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Rangers booked their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League for a second consecutive season with a 3-2 win against Standard Liege at Ibrox on Thursday.

A draw would have been enough to send Steven Gerrard's men through to the last 32, but they picked up all three points thanks to Scott Arfield's strike to keep hold of top spot in Group D heading into the final round of fixtures.

Standard twice took the lead in a breathless first half, yet goals from Maxime Lestienne and Duje Cop were cancelled out by Connor Goldson and James Tavernier.

Arfield scored the only goal of a quieter second half to earn all three points for Rangers, who are in the draw for the next round with one group game – away to Lech Poznan – to spare.

Lestienne profited from some slack Rangers defending to convert Cop's cross after six minutes as Rangers fell behind in a home game for the first time in 12 outings this term.

The hosts initially struggled to offer any sort of response but they soon found some rhythm and Goldson powered in a header when left completely unmarked in the 39th minute. 

Liege were back ahead 100 seconds later through Cop's finish at the back stick after Tavernier and Leon Balogun switched off, the winger clattering into the post in the process.

But Rangers were given another lifeline moments before half-time as Kemar Roofe's shot hit the arm of Lestienne and Tavernier tucked away the penalty.

Allan McGregor produced a fine stop to deny Abdoul Tapsoba and, less than seven minutes later, Arfield swept home Ryan Kent's cutback to put the Gers ahead for the first time.

The Belgians needed a win to stay in the competition but they struggled to truly test McGregor again.

Only some impressive late saves from Arnaud Bodart prevented Rangers from adding more goals to their tally, the visiting goalkeeper pushing Borna Barisic's free-kick onto the crossbar before denying Roofe from a one-on-one.

What does it mean? Top spot in Gers' sights

With Benfica beating Lech Poznan 4-0 in the other Group D game, it is now a straight shootout between the Portuguese club and Rangers for top spot for what, on paper, should be an easier last-32 draw.

Gerrard can be proud of his players' efforts in achieving their first aim of reaching the knockout stages, having done so in back-to-back campaigns for just a second time in major European competition.

Bodart heroics not enough

Standard bow out of the competition with this defeat but they did at least go down fighting, twice taking the lead at a ground that Rangers have made a fortress during Gerrard's time in charge.

Cop was lively throughout, scoring one and setting up another, but goalkeeper Bodart was the star of the show with his flurry of saves to thwart Barisic, Roofe, Goldson and Tavernier.

Room for improvement

If there was one downside to this victory for Rangers it was their first-half defending. Both Standard goals were preventable, with the home side's back four – and goalkeeper – completely switching off.

In Goldson's defence, he made amends by scoring and finished the game having attempted more passes (73) than any player on the field, while only Konstantinos Laifis (89) had more touches than the defender's 84.

Key Opta facts

- Rangers have lost just one of their last 22 home matches in European competition, including qualifiers (W15 D6).

- Standard have lost four of their five Europa League group stage matches this season - they had only lost four of their previous 16 in the group stage in the competition (W6 D6 L4).

- Twelve of the last 15 goals Rangers have conceded in all competitions have been in European matches. Eight of the 11 the Gers have conceded this season have been in European encounters.

- Lestienne has scored four goals in his last seven Europa League appearances, which is double the amount he scored in his first 20 appearances in the competition.

- Tavernier has scored 15 goals in his last 19 matches in all competitions for Rangers - he has scored eight more than any other Gers player this season.

What's next?

Rangers need to match Benfica's result on the final matchday when they travel to Poznan if they are to finish top.

Before that, they head to Ross County on their return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday, the same day that Standard host Mechelen in the Belgian First Division A.

Jose Mourinho expects Harry Kane to be available for Tottenham's match against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Spurs striker, who has scored 13 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this season, was absent from the squad as his side drew 3-3 with LASK in the Europa League on Thursday.

But Mourinho has high hopes that the 27-year-old will be fit enough to feature in the north London derby on Sunday as Tottenham look to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League. 

He told reporters in a press conference after Thursday's match: "I believe he is going to be fit. I'm not sure. He's having treatment, but I could be doing some bluff and pretend he's in trouble, but he's not and I think he'll play [against Arsenal]."

Tottenham had a tumultuous performance against their Austrian opponents on Thursday, as they came from behind to take the lead through a Gareth Bale penalty and a Son Heung-min goal in the second half.

Johannes Eggestein pulled the hosts level with six minutes left on the clock shortly before Dele Alli seemed to have sealed the victory when he converted from the spot.

But Mamoudou Karamoko struck in stoppage time to ensure the sides shared the points and Mourinho was not happy with the way his side played.

"Not good," he said of their performance. "The result better than the performance. The second half better than the first half.

"Some players individually had very good performances but some players individually had very poor performances. The only good thing I take from the game is that we are qualified.

"Without Son and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg I don't think we qualify from that game.

