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Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has announced he is quitting social media in protest at what he says is a failure to tackle racism and bullying across different platforms.

The 43-year-old says the problem is “too toxic to ignore” and will not return until racism and abuse is tackled "with the same vigour and ferocity" that copyright infringements are.

Henry has a huge social media presence with 2.7 million people following him on Instagram and 2.3m on Twitter, while his official Facebook page has 10m followers.

What did Henry say?

In a statement posted across his different social media platforms, Henry said:  "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."

The bigger picture

Racism and abuse online is an increasing problem in football, with players having suffered abuse from individuals who often hide behind anonymous accounts.

Marcus Rashford, Fred, Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger and Reece James are just some of the players to have been abused on social media in recent months.

In January, a 49-year-old man was arrested after West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers was sent a racist message after his side's defeat to Manchester City.

In another case, teenager Patrick O'Brien was found to have racially abused former Arsenal player Ian Wright through direct messages on Instagram after losing a game of FIFA.

What is being done to tackle the problem?

Instagram announced last month that the company is taking “tougher action” on individuals who break the social media platform's rules on hate speech and promised co-operation with UK law enforcement.

On the pitch, players have taken the knee before games in England since the restart in June of last year in symbolic defiance of racism and prejudice. The act was popularised by NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who took the knee during the United States national anthem to oppose police brutality.

However, there has been some opposition to the gesture, with some suggesting it is meaningless without real action to back it up.

Brentford, Bournemouth and QPR are among the sides who no longer take the knee, with QPR director of football Les Ferdinand believing the impact of the gesture "has been diluted".

Earlier this month Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player to stop taking the knee, instead choosing to stand in silence before the Eagles’ game against West Brom on March 13.

Further reading

South Africa international Andile Jali will miss the team's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

The two teams are scheduled to meet in their final Group C match at Al Hilal Stadium in the Sudanese city of Omdurman on Sunday evening. 

Jali picked up a groin injury during Bafana Bafana's 1-1 draw against the Black Stars of Ghana at FNB Stadium on Thursday.

The Mamelodi Sundowns central midfielder had to be substituted just 24 minutes into the game and he was replaced by Ben Motshwari. 

The South African Football Association has now confirmed that Jali did not travel to Sudan due to the injury, while Swallows FC defender Sfiso Hlanti will join the team on Saturday.

"Bafana Bafana arrived aboard Ethiopian Airways on Friday, 26 March 2021 minus injured Andile Jali who sustained a groin injury during the Ghana game. Also delayed was defender Sfiso Hlanti who will join the rest of his teammates on Saturday morning," a statement read on Safa's official website on Friday.

"Other than that, the entire squad was beaming with confidence upon arrival at Khartoum International Airport and Sunday’s clash is set to produce all sorts of fireworks."

"Team doctor, Dr Thulani Ngwenya said the team will not be involved in physical training on Friday but will take lots of rest before going through the regeneration programme at the hotel swimming pool later in the evening. The team will then train at the match venue on Saturday before Sunday’s titanic clash."

South Africa are heading into their crucial encounter against Sudan's Falcons of Jediane needing a point to qualify for the most prestigious football tournament in Africa.

Bafana are placed second on the group standings - level on points with Ghana - who have already qualified for the finals which will be hosted by Cameroon.

Sudan are in position three - a point behind South Africa and they need to defeat Bafana in order to qualify for next year's tournament. 

Bafana secured a 1-0 win over the Falcons of Jediane in the reverse fixture at Orlando Stadium in November 2019 with Lebogang Phiri scoring the only goal of the game in the first half. 

Black Leopards head coach Kostadin Papic is surprised to see Siphelele Ntshangase fail to live up to expectations at Kaizer Chiefs.

The skillful playmaker is a free agent having been released by Chiefs earlier this month and he is now searching for a new club.

Ntshangase made just two appearances in the PSL under coach Gavin Hunt this season and his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

Papic, who was the coach at Leopards when Ntshangase was still there in 2013 and 2014, is open to working with the 27-year-old player again. 

“I don’t know what the problem with him at Chiefs was and why he struggled,” Papic told Sowetan on Friday.

“When you go to other clubs, the mentality changes and your mind changes, and if you don’t control it, things like this can happen.

“I don’t have a problem working with him again, but that depends on him, it doesn't depend on me."

