2015 AFRICA CUP - IVORY COAST - GROUP D - COACH RENARD RATES TEAM ETHIC OVER STARS

Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard says his team cannot rely only on Wilfried Bony and Yaya Toure

18 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - GROUP B - DAY 02 - Zambia vs Congo DR - 1:1

Yannick Bolasie earned DR Congo a 1:1 draw against Zambia 

18 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - GROUP B - DAY 02 - Tunisia vs Cape Verde - 0:0

Tunisia had to settle for a point in their opener.

18 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - GROUP A - DAY 01 - EQUATORIAL GUINEA vs CONGO - 1:1

Thievy Bifouma scored late on for Congo to deny hosts Equatorial Guinea victory in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations at a packed Bata Stadium.

17 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - GROUP A - DAY 01 - BURKINA FASO vs GABON 0:2

Gabon began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a win over 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso to go top of Group A

17 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - KICK OFF - GROUP A - DAY 01 - PREVIEW

Equatorial Guinea will kick-off the Africa Cup of Nations in two days.

16 Jan 2015
2015 AFRICA CUP - GHANA - GYAN SEEKS FAIRYTALE

Host: Equatorial Guinea
Dates: 17 January - 08 February 2015

15 Jan 2015
STARS IN AFRICA - NIGERIA - STRIKER OSAGUONA SIGNS FOR RAJA CASABLANCA

Nigeria international Ighodaro Osaguona has joined Moroccan side Raja Casablanca from Enugu Rangers on a four-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.

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STARS IN EUROPE - IVORY COAST - SWANSEA SAY BONY’S MAN CITY MOVE NOT COMPLETE

Swansea City have criticised the Ivory Coast Football Federation for saying striker Wilfried Bony had completed his £28m transfer to Manchester City.

14 Jan 2015

NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH - Keshi appointed for the third time

AFRICA CUP 2017 QUALIFIERS

 

In his first spell he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but the deal was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup.

He later returned on a match-by-match deal, which ended in November after failure to reach the 2015 Nations Cup.

"It's a fresh start.

We need the support of our fans, media and every Nigerian to return the team to where we truly belong," Keshi told BBC Sport.

"As a coach and former player I was also hurt that we failed to qualify for the last Nations Cup.

"To succeed we all need to come together as one because Nigeria belongs to us - this is not Stephen Keshi's team but our national team."

Keshi has been set several targets and that his contract will be terminated if he does not meet them.

The 53-year-old was also required to sign a code of conduct and is expected to work with the Nigerian Football Federation technical committee.

However, the NFF's technical committee boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu said: "The NFF board is confident Stephen Keshi can take the Super Eagles to new heights.

"We want Nigerians to see this as a new beginning and to support the team and the NFF."

Keshi, who also won the Nations Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994, declined to comment on the contract details or the exit of his long-term assistant Daniel Amokachi.

Former Nigeria striker Amokachi has left his role with immediate effect and been replaced by Salisu Yusuf.

Yusuf, who led Kano Pillars to the Nigerian title in 2008, has previously worked as assistant to former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia at both senior and U20 levels.

As caretaker coach, Keshi endured a turbulent 2014, in which he was sacked by the NFF and only reinstalled after intervention from Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan.

His last two home matches in Abuja and Akwa Ibom were marred by a negative reaction from the public and Keshi has pleaded for the home supporters to be positive during the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles have been drawn in one of the toughest-looking groups, alongside seven-time champions Egypt, Tanzania and Chad.

"I understand we still have some disappointed people out there but our dedicated players deserve our encouragement and support," added Keshi.

"It doesn't matter where they play, these boys always give everything and we need to stand by them and the coaching crew.

"I remain confident that this time around we will see an improvement, change in attitude and positive results."

 

 

22 Apr 2015
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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