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
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - NETHERLANDS VS MEXICO 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Netherlands vs Mexico 2:1

Lucky dutchmen!

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - COSTA RICA VS GREECE 5:4 - win on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Costa Rica vs Greece 5:4

Costa Rica through on penalties.

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - MEXICO - KEY PLAYER - ‪Giovani dos Santos‬ - PROFILE

Giovani dos Santos‬ was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Giovani joined FC Barcelona's academy of La Masia at the age of eleven and played for Barcelona's Juvenil A category where he helped his team to make a comeback in the league and win the regional title. 

This title allowed them to participate in the Youth Copa del Rey, where they faced other regional champions, among them their historic arch-rivals, Real Madrid. 

29 Jun 2014

AFRICAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016 - GROUP STAGE - 3RD MATCHES - ALL RESULTS

African Champions League 2016 
Group Stage
3rd matches

Group A
16/07/16: Zesco United vs ASEC Mimosas 3:1
16/07/16: Al Ahly vs Wydad Casablanca 0:0

Group B
17/07/16: Zamalek vs Mamelodi Sundowns 1:2


South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns beat Egypt's Zamalek 2:1 in Cairo on Sunday to close in on a place in the semi-finals of the African Champions League.

The win means Sundowns are just a point from a place in the last four - with two games remaining.

They only reached the group phase after the disqualification of DR Congo's Vita Club, for using an ineligible player.

In Saturday's matches in the other group, Zesco United beat ASEC Mimosas and Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca drew.

Sundowns' victory came thanks to goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Khama Billiat.

They lead their group with six points from two games so far - ahead of Zamalek with three, and Nigeria's Enyimba - who have yet to register a point.

There are only three teams in their pool, after the elimination of Entente Setif of Algeria following crowd trouble.

On Saturday, in the other group, Zesco United of Zambia boosted their hopes of progressing with a 3:1 victory over ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast, as Egyptian giants Al Ahly saw their own challenge falter.

Zesco moved up above ASEC to second in Group A, a point behind leaders Wydad Casablanca who drew 0:0 at bottom side Al Ahly.

Only the group winners and runners-up qualify for the semi-finals, which leaves Al Ahly with little hope of advancing.

Al Ahly coach Martin Jol now faces a huge challenge following the result at home to Wydad Casablanca from Moroc

Ahly were desperate for maximum points after a disastrous start to the mini-league phase which has seen them slump to the foot of their group.

Pre-season favourites for a record-extending ninth title, the Cairo Red Devils had already fallen to a 3:2 away defeat to Zesco United and a 2:1 loss at home to ASEC Mimosas.

The 0:0 draw in Alexandria strengthens Wydad's position at the top of Group A, with John Toshack's men on course to qualify for the last four.

History is stacked against Ahly securing a top-two finish and a semi-finals place in a competition offering a $1.5m first prize and a ticket to the 2016 Fifa Club World Cup.

Only one of 120 clubs - USM Alger of Algeria in 2003 - have reached the semi-finals after losing their first and second mini-league matches.

Earlier on Saturday, Zesco United faced a formidable ASEC Mimosas team who had excelled in away matches this year, winning three out of four before the clash in Ndola.

But the hosts, who have now won five CAF matches at home this season, dominated the Ivorians from the start, going into the break 2:0 up thanks to goals from Jackson Mwanza and John Ching'andu.

ASEC did fight back in the second half, halving the deficit through Youssouf Dao in the 75th minute, but it took just three minutes for Zesco United to make the game safe.

An impressive piece of individual skill from Idriss Mbombo in the penalty box gave Zesco a 3:1 victory,

 

 

 

18 Jul 2016
(BBC Sport UK)

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