Tournament favourite, Ivory Coast, with star players Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and FC Barcelona’s own Yaya Toure among others, was defeated by Algeria 2-3 in the 2010 African Cup of Nations quarter-finals match last night. It was another epic fight-back match of the competition after Mali’s 4-4 draw with host nation, Angola, in the opening match.

The Ivorians, though twice led, failed to hold on to their lead, and was knocked-out of the competition by a 93rd minute extra-time goal by Hamer Bouazza.

With ‘the Elephants’ elimination, the Blaugrana defensive midfielder is expected to be back in Spain in the next few days providing Pep Guardiola with a full complement of players to choose from for the away match against Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Yaya will now join the other African player returning home early, Malian Seydou Keita, whose national team just missed out on a quarter-final place – by Algeria, on a head-to-head count.

With Sergio Busquets completing his recommended week’s rest, all of Barcelona players are expected to be fit and available for the Catalan’s La Liga second-round opening match.

Catalan sports paper Sport today reports that FC Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain is already doing initial preparation to extend the contract of right-back Daniel Alves for another two years.

The Brazilian international joined Barcelona on July 2008 from Sevilla for an official transfer fee of 28 million Euros cash up front, plus 6 million more depending on a number of performance related factors over the next few seasons, making him the world’s most expensive defender. His present contract is due to expire in 2012.

One of the mainstay players of Pep Guardiola first eleven, Alves is seen by the club as irreplaceable considering, as of now, he has yet to have a designated cover, with only Carles Puyol and once, Jeffren Suarez occasionally playing in his position when he was injured and rested.

His contribution to the team successes last year, and crucial assists this new year has been so consistent that the club thinks it is imperative that the 26-years-old contract be extended as soon as possible – aware that two Premier League clubs (Chelsea and Manchester City) are already seeking to pry him from the Catalan club.

According to the report, FC Barcelona is considering offering him a pay rise with a 125 million Euros buy-out clause.

A-League based side Brisbane Roar have secured the services of Barcelona and Netherlands great Patrick Kluivert for a two-week coaching stint.

Kluivert, 33, retired from football in 2008 but remains Holland’s all-time leading scorer, with 40 goals from 79 internationals.

Having turned to coaching, Kluivert has worked most recently with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and is tipped to next season link up with Jose Mourinho, manager of Italian champions Inter Milan.

In the meantime he is keen to expand his coaching CV and will link with the Roar for a fortnight starting on Saturday in an agreement organised by his agent Rob Jansen, a minor Roar shareholder, and Brisbane’s football manager Thiago Cruz.

The Roar are hoping the short stint will develop into a long-term relationship with Kluivert and future clubs the Dutchman becomes involved with.

Kluivert will spend most of his time in Brisbane working with the club’s strikers and will also travel with the side to Hindmarsh Stadium for their February 6 clash with Adelaide United.

“Patrick’s a guy who’s done it all in the game. Having him around the players as much as possible during his time here, I’m sure that some of the stuff he’s got to say and the stuff he’ll do in working with the players as well will rub off on them”, Roar coach Postecoglou said.

“Of course the players are excited. You’ve got a guy that’s played for the biggest clubs in the world, scored bags of goals at international level, and not long retired from the game, which means he’ll be very relevant to a lot of our players, rather than somebody who played a long time ago.”

“He’s excited about coming here and it’s going to be a lift for the whole club”, Postecoglou said.

He said Kluivert would also become an “ambassador” for the Roar, which could help in Brisbane’s bid to attract a high-profile marquee player to the club next season.

Kluivert joined Barca in the summer of 1998. He formed a successful partnership with Rivaldo, which enabled Barça to defend the Spanish La Liga in 1998-99. He scored 120 goals in 255 appearances for the club before being released in the summer of 2004.

A GOAL WHICH DESERVES TO BE FRAMED

Valladolid – Barça: 0 – 1. The ‘canterano’ finished a perfect play by Iniesta, Messi and Alves.

Xavi turns 30 today and he is at the top of his game.

His wish: “I wish this year we could take a picture of the team with some of these cups”

Messi is the ‘Pichichi’. Villa didn’t score so Leo is the top goal-scorer with 15 goals.

[Non Barça Related]

Espanyol 1 – 1 Mallorca. Rubinos Pérez avoids Espanyol from winning.

R.Madrid 2 – 0 Mallorca. Ronaldo was sent off again for attacking a rival player.

Inter 2 – 0 Milan. Inter wins the derby so they have half a ’scudetto’.

BARÇA WILL MAKE  AN IRONCLAD CONTRACT FOR ALVES

The club offers him a new contract which would last until 2014.

The target is to renew Alves before 2010 World Cup.

Considering that Chelsea and City are interested in signing him up, the club would increase his fee immediately.

Touré, reinforcement for the match in Gijón

[Non Barça Related]

Madrid. Sent off! (Madrid 2 – 0 Málaga). Ronaldo scored both goals but he attacked a rival and was shown a red card, the second one in la Liga so far.

Espanyol. Osvaldo scored but the referee stole two points (Espanyol 1 – 1 Mallorca).

Mourinho wins over Ronaldinho. Inter 2 – 0 Milan.