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France international defender Sebastien Corchia has backed new head coach Raymond Domenech to be a success for Nantes.

The Ligue 1 side appointed the former France boss over the winter break in a bid to improve upon what had been a disappointing start to the campaign.

Corchia believes that Domenech’s presence can help to “kick start” the team.

“My feeling from inside the team is, that it has been a great start with our new coach, and we needed a new beginning like this to kick-start our season,” he told Goal.

“No doubt that now we feel much more confident on the pitch, we are more compact as a team - and our team spirit is definitely growing.

“We were disappointed not to win away against Montpellier, but we have two draws from the first two league games with our new coach, and that is a start we can build on. I believe that the results will come now.

“We feel that we are getting closer to the level where we should be - and now we must do everything to get the three points because in the end that is all that matters. Again, in general - except from not winning the game against Montpellier - I was quite satisfied with the performance of the team and my own performance as well.”

Corchia’s displays in the right-back role have won acclaim and he says that he is hopeful this will continue under Domenech.

“It is always nice to get noticed by others for your performances, but the most important is the feeling inside yourself, that you feel you can help the team,” he said.

“Our new coach gives great importance to us as the full-backs. We can go forward and create opportunities, look for space where to hurt the opponent with runs, crosses, passes, and also shooting - and that is exactly my style as a right-back.

“Of course, first of all we are defenders and must defend well and do our job to make the team defence difficult to break down.

“I feel important with my new coach, and it gives me more confidence for sure. With my experience I believe, that being in my best age as a football player I expect to play the best football of my career now. I am sure, that I am not the only one. I believe we will grow now as a team and get to a position in the league table, where we belong.”

Corchia has been given greater responsibility in the side, notably taking set pieces.

“I am enjoying taking free kicks again, and I believe that I can help the team with my set-pieces,” he said.

“Now I train on my set-pieces a lot and I want to be even more dangerous with my right foot, creating chances, making assists - and hopefully I can soon open my Nantes account as a goal scorer - like I did with Lille.”

Mathare United have confirmed striker Clifford Alwanga has injured his knee ligament and would be ruled out for an unspecified period.

The Alwanga injury is a blow to Mathare United who had just begun their Football Kenya Federation campaign after they had been expelled due to opposition to the StarTimes broadcasting deal. They have since played two games.

“Clifford Alwanga will not be available for selection for an unspecified period of time after he damaged ligaments in his left knee in training on Saturday,” Mathare United announced on Sunday.

The club also gave the reason why the injured star did not take part in the games against Sofapaka and Gor Mahia.

“The veteran striker hasn’t played a part in any of Mathare United’s first two games of the season due to personal reasons and the setback is a big blow not only to the player but to the team as a whole,” the 2008 and Premier League winners said.

Mathare United’s doctor Wycliffe Omom explained how the former Tusker striker got injured during a training session.

“He landed awkwardly and twisted his knee,” said Omom, who also doubles up as the national team doctor. “We can’t assess the extent of the injury for now as the damaged area is still swollen but once the swelling subsides then we can run the tests and know what we are dealing with.”

Alwanga has now joined Mathare United’s long-term absentee Harun Junior who also got his ligament injured previously and has been out for almost one year.

Alwanga is in his third season with the Slum Boys and has scored 11 goals for the Nairobi club.

Mathare United lost against Sofapaka where they went down 4-2 in Wundanyi on January 9 in the league opener before they were defeated by K’Ogalo 3-1 in the second game at Kasarani on January 14.

On Monday, Salim Ali will lead his charges against Zoo FC who were also reinstated by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) due to the objection to the broadcasting deal.

Unlike Mathare United, the Kericho-based side won two points from draws against Bandari and Ulinzi Stars.

With a few weeks remaining before Napsa Stars take on Gor Mahia in the playoffs of the Caf Confederation Cup, coach Mohamed Fathi has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Zambian Pensioners will face the Kenyan champions in the play-offs of the competition, with the first leg set for Nairobi on February 14 and the return leg planned for February 21 in Lusaka.

However, Napsa have now confirmed their coach Fathi has contracted the Covid-19 virus after routine tests conducted before their week 13 FAZ Super League match against Red Arrows (played on Saturday), turned positive.

