“Each person reaps what they sew,” said Flamengo president Patricia Amorim.

“If Adriano wants to go to the World Cup finals in South Africa (they run from June 11-July 11) he has to change.

“We have already told him this.”

Flamengo, who along with Dunga have expressed their displeasure at Adriano’s repeated failure to turn up for training, have taken measures themselves in dropping the barrel-chested forward – scorer of 27 goals in 48 international appearances – from the squad for Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores match with Venezuelan outfit Caracas FC.

Adriano, nicknamed the ‘Emperor’, weighed 106 kilogrammes (almost 17 stone) on his last medical check-up – eight kilos (16 pounds) over weight – and despite scoring six goals since the turn of the year his on-field demeanour has not endeared him to the authorities either.

Adriano – who was part of the Brazil squad that were beaten by France in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals – enjoyed a successful season last term with Flamengo following his transfer from Inter Milan in April last year, finishing top scorer with 19 goals.

Brazil are in Group G at this year’s renewal along with North Korea, Ivory Coast and old rivals Portugal, who they beat in the 2006 semi-finals.

The younger Idahor was pronounced death at a hospital in Sudan after he had collapsed during a league game between his club, El-Merreikh and Amal. He was suspected to have died of cardiac arrest (heart attack).

Reports obtained from his club suggest Idahor, 23, was unable to breathe after a tackle left him on his back 15 minutes into the match on Saturday. The match was later postponed following the incident.

Lucky the foremost player in the family to have taken his career abroad after a successful spell in Nigeria told africansportsdigest.com that Endurance was a very good player, who exhibited uncommon disciplined in and out of the pitch.

“I’ll greatly miss him. At the moment I can’t really say much. I used to look up to him to take over from me. We’re both strikers, until he passed on. I love scoring goals and he did the same. I am really sad and can’t say much,” Lucky, who is now with SC Tavriya Simferopol in Ukraine said.

He had earlier played for FC Karpaty Lviv, Inter Baku and Vorskla Polta, before moving to SC Tavriya in 2007.

Lucky started his career in Nigeria with Ibom Stars of Uyo. He later joined Mobil Pegasus of Eket, a move that saw his career soaring leading to his teaming up with the premier league side, Iwuanyanwu Nationale. He jet out of the country in 2000 to sign for FC Dynamo Kyiv and played in the UEFA Champions League with the team.

“I don’t have much to say now. I am trying to communicate with my family to know the arrangements for his burial and when his corpse will be released by the club in Sudan, it’s a tough time for me,” Lucky added.

Former Barcelona player and coach Cruyff is an absolute legend at the Camp Nou and his opinion carries significant weight.

In El Periodico he left no one in any doubts of his thoughts on the recent performances.

“The players were warned and they do not learn,” Cruyff wrote in his column.

“Atletico, Racing, Stuttgart… after three bad games, they put in a good performance against Malaga.

“On that day, they were all willing to run. They all were all willing to hold onto the ball and to play in our traditional way. Their positional work was good in that game and they moved the ball around quickly, and all this work created a lot of space on the pitch.

“If they want to, they can play one or two levels higher than they are at present. As things stand, there are a few players who are not giving their all. I would invite them to look in the mirror and to examine what they have been doing and what they are doing now.

“It is a question of individuals but it impacts on the whole team. There is time to return to the top, but everything depends on the players looking at their own performances.

“If they do not recover their original philosophy and apply it on the pitch, there will be more performances like Saturday.”

The Catalans lost their top position in La Liga to Real Madrid after their 2-2 draw against Almeria this weekend

Piquionne’s second half goals were enough to condemn Birmingham City to a 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park here on Saturday but 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth’s real triumph will come on March 15 in the High Court when they face the prospect of liquidation.

If British tax authorities succeed in getting bottom of the Premier League Portsmouth wound-up in the courts over their claim for 12.1 million pounds (18.3 million dollars), their potential semi-final opponents will have a bye into the final.

But such considerations were a million miles from the thoughts of a typically passionate Portsmouth crowd who roared their team into the last four.

Winning the quarter-final will earn Portsmouth 360,000 pounds (545,270 dollars) with the prospect of earning an estimated 600,000 pounds (908,784 dollars) in total from the semi-final, if they get that far.

But even winning the FA Cup would only bring in 1.8 million pounds (2.7 million dollars) in prize money which pales against acknowledged debts of 76 million pounds (115 million dollars).

