded their campaign, Ivory Coast came back with a brace from Dindane and a late penalty from Bonaventure Kalou handing the 'Elephants' their first ever World Cup victory.

Prior to the 2006 tournament, Ivory Coast had suffered a number of disappointing qualification campaigns, including losing out to a dominant Tunisia side in 2002 qualification, failing to even make the final round after crashing to a 3-1 defeat to Congo for the 1998 tournament and missing out on a place at the 1994 finals on goal difference to Nigeria, despite being widely fancied after lifting the African Nations Cup in 2002.

Qualification: It was a fairly comfortable qualifying campaign this time round for the 'Elephants' and they qualified for the 2010 finals with a game to spare. In the first round, Ivory Coast followed the African qualification manual to a tee, drawing their three away matches and winning all their home games to see off Mozambique, Madagascar and Botswana.

In the second round, they were drawn alongside Malawi and neighbours Burkina Faso and Guinea. In African qualifying, it is often a blessing when you face countries who are within a close travelling distance and the 'Elephants' took full advantage, beating Guinea and Burkina Faso home and away to win the group at a canter.

Qualifying record (second round): P6, W3, D3, L0, F10, A2, Pts12.

Qualifying record (third round): P6, W5, D1, L0, F19, A4, Pts16.

Most appearances: Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue (12).

Top goalscorer: Didier Drogba (6).

Mwinyi atetea ajira za wafanyakazi, ashauri utu uheshimiwe kudumisha Amani

SIKU mbili baada ya Rais Jakaya Kikwete kutoa hotuba kali na maagizo ya kutimua wafanyakazi wote ambao wangeitikia tangazo la mgomo lililotolewa na Tucta, Rais wa Awamu ya Pili, Ali Hassan Mwinyi amesema serikali inatakiwa kulinda ajira za wananchi wake ili kudumisha amani.Rais Kikwete, akizungumza na wazee wa Dar es salaam kwenye ukumbi wa Diamond Jubilee Jumatatu iliyopita, alisema mgomo huo ulioandaliwa na Tucta ni batili na kwamba, yeyote ambaye angehusika, angechukuliwa hatua za kisheria; ikiwa ni pamoja na nguvu ya polisi kutumika kuwazuia watakaoingia mitaani kuandamana.

Katika hotupa yake Kikwete alisema viongozi wa Tucta kuwa ni wazandiki, waongo, wanafiki na wafitini kwa kuwa wanakwenda kinyume na makubaliano yao na serikali.

Lakini jana Mzee Mwinyi alionyesha mtazamo tofauti jana katika hafla ya chakula cha mchana iliyoandaliwa na Shule ya Kimataifa ya Wavulana ya Feza, ambako alitoa somo fupi la dhima ya utu.

"Taasisi au nchi yoyote ambayo itakuwa haiheshimu utu wa wananchi wake, itakuwa inajichimbia kaburi," alisema Mwinyi kwenye hafla hiyo ambayo pia ilihudhuriwa na mtoto wa mfalme wa Norway, Haakon Magnus na baadhi ya viongozi wa nchi mbalimbali.

"Ni lazima kwa serikali yoyote ile kuwalinda watu wake na si kufanya uadui kati yake na wananchi. Serikali yoyote duniani ni lazima ilinde ajira za wananchi wake ili iweze kudumisha amani na kuheshimu utu wa raia wake."

Hotuba ya Rais Kikwete ilitafsiriwa kuwa ni ya vitisho na ambayo ilitolewa bila ya ushahidi wa kutosha kutoka pande zote mbili kuhusu maendeleo ya mazungumzo baina ya serikali na Tucta, ambayo ilieleza baadaye kuwa rais alipaswa kwanza kusikiliza viongozi wa shirikisho hilo badala ya kusikiliza watendaji wa serikali pekee.

Mgomo huo ambao ulipangwa kuanza Mei 5, umesogezwa mbele hadi baada ya Mei 8, siku ambayo serikali na Tucta watakutana kujadili suala la kima cha chini cha mshahara wa sekta ya umma, suala ambalo hadi sasa pande zote hazijafikia muafaka.

Mbali na haki ya ajira, Mwinyi pia alisema haki ya kuishi lazima ilindwe na serikali ili kuweza kudumisha amani na kuheshimu utu wa watu wake.

“Vitu kama uhuru wa kujieleza, kusali, mawasiliano lazima vipewe ruksa, lakini pia ajira na kuishi, haki hizi lazima zilindwe na serikali,” alisema Mwinyi.

