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Nigeria’s game against Lesotho provides coach Gernot Rohr with an opportunity to test the senior national team’s fringe players, according to Eniola Olodeankirun.

The Super Eagles take on the Crocodiles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier of the campaign.

Although the three-time African kings are through to Cameroon 2022, they would be hoping to end their Group L campaign undefeated.

For the Southern African team, their ambition in Lagos would be to avenge their defeat in Maseru as well as secure their first win in six matches.

On the choice of players Rohr must field against Thabo Senong’s men, the widely travelled Nigerian club owner wants the German tactician to try out the non-established members of his squad – especially the Nigeria Professional Football League stars.

“Nothing is at stake in this game, so it is not a crime for coach Rohr to give the fringe players – especially the NPFL stars in the team to prove their worth,” Olodeankirun told Goal.

“Fielding them against Lesotho would boost their confidence and who knows, there may be one or two players who could break into the first XI.”

Against Benin Republic, many Nigerians expected the 2013 Afcon winners to win convincingly in Porto-Novo, but Nigeria won the encounter against the Squirrels 1-0 after Paul Onuachu’s last-gasp effort.

Olodeankirun expects a more synchronised display from Rohr’s team while urging them to go out for goals against Lesotho, which could be a warning to their African opponents.

“I expect a more coordinated display from the Super Eagles against Lesotho. This time around, I want them to play for one another,” he continued.

“Against Benin Republic, it was more of individual skills. They have got the talent, no doubts and everything, but that must be translated into goals on Tuesday.

“Beating Lesotho silly will make teams [who have qualified for Afcon] scared of them, and to achieve this, they must be purposeful.”

Since their maiden appearance at the African football showpiece, Nigeria have won the competition thrice - Nigeria 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013.

They finished third at their last outing in Egypt 2019, defeating Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place encounter thanks to Odion Ighalo’s first-half strike.

Former South Africa coach Clive Barker says the quality of football displayed by the current Bafana Bafana squad “leaves a lot to be desired” and AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy would be a “breath of fresh air” if appointed to head the national team.

Calls for Molefi Ntseki to step down from his role as Bafana coach are growing louder following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Sudan, which meant the country missed out on qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations finals to be hosted by Cameroon in January 2022.

Barker has joined in voicing disapproval of Ntseki's capacity to lead South Africa, a job he was thrust into after the 2019 Afcon finals, when he replaced Stuart Baxter.

“I have always said that you have to have coaches that have won things. I mean‚ not to be against coach Molefi Ntseki‚ I think his mannerisms are good and I think his intentions are good‚ but really you have got to win things. I feel for him‚” Barker told Times Live.

“I think it is terrible that we have all these facilities that we have got and just be knocked out so early. It is just crazy. The quality of football leaves quite a bit to be desired.

“I mean‚ it is crazy [the decision to appoint Ntseki]. You can’t go there and be in charge of a national team and you have never won anything.

"I can’t recall if he has won something and if he has won‚ then I do apologise. Arthur Zwane sits there and he has won all types of trophies‚ how can he go there and have a guy who has never won anything?”

Barker feels that the man to replace Ntseki should be a local coach and McCarthy would be the right man for the Bafana job.

The former Ajax Amsterdam and FC Porto striker’s experience as a coach includes a stint as a backroom staff member at Belgian side Sint-Truiden as well as being at the helm of Cape Town City and currently AmaZulu.

“I think they should have thought of maybe someone like Benni McCarthy or people like that, who can come in and turn this whole thing around,” said Barker.

“No doubt about it‚ he [McCarthy] is a breath of fresh air. He knows the game at the highest level and he has played and scored at the highest level.

"He has made his mark at national level as a player and he is now making his mark as a coach locally. He is the guy that should be able to take us forward.

“He is the flavour of the month at the moment - and he should be, too. He has done really well as a coach‚ the people respond well to him and they do it for a reason - because he has delivered the goods before.”

After taking over the reins at AmaZulu last December, McCarthy has led them to nine wins, four draws and three defeats across all competitions.

He transformed them from relegation candidates to fifth place where they are currently placed on the Premier Soccer League table.

Stuttgart's sporting director Sven Mislintat says Jurgen Klopp, Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are the most impressive characters in football.

Mislintat worked with Klopp at Borussia Dortmund as the club’s chief scout, while he spent a season alongside Wenger at Arsenal as their head of recruitment.

