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Football: Captain Kabore at heart of Burkinabe success

February 9, 2013 02:16
Burkina Faso's improbable path to Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final has been guided by coach Paul Put off the field, and Charles Kabore on it. Kabore will celebrate his 25th birthday here Saturday in his new-found role as captain preparing the Stallions for the biggest game of their lives against Nigeria. Marseille's central midfielder has risen magnificently to the challenge in South Africa like a true soldier, proudly wearing the skipper's armband normally in the possession of striker Moumouni Dagano.

Football: Galatasaray fans turn out to welcome Drogba

February 8, 2013 14:15
Hundreds of Galatasaray fans turned out at Istanbul airport on Friday afternoon to welcome Didier Drogba, the Ivory Coast striker who is set to sign a one-and-a-half-year deal with the Turkish league leaders. The former Marseille, Chelsea and Shanghai Shenhua star flew in to Istanbul on a private aircraft from London, and briefly greeted the gathered fans before departing with Galatasaray officials. "I'm really happy to be here," Drogba said, in English, in an interview with the club's in-house television channel.

Football: Odemwingie handed West Brom punishment

February 8, 2013 11:31
West Bromwich Albion confirmed on Friday that they have disciplined striker Peter Odemwingie for his conduct over the last two weeks but said that the player is now available for selection again. The Nigeria international, 31, has apologised for publicly criticising the club on his Twitter account in the wake of his botched attempt to seal a move to the Baggies' Premier League rivals Queens Park Rangers on transfer deadline day last week.

Football glory unites Nigeria in pride -- at least for now

February 8, 2013 01:16
Nigeria's sensational run to the final of the African Cup of Nations has united the often divided country in football pride and given a nation that has grown weary with bad news a reason to celebrate. With Africa's largest population and massive oil wealth, many see Nigeria as a natural powerhouse held back by corruption and division, but some football fans say that reputation could be improved with a win on Sunday.

Soccer-African Nations Cup finals top goal scorers

February 7, 2013 23:45
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - List of leading scorers at African Nations Cup finals tournaments: 1957 (Sudan) - Ad El Diba (Egypt) 5 1959 (Egypt) - Mahmoud Al Gohari (Egypt) 3 1962 (Ethiopia) - Mohamed Al Badawi (Egypt) and Worku Mengistu (Ethiopia) 3 1963 (Ghana) - Ahmed Al Chazli (Egypt) 6 1965 (Tunisia) - Abbrey Osei Kofi (Ghana) and Eustace

Soccer-African Nations Cup winners

February 7, 2013 23:45
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - A list of the winners of the African Nations Cup (host country in brackets) 1957 - Egypt (Sudan) 1959 - Egypt (Egypt) 1962 - Ethiopia (Ethiopia) 1963 - Ghana (Ghana) 1965 - Ghana (Tunisia) 1968 - Congo-Kinshasa (Ethiopia) 1970 - Sudan (Sudan) 1972 - Congo (Cameroon) 1974 - Zaire (Egypt) 1976 - Morocco (Ethiopia) 1978 - Ghana (Ghana) 1980 - Nigeria (Nigeria) 1982 - Ghana (Libya) 1984 - Cameroon (Ivory Coast) 1986 - Egypt (Egypt) 1988 - Cameroon (Morocco) 1990 - Algeria (Algeria) 1992 - Ivory Coast (Senegal) 1994 - Nigeria (Tunisia) 1996 - South

PREVIEW-Soccer-Favourites Nigeria wary of Burkina Faso threat

February 7, 2013 23:45
By Mike Collett JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Nigeria are one win away from ending a 19-year wait to reclaim the African Nations Cup but the favourites are wary of the threat posed by surprise finalists Burkina Faso in Sunday's showdown at Soccer City. When they drew 1-1 in their opening Group C match 18 days ago there was little to indicate that the two west African nations would meet again in the final.

Football: Yaya Toure vows to get City back on title track

February 6, 2013 16:30
Yaya Toure has insisted it's still possible for Manchester City to retain their Premier League title. The Ivory Coast midfielder has returned to Eastlands earlier than expected after his country's shock quarter-final loss to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, with City nine points adrift of leaders Manchester United. But Toure, who is set to play against Southampton this weekend, was adamant all was not lost. "We are further behind than we'd like, of course, but all we need to do is think about last season to know what is possible," Toure told City's website.

Football: Nigeria trounce Mali to reach Africa Cup final

February 6, 2013 14:00
Nigeria qualified for the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after trouncing Mali 4-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday. The Super Eagles will face the winners of the other semi-final between Ghana and Burkina Faso, scheduled for Nelspruit at 1830GMT, this Sunday at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. Nigeria took the lead on 25 minutes through a diving header inside the box by defender Elderson Echiejile off a low cross by Victor Moses from the right.

UPDATE 2-Soccer-Nigeria display style of champions to thump Mali

February 6, 2013 13:45
* Three goals in 20 minutes seal it * Keshi on verge of African Cup double * Keita concedes his side were outplayed (Writes through, adds quotes) By Mike Collett DURBAN, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Nigeria displayed the class of real champions when they crushed Mali 4-1 and stayed on course to win the African Nations Cup for the first time in 19 years on Wednesday.
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