Kauli hiyo ya Mwinyi imekuja wakati kukiwa bado na kutoelewana baina ya serikali na Shirikisho la Vyama vya Wafanyakazi (Tucta) lililositisha mgomo uliopangwa kuanza Mei tano mwaka huu, baada ya Rais Jakaya Kikwete kutoa hotuba kali ambayo wadau mbalimbali walisema ilikuwa imejaa vitisho.

Mbali na hayo Mwinyi alisema: “Shule ya Feza ni nzuri sana, ni nzuri kwa sababu ina walimu wazuri na hata wanafunzi wake ni wazuri, hata katika matokeo yake imekuwa ikifanya vizuri na kuwa ndani ya shule tano bora.”

Kabla ya kutoa hotuba yake, baadhi ya wanafunzi wa shule hiyo walieleza kwa nyakati tofauti juu ya maana ya utu kutokana na mafunzo waliyopata kutoka kwa viongozi hao wa vijana wa dunia.

Watu mbalimbali, akiwemo mtoto huyo wa mfalme wa Norway walikuwa wakihamasika na kuwashangilia wanafunzi hao walipookuwa wanaeleza maana ya utu, umuhimu wa kuheshimu utu wa mtu na athari zake endapo hautaheshimiwa.

Prince Haakon aliwaambia vijana hao ni muhimu kuheshimu utu na kujiamini kwa kuwa wao ndiyo watakaoweza kuifanya Afrika na dunia kwa ujula kuwa mahala pazuri na salama pakuishi.

Baadhi ya wanafunzi hao wakizungumza mbele ya Mzee Mwinyi walisema "utu ni kuheshimiana baina ya mtu na mtu; kusema ni sisi na si ni mimi, kujiuliza nimetoa nini na siyo nimepokea nini".

Wengine pia walisema, kujilimbikizia mali nyingi si utu na kuwa hata mtu huyo aliyejilimbikizia mali wakati anazungukwa na watu masikini haishi maisha ya amani kwa kuwa wale wasio nacho nao watakuwa wakifanya kila liwezekanalo kupata mali za mtu huyo tajiri.

Team Profile: Cameroon

Cameroon and Roger Milla made a huge impact on Italia '90

Appearances at finals:
1982 - First round
1990 - Quarter-finals
1994 - First round
1998 - First round
2002 - First round

Overall record at finals: Played 17, Won 4, Drawn 7, Lost 6.

Best performance: Quarter-finals in 1990.

Most apearances at finals: Roger Milla (1982), (1990), (1994) - 10.

Most goals at finals: Roger Milla (1990, 1994) - 5.

World Cup high: Reaching the quarter-finals in 1990. Cameroon began the finals with a memorable 1-0 win over reigning champions Argentina, courtesy of a François Omam-Biyik goal, winning the group ahead of Romania and USSR. Two extra-time goals from Roger Milla saw them move past Colombia in the second round before the 'Indomitable Lions' suffered extra-time heartbreak of their own as they went down 3-2 to England despite another impressive showing.

World Cup low: Getting thrashed 6-1 at the hands of Russia at the 1994 finals. Oleg Salenko scored a record five goals in the match to condemn Cameroon to bottom spot in the group, with a 2-2 draw with Sweden all they had to show for their appearance at the finals.

World Cup legend: Roger Milla. Rigobert Song may be set to overtake his Cameroon finals appearance record, but Milla is a player who epitomised the spirit of World Cup football, representing the 'Indomitable Lions' at three finals. Incredibly, he was Cameroon's top scorer at the 1990 finals without starting a single game. As a super-sub, Milla netted two crucial braces in 2-1 wins against Romania and Colombia in the second round. He is both the oldest player to have played and to have scored at the World Cup, a record achieved at 42 years and 39 days when he made his final international appearance against Russia in the 1994 World Cup.

The story so far: Cameroon competed in their first World Cup finals in 1982, becoming the fourth African country to do so after Morocco, Zaire and Tunisia. In their first ever finals match, they earned an impressive 1-1 draw with eventual champions Italy. They finished the group stage unbeaten after draws with Poland and Peru but were eliminated on goals scored behind the Italians.

In 1990, they stole headlines around the globe with perhaps the most memorable display by an African team at the World Cup. After shocking the world by beating reigning champions Argentina 1-0, Cameroon also picked up a win over Romania before losing to USSR, and they became the first African side to win their group at a finals. Colombia were beaten in the second round before Cameroon threw away a 2-1 lead over England, losing 3-2 after almost causing another major shock.

