Al Hassane Keita, top, has played in Switzerland before, with FC Zurich.
Al Hassane Keita, top, has played in Switzerland before, with FC Zurich.

Al Hassane Keita seeks Swiss solution to problems after Emirates exit



RAS AL KHAIMAH // Al Hassane Keita is hoping to resurrect his career and rediscover his confidence in Switzerland after losing his place in the Emirates team.

Keita arrived at the Ras Al Khaimah club from the Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab at the start of the season, but an injury forced him out for three months.

He has made just eight appearances for the team – three in the Etisalat Cup and five in the Pro League – and the frustrated Emirates management decided to replace him during the January transfer window.

Moving to Switzerland is the best option for the Guinean now as the transfer window has closed nearly everywhere else. The 28-year-old striker has played there before, scoring 58 goals in five seasons at FC Zurich.

"The time I heard the news that Keita is out, it was a bad time because almost everywhere is closed," Keita said.

"But Switzerland is open until February 15 and I have been there before. I know everybody there, so I think I have an option."

Keita is unhappy with the way he has been treated at Emirates and claims no club official has spoken to him as yet.

"Everything in this world is based on respect," he said. "Even your son, you have to respect him. I respect everybody here, but I am seeing these guys have no respect for me.

"People have just been talking around, but nobody has come to me, to tell me, 'Keita this is it' or 'this is how it is supposed to be'. Nobody has told me anything.

"I am just hearing things from people from outside. I have called up people to know what is really going on but until now nobody can tell me nothing."

"I can move any time. I know I am good player and I can play anywhere I want. So finding a club is not a problem. I have options, but first I need to finish with them [Emirates] and I can see nobody to talk to."

A club spokesman said last night that they had still not finalised their fourth foreign player, but once that has been decided, they will talk with Keita.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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What is a robo-adviser?

Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.

These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.

Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.

Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.

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The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8​​​​​​​

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp​​​​​​​

Torque: 680Nm​​​​​​​

Price: Dh465,071

Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh359,000

On sale: now 


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