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Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has condemned Simba SC’s spokesperson Haji Manara's comments on why rival fans should be barred from attending the Caf Champions League tie against Plateau United.

Manara, who was speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, claimed fans who are not Simba supporters should not be allowed to watch the game and should instead watch it at their own home.

“Let me state that Simba are going to be champions in the next 10 years and if you do not want to support us please stay at home and complain there,” Manara said.

“If you want to come to the stadium to boo us sorry for you because even next year we will be there playing [in the Caf Champions League] and for the next 10 years.

“Rival fans have to make a choice, they either come and support us or stay at home. Let them not bother God with some unnecessary prayers because they signed poor players yet Simba signed great players.

“God is concerned with bigger things like the creation of life, listening to human prayers and pardoning people of their sins and thus has no time for Utopolo [Yanga] prayers. You cannot just fail to plan and turn to God for blessings.

“Let them get concerned with their low-level games as for us we have got international assignments and we call for respect for the national champions.”

In response, TFF has stated the right of everyone to watch games irrespective of the team supported is anchored by both its own and Fifa statutes.

“Tanzania Football Federation condemns the statement that was issued to the effect of denying some fan entry into stadiums to watch games,” a statement obtained by Goal read.

“In accordance with Fifa regulations and the TFF constitution, any kind of discrimination of fans is outrightly not allowed and in that regard, every fan is allowed to attend any stadium and watch games in the country so long as he obeys the laws of the land.

“Even teams that own a stadium always set aside a number of tickets meant for fans supporting opponents.”

Simba will host the Nigerian side after picking a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture. Caf has allowed 30,000 fans to attend the match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.

Even the greatest players go through tough times, and Eden Hazard certainly falls into the bracket of world-class operators who have enough quality to pull through a sticky patch.

It’s fair to say that things aren’t going to plan for the playmaker at Real Madrid so far, following his high-profile move from Chelsea in 2019.

While the Blues have ultimately gone from strength to strength under Frank Lampard, with Hakim Ziyech stepping into Hazard’s creative boots, Los Merengues are toiling under Zinedine Zidane, with the Belgian emblematic of their current problems.

The last 18 months have surely been among the most testing of Hazard’s career, yet teammate Luka Modric is confident he can turn things around.

“He’s amazing, he’s going to prove it,” the Ballon d’Or winner told Spanish media. “Only injuries can prevent him going forward. When he’s been fit, he’s shown he’s important, it’s a shame. We need him.

“Hazard is one of the best in the world, he is incredible, and I am sure he will show it this year if injuries do not prevent it,” he added. “Last season he already showed that he was important until injuries stopped him.

“It goes to show why Madrid paid so much for him.”

The injuries, however, cannot be ignored…

As Real were defeated by Deportivo Alaves at the weekend, he suffered his latest setback—his eighth—in the last year and a half, picking up a thigh injury inside the first half an hour that will likely rule him out for much of the rest of 2020.

He’s made 28 outings for Real since moving from Chelsea, missing 35 in the process, and certainly, Los Merengues are yet to see much return on an initial outlay of £88 million that could rise to £150 million.

The former LOSC Lille man is their most expensive signing ever, and digging down into the numbers demonstrates the pressure on his shoulders.

To date, he’s cost the club £4.2 million per appearance, according to the Daily Mail, or £39.6 million for each of the three goals he’s scored.

He may have won the Spanish title last season, but be under no illusion, Hazard still has it all to prove in Madrid.

However, while the club’s hierarchy are reportedly frustrated with the 29-year-old’s impact in the capital, Zidane remains confident that Hazard can come good…and the France legend knows a thing or two about quality playmakers.

“Sometimes injuries happen and we have to endure,” the 1998 World Cup winner told journalists recently. “He is strong, I have no doubt.

“He is having a hard time lately,” he added. “We are going to help him to get better soon.

“It is a complicated situation for Eden,” the Real Madrid head coach concluded. “He’s never been injured in his career and now has more misfortunes.

“He will surely come back stronger. We look forward to seeing him with us again.”

They’re words that will surely give Hazard confidence as he looks—again—to make his return, and he certainly has the quality to prove himself once the injuries subside.

It’s important to remember, as well, that Hazard has not typically been an injury-prone player—he’s already missed more games at Real than he did in his entire Chelsea career—but rather, he’s going through a particularly unlucky spell.

There’s a reason he was part of a Blues side that won six major titles in seven years, often as their top performer and typically playing a key role in some of the Londoners’ most glorious hours.

“Eden Hazard is an incredibly gifted player, but he’s had a really difficult time since he went to Real Madrid for that huge fee,” former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino told talkSPORT.

“Injuries and obviously the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t helped him, it’s affected his career, but what a talent he can be for Belgium.

“I really miss seeing Hazard being Hazard, because he is a great player when he’s on,” Casc concluded, “when he switches on he’s up there with the best players who have ever played the game.”

The 29-year-old vowed—when he signed for Real—that he had moved to become the best player in the world, and while things haven’t gone to plan so far, his form for Chelsea as recently as 2018-19—when he scored 16 and contributed 15 assists across 37 appearances—should serve as a reminder for those keen to write him off.

Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards have confirmed the departure of head coach Tomas Trucha.

As Goal had reported, the Czech has left after threats were directed on his agent and the tactician is leaving with a 100% record at Ingwe having guided them to a 2-1 opening win against Tusker.

“Today, we accepted Tomas Trucha’s resignation as head coach, effective immediately,” AFC Leopards’ statement from the National Executive Committee read.

“This has been occasioned by the coach feeling that his safety is not guaranteed since his manager, Mr Prince Channis, has been threatened by people purporting to be Ingwe supporters. This is disturbing and unacceptable for anyone who claims to be a supporter of this esteemed club.

“True, AFC Leopards’ supporters hold themselves to the highest standard and put the club’s and public before all else. At this time, the remaining technical bench shall take charge as we consider a replacement.

“On behalf of the management, we thank Trucha for his contributions to the club and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Earlier, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda had praised the former Township Rollers coach saying he is at the same level with top European coaches and admitted the threats were doing the club a great disservice.

“This is a top-notch coach with the same qualifications as [Jose] Mourinho, [Pep] Guardiola and [Jurgen] Klopp,” Shikanda said during a press conference on Wednesday.

“The coach is here to help us. The salary we are giving him is not commensurate with his qualifications or what he is giving.”

“But now what they have decided is to stabilise the team and make sure that he does not operate peacefully. I do not know what they want. The coach is definitely not happy with what is happening.

“The same people were saying he does not have papers and that he is just a tourist. But when they saw his credentials they went silent.

“If I invite you to a place and people start threatening will you be comfortable in that place? There are a lot of threats on our coach and his agent and the people who are bringing all these threats are also agents.”

Anthony Kimani will take over the mantle yet again as an interim head coach and will be assisted by the club’s legend Tom Juma.

In many ways, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is set to be a unique event in many ways. It will be the first-ever World Cup to be held in the Middle East and is set to be held in November and December, instead of June and July as has been the norm. 

Given the concerns about the hot weather in Qatar, the venues being built for the stadium will feature several ground-breaking features like the Advanced Cooling Tech which will control the ambient temperature inside the stadium. 

Former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen, currently in Qatar with Japanese side Vissel Kobe for the AFC Champions League East Zone tournament, has already experienced the 'Cooling Tech' and is impressed. 

Qatar have already thrown open three of the eight planned venues for the World Cup - Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City stadiums. A fourth venue, Al Rayyan stadium, will be inaugurated on December 18, 2020. 

All but one of these stadiums (Ras Abu Aboud stadium) where work is still progressing will feature the Cooling Tech. Vermaelen played at the Khalifa and Al Janoub stadiums in the group stages and feels the technology will make a huge difference during the World Cup since the players will be able to play in comfortable weather.

"It definitely helps," he told Goal. "The World Cup will be played in November and the climate here in Qatar during this time is not too hot anyway.

"To have a bit more cooling is actually quite good. You can actually feel it, especially the people to whom I have talked to, who sit in the stands, there is a massive difference. So the cooling system definitely helps."

Vermaelen, who has a UEFA Champions League winners' medal with Barcelona in the 2014-15 season, will be eyeing continental success with Vissel Kobe, having helped his team seal their spot in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League already. 

The 35-year-old Belgian feels the stadiums in Qatar are on par with the very best in the world, aesthetically as well as facility wise. 

