May 22 (Reuters) – The Russia finals could be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win the World Cup and dispel the doubters who say he cannot be considered one of the game’s true greats without leading his team to the biggest prize. The other candidates for the title of world’s greatest player, Pele and Diego […]
Read More STOCKHOLM, May 22 (Reuters) – The smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup will also be the tournament’s worst-kept secret as Iceland’s giant-killing performances in 2016 sent a loud and clear warning that they will not be in Russia just to make up the numbers. Having come agonisingly close to reaching the 2014 […]
Read More STOCKHOLM, May 22 (Reuters) – Iceland stunned the footballing world by knocking England out of Euro 2016 on their way to the quarter-finals but if they are to enjoy similar success at the World Cup finals they will need attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson back at full fitness. The 28-year-old is the exception in a dogged, […]
Read More May 22 (Reuters) – Ever since a talented Croatian side reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals in their second major tournament as an independent nation, subsequent generations have been under pressure from the country’s fans and media to emulate the feat. But Croatia have made group-stage exits in all other events expect Euro 2008, when […]
Read More May 22 (Reuters) – Croatia’s World Cup squad will be full of gifted players but it is the Balkan nation’s towering striker Mario Mandzukic who stands out as the key figure in their bid to reach the knockout stages after two decades of failure. Having caused shockwaves by powering through to the 1998 semi-finals, Croatia […]
Read More May 22 (Reuters) – Nigeria are the only African team returning to the World Cup finals after playing in Brazil four years ago and must get past a familiar foe if they want to reach the second round again. Nigeria have been paired with Argentina for the fifth time in six World Cup appearances, having […]
Read More May 22 (Reuters) – Victor Moses has overcome childhood trauma to forge a career that has seen him play at the highest levels of the game and return in glory to the country he once fled. Moses was only 11 when his missionary parents were killed in religious rioting in Kaduna, in north-west Nigeria, leaving […]
Read More TORONTO, May 22 (Reuters) – Canada is rejecting more refugee claims from people who crossed the border illegally as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to dissuade, block and turn back thousands more, according to new data obtained by Reuters. Forty percent of such border crossers whose claims were finalized in the first three months […]
Read More * Congo launched sweeping project to boost agriculture * Government officials said project would solve food shortages * But trial collapsed after joint venture partner left * African Development Bank continues to push for similar plans By Aaron Ross DAKAR, May 22 (Reuters) – In 2014, Democratic Republic of Congo officials trumpeted the launch of […]
Read More NAIROBI, May 22 – The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Tuesday. – – – – – GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares skidded on Tuesday as a strong dollar sapped demand for emerging market assets while surging oil prices stoked concerns about a […]
Read More * Sergio Aguero back training normally * Chelsea, Man United keepers included * Messi is ‘enthusiastic’, coach says (Adds details, quotes) BUENOS AIRES, May 21 (Reuters) – Mauro Icardi, the joint top goalscorer in Italy’s Serie A this season, was left out of Argentina’s World Cup squad on Monday as coach Jorge Sampaoli named his […]
Read More BUENOS AIRES, May 21 (Reuters) – Mauro Icardi, the joint top goalscorer in Italy’s Serie A this season, was left out of Argentina’s World Cup squad on Monday as coach Jorge Sampaoli named his 23 players for next month’s tournament in Russia. Sampaoli named just four forwards in his squad with Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, […]
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