Phil Foden set to START for England tonight with Marcus Rashford

Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford are in line to start in England’s final World Cup group game against Wales tonight.
As reported by Sportsmail last night, Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson are also set to play as Gareth Southgate prepares to stick with a back-four for the clash here in Doha.

Jude Bellingham is expected to keep his place in midfield alongside Henderson and Declan Rice.

Behind the scenes, Southgate has made clear to his players that any omissions from the starting XI should be viewed as rotation rather than anything more concrete.

The England staff have told their players that they intend to use the depths of the squad to combat the quick turnaround in matches and the stifling conditions here in Qatar.

Southgate does not want his players to be downhearted if they are not named in the starting XI or lose their place and has made this point to his players.

Kieran Trippier could also be rested, with Walker set to play at right-back alongside Harry Maguire, John Stones and Luke Shaw.

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Lionel Messi Is World’s ‘Best’ Player, Beating Ronaldo And Van Dijk For 2019 FIFA FIFPro Men’s Award

The 2019 FIFA FIFPro Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year were announced at a gala celebration held at the Teatro all Scala in Milan on Monday evening.

Lionel Messi beat off competition from Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk to take the Men’s award. The FIFA Awards became a stand-alone event in 2016 and Cristiano Ronaldo took home the first two trophies. Last year the winner was Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric.

Messi won the World’s Player of the Year award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 when it was presented jointly as the FIFA/Ballon d’Or.

A separate award again, the Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in Paris on December 2 and it looks like a battle between Messi and UEFA Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk.

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Man Utd sack Jose Mourinho: Red Devils part way with manager

Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho as manager after two and a half years in charge. The Portuguese, 55, won the League Cup and the Europa League at Old Trafford.

But United are sixth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool, who beat them 3-1 on Sunday.

"A caretaker-manager will be appointed until the end of the season while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager," United said in a statement.

"The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future."

United's haul of 26 points after their first 17 Premier League games, is their worst tally in the top flight at this stage since 1990-91.

They are 11 points off the top four and closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table.

Mourinho's sacking comes after a fall-out with £89m record signing Paul Pogba, who was an unused substitute for the defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

And it continues his run of never completing four consecutive seasons in charge of a club.

Only once has he made it into a fourth campaign, but he left Chelsea on 17 December 2015 during his second spell at Stamford Bridge.

More to follow...

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Higuain not bitter despite Juventus trading up with Ronaldo

AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain said on Thursday he was not bitter despite being “kicked out” by Juventus after superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival last summer.

Juventus signed Higuain from Napoli for 90 million euros ($103 million) in 2016, but after the surprise arrival of Ronaldo from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($115m) this summer, the Italian giants could not afford to keep the Argentine.

Higuain — loaned to AC Milan with a 36-million-euro option to buy — said he knew something was afoot when he was left on the bench for the Italian Cup final against AC Milan in May.

“That day, I had the feeling inside me that maybe something had broken down. And then they signed Ronaldo,” Higuain said in an interview with Gazzetto dello Sport.

“The decision to leave was not mine. I gave everything for Juventus, I won several titles, after which Cristiano arrived.

“The club wanted to make a leap in quality and they told me that I could not stay and that they were trying to find a solution. The best solution was Milan.”

But Higuain said that he felt no thoughts of revenge against his old club where he won two Serie A and Italian Cup trophies.

“No, not at all. I only feel affection because they treated me very well,” said the 30-year-old.

“My teammates and the fans treated me really well, but I never asked to leave. Basically, as everyone says, they kicked me out.

“I immediately felt great love from Milan and they convinced me.”

Higuain — who will take part in his first derby against city rivals Inter Milan on Sunday — has scored four goals for Milan to bring his tally to 115 since his arrival in Serie A in 2013 from Real Madrid.

“Milan have given me something more after a World Cup which wasn’t great,” he said.

“I’ve found what I was looking for.”

Higuain joined Napoli in 2013 after six years with Real Madrid where he won three La Liga titles.

But he blamed Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis for leaving the club on bad terms.

“(Ezequiel) Lavezzi left on bad terms, (Edinson) Cavani the same. With (coach Maurizio) Sarri on the bench he was already contacting another coach.

“Everyone has had problems with him and people insult others. I have nothing negative to say about the Napoli fans, those were three beautiful years.

“They loved me and now they hate me. One day I’ll say what I think, but right now I can’t.”

