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Jurgen Klopp says Virgil Van Dijk's recovery from serious injury is going "really well" despite the Liverpool boss revealing the defender's knee "does not look like a knee should".

Van Dijk suffered knee ligament damage in last month's Merseyside derby, sustaining the injury as a result of a forceful challenge from Jordan Pickford.

The Dutchman could ultimately miss the rest of the club season and even next year's delayed Euro 2020.

His absence will be felt by the Reds given how influential he has been since making a big-money move from Southampton - he was colossal last season as Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a top-flight crown.

Van Dijk attempted more passes (3,255) than any other defender in the Premier League, while only two other defenders with more than 1,500 had a better completion rate than him (89.2 per cent).

On top of that, Trent Alexander-Arnold (3,664) was the sole defender to have more touches of the ball than Van Dijk (3,624), his 239 duels won were the joint-fifth-best among rearguard players and his 191 aerial wins was bettered by only James Tarkowski (199).

The 29-year-old underwent a successful operation at the end of October, with Klopp confirming he is progressing well. 

Asked if he was in touch with Van Dijk, Klopp told a media conference: "Yes, of course we are in contact. Considering the circumstances, he's doing really well.

"His knee doesn't look good, to be honest. It doesn't look like a knee should look, but it looks good for a knee with that surgery and the time he had since the surgery.

"So, yes, of course we are in contact and he's doing well, that's true."

Klopp also revealed Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri are making progress in their recoveries from injury, but confirmed Tuesday's Champions League clash with Ajax will come too soon for them. 

They will be joined on the sidelines by James Milner, who sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend. 

While Alexander-Arnold and Shaqiri are not ready for the game at Anfield, Klopp said there is an outside chance Naby Keita could return.

"They are all getting closer to being back, but not close enough for tomorrow, I think," he said. "With Naby we have to check there still, but with the other two, they will not be ready.

"Trent looks quite good, but nobody gave me the green light for tonight so he will not be in it [training]. He hasn't trained with the team and stuff like this.

"I saw him today on the pitch doing his rehab stuff outside, so that looks already good, but I cannot decide when this rehab stuff is finished. I take the players only in the moment when I get the green light and that didn't happen yet.

"But from my rather experienced eye from what I saw today, it will not be that long anymore with Trent."

Liverpool can secure their place in the last 16 if they avoid defeat against Ajax and they will be confirmed as Group D winners if they beat the Eredivisie side and Atalanta fail to overcome Midtjylland.

NorthEast United remained unbeaten in their third consecutive match of the season, as they managed to hold FC Goa to a 1-1 draw and climb to the second position on the Indian Super League (ISL) table.

Coach Gerard Nus praised his team for its spirited fight against a strong Gaurs side but he suggested that winning was the team's sole intention ahead of the match.

"I am satisfied with the work rate and the things which we did. I am so happy. We wanted to win, of course, we came here with that desire, mentality and the hope that we will do everything that it takes to win but at the same time we knew we were facing a team that won the regular championship last season. So it was a big test. Also, we are playing the league in Goa this year which is hard. Credit to my players," said Nus.

The Spanish coach made five changes in NorthEast starting lineup which included full-back Provat Lakra coming in place of star defender Ashutosh Mehta. Lakra did not have the best of outings and in fact, was partially at fault for conceding the goal.

Brandon Fernandes beat Provat Lakra on the left flank before sending in the cross from which Angulo scored. Lakra was replaced in the second half and Mehta eventually took the field.

The NorthEast United, though, backed the Bengali defender and suggested that it wasn't a gamble on his part to field Lakra in place of Mehta in the starting lineup.

"It was not a risk at all because (Provat) Lakra is a player with a huge experience and I am happy with what he did in the training sessions and obviously, he is another player I am lucky to have in the squad and that is why he played. It could be him or Ashutosh (Mehta). I am lucky to have so many good players in the squad," Nus opined.

The former Liverpool youth coach explained that he decided to nominate young midfielder Lalengmawia as the team's captain as he wanted to convey his faith in the midfielder.

"I have already spoken about him so many times because it is amazing to have one of the most talented Indian players with us. He has been a part of U19 national team and I am sure he will soon be a part of the senior team. Giving him the captaincy for the game means he has my full trust and the team needs him."

Nus was involved in a verbal spat with opposition's manager Juan Ferrando and later was pushed by FC Goa midfielder Alberto Noguera. The Highlanders boss was not very happy with Noguera's behaviour and wants the league to take appropriate action against the offender.

"When the team fights, the coach has to help and fight as well if needed. This is a family and I don't see a coach who will not do the same. About the incident, I have never seen that before in my career that a player comes and pushes the opposition coach.

"I know there is a serious process that happens here when this kind of incidents happen because it is not nice to see it at all. I am sure the officials will do whatever it is required. About the coach he came to our bench, I don't know why maybe he wants to be a part of NorthEast United's coaching staff, you should ask him," said the 35-year-old coach.