“Our coach Mohamed Fathi has tested positive for Covid-19,” the club said in a statement signed by media officer Gwen Chipasula. “This was after the team’s routine Covid-19 tests which were conducted before the week 13 Super League game played against Red Arrows FC on Saturday.

“The coach is currently in isolation at home following health guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health.

“Coach Fathi missed Saturday’s game and will also miss Wednesday’s clash against Forest Rangers.”

Napsa through their technical director Honor Janza also confirmed the news by stating: “We are sad to announce that our coach has tested positive for Covid-19. We do our tests every 14 days but after the coach presented some symptoms, it led to the whole team doing another test earlier than usual.”

Fathi has also moved to advise his players to stay focused while he isolates for the mandatory 14 days.

“I just want to advise my players and everyone out there to keep safe and always observe the guidelines given to us by the Ministry of Health,” Fathi said as quoted by the club website.

In Fathi’s absence, assistant coach Geoffrey Hamakwendwa will handle the team.

Gor Mahia were relegated to the Confederation Cup after they were tossed out by CR Belouizdad in the first round of the Caf Champions League, losing the first leg 6-0 in Algeria before they went down 2-1 at home in the return leg.

Before facing the Algerian champions, Gor Mahia had to navigate past APR of Rwanda in the preliminary round. On the other hand, Napsa Stars reached the second preliminary phase after a 1-1 draw against UD Songo of Mozambique.

The Pensioners advanced courtesy of the away goals rule after Emanuel Mayuka equalised for them in the 74th minute in Beira, having gone behind in the first half of the second leg.

Lionel Messi wants to play for Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final against Athletic Club on Sunday despite recent injury issues, Goal understands.

Messi missed the semi-final penalty win over Real Sociedad after suffering from some discomfort in the 4-0 victory over Granada on January 9.

The Argentine star scored twice in that game, adding to an excellent run of form which had seen him rack up 10 goals in 11 games in La Liga.

He had been expected to return to the squad for the Real Sociedad fixture but didn’t make the bench, leading to doubts over his participation against Athletic Club.

"There are several players with discomfort, one of them is Messi, that is why we withdrew him in Granada," Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday. "It seems that everyone is available for tomorrow, also [Ronald] Araujo, although a preparatory session is missing. It is a match against a strong team and we can take the next step."

Messi trained on Sunday morning and seemed in good touch, and his competitive nature means he is unlikely to want to sit the game out with silverware on the line.

His record against Athletic over the years is excellent, and the Supercopa will no doubt conjure memories of his sublime goal against the same opponents in the 2015 Copa del Rey final, beating five defenders before smashing a low shot past goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz in one of the individual highlights of his career so far.

Ronald Koeman has made clear that the final decision over Messi’s participation will be made by the player himself, so it is likely he will play some part.

“Leo trained individually [on Friday],” Koeman said in Saturday’s press conference. “We train today at six and we'll see.

“We will see what he thinks, whether he thinks he is ready or not. The player will have the last word as always. He knows his body better than anyone else.

"We will have to see [Sunday] morning following this afternoon's training session, to see how his body reacts, if he is ready. We hope that he can be ready for the game.”

Messi and the rest of the Barcelona squad trained at Benito Villamarin early on Sunday and returned to the team hotel to rest ahead of the final.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Pep Guardiola brought him to tears when he told him he wanted to leave the club in 2015.

Guardiola spent three seasons with Bayern, winning three Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

The Catalan eventually decided he wanted a new challenge, moving to Manchester City in 2016. Rummenigge says he has “a real friendship” with Guardiola and became emotional when he heard he was on his way out.

Rummenigge told Bild: "One evening I will always remember: In November 2015, at a meal together, he told me that he had to leave the club. He needed a new challenge. Pep played with open cards from the start. It was an emotional evening; he cried, I also shed tears. That was memorable for me.”

Rummenigge said the pair spent many an evening drinking wine together.

“Pep, today you had better leave your car behind and get yourself taken home,” he recalled. “He is totally reliable, a great person with whom you can have great fun.

"Pep and I text each other, he's not a fan of WhatsApp. We wrote to each other on Christmas and New Year's Eve, we are in regular contact. A real friendship has developed.”

