Spurs must give Pochettino time - Klinsmann

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Juergen Klinsmann has urged the club to give manager Mauricio Pochettino time to implement his philosophy.

United States coach Klinsmann pointed to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United who reaped the rewards of giving managers Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson time in the job.

"I really hope (Pochettino is given time). There's no reason to change anything," Klinsmann, in London for his US team's friendly against Colombia at Craven Cottage on Friday, said.

"You look at the big clubs around the world, not just in Europe, the clubs that stick to a certain way, they give the coaches time to develop things the way they want it and they build consistency," he told the BBC.

Argentine Pochettino has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks after a series of lacklustre and toothless Spurs performances.

Since arriving at White Hart Lane in May, Pochettino, who guided unfancied Southampton to a brilliant eight-placed finish last season, has struggled to replicate those managerial feats.

Spurs sit 12th in the table after 11 games, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea, having lost three of their last four matches.

They are six points worse off at this stage of the campaign compared to last season and only waited until mid-December last year before parting company with then manager Andre Villas-Boas.

"It's normal that you go through up and downs when the new coaching staff comes in," Klinsmann said.

"It will take time to mould things the way Mauricio wants it to happen. Therefore you have a little bit of a rollercoaster.

"You need to stay calm, take it one step at a time and make the changes you need to make and then things will go in the right direction. But it's not going to happen overnight."

Widely-criticised chairman Daniel Levy has made Pochettino his third manager in under a year after Villas-Boas and predecessor Tim Sherwood and Klinsmann urged him to exercise more patience with the 42-year-old.

"If you have only four or six months you're not making that big difference. Arsene Wenger is (at Arsenal) for many years so you can only make that difference over a long period of time which he did.

"Look at Alex Ferguson, how much did he win in the first three or four years? Not much. But then he brought the consistency to what Manchester United is today. That's the way it works."

Rooney is an England great - Hodgson

Wayne Rooney deserves to be thought of as an England great, national team manager Roy Hodgson said on Friday.

The Manchester United striker is set to win his 100th cap against Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday, adding his name to an elite group of eight other players who have made a century of England appearances.

Yet the milestone has been accompanied by debate in British media about whether the forward, who has frequently struggled to produce his best form in major tournaments, can be bracketed among England's best.

"It is very difficult to summarise in just a few words what makes someone such a great England player that they can amass 100 caps," Hodgson told a news conference on Friday.

"It is ability but also mental strength and the ability to pick yourself up sometimes when you come under scrutiny and, secondly, an enormous passion to play for your country.

"They take the criticism and the scrutiny, they show the mental strength to come back stronger than ever.

"Any player that has played 100 times for England deserves the label 'great'," he added.

GREAT HONOUR

Rooney began his international career in 2003 and now sits six goals off Bobby Charlton's all-time England scoring record of 49 goals.

Yet after failing to score in a major tournament between Euro 2004 and a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Euro 2012, he developed a reputation for flattering to deceive on the big occasions.

Sitting alongside his manager, the striker said he has had to take the rough with the smooth, but still hoped to make an impact on the international stage.

"There have been some good and bad moments," he said. "It is something I have really enjoyed. It is always a great honour to play for England and something I want to continue doing for many more years.

"The goal is to win trophies but to join the group of players who have won 100 caps is something I'm very proud of.

"I think I can achieve plenty more," he added.

"It is just about trying to do what I can to help get the team the points on the day. If records come as well, then great. I hope I can do it (beat the England scoring record) but it is not something that is on my mind at the moment."

England are top of Group E with a maximum nine points.

Baines out of England squad with injury

England have only one fit left-back for Saturday's 2016 European Championship qualifier at home to Slovenia after the Football Association announced Leighton Baines's withdrawal due to injury on Friday.

The Everton full-back succumbed to a hamstring injury in training and follows Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend in pulling out of manager Roy Hodgson's squad.

Hodgson's decision to rest Luke Shaw for Saturday's game means that Kieran Gibbs will be England's only available left-back at Wembley, but Shaw will return to contention for Tuesday's friendly with Scotland in Glasgow.

"We'd had the warm-up, we'd had the passing work and were just about to go into a game situation, which had only just begun when he (Baines) felt his hamstring," Hodgson told a press conference at the England team hotel in Watford.

"Immediately he needed to stop the training because he's an experienced player and obviously realised something wasn't right.

"I can't tell you the extent. We will have to wait until the doctors at Everton do their analysis or their research into the injury, but it did mean he was out of the question for tomorrow (Saturday)."

