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Rangers duo Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo, Galatasaray’s Henry Onyekuru and Watford defender William Troost-Ekong have reacted to the Nigeria national team plan to travel by boat for their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against the Republic of Benin on Saturday at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo.

Goal had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles trip to the neighbouring country will be by the sea and adequate security will be provided for the players and all those on board.

The decision has been taken in order to help the Super Eagles avoid the heavy traffic in Lagos if they were to travel by road.

Aribo revealed he has never embarked on a journey by boat but explained it will not affect him mentally to help Nigeria secure victory over the Squirrels.

“Traveling by sea, it is what it is, we can’t use that as an excuse. We know what we have to do mentally and that is to win the match. I have never travelled by sea before,” Aribo told the Punch.

Balogun on his part revealed the Super Eagles are fully focused on winning against Benin despite the ‘unusual’ trip by boat.

“I guess we have to be okay with it, I will say its a bit unusual but that’s just how it is,” Balogun said.

“If they change it, it’ll be good if they don’t, we’ll be fine but the most important thing is that we get there in one piece, and win the game.”

Onyekuru is of similar opinion with Aribo, revealing he has never travelled by boat, notwithstanding, he is committed to helping the three-time African champions come out unscathed against the Squirrels at Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo.

“It will be my first time travelling by sea but I don’t really mind. All that matters to me and my teammates is to wear the jersey, represent our country and win the game,” he added.

Super Eagles vice-captain Troost-Ekong expressed his satisfaction with the boat trip and hopes they will be safe during the journey. 

“As long as it is safe and we get there as quickly as possible, then it is fine,” Troost-Ekong said.

Nigeria lead Group L of the qualifiers with eight points from four games and victory over Benin will seal their place at the biennial tournament in Cameroon.

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

Sadio Mane was delighted to spend time with former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf whom he described as the best player in the history of Senegal.

Ahead of the Teranga Lions’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Congo on Friday, the duo hung out at the gymnasium and took some pictures together after sweating out.

While Mane is currently the captain of the Senegalese national team, Diouf is considered as one of the West African country’s greats after winning the African Footballer of the Year twice (2001 and 2002).

Diouf whose international career spanned eight years, scored 24 goals in 70 matches for the Teranga Lions while Mane has 21 goals to his name after 71 appearances for Senegal.

Two years ago, the 28-year-old was named the best player on the African continent and he made Senegal the first country to qualify for 2022 Afcon in Cameroon after his match-winning goal against Eswatini last November.

“With the best player in the history of our dear country El Hadji Diouf,” Mane captioned his Instagram post.

Diouf, however, described the bond he shares with his ‘younger brother’ Mane and he noted he played a key role his move from Southampton to Anfield in 2016.

“The blood red is stronger than the Liverpool red which I also wore with pride,” the 40-year-old wrote on his social media page.

“Sadio Mane is my little brother of Green, Yellow and Red blood with the green star and I marked the way for him to Anfield road.

“To the ultras of the Reds who do not understand this, let them know that the motto of Senegal is One People, One Goal, One Faith. And the Senegalese will always be united in victory as in defeat. It is the first value of our country. African forever, Son of Africa.”

Aliou Cisse's men will be aiming to stretch their dominance in Group I when they battle second-placed Congo at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat on Friday and when they host Guinea-Bissau in Thies on March 30.

Senegal finished as runners-up at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after a suffering a 1-0 defeat against Algeria in Cairo.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has been tipped to challenge for a Ballon d'Or in five years' time by the man who engineered his move into Atalanta's academy.

The 18-year-old winger has made a strong start to life at Old Trafford following his January move from the Bergamo outfit.

His displays, which remain sporadic for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, have been rewarded with a first call-up to the senior Ivory Coast squad this month, as well as a place on Goal's NXGN list of the top teenage talents in world football.

What was said?

Former AC Milan and Italy goalkeeper Giovanni Galli was working as sporting director for Serie C outfit Lucchese when he was first introduced to Amad, who had been impressing for amateur club Boca Barco.