The German is heavily influenced by Premier League football, with his one regret not being able to work with Manchester United’s legendary manager Ferguson.

What has been said?

"Of the people I've worked with, it's Klopp,” Mislintat said on the Kicker meets DAZN podcast when asked who are the most impressive characters in football. 

“It was also special for me to move to Arsenal because of Arsene Wenger, with whom I was able to work for a year. For me, he was the benchmark for how to develop Dortmund. If you're honest, that's exactly what we're doing now in Stuttgart. 

“We're making the most of our opportunities, bringing in young players with good recruiting, developing them and, in turn, the club. 

“If I could pick another former great coach I would have liked to work with, it would be Sir Alex Ferguson alongside Wenger. I'm strongly influenced by my time in England.”

Total trust in Klopp

Mislintat and Klopp spent seven years together at Dortmund, and he would take any player the Liverpool boss recommends - an opinion that was reinforced when Klopp offered him Nat Phillips to solve a defensive issue at Stuttgart.

“When Marcin Kaminski got injured with us, Klopp approached me and said I should take a look at Nathaniel Phillips because he was looking for a loan deal for him,” Mislintat said. “Even though I trust Klopp blindly with such an offer, I bear the responsibility of course. 

"That's why I first had to take a look at him myself and give him a credible assurance that he has a real chance to play with us. 

“In the end, it turned out that he was exactly the kind of player we were looking for."

 Mislintat’s career path

The 48-year-old has no playing background, and came into football after studying sports science at university.

He joined Dortmund’s scouting department in 2006, and oversaw major signings like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele and Shinji Kagawa.

Arsenal made him their head of recruitment in 2017, but his stay in England was brief - and he returned to Germany to take on the role of sporting director at Stuttgart in 2019.

Further reading

Kenya finished the Africa Cup of Nations Group G qualifiers on a high after defeating Togo 2-1 at Kegue Stadium in Lome on Monday evening.

Abdallah Hassan opened the scoring for the Harambee Stars before Masoud Juma doubled the advantage. The Sparrowhawks got their goal courtesy of Henri Eninful.

The visitors started the match without star striker Michael Olunga, goalkeeper Ian Otieno, defender Joash Onyango and midfielder Juma Lawrence who reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the dead rubber.

In the fifth minute, the hosts had a chance to test James Saruni in the Kenya goal when Duncan Otieno conceded a foul in a good area, but Abdou-Samiou Tchatakora failed to capitalise on the chance.

The visitors had a chance to find the back of the net in the 20th minute when Kevin Kimani brought in a dangerous corner kick, but a slight touch by N'Guissan Djehani ensured Juma did not head the ball and it went out for an unfruitful corner.

Moments later, the Sparrowhawks won a corner and a low ball was played into the danger zone in search of Ihlas Bebou, who went down under a heavy challenge from Clyde Senaji but the referee was not interested despite protests for a penalty.

In the 30th minute, the East Africans managed to break the deadlock. Clyde Senaji won the ball before playing it to Clifton Miheso, who passed it to the advancing Hassan. The Bandari winger held his cool to lob the ball past the custodian and into the back of the net. 

Two minutes later, the Harambee Stars could have doubled their advantage but Juma missed the target under pressure from the defenders.

In the stroke of half-time, the Togo custodian was forced into a double save after the defenders failed to clear the ball in the danger zone, Kimani unleashed a fierce strike, and Djehani parried it as far as Juma, whose follow-up shot was deflected out for an unfruitful corner.

The Stars started the second 45 minutes defensively as their hosts pushed for an equalizer, but the Kenyans were disciplined and ensured Saruni was not troubled at the back.

In the 66th minute, Juma was felled in the danger zone by Kangnivi Ama Tchoutchoui and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The forward rose to the occasion and made no mistake from 12-yards to double Kenya's advantage.

Five minutes later, a defensive lapse allowed Ihlas Bebou to break in a one-on-one situation with Saruni but the latter pulled off a fantastic save to deny him.

The Sparrowhawks finally managed to beat Saruni in stoppage time.

The Kenya defender handled the ball in the danger zone and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Eninful held his nerve to halve the deficit as the visitors walked home with maximum points to finish third on the table with seven points while Togo remained bottom with two.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations president Moses Magogo has stated they lost the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Monday against Malawi fairly.

The Cranes went down 1-0 against the Flames, a result that ended their dreams of earning a third straight Afcon participation ticket. Instead, a goal by Richard Mbulu in the 15th minute handed the Cosafa nationa finals' slot for the 33rd edition that will be held in Cameroon.