A pedestrian first half between the two top-flight clubs was enlivened only by a sharp save by Portsmouth’s David James from Cameron Jerome after 16 minutes, the England goalkeeper belying his 39 years with his agility.

There was nothing between the sides until the 67th minute.

Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart and defender Scott Dann failed to deal with a Danny Webber shot and, from a yard out, Piquionne touched the ball over the line.

Birmingham were still reeling three minutes later when Jamie O’Hara, the midfield player on loan from Tottenham, threaded through a pass which Piquionne raced on to, twisting away from Roger Johnson to blast home his fourth goal in three matches.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, whose team return to Fratton Park for a league match on Tuesday, sent on veteran striker Kevin Phillips in the 72nd minute in a desperate attempt to snatch a draw.

City should have got one goal back in the 80th minute in an incident which proved a turning point in the match.

From a corner, the ball fell to Birmingham left back Liam Ridgewell no more than four yards out and with James on the ground.

Ridgewell’s header was clawed back from the line by James in the opinion of referee Steve Bennett and his assistant but video replays clearly indicated the ball had crossed the line.

Paul Freire took the first pound of blood when he registered a 26^th minute goal for Bochum and they held onto the lone goal lead till the end of the first half.

Martins replaced Grafite on resumption of the second half   before kick off, and showed great attacking moves which resulted in the equalizer in the 60^th minute through Edin Džeko, who also added the third from the spot after Martins’.

“We won today,” an elated Martins told africansportsdigest.com and pleaded to rest a while before granting a full interview.

Santana nipped the victory with the fourth strike on the dot of 90minutes to sealed victory thus moving the Wolfsburg into the ninth place in the Bundesliga.

The victory now gave the reigning champions four straight wins on the bounce on Saturday and lifted away from the 11^th position on the league table. Last week’s 1-0 win at Hannover put them at 31 points, eight back of the final guaranteed European berth.

Wolfsburg manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner will be hoping for such splendid performance Thursday during Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan.

Lagerback told africansportsdigest.com early this week that he will not take unfit players to the World Cup; hence all the players shortlisted for the team must be active in their club besides being on top form.

“I want the best for the Mundial. I don’t understand half baked, I’ll only want to work with the best Nigeria can offer, the fans deserved the best. I don’t look at people faces, Am here to do my best because of my credentials. I am a professional,” Lagerback said when he was asked what he expected from his players.

Enyeama, whose clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv are placed second on the Isreali Premier League table with 55 points, behind Maccabi Haifa with 64 points will meet Hapoel Petah Tikva on Monday in an away encounter. Hapoel Tel Aviv are pushing to take over and eventually win the league.

Enyeama said he wants to win the league with his club, as well as be in the best of form prior to the World Cu.

“I’ve played all our matches since I return from the Nations Cup; it’s been hard work and great focus. I am preparing for the future and also want to win something for the club this season,” He said.

The Eagles number one goalkeeper added that once in a while he finds time to review his performance with Aiyenugba and also encourage him.

“I’m happy his club is also doing well,” Enyeama referring to Aiyenugba’s club, Bnei Yehuda said.

Bnei Yehuda are placed fourth on the League table with 47 points on the third position. Both goalkeepers once played for Enyimba of Aba in Nigeria. They are two good friends, who are very disciplined in and out of the pitch.

Aiyenugba’s Bnei Yehuda  host Hapoel Ramat Gan on Sunday in their own league encounter with view to picking the three points at stake.

The epitome of his problems eventually resulted in being released from Internazionale and heading back to his homeland with Flamengo in 2009.

But the 28-year-old appears to have rediscovered the form with 25 goals since returning to Brazil and six in his last six matches giving him a realistic opportunity of being selected for the national side at this summer’s World Cup.

While a return to Serie A is being touted by the player’s agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, Roma and Milan both rumoured to be interested, he has however refused to rule out the possibility of a move to Spanish football.

“Adriano is ready to return to Europe, with a squad which is a bit Brazilian,” Rinaldi told Centrosuonosport.

“That could be Roma, Real Madrid, or Barcelona. Squads which work with Brazilians.

“He is ready to return. I’ll go around and we will evaluate the situation.”

Whatever the case may be, the signing may be regarded as a risk due to the player’s previous problems with alcohol and a lack of commitment.

However if the player can continue to impress and make an impact at the World Cup, there may be several clubs interested in the powerful forward, although Rinaldi has stated that no decision will be made until after the tournament.