"Definitely yes. I have now played in two stadiums, they look amazing, they look amazing inside and outside. So they are definitely on par with the biggest stadiums in Europe."

The blockbuster fixture in the Premier League this weekend is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as these two old rivals, now going in very different directions, collide.

While Spurs are on a nine-game undefeated streak heading into this one, having taken four points from Manchester City and Chelsea in their last two matches, the Gunners are looking increasingly short of ideas and inspiration under Mikel Arteta.

The early optimism under the Spanish coach has given way to a concerning realisation that he may not have all the answers after all.

He hasn’t been helped—certainly—by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s startling drop in form, and this is one of the key issues on the African Football HQ agenda this week.

After netting against Liverpool in the Community Shield, and then against Fulham on the opening day of the season, Aubameyang has only scored once in his next nine league games—the penalty against Manchester United.

For a player who has netted 44 league goals across his last two campaigns, failing to score from open play in nine Premier League outings is a risible return, and demands major scrutiny…particularly as Arsenal crumble around him.

For Malek Shafei, the return to the squad of No. 10 Mesut Ozil—currently ostracised by Arteta—could be a solution to solve Auba’s goalscoring woes.

However, for Ed Dove, Arteta was right to sideline the problematic playmaker, who, after all, only contributed two assists in 24 league outings for the Londoners last term.

Thierry Henry, among others, has praised Arteta’s bold approach, and it was clear that if he was going to change the team’s ethos and get them to buy into his methods, he couldn’t have the Germany international—or the likes of Matteo Guendouzi—diluting the focus of the camp.

Instead, Aubameyang’s malaise is a consequence of a side where too many elements that should be critical—not least Nicolas Pepe—are flattering to deceive right now.

Will the Gunners—and Auba—come good in time for derby day, or will Spurs—currently enjoying their best start to a season since 1985 heap further woe on Arteta’s beleaguered boys?

KCCA FC started their 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) on a high after claiming a 2-1 away win against Bright Stars on Thursday evening.

Brian Aheebwa and Samuel Ssenyonjo were on target for the visitors with Joseph Akandwanaho getting the consolation for the hosts

The Mike Mutebi-led team lost the reverse fixture 2-1 and they were keen on avenging the defeat. The first 15 minutes or so were quiet for the goalkeepers since the strikers did not find their way into the danger zone.

But the situation changed in the 22nd minute. The Matugga-based side was caught napping and Brian Aheebwa, who was making his debut, did not hesitate to find the back of the net.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0, this time around Samuel Ssenyonjo finishing an inch-perfect pass from Aheebwa who had done well to get past the defenders.

The hosts could have halved the deficit in the 38th minute but Charles Lukwaggo did well to parry Andrew Kaggwa's effort to safety. 

Despite scoring two goals in the first 45 minutes, the Kasasiro Boys played good football, only that they were not clinical in the final third.

After the break, Bright Stars came back stronger and kept possession, and tried to press whenever they lost the ball. 

The home team were rewarded in the 83rd minute when Joseph Akandwanaho capitalized on a good cross from the left which the defenders failed to keep out.

Despite a spirited performance late into the game, the Garbage Collectors kept their cool to get maximum points and start their season well.  

It was a good start for the Kampala-based team who were using the game to prepare for the Caf Confederation Cup. 

The 13-time champions missed the services of assistant captain Julius Poloto, John Revita, Gift Ali, and Moses Aliro who are nursing injuries.

Bright Stars XI: Benson Wagima, Andrew Kaggwa, Simon Kato Ssemayange, Derrick Ngoobi, Allan Katwe, Suleiman Ssebunza, Joseph Janjali, Marvin Joseph Youngman, Ronald Ssempala, Jamil Kisitu Nvule, Joseph Akandwanaho

KCCA FC XI: 
Charles Lukwago, Hassan Musana, Peter Magambo, Dennis Iguma, Ashraf Mugume, Steven Mazengo, Herbert Achayi, Keziron Kizito, Brian Aheebwa, Samuel Ssenyonjo

ATK Mohun Bagan continued their all-win start in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) following a narrow win against Odisha in their third match of the season at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday.

The teams fought toe-to-toe right until Roy Krishna's header decided the fate of the game in the final minute. 

