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  Nigeria international midfielder Uche Agbo Nigeria international midfielder Uche Agbo has not given up on playing in the Premier League despite joining Belgian side Standard Liege on a three-year deal from Watford. Agbo joined Udinese in 2013 but spent the last three seasons on loan at Granada in Spain, prior to joining Watford on a five-year deal last year. Watford, like Udinese and Granada, are owned by the Pozzo family, but after failing to secure a work permit to play in England, Watford opted to cash in on the youngster.‬ The Belgian league is closely followed across Europe; I just want to give my best here and you never know what the future holds Uche Agbo Nigeria and Standard Liege midfielder "I'm very happy to join an ambitious club in Belgium, but when my time is right playing in the Premier League will come," Agbo told BBC Sport. "My focus right now is to settle at Standard Liege and give my all, by the power of God I will be th...

  Zaha rejoined Crystal Palace from Manchester United on a permanent deal in 2015 Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has accused Manchester United and Liverpool fans of calling him a "black monkey" in messages on social media. The 24-year-old posted on Instagram: "If Man United and Liverpool fans feel better by calling me a black monkey in my messages .. feel free to carry on if it makes your day better." Ivory Coast international Zaha signed for Manchester United in 2013. Zaha is in Hong Kong with the club for the Premier League Asia Trophy. He posted the message following the 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, in which Palace manager Frank de Boer said the winger had been the victim of rough treatment. Diversity campaign group Kick It Out said it had contacted both Zaha and Palace to offer support. "Kick It Out was disgusted to read that online racial abuse has been directed at Zaha," a spokesman said. "It is completely unacceptabl...

  Ogenyi Onazi played in Nigeria's triumphant Africa Cup of Nations side in 2013 Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, an Africa Cup of Nations winner with Nigeria, has backed radical changes to African football's showpiece event. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed last week that the tournament will be held in June and July instead of January and February and will be expanded to 24 teams from 16, starting from Cameroon 2019. Onazi, who is now with Trabzonspor in Turkey, was a Lazio player when winning the Nations Cup with Nigeria in South Africa in 2013. Even when we won the Afcon in 2013, my team called me immediately, saying that I should fly from South Africa to the club because we had a Europa League game Ogenyi Onazi Nigeria midfielder He says the new timing will ease the pressure on European clubs and their African stars. "When you finish a [Nations Cup] game and if you finish before the finals, your [club] team has to give you a phone call ...

  Uganda coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic guided Uganda to their first Africa Cup of Nations finals in 39 years when they played at Gabon 2017 Uganda coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic says Africa has bowed to 'pressure from Europe' following radical changes to the Africa Cup of Nations. The Confederation of African Football confirmed last week that the tournament will be held in June and July instead of January and February. and will be expanded to 24 teams from 16. Sredojevic - whose own future is currently the subject of speculation - was speaking a day after Uganda beat Sudan 5-1 in a 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier. It has been so tough to qualify for Afcon with 16 teams and indeed only deserving teams could make it Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic Uganda coach "Though not directly, Africa succumbed to the pressure of Europe to have this tournament played when it's best for them," Sredojevic told BBC Spo...

  Riyad Mahrez scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for Leicester last season Leicester City have rejected a bid from Roma for winger Riyad Mahrez, manager Craig Shakespeare has confirmed. The 26-year-old, who joined the Foxes from French club Le Havre in 2014, announced in May that he wanted to leave the club. "The bid was politely declined because it was a low offer," said Shakespeare. "I don't know what it was and I don't get involved." Mahrez, PFA player of the year in 2016, has reportedly been valued at £50m. Shakespeare, who is with the Foxes in Hong Kong for a pre-season tournament, had said earlier this week there had been no bids for Mahrez. The Algeria player made 48 appearances for Leicester last season. He scored 10 goals and provided seven assists as Leicester recovered from a poor start to finish 12th in the Premier League and reach the Champions League quarter-finals. African players 'more attractive' after Cu...

  The Confederation of African Football's executive committee has effectively been enlarged to 23 members The size of the Confederation of African Football's executive committee has effectively increased from 15 to 23 following a change in statutes. Caf's highest decision-making body used to be made up of 15 members, plus African members of the Fifa Council. Since the Fifa Council members were co-opted onto the Caf board, they had no voting rights. But a vote to change Caf's statutes at its General Assembly in Morocco has awarded these members voting rights. The previous Caf regime changed the statutes in 2012 in a move that was seen as a bid to prevent Ivory Coast's Jacques Anouma from running against then president Issa Hayatou in elections. In addition, Caf will no longer allow members to hold down two slots on both its executive committee and the Fifa Council. This boosts its own executive - which is now effectively made up of the 15 ...