Using his contacts, Galli organised a trial for the youngster at Atalanta, and he has since seen him go on to become one of the brightest talents in both Serie A and, now, the Premier League.

“Amad is unique,” Galli told Goal in an exclusive interview, "but he must make himself stronger.

"At the same time, he must make sure he does not lose his speed, which is a quality that distinguishes him from others."

He added: "In short, I think he has all the qualities to be a candidate for the Ballon d’Or in the next five years."

Amad Diallo: The story so far

Amad arrived in Italy as a 12-year-old alongside his older brother, Hamed Traore, who now plies his trade for Sassuolo, and the pair soon began representing Boca Barco.

When it became clear that they were far too good to be playing at such a level, Galli had them train with his own players at Lucchese to gauge their abilities.

"I immediately knew that both of them had above-average quality,” he said. “For Amad, it was his technique and speed that made him stand out.”

Despite being 13, Amad was immediately placed within the Under-15s set-up, and proved to be their star player as they won the league in his first season.

He continued his rapid ascension through the various age groups before beginning to train with the first team, where club captain Papu Gomez recalled that "some defenders had to kick him as he played like [Lionel] Messi".

Amad went on to score on his Serie A debut in October 2019 before, a year later, United negotiated a deal that would see him move to the Theatre of Dreams for an initial £19 million ($25m), though that could rise to as much as £37m ($48m).

When will Amad be given more chances at Man Utd?

Given the money United paid, some expected to see much more of Amad than they have thus far, with the youngster having only appeared in the Europa League and FA Cup thus far.

Perhaps that should not have come as a huge surprise, though, given he joined the Red Devils having played just 59 minutes of first-team football in his career.

That is not to say he has not impressed for his new club, with his two U23s appearances returning three goals and three assists before he headed in the opener against AC Milan in the Europa League last 16 in early March.

Solskjaer has hailed his "appetite" in training, and Amad - who United first scouted three years ago when he was playing for Atalanta's U15s - is beginning to build relationships with his team-mates as he gets to grips with learning English.

And Galli believes that it will be in 2021-22 that fans get to see the real Amad arrive in the English game.

"He is very young and has already made his debut in the Europa League just two months after arriving in England," he said. "I think next year he will have more chances to stand out in the first team.

"He is a very good player, but he has to remember that talent alone is not enough. He has to work hard and become a footballer who plays for and with the team.”

Further reading

Premier League side Aston Villa have congratulated Bertrand Traore and Burkina Faso after qualifying for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite playing a 0-0 draw against Uganda on Wednesday evening at St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende, Entebbe, Kamou Malo’s men booked a place in Cameroon with a game to spare.

That will be the 13th time the West African country would reach the finals since their maiden appearance at Ghana 1978 – where they finished in eight position.

The Villa Park giants have taken to social media to celebrate their winger and his country on their recent success.

“Congratulations to Bertrand Traore and Burkina Faso, who qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 with a goalless draw against Uganda on Wednesday!” a tweet from the club read.

Burkina Faso – who currently lead Group B having garnered nine points from five games – will complete their qualification campaign when they welcome South Sudan to Ouagadougou’s Stade du 4 Aout on Monday in a dead-rubber affair.

Burkina Faso finished in third place at the Gabon 2017 edition, albeit, they failed to qualify for the 2019 edition staged in Egypt following their inability to negotiate their way past Botswana, Mauritania and Angola during the qualifiers.

Their best performances in the biennial African football showpiece remains a second placed finish in 2013 as the Jonathan Pitroipa-inspired side bowed 1-0 to Nigeria in the final at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, with Sunday Mba’s 40th-minute beauty settling the encounter.

Traore, 25, who was part of the Lyon squad that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League joined the Claret and Blue Army in September 2020 for an undisclosed fee, thought to be worth in the region of £19million (€20.5m).