"We have qualified and we don't have the pressure on that in our last match but we have to win our last match and I believe we will do that."

Bale has now scored two goals since his return to Spurs from Real Madrid and the manager is pleased with the progress he has made.

"I took him out 10-15 minutes before the end to save the last couple of runs," he added.

"He has lots of positive things in his game and of course you can see that there are little bits that he has to improve."

Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele is not impressed with Mamelodi Sundowns legend Joel ‘fire’ Masilela, who recently made claims about his son, Thamsanqa Masiya.

Masilela recently stated there is a clause on the speedy winger's contract with Baroka that gives Sundowns first preference to sign him back. 

Masiya was nurtured in the Sundowns academy along with the likes of Sphelele Mkhulise, Percy Tau and Keletso Makgalwa and he was promoted to the first team in 2015.

Mphahlele has now slammed Masilela's 'reckless' statements and made it clear that they could never agree to include a first refusal clause in a player's contract. 

“There were reports that we have signed Thami Masiya with a clause that says Sundowns is getting first preference to sign him first,” Mphahlele said on Far Post.

“Apparently we cannot sell him to any team except for Sundowns because of that clause. We want to clarify that is false and we will never do such a deal that restricts us from doing our business elsewhere.

“Thami’s father made a reckless statement because the statement is read by everybody from the supporters, sponsors and partners. People read that statement that said Thami must go play for Sundowns one day."

Masiya spent two seasons with Mbombela United in the National First Division (NFD) on loan from Sundowns, before moving to Swallows FC after being released by Masandawana in July 2019.

The 24-year-old moved to Baroka in January 2020 and he has impressed with his blistering speed and mesmerising skills at the Limpopo-based side.

“We are competing with that team that they say he must go play for. I don’t like a situation whereby Thami makes a mistake and everybody starts saying, 'Yeah it is because he wants to go to Sundowns'", Mphahlele added. 

“It is a dangerous statement which we want to refute. We don’t need that statement. The boy is currently on form. He is playing all the matches and we don’t want that distraction,” added Mphahlele.

Thamsanqa, who uses his mother's surname, Masiya, has made five appearances in the league for Baroka this season. 

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Put your knowledge of the Premier League giants to the test with Goal's tough quiz questions and trivia about the Red Devils!

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Tottenham qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League despite Mamoudou Karamoko's superb late leveller earning LASK a 3-3 draw.

It looked as though Dele Alli's penalty would seal an undeserved three points for Spurs to send them into Sunday's north London derby on the back of a win.

But fellow substitute Karamoko had other ideas and sent a fine strike beyond Joe Hart from 20 yards to make sure the spoils were shared in a strange but memorable Group J clash.

Jose Mourinho made eight changes from the 0-0 draw against Chelsea with an eye on the visit of Arsenal, with Harry Kane a notable absentee as the Premier League leaders toiled to a draw in Linz.

Spurs beat LASK 3-0 in the reverse fixture in October but were more laboured on Thursday, struggling to find their rhythm and falling behind to Peter Michorl's excellent 42nd-minute opener.

However, Gareth Bale levelled from the spot with the last kick of the first half and Son Heung-min put Spurs ahead soon after the restart.

Johannes Eggestein levelled with six minutes remaining but there was still time for Alli - on the field for just four minutes - to make his mark from 12 yards after Steven Bergwijn was brought down by Philipp Wiesinger.

Remarkably, that was not the end of it and Karamoko fired home in the dying moments to make it 3-3.

Hart had already denied Eggestein and Rene Renner before Michorl arrowed a shot beyond the former England goalkeeper to give Dominik Thalhammer's men the lead, though that soon disappeared.

Andres Andrade handled in the box in first-half stoppage time and Bale coolly converted from the spot to level matters against the run of play, bringing up his 200th career goal.

Tottenham were scarcely any more polished at the start of the second half, but one moment of quality told as Tanguy Ndombele's excellent throughball picked out Son to provide an assured finish past Alexander Schlager.

It was hard on LASK but they fought back to level when Eggestein's shot somehow eluded Hart, whose blushes looked to be spared when Alli promptly netted his spot-kick at the other end.

But Hart was beaten again by Karamoko to give LASK a point that was the least their efforts merited.

What does it mean? Top honours up for grabs

Top spot in the group is still to be settled, with Royal Antwerp in the driving seat after they beat Ludogorets 3-1.

This is not exactly the preparation Mourinho might have wanted for the forthcoming showdown with Arsenal, but at least he was able to rest a number of players.

For LASK, it represents a valiant way for their Europa League hopes to come to an end.

Fringe players fail to stake a claim

Given the magnitude of the game that lies ahead for Spurs in a few days, you might have thought that players on the periphery would have been keen to make an impact and force their way into Mourinho's plans.

But this was a poor showing practically across the board, with Spurs managing just three shots on target and finishing with a passing accuracy of 66 per cent.

