COACH - Nigeria did not renew the contract of Stephen Keshi

The 52-year-old, who became the first Nigerian to lead the side into the second round at a World Cup, is attracting the interest of other countries.

7 Jul 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - IVORY COAST - COACH - Giovanni Trapattoni in talks to become Ivory Coast boss

The Elephants are looking for a new manager after deciding not to renew the contract of French coach Sabri Lamouchi, who failed to guide the side past the group stages at the World Cup in Brazil.

6 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 21 - QUARTER FINALS - ARGENTINA VS BELGIUM 1:0

QUARTER-FINALS 
5th July 2014

Argentina vs Belgium 1:0

5 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 21 - QUARTER FINALS - NETHERLANDS VS COSTA RICA 4:3

QUARTER-FINALS
5th July 2014

Netherlands vs Costa Rica 4:3
Netherlands reached the semi-finals. Through on penalties

5 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - Brazil - win World Cup for injured star Neymar - Thiago Silva

Brazil captain Thiago Silva called on his team-mates to win the World Cup for injured star Neymar after the forward was ruled out of the tournament.

The 22-year-old scored four goals in five matches before breaking a vertebra in his spine during the quarter-final win against Colombia.

5 Jul 2014
Transfer - Cameroon - Choupo-Moting signs for Schalke from German rivals Mainz

Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has joined Schalke on a free transfer from Bundesliga rival Mainz.

5 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 20 - QUARTER FINALS - FRANCE VS GERMANY 0:1

QUARTER-FINALS
4th July 2014

France vs Germany 0:1

4 Jul 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 20 - QUARTER FINALS - BRAZIL VS COLOMBIA 2:1

QUARTER-FINALS
4th July 2014

Brazil vs Colombia 2:1

4 Jul 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - USA - 2014 WORLD CUP - USA look to bright future despite lost opportunity

We’ve got a few young players coming through and that gives us optimism looking ahead to the future of American football and the national team. “It was a phenomenal tournament for us,” Klinsmann continued. 

2 Jul 2014
NATIONAL TEAM - BELGIUM - 2014 WORLD CUP - Belgium welcome attack-minded foes

“The United States came out to win the match rather than avoid defeat. We were then able to take advantage of the extra space,” confirmed Kevin De Bruyne, who opened the scoring in the third minute of extra time and put in a fine all-round performance, linking well with Eden Hazard in particular. “It was a real pleasure to play such free-flowing football,” he added.

2 Jul 2014

NATIONAL TEAMS - NIGERIA - AFRICA CUP 2019 - COACH Gernot Rohr cools title talk

Day 2   
3rd match
 
Nigeria vs Burundi -:-
 
 
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr who has steered the Super Eagles to their first Africa Cup of Nations finals since 2013
 
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has downplayed his team's chances of winning a fourth title at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt which kicks off on Friday.
 
Champions in 2013, expectations are high as the Super Eagles return to the mix after missing back-to-back tournaments in 2015 and 2017.
 
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick believes the squad has been given all the necessary support to succeed in North Africa.
 
But Rohr is playing down expectation.
 
"Our aim at this moment is to stay humble and not get too excited," the Nigeria coach told BBC Sport.
 
"To say we have to win the Afcon is not my philosophy because we are a very young team.
 
"Already the president said we must win it, but this is not the ideology.
 
We are only making a return after a period of absence so we have to play with happiness and enthusiasm in Egypt.
 
"Our young team will do the best.
 
We have a chance to reach the last four, which for me is already a good result."
 
Nigeria landed in Egypt with 20 players who will be making their debut at the tournament. Captain John Mikel Obi along with Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo are the only surviving members from the class of 2013.
 
John Mikel Obi is one of only three members in this Nigeria squad from the title-winning Nations Cup in 2013
 
But Rohr is unconcerned about the lack of experience in his squad and insists their 'spirited' performance at the World Cup in Russia will come in handy.
 
"They did very well in Russia and won hearts, I can tell from the reactions of the fans at home and everywhere I go.
 
"In defence we have Balogun who is very mature.
 
The captain Mikel is back in midfield.
 
John Ogu is experienced and we already know everything about [Wilfred] Ndidi.
 
"Alex Iwobi is young but brings experience in the forwards.
 
Ahmed Musa and Ighalo also have experience.
 
We must find a way to blend them all together.
 
"The youthfulness in the squad is good because the future will be bright. 
 
Also they can draw very positive experience from their spirited performance in Russia."
 
Nigeria will face one of the pre-tournament favourites Senegal in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Ismailia on Sunday.
 
The three-time champions kick off their campaign against Burundi on 22 June in Alexandria, before facing West African rivals Guinea in the second Group B match on 26 June and debutants Madagascar four days later.
17 Jun 2019
(Football Writer, France by Oluwashina Okeleji)

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