Captain Joseph Yobo and Obinna Nsofor scored second-half goals to give Nigeria a vital 2-0 win over Madagascar in African Cup of Nations qualifying on Sunday. Yobo, playing his 82nd international match, converted John Obi Mikel’s corner in the 68th minute before Nsofor sealed the win with a spectacular long-range shot in the 75th. Nigeria is second on 10 points in the Group B standings...Full Story »

Real Madrid have agreed to sign French defender Raphael Varane from Lens on a six-year contract. The 18-year-old youth international made his debut in Ligue 1 with Lens last November and went on to make 23 league appearances. Local media reported Jose Mourinho's side would pay around 10 million euros. The towering centre back, who can also operate in a midfield holding role, will be competi...Full Story »

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane has acclaimed imminent Real Madrid signing Raphael Varane as the natural successor to his former France team-mate, Laurent Blanc. Varane, 18, is expected to complete a move to the Spanish giants next Monday, despite having played just 23 league matches for Lens, who were relegated from the French top flight last season. Real have reportedly seen ...Full Story »

Manchester United's £9million target Raphael Varane will hold talks with Real Madrid on Tuesday amid fears at Old Trafford that he could be swayed by French legend Zinedine Zidane. United were confident of beating neighbours City, Arsenal, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain to sign the highly-rated teenage defender from Lens. But now Real have entered the race for Varane, 18, and are hopeful t...Full Story »

Raphael Varane, who can play in defence or midfield, has proved a revelation despite Lens' struggles this season. Manchester United confidently expect to begin their summer transfer business by signing Raphaël Varane from Lens in a continuation of their policy to recruit potential stars of the future rather than established category-A players. Varane is regarded as one of the outstanding...Full Story »

LENS, France (AFP) - Lens' 18-year-old defender Raphael Varane, a reported target for Manchester United, said on Thursday that he was yet to make a decision about his future. "I'm not worrying myself about this subject," said Varane, who will sit exams for his French baccalaureat this year. "I know that I'm being followed but, for the time being, I've made no decision. I've not even discussed ...Full Story »