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Dani Olmo has revealed that he tried to refuse a picture with Lionel Messi during his youth, insisting he was put next to the Barcelona star against his will.

Olmo joined Barca's famed La Masia academy in 2007, three seasons after Messi had made his first-team debut for the club, and spent seven years at Camp Nou before joining Dinamo Zagreb.

The Spaniard, who now plays for RB Leipzig in Germany, met the Argentine for the first time many years before his arrival in Catalonia, though, which he claims was an awkward experience that he had initially tried to avoid.

What's been said?

“One time, before I even joined La Masia, I accompanied my father while he was managing a game at Castelldefels,” Olmo said during an interview for The Players Tribune.

“I was eight years old. I was playing happily by myself with a ball, when someone — I think it was a friend of my dad’s — came over and told me, ‘Hey, Dani, come here! You’re not going to believe this. You’re going to have your picture taken with Lionel Messi!’

“Apparently, Messi had a friend playing in the Castelldefels game and had come down to see him. Wow, Messi, right? In Castelldefels? What kid wouldn’t want their picture with him?

“Well, me! I was like, ‘No, thanks. I’m good. I want to keep playing! It’s just a picture, right?’

“But, against my will, they stuck me next to Messi and took the picture. I didn’t even say anything to him. I just waited for the click and then I went back to my ball, like I was doing him a favour."

The former Barca midfielder added: “In the end, I have to say I’m glad they forced me, because I’ve still got that picture framed at home. At the time though, I wasn’t happy to have my valuable playing time interrupted — even by an icon.”

Olmo's career post-Barca

Olmo left Camp Nou in 2014 without a single first-team appearance to his name, but the experience he gained from training alongside a host of star names helped him hit the ground running with Dinamo.

The 22-year-old quickly became a key player for the Croatian club, helping them win five successive league titles and reach the Champions League group stages.

Olmo was heavily linked with a return to Barca before Leipzig came calling in January 2020, tying the playmaker down to a bumper four-year deal.

He has since contributed nine goals and 12 assists to the Bundesliga outfit's cause across 53 appearances, earning a regular spot in Spain's national team in the process.

What has Messi achieved at Barca?

Messi was only just beginning to cement a standing as one of the world's best players when he met Olmo, having initially burst onto the scene at Camp Nou as a 16-year-old in 2014.

Today, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, having won 34 titles with Barca while becoming their all-time leading goalscorer.

Messi's trophy haul includes 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns, and the 33-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down in 2020-21 as the Blaugrana chase down a domestic double.

Further reading

Ghana international Lawrence Ati-Zigi has opened up on how his footballing career started, making an interesting revelation about how he became a goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old, who currently plays club football for Swiss Super League outfit St. Gallen, has become a popular face in Ghana's national set-up since first representing the nation at the 2015 Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

In January 2017, he received his maiden senior call-up ahead of the year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon.

“I didn’t really start as a goalkeeper. My friends made me a goalkeeper and I have lived with it,” Ati-Zigi told Footballmadeinghana.

“I started playing football at the age of six as an outfield player. I was not a goalkeeper. I used to play with my friends in my area as a striker.

“One day we went to play and we didn’t have a goalkeeper so I went into the post, and that was it.

“We won the game. And that was my first time. My friends were impressed and encouraged me to keep being in goal and that was it."

A product of the defunct Red Bull Ghana academy, Ati-Zigi first joined Austrian side Salzburg in 2015, where he was farmed out to club feeder side Liefering.

After struggling to break into the Salzburg set-up after impressing for Liefering, the goalkeeper left for French fold Sochaux, where he played until last year when he was snapped up by St. Gallen.

At the Swiss fold, he holds the club's No.1 spot, a privilege which saw him make 18 league appearances in his first season.

This term, the Accra-born has garnered 26 outings so far.

“When I started schooling my parents didn’t want me to play football because I was always coming home dirty. So my mum didn’t want me to continue playing," said the shot-stopper.

"She encouraged me to study, so I wanted to become a doctor. I made my mind up but things changed and here I am today playing football professionally."

Ati-Zigi will be hoping to make a return to Ghana's set-up when they assemble again in June for the commencement of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, having been left out of the recent squad that faced South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last month. 

Ovie Ejaria found the back of the net as Reading played out a 1-1 draw against Barnsley in Friday’s Championship game.

The 23-year-old was handed a starting role along with his Nigerian compatriot Michael Olise and Ivory Coast international Yakou Meite.

The midfielder impressed in the outing, scoring his third league goal of the 2020-21 campaign which saved his side from defeat and helped them to extend their unbeaten run.