“It’s difficult for anything to happen before because his contract is until the end of May,” he added.

“He’ll play in the World Cup and then decide.”

Bosingwa, who copped a knee injury like Essien will miss the World Cup, the English premiership club confirmed on Friday.

The fullback had been back in light training after surgery but has now been told he needs another operation.

The news is a further blow to Chelsea’s hopes of winning a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in the wake of the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, who will be sidelined for a further two weeks at least with a torn calf muscle.

Essien told a closed friend recently that he is looking forward to getting better ahead of the World Cup.He is really worried about the knee problem

“I don’t know what to do I want to be at the World Cup and also help my club realize it dreams this season,” Essien was quoted by the friend.

Chelsea are also currently without two other first-choice players, Michael Essien (knee) and Ashley Cole (broken ankle).

Italy coach Marcello Lippi said that despite the 0-0 scoreline he had found the match a useful exercise.

“That was a very useful match, I had the chance to have a look at many players for the first time, even those who had already been in the squad before (when Lippi wasn’t coach)” he said.

Lippi used this fixture to have a look at new players and he picked an experimental line-up with a mix of regular first teamers such as captain Fabio Cannavaro and midfielder Andrea Pirlo while giving debuts to Cagliari midfielder Andrea Cossu and Bari right-back Leonardo Bonucci.

The unfamiliar nature of the Italy team possibly contributed to a first half which saw barely a chance created by either side.

Italy were marginally the more potent, although that speaks volumes about the lack of threat from Cameroon.

The world champions did have the ball in the net on 13 minutes but it was rightly ruled out for offside.

Cameroon goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou came for a corner but made an absolute hash of his attempt, yet inadvertently his actions saved his team from conceding as when Daniele De Rossi helped the ball forward, there was only one defender between Giorgio Chiellini and the goal.

There was the usual flood of half-time changes and one of the Italy substitutes, Juventus’s Claudio Marchisio, fashioned a chance for Antonio Di Natale, whose volley was deflected over.

With 16 minutes left Italy came close again but Hamidou did well to come out and smother Bonucci’s close range effort from Chiellini’s flick.

But Cameroon then had the best chance of the game as Pierre Webo was played in behind the Italy backline only for his first touch to be poor and allow Federico Marchetti to come out and smother on the edge of the box.

“We played a team with depth and understanding. It was a tough act for us having gone through the Nations Cup and build a team with character, we wanted a good game,” said the Egyptian mercurial striker.

“The early goal might have given us little guarantee and we relaxed hoping that the match was under control. They came from behind to whip us. We’ve learnt bitter lessons. It’s a lesson our African brothers going to the World Cup should learn too,” he added

The Pharaohs shot into the lead through Mohammed Zidan in the 23^rd minute. Zidan picked a ball near the halfway line, got past a defender and struck past Rob Green for the opener. Their fluid plays made English fans jeered their team and the Egyptians. The first half ended 1-0.

However, England improved in the second half and equalised in the 57 minutes. Gareth Barry delivered the ball in the penalty area and Peter Crouch side-footed it home at the first post.

The first goal served as a tonic to the three Lions, as they turned on the heat on their visitors and went on to take the lead in the 75th minute, as keeper Al-Hadari initially parried a shot from James Milner but could not prevent that Shaun Wright-Phillips scored on the rebound.

The game was all but decided five minutes later. Crouch appeared to be offside when receiving a pass from Wright-Phillips, but was allowed to go on and netted the home team’s third of the night, 3-1.

England will meet the United States in their first group game on June 12, and face Algeria and Slovenia in the following matches. Egypt failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Although a top Ivorian FA executive wants Guus Hiddink as well as team captain, Didier Drogba, to take Ivory Coast to the World Cup.

Hiddink is still coach of the Russia national team and has already signed for Turkey, where his contract starts at August 1. He has a deal with the Russians until the end of June but Hiddink may be tempted by a chance to lead the Ivorians in South Africa.

Ivory Coast football association president Jacques Anouma told BBC Sport an approach has been made to Hiddink, and he is their main target.

“Guus is one of the people we have contacted about becoming coach, we may tie things up soon” said Anouma.

The way Hiddink is  hopping in search for  a World Cup team shows he can dump his present contract in Russia if Ivory Coast give him a chance.

Ivory Coast sacked Vahid Halilhodzic after a disappointing African Nations Cup campaign and were directly linked with former Chelsea boss Hiddink.