"We lost fairly after the authorities declared all our players Covid-19 negative and available for selection," Magogo wrote on his Facebook page after the match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

"The Mozambique referees were very fair to both teams at least in my view. The better team on the pitch won, congratulations to Malawi."

The federation chief has declared that the focus will now be on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Uganda will face Mali, Kenya and Rwanda in the qualifiers that are set to begin in mid-2021.

"We will shift our focus to the Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifiers coming in June," he added.

Before they played Malawi - a game that they needed to draw or win to join the qualified teams - Fufa had to deal with allegations that midfielder Taddeo Lwanga tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Simba SC star was, however, cleared later - after Fufa's sought Caf's intervention over the matter- and was on the bench.

The Cranes were dealt with an injury blow in the 44th minute when Ronald Mukiibi was injured and Gavin Kizito was given his senior team debut.

Bevis Bwomono, Patrick Kaddu, Timothy Awany and Fahad Bayo are some of the players that were not available for Uganda for the game that carried so many stakes.

Before the last two Afcon qualifiers, Uganda dismissed Khalid Aucho over indiscipline and his removal from the team led to a prolonged debate, with some backing Fufa's move while others connected the dismissal with the player's perceived political stand.

The Cranes were part of the January/February African Nations Championship competition in Cameroon. They were eliminated at the group stage after they failed to pick up enough points against Rwanda, Togo and the eventual winners, Morocco.

The result saw head coach Johnathan McKinstry told to step aside and his fate is yet to be fully determined. The qualifiers against South Sudan and Malawi were overseen by coaches Abdallah Mubiru, Livingstone Mbabazi and Fred Kajoba.

The U20 side participated in the Afcon finals in Mauritania and despite being debutants, they sailed all the way to the ultimate stage only to lose to Tunisia.

The latest failure by Uganda to advance means no East African country will be part of the Cameroon finals. Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi were part of the 2019 edition but it is only the Cranes that progressed to the knockout stage.

They were, however, eliminated in the Round of 16 by the eventual finalists Senegal.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Ishmael Maluleke feels that ageing strikers and a lack of alternatives are what is haunting Bafana Bafana.

After the South African national team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat in Sudan, Maluleke has focused on Bafana’s attack while also touching on the goalkeeping department.

The injury to SuperSport United’s 33-year-old forward Bradley Grobler left coach Molefi Ntseki with Luther Singh as the most notable outright striker available.

In the last two qualifiers, Bafana had to rely on attacking midfielders Percy Tau and Themba Zwane for goals and the Brighton and Hove Albion man scored to salvage a point in the 1-1 draw against Ghana.

No Bafana striker was on the score sheet during the six qualifying matches, with Tau grabbing four goals, Zwane two, while other midfielders Bongani Zungu and Lebogang Phiri had a goal each.

“Like I always say, this is similar to the issue of goalkeeping. Whatever is happening within the PSL clubs with goalkeepers is the same thing that is happening with strikers,” Maluleke told Sowetan Live.

“Look at the number one goalkeepers at the so-called big clubs – Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns – they are all foreigners.

“Now number one goalkeeper at Chiefs is Nigerian [Daniel Akpeyi], Sundowns have a Ugandan [Denis Onyango] and at Pirates it is Ghanaian [Richard Ofori].

"This is similar to our strikers and we are struggling. We have strikers who are getting older, and we don’t have future forwards who we can look up to.

“If we have a striker like Grobler, who is an outright striker, being there and the other people who are competing with him are midfielders like Zwane and [Mduduzi] Mdantsane, who are not used to playing upfront, it becomes a problem for Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki to select a combination of forwards.”

On the Premier Soccer League scorers’ chart, Grobler leads the standings with 13 goals, followed by Swallows FC midfielder Ruzaigh Gamildien, Mdantsane, Namibia international Peter Shalulile and then Zwane, who has eight league strikes.

While most attention is being paid to the forwards, Bafana’s defence was also worrisome during these qualifiers, shipping in seven goals, including two from whipping boys Sao Tome e Principe, who lost all their six group games.

Ibrahima Konate says his phone has been “ringing all over the place” following reports of an imminent move to Liverpool.

The Athletic claimed on Monday that the Reds were in advanced talks to sign the defender from RB Leipzig.

Konate says he has not been distracted by the speculation, with his focus on helping France advance at the European Under-21 Championship.