Antonio Lopez Habas and Stuart Baxter made a change each to the lineups. Manvir Singh replaced David Williams and Diego Mauricio came in for Manuel Onwu for ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha respectively.

The first major goal-scoring chance fell to Roy Krishna in the 24th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Kamaljit Singh after receiving a long ball from Tiri inside the Odisha box. The Fijian blasted the ball over the crossbar. 

The easiest chance of the half was squandered by Jacob Tratt in the 35th minute. Premjit Singh played a short corner to Marcelinho who found Cole Alexander at the edge of the box. Alexander lobbed a cross into the box for Tratt who headed wide with an empty net available. 

The first half was a cagey affair and an evenly poised contest as both teams adopted a safety-first approach.

ATK Mohun Bagan were unlucky not to get a penalty in the 50th minute when Hendry Antonay brought down Prabir Das. The replays suggested that the tackle was just inside the box but the referee awarded a free-kick instead.

In the 56th minute, Prabir Das' cross into the box was only half-heartedly cleared by Steven Taylor. The ball hit Manvir on his left arm and fell to Cole Alexander who mistakenly headed the ball into his own net . Manvir was punished for a handball and the own goal was cancelled. 

The Kolkata giants switched gears and commanded proceedings but were not able to create cleat-cut chances in the attacking third. 

But the Mariners finally broke the deadlock and sealed the fate of the game in the final minute and Roy Krishna proved to be their saviour yet again. Tiri floated a long free-kick into the box and Sandesh Jhingan headed the ball into the middle from the right side. Krishna rose above Alexander and found the back of the net with a glancing header. 

Pele has described Diego Maradona as "incomparable", while expressing his belief that the death of his "great friend" should teach the world to "admire each other more" and spread a little more love.

The sporting world was shaken last week when Argentina great Maradona died at the age of 60 after suffering heart failure.

Former Brazil superstar Pele, who is now 80, intimated he was tired of being compared to Maradona, with the South American pair having been widely regarded for many years as the greatest players of all time.

The likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have entered that conversation in recent times, but Pele says looking for winners during such debates can stifle appreciation levels.

In a new tribute to Maradona, Pele wrote on social media: "Many people loved to compare us all their lives. You were a genius that enchanted the world. A magician with the ball at his feet. A true legend. But above all that, for me, you will always be a great friend, with an even bigger heart.

"Today, I know that the world would be much better if we could compare each other less and start admiring each other more. So, I want to say that you are incomparable."

The mercurial Maradona won 91 caps for his country between 1977 and 1994, scoring 34 goals at international level.

Pele was sorry he did not have a chance to say goodbye to Maradona in person, but he said the 1986 World Cup winner had managed to be influential, even in death.

In his message, posted to Instagram, Pele added: "Your trajectory was marked by honesty. And in your unique and particular way, you taught us that we have to love and say 'I love you' a lot more often. Your quick departure didn't let me say it to you, so I will just write: I love you, Diego."

He illustrated their friendship with a series of photographs, dating back decades, beginning with an early encounter when a young Maradona watches Pele play the guitar.

"My great friend, thank you very much for our entire journey," Pele wrote. "One day, in heaven, we will play together on the same team.

"And it will be the first time that I raise my fist in the air in triumph on the pitch without celebrating a goal. It will be because I can finally embrace you again."

Arsenal will be “concerned” at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lack of goals, admits Nigel Winterburn, but the Gabonese striker’s struggles are not considered to be a “major shock” as the Gunners are failing to create as a collective.

Struggles in the final third are proving to be a major stumbling block for Mikel Arteta’s side at present.

Inability to carve opponents open has contributed to the Gunners making their worst start to a season in 39 years.

Aubameyang was supposed to be the man that prevented such a slump from happening, with the 31-year-old having been a prolific presence throughout his career to date.

He has, however, failed to sparkle on the back of signing a lucrative new contract, with the target found just four times through 12 appearances across all competitions – with only two of those efforts coming in the Premier League.

Winterburn admits that Arsenal need to find a way of bringing the best out of their captain, with positional tinkering clearly not working, with it up to everybody at Emirates Stadium to start pulling in the same direction.

“We are concerned because he’s a player that's always scored goals for Arsenal. Whether he was playing at centre-forward or the wing,” former Gunners defender Winterburn told FreeSuperTips of Aubameyang.

