One is supposed to approach an FA Cup final in a spirit of Corinthian sportsmanship, so permit me the indulgence of starting with some fence-mending bonhomie.

Nigeria 2 Argentina 3

Nigeria 2 Argentina 3

Coach Stephen Keshi feels his Nigeria side delivered a victory for all of Africa after Peter Odemwingie’s goal put the Super Eagles on the brink of reaching the World Cup knockout stages.

Mali 1 Nigeria 4

Forward Victor Anichebe is keen to repay Everton’s faith and support by concentrating on his club form rather than thinking about regaining his place with Nigeria.

Having converted a low cross from the right to give Nigeria the lead against Bulgaria, Yekini stood in the goal, arms through the net, hands alternately clenched around the strings and clasped to his face as tears rolled down his cheeks.

West Ham have added Nigeria international winger Victor Obinna to their ranks on a season-long loan deal.

FIFA have demanded that the Nigerian government withdraw their ban on the Super Eagles playing international football for the next two years and given them until Monday to comply.

FIFA will monitor reports emanating out of Nigeria that the country’s president has banned the national squad from international competition for two years after their disappointing World Cup.

FIFA will monitor reports emanating out of Nigeria that the country’s president has banned the national squad from international competition for two years after their disappointing World Cup.

DIEGO MARADONA has warned that his Argentina side will not fear any opponent at the World Cup in South Africa after they began their quest for a third global title with a victory.

THERE were new faces aplenty in the Irish side which shared the honours with Nigeria on the banks of the Thames last night but it was the old boys who shone the brightest, Robbie Keane scoring again for his country, Richard Dunne dominating at the back and Liam Miller having a fine game in the centre of the park.

THE Republic of Ireland will use London as their training base for the June World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria, with a friendly match against Nigeria the centrepiece of their build-up.

Chelsea midfielder Salomon Kalou hit the crucial goal that sent the Ivory Coast into the knockout stages of the football tournament - and ended Australia's campaign.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been named in a 20-man squad by Nigeria to face South Africa in a joint 2010 World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifier early next month.

Mikel John Obi has returned to Chelsea insisting that Nigeria should have reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup.

NIGERIA’S Africa Cup of Nations’ fate is now in the hands of their Group B rivals after the Super Eagles could only draw 0-0 with Mali in Sekondi.

Chelsea’s Jon Obi Mikel, Everton’s Joseph Yobo, Portsmouth duo Kanu and John Utaka, Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins and Sunderland’s Dickson Etuhu have been named in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s international friendly meeting with Australia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

Nigeria coach Berti Vogts has named eight English-based players in his squad to face Australia in an international friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on November 17.

The international career of Bolton’s Jay-Jay Okocha ended on a positive note today as Nigeria beat Senegal to finish third in the African Nations Cup.

CHELSEA star Didier Drogba fired the Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup final as they overcame Nigeria 1-0 in Alexandria yesterday.

Chelsea star Didier Drogba fired the Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup final as they overcame Nigeria 1-0 in Alexandria today.

JOHN Obi Mikel climbed off the bench to inspire Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in the African Nations Cup in Egypt last night.

NIGERIA ended Cameroon’s four-year reign as continental champions yesterday when they won 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup.

THE AFRICAN Nations Cup begins tomorrow without two of its perennial contenders as well as a clutch of big-name players.

BOLTON manager Sam Allardyce yesterday snapped up Brazilian striker Mario Jardel, and then received a further pre-season boost from another of his foreign stars, when Jay-Jay Okocha announced he will only play in competitive matches for Nigeria.

England 0 Nigeria 0

Defensive rock Rio Ferdinand snuffed out the Nigerian attack to give England a double cause for celebration in Osaka today.

England 0 Nigeria 0

England head into tomorrow’s final Group F clash with Nigeria knowing that a point will be enough to secure their passage to the last 16.

England head into tomorrow’s final Group F clash with Nigeria knowing that a point will be enough to secure their passage to the last 16.

The ‘Group of Death’ proved fatal for Nigeria long before coach Adegboye Onigbinde sat down to select his team to face England tomorrow.

The ‘Group of Death’ proved fatal for Nigeria long before coach Adegboye Onigbinde sat down to select his team to face England tomorrow.

Nigeria captain Jay Jay Okocha is set to play his last game for the Super Eagles against England on Wednesday.

Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde spoke of his disappointment after the Super Eagles were shot down by Sweden.

Nigeria coach Adegboye Onigbinde spoke of his disappointment after the Super Eagles were shot down by Sweden.

Henrik Larsson scored twice as Sweden came from behind to beat Nigeria and take a big stride towards making the second round of the World Cup.

Henrik Larsson scored twice as Sweden came from behind to beat Nigeria and take a big stride towards making the second round of the World Cup.

Sweden captain Patrik Andersson is doubtful for the game against Nigeria despite training with the rest of the squad on Thursday.

Sweden captain Patrik Andersson is doubtful for the game against Nigeria despite training with the rest of the squad on Thursday.

Gabriel Batistuta's 10th World Cup goal helped World Cup favourites Argentina kick-off their campaign with a hard-earned win in the Group F opener in Ibaraka.

Gabriel Batistuta's 10th World Cup goal helped World Cup favourites Argentina kick-off their campaign with a hard-earned win in the Group F opener in Ibaraka.