What has been said?

“I woke up, I saw my phone ringing all over the place,” Konate told L’Equipe. “I just wanted to tell them, ‘Hey, I played yesterday, I’m tired, leave me alone'.

“Frankly, I don’t even watch this. We can’t focus on that, there are the Euros and then my return to the club. You have to focus on that and not on the external things.”

What has been said about Konate and Liverpool?

The reports had claimed that talks were at an “advanced stage,” with the Reds hopeful of adding the 21-year-old centre-back to their ranks this summer.

Other clubs are also circling, but Liverpool are said to be confident about adding a potential partner for Virgil van Dijk to their ranks.

Liverpool’s defensive issues

It has been well documented the problems Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has had to contend with this season.

Van Dijk’s season was ruined by a knee injury picked up in October, while fellow centre-back options Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho have all spent significant time in the treatment room.

Klopp attempted to patch over the issues in January, but the signings of Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies have not solved their problems.

Kabak has shown flashes of quality to suggest he could have a future at the club, should Liverpool turn his loan spell at Anfield from Schalke into a permanent arrangement, but Davies has not made an appearance since making a surprise move from Preston.

Konate has huge potential and at 21 is a player for the long term, meaning he would be an ideal addition should Liverpool get the deal over the line.

Further reading

Uganda failed to secure a third straight Africa Cup of Nations ticket after they were humbled 1-0 by Malawi at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Monday.

Malawi needed a win to join the Cameroon party and a goal - by Richard Mbulu - in the first half coupled with resilient defending earned them the victory over Uganda, who were participants in the 2017 and the 2019 Afcon finals.

Uganda won a third-minute free-kick but Mustapha Kizza, who was operating deep in Malawi's area, saw his effort collected easily by goalkeeper Ernest Kakombwe.

Kakombwe had to be attended by the medics in the ninth minute but he was cleared to proceed with the match after a short break as no side looked more dominant than the other in the opening 10 minutes.

After a cautious but clinical move from the right flank, a Peter Banda cross into Uganda's penalty area found Mbulu, who headed past Denis Onyango to give the Flames a dream start in the 15th minute. 

Mbulu could have registered his second in the 22nd minute, but Onyango was alert to deny him this time around, with a quick reaction towards his right to collect the headed ball and save the moment for under pressure Uganda.

The scorer's movement and positioning made the Cranes recognise him as Malawi's dangerous man thus more men marked him.

Uganda could have equalised in the 33rd minute had Emanuel Okwi not been alert enough with the ball in a promising position. The Al Ittihad star lost possession at a very critical stage to deny the Cranes a chance to restore parity.

The former Simba SC winger thereafter saw his penalty appeal dismissed in the 35tth minute as Uganda settled into the game and started direct attacks. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Orit was flagged for offside in the 38th minute after he had been set through on goal by Moses Waiswa.

Gavin Kizito, who was in Uganda's squad for the U20 Afcon in Mauritania, where reached the final, was given his debut in the 44th minute when Ronald Mukiibi got injured and was unable to continue after medical attention.

Malawi's Kakombwe went down injured inside the added two minutes of the first half as the Cranes piled more pressure on their hosts. Malawi headed into the break leading after dealing capably with Uganda's late attacks in the opening half. 

As the second half began, Abdallah Mubiru introduced Allan Okello and Taddeo Lwanga - who had to deal with health issues after Fufa claimed results from a local hospital had found he was Covid-19 positive. However, after push and pull, he was cleared and started from the bench.

Another chance for Uganda to equalise came in the 57th minute but Orit's free-header went out. The Vipers SC's man had received a fine cross from the left delivered by Tout Puissant Mazembe's Joseph Ochaya.

Francisco Madinga failed to control the ball while unmarked in the 64th minute after he was picked out by Mbulu from the left-wing while inside the Uganda box. The wasted chance came as determined Uganda pushed forward and pressed the Flames in search of an equaliser on the other end.  

Malawi made a tactical change in the 66th minute when striker Khuda Muyaba was withdrawn for midfielder Rafiq Namwera. 

Precious Sambani was unlucky in the 71st minute when - after making a long run from the midfield - his low drive from a tight angle was blocked by Onyango. The Ugandan skipper, who was quite isolated at the time,  went down quickly enough to deny Malawi from doubling the lead.

The Flames' Charles Petro blocked Allan Okello in the 72nd minute from launching an attack as Uganda looked more desperate to find an equaliser against the unrelenting home side.

