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Nigeria's generation next

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Three years ago, Chelsea's Kenneth Omeruo was at the heart of the defence for Nigeria's Flying Eagles as they crashed out in the quarterfinals of the Fifa Under-20 World Championship in Colombia to France.
Ogenyi Onazi however did not make the party to Colombia 2011, after coach John Obuh dropped him from the final squad for the championship, as midfielder Ramon Azeez captained an exciting side that also included Ahmed Musa.
These four players, together with another prospect Godfrey Oboabona made Stephen Keshi's 23-man list for the 2014 Fifa World Cup with Omeruo playing every minute of Nigeria's participation at the tournament.
With Nigeria's ouster came the expected retirement of Joseph Yobo. The former Everton defender alongside goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who was arguably the team's best performer at Brazil 2014 made their World Cup debuts at Japan/Korea 2002 and have carried the flag since then.
Enyeama, at 31, has probably another World Cup left in him, and so will the likes of Michael Babatunde, Uche Nwofor, Musa and Onazi who will definitely be leaders of the new generation of Eagles.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia is already on the horizon and Nigeria will look to qualify for their sixth appearance at the showpiece event albeit with the continual building of the Super Eagles with the injection of new blood who can strengthen the team and provide the handlers with more options.
In a three-part series, supersport.com takes a cursory look at some of the emerging youngsters who might come good in the next four years and become quality additions to the team while hoping that they eventually make the grade just like Omeruo, Onazi and Musa have done and are now the bedrock of the national set-up.

Di Maria loss a hefty blow for Argentina

 

 

If a scan on Sunday confirms Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria is out of the World Cup it would be a significant blow to the South Americans' hopes of winning the tournament for the third time.
Di Maria had to be replaced by Enzo Perez after half an hour of Saturday's 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Belgium, which set up a last-four clash against the Netherlands, when he damaged a muscle in his right thigh shooting on goal.
Media in his native country and in Spain, where he plays for Real Madrid, reported the 26-year-old would play no further part in the finals in Brazil, although there was no immediate confirmation from the Argentine soccer federation (AFE).
"Tests will be made today to assess the extent of the injury," the AFE said on their website on Sunday.
Nicknamed "Fideo" (Noodle) due to his slight frame, Di Maria is Argentina's most creative player after captain Lionel Messi.
His electric pace can carry him past and away from opponents, he links up well with Messi and the other forwards and he has an eye for goal as he proved when he netted the winner in the 1-0 win over Switzerland in the last 16.
"He's vital, almost irreplaceable," coach Alejandro Sabella said before the World Cup.
Should he be ruled out, Sabella will have to rely on Di Maria's replacement in the starting line-up to help unlock a well-drilled Dutch defence in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
He will also be hoping forward Sergio Aguero, who has missed Argentina's last two matches through injury, is fit enough to make an appearance.
One obvious bright spot for Sabella is the return to goal-scoring form of striker Gonzalo Higuain, whose superb strike against Belgium put Argentina through to the semifinals for the first time since 1990.
It was Higuain's first goal in five appearances at this World Cup and his fifth overall at soccer's global showpiece after he netted four in South Africa four years ago.
"I wasn't getting desperate about scoring because I knew I was going to get a goal sooner or later," Higuain, who ended a six-match scoring drought in Brasilia, told reporters.
"Obviously I'm very happy, especially with this being such a historically important win for Argentina," he added.
"They've been asking me since day one when the goal was going to come and I've always given them the same answer: I'm working on it."

Ivory Coast to name new coach

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Ivory Coast will have a new coach in place by the end of the month after the departure of Sabri Lamouchi following their World Cup exit, the country's football federation said.
The Ivorian Football Federation has mandated a five-man committee, which includes former coach Yeo Martial and former captain Cyrille Domoraud, to come up with a list of five names to replace Lamouchi, who departed after they failed to reach the last 16 in Brazil.
Lamouchi announced his exit just minutes after a controversial, and last-gasp 2-1 loss to Greece denied the Ivorians a first-ever spot in the second round. The former French international was at the end of his contract and it was not renewed.
The five names of prospective new coaches must be submitted before a July 31 deadline for the naming of the new incumbent, a federation statement added.
Former Italy and Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni told Italian radio last week he was set to be appointed while the names of Avram Grant and Herve Renard have also been linked to the job.
The Ivorians begin qualification for the 2015 African Nations Cup in September.

