by FSL News | 23 Oct, 2018 | African News
Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo says things are looking up after a work permit hitch delayed his start to life in La Liga on loan to Leganes, BBC reports.
The 25-year-old joined the Spanish side in August, his seventh loan move away from the English Premier League club Chelsea since he joined them in 2012.
The Super Eagle was substituted in the 69th minute on his first League start due to injury but insists that will not dampen his joy of playing in one of the best leagues in the world.
“It was a frustrating start due to my work permit issue, but after playing in two big La Liga games I must say things are finally looking up,” Omeruo told BBC Sport.
“I’ve been playing away from England in Turkey for a while and every time I always craved for a visible league where people can watch me.
“Luckily, after the World Cup where I had two good games, I got more options and I chose La Liga where everyone can watch me, and so far it’s been a perfect decision for me.”
Omeruo, who is yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea where he has a deal until 2020, spent a second spell at Turkish side Kasımpasa last season.
A 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Nigeria, he has also been loaned to Dutch side ADO Den Haag, Middlesbrough in England for two seasons and another Turkish side Alanyaspor.
Back in 2017, he admitted he may have to leave Chelsea in his quest for first-team football on a regular basis.
He now concedes his dreams of playing in England’s top flight with the Blues could be over as he looks to continue in Spain and hopefully earn a permanent move to Leganes.
“Right now I’m fulfilling my dream of playing in La Liga, it’s amazing and different,” he added.
“Leganes have an option to sign me permanently and I would like to give everything to stay in the league.
“I’ve played in the English championship, I’ve gotten a feel of that but La Liga is very good.
“If I end up playing for Chelsea someday fine because it is one of the biggest teams in the world and they have the highest fan base in Nigeria.
“I would love to play for them, even if it’s just a game, but right now I am very happy with my life here in Spain.”
Omeruo can play at centre-back or right-back and is regarded as one of the continent’s best young defenders.
His 41 caps for the Super Eagles also include appearances at the Confederations Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
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by FSL News | 21 Oct, 2018 | African News
Faouzi Benzarti has been sacked as coach of Tunisia just four days after he helped the Carthage Eagles qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations.
Tunisia’s next qualifier is away to Egypt in November.
Impressively, the 68-year-old guided Tunisia to a 2-1 victory over Niger in Niamey on Tuesday to seal the country’s place at next year’s Nations Cup in Cameroon with two qualifiers still to play.
“The board decided on Saturday to end the relationship between the Federation and the head coach of the national senior team, Faouzi Benzarti,” TFF said in a statement.
The former Wydad Casablanca boss returned to coach his national team, replacing Nabil Maaloul who left the post after Tunisia’s early exit from the Russia World Cup.
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by FSL News | 16 Oct, 2018 | African News
Madagascar have qualified to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever following 18th failed attempts since 1970.
They beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Antananarivo on Tuesday to become the first team to join hosts Cameroon in next year’s finals.
Thailand-based midfielder Njiva Rakotoharimalala scored the only goal four minutes before half-time.
The victory takes the Barea up to 10 points in Group A after four matches, taking them out of reach of Equatorial Guinea (three points) or pointless Sudan.
The Falcons of Jediane will be eliminated on Tuesday unless they defeat Senegal (seven points) in Khartoum.
The Islanders have enjoyed an upturn of fortunes following the appointment of French coach Nicolas Dupuis, although they remain down in 106th in the FIFA World Rankings.
Madagascar defeated Sudan 3-1 away in their first qualifier before holding Senegal 2-2 at home in September, a match overshadowed by the death of a supporter following a stadium stampede at the Stade Municipal de Mahamasina.
They followed that up with a 1-0 away victory in Bata on Saturday, and can now look forward to taking their place among the continent’s heavyweights in Cameroon.
Madagascar have failed to qualify for the AFCON on 18 occasions and withdrew from qualifying three times since their first qualification attempt ahead of the 1972 finals.
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by FSL News | 14 Oct, 2018 | African News
Kenya recorded a 3-0 home win over Ethiopia in Sunday’s qualifying Africa Cup of Nations match played at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani Stadium.
The Harambee Stars kept their Cameroon 2019 hopes alive with goals from Michael Olunga, Eric Omondi and skipper Victor Wanyama.
Michael Olunga opened the scoring for Kenyan in the 23rd minute and Eric Omondi doubles the host lead after 3 minutes.
Skipper and Tottenham midfielder, Victor Wanyama completed the big victory from the spot in the 67th minute.
The Walias failed to capitalise last Wednesday at home, as they struggled to break down the Kenyan defence and consequently, they had to shoot from long range with very little effect.
In the same group, Ghana and Sierra Leone have three points from their opening two Nations Cup qualifiers.
However, Sierra Leone doubleheader against the Black Stars was called off due to an International suspension on Sierra Leone.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment on whether Ghana will be awarded the points or disqualify Sierra Leone completely, which may leave Ethiopia with only a point.
Kenya ?? 3-0 ??Ethiopia
âš½Michael Olunga, Eric Omondi and Victor Wanyama (pen 67′)
Kenya vs Ethiopia 3-0 Full Game & All GOALS and HIGHLIGHTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNDpfFNqB7o
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by FSL News | 13 Oct, 2018 | African News
Odion Ighalo scored his first Super Eagles hat-trick as Nigeria walloped Libya 4-0 in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
Goals from Changchun Yatai striker in the 4th, 58th and 69th respectively gave Nigeria a convincing lead.
Samuel Kalu netted a fourth for the Nigerians in the 90th minute, curling home an unstoppable right-footed shot from the edge of the area to cap a perfect day for the Super Eagles.
As a result, Nigeria now second in Group E with six points from three matches, a point behind new leaders South Africa, who earlier thrashed Seychelles 6-0.
Both Nigeria and Libya will do battle again in the reverse fixture in Sfax, Tunisia, on Tuesday.
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by FSL News | 13 Oct, 2018 | African News
A brace for Emmanuel Okwi ensures Uganda go top of Group L with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.
Impressively, the home team opened the scoring in the 11th minute thanks to a strike from Simba attacker Emmanuel Okwi to send the fans into ecstasy.
Farouk Miya doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 27th before Okwi completed a sounding victory for the host late on in the second half.
The Crocodiles were poor as they offered very little in attack throughout the duration of the contest.
Lesotho host Uganda next week Tuesday in the return fixture of the 2019 Afcon qualifier.
Meanwhile, A Ricardo Gomes brace helped Cape Verde beat Tanzania 3-0 at home on Saturday.
Cape Verb after saturday’s win are three points adrift off Uganda in Group L.
Another win for the Ugandans will surely mean they are two steps closer in their bid to reach Cameroon 2019.
Elsewhere, South Africa thrashed Seychelles 6-0 on Saturday in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Johannesburg.
The impressive victory means they achieved their biggest victory.
Their previous biggest win was when they walloped Guatemala 5-0 during a friendly ahead of 2010 World Cup.
Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying results/Matches
Group E: South Africa 6-0 Seychelles
Group L: Uganda 3-0 Lesotho
Group A: Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Madagascar
Group K: Mozambique 1-2 Namibia
Group E: Nigeria 4-1 Libya
Group G: DR Congo v Zimbabwe
Group I: Burkina Faso v Botswana
Group J: Tunisia v Niger
Group A: Senegal v Sudan
Group B: Morocco v Comoros
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