Malawi made another change with the introduction of  Dennis Chembezi for Peter Banda in the 75th minute as they resorted to consolidating their defensive midfield against the Cecafa champions.

The remaining minutes were not enough for Mubiru's side to find an equaliser that would have given them a point that they needed to qualify. Malawi did not sit back entirely as they resorted to intermittent attacks against their opponents but were unlucky to find the second goal.

Uganda's loss to South Sudan in November 2020 and a 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso at home in March are the results that made their journey quite complicated. On the other hand, a win over the Bright Stars gave the Flames a qualifiers lifeline before the hard-fought win over the Cranes.

Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Comoros, Gambia, Gabon, Egypt, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Sudan are the nations who have secured tickets to the 2022 Afcon finals so far.

Malawi XI: Ernest Kakombwe, Stanley Sanudi, Charles Petro, Limbikani Mzava, Precious Sambani, John Banda, Gerald Phiri, Peter Banda, Robin Ngalande, Richard Mbulu, Khuda Muyaba.

Subs: Brighton Munthali, William Thole, Dennis Chembezi, Chikoti Chirwa, Chimwemwe Idana, Rafiq Namwera, Francisco Madinga, Chimango Kayira, Vincent Nyangulu, Peter Cholopi, Micium Mhone. 

Uganda XI: Denis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Benson Ochaya, Ronald Mukiibi, Murushid Juuko, Mike Azira, Moses Waiswa, Ibrahim Orit, Faruku Miya, Emmanuel Arnold Okwi, Mustafa Kizza.

Subs: Salim Jamal, Charles Lukwago, Tadeo Lwanga, William Luwagga Kizito, Daniel Isiagi Opolot, Garvin Kizito Mugweri, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Kyambadde, Abdul Lumala, Allan Okello.

Kaizer Chiefs winger Happy Mashiane has set his sights on winning this season's Caf Champions League.

The Soweto giants have endured a frustrating season thus far having been eliminated from the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.

As things stand, Chiefs look to be out of the running for the PSL title as they are 17 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who also have a game in hand.

Mashiane is keen to help the Glamour Boys end their six-year trophy drought which began after the team clinched the PSL title in 2015.

“We have to work hard in order to get something because it has been a while since we won anything, and this is the first time the team is in the Champions League group stage,” said Mashiane on Daily Sun. 

Chiefs are currently placed third on their Champions League Group C standings - level on points with second-placed Horoya AC, and the two top teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals. 

Amakhosi will qualify for the knockout phase if they win their last two group games, which are against former Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca and Guinean giants Horoya, on April 3 and April 10, respectively. 

Mashiane and fellow Chiefs academy product Nkosingiphile Ngcobo have established themselves as some of coach Gavin Hunt's key players this season.

“I can’t say Ngcobo and myself are Chiefs main players, but this is a team effort,” Mashiane insisted. 

“All I can say since the coach arrived and others from the development like coach Arthur Zwane [Hunt’s assistant coach], are guiding me.

“But coach Hunt has instilled a belief that we have to be hungry for us to succeed. Because things don’t come easy, you have to work hard.”

Mashiane has netted three goals in 15 matches across all competitions for Chiefs thus far this term, which is his breakthrough season as a professional footballer.

The 23-year-old player will be hoping to inspire Amakhosi to their second successive win when they face Wydad at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Chiefs secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby encounter on March 21.

Gareth Bale has clarified his comments on his future ahead of the expiry of his Tottenham loan deal, insisting that his contract means he "legally" must return to Real Madrid at first.

Bale is heading towards the end of a season-long loan spell at Spurs, who do not have the option to sign him outright from Madrid at the end of the season.

The Welshman made headlines last week after revealing he is planning to return to Santiago Bernabeu, but has now explained that he has yet to make a final decision on where he will play in 2021-22.

What's been said?

Speaking ahead of Wales' 2020 World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, Bale told reporters: "I think for me, first and foremost I still have this season, and I still have plenty of games to go for the Euros.

"Obviously, going into next season, legally my contract says I have to go back to Real Madrid, which is what I stated, which I don't think is being disrespectful to anybody. That's legally what I have to do.

"Real Madrid are my parent club and as far as I agreed I was with Tottenham on loan until the end of the season and I go back. That's the plan so far."

What is Madrid's stance on Bale?

Bale was frozen out of Zinedine Zidane's Madrid squad last season, and he cut an awkward figure during their La Liga title celebrations after being forced to watch most of the club's games from the stands.

