New Delhi: Argentina are playing without Lionel Messi in their international football friendly match against Chile. The Barcelona start Messi is still serving a suspension. Messi was given a straight red card during Argentina vs Chile clash in the Copa America third-place play-off in July. Argentina have not played since their 2-1 victory in that match. Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala scored the goals for Argentina in that victory, but captain Messi sent off following an altercation with Gary Medel.Messi was given a three-month ban from international football and a $50,000 fine for alleging the competition, won by hosts Brazil, was fixed.Argentina vs Chile starting 11sArgentina XI: Marchesín, Montiel, Martínez Quarta, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Lo Celso, Paredes, De Paul, Dybala, Lautaro Martínez, Correa.Chile XI: Bravo, Opazo, Díaz, Vegas, Parot, Baeza, Aránguiz, Pinares, Sagal, Vargas, Alexis Sánchez.Argentina vs Chile live stream and where to watchWhen and what time will the Argentina vs Chile, International Friendly start?The Argentina vs Chile, International Friendly will start at 8:00 AM IST on September 6.Where to watch Argentina vs Chile match in India?The Argentina vs Chile, International Friendly will not be broadcast in India.How to watch the live streaming of Argentina vs Chile match?There is no official platform for Argentina vs Chile live streaming in India. For rest of the world, the match will be available to stream live on ESPN3. Sling TV or YouTube TV also offer the streaming of the match live.  For all the Latest Sports News News, Football News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more

Criminals stealing unemployment benefits as claims surgeUNDATED (AP) — Criminals are seizing on a surge in job losses to steal unemployment benefits from Americans nationwide. The uptick in crime complicates an already tough situation for millions of financially strapped Americans and overwhelmed state unemployment offices.A U.S. Labor Department official testified last week that at least $26 billion will have been wasted, going largely to fraudsters instead of those in need.Security experts say the bulk of the fraud appears to be committed by criminals using stolen data to make claims using someone else’s identity.With roughly 21.5 million people receiving jobless aid, it creates added opportunity for criminals. An extra $600 a week in benefits makes it even more lucrative. OPEC plus dealUNDATED (AP) — Crude oil prices rose after major oil producing nations agreed to extend a production cut of nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day through the end of July to counter the blow to demand from the coronavirus pandemic. That’s about 10% of global output.OPEC has 13 member states and is largely dominated by oil-rich Saudi Arabia. The additional countries involved in the so-called OPEC Plus accord have been led by Russia, with Mexico under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador playing a considerable role at the last minute in the initial agreement.U.S. crude for July delivery added 42 cents to $39.97 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.Brent crude, the international standard, gained 61 cents to $42.91 per barrel. But Japan’s economy, the world’s third largest, has been stagnant for years and was in trouble even before the pandemic hit consumer spending and other main drivers of growth.The country imposed only limited shutdowns to fight the new coronavirus, leaving less room for a rebound than in some other countries. Weak global demand is also weighing on exports.  VIRUS OUTBREAK-RETAIL RAGEBloodied store manager describes life in the age of COVID-19UNDATED (AP) — Retail workers across the country are facing insults, threats and even attacks from customers angry over being told to comply with coronavirus restrictions in stores. NABE SURVEYSurvey: Business economists expect worst slump since 1940sWASHINGTON (AP) — Business economists expect the United States to suffer its worst downturn this year in more than seven decades before growth resumes sometime next year.Overhanging that forecast, though, is the risk that a second wave of the coronavirus could threaten the economy once again.A survey by the National Association for Business Economics predicts that the gross domestic product — the total value of goods and services produced in the United States — will fall 5.9% for 2020 as a result of the recession triggered by the virus. Germany started easing restrictions to public life on April 20 and the process has gathered pace since. JAPAN-ECONOMYJapan says economy contracted less than earlier reportedTOKYO (AP) — Japan says its economy contracted less than initially estimated in the first quarter.The Cabinet Office says the economy shrank at an annual rate of 2.2% in January-March, better than the earlier reported 3.4% contraction. Analysts say the revision wasn’t surprising and a recovery is expected as countries reopen after their coronavirus shutdowns. GERMANY-ECONOMYGerman industrial production down nearly 18% in AprilBERLIN (AP) — Official data show that German industrial production plunged by nearly 18% in April compared with the previous month at the height of Europe’s coronavirus lockdowns.The 17.9% decline reported by the Economy Ministry today follows an 8.9% drop in March, when Germany started shutting down.Germany’s lockdown was less severe than those imposed in Italy, Spain and France and it never ordered factories closed, but companies did largely stop production in some areas — such as the automaking sector — and supply chains were disrupted.   Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditFINANCIAL MARKETSAsian shares advanceBANGKOK (AP) — Shares advanced today in Asia, buoyed by surprisingly strong U.S. jobs figures that helped power a surge on Wall Street on Friday. NEW YORK (AP) — Even as the U.S. economy begins to flicker back to life and even as job cuts slow and some laid-off people are called back to work, the scope of the devastation left by the viral pandemic has grown distressingly clear to millions who’d hoped for a quick return to their jobs: They may not be going back anytime soon.With many businesses reopening, the government surprisingly announced Friday that contrary to expectations of more layoffs, the economy added 2.5 million jobs in May and the unemployment rate fell from 14.7% to 13.3%. But the harsh reality is that last month’s rehiring is not expected to continue at the same pace.A study by the University of Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute for Economics says that 42 percent of the layoffs caused by the pandemic could become permanent job losses. Many businesses, from tech start-ups to small shops and big retailers, may not survive the loss of revenue despite federal rescue aid.That aid will run out soon. And despite gradual re-openings, public fear of the virus is still keeping many people away from bars, restaurants, hotels, hair salons and other retail establishments. Few have resumed traveling and sports and entertainment venues remain closed.VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD One retail store manager has decided to fight back with a Facebook page called “Retail Life During COVID-19.”After posting a photo of the bruised and bloody face she suffered after being punched by an angry shopper in Modesto, California, Samantha Clarke quickly accumulated tens of thousands of followers.Some told her their stories of similar harassment. Shoppers also weighed in, often thanking Clarke for bringing to their attention what retail workers are up against. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 1.4% after the government reported the economy contracted at a 2.2% annual rate in the January-March quarter, better than the initially estimated minus 3.4%.Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 0.2% and the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.3%. In South Korea, the Kospi edged 0.1% higher.India’s Sensex surged 1.5%, while Thailand’s SET added 0.8%.Australia’s markets were closed for a holiday.OIL PRICES The Chinese customs agency says exports fell 3.3% compared to a year earlier to $206.8 billion and imports dropped 16.7% to $143.9 billion. The plunge in imports drove the country’s trade surplus up sharply to $62.9 billion.The surplus reached $27.9 billion with the United States and $18.2 billion with the European Union. The fall in exports came after a surprise 3.5% rise the previous month.Analysts were expecting the decline, attributing April’s rise to orders placed before virus restrictions hit overseas economies.VIRUS OUTBREAK-JOBSLeft out: More workers now losing hope of getting back jobs June 8, 2020 When it takes effect next month, the EU will lift most tariffs on Vietnamese goods and cut the rest over seven years. Vietnam will lift about half of its import duties on EU exports when the agreement starts and phase out the rest over 10 years.Vietnam is the EU’s second-largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with the trade turnover reaching $56 billion last year, according to the national general statistics office.CHINA-TRADEChina’s exports and imports fall amid coronavirus woesBEIJING (AP) — China’s exports and imports both fell in May as the coronavirus and trade tensions with the U.S. weighed on demand at home and abroad. Associated Press That would be the sharpest annual decline since GDP fell 11.6% in 1946, when the nation was demobilizing after World War II.EU-VIETNAM TRADEVietnam ratifies significant trade deal with European UnionANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam has ratified a significant trade deal with the European Union that is expected to boost the Southeast Asian country’s manufacturing sector and exports.Lawmakers approved the deal during their first meeting in the National Assembly since the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused a dip in its economy. The trade agreement was signed last June and ratified by the European Parliament in February. Update on the latest in business: read more

An own goal by James Milner, after Dejan Lovren’s attempted clearance cannoned off his team-mate, levelled the scores on the night before Georginio Wijnaldum’s header made it 2-1, and 7-3 on aggregate.However, Roma scored three more times to give Liverpool plenty of anxious moments in the Italian capital.Edin Dzeko gave the home side hope with his side’s second goal before Radja Nainggolan added two late goals, including a stoppage-time penalty.However, Liverpool just about kept their hosts at bay to become the first Premier League club to reach the Champions League final since Roberto di Matteo’s Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties in 2012.Liverpool’s 5,000 fans inside the Stadio Olimpico celebrated wildly at the final whistle as several thousand more watched on big screens back at Anfield.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram Liverpool reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since 2007, advancing 7-6 on aggregate despite losing a dramatic second leg 4-2 to Roma.A journey that started on August 15 in Germany against Hoffenheim in the play-off round will end on May 26 when Jurgen Klopp’s men face 12-time winners Real Madrid in Kiev.Leading 5-2 after a devastating semi-final first leg at Anfield, Liverpool increased their lead in when Sadio Mane finished from Roberto Firmino’s clever pass. read more