Explaining his decision to omit United left-back Shaw from the squad to face Slovenia, Hodgson added: "Kieran Gibbs is the one to come in as unfortunately we had given our squad at 11 o'clock (1100 GMT), as we are duty-bound to do, to Uefa.

"Because there were three left backs, I left him (Shaw) out of the 23 as we had 24 players at the time. As it turns out, now we can't use him."

Arsenal defender Gibbs was not included in Hodgson's squad for this year's World Cup in Brazil but has worked his way back into international contention after impressing for his club this season.

He has won four England caps, but only made his first competitive start in last month's 5-0 thrashing of minnows San Marino.

Hodgson had expressed concerns about the state of the Wembley playing surface after it hosted an American football game last weekend, but he said that assistant coach Gary Neville had reassured him about the condition of the pitch.

"Gary has been to see the pitch, so we have a pretty clear update of how it is," he said.

"I've got to say his update was perhaps not as critical as some of the other reports I've read, but as far as I'm concerned, we're ready for the game and we will be ready for the game on whatever surface we play it."

England are bidding to continue their 100 percent record in qualifying, having won their three Group E matches to date.

West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing missed training on Friday, but he is expected to be fit for the game.

Morocco barred from next two Afcons

Morocco will be barred from the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as punishment for refusing to host the 2015 edition in January-February, the Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou said on Saturday.

"We are going to stick to the rules, that means elimination from the next two Nations Cups," Hayatou told France's L'Equipe sports daily.

"On top of that there will be the financial and moral damages to calculate."

Morocco are facing a $20 million fine for refusing to host the 2015 Cup in its scheduled January 17-February 8 slot over fears of the spread of the deadly Ebola epidemic to the popular tourist destination, Morocco's Le Matin newspaper suggested this week.

The north African state had called for the Cup to be postponed, but organisers CAF rejected their request, stripping them of their position as hosts and barring them from playing in the continental showcase.

Oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, which co-hosted the 2012 edition with Gabon, were named as Morocco's replacement as hosts for the troubled 2015 tournament on Friday.

Aside from the former Spanish colony in west Africa who now qualify automatically, three countries are assured of their place in the troubled 2015 Cup - Tunisia, Algeria and Cape Verde Islands.

There are 12 qualifiers scheduled for Saturday with defending champions Nigeria needing a victory in Congo Brazzaville to have a realistic chance of qualifying.

Ngambi, Kanyenda help Malawi sink Mali

Malawi played themselves back into contention to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations after a brave 2-0 win over Mali at the Kamuzo Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles looked lackluster on the day and simply had no answer for Malawi’s pace, purpose and energy, the home side also boosted by some magnificent support from the stands throughout the 90 minutes.

The west Africans looked sluggish in the first half, at least in comparison to the sprightly Malawian players, who overran their more illustrious opponents in the opening stanza.

Mali were on the backfoot throughout the opening half and Malawi could have been at least a goal to the good if they had been able to make better use of their chances.

The first real opportunity came on 15 minutes, when Robert Ng’ambi forced Mali keeper Oumar Sissoko into making an excellent reflex save to keep out his angled drive which was arrowing towards the corner of the net.

Soon after that, the lively Joseph Kamwendo, who was making things happen for his side, sent a left-footed drive swerving just wide of goal.

With the home fans now in full voice behind their team, the Flames continued to dominate the game as more chances followed.

But they could not find the back of the net as Kamwendo and then Essau Kanyenda had shots saved by Sissoko, while Ng’ambi sent a first-time volley just wide of the target.

Kanyenda had a couple of near-misses with two successive headers before Ng’ambi missed the best chance of the first half when he volleyed over the bar from right in front of goal after being played in by Kanyenda’s clever chested pass on 43 minutes.

The home side continued to enjoy the upper-hand as the game moved into the second half, with Ng’ambi having two half chances before Fisher Kondowe spurned a guilt-edged opportunity by heading badly wide of goal from just eight yards out.

With 55 minutes gone, Mali finally had their first decent opportunity of the game when Bakary Sako had a free header in the box, but his effort looped just wide of goal with Malawi keeper McDonald Harawa left rooted to the spot.

The Flames were finally rewarded for their endeavors when they took a 65th minute lead after Ng’ambi’s shot deflected off his captain Kamwendo and looped over Sissoko and into the net.

Kamwendo came close to doubling the lead seven minute later, but his free kick was well saved by Sissoko.