- AFP

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Stoke chairman hopeful of new Crouch contract

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has revealed that he wants Peter Crouch to extend his stay at the club.

Peter Crouch has less than a year remaining on his current deal, but the 36-year-old has maintained his standing at the club with three goals in the Premier League this season, despite not starting a single top-flight fixture.

Coates told the Stoke Sentinel: “Peter knows we value his contribution to the football club, not just on the field, but off it too.

“We hope to be able to sort things out to suit both parties. We are aware of the situation (with his contract). We have a good relationship with him and we would like him to continue his career with us.”

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John Terry praises his bikini-clad wife Toni as she shows off her ample assets

She has been married to John Terry for ten years.  So it was no surprise the footballer, 36, was missing his wife Toni, as he took to Instagram on Tuesday to fawn over her.

The fitness enthusiast displayed the fruits of her labour in a sensational bikini-clad snap as she continued her envy-inducing getaway in Dubai with their eleven-year-old twins, Georgie John and Summer Rose.

The gym bunny showed off her rock hard abs in a skimpy patterned two-piece as she lined the shores of Dubai.

Her tiny bikini top just about contained her ample assets, while the matching bottoms put focus on her flat stomach and toned legs.

With her locks piled into a bun and a pair of shades on, Toni looked in her element as she topped up her golden glow.

'Missing this one @toniterri26 and my babies @georgie26terry and @sum26terry ❤️☀️,' the Aston Villa player captioned the snap.  See photo below

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Anthony Joshua refuses to rule out Fury bout

Anthony Joshua has refused to rule out the prospect of a world heavyweight title clash with British rival Tyson Fury despite the former champion’s travails.

Fury has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBA and WBO titles in December 2015 after being handed a drugs ban and then being stripped of his licence by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC).

Earlier this month, the 29-year-old Fury said he would not reapply to the BBBoC for the right to fight again, further reducing the chances of a return.

But Joshua, who defends his IBF and WBA titles against late replacement Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday, has left the door open to a fight with Fury.

“What was his (Fury’s) fighting weight — 18 stone (114 kilograms)? Even if he comes back at 22 stone, (George) Foreman came back bigger when he was in his prime,” Joshua said.

“If he wants to fight and gets his licence at 30 or 40 stone — if he wants to get in the ring and he shows he can move about and control that weight, people will watch him.

“But if he comes back at that weight and he’s getting into trouble against journeymen, then people won’t be interested. So it’s how he performs at his new weight.”

Joshua is aiming to unify the heavyweight titles.

A fight with WBO champion Joseph Parker – who beat Fury’s cousin Hughie in Manchester last month – is set for early next year, as well as a WBA mandatory bout before a prospective clash with reigning WBC king Deontay Wilder.

Joshua shook up the sport with the manner of his win over Klitschko and his promoter Eddie Hearn stressed his charge would not accept unreasonable demands for the sake of unifying the belts.

Hearn said: “We wouldn’t be held to ransom for a belt. (Kubrat) Pulev or Takam are fine for his defence of the title after Klitschko, but if it was someone like (Fres) Oquendo, we could say, ‘no-one wants to watch that fight’.

“The aim is to fight three times next year — ideally in March, April or summer then December. In a perfect world, two of the three fights would be for the additional belts — in any order.”

- AFP

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Cristiano Ronaldo & Junior share joy with Twins

Cristiano Ronaldo was seen in a tweet with Junior holding and smiling with the Twins. See the tweet below. 

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Diego Costa admits he does not enjoy living in London

Chelsea striker, Diego Costa has admitted he is unhappy living in London. The Spain international, whose future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain, said: “I am happy at Chelsea, I am not necessarily saying that I am happy with my life in London. But that is something totally different. It has nothing to do with it.”

Costa has scored 17 Premier League goals this season, but has failed to find the net in their last five matches.

He was the subject of interest from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian during the January transfer window. The CSL outfit were ready to pay him up to£600,000-a-week. They are expected to return this summer, as Costa dithers over a new Chelsea deal.

“I have another two years on my contract. I am always very honest with those close to me. I tell them that I am very happy at Chelsea.

“The club gives me a lot, the fans, the team-mates. I am in a team that is winning and that motivates me even more.

“Last season was not the best, not just for me but for other players and for Chelsea. This year I hope will be different, that we win titles.

“If you are in a team that is winning, you always want to stay, for the allotted amount of time,” Costa added.

