体坛英语新闻：Man City star Toure backs calls to expand World Cup slots

NAIROBI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City and Ivory Coast star midfielder Yaya Toure on Tuesday supported the call by UEFA President Michel Platini to expand the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams.

Toure, who was appointed as Goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), added his nation had not booked its place for Brazil 2014 despite the commanding 3-1 lead they have over Senegal from the first leg in Abidjan a fortnight ago.

"The five slots given for Africa lock out many countries outside the traditional big nations, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal. The idea will help more teams from the continent to participate in the event."

"It's only Ghana who can say they have a chance. My personal view is that 3-1 is not enough because the second leg is always tough.

"We don't have an advantage since we will be playing away in Casablanca," noted Toure, who was part of the Elephants team that crashed out in the group stage of the 2010 edition in South Africa.

They will play their second leg of their final African play-off qualifier on the weekend of Nov. 17 and 19.

Despite losing 2-1 to Chelsea on Sunday, Toure backed City under Manuel Pellegrini to reclaim the Barclay Premier League title they won on the dramatic last day in 2012.

He said Manchester United will find it difficult to retain the trophy.

"We are playing very well and the championship has just started and I'm hoping for the best. For the part of United, it's very tough for them with a new manager but we are looking to do what they did last year.

"Arsenal and Liverpool are playing very well and it will be difficult to move them from there," the star said ahead of his departure from the country on Tuesday evening to rejoin his squad for their weekend premier league clash against Norwich at home on Saturday.