The win was sealed in the 86th minute when Kanyenda was rewarded for his hard work with a headed goal after a cross from the right.

The result leaves both the Flames and the Eagles on six points in Group B. Algeria (14 points) and Ethiopia (three points), meet later this evening.

Kabugo goal sinks Ghana in qualifier

Defender Savio Kabugo scored the lone goal for Uganda Cranes to beat Ghana 1-0 in a crucial 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

The win improved Uganda’s chances of qualifying for the event after missing out since 1978.

Cheered on by the home fans the Cranes netted Kabugo scored early in the 10th minute. The SC Victoria University defender nodded in a well taken Mike Sserunkuma corner kick.

In the absence of injured skipper Asamoah Gyan, the Black Stars who took part in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil lacked a lead player who could plan for the team.

Stand in skipper for the Ghana team Andrew Ayew and Christian Atsu failed to go past the Ugandan defenders and were substituted by coach Maxwell KoKonadu.

The visitors who lead still lead Group E with eight points tried to fight back in the second half, but the home side stood firm.

Uganda now moved to seven points before they travel to face Guinea next week in Casablanca, Morocco.

The Cranes who last qualified for Afcon in 1978 had five players booked. Skipper Andrew Mwesigwa, Juniors Yunus ssentamu, Brian Majwega, Isaac Isinde and Daniel Sserunkuma were all booked.

In their first leg clash in Kumasi, Uganda held Ghana to a 1-1 draw.

Cameroon sink DRC to qualify for Afcon

A 1-0 win for Cameroon in their Group D, African Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo on Saturday guaranteed them a place in the tournament proper next year.

A 71st minute goal from Vincent Aboubakar was the difference between the sides and sees them uncatchable at the top of their qualifying group.

The win sees Cameroon on 13 points from five games, four points clear of second placed Cote d’Ivoire who beat Sierra Leone 5-1 on Friday night.

DR Congo are now third in Group D with six points, three behind Cote d’Ivoire and will hope Cameroon do them a favour by beating the Ivoirians this coming Wednesday.

If Cameroon beat Cote d’Ivoire and DR Congo beat Sierra Leone in their last game, they can qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations.

Big match feature: Congo v Nigeria

Nigeria will be on the march again towards qualifying for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations when the Super Eagles engage the Red Devils of Congo at the Stade Municipal in Pointe Noire on November 15th.

The African champions have had a yo-yo qualifying campaign so far and had to wait till match day three to pick her first points and match day four to pick up a first win in what surely has been a rough patch for the Super Eagles

The crisis at the Nigeria Football Federation looked to have overshadowed the team's quest on the pitch as Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa have gone full throttle for control of Nigeria's football.

Matters got to a head when Stephen Keshi, who had earlier been relieved from his post as the Super Eagles gaffer after the Sudan win last month, suddenly made a comeback to the team and will now lead the Super Eagles against Congo this weekend.

Congo are also in dire straits after a impressive start to the campaign which started with 3-2 win over Nigeria away. The Red Devils haven't won in the last two games and even lost at home to the Bafana Bafana.

Coach Claude Leroy will have to wave his magic wand to make things happen for his Congolese team who would love to do a number on Nigeria and add to their seven points from four match days.

Match background:

Nigeria have a herculean task ahead in Pointe Noire. The Eagles are condemned to win, anything short of that will spell and end to her dream of defending the title.

Sitting in third place on four points, the best Nigeria can hope for is 10 points from the remaining games to qualify or at least have a shot as the best third placed side int he qualifying series.

Stephen Keshi knows he is on the knife's edge and will need his wards to produce a near perfect game and pull the rabbit out of the hat in Pointe Noire to get the points on deck.

Congo have fallen short as the qualifiers have reached the business end and remain in second place with seven points from four matches.

The Red Devils started the series like a house on fire, nicking two straight wins against Nigeria in Calabar and Sudan at home, but then hit a purple patch.

It went downhill from there ,losing to South Africa in Pointe Noire and grabbing a face saving draw in the reverse leg has put added pressure on Claude Leroy. He wants to produce the goods against Nigeria. It promises to be an exciting game where winner takes all.

The shocker in Calabar

Head to Head

Nigeria have met Congo eight times at full international level, the most recent being the 3-2 reversal in Calabar on September 5th 2014. Congo have beaten Nigeria three times, drawn two and lost three.

Flashback: Duels between Nigeria and Congo.