Ntshangase played some of his best football at Leopards in the National First Division under Papic and he was a regular in the South Africa under-23 national team at the time.

Papic is in his second stint as Leopards coach having rejoined the Limpopo-based side last month, and he has been tasked with ensuring that the team avoids relegation from the PSL.

The former Orlando Pirates coach suggested that perhaps Chiefs did not trust Ntshangase, who made his international debut for Bafana Bafana against Eswatini in March 2015.

"I have always liked a player who has a good quality like him, willing to play and willing to learn," he added. 

“I’m surprised that he didn’t make it at Chiefs, but what can I do?

"Probably how he has trained and played maybe why people at Chiefs didn’t trust him, meaning he has to change something on his lifestyle and attitude.”

Ntshangase struggled to establish himself under four different coaches at Chiefs, Steve Komphela, Giovanni Solinas, Ernst Middendorp and Hunt.

The Pongola-born player joined Chiefs from Baroka FC midway through the 2017/18 season. 

He made just 14 appearances in the league during his time with the Soweto giants. 

Nigeria have arrived in Cotonou by boat for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Benin on Saturday.

After their berth in the West African country, the three-time Afcon champions will travel to Porto Novo by road.

The Super Eagles left Lagos in the morning through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) boat jetty in Ikoyi with more than three boats spotted conveying the team.

They are expected to have an evening training session at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium before Saturday’s game.

Nigeria have intensified preparations for the crucial match against the Squirrels with training sessions at the Teslim Balogun Stadium where they host Lesotho on Tuesday.

Gernot Rohr’s side currently sit atop of Group L with eight points after five matches, and victory over second-placed Benin would secure their qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Dinamo Zagreb defender Josko Gvardiol has described the club's run in the Europa League as "the most beautiful period" of his career as he faces up to his final months with his boyhood club.

The teenager has already agreed a €19 million (£17.5m/$22m) move to RB Leipzig ahead of the summer transfer window, after becoming the latest Dinamo academy product to impress in the senior ranks.

And after playing his part in Dinamo's shock elimination of Tottenham in the last 16, he is hopeful of bowing out by securing both domestic and European silverware.

What was said?

"Before the summer, I want to play in as many of Dinamo's matches as possible, and win the championship title and the Croatian Cup together with my excellent team-mates," Gvardiol told Goal in an exclusive interview after he was named on the 2021 NXGN list of the world's top teenage footballers.

"Of course, we dream of winning the Europa League. We will do our best to achieve it because Dinamo is a big club and I think it deserves that.

"I think we are all going through the most beautiful period of our careers at the moment. All players breathe as one and you see the togetherness. That is the most important thing.

"I really care about that. When I look back on my career someday in the future, I would like to remember great results achieved with Dinamo."

Josko Gvardiol: The story so far

After starting his football education with local club NK Tresnjevka at the age of six, he was enrolled into Dinamo's famed academy two years later.

Having worked his way through the ranks in the Croatian capital, Gvardiol – who can play at either centre-back or left-back – made his first-team debut at the age of 17 in October 2019, before marking his first start a few weeks later with a goal.

That strike saw him become the sixth-youngest goalscorer in the club's history, and he certainly believes he can offer as much in the attacking third as he does in defence.

"I would say that my style of play is based on strength, but on technique also," he said. "I am trying to play as much as I can and do the simple things in every game, because that kind of performance can bring you good results.

"I am a defender and I always strive to have good communication with my team-mates and team work.

"It is hard for me to answer the question about my strengths. It is not easy to talk about myself. Maybe I could point out my versatility. My primary role is in a defensive position, but I think I can contribute in other segments of the game."

That versatility attracted a number of clubs to Gvardiol, with Bayern Munich and Leeds United having both shown an interest in the youngster before he eventually signed his contract with Leipzig in September.

Which players has Gvardiol been compared to?

When asked about his own footballing heroes, Gvardiol said: "My idol, in general, is Leo Messi because I think that kind of player is born once every 50 years. But, in my position, I would choose Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk [as role models]."

Having spoken to Gvardiol's former coach at both Dinamo and in the Croatia youth set-up, Tomislav Rukavina, there may be another modern defensive great that Gvardiol resembles more.

"His tremendous self-confidence, strong leadership traits and courage all remind me of Thiago Silva," Rukavina told Goal.

