Abducted Britons and Colombian freed in Nigeria

　　Three Britons and a Colombian kidnapped last week in Nigeria's Delta region have been freed, local police say.

　　Gunmen snatched the group, who were working for oil giant Shell, near the city of Port Harcourt last Tuesday, killing a Nigerian guard.

　　A police spokeswoman told AFP news agency all four were "looking okay" but did not say if a ransom had been paid.

　　The oil-producing region is notorious for kidnappings by militants, who demand a greater share of its wealth.

　　But the Delta has been relatively calm since most major militant groups agreed to lay down their arms last year after the government offered an amnesty.

　　Shot dead

　　"All kidnapped victims - the three Britons and the Colombian - have been released this evening," Nigerian police spokeswoman Rita Abbey was quoted as saying by AFP.

　　

　　The four workers have not been identified.

　　They were attacked by unidentified gunmen last Tuesday morning as they made their way to work at a power plant, police said.

　　Their police escort was shot dead and the driver was also believed to have been shot.

　　A police search in and around the town of Aba, some 30 miles (50km) north-east of Port Harcourt, followed.

　　At the time, Shell expressed concern for the safety of its contractor staff.

　　The Foreign Office said it was aware of the reports the men had been freed and was making inquiries.

　　The gunmen had reportedly demanded nearly $2m (£1.2m) for the release of the foreigners.

　　This was the first violent attack on foreigners in the region for many months.

　　Militants in the Niger Delta have cost Nigeria's oil industry millions of dollars over the years.

　　A variety of groups have claimed to be fighting for the rights of local people to gain a greater share of the region's wealth.

　　But in reality, many of the groups have stolen oil from pipelines and extracted ransoms from kidnaps, using the money to arm themselves and finance more attacks.

South Africa condemns World Cup stab-vests

　　　South Africa's authorities have condemned a London-based company which wants to sell stab-vests to visiting football fans during the World Cup.

　　The national police says the company was causing "unnecessary fear".

　　South Africa's football boss Kirsten Nematandani has assured visitors that all safety measures were in place.

　　South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of violent crimes but the authorities say they will tighten security for the tournament.

　　Protektorvest, which currently sells its merchandise online, says there is a "high demand" for protective clothing and claim the stab-vests which cost close to $70 (£43) are the "No 1 personal protection for the World Cup 2010".

　　Fans can add their national flag to the vest, or slogans such as "Free hugs" or "Ole".

　　Protektorvest owner Sascha Cutura denied that the company was saying South Africa was unsafe.

　　"We fulfil a need from security-conscious people," he told the BBC.

　　'Out of order'

　　Mr Nematandani chastised the company's owners and called for them to be "condemned by their own country's officials".

　　"These people are out of order… we've never heard of such measures being taken before and there surely is no need for it," he said, South Africa's Times newspaper reports.

　　According to their website, the company plans to open offices near South Africa's OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for the duration of the World Cup.

　　Mr Cutura said this is where the company hopes to sell most of its vests.

　　The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says security officers usually advise foreign travellers to guard against "standing out".

　　She says tourists wearing stab-vests at football matches or on sight-seeing trips may attract more attention to themselves - potentially increasing their chances of being attacked.

　　Mr Cutura pointed out that the vests could also be worn underneath clothes to avoid attracting too much attention.

　　Fan groups in England have also condemned the vests.

Organisers simplify World Cup 2010 ticket sales

　　Tickets to the 2010 World Cup have been made easier for local fans to buy after disappointing sales ahead of the tournament's first match on 11 June.

　　From April tickets will be available to purchase for cash as well as via the internet or written forms in banks.

　　Supporters in host nation South Africa are used to buying seats on the day of a match rather than in advance.

　　This year's World Cup could be the first in which tickets to watch the host nation are not the most popular.

　　The current ways of buying tickets has been criticised as unsuitable and over-complicated.

　　Most poor black football fans do not have internet access and many do not have bank accounts.

