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Liga MX president Mikel Arriola has stated his desire to lure Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to his league or to Major League Soccer.

The two North American top flights have been in discussions over a merger, with Arriola hopeful it could take place after the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

Arriola believes that as the two leagues continue to grow, they could sign one of the two biggest stars in football over the past decade. 

What has been said?

Speaking to ESPN, Arriola said: “We would be one of the best leagues in the world [if we merge with MLS].

"The next step would be to have Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo here (Mexico) or in the United States, perhaps in the final phase of their careers."

Would Messi or Ronaldo play in North America?

Messi's future beyond this season is unclear, as the Barcelona icon enters the final months of his contract at Camp Nou. 

In an interview with La Sexta in December, Messi said he was open to a future move to MLS, saying: "I always said that I have the impression that I would like to enjoy the experience of living in the United States, of living in that league and that life, but if it happens or not I don't know." 

Ronaldo, whose deal with Juventus expires in 2022, has also been tipped to move to North America, with David Beckham's Inter Miami heavily linked with a move for the Portuguese star. 

Could a MLS-Liga MX merger happen?

The two leagues have been in talks for years over a merger, though MLS commissioner Don Garber said in December that such a move was "a long way away."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino backed the plan in a news conference last week saying: "I think the potential in the United States and Mexico is enormous, each country by itself.

"But of course if you could bring those two together that would be incredible and that could quite well be the best league in the world."

Further reading

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden says he is the most confident he has felt in his career as he targets a regular place for both club and country.

The 20-year-old earned his fourth England cap as a substitute against San Marino on Thursday and is hoping to be a part of the squad for this summer’s European Championship.

He is also enjoying a fine run of form at the club level, where Manchester City are chasing an unprecedented quadruple.

What did Foden say?

Foden can add to his international caps in England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Poland.

However, he also concedes that there is competition for places in Southgate’s squad and he doesn’t envy the choices facing the Three Lions boss.

“It's hard to get a place [in this team],” said Foden. “There are so many great talents in the attacking third, so I do feel sorry for him [Southgate] a bit having to pick 11. It's very difficult and all I can do is keep fighting for my place. That's all I can do really.

“When you are in a good run of form, your confidence is always higher than normal so, yes, I feel full of confidence at the moment and I am really enjoying my games. So is this the most confident I have felt in my career? Probably… yes. It's hard to say unstoppable but I feel like I am full of confidence.

“It's really important to be consistent with your club. I want to just take that form into England. Some players in the past have struggled with performing for their clubs and with England as well, so I want to take the form and hopefully just play the same way. I want to do what I do best.

“If I don't get picked I will just keep working hard and try and improve. I am still only 20 and got a lot to improve. I've had to work really hard to be here now and I continue to keep working hard and [I'm] hopeful to go to a big tournament and do well. That's my aim.”

City not looking too far ahead

When Foden returns from international duty he will link up with a Manchester City side all but certain to win a third Premier League title in four years.

They are also through to the Champions League quarter-finals, FA Cup semi-finals and face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final next month as they target an historic clean sweep of trophies.

Despite being on the brink of history, Foden insists the squad remains grounded thanks to the calm leadership of boss Pep Guardiola.

“Pep is really good with that, trying to not think too far ahead," added Foden. “He is always saying to everyone, ‘Just focus on the next game’. But, for sure, the lads are going to think about it of course. It could be one of the best seasons in City's history if we pull that off.

“But all we get told is just to focus on the next game and just keep the same attitude. Hopefully we will win as many [trophies] as possible with City. Then, obviously, to play in the England team is the aim so it would be great times for me. I'm looking forward to it – looking forward to the challenge.”

Further reading

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has revealed his side trained under darkness and had to rely on the moon on their arrival in Porto-Novo.

The Super Eagles boarded a boat to their neighbouring country on Friday to keep a date with the Republic of Benin for their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game on Saturday.

On their arrival in Porto-Novo, the three-time African champions had their first training session and Rohr has revealed the Benin football governing body did not make provision for flood-flight for them.

"There was no light but we handled it, we have the full moon. Tomorrow I feel good harmony in my team. Even if there are some problems we are all the time having a positive mind,” Rohr told the media.

"It's a big challenge to win here tomorrow because they didn't lose a match since eight years, so we want to do that.

"We know that a draw we have the ticket for the AFCON. This is our first target and then later we speak about the second match. Everybody is fit, no injuries and I hope we can do what we want to do."