Former captain Philipp Lahm has similar memories of the City boss. He enjoyed a late-career renaissance under Guardiola, after being moved from his customary right-back spot into midfield.

Guardiola has switched other players between full-back and midfield, including Oleksandr Zinchenko at Man City, while Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich has flourished after making the same move.

"He sharpens the understanding of each individual player for his position and makes it clear how the whole team should play,” Lahm said. “In the autumn of my career, that was definitely the ideal discussion for me.”

Guardiola was linked with a return to Bayern when Niko Kovac was sacked midway through last season, but remained at City while the Munich giants appointed eventual treble winner Hansi Flick.

The Catalan coach, who turns 50 on Monday, recently signed a new contract to extend his successful stay at Etihad Stadium.

The Football Kenya Federation has come out to clarify the reason for not airing live any FKF Premier League matches from outside Nairobi.

The federation signed a broadcast partnership deal with StarTimes at the start of the 2020-21 campaign in which they agreed 100 matches from the top-flight will be screened live.

However, with the league heading to matchday seven, no match has been transmitted live from outside Nairobi, with all live matches coming from either Kasarani Stadium or Utalii grounds.

The move has left many football stakeholders wondering whether the deal the FKF signed with StarTimes was valid, with others saying it will not help grow Kenyan football if matches from outside Nairobi is not aired live.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno has now shed some light on why they are yet to venture outside the city to air matches from there.

“We have to start somewhere, in life you must start somewhere, and there are people who have been issuing statements which are not factual in regards to the deal we signed with StarTimes,” Otieno told Radio Jambo.

“It is very important for people to know the federation has now moved from being controversial to real-time because we are doing our things in an open manner, we don’t want to hide anything.

“We must also ask ourselves, where were before the StarTimes deal came in, because last year [2020], it was not a good year for everyone, but we signed a deal with StarTimes where we agreed at least per season we transmit live 100 matches, and out of the 100, there are matches that will be screened from the counties, and we hope preferably latest February, we will travel to the counties to air matches from there.

“Last season KPL had a deal with Media Pro and they never aired matches live from outside the city and even clubs were not receiving anything [in terms of grants] and that is why we say, we are in matchday seven, and we have already given teams Sh3million already from the sponsors, and have managed to air live 17 matches.”

Otieno continued: “I want to tell Kenyan we are putting a mechanism in place to have matches aired outside the city, we have Covid-19 pandemic and we cannot easily attain our objectives, for example, taking the production team to Kakamega for live matches will be very costly, imagine how you can sustain 32 people in Kakamega, means the cost will double, because of Covid-19.

“There is no night travel meaning they will have to spend another day in the hotel which means more expenses and people cannot share rooms, so we have to relook at the budget and talk to our sponsors to see if they can boost us to show other matches outside the City.

“We are working on that, and we hope it will work out by February, the deal [we signed with StarTimes] does not have any issues because we are only airing matches from Nairobi, no, the deal is okay and valid only that the current situation in the country cannot allow us to shot matches outside the city.”

The league will continue on Sunday with AFC Leopards taking on KCB, Bidco United coming up against Wazito FC and Vihiga United playing host to Posta Rangers.

West Ham manager David Moyes has insisted the club have had no contact from Chelsea or Manchester United as he warned the Premier League giants off Declan Rice.

United are reportedly prepared to rival Chelsea for West Ham star Rice at the end of the season.

But Moyes denied West Ham have received an offer for the 22-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence.

"They're not true [rumours of a bid], we've had no contact from either of those clubs regarding Declan and we wouldn't want any anyway," Moyes told  Amazon Prime  after West Ham's 1-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday.

"He's doing great for us, he's a big leader now, he's taken a lot of the weight off Mark Noble. He's turning out to be a really good player but also a really good boy and good around the club."

Rice left boyhood club Chelsea for London rivals West Ham in 2014 after being released at the age of 14.

The 13-time England international made his professional debut for West Ham the following year.

After appearing in all 38 Premier League fixtures last season, Rice has played in all of West Ham's opening 18 league matches in 2020-21.

Moyes also spoke about West Ham's efforts to find a new striker in the January transfer window.

