by FSL News | 29 Jul, 2016 | African News
Aston Villa new boss Italian Di Matteo has confirmed that Jordan Ayew (Pictured) will stay at the club this season.
The Ghanaian international will not be leaving the English Championship side despite attracted interest from several clubs in England and other top European leagues.
On Jordan Ayew’s future, Di Matteo reiterated that the talented Ghanaian is not for sale.
“We are in a position where we don’t have to sell any players.
“Jordan Ayew is going to be part of our plans and is going to stay here.
“Within a good team, his qualities will shine,” the former Chelsea boss told club’s website.
Jordan Ayew bagged 7 Premier League goals in 30 games for Aston Villa to finish as the top scorer of the club, but they were not enough to save them from relegation last season.
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by FSL News | 26 Jul, 2016 | African News
Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi has been named in Nigeria’s Olympic football squad announced on Monday for Rio Olympics .
The 29-year-old is one of Coach Samson Siasia’s experienced players in the 18-man squad for the tournament and did not fly with the rest of his Chelsea team-mates to Los Angeles for their pre-season tour to the USA.
The tournament runs from August 3rd until 20th and means that the Chelsea midfielder will likely miss the first two Premier League matches of the season against West Ham and Watford and could also possibly miss the League Cup second round on August 22.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group B of the Rio Games alongside Sweden, Colombia and Japan, at the group stage and will begin their campaign against Japan on August 4.
They are the first African country to win the gold medal. Nigeria also finished runners-up at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, under Coach Samson Siasia, who will again take charge in Brazil.
Mexico won the London 2012 Olympics men’s tournament.
Nigeria Olympic squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)
Defenders: Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), William Troost-Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Muenfuh Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium)
Forwards: Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Imoh Ezekiel (Al Arabi, Qatar), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia)
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by FSL News | 24 Jul, 2016 | African News
Scottish Champions Celtic are delighted to announce the signing of veteran Ivorian defender and former Manchester City player Kolo Toure.
The former Arsenal defender has joined the Hoops on a one-year deal and his move reunites him with Brendan Rodgers, the pair having previously worked together at Liverpool.
Toure, 35 has a wealth of experience, having played in the English Premier League with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, winning two league titles and three FA Cups. He has also been capped 118 times by his country.
Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, welcomed the signing and explained to club’s website that Kolo Toure’s attitude and experience will benefit his young squad.
“I brought Kolo into Liverpool to add that bit of experience and help to the centre-halves there at the time,” the Hoops boss said. “You saw from his impact there and in particular last season, he was a very important player for Jurgen Klopp towards the end of last season, playing in the Europa League final.
“He was outstanding in the big games for me when I was there. He looks after himself, he’s a wonderful professional and he has a good experience.
“With a lot of young players in our squad, he can really help them and he can be of great assistance for the likes of Scott Brown, who is a wonderful leader.
“But he needs support and help around him as well. It will be nice for Scotty to have someone behind him who has that real big-game experience. Kolo can do very well for us.”
Toure retired from international football just after helping the Elephants to a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
He made his international debut against Rwanda in April 2000, played in all six matches as the Ivorians secured their second African title after a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout win over Ghana in the final.
He was signed by Manchester City in 2009 before joining Liverpool on a free transfer last summer.
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by FSL News | 19 Jul, 2016 | African News
The NFF says Paul Le Guen’s job title will be the national team technical adviser, but made clear he was in charge and will be working with Salisu Yusuf his assistant coach.
Guen will now lead the Super Eagles in their bid to reach Russia 2018 World Cup.
The appointments are subject to contract terms being agreed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Nigeria failed to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations.
Frenchman Le Guen, 52, who has won three Ligue 1 titles with Lyon has managed Paris St-Germain and Rangers and led Cameroon to the 2010 World Cup.
Former midfielder Sunday Oliseh was the Super Eagles’ permanent head coach before he quit in February in a row over his contract.
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by FSL News | 17 Jul, 2016 | African News
Senegal international and former Chelsea striker Demba Ba (Pictured) suffered a horrific injury during the Chinese Super League derby between Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG.
Ba, 31, during his time in England, scored 50 Premier League goals for West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
It could end his professional career,” said Shenhua coach Gregorio Manzano.
Former Newcastle and West Ham, poacher joined the Chinese side from Turkish club Besiktas for about £12m last July.
Ba has played 17 times for Senegal scoring four goals.
He made his debut against Tanzania in June 2007 and was part of the Senegal squad at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, playing all three matches as they were eliminated from Group A with three defeats.
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by FSL News | 16 Jul, 2016 | African News
Moroccan defender, Medhi Benatia has joined Italian champions Juventus on a season-long loan from German champions Bayern Munich, the Italian football club announced on Friday.
Juventus, the Serie A champions, have paid $3.3m for the loan and have the choice to buy him for $18.8m next summer. This option must be exercised before 30 May 2017.
The 29-year-old returns to Italian football after his appearances at Udinese and Roma, whom he left for Bayern in 2014.
Benatia was born in France but opted to play for Morocco at international level and has now earned 42 caps.
The former Roma defender was a member of Morocco’s squad at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and played in their first two matches of an eventual group stage exit, defeats to Tunisia and Gabon.
He also played in the following tournament in South Africa. The 6ft 3-inch defender played all three matches as they again were defeated at the first stage.
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