NATIONAL TEAM - SWITZERLAND - 2014 WORLD CUP - Goodbye, Ottmar Hitzfeld. All the best and take care.

Hitzfeld has made a positive impression wherever he has been stationed and his name is still regularly chanted in the stands at Bayern Munich.

“He put together a really good team that will last for many years to come,” Granit Xhaka told FIFA.com, before Josip Drmic added: “He’s done a great job.” 

2 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 19 - LAST SIXTEEN - ARGENTINA VS SWITZERLAND 1:0

LAST SIXTEEN
1st July 2014

Argentina vs Switzerland 1:0

1 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 19 - LAST SIXTEEN - BELGIUM VS USA 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
1st July 2014

Belgium vs USA 2:1

1 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - ARGENTINA - KEY PLAYER - ‪LIONEL MESSI - PROFILE

Lionel Andrés Messi; born 24 June 1987, is an Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Argentina national team. He serves as the captain of his country's national football team.

By the age of 21, Messi had received Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations. The following year, in 2009, he won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. 

1 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - USA - KEY PLAYER - ‪JERMAINE JONES - PROFILE

Jermaine Junior Jones, born 3 November 1981, is a German-American footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Turkish club Beşiktaş. He has previously played for Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, Blackburn Rovers and Schalke 04. He was born in Germany and represented them at U21 and senior level.

1 Jul 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH - STEPHEN KESHI RESIGNS AFTER EXIT

He becomes the sixth manager to leave his job during the World Cup, following the departures of Honduras's Luis Suarez, Iran's Carlos Queiroz, Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi.

Keshi, who captained Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup finals, was previously in charge of Mali and Togo.

1 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 18 - LAST SIXTEEN - FRANCE vs NIGERIA 2:0

LAST SIXTEEN
30th June 2014

France vs Nigeria 2:0

30 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 18 - LAST SIXTEEN - GERMANY vs ALGERIA 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
30th June 2014

Germany vs Algeria 2:1

30 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - GERMANY - KEY PLAYER - THOMAS MUELLER‬ - PROFILE

Müller's role can be described as an attacking all-rounder, a player able to play in a variety of forward positions. He can play in any of the attacking midfield roles but usually plays in the center for Bayern Munich, and on the right for Germany.

He has been used as an out-and-out striker on occasion. Müller has been praised for his maturity, pace, technique, awareness and positioning.

30 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - FRANCE - KEY PLAYER - ‪KARIM BENZEMA - PROFILE

He has been named French Player of the Year twice for his performances in 2011 and 2012. Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards. 

Benzema has earned over 65 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments; the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

30 Jun 2014

NATIONAL TEAM - CONGO DR - pick ex-France youth internationals

AFRICA CUP 2017 QUALIFIERS

 

Kembo-Ekoko, a striker with UAE side Al Nasr, and Lorient midfielder Mulumba are in line for their first cap.

Both had previously rejected a number of call-ups to the national team.

Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United and Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie are also in the 26-man squad.

But there is no place for Dieumerci Mbokani, who is at loggerheads with Dynamo Kiev over his desire to quit the Ukrainian club after being heavily linked with a move to the English Premier League.

The Leopards will also be without their captain and Norwich midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, who is recuperating after breaking a metatarsal bone  in his foot early this month.

DR Congo will face a tricky game on 6 September in Bangui as CAR seek redemption following a 4:0 crushing defeat by Group B leaders Angola in their opening 2017 Nations qualifier in June.

Firmin Mubele Ndombe and Joel Kimuaki Mpela scored a goal each as DR Congo made their home advantage tell by beating a stubborn Madagascar side 2:1 on the opening day of qualifying round.

The two-time African Champions beat hosts Equatorial Guinea 4:2 on penalties  to finish third at the 2015 Nations Cup.


DR Congo squad:

Goalkeepers: 

Joel Kiassumbua 
(FC Wohlen, Switzerland)

Nicaise Kudimbana 
(Royal Antwerp, Belgium)

Parfait Mandanda 
(Charleroi, Belgium)


Defenders: 

Issama Mpeko 
(TP Mazembe) 

Joel Kimwaki 
(TP Mazembe)

Chris Mavinga 
(Troyes, France)

Cédric Mongongu 
(Eskisehirspor, Turkey)

Fabrice Nsakala 
(Anderlecht, Belgium)

Gabriel Zakuani 
(Peterborough, England)

Christopher Oualembo 
(Academica Coimbra, Portugal)

Bobo Ugenda 
(Kabuscorp, Angola)


Midfielders: 

Chancel Mbemba 
(Newcastle United, England)

Cedric Makiadi 
(Werder Bremen, Germany)

Neeskens Kebano 
(Charleroi, Belgium)

Jordan Nkololo 
(Caen, France)

Remi Mulumba 
(Lorient, France)

Paul-José Mpoku 
(Chievo Verona, Italy)

Wilson Kamavuaka 
(Sturm Graz, Austria)


Forwards: 

Cédric Bakambu 
(Villarreal, Spain)

Yannick Bolasie 
(Crystal Palace, England)

Jeremy Bokila 
(Guangzhou, China)

Junior Kabananga 
(FC Astana, Kazakhstan) 

Firmin Mubele 
(Al Ahli SC, Qatar) 

Jires Kembo-Ekoko 
(Al Nasr, UAE)

Cedric Mabwati 
(Columbus Crew, USA)

Jordan Botaka 
(Excelsior Rotterdam,Netherlands)

 

 

27 Aug 2015
(BBC Sport UK)

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