NATIONAL TEAM - COACH - Rwanda want Stephen Constantine as coach

Former Millwall first-team coach Constantine, 51, has experience of African football, having managed Malawi from February 2007 to April 2008.

15 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Nabil Bentaleb in Algeria's 30-man squad

Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb has been included in Algeria's 30-man provisional World Cup squad.

14 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Ivory Coast coach opts for experience

Ivory Coast coach Lamouchi opts for experience - The Elephants will face Colombia, Greece and Japan in Group C.

14 May 2014
stars in Europe - news: Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama thrilled by award

Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama thrilled by award - He said: "It's amazing, a great honour and I deeply appreciate it. I must first give glory to God, my team-mates, family and our beautiful fans for their remarkable support. "It's a reward for team effort and having great people in front of me. Together we've endured a tough but interesting season."

14 May 2014
African Champions League 2014 - group stage - fixtures

Last year winner Al Ahly (Egypt) failed to reach the group-stage.

GROUP A
• 16.05.14: Al Hillal (Sudan) vs TP Mazembe (DR Congo)  -:-
• 18.05.14: AS Vita Club (DR Congo) vs Zamalek (Egypt)  -:-

GROUP B
• 18.05.14: Esperance (Tunisia) vs Entente Setif (Algeria)  -:-
• 18.05.14: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia ) vs Al Ahli Benghazi (Libya) -:-

13 May 2014
African Confederation Cup 2014 - group stage - fixtures

As from now Al Ahly wants to win the Confed Cup 2014

GROUP A
18.05.14: Real Bamako (Mali) vs Asec Mimosas -:-
• 18.05.14: AC Leopards (Congo) vs  Coton Sport -:-

GROUP B
18.05.14: Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Nkana -:-
18.05.14: Sewe Sports (Ivory Coast) vs Etoile du Sahel -:-

 

13 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Cameroon coach picks familiar line-up

Cameroon - squad for 2014 World Cup in Brazil

13 May 2014
2014 World Cup - squad - Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah dropped big names

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah dropped a number of big names.

13 May 2014
national league - Congo DR - stampede in Kinshasa, officials say

A stampede at a football match in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, officials say.

Reports say the trouble began after police fired tear gas in the crowded stadium, causing panic. At least 15 people have been killed and more than 20 people were injured. Local fans were unhappy after the home team, ASV Club, were defeated 1:0 by Tout Puissant Mazembe from Lubumbashi. Stampedes are a frequent occurrence at mass events in the country

12 May 2014

STARS IN EUROPE - IVORY COAST - CLUB - COACH - Max Gradel explains Toulouse loan move

FC Toulouse Max GradelEmbed from Getty Images

 

Max Gradel says he was worried his international future with Ivory Coast would be affected with lack of playing time at Bournemouth

Ivory Coast international Max Gradel has insisted his loan move to Toulouse was not prompted by a falling out with Bournemouth.

Gradel did not start a Premier League game for Bournemouth last season and is now at the French club until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old is relishing playing regularly and a return to France.

"I understand the French league and coming back here was not a difficult decision," Gradel told BBC Sport.

"There was no problems or whatsoever with Bournemouth, but the chance to play regular football was too good an opportunity to turn down,

"Even though it's tough when you are not getting regular football, but I always enjoyed support from everyone connected to the club."

The former Leeds United player joined the Bournemouth from French side St Etienne in 2015 and signed a new four-year contract the following year.

Despite a lack for regular playing time for Bournemouth he was part of the Ivory Coast squad at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The winger, who has scored eight goals in 50 appearances for his country, felt his lack of opportunities was going to affect his international career.

"There's personal desire play regularly for club and country this season, considering the World Cup qualifiers throws up a big competition for places," he added.

"So my decision to go out on loan is based purely on football and ambition.

You have to make a strong case for yourself by playing regularly wherever you are.

"It's what's best for me and my career because I want to help my country qualify for Russia and play in the World Cup."

Gradel played in all three of Ivory Coast's games at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon as the defending champions failed to get past the group stages.

He has played in four African Cup of Nations tournaments with the Ivory Coast and was a member of the 2015 title-winning squad in Equatorial Guinea.

 

 

18 Aug 2017
(BBC Sport by Oluwashina Okeleji)

Related countries

Related articles