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

STARS IN EUROPE - NIGERIA - CLUB - William Troost-Ekong joins Gent

K.A.A. Gent

 

Nigeria international defender William Troost-Ekong has joined Belgian champions Gent.

The 21-year-old, who was a youth player with Tottenham, moves from Dutch club FC Groningen and has agreed a three-year contract.

However, he will spend the first year on loan at Norway's FK Haugesund.

"I'm very happy to have signed with the Belgium champions. 

I took my time deciding on my next best step," Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport.

"I thank Gent for this great opportunity and I look forward to joining the club at the end of my loan."

The Super Eagle rejected a big-money offer from Russian club Rostov and he also turned down interest from Spanish second-tier club SD Ponferradina and an English Championship side.

He added: "I spoke with the Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh and the emphasis was for me to ensure that I am playing regular top-flight football even if that meant seeking a loan move.

"I'm thankful for his advice and together with what I and my management had in mind, this was the best option.

"Going to Norway gives me an opportunity to play regularly and continue my progress."

Troost-Ekong, who made his debut for Nigeria in a match against Chad on 13 June, represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to his father's country.

 

William Troost-Ekong

 

 

29 Jul 2015
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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