"Gvardiol is one of the young players who, I am sure, will be one of the most important players of the national team for a long time.

"He is extremely strong, fast, agile and durable. He has excellent jump timing and excellent heading technique. He has a developed sense of the game, excellent perception of situations and timely response to what's happening on the pitch.

"Given his youth, there is a lot of room for improvement in terms of tactics still, as there is for improving technical characteristics."

Which other players have emerged from Dinamo?

Gvardiol is just the latest youth product to emerge off the Dinamo talent conveyor belt, with the club having provided the backbone of Croatia's golden generation over the past decade.

"This is an important part of the club for us," Dinamo academy manager Zeljko Kopic told Goal. "The most valuable players we have had are players who have come from our academy.

"Luka Modric, Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Vedran Corluka, Dejan Badelj, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca and Tin Jedvaj are some of the academy players we have had, while Mario Mandzukic, Marcelo Brozovic and Domagoj Vida also played for Dinamo's first team. Overall, we had 14 players in the World Cup final squad.

"When we build players like that, we give them chances in the first team, but they also provide stability for the club and investment."

There is hope that Gvardiol will be one of the leaders of the next generation of Croatian superstars, and Kopic believes he has what it takes to go right to the top of the game.

"Seeing him at 17, it was unbelievable how good he was, both mentally and physically," he revealed. "We are really proud of him and his success, and we are proud of everything he gave to the club.

"If he stays healthy, I am sure we will see him become one of the best central defenders in Europe."

For Gvardiol's part, he is fully aware of how fortunate he is to have been part of one of the continent's most consistent talent factories.

"It is certain that Dinamo's youth academy played a big role in my development," he said. "I was in the academy for 10 years, I played in all the youth teams, won numerous trophies and individual awards. It is a period of my life that I will never forget.

"It is known that Dinamo's academy has the best development system and that, if you are a talented player, you can certainly find your way to the big stage. This has been proven by many players who are stars of world football today."

Further reading

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has billed himself as “one of the most important managers in the game” and hit back at those who question his coaching methods by saying: "I don’t think anybody is going to discuss rocket science with the guys from NASA”.

The Portuguese manager has come in for criticism this season as his Spurs side have struggled for consistency across multiple competitions.

They are, however, through to the Carabao Cup final, still in the hunt for a top-four finish, and can all upon the services of a proven winner in the dugout.

What has been said?

Quizzed in a virtual ‘Game on with Mourinho’ event organised by Spurs sponsors AIA as to how he deals with critics, the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss said: “I don't think anybody is going to discuss rocket science with the guys from NASA, with everybody around the world.

“They think they can discuss football with one of the most important managers in the game. That's the beauty of football. I got used to it. I appreciate that. So that's fine for me.”

How many trophies has Mourinho won?

Mourinho, who previously worked alongside Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona, burst onto the coaching scene at Porto. He guided them to league titles in Portugal alongside UEFA Cup and Champions League triumphs.

Three Premier League titles, to go with FA Cup and League Cup successes, were secured across two spells at Chelsea, while a Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League treble was enjoyed at Inter.

Another league title, this time in La Liga, was claimed while at Real Madrid and a stint with Manchester United saw Mourinho capture another League Cup and Europa League.

In total, he has won 24 trophies as a manager and was named FIFA Coach of the Year in 2010.

The bigger picture

Mourinho has faced accusations of making Tottenham difficult to watch this season , with early talk of a title challenge in 2020-21 quickly fading away.

Questions are now being asked of his future, but a lucrative contract in north London is due to run until 2023.

It remains to be seen whether that deal will be honoured, with Mourinho’s current record at Spurs seeing him collect 44 wins from 83 games at the helm while suffering 22 defeats.

Further reading

Zlatan Ibrahimovic likes to remind the world that he is not your average human, famously declaring himself a lion and even a god.

Standing at six foot five inches, the towering Swede is certainly an impressive physical specimen and he continues to defy the march of time by starring for AC Milan in Serie A.

Ibrahimovic's sheer size and strength is something that has made him a nightmare for even the most fearsome defenders, but he is also incredibly nimble.

A background in martial arts is often raised as one of the reasons for the striker's unique athleticism, as well as his enduring fitness. The capability has also augmented the sense of fear he can strike into some opponents.

