Former candidate Luis Figo has come out in support of UEFA’s Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency. In a statement, Figo has praised Infantino, saying he “knows football inside out and his experience, competence, hard work and honesty make him the best candidate for the FIFA presidency”. “I fully support him in this race and I humbly ask all of those who will vote on the 26th of February to back Gianni Infantino. He won’t let football down”.
It has emerged that the Ministry of Sport in Russia has signed a document banning all foreign head coaches. According to Eurosport, the bill was signed on September 21st and published on the official web portal of legal information on October 28th. Interestingly, the Russian national team can still be run by a foreign coach. At clubs, they can employ foreigners as coaches – but not the head coach. Of the sixteen clubs in the Russian Premier League, six are run by foreigners. It’s unclear how soon they will be forced to leave their jobs. Former Chelsea coach, Andre Villas-Boas who now coaches Zenith St. Petersburg is one of the coaches to be affected by this new development.
Kelechi Iheanacho has revealed how “big brother” Wilfried Bony has made him feel part of the Manchester City family. Kelechi gave another glimpse of his exciting potential in City’s 5-1 Capital One Cup win over Crystal Palace, scoring one and making two others, and says Bony is a big help to him. The Nigerian teenager made his first start alongside Bony against Palace and says his fellow African has taken him under his wing. “Wilfried is a very good striker who is strong and intelligent,” said the forward. “He talks to me all the time and advises me. “We sit together in the dressing room and he’s like a big brother to me. Yaya too, I’m happy being with them.”
Sunday 1st November 2015:
Brazil vs Nigeria 8pm
Croatia vs Mali 11pm
Monday 2nd November 2015:
Ecuador vs Mexico 9pm
Belgium vs Costa Rica 12am (Tuesday morning)
*Time = Nigerian.
Thursday 29th October 2015:
Croatia 2 – 0 Germany
Mali 3 – 0 Korea DPR
Russia 1 – 4 Ecuador
France 0 – 0 Costa Rica (Costa Rica win 5 – 3 after PSO)
Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh has released a team of 24 players for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland. The two–legged fixture will take place over four days next month, with the first leg in Lobamba on Friday, November 13, and the return at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 17. Obafemi Martins is making a comeback to the team after announcing months back that he has retired from international football. Kelechi Iheanacho is being called up to the Super Eagles for the first time. The list is made up of 18 foreign based pros and 6 home based players.