However, the Dutch tactician is not the only coach who has been linked with the Elephants.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was in the crowd to watch the game and has also been linked with the job, as he was with the Nigeria vacancy which was filled last week by his fellow Swede Lars Lagerback.

“Sven has not been contacted but there were a lot of coaches at Loftus Road for the match and some have contacted me,” added Anouma.

“Of the three or four in contention to become the next coach, Guus is the person we want but we are still talking to him.

“Talks are ongoing but nothing has been decided.”

Capello sacked Terry as the national team’s skipper last month following reports the Chelsea defender had an extra-marital affair with the ex-partner of international team-mate Wayne Bridge, who has subsequently decided to stop playing for England.

As a result, Steven Gerrard will be captaining the side in Wednesday’s friendly against Egypt and Capello has to choose between Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock as a replacement for Bridge, who would normally have stepped in for the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.

The extent to which the Terry saga has had an impact on morale in England’s camp just 100 days from the start of the World Cup is hard to judge.

But Capello said he had been reassured by the attitude of the players in training.

“I spoke with the players and said they have to recreate the spirit of the team and train with focus,” Capello said. “I’m really happy because I saw the same thing as in November (in the friendly against Brazil in Doha).”

Capello said he was unconcerned about Terry possibly getting some stick from England’s own fans, given that his conduct has resulted in Bridge ending up on the sidelines.

“You have to understand that privately some players were not so good, but on the pitch it is different,” Capello said. “We wear the England shirt and it is really important they help us every moment. I hope that tomorrow the crowd help us and do not boo him.”

Having initially appeared to be impervious to events off the pitch, Terry has seen his form dip alarmingly for Chelsea in recent matches, but Capello said he had been impressed by the centrebacks approach at Arsenal’s training ground on the outskirts of London.

“He will be the same player in the dressing room,” Capello added. “I told him you have to do the same things as a captain.”

Despite that vote of confidence, Capello has no intention of reversing his decision to demote Terry. Rio Ferdinand has been appointed captain in his place but he is injured so Gerrard will have the armband against the African Nations Cup winners.

He reiterated however that Bridge was welcome to return to the England fold at any time.

“The door is always open and if Wayne Bridge wants to come back, the door is always open. Not only for him – for all the players. We are monitoring all the players.”

Capello, who expects Rooney to start after his knee injury, admits the whole tawdry affair has left him frustrated that he has to speak about off the field matters when he talks to his players and the press.

“I want to speak only about things that happen on the pitch, not outside the pitch and stadium,” he said. “I want to speak about the performance, the style we played and only about what really happened during the game.

“The private life is a big problem for some players and also for the club and then for me.

“It will be really important that the players have to be careful from now on.”

While Terry is unsure of his reception from England’s fans, Gerrard believes Wednesday’s match offers the ideal opportunity to show the rest of the world that the team is still completely united despite a potentially divisive month.

“Going on training and how the lads have been in the last couple of days they all seem focused looking forward on the game on Wednesday,” Gerrard said.

“The players have a responsibility to forget about what’s being written off the field and focus on what we can do on the pitch.

“We’ve done really well in qualification and I think Wednesday is a fantastic opportunity to show the fans and everyone around the world that we are still united and still a very strong team that has a good chance at the World Cup.”

According africansportsdigest.com sources Official presentation of Lars Lagerback, the Nigeria national team manager to the media/public in Abuja was conceived in line with the global norm, but following recent attacks the football authorities are ready to make a show of it.

Baring last minutes changes, Lagerback is expected to talk about his World Cup plans as well as give insight into his programme ahead of the Mundial.

“But I think some people are not favourable disposed to that,” Our sources said,”They will not even disclosed the contract worth as the money issue has been declared a no go area.”

However, the Nigerian Football Association, NFA spokesman, Ademola Olajire told africansportsdigest.com that the coach has agreed on all issues in the contract and is now a part of the football house.

“I have to inform you that all is set, as am rushing now to the venue to ensure that things are taken care of. We don’t have any problem with the coach and the NFF is soliciting for fans support to enable things move on right and we know this is the best Manager at this time for the team,” Olajire said.

Lagerback is expected to unfold his plans for the team’s preparations for the World Cup though it may not be detailed as the NFF technical team is yet to meet with the Manager after his engagement

FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted the nation was ready, and said he was bothered by naysayers who worry South Africa won’t pull off the June 11 to July 11 tournament.