Nairobi City Stars CEO Patrick Korir has explained why their Football Kenya Federation Premier League opening win against Nzoia Sugar is historical.

The National Super League champions registered a 2-0 home victory against the Sugar Millers and grabbed three vital points at home.

Anthony Kimani and Oliver Maloba scored the two goals as striker Davis Agesa contributed both assists that won the game.

“This was the kind of start we had been hoping for,” Korir told the club’s website.

“It was an important one against a solid Nzoia Sugar side, a team we had never faced before in a venue we had never played at. It was a historic game, one that sets the tone for the season.”

On his part, head coach Sanjin Alagic said the win will prepare his players for the next league games.

“There’s a great psychological importance in winning the starting game,” Alagic noted.

“It prepares you for the rest of the season and I am excited that we achieved it against an experienced team.”

Steve Njunge, who denied Cliff Kasuti a goal from the penalty spot, Herit Mungai Atariza, Kennedy Onyango, Salim Abdalla, Wycliffe Otieno, Peter Opiyo and Agesa are the players who earned full debuts in Simba wa Nairobi colours.

New signing Sven Yidah, with over 97 appearances for his former side Kariobangi Sharks, made his City Stars debut in the second half.

Goalscorers Kimani and Maloba are the only players who featured against Nzoia Sugar in Narok who have played in the Premier League for the Kawangware-based side previously.

Elvis Noor Ojiambo, who was signed from Kibera Black Stars, was the only player among the starters who made his top-flight debut.

In 12 seasons from 2004 and 2016, Nairobi City Stars had just recorded two wins in their opening matches before the Nzoia Sugar outcome.

The first win, of a 3-1 score, was registered against KCB at City Stadium in the 2005-06 season while the second one, a 2-0 victory, was in the 2009 season against AFC Leopards.

In the 2004-05, 2008, 2010 and 2016 seasons Nairobi City Stars drew in their openers and lost in the 2006-07, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Steve McManaman is convinced that Roberto Firmino is still ahead of Diogo Jota in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool pecking order.

Klopp’s Liverpool won the Premier League last term with an attacking trio of Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

The trio’s attacking displays were top drawer last term, but Klopp did not rest on his laurels as he raided Wolves for the signature of Jota.

Portugal forward Jota has hit the ground running at Anfield, and was on target on his most recent outing - the 1-1 draw with Brighton at the weekend.

Firmino’s goal return is inferior to Jota’s, but the Brazilian‘s skillset is wide-ranging and he does so much work off the ball that McManaman feels he is still Klopp’s preferred option in attack.

“I still think Jurgen Klopp likes the fact he can rely on Firmino, Mane and Salah at the moment,” McManaman said, "as much as Jota has been absolutely fantastic.

"I think he (Jota) would still be the one to drop out at the moment. If his form carries on, that might change but he won the league with the other three so he knows they can trust them fully.”

McManaman feels the only area of concern for Liverpool is at centre-back, following the injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.

The former Liverpool man does not believe the club should have any regrets over selling Dejan Lovren, as the injuries could not have been planned for, but would like to see the Reds look at strengthening in January.

“I think the only area is in the central defensive area,” McManaman said. “I don’t think so in any other area of the pitch.

“People keep saying that they let Lovren go and they never replaced him which is true but you don’t expect two or three injuries in the same positions. 

“If I had the money would I bring someone in? Yes. I don’t know what the financial situation is. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are out for a significant amount of time. You can move Fabinho back into the centre-half area where he has been fantastic. 

“If they have the finances, it is a no-brainer to go and sign a centre-half, then if you have too many central defenders then you sort it out at the end of the season.

"It would be a no-brainer and I would look at getting a top centre-defender and deal with the numbers further down the line.”

BT Sport Monthly Pass lets customers watch all UEFA Champions League fixtures for the next 30 days for a simple fee of £25 with no contract. For more info visit bt.com/monthlypass

Former Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha believes the Super Eagles need natural offensive midfielders to succeed.

The West African side have not found an attacking midfielder since the retirement of the 47-year-old from the national team in 2006.

The Super Eagles have made do with John Obi Mikel, Joel Obi, Alex Iwobi and recently Joe Aribo in the position but they struggled to live up to expectations.

Nigeria recently managed to play two consecutive draws against lowly-rated Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Okocha, who had 73 caps for the Super Eagles, has advised on how Nigeria can enjoy better performances in their subsequent games.

“What the Eagles need now are natural midfielders who can create chances and change the course of a game,” Okocha told Brila FM.

“We need midfielders who can run at defenders and a pick their teammates with good passes,” Okocha said during a radio programme.

“We have good midfielders but not in at that level at the moment. Some of them are just scared and the fact that they are being compared to the 1994 Eagles brings a bit of pressure on them.”

Okocha also expressed his satisfaction with the Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr since he took over in 2016.

The German tactician guided Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and led the side to finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

“For now, I will score him seven out of 10 because when he came in, things were not steady, and he has steadied the ship now,” he continued.

