Looking for Soccer News?

The Tanzania government has sung the praise of Simba SC after they edged out AS Vita Club 1-0 in their opening match of the Caf Champions League group stage on Friday.

The Msimbazi giants needed a second-half goal from striker Chris Mugalu, who stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo outfit 1-0 in the match played at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

The win enabled Simba to move top of Group A and also avenge the 5-0 loss they suffered the last time they faced off in the same competition and at the same venue.

The win has caught the eyes of the Tanzanian government, who through Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, has praised the team’s latest achievement and promised to support them as they strive to perform well in the competition.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me to take this opportunity to thank Tanzania champions Simba for their deserved 1-0 win against AS Vita in Congo on Friday,” Majaliwa said while addressing parliament on Saturday.

“I want to admit Simba have done the country proud, they have put Tanzania on the world map after winning the match, they showed we have a good team, their win out there should be celebrated by everyone, it is what they need now, and as the government, we will support their course.”

Majaliwa also singled out praise for Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez whom he said had transformed the club since taking over the seat following the exit of Senzo Mazingiza, who decamped to rivals Yanga SC.

“May I also take this opportunity to recognise the team’s new CEO Barbara [Gonzalez] for the good job she has done since arriving at the club,” Majaliwa continued.

“She has already transformed the club into a winning outfit and not only that, she has helped to market Tanzania to the world with her initiative of Simba wearing jerseys with the names ‘Visit Tanzania’ on their front, it is a very good initiative and now Simba is already marketing Tanzania.

“The deal has also seen several TV stations from Africa and across the world air Simba matches a clear indicator that they are selling the country to the world.”

Simba will now welcome Egyptian giants and defending champions Al Ahly to Dar es Salaam in their second group stage match on February 23 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan have been the two standout performers this season in the Indian Super League (ISL). They have qualified for the play-offs and are locked in a battle to finish at the top spot which will ensure a berth in the Asian Champions League (ACL) group stage.

Bengaluru FC interim coach Naushad Moosa shared his thoughts on the top two teams in the competition and also touched upon teams ‘throwing money’ in order to sign the best players available in the market.

“If you see the first leg (phase of the league), they (Mumbai and ATKMB) picked up most points. Other teams are catching up. But it is too late. They have good players. East Bengal have the best set of foreigners. In the beginning, they were suffering for their Indian players as Robbie Fowler was complaining about. But now they are playing good football. They (The top two teams) are throwing money and are getting the best players. They (ATKMB) got Lenny and Marcleinho. Both are doing well,” he shared his thoughts.

Bengaluru FC are up against Mumbai City FC, who will be without the services of influential attacking midfielder Hugo Boumous who picked up a red card in the last match.

“They have a good set of players. They have players who can fill his spot and are equally good. He is a good player who can challenge any defender. But they have Cy (Goddard), (Ahmed) Jahouh and (Rowllin) Borges are always there. So, they have a good midfield. It won't be easy for us. We are preparing and hopefully, we can play strongly tomorrow,” said Moosa.

The former Air India coach mentioned that they will miss Rahul Bheke due to an injury while Pratik Chaudhari is suspended. Moosa admitted that in the absence of the duo and with Juanan too being injured, their defence is certainly an area of concern.

“We have been training in the past few days and the results are going in everybody's favour. It's important to stay focused. We don't have Rahul and Pratik. Our defence is a bit of concern. But we have been working on that. It is important to take a few things from the last game (against ATK Mohun Bagan). We were dominating in the first 35 minutes. We were compact.

“Once we conceded the goals, we lost momentum and got frustrated. We then conceded the second goal. The first 35 minutes we played well and we have to do that for the whole 90 minutes. We played well against East Bengal and we remained calm. We were not giving too much space,” he pointed.

Moosa spoke on the difference in the style of play deployed by Sergio Lobera and Antonio Habas at Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan respectively. He also highlighted that his side should be alert at the back and not concede first while looking out for opportunities to hit the opposition on the counter.

“Mumbai are a good team. They would come out strongly for they are playing the ACL spot. We need to look for those opportunities where we can counter-attack. But the most important thing is we should not concede goals. If you see the way they move the ball around, it is good. ATK Mohun Bagan plays more direct football. They have those players who complement that style of play. It is important that we do not repeat our mistakes from the first match (Bengaluru FC 1-3 Mumbai City),” said Moosa.

Football Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards have confirmed the signing of Tedian Esilaba from Nairobi City Stars.

Esilaba has arrived at the club that is rebuilding in order to re-establish themselves as heavyweights in a league that has been dominated by their Mashemeji rivals Gor Mahia over the last decade.

"AFC Leopards announce the signing of central defender Tedian Esilaba," the 13-time league winners confirmed on Sunday.

"Esilaba previously featured for Nairobi City Stars and helped them win promotion to the Premier League. He has also played for Administration Police FC and Bidco FC.