  Cameroon says it supports the decision to expand the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams The next Africa Cup of Nations hosts can cater for an expanded 24-team finals, says the head of Cameroon's FA. After sweeping changes to the Nations Cup this week, the Central African nation will now have to prepare for eight more teams than expected. "I spoke this morning with our country's hierarchy and the decision is that Cameroon is ready to host," Tombi A Roko Sidiki told BBC Sport. After reports of slow progress in Cameroon, Morocco is keen to step in. There are some countries that who would like to host this competition but they should keep quiet Tombi A Roko Sidiki Cameroon FA president "Morocco will not hesitate for a second to respond favourably to any invitation to host this Nations Cup," said the country's FA president Faouzi Lekjaa. The North African nation was set to host the 2015 Nations Cup until it lost the finals following co...

US Ouakam have been suspended by Senegal's Football Federation (FSF) following a stampede which resulted in the deaths of eight fans.  Nearly 100 other spectators were injured as Ouakam fans clashed with those of rivals Stade de Mbour during Saturday's League Cup final. "US Ouakam are temporarily suspended," the FSF said in a statement. The FSF's disciplinary committee will decide on sanctions against Ouakam shortly, it added. The AFP news agency said multiple witnesses reported seeing Ouakam fans throw stones and other objects at the Mbour supporters. This came moments after the visiting side had taken a 2-1 lead in extra-time of the final. Eight fans died and at least 88 were injured in Saturday's stampede in Dakar A wall at the Demba Diop stadium in the capital Dakar collapsed following the fighting between fans. Police responded with tear gas, sparking the stampede. "My thoughts with those who lost loved ones or were injured during ...

   Mubarak Wakaso is playing for his sixth side in Spain Ghana international Mubarak Wakaso has signed a three-year deal with La Liga side Alaves. The 26-year-old joins after leaving Panathinaikos in Greece. The midfielder has extensive experience of playing in Spain, having previously turned out for Granada, Las Palmas, Espanyol, Villareal and Elche. Wakaso has played for the Black Stars since 2012 and played five matches at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. "Deportivo Alaves want to welcome Wakaso and wish him much luck in this new stage," the club said in a statement. Wakaso has also played in Russia, with Rubin Kazan, and Scotland, with reigning champions Celtic. Alaves finished in La Liga last season.

  Nottingham Forest broke their transfer record to sign Britt Assombalonga in August 2014 Middlesbrough have broken their transfer record to sign striker Britt Assombalonga from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest for £15m. The deal to bring the 24-year-old to Teesside exceeds the £12.7m paid to Dutch side Heerenveen for Brazil striker Afonso Alves in January 2008. Forest said the fee agreed met a buyout clause in Assombalonga's contract. Assombalonga overcame a career-threatening knee injury to score 14 goals in 33 games for Forest last term. "I can't wait to get started and train with the boys," he told Boro's club website. "There's a good feeling around the place. From the minute I walked in it felt right." Assombalonga, who had signed a new five-year deal at the City Ground in September 2016, also broke Forest's record fee when he joined from Peterborough in August 2014 for around £5.5m. He caught the attention of Forest wit...

   Huth joined Leicester in 2015 from Stoke following a loan spell at the club Leicester City defender Robert Huth is expected to be out for six to eight weeks after ankle surgery. The 32-year-old has not travelled to Hong Kong with the rest of the Foxes squad as he begins his rehabilitation. "He's had an operation and thankfully it was successful," said Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare. "We thought it might be worse." Shakespeare also confirmed there have been no bids for winger Riyad Mahrez, who said in May he wanted to leave. The Algerian, 26, has been linked with Arsenal, with boss Arsene Wenger admitting his interest in the player. "Riyad stated his position very clearly," Shakespeare said. "Mine is really simple: while he is here - and we haven't had any bids, it's all been speculation - he has to be committed to the club. "In the two weeks he's been back, he's been totally committed and really trained well...

Hasan Anil Eken's former client, Cameroonian Patrick Ekeng, died of a suspected heart attack in 2016 The agent of a late Cameroonian footballer has asked Fifa to train all players and coaches in how to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Hasan Anil Eken, whose client Patrick Ekeng died in such circumstances last year, believes this could prove crucial in a battle to save a player's life. "With this injury, every second is very important to save lives," Eken wrote. Fifa says SCA victims have "a success rate of 90% for resuscitation" if correctly treated within two minutes. Football players are the ones who are closest to (each other) - timing is important Hasan Anil Eken This involves using an automatic external defibrillator (AED), a device that sends a powerful electric shock to a heart to try to restore its natural rhythm. After two minutes, the probability of success declines at a rate of "about 10% per minute", s...

  Aubameyang (right) celebrates scoring against AC Milan in pre-season Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is "staying at the club" says director Michael Zorc. Aubameyang, 28, had been linked with a summer move to the Premier League as well as Paris St-Germain and AC Milan. The Gabon international netted twice on Tuesday as Dortmund beat AC Milan 3-1 on their pre-season tour of China. After the game Zorc said: "We have decided that 'Auba' will stay with Borussia Dortmund. The transfer window is closed as far as he is concerned." The transfer window in Germany closes at midnight (22:00 BST) on 31 August. Aubameyang scored 31 goals in the Bundesliga last season as his side won the German Cup and finished third in the league. He has three years left on his Dortmund contract. New coach Peter Bosz, who has replaced Thomas Tuchel, added: "I am glad that he is in my team. "He is an extraordinary player and he has shown th...