30 November 1970 Africa Nations Cup, Congo 2 Nigeria 1

5 August 1972, Fifa World Cup, Africa qualifiers , Nigeria 2 Congo 1

15 August 1972 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Congo 1 Nigeria 1

13 June 1975, Africa Nations Cup qualifiers, Congo 0 Nigeria 1

20 December 1992, Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Group D Congo 1 Nigeria 0

7 February 1993 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Group D ;Nigeria 2 Congo 0

28 January 2000, Africa Cup of Nations, Group D game; Nigeria 0 Congo 0

6 September 2014, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers; Nigeria 2 Congo 3

Form going into the game;

Nigeria;

L L L L D W

Congo;

W L W W L D

Team news:

Nigeria welcome back Villareal FC striker Ikechukwu Uche back into the Eagles nest after nearly two years in the international wilderness.

The former Getafe striker fell out with coach Stephen Keshi during the 2013 Afcon which Nigeria won, and hasn't worn the green and white for the Eagles since then.

Enyimba youngster Kingsley Sokari got a late call up after impressing in the friendly international against Ghana's Black Meteors and he will lead a cast of home based players like Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Osagouna Ighodaro and Nasarawa United's Tony Edjomarigwe who is making his maiden bow for the Eagles.

Congo have captain and Olympiakos Piraeus midfielder Delvin Odinga back for the crucial tie after he missed the Calabar leg against the Eagles. Claude Leroy has no injury worries and will have the full complement of his team.

Ahmed Musa: The Nigeria forward has been in a rich vein of form lately for his CSKA Moscow side especially in the Uefa Champions League where he tormented the Manchester City back line to no ends.

His pace and improved finishing will be crucial in Pointe Noire on match day. He will look to continue his goal scoring run after notching two goals in Nigeria's 3-1 defeat of Sudan in Abuja last month.

Congo

Thievy Bifouma: The Almeria forward needs no introduction to Nigerian fans. He was the main man in the Congolese side that ran the Eagles ragged in Calabar on match day one.

Bifouma, who is on loan at Almeria from another Spanish side Espanyol was on target last weekend against Barcelona and will hope he can reenact same against Nigeria.

Blessed with pace and good dribbling skills, Claude Leroy will look to him to pull the strings for the Red Devils when they meet the Super Eagles and hope they can eke out maximum points against the reigning African champions.

What they said:

"All the boys know what I expect from them, what Nigerians expect from them. This is like war.

"It's like a final because if we don't win, there will be nothing to play for when we face South Africa next week.

"The boys must give a hundred percent because we are going to be meeting a very good side on Saturday."

Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi

"Nigeria can forget about winning here ( Pointe Noire). What happened against South Africa cannot happen again. We are going to make sure of that."

Congo coach, Claude Leroy

Teams:

Nigeria

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomarigwe (Nasarawa United, Nigeria) Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)

Congo

Goalkeepers: Christoffer Mafoumbi, Chancel Massa, Pavel N'Dzila.

Defenders: Francis N'Ganga, Igor N'Ganga, Marvin Baudry, Arnold Bouka Mutu Boris Moubhio Dimitri Bissiki, Manick Itoua, Baron Kibamba.

Midfielders: Prince Oniangue, Julsy Boukama-Kaya, Césaire Gandzé ,Wisdom Babele, Hardy Binguila, Saira Issambet. Delvin Odinga

Strikers: Thievy Bifouma, Fode Dore, Franci Litsingi ,Ladislas Douniama, Kader Bidimbou, Sylver Ganvoula, Christmas Mokouka.

The first two teams in each group qualify automatically for Afcon 2015, while the best third place teams slot it out for the remaining spot for the African showpiece football event.

African champions soar in the Congo

African champions, Nigeria, put themselves back in contention for a place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Congo 2-0 at Stade Municipal in Pointe-Noire on Saturday.

Ikechukwu Uche scored from the spot and China-based striker, Aaron Samuel got the second at the death to make sure that the Super Eagles climb into second spot behind Group A leaders, South Africa, in the qualification.

Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, started Uche, who was making his return to international football for the first time in 19 months while Warri Wolves defender and captain, Azubuike Egwuekwe, got the nod to start in place of Kenneth Omeruo in the heart of defence.

Congo's Red Devils would have gone into the lead in 58 seconds after Efe Ambrose dilly-dallied over the ball and allowed Almeria man, Thievy Bifouma, steal the ball and shoot but Vincent Enyeama stuck out his hands to keep the early effort.

Three minutes into the game, Uche came close after John Obi Mikel provided him a good pass.

