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Football: Keshi thankful as Nigeria emerge unscathed

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 21:01
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said he was relieved his side had avoided any further injuries after they thrashed minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their opening game at the Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte. Forwards Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Emmanuel Emenike were all ruled out by injury before the tournament, while midfielder Ogenyi Onazi missed Monday's game with a knee problem. Keshi hopes the Lazio player will be available for Thursday's encounter with Uruguay, which is likely to play a significant role in determining whether or not Nigeria progress from Group B.

Football: Nigeria swamp Tahiti in Confed Cup opener

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 19:30
Nnamdi Oduamadi claimed a hat-trick as Nigeria shook off the jet lag to thrash minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their opening Confederations Cup game in Belo Horizonte on Monday. The African champions only arrived in Brazil 36 hours before the game after a row over bonus payments, but they could even afford some wasteful finishing as they leapfrogged world champions Spain to the top of Group B.

Football: Tahiti v Nigeria starting line-ups

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 18:02
Starting line-ups in the Confederations Cup Group B match between Tahiti and Nigeria at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Monday (1900GMT kick-off): Tahiti Xavier Samin; Vincent Simon, Teheivarii Ludivion, Nicolas Vallar (capt), Ricky Aitamai; Henri Caroine, Heimano Bourebare, Jonathan Tehau; Alvin Tehau, Marama Vahirua, Steevy Chong Hue Coach: Eddy Etaeta Nigeria Vincent Enyeama (capt); Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, Uwa Echiejile; John Mikel Obi, Fegor Ogude, Sunday Mba; Agmed Musa, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Anthony Ujah

Football: One change for Nigeria against lowly Tahiti

Agence France-PresseJune 17, 2013 16:00
Nigeria made just one, injury-enforced change for their Confederations Cup Group B opener against minnows Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday, with Fegor Ogude coming in for Ogenyi Onazi in midfield. Lazio midfielder Onazi was ruled out of the game after injuring his knee in Wednesday's 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Namibia, but coach Stephen Keshi hopes he will still be able to play a part in the tournament. Tahiti's line-up contained two members of the Tehau family, with brothers Alvin and Jonathan both selected in midfield by coach Eddy Etaeta.

Football: Nigeria bonus row not resolved, says Enyeama

Agence France-PresseJune 16, 2013 22:01
Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama said on Sunday that the row over bonuses that delayed the squad's arrival at the Confederations Cup had not been resolved, but the players were putting it to the back of their minds. The African champions did not arrive in Brazil until the early hours of Sunday morning, just 36 hours before their Group B opener against minnows Tahiti on Monday, after missing their scheduled flights on Thursday.

Clattenburg to ref first Chelsea game since Mikel accusation

April 22, 2013 14:01
LONDON (Reuters) - Referee Mark Clattenburg will take charge of a Chelsea game on Sunday for the first time since being cleared of using racist language towards their midfielder John Obi Mikel. Chelsea play Swansea City at Stamford Bridge, the scene of their 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United in October when Clattenburg was accused of using "inappropriate language" towards Mikel. The referee was cleared after investigations by both London's Metropolitan Police and the English FA found there was no case to answer.

Football: Clattenburg to ref Chelsea after Mikel row

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 12:01
Mark Clattenburg will take charge of a Chelsea match for the first time since the John Obi Mikel racism row when he referees the Blues' Premier League clash against Swansea City on Sunday. Chelsea, acting on claims by the club's Brazil star Ramires, had accused Clattenburg of using "inappropriate language" towards Nigeria midfielder Mikel during Manchester United's stormy 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge on October 28. Ramires was reported to have claimed he heard Clattenburg say "shut up you monkey" to his team-mate.

Football: Broke African champions slash win bonuses

April 10, 2013 12:15
African champions Nigeria will slash win bonuses as well as their coaches' salaries because the national Football Federation (NFF) is broke, officials said. The NFF technical committee has recommended the Super Eagles' win bonus of $10,000 be reviewed downwards along with the salaries and allowances of the various national team coaches. Officials have suggested that the win bonus will now be pegged at $5,000. The backroom staff will also be pruned to a more manageable level.

Football: Mikel struggling for Europa League motivation

April 9, 2013 09:46
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi says he finds it hard to motivate himself for his side's Europa League matches and is desperate to return to the Champions League next season. The west London club take a 3-1 lead to Russian club Rubin Kazan in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, having seen their Champions League title defence ended in the group phase. The Blues are also on track to successfully defend the FA Cup title they won last season, with a semi-final tie against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium awaiting on Sunday.

Football: Nigeria coach keeps out skipper Yobo again

April 4, 2013 15:30
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has again axed skipper Joseph Yobo from a series of matches that include crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia in June. Keshi, unveiling his selection Thursday, again kept out the Fenerbahce defender from a busy schedule between the end of May and mid-July during which the African champions could well play as many as 10 matches. Yobo was overlooked for last month's World Cup qualifying match at home to Kenya leading to a huge row with coach Stephen Keshi this week.
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