PictureMoise Katumbi and Patrice Carteron
Mali's World Cup qualifying campaign was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday when their coach Patrice Carteron signed a two-year contract with ambitious Congolese club TP Mazembe Englebert.

Mali, who under Frenchman Carteron finished third at this year's African Nations Cup in South Africa, have 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin on June 9 and June 16.

"We consider Patrice Carteron the coach of Mali," the country's football federation president Hamadoun Kola Cisse said in a French radio interview.

"He is under contract to us until next year but by going and signing another contract he exposes himself to sanction," Cisse added.


 
 
PictureAurelien Chedjou
Cameroon international Aurelien Chedjou is looking to leave French side Lille this summer and has opened the door for a possible move to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has been linked with Galatasaray, Newcastle and Liverpool but has stated he will be deciding his future in the next couple of weeks.

"Nothing is done with any club. Yes, I want to move from Lille and get another experience of my life," said Chedjou.

The prospect of playing in the Premier League is one that excites Chedjou.

Asked about the possibility of joining Liverpool to replace the recently retired Jamie Carragher, Chedjou says it would be a great opportunity.


 
 
PictureGabriel Zakuani
Gabriel Zakuani's club future may be up in the air but the DR Congo defender will have other matters on his mind this weekend.

After Peterborough United's relegation for the Championship was confirmed on the final day of the season, the 26-year-old former Fulham defender has signalled his intention to leave London Road after rejecting the offer of a new three-year deal last week.

Having made his international comeback at the the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa, Zakuani is now hoping to prolong his stay in England and will make a decision on his future in the coming weeks.


 
 
PictureMoise Katumbi and Patrice Carteron
Democratic Republic of Congo side TP Mazembe will appoint a new coach in next two days, BBC Sport understands.

The reigning league champions have been without a coach since Lamine Ndiaye was switched to technical director.

Mali coach Patrice Carteron is believed to be Mazembe's top target.

The 42-year-old Frenchman attended TP Mazembe's home victory over Liga Muculmana in the Confederation Cup on Sunday and was sat next to the club's owner Moise Katumbi.

Carteron, who has formerly managed Cannes and Dijon, has been in charge of Mali's Eagles since July 2012.


 
 
PictureDidier Ya Konan
Democratic Republic of Congo and West Bromwich midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu played party pooper at the weeked in an amazing 5-5 English Premier League draw with Manchester United.

Mulumbu scored with nine minutes left and the Baggies equalised soon after at the Hawthorns to deprive Alex Ferguson of a victory in his final match as boss of the Red Devils.

Senegalese Demba Ba set up the opening goal as Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge against Everton, whose goal was created by Nigerian Victor Anichebe.

ENGLAND


 
 
PictureZainadine Jr and Kissi Boateng
Saint George are on the verge of becoming the first team from Ethiopia to reach the group stages of an African continental club competition.

The team from Addis Ababa beat visiting Egyptian side ENPPI 2-0 on Sunday in the first leg of their play-off match for the Confederation Cup group stages.

Shimeles Bekele opened the scoring for Saint George after just four minutes and Abebaw Butako added the second 22 minutes later.

Also on Sunday former African champions TP Mazembe had a comfortable 4-0 win over Mozambique's Liga Muculmana in Lubumbashi.


 
 
PictureEnugu Rangers vs. Recreativo Libolo
Africa Cup of Nations star Sunday Mba will adjust his sights to the Confederation Cup this weekend as the contest for group places begins.

Mba's Nigerian club side Enugu Rangers host two-time winners CS Sfaxien of Tunisia on Sunday in the highlight of eight first leg play-off fixtures.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored the only goal of the Cup of Nations final to give the Super Eagles victory over against Burkina Faso in Soweto last February.

He also struck the winner in the shock quarter-final triumph over hot pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in South Africa.


 
 
PictureMoses Orkuma
Nigeria U20s have been drawn against Brazil and 2013 World Cup rivals Portugal in this year’s Toulon tournament, which kicks off May 28.

The Flying Eagles are in Group B of the 10-team tournament and kick off their campaign on May 29 against defending champions Mexico.

Nigeria lost 4-1 to Mexico in another invitational tournament in Panama preparatory to the 2011 World Cup in Colombia, where the Flying Eagles reached the quarterfinals.

They battle world champions Brazil, who incidentally failed to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey next month, on June 4.


 
 
PictureCheick Diabaté
Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone was among the stars as Wigan stunned Manchester City 1-0 at the weekend to lift the FA Cup trophy for the first time.

The African star with the blond dyed hair troubled City throughout with his running and now turns his attention to keeping the cup winners in the Premier League.

Unfashionable Wigan visit Arsenal on Tuesday and host Aston Villa on Sunday, needing to win both ganes to be sure of avoiding relegation.

ENGLAND


 
 
Picture
Tresor Mputu (C)
TP Mazembe have made radical changes to their technical staff following their loss to Orlando Pirates in the Champions League.

Club owner Moïse Katumbi, who is a personal friend of Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, has replaced coach Lamine Ndiaye with a group of four interim coaches, and fired the entire sports committee.

Pirates lost 1-0 in DR Congo at the weekend, but beat Mazembe 3-2 on aggregate. The match was marred by controversy, as SABC staff complained of intimidation, and the match was not shown on South African television at the last minute. In addition, Bucs skipper Lucky Lekgwathi was sent off, and Senzo Meyiwa saved two penalties described as ‘dubiously awarded’.