Ivory Coast goalkeeper and African Cup of Nations star Boubacar Barry announced Tuesday he is retiring from international football. The 35-year-old issued a statement and posted a video on his Facebook site where he explains his decision.

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Japan have appointed former Algeria manager Vahid Halilhodzic as their new boss. Previous coach Javier Aguirre was fired after Japan flopped at the Asian Cup in January and he was beset by allegations of match-fixing dating back to a previous tenure in Spain. Bosnian Halilhodzic has also managed Paris Saint Germain, Dinamo Zagreb and Ivory Coast in a nomadic career.

Jonas Gutierrez has described his first-team return for Newcastle United after being given the all-clear from cancer as like “a new debut”. Argentina international Gutierrez made his first Magpies appearance since April 2014 as a substitute against Manchester United on Wednesday. The midfielder, 31, had surgery in September for testicular cancer. “My first Newcastle game was against Man United and it was like a new debut for me,” Gutierrez told BBC Newcastle. “I’m really pleased to be back. I want to work hard, look for my moment, do it right and improve. “From now until the end of the season I want to play as many minutes as I can.” Wednesday’s outing takes Gutierrez, who had been playing for the reserves to regain fitness, to 196 Magpies appearance in seven years at the club. Newcastle head coach John Carver had named the former Atletico Madrid winger on the bench for last weekend’s win against Aston Villa, prompting a warm reception from the 51,573 crowd. However, that experience was nothing compared with actually returning to match action, particularly as it looked as though his Newcastle career was over before the cancer diagnosis last year. “It was really emotional and really exciting,” added Gutierrez. “I was so emotional when I put my feet on the pitch. I’ve travelled a long way to get to this point and I really enjoyed it. “I thank the fans for their support and also my team-mates. It was a great moment for me.”

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is charged by the Football Association after being sent-off during his side’s 1-1 draw at Premier League rivals Hull City. The Uruguayan angrily kicked over a water bottle before having a touchline scuffle with Hull City counterpart Steve Bruce. Bruce has also been “formally reminded of his responsibilities” by the FA. It is alleged Poyet’s behaviour amounted to improper conduct and he has until 18:00 GMT on 9 March to respond to the charge.

Former international midfielder Aliou Cisse has been appointed Senegal coach, the country’s football federation has revealed in a statement. The 38-year-old, who won 35 caps for Senegal, has signed a four-year contract, to be reviewed after the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. He takes over from Alan Giresse, who left after the recent Nations Cup. Cisse has had spells as Senegal assistant coach and also as part of the coaching team for the 2012 Olympics. He also brings experience of playing at the highest level with Senegal, having captained them at the 2002 World Cup where the team reached the quarter-finals. Cisse began his football career at French side Lille and played for Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier before his performance at the 2002 World Cup in the Japan and South Korea led to a move to England. He played for English clubs Birmingham City and Portsmouth between 2002 and 2006.

It was a fun filled football match on Wednesday evening at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta when a team led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library slugged it out with a team of Ogun State Government led by the governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Punch reports.

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Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse could face six-match bans if found guilty of spitting. The pair appeared to spit at each other during Wednesday’s Premier League game at St James’ Park. Referee Anthony Taylor spoke to Evans and Cisse after the first-half incident, but neither was booked. The Football Association says it is waiting for Taylor’s report before deciding whether any action is needed. Last season, George Boyd was given a three-match ban for spitting at Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. But from this season, FA disciplinary guidelines dictate that the penalty for such an offence is double that. Television replays appeared to show Evans spitting towards Cisse, who was on the ground. The Senegal forward then appeared to spit in the direction of Evans.

Winston Reid has ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract with West Ham, Sky reports. Central defender Reid was due to be out of contract in the summer and the 26-year-old had been linked with both Arsenal and Tottenham after West Ham boss Sam Allardyce said in January that he expected him to leave the club.

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The Major League Soccer season will kick off as scheduled on Friday after a new collective bargaining contract was agreed, avoiding the threat of a players’ strike. The new five-year deal was reached after four days of negotiations. The agreement is a contract to promote the mutual interests of MLS, the players and their union. “I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement in principle,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. There was a similar dispute in 2010, although that was resolved with five days to go. The first game of the 2015 season is between champions Los Angeles Galaxy, captained by Robbie Keane, and Chicago Fire. Chicago had flown out to LA despite the dispute. As part of the new deal, a form of free agency will be introduced, although it is limited to players 28 years and older with at least eight years in the league. The deal also includes a rise in the minimum wage in the league and the overall team salary cap, although full details are yet to be announced.

Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis says he is “fine” after fainting during his side’s 3-2 league defeat at Tottenham. Gomis, who collapsed three times in 2009, appeared to fall down immediately after Spurs took a sixth-minute lead. The Frenchman, 29, received treatment before leaving the pitch on a stretcher and was later taken to hospital. Gomis later said:  “I have been under a great deal of stress and fatigue due to my father’s health that requires me to go back and forth to France.” He added: “I wanted to reassure you concerning my health. It actually looks much more scary than physically dangerous. I am feeling well now.” Gomis, who joined Swansea from Lyon last summer, had a series of medical tests in 2009 after three episodes of fainting while a Lyon player. They indicated no serious threat to his health. Swansea manager Garry Monk told BBC Radio 5 live: “We understand his history. He has had all the tests but it’s just part of his life, it’s what he’s been through growing up.” A Swansea spokesman said they were aware of the vasovagal condition (a form of low blood pressure) and “had all the medical and cardiology tests with us.” Players from both sides looked concerned as Gomis was treated but he left the pitch conscious and speaking. Later on Wednesday, Gomis said on social media: “I was disappointed that I couldn’t help my team tonight but now everything is back in order.” Tottenham’s ground was the venue where Fabrice Muamba, now 26, suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Bolton against Spurs in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2012. Muamba recovered but never played again.