“He inherited an abandoned team, and so for now, he is following his own direction. He has created his own team.

“But we all know football is about results, of course, if the results don’t go his way, our people will criticise him, you know everybody in Nigeria is a coach.

“But if results go his way, of course, we will praise him. Even if you are the best coach, if you don’t get results, you will be under pressure.”

The former Bolton Wanderers captain also threw his weight behind the recent contract extension handed to Rohr by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and believes it will help the Super Eagles' stability.

 “I’m in support of the contract extension because for every country to be successful, you need continuity, and you need direction,” he added.

Steve McManaman says he would not back Real Madrid to win the Champions League, and feels an overhaul of the squad is needed if they are to compete with the top English sides and Bayern Munich.

Real lifted the Liga title last term, which went some way to offsetting the disappointment of a last-16 exit in the Champions League for a second season in a row.

In the current campaign, Real are fourth in La Liga and look set to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

However, they have won just one of their last four games in all competitions - and suffered a shock home loss to Alaves in La Liga at the weekend.

McManaman feels it is fortunate for the players that there are no fans allowed in grounds at the moment, as he is convinced they would be expressing their disgust with Real’s current form.

“They are struggling,” he said. “They’ve struggled in the Champions League and La Liga. The performance against Shakhtar [Donetsk, in the Champions League] was appalling. 

“They lost to Alaves at home and it is good the fans aren’t there. If they were there then they would be getting all kinds of abuse and the white handkerchiefs would be out.”

Former Real man McManaman feels the club need to invest in a squad overhaul, but is concerned that the money may not be in place to make the kind of changes manager Zinedine Zidane requires.

“The pandemic affected them badly like all Spanish teams without the same broadcast deal we have in England so the finances are not as good as they would like to be to bring players in,” McManaman said. “They have an ageing squad, [Eden] Hazard can’t get fit and when he does he gets injured. They are in a predicament with these old players and they are struggling. 

“I wouldn’t back Real Madrid to win it (Champions League) when I look at them. Anything can happen in January but in their current form, against Gladbach and Shakhtar, they are nowhere near the English teams and Bayern Munich. 

“If they want to be successful, where they once were, they need to do something in the transfer market. [Luka] Modric is 35, Sergio Ramos is 34 nearly 35, [Karim] Benzema and Toni Kroos are getting to the age where they will not improve and if anything will get worse. 

“They are all incredible footballers who made history at Real Madrid but your body tells you when you can’t get to the same heights. If they want to get to the same heights they were at they need new players. 

“Rodrigo, Vinicius and Reiner, who is on loan in Germany, are too young to drive them forward. They need experience to do it. It is difficult because the English teams have got better and strengthened while Bayern Munich have Leroy Sane and Douglas Costa and are moving forward. 

“The Spanish teams haven’t been able to do the same.”

BT Sport Monthly Pass lets customers watch all UEFA Champions League fixtures for the next 30 days for a simple fee of £25 with no contract. For more info visit bt.com/monthlypass

Asante Kotoko's 2020-21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) matchday three and four fixtures have been postponed indefinitely, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) have announced.

Hearts of Oak's matchday one clash with Aduana Stars, which was set for December 9 after a first postponement from the opening weekend of the championship due to coronavirus-related concerns, has also been rescheduled again.

The three matches are part of five games which have had to be moved to new dates due to Ghana's upcoming presidential election, as well as the involvement of Kotoko and Ashanti Gold in Caf inter-club competitions.

"The Ghana Football Association would like to hereby inform Premier League clubs and stakeholders that five fixtures have been postponed indefinitely,” the GFA announced on its official website on Monday.

"This is because of the 2020 [Ghana] General Elections scheduled for December 07, 2020 as well as Asante Kotoko SC and Ashanti Gold’s involvement in the 2020-21 Caf Inter club competitions.

"The games are as follows: Aduana Stars FC vs Accra Hearts of Oak – Week 1, Asante Kotoko SC vs Accra Great Olympics FC– Week 3, Ashanti Gold SC vs King Faisal FC – Week 3, Medeama SC vs Asante Kotoko SC – Week 4, Bechem United FC vs AshantiGold SC – Week 4, A new date would be communicated in due course.

"All stakeholders are to take note and act accordingly."

Kotoko have played two games in the Premier League so far this season, both ending in 1-1 draws - with Eleven Wonders on matchday one and Berekum Chelsea in game-week two.

Last Sunday, however, the Porcupine Warriors were missing from domestic action as they took on Mauritanian side Nouadhibou in a Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg away fixture, the game ending 1-1.

The two sides are set for a showdown in the return fixture in Accra on December 6, with the winners set to face Al Hilal Club of Sudan or Ugandan outfit Vipers in the next round.

Like Kotoko, Ashanti Gold were caught up in continental action on Sunday as they came face to face with Burkinabe side Salitas for a 0-0 home draw in Obuasi.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he considered retiring from football but decided he had to take on the challenge of returning AC Milan to their former glory.