Congo gradually assumed control of the match as Nigeria's play looked bogged with poor passes and failure to cover every grass of the pitch.

Seven minutes to the break, CFR Cluj man, Ferebory Dore, was freed inside the box and had just Enyeama in goal to beat to give Congo the lead, but his shot only waltzed past the face of Nigeria's goal.

Dore again was at the end of Congo's play as his effort could only fly past Nigeria's face of goal with Bifouma lurking at the far end in the 43rd minute.

Congo began the business end of the match as they finished the first half but it was Nigeria who got into the lead 13 minutes into the second half through Uche's goal from 12 yards.

Mikel slipped a pass through Congo's defence to free Emmanuel Emenike, who was tripped in the box by Chancel Massa in goal for the Red Devils.

Uche stepped up and scored from the spot in the 59th minute to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, Congo won themselves a penalty after Godfrey Oboabona handled the ball in Nigeria's box.

Bifouma's penalty was, however, saved by Enyeama, who kept Nigeria in the lead.

Keshi then threw on Samuel for Emenike with 15 minutes left and the former 3SC striker sealed the game for Nigeria with a superb left-footed finish.

Nigeria are now on seven points with Congo but sit in second place behind South Africa, who have sealed their passage to the 2015 Afcon in Equatorial Guinea.

The Super Eagles will play hosts to South Africa on Wednesday in Uyo.

Afcon 2015 Qualifiers

We will combine live updates, comments and your tweets in this blog throughout the matches. Follow the action right here, use#SSFootball to leave your comments on Twitter.

We'll pull the best of them into our coverage below.

Refresh this page 

7.26pm - There's a lot of lasers pointed at the players from the fans in the stand and although it doesn't look like it's affecting the players, it might be distracting for someone watching on television. 

7.22pm -  Mane has been really lively so far. He takes on three Egyptian players before Salah intercepts and clears the danger. Senegal however have been attacking in spurts and it's encouraging the home side to bomb forward. Not a great strategy from the visitors. 

7.17pm - Mane draws a foul from Fathi on the left flank but the resultant free kick is wasted as Egypt do well to clear their lines. 

7.12pm - Shannawy has been injured from that tackle that led to the goal. It's clear that he can no longer continue. On comes Mohamed Sobhi to replace him. 

7.09pm - GOAL! Egypt 0-1 Senegal

The first goal of the game goes to the visitors as Diouf attacks an aerial ball with intent. Goalkeeper Shennawy should be catching that easily but he either misjudges the flight of the ball or thinks the referee will blow. As it was, the referee rightly thinks it was a fair tackle from the Senegalese and allows the goal to stand. Senegal take the lead!

7.07pm - Naguib is guilty of short-changing his goalkeeper and Diouf is the first to react. The Senegalese striker bursts forward before seeing his low shot narrowly miss the target! That's surely a warning for the hosts. Diouf has bags of pace to burn.

7.05pm - Mohammed Salah is the next Egyptian player to try an outrageous attempt in the area but he is denied by the opposition defense.

7.02pm - It's early doors yet but the first shot of the game goes to the hosts as Elneny hits a screamer from distance which goes just wide. 

7.00pm - KICK OFF

Here we go... It's the hosts that get this game underway. 

6.50pm - TEAM LINE-UPS - Egypt v Senegal 

Egypt: Ahmed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Naguib, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Fathi, Sabry Rahil, Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Elneny, Mahmoud 'Trezeguet', Walid Soliman, Mohamed Salah, Emad Meteb

 Senegal:  Bouna Coundoul – Kara Mbodj, Pape Souare, Cheikhou Kouyate, Papy Djilobodji, Idrissa Gueye, Papakouli Diop, Stephane Badji, Dame N'Doye, Mame Biram Diouf, Sadio Mane

6.45pm - Next up, it's Egypt v Senegal 

The Cairo stadium is packed to the rafters as Egypt get ready to take on Senegal in a do-or-die encounter. 

6.35pm - SCORES FROM AFCON QUALIFIERS 

Qualification:: group A

South Africa       2 - 1        Sudan (FT) 

Congo   0 - 2        Nigeria (FT)

Qualification:: group B

Malawi 2 - 0        Mali (FT)

21:30     Algeria  ? - ?        Ethiopia

Qualification:: group C

Lesotho                0 - 1        Burkina Faso (FT)

Angola  ? - ?        Gabon

Qualification:: group D

Cameroon           1 - 0        DR Congo (FT)

Qualification:: group E

Uganda                1 - 0        Ghana (FT) 

Togo      0 - 2        Guinea

Qualification:: group F

Mozambique     0 - 1        Zambia (FT)

Cape Verde        ? - ?        Niger

Qualification:: group G

Egypt     ? - ?        Senegal

 6.32pm - FULL TIME - Congo 0-2 Nigeria 

Game over. Nigeria go away with the victory. It wasn't the easiest of games but the in the end, the Super Eagles just about deserved the win. 

