IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Soccer

FIFA: African nations lacking safe stadia

JOHANNESBURG: Just 18 African countries visited by FIFA have soccer stadiums safe enough to allow them to host World Cup qualifiers, the world governing body said on Monday.

FIFA officials completed an inspection of 50 of the continent's 53 football playing nations in June. They did not visit Kenya, Somalia or World Cup hosts South Africa.

The inspections follow FIFA's decision last year to insist on better safety standards at international matches, particularly World Cup qualifiers.

FIFA have also embarked on a programme to install artificial turf in at least one stadium in all African countries except South Africa.

Newcastle sign Villarreal full-back Enrique

LONDON: Newcastle United have acquired a new left-back in the Spanish Under-21 international Jose Enrique. The 21-year-old has agreed to a five-year contract with the Premier League club, who confirmed the 9.3 million euros ($12.86 million) transfer on their Web site (www.nufc.co.uk) on Monday.

Enrique is the seventh new face to arrive at Newcastle this close season following Sam Allardyce's appointment as manager.

The young Spaniard said he was impressed by Allardyce's plans for the club. "I believe very much in the manager at Newcastle United and I believe they are going to be one of the top teams," he said.

Bayern survive scare against amateurs

BERLIN: Bayern Munich survived a penalty shootout to defeat third division amateurs Wacker Burghausen in the first round of the German Cup on Monday.

Bayern won 4-3 on penalties after the match had finished extra time 1-1. Captain Oliver Kahn was the hero for Bayern, stopping the final two Burghausen penalties after each side had converted three of their first five spot kicks.

"It's a great feeling to stop two penalties," Kahn said.

Wacker Burghausen coach Ingo Anderbruegge's team were on the verge of eliminating Bayern before Kahn stopped a Markus Palionis shot and then blocked a Thomas Mayer penalty.

"We were one shot away from a sensation," Anderbruegge said.

Cameroon striker Eto'o back for Japan friendly

YAOUNDE: Cameroon's caretaker coach Jules Frederic Nyongha has recalled Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o for this month's friendly in Japan.

Eto'o was on club duty when Cameroon played their last fixture in June, an African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Hamburg defender Timothe Atouba and Valladolid midfielder Daniel Ngom Kome were also brought back into the squad on Monday.

Defenders Bill Tchato, Justice Wamfor and Jean Bilayi Ateba and midfielders Armand Deumi, Alioum Saidou and Achille Emana have been dropped for the August 22 game in Kyushu.

Poland needs more time to build Euro 2012 stadiums

WARSAW: Poland wants to set a new deadline for the construction of their Euro 2012 stadiums, Sports Minister Elzbieta Jakubiak said on Monday.

Since Poland won the right in April to co-host the event with Ukraine, early euphoria has been replaced by growing concerns it may not prepare new grounds and upgrade inadequate infrastructure in time.

European soccer's governing body UEFA says the tournament co-hosts must build the necessary stadiums by mid-2010.

"We need additional time and the year 2011 will be the most suitable," Jakubiak told a news conference.

(China Daily 08/08/2007 page24)