stars in Europe - Everton may seek to extend Lacina Traore's stay

Everton are open to extending Lacina Traore's loan spell despite the Ivorian's injury-ravaged time at the club since he joined from Monaco.

26 Apr 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - COACHES - Uganda coach Sredojevic targets 2015 Nations Cup finals

Sredojevic is scheduled to name his squad on 30 April and would not be drawn on who he may include. 

25 Apr 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - MOROCCO - COACH - Herve Renard plays down links to position

Sochaux coach Herve Renard has distanced himself from reports he could become the next coach of Morocco.

24 Apr 2014
stars in Europe - Nathan Sinkala keen to stay on at Sochaux

Zambia midfielder Nathan Sinkala hopes to stay at Sochaux beyond the end of his loan from TP Mazembe.

23 Apr 2014
stars in Europe - Ghana midfielder Jordan Ayew is focussed on Sochaux

Jordan Ayew is the son of Ghana great Abedi Pele and has so far won 11 caps and scored two goals for the Black Stars. Ayew has scored three goals for Sochaux since he joined from Marseille on loan in January and knows playing well for his club can only help his chances of getting into the Black Stars' squad for Brazil. 

22 Apr 2014
2015 Africa Cup qualifiers - Mauritania go through to next round

Mauritania coach Patrice Neveu said the tactics he put in place paid off. "We came to get the qualification and we knew we should not defend"

21 Apr 2014
2015 Africa Cup qualifiers - Mauritius sure of beating Mauritania

The islanders' coach Akbar Patel has three new faces in his squad for the match after they missed last week's first leg loss in Nouakchott.

20 Apr 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - ETHIOPIA - COACH - deal agreed with Portuguese Barreto

The former Ghana coach will be unveiled on Tuesday according to EFF president Juinedi Basha.

19 Apr 2014
stars in Europe - Nabil Bentaleb tipped to star for Algeria

Tottenham youngster Nabil Bentaleb has the ability to become one of the stars of the Algeria team, says fellow international Adlene Guedioura.

18 Apr 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - SOUTH AFRICA - COACH - Gordon Igesund cleared of wrongdoing after FA inquiry

The 57-year-old, who has been in charge of South Africa since 2012, had always strongly denied the claims. He is now free to see out his contract, which is due to end in June

17 Apr 2014

AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015 - PRELIMINARIES - Enyimba target Champions League glory

African Chamopions League 2015

 

The African Champions League kicks off this weekend with former title holders Enyimba facing a tricky tie.

The Nigerian side take on relatively weak and inexperienced opponents, Buffles Borgou of Benin.

Enyimba, continental champions in 2003 and 2004, were expected to go far in the competition last year.

But they lost at home to Real Bamako of Mali and a second leg recovery could not prevent an early exit.

Coach Kadiri Ikhana, who also coached the 2003 Champions League-winning team, believes that disastrous campaign is now behind them.

He said: "I am confident that we will do better than last year and progress very far in the Champions League this time.

"However, we must be careful not to underrate Buffles.

The key is to prepare adequately so that we are not taken by surprise.

"There are no small teams in the CAF club competitions and we must treat our opponents seriously in order to achieve a good result.

"It is a good tie for us because of the limited travel involved," said Ikhana, referring to Benin and Nigeria being west African neighbours.

Enyimba prepared for the Champions League by playing in a six-team domestic tournament as the national league has not kicked off.

Kano Pillars, the other half of a twin-pronged Nigerian challenge for the biggest prize in African club football, tackle Al-Malakia in South Sudan.

The northern club are guided by Okey Emordi, coach of Enyimba when they retained the Champions League title in 2004.

It is 20 years since Orlando Pirates became the only South African winners of the competition.

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns believe they can go all the way this year.

"We have a team that can compete against anybody in the world," boasted Chiefs official Bobby Motaung ahead of a home game against Township Rollers from Botswana.

Sundowns are away to Saint Michel United in the Seychelles and coach Pitso Mosimane has high hopes of bettering second place in 2001 behind Egyptians Al Ahly.

"I want to win the Champions League, the club president (Patrice Motsepe) wants to win it, the players want to win it, and our supporters want us to win it," said Mosimane.

An attractive east African fixture pits Azam, who ended the Young Africans and Simba's monopoly of the Tanzanian title last year, against vastly experienced Sudanese visitors El-Merrikh.

 

 

13 Feb 2015
(BBC Sport UK)

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