Champions League - Semi-Finals - 1st Leg Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich

WED, 27 Apr 2016   Champions League - Semi-Finals - 1st Leg

10 

                              Atletico Madrid 1-0 Bayern Munich                                         Ñíguez (11' minutes)

FTHT 1-0

Niguez has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, more than any other Atletico midfielder

Saul Niguez's sublime solo goal put Atletico Madrid in control of their Champions League semi-final against German giants Bayern Munich.

Niguez jinked past a clutch of Bayern defenders before curling into the corner, giving the home side a narrow first-leg lead to take to Germany.
Bayern dominated the second half, David Alaba hitting the bar from 35 yards and Arturo Vidal's strike forcing a save.
Fernando Torres poked against the post in a rare counter as Atletico held on.
The teams will meet at Bayern's Allianz Arena on Tuesday to decide who will meet Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final on 28 May.
Follow all the post-match reaction from the Vicente Calderon

Better call Saul

Atletico - for so many years in the shadow of illustrious neighbours Real Madrid - have never been crowned European champions, twice losing in the final of the continent's leading club competition.
Under coach Diego Simeone, Los Rojiblancos have emerged as serious challengers to Spain's regular duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid and have now put themselves in a decent position to create history by winning the Champions League.
With Bayern boasting a remarkable home record of only one defeat in 24 matches, the tie is far from over.
But Niguez - a Spain Under-21 international who has cemented his place in the Atletico side this season - extended the Spanish title-chasing side's own excellent form at a raucous Vicente Calderon.
The 21-year-old midfielder picked up the ball about 35 yards from goal, dancing through flimsy challenges from Bayern trio Thiago Alcantara, Juna Bernat and Xabi Alonso, then keeping his composure to steer the ball into the bottom corner.

Atletico defence blunts Bayern attack

Much of Atletico's success under Simeone has been built on defensive resilience, with his organised side conceding just five goals in this season's competition.
Atletico had also kept clean sheets in their previous four La Liga games but faced Bayern - the Champions League's top scorers with 28 goals in 10 matches - without defensive lynchpin Diego Godin.
However, the injured Uruguay centre-back, 30, was barely missed as a typically determined Atletico display shut out Bayern.

Atletico had to withstand heavy Bayern pressure in the second half, particularly between 55 and 60 minutes when the visitors were camped in the opposing half

Former Argentina midfielder Simeone slightly altered his side's defensive tactics in the first half, occasionally pressing Bayern higher up the pitch, before reverting to their deep and compact shape after the break.
The German side, who are one win away from a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title, totally dominated in the second half as Alaba and Vidal went closest to equalising.
Home keeper Jan Oblak also blocked Javi Martinez's close-range header in-between, helping Atletico secure a 14th clean sheet in 16 Champions League home matches.

Uno, dos, tres - third time unlucky for Pep?

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola's three-year reign ends in the summer when he moves to Manchester City, with the Spaniard admitting his time in Germany will be judged on his ability to win the Champions League.
His side have lost to Spanish opposition at the semi-final stage in each of the past two seasons, knocked out by Real Madrid in 2014 and Guardiola's former club Barcelona last year.
Now the Catalan coach must outwit Simeone next week to avoid a clean sweep of defeats by La Liga's big three.

Atletico's compact and deep shape, forced by Bayern's attacking dominance, is illustrated by this graphic showing the sides' respective average positions

Guardiola, on course to comfortably win the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons, may reflect on his decision to leave Germany forward Thomas Muller on the bench until the final quarter of the match.
Muller is their joint top scorer in the Champions League having scored eight goals in his 10 appearances this season.
With Guardiola's gameplan seemingly relying heavily on crosses into the Atletico box, the absence of the predatory Muller appeared even more strange.

Post-match reaction

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres:
"It was a fantastic night and I'm happy for all Atleticos. We've got the lead we wanted.
"We kept fighting, that's what we do. Bayern have a level that few other teams have but we kept on doing our thing."
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola:
"Their goal is a brilliant goal, but it's our mistake. We kept standing off. I'm not happy with how we played.
"It was a good game overall, but we started badly. The goal was a consequence of our slow play."

What's next?

Both teams continue the pursuit of their domestic league titles this weekend.
Second-placed Atletico, who are level on points with leaders Barcelona, host lowly Rayo Vallecano as they bid for a second La Liga title in three seasons.
Bundesliga champions-elect Bayern also play on Saturday when they host fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.

