African football briefs on Sunday

Ghana woo Kuffour
ACCRA: New Ghana coach Burkhard Ziese wants to use Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour in African Nations Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda. Kuffour was kicked out of the squad before the 2002 finals for indiscipline.

Slow South Africa squander chance to play Portugal
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have lost the chance to play a friendly against Euro 2004 hosts Portugal in Switzerland on April 2 because they responded too slowly to the invite and Macedonia stepped in.

South Africa shun absentees
JOHANNESBURG: Goalkeeper Hans Vonk, defenders Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe and striker Shaun Bartlett will not be considered by South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba for selection after missing a training camp in Spain last month.

Youssef swops Cairo clubs
CAIRO: African Champions League holders and Egyptian title contenders Zamalek have signed midfielder Sameh Youssef from Cairo neighbours and three-time African Cup Winners Cup holders Arab Contractors.

Murape replaces sacked Barker
JOHANNESBURG: Zimbabwean Shepherd Murape has succeeded sacked Clive Barker as coach of struggling South African Premiership club Manning Rangers. Barker was in charge of the national team when they won the 1996 Nations Cup.

Cameroon retirements sadden Song
YAOUNDE: Captain Rigobert Song says African champions Cameroon are weakened by the absence of defender Raymond Kalla and midfielder Lauren Mayer and wants officials to woo the duo out of retirement from international football.

Lesotho give coach third chance
MASERU: Coach Mafa Ramakau has been put in charge of Lesotho for the third time, hoping to improve on a record of just three victories from 20 matches. His first test is a regional championship tie on March 21 in Mozambique.

Swallows strengthen squad
JOHANNESBURG: South African title hopefuls Moroka Swallows were busy during the mid-season transfer window, signing goalkeeper Arthur Bartman and defender Japie Motale from SuperSport and striker Kerryn Jordan from Rangers.

Mali champions hire another Ghanaian coach
BAMAKO: Mali champions Stade Malien have swopped one Ghanaian coach for another with Mohammed Polo replacing Abdul Razak, who resigned despite a successful spell in charge.

Esperance leave it late
TUNIS: A last-minute goal from striker Riadh Jelassi gave Esperance a 1-0 home victory against lowly CA Bizerte and a 16-point lead over CS Sfaxien and Etoile Sahel with six rounds left of the Tunisian title race.

Liberia have no place for former Gunner
MONROVIA: Former Arsenal striker Christopher Wreh has been omitted from the Liberia squad for a Nations Cup qualifier on March 30 in Ethiopia. The Lone Stars lost to Guinea and beat Niger in other group matches.

Adema lift Madagascar Super Cup
ANTANANARIVO: Champions AS Adema lifted the Madagascar Super Cup with a 1-0 victory over cup winners AS Fortior. Rija Juvence scored the winner during the second half.

Ghana woo Kuffour
ACCRA: New Ghana coach Burkhard Ziese wants to use Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour in African Nations Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda. Kuffour was kicked out of the squad before the 2002 finals for indiscipline.

Slow South Africa squander chance to play Portugal
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have lost the chance to play a friendly against Euro 2004 hosts Portugal in Switzerland on April 2 because they responded too slowly to the invite and Macedonia stepped in.

South Africa shun absentees
JOHANNESBURG: Goalkeeper Hans Vonk, defenders Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe and striker Shaun Bartlett will not be considered by South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba for selection after missing a training camp in Spain last month.

Youssef swops Cairo clubs
CAIRO: African Champions League holders and Egyptian title contenders Zamalek have signed midfielder Sameh Youssef from Cairo neighbours and three-time African Cup Winners Cup holders Arab Contractors.

Murape replaces sacked Barker
JOHANNESBURG: Zimbabwean Shepherd Murape has succeeded sacked Clive Barker as coach of struggling South African Premiership club Manning Rangers. Barker was in charge of the national team when they won the 1996 Nations Cup.

Cameroon retirements sadden Song
YAOUNDE: Captain Rigobert Song says African champions Cameroon are weakened by the absence of defender Raymond Kalla and midfielder Lauren Mayer and wants officials to woo the duo out of retirement from international football.

Lesotho give coach third chance
MASERU: Coach Mafa Ramakau has been put in charge of Lesotho for the third time, hoping to improve on a record of just three victories from 20 matches. His first test is a regional championship tie on March 21 in Mozambique.

Swallows strengthen squad
JOHANNESBURG: South African title hopefuls Moroka Swallows were busy during the mid-season transfer window, signing goalkeeper Arthur Bartman and defender Japie Motale from SuperSport and striker Kerryn Jordan from Rangers.

Mali champions hire another Ghanaian coach
BAMAKO: Mali champions Stade Malien have swopped one Ghanaian coach for another with Mohammed Polo replacing Abdul Razak, who resigned despite a successful spell in charge.

Esperance leave it late
TUNIS: A last-minute goal from striker Riadh Jelassi gave Esperance a 1-0 home victory against lowly CA Bizerte and a 16-point lead over CS Sfaxien and Etoile Sahel with six rounds left of the Tunisian title race.

Liberia have no place for former Gunner
MONROVIA: Former Arsenal striker Christopher Wreh has been omitted from the Liberia squad for a Nations Cup qualifier on March 30 in Ethiopia. The Lone Stars lost to Guinea and beat Niger in other group matches.

Adema lift Madagascar Super Cup
ANTANANARIVO: Champions AS Adema lifted the Madagascar Super Cup with a 1-0 victory over cup winners AS Fortior. Rija Juvence scored the winner during the second half.