GREG SCHMITZ/Herald photoCoaches and players alike on the Wisconsin softball team have talked all season long about putting together a game in which offense, defense and pitching were all clicking at the same time.Wednesday night, the team — at long last — did just that, defeating the UIC Flames 11-0 in a game that showcased all positive facets of UW head coach Chandelle Schulte’s squad.Wisconsin was relentless at the plate in extinguishing the Flames, connecting for 11 hits — including five for extra-bases — in just four offensive frames en route to its fourth run-rule victory of the year. In NCAA softball, games are made final if a team leads by eight or more runs after the losing team has batted five times.Sophomore Theresa Boruta and senior Kaitlin Reiss paced the Badgers with two hits apiece, but it was sophomore Katie Hnatyk who stole the show for the cardinal and white. Hnatyk knocked off a homer in the first inning off Flames hurler Mercedes Lovato before putting her second ball of the game over the fence off Kelly Cross in the fourth.Her team-leading total of nine home runs ties her freshman year output, and places her in a tie for third all-time on the career list at UW. With six games left in the conference season, Hnatyk is just two home runs shy of the all-time career home run record, in only her second year with the team.”She’s been making a lot of improvements,” said Boruta about Hnatyk. “Early on, a lot of us struggled hitting the ball and being able to take pitches and turn on them. But lately, when pitchers make mistakes, she is able to capitalize on them. She is hitting the ball pretty far.”Both of Hnatyk’s home runs were crushed. On the very first pitch she saw Wednesday, she pulled a Lovato offering well over the 218-foot mark in left-center field for a two-run home run. Junior Sam Polito, who had slapped a single through the right side of the infield to lead off the game, came in to score with Hnatyk, and the Badgers led, 2-0.Hnatyk’s second gopher ball was even more impressive, traveling significantly farther than her original blast, again to left-center. Two Badgers who had pinch-hit earlier in the inning, freshman Stephanie Doyle and junior Liz Klemp, came around to score on the play, finalizing the scoring for Wisconsin at 11 runs.Doyle, the freshman infielder from Glen Ellyn, Ill., earned her first RBI as a Badger before scoring on Hnatyk’s home run.”It’s such a relief,” Doyle said of the RBI. “[Coach Schulte] keeps giving me chances, and I finally came through for us. … When you get your chance, you’ve got to take it.”Boruta was another player who took advantage of her chances in Wednesday’s twilight matchup. She successfully moved Polito to second base with a picture-perfect sacrifice bunt in the first inning, before crushing a 220-foot double just left of dead-away centerfield in the second. She also bunted for a single in the third.”Being in the second position in the batting order, [sacrificing] is your role,” said Boruta. “When the first batter gets on, [you] move them over. Sacrifice bunting and bunting for a base hit is fine with me. It’s getting on base and moving a runner — you’re doing your job.” Boruta’s double in the second inning chalked up dirt from the warning track.”[The coaches] said that [the Flames pitcher] predominantly throws screwballs, so I backed off the plate,” said Boruta of her approach on that particular at-bat. “The first pitch was there, so I thought I’d take advantage of it, just get a hold of it, and not look where it went.”In a game in which the Badgers scored 11 runs and recorded just 12 outs at the plate, Eden Brock’s masterful performance at the mound was overshadowed. The junior pitcher was spectacular, scattering four hits in five innings and not walking a single batter.”She has been awesome,” said Schulte. “I think the last two weeks, Eden Brock has carried our team.”Alexis Garcia also shined for Wisconsin, walking three times and doubling sharply to left field in the second.On a night where everything went the Badgers’ way, the game was appropriately ended with a fantastic defensive play by Polito, the standout centerfielder. With two runners aboard in the fifth, she put out the Flames’ threat, charging forward to snag a liner and throwing to second base to double off the UIC runner.Schulte finally saw her team put together a complete victory, and as the Badgers head into the final stretch — their last six games are against conference competition — they will need to do more of the same to qualify for the Big Ten tournament. read more

Hannah Leibson, a sophomore majoring in political science receives the Elizabeth Garrett Award Thursday night, which will help fund Leibson’s internship at the American Bar Association in Washington, D.C. this summer. The newest award from the Jesse M. Unruh Institute recognizes a female student who exemplifies leadership, public service and scholarship.

