Nigeria will face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F of the preliminary round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

The reigning African champions have been handed an easy group in the preliminary stages of the 2014 World Cup to be staged in Brazil
The draw ceremony took place Friday evening in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia State, Brazil. The event was greeted with great fanfare that showcased the culture of the country. It was a spectacular treat that left mouths wide open including the crème de la crème of world football.

Secretary General of Fifa Jérôme Valcke was in charge of the draw and was assisted by some of the main icons of football history, representing the eight countries that have won the 19 editions of the World Cup to today: Sir Geoff Hurst, Mario Kempes, Fabio Cannavaro, Lothar Matthaus, Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Hierro, Cafu and Alcides Ghiggia.

Brazil were zoned in Group A against Croatia, Mexico and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Ghana’s Black Stars were landed in a veritable 'Group of Death' where they will be facing Germany, Portugal, and the United States of America in Group G.

Defending champions Spain were handed a tricky pool in the draw, having been bracketed with Netherlands, Chile and Australia.

Frank Ribery’s France went into Group E alongside Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras.

Elsewhere, Uruguay, who finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, featured in an intriguing pool alongside England, Italy and Costa Rica.

Greece had 'dark horses' Colombia for company in Group C, as well as Cote d’Ivoire and Japan, while Belgium drew Algeria, Russia and Korea Republic.

Nigeria’s first game will be against Iran in Curitiba on June 16, 2013.



2014 WORLD CUP DRAW IN FULL

GROUP A – Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon

GROUP B – Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia

GROUP C – Colombia, Greece, Cote d’Ivoire, Japan

GROUP D – Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

GROUP E – Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

GROUP F – Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

GROUP G – Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA

GROUP H – Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

Bayern break Barcelona's record Champions League winning streak

Nov 27, 2013 7:55:00 PM

The Bavarians' 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday was their 10th in a row in Europe's top competition, beating the Blaugrana's long-standing best tally of nine

Bayern Munich's 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow in Russia on Wednesday saw them break Barcelona's record of nine straight wins in the competition. 

PERFECT 10

April 2

Juventus (h) 2-0

April 10 Juventus (a) 2-0

April 23 Barcelona (h) 4-0

May 1 Barcelona (a) 3-0

May 25 Dortmund (n) 2-1

September 17 CSKA (h) 3-0

October 2 Man City (a) 3-1

October 23 Plzen (h) 5-0

November 5 Plzen (a) 1-0

November 27 CSKA (a) X

The Bavarians last failed to win a match in Europe's top tournament in a dead rubber against Arsenal in the second leg of the last 16 in 2012-13.

They went on to claim convincing aggregate victories over both Juventus and Barcelona in the last eight and semi-finals before Arjen Robben's late winner saw them triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the final.

They have begun the current season in a similar vein on the continent, with the highlight of the this term's campaign coming at the Etihad Stadium, where they beat Manchester City 3-0.

Barcelona set the previous record back in 2002-03, beginning with a 3-2 win over Club Brugge in matchday 1 and finishing in February with a 0-0 draw against Inter in the second group stage.

Robben got the ball rolling for the Bavarians, driving home an early effort after an excellent team move.

Mario Gotze doubled their advantage with a magnificent solo goal and, though Keisuke Honda pulled one back with a penalty, a spot kick from Thomas Muller restored Pep Guardiola's side two-goal advantage.

Bayern are also in the midst of a record-breaking run in the Bundesliga, having gone 38 games without

Vincent Enyeama named Ligue 1 player of the month

Vincent Enyeama is best player of the French Ligue 1 during the month of October

The Nigeria goalkeeper has been recompensed for his outstanding performance at Lille since his promotion to first choice

Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has won the French Ligue 1 player of the month award for October, besting Paris Saint Germain stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani to clinch the periodic accolade for outstanding performance in the premier division.

The 31-year-old, who joined the French outfit from Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2011, was promoted to first choice goalkeeper this season and has been fantastic in goal since the beginning of the campaign, keeping a clean sheet across 675 minutes already.

Enyeama raked 71% of the votes far ahead of Ibrahimovic, who scored 19% and Cavani, 10%. He will receive his trophy on Sunday before his side’s clash with Toulouse in match day 14.

The former Enyimba guardian also figures on the Confederation of African Football's (Caf’s) list of nominees for the 2013 African Footballer of the Year award

Who will be dusting off their passport in June, Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic?

Exclusive photos: Pres. Jonathan hosts victorious Golden Eaglets

President Jonathan hosted the victorious Golden Eaglets on Sunday November 10th at the Banquet Hall in Aso Villa. The president gave each Golden Eaglets N2million and N3million for the coach. National honours to be announced later this year when the government is giving out national honours. More photos after the cut...

Ibrahimovic: Ronaldo & Messi favourites for Ballon

The experienced attacker sees the Argentina and Portuguese forwards as the favourites for the Ballon d'Or, while he's eagerly anticipating the tie between Sweden and PortugalParis Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels La Liga duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the favourites to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or this term, although he has insisted that it's no foregone conclusion that either the Barcelona attacker or his Real Madrid nemesis will scoop up the prestigious award.

The Sweden international believes that Franck Ribery has a good chance to win the award as well following his successful year with Bayern Munich, yet added that it will be hard for any voters to look past Messi and Ronaldo.

"Several players have a shot at winning the Ballon d'Or," Ibrahimovic told reporters.
"Ribery has had an amazing year and won everything there is to win. Then, there's Messi, who is pure talent and was born to do this – he's not a product of training. Ronaldo is also playing great.

"There are a fair few players performing at a high level, though from one week to the next, it's hard to look past Ronaldo and Messi."

For the moment, though, Ibrahimovic is focusing on his country's 2014 World Cup qualification play-off against Portugal, arguing that Sweden face a tough task to make it to next year's tournament in Brazil.

"I see the tie as two finals and we have to play well in both," the 32-year-old mused.

"People shouldn't focus on two players – it's Sweden against Portugal. It's all about the team and we all have to perform to get a result."

Sweden travel to Lisbon for the first leg on Friday, before hosting Portugal in Solna four days later.