Reading started the encounter impressively and made several efforts to try and open the scoring in the opening 30 minutes.

However, Barnsley defended well, thwarting the Royals’ efforts but could no longer hold them off after the half-hour mark as Ejaria notched home the opener.

The Anglo-Nigerian was set up by Andy Rinomhota in the 34th minute before firing his shot past goalkeeper Bradley Collins.

After the restart, Valerien Ismael’s men made frantic attempts to try to equalize and in the 61st minute, their efforts yielded a result when they were awarded a penalty.

Alex Mowatt was given the responsibility to take the kick and the forward sent goalkeeper Rafael to the wrong side of the net as he levelled matters for his side.

Ejaria featured for the duration of the game, completed one dribble, had 72% successful pass rate and had 47 touches on the ball.

Meite was also on parade for the entirety of the contest while Olise played for 84 minutes before he was replaced by Alfa Semedo, while Ghana international Andy Yiadom featured throughout the match.

Daryl Dike made a second-half appearance for Barnsley following his introduction for Cauley Woodrow, while his teammate and Nigerian compatriot Victor Adeboyejo made way for Carlton Morris in the 46th minute.

With the draw, Reading are sixth on the Championship table after gathering 63 points from 39 games.

Besides his goals, Ejaria has provided five assists in 31 league games, amid other dazzling displays for the Royals this season.

The midfielder will be expected to continue his fine form in front of goal when Reading slug it out against Derby County in their next league game on Monday.

Ejaria teamed up with the Royals permanently from Premier League club Liverpool last summer and has been playing a key role for the Championship side.

U.S. national team attacker Catarina Macario will miss the team's upcoming friendlies at Sweden and France due to Covid-19 restrictions, U.S. Soccer has confirmed. 

Macario's club side Lyon have experienced several cases of coronavirus recently and though Macario herself hasn't tested positive, she is currently under quarantine. 

The USWNT will take on Sweden on April 10 followed by a match against France on April 13. 

What was said?

“While Cat has not tested positive, she is currently in the required quarantine period, and by the time she is able meet those requirements, travel to Sweden, and go through our Covid protocols, it would be right before the first game, and she wouldn’t have trained for a solid 10 days,” U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski said in a federation release.

“We only have a few trainings during this trip, so we felt it was in Cat’s best interest for her to remain in Lyon and make sure she ramps her fitness back up with her club once her quarantine ends.”

An outbreak in Lyon

Lyon saw this week's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain postponed due to six confirmed cases within the club's camp. 

The second-leg quarter-final will now take place on April 18 after defending champions Lyon won the first leg 1-0. 

After the match was postponed, Lyon confirmed a further four positive cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 10 among players and staff. The entire team is now in quarantine. 

Setback for Macario

Missing the USWNT's friendlies will come as a blow to Macario, who is pushing to make the Olympics roster after only making her international debut in January. 

Born in Brazil, Macario moved to the U.S. at age 12 and was cleared to play for the U.S. by FIFA in January. 

The 21-year-old has made three total appearances for the USWNT, scoring one goal. 

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena was satisfied with the team's performance against Al Hilal on Friday afternoon and he was full of praise for Ricardo Formosinho.

The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in their penultimate Caf Champions League Group B match at Al-Hilal Stadium in Sudan with Sundowns having already qualified for the quarter-finals. 

Mokwena lauded Al Hilal's newly appointed head coach Formosinho, who worked with world-renowned Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho at Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur until 2020.

"It is fantastic that Africa can recruit coaches of his calibre with his technical staff - huge experience [with] lots of quality and [having] worked at the highest level," Mokwena told the media. 

"So, we knew that from watching videos and getting data that the team has improved a lot within the three weeks. It is not always easy to give a team your footprint as a coach particularly within the short period of time that he has done it.

"But clearly when we did analysis you could always see that there is a game model, there is a way of playing. Even data or numbers supported what we saw because ever since he arrived the possession statistics of the team have gone up on average to 63 per cent compared to what was 46 per cent, so that was huge."

Sundowns fielded a second-string team and their defence was kept busy by Sudan international Mohamed Abdelrahman, who had a few goalscoring opportunities. 

"So, we knew we had to play very strong when we don't have possession of the ball, we had to work a bit and keep compact and deny them spaces behind us," Mokwena continued. 

"Maybe in certain moments in the first-half we dropped off too early and it was easy for them particularly for Rahman [Abdelrahman] to find possibilities to get into our box. 

"Also because we struggled a little bit to deal with the diamond in the midfield because that also caught us slightly by surprise, although they have played it before. But much better in the second-half where we induced a bit of pressure." 

