African Football Briefs

New boss for Niger

NIAMEY: Yeo Martial, best remembered for leading Ivory Coast to victory in the 1992 African Nations Cup, has signed a year's contract to take over as coach of Niger.

Five cities host 2004 Nations Cup

TUNIS: Five Tunisian cities - Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, Bizerte and Monastir - will host the 2004 African Nations Cup from January 24 to February 14, 2004. Only Tunis and Sousse hosted the 1994 edition of the championship where only 12 teams competed.

Nigeria and Egypt draw

LAGOS: Nigeria forced visiting Egypt to a 1-1 draw here thanks to a free kick goal from over 35 metres by defender Temple Moneke.

Fashanu out of chairmanship race

LAGOS: Former England star John Fashanu has said he will not stand against wealthy businessman Aliko Dangote for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) later this week.

Exodus hits Kenyan champions

NAIROBI: No less than nine players, including international forward John Baraza, have quit cash-strapped Kenyan champions AC Nakuru. The club, who recently lost their main sponsor, have pulled out of next year's African Champions Cup.

Champions struggle in Senegal

DAKAR: Champions Jeanne d'Arc are still behind in their title challenge despite their lone goal victory over Police. They sit fifth in the table now led by Diaraf, who have seven points after three rounds of games.

English, German interests in Benjani

HARARE: English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur, as well as four other top German clubs, are in the hunt to sign Auxerre striker Benjani Mwaruwaru, according to his agent.

African tournament to cost two million dollars

OUAGADOUGOU: The 13th staging of the African Youth Championship in Burkina Faso from January 4 to 18 will cost the organisers about two million dollars.

Malawi call off warm-ups

BLANTYRE: Malawi have called off a series of friendlies against Tanzania as they prepare for their African Nations Cup match at the end of March against Nigeria after the Tanzanians insisted on only honouring one game.