Niguez has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, more than any other Atletico midfielder

Saul Niguez's sublime solo goal put Atletico Madrid in control of their Champions League semi-final against German giants Bayern Munich.

Niguez jinked past a clutch of Bayern defenders before curling into the corner, giving the home side a narrow first-leg lead to take to Germany.

Bayern dominated the second half, David Alaba hitting the bar from 35 yards and Arturo Vidal's strike forcing a save.

Fernando Torres poked against the post in a rare counter as Atletico held on.

The teams will meet at Bayern's Allianz Arena on Tuesday to decide who will meet Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final on 28 May.

Follow all the post-match reaction from the Vicente Calderon
Better call Saul

Atletico - for so many years in the shadow of illustrious neighbours Real Madrid - have never been crowned European champions, twice losing in the final of the continent's leading club competition.

Under coach Diego Simeone, Los Rojiblancos have emerged as serious challengers to Spain's regular duopoly of Barcelona and Real Madrid and have now put themselves in a decent position to create history by winning the Champions League.

With Bayern boasting a remarkable home record of only one defeat in 24 matches, the tie is far from over.

But Niguez - a Spain Under-21 international who has cemented his place in the Atletico side this season - extended the Spanish title-chasing side's own excellent form at a raucous Vicente Calderon.

The 21-year-old midfielder picked up the ball about 35 yards from goal, dancing through flimsy challenges from Bayern trio Thiago Alcantara, Juna Bernat and Xabi Alonso, then keeping his composure to steer the ball into the bottom corner.
Atletico defence blunts Bayern attack

Much of Atletico's success under Simeone has been built on defensive resilience, with his organised side conceding just five goals in this season's competition.

Atletico had also kept clean sheets in their previous four La Liga games but faced Bayern - the Champions League's top scorers with 28 goals in 10 matches - without defensive lynchpin Diego Godin.

However, the injured Uruguay centre-back, 30, was barely missed as a typically determined Atletico display shut out Bayern.

Atletico had to withstand heavy Bayern pressure in the second half, particularly between 55 and 60 minutes when the visitors were camped in the opposing half

Former Argentina midfielder Simeone slightly altered his side's defensive tactics in the first half, occasionally pressing Bayern higher up the pitch, before reverting to their deep and compact shape after the break.

The German side, who are one win away from a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title, totally dominated in the second half as Alaba and Vidal went closest to equalising.

Home keeper Jan Oblak also blocked Javi Martinez's close-range header in-between, helping Atletico secure a 14th clean sheet in 16 Champions League home matches.
Uno, dos, tres - third time unlucky for Pep?

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola's three-year reign ends in the summer when he moves to Manchester City, with the Spaniard admitting his time in Germany will be judged on his ability to win the Champions League.

His side have lost to Spanish opposition at the semi-final stage in each of the past two seasons, knocked out by Real Madrid in 2014 and Guardiola's former club Barcelona last year.

Now the Catalan coach must outwit Simeone next week to avoid a clean sweep of defeats by La Liga's big three.

Atletico's compact and deep shape, forced by Bayern's attacking dominance, is illustrated by this graphic showing the sides' respective average positions

Guardiola, on course to comfortably win the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons, may reflect on his decision to leave Germany forward Thomas Muller on the bench until the final quarter of the match.

Muller is their joint top scorer in the Champions League having scored eight goals in his 10 appearances this season.

With Guardiola's gameplan seemingly relying heavily on crosses into the Atletico box, the absence of the predatory Muller appeared even more strange.
Post-match reaction

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres:

"It was a fantastic night and I'm happy for all Atleticos. We've got the lead we wanted.

"We kept fighting, that's what we do. Bayern have a level that few other teams have but we kept on doing our thing."

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola:

"Their goal is a brilliant goal, but it's our mistake. We kept standing off. I'm not happy with how we played.

"It was a good game overall, but we started badly. The goal was a consequence of our slow play."
What's next?

Both teams continue the pursuit of their domestic league titles this weekend.

Second-placed Atletico, who are level on points with leaders Barcelona, host lowly Rayo Vallecano as they bid for a second La Liga title in three seasons.

Bundesliga champions-elect Bayern also play on Saturday when they host fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park 

 

 

  Lake Manyara National Park is very easy to access:

 it's about 90 minutes' drive from Arusha and barely an hour from the Ngorongoro Crater. Because of this, some of the northern side of the park can get very busy, especially in the afternoons. To see the park at its best, we recommend that you either stay within the park or spend two nights somewhere close, entering the park early for a full-day safari.