"He will don jersey number 5. Please join us in welcoming Esilaba to the Den."

The defender said that the move will help him achieve even more with a club he described as a great one.

“I am happy and humbled to join AFC Leopards as it means a lot to my career. AFC Leopards are a great club and a great platform for my career," Esilaba said as he was confirmed at the Den.

"I feel it’s the right time for me to join the club at the moment. I’m ready and focused on the task ahead and I’m ready to fight for my space in the starting team."

Eyes will now be on Esilaba to see whether he will negotiate his way into the starting team where Robinson Kamura and Clyde Senaji have been regularly used at the back.

Previous injuries to Robert Ayala and Kamura saw defensive midfielder Collins Shichenje deployed at centre-back especially during last season. The former Green Commandos star had to partner with Soter Kayumba, who left Ingwe at the end of 2019 when the club was under severe financial turmoil.

Esilaba made his name at Nairobi City Stars - a club he joined from Fortune Sacco in January 2020 - as he was part of the players that helped Simba wa Nairobi earn promotion.

Nairobi City Stars were dominant and leading at the time when the NSL was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and were consequently promoted after failing to do so in previous attempts since their 2016 relegation.

At AFC Leopards, Esilaba will work with a new coach, Patrick Aussems, who was appointed to take over from then-interim tactician Anthony Kimani. The former Harambee Star - who left after the 0-0 Mashemeji derby draw against K'Ogalo - had inherited the first team responsibilities from Tomas Trucha.

The former Orapa United coach left AFC Leopards after just a game citing threats to his life.

The next game for Ingwe - which could be the first one for Esilaba - will be against Bandari at Mbaraki Stadium on February 19.

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids is refusing to complain about the challenges they have encountered in Botswana ahead of Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup play-off, first leg clash against Jwaneng Galaxy at Gaborone National Stadium.

The Buccaneers arrived in Gaborone to be confronted by searing heat and pitch conditions they are not used to.

With coach Josef Zinnbauer pointing at the National Stadium's playing surface and travelling from Johannesburg as obstacles to a win, Davids is not looking for excuses as they seek to reach the group stage.

The Pirates assistant coach also says they have had enough time to prepare for Sunday’s match after their 2-0 Premier Soccer League win over Cape Town City last Tuesday.

“It is always good to get a feel of the pitch, the conditions, the climate and what we are going to be facing on Sunday against Jwaneng Galaxy,” Davids told Pirates’ media.

“As compared to our previous games, we had four days to prepare so the players are quite fresh. We are just getting used to the heat, getting used to the pitch which is not what we are used to. The players are ready. We are up for it.

“We know we are coming for a fight. You know they are a physical side and we are up for it to get a good result in this away leg. The plan is to attack and we can’t play this match hoping to get a zero-zero draw or concede.

“We have to go and try to score because it is very important to get that away goal or more. So our plan is to definitely go out there and take the game to them.”

Going into Sunday’s match after having last been involved in competitive action five days earlier, Pirates’ opponent's Galaxy have not enjoyed much time to earn some match fitness.

The Botswana Premier League is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic and has not been running since February 2020.

Galaxy have only managed to play four games since then, including home and away Caf Champions League fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ex-Chelsea youngster Jonathan Panzo has revealed why he left Stamford Bridge, admitting "I needed to get out of my comfort zone".

Panzo spent eight years rising through Chelsea's academy ranks before departing for Monaco in 2018 at the age of 17.

The England U21 international only lasted two seasons at Monaco, who accepted an offer for the defender from Dijon in 2020, but he insists he has no regrets over his decision to turn his back on the Blues at the start of his career.

What was said?

“It was a brave decision, but I felt I just needed to get out of my comfort zone,” Panzo told The Mirror. “It was a chance to see more of the world, see different cultures and a different style of playing the game.

“Obviously it was brave for me but I feel it was worth it. It showed me a lot of new things, it made me mature at a young age.”

How did Panzo get on at Monaco?

Panzo made his senior debut for Monaco in a 1-0 Coupe de la Ligue victory over Lorient in December 2018, but only appeared in two further matches before being shipped out on loan to Cercle Brugge.

The 20-year-old impressed enough during his spell in Belgium to attract Dijon's attention, and Monaco were happy to sanction his departure on a permanent basis due to the fact they could not promise him regular minutes.

Despite the fact he ultimately failed to make the grade at Stade Louis II, Panzo looks back on his time with the club fondly and says he learned a great deal from Radamel Falcao and Cesc Fabregas - two players who have also enjoyed spells at Chelsea.

“Falcao, obviously him being a striker and me being a defender, he helped me a lot," he said. “Just telling me certain things which helped me in a footballing sense, giving me tips and things like that.