“It’s not so much that there’s pessimism, but that it’s always being thrown into doubt. It’s bad, because when there’s doubt, there’s no confidence. For me and FIFA, that bothers us sometimes,” Blatter told a news conference in Durban’s new stadium.

“There is no doubt, no doubt,” he said. “Let’s go now, let’s have this World Cup, and then we will discuss end of July.”

He spoke after a tour of South Africa’s 10 stadiums that will host the month-long tournament. Construction is complete at all the stadiums, and only two have yet to host games to try out the new facilities.

“We are on track, we are ready to make this World Cup and this is the main message following this inspection tour,” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said.

The 100-day countdown dominated South African media Tuesday, but only a few hundred revellers joined the celebrations that were mostly held in downtown districts, far from the townships where most football fans live.

Ella Matlhare, a 65-year-old from Sebokeng township 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of Johannesburg, said she took two mini-buses on a two-hour journey to join about 300 people at a street party in the posh Sandton business district.

“I was supposed to be doing my washing, but I will do it some other time. My mind is on soccer,” she said. “I am so excited, everyone has been talking about the World Cup, now it is here. There is no turning back.”

In Cape Town, a helicopter carrying the South African flag flew past the landmark Table Mountain, while schoolchildren prepared for lessons in the “diski” — a dance inspired by football movements.

In Durban, about 1,000 people blew vuvuzela trumpets — mandatory accessories for South African fans — and danced to drumbeats outside City Hall.

Amid the cheering, some fans said they were disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to attend World Cup matches, even with heavily discounted tickets for locals.

“It’s a dream come true for South Africa, but I can’t afford a ticket,” said Pretty Soni, an mother of two who like millions of South Africans has no job in a country where unemployment is officially at 24.3 percent but believed much higher.

South Africa has poured 33 billion rand (3.9 billion dollars, 3.2 billion euros) into preparations for the tournament.

In addition to the stadiums, major upgrades to airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein are complete, while Durban’s new airport is set to open on May 1.

FIFA says that 2.2 of the 2.9 million tickets have already been sold, even though fewer foreign fans are expected to attend.

South Africa is banking on 450,000 foreign visitors, though the actual number could be lower, with many fans overseas still recovering from the shock of the global recession.

The country is seizing the publicity around the 100-day to try to reassure foreigners about visiting South Africa, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world, averaging 50 murders each day.

South Africa has spent more than 2.4 billion rand on security, recruiting 41,000 additional police and buying hi-tech equipment for the competition.

Overall, South Africans are increasingly optimistic about the World Cup. A survey out on Monday found that 85 percent believe the nation will ready for the games.

The public was less rosy about the hot-and-cold fortunes of Bafana Bafana – only 55 percent said they thought the national team was ready to compete.

In-form Saha picked up the injury in training and was absent from his club’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday.

He had been set to earn his first international cap since November 2006 when he appeared for France against Greece in a friendly.

Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech has called in Panathinaikos frontman Djibril Cisse as Saha’s replacement.

Cisse, who had spells in England with Liverpool and Sunderland, has not played for the national side since May 2008 when he played in a 2-0 friendly victory over Ecuador.

Enyeama, who has been moving around since he arrived Isreal years back is eager to win a major title before moving to Europe which remains his main target for now after failing a year ago to move to England due to unforseen circumstances.

” I am having a swell time in the League which is a good preparation ground for me. I want to do everything within my strength to be the best I can. I wont comment on the team or anybody, I can only talk about myself and readiness for the World Cup. My colleagues are waiting for the coach’s programme too,” he said.

“I know this is not our first outing at the World Cup so much is expected from us, and we have to be ready to go all out for a better performance,” Enyeama said adding that the players are always patriotic and committed to serving the country.I do know our fans want us to be on top again, which we want to also.”

The goalkeeper, who guided his team on Saturday to an away win, described the 3-0 victory over Hapoel Ra’anana by his club, Bnei Yehuda as a great feat.

The match was hotly contested by both teams until Bnei Yehuda secured a penalty which 68’ A. Baldut tucked home in the 68^th minute, before Radi added the second in 80^th and Amsis completed the victory run with the third just a minute to full time.

“The victory is what we needed to keep hope alive and am happy we accomplished it. We now have chance of playing in Europe next season. However, we have to keep improving to qualify at the end of the season. I am happy because I was in goal for our team in the match, and we won away from home,” Aiyenugba said.