The Blancos were happy to sanction the 31-year-old's temporary departure to Tottenham, however, he is still under contract at the Bernabeu until 2022.

Zidane paid tribute to Bale for his "spectacular" contribution to Madrid's cause and wished him well before he re-joined Spurs, but it has been reported that the winger is not in his plans for next season.

What has Bale's agent said about his situation?

Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett shed some light on the Wales international's situation during an interview with Goal in February.

Barnett claimed Bale would no issue with picking up from where he left off at Madrid, but also conceded that Zidane is unlikely to welcome him back with open arms.

"He still loves Madrid," said the 71-year-old. "He hasn’t problems with the club, it’s a wonderful club. It wouldn’t be a problem [for him to return].

"They just have to decide if they need him back, if he can play for Madrid and all these things. I guess you have to ask Mr. Zidane if he wants him, I don’t think so."

How has Bale performed for Spurs this season?

Bale took time to build up his fitness again at Tottenham after so many months on the sidelines, but Jose Mourinho has gradually handed him more responsibility as the season has progressed.

The Madrid loanee has scored 10 goals in 25 games across all competitions to date, including four in his last three Premier League outings, striking up a profitable partnership with Harry Kane in the process.

Further reading

Timo Werner is not interested in leaving Chelsea after only a season, despite his first-year struggles at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has only scored 10 goals in 39 games for the Blues since his £47.5 million ($67m) move from RB Leipzig last summer, and that has led to speculation that the Germany international is ready to leave.

But Goal has been told that the explosive forward remains confident about turning around his fortunes, with compatriot Thomas Tuchel now manager following Frank Lampard's exit in January.

Timo Werner's Chelsea record

Werner's first goal for Chelsea came against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in late September and his maiden Premier League goal arrived the following month when he netted twice in a 3-3 draw with Southampton.

However, following a run of scoring in five consecutive games for club and country, Werner has scored just twice in his last 30 appearances for Chelsea and Germany.

He scored against League Two side Morecambe in the FA Cup in January, and then against Newcastle in the league in February.

What Tuchel has said?

"Timo is clearly one of these guys who has always scored a huge amount of goals and defined himself as the guy who has the last touch on the field. This is a very unique character and position. It is a sensitive position," Tuchel said when he last addressed the issue two weeks ago.

"I believe it is not important who is coaching them to shape their goalscoring mentality but we are here to help everybody and at the moment for us it is important to keep them focused on the process and help them.

"It is not just to look at the result, whether the ball is in or not in, it is the process that matters and it can help you escape the pressure that they put on themselves. They should ask themselves is my decision making good, is my technique good, is my vision clear enough.

"If you focus on these points, hit the ball well and the result will take care of itself. That means you will find the back of the net soon. If you hit the ball, close your eyes and hope for the love of God, then that's what we try to implement and help.

"Of course, we have some exercises in training for finishing but it is clear you can train, show videos but, in the end, a striker just has to score. That's what you need for confidence and there's no substitute for that."

Will Chelsea do anything else to coax more from Werner?

Werner's problems only add to a general issue at Chelsea with a host of forwards, including Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, out of form.

However, Werner has produced assists, with 10 provided to his team-mates so far this season, leading him to top the club's charts in all competitions for goal involvements.

Tuchel has also hinted that the coaching staff will add to Werner's game, with Chelsea's possession football not allowing him space to run in behind opposition defences.

"Maybe it is our fault because we have a lot of possession and we push opponent teams very, very deep in their half so spaces are not too big," Tuchel said last month.

"The biggest strength of Timo is to attack the space behind the last line so it is maybe also our fault in the dominant game that we play in the moment, it is very natural that the spaces are closed by the opponents."

Chelsea continue to target a new striker in the summer, with Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland topping the shortlist, despite the reluctance of the Bundesliga side to sell him.

Further reading

Ronald Koeman has done well at Barcelona in tough circumstances, according to Jordi Cruyff, who says the head coach has shown "a lot of merit" on and off the pitch.

Koeman, who enjoyed a stellar six-year career at Barca during his playing days, returned to Camp Nou to replace Quique Setien as the club's new boss in August last year.

The Dutchman inherited a confidence-stricken squad and had to be the frontman amid a turbulent saga in the boardroom, but has managed to steady the ship during his first eight months in charge, leaving Cruyff impressed.

What's been said?

