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Kampala City Council Authority coach Morley Byekwaso has cautioned his players against underrating BUL FC when they face off in a Ugandan Premier League match on Friday.

The Kasasiro Boys will host their bogey side at Omondi Stadium in Lugogo as they start their second-round campaign in the top tier.

The game will be the first for interim coach Byekwaso, who was appointed on Monday to take over from fired Mike Mutebi, and ahead of the clash, the new man in charge has stressed the importance of starting the second round on a high but cautioned his players to be wary of the threat posed by their opponents.

“We want to start the second round on a high and that means winning games,” Byekwaso told the club’s official website.

“We shall try to take the game to our opponents but with caution because we know the kind of threat they pose.”

This will be the fifth game Byekwaso will be serving as head coach for KCCA because, in the 2019/20 season, he took charge of four games, won twice, drew twice, and did not concede a goal during a period when his predecessor was suspended.

Byekwaso has confirmed assistant captain Julius Poloto has recovered from a long-term injury and will be given some minutes against BUL.

“We are boosted by the return of our assistant captain Julius Poloto who has been out for long and he will have some minutes in this game,” Byekwaso continued.

“Fillbert Obenchan, Moses Aliro, Denis Iguma, Stefano Mazengo, and Poloto are back from injury and are part of the squad to face BUL.”

KCCA lost to Vipers in their last game that marked the end of the first round while BUL shared the spoils with Mbarara City.

The Kasasiro Boys are yet to beat their rivals in the last two matches as BUL won on both occasions - 3-0 last term and 2-1 this season with both games played in Jinja.

They will go into matchday 16 with 27 points from 15 games and are in fifth position with 27 points while BUL have won six times this term, sharing the spoils twice and losing seven times, and are placed ninth on the 16-team table with 20 points.

KCCA knows a win against BUL will keep their hopes high in pursuit of the 14th league title but they must also be ready to come up against their former players - Denis Okot, Walter Ochora, and Musa Esenu – who are now playing for BUL.

Forwards Charles Lwanga and Sadat Anaku are all available for selection for KCCA, Lwanga has scored seven goals in the last 10 games while Anaku has scored six goals in the last six games for the club, while Brian Aheebwa, Juma Balinya, Gift Ali, Musa Ramathan and John Revita are all ruled out due to injuries.

When Gokulam Kerala announced their entry into the I-League in 2017, the then head coach Bino George, in one of his first conversations with Goal, had confidently stated that the club's target is to represent the country in an AFC competition. Four years later, they have done it. 

Kerala had been looking for a league trophy for years. The state has produced numerous wonderful football talents over the years, including the likes of IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri. But even their famous Kerala Police team of the 90s fell short of winning the ultimate prize at the end of campaigns. 

March 27, 2021, was an important day for Kerala football. Gokulam Kerala were involved in a three-team race for the league title which dragged onto the final day of the season with the teams all tied on 26 points. The Malabarians and TRAU headed into their final game of the campaign knowing that the winner of that fixture will lift the trophy regardless of Churchill Brothers' result in their game due to the superior goal difference. 

Gokulam Kerala scripted history on that day. They smashed TRAU FC 4-1 in lift the 2020-21 I-League trophy and became the first football club from the state to achieve the feat. With the win, the Malabarians have also secured an automatic slot in the group stages of the AFC Cup 2022.

Bidyasagar Singh had handed TRAU the lead in the 24th minute of the match but the Malabarians came back strongly in the second half. They scored three goals between the 70th and 77th minutes on their way to a historic result. Sharif Mukhammad (70'), Emil Benny (74') and Denny Antwi (77') and Mohammed Rashid (90+8') were on target for the Kozhikode-based club and the performance was a summary of what they had been doing well throughout the campaign. 

Gokulam had begun their journey in the 2017-18 I-League season and have shown steady progress over the course of four seasons to be crowned champions. Despite finishing seventh in their debut campaign, the team earned the tag of 'Giant Killers' with their remarkable displays against the Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan under the leadership of head coach Bino George. The team had plenty of Malayali players in the first-team squad, including midfielder Arjun Jayaraj who impressed football aficionados in the country. 