“Fabregas, he speaks English and he remembered me from Chelsea which was quite nice as well. He’s got so much knowledge in terms of on the ball and off the ball stuff, so both of them helped me a lot to be fair."

Panzo's progress at Dijon

Panzo has settled into life at Stade Gaston Gerard quickly, making 14 appearances for David Linares' side across all competitions in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign.

He played the full 90 minutes of a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in October, and although he failed to keep Kylian Mbappe and Neymar quiet, he says he took a lot from the experience.

“It was a great challenge,” said Panzo. “It sets the level. That’s the kind of level I want to be playing at, but from my level to that level, there’s a big difference at the moment. It always make me want to work hard so I can look at those players and say, ‘that’s where I want to be’. It was great to experience playing against those kind of top players.”

Further reading

If there’s one factor that seems to be ignored in the discussion around Gernot Rohr’s recent stewardship of the Super Eagles, it is that, all too frequently, he has had to do without what most would consider his first-choice front three.

In the October international window, he was shorn of first-choice striker Victor Osimhen, and a month on he had to without both the Napoli man and Samuel Kalu. Not since the November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin in Uyo has he been able to field his preferred attack.

During the week, in an interview on the Super Eagles YouTube channel, he addressed the club situation around national team captain Ahmed Musa. Since his release by Al-Nassr, Musa has been without a club, but is believed to be on the verge of joining Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.

“It’s very important that everybody is playing in a club,” he stressed. “It’s a long time that he didn’t play, I think since October, so he needs to come back in the rhythm of the matches.”

While the concern over the captain is justified, he is far from the only member of the attack whose status is uncertain. In similar vein, there are question marks over the availability of Osimhen and winger Samuel Chukwueze going into the March internationals.

Chukwueze recently went under the knife to address a groin injury, and even though Rohr is holding out some hope still, is expected to miss the engagements with Lesotho and Benin. Osimhen has had his share of injury problems, only recently returned from quarantine following a positive Covid-19 diagnosis, and has yet to rediscover his form and sharpness in front of goal.

In the short term, Rohr will probably seek to make do. However, in the medium to long term, this sounds the klaxon: it is imperative that the German coach widen his pool of options, and it might even be necessary for him to rethink his attacking structures.

Paul Onuachu’s remarkable goalscoring return for Genk and Terem Moffi’s impressive adaptation to Ligue 1 means there is ample competition and cover for Osimhen in the centre-forward position. However, it gets a little trickier when considering the wide areas: beyond Chukwueze and Kalu/Musa, the pickings seem rather slim at the moment.

Chidera Ejuke did little to advance his cause back in October and November, weaving past opponents, but to minimal effect. Emmanuel Dennis has seen his star wane over the last 18 months, and is seeking a return to form at struggling Koln. Moses Simon is in the thick of a relegation battle with Nantes and, bar a penalty, has not scored or assisted in 12 matches.

In the form of Henry Onyekuru and Bright Osayi-Samuel, however, Rohr has some interesting options from off the beaten track.

Having returned to his old Turkish stomping ground, Onyekuru has rediscovered his touch in front of goal, scoring three in three for Galatasaray since joining on a third loan in January. The former Everton man has been out of favour both with parent club AS Monaco and with the Super Eagles, but Rohr may be minded to reconsider, given his thinning options.

Osayi-Samuel is an altogether different case. The winger, who joined Fenerbahce from QPR, is yet to earn a cap for Nigeria, but was gaining attention for his displays in the Championship.

His quick feet and directness saw him average 2.8 dribblers per game while with the R’s, the second highest rate in the league, and he registered three goals and three assists before making the move across Europe to Fener.

In many ways, it was a deeply curious move. While QPR are not really in contention for promotion to the Premier League, there has been a renewed awareness of Championship talent by top flight English clubs.

Last summer, Ebere Eze followed Jarrod Bowen’s path from midtable obscurity to the PL, and it was not beyond the realm of possibility that a positive, powerful winger like Osayi-Samuel might toe the same line.

The decision might also complicate matters with regard to a potential Nigeria invitation. The feeling is that Rohr is not big on the Turkish Super Lig, believing it to be deficient in the quality that obtains in other major European leagues. For evidence of this, look no further than his cold shoulder toward Anthony Nwakaeme, whose form has merited consideration, and the manner in which he sidelined Onyekuru during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, if there is one area in which Rohr has excelled over the course of his time in charge, it is compromise. If he is to incorporate more options into the Super Eagles forward line, he will perhaps have to soften his stance once again.

Uganda Revenue Authority head coach Sam Ssimbwa is now ready to move on after dependable Saidi Kyeyune signed for El-Merreikh of Sudan.

The midfielder left the Tax Collectors for the Sudanese giants, a move that initially irked Ssimbwa who claimed the club approved the transfer without involving him. 

The former Sofapaka head coach has now stated URA are ready to move on without the Uganda international.