Many of the Super Eagles players reacted when they were informed they will be travelling by boat, with some of them admitting they have never experienced a journey on the sea.

President of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick had assured the players of adequate security during the journey, revealing, they would enjoy the trip.

Rohr has now revealed his side encountered challenges during the boat trip which forced them to arrive late in Benin.

"It was a very special journey, it was nice but it was not easy, we had some little problems but we arrived well and even if it was late we could do a training session," he added.

The three-time African champions last failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and also missed the previous edition in 2015.

Victory over Benin will seal Nigeria’s place at the biennial tournament in Cameroon and they will then take on Lesotho in their final qualifying game in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles finished third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt, behind winners Algeria and Senegal.

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed his fears that midfielder Jordan Henderson could miss Euro 2020 due to his groin injury. 

Henderson underwent surgery on the injury last month and was ruled out for at least five weeks. 

But the Liverpool captain could be out much longer, putting his availability in doubt for the rescheduled tournament, which is set to kick off in June.

What was said?

"In terms of promises, we can only say that Hendo himself is very optimistic about how the operation went and the prognosis that the specialist has given him as to what is possible,” Southgate said.

“We are conscious that with any injury of that nature, there is a guide and a time defined – but that anything can happen along the way.

“We know it’s going to be close to the end of the season and we will just have to see how it goes. He will give himself every chance of being available.

"And, of course, we also know he is likely to be a bit short of match minutes in high-level games.

"There are a lot of things to take into consideration but, at the moment, that is a decision that is a few weeks away.”

How much of a blow would Henderson's absence be?

Henderson has been a regular for the Three Lions for several years, playing a key role as England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. 

The 30-year-old has continued to feature regularly for Southgate since the tournament in Russia, earning 58 caps in his career. 

Though his absence would be a blow, England appear to have the depth in central midfield to cope. 

Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount are just a few of Southgate's options at Henderson's position.

Further reading

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech helped Morocco to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon following their 0-0 draw with Mauritania on Friday.

The 28-year-old featured prominently in the encounter, playing for 88 minutes before he was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.

The draw ensured the Atlas Lions took their points to 11 from five games which assured them of finishing either as the winner of Group E or runner-up.

Mauritania are second in the group with six points and are followed by Burundi with five while the Central African Republic are at the base of the table with four points.

Since missing out on the biennial tournament in 2015, the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals of the 2017 edition and were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2019 edition. 

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, meanwhile, was in action for Senegal as they played out a 0-0 draw against Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game. 

The 28-year-old featured for the duration of the game but could not add to his tally for the Teranga Lions as the Leopards frustrated their effort to try and break the deadlock.

Senegal have already qualified for the continental tournament and with the draw, they are now winners of the group after gathering 13 points from five games.

Aliou Cisse’s men finished as runner-up in the 2019 edition of the tournament in Egypt, losing the title to Algeria.

Ivory Coast also booked their place in the 2022 edition of the competition after securing a 3-0 victory over the Republic of Niger.

Goals from Serge Aurier, Max Gradel and Wilfried Kanon ensured the Elephants clinched victory in the encounter and progressed in Group K.

Patrice Beaumelle’s men have now accrued 10 points from five games and are guaranteed of finishing either as the winner of the group or runner-up.

Ethiopia have nine points from five matches, Madagascar seven while Niger are now eliminated following their defeat after gathering three points from the same number of matches.

In Group F, Cape Verde stunned Cameroon 3-1 to brighten their chances of qualifying for the biennial tournament.

Bubista’s side are now second behind already qualified Indomitable Lions with seven points, Rwanda have five while Mozambique are at the bottom of the group with four points.

Martin Odegaard has revealed he asked three fellow Norwegian players for advice before he joined Arsenal on loan in January.

After failing to secure a regular role under Zinedine Zidane in the first half of the season at Real Madrid, the 22-year-old opted for a move to the Premier League. 

Before moving to England, the playmaker quizzed three of his countrymen who had previously played in the division.

What was said?

Asked about Everton striker Josh King and Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, Odegaard told the Premier League's official YouTube channel: "Yeah, I spoke to both of them.

"I also spoke to another guy who used to play at Fulham, Stefan Johansen. He was the former captain of the national team so I spoke to him to know a little bit about the league and how they saw the league.

"They had only good things to say about the league and everything here from the football and they told me a lot of good things.

