NATIONAL TEAM - NIGERIA - COACH - Stephen Keshi close to new deal

The 52-year-old led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 and the last 16 at the World Cup in Brazil but his deal was allowed to expire.

4 Aug 2014
COACHES - IVORY COAST - Herve Renard appointed Ivory Coast boss

Frenchman Herve Renard has been appointed coach of Ivory Coast. The 45-year-old had two spells as Zambia coach and led them to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012.

3 Aug 2014
TRANSFER - Nigeria - Striker Imoh Ezekiel joins Qatari side Al-Arabi SC

"Being with Standard has filled me with good memories and I cannot thank the club enough," Ezekiel said in an emotional video message to Standard TV.

3 Aug 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP QUALIFIER - 2ND ROUND- 2ND LEG - RESULTS SO FAR

Saturday
Malawi vs Benin 1:0 (Agg: 1:1)
Rwanda vs Congo 2:0 (Agg 2:2)
Guinea-Bissau vs Botswana 1:1 (Agg: 1:3)

2 Aug 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP QUALIFIER - 2ND ROUND- 2ND LEG - PREVIEW

Saturday:
• Malawi vs Benin -:- (0:1)
• Rwanda vs Congo -:- (0:2)
• Guinea-Bissau vs Botswana -:- (0:2)
• Mauritania vs Uganda -:- (0:2)
Sunday:
• Mozambique vs Tanzania -:- (2:2)
• Kenya vs Lesotho -:- (0:1)

1 Aug 2014
2015 AFRICA CUP QUALIFIERS - GROUP STAGE - TOGO - 1ST MATCHES - PREVIEW - Emmanuel Adebayor

The Tottenham Hotspur striker, 30, refused call-ups for World Cup qualifiers last year following a spat with then coach Didier Six after the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

1 Aug 2014
TRANSFER - ALGERIA - GOALKEEPER Rais Mbolhi joins Philadelphia Union

The French-born 28-year-old impressed during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where Algeria reached the last 16.

The African side were beaten 2:1 by Germany after extra-time but Mbolhi was named man of the match following a series of fine saves.

31 Jul 2014
STARS IN EUROPE - IVORY COAST - YAYA TOURE - MAN CITY MIDFIELDER - MY FUTURE IS AT ETIHAD

Toure, who signed a new four-year deal last season, also wants to see more signings in the coming weeks to help establish City as a "massive" club.

30 Jul 2014
TRANSFER - Guinea - Crewe Alexandra - Mathias Pogba exit will raise transfer funds

The Guinea international, who missed the first five months of last season with a knee injury as Crewe finished four points outside the relegation zone in League One, found the net 21 times in 63 appearances for the Alex.

30 Jul 2014
TRANSFER - GHANA - International Player Jordan Ayew signs for Lorient

He made a switch last winter by spending six months on loan at Sochaux, where his five goals in 17 matches could not prevent the club from relegation from the top flight.

29 Jul 2014

STARS IN EUROPE - NIGERIA - CLUB - Ighalo dismisses transfer speculation

Watford F.C. Odion Ighalo

 

In-form Nigeria international striker Odion Ighalo dismisses speculation linking him with a move away from Watford.

Odion Ighalo says he is not leaving Watford

Watford striker Odion Ighalo has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Vicarage Road.

The Nigeria international has scored 14 Premier League goals this season and, according to the Sun, has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid.  

"I want to finish the season strongly with Watford and prove that we have a good bunch of players here," the 26-year-old told BBC Sport.

"When the focus is on a strong finish, transfer talk will not get to you."

Ighalo, who joined the Hornets from Udinese in 2014, scored more goals in English league football than any other player in 2015.

And his tally of goals in the 2015-16 Premier League is bettered only by Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku of Everton.

"I haven't really bothered myself about statistics because I've always had my feet on the ground and I never forget where I come from," Ighalo said.

"I am just focused on getting better, doing things right on the pitch and being myself on the pitch."

Ighalo's goals have helped lift Watford to ninth in the Premier League on their return to the top flight.

"Watford are doing well at the moment because we have a fantastic team and not because of one particular player," said Ighalo, who has also had spells in Norway and Spain.

The Hornets were beaten 2:1 by Tottenham last time out and host Manchester City on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

"We didn't get the result we deserved against Tottenham but we want to put that right against Man City - that's what is in front of me right now," added Ighalo.

"It's a new year in front of our fans, I want to keep scoring for my team and fight hard alongside my team-mates."

 

 

2 Jan 2016
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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