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. 

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club - coaches - Youssef resigns as Al Ahly coach

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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

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

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2013 champions: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)

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29 Apr 2014

TRANSFER - NIGERIA - STRIKER UCHE NWOFOR HAPPY WITH MOVE TO LIERSE

LIERSE

The Super Eagle has sealed a one-year deal with Lierse after his contract with Dutch club VVV-Venlo ended by mutual consent.

Nwofor spent last season on loan at SC Heerenveen.

However that spell in the top-flight was blighted by injuries that limited his playing time.

"I hope I can make a good contribution here at Lierse and help improve the club," Nwofor told BBC Sport.

"It should be a great experience for me in the Belgian League so I'm really looking forward to it.

The 22-year-old was part of Nigeria's World Cup squad and played in their shock 3:2 home defeat by Congo in the African Cup of Nations qualifier last Saturday.

Nwofor, who has scored three goals in six appearances for Nigeria, believes playing regularly in a top-tier European League will improve him as a player.

He added "The Belgian league is competitive.

It gives me a chance to get better and also make big progress in my career.

"I feel right now regular football is what I desire in my progression at a professional level.

"I want to talk less and perform on the pitch because that is my job as a striker."

The former Enugu Rangers striker is confident he can rediscover his scoring form at Lierse after enduring an injury-plagued 2013/14 season.

"Injury is part of football and I was not very lucky last year," he explained.

"I had to make a big decision, move to another country and league to help regain my confidence.

"I realised as a national team player you have to push yourself every day and keep working hard."

 

13 Sep 2014
(BBC Sport, Lagos by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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