The Italian giants haven’t won a Serie A title since 2011, during Ibrahimovic’s first spell at the club. Since then, they have finished as low as 10th in the Italian top flight, and last finished in the top four back in 2012-13.

Since the Swedish forward returned in January, however, their fortunes have improved dramatically. Milan are five points clear at the top of Serie A with the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic top of the scoring charts with 10 goals in just six appearances, and he has scored 22 in 30 games in all competitions since his move from LA Galaxy.

Ibrahimovic had plenty of doubters when he returned to Europe after two years laying waste to MLS, but he has answered his critics in typical style – by scoring goals and winning games.

“The first question I got when I came back to Milan was related to all the ex-players who had returned and had not come up to the standards from the first time they were here, they had failure,” Ibrahimovic told UEFA.

“What’s the difference in my case? I answered simply that I have never lost my passion for what I do. Every time I go out on the pitch, I feel like a small kid eating candy for the first time. I understand that the ball is my best friend and I want to be with my best friend for the rest of my life.

“Life is all about challenges. I felt I had done enough and I started thinking about whether to continue or not.

“For me, it was a big challenge to come back here to try to change the mentality, to try to change the situation and to make the players understand what Milan was about. The Milan I know, the Milan that the whole world knows.

Ibrahimovic says he puts pressure on his team-mates to give their best in every game.

“When I play, I bring my character, my personality and obviously my quality onto the pitch. I put a lot of pressure on my team-mates, I try to get the most out of each of them.

“Some take it in a good way, others a little less, some cannot handle it. They find it very hard in the sense that you have to perform when we decide that you perform, and I decided that we have to perform every day. The way you train is the way you play.

“Whether you are young or old I put the same pressure on you because if you are here there is a reason; you are here because you are good enough.

“But off the pitch, if you are young obviously I speak to you differently, I treat you differently, the behaviour is not the same compared to the older ones. But on the field, they are all the same for me.

“I’m never satisfied, I always want more and maybe that’s why I’m here today and I’m able to perform and do what I’m doing.

“I don’t see many players, in the past and in the present, able to perform like I am doing. I consider myself like Benjamin Button, I’m getting younger every day. I need to feel alive, to feel that I am giving something back.”

Eden Hazard's former team-mate Joe Cole is worried about his future at Real Madrid after seeing him go off with his eighth injury in 18 months in the 2-1 home defeat to Alaves at the weekend.

The 29-year-old's latest muscle injury coincides with a general decline from Los Blancos, who have had a poor start to the season in La Liga and the Champions League.

Chelsea sold Hazard for £88 million ($116m) in 2019 but he has only been able to line up 28 times for his manager Zinedine Zidane.

Cole has long admired Hazard after lining up with him at Lille and he helped convince him to chose a move to Stamford Bridge.

Having seen the best of Hazard first-hand, Cole is now worried that the injuries will now lead to intense pressure that will stop him from succeeding in Madrid.

"It has been a tough time for Eden. It is an example that no matter how good you are, if you are not fit then you can’t do it on the pitch and it won’t work," Cole said.

"For Eden, his body has just let him down in his two years there. He is a great player and one of the best players in the world when he is fit and he has come off again with a muscle injury.

"It is disappointing because I was so excited to see him pull on that Real Madrid shirt and just join the list of the great players they have had over the years and it just hasn’t worked for him.

"I think come January, it might not be done for him, but I think he will need a run of games to show his quality finally. I think Real Madrid are notoriously impatient with their fans and owners so I feel sorry for him. He has just not been able to show it."

Real Madrid could qualify from Group B in the Champions League with a win away at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. However, the Ukrainian side defeated Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in matchday one and defeat could risk seeing them fall into the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have already qualified for the last-16 but face an away trip to fellow La Liga side Sevilla to decide which team will top Group E.

Cole played alongside the Chelsea manager Frank Lampard while at Stamford Bridge and he is feeling confident that his side can achieve something special this season.

"I think they got the recruitment spot on in the summer," he added. "They needed time to settle in at the start of the season. I wouldn’t say he has done anything different, the work on the training ground continues and the structure is in place and they are just adding little bits of quality in the final third.

"The goalkeeper has made a huge difference. I think Frank was always going to be successful. I think it is just time now, letting the team simmer, get better and better. They are one of the youngest squads in the league, apart from Thiago Silva, so there’s so much more to come from this Chelsea squad."

BT Sport Monthly Pass lets customers watch all UEFA Champions League fixtures for the next 30 days for a simple fee of £25 with no contract. For more info visit bt.com/monthlypass

Football Kenya Federation Premier League CEO David Thiru has explained why the Mathare United vs Ulinzi Stars league game has been postponed.

In a letter obtained by Goal, Thiru has revealed the match has been pushed to another date so as to give the 2008 Premier League champions time to go through the broadcasting deal the FKF signed with the StarTimes.

Mathare United, Gor Mahia and Zoo FC are the clubs who have not signed the undertaking to ratify the StarTimes deal and the three clubs are yet to play their opening games of the new season.