“He will be missed but we are happy with his progress,” said Ssimbwa according to Kawowo Sports.

Ssimbwa had stated Kyeyune was a player who will remain irreplaceable. The Uganda international signed for El-Merreikh after impressing at the African Nations Championship in Cameroon.

“I was not involved at all in Kyeyune’s move to El-Merreikh, they only informed me the following day that he was no longer my player and that is wrong from the club,” Ssimbwa said earlier.

“A player of his quality is irreplaceable but I will have look through the other players left at the club and see if they can help us in that position throughout the rest of the season.”

In his current ranks, Ssimbwa will depend on Brian Nkuubi, Jackson Nunda and Moses Sseruyide to fill the midfield void.

“We have Nkuubi, Sseruyidde and Nunda and we shall therefore have to consider one of them to play with Shafiq Kagimu in the midfield,” Ssimbwa said.

URA will face Express FC on Sunday and the tactician is confident they have had the right preparations before playing the former Premier League champions.

“We have prepared well, we are in great shape and focused to win this game,” he said.

“We need to pick another win and without any injuries, we are more than ready."

On his part, Ssenyonga Mikidadi said he is fit for the games ahead after being sidelined.

"I feel good physically and my body is in the right shape," Mikidadi said ahead of the Express game.

"We have been training hard because we know the games are coming in fast and thick so we must have the highest level of fitness to win games."

Coincidentally, Mikidadi scored his first URA goal against the Red Eagles.

Mumbai City FC lead the Indian Super League (ISL) table by just a point with ATK Mohun Bagan breathing down their neck. The Blues have been guilty of dropping points off late which has allowed the Kolkata giants to close the gap and also have a realistic chance of finishing at the summit which guarantees a berth in the AFC Champions League (ACL) group stage.

Coach Sergio Lobera believes that it’s vital for his team to focus their energy on improving themselves as opposed to looking at what the rest of the teams are up to.

“Honestly, the situation depends on us and I am not focused on other games. The result can affect us but we don't need to waste time on that. We need to improve ourselves. We need to focus on tomorrow's game. It is not necessary to look at other teams. The situation is in our hands. If we do well, we can finish on top,” said Lobera.

What would concern the former FC Goa coach is that Hugo Boumous, who won the Hero of the League award last season, will miss the next two games due to suspension.

“We played three games without Boumous and then two games without (Ahmed) Jahouh. For me, we work as a team. It is not about an individual. If I have a full squad then it is obviously good as we play many games in a short time. I have a very good squad to get three points,” he mentioned.

Mumbai were guilty of throwing away a two-goal lead against FC Goa and later when they eventually managed to make it 3-2, the Islanders once again saw a momentary loss of concentration at the back which allowed the opposition to eke out an equaliser.

Lobera reiterated that it’s vital to strike a right balance between attack and defence but chose not to focus too much on the individual mistakes committed.

“In the first leg against FC Goa, we scored the goal in extra time (1-0) and got three points. The most important thing in my team is balance. It is not good as a coach to talk about individual mistakes. I think as a team. We made a lot of good things in the last game. But obviously, when you concede three goals you need to improve. Losing two points is always painful. We have good numbers in defence and in attack. The balance between attack and defence is very important. And now we have the best goal difference. We need to improve but I am happy with the performance,” said Lobera.

However, he was quick to point that none of his players were pleased with the performance in the last game and that they are keen to make amends.

“We are in a very good position. The reason is we have played well before. There is always scope to improve. I am happy with the attitude of my players. After the last game, nobody in the dressing room was happy, as we are achieving a new record. We are ambitious. We are in a very good position and I am very positive,” he opined.

Bengaluru FC have struggled this season and they find themselves in the seventh position on the table. They have struggled to get consistent results, a trait common among most teams this season, and are hoping to hold on to the slim hopes for a spot in the play-offs.

“Every game is difficult. Playing against Bengaluru FC is always difficult. They have a very good team with experienced players. They have new motivation now with a new coach. You have to be careful. Small details can change the results. We are in the most important moment of the season. There is just one point difference with the second team. It is on us now. We want to play the same way. We have to give 100 per cent if we want to win the match,” he said.

Lobera was asked if he has devised any special plans for star striker Sunil Chhetri but the former Las Ppalmas coach was quick to suggest that he won’t focus on one particular player but would rather focus on refining his team’s style to weed out the minor mistakes.

“We know Bengaluru FC and Sunil Chhetri. But it is not about an individual. We will be playing against a good team and not against one, two or three very good players. We have to do our best. We are thinking about ourselves. We have to remain loyal to our style of play. Not thinking much about the opponent team. We have to focus on small things. They can change the result,” he concluded.

Spanish Iberdrola side Joventut Almassora has sealed the signing of Zimbabwe midfielder Emmaculate Mpisa, on a one-year deal. 

