Chisom Chikatara Joins Wydad Casablanca Of Morocco

CHAN Eagles forward Chisom Chikatara has expressed his delight after he teamed up with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.

The former Abia Warriors forward was unveiled by the club on Wednesday in presence of the club president Said Nazareth and coach John Toshack.

'Kolanut boy' Chikatara told the press and club’s fans present at the unveiling that he will contribute his quota to help the team achieve results.

Ebola Will Not Stop Morocco From Hosting Club World Cup - FIFA

FIFA has confirmed that Morocco will host the Club World Cup for a second successive year despite concerns about the Ebola epidemic. Areas of western Africa have been struck by an outbreak of the virus, raising concerns about the suitability of the competition being held in Morocco in December.

However, the sport's world governing body has moved to ease any worries and assured the teams competing that the welfare of the players and staff will take precedence.

"The health of players, officials and supporters is an absolute priority during any FIFA competition," a statement read.

AFRICA : Morocco Name New Coach

Former Morocco international goalkeeper Badou Zaki has been named head coach of the Moroccan national team, 10 years after he led the Atlas Lions to the Africa Cup of Nations final lost to Tunisia in 2004.

The 55-year-old, who stepped down as manager of Wydad Casablanca last year, was in competition for the post with a number of local and foreign coaches including Italian Giovanni Trapattoni and Dutchman Dick Advocaat.

“The Morocco team has many quality players as well as the required means to be able to honour Moroccan football, which many people in the country see as a sacred mission,” Zaki told a press confederation in Rabat after his presentation by the FA on Friday.

STEPHEN KESHI: My Half Time Talk Motivated Eagles

Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has given some insight on what transpired in the dressing room when his team was trailing 0-3 in Saturday’s crunch quarter final battle against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

Keshi in the post-match conference said he told his players that they were simply not playing their game.

 “What I told them at half time was that we were not the one playing like that, I told them they were giving too much respect to the Moroccans. Even though they are a good team, they don’t deserve such from us, we are supposed to take our game to them and that is what they did in the second half. I told them I want to see the same character or more like they displayed in the game against Bafana Bafana and they did that,” he said.

Stephen Keshi Hails Eagles Fighting Spirit

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has praised his team’s character and fighting spirit after they staged a stirring comeback against Morocco to reach the semi-final of CHAN.

Nigeria fell 3-0 behind after the first half only to fight back and draw level 3-3 in the second half before they grabbed the winner in extra time.

“It was tough but we used our strength and character to do damage in the second half against Morocco,” said Keshi.

NIGERIA 4 MOROCCO 3: COME BACK KINGS - Impressive Eagles Come Back From Three Goals Down To Reach Semi-Final

Nigeria staged a remarkable comeback from three goals down to beat Morocco 4-3 after extra-time at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening in their quarter-final clash and qualify for the semi-finals of the CHAN tournament.

Mohsine Moutaouali scored a brace for the Atlas Lions, while Mouhsinne Iajour scored the other to take a first half 3-0 lead.

But Nigeria staged a remarkable recovery in the second-half,  Ugonna Uzochokwu and Rabiu Ali pulled goals back early in the half for the Super Eagles, before Ejike Uzoekyi was the hero again, equalising with a cracker in the 90th minute.

Nigeria To Battle Morocco For Semi-Final Place

Nigeria and Morocco will look to book their place in the last four of the 2014 African Nations Championship when they meet in a quarterfinal clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at 5pm.

Despite kicking off their tournament with a 2-1 loss to Mali, the Super Eagles managed to win their two remaining matches to finish in second place in Group A with six points.

Stephen Keshi’s men thrashed Mozambique 4-2 before dispatching hosts South Africa 3-1 to qualify for the knockout stage.

BOLAJI ABDULAHI: Beat Morocco and Get $100,000

Nigeria will be $100,000 richer if they beat Morocco on Saturday to qualify for the semi-final of CHAN, officials have disclosed.

In an official statement from the National Sports Commission  (NSC), sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi said he hopes this cash boost will propel the team past Morocco in Cape Town on Saturday.
 
“This is a special fund meant to encourage the players to give their all. It is besides their normal allowance and bonus,” the sports minister said.

CHAN: Eagles Set To Face Morocco In Semi Final

Nigeria will now battle Morocco in the quarterfinal of African Nations Championship on Saturday in Cape Town.  Morocco finished top of Group B with five points, while Nigeria finished second in Group A with six points.

Morocco beat Uganda 3-1 in their last group game on Monday to book a place in the last eight,  while Nigeria stopped hosts South Africa by the same goal margin to reach the knockout stage of the competition.
 
The two nations are making their debut in the competition this year having missed the two previous editions.
 
Kick-off on Saturday is 5pm Nigerian time.

CLUB WORLD CUP: Guardiola set to win the Trophy the 3rd time

Bayern Munich flew to Morocco on Saturday to begin their assault on the Club World Cup title with coach Pep Guardiola demanding improvements from the European champions. Read more after the cut......