World Cup 2014: James Rodríguez Leads Colombia Over Uruguay

RIO DE JANEIRO — His name is James, but he pronounces it Hahm-ez, and that was the way the Colombian fans shouted it on Saturday night. They have been singing James Rodríguez’s praises all along, in fact, but in the flurry of goals and teams and story lines in this World Cup, there was a chance a few people had not yet noticed Rodríguez. Everyone knows him now.

Rodríguez scored two more goals — giving him five at this World Cup — in a 2-0 victory over Uruguay that sent Colombia to the quarterfinals for the first time. Things become tougher now, to be sure, with a matchup against host Brazil on Friday in Fortaleza. But with Rodríguez having scored in each of Colombia’s games, and with Brazil struggling past Chile on penalty kicks earlier Saturday, anything seems possible.

“We’re very happy because we’re making history,” Rodríguez said. “We want to do even more.”

Die cries for occasion, not Dad

Tearful Ivory Coast midfielder Serey Die said the emotion of playing at the World Cup had simply overcome him during his country's national anthem before they lost to Colombia on Thursday.

Pictures of Die crying during the Elephants' hymn were beamed around the world, sparking social media rumours that his father had died just a few days ago.

Die dismissed those rumours and said it was simply the occasion that got to him in Brasilia.

"I'm a very emotional person. My life has always been difficult. I thought about my father who died in 2004, and I also thought about my tough life," said Die.

Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast World Cup 2014

Colombia are dangerously lying in wait for England even if Roy Hodgson’s men do make it to the knockout stages.

£40million-rated James Rodriguez and substitute Juan Quintero deservedly ensured the South Americans secured their second consecutive win, outplaying an Ivory Coast side whose big-name players Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony disappointed.

Colombia top Group C with six points and will win it with a draw against Japan in their final match on Tuesday.

The Africans could also qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Greece in their final group game and they would have been lifted by a solo goal by former Arsenal striker Gervinho that set up a tense finish.

Both sides had started Group C with victories and the tens of thousands of Colombian fans who’d made the pilgrimage to Brasilia were in particularly optimistic mood.

LACKING IN FRONT, LAGGING BEHIND; THE BURDEN OF AN UNSCRUPULOUS TREASURY LOOTING RULING ELITE; BY JAYE GASKIA

Why do some nations lag behind other nations? Why inspite of the immense human and natural resource potential does our country Nigeria, continue to lag behind? Why have we not fulfilled the promise of independence? Why are we nowhere near realising even half of the potential of this tremendously endowed Nation?

What manner of administratively inept and congenitally light fingered ruling class have we been saddled with as a people?

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.

Under 17 women'sworld Cup: Ghana, Nigeria play on for Africa

West Africa is again carrying the torch for Africa in football. This time it’s at the U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The two teams who have clawed their way to the quarterfinals are Ghana and Nigeria and both face stiff tests as they meet the best from Europe.