Mpisa arrived in Spain on Thursday evening and was unveiled by Almassora on Saturday after she successfully passed her medicals and agreed on personal terms.

The move has now brought to an end the 28-year-old's journey with Zimbabwean women's top-flight outfit Black Rhinos Queens.

She is also following in the footsteps of Rhino Queens product, Rutendo Makore, who became the first Zimbabwean to earn a professional contract in 2017, joining Spanish side Sporting Huelva.

Following her signing, head coach Julio Martin is excited to add Mpisa to his midfield ranks as he hopes to guide Joventut to a playoff spot this season. They are currently in sixth with 13 points from 12 games.

"Mpisa matches their criteria of the type of player they were looking for because she is very mobile, good in possession and such qualities will see her fit in with our style of play," Martin told the media.

The 2019 FUZ Women’s Player of the Year winner will be hoping to make a bright start to life in Spain when she launches her professional career in the colours of Almassora.

Despite only arriving on Thursday, Mpisa made the travelling squad to Alhama and could make her professional debut on Sunday.

Ronald Koeman has insisted that Lionel Messi is "excited and happy" at Barcelona despite ongoing transfer talk.

Messi took his tally to 15 goals from 20 La Liga matches in 2020-21 by netting twice in the 5-1 thrashing of Alaves on Saturday.

The Argentine continues to be linked with a move away from Camp Nou after entering the final five months of his contract, but Koeman thinks he is enjoying his football again amid Barca's improved domestic form.

What was said?

After the Alaves victory, Koeman was asked to discuss Messi's contribution while looking ahead to this week's Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

"Well, we know that Leo is a decisive player," the Barca head coach told reporters. "He has been for many years, he is very concentrated. He's excited, he's happy and he's been very effective in front of goal.

"He's someone that when we make passes between the lines to find him it gives a load of depth for the rest of the players and makes them even easier for him.

"He has a great vision of play, so of course if we want to try and go through or aspire to win trophies having Messi at his best is vital, but we need also everyone else at the best. That's very important."

Messi's options

Messi has made it clear that he will wait until the end of the season before making a final decision on his future, having seen a transfer request rejected by the club last summer.

The 33-year-old could extend his stay at Camp Nou, but will not be offered a pay rise of any sort due to the financial crisis which has seen Barca post debts in excess of €1 billion.

Paris Saint-Germain has been mooted as the most likely next destination for Messi if he ends up leaving Barcelona, amid rumours of a potential reunion with former Blaugrana team-mate Neymar.

However, Manchester City and Inter have also been strongly linked with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, and he has even admitted that a move to MLS holds great appeal to him as he heads towards the latter stages of his career.

Further reading

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Benedict Vilakazi was not entirely convinced by his former club's performance, saying Saturday’s 2-0 Caf Champions League victory over Al Hilal was due to a huge gulf in quality between the two sides.

Mosa Lebusa's headed goal and substitute Kermit Erasmus’ late strike saw Downs begin their Group B campaign on a winning note.

They are on top their group after fellow pool members - five-time African champions Tout Puissant Mazembe were held at home by Algerian side CR Belouizdad.

But for all Masandawana’s dominance, Vilakazi believes that the victory was down to the visitors lacking quality and offering little resistance, as opposed to the Brazilians' brilliance.

“[Goalkeeper Dennis] Onyango was on holiday today. Sundowns had good defence and good midfield even though they were shaking in the second half after those changes,” Vilakazi told iDiski TV.

“We expected [Lesedi] Kapinga creating chances but he was coming back to sit deep defending. Sundowns were lucky that Al Hilal are not a good team. If they were a good team that is very strong, they were going to pick on that shaky Sundowns midfield.

“For quite some time, Sundowns were caught especially their full-backs. But that quality from Hilal was not there as compared to Sundowns. Look at how Shalulile, Erasmus making those runs, coming up one-on-one against the Hilal goalkeeper, look at the defenders coming in.

“Those things count, it shows that Sundowns players have went through the development stage. They knew how to trap the ball, how to pass, when to make a run, when not to make a run. Then Al Hilal, it is surprising how they get to this stage of the Champions League almost every year. Sometimes they even get to the quarter-finals and you ask yourself how?”

Al Hilal are, however, coached by a revered coach in African football Zoran Manojlovic, whose previous coaching stints include being in charge of Wydad Casablanca and Primeiro Agosto.

Vilakazi feels that the quality of the Premier Soccer League makes South African clubs stronger and that factor overwhelmed Al Hilal.

“Maybe the level of football in their country is still low. But good work from Sundowns, well done,” said Vilakazi.

“The technical team was positive because football is a game of mistakes. Sometimes you can make changes thinking that those changes would bring impact but those changes can let you down because the game and certain areas on the field as well as players will not be applying themselves well.”

