Brazil become first nation to qualify for 2018 World Cup

Brazil have become the first team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup after an emphatic  3-0 win over Paraguay.


Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho gave the team a lead in a low opener, Neymar doubled the lead with an incredible goal at the second half before Marcelo sealed a late third.
Brazil are the only country that have appeared at every FIFA World Cup finals

Neymar reaches goalscoring landmark for Brazil

Neymar reached a goalscoring landmark in the colours of Brazil yesterday as his side romped Argentina 3-0 in their 2018 World Cup Qualifier. At 24, the former Santos player has become the youngest South American or European player to net 50 international goals. He’s 27 away from legend, Pele’s record for Brazil. He also recorded 30 assists  in 74 caps. Neymar is now fourth on Brazil’s list of all-time top goalscorers

Brazil’s top scorers

77 – Pele
62 – Ronaldo
55 – Romario
50 – Neymar

World Cup Qualifiers: Brazil go top.

Goals
from Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea’s Willian sent Brazil to the
top of the South American World Cup qualifying group in a thrilling 2-0 win
over Venezuela today at the
Estadio Metropolitano de Merida.
 The
five-time World Cup winners opened the scoring 8 minutes into the game after
Gabriel capitalised on a mistake by Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez who tried
to pass the ball to his centre half 30 yards from goal. Willian sealed the deal
for the Selecao at the 53rd minute after powering home a cross from
Renato Augusto.

Tite’s side will now face rivals
Argentina, who were humbled 1-0 at home by Paraguay. The match will take place
next month.

I waited my entire life for this – Pele congratulates Brazil on Olympic football gold

Brazil
legend, Pele
has congratulated Brazil’s Olympic football team over their long-waited Olympic triumph.
The host won
their first ever Olympic gold medal after beating Germany 5-4 on penalties at the Maracana on Saturday. Pele
took to his twitter page to describe the feat as a dream come true
“I
waited my entire life to see Brazil win a gold medal in football and now my
dream has come true.”He said  
He  also heaped praises on the organizers for the successful games. “Brazil
welcomed the world with open arms and showed everyone our special way of
life – in both work and play.  Our role as proud hosts
of the World Cup and Olympics has come to a close. I wish you all a safe
journey home. Please visit us again soon.”
He added.

My critics will have to shut up – Neymar

Brazil beat Germany on penalties last night to claim their first ever Olympic Gold in football. For Neymar, the soccer star who provided the winning goal, the feat is one of his best personal experiences . 
“This is one of the best things that have happened in my life. That’s it,” he added. “Now my critics will have to shut up. I can’t begin to describe my feelings. I have fulfilled my dream and to have fulfilled it in my home country makes me very proud.” He affirmed.

Brazil knocked out of Copa America

Brazil have been knocked out of the Copa America tournament for the first time in 30 years. Peru who eliminated them from the group stage did so in a controversial fashion. 

Brazil needed only a draw to qualify for the quarter-finals as winners of Group B, and were on course to cruise into victory but Peru’s Raul Ruidiaz handball goal ensured that they were dumped out of the race.

2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi clears the air on his choice of players.

Nigeria’s national team coach, Stephen Keshi has cleared the air on his choice of players for the forthcoming 2014 World Cup. Speaking to Vanguard, the former defender who has been criticized for not recalling the likes of Osaze Odewengie and Ike Uche maintained that team spirit and tactical considerations are his criteria for selecting players.
“It is wrong for any coach to shut the door against any player and ban such a player from playing for the National team. But time matters in all things including football. There are times good players may lose form and you allow them time to be fit again and there are times a player may not contribute to the success of a team due to behavioral problems and if you, as a coach, feel that it will be for the best interest of the team to allow such a player time to conform to the acceptable conducts, you do so to help the team.
I’m aware of the comments people have made on some of our players. All good players deserve to be in the national team but there are also team spirit considerations. There are tactical considerations. If you have a concept and a player does not and refuses to conform to that concept what do you do?  What I want people to know is that I want to go to Brazil and do well. And I will not leave out any person who I feel will help us do well.
No reasonable coach will do that. If I leave out any player, it simply means that I feel that such a player may not help the general interest of the team in Brazil. It is a serious matter and it will not be nice to trivialize World Cup selection matters. It is a serious matter and I wouldn’t want sentiments to sway us.”
Credit: Vanguardngr.com