Three months later, he scored his first Premier League goal for Villa in their 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on December 20, 2020.

After returning from international duties, he is expected to play a key role in Dean Smith's men’s push for a place in Europe next term.

Currently, they occupy 10th position in the log after amassing 41 points from 28 fixtures played so far.

The Cameroonian Football Federation has refuted Eric Choupo-Moting’s claims he never received any call-up for the Indomitable Lions’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde and Rwanda.

German media outlet Bild disclosed an administrative blunder cost the Bayern Munich star a place in the squad as Fecafoot had sent an invitation to the wrong email address.

That assertion was echoed by the striker’s father Camille: “I was contacted by the association to find out what was going on. I contacted FC Bayern and they confirmed that they had not received the invitation,” he told Naja TV as per Bavarianfootballworks.

“It looks like she sent it to the wrong email address instead. For me, that’s a lack of professionalism.

“When sending invitations, be sure to send them to the correct address. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t understand why it’s the club’s or Maxim’s fault.”

However, the Cameroonian football body through its head of communications Parfait Siki has rubbished the declaration, insisting that Fecafoot has multiple ways of contacting players before making an official announcement.

He also said that all efforts to reach the former Stoke City and Paris Saint-Germain player proved futile as he ‘didn’t answer’.

“The Cameroon Football Federation Fecafoot made no mistake of the email address or contacts to the club and to the player," Siki told ESPN.

"We sent out invitations to all players including Choupo on the 5th of March 2021. We sent to clubs and players individually.

"For the particular case of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, we got no reply. We called him and he didn't answer. Normally, we are supposed to have a reply within 10 days.

"We did a follow-up by calling him and sending his invitation via his WhatsApp contact, still no response."

Siki also suggested that could be the 32-year-old’s ploy, while citing past instances.

“In our context, this was a clear message the player was sending," he continued.

"The same situation occurred during our previous matches against Mozambique in Douala and in Maputo for which he didn't show up.

"When he and his club stayed silent this time, we interpreted that to mean the unavailability of the player to play for the country.”

Toni Conceicao’s team, who have already qualified for the biennial African football showpiece as hosts, are unbeaten in all four games played in their group so far, winning three and playing one draw to lead the log with 10 points – six points ahead of closest challengers, Mozambique.

Nigeria international Chibuzor Okonkwo has urged Enyimba duo John Noble, Anayo Iwuala and Abia Warriors defender Adekunle Adeleke to give a good account of themselves against the Republic of Benin.

Noble was part of the Super Eagles 24-man squad for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Squirrels and Lesotho.

His Enyimba teammate Iwuala was a replacement for Almeria forward Sadiq Umar while Adeleke was brought on for Leganes centre-back Kenneth Omeruo, who withdrew from the encounters.

Nigeria will take on Michel Dussuyer’s men at Porto-Novo’s Stade Charles de Gaulle on Saturday and former Bayelsa United and Enugu Rangers right-back, Okonkwo, has praised the quality of the home-based players, advising them to prove their worth when given the chance.  

“The players that have been invited from the local league are very good, I have watched them and I know them,” Okonkwo told Goal.

“Now it is time for them to go and show the coach that they are capable of delivering when it matters and prove they are supposed to be in the team.

“They must utilize the opportunity given to them to be part of the Super Eagles by learning from the coaches and must also work hard on their own to improve themselves. I know they will do well if given the chance."

Okonkwo, who has nine caps for the Super Eagles, defended coach Gernot Rohr for inviting only three home-based players to the national team for the qualifiers.

“There should be more NPFL players in the team, but unfortunately our league started late unlike in Europe where their leagues have started for a very long time,” he continued.

“Rohr only invited three or four NPFL players but with time he will include more players from the local league.

“With the calibre of players that have been invited from the local leagues this time, I know he will change his mind and give more chances to the NPFL stars.”

Okonkwo believed Rohr’s side must have learnt lessons from their 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone in Benin City in November, where they squandered a 4-0 lead.

