BUHARI CONGRATULATES VICTORIOUS SUPER FALCONS

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the Nigeria’s Super Falcons on their victory over the senior female football team of Cameroon on Saturday at the final game of the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.

The President, who described the hard-earned victory over the Indomitable Lionesses as “very sweet and well-deserved,” particularly commends the Nigerian women for their “indomitable spirit, resilience and team work” which spurred them to victory in spite of a vociferous home crowd.

President Buhari notes that the Nigerian team achieved “this feat of being African champions for the 8th time,” a development he says has lifted the spirits of sports-loving Nigerians.

He enjoins other Nigerian sports men and women to emulate the exemplary attitude of the Super Falcons who placed the interest of the nation above personal interests, while assuring that the Federal Government will not relent in doing its best to promote sports within available resources.

Breaking News: CAF disqualifies Rwanda, Nigeria will now face Congo in her first 2015 AFCON Group A qualifying match.

The Confederation of African Football Governing Body (CAF) has disqualified Rwanda National team from taking part in the group qualification match as African Champions, Nigeria will now face Congo in her first 2015 AFCON Group A qualifying match.

Details later

Stephen Keshi: World Cup elimination painful, calls for unity in defeat

Braslia - Stephen Keshi said that his side's World Cup elimination by France in the last 16 was "painful", but vowed that he would not seek out scapegoats.

Bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, Nigeria stood toe to toe with France for much of Monday's match at Brasilia's Mane Garrincha National Stadium, only to lose to two late goals.

A handling error by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama enabled Paul Pogba to head in a 79th-minute opener and France completed victory in injury time when Joseph Yobo scored an own goal from a Mathieu Valbuena cross.

While both French goals stemmed from Nigerian mistakes, Keshi was adamant that all of his players bore equal responsibility for the African champions' exit.

Coach Keshi, Captain Yobo quit Eagles after World Cup exit

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has stepped down from his position after the Super Eagles' exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

France scored twice in the last 11 minutes in Brasilia on Monday to reach the quarter-finals at their expense.

The 52-year-old was appointed Nigeria boss in 2011 and helped them become African champions two years later.

Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo also retired from international football following their exit.

Fenerbahce's Yobo, 33, scored a late own goal after Paul Pogba's header had broken Nigerian resistance.

Coach Keshi becomes the sixth manager to leave his job during the World Cup, following the departures of Honduras's Luis Suarez, Iran's Carlos Queiroz, Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi.

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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.”

Brazil 2014: Chelsea Congratulates Mikel, Moses and Omeruo

The Chelsea FC of London has congratulated the Nigerian trio, Mikel, Mose and Omeruo for making the Nigerian Eagles Squad to the Brazil FIFA World Cup. 

Nigeria will be one of the nations with the greatest Chelsea representation at the World Cup which starts next week. John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo are selected by the Nigerian national team coach Stephen Keshi as part of the Super Eagles' squad.

It will be the first World Cup finals for all three, Mikel having missed out on the 2010 tournament due to injury.

The reigning African champions start their group stage against Iran with games versus Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina to follow.

Brazil 2014: Why Jose Mourinho tips Eagles and Elephants

Chelsea Boss, Jose Mourinho, has tipped the Super Eagles of  Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast as the African countries to reach the second round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. The African champions, Nigeria, are in Group D alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Portuguese coach expects the Super Eagles to finish in second position behind the South Americans.

He opted to pick Nigeria to qualify behind Argentina and ahead of Bosnia and Iran based on the fact that they have a Chelsea player in John Obi Mikel. "I'll do the same I did in Group A. I'll have to say Argentina has to be the group winner. What makes me decide in favour of Nigeria is the fact that I have one player there (John Obi Mikel). I'll pick Nigeria as the runner-up," Mourinho said on Yahoo's Dirty Tackle.

FIFA WORLD CUP: BRAZIL 2014 TIME TABLE

The FIFA WorldCup, Brazil 2014 time table of the Group stage matches;

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014:

BRAZIL vs CROATIA – 8:00 PM


FRIDAY,JUNE 13,2014:

MEXICO vs CAMEROON – 4:00 PM
SPAIN vs NETHERLANDS -7:00 PM CHILE vs AUSTRALIAN – 10:00 PM

SATURDAY,JUNE 14,2014;

COLOMBIA vs GREECE -4:00 PM
URUGUAY vs COSTA RICA -7:00 PM
ENGLAND vs ITALY -10:00 PM
IVORY COAST vs JAPAN -1:00 AM

SUNDAY ,JUNE 15,2014:

FIFA World Cup: We will suck Nigeria - Iranian ambassador

Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Saeid Koozechi has warned the Super Eagles not to underrate the Iranian national or expect to stroll past them when both meet on June 16 for their group F opening match at next month’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. 

 Mr Koozechi said the Asian minnow will be a surprise package at the World Cup and will shock Nigeria. He said the Iranians will be a tough nut for the African champions crack.