“When things started to go wrong, we thought it was time to move him into the middle, but that is not where he has scored most of his goals for Arsenal. A lot of his goals came from the left-hand side.

“It's all about confidence. It’s all about the chances you create and the chances that your team-mates provide for you. 

“It's not a major shock that Aubameyang is struggling to score goals because we're not creating enough chances within the game.

“The Wolves game was slightly different. Arsenal got into the final third a lot more, but the quality of the final passes across just wasn’t good enough. 

“If you continue to do that than anybody that's playing upfront for Arsenal is going to struggle to score goals consistently.

“If you ask strikers, they’ll tell you that when they’re super confident, they score goals. Instinctively they’ll move into the right positions, the ball falls for them and they score. 

“When out of form and not scoring, strikers will overstretch for chances or delay before taking an opportunity, then the opportunity is gone. It’s very worrying for the team for this to be the case, but that’s what Arsenal have to deal with at the moment.”

The Gunners will be back in Europa League action on Thursday against Rapid Vienna, before then returning to a Premier League stage in a north London derby date with arch-rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

With five of six matchdays now complete in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage, nine teams have already qualified for the last 16.

To celebrate the best players in the tournament so far, EA Sports is releasing the Team of the Group Stage in FIFA 21.

This will feature upgraded versions of players who have stood out during the five matchdays, rewarding players who have consistently impressed during the group stage.

On this page

What is FIFA 21 Team of the Group Stage?

Each year, FIFA 21 reveals the Team of the Group Stage for the Champions League, containing the best performers from the tournament so far.

The Team of the Group Stage (TOTGS) also includes some players from the Europa League, but contains a majority of players from the Champions League.

Players who have received Champions League Road to the Final (RTTF) cards are usually not included in the Team of the Group Stage as these players will get an upgrade if their team qualifies for the knockout stage.

When is the FIFA 21 Team of the Group Stage released?

The FIFA 21 Team of the Group Stage will be released on Friday, December 4.

TOTGS players will be available in packs from 6 pm GMT on December 4, while additional upgraded players will also be available from Objectives and Squad Building Challenges.

There may be two TOTGS squads this season as previous promotions in FIFA 21 featured staggered release dates where all the promotional cards were not released at the same time.

A separate batch of TOTGS players for the Europa League is also expected to be released on Monday, December 7.

Which players will be in the FIFA 21 Team of the Group Stage?

The Team of the Group Stage usually contains the top scorers from the tournament so far as well as players from teams who have qualified for the last 16.

This season's top scorers are Marcus Rashford, Erling Haaland and Alvaro Morata, so expect them to be included.

Olivier Giroud's four-goal performance for Chelsea may have come too late for him to make the first squad, but he could be rewarded with a special moments card for his showing against Sevilla.

Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Cuadrado have contributed the most assists so far in the competition and are likely to feature.

Expect players from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus and Porto all to feature as they have qualified from their groups.

What players are available in Objectives and Squad Building Challenges?

As well as the players available that can be found in packs, additional Team of the Group Stage players will be awarded for completing certain Objectives and Squad Building Challenges (SBCs).

These Objective and SBC players are untradeable and cannot be found on the transfer market or in packs bought on the store.

The SBCs also have a limited timespan for completion, which means they are only available for a short time during the TOTGS promotion.

Objective players can be earned by completing a set of goals for the week, which usually involves scoring or assisting with players from certain leagues or nationalities.

Alphonso Davies has returned to full training with Bayern Munich after recovering from an ankle injury which has seen him sit out most of the first half of the season.

Davies has been out of action since limping off during the early stages of Bayern's commanding 5-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 24.

Hansi Flick subsequently revealed that the Canada international had sustained serious ligament damage, and confirmed that the defender would be forced to undergo a rehabilitation programme which could take up to eight weeks.

The 20-year-old has missed eight matches in total over the past two months, including Bayern's 3-1 win away at Stuttgart last weekend and their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

He could, however, now come back into the squad ahead of a crucial Bundesliga clash with RB Leipzig this weekend, having been involved in the club's latest practice session.

Bayern officially welcomed Davies back into the fold via their social media accounts, writing on Instagram and Twitter: "More good news to start the day - Alphonso Davies was back in team training today!!"