6.28pm - Play resumes but the fight has since gone out for the Congolese who now realise that the best they can get from this game is a goal and nothing more. There's just about three minutes of play left.

6.25pm - There's pandemonium on the pitch now as the crowd begin to hurl projectiles on to the pitch. The referee brings the game to a halt and gets the players off the pitch while the police try to calm the situation. 

6.20pm - GOAL - Congo 0-2 Nigeria (Samuel)

Goooaalll. Nigeria score again to put this game to bed as the substitute Aaron Samuel is put through on the right with a delightful slide-rule pass. The striker is guided wide by the Congolese defenders but he still manages to turn the ball on to his favoured left foot and curls a superb ball past Chansel. 

6.15pm - The referee hasn't had a poor game but he has also not been great tonight. Congo go close to leveling the scores as a hoofed ball is missed by the Nigerian defenders. Bifouma neads a free ball that should rightly be in the net but Enyeama once again comes to the rescue of the Super eagles with an amazing one handed save. What an instinctive reaction. 

6.10pm - It is frenetic stuff in Pointe Noire. One minute it looks like the Super Eagles are under the cosh and in the next they are up against a flurry of attacks from their hosts. It's a game that could still go either way. 

6.05pm - Nigeria have looked a different side since the introduction of Samuel but you've got to say they are not home and dry yet. There's still a lot of intent in this Congo side as they look for the equaliser. 

'Sociedad job biggest test of my career'

New Real Sociedad coach David Moyes believes taking over at the Basque club represents the biggest challenge of his career and said he was itching to show what he can do as he seeks to restore his tattered reputation.

Moyes agreed this week to replace Jagoba Arrasate at San Sebastian-based Sociedad, the Scot's first job since his failed stint at Manchester United ended in April, and he told his debut news conference on Thursday he had turned down several offers from Premier League sides to move to Spain.

Arrasate was sacked this month after the club, whose main goal each season is to secure a lucrative berth in European competition, made a poor start to their La Liga campaign and they are 15th after 11 matches.

"Every one you do is a big challenge but I believe this is," Moyes, who has a contract until the end of next season, said when asked if his new role was the biggest test of his career.

"I've had several offers from the Premier League, I've spoken to several clubs in different countries but the only place that has tugged at the heart strings and made me think this is the right club is Sociedad," added the 51-year-old.

"I think at the present time you could say it (La Liga) is the best league in the world.

"I think at the moment it's overtaken the Premiership because of the quality of the players and the teams.

"Also, it's always been a big ambition of mine to manage abroad. I've always felt that to be completely fulfilled as a coach you need to make sure you've tried all the cultures and look to enhance yourself.

"I feel that at the stage I am at just now it's the right time. I'm well rested, I've had six months off and I've got to say I'm raring to go."

Moyes's first match in charge will be a La Liga game away to promoted Deportivo La Coruna on November 22, when they will be looking to build on Sunday's 2-1 morale-boosting win at home to champions Atletico Madrid.

Na Equatorial Guinea get Afcon

De Confederation of African Futbol (CAF) don enta radio station on Friday announce say na for Equatorial Guinea na hin de 2015 Nations cup go now happen.

Na Morocco suppose host de competition, but de country no gree for CAF as dem dey fear de Ebola disease wey dey kill pipu for Africa.

Morocco tok say make CAF postpone de competition as dem dey fear say pipu fit carry de Ebola disease enta dia country, but CAF no gree for dem.

CAF bin don troway Equatorial Guinea kommot bifor for de preliminaries level becos of de wayo wey dem do dat time.

But CAF neva tok weda dem go allow Equatorial Guinea make dem tap ball for ness year Nations cup as de hosts countri.

Na Spanish na hin Equatorial Guinea pipu dey speak, and unna go remember say na dem and Gabon bin hosts de 2012 Nations cup wey Zambia win.

De 2015 Nations cup go start January 17, and na February 8 na hin de competiton go finish.

Naija be de current Baba for Africa, becos na dem win de 2013 Nations cup wey happen for South Africa.