Safaris to Lake Manyara National Park

Many people will often visit Lake Manyara National Park enroute to or from the Crater, as part of a short half day safari. Often they won't even spend the night in the area, but will rush on, so as to include as many areas, in as short a space of time as possible.

Though this can save on money, we feel that it restricts time and therefore only allows for visits to the busy northern quarter of the park. This can result in a rushed experience of Lake Manyara that can sometimes result in disappointment.

Instead we would recommend the following two options for visiting Lake Manyara National Park. The first is to stay within the park itself, either in a permanent camp or a more mobile one. This tends to be the more expensive choice, but it is certainly the best way to explore the park. It enables you to be on safari before most others, and explore deeper into the park which day visitors won't have the time to do. Without any doubt, staying inside the park is the best wildlife experience.

Secondly you can opt to stay somewhere outside, but near to the park gate. From here you can enter the park early and enjoy the whole day exploring. There are some economical accommodation options outside the park, some of which are dotted along the top of the Rift Valley Escarpment with great views down across the park

Entrances to the National Park

There are two main entrances to Lake Manyara National Park, a gate in the north and in the south. Almost everybody uses the northern gate, since the majority of accommodation options are situated here and as a result the northern part of the park is by far the busier one. The gate in the far south is not commonly used and also has restricted access. Only few camps and lodges can use this entrance. Please contact us for more information on camps that can enter via this quiet gate.

Flora & Fauna of Lake Manyara

Covering about 330km², of which typically two-thirds is underwater, Lake Manyara National Park is a small park by African standards. However, it's also very beautiful and contains tremendous diversity of habitats, animals and especially birds.

Animals

Lake Manyara's game includes good numbers of elephant, buffalo and wildebeest along with plenty of giraffe. Also prolific in number are zebra, waterbuck, warthog and impala. You may need to search a little harder for the small and relatively shy Kirk's dik-dik, and klipspringer on the slopes of the escarpment. The broken forests and escarpment make it good country for leopard, whilst Manyara's healthy lion population are famous for their tree-climbing antics. (Whilst unusual, this isn't as unique to the park as is often claimed.) Immediately obvious to most visitors are the huge troops of baboons – which often number several hundred and are widely regarded as Africa's largest.

Birds

As with the habitats, the birdlife here is exceptionally varied. In the middle of the lake you'll often see flocks of pelicans and the pink-shading of distant flamingos, whilst the margins and floodplains feed innumerable herons, egrets, stilts, stalks, spoonbills and other waders. With so much water around, the woodlands are equally productive, but it's the evergreen forests where you'll spot some more entertaining species such as the noisy silvery-cheeked hornbills, crowned eagles and crested guinea fowl.

Vegetation

Set beneath the spectacular backdrop of the Great Rift Valley's steep western escarpment, this long, narrow park protects an area between the escarpment and Lake Manyara. The parks namesake is a shallow, alkaline lake which expands and contracts with the seasons within a long, silvery bowl of salt deposits. Adjacent to it are wide, grassy floodplains and, further away, bands of mixed acacia woodlands. Further still, next to the escarpment, are patches of enchanting evergreen forests, which are sustained by perennial groundwater springs issuing from the base of the escarpment.

CELINE DION BIOGRAPHY...

CELINE DION   BIOGRAPHY

Think Twice', 'My Heart Will Go On', an Oscar for the 'Beauty and The Beast' title song. The French Canadian diva is a worldwide hit and she wed the man who discovered her.


Born the youngest of 14 children in rural Canada, Celine Dion came from an extremely musical family. Her parents were both musicians and ran a small club nearby, where the whole Dion family would gather at weekends to perform for the local community.
Dion began singing on stage at the age of five, and by the time she was twelve had written a song in French that would attract the attention of personal manager Rene Angelil, later to become her husband.

Angelil was so convinced of Dio's potential that he re-mortgaged his own house to fund her debut album. By 1983, she had become the first Canadian to receive a gold record in France and in 1984 she added to her already impressive list of achievements a performance for the late Pope John Paul II when he visited Quebec.

In 1988, Dion, already a superstar in her native Quebec, won the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin and shortly after cemented her international success by releasing the soundtrack to the Disney film Beauty and the Beast. This achievement earned her a number one single, an Oscar and a Grammy.

Her hit album The Colour of My Love and the single from it Think Twice topped their respective charts for five weeks running, the first time this had happened since the Beatles managed it in 1965.

