Sports

Barring last minute hitches, the new leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation will announce the appointment of a new coach for the senior national team, the Super Eagles and the lucky man is no other person than the former U-23 chief coach, Samson Siasia.

After much anticipation, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony opened at 18:40 at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium with all the colour and splendour it promised.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela graced the event, even going onto the pitch with wife, Graca Machel, much to the delight of the many soccer lovers gathered at Soccer City stadium.

he Federation of International Football Association yesterday gave Nigeria until Monday evening to reverse its decision to pull its national team, the Super Eagles out of international competition for two years or face suspension.

Ghana became only the third African side in World Cup history to reach the quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 extra time win over the United States at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg on Saturday.

A stunning footed volley from Asamoah Gyan settled the match for the Black Stars, who staved off extensive pressure to win a major boost for the continent.

Cote d'Ivoire had 27 shots on goal in their victory over North Korea in Nelspruit on Friday, but even if they had buried them all they would not have qualified for the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana lost 1-0 to Germany at Soccer City in their Group D clash at Soccer City on Wednesday, but still became the first, and probably the last, African side into the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The equation for Nigeria is really quite simple. They need to beat South Korea in Durban on Tuesday and hope that Argentina do likewise in their encounter with Greece, sending the Super Eagles through to the second round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cote d'Ivoire became the latest African casualty at the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they were soundly beaten 3-1 by Brazil in their Group G encounter at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

Cameroon are the first side eliminated from the World Cup, their 2-1 loss to Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday condemning them to an early trip home.

Ghana were left frustrated at the end of their World Cup Group D clash on Saturday, managing only a 1-1 draw against the 10 men of Australia.

Australia took the lead through Brett Holman on 11 minutes, but Asamoah Gyan equalised from the penalty spot after Harry Kewell had handled on the line and been sent to the stands.

Nigeria's 2010 FIFA World Cup hopes hang by a thread after a second successive defeat in Group B on Thursday, this time against Greece in Bloemfontein.

Six years in the preparing and making and six days in the crumbling. South Africa’s World Cup fairytale imploded in dramatic fashion at the hands, or rather silky feet, of a Uruguay team on Wednesday, who produced the perfect tactical plan to nullify the home team’s threat.

Cote d'Ivoire put in a thrilling performance but had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Portugal in their 2010 FIFA World Cup Group G clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.

A point is certainly not a bad haul for either side, but as both would expect to beat North Korea in the pool, it means qualification from this group may rest on how they do against Brazil.

Cameroon had the lion’s share of the play against Japan at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Monday but there was nothing indomitable about their play as they suffered a surprise setback in the World Cup.

African football scored a first World Cup success on day three of competition in South Africa as Ghana grabbed a late winner to beat Serbia 1-0 in Pretoria on Sunday.

Asamoah Gyan converted a penalty just six minutes from time for the victory after a needless handball in his own area by the Serbian substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic gave away the spot kick.