LASK also had 54 per cent of possession, further highlighting how they were simply the better side.

Eggestein a constant threat

Even before his goal, Eggestein caught the eye. He had three shots, created one chance and had an 82 per cent pass completion percentage from his 38 passes.

Key Opta facts

- Spurs conceded three goals in a game for the first time since October's 3-3 draw with West Ham in the Premier League - they had only conceded three times in their previous nine games before today.

- This was only the second time an Austrian side has scored three-or-more goals in a major UEFA European match against English opponents, with Salzburg losing 4-3 v Liverpool in last season's Champions League.

- Son has scored 12 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season - among Premier League players, only Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (13 each) have more in 2020-21.

- Only Leicester City (eight) have scored more penalties in all competitions among Premier League teams than Spurs this season (seven).

- Bale scored his first European goal for Spurs since March 2013 v Inter, while this was his first away European goal for the club (excl. qualifiers) since his hat-trick at the San Siro against Inter in the Champions League in October 2010.

What's next?

Arsenal visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday before Spurs conclude their Europa League group campaign at home to Royal Antwerp, on the same day LASK head to Ludogorets.

Leicester City still have work to do if they are to finish top of Europa League Group G after Brendan Rodgers' side went down 1-0 to Zorya Luhansk. 

With progress already secured, Rodgers rested Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel, Jonny Evans and Youri Tielemans on Thursday, using the trip to Ukraine to hand minutes to returning trio Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira and Caglar Soyuncu. 

The latter went off injured after just 17 minutes and, after a largely sluggish display, Leicester fell behind to Allahyar Sayyadmanesh's 84th-minute strike. 

Vladlen Yurchenko had gone the closest for the hosts prior to the late goal, the home captain hitting the crossbar, while Nikola Vasilj made a fine double save before Sayyadmanesh's winner, meaning Leicester will now need to beat AEK Athens next week to guarantee first place. 

An injury to Soyuncu compounded Leicester's slow start, though Cengiz Under should have put the Foxes ahead just after the half-hour, only to drill wide when one-on-one with Vasilj. 

Leicester would have been made to pay if not for Danny Ward, who made a strong save from Andrejs Ciganiks' blistering strike. 

The crossbar came to Leicester's rescue early in the second half, Yurchenko's header clipping the top of the woodwork. 

Under turned provider with a superb free-kick in the 75th minute, yet Wesley Fofana – who was unmarked in the centre of the penalty area – directed his header well wide. 

Kelechi Iheanacho was involved in all of Leicester's goals in their 3-0 win in the reverse fixture, and his low shot caused trouble for Vasilj, who recovered to keep out James Maddison's follow up. 

Zorya made it count, substitute Sayyadmanesh sliding in at the back post just three minutes after coming on, with Vasilj making an excellent stop to deny Under and claim the points, though the hosts nevertheless cannot progress in the competition.

What does it mean? No luck for Zorya, Leicester must match Braga 

With Braga winning in Athens, Zorya's triumph is not enough to keep them in contention for a place in the knockout stages. 

Leicester – who have now lost three of their last four games – are at the summit courtesy of their better head-to-head record against Braga, and the Foxes now need to match or better the Portuguese side's result next week in order to finish top, which would help them avoid one of the teams dropping out of the Champions League. 

Super sub Sayyadmanesh strikes 

Iran youngster Sayyadmanesh had only just entered proceedings when he got the chance to snatch a famous, if ultimately fruitless, win for Zorya. 

After laying the ball wide, the 19-year-old got the better of Fofana and lunged in to prod a finish high into the net. During his 13 minutes on the pitch, Sayyadmanesh had two attempts from seven touches. 

More injury woe for Soyuncu 

Having been out since early October with a groin injury, Soyuncu's return was cut short quickly, as he pulled up with an apparent hip problem before signalling straight away to be taken off. 

Fofana, his replacement, made four clearances – behind only James Justin and Dmitriy Ivanisenya – though was at fault for Zorya's winner, allowing Sayyadmanesh to get free at the back post. 

Key Opta facts

- Zorya enjoyed their first victory against English opposition (W1 D0 L3), courtesy of their maiden goal against an English side.
- Leicester have registered just two clean sheets in their last 14 away games in all competitions.
- Zorya celebrated consecutive victories in Europe for the first time since August 2019.
- Leicester are without a win in four games in all competitions (D1 L3) after winning each of their six before that.
- It took the visitors until the 78th minute to manage a shot on target, via an effort from Kelechi Iheanacho.

What's next? 

Leicester are at Bramall Lane on Sunday to play struggling Sheffield United in the Premier League, before rounding out their Europa League group campaign on the same day Zorya face Braga. 

Samuel Chukwueze scored the only goal of the game as Villarreal defeated Sivasspor 1-0 away in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Nigeria wideman finished calmly with his left foot from close range in the 75th minute after a superb pass by Juame Costa, who had been played in through a fine ball over the top by Manu Trigueros.