"The Premier League is really big in Norway so I grew up watching it every week and everyone in Norway follows the league so close. It’s a dream to be able to play here."

How has Odegaard fared at Arsenal?

Odegaard has impressed during his short time in north London, becoming a key part of Mikel Arteta's attack. 

The playmaker has recorded two goals in 12 appearances with the Gunners, while starting each of the club's last six Premier League games. 

Could Odegaard’s move be made permanent?

Arsenal do not have a purchase option in their loan agreement with Real Madrid, but they have agreed to sit down with the Spanish giants in the summer to discuss what could happen next with the 22-year-old, whose future at Santiago Bernabeu is far from certain.

Odegaard spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad before returning to the Spanish capital, but he never fully earned the trust of Zidane in the first half of the season.

Arsenal will be hoping they can use that to their advantage in the summer when they start talks over Odegaard.

Further reading

West Bromwich Albion centre-back Semi Ajayi has stated his side have a strong belief they will avoid Premier League relegation at the end of the season.

The Super Eagles star has been in fine form for the Baggies this season with his solid defensive performances and has also scored three goals in 25 appearances for the club.

Despite his effort, however, West Brom remain 19th on the Premier League table with 18 points from 29 games.

Ajayi is optimistic about the chances of the Baggies to maintain their English top-flight status at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

"It's not easy. We are desperate right now and we need points as soon as possible," Ajayi told BBC Sport Africa.

"I'd say everyone's written us off but we definitely haven't really written ourselves off. We are still fighting, we still haven't given up.

"We still have belief, we still have hope and it's just about taking one game at a time. Giving our maximum and we'll see where that takes us. Hopefully, that will keep us in the premier league but we definitely haven't given up."

Nigeria will take on the Republic of Benin in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo on Saturday.

The Super Eagles will then square off against Lesotho in their final Afcon qualifying match at Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday.

Ajayi, who is part of the Gernot Rohr’s 24-man team for the encounter has revealed his side are well-prepared for the game.

"We are very prepared, since November we've had these fixtures in mind to get the job done essentially. I think everybody is itching to get out there and qualify this nation for the Afcon," Ajayi added.

Victory over Benin will seal Nigeria’s place at the biennial tournament in Cameroon and they will then take on Lesotho in their final qualifying game in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles finished third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt, behind winners Algeria and Senegal.

Lazio have been fined €150,000, two team doctors have been banned for 12 months, and club president Claudio Lotito has been banned for seven months for violations of Covid-19 protocols.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) referred the case to a federal court last month, and the court subsequently announced their punishment on Friday. 

Lazio confirmed in a statement that they will appeal the ruling. 

What are Lazio charged with?

The FIGC said last month that Lazio had engaged in "violations of federal regulations and a lack of observance of the health protocols in force."

The alleged violations included two occasions when the club failed to enforce a 10-day isolation period and allowed an asymptomatic player to participate in a Serie A match.

Other violations include failing to promptly report positive Covid-19 cases to local authorities, and allowing three players to attend training after receiving positive tests.

What caused the investigation?

The FIGC launched an investigation in November after several Lazio players reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Champions League matches, but still participated in Serie A matches.

Though the tests used by UEFA are different from those used for Serie A, Lazio were still accused of failing to report positive cases to the proper authorities. 

As part of the investigation, Lazio's training ground was inspected and swab test results were seized from the club's lab. 

There were reports that Lazio could face a points reduction as part of the federal court's sentence, but they have escaped that punishment.

Further reading

Fulham right-back Ola Aina and Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong have promised the Nigeria national team will not leave any stone unturned in their effort to secure victory over Benin.

The Super Eagles will square off against the Squirrels in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game at Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo on Saturday.

Nigeria lead the Group L table with eight points from four games, despite battling to back-to-back draws against lowly-rated Sierra Leone in November.

Aina, who arrived in the Benin Republic on Friday along with his teammates and other members of the Super Eagles crew by boat, assured his side will do all they can to win the game.

"As strange as it sounds, I believe everyone's moved on from that Sierra Leone game but the lessons learned stays with us," Aina told BBC Sport.

"We travel to Benin with all seriousness, we'll go there and try to win the game before hosting Lesotho at home."

Super Eagles vice-captain Troost-Ekong revealed his side have learnt from their outings against the Leone Stars, against whom they surrendered a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 in Benin City.