The defender is, therefore, confident the Super Eagles will secure all three points against the Republic of Benin in Porto-Novo, irrespective of the challenges they might encounter there.

“The Sierra Leone game will be a very big lesson for us after surrendering a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 in Benin City and I believe the players and coaches will be well prepared against Benin Republic," he added. 

“I believe we will win in Benin Republic because all our players in Europe are on fire. Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Osimhen are all doing well. I am counting on that for this game against Benin.

“I don’t think Benin can stop the Super Eagles. The players just need to give their best, concentrate on the game and we will win the match irrespective of the pitch or any challenges they meet in there.”

Victory in the encounter will seal Nigeria’s place at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and they will then take on Lesotho in their last qualifying game on Tuesday.

Barcelona legend Rivaldo is growing increasingly confident that Lionel Messi will sign a new contract, with the Blaugrana board being urged to bring in David Alaba alongside a talismanic club captain.

Speculation regarding the next move for a six-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to rage, with the most lucrative of deals running down towards free agency at Camp Nou.

Messi, having pushed for the exits in 2020, has been heavily linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, but Rivaldo believes the Argentine is erring towards penning an extension in Catalunya now that Joan Laporta has been returned to a presidential post.

What has been said?

“Barcelona are massively improving in the last few weeks, capitalising on Lionel Messi’s superb form and the election of a new president. Messi looks much more connected and happier since Juan Laporta’s arrival – a president he knows well,” former Barca star Rivaldo has told Betfair.

“For that reason, I’m starting to believe more and more that Messi might reach an agreement with the new board and sign a new contract to stay at the club for a few more years.

“Messi had a confidence boost with the new president election – someone he has a good connection with – raising the chances of him considering to stay for a bit longer.”

Any other business for Barca?

Messi has made it clear that he will not be making a decision on his future until the end of the season.

Discussions can be held before then, with Barca eager to thrash out fresh terms, but no definitive call from Camp Nou is imminent.

That is allowing attention to be diverted elsewhere, with the Blaugrana said to be exploring a number of recruitment options.

Eric Garcia is heading back to his roots from Manchester City, adding another promising defender to the pot, while Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is being lined up as a possible free agent.

Bayern Munich star Alaba is another big name running down his current deal, with Barca said to be one of the Austrian’s many suitors.

Rivaldo has added: “It was looking clear that Alaba would sign for Real Madrid at the end of the season, but it seems now that Barcelona are also trying to bring the player in and I’m sure he would be a nice upgrade to Barcelona’s defence.

“He is a great player, current European champion and with many years ahead of him, so it would be a great signing. Of course, many would see it as a victory against Real Madrid, but I don’t see things like that.

“Barcelona need to focus on themselves and don’t think about rivals because that’s the only way they can get back to being the strong European team they were some years ago.”

Further reading

Germany's World Cup qualifier against Iceland will go ahead despite Gladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann having tested positive for Covid-19.

A spokesman for the German football association (DFB) has insisted that the clash will go ahead after speaking with the relevant authorities, despite the positive test result having been recorded on Thursday.

The World Cup qualification clash between Germany and Iceland kicks off at 19.45 GMT at MSV Duisburg's Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena.

What's been said?

The DFB have released a statement confirming that a member of their squad had recorded a positive Covid-19 test, with Goal  and  SPOX  having established that the player in question is Gladbach midfielder Hofmann.

The statement read : "The PCR testing of players and staff in the national team's quarters showed a positive test result ahead of the World Cup qualification match against Iceland on Thursday evening. 

"In close cooperation with the Dusseldorf health department, the national player who tested positive and is currently symptom free was immediately isolated."

Green light to play

Despite Hofmann's positive test, Germany's strict adherence to safety rules has resulted in health authorities having given the team the go-ahead to play the fixture against Iceland.

DFB spokesman Jens Grittner said: "The match will definitely be played."

What's next?