The winger was replaced by Gerard Moreno two minutes after opening the scoring, as Unai Emery looked to rest some of his stars ahead of the visit of Elche on Sunday.

The win guarantees Villarreal’s place in the Europa League knockout stages, as they extend their advantage at the top of Group I.

Max Gradel, Isaac Coffie, Faycal Fajr, Samba Camara, Mamadou Samassa, Arouna Kone, Aaron Appindangoye, Casimir Ninga and Mustapha Yatabare all featured for a Sivasspor team heavily dominated by African talent.

The Spaniards have 13 points after five games, and remain unbeaten in their group stage campaign, having won four of their five matches to date.

In the group’s other fixture, Maccabi Tel Aviv remain in second place in the group after drawing 1-1 at already-eliminated Qarabag FK of Azerbaijan.

The win extends the Yellow Submarine’s superb run of form both domestically and in Europe, as they have now gone 14 matches without defeat in all competitions, winning nine matches since their last defeat—a 4-0 humbling by Barcelona in late September.

For Chukwueze, the goal will prompt some optimism that he finally answer the accusations of inconsistency that have been levelled at him in recent years.

The Nigeria international had a hand in three goals in three games at the end of October and early November, scoring against Real Valladolid and Sierra Leone after contributing an assist against Qarabag.

However, he didn’t weigh in with goals in his next four matches after the 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone for the Super Eagles, having not contributed a goal in the previous six fixtures before the 3-1 victory at Qarabag.

Chukwueze has scored one and contributed another assist in 10 La Liga appearances so far this season, but will need to improve dramatically if he’s to increase his return of last season—three goals and two assists in 37 league outings.

Last term his numbers were down on the season before, when he scored five and weighed in with two assists in 26 outings for the Yellow Submarine.

Milan sealed their place in the Europa League last 32 after coming from behind to beat Celtic 4-2 in an entertaining Group H game at San Siro on Thursday. 

Stefano Pioli – back in the dugout after missing three games with COVID-19 – saw his side get off to a torrid start, with Tomas Rogic and Odsonne Edouard putting Neil Lennon's struggling Scottish Premiership outfit into an early two-goal lead. 

Milan powered back, though, and restored parity with quickfire goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Samu Castillejo before the break.

Jens Petter Hauge scored a wonderful goal at the start of the second half and set up substitute Brahim Diaz with eight minutes remaining, with Milan advancing to the knockouts courtesy of Lille's dramatic late comeback for a 2-1 win over Sparta Prague in the group's other game.

Milan started in slapstick fashion and found themselves deservedly two goals down after just 14 minutes.

Rogic took full advantage of Rade Krunic's dismal control from Gianluigi Donnarumma's pass to whip into the bottom-left corner from 18 yards, before Edouard made the most of more woeful defending to clip over the Milan goalkeeper.

The hosts belatedly woke from their slumber and drew level thanks to two goals in the space of two minutes.

Calhanoglu scored his 18th direct free-kick in all competitions since the start of the 2013-14 season – second only to Lionel Messi (36) in Europe's top five leagues in that time – to reduce the deficit, before Castillejo wiped out Celtic's lead with a deflected close-range finish after Ante Rebic superbly teed him up with a backheel.

Hauge put Milan ahead five minutes after the interval, the Norway international skipping past a number of Celtic players before rolling a fine finish beyond Vasilios Barkas from 15 yards.

Donnarumma did well to paw away Ryan Christie's free-kick and Diaz wrapped up the win late on, lifting over Barkas after more impressive work from Hauge as Milan sealed a fifth consecutive triumph against Celtic, who have been victorious in just two of their past 11 games in all competitions.

What does it mean? Milan recover from shocking start

After just one point from their double header against Lille, Milan looked destined for another Europa League setback after some calamitous defending early on. They responded well, though, and were ultimately good value for all three points. 

They remain one point behind leaders Lille and will need to beat Sparta Prague next week and hope the Ligue 1 side drop points against Celtic if they are to qualify as group winners.

Hauge on fire for hosts

Hauge was outstanding in the second period. He put Milan ahead with a dazzling run and composed finish and made a game-high three key passes, one of which led to Diaz's late goal.

Krunic put out of his misery early

It was little surprise to see Krunic hauled off at the interval for Sandro Tonali. The Bosnian was badly off the pace, giving the ball away for Celtic's first and registering a pass completion rate of just 72.7 per cent – his midfield partner Franck Kessie's mark in an hour on the pitch was 96.2 per cent.

Key Opta Facts

- Celtic have won just two of their 25 away matches in the Europa League (D11 L12).
- Edouard has been directly involved in seven goals in his past eight Europa League starts (five goals, two assists).
- There were just 121 seconds between Milan's first two goals of the game.

What's next?