“In light of your request to peruse the StarTimes contract, and in view of the need to protect both your rights and the rights of other FKF Premier League clubs, the federation has reached a decision to postpone your fixture against Ulinzi Stars,” Thiru’s letter to Mathare United read.

“The match was scheduled for December 2, 2020, and now pushed to a later date which you will be informed in due course. This will allow you to peruse the StarTimes agreement and decide on the club’s next step.

“Nevertheless, the federation wishes to remind you of your obligation as provided for under article 14 (p), 19, 79, 81 (1), (2), (3) and FKF (2017) and the need to respect the same."

Meanwhile, the Slum Boys have undergone the mandatory Covid-19 tests as they prepare for the new campaign.

“Then the wait is now over and on Tuesday 1 December we will reveal our new shirt sponsors for the 2020/21 season. Keep it locked here,” Mathare United announced.

 “The squad on Monday successfully underwent Covid-19 testing at the Goan Institute with Pathologists Lancet Kenya – PLK carrying out the process.

“The tests are in line with government directives geared towards the successful resumption of football in the country following a nine-month hiatus brought about by the pandemic.”

The club also revealed their plans to announce a new shirt sponsor this week.

“The wait is now over and on Tuesday 1 December we will reveal our new shirt sponsors for the 2020/21 season. Keep it locked here,” a short statement on their Facebook page read.

Finally, Mathare United might miss their South Sudan forward Dani Lula, who was injured during the Cecafa U20 Championship in Tanzania.

Lual injured his ankle during the tie against Burundi which they eventually won by a 4-0 margin to seal a place in the semi-final. The junior Bright Stars were defeated at the penultimate stage by Tanzania and will now face Kenya in the third-place playoffs.

Andy Robertson has insisted he will play at 100 per cent, even during the current packed schedule, but has admitted he may need to tweak his game in order to avoid injuries.

The condensed nature of the current campaign, on account of the coronavirus pandemic, has resulted in teams competing on a number of fronts having to play every three days.

Liverpool are one of those sides, and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has called on the Premier League and its broadcast partners to help the teams by tinkering with the scheduling of games and allowing five substitutions.

Robertson is in full agreement with his manager on the subject, but is aware that games are being played every few days and it is a schedule he is ready for.

So far, Robertson has avoided injury and is hoping that continues. But the full-back will not take his foot off the gas, despite admitting he may need to tinker with his approach in order to limit the workload on his body.

"I always go 100%,” he said at a press conference ahead of his side’s meeting with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday. “You know, when it gets to game day, I always go 100% of course. But certain games you maybe need to adapt.

“For instance, Atalanta away, we adapted a wee bit - me and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] played a wee bit deeper and a wee bit more inside, instead of us being the width, that maybe saved our legs a wee bit or didn’t mean we were sprinting as much. We also got taken off in that game because of how well we had played and the game was finished.

“You maybe do need to adapt as the season goes on but not too much - the reason you are playing is because of the way you play, so you can’t change everything and you can’t change too much.

“The schedule isn’t going to change, we know what games we’ve got coming up, we know what games are around the corner. It’s just about trying to prepare as best as possible for them, trying to keep as fit and healthy, trying to listen to the sports scientists, listen to your body and trying to do everything right leading up to games.

“So far, touch wood, I’ve been OK and I’ve been fit. Hopefully that continues because obviously the schedule is not going to get any easier but hopefully I can stay as fit and healthy as I am just now.”

Harry Redknapp has expressed his delight to have managed "special talent" Papa Bouba Diop during his time at Portsmouth.

The former Senegal international spent three years with Pompey after teaming up with the club from Fulham in 2007.

Diop played a key role for Redknapp’s side as they clinched the FA Cup in 2008 and featured in more than 50 games for the club under the English tactician before leaving for AEK Athens.

The midfielder passed away on Sunday at the age of 42 after a long illness and Redknapp has expressed his sadness for his demise, while eulogizing him for his contributions during his playing years.

"I was very lucky to have managed such a fantastic boy - he was special. He did a great job for me at Portsmouth and I think the Portsmouth fans loved him," Redknapp told BBC Sport.

"They called him the Wardrobe, he was so big you couldn't move him. He was a big colossus - you wouldn't want to play against him.

"I was talking to my son Jamie [Redknapp, former Liverpool and England midfielder] and he said what a nightmare he was to play against.

"He was so powerful - a giant of a man. He would run all over you, was great in the air and he could pass. He was just a special talent.

"I was distraught when I heard the big man had passed away, I just couldn't believe it. He had been such a healthy, fit, strong guy.

"What an athlete - a giant of a man and to lose him at such an early age is so sad. He was always happy - he never a bad word and would always laugh at the corniest of jokes.

"He looked aggressive on the pitch because he was so big but he always had a smile on his face. I never saw him have a crossword or be miserable - he was always upbeat."

Diop played a key role as Senegal reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup for the first time in their history.