Lucas Hernandez has been filling in at left-back in the Canadian defender's absence, but Flick now has the option to recall a man who played a key role in Bayern's run to the treble last season, with Leipzig arriving at Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The reigning German champions are currently sitting two points clear of Julian Nagelsmann's side at the top of the Bundesliga standings, having recorded seven wins, one draw and one defeat from their first nine fixtures.

After their latest domestic outing, Bayern will turn their attention back to the Champions League as they look to wrap up their Group A campaign on a high note against Lokomotiv Moscow next Tuesday, with their place in the round of 16 already confirmed.

Mikel Arteta knows he will be “judged on results”, says Nigel Winterburn, with the Spaniard being backed to pull through the pressure that is mounting on him at Arsenal.

FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs over the summer, which came within a matter of weeks, had many believing that the Gunners had rediscovered their mojo.

More shrewd transfer business was also said to have been carried out, with the likes of Willian, Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey mixing youth, experience, graft and guile.

Old habits die hard, though, for Arsenal and inconsistency has become an issue once again.

The north London giants are off to their worst start to a season in 39 years, with catch-up already being played in the race for top-four finishes in the Premier League.

Questions are inevitably being asked of Arteta as a rookie manager desperately seeks a winning formula, with the 38-year-old learning quickly how difficult life at the top can be.

Winterburn admits that Arsenal are doing their boss few favours at present, but he believes the right man is at the helm to deliver a reversal in fortune and become a better coach along the way.

The former Gunners left-back told FreeSuperTips: “Mikel Arteta is a new manager with very limited experience. I like what he's trying to achieve at Arsenal, but most people would agree that this is going to be his most tricky period so far. 

“He’s realistic, he knows that he's judged on results, particularly the way that we report things now, especially with social media, punditry podcasts, every game is analysed. It’s so stringent, and he knows if this poor form continues, the pressure will mount on his shoulders.

“He has to learn on the job here at Arsenal, and this involves going through periods where things are not plain sailing.  From my point of view, I wish we were winning every game and sitting top of the league. 

“If Arteta can come out the other side of this difficult period, it will allow him to develop as a manager, and tell him a few things about the players that he's got at the football club as well. It's not just him, it's down to the players also to try different things and come up with the right combinations.”

Part of the problem for Arsenal appears to be that they do not know which system and personnel suits them best, with Winterburn eager to see Arteta revert back to a five-man defence.

He added: “When Mikel Arteta first came to Arsenal, he selected a back five to make us more stable defensively, but his preferred option is actually to play with a back four. However, I’m not convinced Arsenal are good enough to play with a back four. 

“It’s not only about the back four, it's also not being sure about the protection in front of the defence as well as the midfield combinations of late.

“I still believe when Thomas Partey comes back, we’re going to be significantly stronger. Although people talk of him as a holding midfield player, we've already seen in a couple of games that he’s able to take the ball off the defence from deep positions and get us moving forward, quicker. 

“We need to move forward with the ball a lot quicker than what we're doing at the moment. It all feels a little too structured and slow of late.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lucrative new contract at Arsenal is not responsible for the striker’s form “falling off a cliff”, says Alan Smith.

The Gunners made the agreeing of fresh terms with their talismanic captain a top priority over the summer.

Eventually, having added another FA Cup and Community Shield to their trophy cabinet, the north London outfit got the deal they were hoping for.

Aubameyang is now tied down until 2023, with Arsenal looking for him to spearhead more quests for major silverware.

The Gabon international has, however, found himself stuck in a rut this season, with just two Premier League efforts forming part of a four-goal haul across all competitions.

Questions have been asked of 31-year-old’s mindset after seeing the Gunners break the bank to keep him, but Smith believes “lacklustre” showings are the result of a collective slip in standards.

The former Arsenal striker told Sky Sports of Aubameyang: “He's only human. He comes across as a really happy guy, whose confidence would be difficult to knock. He has great confidence in his ability. But you can see he has been affected by his overall game. He's been lacklustre.

“In an effort to try and change things, they've put him through the middle. I don't think he's necessarily always suited to playing through the middle; when the team is functioning properly, and he's coming in from the left, he can find space easier from that position. But I can see why they'd try through the middle, because they're trying everything at the moment.

