Archive | August 2, 2015

South Africa, Egypt and Zambia book places at U-23s in Senegal….

Egypt coach Hosam El Badry

South Africa, Egypt and Zambia all booked places in the 2015 African Under-23 Championships in Senegal, with wins in their qualifiers. The South Africans comfortably beat neighbours Zimbabwe 3-0, while Egypt beat Uganda 2-1 and Zambia squeezed past Ivory Coast on penalties. The championships in Senegal start on 28 November. They also serve as qualifiers for the Rio Olympics in 2016. The three sides join hosts Senegal and Algeria at the tournament, after Algeria sealed their qualification last week. Eight nations will compete at the African Under-23 Championships, with the top three securing places in Brazil.

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Juwon Oshaniwa joins Hearts….

Juwon Oshaniwa in action for Nigeria

Nigeria left-back Juwon Oshaniwa has signed for Hearts on a three-year contract saying he is advancing his career by moving to Scottish football. The 24-year-old World Cup defender has spent the last three years with Ironi Ashdod in Israel’s Premier League. “I am happy because I have made a big step in my career by joining Hearts,” Oshaniwa told BBC Sport. “Starting from Nigeria and playing in Israel to land here in Scotland is a big progress for my career.” Oshaniwa, who has 17 caps, played in all of the Super Eagles’ matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But he only made 13 appearances last season as Ashdod suffered relegation from Israel’s top flight. “I thank God for the opportunity,” said Oshaniwa of his move to Edinburgh. “I also thank Hearts too for the confidence and determination to bring me here. “My immediate focus is to give my best and hopefully achieve many success stories with the club.”

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Di Maria set to have PSG medical….

Angel Di Maria

Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria is set to have a medical in the next 24 hours before a proposed move to Paris St-Germain. The winger, a British record £59.7m signing last summer, is expected in Doha on Sunday to meet PSG officials. The fee for the 27-year-old Argentina international is believed to be about £44.5m. Di Maria did not join United’s pre-season tour of the United States after appearing at the Copa America in Chile. The former Real Madrid player moved to Old Trafford last August after helping the Spanish giants to a 10th European Cup in 2014. But after a promising start, including a goal and an assist in three of his first four appearances, his form fell away midway through the season. He started only one match after a defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final on 9 March.