Germany will follow up their Iceland clash with a trip to Romania, with another home date against North Macedonia the last of three qualifiers to be played before the resumption of club football.

Further reading

The Ministry of Sports has insisted no fans will be allowed into Kasarani Stadium to watch Harambee Stars take on Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations Group G qualifier at 7 pm EAT.

The East Africans will be coming into the match hoping to collect maximum points to stand a chance of making it to Cameroon. The first round in Alexandria ended 1-1. Some fans felt it was vital for them to be allowed access to the venue to cheer the home team but it will not be the case owing to Covid-19

"The Kenyan public is reminded that the resumption of sports guidelines and Ministry of Health safety protocols provide that only the players, official team handlers, assigned security and match officials shall be allowed into the stadium," read a letter from the Sports Ministry signed by the Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohammed and obtained by Goal.

"No spectators will be allowed into the stadium. Kenyans are encouraged to cheer and support our national team from the comfort of their homes. We must all continue to do our part to contain the spread of the coronavirus."

As it stands, the Pharaohs are top of the group with eight points, alongside Comoros who are second with the same number of points but with an inferior goal difference. 

Kenya are third with three points, while Togo are at the bottom of the table with a point.  

While the East African outfit will play Togo away in Lome in their final group game, the Pharaohs will be at home against Comoros. The top two teams will play in the finals in Cameroon.

Kenya's provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Joseph Okoth (KCB, Kenya)

Defenders: Joseph Okumu (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Nahashon Alembi (KCB, Kenya), Harun Mwale (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders: Anthony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs), Duke Abuya (Nkana, Zambia), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr, Egypt), Duncan Otieno (Lusaka Warriors, Zambia), Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Kevin Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar, Kenya), Danson Chetambe (Bandari, Kenya), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), David Owino (KCB, Kenya), Kevin Kimani (Wazito, Kenya), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari, Kenya)

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Masoud Juma (Difaa Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Clifton Miheso (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards)

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has revealed that he “couldn’t take it anymore” after suffering more hamstring trouble this season, with another injury setback leaving him “angry”.

The talented 20-year-old is now back to full fitness and claims to be “very happy” with life at Santiago Bernabeu.

That was not the case at the turn of the year, with another unfortunate injury issue leaving him on the sidelines as Zinedine Zidane’s side struggled for consistency.

What has been said?

Rodrygo has told Real Madrid TV : “The whole time I was away it was difficult.

“I couldn't take it anymore being without playing and watching the games on TV.

“I was even getting angry, but now I'm very happy and working every day to be better.

“The hardest thing is to catch the rhythm again and having the confidence that I had before I injured myself. The rest is easier.”

How many games did Rodrygo miss?

The promising Brazilian lasted just 38 minutes of Real’s 2-0 win over Granada on December 23.

He was not seen again until March 1, with a two-month stint in the treatment room forcing him to sit out 12 games across all competitions.

Rodrygo had previously missed three fixtures during the 2019-20 campaign after suffering a hamstring complaint.

The bigger picture

The highly-rated youngster has taken in five appearances since returning to full fitness, but is still looking to add to the solitary strike he recorded earlier this season in a Champions League clash with Inter.

He should get plenty of opportunities to improve that tally, with Real readying themselves for a crucial run that will include important fixtures in an ongoing La Liga title defence and a meeting with Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Rodrygo added on the challenges to come: “Everybody is seeing that we fight until the end in every match.

“Real Madrid’s badge indicated that we are going to fight until the end, no matter how many points behind Atletico or Barcelona we are, we always fight.

“Liverpool will be a very tough opponent, we’re all training hard now for what’s ahead and we’re hoping we can advance to the next round.

“Every match is important but in this moment of the season the matches are crucial. It’s a different feeling which makes us want to play and perform well, these are special games for sure.”

Further reading

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich has admitted that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the players he would most like to line up next to at club level, while adding that Barcelona icon Xavi was his biggest influence while growing up.