"Those games were a massive talking point. Drawing 4-4 after being 4-0 up is something unheard of and one of the strangest experiences of my career. I look at it as another experience in the bag,” Troost-Ekong said.

“We are top of the table and need one point to qualify as group winners.  I’m sure we are going to do it. I’ve got lots of confidence in our team. We have a very good team and I’m looking forward to playing.

“I’m really looking forward to the games and coming back having qualified for Nigeria. It’s massive for us."

The three-time African champions last failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 and also missed the previous edition in 2015.

Victory over Benin will seal Nigeria’s place at the biennial tournament in Cameroon and they will then take on Lesotho in their final qualifying game in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles finished third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt, behind winners Algeria and Senegal.

Arsenal midfielder Willian says he endured the “worst” period of his professional career when he lost his place in the side earlier this season, but feels he is finally approaching something close to his best.

The 32-year-old signed a three-year contract worth a reported £200,000 a week when he joined Mikel Arteta’s on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer.

Some disappointing early performances led to some critics questioning Arteta’s wisdom in signing the player, particularly on such reportedly high wages, but he finally looks to be repaying the Spaniard’s faith in his ability.

What did Willian say?

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Willian said: “It really was a very difficult start, apart from that first game against Fulham, where I had a good performance [setting up two of the three goals in a 3-0 win], I managed to make a good game.

“Even after that game there were some games that we won, I even had a good game, but then we ended up getting a bad streak.

“I also got a bad streak and I think my worst professional time to date, since I went up at Corinthians and was sold to Ukraine, then I arrived at Chelsea, without a doubt. This phase that passed now was the worst time that I think I lived as a professional.

“Of course, when you live in a difficult moment, you get really upset and try to find solutions, a way to improve, try to help the team.

“That's what I've been doing all this time, I never stopped training, to work, to dedicate myself as much as possible.

“It took a little while to leave, but lately in the last games I've been playing well again, standing out with assists, playing well. So I'm happy to be back to find my good football.”

The bigger picture

Willian was billed as a risk-free signing when he moved to north London last summer given he arrived without a fee and was settled in the capital having already spent seven successful years at Chelsea.

However, in his first 25 appearances in all competitions he failed to score and contributed just three assists, with two of those coming in that opening day win at Fulham.

He subsequently lost his place in the starting XI over the Christmas period, with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe favoured ahead of him.

His cause was perhaps not helped by the fact he has played in a side that has struggled for consistency. There has, however, been signs in recent weeks that both player and club are starting to hit form as they approach the season run-in.

Willian has four assists in his last five appearances while Arsenal have lost just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions - a 1-0 Europa League defeat at Olympiakos that was’t enough to prevent them from progressing through to the last 16.

A north London derby victory over Tottenham and further Premier League wins against Leeds and Leicester have also lifted the club up to sixth in table and within two wins of the top six with nine games left.

Further reading

Claudia Dabda was on target as Dinamo-BSUPC thrashed ABFF U19 16-0 in Friday's Belarusian Women's Premier League encounter.

Cameroon's Dabda, who found the back of the net in her side's 6-0 victory over Bobruichanka last week, was handed a starting place against ABFF and she added to her goal tally for the champions.

Dinamo continued from where they left off in a clinical opening day win over the eight-time Belarusian champions last time out, as they consolidated on their fine start, dismantling ABFF ruthlessly. 

Dinamo made an enterprising start to the contest when Anastasiya Novikava opened the scoring after just five minutes before Krystsina Tsikhavodava doubled the lead two minutes later. 

Karyna Alkhovik added the third for the ruthless hosts in the 11th minute before Viktoryia Valiuk netted the fourth a minute before Dubda made it five for the holders in the 16th minute.

Rampant Dinamo did not relent as they went on to add four more goals before the half-time break, thanks to strikes from Viktoryia Kazakevich, Anastasiya Linnik, Alkhovik and Hanna Pilipenka.

After the break, Pilipenka got the second half underway with the 10th goal of the match just a minute later and Linnik netted the 11th in the 50th minute before Anastasiya's effort 12 minutes later. 

Anastasiya Shlapakova netted twice before Darya Stsezhko and Pilipenka's hat-trick to complete the rout at Stadyen Dynama-Juni.
 
South Africa's Lebogang Ramalepe lasted the duration as well as Cameroon's Dabda, who got her second goal of the season, while South Africa's Rhoda Mulaudzi was an unused sub for Dinamo.