The 2018-19 season was a bumpy ride for the club. Out-of-form Indian players and unimpressive foreigners combined with defensive errors pushed the club to the ninth spot in the standings with just three wins to their name in 20 matches. But that season was a learning curve for everyone working behind the scenes at the club. 

A squad revamp and minor structural changes followed, with Bino George returning to the role of technical director. Spanish coach Fernando Varela returned to take up the position as head coach after having left the post due to personal reasons before the start of the previous season. What followed was a season full of promise. 

COVID-19 and the lockdown in the country ended what was an exciting contest in the 2019-20 season of I-League. The Malabarians finished sixth on the table but only a point separated them from runners-up East Bengal with only a few more rounds left. But it wasn't meant to be. They had to wait for their turn. 

Even amid the I-League clubs' protest against the decision to classify Indian Super League (ISL) as India's top division, Gokulam Kerala were a club that actively looked out for opportunities to ensure success on the field. Despite financial limitations, they even ventured into the territory of women's football and found success there, by winning the 2020 Indian Women's League. The men's team won the 2019 Durand Cup and the 2017-18 Kerala Premier League.

The club delivered when it matters in the pandemic-hit 2020-21 season which was played behind closed doors in West Bengal. They brought in a young and promising Italian coach and recruited cleverly. The team had promising local talents like Emil Benny and also impressive foreign contributions from the likes of Denny Antwi (topscorer with 11 goals) and Philip Adjah (5 goals).

They were not direct contenders for the title with Churchill Brothers looking strong and being tagged as the favourites to go all the way. But then the race opened up in the second stage of the league and a three-way contest ensued. Vincenzo Annese's team picked up four wins in their last five matches, which included big wins against competitors Churchill and TRAU, to emphatically cross the finish line. 

The coaching staff and the management deserve a lot of credit for never giving up. They kept it, did what they can to make strengthen the team and find the right combinations - the club that once signed 32-year-old Odafa Okolie who was out-of-shape in a January transfer window out of desperation - have come a long way.   

Nigeria national team Gernot Rohr has taken time to give an appraisal of his side in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and thanked fans for their support.

The Super Eagles ended the qualifying campaign unbeaten, recording four wins and two draws to finish top of Group L table.

They also qualified for the biennial tournament with two games to spare after Lesotho and Sierra Leone played out a draw on matchday five before the three-time African champions faced the Republic of Benin and also had a dead-rubber outing against Lesotho in their last qualifying game in Lagos.

Rohr has expressed his satisfaction with the displays from his side during the campaign and promised fans they will see the Super Eagles play more good football.

“It was a good result to win 3-0 against Lesotho. We did not concede a goal and we wanted to be more solid after our two games in November [against Sierra Leone],” Rohr told the media.

“We did two clean sheets it is good for the team’s stability. To also score four goals was also interesting. We recorded four wins and two draws, same as we did for the [2018] World Cup qualifiers.

"We thank Nigerians for the support, even after the two draws against Sierra Leone. The World Cup qualifiers will start soon, I think we will be able to do well.

“Nigerians should expect good football again and on a good pitch I hope. Lagos did very well but they still have to improve especially in the area of traffic.”

Enyimba duo John Noble, Anayo Iwuala and Abia Warriors defender Adekunle Adeleke made Rohr’s team against Benin and Lesotho.

 The 67-year-old has now revealed his satisfaction with the Nigeria Professional Football League stars. 

"Iwuala is a good player, he played two games. In his first game, a lot of people were surprised by his performance. Noble and Adeleke also gave a good impression in training," he continued.

Rohr also explained he enjoys a free hand in the selection of his team without interference from the president of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick.

“I’m working with him now since five years, and there is confidence, trust, and also for me, it’s important that he lets me work in my independence. I can choose my players, I can do my list, and I also appreciate his loyalty,” he told Hip TV. 

Nigeria have now qualified for two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations under the guidance of Rohr, finishing third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt.

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane revealed the Senegal national team need to be more serious following their back-to-back draws with Congo and Eswatini.

Aliou Cisse’s men have already booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations before facing the Red Devils and Dominic Kunene’s men.

The Teranga Lions were surprisingly held by Congo and Eswatini, who are ranked 153rd in the world and Mane has expressed his displeasure with the results.

“It was a very complicated game. It goes to show that in life you have to try to work seriously,” Mane told RTS.

“I think that's what Eswatini did today. Eswatini kept us in check, but these things can sometimes happen in football.

 “Now we have to get back on track and put all the assets on our side to be able to win this kind of match to continue our progress.

“We should not lose with all the respect I have for Eswatini. Especially at home, if you lose this kind of games, you have to ask yourself questions. Fortunately, we did not lose.

“We are Senegal and we will try to continue to progress. However, it must be recognized that there are things to be resolved in this team.

“We hope that the coach and his staff will do it in the best possible way to be able to start qualifying for the World Cup, qualify and go for the Africa Cup of Nations.”

Mane has made 72 appearances for the West African country since making his debut in 2012 and played a key role as they finished as runner-up at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The forward will now be expected to shift his focus to Liverpool when he returns from international duty and help them continue in the winning ways when they take on Arsenal in a Premier League game on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has made 37appearances for the Reds in the current campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists, amid other dazzling displays.

He has been with Liverpool since 2016 when he teamed up with the club from Southampton and has helped the side win a number of titles, including the Champions League, Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup diadems.

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has said "nothing is off the table" in their fight against social media abuse targeting players - including an outright boycott of popular platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.

The Gunners have formed a #StopOnlineAbuse campaign in light of club legend Thierry Henry quitting all platforms in response to abuse, and while their action plan does not yet call for them to go dark on social media, that dramatic step remains an option.

Footballers around the globe have spoken out this year over increasingly toxic, and in many cases racist, messages sent to them by angry fans.

What has been said?

"I would say that nothing is off the table," Venkatesham told Sky Sports. "We have taken the approach that we feel is appropriate and use the power of the following that we have on social media to send, what we think, is a really powerful message around our campaign.

"We all have to acknowledge this has gone too far.

"There is a really dark side to social media, and we cannot accept that. I don't see that getting any better, I see it getting worse and we have to find a way to solve it. I'm not saying this is straightforward to fix.

"My biggest fear is that this type of behaviour becomes normalised. My biggest fear is you will have young, black, footballers who will just say, 'Being abused racially on social media goes with the territory of being a Premier League footballer.' That is unacceptable and we cannot stand by and allow that to happen. It is 2021 and we need to use this as a wake-up call."

What is the #StopOnlineAbuse campaign?

Venkatesham announced that Arsenal would take steps to better support their players emotionally through workshops and meetings while advocating for preventative steps such as social media companies requiring people to attach their identification to all accounts.

Anonymity, Venkatesham said, was part of the reason hate has become so widespread.

Who else has spoken out?

Henry is one of many football players to have openly criticised the harmful effects of social media culture, joining active players such as Antonio Rudiger and Marcus Rashford.

The former striker's decision to walk away entirely from social media with a public statement marked a new step in raising awareness about the issue, which some athletes have claimed is not being taken seriously enough by companies such as Instagram and Twitter. The platforms have responded by pledging to add anti-abuse measures.

Henry said in his announcement last Friday: "From tomorrow [Saturday] morning I will be removing myself from social media until the people in power are able to regulate their platforms with the same vigour and ferocity that they currently do when you infringe copyright.

"The sheer volume of racism, bullying and resulting mental torture to individuals is too toxic to ignore. There has to be some accountability. It is far too easy to create an account, use it to bully and harass without consequence and still remain anonymous.

"Until this changes, I will be disabling my accounts across all social platforms. I'm hoping this happens soon."

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns will be pressing for another away victory as they face Al Hilal Omdurman in Friday's Caf Champions League Group B match at Al Hilal Stadium.

After beating CR Belouizdad 5-1 away, before edging Tout Puissant Mazembe in Lubumbashi, Sundowns are left with this Omdurman visit to complete away wins in their group.

The Tshwane giants so far enjoy a 100 percent winning record in their pool and have already booked a spot in the competition's quarter-finals. 

While Sundowns could be playing for prestige and records, second-placed Al Hilal are fighting to stay clear of Belouizdad and TP Mazembe who are all fighting for the remaining last-eight slot from this group. 

The Sudanese giants have three points, the same as Belouizdad who are third on the table, while basement side TP Mazembe have two points.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Zimbabwe midfielder Last Jesi arrived back in Omdurman on Wednesday from international duty while Uganda goalkeeper Jamal Salim joined the rest of the squad on Thursday.

Nine Al Hilal players, including seven who started for Sudan against South Africa in last Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are in line for selection to play on Friday.

They also include in-form Mohamed Abdelrahman who scored Sudan's second goal in the 2-0 win over Bafana Bafana.

Sundowns will be without Kermit Erasmus who was injured in a Premier Soccer League match against Stellenbosch on March 13 and has since missed two club matches plus international duty with Bafana Bafana.

The Brazilians will be welcoming back Peter Shalulile who was suspended for their last domestic fixture against Black Leopards.

Six Sundowns players Themba Zwane, Lebohang Maboe, Mosa Lebusa, Mothobi Mvala, Thapelo Morena and Rivaldo Coetzee who were part of the Bafana squad which lost to Sudan are available for selection on Friday.

Match Preview

The last time Sundowns visited Al Hilal they lost 4-2 in April 2008 in the Caf Champions League second round, first leg match.

They then won 1-0 at home and went on to be eliminated from the competition 4-3 on aggregate.

The next meeting between the two sides then came 13 years later when Sundowns proved powerful for Al Hilal following a 2-0 win in the opening match of the ongoing group campaign in February courtesy of Lebusa and Erasmus' goals.

This makes Friday's match the fourth meeting between the two sides.

Masandawana arrived in Omdurman on the backdrop of an unbeaten run in the PSL as well as this season's Champions League campaign. 

They face an Al Hilal side which last tasted defeat when they visited Pretoria in February and since then, the Sudanese giants have gone nine matches undefeated.

Zambian centre referee Janny Sikazwe will handle Friday's game. 

Atletico Madrid's Ajara Nchout and CSKA Moscow's Gabrielle Onguene have been included in the Cameroon squad for the 2020 Olympic Games intercontinental play-off against Chile this month.

The attacking duo, who were part of the Indomitable Lionesses' campaign in the country's maiden outing at London 2012 are expected to ensure the team's return after a Rio 2016 miss.

Nchout and Onguene, who are in good form for their respective clubs topped the 25-player squad named by coach Alain Djeumfa.

Tenerife's Feudjio Raissa is making a return since October 2019 as Juan Grande's Mambo Lame and Soyaux's Henriette Akaba also made the list for the upcoming showdown, from April 10-13.

The 25-player list comprises 10 foreign stars and 15 home-based professionals, including Amazone's Ngah Manga and Catherine Mbengono for the doubleheader against Jose Letelier's team.

Having missed out on an automatic slot at the expense of Zambia,  the Indomitable Lionesses must subdue the South Americans, who are eyeing their maiden appearance in Tokyo.

After two postponements, Fifa has confirmed the Lionesses will finally battle La Roja at the Arslan Zeki Demirci Stadium in Turkey.

Cameroon's two-legged fixture with their Chilean rivals for the April international break will now be played on Saturday, April 10 and the second game will be on Tuesday, April 13. 

Cameroon final squad 

Goalkeepers: Ongmaham Marthe (AWA FF), Bawou Ange (Louves Minproff), Biyina Michaelly (Eclair Filles De Sa’a), Ayangma Pauline (FC Ebolowa)

Defenders: Kouesse Magoumkoua (AWA FF), Edjangue Siliki (Ebolowa FC), Tsadja Dolores (Louves Minproff), Ndzana Collette (Eclair Filles De Sa’a), Nguiadem Kamdem (AWA FF), Mercy Ngah (Vision Sports FC Bamenda), Njolle Alvine (FC Minsk), Estelle Johnson (Sky Blue USA), Mambo Lame (GD Juan Grande – Spain) Awona Marie (Reims – France), Mayi Kit Esther (Reims – France)

Midfielders: Omboudou Brigitte (Amazone FAP), Endalle Emilienne (Caiman Filles De Douala), Mefire Peka (Louves Minproff), Adama Raissa (Louves Minproff), Konda Natacha (FC Ebolowa), Meyong Menene (Louves Minproff), Feudjio Raissa ( Dranadilla Tenerife) Ngock Yango (Guingamp – France)

Forwards: Alexander Takounda (Eclair Filles De Sa’a), Ngah Manga (Amazone FAP), Lamine Mana (Amazone FAP), Ngo Back Batoum (Louves Minproff), Bengono Catherine (Amazone FAP), Djuka Chanelle (Tokyo University), Nkada Agnes (Pericuria Mixtafriol) – Spain, Akaba Michelle (Sochaux – France), Nchout Ajara (Atletico Madrid – Spain), Aboudi Onguene (CSKA Moscow – Russia)

The Sierra Leone Football Association has explained why they are launching an appeal against the decision of the Confederation African Football to schedule a new date for the clash against Benin Republic.

The crunch Africa Cup of Nations Group L fixture was not held as arranged on Tuesday, March 30 in Freetown owing to a Covid-19 controversy.

Michel Dussuyer’s Squirrels arrived at the match venue, but they declined to leave their bus after being told less than an hour before kick-off that six of their players had tested positive for the virus.

Reacting to this, SLFA head of media and marketing, Ibrahim Kamara fumed at Benin Football Federation’s claims that Sierra Leone ‘sabotaged’ the encounter while contesting Caf’s choice to put the game forward.

“First, Benin officials insulting us for sabotage is an insult – that is how we see it and we take a great exception to that,” said Kamara in a statement made available to Goal.

“It was very clear that the Benin national team was never ready to play the match on the 30th. The rules are clear on it; when you read Fifa’s ‘return to football policy’ and Caf’s frequently asked questions as regards the Covid-19 situation, it clearly speaks to all these issues.

“When you travel to another country, you have to subject yourself to Covid’s precautionary measures in that country and if any number of your players are found positive of Covid-19, the positive cases must be set aside and the other players must continue with the match.

“The match should never stop or be postponed as a result of Covid-19 positive cases. So, if Benin came here and few of their players tested positive, they were supposed to go on with the match.”

“The Leone Stars were there [at the Stadium], the referees, the match commissioner and the Caf security officer were prepared to go on with the match, they [Benin] were refusing - saying unless the five players tested positive are allowed to join the others, they would not play,” he continued.

“And the rule says that if they refuse to play, they are supposed to forfeit the points. Caf Afcon committee's decision to postpone the match is something we are going to resist as a football federation, we are going to challenge it  - relying on the statutory provision that speaks to that very clearly in article 83, 84 and 85 of the Afcon regulations.”

As it stands, the Leone Stars occupy the third position in Group L having garnered three points. Victory over Benin will send them through to Cameroon 2022.

The Squirrels, who are second behind Nigeria would scale through with at least a point against John Keister's men. 

Scott McTominay says Lionel Messi mistakenly blamed him for elbowing the Barcelona star during a Champions League clash with Manchester United.

The Catalan giants beat United 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals in 2019, with Messi netting twice in the second leg.

In the first leg, Messi was in a collision with Red Devils defender Chris Smalling, ending with the Barca captain receiving an elbow to the face.

What did McTominay say?

When McTominay sent United goalkeeper Sergio Romero to ask Messi for his shirt, he was reluctant because he thought it was the Scotland international who gave him a bloody nose. 

Asked who he thinks the best player in the world is, McTominay told ESPN : "Messi, 100 per cent. Yeah, Messi, Messi. I got his shirt, you know?

"So, whenever we played against him for Barcelona [in 2019], Chris Smalling elbowed him and he's got blood coming out of his nose. And he thought it was me.

"Because I said to Sergio Romero: 'Please can you ask Messi to get his shirt?'.

