African Bling

As Zinedine Zidane prepares for his first game in charge of Real Madrid against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, the 43-year-old has reiterated his support for Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued stay at the club, calling the 30-year-old Portuguese the “soul” of the club. This is coming after Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal said in November that he would like to see the return of Ronaldo to the club. “Cristiano is more than non-transferable,” Zidane said. “He is the soul of the team. He’s going nowhere.” The Frenchman had also debunked rumours earlier in the week that Wales international, Gareth Bale, would be leaving Los Blancos, in a possible return to the Premier League. He described the Welshman as “fundamental” to the club, saying “he is important for the squad and fundamental for the team.” Recall that Ronaldo had moved to Real Madrid in 2009, in a then world-record deal of £80 million, which was beaten by the £85.3 million transfer of Bale in 2013.‎

Chelsea have appointed Guus Hiddink to replace Jose Mourinho on a short-term basis following the latter’s sacking, issuing a statement confirming the news on Saturday. The Dutchman, who previously took control of the Blues in 2009 on an interim basis, will be in the stands when the club take on Sunderland on Saturday, and his first game in charge will come against Watford on Boxing Day. The Dutchman has been appointed to replace Jose Mourinho and the Blues have explained their reasoning for recruiting the former Russia manager for the second time Read Chelsea’s statement, in full, on Hiddink below: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm Guus Hiddink has been appointed first-team manager until the end of the season. “The owner and the Board welcome back a coach with a wealth of top-level experience and success, including his previous spell with the club in 2009 when we lifted the FA Cup. “Mr Abramovich and the Board believe that Guus has what it takes to get the best out of our tale...

The Argentine attacker converted from the spot late in the game as the visitors came from behind to land the three points Download

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner reached a personal milestone on Wednesday in Sweden after notching a quincentenary of career goals at just 30-years-oldCristiano Ronaldo scored his 500th career goal in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League as Los Blancos record back to back wins in Group A. The Portuguese international held his run before being fed by playmaker Isco and striking a low effort into the far corner to net the landmark tally, equalling Raul’s long-standing record of 323 goals for Real. Real almost doubled their advantage before the interval as Dani Carvajal latched onto a loose ball inside theMalmo box before crashing a superb half-volley strike onto the crossbar from an acute angle. Malmo almost snatched a second half equaliser as captain Markus Rosenberg headed wide after a fine cross from Anton Tinnerholm but their task became even tougher when Yoshimar Yotun was shown his second yellow card after bringing do...

The Italian outfit move into top spot in Group D with a home win over their La Liga opponents thanks to a first half header from their in-form Spanish striker Alvaro Morata and substitute Simone Zaza scored to helpJuventus record their first win in Group D over Europa League holders Seviila on Wednesday. With both sides eager to stamp their identity on the fixture, it was Juve who produced the first real effort, with Hernanes testing Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico with a darting long range strike. Moments later, star midfielder Paul Pogba’s wonderful pass found Juan Cuadrado inside the area but the Colombian attacker’s attempted lob was inaccurate and only found the top of the net from 8-yards. Alvaro Morata finally broke the deadlock with four minutes remaining in the half, heading in Andrea Barzagli’s lofted cross into the bottom corner for his seventh Champions League goal in nine games. Simone Zaza then sealed the win with three minutes to play at the Juventus Stadium...

Goals scored in the first half were enough to see les Parisiens through in Ukraine, with the hosts now bottom of Group AParis Saint-Germain earned a 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday to preserve their perfect start to the Champions League. Serge Aurier got himself on the end of Maxwell’s cross in the seventh minute to put Laurent Blanc’s side in the lead, before being key to his side’s second goal, flicking on a corner for David Luiz to double their advantage. Shakhtar then went on to put the visitors under heavy pressure and were unlucky not to have scored when Oleksandr Gladky came back off the woodwork. DOWNLOADHERE Watch highlight

Ronaldo is set to become Real Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer. The current goal scorer is Raul with 323 while Ronaldo has 321. So two more goals and he will have the all time record. Describe this Football Legend in one word..

West Ham striker Diafra Sakho has been called up by Senegal for the first time since he missed the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. He is set to face Namibia in a 2017 Nations Cup qualifier on 5 September. The 25-year-old angered Senegal by pulling out of their squad ‎for January's tournament in Equatorial Guinea because of a back injury. But while the tournament was proceeding, he played for his English premier league club. ‎ Also in the squad is Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been called up for the first time. The Napoli defender committed to an international future with the Teranga Lions after winning junior caps for France, where he was born.

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is still available for Nigeria duty despite not being involved since November, according to the player's representative John Shittu. New Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh said he omitted Mikel from his first squad because the player was uncontactable. However, Shittu told BBC Sport: "Mikel will never turn his back on Nigeria. "He loves playing for his country and this is just a miscommunication between coach and player." On Thursday, Oliseh explained to local media in Abuja why Mikel was not part of his plans for next month's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Tanzania . "I was in England early this month and I put a call through to Mikel. I called him four times, the phone kept ringing. I sent him a text message, I got no response," Oliseh revealed. "I called his Chelsea team-mate and compatriot [Victor] Moses and we met after the Community Shield. "I didn't hear from Mikel to acknowled...

West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Alex Song, subject to a medical. The 27-year-old Cameroon international made 31 appearances for the Hammers during a loan spell last season.‎ Song, who played for Arsenal between 2005 and 2012, will sign a three-year contract if he can prove his fitness. "We just hope the medical shows he's in a sufficient state for us to gamble," West Ham co-owner David Sullivan told the Knees Up Mother Brown ‎podcast. "He couldn't physically pass a medical tomorrow, but if the medics say it's just a technical thing and he's only a couple of weeks away you'd take that gamble and hope they're right." Sullivan said signing Song on a three-year deal would be a "huge commitment", adding: "He's a big earner."

Ibrahima Traore looks set to reject a call-up to the Guinea squad for September's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zimbabwe. Reports in France suggest the Borussia Monchengladbach winger will stand by his decision at the 2015 Nations Cup to take a break from internationals. The 27-year-old made the announcement after a quarter-final loss to Ghana. "The time has come for me to reconsider my international career in order to focus on my club," he said. Guinea squad: Goalkeepers:  Naby Yattara (Unattached), Abdul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Nouhan Conde (Satellite) Defenders:  Florentin Pogba (AS Saint-Etienne, France), Fode Camara (Horoya AC), Issiaga Sylla (Gazelec Ajaccio, France), Oumar Diop (El Hoceima, Morocco), Ibrahima Sory Bangoura and Ben Sékou Camara (both Horoya AC) Midfielders:  Mohamed Diarra (Odense, Denmark) Lanfia Camara (Patro Esden, Belgium), Naby Keita (Salzburg, Austria), Boubacar Fofana (Madeira, Portugal), Kevin Constant (Tra...