No first-choice goalkeeper for Ghana’s 2014 World Cup yet – Nasamu

 

By Stephen Amos

With four months left to the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Nasamu Yakubu the goalkeepers’ coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars has categorically stated that he does not have a ‘permanent number one’ yet.

Nasamu Yakubu who was explaining the decision to rest recent number one Fatau Dauda from the international friendly against Montenegro on March 5 says he can only stick his neck out on who will be Ghana’s first choice after the Black Stars complete their preparations for the mundial at their Los Angeles camp base later in June.

Adams makes Ghana squad for Montenegro match

  

Goalkeeper Stephen Adams has earned a place in the Black Stars for Ghana's friendly against Montenegro next month. The Aduana Stars goalkeeper has been included in the squad announced by coach Kwesi Appiah on Monday for the friendly with the Brave Falcons on 5 March. Rennes defender John Boye returns to the squad after missing out with an injury. The match against Montenegro forms part of the Black Stars preparation for the World Cup in June. The game will be played at the Stadium Pod Goricum in Podgorica. The match will kick-off at 1800 local time.

Mexico and USA seal Canada 2014 places

Mexico and USA have qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 after 3-1 and 6-0 wins over Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.

Nanjing embraces youth event

Boasting a glorious past of over 2,600 years, during which it has served as the capital to six different ancient dynasties, the city of Nanjing is without doubt among China PR's most prestigious, historic sites. The old metropolis, now capital of Jiangsu Province, is set to embrace the world's young sporting talent as host of the Youth Olympic Games in August 2014.

FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 Host Cities unveiled

© Foto-net

The Host Cities for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 were announced at a media event held at the Maritime Museum in Auckland (New Zealand) today in the presence of John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dave Beeche, CEO of the LOC for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015, and Frank van Hattum, President of New Zealand Football Inc.

Natal unveils Arena das Dunas to the world

© Getty Images

The Arena das Dunas in Natal, which officially opened this Wednesday, will host four games featuring eight different teams, including two former FIFA World Cup™-winning nations, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Brazilian President visits FIFA President

© Foto-net

On Thursday 23 January 2014, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff made a courtesy visit to see FIFA President Blatter at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

The Brazilian President and FIFA President Blatter discussed the importance of the FIFA World

Stars sign up for 11th annual Match Against Poverty

(FIFA.com) Thursday 16 January 2014

Legendary six-time World Referee winner, Pierluigi Collina, and international football players Deco, Pavel Nedved, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, are among the personalities that have confirmed they will join Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane at the 11th Annual Match Against Poverty taking place on 4 March at the STADE DE SUISSE National Stadium in Bern, Switzerland.

Proceeds from the Match will support recovery efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms on record, that struck the Philippines on 8 November.

Presiding over the match for the ninth time will be legendary referee Pierluigi Collina. "It always inspires me when a game is more than a game” said Collina. “The 11th Match Against Poverty will not only score goals for the players but also for the people of the Philippines - It is an honor for me to referee this match”.

Appiah: Ghana will surprise the world

(FIFA.com) Thursday 16 January 2014

 

Ghana captured the hearts of Africa and beyond as they swaggered into the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ quarters with flashy football and funky goal celebrations. The frenzy they fashioned evaporated late into a shivery night at Soccer City. Asamoah Gyan was left in tears when his penalty in the dying embers of extra-time cannoned off the crossbar and denied the Black Stars a semi-final spot. He was not the only Ghanaian sobbing once that shootout had culminated in Sebastian Abreu cockily dinking Uruguay through.
James Kwesi Appiah witnessed the Ghanaian heartbreak first-hand, as an assistant to Serbian Milovan Rajevac, and in 2012 he assumed the reins himself – amid sizeable skeptisism. Yet the former Ghana defender has silenced critics of the appointment of an inexperienced, non-foreign coach by directing the four-time African champions to Brazil 2014 in emphatic style. Ghana, indeed, boasted the second-best record of the ten group winners behind Egypt, before thrashing the favoured Pharaohs 7-3 on aggregate to qualify.
FIFA.com caught up with Appiah to discuss how big football is in the country, his coaching style, South Africa 2010, Asamoah Gyan’s place among the world’s best strikers and why Ghana can shock the world in Brazil.

Help us be champions of the world! Obama seeks advice from Spanish PM on how the United States can win the World Cup

By John Drayton
PUBLISHED: 11:04 GMT, 15 January 2014 | UPDATED: 12:49 GMT, 15 January 2014
The United States is the undisputed world superpower in most regards, but football - or soccer, as they prefer - is one are where they're definitely lagging behind.
So President Barack Obama has gone straight to the top in an attempt to boost the USA's presence in the world game.
Meeting for high-level negotiations with Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy at the White House in Washington, Obama took the opportunity to quiz him on how the US could emulate Spain and win the World Cup.

Any advice? President Barack Obama asked Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for tips on how the United States could emulate Spain's success at the World Cup

Giving nothing away: Rajoy replied that he would help the US, but only enough to ensure they finished second behind Spain

Football Ballon d'Or Who voted what?

Discover the details of the votes that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Golden Ball France Football 2013.

Cristiano Ronaldo, distinguished by a democratic vote! 

Cristiano Ronaldo he deserved the Golden Ball? Serious question. If we stick to titles earned in 2013, no! On this criterion, Franck Ribery he was loud and clear for weeks, could not see the trophy escape. Yet the French took only third place in the final standings, trailing by Portuguese and Lionel Messi. Hard to swallow even though many may feel rightly that the two stars of Real Madrid and Barcelona are inherently stronger than the Bayern Munich player. But democracy has spoken and his judgment is final.