Indeed, if Zlatan ever finds himself in an altercation with an opponent - as happened with Romelu Lukaku in 2021, for example - his fans will frequently argue that he would come out on top due to having a black belt.

Is it true though? Goal brings you all the details.

Zlatan was awarded an honorary taekwondo black belt in 2010 during his first stint at AC Milan. 

The belt was presented to Ibrahimovic by Mauro Sarmiento, a martial artist who won a silver medal for Italy at the 2008 Olympics, in recognition of the Swede's promotion of the discipline.

While an honorary black belt is a gift, it is fair to say that Ibrahimovic's ability is genuine and, according to the Daily Telegraph he first earned a black belt at the age of 17. 

Indeed, the former Manchester United man has referred to the fact that he has a black belt on a number of occasions over the years and it is something that has figured prominently throughout his career.

As well as producing an array of acrobatic goals - such as his famous overhead kick against England in 2012 - Ibrahimovic has a reputation for landing kicks on his team-mates in training. He even playfully clashed with Antonio Cassano while the Italian was giving a post-match TV interview in 2011.

The Malmo native trained at Enighet (meaning Unity) in his hometown as a teen and the head of that organisation, Leif Almo, believes that the striker could well have excelled in taekwondo.

"Had he had the same focus on taekwondo as he has had on football, and been able to bet in the same way, it is clear that he could have been just as good," Almo told Fotbolls Expressen in 2010.

However, for all the machismo and playful kicking, how would Ibrahimovic actually fare in a real fight?

We know that the Swede brawled with former AC Milan team-mate Oguchi Onyewu, himself a giant and imposing defender, during a training session in 2010, but it is unclear who came out on top.

Massimo Oddo, who was there at the time, recalled in 2020: "They came to blows, but nothing excessive. [Gennaro] Gattuso tried to divide them and took a very strong punch to the face."

Ibrahimovic likened Onyewu to a heavyweight boxer and said in his book that he suffered broken ribs at the hands of the former USMNT star, adding that they were close to killing each other.

Onyewu admitted in 2020 that "there are some truths, there are some lies" in the forward's accounts of the fight, coyly telling ESPN FC: "Whether I broke his ribs or not, I'm not going to comment on it."

He is certainly not the only fellow professional to go head to head with Ibrahimovic, who is never one to back down from a challenge. 

The Swede has had his fair share of high-profile on-field spats.

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha collided with Ibrahimovic while playing for Real Salt Lake against LA Galaxy in 2019 and claimed that the Swede threatened him.

Afterwards, Onuoha told KSL: “He came here to apologise after the game because from 60 minutes in, he’s saying to me he’s going to do me, he’s going to hurt me for that game - and this is the guy who’s the face of the MLS as he calls himself, but this is the way he plays on the field.

“So I don’t care. You don’t say that on the field. I’m not going to accept his apologies. It’s unacceptable.”

More recently, Ibrahimovic squared up to Romelu Lukaku during a Milan derby against long-standing rivals Inter. The pair butted heads before exchanging insults, but never actually came to blows.

Interestingly, when Ibrahimovic was playing for Manchester United, British UFC welterweight fighter Danny Roberts joked that he would have no issue fighting Ibrahimovic.

"If he’s willing to fight I'm here," Roberts said ahead of a 2016 UFC event. "Yeah I’d like to see him in the Octagon, see what he’s got."

Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month for March following his impressive goalscoring run.

Iheanacho scored five goals in three league matches in the month under review as the Foxes boosted their push for Uefa Champions League football next season with a win and two draws.

The Nigeria international competes with Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, West Ham United's Jesse Lingard, Leeds United's Illan Meslier, Manchester United's Luke Shaw, Brighton & Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard and Chelsea's Andreas Christensen for his maiden award in the English top-flight.

Following injuries to James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, Iheanacho stepped up his performance in Brendan Rodgers' team when he returned to the starting XI against Burnley on March 3.

He rescued a point for the Foxes at Turf Moor after combining with compatriot Wilfred Ndidi to cancel out Matej Vydra's opener.

Three days later, the 24-year-old inspired Leicester City's comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion with his 62nd-minute equaliser before Ghana's Daniel Amartey secured all three points for the visitors at the Amex Stadium.

It did not just stop there for Rodgers’ side as they bagged an emphatic victory in their only league home in March with the 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United.