Masandawana were the better side in the second half and they came close to scoring through Haashim Domingo and Hlompho Kekana. 

"We pressed a little bit higher. We had complications with the wind because they couldn't come out. But [Mohamed] Ouattara and Mohamed [Saeed] Ahmed are very good on the ball," Mokwena added.

"It was a little bit easy for them to find diagonals and possibilities to find spaces behind us. But we dealt with that very well. We are satisfied with the result.

"Once more congratulations to coach Ricardo and his technical team. Huge improvement to what we played against [in the first-leg with Sundowns beating Al Hilal 2-0 in Pretoria]."

Sundowns will face Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a PSL game on April 6, before wrapping up their Group B campaign against Algeria's CR Belouizdad on April 9.

Striker John Bocco hopes the unity within Simba SC will push them past AS Vita in a Caf Champions League Group A encounter in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

Bocco said the Simba players are always pushing one another to achieve good results and hopes the same will apply during the encounter at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

"Simba have got very experienced players and who understand why they are playing for the biggest team in the country. We always encourage ourselves; whether one is playing or is on the bench we always urge ourselves on," Bocco told the club's portal on Friday.

"That is the spirit that I hope will guide us on Saturday also. We have unity and that explains why we have got the results we have so far."

The captain insisted all players are fit and ready for the game that they must win in order to book a slot in the knockout stage.

"I am happy that on our part as players, we are good to go and fight in order to help Simba achieve the set targets," he added.

 "We have had some good training from last week and I am confident we are going to do a good job on Saturday.

"Everyone is fit and I hope every player that will be given a chance to play will give a good account of themselves. I can only say we are ready for the action."

The Premier League winner also warned his teammates of being overconfident after a 1-0 win over AS Vita in Kinshasa in the reverse fixture.

"We will not be looking at the past records but we will be focused on the task ahead even though we defeated them in the first game," he continued.

"We cannot falsely encourage ourselves that we defeated them and that we are guaranteed for another win.

"But I have hope that the kind of preparations and the spirit in the team is all that we will depend on. Let me say that we as the players are ready for the match where we hope to get a win and book a quarter-final slot."

Simba are going into the game leading Group A with 10 points. Al Ahly, who lost 1-0 in Dar es Salaam against Wekundu wa Msimbazi, are second with seven points while AS Vita have four points and sit third.

Al Merrikh are at the bottom as they continue to search for a maiden win in the group.

Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko risk facing legal action over their failure to compensate former coach Steven Polack for his involvement in a car crash during his time with the club in 2017.

While at the helm of affairs, the Englishman and the rest of the Porcupine Warriors squad suffered an accident on their way back to Kumasi from Accra following a league encounter with Inter Allies. 

The incident claimed the life of equipment officer Thomas Obeng Asare while several others, including the head coach, suffered varying degrees of injuries. 

"This will be the first time taking legal action against my employer and sometimes in life you have to do and I felt something has to be done,” Polack, who first coached Berekum Chelsea before moving on to Kotoko, has told Asempa FM.

“[The accident affected me], physically, my right knee can’t bend no more like my left knee also having a problem with my neck and back.

“I feel more pains during winter than summer since the accident, I haven’t done any running and am a sports person, I find it difficult to run because of my knee.

“Mentally, sometimes I will wake up and my bed will be wet with sweat because I have been dreaming about the accident and what happened and I don’t know why I’ve not been compensated."

This is not Polack's first complaint about the club's reluctance.

"You are an employee and you are working for an employer, you expect them [employer] to take care of you in whatever happens to you during your contract or the length you’ve been working there, so we are expecting them [Kotoko] to do that [compensate us]," the coach, who was fired by the club a year after the unfortunate incident for non-performance, said last year.

“Let’s be honest, they [Kotoko management] are adults, they should know these things. If the tables turn around and it happens to them, how will they feel?

"Three years later and we still haven’t been compensated. What if it were them in the accident? Don’t you think they would have already got their compensation?

“So always you need to put yourself in other people’s shoes and feel it too. Kotoko needs to compensate us [accident victims].”

Other members of the then Kotoko squad, including goalkeeper Isaac Amoako and striker Sadick Adams, have equally voiced their displeasure about the lack of compensation.

Kylian Mbappe has admitted that he tells himself he is better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before matches while discussing the importance of having an inflated ego.

Mbappe has been touted as the man to take over as the best player in world football when Messi and Ronaldo finally hang up their boots, having enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at Paris Saint-Germain over the past four years.