The midfielder had 63 caps and 11 goals for the Teranaga Lions before his retirement from international duty.

Mario Balotelli has reached an agreement to sign for Vasco da Gama, whose director of sport says the forward “would be like Maradona” for the Brazilian club’s fans.

The former Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool forward, 30, has been without a club since leaving Brescia at the end of last season.

Balotelli’s one-year deal with his hometown club was not renewed as Brescia were relegated from Serie A, but he had not played since March after reportedly missing training and falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

His future has been the source of widespread interest, with reports at one point claiming he had been in talks with Championship side Barnsley.

Now, it seems as though Balotelli’s much-travelled career, which has seen him represent eight clubs in three countries, will now take him to the Brazilian Serie A.

“He’d like to come here,” Vasco director Fabio Cordella told the Corriere dello Sport. “Don’t forget, Vasco are the club with the second-most trophies in the world after Real Madrid.

“I don’t think Mario needs to come to Rio to do stupid things, I think he has reached mental maturity. Vasco are an institution against racism. I hope he can wait for us.”

Cordella warned that the deal was not yet set in stone, and it could be another six weeks before the club are able to sign Balotelli.

“Officially, we cannot sign anyone, but there have been messages and offers," he added. "Formally, we agree on everything, we just have to formalise.

"I hope we can do it on January 15, Vasco need a player like Balotelli and he needs a club like Vasco. For our fans, he would be like Maradona.”

Despite their glittering history, Vasco have struggled this season and currently find themselves in the relegation zone - though they do have games in hand over the teams around them.

Balotelli only scored five goals in 19 appearances at Brescia but some of his recent seasons have shown his goalscoring ability has not deserted him.

After leaving Liverpool in 2016, he netted 43 goals in 76 games in two-and-a-half seasons with Nice, before hitting eight in 15 appearances in a short-lived stint Marseille.

Nigeria defender Faith Micheal believes Anam Imo's signing will prove to be a huge bargain for her Swedish Damallsvenskan club Pitea.

The Nigeria international, who turned 20 on Monday, joined the Swedish top-flight outfit on a three-year deal following the expiration of her two-year contract with 2019 champions Rosengard.

With her signing, Imo becomes the seventh Nigerian to be signed by the Swedish club in their history after Rebecca Kalu, Ulunma Jerome, Francisca Ordega, Onome Ebi, Sarah Michael and Micheal.

And the 33-year-old defender, who penned a new contract extension last week, is confident that the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations winner will provide a boost for Stellan Carlsson's side's attack.

"I am very happy to see another Nigerian join the club [Pitea]," Micheal, who has been at the club since 2011, told Goal.

"She is a good signing for Pitea. I strongly believe she has what it takes to excel at this club and become one of the best strikers in the Swedish league.

"She is still young and has a good three-year to establish herself here. Pitea can surely turn out a happy place for her. 

"Her coming will also boost the quality of the team, especially in the attack. I look forward to working with her to lead to the club to huge success in the coming domestic season."

During her spell at Rosengard, Imo was a regular feature in the team's title win in 2019 and vital in their runners-up finish in the 2020 season, netting 10 times in 40 games for the Malmo-based outfit.

With the ex-Nasarawa Amazons star set to join the club in the coming weeks, Micheal is eager to help her compatriot settle in quickly at Pitea.

Andy Robertson has backed his Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s appeal for help from football’s governing bodies in a bid to limit the number of injuries players are picking up.

The 2020-21 season is a condensed one on account of the previous campaign finishing late due to the coronavirus pandemic. As such, teams are being forced into quick turnarounds in order to fulfil their fixtures.

Klopp has been vocal on the subject, and hit out at the broadcast partners for his side being asked to play games so close together. 

The German has also called on the Premier League to follow the lead of the Champions League and other divisions across Europe by allowing teams to make five substitutions.

Klopp feels those measures would ease the burden on the players and result in fewer injuries, and it is a view Reds full-back Roberstson agrees with.

"The schedule is hectic, there’s no secret of that, because of Covid and we had to kind of make up time and stuff,” Robertson said at a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“But the schedule is always going to be hectic, we knew that, and the schedule can’t change because we need to get all these games in, in all the different competitions. 

“We get our heads around that but I just think maybe we could get a little bit more help from it.

“My manager has been probably the most vocal on it, but I know a lot of managers are maybe crying out for five substitutions or different things that can maybe help. 

“I know up in Scotland they’ve got five substitutions just now and I know, by speaking to their boys, it makes a massive difference, because their schedule is also hectic.

“I just believe we should be trying to help the players. I don’t know the exact percentage or the exact number but a lot more muscle injuries have happened this season. It seems every game I watch on telly or every game I’m involved in, somebody is going off injured with something.

“I think the Premier League is the best league in the world but you want your best players on there and you want all squads to have their best team available and being able to compete for different things. We’re maybe not seeing that as much just now because players are unfortunately picking up muscle injuries.