Iheanacho scored his first Premier League hat-trick in the game and he became the fifth Nigerian player to score three times in an English top-flight match.

His contributions in March took his Premier League tally to six goals after 16 appearances so far while Leicester City are third in the league table, with a point behind second-placed Manchester United.

Mahrez is the other African star in the eight-man selection after he produced man-of-the-match displays in Manchester City's wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton.

In addition to his performances, the Algeria international scored three goals in four Premier League matches for Pep Guardiola's side.

Iheanacho and Mahrez are set face-off after the international break with league leaders Manchester City scheduled for a trip to Leicester City on  April 3.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is eager to point out that he still has “ninja” skills at 39 years of age, with the evergreen Swedish striker determined to remove his World Cup “zero” after stepping out of international retirement.

The AC Milan striker has become the oldest player to represent his country, with a return to that stage made in a 1-0 win over Georgia after previously walking away on the back of Euro 2016.

An enigmatic frontman is now ready to aid Sweden’s cause at this summer’s European Championship and their bid to reach Qatar 2022, with a larger-than-life character adamant that he has lost none of his powers.

What has been said?

Ibrahimovic told reporters after contributing an assist on his return to the Sweden fold: “When I play, I try to do my things.

“There is nothing that I plan to do or think to do before a game; it's just impulsive stuff. I can still do those movements, that ninja stuff. I still have it in me, even if I'm 39.

“The feeling was amazing. I just missed the Swedish crowd, the fans, because the last time I played here was a full stadium and the atmosphere is different when it's full but the rest was amazing.

“I was very happy. I was very proud. I had a great feeling when I was on the field and I tried to give my best, like every time, to help the team-mates and to help myself to perform.

“The game was not easy. We were not as dangerous as we should be but at the end of the day, we won and we took the three points that we needed. This is the first game we have been together for two, three days, and from this point on, it will be better and better.”

Why has Ibrahimovic returned?

Despite approaching his 40th birthday, the mercurial Swede has been showing no sign of slowing down at Milan.

He has netted 17 goals at club level this season and remains one of the finest talents that his country has ever produced.

Ibrahimovic is also aware that his distinguished CV includes no goals at a World Cup finals, with there a desire on his part to right that wrong after previously drawing a blank in 2002 and 2006.

“I have one thing with World Cups and it's that I have never scored a goal in the World Cup finals, so that's something I have to beat,” he added on his future ambition.

“I can't have that on zero.”

Further reading

Karim Benzema was close to joining Juventus before he eventually moved to Real Madrid, claims Claudio Marchisio.

Benzema has gone on to be one of Real's greatest ever goalscorers since moving from Lyon in 2009, with 272 goals in 545 appearances.

However, he was initially unsure whether his future would lie in Madrid and, according to former Juventus and Italy midfielder Marchisio, he very nearly chose to continue his career in Turin instead.

What did Marchisio say?

Interviewed by the YouTube channel 'Cronache di Spogliatoio', Marchisio said of Benzema: "He is a great player. Benzema was very close to joining Juventus in the year in which Ciro Ferrara was coaching the team.

"It's a pity, given that, after CR7 [Cristiano Ronaldo]'s farewell [from Madrid], only he is scoring ".

When did Benzema nearly join Juventus?

The season Marchisio refers to is the 2009-10 campaign, with Ferrara taking over as manager at Juventus ahead of that season.

Benzema moved from boyhood club Lyon to Real that summer in a €35 million transfer, and he has stayed with Real ever since.

Ferrara would soon regret missing out on Benzema - he was sacked later that season, with Juve going on to finish a disappointing seventh in Serie A, and were eliminated in the Champions League group stage.

Benzema, meanwhile, has continued scoring consistently during his 12-year career at Santiago Bernabeu, shouldering the burden of goals even more heavily after former team-mate Ronaldo did move to Juventus, joining the Italian giants in 2018.

The Frenchman is fifth on the list of Real's all-time top scorers - a chart topped by Ronaldo.

Further Reading

AC Milan are ready to “do everything” to keep Fikayo Tomori at San Siro, with the Chelsea defender currently on loan in Italy, while Franco Baresi is also hoping to see Gianluigi Donnarumma commit to a new contract.

The Rossoneri have taken positive steps forward in 2020-21 and are now in the process of planning for the immediate and long-term future.