"We've already made big inquiries and offers for players at clubs, which have not been accepted or obviously we would have signed somebody," he said.

"It is not as if we are not trying to that, we have tried. But I need to get players who I think can make a difference and I want it to be someone who I think can help us.

"If I don't then I might need to look short-term, just to get me through to get me another player, but if not then I will use the young players or I will have to try and use someone else from the squad and see how we can do it.

"But if Mick [Michail Antonio] can gain his real form from where he has been in recent months then that will be a big thing for us and today he is getting closer. He got another 90 minutes, he got a goal, it's what we really missed and we are glad to have him back."

Jordan Henderson has paid tribute to Marcus Rashford ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield.

Rashford has enhanced his status from footballer to national treasure during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to his efforts fighting against child food poverty in the United Kingdom.

Jurgen Klopp said in October that he was proud of Rashford, who has maintained his on-pitch form with 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions so far this season.

Henderson knows there will be no room for sentiment when the teams face off on Sunday but, in his programme notes ahead of the game, he paid tribute to Rashford’s off-pitch work – and is sure the rest of Merseyside would be happy to do the same.

“For once, I’m going to have to put rivalries to one side to pay tribute to one of United’s players and I’ve no doubt that our fans will support me without question given it is Marcus Rashford,” Henderson wrote.

“What Marcus has done over the last 12 months is incredible. He has battled against food poverty, given a voice to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have one and used his own reputation for the benefit of others. Every bit of praise that has come his way, and every award he has won as a result, is not only deserved, it probably doesn’t do him justice.

“Andy Robertson made a rare good point when he said Marcus would become the first United player to receive a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd. For obvious reasons this can’t happen, but I hope Marcus knows that everyone at Liverpool Football Club has total respect for him.

“It’s not always fair that footballers are charged with providing an example for the rest of society – we are just young lads who are fortunate enough to work in sport when it comes down to it – but there is no question that Marcus is an example for everyone.

“I count myself fortunate to have him as a teammate with England, but today that will count for nothing and knowing Marcus he wouldn’t have it any other way. This is a day for rivalry and it is a day for those of us in Liverpool red to give everything we have for our cause because that is exactly what this fixture demands.”

Henderson also paid tribute to the late Gerry Marsden, singer of Liverpool’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, who recently died at the age of 78.

“Finally, today will be the first time that You’ll Never Walk Alone has been played at Anfield since the passing of Gerry Marsden," Henderson said. “You don’t have to be a Liverpool fan to know how special this song is to everyone associated with our club and it doesn’t matter how many times I hear it, it will always give me goosebumps.”

Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has blamed individual mistakes as the reason why they fell 4-2 against Tusker FC in a FKF Premier League game played at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

Henry Meja and Brian Marita scored a brace each for the Brewers while Erick Kapaito replied with a brace as well for the Slum Boys.

The youthful coach believes the result is a wake-up call for his charges and they must do better in the forthcoming assignments.

"We were punished for the mistakes we committed in dangerous positions," Muluya told Goal on Sunday.

"Out of the four goals scored, two were from the set-pieces owing to the fouls we committed. It was individual mistakes and it is like we gifted them the lead; so we had to work even harder for a comeback."

The 11-time league champions had to play with 10 men for the better part of the second half after a red card to Rogers Aloro. However, Muluya insists it was not an advantage for his team, as others may have felt.

"I always prefer playing 11 vs 11 because when your opponent is a man less, it is not easy as others may perceive," he continued.

"When Tusker were reduced to 10 players, they knew they had to double their efforts. It was like a psychological boost for them. They even went ahead to score and finished on a high and eventually, they won the game.

"The loss is a wake-up call for us, we have to go back to the drawing board, work harder and amend the mistakes we made with hopes of bouncing back to winning ways in our next game."

The tactician also commented on his striker Eric Kapaito, who has started the season on a high, and after eight matches he is leading the top scorer's chart with 11 goals.

"Kapaito is being rewarded for the hard work and discipline he always puts in training and matches as well," he added.

"Last season, injuries slowed him down, but he has been doing well this season. We hope he maintains his run to the end. No coach would like to lose his best players."