The former Barca midfielder told Cadena Ser: “Koeman has a lot of merit, not only for football. He has come to the club at a difficult time with respect to changing players, financial problems, all the institutional problems that were already there.

“I think dynamics are important in football. Let’s say there is a time when you see yourself capable of winning in any game. And have Barcelona recovered that feeling right now? Definitely.

“I believe that, in the end, the work [you put in] has a reward and he has already had it. I think that being a person who already knows the environment of the club also gave him a lot of advantages."

How have Barca performed under Koeman in 2020-21?

The Blaugrana had just completed their first trophyless season in 12 years when Koeman was drafted in, and it has taken him time to turn the club's fortunes around.

Inconsistency continued to plague Barca in the first half of the season as they fell well behind Atletico Madrid in the Liga title race, albeit while making steady progress in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Koeman's side turned a corner in early December, though, beginning an impressive unbeaten run in the top flight which they extended to 18 games with a 6-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad just before the international break.

Barca have closed the gap on Atletico to just four points during that period, and also have a Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club to look forward to next month.

The Catalan giants exited the Champions League early after losing to Paris Saint-Germain 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16, but they were also able to take confidence from a much-improved second-leg display after a heavy defeat in the opening fixture of the tie.

What's next?

Koeman will hope his team's scintillating form continues when they play host to Real Valladolid on April 4.

The 58-year-old will then start preparing his players for a Clasico meeting with arch-rivals Real Madrid, who are currently sitting just two points behind Barca in the Liga standings.

Further reading

Ghana captain Andre Ayew has calmed fears about his fitness after sustaining an injury in what was the last action of Sunday’s 3-1 win over Sao Tome and Principe in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Late in injury time, the attacker attempted to fire in a rebound after goalkeeper Aldair D’Almeida parried out Kwasi Okyere Wriedt’s shot but the Swansea City man was taken out by Sao Tome defender Adjeil Neves, whose last-ditch tackle saved his side from conceding again.

Ayew was spotted writhing in pain after the incident and could only limp off the pitch with the help of two Ghana medical staff. 

“It’s a knock, the doctors have seen. I can put my leg on the floor so, there won’t be an issue,” the 31-year-old said at the post-match conference.

Ayew’s injury was certainly a major sight of worry for Swansea fans, owing to his influence in the club’s chase for Premier League promotion, the Jack Army currently being third on the standings with nine more matches to go.

With 14 goals to his name thus far this term, he sits as the club’s top scorer, a situation highlighting what a miss a potential injury lay-off will be to their hopes.

The Sao Tome win came four days after the Black Stars held South Africa to a 1-1 away draw on the penultimate matchday of the series, a match Ayew missed due to Covid-19-related travel challenges. 

Unusually, five home-based players were handed debuts over the course of the two games as Ghana sealed qualification for what will be their 23rd Afcon appearance.

“First of all, I want to congratulate the whole squad for qualifying. In our country, because we are used to qualifying, we see it as a formality,” said the former West Ham man.

When we look at the other teams when they qualify, the way they jubilate, they way they jump everywhere, we have to be very proud and happy of what we have done and what the coaching staff has done.

“South Africa was a tough game, locals started, played really well, they gave us a point to put us one foot in Cameroon, so I want to congratulate the whole squad. Today, I’m just proud of them. All of them, it is their dream to play for the Black Stars as is always my dream, when I wear this jersey, I am more than happy as soon as a get a call-up, so I’m very proud of them, I’m sure they’re proud of themselves, their families are proud of them and they have to keep working.”

Ghana and Ayew return to action in June for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Bayern Munich will not extend Douglas Costa's return to the club beyond the end of the current season following a disappointing second spell at the Bavarian giants for the Juventus loanee.

The Brazilian, who rejoined the Bundesliga outfit on a season-long deal from the Bianconeri, has struggled to impress under Hansi Flick and has remained a peripheral figure at Allianz Arena.

The decision to not seek a renewal or permanent move means Andrea Pirlo's team will now look for new suitors to take the 30-year-old, who is out of favour with the Serie A giants.

Costa's unhappy reunion

A metatarsal fracture sustained during training in mid-February means that the attacking midfielder has been sidelined in recent weeks but even before his injury lay-off he had struggled to match the heights he hit during his previous stay.

Having joined Bayern originally from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2015, Costa spent two years with the club before he was loaned out to Juve in 2017, winning a pair of Bundesliga titles along the way.