England international Tomori, who linked up with the club during the winter transfer window, forms part of those plans and discussions are taking place regarding the possible reduction of a £26 million ($37m) purchase option.

What has been said?

Milan legend Baresi, who is now honorary vice-president of the Serie A heavyweights, told Gazzetta dello Sport: “We’ll do everything to sign him on a permanent deal.

“Two months are remaining until the end of the season, and it’s not only up to Milan.

“Tomori is imposing himself with talent and determination. He has shown no fear to play in a new league. Potentially, he can become a great champion. I hope he lives up to expectations.”

What about Donnarumma?

Tomori is not the only player that Milan are eager to keep on their books for 2021-22.

Enigmatic Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is approaching the end of his latest short-term deal, with an extension being mooted there.

First-choice goalkeeper Donnarumma is another edging towards free agency, but Baresi believes the 22-year-old Italy international can be talked into bringing a long-running saga regarding his future to a close.

He added: “We know his qualities. He’s grown up at Milan and we know how important he could be in the coming years.”

The bigger picture

Tangible success would be a useful bargaining chip for Milan in efforts to get key men committed to fresh terms.

Manchester United have ended their Europa League adventure, but Stefano Pioli’s side sit second in the Serie A table with 10 games left to take in – six points adrift of arch-rivals Inter, who boast a game in hand.

On title aspirations, Baresi said: “Let’s see. Inter are doing well and Milan must do our best. It’s part of our history.

“It doesn’t only depend on us. We must keep winning games as we did in Florence [a 3-2 win over Fiorentina last time out], where we showed the right spirit.”

Further reading

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina have taken to social media to celebrate Gabon’s qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

Patrice Neveu's men booked their spot in next year's tournament after hammering the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 at the Stade de Franceville on Thursday.

Hatayspor star Aaron Boupendza opened the scoring for the hosts just before half-time as Denis Bouanga's 72nd-minute effort and Aubameyang's late goal in the 86th minute completed the rout in Franceville.

After missing the 2019 Afcon in Egypt, the Panthers will be going to Cameroon to make their eighth appearance on the continental stage.

Although they are tied on 10 points after five matches, Gabon currently sit at the summit of Group D with a superior goal difference above the Gambia who are second.

DR Congo and Angola are already eliminated from qualification after picking up six points and a point, respectively, with one game left to play.

So far in the qualification series, Saint-Etienne's Bouanga stands as the Panthers' highest-scoring player with three goals while Aubameyang and Boupendza have scored two goals each.

Next up for Gabon, is a trip to Luanda for their final qualifying game against Angola on March 29.

While the Afcon qualification might be a joy for Aubameyang, it might give Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a headache over the 31-year-old’s availability because the tournament is scheduled to take place in the middle of the 2021-22 Premier League season – in January and February.

The same scenario applies to Fulham manager Scott Parker next season regarding Lemina’s availability.

Guido Rodriguez is aware of the speculation linking him with a summer move to Arsenal, but the Real Betis midfielder claims to be happy in Spain and is not actively looking to secure a move.

The 26-year-old Argentine linked up with his current club in January 2020, with a €3 million transfer completed from Mexican side Club America.

He has made an impressive impact in La Liga leading to talk of big-money bids, but a man with 10 international caps says he is giving no thought to making a fresh start.

What has been said?

Quizzed on the links to Arsenal by Estadio Deportivo, Rodriguez said: “I saw it because friends from Argentina asked me, but I told them that I knew the same as them. I am the protagonist because I am in the news but today, I do not know more or less than you who also saw it.

“I am very happy, I arrived and there was one or two months with a strange situation for everyone with the issue of confinement but the truth is that I am very happy in Seville, with the city, the weather, at the club. I’m very happy.

“It feels a bit strange when we walk down the street, I would have liked to experience all this with the fans in the stadium. I could only play a few games with the stadium full.”

Why are Arsenal being linked with Rodriguez?

A tough-tackling midfielder, Rodriguez has made 28 appearances for Betis this season, scoring two goals.

It is being suggested that Arsenal are looking for another holding option to line up alongside Thomas Partey. Rodriguez could be that man, but he is tied to a contract through to 2024 and would not come cheap.

Further reading

Egypt star Mohamed Salah walked to the Harambee Stars dressing room to congratulate the team for what he termed as a great performance.

