JILL TO STAY ON AS USA BOSS

JILL Ellis has agreed a new longterm contract to coach the US national team after guiding them to World Cup glory this summer.

Ellis’s team lifted the trophy last month for the third time, as a Carli Lloyd hat-trick fired them to a 5-2 victory over 2011 champions Japan in the final.

Now the Portsmouth-born coach will have the opportunity to lead them to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with qualifying taking place later this year.

And Ellis, whose contract also covers the 2019 World Cup in France and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is excited about the challenge.

“To watch our players achieve their dreams and continue to inspire fans across the country and the world was one of the most satisfying experiences of my coaching career,” she said.

“We had a really exciting year, and we are looking forward to more exciting times ahead.” Reigning African champions

Nigeria have failed to qualify for Rio 2016 after suffering a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Equatorial

Guinea, led by Bristol Academy forward Jade Boho Sayo.

Nigeria were without a handful of key players, including Liverpool’s BBC Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, and the Nigerian Football Federation is not ready to hit the panic button.

“It’s an unfortunate disappointment,” said NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire. “There’s no quick fix and we need a much broader review.”

Equatorial Guinea will now face a play-off with South

Africa – while Cameroon take

on Ivory Coast for the other African spot at the Games – and they will not be underestimated.

South Africa coach Vera Pauw said: “Equatorial Guinea will not be weaker than Nigeria. The fact they beat Nigeria means it will be a tough encounter.”

Closer to home, the line-up for the Irish FA Cup final has been decided after

Clliftonville beat Sion Swifts 2-1 after extra-time and Cru

saders Strikers thrashed Coleraine 9-0 in the semifinals, Danielle McDowell scoring four times.

Scottish Women’s Premier League leaders Glasgow City maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win at

Spartans last weekend.They are level on points with Hibern

ian, with both having won 12 of their 13 league fixtures.