Pep Guardiola has warned his players that Liverpool can still catch Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

The reigning champions slipped 13 points behind City in the standings after losing 3-1 at Leicester City on Sunday, while Guardiola's side picked up a comfortable 3-0 home win against Tottenham.

City also have a game in hand on fourth-placed Liverpool, but Guardiola is still refusing to rule them out of the running for English football's top prize.

What was said?

“From what I saw from the way they played against Leicester, we would have to lose games, but of course they can do it," Guardiola told his post-match press conference. “It is the same Liverpool that I met in the last years. In the boxes they are not as clinical as before but the quality of their play is still there.”

Liverpool's decline 

Recent form suggests that Guardiola's comments stem from his respect for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp rather than any fact-based evidence they can still fight for the Premier League trophy.

Liverpool were top of the table on Christmas Day, but have only picked up two wins from ten games since then, with five losses and three draws.

The Reds have only scored nine goals during that period, and are now 30 points worse off than they were at the same stage last season.

City's resurgence

In stark contrast, City have enjoyed an unprecedented winning run which has seen them re-emerge as the dominant force in the top-flight after a slow start to the 2020-21 campaign.

The Citizens have won 15 consecutive games across all competitions including 11 in the Premier League, scoring 43 goals while only conceding five at the other end of the pitch.

City are currently sitting seven points clear of second-placed Leicester having played a game less, with arch-rivals Manchester United a point further back after the same number of fixtures.

What comes next?

City will now look ahead to a meeting with Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday, where they will have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are readying for a Champions League round of 16 first leg encounter against RB Leipzig, which is to be staged in Budapest due to coronavirus travel restrictions in Germany.

Further reading

Simba SC have mocked their traditional Mainland Premier League rivals Young Africans after a 1-1 draw against Mbeya City on Saturday.

Yanga resumed league duties with a trip to Mbeya where they faced a resolute local side that denied them all the points at the death.

After over 80 minutes of failing to find way past Mbeya City, Yanga scored through Deus Kaseke but the lead did not last long as the hosts fought back and equalised through Pastory Athanas.

"Of course the results made us happy! Can we make them sad a little bit?" a tweet by Simba - accompanied by a photo of a smiling Bernard Morrison who left Yanga controversially in August 2020 - after the draw read.

Although Yanga remain unbeaten, the result gave Simba a slight boon in the title race given that the two missed points would mean Timu ya Wananchi did not open the gap further.

The Mbeya City draw was the sixth registered by Cedrikc Kaze's side, who have won 13 games. Simba, on the other hand, have won 12 games and drew in another three.

Yanga lead the rivals with 45 points from 19 games while Wekundu was Msimbazi - who have lost two games already - are second with 39 points but still have two games in hand.

Yanga's next five matches look winnable on paper as they will face Kagera Sugar, Mtibwa Sugar, Coastal Union, Polisi Tanzania and Kinondoni Municipal Council.

On the other hand, Simba, who picked up morale-boosting 1-0 win over AS Vita in the Caf Champions League, will juggle both local and continental assignments in the coming months.

They will play Biashara United on February 18 before a bigger clash against African Champions Al-Ahly on February 23. JKT Tanzania stand between them and the next Champions League match against Sudan's side El-Mererikh on March 5.

Simba would have completed the group stage assignments when the next Kariakoo derby will be played on May 8. Should the Didier Da Rosa side progress to the knockout stage of Champions League, that could see their local programme reshuffled to accommodate their continental engagements.

The last Kariakoo derby ended in a 1-1 stalemate where Mukoko Tonombe scored for Yanga while Joash Onyango - who conceded the penalty that gave Yanga the opener - equalised in the 86th minute to save Simba from going down.

Simba SC official Haji Manara has maintained they are on course to achieve their target of reaching the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League following their opening win against AS Vita on Friday.

The Msimbazi giants secured an important 1-0 away win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo side in a match played at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote.

Zambian striker Chris Mugalu gave Simba the deserved win, which saw them move top of Group A, after he stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, sending AS Vita custodian Omossola Medjo the wrong way.

Manara has now maintained the good start is what they were looking for and promised the fans they are on track to achieve their set targets of making it from the group for the first time.

Simba have only managed to reach the group stage of the competition three times in history, but they have never progressed past the stage.

“I want to thank Tanzanians back home for their prayers and support they accorded the team before and after our game against AS Vita,” Manara told Simba Online before the team left Congo for Tanzania.

“We have made it clear our target is to progress to the quarter-finals and the start in Congo is a statement to other teams that Simba means business, we have set a goal and we must achieve it.

“I want to thank the players for making us and all Tanzanians proud, winning away is not an easy task, against such a strong team and we did it because we have invested in this team and we have set the goals we want to achieve.