As a Champions League and Club World Cup winner with Bayern, Kimmich has a wealth of experience and can boast playing alongside the current Best FIFA Men's Player in Robert Lewandowski.

At just 26 years old, the versatile midfielder still has plenty of years left in his career and admits that sharing a locker room with a multiple Ballon d'Or-winning duo would be a welcome addition to his footballing bucket list.

What did Kimmich say?

Asked by Bild who he would most like to play with, Kimmich said: “Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. 

“For me, it's so impressive, almost unbelievable, how you can maintain this level for over 15 years. I'd like to see what they do every day.”

Learning from a legend

Having started out as a right-back at Bayern, Kimmich is often compared to former club captain Philipp Lahm, or even named as his successor.

Like Lahm, however, he has transitioned into a central midfield role as his career has progressed, and attempting to copy the characteristics of a Barcelona legend undoubtedly prepared him well for the tough task of keeping the engine room running efficiently.

“My role model was always Xavi Hernandez from Barcelona,” Kimmich said. “He was never the biggest, but he played with vision, technique and [superb] passing, always bringing others into the game.

“He impressed me and that's how I wanted to play. I got to know him during a training camp in Doha and it was a really cool moment!”

Further reading

Lazio midfielder Daniel Guerini has tragically passed away at the age of 19, leaving Italian football in mourning.

Gazzetta dello Sport is among those to report that the teenager was killed in a car crash in Rome on Wednesday evening.

Guerini, who formed part of Lazio’s U19 squad, had spent time with Torino, Fiorentina and SPAL before taking his career full circle at Stadio Olimpico.

Tributes to Guerini

A statement from Lazio reads: "Still incredulous and shocked by pain, the president, the men and women of the Lazio Sports Club gather around the family of the young Daniel Guerini."

Fiorentina posted: "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Lazio youngster Daniel Guerini, a member of the Fiorentina youth academy in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

"The thoughts of president Commisso and everyone at the club are with the Guerini family at this extremely difficult time."

Torino wrote on their social media pages: "The president Urbano Cairo and the whole Torino football club, incredulous and deeply saddened, gather around the Guerini family for the tragic death of Daniel, our former Primavera player.”

Hellas Verona FC added: "Hellas Verona expresses deep condolences and heartfelt closeness to Lazio for the tragic death of Daniel Guerini."

Guerini's career

The promising playmaker started out in Lazio’s youth system before joining Torino in 2016.

He was then added to the academy ranks at Fiorentina and spent the opening months of 2020 on loan at SPAL.

A return to his roots at Lazio was made in January, with a three-year contract signed upon his arrival.

On the international stage, Guerini – who turned 19 on Sunday - represented Italy at U15 and U16 level.

Former South Africa defender David Nyathi has warned the current Bafana Bafana team that Ghana will not be a weakened side in the absence of some of their star players during Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier at FNB Stadium.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ghana will be without captain Andre Ayew, his brother Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who will only be available for their last match of the campaign against Sao Tome e Principe.

With the trio forming a vital cog in the Black Stars squad, Nyathi feels that their absence will not render the West Africans a weak outfit as he demands a more competitive mentality from South Africa.

“In these days in football, there is no worse team anymore. All the teams are getting better and better,” Nyathi told Sowetan Live.

“And that is the attitude that we all have to take. That you have to prepare to your best and expect that the team you are going to play against is going to give you the best competition. Ghana's overseas contingent shows that there is talent in that country. Players in Ghana are also competitive. They have a league, as we have ours here in South Africa.

“So we must have a mental attitude that always competes at the highest level as we have done in the past, and we did well because we maintained that attitude. You need to prepare to win a match. You can’t be preparing for a draw or anything else. That’s the attitude we need to have.”

Vice-captain Partey was one of the scorers when Ghana beat Bafana Bafana 2-0 in the reverse fixture in November 2019.

While Ghana are without their England-based stars, South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki has faced a similar predicament.

