Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson heads into his first game at the helm tomorrow confident his team have the ability to progress from the World Cup’s ’group of death’ next month.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been charged with ensuring Ivory Coast deliver an “honourable” performance at this summer’s World Cup after he was last night appointed to lead the team in South Africa.

TOURNAMENT favourites Ivory Coast were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Burkina Faso in their opening African Nations Cup Group B match at the Estadio do Cabinda last night.

Germany coach Joachim Low praised his side for their performance in last night’s 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast in what were difficult circumstances just days after Robert Enke was laid to rest.

Ivory Coast became the second African nation to qualify for the 2010 World Cup tonight after a second-half strike from Chelsea star Didier Drogba earned them the point they needed to secure their place in South Africa.

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic has expressed an interest in signing Manchester United striker Louis Saha on loan in the January transfer window.

Chelsea 0 Paris St Germain 0

A Victor Agali-inspired Nice staged the comeback of the season to beat Monaco 4-3 in a result that will likely cost the Ligue 1 pacesetters top spot on Sunday.

Paris Saint Germain 0 Chelsea 3

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic has warned Manchester United they will not get highly-rated defender Gabriel Heinze on the cheap.

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has played down rumours that Sylvain Wiltord could join Paris St Germain during the winter transfer window, revealing he has offered the France international a contract extension.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down mounting rumours that Sylvain Wiltord could join Paris St Germain during the winter transfer window, revealing he has offered the France international a contract extension.

STEVEN GERRARD has insisted that he will “definitely” sign a new contract with Liverpool.

STEVEN GERRARD has insisted that he will “definitely” sign a new contract with Liverpool.

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic has hinted the club may move for Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Chelsea winger Boudewijn Zenden has expressed an interest in joining French club Paris St Germain.

Paris St Germain could sever their ties with Swiss midfielder Hakan Yakin and send him back to Basle after he underwent a hernia operation without their permission and against the French club’s instructions.

Paris St Germain’s new Swiss playmaker Hakan Yakin has picked up an injury that is set to sideline him for some time – but his own doctor disagrees with the verdict of PSG medics.

THE future of Ronaldinho is set to be decided in the next 48 hours as Barcelona made a late 30m bid to snatch the 23-year-old Brazilian World Cup winner from under the noses of Manchester United and Real Madrid.

RONALDINHO’S brother and agent Roberto Assis has confirmed that Real Madrid are favourites to land the Brazilian World Cup winner ahead of Manchester United — although he will not rule out the Old Trafford club.

PARIS ST GERMAIN star Ronaldinho is happy with a proposed deal to take him to Manchester United and now only needs the French club to approve the move, his agent and brother, Roberto Assis, revealed last night.

Paris St Germain coach Vahid Halilhodzic revealed this morning that the cash-strapped club are now willing to negotiate the sale of Ronaldinho.

The path for Ronaldinho’s potential transfer to Manchester United could be further smoothed on Friday.

MANCHESTER United are monitoring Real Mallorca’s £10million-rated Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o, the striker’s agent has claimed.

Mickael Silvestre believes Ronaldinho would fit in perfectly at Old Trafford - but may not find Manchester to his liking.

United confirm interest from continental clubs

MANCHESTER UNITED will almost certainly unveil Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho after this month’s Confederations Cup.

Paris St Germain are still determined to hang on to Ronaldinho despite intense speculation that he is set to move to Manchester United, according to his agent.

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson has put Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho at the top of his wish list but realistically expects to sign a French defender, Portuguese forward and English goalkeeper in the close season.

NEW Paris St Germain chief Francis Graille denied yesterday he had agreed to a Manchester United bid for the French club’s Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho.