2015 AFRICA CUP - GUINEA - CONSTANT INCLUDED IN SQUAD

Kevin Constant has been included in Guinea's 23-man Africa Cup of Nations squad

31 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - IVORY COAST - KOLO TOURE IN SQUAD FOR LAST TIME

Kolo Toure named in the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

29 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - SENEGAL - BA DEMANDS ANSWERS AFTER SNUB

Demba Ba demands answers after Senegal squad omission

27 Dec 2014
AFRICAN CONFEDERATION CUP 2015 - DRAW COMPLETED

draw for Confederation Cup held

26 Dec 2014
AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015 - DRAW COMPLETED

preliminary round draw

24 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - CAPE VERDE - FINAL SQUAD

Cape Verde have named their final 23-man squad for January's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea.

24 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - Senegal & Guinea prepare in Morocco

Senegal and Guinea will both prepare in Morocco for January's Africa Cup of Nations finals.

23 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - BURKINA FASO - TRAORE BROTHERS IN SQUAD

Burkina Faso coach Paul Put has included brothers Alain and Bertrand Traore in a preliminary 24-man squad for January's Africa Cup of Nations finals.

23 Dec 2014
STARS IN THE US - GHANA - STRIKER ACCAM JOINS MLS SIDE CHICAGO FIRE

Ghana striker David Accam has signed for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a long-term contract.

21 Dec 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP - NIGERIA - PLAYS FRIENDLIES AGAINST IVORY COAST AND MALI

Ivory Coast and Mali will play against Nigeria as the two sides prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

18 Dec 2014

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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