Why Didn’t We Welcome The Eagles Like This?

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The picture above shows the Algerian national team being welcomed home from the 2014 World Cup. Looking at the crowd of fans cheering them, a casual observer may think they won the cup. But the truth is that they were eliminated in the second round just like Nigeria. Why were the Eagles not given the same type of welc

Transfer news: Manchester United target William Carvalho will cost £37m

William Carvalho: In action for Portugal at the World Cup

Manchester United have been told they can sign midfield target William Carvalho this summer - but he will cost them £37million.

The Portugal international has a release clause in his contract at Sporting Lisbon and will leave if anyone triggers it.
Sky sources understand he is one of the targets United’s new boss Louis van Gaal is considering as he looks to add another midfielder after signing Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao last week.

Sporting are prepared for a bid but have warned they will not allow the Portugal international to go on the cheap.

Director Augusto Ignacio told Sporting TV: “It’s not like the old days when players left Sporting at any price.

“We are not concerned with William Carvalho because we have alternatives who will want to play as well.

“The termination clause ensures a great deal for Sporting. I am very pleased with the negotiations.”
Carvalho, who played for his country at the World Cup, has been linked with a host of top European clubs this summer including Real Madrid and Juventus.

Transfer news: Liverpool meet Barcelona to discuss Luis Suarez deal

 

Luis Suarez: Could be on his way to Barcelona

Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre met officials from Barcelona in London on Wednesday to discuss the potential transfer of Luis Suarez, according to Sky sources.

Barcelona have made no secret of their admiration for the controversial Uruguayan striker, though Liverpool have so far made no comment.
If Barca meet Suarez's release clause - which is understood to be between £70 million and £80m - the transfer could go ahead and Liverpool could be particularly tempted if Alexis Sanchez moves in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
Suarez is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.
Following the 27-year-old's apology - which Barca reportedly had a major influence in procuring - the Primera Liga side appear to have stepped up their pursuit.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu would not be drawn on the talks.

Guillem Balague claims Suarez's representatives have held talks with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but believes Barca is the most likely destination beca

But he did he made a point of commending Suarez for apologising and confirmed they are in the market for a striker, as well as two new centre-backs.
"I announced months ago that the team would undergo a deep renovation but we cannot reveal details because we don't want to give clues away to any of our rivals," Bartomeu said.
"Our representatives are constantly travelling to other countries because of potential signings.
"We have the names and the players, but sometimes there are clubs who speculate over possible signings by Barca to manipulate the price.
"All I can say is that they are names that have been agreed with (new coach) Luis Enrique and they excite us.            
"For example, (sporting director Andoni) Zubizarreta already has the names of the centre backs although they are not signed yet as there are clubs who think their value will go up after the World Cup."
Asked about Suarez, Bartomeu said: "Suarez is a Liverpool player so I can't talk about him, he belongs to another team, a rival team. But we are all football men, and saying sorry is honourable, it helps the competition.
"He did something that wasn't right, so it's the responsibility of everyone in football, be it Liverpool or anywhere else, to remember that he has said sorry. Admitting you have done something wrong is very important.
"Luis has apologised and that is honourable, he's taken a step towards rehabilitating, the football world should support him and help him. As a football fan I hope he can turn a corner."
Negotiations may not be completely straightforward though, as Liverpool do not believe the ban reduces Suarez's value.

"He has been humble enough to apologise to those he has affected, because it happened in the middle of a festival of football. In this case it's the best thing a person can do."

Andoni Zubizarreta

Barcelona are likely to argue it does and reports suggest they will offer in the region of £60m.
The offer of Sanchez, valued at £30 million, could help though the Chile international is also a target for other big clubs around Europe and Bartomeu said Barca are still "counting on him" for next season.
Sky Sports' Spanish football pundit Guillem Balague believes Suarez had to apologise in order to secure his dream move to Barcelona.
"Barcelona wanted Luis Suarez to apologise," he said. "It is also part of an appeal that will surely reduce his ban.
"I realise many people feel cheated as he has apologised before. Biting shouldn’t be done but can be corrected and Chiellini has accepted the apology, so who are we not to do the same?"
You'll be able to watch Liverpool and Barcelona in Champions League action next season on Sky Sports 5 - the new home of European football.