No French football FIFA referee World!

Blow to the French arbitration. For the first time since the World in 1974, no director of French game will be present at the World Cup in Brazil (June 12-July 13). The ransom of ten years mistakes ...

The Blues will go to Brazil without Stéphane Lannoy (44), the number one French official. (Reuters)

The 2014 World Cup will be the first thirty years to unfold without a French referee. Preselected from a list of 52 arbitrators in September 2012, Stéphane Lannoy, the French leader - and his two assistants, Frederic Cano and Michael Annonier - have not been finally selected. FIFA gave his list Wednesday morning.

Neuer: We've achieved everything possible

(FIFA.com) Sunday 22 December 2013

© Getty Images

Bayern Munich claimed the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 with a 2-0 final victory over Raja Casablanca. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer finished the tournament with no goals against after keeping a second straight clean sheet.
The Germany regular is the rock on which his team’s stellar success is founded. A powerful rearguard featuring the likes of Jerome Boateng, Dante and Daniel van Buyten means the keeper is often a virtual spectator, but he has the knack of springing into action on the occasions he is needed.
It happened a number of times in the final when he was called upon to make crucial saves from point-blank range, but neither Mouhssine Iajour with a precise header nor Vivien Mabide, who was suddenly clean through on goal, was able to beat the 27-year-old. "I’m there to make sure we keep clean sheets,” the player told FIFA.com after the match.

Blatter confirms vanishing spray will be used to mark free-kicks during World Cup

By David Kent

 

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed that a vanishing spray would be used to mark out free-kicks at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Referees will be armed with the spray during matches to mark a line on the ground where the defensive wall, and ball, must be stationed during free-kicks.
The water-based spray, which disappears about a minute after use, has successfully been trialled during the Club World Cup in Marrakesh.

Vanishing spray: Sepp Blatter has confirmed that vanishing spray to mark out free-kicks will be used at the 2014 World Cup

World Cup 2014 venues: Your guide to Brazil’s 12 stadiums - including the rebuilt Maracana

By David Kent

 

England have been handed a tricky draw for the World Cup next summer, starting off with a 2am game in Manaus against Italy.
The Three Lions also grace Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte for the matches with Uruguay and Costa Rica respectively.
Here, Sportsmail looks at all 12 venues - with all the fixtures -  Brazil has to offer.

 

CITY: Rio de Janeiro
STADIUM: Maracana (capacity 73,531)
HOME TO: Fluminense FC and CR Flamengo
The most iconic city in Brazil also includes arguably the most iconic stadium in world football. The Maracana was totally rebuilt especially for the World Cup. It officially reopened in June, when Brazil hosted England in a friendly. The stadium will host the final on July 13. With its carnival atmosphere, famous beaches and tourist attractions like Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio will be the most popular place to visit for fans. England have already confirmed that they will be based there for the tournament in the five-star Royal Tulip hotel.
MATCHES:
June 15, 2014     23:00     Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina - Group F
June 18, 2014     23:00     Spain v Chile - Group B   
June 22, 2014     23:00     Belgium v Russia - Group H
June 25, 2014     21:00     Ecuador v France - Group E   
June 28, 2014     21:00     Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D
July 4, 2014         21:00     Quarter-finals    
July 13, 2014       20:00     Final

Focal point: The Maracana stadium has been redeveloped as the centrepiece of the World Cup in Brazil

England youngsters can turn up the heat for Hodgson in sweltering Amazon

By Rob Draper

 

Greg Dyke may think that England will get their throats cut in the Group of Death — but manager Roy Hodgson does not share his view.
Even the earlier kick-off time of 6pm — 11pm UK time — that was confirmed on Saturday for the opening clash against Italy in Manaus on June 14 will not temper the positivity in the England camp.
For, while there was trepidation round the nation when Sir Geoff Hurst pulled out England’s name to play in the least hospitable venue in terms of the weather, Hodgson will already be working on a plan to counter the effects of the Amazonian heat and humidity.

Confident: England boss Roy Hodgson believes his side are good enough to make it out of the World Cup group stage

Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana, Andros Townsend, Daniel Sturridge, Theo Walcott, Kyle Walker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leighton Baines are likely to be the beneficiaries of the switch. Those sweating — apt, given the expected 27 degree heat and 80 per cent humidity — on their place might be Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and James Milner.

Yaya Toure named 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year

Yaya Toure has won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

The Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, who had been nominated in each of the past four years, beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year's crown.
The 30-year-old told BBC Sport: "I think I've been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing.

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Oscar the ouch! Chelsea sweating over midfielder's fitness after star picks up ankle injury in Brazil

Oscar has become the latest Chelsea midfielder to hand the club an injury scare after picking up a knock on his ankle in training on international duty with Brazil. 

The 21-year-old sustained the injury in a clash with fellow midfielder Hernanes during Friday's session and faces a race against time to be fit for the friendly against Australia on Sunday.  

Oscar's woe comes hot on the heels of Eden Hazard hobbling out of training with Belgium and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will be keeping a close eye on developments. 

Crocked: Brazil's Oscar indicates that he has been injured as he lies on the ground at training

Is this the most frightening team in Europe?

Belgium head to Hamden Park for their World Cup qualifier with Scotland looking like firm favourites to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Marc Wilmots’ side sit top of Group A, three points ahead Croatia, and have arguably the best squad of players in European football.

Plenty of the names will be familiar to Premier League fans – especially supporters of Tottenham and Chelsea – with Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Nacer Chadli all playing at Spurs with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and the injured Eden Hazard all part of the set up at Stamford Bridge.

Simply the best? The Belgium squad one of the best in Europe

Three A's see Ghana finish third