“I am telling the fans to keep supporting us, we next face Egyptian giants Al Ahly but we also have a league match in between against Biashara United, so our plan is to have the team stay focused and ready for the upcoming tasks.”

Manara also confirmed the team will move straight to residential training on Monday to start preparations for the Al Ahly clash.

“We have a big game coming up against the African champions but the good thing is that we are facing them at Benjamin Mkapa, and you know very well what Simba can do at Mkapa,” Manara continued.

“We want the team to start preparations immediately and have picked Monday as the date to return to training, we have a league match and thereafter Al Ahly will land in Dar es Salaam, we are ready to get a win from them.”

Simba had lost 5-0 to AS Vita the last time they clashed in Kinshasa.

Mauricio Pochettino says Paris Saint-Germain are "very happy with everything" that Moise Kean is doing on the pitch, with the loan star having stepped up in Neymar's injury-enforced absence

Kean scored his 14th goal of the season on Saturday to fire PSG to a 2-1 victory over Nice at Parc des Princes. The Everton loanee produced an impressive all-around performance after filling in for Neymar, who is facing a few weeks on the sidelines with an adductor issue.

Pochettino hailed Kean for his versatility after the match, while expressing his satisfaction with the overall contribution the Italian forward has made since his arrival as head coach at the start of the year.

What was said?

"Today, Moise scored. He also scored in the cup [against Caen]. We are very happy with his services," Pochettino told his post-match press conference. "He is able to play in different positions in attack, whether it is on the axis, on the right side or the left side. 

"We are very happy with everything he does."

Will Kean start against Barcelona in the Champions League?

With Angel Di Maria also currently on the injury list alongside Neymar, Pochettino may have no choice but to start Kean in attack once again when PSG travel to Spain for the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie against Barcelona on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen how the Argentine will set his team up, but Kean, Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe will all be available to lead the line for the French champions at Camp Nou.

Kean is already looking forward to the challenge, as he told Canal Plus after the Nice victory: "Ligue 1 has evolved a lot. Not all matches are easy. In addition, Tuesday we have a great match so it was important to have the victory for the confidence.

"We are always preparing for the matches, we are on our side. train every day to be ready and have good results."

When does Kean's contract at PSG end?

Everton sent Kean to PSG on a season-long loan back in October, which means he will be expected to return to Goodison Park at the end of June.

No option to buy was included in the final deal, but Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that the 20-year-old could stay at Parc des Princes beyond the summer.

“If the player wants to come back we will be happy to have him, if the player wants to stay with Paris Saint-Germain, we have to talk with Paris Saint-Germain," Ancelotti told Sky Sports in January.

Further reading

Orlando Pirates’ bid to reassert their name as one of the heavyweight teams in Africa continues when they come up against Jwaneng Galaxy in Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup play-off, first leg match at Gaborone National Stadium.

It is a quest for Pirates to reach final of this competition again, while the Botswana champions will be looking to make history by qualifying for the group stage for the first time ever.

Since lifting the Caf Super Cup in 1996, Pirates have struggled to win any title on the continent.

Their attempts have been characterised by near-misses including coming out as 2013 Caf Champions League runners-up as well as another second-place finish in the Confederation Cup two years later.

As such, German coach Josef Zinnbauer would be seeking to help the Buccaneers write history by delivering a continental title after more than two decades.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

No Pirates player is suspended for this match but it is not yet clear if Zinnbauer will have midfielder Thabang Monare available after he was injured in their last match against Cape Town City.

Forwards Zakhele Lepasa and Tshegofatso Mabasa are edging closer to full fitness but are not likely to be available for selection on Sunday to afford coach Josef Zinnbauer more selection options upfront.

The Soweto giants have been facing a crisis upfront of late, leading to midfielders Thembinkosi Lorch, Deon Hotto, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Azola Tshobeni being deployed as number nines.

Defender Abel Mabaso is still out with a long-term injury.

With Galaxy inactive due to the suspension of football in Botswana, there have been no reported injury concerns.

There have also been no updates on unavailable players due to the coronavirus or any other illness.

Match Preview

It is the first-ever meeting between the Soweto giants and Jwaneng Galaxy.

Pirates go into this match wanting to banish their reputation of being inconsistent this season.

But they could, however, be having a match-fitness advantage over their opponents who were last involved in competitive action in early January.

Since losing 3-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns on January 5 to drop to the Caf Confederation Cup, Galaxy have not played any competitive match since the Botswana Premier League is not currently running.

Their endurance will be put to the test by a Pirates side that have been heavily involved in both Premier Soccer League and Cup action in South Africa.

While Pirates have been struggling for consistency, they, however, arrived in Gaborone on the backdrop of two straight wins in the league and Nedbank Cup, results that could boost their morale.

Ramat Abdulkareem has been handed her maiden Nigeria call-up ahead of the Turkish Women's Cup in Alanya, Goal understands.