The Orange’s defensive unit ranks 91st in the country, allowing 13.89 goals a game. To secure the NCAA tournament win that eluded it in 2017, SU will need to lock up Princeton’s (12-5, 6-1 Ivy League) 18th best attack (15.06 scores per contest) on Friday in Newton, Massachusetts. The matchup comes two weeks after Syracuse’s most recent game, playing UNC a second time in the ACC tournament and allowing 21 goals, SU’s worst defensive performance since its inaugural season. “(Man-to-man) is a lot of fun to play,” sophomore Lila Nazarian said. “It comes down to hard work … It ended up being a good fit for the athletes we have.” SU assistant coach Caitlin Defliese orchestrates the defense along with associate head coach Regy Thorpe. Caitlin, Kerry Defliese’s older sister, said that SU switched to a man-to-man scheme to better prepare itself for certain offenses. While the Orange anticipated a “mix” of matchup and zone strategies in the beginning of the year, players have said that SU has often utilized the man-to-man. Thorpe and Defliese assign each defender an attack for the game. It’s regarded as the “best-case scenario,” Nazarian said. If Syracuse finds itself on the wrong end of a breakaway, each defender won’t rotate to their designated player. The Orange benefits from film study to label every attack as a dodger, feeder or both. Defliese labeled the past week’s practices as “intense,” with SU using seven versus seven drills to replicate game scenarios.SU’s gameplan for Friday is centered around limiting Kyla Sears, the Tigers’ point-leader. A freshman, she’s tallied 78 points — 60 goals and 18 assists — which ranks 27th in the nation. Defliese said the Orange will designate one defender to limit Princeton’s biggest threat. “If we’re talking out there and we know what everyone is doing on the field,” junior defender and lone-returning starter Alexa Radziewicz said, “I think that’s when we click the best. We have moments when we do that.”Radziewicz said those “moments” materialize when the backline constantly communicates. She highlighted the Orange’s 17-15 upset of then-No.4 Florida on Mar. 7 as a standout game for the defense. SU scooped 15 ground balls, forced seven turnovers and held off a Gator comeback. Four days later against Maryland, however, Syracuse allowed 18 goals in a seven-goal blowout. “We’ve seen enough of our film to make adjustments on the ‘D-end,’” Gait said. “… That’s what we’ve spent this week working on.”SU has gone back to the “basics” throughout its last week of practice, alerting one another of ground balls and calling out who to box out after a shot attempt to get back to the level it exhibited in early March. For a defense replacing 75 percent of its regulars, the reps are inching the unit closer to the chemistry it has lacked at crucial moments. “We got to come together as a team,” Gait said. “We’re on a mission and have a goal. Last year, we got a little caught off guard. … This year, we’re dialed in. They’re ready to play.” Comments Facebook Twitter Google+ Published on May 11, 2018 at 7:35 am Contact Nick: nialvare@syr.edu | @nick_a_alvarez North Carolina’s Ela Hazar turned a corner and saw two Syracuse defenders closing in on her. She peered over the defenders’ heads and saw Maggie Bill open in front of the crease. Bill caught Hazar’s pass, turned and shot, beating Asa Goldstock. Ella Simkins, the closest defender, slid late. Two minutes later, Bill held the ball at the point with Kerry Defliese fixed in front of her, the rest of the Orange defense fanned out around them. Bill faked right, dashed left and burst through SU’s interior. Lila Nazarian slid over, but she, too, was late. Both plays, just 32 seconds into the game, spawned from a familiar lapse in communication between the SU backline. “I think we really psyched ourselves out,” Defliese said a couple days removed from the 20-11 blowout loss on April 14. “I think maybe after the first two goals, we thought to ourselves, ‘Crap, this is UNC.’ … We start to be quiet and things start to shut down.” Head coach Gary Gait has said multiple times this season that his team’s success was predicated on chemistry and communication. The lack of the latter has been the root of SU’s (9-9, 1-6 Atlantic Coast) defensive inconsistency. A backline that’s featured three new starters — Mia DiBello, Defliese and Simkins — has relied primarily on a “man-to-man” scheme, SU players and coaches said, a year removed from Syracuse’s earliest NCAA tournament exit in over a decade. The consensus from coaches and players is that Syracuse’s new tactic has fared well. Yet, it’s had moments where its inexperience has been apparent.AdvertisementThis is placeholder textMORE COVERAGE:Syracuse women’s lacrosse opponent preview: What to know about PrincetonSyracuse’s ‘quarterback’ Asa Goldstock jump starts SU’s offensive sets read more