　　

　　Organisers will also make the tickets - the cheapest of which are still six times the price of a seat at a local top-flight match - available over the counter.

　　"We are definitely in the process of changing this and as a member of the ticketing committee, I am confident that Fifa will understand our position," said chief organiser Danny Jordaan.

　　Jordaan previously revealed that more South Africans have bought tickets to see England play than for their own national team.

　　The situation is a contrast to the previous World Cup in Germany in 2006 where there was an average of six applications for each available ticket.

Newcastle 2 - 2 West Brom

　　Jonas Olsson's neat finish from Graham Dorrans' cross gave the visitors the lead before a brilliant free-kick from Danny Guthrie levelled the score.

　　Roman Bednar headed the Baggies back in front only 32 seconds after the break.

　　But Lovenkrands, whose father died last week, headed home Jose Enrique's cross to claim a draw for the Magpies.

　　The Danish striker was expected to miss the game to be with his family but opted to stay and play in memory of his father.

　　And Newcastle fans will certainly be glad he did after his goal ensured their unbeaten home record in the Championship this season goes on.

　　West Brom, who have not won at St James' Park since 1977, were the better side for long periods and manager Roberto Di Matteo will at least be glad to see a much-improved display from their defeat against Nottingham Forest 10 days ago.

　　The game was a Premier League fixture last season and the entertainment this time round was of top-flight rather than second-tier quality.

　　As early as the third minute, Shola Ameobi slipped a teasing ball across the six-yard box that Lovenkrands just failed to convert while Dorrans fired over the bar for the Baggies.

　　

　　The first goal was not long in coming. Kevin Nolan allowed Dorrans far too much time to deliver a swinging cross and Olsson produced a delightful finish, glancing the ball past goalkeeper Steve Harper.

　　The hosts pressed forward regardless, however, and wasted little time in getting back on terms.

　　A clumsy foul by Youssouf Mulumbu on Ameobi just outside the area allowed Guthrie the chance to curl a fantastic free-kick over the wall and into the side of the West Brom net - leaving goalkeeper Scott Carson stranded.

　　Lovenkrands, who scored a hat-trick in midweek against Plymouth, should also have won the hosts a penalty after being bundled off the ball by Gonzalo Jara.

　　A goal at the other end seemed a constant possibility, though, as Newcastle's defence - so solid so far this season - failed time and again to contain fluent counter-attacks from the Baggies.

　　And within only 32 seconds of the restart, West Brom were back in front.

　　Dorrans was allowed to stroll into the area and chip a cross to Bednar. Harper pushed the initial header onto the bar but the Czech striker followed up the rebound with a simple nod into the vacant net.

　　An enthralling game continued to surge from end to end and it was no surprise when Newcastle drew level for a second time.

　　

　　Bednar put the Baggies back in front only 32 seconds after the break

　　A cross from Enrique found Lovenkrands in acres of space and his header crept in at the near post - although Carson will surely be unhappy with a laboured attempted stop.

　　To their credit West Brom continued to stream forward in search of another goal, with the home side more than matching them for intent.

　　The hugely impressive Dorrans saw a deflected effort drift just wide while Olsson was furious with himself after planting a header over the bar.

　　The easiest chance of the match fell to substitute Ishmael Miller late on but the fit-again striker produced an almost laughable miss from four yards following more exceptional work from Dorrans.

　　The hosts were unfortunate not to snatch victory in the dying stages. Carson pulled off a fine save to stop Ryan Taylor's curling free-kick while Andy Carroll was unlucky not to earn a penalty after being crudely blocked by Olsson.

　　Newcastle manager Chris Hughton:

　　"Overall I thought it was a fair result and a very good game for the neutral. We showed a lot of character to come back twice from a goal down.

　　"The game became very open and it could have gone either way.

　　"We should have had a penalty. The lad just goes across Andy (Carroll) and it was a blatant block.

　　"Peter (Lovenkrands) wanted to play and for him to go and get a goal for us is superb. Great credit for him."

　　West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo:

　　"I think it was a good point for Newcastle. We should have probably won the game, I think we deserved the three points.