On Saturday, Goal had earlier exclusively reported that four players - all foreign-based - have withdrawn from the 23-player roster released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday.

Among those four, are two midfielders - SL Benfica's Christy Ucheibe and Eskilstuna United's Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, who pulled out for varying reasons.

With the setback, head coach Randy Waldrum, who is racing against time to secure replacements, has now turned to the Adana Idmanyurduspor midfielder, after her exploits in the Turkish league.

Abdulkareem, who was born in Okene but raised in Kaduna, had previously earned call-ups for 2014 U17 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica and later the 2016 U20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

However, the 21-year-old, who previously starred for Nasarawa Amazons, Abia Angels, Adamawa Queens and Confluence Queens, did not make the final cut to either Costa Rica or Papua New Guinea.

She impressed in her midfield role for Adana, scoring twice in all competitions last season and was handed a one-year contract extension last August.

If she features for the Super Falcons at the tournament, she will become the latest Kogi-born female footballer to represent the country at senior level after Rachael Ayegba and Gift Otuwe.

The Super Falcons are scheduled to open camp in Alanya on Monday and will face CSKA Moscow at the Gold City Stadium on February 18 before taking on Uzbekistan and Equatorial Guinea later.

Despite regrouping for the first since October 2019, the African champions will aim to become the first side from the continent to win the international women's competition.

David Moyes says that legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping a close eye on Jesse Lingard during the midfielder's time at West Ham.

Lingard is on loan with the Hammers until the end of the season, having joined up with the club during the winter window.

The England midfielder scored twice on his debut against Aston Villa on February 3, although he was ineligible for West Ham's most recent game which was, coincidentally,  an FA Cup tie at Manchester United on Tuesday.

What did Moyes have to say about Lingard?

"I refer back to my time at Everton when I brought Phil Neville in and I brought Tim Howard in," he said.

"Phil Neville was great for his mentality and what he brought, it really gave us another edge. Him as a player as well gave us something else. I'm hoping Jesse does the same.

"He's only here in the short term but already I've spoken with Sir Alex, who asked me to pass on his best to Jesse; he mentioned he was thinking about him because Sir Alex had him as a boy at Old Trafford.

"That just shows you the interest Sir Alex has in all the young players he had, all his teams and all his clubs he shows a great interest in them and he was pleased Jesse got off to a good start."

What's next for West Ham?

The Hammers currently sit sixth in the league, having been one of the surprises of the Premier League thus far.

Moyes has the club just one point off the top four with a game in hand on fourth-place Liverpool

West Ham will play that game on Monday when they take on Sheffield United at the London Stadium.

After that, though, they'll face back-to-back tests as West Ham will then look ahead to clashes with Tottenham and Manchester City to close out the month of February.

"West Ham as a football club and the group of players have been remarkable," Moyes said. "The players have been brilliant in everything they've done.

"As for myself, I've been a bit surprised because I've said many times that most of the teams in my career I've tended to be managing around the top of the league, not around the bottom of the league. So it's only a little bit in recent jobs where I've been asked to do that.

"But I'm hoping that the future is we're going to be managing West Ham around the top of the league."

Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal have little room for error going forward as the Gunners head into a "crucial" point in their season.

The Spanish manager has set his sights on securing European football for next season, with Arsenal currently sitting 11th in the Premier League.

Additionally, the Gunners are getting set to kick off the Europa League knockout stages next week when they take on Benfica.

What did Arteta have to say?

“Yes, it’s going to be crucial. We don’t have any margin now in the league and in the Europa League, they are knockout games," said the Arsenal boss.

“So, the moment you don’t do what you have to, you are out.

“The level of attention and the level of performances are going to be really high and demanding - and we have to face the challenge and go through them.”

He added: "First of all, we have to improve our position in the league - dramatically.

“In order to do that we have to win a lot of football matches. How many will depend on what the opponents do because at the moment it’s not in our hands.

“We need to get into Europe - and into a situation where we can compete for those places - because that’s going to decide which competition we are in next season.

“Things could change really quickly. If you’d asked me this question after we’d won the last two games, I’d say we had options in both of them.

"It will now depend on how consistent we are week in, week out.”

What's next for Arsenal?

Heading into this weekend's clash with Leeds, the Gunners are in 11th place, nine points off the top four and 22 points behind league-leaders Manchester City.

As things stand, Arteta and co. are one point behind this weekend's opponents, with Leeds also having played one fewer match.

On the European front, the Gunners qualified for the knockout rounds of the Europa League after emerging from a group that included Molde, Rapid Wien and Dundalk, with the Premier League side winning all six matches of their group stage.

Next up, though, will be Benfica, who finished second in their group with 12 points, two behind group winners Rangers.

Arsenal are winless in their last three matches, having collected only one win from their last five matches in all competitions.