Stephen Keshi is officially back as coach of Nigeria and yesterday named a squad of 25 for the must-win African Nations Cup qualifiers against Congo and South Africa in November.
Keshi had admitted agonising over whether to return to the post from which he was sacked earlier this month by the Nigerian Football Federation, who placed in charge a consortium of coaches led by technical director Shaibu Amodu.
But following the reported intervention of the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan this week, and a request from Amodu himself, the 52-year-old Keshi has agreed to return.
Hoops to contest hefty Tonev ban
Celtic have backed Aleksandar Tonev after the winger was suspended for seven matches for using “offensive, insulting and abusive language of a racist nature” against Aberdeen defender Shay Logan.
The 24-year-old was handed the hefty ban on Thursday and the Parkhead club immediately released a statement, saying they will appeal the decision.
“The club has accepted Aleksandar’s explanation that he did not say the words that were alleged to have been said,” the club said.
“We can confirm that Aleksandar will be appealing.”
Everton profits
Everton have revealed record profits of more than £28m for the 2013/14 season.
The profits of £28.2m come off the back of a 39 per cent rise in turnover to £120.5m, boosted by broadcast revenues of £88.5m courtesy of the Premier League’s new broadcast deal.
The Toffees’ operating gains before player trading in the financial year ending May 31 were £23m, an increase on the £700,000 recorded during the previous campaign.
Marouane Fellaini, Victor Ani-chebe and Nikica Jelavic all left Goodison Park for hefty transfer fees.
MLS unveil new LA-based team
Major League Soccer’s new Los Angeles franchise was unveiled in midweek led by a 22-person ownership group being headed by Vietnamese-American capitalist Henry Nguyen.
Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is among the leaders of the consortium.
The surprisingly large group also includes Malaysian Vincent Tan, owner of English league club Cardiff City, former US women’s soccer great Mia Hamm and celebrity life-coach and motivational speaker Tony Robbins.
The new team, which has a working name of Los Angeles Football Club, is expected to start play in the 2017 MLS season and will compete with the existing LA Galaxy club for support.
Neymar for 2016 Olympic team
Neymar (picture) will be selected as one of Brazil’s three over-age players for the 2016 Olympics, the team’s manager Alexandre Gallo said.
Olympic soccer gold is the only major title Brazil have not won and with Rio de Janeiro hosting the Games the pressure is on.
Gallo said he would call up Barcelona striker Neymar and two other over-age players. All teams must take under-23 squads but are permitted three over-age players.
“I will take (those) three players,” Gallo said.
“One will be Neymar. You can’t think about Brazilian football without thinking of him.”
The decision could mean Neymar will face a punishing schedule in 2016. The US is to host a special Centenary Copa America in June. The Olympics take place in August.
Jesus questions coach shortlist
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus suggested that he should have been included in FIFA’s 10-man shortlist for Coach of the Year, saying that some of the nominees “achieved less than I did”.
“I don’t know the criteria used for this choice,” said Jesus, who led Benfica to a domestic treble last season as well as the Europa League final.
“If I did, I would have a better-informed opinion, but I have noticed that there are some on the list who achieved less than I did.
“Some weren’t in the finals of the Champions League or Europa League, some were not even do-mestic champions,” he said.
Jesus’s comments appeared to be aimed mainly at his compatriot Jose Mourinho, who failed to land a trophy with Chelsea last season.
Levski fined
Levski Sofia have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors following crowd trouble in their 3-0 defeat by rivals CSKA last weekend.
The Bulgarian Football Union’s (BFU) disciplinary commission also fined the 26-times champions 23,000 levs ($14,827) after Levski fans broke through fences surrounding the pitch and reached the stadium’s running track.
The BFU, however, has been criticised by the media for failing to impose any sanction on Levski after a snowball hit CSKA coach Stoycho Mladenov.
Mladenov collapsed after being hit by the snowball which forced the referee to halt the game for several minutes.