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Soccer / African soccer players, lured by fame and money, add muscle to Premier League By The Associated Press While many African soccer players dream of joining glamorous European clubs and becoming superstars, more and more are heading to Israel, where the fierce level of support and competition means that teams are ready to pay high salaries. Due to regional politics, Israel is a member of UEFA, the governing body for soccer in Europe. Israeli clubs compete in European competitions such as the Champions League and UEFA Cup, making it a desirable destination for many up-and-coming players. Advertisement Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng, who spent several seasons playing in Greece and Sweden, made the jump to Israel in 2006, signing with Beitar Jerusalem. "When I got an offer from Beitar, I decided to come because I heard that Beitar was planning to challenge in the Champions League," says Boateng, who has played for AIK Stockholm and Panathinaikos. "We have won one [Premier League] championship and now we are on the way to a second championship." Beitar, which is owned by billionaire businessman Arcadi Gaydamak, leads the Premier League by 11 points. If the team wins the title, it will have a chance to reach the group stage of next season's Champions League. At last month's African Cup of Nations in Ghana, Israeli league scouts watched matches alongside their counterparts from continental Europe, looking for talent from among the 16 teams. The list of Africans competing in Israel is already growing, with players from Rwanda, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Zambia appearing in the league. Israel under-21 coach Guy Levi said clubs look to African players for their physical strength. "If an African player is not skillful, you will find him to be physically fit most of the time, and this is a quality that most clubs here look for," Levi says. Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Nir Levin said the bigger Israeli clubs pay the players more than second-tier European teams, but still consider them a bargain. "It's a fair deal for both the club and the player," Levin says, noting that successful players can be sold to other European clubs for big money. At the African Cup, Clifford Mulenga, the continent's Young Player of Year in 2007, was being targeted by Maccabi Petah Tikva. The club was hoping to sign the 20-year-old Zambia winger to a long-term contract, but reportedly faced a rival bid from a European club. Petah Tikva already has Nigerian midfielders Blessing Kaku and Felix Obuka. Kaku represented his country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Maccabi Haifa defender Tsepo Masilela and teammate Thembinkosi Terror Fanteni played for South Africa at the continental championship, and midfielder Bamuza Sono, the son of South African soccer great Jomo Sono, joined Maccabi Netanya last month. "The Israeli league is quite competitive," said Nana Kwaku Agyemang, who coaches Sekondi Eleven Wise, one of Ghana's oldest clubs. "Although Europe remains a more preferred choice for most of them, Israel is certainly seen as an interesting option, too." At the last World Cup, Ghana defender John Paintsil celebrated his team's 2-0 win over the Czech Republic by raising the Israeli flag. Paintsil, who played for Tel Aviv clubs Maccabi and Hapoel from 2002-06 before joining English Premier League club West Ham after the World Cup, said the action was meant to thank the Israeli people for their support. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Halimi, relived A Jewish teen is tortured where Ilan Halimi died in similar circumstances. Bus-bomb capital Four buses designed to thwart suicide bombings are tested in J'lem.

Today Online MI: Iran arming Hezbollah with missiles via Turkey Responses: 231 Leviev: Zionism is bankrupt due to 'new American religion' Responses: 97 Israel-PA talks 'may resume as early as Thursday ' Responses: 86 Moshe Arens: It was too much to hope for that the IDF would invade Gaza Responses: 62 Rosner: Americans have a favorable view of Israel, especially Republicans Responses: 59 More Headlines 01:26 Peace talks with PA likely to resume Thursday 01:34 Palestinian killed, Israeli hurt in drive-by shooting in W. Bank 02:21 Settlers agree to evacuate several illegal West Bank outposts 22:01 Hezbollah: We're ready for war with Israel, but we won't start it 01:57 Jewish teen tortured in French town where Ilan Halimi was killed 21:55 Suicide bomber 'resistant' buses being tested in Jerusalem 23:12 Arab League vows to drop out of NPT if Israel admits it has nuclear weapons 20:42 Clinton hints she is willing to share ticket with Obama 23:36 Haaretz.com launches innovative Jewish genealogy service 20:36 Diplomat James Cunningham to be named U.S. envoy to Israel 18:28 Israeli Arab jailed for 16 years over 'honor killing' of his sister 18:45 Arab League condemns IDF Gaza operation as 'crime against humanity' Previous Editions Select Day 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb

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