Portsmouth News 24/7
Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Monday January 28 2008
Time: 9:23PM
UK time is: 13:44:46
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
African nations update
It was feared that the African nations could see Pompey without their African contingent for around 4 or 5 weeks - but as it stands we could have all but 1 back in England by the start of next week - at the latest, with is quite possible that 2 - maybe all 3 - of the rest could be back in time to face Chelsea at the weekend!
Ironically enough though the player that we would most want back - in my opinion - is the only one that is guaranteed to be out in Ghana for the knockout stages, this man being Sulley Muntari, who scored again today as Ghana beat Morocco to finish well clear at the top of their group - and they look a very good bet to go all the way.
Kanu and John Utaka could be eliminated with Nigeria tomorrow night.
The Nigerian's must beat Benin to have any chance - but even then they might have to win heavily. Should Mali claim a point against the Ivory Coast no matter what Nigeria do they will be eliminated.
So by Wednesday morning Kanu and Utaka could be on their way back to the South Coast, but by the weekend Papa Bouba Diop will almost certainly be back, as Senegal look nailed on for elimination.
Senegal would have to beat South Africa heavily and hope that the game between Tunisia and Angola produces a winner - although with both sides only needing a point they might not exert themselves too much...
I reckon that Muntari will be away until the end of the tournament but Bouba Diop will almost certainly be back by the beginning of next week, quite possibly by the weekend.
At this point in time I think that Nigeria will be eliminated so Kanu - 'if fit' - and Utaka will probably be back in time to feature at the weekend - it could be possible for them all to get back in time if Nigeria and Senegal both get eliminated, but it could be asking a bit too much of Bouba Diop to play as he would only return on Friday...
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Your Comments
Didnt Muntari get stretchered off tho? Hope it's not too bad!
pompey4me
as i said on the nuge article thread i didnt watch the game but i cant find anything about him being stretchered off so hopefully it isnt too serious...
pompeyrug
Just saw it on the sky sports news flicker. Dont know any more.
pompey4me
Muntari assist for Essien to score the first & then he scored the second. Not sure about going off? Ghana could go all the way, which would keep SM out for another 3 weeks. Not sure if Kanu & Utaka coming back early will really help us. Diop yes we do need him but they, Senegal, could qualify. My actual concern is Muntari will attract a lot of interest & you can see someone tempting him away from us come the summer.
storagematt
Just read the BBC sport write up on the game, another Ghanian was stretchered off. Muntari had a lively game & played the 90.
storagematt
Good then, sky must have got it wrong...hopefully!
pompey4me
thats what i thought, 3 changes but muntari wasnt one off them... senegal need to hammer south africa tho dont they and hope angola and tunisia - who only need a point apiece to assure a place in the next round - can produce a winner. nigeria should win tomorrow but mali are no pushovers so with them only needing a point you never know... agreed tho, i dont think having utaka and/or kanu back at this point in time will help - apart from increasing the numbers we have...
pompeyrug
hopefully - they were wrong with the woodgate stories earlier wernet they, hopefully they were wrong about who was stretched off too... i also agree matt about your thoughts on muntari - if he keeps performing a 'big club' will be in for him, im not sure he will stick around if that is the case...
pompeyrug
hope no-one comes in to nick muntari...although other than the top 4, he wouldnt move, and do the top 4 actually NEED anyone new in midfield? diara mooved on from both chelsea and arsenal, and he has been, well, immense the lst few games!
pompeycarpet
Just read what f-oz had to say on another thread, sky too were reporting it was Muntari, got it wrong i think, but like i said there, this is the place for the most reliable info!
pompey4me
I agree, Munter was the one we wanted most but he's also the one you would most want to succeed for his country so, what the hey . . .
Et_tu_Pompeii
yep, agree Et_tu_Pompeii - i would be happy to see muntari and ghana do well, my youngest brother spent 3 months out there helping a few years back so i have even more reason for this...
pompeyrug
I'd take Utaka and Kanu back in a heartbeat. We've not seen the best out of Utaka yet, probably because he hasn't had the freedom to roam that he needed (spell Diarra) and Kanu of the bench is a must. Besides, at least it gives us options. I also doubt Muntari will be moving on any time soon, unless it be for a ridiculous fee. He likes it here, has a house next door to Arry's and a knockout girlfriend waiting there for him who apparently enjoys the south coast. If he did go, we'd have enough dough to buy pretty much whomever we want to fill the midfield void, and with Diop & Diarra as anchors (so long as the latter sticks around) we'll still be in great shape come summer. Besides, when was the last time he scored 2 games straight for us ?
Toronto4Pompey
Toronto, if Muntari's girlfriend is a knockout then we should move him on and keep her as the supporters mascot. Then even if the match is boring we can still raise a sweat.
frattonaussie
Just want them all back and in a Pompey shirt .. the sooner the better..
Chix
...better still aussie, send her here on an extended holiday to the Great White North
Toronto4Pompey
So Nigeria through after all then .. Kanu and Utaka will be staying a little longer... Toronto.. Sulleys bird (sorry ladies) is 'red' hot .. REALLY red hot..
Chix
ive got to try and google mrs sulley muntari to check her out!
pompeyrug
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
On this day in history...22nd May (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Reaping the benefits of 1st team football (Tuesday May 21 2013)
On this day in history...21st May (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Scunny winger becomes latest Pompey signing (Monday May 20 2013)
Winger signing imminent? (Monday May 20 2013)
On this day in history...20th May (Monday May 20 2013)
On this day in history...19th May (Sunday May 19 2013)
Pompey predictions league - winners! (Saturday May 18 2013)
On this day in history...18th May (Saturday May 18 2013)
Sullivan brought in to replace Eastwood (Friday May 17 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | pompeyrug | 64 |
| 2. | eastneydave | 47 |
| 3. | storagematt | 33 |
| 4. | mslorna48 | 25 |
| 5. | Jimsmithswig | 25 |
| 6. | blueballoo2000 | 16 |
| 7. | nagoyablue | 14 |
| 8. | Pompeytim | 13 |
| 9. | PompeyJake | 11 |
| 10. | PFCblue | 10 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Shrewsbury | 3 | - | 2 | Portsmouth |
| Portsmouth | 3 | - | 0 | Sheff Utd |
| Brentford | 3 | - | 2 | Portsmouth |
| Portsmouth | 0 | - | 0 | Stevenage |
| Portsmouth | 1 | - | 0 | Tranmere |
| Preston | 1 | - | 1 | Portsmouth |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 18. Stevenage | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | -17 | 54 |
| 19. Oldham | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | -13 | 51 |
| 20. Colchester | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | -21 | 51 |
| 21. Scunthorpe | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | -24 | 48 |
| 22. Bury | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | -28 | 41 |
| 23. Hartlepool | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | -28 | 41 |
| 24. Portsmouth | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | -18 | 32 |
Breaking League News
| Pitman: No-one expected us to go up that day
» Bournemouth : 22/05/2013 08:02:00
|
| On this day in history...22nd May
» Portsmouth : 22/05/2013 08:00:00
|
| Mitchell: Season ticket sales are fantastic
» Bournemouth : 22/05/2013 07:51:00
|
| Upson Hoping To Be A Surprise Package
» Yeovil : 21/05/2013 23:21:00
|
| Promotion Parade
» Yeovil : 21/05/2013 23:15:00
|
| Johnson Named Manager Of The Year
» Yeovil : 21/05/2013 23:10:00
|
| Foster To Join Rovers?
» Tranmere : 21/05/2013 23:03:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
1 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.