The result keeps Dinamo on the top spot of the Belarusian log, with a huge +22 goal difference, with six points from two matches.

Following the second clinical triumph, Dinamo will seek to continue their good run when they battle Dnepr Mogilev on April 2.

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki has responded to his critics after he was lambasted for fielding 'seven defenders' against Ghana at home on Thursday night. 

Bafana Bafana came back to hold the Black Stars to a 1-1 draw in their penultimate 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at FNB Stadium and now South Africa need to avoid a defeat against Sudan on Sunday in order to qualify for the finals. 

Defenders Thapelo Morena, S'fiso Hlanti, Innocent Maela, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Siyanda Xulu and Rivaldo Coetzee were all named in the starting line-up by Ntseki, while defensive midfielder Andile Jali also started against the Black Stars.

"I think, if you're talking of seven [defenders], I don't know those seven because we had 11 players who were meant to attack and get us goals," Ntseki told the media.

"But when you look at the seven, maybe it's because you were counting when we were in defence, but you were not counting when we were in attack to get the numbers right."

Hlatshwayo, Xulu and Maela were deployed in central defence, while Morena and Hlanti operated as wing-backs with Coetzee and Jali playing as holding midfielders in a 3-5-2 formation.

Morena and Hlanti found themselves in good positions in the opposition's half, but the two full-backs could not take their chances.

Ntseki was pleased with how the team played, even though Jali picked up a groin injury in the first-half and he was replaced by Ben Motshwari.

"With our team today, they executed the plan very well. I am personally very happy, in terms of the little time we had to prepare this team, with some players having withdrawn," he continued. 

"I think I need to remind you that when we won against Sao Tome, we had Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Dean Furman [in midfield] and the three of them were not here this time, so we had a new pairing in midfield.

"The new pairing [Andile Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee], fortunately, are from the same team and they did very well.

"Ben Motshwari coming in gave us so much balance in defence and attack, and I think credit must be given to the players for how they applied themselves."

Sudan will host South Africa at Al-Hilal Stadium in the city of Omdurman. 

Egypt head coach Hossam El-Badry has explained why Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny did not play against Kenya during their Group G Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday at Kasarani.

The midfielder was on the bench as the Pharaohs tackled the Harambee Stars in a qualifier, where they shared the points after a 1-1 draw.

The point was enough to take the north Africans to Cameroon 2022 while Kenya were eliminated as they needed a win to boost their chances of qualifying.

"[Mohamed] Elneny participated in only one training session before we travelled to Kenya," El-Badry said as was quoted by KingFut.

"There are other technical standards that I look at. The next match will probably see the presence of Elneny."

After taking an early lead, the African heavyweights were not dominant and allowed the Harambee Stars to fight back and eventually restored parity, and the coach explained what could have slowed his players down.

"The last period saw several players, whether local or abroad, suffer fatigue from the pressure of the matches, but in the end, the goal was achieved," he added.

The coach also revealed why defender Ahmed Hegazi will not feature against Comoros in a tie that will decide the group winner on March 27.

"[Ahmed] Hegazi left us after the game and headed directly to the airport; however, the rest of the foreign-based players will remain with us for the next game," El-Badry continued.

"There will be new faces that will get their chances against Comoros, but for sure we will deal with the game with seriousness."

The coach further explained his charges might have struggled in Nairobi as a result of the altitude in the Kenyan capital.

“I didn’t want to speak about the oxygen levels, but of course this is an element that we had to deal with. I wanted to win, but thank god we achieved the goal," he concluded.

El-Badry's assessment of the game came after Egyptian legend Wael Gomaa claimed they were out of shape against the Harambee Stars.

"The national team has no shape," Gomaa said. "We used to criticize the team under former coach Hector Cuper, but at least there was a defensive shape and we played on the counterattack." 

"What matches should be won and which should be played? Is this a final? We didn’t win today [Thursday] and didn’t play well.

"I was optimistic before the match, but the goal we conceded shows how unorganized we were.

"But I didn’t see a clear style of play. The players weren’t eager to play for the Egyptian national team and there was no teamwork.

"What matches should be won and which should be played? Is this a final? We didn’t win today [Thursday] and didn’t play well,” the former Al Ahly SC star added.

"But I didn’t see a clear style of play. The players weren’t eager to play for the Egyptian national team and there was no teamwork."

Although he excused head coach Hossam El-Badry from blame, he demanded that a clear playing philosophy should be seen.

