Football

Argentina coach Sampaoli has announced a 22-man roster for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Italy, handing a recall to the prolific Juventus frontman Gonzalo Higuaín.

True to speculations, the coach of the two-time world champions has included the veteran Chelsea goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero on the roster, Manchester United's Rojo is also returning to the team after close to a year in the international wilderness due to injury.

It is now certain that Brazilian superstar Neymar will undergo surgery on his fractured foot in Brazil, ruling him out of Paris Saint-Germain’s do-or-die Champions League clash with Real Madrid on 6 March. The 26-year-old suffered a hairline fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot as well as a sprained ankle late in PSG’s 3-0 win over Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Either Nigeria or Morocco will not be present at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger following Monday's draw.

The Confederation of African Football revealed the draw for the qualifiers on Monday, with the two giants - who met in the African Nations Championship final earlier this month - set to miss out on the U-20 showpiece.

Morocco have been drawn against neighbours Mauritania in the First Round, with the winner of that match set to face Guinea in the Second Round.

The Argentina Football Association will pocket three million dollars (equivalent of N1.1 billion) for agreeing to face Israel in their final pre-World Cup friendly, if it agrees to conditions outlined by the game’s sponsor.

According to Sport Express Russia, the conditions of the friendly match of the Argentina national team in Israel, which will be held on June 9, will see the Argentina Football Association receive US$3 million on the proviso that Barcelona number ten Lionel Messi will spend at least sixty minutes on the pitch.

Super Falcons defender Onome Ebi has joined Chinese second division side Henan Huishang FC.

She last featured for FC Minsk in the Belarusian Premier League.

According to a statement made available by Ebi’s management team, Temple Management Company, the 34-year-old is delighted to be back playing football again 15 months after fracturing her hand.

UEFA has confirmed Samir Nasri's six-month ban for a violation of anti-doping regulations.

The 30-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder's ban, which the player's legal representative revealed on Sunday, follows an investigation into an intravenous drip treatment he received at a Los Angeles clinic in December 2016.