The 22-year-old says he already ranks himself above the Barcelona star and Juventus striker as a self-motivation ploy, with it his belief that it is crucial to have an arrogant streak if you have designs on reaching the very highest level of the game.

What's been said?

"The ego? Of course, it's important because when you're in the rough, no one else is going to push you," Mbappe told RMC Sport. "And you have to convince yourself that you are capable of toppling mountains.

"People don't understand ego but when you are not well there is no one who will come to your house to tell you that you can do that. It's just you and your mindset. It's just you. You have to convince yourself that you are capable of doing great things.

"Every time I go on a pitch I always tell myself that I'm the best and yet I have played on grounds where there was Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They are better players than me, they have done a billion more things than me. But, in my head, I always tell myself that I'm the best because that way you don't give yourself limits and you try to give your best."

The PSG talisman added: "Of course, sometimes people do not understand because I think there is perhaps also this barrier which is created in relation to this subject, where one does not really explain what the ego is.

"For people, the ego is just not giving a friend a penalty, having a better salary than the player of the rival team. It's not just that, it's also in the preparation. It's a personal thing, to surpass yourself, it's way beyond that superficial thing of saying 'me, me'. But I think there is quite a bit to be said about it."

How does Mbappe compare to Messi and Ronaldo?

Mbappe has already achieved more in the first six years of his professional careers than most players do by the time they hang up their boots.

The France international, who started out at Monaco before joining PSG in 2017, has already won ten domestic trophies, including four Ligue 1 titles, while scoring 150 goals across all competitions.

He is also a World Cup winner, having played a key role in Les Bleus' run to Glory in Russia three years ago - an achievement that Messi and Ronaldo have yet to match for Argentina or Portugal.

However, Messi and Ronaldo have shared 11 Ballon d'Or's between them over the last 12 years, with the former the top scorer in Barca's history and the latter in Real Madrid's hall of fame for the same reason.

Mbappe has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same bracket as two of the greatest players of all time, but he could be a contender for the 2021 Ballon d'Or if he continues on his current trajectory - which would be a huge step in the right direction.

How has Mbappe performed for PSG in 2020-21?

Mbappe's stellar performances upfront have helped PSG challenge for the Ligue 1 crown and Champions League glory once again this season.

The France international has hit 30 goals in 36 games to date, while also setting up a further nine for his team-mates.

Further reading

Simba SC spokesperson Haji Manara has taken to social media to express his disappointment with the banning of Yanga SC vice-chairman Fredrick Mwakalebela by the Tanzania Football Federation.

The top Timu ya Wananchi official had been accused of inciting the club supporters and members against the TFF and its affiliate bodies, and after a hearing, the federation's relevant committee found Mwakalebela guilty and consequently banned him for five years.

The Mnyama official has now expressed his feelings after Thursday's decision by the Federation. 

"Those who don't understand and know me well might think I am celebrating the decision taken against my brother just because he is a Yanga SC official," Manara posted.

"Despite initial calls by Mwakabela to authorities to arrest me and initiate proceedings against me in court, [I have no grudge against him]. As a human being, I am deeply hurt by the decision taken and I am sorry for him.

"I have never reported anyone anywhere; usually I sympathise with them... and it is the reason why I have been hurt by the punishment."

Manara went on to advise Mwakalebela on what to do to stand a chance of getting back into the game. 

"Appeal the decision made and ask for forgiveness for what you have been found guilty of," the Wekundu wa Msimbazi official continued.

"The TFF we know will forgive you, and then in future avoid being used on some issues because you will be the one in trouble."

Mwakalebela's ban comes after Yanga's media man Hassan Bumbuli was banned for three years.

“Yanga SC’s media liaison officer Hassan Bumbuli has been banned from engaging in football matters either in the country or outside the country for the next three years,” the committee’s statement, obtained by Goal, read at the time.

"The judgment has been made based on Article 78(8)(a) of the 2013 regulations. The defendant (Hassan Bumbuli), was accused of failing to obey an initial order that had been issued by the disciplinary committee.

"On September 28, 2020, the committee ordered Bumbuli to pay TSh5 million and further ordered him not to commit another disciplinary issue within a period of two years. He never obeyed the order and did not appeal against the judgement."

Simba SC assistant coach Selemani Matola believes good positional discipline has played a massive role in ensuring the team has not conceded any goals in the Caf Champions League group stage.

Despite being in tough Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly, AS Vita, and Al Merrikh, Wekundu wa Msimbazi have not conceded any goald and have managed to score five in the four matches they have played in the group.

The tactician has, however, insisted their good defensive record will not necessarily count for anything in the match against AS Vita on Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

"This season, the players' [positional] discipline has been good especially in these continental assignments," Matola told Goal ahead of the game.

"It has helped the team because to date we have not conceded any goal. But as I said earlier it is not a reason for us to loosen; we are prepared because we understand our opponents will be coming into the match stronger hoping to get a win."

In the first meeting away, Mnyama won by a solitary goal scored by Chris Mugalu. Since then, the Tanzania Mainland League champions have claimed two wins and a draw while their opponents have managed to get four points from a win, a draw, and a loss.

While the Msimbazi-based charges need on point on top of their current 10 to seal their place in the last eight, their opponents need a win to stand a chance of advancing.

Despite coming into the match as favourites, Matola insists it will be a tough match but he is optimistic the group leaders will get a positive outcome.

"This is a Champions League match and there is no easy team," the assistant coach added.

"And for us to make it to the quarter-finals we have no alternative but to get a positive outcome and we are prepared to ensure it happens.

"All players are available for the match and we thank God for that. Everyone is fit and in the camp which gives us a massive chance of winning the game."

Al Ahly will be away in Sudan in another group match against Al Merrikh.

AS Vita Club coach Florent Ibenge has confessed Simba SC are among the best teams in Africa as the two sides prepare to face off in a Caf Champions League fixture on Saturday.

The Msimbazi giants will host the Democratic Republic of the Congo outfit at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in their Group A fixture needing just a draw to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

Simba won the first meeting between the two sides played in Kinshasa 1-0 and two years ago, they also beat the Black Dolphins 2-1 in Dar es Salaam during the same competition.

Ahead of the clash, AS Vita coach Ibenge spoke of how Simba have made huge strides since the last time the two sides faced off in 2019, and further labelled them as among the best teams in Africa at the moment, but promised to fight to the end to get a win from the game.

“First of all I want to say I am happy to be here again, and I am happy to play because it is a game we like...football, we like playing so it is a big game and we work out to play that kind of a good game against one of the best teams in Africa at the moment,” Ibenge told Goal on Friday.

“I am not scared [coming up against them], I tell you it is a game, it is football that is football so you cannot be scared, it is a pleasure to play and it is what I want for my players, I always ask my players to enjoy the game, so I hope tomorrow [Saturday] they will play the game and not get scared.”

On whether AS Vita are under pressure heading into the fixture, Ibenge said: “I don’t think we have any pressure, maybe if you want to say if we lose tomorrow [Saturday] it will be finished for us but we are here without any pressure.

“We want to only play because in the first game in Kinshasa we didn’t play as we wanted and I was not happy about that so tomorrow [Saturday] we want to show how we can play at the highest level and we want to play and after the game, if you play, it is always three results, you can lose, you can make a draw and you can win but first of all, we want to play.”

Ibenge further said Simba had made great improvements on where they were two years ago, insisting they will face a difficult game at Mkapa Stadium.

“Last time we lost 2-1 [against Simba here in Tanzania], I know and it was bad for us because we wanted to go to the next stage but we lost and never qualified,” Ibenge continued.

“It is not easier to play against them because Simba is doing better than they were two years ago, and it will really be difficult for us but I tell you, I say the most important thing for us is to show better level than we did in the first meeting.”

After beating AS Vita in their opening game of the group stage, Simba returned home to beat Egyptian giants Al Ahly 1-0, then travelled to Sudan where they secured a 0-0 draw against Al Merrikh, before returning home to hammer the Sudanese side 3-0 in their last match.

Simba are currently on a good run in the competition as they have played four matches and are yet to lose and are currently topping the group on 10 points, while African champions Al Ahly are second on seven points, Vita Club are third on four and Sudanese outfit Al Merrikh are last with one point.

Marco Verratti will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich after testing positive for Covid-19 for the second time this season.

Verratti was diagnosed with the illness after the latest round of medical checks at Parc des Princes on Friday.

The Italian midfielder will now be unavailable for selection when PSG travel to Allianz Arena on April 7, with the club confirming the news in an official statement.

What's been said?

"Following the last Sars-Cov2 PCR test, Marco Verratti is confirmed positive," the statement reads.

"He will therefore respect isolation and is subject to the appropriate health protocol."

What other games will Verratti miss?

Verratti will now also sit out PSG's top-of-the-table Ligue 1 encounter with Lille on Saturday, which he was already a doubt for due to a thigh injury.

The 28-year-old will have to isolate for the next ten days, and cannot return to the squad until he posts a negative test after that period.

Mauricio Pochettino won't be able to call upon Verratti for a meeting with Strasbourg next weekend, but he could return in time for PSG's second leg against Bayern at Parc des Princes on April 13 if his recovery goes smoothly.

Verratti's coronavirus woes

Verratti was previously laid low with coronavirus in the days before PSG's Ligue 1 fixture against Lorient on January 31.

The diminutive playmaker also sat out the club's win over Nimes three days later, but returned in time for their next game against Marseille, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory.

Verratti made a swift recovery the first time around, but it remains to be seen how his body will react after a second bout of coronavirus, particularly with the fixture list set to pile up heading into the business end of the campaign.

How has Verratti performed for PSG this term?

Despite his struggles with injury and Covid-19 over the course of the current campaign, Verratti has still managed to feature in 26 games across all competitions.

The Italy international is still looking for his first goal but has laid on six assists, helping PSG compete for silverware on both domestic and European fronts once again.

Further reading

William Troost-Ekong was in action as Watford secured a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in Friday’s Championship game.

The 27-year-old was handed his 26th league start in the encounter and formed a four-man defence for the Hornets along with Kiko, Francisco Sierralta and Adam Masina.

The centre-back delivered a solid defensive performance to help Xisco Munoz’s men to keep a clean sheet and nick their sixth win on the bounce.

Troost-Ekong only recently returned from international duty with the Nigeria national team and played a key role as the side secured back-to-back victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

His efforts helped the three-time African champions qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, to take place in Cameroon, and finish top of Group L.

Watford hit the ground running in the encounter and were rewarded for their fine start when Tom Lees was forced to turn the ball into his own net in the seventh minute.

The own-goal proved decisive as it determined the outcome of the game with no further goals in the encounter.

Troost-Ekong featured for the duration of the game, won two aerial contests, had 55 touches on the ball, made one clearance and one interception.  

His compatriot Isaac Success was handed his second start this season and was on parade for 61 minutes before he was replaced by Dan Gosling.

The Super Eagles attacker returned from long hamstring problems in March against Nottingham Forest and has now made five appearances for the Hornets.

Senegal international Ismaila Sarr also played in the encounter after recovering from a hamstring injury, which prevented him from featuring for the Teranga Lions during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and Eswatini.

The victory ensured Watford moved closer to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League as they maintained their second spot on the Championship table with 78 points from 39 games, behind leaders Norwich City.

Troost-Ekong has now made 28 appearances across all competitions for Watford in the current campaign.

The centre-back will be expected to feature when the Hornets slug it out against Middlesbrough in their next league game on Monday Afternoon.

Kampala Capital City Authority FC registered a 3-0 win over BUL FC in a Ugandan Premier League encounter on Friday in Jinja.

Filbert Obenchan, Charles Lwanga and Julius Poloto scored the goals that handed the Kasasiro Boys the win under the new coach Morley Byekwaso.

KCCA made the first attempt on goal in the 20th minute when Obenchan's cross found Lwanga in the box but he failed to connect properly with the delivery.

Steven Sserwada came close to opening the score for the home side in the 35th minute but his effort went out from a good goal-scoring position, while a combination between Dennis Iguma, Sserwada and Sadat Anaku failed to break the deadlock in the 39th minute for KCCA.

In the 45th minute, Obenchan scored the first goal in Byekwaso's dispensation when he headed in a free-kick delivered by Bright Anukani.

Lwanga scored his eighth goal in 11 games to hand KCCA another goal when the second half had barely started.

Sserwada was replaced by the returning Poloto as Byekwaso made a change in the 55th minute.

Poloto almost added the third goal a minute after the hour mark but he was denied by the woodwork.

Lwanga was replaced by Andrew Kigozi in what was the second substitution for the Kasasiro Boys. A minute later, Keziron Kizito came on for Anukani.

Poloto, who had been out for one year, finally found the back of the net in the 75th minute as the former champions picked up a healthy win. 

Meanwhile, Vipers SC claimed a 3-0 win over Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces in their respective Premier League showdown at Bombo Military Grounds.

Paul Mucureezi scored for the Venoms in the 14th minute from the penalty spot after they started the game with a high tempo. Richard Basangwa and Disan Galiwango could have stretched the lead in 20th and in 24th minutes, respectively, but their efforts went off target.

Ceasar Manzoki, who is enjoying a good time with the Premier League champions, scored the second in the 27th minute after a solo effort. Basangwa could have added another goal in the 37th minute but he sent his effort over the bar.

Manzoki scored his second of the afternoon in the 81st minute after he connected with Abraham Ndugwa's delivery to head powerfully into the net.