Dion's most famous track My Heart Will Go On from the motion picture Titanic featured both on the album Titanic and Let's Talk About Love, both albums selling twenty-seven million copies each.
In 1999, she decided to take a break from show business to concentrate on her family, and baby Rene-Charles was born in 2001.

2002 saw the return of Celine Dion to the limelight with her album A New Day Has Come. The following year, the singer committed herself to performing five nights a week for the next three years in her own Las Vegas show. The 90-minute extravaganza was held at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in a 4,000-seat arena designed especially for her show.
Five consecutive years of sell-out shows followed and after the gig came to an end, she embarked on a year-long tour of the world in 2008-2009. Dion visited 25 countries across five continents and played for millions of fans.
After taking a backseat for a while, family called once more and the star with roots in Charlemagne, a small town near Montreal, started looking into increasing her brood. She became pregnant with her second child, but misfortune struck in 2009 when she suffered a miscarriage.
In February 2010 the star revealed that she had been trying to get pregnant through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, the effort did not yield immediate results as Dion underwent four different fertility treatments before a fifth round of IVF finally brought her the outcome she had been looking for.
Twins Eddy and Nelson, named after record producer and family friend Eddy Marnay and former South Africa president Nelson Mandela, were born in 2010. However, their arrival was not without tragedy for the songstress and her husband after they revealed that they had initially been preparing for three. She lost one baby in the early stages of her pregnancy when its heart stopped beating.

Six weeks after they were born, the twins were revealed to the world in December 2010 when they appeared on the cover of Hello! Canada with their mother. In February 2011, Dion and her family arrived in Las Vegas ahead of her return to the Colosseum in Caesars Palace, where a three-year residency for seventy shows a year, beginning on 15 March 2011, was due to begin.
Dion also achieved a new milestone when she performed at the 83rd Academy Awards, a record sixth time she was gracing the stage at the high profile event.

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga

Real Sociedad vs Barcelona, 2016 La Liga: Team News, Match Preview

By Renato Goncalves on Apr 9, 2016, 1:58a 14

David Ramos/Getty Images

 
Barcelona's latest stop on the road to a second straight La Liga trophy is the Annual Trip to Hell to face Real Sociedad at the Anoeta Stadium on Saturday night in the Basque Country. The Blaugrana haven't won in San Sebastián since 2007, and there is no better time to break that streak than right now.

A few reasons? The lead at the top of the table is six points, and that could drop to three if the streak continues and Atlético Madrid win at Espanyol. Speaking of Atlético, the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal is the next game after the trip to Anoeta, and arriving at the Calderón with confidence after breaking the streak would definitely help the Catalans reach the semifinals.



Also, 15 months after the last loss at Anoeta, when the crisis reached its highest point in the beginning of the Luis Enrique Era, getting a victory would be the final sign of how much of a game-changer that defeat was, turning a struggling Barça into the best team on the planet, on its way to another Treble.

Win, and you break the streak. Lose, and your entire season could be affected. Pretty high stakes, wouldn't you say?

TEAM NEWS

BARCELONA

A few bad news for coach Luis Enrique: plenty of key starters are exhausted after international duty and two incredibly hard matches against the Madrid giants. Jérémy Mathieu and Aleix Vidal are still injured and out of a match in which they could be necessary. More importantly, Luis Suárez is suspended, undoubtedly a huge blow to the team. After all, 45 goals in 45 games make Suárez a big contender for Barça Player of the Season, which is not easy to accomplish with Lionel Messi on the same team.



But there are good news: Adriano Correia is medically cleared, and while his injury-forced absence wasn't exactly felt by the team, his return opens the door for rotations not only on Saturday but for the rest of the season. Rafinha Alcântara made an impressive comeback against Atlético on Tuesday after seven months recovering from a bad knee injury. He was thrown right into the wolves with very little match fitness but was still important to the team in the minutes he played. He is also a key rotation piece, and his return could not have come in a better moment.

On to the lineup: Claudio Bravo returns to his league duties, and Gerard Piqué and Jordi Alba are certain to start. Javier Mascherano is the defender with most minutes so far, and with Atleti's game just four days away, it could be a good time to give him a day off and start Thomas Vermaelen to form the defense.

Sergi Roberto is almost sure to play, and he could start in three different positions: at full-back, giving Dani Alves a deserved rest, at pivote, in place of Sergio Busquets, or as a replacement to either of Andrés Iniesta or Ivan Rakitic in the middle. The most logical and likely change would be Roberto in for Iniesta, with Alves, Rakitic and Busquets starting because of their fitness and experience.