"Sergio comes back in and said: 'Oh, he thinks you were the one who elbowed him on the halfway line'. I said: 'No, no, no, no - tell him it wasn't me, so make sure I get that shirt because that's going in my bedroom'. So he knows it wasn't me now.

"Sorry Chrissy, but he was the one who roughed him up a bit."

How did the Champions League tie play out?

United set up a last-eight tie with the Spanish side after coming from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round.

Barca won 1-0 at Old Trafford through a Luke Shaw own goal before securing a 3-0 victory at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana almost made it to the final as they beat Liverpool 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-final, only for Jurgen Klopp's men to bounce back with a 4-0 home victory.

Further reading

Ghana international Emmanuel Gyasi has opened up on his double encounter with Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Italian Serie A this season.

The two players first met during a league game in November when Juventus walked away with a 4-1 away win.

Last month, they came face to face again in the reverse fixture and although the Ghanaian was disappointed to end up on the losing side again, he was excited to receive a jersey from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

“For me, he is an idol and this too is a dream that came true. He is my idol and I dreamt of playing on the same field with him one day. I never thought of it happening so soon,” Gyasi told Joy Sport.

“I remember in the first game, I went to him and spoke with him, but unfortunately he couldn’t give me the jersey.

“In the second game before we started the game, he just came to me and asked 'Gyasi, how are you?' I was shocked, he remembered me!

"I was shocked because how can a whole Cristiano Ronaldo remember me because it has been a long time. Home and away games have a long time gap between them, so maybe he could forget that he promised a jersey."

In the reverse fixture, Ronaldo and Juve recorded a 3-0 home triumph at Allianz Stadium, thanks to a fine second half performance.

“When he came and he hugged me, and asked how I was doing, I was very happy. Very very happy," Gyasi added.

“During the game he was nervous because in the first half we [Spezia] played very well and it was 0-0.

"He had hit the cross bar and I saw him run into the tunnel after the first half so I thought I was not going to get the jersey but I saw him waiting for me in my dressing room and I was shocked.

“After the game, we met in the dressing room and had a chat. He’s a very great player and a great person.”

Born to Ghanaian parents in Italy, Gyasi earned a first-ever Ghana call-up for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe, making his Black Stars debut against the former in a 1-1 draw last week.

He will be hoping to receive a second invitation when the West Africans convene again in June, this time around for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. 

AC Milan and Inter have confirmed the fines imposed on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku for their on-field spat in January will be donated to charity.

The pair went head-to-head and exchanged verbal volleys in Inter's 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final win, in which both players scored and Ibrahimovic was later sent off. The two strikers were each charged with unsportsmanlike conduct after an investigation.

The sum of the fines is still to be agreed, with the clubs in a plea deal with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

What happened between Ibrahimovic and Lukaku?

A fiery Derby della Madonnina was stopped for several minutes after Lukaku reacted angrily to a foul from Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli, with Ibrahimovic squaring up to his former Manchester United team-mate as he attempted to remonstrate with the referee.

As the teams went in for half-time, Lukaku was heard accusing Ibrahimovic of insulting his mother.

Ibrahimovic could reportedly be heard saying: "Go do your voodoo sh*t, you little donkey. Go do your voodoo sh*t. Call your mother!"

Lukaku responded: "Well, let's go inside, you b*tch. We will see."

Ibrahimovic apparently repeated his previous comment with Lukaku replying: "F*ck you and your wife, you little b*tch."

Ibrahimovic had opened the scoring but was sent off for a second bookable offence early in the first half. Lukaku equalised from the penalty spot before Christian Eriksen won the game in the 97th minute with a free-kick.

What’s next?

While Milan were flying high at the time, it looks as though it will be Inter and Lukaku who have the last laugh.

They were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the next round by Juventus but now look well set to end their 11-year wait for a Scudetto by winning Serie A.

They went into the international break six points clear of second-placed Milan with a game in hand, with Lukaku having scored again in a 3-0 league win over their city rivals in late February.

Inter travel to 11th-placed Bologna on Saturday, while Milan host 10th-placed Sampdoria.