“Some people point to him signing his new bumper contract and his form falling off the edge of a cliff, but I'd be reluctant to say that has been an influence. He does strike me as someone who lives for goals, but I'd be surprised if he's eased off because he's signed his new contract.

“His form is a symptom of Arsenal's lack of form going forward. Mikel Arteta had to change the way they played, he had to make them more robust, harder to play against, more solid at the back.

“Wherever Arsenal are on the pitch, they always make sure that should they lose the ball, they are not exposed. They've always got that in mind. Arteta works quite hard on that in training. And yes, it's taken away some of that joie de vivre, if you like, that Arsenal have always been associated with going forward.”

Aubameyang is not the only Gunners star to be struggling for a spark either, with Mikel Arteta’s collection of attacking weapons all failing to fire at present.

Smith added: “Alexandre Lacazette has been suffering, Willian hasn't reproduced his Chelsea form, Nicolas Pepe is hot and cold. It has been a combination of things.

“Aubameyang and Lacazette are great pals off the pitch. He's looked laboured, almost looked not fit enough, but I've been through a spell like that, and when confidence is low you can't run like you do when you're playing well.

“And when you're not scoring goals it does have an effect on your physical output.”

Arsenal will be in Europa League action on Thursday against Rapid Vienna, having made positive progress through their continental campaign to this point, while a north London derby date with arch-rivals Tottenham awaits them on Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs have announced that their upcoming Caf Champions League match against PWD Bamenda could be postponed.

The Soweto giants are scheduled to host the Cameroonian club in the preliminary round second-leg encounter at the 2010 Fifa World Cup final venue, FNB Stadium on Friday.

Bamenda are trailing 1-0 on aggregate after losing at home in the first-leg encounter which took place at Limbe Omnisport Stadium in Cameroon on Sunday.

Chiefs released the following statement on Thursday afternoon indicating that Bamenda have written to the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and asked for their match to be postponed.

"Cameroonian side PWD Bamenda have requested through CAF a postponement of our CAF CL 2nd Leg Prelim match scheduled for tomorrow, Friday 4th December," a club statement read.

"Developing story. Further updates will follow."

This comes after reports indicating that Bamenda are yet to arrive in South Africa on Thursday emerged. 

South African Football Association (Safa) competitions official and general manager‚ Mlungisi Ncame explained that Chiefs will handle the media inquiries regarding the possible postponement of the match.

“It’s Chiefs' home match and it’s Chiefs who should be dealing with all [media] inquiries about that Bamenda request‚” said Ncame when speaking to Sowetan.

Amakhosi's communications manager Vina Maphosa then disclosed that they are willing to move the match to Saturday. 

“Chiefs can only play the match on Saturday‚ 5 December," Maphosa told the same publication. 

The Soweto giants are now waiting for Caf to respond to their request as they look to advance to the next round of this season's Champions League.

Gavin Hunt's side will progress to the first round if they avoid a defeat against Abakwa Boys in the second-leg clash.

The winner on aggregate between the two teams will face Angolan outfit CD Primeiro de Agosto in the first round tie. 

Joe Cole believes Chelsea are fast becoming serious Champions League contenders due to the difficulties being endured by others.

Frank Lampard’s side are safely through to the last 16 in continental competition this season, with a four-goal salvo from Olivier Giroud seeing them crush Sevilla in their last outing.

Serious momentum is being established at home and abroad by an exciting young squad.

Big money was pumped into the Stamford Bridge squad over the summer, with an immediate return now being offered on that investment.

Chelsea have positioned themselves among the early frontrunners in the Premier League, while Champions League glory could be there to aim at.

Cole sees no reason why the west London giants cannot come into the mix there, with Juventus considered to be “in a bit of disarray” while Barcelona are “a mess”.

There is still time for heavyweight outfits to rediscover their punching power, allowing them to become serious threats in the knockout stages, but for now there are few clubs that can claim to be progressing as positively as Chelsea.

“There's a fearlessness about them. Second youngest squad in the Premier League,” the former Blues star told BT Sport.

“And those names you see. You might think: ‘Ah, Juventus are still there and so are Barcelona’, but if you look at each club individually at the moment, Juventus are in a bit of disarray, Barcelona's a mess, Real Madrid, the manager is hanging on in there. 