“I just think maybe we could get a little bit more help. We’ll crack on with it and let that kind of get decided elsewhere. As it stands we’ll prepare for a game every three days and we’ll try to be as fit and as healthy as possible.”

Robertson will keep his foot on the gas on Tuesday, as a win would be enough to guarantee Liverpool's progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says walking to the Al Ahly dugout was “not a free passage” as he heaps praise on Downs for sprucing up his profile which led to recognition in North Africa.

After joining Al Ahly in September, Mosimane reportedly snubbed Wydad Casablanca, who were said to be interested in him.

Just a month after arriving in Cairo, the ex-Bafana Bafana coach won the Egyptian Premier League title, before claiming the Caf Champions League after beating traditional rivals Zamalek last Friday.

He went to Al Ahly after helping Sundowns to 11 trophies in eight years and made them one of the most feared sides on the African continent.

“We call them Masandawana. We have a lot of history together, eight years, lots of trophies together, lots of songs, banners and flags,” Mosimane told Caf media.

“They are very special those ones. They really gave me an opportunity and I am here because of them. If it was not for Mamelodi Sundowns I wouldn’t be here. So I am thankful to the supporters, I’m thankful to the team and the president of the club Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Mosimane earned continental recognition when he guided Sundowns to the 2016 Caf Champions League title after beating Zamalek in the final to claim the Brazilians’ first-ever continental prize.

Sundowns had beaten Zamalek 2-1 away in the group stage that season before the two teams met again in the final.

Also thrashing Al Ahly 5-0 in a Champions League quarter-final match at home in the season 2018/19 made Mosimane a revered figure in North Africa.

Away victories in North Africa over teams like USM Alger, ES Setif, or drawing against Wydad Casablanca and Esperance further made Mosimane a feared tactician on the continent. 

“They gave me the opportunity to be here but I worked hard for it, I have earned it. It was not a free passage,” said Mosimane.

“You would not be here of you do not defeat Zamalek in a Cup final. You would not be here if you do not beat Al Ahly 5-0 so I have also done my work to be here. I am humbled, I am happy to be Al Ahly coach. It is a special club, a big club.”

Expectations have heightened on Mosimane to help Al Ahly retain the Champions League title.

Ulsan Hyundai coach Kim Do-hoon has welcomed back three key players into the team for the 2020 AFC Champions League, currently underway in Qatar, after completing their quarantine. 

This comes a few days after he complimented Qatar for putting together excellent quarantine facilities for the three players who had travelled to the 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation after completing their national team duties.

Do-hoon was interacting with the media after the K.League runners-up prevailed 2-0 in Group F match against FC Tokyo and qualified for the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League with one group game remaining.

He highlighted the trio for displaying the right mental attributes during their period of isolation. Defensive midfielder Won Du-jae, full-back Kim Tae-hwan and central defender Jung Seung-hyun had flown into Doha following South Korea’s 2-1 win against 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar in a 17 November friendly. 

They were duly subjected to the comprehensive and watertight COVID safety protocols laid out and implemented by Qatar as the centralized hosting venue of the competition.

Won Du-jae and Kim Tae-hwan featured against Tokyo, coming on in the second half. 

“The three players had to obey the regulations and stay in the hotel which they did. It could have been stressful, but they did their best to enjoy the situation and create the right atmosphere for the team. I thank them for displaying the right spirit,” said Kim.

Won, 23, is considered one of the brightest young stars in South Korean football after being named Most Valuable Player as South Korea won the AFC Under-23 Championships in January this year. He celebrated his second-half introduction by setting up Ulsan Hyundai’s match-winner scored by playmaker Yoon Bit-garam. Kim too looked solid as their J.League opponents pressed for the equalizer in vain.

The coach also implied that the positive energy of the trio has had a spin-off effect on the team which, according to him, has the requisite mental strength to pose a challenge in the knockout stages.

“In the days to come, this team would emerge even stronger. I cannot predict the outcome but I know that my team will fight to win every single game of the competition,” said the former South Korea striker who has the distinction of scoring the winner in an international friendly against Brazil in 1999.

The Ulsan Hyundai boss had given a thumbs up for Qatar’s COVID protocol implementation ahead of his team’s first group game - against Shanghai Shenhua on 21 November - in the ongoing tournament held in Qatar under the centralized hosting format.

“The quarantine facility here is very good and monitoring of the safety procedures fantastic,” the 50-year-old had said.

Azam FC have been held to a 1-1 draw by Biashara Mara United in a Tanzania Mainland League match played on Monday.

Ayoub Lyanga opened the scoring for the visitors before Timothy Owenga levelled matters for the home side.

The Ice-cream Makers came into the match hoping to give interim coach Vivier Bahati a positive outcome after Aristica 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 the position, Owenga unleashed a shot that Israel Mapigano could not keep out.

Neither of the two teams could get another goal in a match which witnessed fewer chances, especially in the second half.

Monday's game was just one of the two matches Bahati will be in charge of after the exit of Cioaba. The next one will be against Gwambina FC.

