World Cup Notes: Nigeria Coach Stephen Keshi To Step Down Following Loss To France

Nigeria football coach Stephen Keshi announced he is "stepping down" following his team's loss to France, "while defender Joseph Yobo has retired" from int'l football. Nigeria "pushed France hard in their second round match in Brasilia only for Paul Pogba's late header and a last-gasp own goal by Yobo to seal a 2-0 win for Les Bleus." Keshi: "It's time for me to go back to my family and face fresh challenges" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/1). ... Keshi on Monday night accused referee Mark Geiger of being "biased" in favor of France. Keshi was "unhappy first that Emmanuel Emenike had had a goal ruled out for offside and then with Blaise Matuidi’s studs-up tackle that has left Ogenyi Onazi with a suspected broken ankle" (TELEGRAPH, 6/30). ... The Japan FA's technical committee announced that JFA Technical Dir Harumi Hara "will be responsible for selecting Japan's next coach" (KYODO, 7/1).