Finally, Mbarara City won 2-1 in their contest against Wakiso Giants at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium.

Tom Masiko scored the opener for the Purple Sharks in the fourth minute before Henry Kitengenyi equalised for the visitors in the 40th minute. 

Mbarara City then won a penalty in the 85th minute which was successfully converted by Solomon Okwalinga. 

Alex Telles has addressed the competition between him and Luke Shaw at Manchester United, insisting "I've done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here".

United forked out £15 million ($21m) to bring Telles to Old Trafford from Porto last summer, leading to question marks over Shaw's future at left-back in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI.

Shaw has ultimately managed to defy his critics and hold onto that coveted role ahead of Telles, who claims to be happy with how his first season in Manchester is going despite a lack of regular starts.

What's been said?

“I've always said that, when you've got players of the highest quality in the team, then the thing that ends up benefiting is Manchester United; the team,” the Brazilian defender told United's official website.

“Since I've arrived here, I've worked as hard as I can and I've done everything I can to show that I deserve to be here, and I think I've done that.

“At the same time, I'm really happy for Luke Shaw, who has made great progress and has been playing really well. He trains really well and he's done excellently in the matches as well.”

Pressed on his relationship with Shaw, Telles added: “In terms of the two of us, we both motivate each other and push each other further forward and we help each other.

"That's really, really important throughout the team, independent of the positions we play.”

Shaw vs Telles

Shaw is currently enjoying the best campaign of his career at Old Trafford, having finally put the injury troubles which had plagued him following his move from Southampton in 2014 behind him.

The England international has already appeared in 36 games across all competitions for the Red Devils in 2020-21, contributing one goal and six assists.

Telles, meanwhile, has only featured in 21 games since his arrival from Porto, with just seven of those outings coming in the Premier League.

Most of the 28-year-old's starts have come in cup competitions, but he has still managed to score twice and set up a further five for his team-mates.

What's next?

Both men will be vying for a place in Solskjaer's line up once again when United welcome Brighton to the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday.

The Red Devils will then look ahead to the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash against Granada at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

Further reading

Friday’s Israeli Liga Leumit clash between Hapoel Acre and Hapoel Ra’anana ended 2-2 with Nigeria U20 star Peter Olawale finding the net.

Following a 2-1 home loss to Hapoel Nof HaGalil last time out, Eldad Shavit’s Ra’anana travelled to the Acre Municipal Stadium with the ambition of returning to winning ways.

For the hosts, they went into the clash in dire need of all points at stake having gone on a poor run of nine games without victory in all competitions.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Acre, nonetheless, Yuval Oren’s effort was gathered by goalkeeper Niv Antman.

Zahi Ahmed was provided with another opportunity in the ninth minute, but his volley from Gal Katabi’s pass sailed over the crossbar for a goal kick to the visiting side.

Eventually, Acre took the lead in the 19th minute through Oren, who benefitted from some shambolic defending from Shavit’s team.

That advantage lasted for just 12 minutes before Olawale’s effort put his team back on level terms. With Ben Savir heading into Acre’s goal area, the 18-year-old shrugged off challenges from three of his markers before sending a low shot past goalkeeper Ofek Antman.

In the 36th minute, Omer Buaron restored the lead for Eli Cohen’s side from the penalty spot after Roy Herman had fouled a goal-bound Ahmed. The 28-year-old took the ensuing kick by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Ra’anana came out stronger in the second half but they were unable to convert the few chances that came their way.

Nine minutes from full-time, they got the much-needed equaliser through defender David Tiram who headed Abu Shaker’s cross past Antman.

With his latest effort, Olawale has ended the 2020-21 campaign with four goals in nine matches played for the Karnei Oren Memorial Field giants.

“Another one! This is my Easter present for my family, friends, club and loving fans. God is the greatest,” he tweeted after the match.

Hapoel Ra’anana, who finished in the 11th position after accruing 35 points from 30 matches, will now compete alongside Hapoel Afula, Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, SC Kfar Kasem, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm, Hapoel Ironi Akko, Hapoel Petah Tikva and Hapoel Kfar Shalem in the relegation play-off on a yet to be announced date.

Tanzania have been handed a tricky start to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers after getting an away trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The East Africans failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon from Group J, with Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea taking the top two positions. The Taifa Stars finished third with Libya at the bottom.

Coach Kim Poulsen will be targeting a strong start away to the Leopards in a clash scheduled to be played from June 5-8 with the second game scheduled between June 11-14 in Tanzania.

The Stars will then play Benin on September 1-4 to complete the first round of matches in Group J. 

