FIFA has appointed Gabonese referee Eric Otogo-Castane to officiate the World Cup qualifier between Algeria and Nigeria. The 41-year-old will be assisted by MM. Aboubacar Doumbouya of Guinea and Seydou Tiama of Burkina Faso, while the fourth referee is Juste Ephrem Zio of Burkina Faso.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola says Lionel Messi is the only footballer currently better than Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne in Europe. The Spaniard, however, said the Belgian must win trophies if he is to be considered one of the world's greatest players and that he has been in top form this season.  Asked whether De Bruyne could become the best player in the world, Guardiola told a news conference: "The best is just one.