“It’s open to anyone. Manchester City, Liverpool. We could even have a situation where all four English teams are in the last four. 

“I look at those teams that are through already and none of them scare me. And I think Chelsea are right up there with the form teams, 15 games unbeaten and it's looking rosy for them right now.”

Chelsea will be back in action on Saturday evening when they play host to Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United.

Their Group E campaign in Europe will be wrapped up with a home date against Krasnodar, with Lampard’s side already preparing themselves for the last-16 draw.

Georginio Wijnaldum admits Liverpool are barely training as they seek to manage their way through a gruelling fixture list that has already delivered a number of untimely injury blows.

The Anfield treatment room is seeing plenty of footfall at present, with barely a week going by that does not see another name added to the list of walking wounded.

A Merseyside derby date with arch-rivals Everton got that unfortunate ball rolling in October.

Virgil van Dijk suffered knee ligament damage which required him to undergo surgery, while Thiago Alcantara is another who has not been seen since that eventful trip to Goodison Park.

Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Alisson and James Milner have all picked up knocks since then – with some still stuck on the sidelines.

That is forcing Jurgen Klopp to get creative with his selections on matchdays and his pre-game preparations.

The German tactician has been vocal in his opposition to some of the scheduling calls made this season, with the games continuing to come thick and fast, and Wijnaldum concedes that the reigning Premier League champions have little time in which to get themselves ready.

“I don’t really have anything to complain about. I am blessed to stay fit during this period,” the Netherlands international, who is one of the fortunate ones not to have been laid low, told reporters in the aftermath of a 1-0 Champions League win over Ajax.

“I hope I can hold on until the end of the season. That’s going to be very difficult, but I’m confident.

“It’s really just playing matches and resting at the moment.

“There’s not really any training because there’s not a lot of time for that.”

Liverpool have slightly longer to prepare for their next outing than they have done for recent fixtures, with a Tuesday night clash with Ajax set to be followed by a home date with Wolves on Sunday.

They will head into a meeting with Nuno’s men buoyed by progress through to the last 16 of the Champions League, with Wijnaldum pleased to have crossed that European line.

He added: “We knew that Ajax has a very good football-playing team and it would be tough.

“A match against Ajax is not an easy one. It makes it extra nice that we were able to win the match.

“I think Ajax has played two very good matches, but of course you can see that we are very grown up. I think that's why we won the matches.

“In the Premier League you play such matches more often, then you have to be very mature to win them, even if you don't play well. We did that twice against Ajax.

“I must say we created more chances than in Amsterdam. I think Ajax has done very well in two matches. “

Wilfred Zaha "would be a good addition to Arsenal", according to David Seaman, who hopes the Gunners will revive their interest in the Crystal Palace star next year.

Zaha was heavily linked with a move to Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2019, off the back of his best season yet at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners were reportedly weighing up a club-record move for the Ivorian, but ultimately ended up making Nicolas Pepe the most expensive signing in their history instead, with the 25-year-old completing a £72 million ($97m) move from Lille to north London in August of the same year.

Zaha opened up on the failed switch to Arsenal back in June, admitting that he was flattered by the interest from a club he has supported avidly since his youth.

“It was nice,” said the Ivorian. “Supporting them and having them wanting you at the same time, leaves you thinking: ‘this is amazing.’

“But things never worked out so you just have to move on as quick as possible. I was thinking this may happen. But my whole family was watching and it just didn’t work out.”

The Palace star has continued to prove himself as one of the best players outside the top six at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, and Seaman thinks his old club could use a man with his talents in the final third of the pitch.

“I think Zaha would be a good addition to Arsenal because he’s a proven goalscorer,” the legendary former Gunners goalkeeper told the Target Men Podcast.

“I don’t know the reason why it hasn’t happened as he obviously wants to come.  

"Whether it’s the agents and clubs not agreeing certain things, that must be the reason, but he’s made it clear that he wants to come as he’s an Arsenal fan.  

“He would be a good addition to the squad, no doubt at all.”

Zaha missed the Eagles' last two Premier League outings after testing positive for coronavirus, but has been cleared to return to action ahead of a trip to West Brom on Sunday.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are currently preparing for a Europa League meeting with Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, which comes three days before a crucial north London derby clash against Tottenham.