Eagles take fight to Malawi

Nigeria will favour their chances against Malawi in Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier in Blantyre even after they barely downed Namibia. Nigeria earned a vital 1-0 win in Blantyre nine years ago thanks to a John Utaka goal.

Utaka again led Nigeria’s attack in Sunday’s slim 1-0 home win over Namibia in Calabar in a game the Eagles dominated but failed to finish off their opponents. The Montpellier striker told MTNFootball.com the team expect another victory in Malawi at the weekend.

Ghana ready for Zambia backlash- Boateng

Derek Boateng

Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng says they are ready to douse Zambia's fire in Saturday's 2014 World Cup qualifier. The Chipolopolo made a false start to their campaign losing 2-0 in Omdurman to Sudan while Ghana thumped Lesotho 7-0 at home.

It is expected that the African champions will stage a strong comeback against the Black Stars at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on June 9. But Boateng-who starred in midfield for Ghana against the Crocodiles-believes the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists can thwart the efforts of their hosts.

''Yes of course we are ready and you can see the game we played against Lesotho shows how ready and prepared we are for Zambia," the FC Dnipro ace said. "We always say first things first and now that we are finished with Lesotho so we pray God helps us and gives us the strength to fight this battle."

I can't wait to get started! Hazard seals £32m Chelsea switch... and takes dig at rivals United

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard has revealed the exciting 'Chelsea project' is what convinced him to snub a move to Manchester United in favour of the European champions. The Belgium international announced his decision to move to Stamford Bridge last week, but the club only confirmed the deal on Monday, revealing in a statement on their website that he was 'delighted to finally arrive, it's a wonderful club and I can't wait to get started.'

City boss Mancini to grab £25m Van Persie if Arsenal falter

Roberto Mancini has indicated that Manchester City will move for Robin van Persie this summer if Arsenal fail to persuade their Holland striker to sign a new deal. Van Persie is out of contract at the Emirates in 12 months' time and City's Italian manager has made no secret of his desire to reunite last season's Premier League top scorer with his old Arsenal team-mates Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

It would still take an offer in the region of £25million to sign Van Persie, but Mancini believes that is more realistic than the £45m price tag Napoli have put on his other target, Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani.

Maradona plotting ambitious swoop for free superstar Drogba

Didier Drogba

Diego Maradona is considering an ambitious move to bring free agent Didier Drogba to Al Wasl. The former Chelsea striker is considering a move to Shanghai Shenhua but the UAE side could hijack the offer.

Manager Maradona said: 'Who in the world would not want Drogba? Every team would love to have such a player in their ranks.' The Chinese side are willing to pay the Ivorian superstar £300,000-a-week but The Sun report Al Wasl have the resources to match that.

Drogba is hot property in the football world, with Jose Mourinho hoping for a reunion at Real Madrid. The striker has pledged not to move to another Barclays Premier League team after spending eight years at Stamford Bridge. Dailymail

Nani ponders shock Man United exit despite offer of huge pay rise

Nani considering to leave Old Trafford

Manchester United winger Nani is considering leaving the club despite being offered a massive pay rise. The 25-year-old has spent five years at Old Trafford since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2007, but is now seemingly pondering his next move.

In an interview with Portuguese television station RTP he said: 'I am really happy but I don't know about my future. Now I will study opportunities. 'Football is not only about England or Spain. It is possible to enjoy success in other countries.

Photo of Rooney goal wins Barclays award

Robin Parker's photograph of Wayne Rooney scoring his spectacular overhead kick for Manchester United against Manchester City has won the Barclays Shot of the 20 Seasons Award.

Mr Parker, of Fotosports International, captured the image of the sensational goal from the 2010/11 season - a goal that was voted Best Goal during the Premier League’s 20 Seasons Awards.

Late comer Lawal out of Namibia clash

Raheem Lawal

Raheem Lawal is to sit out Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Namibia as he will only join the Super Eagles Thursday. The Atletico Belares of Spain midfielder is the only player yet to arrive the Eagles training camp in Calabar and he is now expected to team up with the rest of the squad Thursday.

Lawal's delayed arrival in camp has been attributed to visa regularisation issues. "Lawal has called the team to explain that he has been able to resolve the visa problems and he is expected to join the team tomorrow (Thursday)," a team official informed MTNFootball.com

"However his chances of making the Namibia game is slim because he has missed five training sessions but I guess he would be available for selection in the game against Malawi." The Olympic international made his Eagles debut last week against Peru in Lima.

The Eagles will relocate to the UJ Esuene Stadium on Thursday to begin conditioning training ahead of Sunday clash, which kicks off by 4pm local time.