The 1994 tournament was one to forget as Cameroon crashed out after losing 3-0 to Brazil and 6-1 to Russia, ending up bottom of their group. The only highlight was Roger Milla's record-breaking appearance and goal against the Russians. In 1998, the 'Indomitable Lions' finished bottom of their group again with a 3-0 defeat to Italy sandwiched in between draws with Austria and Chile. And in 2002, after qualifying for a fourth straight finals, Cameroon narrowly missed out on a place in the second round, drawing with Ireland and beating Saudi Arabia before losing 2-0 to eventual finalists Germany in a game they needed to draw to progress.

After disappointingly missing out on the 2006 finals, Samuel Eto'o and co now have a chance to move out of the shadow of the 1990 side and write a new chapter in Cameroon's World Cup history.

Qualification: Cameroon looked as though they would ease their way to South Africa after cruising through their opening African qualification group. Samuel Eto'o scored six goals in six games as boss Otto Pfister recorded five wins and just one draw - away to Tanzania - on their way to the third qualifying round.

But they failed to maintain their form and it appeared their World Cup dream was over after a 1-0 away defeat to Togo and a home draw with Morocco in their opening two games, which saw Pfister sacked and former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen appointed. Cameroon experienced a revival in fortunes with Le Guen at the helm as, helped greatly by the scoring exploits of Samuel Eto'o, they recorded four successive victories, including the 2-0 away win away to Morocco that secured their qualification at the expense of second-placed Gabon and booked their place at the finals for the sixth time, breaking the African record.

Qualifying record (second round): P6, W5, D1, L0, F 14, A2, Pts16.

Qualifying record (third round): P6, W4, D1, L1, F9, A2, Pts13.

Most appearances: Rigobert Song, Jean Makoun, Idriss Kameni (12). Top goalscorer: Samuel Eto'o (9).

Team Profile: Ghana

Appearances at finals:
2006 - Second round

Overall record at finals: Played 4, Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 2.

Best performance: Second round in 2006.

Most appearances at finals: Richard Kingson (2006), John Paintsil (2006) - 4.

Most goals at finals: Stephen Appiah (2006), Sulley Muntari (2006), Haminu Dramani (2006), Asamoah Gyan (2006) - 1.

World Cup high: Making the second round at the 2006 finals, having finished behind eventual winners Italy in the group stage, before losing to reigning champions Brazil in the last 16.

World Cup low: Failing to qualify for the finals prior to 2006 despite being the second most successful team in African Nations Cup history, qualifying for five successive Olympic Games and enjoying considerable success at world youth level.

World Cup legend: Michael Essien excelled in midfield at the 2006 finals but the words Ghana and 'legend' are inextricably linked to a player who never played in a World Cup. Striker Abedi Pele is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, scoring 33 goals in 73 appearances for the 'Black Stars' and captaining the side on numerous occasions during his 16-year international career. He could never inspire his team to the finals, however.

The story so far: It may surprise some that Ghana's second consecutive appearance at the finals is only their second ever. They are the most successful team in African Nations Cup history, along with Egypt, with four titles and have excelled at youth level.

Ghana's qualification record does not even boast any near misses, with a fourth-place finish behind Nigeria, Libya and Sudan in qualification for the 2002 finals (which would have seen them miss out on an African Nations Cup place had they not been hosting the tournament) and third place behind Morocco and Sierra Leone for the 1998 finals. And the Black Stars were defeated by Algeria, Liberia, Libya, Guinea, Zaire and Nigeria in qualification for the 1994, 1990, 1986, 1978, 1974 and 1970 finals respectively. The failure in 1994 was the biggest surprise as the 'Black Stars' had narrowly lost the 1992 African Nations Cup final and could boast an impressive strikeforce of Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah.

But in 2006 they made a first World Cup finals appearance and impressed by emerging runners-up from a tough group and advancing to the second round at their first attempt. After an opening defeat to eventual winners Italy, the 'Black Stars' defeated Czech Republic (2-0) and USA (2-1) before reigning champions Brazil knocked them out at the last 16 stage - the 3-0 scoreline a reflection of Ghana's defensive naiveity in a match in which they had often troubled Brazil in attack.

Qualification: Aside from the hosts, Ghana were the first African team to secure their passage to the 2010 finals when they qualified after winning their first four games of the final round of qualification. But it was certainly not all plain sailing for the 'Black Stars' as they had just scraped through the first group stage, edging out Gabon and Libya for top spot on goal difference, having lost away to both sides, when all three were tied at the end of the group.