Leaders Milan will hope to maintain their unbeaten start to the Serie A season when they visit Sampdoria on Sunday, while Celtic entertain St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on the same day.

Luis Suarez will be able to rejoin his Atletico Madrid team-mates for training after the striker posted a negative Covid-19 test following his battle with the coronavirus.

The Uruguay international last played on November 13 during the international break for his country and has not featured for the Rojiblancos in La Liga in just under a month after contracting the illness upon his return.

Suarez, who joined Diego Simeone's side from Barcelona earlier this year following a failed move to Juventus, has been a prolific presence since his arrival at Wanda Metropolitano, netting five times in six top-flight games so far this term.

The 33-year-old had hoped to have passed a previous test ahead of his side's midweek draw with Champions League holders Bayern Munich, but delivered a positive result once more.

However, having finally registered negative for Covid-19 in this latest test, he will be welcomed back into the fold ahead of Saturday's game against Valladolid, as Atletico look to move top of La Liga at the expense of Real Sociedad

"Luis Suárez will join the group training sessions of the first team tomorrow at the Wanda de Majadahonda Sports City, after having tested negative in the official La Liga PCR test," the club confirmed in an official statement.

"The Uruguayan, after overcoming Covid-19 and complying with all health protocols, rejoins the discipline of the group and will be under Simeone's orders again."

With seven wins and two draws, Atletico remain the only undefeated team in La Liga this season, and have two games in hand over leaders Sociedad, who they trail by a point as the Spanish top-flight hurtles towards the new year and a steady festive schedule.

They have also a pair of fixtures to spare compared to third-place Villarreal, who sit three points behind them, raising the idea that Simeone is on track to deliver a first league title since his famous triumph of 2013-14.

They will travel to Wals-Siezenheim next week to face Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League, knowing that a draw will secure them a last-16 berth in Europe's top competition too, at the expense of their hosts.

The draw for the UEFA Nations League finals has been conducted, with World Cup holders France set to square off against world number ones Belgium while hosts Italy face Spain next October.

The European governing body rubber-stamped Milan and Turin as the cities set to welcome the second edition of the tournament's showpiece last four event on Thursday, confirming that the Group 1A winners would be on home soil.

Roberto Mancini's Azzurri will welcome La Roja under the stewardship of Luis Enrique to San Siro on October 6, while Didier Deschamps'  Bleus will face Les Diables Rouges led by Roberto Martinez at Allianz Stadium a day later.

The winners will then meet in Milan three days later on October 10, with the third-place play-off unfolding in Turin upon the same date.

The second semi-final brings neighbours France and Belgium together for the first time since the former emerged victorious in their pulsating World Cup semi-final encounter in Russia two years ago in 2018.

Spain will meet Italy meanwhile four years on from the pair's last encounter in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in 2017 - though both could well meet beforehand at next year's belated Euro 2020.

Portugal emerged as victors in last year's inaugural Nations League finals following a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands, thanks to a Goncalo Guedes finish.

England meanwhile claimed their first top-three finish at a tournament since they hosted Euro 1966, after they emerged victorious in a hard-fought penalty shootout win over Switzerland, a year on from a dismal third-place play-off loss to Belgium in Russia.

Italy will solely host a major international men's tournament for the first time in over 30 years, having previously last welcomed fellow nations to the 1990 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina.

They will however host four games as part of Euro 2020, with Stadio Olimpico in Rome set to host all three of their group stage games, against Turkey, Wales and Switzerland, as well as one quarter-final in the pan-continental edition of the tournament.

France coach Didier Deschamps has heaped praise on Olivier Giroud after his performance in Chelsea's 4-0 win against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Giroud broke Champions League records when he scored all of his side's goals as they secured first place in Group E.

The 34-year-old had not started a match for the Blues in either the Premier League or Champions League before the encounter in Seville and his national team boss was delighted to see him take his chance to impress.

"It's always important for attackers to score goals, whatever the match," he said at a press conference after Les Bleus were paired with Belgium in the Nations League semi-finals.

"But our analysis is done in relation to the opposition. When it's a Champions League match, against a Sevilla team that is very successful, it necessarily highlights Giroud's performance.

"He had the immense pleasure of being able to start a match. It does not happen to him often, even if by returning he scores important goals. Scoring a quadruple in the Champions League doesn't happen every day. Besides, they are different goals.

"Olivier is someone with a big mind, a big character. He is forced to fight against everyone, to excess at times. It was an important game as they played first place against Sevilla. Faced with such an opponent, it further enhances his performance. Good for him and for his club."

While Giroud was in stunning form in midweek, fellow France forward Kylian Mbappe's difficulties in the continental competition continued despite Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win at Manchester United.

It has been a year since the striker found the net in the Champions League, though he has struck nine times in eight Ligue 1 appearances this season.

“He was often decisive anyway in scoring or giving the last pass. He is a player who makes the differences," Deschamps said.