Renard drops Katebe, Sitali from Sudan trip

Herve Renard

Herve Renard has dropped defender Aaron Katebe and midfielder Joseph Sitali from Zambia’s 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier away to Sudan.

Sitali of Zambian champions Power Dynamos and Katebe from Zimbabwean club Hwange were both dropped on Thursday at the end of Zambia’s two week training camp in Johannesburg ahead of the African champions’ June 2 Group D clash against Sudan in Khartoum.

Ghana begin search for third World Cup spot

Black Stars

Ghana's quest for a third successive FIFA World Cup finals appearance begins at home on Friday against Lesotho. It will also be the first major assignment for local man Kwesi Appiah who was promoted as assistant coach last month for the Brazil 2014 qualifiers.

NFF dismiss reports of interference

The Nigeria Football Federation have dismissed reports that top officials are interfering with the work of Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

A section of the media has been awash with stories of purported interference in the work of coach Keshi by top officials including chairman of technical committee, Chris Green, particularly with regards to selection of players for forthcoming World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying matches.

Euro 2012: England's Frank Lampard suffers training injury

Frank Lampard

England's Frank Lampard will undergo a thigh scan on Thursday after pulling up in training ahead of Saturday's pre-Euro 2012 friendly against Belgium. The 33-year-old Chelsea midfielder will be assessed by England's medical team.

Paul Scholes signs new one-year Manchester United contract

Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford. Earlier this month United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Scholes, 37, had agreed to extend his deal after coming out of retirement in January.

"I am delighted. He knew he had made a mistake. He now realises if he plays 25 or 30 games next season, they will be of real quality," said Ferguson. Scholes announced his retirement in May 2011 after making 676 appearances for United.

Brendan Rodgers agrees deal to become new Liverpool manager

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has agreed a deal to become the new Liverpool manager. The 39-year-old will sign a three-year contract at Anfield and his appointment is likely to be officially confirmed within 24 hours.

Liverpool are negotiating a compensation package - expected to amount to between £4m and £5m - with Swansea to secure Rodgers' services. Liverpool sacked former manager Kenny Dalglish on 16 May after finishing eighth in the Premier League. 

Shinji Kagawa close to £12m Manchester United move

Shinji Kigawa in black

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa after agreeing a deal in principle with his club Borussia Dortmund. The 23-year-old has still to agree personal terms but United expect negotiations to progress smoothly. 

The initial fee for Kagawa is in the region of £12m, rising to £17m depending on success and appearances. "Some details are to be confirmed," Dortmund director Michael Zorc said. The expected arrival of Kagawa is likely to excite United's vast Asian fanbase, with the future of South Korea midfielder Park Ji Sung uncertain.

Wenger eyes de Jong

Nigel de Jong

Arsene Wenger is reported to be preparing an audacious attempt to sign Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

According to the UK Daily mail, Wenger has switched interest to the Dutchman after French side Rennes slapped a £17million price tag on long time target Yann M’Vila.

Wenger wants to reinforce his midfield due to injures to Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta. However, Wenger is in a tight race with Queens Park Rangers for the Dutch hard man de Jong, who played just 11 times for the newly crowned English champions last season. MTN Football

Muntari seals permanent AC Milan deal

Sulley Muntari

Sulley Ali Muntari has sealed his permanent contract with Italian giants, the Ghana midfielder has exclusively told MTNFootball.com. The 27-year-old says he has signed a two-year deal with the former European champions.

Muntari had a successful half-season loan spell from rivals Inter as his contract ended with the latter. But after managing to score three goals in 13 appearances for AC Milan they tabled an offer for him to stay at the club.

Muntari says he has signed the deal which was heavily speculated in the Italian media to be completed this week. "I have signed a contract to stay at AC Milan," Muntari told MTNFootball.com. Muntari signed for Inter in 2008 in a € 16 million plus bonuses move from Portsmouth. He previously played for Udinese from 2002 to 2007.

AC Milan ready to sell Kevin Boateng to Man City

Kevin Prince Boateng

AC Milan are ready to sell midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to English Premier League champions Manchester City. Reports in Italy say the Rossoneri are fed up with Boateng's injuries and night life.

Manchester City are prepared to offer either Aleksandar Kolarov or Carlos Tevez in a player-plus-cash deal. Boateng's physical fragility restricted him to just half of Milan's games this season.

The 25-year-old will be comfortable in England after playing for Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth. There are also reports that Manchester United and Real Madrid are interested in signing the retired Ghana international.