In the final round, though, Ghana began to dominate, securing consecutive victories over Mali, Benin and Sudan (twice) without conceding a goal to book their place at the 2010 finals.

Qualifying record (second round): P6, W4, D0, L2, F11, A5, Pts12.

Qualifying record (third round): P6, W4, D1, L1, F9, A3, Pts13.

Most appearances: Richard Kingson (12).

Top goalscorers: Matthew Amoah (5).

Mumbai attack gunman Qasab sentenced to death.

The only gunman to survive the 2008 attacks in Mumbai (Bombay) has been sentenced to death by a court in India.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, a Pakistani citizen aged 22, was found guilty on Monday of many charges, including murder and waging war on India.

Sentencing Qasab, the judge said "he should be hanged by the neck until he is dead". He has the right to appeal.

The attacks left 174 people dead, nine of them gunmen. Relations between India and Pakistan have still to recover.

India blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attack.

After initial denials, Pakistan acknowledged that the attacks had been partially planned on its territory and that Qasab was one of its citizens.

Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as president

Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has been sworn in as head of state following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua after a long illness.

Mr Jonathan, in charge since February, will appoint a deputy and serve out the rest of the current presidential term until elections due next year.

Mr Yar'Adua died late on Wednesday in the capital Abuja. TV broadcasts were interrupted with the news.

Seven days of national mourning have been announced.

Mr Jonathan took the oath of office in front of government ministers and other officials at the presidential villa in Abuja almost 12 hours after Mr Yar'Adua died. The ceremony was performed by the chief justice of Nigeria, Alloysius Katsina-Alu.

Mr Jonathan put on a sash bearing the green, yellow and white colours of Nigeria, signifying he had formally taken over as president.

Afterwards he made a brief address, saying his administration would focus on good governance, focusing on electoral reform and the fight against corruption.

"One of the true tests will be that all votes count, and are counted, in our upcoming presidential election," he said.

Mr Yar'Adua, who was 58, will be buried in a Muslim ceremony later on Thursday in his northern home state of Katsina, officials said.

US President Barack Obama has led tributes from world leaders, praising Mr Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity" and his "passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people".

Mr Yar'Adua had been absent from the political scene since November, when he went to a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for several months.

During that time he was not heard from, apart from a BBC interview. He returned to Nigeria in February but remained too sick to govern.

A presidential spokesman said at the time that he was being treated for acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart.

His long absence and the lack of detailed information about his health led to a political limbo in Nigeria, which was only filled when Mr Jonathan was named as acting president.

SHULE ZA ZANZIBAR ZABORONGA MATOKEO YA KIDATO CHA SITA 2010.

Katibu Mtendaji wa Necta, Dk. Joyce Ndalichako.
Baraza la Taifa la Mitihani (Necta), limetangaza matokeo ya kidato cha sita kwa mwaka 2010 huku kiwango cha ufaulu kikionekana kushuka kwa asilimia 0.61 ikilinganishwa na matokeo ya mwaka jana.

Matokeo hayo yanaonyesha kuwa, shule zinazomilikiwa na serikali zimeibuka kidedea ambapo katika shule 10 bora zilizokuwa na watahiniwa zaidi ya 30, sita kati yake zinamilikiwa na Serikali wakati shule ya wasichana Marian ikiongoza kitaifa.

Aidha, kinyume na mwaka jana, wanafunzi wote 10 bora walioongoza kitaifa ni wavulana ambao wanatoka shule za Serikali wakati msichana aliyefanya vizuri anatoka shule ya Marian.

Kama ilivyokuwa kwa matokeo ya mwaka jana, shule za Zanzibar ndizo zilizoshika mkia ambapo shule tatu za mwisho kabisa zinatoka visiwani humo.

Aidha, matokeo ya watahiniwa 139 yamefutwa kutokana na kufanya udanganyifu wakati baraza limezuia matokeo ya watahiniwa 533 ambapo 484 kati yao hawajalipa ada ya mtihani na 49 hawakuwa na sifa.

Akitangaza matokeo hayo jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Katibu Mtendaji wa Necta, Dk. Joyce Ndalichako, alisema pamoja na kwamba wavulana wameongoza kitaifa, matokeo ya jumla yanaonyesha kuwa wasichana wamefaulu kuliko wavulana.

Alisema watahiniwa waliofanya mtihani huo walikuwa 63,434 ambapo watahiniwa 55,764 wamefanya vizuri.