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Maradona cost twice as much as Ronaldo, claims former Napoli president Ferlaino

The Argentine moved to Italy from Barcelona for a world record transfer fee considered to be worth more than the current value of Real Madrid's star

Former Napoli president Corrado Ferlaino claims Diego Maradona cost the club “double what Cristiano Ronaldo would cost today” after the star joined from Barcelona in 1984.

The Serie A outfit splashed out a then-world record transfer fee of £5 million to acquire the mercurial Argentine, who had previously broken the same record when arriving at Camp Nou. Maradona would provide the inspiration for a remarkable era of success in Naples, as two Italian league titles and the UEFA Cup were captured.

He would also lead Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, with his legacy as one of the all-time greats firmly cemented. Many, though, had raised their eyebrows when Napoli spent big on luring him away from Catalonia.

Ferlaino insists he always knew what he was getting and believes the deal required to land Maradona would eclipse any transfer involving the global superstars of today, such as Real Madrid talisman Ronaldo.

He told AS: "He cost double what Cristiano would cost today.

"The intellectuals criticised me - they said Napoli was a poor city and it was immoral. But it was my money, and I wanted to spend it that way.

"When I signed the contract in Barcelona, I went to a bar and ordered a whisky on the rocks.

"The waiter said to me: 'Are you Italian? What a great deal we're getting out of this with Maradona - he's fat.' I didn't enjoy that drink at all."

Comparisons to the iconic Maradona are drawn every time a fresh face bursts onto the scene, with Ronaldo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi competing for their own place in the history books.

Ferlaino feels it would be wrong to put the Portuguese in the same bracket as Maradona, but admits Messi still has work to do if he is to enjoy a standing alongside his illustrious countryman in the years to come.

He added: "A comparison with Cristiano makes no sense as they play in different positions.

"Messi though, plays in a very strong Argentina team and does not win anything, while Maradona had some pretty bad players alongside him and won a World Cup. So..."

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Jose Mourinho provides transfer update after intense Antoine Griezmann speculation

Jose Mourinho insists it is too early to discuss summer transfers, although the Manchester United boss stated he will not waste his time on ‘impossible targets’.

The Red Devils are expected to enjoy another productive window at the end of the season, with a host of names linked with moves to Old Trafford. Antoine Griezmann is a long-term target for United and reports from last month suggested the club were edging closer to sealing his signature in a potentially record-breaking deal.

But Mourinho said it is too soon to be talking about the transfer window, while reiterating he will be realistic about potential incomings.

‘To be speaking about the transfer window when we are on the third of February makes no sense at all,’ Mourinho said ahead of the trip to Leicester City on Sunday.

‘The transfer window opens in the summer and until the summer I have nothing to tell you. The only thing I can repeat is what I told you in the last day of January. I know what I want.

‘I have worked with my players for about seven months or so. I know them better now than six or seven months ago. As for what I think we need, I’m very realistic. I know what are the impossible targets.’

Mourinho added: ‘I don’t like my club to participate in impossible deals, it’s a waste of time, it’s a gift to these impossible players and to their agents to have a club like Manchester United interested in them, it just helps them to improve their own situation but it’s not good for us at all. So I’m very realistic.

-Metro

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Roger Federer: The world's most marketable athlete

Roger Federer topped the list with £50m of off-court earnings last year and Rory McIlroy was the top placed Brit with £29m of sponsorship earnings helping him claim sixth spot, according to researchers at the London School of Marketing.

The Sports Marketing Power List placed American basketball player LeBron James in second with endorsements of £44m last year, and US golfer Phil Mickelson was third after taking home £41m in marketing deals.

Tennis players Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were the only two female athletes to break into the top 30, with them both earning £16.4m.

The three sports that are most dependent on endorsements are cricket (with 81% of earnings coming from sponsors), tennis (78%) and golf (75%).

Jacques de Cock, faculty member at London School of Marketing said: "The top 100 athletes earned a total of £2.6bn last year. The sponsorship revenues are driven upwards mainly by the competition of major clothing brands.

"Despite Roger Federer’s slow year in terms of success in his sport, his successful endorsement deals show that personal characteristics can also be an important part of long-lasting sponsorships."

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Photos: C. Ronaldo meets fan who woke up from coma after hearing goal commentary of Real Madrid star

Cristiano Ronaldo greeted Polish fan David Pawlaczyc at Real Madrid 's hotel in Warsaw after commentary of one of the Portuguese's goals woke the youngster from a coma. Pawlaczyc was in a coma for three months after a car knocked him off his bicycle in August 2013.

