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

NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH - KESHI CONTINUES

AFRICA CUP 2015 QUALIFIERS GROUP A

Stephen Keshi insists he is focused on taking charge of Nigeria for this month's Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Sudan despite having no contract in place.

The 52-year-old lost his permanent position after the World Cup but was brought back for the Super Eagles' last two matches.

He has had no word from the newly-elected Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, but says he will continue in the role.

"I'm still working based on the previous arrangement agreed with the Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo," Keshi told BBC Sport.

"I've not heard from the new NFF board because elections only happened on Tuesday so it is not a problem.

"My immediate focus is on the important matches against Sudan this month because it is very crucial for us to win both games."

Keshi, who led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 and the last 16 in Brazil, must lead his side to a recovery after their poor start to qualifying for next year's tournament in Morocco.

Following a defeat by Congo and a draw with South Africa, the Super Eagles are third in Group A, with only the top two teams guaranteed a place at the finals.

It places extra pressure on the African champions to win their match away to Sudan, which will take place on 11 October, and the return fixture four days later in Abuja.

And local media reports suggests the back-to-back fixtures against Sudan will decide whether the former Nigeria captain will earn a new contract or not.

"I have named a squad strong enough for these games and the plan is to get the players together early enough to prepare," said Keshi.

"We can't bother ourselves with the speculations in the media.

When you take care of business on the pitch then other things will be secondary."

4 Oct 2014
(BBC Sport, Lagos by Oluwashina Okeleji)

Related countries

Related articles