"It's been a while since he scored in the Champions League but it happens. He wants to stop this series and be efficient, but that does not prevent him from doing decisive things for his club despite everything."

ATK Mohun Bagan continued their perfect start to the Indian Super League 2020-21 as they beat Odisha 1-0 at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday to record their third consecutive win of the season.

Roy Krishna (90+5) scored the only goal to secure all three points for the home side. 

Antonio Habas opted to start with Manvir Singh for the first time this season in a two-forward system but he was far from impressive. Habas, however, backed Manvir and said that he might need more time on the pitch to prove his worth. 

"Manvir is a good player with big potential. He needs more minutes on the pitch to prove his worth,” Antonio Habas said after the game. 

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha was evenly poised. Both the teams created plenty of chances but failed to break the deadlock in normal time. Habas said he was happy that the result was in favour of his team. He also mentioned that possession doesn't matter as long as his team is winning games. 

"Maybe it wasn’t the best match for ATK Mohun Bagan. But, we only have to see the results. That is the most important thing. It’s good that we won 1-0 today to get that result,” he said. 

“In every top competition in the world, be it the World Cup, the Copa America or any other tournament, 70% of the goals scored are through counter-attacks. But, I had to play possession football today. We had to march our players forward, but the real possession we enjoyed was in the opponent’s half, where we created some good chances,” he added. 

Simba SC have confirmed unspecified disciplinary action has been taken against their spokesperson Haji Manara over his statement that rival fans would not be allowed to attend the Caf Champions League tie against Plateau United.

Simba will host Plateau United on December 5 for the return leg of the preliminary round of the continental encounter, enjoying a 1-0 advantage. Manara had stated rival fans, especially Yanga SC supporters, would not be allowed at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. 

“Simba would like to confirm that the statement issued that intimated some fans would not be allowed into the stadium to watch the game against Plateau United were made without the direct approval of the club,” a statement obtained by Goal read.

“The statement did not reflect the culture and the traditional values of the club that abhors discrimination of rival fans and barring them from attending our matches.

“The club has taken an internal disciplinary move in order to make sure that such a thing does not happen again.”

The Premier League and the FA Cup winners explained why a successful campaign for Simba is even a win for their domestic rivals.

“It is known that whenever Tanzanian clubs progress in Caf competitions, the country ends up getting more slots in the subsequent tournament,” it added.

“In that regard, we call upon Simba fans to turn out in their large numbers to support the team which in turn will be a good thing for the general Tanzanian football.”

According to Simba, even those who are going to come and support Plateau United are welcome but stated their main aim is to beat the Nigerian side and shame Tanzanian supporters.

“We would also like to state if there is any Tanzanian who would like to come and see Simba fail to progress by supporting the rival team, Simba would not bar anyone from attending and in that process, no one will be victimised by our own fans,” the statement concluded.

“The club also believes the authorities concerned will ensure there is peace during and after the game. The only thing Simba would assure such fans is that they will go home ashamed because Simba will win.

“Football is happiness and we would like to welcome Tanzanians at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on December 5.”

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) also condemned Manara’s assertion and affirmed no one will be stopped from attending the match after Caf allowed attendance of 30,000 supporters.

Odisha played an evenly-contested match against a formidable ATK Mohun Bagan at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday.

A goal in the final minute of the injury time from Roy Krishna cost Stuart Baxter's team the game despite putting out a decent display overall. 

Both the teams created plenty of chances but failed to break the deadlock in normal time. However, Odisha head coach Stuart Baxter felt his side were not unlucky as they played brilliant football and were a threat to the opposition. 

The goal by Krishna came from a set-piece as Tiri delivered the dead ball to the right side inside the box where Sandesh Jhingan headed the ball back to the Fijian. Baxter believes these kinds of things happen in a game of football and any team can be punished from a set-piece.  

"We started to make decisions on the field and made it difficult when we lost the ball to defend spaces around our defenders. There were too many transitions. We were also a threat. Football has got that nasty habit if you give up transitions and set-plays in the last few minutes of the game. You can be bitten," Stuart Baxter said after the game. 

Baxter also mentioned that Odisha FC tried to play a high-pressing game against ATK Mohun Bagan as their opponents can deliver balls of top quality. 

"We would cut off the channels into the players that they wanted to find. We wouldn't be tempted unless we were together to press high. We wanted to counter-press as well. So if we lost the balls in their half of the field we wanted to counter-press. Press the players at the back and midfield before they could deliver the quality balls. I thought we managed that really well," he added 

Odisha FC will next take on Mumbai City FC on Sunday. 

Orlando Pirates forward Frank Mhango has spoken about a conversation he had with his former coach Gavin Hunt before he joined the Buccaneers.

The Malawi international secured a big move to Pirates from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits ahead of the 2019/20 season - leaving Hunt behind at the Clever Boys. 

