People Shouldn't Expect Miracles - Sunday Oliseh

The famous name of Sunday Oliseh has long been mentioned in connection with the Nigeria national team coaching position, and the former Super Eagles star is now in the hot seat just as the Super Eagles are about to begin their quest to not only reach - but make their mark - on the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. “For some years now, there have been offers and discussions about me taking over. It has been on the table, but it has not yet happened because the timing was off,” Oliseh told FIFA.com.

The 40-year-old admitted that even though he finally felt ready for the job, he hesitated to accept the challenging offer. “To coach Nigeria is not the easiest job in the world and one is only as good as the players. Nigeria at the moment has a lot of potential, but we don't have a lot of confirmed players in the top clubs in the top leagues, so taking over the national team now means we have to remake the whole team and introduce a new philosophy of playing style, of culture and mentality. That is very difficult to do when you are the national team coach because you have very limited time with the players unlike when you coach a club. So that is why I was very hesitant.”

Sepp Blatter Lands In Russia For 2018 World Cup Draw

Fifa chief Sepp Blatter arrived in Saint Petersburg on Thursday to attend 2018 World Cup draw in his first trip out of Switzerland since his organisation was engulfed by a corruption scandal.

At Saturday's draw, Blatter will share the platform with Russian president Vladimir Putin although the draw will be conducted by Jerome Valcke, the Fifa general secretary.

Great Jairzinho Made Brazil's Guest Coach

The 1970 World Cup-winner, who scored in every game of the tournament, has been drafted in to help the Selecao become less dependent on Neymar He scored goal in every game he played for Brazil at World Cup 1970, making the difference time and again in a side that included the likes of Pele, Rivelino, Carlos Alberto, Tostao and Gerson.

And now, at 70, Jairzinho, the 'World Cup Hurricane', will have the chance to make a difference with the current Brazil side after coach Dunga confirmed he will be joining the coaching staff for the Brasil Global Tour friendlies with France and Chile this month.

NIGERIA: Falcons' World Cup Plans In Ruins As NFF Goes Mute

The relative silence at the Glass House over the much-awaited camping plans for the senior women national team has continued to evoke concerns among well-meaning Nigerians who feel much should have been put in place ahead of the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup.

As various male national teams continue to enjoy the bulk of attention with continental engagements and friendly matches, the case of the Super Falcons is clearly unexplainable as other contending nations are already in camp.

Absence Of World Cup Glory Will Limit Ronaldo & Messi From All Time Football Greats

Cristiano Ronaldo was the best footballer in the world in 2014. His third Ballon d’Or victory on Monday was 100 per cent deserved, and he now sits among a group of only five players to rack up such a hat-trick.

But until he can place a World Cup or European Championship winner’s medal alongside his three golden trophies, he will never be spoken of in the realms of the greatest players in history, such as Diego Maradona and Pele.

USA: Howard Announces Sabatical Leave

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard has announced that he will take a sabbatical from international duty until September 2015. Howard, 35, has not retired from the national team but wants to take time off to be with his family as he enters the twilight of his career.

The Everton keeper starred at this year's World Cup as the US reached the tournament's last 16.
But Howard feels his call to step away from the team and prioritise his family is the "right decision at the right time".

"Having played overseas for the last 12 years and missing out on spending time with my family, making this commitment to my family is very important at this time," Howard said in a statement.

WORLD CUP: Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Preview - All You Need To Know

Argentina have won nine and lost just one of their last 12 World Cup group games (D2), scoring 24 and conceding just four in total in this run.

La Albiceleste have only mustered two wins in their last nine World Cup games against European sides, drawing four and losing three.

Bosnia-Herzegovina are the only country making their World Cup debut in 2014. Since 1950, the best record for a side making their debut is third, achieved by Portugal in 1966 and Croatia in 1998.

WORLD CUP: Brazil 1 Croatia 1 - Watch Neymar's Goal

               

WORLD CUP: Brazil 0 Croatia 1 - Watch Marcelo's Own Goal Here

             

WORLD CUP: Brazil vs Croatia Team Line Up

IZET HAJROVIC: Bosnia-Herzegovina May Be Better Than Argentina

Bosnia-Herzegovina winger Izet Hajrovic has played down the threat posed by World Cup Group F rivals Argentina.

Alejandro Sabella's Argentina arrive in the tournament among the favourites to go all the way in Brazil and lift the tournament for the first time since 1986.

Hajrovic, however, has declared that Safet Susic's men may be in better physical shape than the Albiceleste ahead of the game.

