Connect to share and comment

Soccer-Nigeria start favourites in African Nations Cup final

February 9, 2013 23:15
By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Nigeria are favourites to win only their third African Nations Cup title at Soccer City on Sunday, but the possibility of Burkina Faso springing a surprise in the final cannot be discounted. Both sides began their campaigns with few hopes but have advanced to the final in a tournament filled with upsets.

Soccer-Burkina relishing role of final underdogs, says coach

February 9, 2013 15:30
By Mike Collett JOHANNESBURG, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso coach Paul Put, whose team face Nigeria in their first appearance in an African Nations Cup final, says he is relishing their role as underdogs against one of the continent's footballing powerhouses.

Football: Nigeria sweat over Emenike, Moses

February 9, 2013 13:31
Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of two of their best players -- Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses -- with the duo's participation in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final far from assured. Spartak Moscow striker Emenike, joint top of the scoring charts with four goals, and Chelsea winger Moses picked up knocks in Wednesday's semi-final over Mali. Emenike suffered a thigh injury while Moses, who has scored twice, injured an ankle.

Soccer-Reprieve for Pitroipa is right move for final, says Keshi

February 9, 2013 13:16
By Mike Collett JOHANNESBURG, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has welcomed the decision to overturn the red card shown to Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa, who is now eligible to play against Keshi's side in Sunday's African Nations Cup final at Soccer City.

UPDATE 2-Soccer-English premier league top scorers

February 9, 2013 11:00
Feb 9 (Infostrada Sports) - Top scorers of the English premier league on Saturday 18 Robin van Persie (Manchester United) 17 Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 15 Michu (Swansea City) 14 Demba Ba (Chelsea) 13 Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) 12 Edin Dzeko (Manchester City) 11 Theo Walcott (Arsenal) Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 10 Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) Juan Mata (Chelsea) Marouane Fellaini (Everton) Wayn

Football: Keshi on brink of equalling Africa Cup record

February 9, 2013 02:17
Nigerian Stephen Keshi is on the verge of becoming only the second person to collect Africa Cup of Nations gold medals as a footballer and a coach. The first to achieve the feat was the late Egyptian Mahmoud El Gohary, who helped his country defeat Sudan 2-1 in the 1959 final and guided the Pharaohs to a 2-0 victory over South Africa 39 years later. A towering centre-back, Keshi skippered the Super Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Zambia in an emotional 1994 final with the losers fielding a team rebuilt one year after the national squad was wiped out in a plane crash off Gabon.

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.

Soccer-Keshi out to prove African coaches have what it takes

February 7, 2013 23:45
By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi intends to prove a point about the prowess of African coaches when his side take on Burkina Faso in Sunday's African Nations Cup final. The former international defender could become only the second man to win the title as a coach and a player - he was captain when Nigeria last won the title in 1996.

Football: Title memories can spark City says Toure

February 7, 2013 22:16
Yaya Toure insists the memory of Manchester City's dramatic fightback in last season's title race can spark another revival as the champions try to overhaul leaders Manchester United. Roberto Mancini's side have the chance to cut United's lead at the top of the Premier League to six points when they head to Southampton on Saturday. Mancini has often stated that if his team were within reach of Alex Ferguson's men when Toure returned from the African Cup of Nations, they would have a chance of retaining their title.

Football: Keshi insists Nigeria still have a lot to learn

February 6, 2013 19:45
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has maintained his team are still a work in progress even after they thrashed Mali 4-1 on Wednesday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final. "We're just growing, I'm still building," said Keshi after the Super Eagles flew past Mali at Moses Mabhida Stadium in this port city. "There is a lot of talent and potential in this team, but it will take time for us to be a real team."
Syndicate content