Alisema wasichana 21,821 sawa na asilimia 90.39 wamefaulu kati ya wasichana 24,894 waliosajiliwa kufanya mtihani huo, wakati wavulana 33,943 sawa na asilimia 87.90 wamefaulu ikilinganishwa na 40,735 waliosajiliwa.

Alisema jumla ya watahiniwa 39,625 sawa na asilimia 82.17 wa shule wamefaulu kwa daraja la kwanza hadi la tatu wakiwemo wasichana 15,650 na wavulana 23,975.

Aliwataja wanafunzi 10 bora na shule wanazotoka kwenye mabano kuwa ni Japhet John (Ilboru), Manyanda Chitimbo (Kibaha), Hassan Rajab (Minaki), Samuel Killewo (Feza Boys), Abdallah Taher (Mzumbe), Stivin Elias (Mzumbe), Paul Nolasco (Mzumbe), Alexander Marwa (Tabora Boys), Ephraim Swilla (Mzumbe) na Benedicto Nyato (Tabora Boys).

Wasichana waliofanya vizuri kwa mujibu wa Dk. Ndalichako na shule wanazotoka kwenye mabano ni Jackline Seni (Marian girls), Khadija Mahanga (Marian Girls), Cecilia Ngaiza (St. Joseph Ngarenaro), Esther Mlingwa (Marian Girls), Perpetua Lawi (Marian Girsl), Lilian Kakoko (Marian Girls), Gerida John (Dakawa), Subira Omary (Dakawa), Ruth Pendael (Morogoro) na Elaine Kijoti (Ashira).

Alizitaja shule 10 bora zenye watahiniwa zaidi ya 30 zilizofanya vizuri na mikoa zilipo kwenye mabano kuwa ni Marian Girls (Pwani), Mzumbe (Morogoro), Uru Seminari (Kilimanjaro), Kibaha (Pwani), Feza boys (DSM), Tabora Boys (Tabora), Tukuyu (Mbeya), Kifungilo (Tanga), Ilboru (Arusha) na Malangali (Iringa).

Katika kundi hilo, shule zilizoshika mkia ni High-View International (Unguja), Fidel Castro (Pemba), Sunni Madressa (Unguja), Neema Trust (DSM), Mtwara Technical (Mtwara), Muheza (Tanga), Tarakea (Kilimanjaro), Uweleni (Pemba), Modern (Arusha), Maswa Girls (Shinyanga).

Dk. Ndalichako alisema kuwa kwenye kundi la shule zenye watahiniwa chini ya 30, zilizoibuka kidedea ni Rubya Seminari (Kagera), Maua Seminari (Kilimanjaro), St. James Seminari (Kilimanjaro), St. Joseph Kilocha (Iringa), Dungunyi Seminari (Singida), Same Seminari (Kilimanjaro), Usongwe (Mbeya), St. Peter’s (Morogoro), Vituka (DSM), Vwawa (Mbeya).

Katika kundi hilo, Dk. Ndalichako alitaja 10 za mwisho kuwa ni Nkasi (Rukwa), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Kilimanjaro), Mbarali Preparatory (Unguja), Liliani Kibo (DSM), Ghomme (DSM) Adolec (Kagera), Mzizima (DSM), Dar es Salaam Christian Seminary (DSM), EDP Royal (DSM) na Sekei (Arusha).

“Baraza limesitisha matokeo ya watahiniwa 484 ambao hawajalipa ada lakini matokeo yao yatatolewa baada ya kulipa ada, 49 ya waliofanya mtihani wakiwa na sifa zenye utata wakati matokeo ya watahiniwa 139 yamefutwa baada ya kubainika kufanya udanganyifu ikiwemo kughushi vyeti,” alisema.

Alifafanua kuwa baraza hilo limebaini kwamba kulikuwa na udanganyifu ulioashiria watahiniwa kuonyeshana majibu na kuwa baraza limewaandikia wasimamizi wa vituo husika ili watoe maelezo kuhusiana na matukio hayo.

“Nina amini kwamba mamlaka za nidhamu wataangalia suala la mitihani kwa uzito wake na zitawachukulia hatua kali wahusika wote ili iwe fundisho kwa wengine,” alisema.

Kwa upande wa watahiniwa wa kujitegemea, Dk. Ndalichako alisema waliofaulu ni 10,457 sawa na asilimia 72.57 kati ya watahiniwa 14,643 waliofanya mtihani huo.