AFC Leopards captain Robinson Kamura has explained why the Football Kenya Federation Premier League tie against KCB has come at the right time for his side.

Ingwe lost their previous games against Western Stima and Wazito FC, and Kamura believes they must redeem themselves against the unbeaten Bankers on Sunday at Kasarani.

“We must fight against KCB and win so that we can get our morale back because the more we get points the more we get an upper chance of competing for the league,” the centre-back told the club’s Online TV.

“We do not want to just be participants in the league and so we must fight and see the gap of points between us and the leaders is not going to widen.

“We are ready to fight for the three points, I know it is not going to be easy but it has come at the best time when we need to redeem ourselves.”

The former Mathare United star promised the fans a good game against Zedekiah Otieno’s high-flying side.

“We need the support of our fans even if they will be at home. I know losing is something they will not take lightly and even the players always would not want to lose,” he added.

“It is high time that we must start winning games especially for the fact that AFC Leopards are a big team that need to collect maximum points from each game. Let the fans expect a good fight form us and three points from us.”

On his part, head coach Anthony Kimani said his players are ready to fight in what could be the toughest game of the campaign so far.

“Our training has been good and the players have shown the will to fight,” Kimani stated.

“We know the last two matches have not given us good results and we have tried as coaches to rectify the mistakes that we saw during those games.

“The KCB match could be the toughest game we would have played so far because they are a team that has been playing well, are leading and remain unbeaten.

“But is also an opportunity for us to show our level of competitiveness and I believe we are going to have a good game against KCB.”

KCB have played six games, won each of them, and are nine points ahead of AFC Leopards, who are fifth.

Simba SC CEO Barbara Gonzalez has taken issue with coaches in Tanzania for their failure to apply for the vacant coaching role at the club.

The Wekundu wa Mzimbazi are in the market for a new coach to replace Sven Vandenbroeck, who left the team just a day after guiding them to the group stage of the Caf Champions League.

Simba reached the stage after an emphatic 4-0 win against FC Platinum of Zimbabwe, to win on a 4-1 aggregate scoreline having lost the first leg played in Harare by a solitary goal.

Gonzalez has now confirmed they have received over 55 CVs from foreign coaches willing to replace Vandenbroeck, but what has shocked her is the fact no Tanzanian coach has applied for the job.

“Many coaches have applied for the job to handle Simba, which is a top team but I am surprised to see that no native coach has applied for a job,” Gonzalez said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“This job can also be done by our local coaches but it is unfortunate that none of them has shown interest, I want them to also come forward and apply.

“Our local coaches should also believe in themselves and try to work with teams which have pressure to handle, they should test themselves with teams that have a lot of fans, but up until now, we have over 55 CVs, and none of it has come from the local coaches.”

In a recent interview, Gonzalez confirmed the club is not in any hurry to bring in a replacement.

“When it comes to getting a new coach, the process is usually lengthy since it requires much attention by going through all the available documents,” Gonzalez said as quoted by Daily News.

“If you make decisions in a hurry to find him, it may affect you throughout the whole season."

Gonzalez confirmed some of the nationalities of the CVs that reached the club were from Serbia, France, Portugal, and many others from different parts of the world.

“We have put in place key requirements of the incoming coach we need like club coaching experience. If you remember, when Vandenbroeck came in, he had vast experience at national team level only and it took more time for him to catch up," Gonzalez added.

“He should also have experience in Caf club tournaments as among other essential requirements for the job’s qualification.”

Simba are currently led by assistant coach Selemani Matola with former coach Patrick Aussems among those being linked with the job.

Harry Maguire wants to be at his dominant best and lead from the back in Manchester United’s huge game against Liverpool on Sunday.

United travel to Anfield three points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side, and one ahead of Leicester in second. With Liverpool no doubt keen to make a statement with their dominance under threat, Maguire will have to perform as the reigning champions look to strike back in the title race.

“Aerial duels are a big part of my game, to play on the front foot and intercept and win the ball back for your team,” Maguire told the club’s official website.

“Dominating in the air is a big part and a big strength of my game and it’s nice to see the stats - but my focus is always the team.

“It’s a massive game and this is why we play for this club. We want to play for this club in the biggest games possible and it’s a big game to be involved in and one we’re looking forward to.