"Yes, I sought excuses for Hossam El-Badry, as a result of the lack of training camps, but we must see a proper style of play at times."

As Egypt and Comoros will battle for the top group position, eliminated Togo and Kenya will battle in Lome in a dead rubber.

Xabi Alonso says he wants to “continue growing in the project” after signing a new deal to continue as coach of Real Sociedad’s reserve side, scotching rumours he was on the brink of being appointed boss of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Reports earlier this week suggested the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder was being lined up to succeed Marco Rose, who is leaving Gladbach for Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Those reports have proven unfounded however, with Alonso agreeing fresh terms that keeps him at Sociedad until the summer of 2022.

What did Alonso say?

Alonso is highly regarded by Real Sociedad, having returned to the club he served with such distinction as a player in the summer of 2019.

His only coaching experience at that stage was with Real Madrid Under-14 side but he has already made an impact back in San Sebastian, guiding the B team to the top of the Segunda Division B Group 2 table.

“I’m very happy with how things are going,” Alonso told the club’s website. “I have had great communication with the club and I want to keep growing and helping with this project.

“These have been two very enriching years for me for me and the club. We still have higher aspirations and a lot in front of us to fight for.

“We have huge ambitions.”

The bigger picture

If Borussia Monchengladbach were indeed interested in Alonso, then this news leaves them back at square one in their hunt for a new head coach.

Their form has nosedived since Rose announced his intention to leave the club last month, losing seven straight matches before last weekend’s 3-0 win at bottom club Schalke.

That terrible run of form leaves the team down in 10th in the Bundesliga and 12 points outside the Champions League places with eight games remaining.

Rose meanwhile has admitted the angry reaction of the club's fans to news of his summer departure has affected him, though he denied that the uncertainty over his future has contributed to his side's dip in form.

Further reading

AFC Leopards defender Tedian Esilaba has been ruled until an unknown date after undergoing knee surgery to correct a problem with his anterior cruciate ligament.

The defender has been doing well for the 13-time league champions and prior to his injury, he had managed to break into the first team.

Ingwe team manager Tom Juma has confirmed the centre-back is set to be out of action for a long period, with no return date set at the moment.

"This is a massive blow for the player because he was developing well at the club," Juma told Goal on Friday.

"We cannot set a return date for him; ACL injuries are always tricky to deal with. But we wish him all the best and hope he will come back stronger and help us achieve our objectives.

"He played well against Ulinzi Stars and that is why he had a chance to play away to Kakamega Homeboyz. Unfortunately, he was injured in the latter game which has put him out."

The former Harambee Star has further explained the impact the defender had on the team.

"Esilaba has stabilized our defence and we are happy to have him; however, we cannot control who gets injuries and who does not," Juma continued. 

"We have enough players to replace him for the forthcoming assignments."

Ingwe have been doing well this season and are currently placed third on the FKF Premier League table with 29 points from the 14 games played. The Patrick Aussems-led charges have won nine matches, drawn two and lost three. They have scored 18 goals in the process and conceded nine.

They are trailing leaders Tusker FC, who have played 16 matches, by seven points. The Brewers, who have won the league 11 times, have managed to collect 11 wins, three draws while the remaining two games have ended in defeat. The Ruaraka-based charges have scored 29 goals and conceded 15.

KCB are second with 30 points from the 15 matches played. They have won nine, drawn three, and lost as many.

All teams will have to wait for some time before resuming their routine after President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended sporting activities on Friday owing to increasing numbers of Covid-19 positive tests.

Kenya coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has admitted he was gutted to see Egypt leave Kasarani Stadium with a 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match played on Thursday.

The draw ended the Harambee Stars' slim chances of making it to a second straight Afcon finals, to be held in Cameroon, as a goal from Mohamed Magdy ensured the Pharaohs joined Comoros as the teams to qualify from Group G.

Abdallah Hassan scored the goal that ensured Egypt and Kenya drew again even though the Harambee Stars were reduced to ten men after defender Johnstone Omurwa was red-carded in the 78th minute.

Mulee has claimed his players deserved to get more from the fixture and insisted he was especially impressed by the young players, who made their senior debuts on the day.

“I am disappointed we couldn’t pick all the three points at home because that was our game plan, however, I have to say I love the confidence and I like the way the boys executed our plan, how we had planned to play in that game,” Mulee told Goal.