Further reading

Swedish Damallsvenskan side Vaxjo have completed the signing of Evelina Duljan on loan from division rivals Kristianstads.

The 17-year-old will spend the rest of the season with Maria Nilsson's team, following a successful discussion between the two sides over a temporary switch for the Swedish youth international.

The forward was eager to make a move in search of regular playing time in the Damallsvenskan, having seen her chances at Kristianstads diminish over the course of last season. 

Duljan, who joined Kristianstads in 2017, had made 44 appearances and scored four goals over her last four-year spell for the club, including twice in 19 outings in the 2019 campaign.

She endured a limited playing time of five brief substitute appearances in the Swedish Damallsvenskan in the 2020 season.

Commenting on her exit, Kristianstads' head coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir is confident the forward will progress.

"We still see great potential in Evelina and hope that the environmental change can contribute to her continued development, which in the long run gives more playing time in Kristianstad's DFF in the future," Gunnarsdottir told the club website.

Following her release, she is expected to stay at Vaxjo until the summer, with an option of an extension at the end of the season.

Duljan's arrival will see manager Maria Nilsson count on the striking youngster as a replacement for Nigeria international Ini Umotong, who left in January to join English championship side Lewes.

Having completed her move, the Nigerian-Swedish youngster will team up with Uganda's Violah Nambi ahead of the new season.

She is expected to make her debut for Vaxjo in a club-friendly against Vittsjo on April 10 before their Damallsvenskan opener against newly-promoted side AIK at Visma Arena a week later.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has praised the productive partnership between Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy.

The Super Eagles forward was previously an understudy to the 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot winner before his recent combination with the star-forward owing to injuries suffered by James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

The 24-year-old has bagged seven goals in his last four games across all competitions since playing alongside the England international, including his second career hat-trick against Sheffield United.

Rodgers has lauded the fine combination between the forwards and hopes they can continue the impressive partnership for the King Power Stadium outfit.

“Jamie hasn’t scored in a few games, but his movement and assists have been first class. He gives Kels space,” Rodgers said in a pre-match press conference.

"They link up very well and since they’ve been playing together they’ve been outstanding."

The duo will be expected to deliver another fine combination when Leicester City take on Manchester City in a Premier League game on Saturday.

Iheanacho is arguably enjoying his best season since teaming up with the Foxes from the Citizens in the summer of 2017.

The centre-forward has now scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 28 appearances across all competitions for the King Power Stadium outfit.

His fine form in front of goal has helped Leicester to their current third position on the Premier League table behind leaders Manchester City and Manchester United.

Iheanacho recently helped the Nigeria national team qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, finishing as Group L leaders.

The forward was on parade for the Super Eagles against the Republic of Benin in Port Novo and also featured against Lesotho in Lagos.

The attacker has 31 caps for the three-time African champions since making his debut against Eswatini in a 2018 World Cup qualifying game.

The former U17 star will hope to continue his impressive showings for the Super Eagles when the Afcon tournament gets underway.

Joseph Yobo has urged Nigeria Professional Football League stars invited to Super Eagles to remain ‘patient’ and keep ‘working hard’ in a bid to cement their place in the national team.

Enyimba’s duo of John Noble and Anayo Iwuala plus Abia Warriors’ Adekunle Adeleke were the local-based professionals called up for March’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho by coach Gernot Rohr.

While Anayo made cameo appearances in both games, Noble and Adeleke were unused substitutes as the three-time African kings triumphed over the Squirrels and the Crocodiles to end their Group L qualification campaign unbeaten.

Accessing the contribution of the trio, the former Everton and Olympique Marseille defender has stated that their time would come.

“They did well during training. It’s not easy when you are called upon to play for the Super Eagles. This is their first time in the senior national team,” Yobo told Goal.

“[Anayo] Iwuala came on [against Benin and Lesotho] and proved himself. These are good signs; they have been doing very well.

“They just have to be patient, keep working hard and keep improving, then their opportunities will come.”

The country’s joint highest capped national team player was also asked if the squad can compete for the ultimate prize in Cameroon, and if his technical crew would be keen on inviting more players for the African football fiesta.