Mhango had a dream debut season at Bucs as he hit the back of the net 16 times in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and he scooped the league's Golden Boot award.

The diminutive attacker has revealed he told Hunt, who is now in charge of Kaizer Chiefs, that he was confident of scoring 15 goals in a single season.

“I remember at the beginning of last season, when I was still at Bidvest Wits, I told my then coach Gavin Hunt that this season, I’m going to score 15 goals,” Mhango told iDiski Times.

“But Gavin said I must stop joking, if I want to score 15 goals I must go to Venda.

“But I told him that I believe I can do it. And I did it, I actually scored 16 and it was through the grace of God.”

Mhango also netted once in the Telkom Knockout with the goal coming in the Soweto Derby encounter against Chiefs in November 2019.

The 28-year-old player shared the Golden Boot award with then-Highlands Park striker Peter Shalulile, who also found the back of the net 16 times in the 2019/20 season and he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns in September 2020.

Nicknamed Gabadinho, Mhango has scored 53 goals across all competitions since he arrived in South Africa in 2013 having turned out for Bloemfontein Celtic, before moving to Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2015.

A move to Wits followed in 2016 and Gabadinho was the team's top scorer as they clinched a league and cup (MTN8) double in his debut season with the club.

Mhango has scored once in four competitive matches for Pirates this term. 

Ivan Bogere's mother Olivia Nakyeyune has come out to thank all those supporting his son, stating his family is benefitting.

The Uganda U20 forward helped the Hippos win the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) U20 championship. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) rewarded the team's players with about Ush 3.2 million each for bringing the title home.

The youngster had also won the November Player of the Month courtesy of Fortbet Real Star Awards.

"Bogere is such a blessing to us as a family and I would like to thank everyone that has supported him," Nakyeyune said while collecting the award on behalf of her son.

"From the little that he earns, he has been able to build for me a house and also provided us with electricity and a lot of other help and I thank him so much."  

In the Cecafa U20 championship, the Hippos defeated hosts Tanzania 4-1 to be crowned.

The Hippos got the goals from Richard Basangwa, Steven Sserwada, Ivan Bogere, and Kenneth Semakule while the immediate former champions scored their only goal via Abdul Suleiman.  

Uganda looked a dominant side all through the game and got the opener in the 12th minute from Basangwa’s strike. The Ngorongoro Heroes fought back and equalised at the half-hour mark from Suleiman’s effort before Sserwada scored the second for Uganda in the 44th minute.

The Hippos came from the half-time break more determined to bag the title and deservedly added the third goal in the 61st minute through Bogere. Semakule scored the final goal in the 72nd minute to seal Uganda’s victory against the hosts.

Both Uganda and Tanzania sailed to the final lap without losing a match, setting the stage for what was expected to be an epic final in Arusha.

Ngorongoro Heroes' Pascal Msindo won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award while South Sudan goalkeeper Simon Justine won the Golden Glove.

Bogere and Abdulhamis Suleiman of Tanzania walked away with the Top Scorer's Award after netting five goals each. 

Uganda and Tanzania will represent the East Africa region in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) scheduled for next year.

Derby Country interim boss Wayne Rooney has reaffirmed his hope that he will succeed to the managerial role on a full-time basis, as speculation continues to link former England teammate John Terry to the job at Pride Park.

The former Manchester United and Everton forward, who joined the Rams as a player-coach earlier this year from D.C. United, was handed the reins on a temporary basis after Phillip Cocu's sacking last month.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a less-than-auspicious start however, with two draws and two losses since he took charge, leaving Derby marooned at the foot of the Championship.

Terry, who Rooney succeeded as Three Lions captain, has emerged as a frontrunner to take the gig, with the Aston Villa assistant widely linked amid a takeover bid spearheaded by a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

The ex-Chelsea man, if selected, could follow in the footsteps of now-Blues boss Frank Lampard, who cut his teeth with County in the 2018-19 season, leading them to a play-off final defeat.

Lampard himself has said he believes Terry would be a fantastic coach, recommending his long-time team-mate in the process.

But Rooney remains hopeful that he will be considered for the post, though the striker - who hopes to remain as a player with the club if he is passed over - admits that he expects a wait on a decision as details are finalised with outgoing owner Mel Morris.

"I'm no further on to knowing from where I was on Tuesday night," the player-coach told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Millwall.

"I think the first thing is getting the ownership over the line. I've stated on Tuesday and on Saturday, of course, I want to do this job full time but we are where we are. We have to wait for all the paperwork to be sorted and then we see what happens from there."

Rooney previously spoke on the predicted timeframe following Tuesday's draw with Coventry, stating: "Hopefully the quicker the new ownership is done the better because I think a decision does need to be made.

"I've been asked to take the team until a decision is made and that's what I'm doing so the quicker the decision is made - not just for the players but for all the staff at the football club - the more stability we can get and more plans put in place for the future."

