Reigning champions Nigeria are on the verge of completing a late charge for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
The West African side failed to win a single one of their opening three Group A matches, casting doubt over whether they would get the chance to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2013.
Nigeria now sit second following victories over Sudan and Congo, but know anything less than a win against the already qualified South Africa on Wednesday could end their hopes of making the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Congo third by virtue of their inferior head-to-head record against Nigeria head to Sudan knowing they must better Nigeria s result.
Group E remains wide open, with all four teams still harbouring dreams of qualification.
…
Giorgio Chiellini said he believes Italy are on the right track as they prepare for their Euro 2012 finals campaign.
The Juventus defender admitted the national team initially struggled after the 2010 World Cup, but is confident that they have since made steps forward.
It has been a gradual growing process. To begin with we struggled a bit because it took a while to shake off the disappointment of our World Cup campaign and we had to turn over a new leaf by introducing a raft of new players, Chiellini told Uefa.com.
But then slowly but surely we began to grow in confidence and believe in ourselves and the new style of football that we were playing. The positive results also helped our cause and gave us the belief that we were on the right track.
Italy…
Massimiliano Allegri believes Juventus home support will aid them in their bid to qualify as UEFA Champions League Group A winners.
The Serie A champions take on Atletico Madrid at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday, with Diego Simeone s side already assured of their progress to the last 16.
Juventus need a point to guarantee their own qualification, but a victory by two or more goals would see them leapfrog Atletico and advance as group winners.
With Juve s strong record at home they are unbeaten at Juventus Stadium in 38 matches, since a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2013 Allegri believes they are well placed to secure top spot.
Our aim is to get through as group winners, he said. It would enable us to face a s…
Joselu scored two late goals on his international debut as Spain opened Euro 2024 qualification with a 3-0 win over Norway at La Rosaleda in Luis de la Fuente s first game in charge.
Spain were by no means impressive, with the Erling Haaland-less visitors wasting several fine opportunities, but Joselu repaid De la Fuente s faith towards the end.
De la Fuente – appointed Luis Enrique s successor after World Cup elimination – named an unfamiliar-looking starting XI yet saw his side take an early lead through Dani Olmo.
They held Norway at bay through some excellent Kepa Arrizabalaga saves and a big miss from Alexander Sorloth, and substitute Joselu punished them with two goals in as many minutes.
It took Spain just 13 minutes to get the first goal of th…