Ronaldo subsequently invited the youngster to one of his VIP boxes at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014 for Los Merengues' Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

And with Real Madrid drawing Legia in the group stage, the Pole has made a six-hour drive from his home town to the capital with his family in order to fulfil his dream of meeting his hero.

Ronaldo posed for photos ahead of the European champions' group stage match at the Pepsi Arena on Wednesday. The Balon d'Or front-runner failed to register in the first game between the sides as Zinedine Zidane's side ran out 5-1 winners.

But Ronaldo will hope to add to his two goals in this season's competition with one of his biggest fans watching. Photos below....

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Guardiola critics are jealous – Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes former teammate Pep Guardiola will succeed at Manchester City and that criticism of his methods are borne out of jealousy.

Guardiola is in the midst of the worst run of results in his managerial career having not won in six games, including a 4-0 thrashing by Luis Enrique’s men on his return to Barcelona last week.

“To the critics of Guardiola it is very easy — don’t worry because he will win for sure,” Luis Enrique said on Friday.

Guardiola’s City still top the Premier League on goal difference thanks to a 10-game winning run to start his reign in English football.

However, on top of their Champions League struggles, City were also dumped out of the League Cup by Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Wednesday.

“There is no doubt he will win titles this year and do it playing the same football as the start of the season,” continued the current Barca boss.

“The critics have to appear because there is nothing worse than watching someone always win. This always generates a lot of jealousy.

“Pep will continue winning and with the arms he considers best, which is playing good football.”

Guardiola, who won 14 trophies in charge of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, and Luis Enrique go head-to-head once more when Barca travel to Manchester on Tuesday.

However, the Spanish champions first host La Liga’s bottom side Granada at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Barca have been ravaged by injuries in recent weeks with Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba set to miss the trip to City.

Yet, Luis Enrique insists there are no excuses as Barca look to remain hot on the heels of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

“I don’t see any problem with the squad that we have,” he added.

“We can win the upcoming games, which is the objective. Looking for excuses is not how we do things.”

AFP

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Joel Obi set to return to action – Torino boss, Mihajlovic

Gaffer of Italian side, Torino, Sinisa Mihajlovic, has revealed that Nigeria midfielder, Joel Obi is set to return to action after returning to training this week. Obi, a former Inter Milan player has been out of actions for the past few weeks after sustaining an injury during Torino’s 3-1 home win against AS Roma early last month.

Torino, who are in fine form this season, will face Palermo in a league clash on Monday,and Mihajlovic is optimistic that Obi, who has made five appearances for the club this current campaign could be part of the squad for the game.

The manager told Calciomercato, “Improvements have been recorded in the conditions of Joel Obi and Giuseppe ViVe’s.”

“They continued to play today and trained separately but could both be available for the trip to Palermo on Monday.

“Even if they don’t start, they could sit on the bench.”

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Messi returns as Barca seek Deportivo scalp

Argentina’s pain is Barcelona’s gain as Lionel Messi returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna visit the Camp Nou on Saturday after being sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury.

Messi missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay as La Albiceleste’s struggles without the five-time World Player of the Year continued, putting at risk their place at the 2018 World Cup.

However, international breaks have traditionally caused Barca trouble too with lethargic performances on their return to La Liga action coming to be known as the “FIFA virus.”

Barca boss Luis Enrique paid a heavy price for leaving Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench for a shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves after September’s international break.

“It is a different game for us having had so few days with the team together to prepare,” Enrique said on Friday.

“It is not an excuse because it happens to all big teams, but it is something that conditions the game and when you have had the result like the Alaves one, it means you prepare the game with even more emphasis.”

With a blockbuster Champions League clash against former Barca coach Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to come on Wednesday, Enrique could be tempted to roll the dice with his selection once more.

However, with Barca trailing Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid by two points at the top following a 4-3 defeat to Celta Vigo last time out, Enrique insists Deportivo have to be Barca’s priority.

“We want to cut the gap and the only way to do that is to win our matches,” he added.

“The precedent is there and the players know how difficult and special it is to only have two days to prepare for a game. To think of any other match is an error.”

Messi is expected to be eased back into action as a second-half substitute. Meanwhile, Suarez could make way for Paco Alcacer having played twice for Uruguay in the past week.

Neymar will definitely start as he returned to the Catalan capital early due to his suspension for Brazil’s 2-0 win at Venezuela on Tuesday.

