FIFA remembers Former African Footballer of the Year, Rasheed Yekini

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), on Wednesday remembered Nigeria’s late ex-international, Rasheed Yekini, four years after his death.

In a statement on the world football governing body’s website, FIFA looked back on Yekini’s memorable goal which became historic and the subsequent celebration.

Yekini, who is Nigeria’s highest goal scorer (37 goals) till date, died of illness on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.

He entered history books after scoring the Super Eagles’ first ever FIFA World Cup goal at the 1994 finals held in the U.S. in the 3-0 group stage win over Bulgaria.

NFF confirms Mali, Luxembourg friendlies for Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has announced that the Super Eagles will take on Mali and Luxembourg in friendly matches.Nigeria football senior national team, the Super Eagles will take on the Eagles of Mali and the Luxembourg senior national team in two international friendly matches in Europe.

This was confirmed via their official Twitter handle.

Nigeria, former African champions will take on Mali, ranked four places above them at 63, at the Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen, France on May 27. 

The Eagles of Mali have already qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals, having garnered 10 points from their first four matches of the qualification series.

Brasil World Cup: Entire African Continent Is Behind Algeria, Nigeria

Following the Nigeria and the Algeria qualification to the round of 16 in the ongoing FIFA world cup in Brasil, Caf President Issa Hayatou has contacted both federations to pass on his congratulatory messages as well as wishing them the best for the next phase of the competition. 

Adding that the entire African continent is fully behind them. According to the CAF secretary general, Hicham El Amrani, who confirmed the Confederation's messages to both Nigeria and Algeria, said “We wish the best of luck to Algeria and Nigeria as the entire African continent is behind them.”

Brazil 2014: Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track to build on their success as African champions at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles have played in five of the past six World Cups but after reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998, have taken just two points from their past six matches in the finals.

They come into the tournament on a high, however, after winning last year’s Africa Cup of Nations and boasting the likes of Mikel, his Chelsea team-mate Victor Moses and forward Emmanuel Emenike.

“This is my first World Cup,” Mikel said after a training session in Campinas. “I want to make sure we achieve something coming here. We don’t just want to come and make up the numbers, we want to do well.

“I have to make sure I lead by example. We are all driving in the same direction. We all know what we want and hopefully we will have a good tournament.”

African Nations Cup: Super Eagles of Nigeria are Big Threat to South African Bafana Bafana

The Africa Cup of Nations defending champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn with South Africa and Sudan in the group stage of qualifying for the 2015 African Nations Cup in Morocco.

The Group A line-up will be completed by the winners of a preliminary tie involving Namibia, Congo Brazzaville, Libya and Rwanda.

Nigeria can be confident of making the 16-team finals between January 17 and February 8 in Moroccan cities Agadir, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier.

They are a bogey side for South Africa -- never losing a competitive match to Bafana Bafana (The Boys) -- and Sudan have struggled lately.

Every draw creates a 'group of death' and Group G fits the bill with Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal and one from Burundi, Botswana, Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau.

Egypt have lifted the Cup of Nations a record seven times, hosts Tunisia triumphed in 2004 and Senegal were the strongest third seeds.

Another mini-league set to generate fierce competition is Group D, which includes Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Captain Yobo recalled to Eagles' camp for Mexico international friendly

Super Eagles' Coach recalled Norwich City's Joseph Yobo to their squad for a friendly with Mexico in USA on 5 March.

The 33-year-old has not played for Nigeria since they won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

Yobo is Nigeria's most-capped player with 93 and has been given a chance to earn a place at June's World Cup.

"I've always said Yobo is my captain and he'd be recalled when needed so people shouldn't be surprised," coach Stephen Keshi told BBC Sport.

As expected uncapped trio Imoh Ezekiel, Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo are in the squad too.

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“The Technical and Development Committee would want to restate its stand that at no time did it contemplate, approve or recommend for the appointment of any foreign technical assistant to head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi”

NFF statement

But there is no place in the squad for regular quintet Sunday Mba, Brown Ideye, John Ogu, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Chigozie Agbim.

In-form Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche and Stoke City's Peter Odemwingie have also been overlooked for the game in the United States.

It will be the second time in 10 months that the sides have met in a friendly in the US - they played out a 2-2 draw in Houston on 31 May.

"This friendly against Mexico will give us [coaches] a chance to look at some new players before our final World Cup camp," Keshi continued.

"We are hoping to give everyone a chance to show what they can add to the team.

"It is important to emphasis that the Super Eagles door is not completely closed on anyone."

Nigeria face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F at the 2014 World Cup, while Mexico play in Group A against hosts and five-time winners Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] has denied media reports and speculation that they want to hire a foreign assistant for coach Stephen Keshi.

Local media reports have been suggesting the NFF have finalised plans to bring in a foreigner ahead of the World Cup in Brazil but the football authority issued a statement denying the rumour.

"The Technical and Development Committee would want to restate its stand that at no time did it contemplate, approve or recommend for the appointment of any foreign Technical Assistant to Head Coach of Super Eagles, Mr. Stephen Keshi," read a statement.

"Committee reiterates the fact that it has given, and will continue to give, its unflinching support to Mr. Keshi and the team to do Nigeria proud at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals, Brazil 2014."

Super Eagles to face Mexico in Atlanta:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England); Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Bright Dike (Toronto FC, USA), Imoh Ezekiel (Standard Liege, Belgium); Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)

BBC