“You walk out with immense pride and it’s a real privilege to be selected if you’re in the starting XI. The main focus isn’t about ourselves or playing against Liverpool it’s about going there and winning the game.

“We know it’s tough, their record speaks for itself but we’re going into the game full of confidence and full of momentum and we go there looking to win.”

Despite the high stakes, Maguire insists United aren’t focusing on the state of the table and says the size of the fixture speaks for itself.

He said: “We’re not looking at that [being top]. We’re seeing it as a big game, I don’t need to hype the game up any more, but for ourselves and our fans we want to keep our momentum going.

"We’ve had a good record away from home, it’s really important to go there with great belief and confidence and go there and try to get the victory.

“Obviously we’re so disappointed the fans can’t be in the stadium, not just at Anfield, but for the last however long it’s been.

"It’s really disappointing that we’ve not had them there to celebrate the goals we’ve scored and the games we’ve won, but we feel their support from behind the TV screens so I say to them to stick with us and keep supporting us and one day they’ll be back in the stadium celebrating with us.”

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has described their 2-1 win over Cape Town City as “one of those performances” despite picking up a second set of maximum points in succession.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Happy Mashiane both scored in the first 20 minutes of the match as Chiefs followed up on the 1-0 victory over AmaZulu three days earlier.

It was a second straight victory for them this season as Chiefs made strides in two games, from being just a point above the basement side Black Leopards, to being five points clear of the relegation zone.

They are now 12 points behind than log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns but Hunt is not convinced by his team’s form.

“It’s difficult so we had to dig in for the two goals. That’s one of those performances. It wasn’t pretty to watch but when you look at it, the league table we were bottom and people said lots of things but where we are we just have to keep going and try collect as many points as we can,” Hunt told the media.

“We had our feet all in the game early with two goals which obviously does help especially away from home. I’m sure I came here last year [with Bidvest Wits] and I lost 2-1 and it was exactly the other way round like it was tonight. ...they won 2-1, pretty similar sort of game and it happens like that.”

Chiefs going 2-0 up in the opening 20 minutes of the game appeared to have made it difficult for Cape Town to claw their way back into the contest. 

City only managed to pull one goal back with seven minutes remaining on the clock through Fagrie Lakay, and Amakhosi held on for the slender victory, although Hunt feels they could have won by a wider margin.

“I thought with 2-0 up they will come at us. They certainly had chances but we also had chances to add one or two more,” Hunt said.

“They had chances, they were at home and there are going to throw numbers at you. We will try recuperate, see what we have and go again on Tuesday.

“When you play two, three games your legs go. Right now with our situation we have to try and get as many points as we can and try to get away from where we were.

"Right now I don’t even think about the next game. We are just trying to get a few results, that’s all.”

Chiefs now prepare to host struggling Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Wednesday as they seek to keep rising on the table.

Hunt has been playing around with his defence in recent games, starting with Ramahlwe Mphahlele who is now a regular centre-back, after he was converted from right-back.

Central defender Daniel Cardoso was once played as a left-back but is now being deployed as a defensive midfielder.

Kenya international Anthony Akumu has been turned into a centre-back after starting as a midfield anchorman.

“He [Akumu] is not a midfield place, no chance. I don’t know why he was signed but he is not a midfielder," Hunt added.

"He has played the last three games, four games obviously because we have problems. He has done well and I think he was excellent again today and may long it continue."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Manchester United not to become complacent now they have topped the Premier League table.

United travel to Anfield on Sunday to face reigning champions Liverpool in a battle between the top two.

Almost a year ago to the day, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk scored in a 2-0 win over United at Anfield to take Liverpool 16 points clear, but things have been very different this season.

A 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday took the Red Devils to the summit, but Solskjaer says they have to keep moving – or they will freeze to death.

“That [turnaround] is the product of all the hard work that everyone in the club – the staff, the players, the supporters, everyone has done,” Solskjaer told United’s official website.

“There’s been loads of hard work and loads of patience to get to the position we’re in now, but it’s like if you climb Kilimanjaro or Mount Everest and you get to the top and you sit down and relax – what happens then? You’ll freeze to death. So now is the time to push on and go again.