The Eagles keeper also congratulated the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF for appointing a new coach adding that the players will cooperate with the new Manager.

“I’ve heard the news, it’s a good development, but things should be directed towards good preparation for the World Cup. There’s lot of work to be done,” he added.

The goalkeeper was Vincent Enyeama assistant at the Nations Cup in Angola.

“Everything that comes from outside can disrupt, undermine and create weaknesses that could prove harmful during a long competition,” he told French TV station TF1.

“For one match, no, but for one month, with substitutes who won’t play or who will only play a bit, it could be complicated and it could create tension. But I’ve got nothing to say about it, I’ll deal with it when it happens.”

The World Cup begins on June 11, with the final to take place on July 11.

France, who only qualified after beating the Republic of Ireland in the European zone play-offs, have been drawn in a group alongside Mexico, Uruguay and the hosts, South Africa.

The president of the French Football Federation, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, has announced that France’s next coach will be named in late April or May.

Some members of the France squad, including Arsenal centre-back William Gallas and Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda, have already expressed reservations about the decision to name Domenech’s successor before the start of the World Cup.

Domenech has proved a divisive figure during his time at the helm of the French national team since his appointment in 2004.

He led Les Bleus to a surprise runners-up finish at the 2006 World Cup, having persuaded iconic midfielder Zinedine Zidane to cut short his international retirement, but oversaw a disappointing group-stage exit at Euro 2008.

Africansportsdigest.com investigation showed that Lagerback had demanded for a over $250,000 as taken home pay every month plus tax exemption, but the NFA negotiation team felt it was too much for them to handle.

However, after consultations with top government functionaries and the presidency a middle course agreement was reached and the coach happily announced that he would resume immediately, but with a proviso to officially inform his family in person before returning back to duty post in Nigeria.

A top source in the interview panel disclosed to africansportsdigest.com that Lageback toppled Bruno Metsu, Glen Hoddles and former England manager, Sven Goran Ericsson because of his wide knowledge of Nigerian players and contacts with others, who are not well known yet.

“He got the job because any coach coming in now must be ready to get a team ready for the World Cup immediately. He has good idea of Nigerian players and a better programme for the three months prior to the Mundial,” Our sources disclosed.

The 61-year-old was interviewed on Friday and named after a meeting of the NFF board in Abuja, Nigeria early Saturday.

He takes over from Shuaibu Amodu, who was sacked after Nigeria losing 1-0 to Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals last month.

Lagerback joined the Sweden Football Association in 1990, with a special focus on the country’s junior teams.

He later took over the Sweden B team in 1996 and stayed there until 1998 when Tommy Soderberg invited him as assistant coach for Sweden.

In 2000, he was promoted to the position of joint-coach, a responsibility he would share with Soderberg until 2004.

During his tenure, Sweden qualified for Euro 2000, but lost in the group stages. In 2002, he led Sweden to the World Cup, where they lost to Senegal. Sweden then qualified for Euro 2004 reaching the quarterfinals where they lost to the Netherlands and two years later Lagerback took Sweden to their fourth consecutive championship, the first time in their history.

He also guided Sweden to Euro 2008 where they were eliminated in the group stage after losing 2-0 to Russia. Lagerback resigned after failing to qualify Sweden for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Nigeria have been grouped with Argentina, Greece and South Korea.

The 56 years old, former Nantes manager Gernot Rohr, who on Friday signed a two year contract to coach Gabon, co-hosts of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations has never managed at international level after a coaching career that also included spells at Nice and Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel.

However, Gabon football authority would not bother about Rohr lacked of national team experience as the task before the coach has been exclusively spelled out which include taking the team to the second round of the 2012 Nations Cup.

‘We know what we want and have worked assiduously towards it with good intent. We’ve employed a coach good enough for us and no one can dispute that,’ our GFF sources said.

Penultimate week the fedration president Placide Engadzas, has said that Alain Giresse, the former coach’s contract would not be renewed.

Rohr, who succeeds his former Bordeaux teammate Alain Giresse at the helm of the Panthers was under no illusions about the mammoth task facing him, but said he hoped to entice Europe-based footballers eligible to play for Gabon to join up with the side.

“We are going to try to convince players and their agents that it is sometimes worth more to be a first-team Gabonese international rather than play at amateur level in England or France,” German-born Rohr said.

There was widespread disappointment in the small central African state when the national team was eliminated after the first round of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola last month.

As co-hosts with Equatorial Guinea, Gabon automatically qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.