The Liverpool FC star was part of the Pharaohs team that drew 1-1 with their hosts at Kasarani Stadium to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations from Group G, alongside Comoros.

In the game played on Thursday, Mohamed Magdy scored for the seven-time Afcon winners while Abdallah Hassan struck for the East Africans to ensure the spoils were shared.

Despite not making it to Cameroon, the Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee-led team played a well and had several chances to score more, only that they were not clinical in front of the goal.

After the game, the Egyptian followed Kenya to their changing room and Goal has now learned what the Reds forward said.

"Congratulations for the good game, we enjoyed playing against you. I wish you luck in the next campaign," the 28-year-old striker told the Harambee Stars dressing room. 

In the reverse fixture in Alexandria, the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw as well.

Egypt are top of the group with nine points from the five matches they have played. They have managed to get two wins and three draws, scoring six goals in the process and conceding three.

Comoros are in second with as many points and the same stats apart from the goals, where they have scored four and conceded two which, coincidentally, came against Harambee Stars.

Kenya are third in the group with four draws and a loss. They have conceded five goals and scored six, with the Sparrowhawks bottom of the group with two points from two draws. They have lost three matches, scoring two goals and conceding six in the process.

In the final round of the qualifiers, the Pharaohs will be home against Les Coelacantes while the Harambee Stars will be away in Lome to play the hosts. 

Other teams that have qualified for the finals are Mali and Guinea from Group A while Burkina Faso have sealed their place in the finals from Group B. Cameroon and Algeria have qualified from Group F and H, respectively.

In Group I, Senegal have qualified as have as Tunisia, who are in Group J.

Former Young Africans SC defender Bakari Malima has explained why the Mainland Premier League side should stick with interim head coach Juma Mwambusi.

Mwambusi returned to the club after head coach Cedric Kaze was fired following a 2-1 loss to Coastal Union - their first in the 2020/21 season - and Malima has stressed the importance of letting the Tanzanian coach have the chance to finish the season at the helm.

"Let them stick with Mwambusi to see the team through the season," Malima told Mwanaspoti.

"If they hire a new coach, he will come to take the money and if he does not win the league he would complain he did not sign the current players.

"The fans and the players need to come together as one and support the coach. Mwambusi should also be given every kind of support he needs."

The former Taifa Stars defender also said the title race - which Yanga leads - is still wide open and Mwambusi is the right person to help them finish it before making technical changes.

"Up to now, there is no team that can claim they are champions because anything can happen still even though the majority have tipped Simba to be crowned again," he added.

"I am sure Mwambusi will help the players get back to their previous form and we will see them fight hard once more even though it might not be a100% fight.

"So, he needs to take charge of the team and a new one should come when the new season shall begin."

Meanwhile, former Mbeya City star Abeid Kasabalala condemned how Kaze was sacked and asked for Mwambusi to be given the right environment to operate in.

"Yanga need time to be rebuild. The fans must be told the truth so that Mwambusi cannot work in a toxic environment that in the end he will be hated as was with Kaze when results go bad," Kasabalala said.

"Had Kaze stayed a little longer, he would have built a good team and what is important to note is it is never prudent to make judgments when emotionally charged."

On his part, Pan African head coach Gordian Mapango said Mwambusi needs good support in order to deliver the desired results.

"He needs support in order to do his job in a better way. I believe the players will be in great form given the manner of drills Mwambusi conducts," Mapango said.

After winning the Mapinudzi Cup, Yanga's focus is now on the FA Cup and the Premier League title.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi “goes out to assassinate the goalkeepers” when he takes to the pitch, says Willy Caballero, who admits that his fellow Argentine is forever on a “mission” to find the target.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has made a habit of doing just that down the years, with a remarkable return of 663 efforts for the Blaugrana seeing countless records tumble around the all-time great.

Chelsea keeper Caballero has lined up against and alongside Messi down the years and is well placed to pass judgement on what makes the mercurial 33-year-old so special.

What has been said?

Caballero, who has formed part of Argentina national squads and turned out in La Liga over the course of his career, told 90min: “Facing Messi, I had to suffer.

“He goes out to assassinate the goalkeepers.

“The goalkeepers, the defenders - he's going to kill [them]. And killing means scoring as many goals as possible.

“He doesn't care if you know him, if you're Argentine or if you're a friend. He'll talk to you afterwards, greet you and everything else, but in those 90 minutes he's on a mission to hit you with goals.”