“There is a definite shift in mentality of the boys that we can believe we can go on to bigger and better things.”

Solskjaer played plenty of games against Liverpool during his 11 years as a player at Old Trafford. He knows that, with no fans allowed into Anfield, this instalment of the rivalry will be very different – but it is still a fixture to look forward to.

“I loved it. I loved playing in big games, I didn’t play many of them because loads of times I was on the bench coming on,” he said.

“I played when Diego [Forlan] scored a couple [at Anfield] and I absolutely loved the intensity of it and celebrating in front of our fans. I was on the bench when Pally [Gary Pallister] scored a couple of headers too.

“When there are fans there and you can quieten them down and the away fans are singing louder than the home fans then that’s a great feeling. Now we don’t have any home fans to quieten down, so it’s a different mindset going into the game.

“I think the results over the last year or nine or 10 months or so have shown how important the fans are. The win-rate away from home compared to home, shows that the fans do play a big part in football and the passion that they give.

“I cannot wait to get everyone back but in the meantime, we’ll do whatever we can to please everyone who is at home.”

The rumours of Malaysia Premier League side Kelantan FC's new head coach have finally been settled a few days ago with their owner himself, Norizan Tukiman announcing the appointment of Italian trainer Marco Ragini.

Unfortunately, this piece of news was eclipsed by a series of exchanges involving the club, the owner, and Malaysia's football administrators.

It all began last Wednesday, when the Malaysian FA's (FAM) status committee instructed the Red Warriors' previous operators, Kelantan FA (KAFA) to pay a total of around RM187,000 (USD46,000) in unpaid wages to 11 of its former players.

Although the Wednesday press statement committee did not specify whether the team's new owner is responsible for the debt, Malaysian new agency Bernama then published a short interview with FAM secretary-general Stuart Ramalingam with the headline that Kelantan FC will have to settle the debts or face league points-deduction.

Stuart Ramalingam 

Norizan, who is also known as Zamsaham, reacted badly to these developments. On Thursday, he made several social media posts condemning FAM's decision and the privatisation drive undertaken by Malaysian professional teams last year. After Kelantan were separated from KAFA as Kelantan FC, Norizan purchased the club for RM6.8 million, along with its numerous debts.

"Pointless privatisation. If KAFA's debts have to be paid off by Kelantan FC, what's the point of privatisation?"

"Malaysia is ranked 153th in the world. Most embarrassing! Who is overseeing the sport in Malaysia?"

The hotel chain owner however posted that KAFA has agreed to take care of the RM187,000 debts.

"KAFA has explained that they will settle the debts. Kelantan FC only want to look ahead.

"FAM needs to assist the privatisation process, instead of telling the press that a three-points deduction will be handed before telling the club and KAFA first. FAM needs to be smarter than they usually are.

"MFL (Malaysian competitions organiser Malaysian Football League) has not even paid off its match broadcasting debts! It still owes referees money!" 

On Thursday evening, FAM published a social media posting defending itself, stating that Stuart never made the remark that Kelantan FC will be made to pay off the unpaid wages. The association even included the audio recording of the interview in the posting.

Things then took an even more bizarre turn, preempted by another Facebook posting by Norizan."I'm a newcomer in football, but please don't bully me."

On Saturday, Norizan partially posted a letter sent by MFL CEO Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan to the club, regarding his social media postings. He did not publish all pages of the letter, but it is implied that the letter was sent with the intention of warning him against speaking out through unofficial channels.

Ab Ghani Hassan. Photo by MFL

In the posting, Norizan retorted by claiming that he is simply upset that MFL has not been communicating with clubs and owners adequately, and that he only wants the Malaysian league to be run transparently and with good corporate governance.

On Sunday, the businessman continues his tirade against MFL, levelling further accusations against it.

"Since I took over Kelantan FC in September last year (2020), the club have not received a single cent from Mycujoo (internet match broadcaster) and MFL online collections. We've inquired about it through e-mails, but have received no answer."

"The reason given by MFL is Covid-19 and the lack of sponsors. But the audience pays cash to watch matches on Mycujoo. So why have the Red Warriors not received its share? We've sent e-mails."