After crashing out of the road to Cameroon, captain Mbwana Samatta apologised to the supporters. The Taifa Stars were among the participants in the finals staged in Egypt in 2019 and were looking to make it their second straight appearance.

"It was not our intention to end up [finishing third in the Afcon qualifiers]," the striker told Goal after their final game against Libya where they won by a solitary goal to finish with seven points.  

"We know we have hurt the fans because we have failed to qualify for the Afcon finals. We know everyone is hurt, it was not our intention, we had planned to do well in the qualifiers but have finished third, it is something we will have to work on, we must regroup now and look at the future to avoid such."

Tanzania joined neighbours Uganda and Kenya, who also failed to make the cut to Cameroon.

The World Cup qualifiers will now present another opportunity for the Taifa Stars to put a smile on their fans' faces.

Kenya are in Group E alongside neighbours Uganda and Rwanda, with West Africa giants Mali completing the pool.

The Harambee Stars will start their campaign on June 5 or 6 against Cranes in the Migingo Derby at Nairobi.

Tanzania full fixture schedule:
DR Congo vs Tanzania June 5-8
Tanzania vs Madagascar 11-14
Tanzania vs Benin September 1-4
Benin vs Tanzania September 5-7
Tanzania vs DR Congo October 6-9
Madagascar vs Tanzania October 10-12

Thomas Tuchel has addressed the rumours claiming that Chelsea are out to sign Dortmund star Erling Haaland and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Haaland's father Alf-Inge was pictured with his agent Mino Raiola in Barcelona yesterday amid claims that the duo were holding meetings regarding a possible transfer for the Dortmund forward.

Spanish press reports claimed that discussions were due to be held with as many as four English clubs on Friday, including Chelsea, but Tuchel, who also discussed Timo Werner's incredible miss for Germany, refused to be drawn on the matter of transfers.

What has Tuchel said?

"He's (Haaland) a Borussia Dortmund player, and, of course, there's big news around him and his agent," Tuchel said. "It seems like they are creating a race for the player. But still, everybody needs to accept, and I will fully accept, that he is a Borussia Dortmund player.

"He is a very promising player, of course, but concerning the situation, he's not in our squad. He's not in our club so there's no comment on anything else regarding him."

After that, the focus turned to Aguero, with Tuchel adding: "It is the same answer as for Haaland. We have full respect for Manchester City and for Sergio Aguero, who is a big player for them.

"There are no words needed from me about the achievements of this guy, he is a world-class player. But don't forget, we compete in three competitions with Manchester City so I will never speak about their players and talk about a player's future.

"It's their player and I expect they do the same with our players. We are rivals and, as I said, there are no words needed from me to praise Sergio Aguero's career. It is outstanding and speaks for itself. And it's not finished yet.

"He is still a player for City and will still help them to achieve their goals, which is a big collision to our goals because we are following the same things."

What about Werner?

Werner is set to stay at Chelsea for the foreseeable future with both the player and club keen to continue trying to rediscover his best form.

And despite the forward making more headlines after a huge miss during Germany's 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia, Tuchel is growing tired of the attention and urged him to block out the noise.

"First of all, it was a bad pass from Ilkay Gundogan. That's how I see it," he said. "No, I am just joking! Of course, he misses that chance and everyone is passionate to talk about, which is annoying.

"Life at the moment is all about talking about Timo Werner, how to play Timo Werner and he didn't start three times for Germany so maybe with more minutes, he would score more. It is an easy solution to point the finger at Timo, which I cannot understand.

"I am happy that he is here at the moment because he is protected here. We demand a lot from him and get a lot from him. The best thing is to look at the situation honestly, not focus on the bad things, but look at it honestly.

"Yes, he is in a moment where he lacks confidence and where things are not too easy. He scores still for us. He is doing assists for us. He is winning decisive penalties for us. So, if this is the most critical point in your career, you can still accept it and say, 'okay, it’s pretty impressive so far'.

"I trust and I hope that he does the same. I talk to him about it. This guy has never stopped scoring since he was five years old so he can trust that his brain and his body remembers what to do. It is absolutely usual for him to score.

"So, it will come back. It is just a matter of time. But it is much easier said than done because it is the moment not to think about it and not to read about it and not even to train extra. Yesterday I sent him in from training because he wanted to do some finishing with us. I just sent him in.

"I said: 'you don’t need that, your body, your brain knows how to score. You did it since you were six years old so don’t worry, it will come'. If a woman does not want to go out with you to dinner, you cannot force her to, you just step a little bit back and maybe she will call you. So the goals will come, he will start tomorrow."

Further reading