“Europe is where most of the world’s top players are. When it comes to discussing national teams from outside Europe, that discussion usually focuses on Brazil and Argentina and how they will always contend for a World Cup.” (The London Free Press)

Colombian authorities under fire amid hooligan outbreak (World Soccer)
“The stoning of a team bus left a player in hospital amid calls for firmer action to tackle the growing problem of football violence. Colombia’s football authorities have been criticised for their reaction after Deportivo Cali’s bus was stoned on its way to a match with Millonarios.”

Bulgaria’s Maradona queues for Sundowns job (The Times)
“A Bulgarian football legend wants to bash the bruised and battered Brazilians back into shape. Hristo Stoichkov is among the candidates vying for the Mamelodi Sundowns coaching vacancy. About 30 applicants hope to get the nod from hard-to-please billionaire club president Patrice Motsepe.”

Nigeria in another call-up clanger (BBC)
“Nigeria have bizarrely handed a call-up to Hamburg midfielder Dennis Aogo for World Cup qualifiers even though he is not eligible to play for the country.”

Checking out the lie of the land (The Times)
“World Cup teams search for tournament’s best base camp. World football figures are scouring SA, searching for suitable venues for their countries to set up camp for the 2010 World Cup. With 410 days until the first World Cup on African soil kicks off, only South Africa has qualified for the quadrennial soccer showpiece (by virtue of being hosts).”

Nigeria: The Race to the Gold Vault of Europe (allAfrica)
“As the war to become the kings of club football in Europe rages, a side battle is going on that is no less as hot as the main one, the race to become the owner of the season’s Golden Boot of the championship.”

Al Ahly to play in Wembley Cup (BBC)
“African champions Al Ahly of Egypt will line up in the inaugural Wembley Cup to be staged in England in July. “