“Definitely we knew Egypt needed to win here to be assured of qualification slot, if we had beaten them then they would have been forced to wait until the last game, it did not happen [to win the game], because we created more chances than them but we were not able to get the desired result.

“But however, I can say I am happy with mostly the local players who got their debut on the highest level, someone like Dan [Sakari] playing his first time, Abdallah [Hassan] playing in a big game like this one and they did not show any stage flight.

“So I would say it is a good beginning for the local-based players and they need to believe in themselves that they can do it.

“I said previously the Kenyan league is very competitive, and when you look at how people like Johnstone [Omurwa] also played in their first debut at senior level, it gives you hope, hope also to the local players that it is not impossible to be in the national team and perform.”

Mulee has further explained the display against Egypt has given his team a true picture of what to expect when they start their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“At least it gives us a picture of what to expect in the World Cup qualifying games that are coming up, we are in a group where we know we have Mali, Rwanda, and Uganda, it is not going to be an easy group,” Mulee continued.

“We know those are difficult opponents but looking at how we are rebuilding the team, there is a possibility that we can able to sneak in and gain more confidence and I believe before we can start the qualifiers, we can have a quality friendly match to gauge and bring more confidence to the players.”

On Kenya's final group game against Togo on March 29, Mulee said: “Well I think we will have a few changes to the starting XI because of several factors, Kenneth [Muguna] is out injured then we don’t have Omurwa because he got a red card in the game against Egypt

"So those are two obvious changes we are going to make into the team and see what happens in that game.

“It is a game we don’t want to lose at least we need to finish the group in a respectable position and with a respectable result.

“We are going to Togo to try to win that game, it is a long time since Kenya won away from home, it is not going to be an easy match but judging from our performance against Egypt, if we can just equal the same away then we believe we can finish third in the group.”

Kenya will leave for Lome, Togo on Saturday and will have a feel of the field of play later in the day as they wrap up their final Group G match.

Newcastle attacker Miguel Almiron has hinted that his future could lie away from the Magpies, saying he'd like to play for a team that fights more. 

The Magpies are winless in six Premier League matches and find themselves in real relegation trouble, sitting just two points outside of the bottom three with a game in hand.

Almiron and his agent have hinted at a move away from Newcastle in the past, and the 26-year-old's most recent comments could serve to increase speculation around his future. 

What has been said?

"I would like to play in a team that fights more," Almiron told Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal on Friday.

Ghana B succumbed to a 2-1 away loss to Uzbekistan in an international friendly fixture on Friday.

After Ghana U20 star Abdul Fatawu Issahaku cancelled out Otabek Shukurov's opener with a long-range free-kick, Jaloliddin Masharipov capitalised on a momentary lapse in concentration to make it 2-1 for the hosts at Markaziy Stadium in Namangan.

The game was a preparatory match for Ghana's home-based Black Stars side ahead of the Wafu B Cup of Nations later this year and the Africa Nations Championship next year.

Ghana coach Ibrahim Tanko put faith in Premier League top scorer and Karela United hitman Diawisie Taylor to lead his attack, alongside Issahaku and King Faisal forward Kwame Peprah.

Issahaku, who turned 17 earlier this month, was playing in his first game since recently helping Ghana win the Africa U17 Cup of Nations, where he was adjudged Player of the Tournament. He currently plays club football for Steadfast FC in Ghana’s second tier.

Linked to Swiss side FC Basel, he was initially called up into the senior Black Stars squad for a 2021 Afcon qualifying matches against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe, before being later dropped to join the B side for the Uzbekistan friendly.

Shukurov put the hosts in front in just the sixth minute, capitalising on goalkeeper Joseph Addo's misplaced pass.

The goal seemingly woke the Black Stars up from their early slumber, as they grew into the game and manage to hold their own for the rest of the first half.

In the 73rd minute, Ghana drew level through Issahaku, whose curling long-range effort was too good for the goalkeeper.

The hosts were back in front just moments later, once again capitalising on another Ghana error as Michael Otou cheaply gave the ball away for Masharipov to make it 2-1.

The match came just a day after Ghana's main team held South Africa to a 1-1 draw away in the Afcon 2021 qualifiers.

Ghana's home-based side are trying to pick themselves up from the disappointment of missing out on the African Nations Championship held in Cameroon earlier this year.

Before the next continental gathering comes around, the Black Stars will hope to go one step further to win the Wafu Zone B Cup, having lost to Senegal in the final two years ago.