The Romanian tactician was shown the exit door after the Chamazi-based giants suffered a 1-0 defeat against Young Africans (Yanga SC), a result that saw them relinquish the top spot in the 18-team league table.

Prior to losing to Yanga, Azam had also suffered a 1-0 defeat against KMC and according to club’s information officer Thabit Zakaria, the two parties agreed to part ways.

"As you know, we began the season on the front pedal winning seven straight games but from the eighth game to the twelfth one, things made a U-turn to the extent that the fighting spirit from players was nowhere to be seen," Zakaria said.

"The board saw this as a threat towards our mission of clinching the title this season hence decided to part ways with the coach and has since wished him all the best."

Zakaria maintained that, despite their fans feeling the coach should have been given more time to handle the team, the board felt otherwise. 

After the draw, Azam remain in the second position but with 26 points, five fewer than leaders Yanga SC, while Biashara are seventh on 19 points.

Tanzania have grabbed the final 2021 African Cup of Nations U20 slot for the East Africa zone after beating South Sudan 1-0 in the second Cecafa U20 Championship semi-final on Monday.

The tournament was organised in order to produce the region’s representatives for the Afcon tournament that will be held in Mauritania next year.

Tanzania defeated South Sudan at Black Rhino Academy in Arusha and the victory will not only give them the Afcon U20 slot but also placed them in a good position to defend the title at home.

After a goalless first half, Kassim Haruna rose to the occasion in the 58th minute to break the deadlock in favour of the Ngorongoro Heroes.

The hosts became the highest-scoring side after netting 15 goals and conceded just two. They started the title defence with a convincing 6-1 win over Djibouti.

The win over Djibouti was followed by an even better outing for them as they smashed Somalia 8-1 in the next group encounter.

In the second game, skipper Kelvin Pius John, who is also turning out for Leicester City's Academy in England, netted a hat-trick.

Tanzania will now face Uganda, who outclassed hitherto unbeaten Kenya by a 3-1 margin, in the final that will be held on December 2.

Uganda Hippos' captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri explained how they managed to sail through to the final despite an opening stalemate against Kenya.

“We are happy that our target of qualifying to the final tournament has been achieved. I thank the coaches for preparing us and the players for the efforts,” Mugweri said after the match as per Kawowo Sports.

“It is working together as a unit that has brought us this far. Everyone has been committed to this fight and I’m happy that we have pulled it off.”

Although the Morley Byekwaso side sealed a place in the upcoming Afcon edition, the skipper warned there is still a need to work even harder.

“Qualification is sealed but we still have to fight for the trophy in the final,” the captain added.

“It would be important for us to return home as champions and we shall go back to prepare for that.”

It is the first time Uganda have qualified for the U20 Afcon competition.

NorthEast United's unbeaten run continued as they managed to hold FC Goa to a 1-1 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Monday at the Fatorda Stadium.

Idrissa Sylla handed the Highlanders the lead in the 40th minute from the penalty spot but Igor Angulo's strike in the 43rd minute secured FC Goa a point.

Juan Ferrando made three changes to the FC Goa lineup which lost 0-1 to Mumbai City. Aibanbha Dohling, Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes came in for James Donachie, Redeem Tlang and Len Doungel.

Gerard Nus made five changes to NorthEast United starting eleven as Provat Lakra, Lalrempuia Fanai, Idrissa Sylla, Luis Machado and Britto PM replaced Ashutosh Mehta, Federico Gallego, Kwesi Appiah, Ninthoinganba Meetei and Rakesh Pradhan.

The first half turned out to be an evenly poised contest with end-to-end action. While FC Goa enjoyed more possession, NorthEast United depended on quick counter-attacks down the flanks.

The Highlanders came close to breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute when Idrissa Sylla found himself a very convenient position to score from Britto PM's cross which got deflected off a Goa defender. However, the forward's header sailed over the crossbar.

Sylla made amends for his mistake within five minutes. He was brought down inside the box by Seriton Fernandes and allowed to convert the resulting spot-kick. 

The hosts came back into the game quickly. In the 43rd minute, Igor Angulo's clever movement inside the box allowed him to guide Brandon Fernandes' low cross into the net. Brandon did well to beat Provat Lakra on the left flank with clever footwork before whipping in the cross.

Gerard Nus decided to consolidate his backline at the very beginning of the second half as Ashutosh Mehta was brought in at the right-back position in place of Provat Lakra who had a shaky first half. The Spaniard completely shut shop as NorthEast defended in numbers for most of the second half.

The Gaurs went all guns blazing against the Highlanders but failed to get past their defence. The only major chance Goa got in the second half was in the 84th minute when Alberto Noguera's shot hit the upright. Noguera received a pass from Jorge Ortiz from the right flank, took a touch and unleashed a shot with his left-foot but it did not go in.

NorthEast moved up to the second position on the league table with two draws and a win in their first three matches, while winless Goa remained in the bottom half.