Breaking down Messi’s goal record

The legendary South American has hit 467 La Liga goals over the course of his career, through 511 appearances, placing him at the top of the all-time chart in Spain.

Messi has found the target on 120 occasions in the Champions League, with only eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo (134) ahead of him on that list.

He has managed 54 goals in the Copa del Rey, with the promise of more to come there, and hit the back of the net 71 times in 142 outings for Argentina.

How has Messi fared this season?

In what has been a testing campaign at times for Barcelona, their talismanic captain has maintained stunning standards.

He leads the race for the Pichichi Trophy with 23 goals to his name, with 29 efforts recorded in total alongside 11 assists.

Questions continue to be asked of his future at Camp Nou, as a lucrative contract runs down towards free agency, but fresh terms are being mooted and a big career call will be made when the 2020-21 season comes to a close.

Further reading

An unnamed international club are reportedly chasing the signature of Kaizer Chiefs' longest-standing defending, Eric Mathoho.

Mathoho's contract with the Glamour Boys runs until June 2023 which would give Amakhosi some good bargaining power should the overseas club make their move for the Limpopo-born player.

According to a report in the Citizen, the 'unnamed club is said to be really interested in the 31-year-old and are set to start negotiations with Amakhosi for the player’s services.'

The report also quoted an unnamed source who says the only stumbling block may be the player's reluctance to leave his home country.

“It is a big offer that has been made for Mathoho and I believe Chiefs are seriously considering it. But they will have to also consult the player to find out if he is interested," the source was quoted saying.

“Mathoho is very close to his family and might not be too keen on being away from them for lengthy periods."

Kaizer Chiefs have been unable to sign players during the last two transfer windows due to a Fifa transfer ban.

But when the ban ends at the end of the current season, it's expected that there could be a major overhaul at the club.

For some time, Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has been linked with making a move for two of the defenders who played under him at previous club Bidvest Wits - Sifiso Hlanti and Buhle Mkhwanazi.

Njabulo Ngcobo of Swallows FC has also been strongly linked with a move to the Glamour Boys next season.

Chiefs’ other options in central defence currently include Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Daniel Cardoso and Anthony Akumu Agay – the Kenyan has been converted into that role by Hunt after initially being signed as a holding midfielder.

‘Tower’ as Mathoho is affectionately known, joined Amakhosi in 2012 from Bloemfontein Celtic and is in his ninth season with the Glamour Boys.

The 31-year-old has two league winners’ medals from his time with Chiefs and has also won the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 with the club.

Injuries have curtailed his game-time this season and he’s only made nine league appearances for Chiefs. Despite being in good form of late, Mathoho was omitted from the Bafana Bafana squad currently doing battle in the Afcon qualifiers.

Kenya forward Michael Olunga has blamed missed chances for the team’s 1-1 draw against Egypt in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at Kasarani Stadium 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 have qualified 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.

Olunga, who was captaining the side in the absence of midfielder Victor Wanyama, believes Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee's side was unlucky considering the number of chances they created against the Pharaohs, and also singled out defenders Eric Ouma and Dan Sakari for praise.

Ouma was the man tasked to handle Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, and he did it in style as the dangerman was not given any room to trouble Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

“Unlucky with the chances yesterday [Thursday] but proud of how the team responded especially after the early setback,” Olunga wrote on his social media pages.

“Good outing especially from Eric Ouma and Dan Sakari.”

On his part, Ouma wrote on his social media pages: “Impossible is nothing, still trusting the process.”

Kenya, who were already under pressure after Comoros drew against Togo to qualify, found themselves in a difficult position when they conceded in the second minute. Magdy scored the goal that propelled Egypt to yet another Afcon finals while pushing the Harambee Stars to the exit door.

The Harambee Stars had the ball in the net in the 39th minute when Masoud Juma outwitted two Egyptian markers before he slotted past the ball past Mohamed El-Shenawy in the Egypt goal, but the effort was chalked off for offside.

As the first half was edging towards the end, Kenya looked more lively especially through Hassan, who had manoeuvred past Mohamed Hany on two occasions but the final passes into the box were cleared. 

Apart from Wazito's Omurwa, Ouma and Kenneth Muguna stood out for Kenya in the latter stages of the first half as they pushed the Pharaohs' deep into their area in search of an equaliser.