Major League Soccer players are on the verge of strike action, two days before the beginning of the season, BBC reports. Discussions over a new collective contract, which expired on 31 January, have stalled between the league and the players’ union. The agreement is a contract to promote the mutual interests of MLS, the players and their union. There was a similar dispute in 2010, although that was resolved with five days to go. The first game of the 2015 season is scheduled to kick off on Friday evening between Robbie Keane’s champions Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire. Chicago have flown out to LA despite the doubts. Despite not knowing whether the season will kick off, Orlando coach Adrian Heath – whose side face fellow new franchise New York City – confirmed that clubs were getting ready for their games. “We’re preparing as if we’re kicking off on Sunday evening,” he said.

Nigeria’s Under-20s have been challenged by the country’s football federation to win the upcoming African Under-20 Championship in Senegal. The bulk of the squad won the Under-17s World Cup two years ago. Nigeria Football Federation deputy secretary general Emmanuel Ikpeme said: The target is for the team to win the AYC and confirm that winning the U17 World Cup was not a fluke.” The Flying Eagles begin their campaign against the hosts on Sunday 8 March. Ikpeme told the team: “Do not expect it to be an easy match but we believe you are up to the task going by what you showed in your recent test matches in Ghana. “We should not take any match or opponent for granted and so you should resolve as a team to make Nigeria happy and proud in Senegal.” Coach Manu Garba assured the NFF the team are fired up for glory in Senegal. “We as a team always want to win every game we play and that is the attitude we will take to the AYC,” Manu said. “We will not underrate any team in Senegal, but we are confident we will do the nation proud.” Eight teams will take part in the tournament, to be played between, 8 and 22 March, with the semi-finalists qualifying for the 2015 U-20 World Cup.

Stefano Colantuono has been sacked as Atalanta coach after the club slumped to their fourth successive league loss at the weekend. He is the fifth Serie A coach to lose his job this season, following Eugenio Corini (Chievo), Walter Mazzarri (Inter Milan), Pierpaolo Bisoli (Cesena) and Zdenek Zeman (Cagliari).

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi will be out of action until April after undergoing minor knee surgery.  The Nigeria international has been absent for Chelsea’s past four matches, including Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the League Cup final. Manager Jose Mourinho has subsequently confirmed that Mikel has had an operation to correct the issue and expects him to be absent until April.  “Mikel had a little surgery on his meniscus,” he told the press.  “We are expecting him to be out for about a month – one week is already gone. There is not too much optimism or pessimism.  “I would say he will return first week of April.”  Mikel is now likely to miss the Premier League matches against West Ham, Southampton and Hull City as well as the home leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

The 2015 African U-20 Championship (also called African Youth Championship) will be the 20th edition of the football tournament for Under 20 players. The competition will take place in Senegal and is starting on Sunday the 8th of March 2015 . The Flying Eagles of Nigeria, coached by Manu Garba, will be participating (infact they will depart Nigeria today for Senegal). The semifinalists will participate in 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup slated for New Zealand in May.

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Tuesday 3 March:

Aston Villa 2 – 1 West Brom

Hull 1 – 1 Sunderland

Southampton 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

Wednesday 4 March:

Man City v Leicester 8:45 pm

Newcastle v Man Utd 8:45 pm

QPR v Arsenal 8:45 pm

Stoke v Everton 8:45 pm

Tottenham v Swansea 8:45 pm

West Ham v Chelsea 8:45 pm

Liverpool v Burnley 9 pm

Chelsea forward Diego Costa has joined social networking site Twitter. The controversial Spanish international, who joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in the summer, has been involved in a number of unsavoury on-the-field incidents this season. The 26-year-old has netted 17 goals for the London outfit, however, with his form a big contributor to the team’s success. On Wednesday, Chelsea’s official Twitter account welcomed their striker to the networking site, with Costa operating under the tag @diegocosta.

The Nigeria Premier League kicks off on Saturday 7th March, 2015. The Match Day 1 fixtures are:

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The Nigeria Professional Football League teams will face opponents from Tunisia and Ethiopia in the first round of the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup. Dolphins will face Tunisian outfit, Club Africain, in the first round of the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup. The fixtures for the 12th Caf Confederation Cup first round had earlier been drawn on 22 December, 2014 at the Caf headquarters in Cairo before the preliminary round of the competition. The Port Harcourt outfit will travel to Tunisia to face the 2011 Confederation Cup runners-up, who were drawn in the preliminary round for the first leg, before hosting them in the return leg two weeks later. While another Nigerian representative Warri Wolves, who thrashed RC Bobo Dioulasso 4-0 on aggregate, will take on Ethiopian Premier League winners Dedebit in the first round of the competition. The Seasiders will host the Ethiopians, who advanced after a 5–2 aggregate win against Ivorian outfit Côte d’Or, in the first leg in Warri before traveling to Addis Ababa for the return leg in a fortnight. The first leg matches will be played in the weekend of March 13th-15th, while the second leg games will be played in the weekend of  3rd-5th April, 2015. No Nigerian side has ever lifted the Caf Confederation Cup since its name was changed from the Caf Cup Winners Cup in 2003.

Nigeria Professional Football League champions Kano Pillars will face Moghreb Tetouan of Morrocco in the 2015 Caf Champions League first round with the country’s second representative Enyimba paired against Smouha of Egypt.

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