Up front, Enrique will not create controversy like he did in the last Anoeta loss by benching both Neymar and Messi for relationship issues. With Suárez out, there is no alternative other to start the two superstars alongside Munir El-Haddadi. Munir has been great in 2016, scoring in his last two starts, and will need to come up big as 'MSN' backup again.

Tactically, as the second half against Atlético proved, Lucho cannot overthink his instructions, and let his men do what they usually do. If that's the case, and the attitude is the right one, we can finally celebrate an Anoeta victory, something that not even Pep Guardiola was able to do.

REAL SOCIEDAD

The one word that describes La Real this season is inconsistency. The Royals went through the entire month of February without a loss, then went through all of March without a win. But the last match, an impressive 2-1 away win against Sevilla, gives Sociedad a huge confidence boost ahead of a match they usually win, even if the opponent is Barça.

A problem, though, is that plenty of key players will not feature in Saturday's fixture. Defenders Yuri and Iñigo Martínez, key to the side, are unavailable due to suspension and injury, respectively. Striker Imanol Agirretxe, Real's highest scorer, is also out because of injury. But Asier Illarramendi and Carlos Vela, the best players on the squad, will start and deserve plenty of attention. Sociedad has a big aerial game, and could hurt Barça on set pieces.

More importantly, they somehow become the best team in the world at home against Barça, so no matter how many players are injured or suspended, they are going to play well. Period. Weird.

Champions League: Fear of Barcelona exit - Atletico Madrid defender

Champions League: Fear of Barcelona exit - Atletico Madrid defender

From the section European Football


Luis Suarez's kick out at Atletico defender Juanfran went unpunished

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis believes "there is fear that Barcelona will be eliminated" from the Champions League, and claims his side were treated unfairly at the Nou Camp.

Atletico lost Tuesday's quarter-final first leg 2-1, with goalscorer Fernando Torres sent off when they led 1-0.

Luis Suarez scored both home goals, but earlier appeared to kick Juanfran.

"I don't know what Barca players have to do to get sent off just like us," said Brazil left-back Luis.


Holders Barcelona, aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back Champions Leagues, take a slender advantage into the second leg at the Vicente Calderon next Wednesday.

Atletico scored a potentially valuable away goal through Torres, but the game turned when the Spain striker was sent off for two needless bookings inside seven minutes.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone was incensed by the decision of German referee Felix Brych, who also seemingly missed Suarez lashing out at Atletico right-back Juanfran near the byeline.


You need to install Flash Player to play this content. Champions League: Diego Simeone looking 'to stir things up'

"We shouldn't have got the red card, it was totally unfair," said former Chelsea defender Luis.

"It is not easy to play against Barcelona in the Champions League. We know it is really dangerous if they go out in the quarter-finals. We have to play against everyone and everything.

"You can tell there is fear that Barca will be eliminated."

Luis acknowledged Atletico faced a "really difficult" task to reach the semi-finals but added: "We are still alive. It is possible."

Simeone said he was not "angry" with Torres, though the 32-year-old former Chelsea and Liverpool forward later apologised and took responsibility for his dismissal.

National Assembly to debate motion to remove Zuma

2016-04-05 06:49

Genevieve Quintal, News24

(SABC News)

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Parliament - The National Assembly on Tuesday is set to debate a motion tabled by the Democratic Alliance to have President Jacob Zuma removed from office.
This follows last week's Constitutional Court ruling that Zuma failed to uphold the Constitution when he did not comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's remedial action regarding payment for the upgrades to his Nkandla homestead.

It ruled that the National Assembly also failed to uphold the Constitution when it set aside Madonsela's report.