Carlisle United midfielder Dean Furman as well as UAE-based Thulani Serero were not released by their clubs for the Ghana match as well as Sunday’s clash away in Sudan.

Rangers FC’s Bongani Zungu was also not permitted to travel to South Africa and will only be available for the Sudan match.

Uganda captain Denis Onyango believes the team has to play total football away in Malawi if they are to make it to the finals in Cameroon.

The East Africans are second in the Afcon qualifying Group B game with eight points after settling to a goalless draw against Burkina Faso at St Mary's Stadium in Kitende on Wednesday. Despite needing just a point from their last trip to Malawi, the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper believes they have to go for a positive outcome without relying on others.

"As the coach said we still needed to get a result in Malawi even though we had won [on Wednesday], we still needed to go to Malawi and fight," Onyango said after keeping his fourth clean sheet in the campaign.

"[Qualification] is still in our hands and we still have to fight harder. We do not need any favours from anyone, so we need to do ourselves a favour and get results. We need to play total football, not sitting back because it might cause more problems if you sit back but those are the tactics for the coaches."

The 35-year-old went on to laud his teammates for a good game, against the Stallions, especially in the second half hoping the momentum will be retained in their next assignment.

"I am happy with the boys’ performance, especially in the second half when [Moses] Waiswa and young star [Ibrahim] Orit came on, we regained control of the game.

"I am happy with the boys at the moment and I think if we carry on the momentum from this game, we will get positive results on Monday."

Burkina Faso lead the group with nine points from the five matches they have played. They managed two wins and three draws, scoring five goals in the process and conceding two. As a result, they have sealed their place in the Afcon finals.

Cranes are second in the group after managing two wins, as many draws and a loss. They have scored just three goals and conceded one.

The Flames need a win at home against the East Africans in their final game to qualify. They have seven points after two wins, a draw, and two losses. They have a goal difference of negative two after scoring three goals and conceding five.

South Sudan are eliminated after managing just three points.

Zambia head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic has described their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka against Algeria as extra motivation.

Algeria are the reigning African champions and Micho believes an encounter against them should be motivation for his side that must win their remaining qualifiers, and hope Zimbabwe and Botswana lose, to be assured of a place in the Cameroon finals.

"We believe that there is no bigger motivation than playing the African champions," Micho said as was quoted by the FAZ Facebook page. "We know what it takes, and we want to put the doubts away with clear ambition. We want to put ourselves intact and mathematically in Afcon contention."

The former SC Villa head coach believes the kind of players at his disposal are capable of winning to make the Zambian public happy.

"We carry the dreams of millions of Zambians and have no right to let down people but to make them happy," he added.

"The players we have in camp led by captain Kabaso Chongo are the best of the best, and I want them to turn our words into practical action on Thursday because we believe in them.”

He has pegged his hope on captain and defender Chongo who is one of the big stars at TP Mazembe.

"Kabaso is a player that has won so many African accolades and for him, I expect him to be a role model and a good example to the rest of the players," stated the Serb.

Apart from Chongo, goalkeepers Cyril Chibwe, Green Eagles' Allan Chibwe and Kabwe Warriors' Lameck Siame are among the players that were called up to salvage Zambia's fate.

Adrian Chama, Luka Banda and Benedict Chepeshi are the defenders in camp and Enock Mwepu, Clatous Chama, Larry Bwalya, Rodrick Kabwe, Lubambo Musonda, Nathan Sinkala, Collins Sikombe, Amity Shamende and Spencer Sautu are the midfield men called up.

Patson Daka - who is the current top scorer for Red Bull Salzburg - Moses Phiri, Gamphani Lungu and Augustine Mulenga are the strikers available for Micho.

Algeria have qualified already while The Warriors are second with five points, and Botswana's Zebras are third with four points. The Chipolopolo, at the bottom with three points, will conclude the qualifiers with a game against Zimbabwe on Monday.