The Yak said he'd score and he did. He opened the scoring just before half-time in Nigeria's 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. Big Vic and Joey Yobo also played in the match. The Super Eagles are now certain to qualify to the next stage of the World Cup. (22/06/08)

Steven Pienaar can now have a blow for a few weeks before he reports to Finch Farm for pre-season training. His South Africa side drew with Sierra Leone. The World Cup hosts hopes of qualifying for the 2010 African Cup of Nations now seem very slim. (22/06/08)

Goals Will Come

Some Nigerian fans are wondering when The Yak is going to score next for his country. Everton's leading marksman last season hasn't scored in any of Nigeria's recent 3 World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Yak says: "I know my fans are worried about the goal drought from my boots, but I want to assure them that it happens like that occasionally and that I would soon get over it and start scoring again.

Proud Winning In The Sun

Having moved from Nigeria and lived in Merseyside since he was a baby, Vic has found that the hot African weather has affected his fitness, but he is still happy with 3 wins in the World Cup/African Nations qualifiers.

Vic says: "The weather is always a factor to me. I am still new to this national team and it will take me a while to adjust to the weather and the demands of playing but I did okay to be fair. I would like to improve my fitness. It has been a long season for me but hopefully if I improve my fitness you will see a lot more of me.

"I feel proud to be part of a team like this. We have a good set of boys here. We have a good team. We just need to improve, keep improving. The games are not easy at all; they are tough games playing away from home so can only build on the results we have got.

There are parts of our game that we need to improve, like knowing when to attack and when not to attack. But as a whole team we haven't conceded a goal so the defence is doing well, everyone is doing well as a team we just need to keep it up." (18/06/08)

Full Ninety For Pienaar

Steven Pienaar played well for 90 minutes for South Africa, but could not prevent Sierra Leone winning 1-0. The result leaves South Africa with just three points from their first three games. (15/06/08)

Yobo Scores Last Minute Winner For Super Eagles

After scoring the winner and being hailed a hero, Joey has reminded everybody that the game is a team game and everybody should be praised, not just him.

Joey says: “No, I don’t really think it’s a big deal being the goalscorer for us to get the three points against Sierra Leone. It was generally a tough game for us and everyone of us worked really hard to get the win. Football is a team game and when we win, the whole team shares the joy, same thing happens when it’s the other way round, that’s the game for you.

Of course, I’m happy to have scored the goal but you have to give credit to everybody in the team because a tree can’t make a forest. However, we will continue working together as a team and personally I’ll always give my best to help my country. By the grace of God we will have cause to celebrate like this in our subsequent games”. (11/06/08)

The Yak and Joey Yobo played the full 90 minutes for the Super Eagles in their 1-0 win over Sierra Leone in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. It was Joe and not The Yak who scored the winner with just a minute remaining. Victor Anichebe never got a game. This result puts Nigeria firmly on target to win group 4. They play against Equatorial Guinea next week. (08/06/08)

Pienaar Helps South Africa Win

Steven Pienaar started for South Africa in a 4-1 win against Equatorial Guinea in Pretoria. With the game won he came off with 10 minutes to go. South Africa now move up to second behind Nigeria in group 4 and they play Sierra Leone next weekend. (08/06/08)

Clean Sheet For Howard

Tim Howard started the game for the USA against Spain and kept a clean sheet. He was replaced at half time with the score at 0-0. Spain scored in the second half to record a 1-0 win. Tim is now off to the beach with his family for a long earned rest. Oh no he's got a friendly against Argentina and then a couple of World Cup qualifiying games to come. (05/06/08)

Fingers Crossed

All Evertonians join Jags in hoping he will get his first England cap tonight against Trinidad and Tobago.

Jags says: “It would have been nice to get on at Wembley but, realistically, I don’t think it was ever going to happen but maybe it will be different in Trinidad. It looks like it is going to be a younger team and, if I'm lucky, I might get a minute or two." (01/06/08)

No Cap For Jags

Tim Howard played 45 mins for the USA in the friendly at Wembley against England. Jags was an unused sub and will have to wait to see if he gets his first England cap in Trinidad and Tobago. It's thought England manager Capello will rest the established players and give a chance to the Everton man. We wait and see. (29/05/08)

Trio Play For Nigeria

Big Vic finally made his debut for Nigeria in their 1-1 draw with Austria. Vic played the first half up front with The Yak, before being substituted. Joseph Yobo played the full 90 mins for the Super Eagles. The Yak They now head home to Nigeria for the World Cup qualifier against South Africa, Steven Pienaar and all on Sunday. (28/05/08)

Jo

Pienaar In South African Squad

Steven Pienaar has been selected for South Africa to play Nigeria. The game, which is a qualifier for the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations in 2010, will take place on 1st June 2008. He could come up against Victor Anichebe, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu who are all in the Super Eagles squad. (22/05/08)

Howard Could Face Jags

Tim is excited at playing England at the new Wembley tonight.

Tim says: "It’s an amazing venue. Everyone is excited. It’s one of the places around the world, that when you look at having an opportunity to play there you don’t take it for granted. It’s exciting because we play here and we make a living, and we play alongside some of the great players that England has. But it won’t be a situation like we are a deer in the headlights. We won’t be awed by the size of the game. We have something to prove as a team and we’re up for the challenge." (28/05/08)

Tim Howard could face Everton team mate, Phil Jagielka when USA play England at Wembley on 28th May 2008. Tim will then face Spain in Santander on 4th June 2008. (21/05/08)

Bizarre

Big Vic has been included in the Nigerian squad for the Olympic Games in August in Beijing. Even though Everton don't have to release Vic, Sep Blatter has called all clubs for cooperation. This means he could miss the first 3 games of the season. But the Nigerian chaps have forgot about Joey Yobo and there is no mention of The Yak. How bizarre.

Nigeria Boss, Samson Siasi says: “Anichebe will be in my squad. But our secretary forgot to include Yobo's name in our preliminary squad so he won't be going, which is Everton's gain." (18/05/08)