Football

Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel admits his side have to improve quickly if they are to make an impact at the World Cup. The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to England in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday. Nigeria were punished for a dismal first half display as goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane put England in control.

Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup has been passed by FIFA and will be allowed to proceed to a vote runoff against the North American bid on June 13, a bid official told AFP Friday. “The Moroccan bid has been accepted,” Moncef Belkhayat, a former sports minister who sits on the committee, said after the bid passed further scrutiny from football’s world governing body.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has assured that the lack of goals in the Super Eagles will be resolved before the start of the World Cup in Russia.

The Super Eagles have scored only two goals in their last three friendlies against Poland, Serbia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has released the final list of 23 players who will play at the FIFA Russia 2018 World Cup, which begins in June 14. The 23-man squad that will travel to Russia with Alex Iwobi and Chidozie Awaziem making the cut. 18 debutants join John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses in the list that was released after the Super Eagles bowed 2-1 to England at Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has put the club's stadium plans on hold after delays to the renewal of his UK visa. The redeveloped Stamford Bridge will be Europe's most expensive stadium at £1bn. The estimated cost for a new 60,000 seat Stamford Bridge has increased to £1bn after delays, which included a dispute with a local family.

Former Brazil coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira will head the FIFA Technical Study Group for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia according to a report on FIFA.com.

The FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) which has been present at every FIFA World Cup since 1966 is saddled with the responsibility of analysing the matches of FIFA’s flagship event and evaluate statistical data using the latest technologies also has former Super Eagles left-winger, Emmanuel Amuneke as a member.