Elephants and Lions join Super Eagles in Brazil

The 2014 World Cup continues to take shape, with more nations booking their places in the tournament next summer.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast secured their spot in Brazil with a two-legged victory over Cameroon on Saturday, as Salomon Kalou killed off the challenge from Senegal in stoppage time of the second leg.

And on Sunday, Cameroon's Indomitable Lions thrashed Tunisia after a goalless draw in the first leg to ensure Samuel Eto'o and Co. will be heading to South America.

Both sides will be joining the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who edged past Ethiopia, with the likes of Sweden and Portugal still battling it out for a place at the World Cup.

Monday, November 18, 2013 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Super Eagles book World Cup spot

Nigeria are one of the latest teams to have booked their place at next summer's World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia on Saturday.

The Super Eagles secured their spot in Brazil thanks to Victor Moses' penalty and Victor Obinna's late free-kick.

Stephen Keshi's men will also be joined by Ivory Coast, who eased to a 4-1 aggregate victory over Senegal.

Sunday, November 17, 2013 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Zozulya plucks France feathers

Roman Zozulya and his mates conqured France on the final European round of the World Cup qualifications. Ukraine beated France 2-0 to make things harder for the French team to qualify.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Ronaldo lands crucial blow in Ibrahimovic battle

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the first crucial blow in the battle between Portugal and Sweden for a place in the 2014 World Cup.

Much of the talk prior to the game surrounded which of football's superstars in Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic would come out on top.

And it proved to be the Real Madrid star, who scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute, and he might have had a second but was denied by the woodwork.

Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, cut a peripheral figure in Lisbon and was unable to influence the game in his own inimitable style.

There is still plenty of time for the Paris Saint-Germain man to strike back however, with the second leg on home soil for the Swede.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 12:45

Tweet Follow @omomani

Round One: Zlatan & Ronaldo fight for World Cup place

They are two of the biggest stars in world football, but only one can go to the 2014 World Cup - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head to head for a trip to Brazil next summer.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker and Real Madrid giant are expected to line up for Sweden and Portugal respectively in Lisbon on Friday night in the first game of a two-legged qualifier.

And while both coaches - Paulo Bento and Erik Hamren - have insisted there is more to the clash than just Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo, they have also conceded the pair are potential match winners.

Can either land a crucial blow in the first leg ahead of the return tie in Sweden?

Friday, November 15, 2013 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

Moyes left to balance Manchester United injuries

David Moyes has been given little time to enjoy Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Scot saw Robin van Persie pull out of the Netherlands' friendlies against Japan and Colombia due to ongoing problems with his toe and groin.

Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, have also been forced to withdraw from international duty with England, who face Chile and Germany over the coming days,

The trio of injuries could leave Moyes balancing his options at Manchester United after the international period and hoping their good form in recent games does not fall apart.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 08:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Bale declares admiration for Ronaldo

Gareth Bale has never kept his appreciation for Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo a secret.

Even prior to his move to the Bernabeu, the former Tottenham man indicated his preference for the Portugal star over Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

And having witnessed Ronaldo's quality first hand in Madrid, the Welshman has again declared his admiration for the 28-year-old.

"Cristiano is incredible, he scores hat-tricks every week," Bale told Real Madrid TV. "It's a pleasure to play with him."

But Bale has ambitions to continue to improve despite a promising start in Spain following his recovery from injury.

"The best is yet to come," he stated. "I've just finished my preseason and I can still give more.

"Now I'll be able to score more goals and help the team achieve success.

"It was just a matter of time until I got to 100 per cent. Now everyone is seeing what I can do. I need to keep working and hopefully there will be more goals."

Thursday, November 14, 2013 11:35

Tweet Follow @omomani

Ballon d'Or rivals tend to injured Messi

Barcelona may have been left reeling by the news that Lionel Messi could be out of action for eight weeks with a hamstring tear.

But with the announcement of the winner of the Ballon d'Or just around the corner, the injury may be considered something of a blessing for some of the game's biggest stars.

Messi - who won last year's award - is likely to be included in the three-man shortlist for the accolade to be announced in December.

However, the extended absence of the Argentina international could allow the likes of Franck Ribery, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to steal a march on the Barcelona superstar.

Tuesday, 12 November 2013 11:15

Tweet Follow @omomani

Virus hits Arsenal to leave Wenger sick as a parrot

Arsenal's plans to overturn Manchester United at Old Trafford and extend their lead over their rivals to 11 points were scuppered on Sunday as the effects of a virus in their camp took their toll.

Tomas Rosicky and key defender Per Mertesacker were ruled out of the crunch match due to the illness and United ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from former Gunner Robin van Persie.

Poor Arsene Wenger must have been feeling sick as a parrot after letting David Moyes win the first of their managerial battles across the historic rivalry.

Monday, 11 November 2013 07:36

Tweet Follow @omomani

Shadow of Sir Alex looms as Moyes and Wenger face off at Old Trafford

Sunday sees a mouth-watering game take place in the Premier League as league leaders Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on reigning champions Manchester United.

The Gunners go into the game eight points clear of David Moyes’ men but have failed to beat the Red Devils in the Premier League on their own turf since 2002.

However, the hosts have begun the defence of their title in far from convincing fashion under new manager Moyes who knows that another defeat will leave his side a whopping 11 points behind the Gunners.

Sunday, 10 November 2013 07:43

Tweet Follow @omomani