ROME (AFP) – Udinese are close to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over the sale of the Italian club’s Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, according to Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo.

RIYADH (AFP) – Saudi Arabia are set to name Dutchman Frank Rijkaard as national team coach with the aim of qualifying the Gulf side for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, a Saudi football federation source told AFP.

Elite Race Walking Instructor, Samuel Babatoba, said on Tuesday that two new national records had been set in the 20 km walk by Adeyemi Kazeem and Seyi Lawal.

The National U-20 team, Flying Eagles will on Thursday fly out to Faro, Portugal for a 16-day training camp ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals starting in Colombia at the end of July. The team will travel from Port Harcourt aboard an Air France flight, through Paris and Lisbon.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons say they are confident they can withstand the anticipated fireworks of the Germany women’s team and unleash some of their own in Thursday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A clash between both countries in Frankfurt.

The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) will discuss the plight of Super Falcons players and the poor state of women football at a special seating on Wednesday

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia has donated a golden trophy for the second overall best state at the 17th National Sports Festival which began in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Adewunmi Ogunsanya, has assured that the state’s contingent to the 17th National Sports Festival was ready to rise above impediments to achieve their set objectives.

Ghana’s under-23 defender Samuel Inkoom is confident they can turn around their All Africa Games tie with Nigeria and avoid tumbling out of a place at the Games.

The defending champion, Delta State contingent for the 17 National Sports Festival tagged Garden City Games 2011 which begins on 3rd July, 2011 storm Port Harcourt city, on Monday. The contingent is made up of athletes and accompanying officials totaling 867.

Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is expected to arrive in Germany to meet with players and officials of the Super Falcons ahead of Thursday’s game against Germany.

Nigeria’s team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup are in must win situation in their group A encounter against Germany on Thursday. And coach Ngozi Uche believes that his girls would not be rolled over by the Germans just like they did in a friendly game late last year.

LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes the club’s wait for fresh silverware success could be about to end under Kenny Dalglish.

SINGAPORE (AFP) – Manchester United winger Nani has insisted he is “not going anywhere” despite the arrival at Old Trafford of England international Ashley Young and reported interest from abroad.

Sacked Nigeria Football Federation assistant general secretary (Technical), James Peters has said that players of the Super Falcons need psychological boost to do well in the remaining group games at the on-going FIFA Women World Cup finals in Germany.