PARIS, Feb 9 — Brazil football legend Pele expects African teams to shine on their home soil when the World Cup visits the continent for the first time in South Africa this June, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.
Three-time World Cup winner Pele once predicted that an African side would lift the World Cup trophy before the year 2000.
BERLIN, Feb 9 — Germany coach Joachim Loew has declared peace with the German FA (DBF) after the two sides came close to falling out over the extension of his contract after this year’s World Cup.
“We want to get this misunderstanding out of the way,” Loew told a news conference today alongside FA president Theo Zwanziger and national team manager Oliver Bierhoff.
MILAN, Feb 9 — Formula One’s new entrants will be allowed to miss the first three races of the season and avoid punishment, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt said today.
F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has consistently said he does not expect US F1 and Campos to be ready for the season-opening race in Bahrain on March 14.
MILAN, Feb 9 — Force India unveiled their new car today, saying greater stability than other Formula One teams would boost their chances this season.
Vijay Mallya’s team finished ninth out of 10 last season but improved significantly in the closing stages and are bullish for 2010 despite missing a deadline to file their annual accounts.
It has been a smooth transition for the VJM03 from last year’s car which again uses a Mercedes engine and McLaren gearbox, whereas the start of last season was hit by a late switch of suppliers.
NAGPUR, Feb 9 — South Africa won the opening test by an innings and six runs today to hand top-ranked India their first defeat on home soil in almost two years.
Left-arm spinner Paul Harris and fast bowler Dale Steyn took three wickets each to help South Africa record a morale-boosting victory after they broke Sachin Tendulkar’s resistance following his 46th test century.
India were bowled out for 319 as Steyn finished with a match haul of 10 for 108 following South Africa’s imposing first innings of 558 for six declared and a career-best seven for 51 in India’s first innings.
