stars in Europe - Uche not angry at Nigeria World Cup snub

The Villarreal striker was not picked by Keshi, despite scoring 12 goals in the Spanish top flight this season. Uche has not played for his country since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year. The 30-year-old insists, however, that he holds no grudges against Keshi. "Of course as a professional footballer you'd love to represent your country, but I have never had bad words towards the national coach," Uche is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most reliable strikers at international level and is one of his nation's all-time top scorers, with 18 goals in 45 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. 

10 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Shola Ameobi in provisional Nigeria squad

Stoke striker Peter Odemwingie and Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi are in Nigeria's provisional 30-man World Cup squad for Brazil 2014.

7 May 2014
stars in Europe - Wilfried Bony - Ivory Coast striker happy at Swansea City

The Ivorian has scored 24 goals in all competitions since joining the Swans from Vitesse Arnhem for a club-record fee of £12m last summer. Bony, 25, has been the bright spot in a disappointing Premier League season. 

4 May 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - MOROCCO - COACH - former player Badou Zaki confirmed as new coach

Zaki takes charge of the Atlas Lions for the second time in his career.

3 May 2014
club - coaches - Youssef resigns as Al Ahly coach

Al Ahly has accepted the resignation of coach Mohamed Youssef on Thursday. Youssef had been in charge of Al Ahly since May last year following the resignation Hossam El Badry.

2 May 2014
African Champions League 2014 - DR Congo rivals drawn together

TP Mazemebe, runners-up in last year's Confederation Cup, and AS Vita Club are fierce rivals

30 Apr 2014
African Confederation Cup 2014: play offs - 2nd leg - fixtures & results

Fixtures and results for the 2014 Confed Cup.
2013 champions: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)

Winners advance to group stage

29 Apr 2014

stars in Europe - Swansea's Wilfried Bony inspired by Drogba's success at Chelsea

Drogba scored 157 goals in a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Chelsea. "It's a big inspiration for me. He had a big career in the Premier League," said Bony, 24, who has joined Swansea for a club record fee of £12m. "I think in football anything is possible and I hope to do the same, or more. We will see." Bony's physical approach and aerial ability has drawn comparisons with Drogba's style. A scoring record of 31 goals in 30 league appearances last season for Vitesse Arnhem convinced Swansea to double their previous outlay for a player.
  
Bony, an Ivory Coast international, insisted he will be unfazed by the price tag that accompanies him to south Wales and revealed he sought Drogba's advice before deciding to join the club. "He said they were a good team, that they play very good football and not many teams in England play like them," he said. "He thought I was making a good decision to join them. "I have to listen to his advice and try to do my best and hope that everything will be okay. "He congratulated me and said he was proud of me. He said I have to work more now because there is one level more [to reach] but he knows I can do it if I believe."
 
Swansea were among a number of clubs to show an interest in signing Bony, with West Ham United also submitting a bid. But the striker, who had a trial with Liverpool in 2007, said he was impressed by Swansea's pursuit, saying they were the only club to be "serious". "It was a very long process but I'm happy everything is done now," he added. "I can forget about that and just think about the team and be ready."

 
Didier Drogba's Chelsea record    
• Debut: vs Manchester United, 15 August, 2004
• First goal: vs Crystal Palace, 24 August, 2004
• Appearances: 342
• Goals: 157
• Premier League top goalscorer: 2007 and 2010

Honours

Premier League:
• 2004-05
• 2005-06
• 2009-10
 
FA Cup:
• 2006-07
• 2008-09
• 2009-10
• 2011-12
 
League Cup:
• 2004-05
• 2006-07
 
Champions League:
• 2011-12

  

12 Jul 2013
(BBC Sport UK)

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