“I think it’s a bit too early [to talk about competing for the title] but we have the base of this squad,” he continued.

“The addition that might come in is if someone is injured or another player is in top form playing for his club, so you never know what may happen.

“It is still about nine months before the tournament – some players might be injured or out of form – it’s still a long time but basically, this moment we do have a strong squad and we keep improving.”

The Afcon draw ceremony will be held in Cairo on June 25.

Lucas Torreira says he wants to leave Europe and join Boca Juniors in order to be closer to his family after the death of his mother.

In an emotional interview with ESPN Argentina, the Arsenal midfielder – currently on loan at Atletico Madrid – confirmed his mother had passed after a battle with coronavirus.

Torreira says he has long dreamed of playing for Boca, and he intends to fulfil the wish of his father by returning to South America.

What has been said?

Torreira said: “I am trying to understand the situation. It is difficult to come to terms with it but as time passes, we will come to live with this pain.

“My mother was 53 years old and died from Covid. There was an outbreak in Fray Bentos (Torreira's hometown in Uruguay) and she spent 11 days fighting but on Monday morning I received the worst news.

“I asked Atletico for some time off. Cholo (manager Diego Simeone) understood everything and they gave me a week, but I asked to stay for a little longer. On Sunday I will probably return. I have to do my duty and life must continue. Atletico have been very good to me and it’s important.

“It’s not a violent emotion, a crazy decision because of my mother. I have always said that I want to play for Boca. I’m dying to play for Boca and I will always say it. The night my mother died, one of the first to hear the news was my agent. I don’t want to play in Europe anymore, I want to play for Boca.”

‘I will do it for my father’

Torreira signed a five-year contract at Arsenal when he joined from Sampdoria in 2018, meaning his deal in north London still has two years to run.

His loan deal at Atletico expires at the end of this season and he is hopeful an agreement can be reached to allow him to join Boca.

“I want to be close to my home, my family. I have a contract at Arsenal and I am on loan at Atletico but I want to go to Boca. I hope the clubs can agree.

“It’s been two years since I was enjoying myself personally, I haven’t had continuity. Arsenal hurt me and at Atletico, I don’t play like I want.

“Nobody from Boca called, they sent me a shirt. And the day Boca played Santos, I sent a message to encourage them.

“I just want to play for Boca. I have made my decision. I will do it for my father. He asked me and I’m going to do it.”

Further reading

Simba SC have been granted permission to allow 10,000 fans to attend their Caf Champions League Group A encounter on Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Caf accepted the wishes made through Tanzania Football Federation and that means Wekundu wa Msimbazi will have a sizeable number of fans supporting them unlike against Al Ahly.

"The sale of tickets at the stadium on Saturday will not be allowed although we know 90% to 95% of our fans have a tendency of buying them during the matchday," Simba's spokesperson Haji Manara revealed.

"We understand it is a tradition that has been with us for a very long time and we cannot do away with it in a short period.  The tickets will be sold at TFF offices in Karume and at our offices in Msimbazi and the process will be closed at 12:00.

"10,000 is a small number and we do not expect that by Saturday people will be expecting that tickets are still on sale." 

In 2019, 'do-or-die' was Simba's war song against AS Vita and the club has now made reference to it.

"This is a critical game and mathematically we must get points in Dar es Salaam. This is a 'Do-or-Die Season Two' and I believe we can do it if the fans, the public and the players pray then we will," said Manara.

"10,000 people are not few and we expect them to offer huge support for the boys. We need to win, we do not need to draw as many people think that is the case. 

"We do not only need to win we need to top the group because that will mean we will meet an opponent who was second in their group."

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi official also gave fitness and arrival updates of the players who travelled for international duties for their respective nations during the Fifa break.

"Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone and Larry Bwalya are already in Dar es Salaam while Meddie Kagere and Joash Onyango will be the last players to report. All the other players are in good shape and are in camp," he concluded.

Simba, who have not been defeated, are leading the group with 10 points while Al Ahly are second with seven. AS Vita are third with four while Al Merrikh, who are yet to win a single game, have only one point and sit at the bottom.