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has likened the philosophy he introduced at Al Ahly to a system overhaul on a computer by installing a “new software.”

Mosimane says he arrived at the Cairo giants in September and found them playing what he feels was a brand of football only good enough for domestic football, but not robust enough to deliver them the Caf Champions League.

At the time of his appointment, Al Ahly were left with four Egyptian Premier League games and were in the Champions League semi-finals.

The reigning African champions had already won the league title mathematically under his predecessor Rene Weiler and Mosimane refuses to take credit for their Premier League triumph.

“You could say that probably it was easier for me because the league was already won‚ and there were only five games left. But it’s not like that‚ because at this level‚ at this stage‚ results are very important,” Mosimane told the South African Football Journalists Association as per Sowetan Live.

“And you might say that the team was already in the semi-finals of the Champions League. It was‚ but for me to get there‚ I had to win all the [league] games in-between the semi-finals. And if you lose all those – you know the story.

“Those league games were pressure games for me because everybody wanted to see‚ ‘Can we trust this guy‚ who is this guy? The pressure is to continue winning. I had to start my own journey‚ and you start your journey by winning games and showing the difference and what it is that you are bringing in.

“So I changed the way we play‚ I changed the format‚ I changed the principles. I put my software. And to put your software you have to get rid of the software that’s inside. It’s like you’re cleaning the laptop‚ and putting a whole new system‚ and you have to tell the people how to apply that software‚ and teach them how to do it.”

Mosimane is yet to taste defeat in the nine matches he has been in charge of Al Ahly, winning eight and drawing one across all competitions.

It has been in the Caf Champions League where Mosimane has been more impressive.

Beating Wydad Casablanca home and away in the semi-finals warmed the hearts of Al Ahly fans and dismissing old foes Zamalek 2-1 in the final saw him being fully embraced not only in Egypt, but in North Africa as a whole.

He says he had to achieve this by making Al Ahly play like his former team Mamelodi Sundowns.

“So I took out what won the league‚ and everybody says‚ ‘Why are you changing now?’ I said‚ ‘No‚ because I need you to play differently‚ because the way you played to win the league I don’t think is the right way to win the Champions League’,” said Mosimane.

“I said‚ ‘Yes‚ you can win the league that way‚ because you have already won the league anyway. But Champions League is completely different. And we can’t go the same way as you guys have been going for the last seven years without winning the Champions League’.

“And when you do that people are just looking at you to say‚ ‘What’s this guy doing now?’ So I said‚ ‘I’m bringing the way Sundowns plays‚ and you said you liked the way Sundowns play’. I said‚ ‘This is what I’m bringing to the table. Did you like it?’ And they said‚ ‘Yes‚ we liked it’.”

Apart from finishing the league race first and winning the Champions League, Al Ahly have reached the final of the Egypt Cup which could possibly further decorate Mosimane’s start to life in Cairo.

Azam FC have confirmed George Lwandamina as their new head coach effective immediately.

The Ice-cream Makers have been under Vivier Bahati who was serving on an interim basis. The 2014 champions are optimistic the arrival of the experienced Zambian will help the team perform well in the remainder of the season.

"We are happy to unveil Zambian George Lwandamina as our new coach on a one-year contract," the club announced on Thursday night.

"Lwandamina takes over from Romanian Aristica Cioaba who we parted with on mutual consent a week ago.

"We are confident that Lwandamina will help the team continue developing to perform better in our bid to challenge for the league title this season. He has an outstanding record and is conversant with Tanzanian football."

The team management went on to explain further why the 57-year-old Zambian will be a success.

"[Lwandamina] has coached Zambia national team Chipolopolo and was successful when he was in charge of Zesco United and Yanga SC of Tanzania.

"The coach will officially start his job once he gets his operating licenses which will enable him to work smoothly. 

"We wish him all the best in his role as the head coach of Azam FC."

Lwandamina has also coached Mufulira Wanderers, Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows. 

The Zambian coach will take over from Vivier Bahati who has been coaching the 2014 champions on an interim basis. The Burundian led Azam to a 1-1 draw in his first game in charge a couple of days ago.

The Ice-cream Makers came into the match hoping to give the interim coach a positive outcome after Cioaba's dismissal. 

Despite being away, the 2014 champions played well but struggled to finish the chances they created.

It all changed in the 20th minute - Obrey Chirwa miskicked the ball, but fortunately for him, it went into the right area. The defenders failed to clear it and Lyanga, eventually, managed to tap in from close range.

It happened to be the only goal in the first half.

After the break, the Francis Baraza-led charges came back stronger hoping to get an equalizer.

Their zeal paid dividends in the 58th minute. The Chamazi-based charges committed a foul just outside the 18-yard area, and from this position, Owenga unleashed a shot that Israel Mapigano could not keep out.

The team will take on Gwambina FC in their next assignment.