Since the judgment, calls for Zuma to step down or have the ANC recall him have increased.
This is set to be a arduous week for the ruling party as it deals with the backlash following the ruling by the highest court in the land.
The party held an extended National Working Committee meeting at the President Hotel in Cape Town on Monday.
On Friday, Zuma apologised to the nation during a live address on the SABC in which he said he had not "knowingly or deliberately" violated the Constitution.
Shortly after his apology, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe expressed the party's support for the president saying he had "humbled himself" when he apologised.
He said opposition parties' calls to have Zuma removed were intended to tear the ANC apart, which he said would not happen.
 ANC's officials to meet parliamentary caucus
But it's not only the opposition which have called for his removal. Some ANC stalwarts have called for Zuma to step down or be removed. They include Ahmed Kathrada, SA National Defence Union (Sandu) members as well as some ANC Gauteng members.
The day the Constitutional Court handed down judgment, the ANC's top six officials - the president, deputy president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, treasurer and chairperson - met in Pretoria to discuss the way forward.
Before the debate on Tuesday, the ANC's officials are expected to meet the parliamentary caucus. The party's political committee, chaired by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, is also expected to meet.
Opposition parties - the DA, Economic Freedom Fighters, United Democratic Movement and Congress of the People - are also said to be meeting before the debate.
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise addressed the media on Sunday, saying they appreciated the Constitutional Court's ruling on Nkandla as there was now legal certainty on reports by Chapter Nine institutions, such as the Public Protector.
Unclear whether ANC MPs would be given free vote
However, Mbete said Parliament did not owe Madonsela an apology following the court ruling.
Tuesday's debate on the removal of the president in terms of section 89 of the Constitution will culminate in a vote.
The motion has to be supported by at least a two-third majority of MPs.
Opposition parties are said to be calling for a secret ballot, however, Parliament said a secret ballot was only used when electing a president, speaker or deputy speaker.
It was unclear though whether ANC MPs would be given a free vote.
A free vote is when MPs are given the opportunity to vote according to their own conscience instead of according to an official party line.
Modise on Sunday said there would not be any influence over how MPs should vote.

National Assembly to debate motion to remove Zuma

2016-04-05 06:49

Genevieve Quintal, News24

(SABC News)

Multimedia   ·   User Galleries   ·   News in Pictures Send us your pictures  ·  Send us your stories

Parliament - The National Assembly on Tuesday is set to debate a motion tabled by the Democratic Alliance to have President Jacob Zuma removed from office.
This follows last week's Constitutional Court ruling that Zuma failed to uphold the Constitution when he did not comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's remedial action regarding payment for the upgrades to his Nkandla homestead.

It ruled that the National Assembly also failed to uphold the Constitution when it set aside Madonsela's report.

Since the judgment, calls for Zuma to step down or have the ANC recall him have increased.
This is set to be a arduous week for the ruling party as it deals with the backlash following the ruling by the highest court in the land.
The party held an extended National Working Committee meeting at the President Hotel in Cape Town on Monday.
On Friday, Zuma apologised to the nation during a live address on the SABC in which he said he had not "knowingly or deliberately" violated the Constitution.
Shortly after his apology, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe expressed the party's support for the president saying he had "humbled himself" when he apologised.
He said opposition parties' calls to have Zuma removed were intended to tear the ANC apart, which he said would not happen.
 ANC's officials to meet parliamentary caucus
But it's not only the opposition which have called for his removal. Some ANC stalwarts have called for Zuma to step down or be removed. They include Ahmed Kathrada, SA National Defence Union (Sandu) members as well as some ANC Gauteng members.
The day the Constitutional Court handed down judgment, the ANC's top six officials - the president, deputy president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, treasurer and chairperson - met in Pretoria to discuss the way forward.
Before the debate on Tuesday, the ANC's officials are expected to meet the parliamentary caucus. The party's political committee, chaired by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, is also expected to meet.
Opposition parties - the DA, Economic Freedom Fighters, United Democratic Movement and Congress of the People - are also said to be meeting before the debate.
National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise addressed the media on Sunday, saying they appreciated the Constitutional Court's ruling on Nkandla as there was now legal certainty on reports by Chapter Nine institutions, such as the Public Protector.
Unclear whether ANC MPs would be given free vote
However, Mbete said Parliament did not owe Madonsela an apology following the court ruling.
Tuesday's debate on the removal of the president in terms of section 89 of the Constitution will culminate in a vote.
The motion has to be supported by at least a two-third majority of MPs.
Opposition parties are said to be calling for a secret ballot, however, Parliament said a secret ballot was only used when electing a president, speaker or deputy speaker.
It was unclear though whether ANC MPs would be given a free vote.
A free vote is when MPs are given the opportunity to vote according to their own conscience instead of according to an official party line.
Modise on Sunday said there would not be any influence over how MPs should vote.

 

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.
And their memories.
But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.
Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.
Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.
About Kilimanjaro National Park
Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).
Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.
Getting there
128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.
About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.
What to do
Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.
Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.
Trout fishing.
Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.
When to go
Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.
Accommodation
Huts and campsites on the mountain.
Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.
More info on accomodation

NOTE:
Climb slowly to increase your acclimatisation time and maximise your chances of reaching the summit.
To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

NOTE 2:
NEW RATES FOR PORTERS AND GUIDES
(JUNE '08)
Porters
USD 10 per day
Cooks
USD 15 per day
Guides
USD 20 per day