21 African referees tabbed for Brazil 2014

It's 2014 World Cup news regarding the referees per a report by Sainabou Kujabi-Njie at Gambia's media outlet The Point via allAfrica.com.

From the African continent, 21 were tabbed to take part in training in Casablanca on 27 March through 1 April.

Alioum Neant (Cameroon)
Menkouande Evarist (Cameroon)
Edibe Peter (Nigeria)
Bennett Daniel F. (South Africa)
Range Marwa (Kenya)
Siwela Zakhele Thusi (South Africa)
Badara Diatta (Senegal)
Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Felicien Kabanda (Rwanda)
Noumandiez Desire Doué (Côte d'Ivoire)
Songuifolo Yeo (Côte d'Ivoire)
Jean-Claude Birumushahu (Burundi)
Papa Bakary Gassama (Gambia)
Jason Joseph Damoo (Seychelles)
Angesom Ogbamariam (Eritrea)
Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)
Abdelhak Etchiali (Algeria)
Redouane Achik (Morocco)
Slim Jedidi (Tunisia)
Bechir Hassani (Tunisia)
Sherif Hassan (Egypt)

South African international footballer Lance Davids returns home after leaving Belgian Pro League

Per a report at TransferMarketWeb.com, South African international winger/defender Lance Davids has returned to former club Ajax Cape Town after time spent in the Belgian Pro League with Lierse S.K.

The 27-year-old footballer signed a two-year deal with the South African side.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wants more competitive friendlies

New Brazil national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari noted recently that the CBF, Brazil's football confederation, needs to take a critical look at future friendly matches. Tougher, mentally challenging contests against the world's best are needed as the South American squad preps to host the 2014 World Cup.

"I am going to request that, where possible, we play against the toughest opposition possible," Scolari said.

Brazil's last six opponents include: Sweden, South Africa, China, Columbia, Iraq and Japan. Only Columbia could be considered an upper echelon FIFA member.

Upcoming matches with England (February 2013) and France (June 2013) coupled with the Confederations Cup in June will boost the level of play.