NEYMAR'S WISH FOR CONFEDERATIONS CUP FINAL

You ask, what other thing can he wish for asides victory for his club. You're right but he wants the victory to be delivered through him. The Brazilian footballer has a great admiration for Spanish goal-keeper, Iker Casillas and he would be honoured if he scores against him in the Confederations Cup final.

"Casillas is one of the greatest keepers in the world – now and always. I have huge respect and admiration for him. Everyone would love to have him in their side, but on Sunday I hope to have the honour of scoring against him". He revealed.

The 2011/2012 South American Footballer of the Year award recipient continued, "It's going to be a great game. Everyone is really looking forward to it. It's a clash between two historic national sides, two teams with a lot of tradition. Spain with their star players and Brazil, with their stars. I hope that it's a match which everyone enjoys and that Brazil end as the winners.

The ex-Santos forward who scored about 3 goals in the ongoing tournament and provided the two assists, that gave Brazil a 2-1 win over Uruguay in the semi-final has joined reigning laLiga Champions, Barcelona.

Relax Neymar, if you don't toss the net in this tournament, you can do it in LaLiga.

FIXTURES FOR THE 2013 AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS (AFCON)

The 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will kick off in 2 days time.

To be hosted by South Africa, the winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The fixtures are below. Goodluck to Nigeria and other countries.

1) Saturday 19 January 2013

South Africa Vs Cape Verde Islands (18:00)

Angola Vs Morocco (21:00)

2) Sunday 20 January 2013

Ghana Vs Congo DR (17:00)

Mali Vs Niger (20:00)

3) Monday 21 January 2013

Zambia Vs Ethiopia (17:00)

Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso (20:00)

4) Tuesday 22 January 2013

Ivory Coast Vs Togo (17:00)

Tunisia Vs Algeria (20:00)

5) Wednesday 23 January 2013

South Africa Vs Angola (17:00)

Morocco Vs Cape Verde Islands. (20:00)

6) Thursday 24 January 2013

Ghana Vs Mali (17:00)

Niger Vs Congo DR (20:00)

7) Friday 25 January 2013

Zambia Vs Nigeria (17:00)

Burkina Faso Vs Ethiopia (20:00)

8) Saturday 26 January 2013

Ivory Coast Vs Tunisia (17:00)

Algeria Vs Togo (20:00)

9) Sunday 27 January 2013

Morocco Vs South Africa (19:00)

Cape Verde Islands Vs Angola (19:00)

10) Monday 28 January 2013

Congo DR Vs. Mali (19:00)

Niger Vs Ghana (19:00)

11) Tuesday 29 January 2013

Ethiopia Vs Nigeria (19:00)

Burkina Faso Vs Zambia (19:00)

12) Wednesday 30 January 2013

Algeria Vs Ivory Coast (19:00)

Togo Vs Tunisia (19:00)

13) Saturday 02 February 2013

Winner Group B Vs Runnerup Gp A (17:00)

Winner Group A Vs Runnerup Gp B (20:30)

14) Sunday 03 February 2013

Winner Group D Vs Runnerup Gp C (17:00)

Winner Group C Vs Runnerup Gp D (20:30)

15) Wednesday 06 February 2013

Winner Q/F 3 Vs Winner Q/F 2 (17:00)

Winner Q/F 1 Vs Winner Q/F 4 (20:30)

16) Saturday 09 February 2013

Loser SF1 Vs Loser SF2 (20:00)

17) Sunday 10 February 2013

Winner SF1Vs Winner SF2 (20:00)

Open chat