Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Stephen Appiah set to sign for Iranian giants Persepolis

Persepolis have reached an agreement in principle to sign ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, reports in Iran have claimed.

The Iranian top flight side have reached an agreement with the player’s agent and expected to start training in the coming days.

Persepolis have identified the 31-year-old as a direct replacement for South Korean Kwon Jun, who has been sidelined with a foot injury.

Appiah recently turned down an offer to sign for Serbian giants FK Vojvodina.

Stephen Appiah has played for Udinese, Parma, Juventus, Fenerbahce and Serbian club Vojvodina.

The 31-year-old midfielder has made 69 appearances for Ghana football team and scored 16 goals.

Appiah captained Ghana at their World Cup debut in 2006 and was a member of their squad for the 2010 World Cup.


- Culled from Ghanasoccernet.com

Odemwingie insists he has not retired from Nigeria

Striker Peter Odemwingie has insisted he has not retired from international football with Nigeria, contradicting recent comments from Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

But the 31-year-old West Brom winger has conceded he is "unhappy" about certain aspects of the Nigerian set-up.

He told the Wolverhampton Express and Star: "I did not say I won't play for the national team.

"If the coach decides to call me, I am available to play for my country."

With the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in South Africa next year, between 19 January and 10 February, it would be a surprise if Odemwingie ruled himself out of being a part of Nigeria's plans.

That appeared to be the case when Keshi claimed at the weekend that Odemwingie no longer wanted to play for his country.

But the player, who has 54 caps and nine goals for Nigeria, has been quick to respond to Keshi's statement.

"When I decide that I want to stop playing, I will come out and say so myself," he said.

"I am 31 now, it will be hard to play every game, but I had an open and honest discussion with the coach and I will be available when they call me."

However, Odemwingie added: "I spoke with Keshi and I told him about my unhappiness with certain things in the national team.

"This included the fact that, as a player who has served his country with full commitment for over 10 years, I got into trouble for asking to be excused from a friendly game when I had an injury."

Odemwingie was omitted from Keshi's squad for the Nations Cup final-round qualifier against Liberia, which the Super Eagles won 8-3 on aggregate.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C of the tournament, where they will face reigning champions Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

- Culled from BBC Sport