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Mourinho, Guardiola to face off in League Cup

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was handed a speedy reunion with Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in Wednesday’s English League Cup fourth-round draw.

Guardiola’s City won 2-1 when he reprised his rivalry with Mourinho earlier this month and they will meet again at Old Trafford in late October when a place in the League Cup quarter-finals will be at stake.

“I think it’s good for us,” United midfielder Ander Herrera, a scorer in their 3-1 win at third-tier Northampton Town, told MUTV.

“We can show again what we want to do. We were very disappointed (to lose to City) because it was in front of our fans and now we have another chance to play against them.

“I’m sure it will be different.”

Holders and Premier League leaders City booked their place in the last 16 with a 2-1 win at Swansea City. Mourinho and Guardiola fought an intense rivalry during their time as managers of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively between 2010 and 2012.

They had gone three years without playing each other prior to City’s derby win on September 10. In the round’s other stand-out ties, Tottenham Hotspur were handed a trip to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, while Chelsea were drawn to face London rivals West Ham United.

Sunderland will visit Southampton in the remaining all-Premier League tie. English League Cup fourth-round draw made on Wednesday (ties to be played October 25-26):

West Ham United v Chelsea

Manchester United v Manchester City

Arsenal v Reading

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Bristol City v Hull City

Leeds United v Norwich City

Newcastle United v Preston North End

Southampton v Sunderland

-AFP

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African legend Yaya Toure retires from international football

Four-time African footballer of the year Yaya Toure of the Ivory Coast announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday. The 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder — capped 113 times — said it had been an incredibly difficult decision.

“Writing this note was probably ‘the most difficult match of my life’,” wrote Toure.

“After 14 years at the highest level, I’m sure this is the right time for me! The fact that I am 33 now, the intensity of training and the multitude of games are not the reasons why I am making this decision.”

Toure, part of the golden generation of Ivory Coast players such as Didier Drogba, his brother Kolo Toure and Gervinho, said for all his success at club level, including a Champions League with Barcelona in 2009, it was finally winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 — their first since 1992 — that remained his most precious memory.

Toure, who made his Ivory Coast debut in 2004, captained the victorious ‘Elephants’ side having replaced Drogba as skipper when the latter finally called it a day at international level after the 2014 World Cup.

“I would like to say solemnly that I am stopping!!!” said Toure.

“It’s true that I had several titles at clubs, national cups, league trophies.

“I played in Belgium, Ukraine, Greece, France and in Spain where I was able to win the prestigious Champions League with Barca in 2009 and also in England, where I continue to play.

“With the Elephants, it was even more special. I learned to win for my country. That’s why I will always retain the pride in having achieved four African Golden Balls for the Ivory Coast.”

- AFP

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Man dies of cancer 45 minutes after fulfilling final wish of meeting Man United players

There was just one thing Man United super fan Paddy Lawler wanted before he died. To meet his heroes. It was a long shot, but after an impassioned appeal on Facebook by his granddaughter Kayleigh, 73-year-old Paddy’s dream came true.

On Tuesday, some of United’s top stars, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Timothy Fosu-Mensah paid him a visit.

Less than an hour after the players left, Paddy passed away from prostate cancer. His wife, Eunice, 71, told the Sun: ‘They were such nice young men to go to that trouble and it is a huge comfort to us to know he died happy.’

Kayleigh, 27, had put up the post on Facebook on Sunday in the hope someone would help make her granddad’s dream come true.

She wrote: ‘Please can everyone share I’m trying to get a few of Manchester United players to come and visit my granddad we asked him the other day if he would like to do anything before his time comes and he said to meet the team I’ve emailed the Mufc foundation but no reply yet!’

‘And not sure how long we have left with him so I want to get this as a surprise he’s a MASSIVE fan even tried his hardest to keep his eyes open yesterday to watch the match but sadly he missed it!

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Mikel Obi is a natural leader – Rohr hails Super Eagles captain

New Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has said he is satisfied with the attitude of captain Mikel John Obi, since he started working with him. The German hailed the Chelsea midfielder as a natural leader and made it clear he will remain the team’s skipper.

“Mikel is a natural leader,” Rohr said.

“His experience and leadership is exceptional. I saw him play at the Olympics and I’m sure I want him to continue as my captain. He spoke with me on the phone and he’s here again when he should be resting from the rigours of the Olympics.”

Rohr officially takes charge of the Eagles this weekend, when they play Tanzania in their final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

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