Edin Dzeko recieves red card for pulling down opponent’s pants

Edin Dzeko was shocked to be shown a red card after he pulled down a player’s pants during Bosnia-Herzegovina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Greece.
Dzeko and Kyriakos Papadopoulos saw red in the 79th minute, the former receiving a second yellow after pulling down the shorts of Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The World Cup qualifier in Piraeus finished in a 1-1 draw after Georgios Tzavellas netted a late equaliser, cancelling out Miralem Pjanic’s first-half opener.
Dzeko was left unhappy with his sending off, saying: “I got a red card for no reason, I don’t know why.
“The referee says I started the whole thing, but I was the only one ending on the floor, so how could I have started it?”
Dzeko insisted his team deserved more out of the clash, which left them third in Group H – three points

Cameroon next and they will be tougher – Salisu Yusuf

High-flying Nigeria will welcome closest rivals Cameroon in the next round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in August 2017 and coach Salisu Yusuf has warned they will be tougher than Algeria
Saturday’s 3-1 over Algeria in Uyo has consolidated Nigeria’s lead in Group B with six points, while Cameroon are second on the table with two points after they forced Zambia to a 1-1 draw at home.
In August 2017, Nigeria will first host the Indomitable Lions and four days play the reverse tie in Cameroon.
However, Salisu Yusuf said he expects the robust-playing Cameroonians to pose a tougher challenge to the Super Eagles.
“We have to look at Cameroon now because they are a good team defensively, they are not conceding goals, they are not losing games,” he said.
“When they played against Algeria (last month), they had 10 men behind the ball. To penetrate such a team will be difficult.
“They will be even tougher than Algeria were against us in Uyo.
“They are as physical as we are, they will match us power for power. They also have young players like us

Raiola fee for Pogba move to Manchester United not too much – Juventus

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta has defended the payment of a €27 million representation fee to Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola as part of the midfielder’s transfer to Manchester United in the summer.
Raiola earned the sum when Pogba, 23, returned to United from Juve for a world-record fee of €105m in August.
Marotta says the fact that the France international’s move was the biggest transfer in football history means the agent’s slice was not extraordinary.
“We’re talking about a deal over €100m and it’s absolutely normal that whoever contributed to the operation’s conclusion should receive a significant financial return,” Marotta told Il Corriere della Sera.
Marotta added that Raiola had not only been acting in Pogba’s interests, but also working to find the right solution for Juve, further justifying such a substantial payment.
“From being simply an advisor, agents have now become intermediaries who also work on behalf of the

Manchester United’s Herrera hails Rooney’s influence

Ander Herrera insists Wayne Rooney remains a crucial influence in the Manchester United dressing room despite doubts about the captain’s future.
Rooney, 31, is just two goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton as the club’s all-time record goal scorer, but has lost his starting place under Jose Mourinho after a dip in form over the last 12 months.
In an interview with The Guardian and The Daily Mail, Herrera explained why Rooney is still a vital player at Old Trafford.
“Wayne’s been playing at the highest level from 16,” Herrera said. “I didn’t reach the first division until I was 20; he’s got four years on me. All that adds up. Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday, national team, Euros, World Cup, competing, winning, again and again.
“Fifteen years at England’s biggest club has an impact; people need to understand that. And he never

Liverpool can be English Premier League champions – Koeman

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has said that Liverpool are ready to win the Premier League title.
Koeman’s admiration for Liverpool may not be welcomed by some Everton supporters, but the Dutchman believes Jurgen Klopp’s side have proved themselves to be challengers for the biggest prize in English football after a strong start to the season that has left them top of the table after 11 games.
“It’s still too early to say who will be the favourites, but I have been impressed by Liverpool so far,” Koeman said at the launch of the Kick It With Help anti-smoking campaign.
“Maybe that is not what you might expect the Everton manager to say, but they have been playing some very good football and deserve to be at the top. They have goals in their team and this is what all successful sides need.
“Of course they can be champions this season, they have a good chance, but they are not the only contenders.

Essien: Black Stars are better than Super Eagles-Video

             Former Ghana international Michael Essien has chosen his country as the better side ahead of Nigeria, regardless of their present form.