In its bid to encourage all-round wellness for Nigerian kids, MTN Nigeria in partnership with St Saviour’s School Endowment Fund has concluded a first ever Lagos Kiddies Marathon event for kids aged between 5-15 years in Lagos.More than 22 schools with over 1,000 kids across the state participated in the race covering 1.2km, 3km and 5km distances respectively. Starting at the premises of St Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, the marathoners ran through Bourdillon Road and back to the starting line between 7am to 11am last Saturday.Winners of the race were presented with cash prizes from MTN.Gbenle Similoluwa won the first place in the 13-15 year old male category while Ibukun Agbede won the female category. They were awarded N100,000 each. Other winners include; Sogbola Tomi and Amara Balogun in the 9-12yr category while Kechimani Iheanacho and Adefolaranmi Aliu won in the 5-8 years categorySpeaking on the initiative, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rahul De, said that the need to encourage healthy lifestyle for kids early on necessitated the initiative.“It is important to encourage children to imbibe an active lifestyle which includes physical exercise early on in life. When these habits are infused into their learning, it becomes part of them growing up thereby making them lead healthy lifestyles. As a lifestyle company, we’re in total support of such initiatives,” he said.Chairman, Organising Committee of the initiative, Anahere Ezekiel, also underscored the importance of the marathon.He said: “We want to get kids exercising. We think active kids stay healthy and are smart kids so we try to encourage kids to exercise. This will happen again next year. It started as a walkathon which metamorphosed into a marathon.”Other activities at the event include an aerobics session and a health workshop for participants.Share this:FacebookRedditTwitterPrintPinterestEmailWhatsAppSkypeLinkedInTumblrPocketTelegram read more

Online bookmaker Betway has chosen Group 1 and Classic-winning trainer Andrew Balding as its new brand ambassador for the 2019 Flat season. Balding, as part of his new role, will offer his industry insights and tips as part of a regular blog feature for the bookmaker, which is set to begin with this week’s Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse.As part of the regular feature on the Betway Insider blog, Balding will also offer weekly updates on his runners as well as offering his views on the hot topics of the industry.Andrew Balding celebrated the new accolade: “I’m excited to be working with Betway and look forward to updating their readers on our runners each week.“We’ve got some very nice horses this year and we’re obviously all really looking forward to seeing Bangkok in the Derby on Saturday. He’s up there with the best three-year-olds I’ve trained and we have some very promising two-year-olds as well, so it should be a really fun season.”Balding is a decorated horse trainer, having won the Investec Oaks with Casual Look in 2003 and on Saturday bids to land owners King Power Racing a first Group 1 and Classic win in the Investec Derby with Bangkok.Betway’s PR lead, Alan Alger added: “With a long summer of fantastic Flat racing ahead, we’re delighted to have partnered with Andrew Balding to give us an insight into his yard over the coming months.“Andrew is a highly successful trainer with a very strong group of horses at the moment. We very much look forward to sharing his views over the course of the season and we’ll all be cheering on Bangkok in the Derby this Saturday.”Betway has previously partnered with champion jockey Richard Johnson, trainers Harry Fry, Kayley Woollacott and Ross O’Sullivan, as well as retired Irish jockey Katie Walsh during the recent 2018/19 National Hunt season. StumbleUpon Real Betis selects Betway as its official shirt sponsor August 10, 2020 Submit Related Articles Betway and Dafabet grow La Liga sponsorship portfolios August 14, 2020 ESI Digital – No Drama Please… Esports growth should be treated as business as usual  August 20, 2020 Share Share read more