　　"I thought we were good in all departments. We scored good goals and created lots of chances. We just couldn't get a hold of the lead when we had one.

　　"We thought we could win tonight and get something out of the game and it looked for a long time that we would win it."

Rafael Benitez may stick with current Liverpool squad

　　

　　Benitez's Liverpool side have lost eight out of their last 20 matches

　　Beleaguered Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted he may not make signings during the transfer window.

　　The Reds have lost Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun to injury, and are seventh in the Premier League and out of all major cups.

　　But Benitez said: "We will see if we can do something more in this window.

　　"If we cannot we will stick together for the next challenge. We have a good team, a good squad and not as bad as people think."

　　Liverpool have won only five of their last 17 games in all competitions, a run that has seen them eliminated from the Carling Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and ended any realistic title ambition, with the Europa League now their only hope of honours.

　　Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday, which came off the back of a home loss to Reading in the FA Cup.

　　

　　But a belligerent Benitez added: "It is important to have confidence. When people say we need two strikers like Torres you say 'OK. Where are these strikers and how much can you pay for them?"'

　　One striker that had been linked with Liverpool was Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones, but a Sunderland spokesperson told BBC Sport that there was no truth in suggestions the player could leave on loan.

　　Previous reports had hinted Benitez was keen to swap out-of-favour Reds forward Ryan Babel for the Trinidad & Tobago international, but the deal was dismissed by Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.

　　Birmingham have also been linked with a bid for the 25-year-old Jones, who signed a new four-and-a-half year contract last January.

　　However, Bruce and chairman Niall Quinn have both spoken in recent days of their desire to keep the player at the club.

　　The 6ft 1in frontman, signed from Southampton for £6 million in 2007, has six goals this season and has forged a promising partnership with leading scorer Darren Bent.

　　He played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland's most recent game - a 7-2 thrashing by Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

 

Ghana and Chelsea's Essien ruled out of Nations Cup

　　　

　　The Chelsea star could also miss Premier League and Champions League matches after he suffered a partially torn medial ligament in his left knee.

　　Scans revealed he also suffered damage to his meniscus when sustaining the injury on Sunday morning.

　　Ghana's team doctor believes the injury will keep the 27-year-old out for at least a month and perhaps longer.

　　Chelsea are expecting Essien to return to their Cobham training ground later this week where the club's own medical staff will assess the state of his injury.

　　The news will come as a blow to both Chelsea's Premier League title aspirations as well as Ghanaian hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

　　The Black Stars had been desperate to field Essien for Tuesday's must-win Group B tie against Burkina Faso in Luanda but he can only walk with the aid of crutches.

　　"This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team," striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport.

　　"We've lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad."

　　The Chelsea man only returned to training on 6 January, having not played since tearing his hamstring while on Champions League duty with his English club in early December.

　　The hamstring problem meant Essien failed to start Friday's 3-1 defeat by the Ivory Coast, coming on as a second-half substitute for the clash in Cabinda.

　　

　　He was stretchered off in that game before returning to the action, but his injury woes returned in full on Sunday morning.

　　"Michael was turning to make a pass when he just went down," midfielder Anthony Annan told BBC Sport.

　　"There was no contact from any other player but those around him say they heard a click, and then the physios rushed over."

　　Essien was ferried to hospital in an ambulance as he went for an MRI scan in Luanda on Sunday.

　　He becomes the latest of Ghana's key men to suffer injury, with John Pantsil, John Mensah, Laryea Kingston and Stephen Appiah all ruled out before the tournament.

　　If Ghana fail to beat the Burkinabe on Tuesday, the World Cup finalists will exit the Nations Cup.

　　Ivory Coast have already qualified from Group B, with four points from two games, while Burkina Faso have one point and Ghana none.

　　After Togo's withdrawal from the competition following the gun attack on their bus, Group B was reduced to three teams and just three matches.

Mali 3-1 Malawi

　　

　　

　　Instead, Angola and Algeria go through after their 0-0 draw in Group A's other game.

