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
stars in Europe - Yaya Toure - injured Manchester City midfielder out for two weeks

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure will be out for up to two weeks with a muscle injury picked up in Sunday's defeat by Liverpool.

15 Apr 2014
stars in Europe - Guinea's Ibrahima Traore on the move in Germany

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Guinea international Ibrahima Traore from VfB Stuttgart for next season.

14 Apr 2014
LEGENDS - ‪‪CAMEROON - Roger Milla loses 20-year record as Africa's oldest internationalist

Roger Milla has lost his record as the oldest footballer to represent an African national team to 43-year-old Mauritius striker Kersley Appou.

13 Apr 2014
2015 Africa Cup qualifiers - Mauritania beat Mauritius in first leg

Hosts Mauritania made the most of home advantage and included a number of young players in their side including the England-based left-back Ahmed Ahmedou. 

12 Apr 2014

STARS IN EUROPE - NIGERIA - CLUB - Ujah rejects 'bigger offers' to join Werder Bremen

WERDER BREMEN Anthony Ujah

 

Nigeria international striker Anthony Ujah has revealed he turned down 'bigger financial offers' from Russia and China in order to secure his preferred move to Werder Bremen.

The 24-year old scored 36 goals in 102 appearances for German side Cologne to attract interest from an unnamed club in China who were set to triple his wages.

He also received big offers from two Russian clubs but Ujah opted for Werder Bremen to continue his development  in the German Bundesliga.

"I had two options, to follow the money or walk the steps of career development," Ujah told BBC Sport.

"I have big ambitions and going that route 'money over development' at this stage of my career could affect my progress."

Cologne were in the second tier when Ujah initially joined in 2012 from Mainz 05 before making the move permanent a year later.

He scored 13 league goals in his first season and 11 in the 2013/14 season to help the club secure a return to the top flight.

Ujah added 10 goals for Cologne last campaign to ensure another stay in the top flight before completing his switch to four-time Bundesliga champions Werder Bremen.

He admitted that it was the right time to leave Cologne and start afresh.

"After three years in Cologne I wanted a completely fresh challenge away from my comfort zone.

"Other clubs presented interesting offers as well but Werder Bremen fit into my ambition and desire.

"I joined a club on the way up with big plans."

The Super Eagle also revealed that Werder coach Viktor Skrypnyk played a massive role in his decision to move to the Weserstadion.

"When I spoke to the coach he surprised me by analysing my football, strength and how I fit into his plans," he explained.

"His exceptional interest to details and time spent to study my game gave me an extra motivation to want to repay him and hopefully move my game and career to the next level.

"Notable strikers like Claudio Pizarro, Ivan Klasnić, Miroslav Klose and others left from Bremen to bigger clubs and career, it's obviously a good path to follow."

Ujah, who was part of the Nigeria squad at the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil, has made five international appearances for his country.

Despite his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad and a recent 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Ujah remains confident his club form will hopefully earn him a recall.

"There is a lot of talent in Nigeria - amazing players - and it's not an easy decision for the coach," he added.

"I am optimistic that if I continue to do well with my club I'll get another chance but right now I just want to get started with Bremen."

 

 

4 Jul 2015
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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