"I was massively shocked to know that clubs have to pay the referees, but MFL hasn't settled the claims in five months. A demand letter has been sent."

"MFL owes the club, yet asks the club to pay the RM25,000 league participation fee. It wasn't easy but we worked on it to make the payment."

"I'm not seeking publicity, I just don't want Kelantan to be bullied. We have to fight for what's ours."

Zambia midfielder Bruce Musakanya has said they have had good enough preparation in order to see off Tanzania in their African Nations Championship opener.

The Chipolopolo will face the Taifa Stars on Tuesday, January 19 in Group D's opener and the Zesco United star said their preparations, especially the mini-tournament that was held between January 1 to 7, was very important ahead of the group's first fixture

Four days later, they will play Guinea before finishing the group assignments with a match against Namibia on January 27.

“It is very important to start with a win in a tournament, it gives you confidence with the coming games especially that we are playing our neighbours Tanzania,” Musakanya said as was quoted by FAZ Facebook page.

“It will not be easy, but we just need to work extra hard and get the win.

“We have been preparing well for the game against Tanzania, the mini-tournament we had and friendlies have [helped us] see where we are. We are preparing and we have learnt the mistakes that we have had and have worked on them."

In the pre-Chan tournament, the Chipolopolo drew 3-3 against Niger, lost 2-0 against Uganda and defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the last game.

They went on to organise a friendly against Libya in Douala where they drew 1-1 against the invited Mediterranean Knights.

Zambia Chan Squad:

Goalkeepers: Allan Chibwe (Green Eagles), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Patrick Chooma (KYSA), Patrick Nyirenda (Nchanga Rangers FC), Charles Kalumba (Prison Leopards)

Defenders: Clement Mulashi, Adrian Chama, Fackson Kapumbu (all Zesco United), Golden Mafwenta (Buildcon), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Kondwani Chiboni, Zachariah Chilongoshi (both Power Dynamos), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Luka Banda (Napsa Stars), Pride Mwansa (Nkwazi)

Midfielders: Benson Sakala, Spencer Sautu, Chaniza Zulu (all Power Dynamos), Albert Kangwanda, Kelvin Kapumbu (both Zanaco), Leonard Mulenga, Jackson Chirwa (both Green Buffaloes), Paul Katema (Red Arrows), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Bruce Musakanya, Kelvin Mubanga (both Zesco United), Amity Shamende (Green Eagles), Harrison Chisala (Nkana), Jonathan Munalula (Forest Rangers)

Strikers: Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Emmanuel Chabula (Lusaka Dynamos), Friday Samu (Green Buffaloes).

Keylor Navas says Paris Saint-Germain are "motivated" by the challenge of applying Mauricio Pochettino’s new ideas at the club.

PSG went top of Ligue 1 on Saturday with a narrow win at Angers, with Layvin Kurzawa’s precise volley the only goal of the game.

Previous leaders Lyon could return to the summit when they play Metz on Sunday, but Navas was pleased to get another three points in the bag.

"Winning is the most important thing tonight, because we knew how to suffer when it was necessary to do so,” Navas told Canal+. “The team had the patience to gain the three points and this part of our game makes us stronger. They had good counter-attacks, and my team-mates made an effort to be solid defensively.”

Navas wasn’t tested often throughout the game but he did make one key save from forward Lois Diony, who looked certain to score with a diving header from close range.

“I was well positioned, I wanted to help the team and I managed to do it,” he said, before adding on Pochettino: “We are trying to adapt to the ideas of the coach. We are very motivated. We try to have a good block and be good in transitions. We are managing to apply his ideas. Everything is fine and we have to keep working.”

PSG were far from their fluent best during the game, with Kylian Mbappe in particular missing chances to extend the scoreline.

Nevertheless, midfielder Leandro Paredes agreed with Navas that the result was the most important thing.

"The important thing was to win,” he told Telefoot. “We played well at a difficult ground and against a tenacious opponent. They are a well-organised team; they leave very little space and try to counter well. The main thing was to win. If you can play well, it's better, but in this case we just had to win.”

PSG could be back down to second place by the time they next take to the field, with a home fixture on Friday against Montpellier, the team below Angers in the table. The champions then finish January with a trip to Lorient.