Super Eagles must improve in defence – Rohr

Gernot Rohr has said that Nigeria’s defence must improve despite their 3-1 victory over Algeria in the 2018 Africa World Cup Qualifying Group B match.
John Obi Mikel’s goal sandwiched by Victor Moses’ brace secured a much deserved three points for the Super Eagles with Nabil Bentaleb’s scorcher proving a mere consolation for Georges Leekens’ side.
The former Bordeaux boss said his side’s ‘only problems’ in the game surfaced in the second half when Riyad Mahrez and his fellow attackers started throwing tantrums at their defence.
“The only problems we had during the game were the chances Algeria were creating in the second half,”

Rio Olympics heroes get $14,000-a-man from Japanese cash gift

Each player of the Nigerian football team to the last Olympic Games has received $14,000 (over four million Naira) each as his share of the cash gift by wealthy Japanese surgeon Katsuya Takasu.
The ‘Dream Team VI’, as the Nigerian football team to the Rio 2016 Olympics were known, won the bronze medal at the games, and were rewarded with a donation of $390,000 for their efforts by the renowned doctor.

Super Eagles’ individual quality finished Algeria – Laloko

Kashimawo Laloko believes the individual quality in the Super Eagles saw them win 3-1 in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Algeria on Saturday.
Victor Moses’ brace and John Mikel Obi’s strike ensured Gernot Rohr’s men overcame the stubborn Greens to remain Group B leaders at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
But the former NFF technical director insists the Super Eagles manager must reorganise his shaky defensive set-up if he hopes to qualify the country for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
“I had fears for [Daniel] Akpeyi but he didn’t disappoint me because the goal he conceded was due to the indecision of the defenders,” Laloko said.
“Carelessness, complacency on the side of our defenders were responsible for that goal. We were very

Algeria victory good for Nigeria – Dosu Joseph

Ex-international, Dosu Joseph, has commended the Super Eagles following their 3-1 victory over Algeria in their World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Two goals from Victor Moses and a goal from captain John Obi Mikel ensured Nigeria maintained their leadership in group B with six points.
“The two teams needed the three points, one side needed the points more than the other, but we were in the position to go home with the three points which is good for us and puts us on a very good map on the table, which means we have six points, Cameroon two, Algeria and Zambia have point each, so for me it’s a good one, and I say congrats to all Nigerians for the victory,” Dosu said.
“Well, it depends on the pattern of play the coach employs; it also depends on his comments after the first

Super Eagles must remain focussed – Rohr

Nigeria technical adviser, Gernot Rohr, has warned his side to remain focussed ahead of their remaining World Cup qualifying games after their 3-1 win over Algeria.
The tactician led the Super Eagles to a convincing victory over the Greens at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Saturday to maintain a perfect record in the Russia 2018 campaign.
Rohr also hinted that the home-based Eagles will be assessed in January next year through a friendly game against Egypt in Dubai, while he continues to monitor the progress of his players abroad.

Egypt aim to maintain winning run in qualifiers – Cuper

The Pharaohs of Egypt registered their second victory in their 2018 FIFA World Cup (CAF) qualifying group on Sunday evening.
They overcame Ghana 2-0 at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in the Egyptian city of Alexandria and they climbed to the top of Group E log with six points.
When speaking to the media after encounter, Egypt head coach Hector Cuper disclosed their game-plan against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Referee robbed us against Eagles in Uyo – Algeria coach

Algeria coach Georges Leekens claims the Desert Foxes were robbed by Gambian referee Bakary Gassama against the Super Eagles in their Russia 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier in Uyo on Saturday.
Chelsea right wing-back Victor Moses struck a brace as Nigeria beat Algeria 3-1 to pick up their second win in the World Cup qualifiers and open up a four-point lead at the top of the table – after Cameroon were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Zambia in the group’s other fixture.
The North Africans, who have just a point after two games, are left with a mountain to climb to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the fifth time, having played in the tournament in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014.
And the Greens’ Belgian manager Leekens, who vowed the 1990 African champions would strive to get their qualification hopes back on track, believes the result of the Uyo encounter could have been different