Related Articles Submit Gambling.com maintains momentum against COVID-19 impacts August 19, 2020 Betfred’s Gibraltar trading subsidiary ‘Petfre’ has been forced to pay £322,000 as part of a ‘regulatory settlement’ having been found to have ‘shortcomings in the application of its AML controls and its policies and procedures.’ The Gibraltar unit is due to make the payment in lieu of a financial penalty following an investigation by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).The UKGC investigation found that the ‘operator failed to carry out adequate source of funds checks on a customer who deposited £210,000, and lost £140,000, of stolen money in a 12-day period in November 2017.’ It was found that the customer was able to both deposit and lose significant amounts in a short period of time, which the UKGC highlighted ‘clearly indicated failings in the effectiveness of Petfre’s anti-money laundering policies and procedures.’ Under the terms of the regulatory settlement package, Petfre is due to pay its gross gambling yield of £140,000, received as a result of the player in question, which will be returned to the person whose money was stolen.Petfre will also make a payment in lieu of a financial penalty of £182,000, which the UKGC has confirmed will be directed towards the delivery of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.In addition to publishing a statement of facts following the investigation, the operator will also make a payment of £15,168.42 which will go towards the Commission’s investigative costs.Petfre has since accepted responsibility for the weaknesses in its AML proceedings, and has since taken steps to prevent further recurrences. The UKGC, in response to the investigation, outlined a number of considerations in order to determine an appropriate outcome.During the investigation, the regulator emphasised that ‘the breach arose not from the absence of AML policies but of a particular shortcoming in control measures for which remedial action has been undertaken’, with the incident in question noted to be an isolated event. Betfred counters Oppenheimer bid in race to rescue Phumelela August 26, 2020 StumbleUpon Successful summer leaves Leadstar positive over industry’s recovery August 18, 2020 Share Share read more

The five candidates for the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2012 award have been revealed. Yaya Toure has made the shortlist for the second consecutive year and he is joined by his Ivory Coast team-mate Didier Drogba, Senegal’s Demba Ba, Morocco’s Younes Belhanda and Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo.The winner will be decided by African football fans, who have until 1830 GMT on Thursday, 13 December to vote for their choice. You can either vote via this page or by sending an SMS from your phone to +44 7786 20 50 75: Text 1 for Demba Ba Text 2 for Younes Belhanda Text 3 for Didier Drogba Text 4 for Christopher Katongo Or Text 5 for Yaya Toure Standard international text rates apply, please check with your service provider. Texts are limited to one text per mobile phone number.The winner will be announced on Monday, 17 December. It has been an outstanding year for all the nominees, with four of the players winning silverware.Drogba could not have bid a better farewell to Chelsea at the end of the season after scoring the winning penalty to clinch the Champions League trophy for the first time in the club’s history, and also scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the FA Cup final. His Ivorian compatriot, Toure, was a key player for Manchester City as the Sky Blues were crowned Premier League champions for the first time – and their first top-flight title for 44 years.A domestic title was also earned by Belhanda, whose 12 goals and all-round performances were a huge factor as Montpellier pulled off a major surprise to win the French Ligue 1 championship.On the international scene there was yet another first as Katongo led from the front for Zambia, skippering them to a shock victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, where Chipolopolo beat Ivory Coast on penalties in the final. Ba fared less well at the Nations Cup, with Senegal going out of the competition at the group stage, but he enjoyed personal success with Newcastle where he ended last season as the club’s top scorer with 17 goals, helping them to finish fifth in the table.Previous winners of BBC African Footballer of the Year award:2011 – Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew (Marseille & Ghana)2010 – Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana)2009 – Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast) 2008 – Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt)2007 – Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)2006 – Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)2005 – Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt)2004 – Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria) 2003 – Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)2002 – El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal)2001 – Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana)2000 – Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon) read more