　　Frederic Kanoute put the Eagles ahead after just 40 seconds, and Seydou Keita struck with a fine free-kick moments later.

　　Malawi's Russell Mwafulirwa pulled one back, but Mamadou Bagayoko made it 3-1 with five minutes left.

　　Mwafulirwa will be left wondering what could have been as he sensationally missed the chance to make it level mid-way through the second half - his downwards header bouncing over the open goal.

　　The draw in Group A's other game means Angola win the group with five points, Algeria and Mali finish level on four points and Malawi are bottom on three.

　　Under tournament regulations the head-to-head record between Algeria and Mali was used to decide who advances, rather than goal difference.

　　As news of the goalless draw filtered to the players in the stadium, Mali were unhappy with the outcome of the group.

　　"This is really disappointing," said Bagayoko after the game.

　　

　　"They changed the rules this year and we are out despite finishing ahead of Algeria [on goal difference].

　　"It's a pity because we have a really talented bunch of players. We had the weapons to do something at this African Nations Cup."

　　Mali took this game by the scruff of the neck early on.

　　A bizarrely calm clearance from goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi fell neatly to an alert Kanoute who fired the ball straight back to make it 1-0 within just 40 seconds.

　　The tournament's quickest goal was followed by arguably its best two minutes later.

　　Seydou Keita hit a magnificent free-kick which flew over the wall, over the goalkeeper, and into the top left corner.

　　Admirably, Malawi began to get a grip on the game - certainly not looking like a side rocked by two early goals.

　　A good turn and shot from Joseph Kamwendo forced a solid save from Mahamadou Sidibe in the 24th minute, and Wadabwa could have scored two minutes later when he nudged a free header just over.

　　In the second half, Malawi adopted a more aggressive shape to chase the lead.

　　The pressure paid dividends when Mwafulirwa provided the final boot of a penalty area scramble to bring it to 2-1.

　　Mali should have been given a penalty 63 minutes in - Keita mercilessly taken down in the box but the referee played on.

　　In a moment that may haunt Mwafulirwa for months, he met Joseph Kamwendo's cross from the left flank.

　　

　　Rising well and above the ball, Mwafulirwa seemed to do everything right - only to see his header managed to hop over the bar.

　　Mwafulirwa almost made up for it with another header - this time on target - forced a good close-range save from Sidibe, only for the linesman to rule it offside anyway.

　　It was of little importance, however, as Mali went 3-1 up with five minutes remaining.

　　Mamadou Bagayoko met Modibo Maiga's cross to head the ball, and the match, safely home.

　　Malawi can take pride in a campaign which saw them beat World Cup-qualifiers Algeria 3-0 in their opening game.

　　"We came as underdogs but the players fought in this tournament," coach Kinnah Phiri said.

　　"In football we must accept defeat. We learned a lot throughout."

　　Mali: Sidibe, Berthe, Abdallaye Maiga (Sow 50), Diamoutene, Tamboura, El Hadj Traore (Diallo 60), Fane, Mohamed Sissoko, Keita, Kanoute (Modibo Maiga 81), Bagayoko.

　　Subs Not Used: Diakite, Diarra, Ndiaye, Samassa, Soumare, Abdou Traore, Bakaye Traore, Yatabare, Oumar Sissoko.

　　Goals: Kanoute 1, Keita 3, Bagayoko 85.

　　Malawi: Sanudi, Mponda, Kafoteka (Chiukepo 52), Sangala, Chavula, Mwakasungula, Wadabwa (Nyondo 48), Kamwendo, Banda, Kanyenda (Ngambi 71), Mwafulirwa.

　　Subs Not Used: Nthala, Mgangira, Kamanga, Ngwira, Victor Nyirenda, Zakazaka, Msowoya, Harry Nyirenda, Swini.

　　Booked: Mponda, Banda.

　　Goals: Mwafulirwa 58.

　　Att: 21,000

　　Ref: Rajin Seechurn (Mauritius).