Sparky’s Column

Olympic Legacy

The Olympics have taken centre stage in the UAE for the last few weeks and rightly so as it’s the biggest footballing event for the country since the 1990 World Cup. The side has one more match left in a campaign that has not brought success but the legacy of the young side may prove more valuable than any medals. Craig Bellamy interviewed post match heaped praise on the UAE and the Pro League "Credit to the UAE and clubs there, they are playing football the way it should be played" Time will tell if the team can develop and reach the promised land of the World Cup.  The Pro League sides lucky enough to have players from the Olympic squad should look to capitalise by marketing them as the stars of the future. It may attract new fans to the stadiums and further add to the Olympic legacy.

 

The new Al Jazira Head Coach Paulo Bonamigo has earned his stripes in UAE football. The former Al Shabab coach was a rip roaring success in a couple of trophy laden seasons. He quietly went about his business in the sleepy corner of Dubai that is Al Mamzar. The pressure will be turned up a notch at Al Jazira who have easily been the highest profile club in the UAE for the last few seasons. The clubs championship year saw more press for giving away Ferrari's or bundles of cash in half time shoot outs. The key is to get the focus of the club on the pitch and hopefully on a continental stage in the shape of the AFC Champions League.

 

Zidan to play in the UAE!!!  If that was the headline then it would take a double take before you realised it was the Egyptian version of the footballer. The player starred in the AFCON in 2010 and has spent the majority of his career in the Bundesliga which shows he is a signing of real quality. He is still only 30 years of age so Bani Yas are not signing a player at the end of his playing days.

 

Achille Emana was a sought after player whilst plying his trade in France. I remember speaking to the Chief Scout at Bolton Wanderers who were interested in making a bid before he transferred to Real Betis. The powerful Cameroonian has pedigree in top leagues in Europe and at aged just 30 he is still in the prime of his career.