In Turin, he earned a permanent four-year deal the following summer, but subsequently blotted his copybook with an alteraction with Federico Di Francesco in a clash against Sassuolo in early 2018.

From there, his stock has gradually dropped, resulting in his return to his former club on loan this season, where he has played just 11 Bundesliga games, with only three of them coming as starts.

What's next for Costa?

Having been squeezed out by players such as Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane, the Brazilian is widely expected to be moved on from Juventus to another side, though whether this is on a full-time deal or a further loan move remains to be seen.

Gremio, in his home country, is one mooted destination, but the Bianconeri will be aware that with Costa contracted through the middle of next year, their strategy may have to be flexible.

Further reading

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has stated they are going to be measured in bringing new players into the team as the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations tournament beckons.

The Black Stars completed their qualification campaign for the continental championship on a fine note on Sunday, beating Sao Tome 3-1 in Accra to finish top of the table in Group C ahead of Sudan, South Africa and the matchday opponents.

Amiens centre-back Nicholas Opoku and Chelsea loanee Abdul Rahman Baba scored their debut goals for Ghana on the day while Jordan Ayew also netted from the spot.

“There was also a possibility for us to see some other players which we did today, which has given me a fair idea, going forward with the World Cup qualifiers,” Akonnor said after the game.

“The plan [for] is what we started today. We were in the position of already qualifying so we had the chance to try some of the new guys. And don’t forget before Afcon, there’s a World Cup qualifier, so preparations start from today.

“After I got the job, I’ve had the chance of trying a lot of players and today was probably exceptional. We’ve had the chance of also giving the locals the chance to prove themselves and I think in all fairness, they’ve done well.”

“From now onwards, it’s not going to be about trials again. We’re not going to be picking players from somewhere unless there’s something dramatic, for which we’ll need to do that. The chunk of players that we have, I think it’s fair to say that we can work hard with them and try to change the attitude of the team, have a better philosophy and move forward.”

Four players made their debut in the penultimate matchday 1-1 draw with South Africa on Thursday and four more players played for the Black Stars for the first time on Sunday. Of this, five in all ply their trade in the domestic league.

“They [players] have all done well, done their bit. Don’t forget some were called, some were dropped, not necessarily that they were bad of course. Maybe they don’t fit into the things we want to do,” Akonnor added.

“I’m not here to make the assessment of 20 or 30 per cent. They have all done well. But again, going forward, we will all look at them and see what we can do to improve the team. Since I got the job, I said I was going to give the locals a chance.

“When was the last time you saw a lot of locals in the squad? We are moving from one end into another, and I think today and in the last match against South Africa, we saw a lot of them and that’s hopeful. It’s also up to them to do well and improve because we’re looking for the best.”

With the Afcon qualification now done and dusted, Ghana’s immediate attention turns to the World Cup qualifiers which starts in June, seven months before the Afcon final tournament in Cameroon.

Ghana and South Africa are interestingly in the same group again for the World Cup qualifiers.

Tanzania coach Kim Poulsen has admitted his happiness as to how his players responded to beat Libya in their final group match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches on Sunday.

The Taifa Stars had already missed out on a chance to qualify for a second straight Afcon final after they lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea and despite nothing at stake, they put up a spirited fight to beat the North Africans and finish third in the group.

The Danish tactician has now said he was very impressed his players responded positively from losing to Equatorial Guinea and put up a good show against Libya especially in the first half where he says they even deserved to score more than three goals.

“First of all thanks to Libya for giving us a good game, it was a very hot afternoon here in Dar es Salaam and at the same time the boys have been travelling a lot for the last few days,” Poulsen told Goal.

“And also when you lose a game as we lost in Equatorial Guinea in the last seconds it is also a big disappointment to the players and so I was also looking forward to seeing how they will respond today [Sunday] if they have a strong mentality because this was a new game and I have to give credit to the team because they played very well in the first half.

“We defended well and we were also good on the ball, we could pass and move the ball around and I think the only thing we can blame ourselves on in the first half is we could not score one or two goals more because we definitely had big chances for that but at least we scored one goal and that was the result at half time.

“In the second half, the game was more even, Libya came much more into the game, they came more forward and I think I could see both teams struggled and both teams used a lot of substitutions so I think the second half was more average and first half was very good for us.”

Taifa Stars have managed to feature in the Afcon finals once in 1980 while Libya has qualified thrice in 1982, 2006, and 2012 but only Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea will make it from the group.