PICTURES: Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria 2013 Shows Support For Eagles

To show her support for the Super Eagles during the World Cup in Brazil, MBGN 2013 Anna Ebiere Banner decided to do a shoot in their honour. See more after the cut....

VIDEO: Watch The Official World Cup Song

             
               

PICTURES: Mercy Omo London Strips Down To Wish The Eagles Luck In Brazil

Aww so much for the Eagles. 6 foot 4 model, Cool FM OAP, actress and presenter, Mercy ‘Omo London’ teases the Super Eagles to victory in a series of football themed images. In the images, Mercy flaunts her endless legs as a special gift to the national team. She has previously modelled for High Street U.K brands such as Marks & Spencer and Boux Avenue and has worked for fashion heavyweights such as Lanre Da Silva, Frank Oshodi and Ituen Basi in Nigeria.

Mercy cheers the Super Eagles on in one look with a Nigerian jersey and white hot pants, in her other look, she simmers down with a sultry halter bikini top and black bikini bottom waving the Nigerian flag. It could have only been for the Eagles! More pictures after the cut.

WORLD CUP - BRAZIL vs CROATIA PREVIEW: All You Need To Know

The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.

Brazil's one previous tournament as hosts saw them defeat fellow 2014 Group A members Mexico 4-0 in their opening game (1950).

Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.
Brazil are taking part in their 20th World Cup. They are the only team to have taken part in every single tournament.

FIFA: Platini Condemns Sepp Blatter

Uefa chief Michel Platini says that Fifa president Sepp Blatter is "finished" and has refused to support his bid to retain his position as head of world football's governing body.

Platini's comments arrive in a week that has seen a number of European football leaders publicly criticise Blatter following more allegations of corruption in Fifa.

English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said he was "deeply troubled" by Blatter's reaction to allegations of corruption in The Sunday Times, while Netherlands Football Association chief Michael van Praag called for Blatter to take responsibility and step down from his role.

WORLD CUP: FIFA Sends African Referee Back Home

Former South African referee of the Year, Daniel Bennett’s 2014 Soccer World Cup dream has been shattered after he was ruled out through injury. According to the SAFA website, Bennett was selected as support referee for the world football spectacle taking place in Brazil from 12 June -13 July 2014.

However, the diligent official picked up an injury in a routine training session at the Zico Centre in Rio on Tuesday, 3 June where the niggling injury was detected.

“The medical investigations revealed the seriousness of the injury which means a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks for cure. The main consequence is that Mr Bennett will be unable to officiate and support matches at this 2014 FIFA World Cup,” said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke in a letter to the South African Football Association (SAFA) and CAF.

WORLD CUP: Iran Warns Nigeria & Others, Says We Won't Be Pushover

Iran, who have qualified for their fourth finals, were drawn into the group alongside Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria, potentially presenting the Asian side with a realistic chance of reaching the knockout rounds.

In each of their three previous World Cup appearances, Iran have crashed out at the group stage and their only finals win to date came in France '98, beating United States 2-1 at Stade Gerland.

However, with themselves, Bosnia and Nigeria all fancying their chances of clinching a top-two spot - likely behind Argentina - Queiroz rallied his men and warned counterparts that Iran will not be in Brazil just to make up the numbers.

WORLD CUP: Keshi Welcomes Ejike Uzoenyi To Brazil, Confirms Echiejile's Drop

Enugu Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi has teamed up with his Super Eagles colleagues in Brazil on Wednesday evening for the 2014 Fifa World Cup. Goal.com reports.

The 2014 African Nations Championship Most Valuable Player was recalled to replace injured Elderson Echiejile.

“Uzoenyi who was named by Keshi as replacement arrived Brazil by 4pm local time from Nigeria,”
Super Eagles spokesman, Ben Alaiya said. On the other hand, team administrator Dayo Enebi Achor explained that all logistics to reintegrate Ejike Uzoenyi into the team quickly have been made.

WAYNE ROONEY: I Have A Massive Role To Play For England In Brazil

Wayne Rooney insists he still has a "massive" role to play in an England squad he considers the best he has played in. The Manchester United striker has found his place in the side under scrutiny ahead of Saturday’s World Cup opener against Italy in Manaus, particularly after he was criticised by former team-mate Paul Scholes.

Rooney has never scored in eight World Cup appearances but is adamant that he can lead England’s attack in Brazil this summer as an integral part of Roy Hodgson’s youthful squad.

“The future is bright, there’s so much ability in the team,” Rooney said in a press conference at England’s training base in Urca.