Caf president Ahmad Ahmad opens the two-day symposium on the future of the continental game The Africa Cup of Nations could be moved to the summer as part of changes being discussed by the continent's ruling body. The Nations Cup's timing in January and February has long angered clubs in Europe, where many Africans play. The biennial finals could also be boosted from 16 teams to 24. "That is the first thing to talk about - we can't get away from it," said Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad Ahmad. We are here for a historic chapter and to effect great changes. These are decisions that will determine the future of our game Caf president Ahmad "We have already had a lot of suggestions," the Malagasy said in his opening address at a two-day symposium on the continental game's future in Morocco. An unprecedented number of players turned down call-ups for this year's tournament in Gabon to stay with their clubs....

Cameroon's Benjamin Moukandjo finished as Lorient's top scorer in both his seasons with the club Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo has signed a two-year deal with Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning. The forward joins the struggling team, managed by Fabio Capello, after two seasons at French side Lorient FC. "Moukandjo will enhance the team's attacking power and help it to improve results! Welcome Moukandjo," the club said on its website. With one year left on his Lorient contract, Jiangsu Suning paid around US$6.25m for Moukandjo, who is 28. Jiangsu, who signed Brazilian duo Ramires and Alex Teixeira last year, are second bottom at the halfway stage of the Chinese league, with just 10 points from 16 matches. Moukandjo finished top scorer at Lorient in both his seasons with the club, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season. "Benjamin has played for the jersey with pride for the last two seasons and has been decisive on numero...

  Sadio Mane picked up a knee injury playing for Liverpool against local rivals Everton in April Sadio Mane will not travel to Hong Kong with Liverpool as he continues to recover from a knee operation. The Senegal international has begun light training with the team after missing the end of last season. Liverpool travel to Hong Kong for the pre-season Premier League Asia Trophy. "It makes no sense to take him to Asia because he needs to then do the first steps in team training," he told the club's website. "We will see how we can do it; maybe [some of] the U23s will be here, so when he can start this [training] then we can use this opportunity, but we have to wait. "He is really, really good. He is close; he is closing on coming back to team training. "I think he is getting better, but it is how it is after a long time - you need to build a little bit of muscle again in the quad and thigh, which is important. "There is no risk ...

Zinedine Zidane's men will participate in the International Champions Cup before a potentially hectic start to the competitive campaign Real Madrid are set for a busy pre-season as a result of their double-winning 2016-17 campaign, which saw them collect both La Liga and the Champions League trophies By defending their European crown, Zinedine Zidane's men added the UEFA Super Cup to a schedule that already includes the Spanish Super Cup between the winners of the league and the Copa del Rey. REAL MADRID PRE-SEASON FIXTURES Date Opponent Time (local / BST) Venue Jul 23 Manchester United 14:00 / 22:00 Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara Jul 26 Manchester City 20:00 / 04:00 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles Jul 29 Barcelona 19:30 / 00:30 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens Aug 2 MLS All-Stars 21:00 / 02:00 Soldier Field, Chicago Real Madrid...

    Carrick had his testimonial at Manchester United in June Manchester United have named midfielder Michael Carrick as club captain. Carrick, 35, is the club's longest-serving player, having joined in 2006, and replaces Wayne Rooney in the role after his move to Everton. "It feels great and it is such a huge honour to captain such a great club," Carrick told MUTV. "I never thought I could be here for so long and achieve so much. I have grown to love the club over the years and to be in this position is very special." He added: "I will speak when I need to speak, but I am quite laid back and chilled out really. I will try to lead by example." Carrick moved to United from Tottenham for £18.6m and signed a contract extension earlier this year, committing to the club until June 2018. He has played 459 times for the club, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

  Joe Hart joined Manchester City in 2006 West Ham are interested in signing Manchester City's out-of-favour England goalkeeper Joe Hart. There is no deal done yet but it is understood joining the Hammers is a possibility for Hart, who has no future at City under manager Pep Guardiola. Hart was on loan at Torino in Italy last season but has returned to City, where he has a contract until 2019. Conversations have also taken place between the 30-year-old's representatives and Manchester United. While United boss Jose Mourinho is an admirer of Hart, who has 71 international caps, the clear preference at Old Trafford is to keep David de Gea, which they expect to do. The signing of Ederson Moraes for £35m from Benfica underlined Guardiola's view of Hart. City are only thought to be interested in a permanent transfer. They leave for a three-match tour of the United States on 17 July. Analysis - Hart only mediocre Italian football journalist Mina Rzouki speaki...