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Olivier Giroud powered in a stoppage-time header as Chelsea beat Rennes 2-1 to book a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two games to spare.

Frank Lampard's side won the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier this month but they were made to work a lot harder for Tuesday's victory - their sixth in a row in all competitions.

Serhou Guirassy looked to have rescued a point for Rennes when he cancelled out Callum Hudson-Odoi's first-half opener in the 85th minute at Roazhon Park.

But second-half substitute Giroud won it in added time to ensure Chelsea will progress from Group E along with Sevilla.

Timo Werner blazed over the crossbar from six yards but Hudson-Odoi, who set up that early chance, soon had Chelsea in front when he controlled Mason Mount's long pass and tucked home after 22 minutes.

Mount should have added his name to the scoresheet seven minutes later, the midfielder thwarted by a superb reaction save from Alfred Gomis.

Chelsea were denied a second when Werner - on target twice from the penalty spot in the reverse fixture - converted Cesar Azpilicueta's cross but was flagged for offside.

Rennes had lost their previous three matches in all competitions without scoring but they managed to find a way past Edouard Mendy, who joined Chelsea from the Ligue 1 side in September.

Mendy did well to save attempts from Gerzino Nyamsi and Guirassy but the latter made the hosts' pressure tell when left all alone to head in.

Just when it looked like Rennes had done enough to frustrate Chelsea, Giroud - on the field for 22 minutes - towered above Nyamsi to score a header of his own after Werner's initial shot was saved.

What does it mean? Job done for in-form Blues, Rennes miss out

Boss Lampard was eager for Chelsea to wrap up qualification at the earliest possible opportunity given his side's "brutal" December fixture list.

Giroud's late goal ensures the Blues cannot be caught by Rennes and Krasnodar, with Sevilla - late 2-1 winners over the Russian side on Tuesday - also advancing.

Lampard therefore has the luxury of being able to rotate for the remaining two group matches following this victory, which makes it 10 games without defeat.

Frustrated Giroud makes his mark

Lampard on Monday vowed to give Giroud more opportunities in the coming weeks after the striker admitted to being frustrated by his lack of playing time.

He was again a substitute here but made the most of his chance from the bench, becoming the fourth player to score for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the competition, along with William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Nicolas Anelka.

Chilwell's mixed bag

The left-back looked good in an attacking sense, setting up Mount's big chance in the first half and firing in a couple of shots of his own, one of those testing Gomis.

But he very nearly cost his side with a couple of blind passes and gave away possession 27 times, with Rennes midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud the next worst culprit (22).
 

What's next?

Rennes travel to Strasbourg on their return to Ligue 1 action on Friday, while Chelsea have a huge derby with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday.

Youssoufa Moukoko will attempt to break a 26-year-old Champions League record when Borussia Dortmund take on Club Brugge in Tuesday’s Champions League Group F encounter.

The Cameroonian prodigy was named among the Black and Yellows’ 12 substitutes to battle Philippe Clement's men at the Westfalenstadion.

Should he get to feature against the Belgians, he would become the youngest player in Champions League history, in the process eclipsing Nigeria’s Celestine Babayaro’s record.

Aged 16 years and 86 days, the former Chelsea star Babayaro set the record in 1994 when he played for Anderlecht in the 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest.

Moukoko, at 16 years and one day, became the Bundesliga's youngest-ever debutant, playing the last six minutes as Borussia Dortmund ran out 5-2 winners against Hertha Berlin to close within a point of Bayern Munich at the summit of Germany’s elite division log.

The previous record was held by Nuri Sahin, who was 16 years and 334 days old when he made his debut for Dortmund against Nurnberg in 2005.

"I can't do anything about being good at football," the Germany youth international told DAZN. "The one who works harder gets rewarded in the end.

"It was always my dream to become a professional football player. And if you have that dream you have to chase it like a lion."

Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund occupy top spot in Group F after three games.

Alex Iwobi has expressed his readiness to play in any position for Everton after impressing against Fulham on Sunday.

The 24-year-old started in his familiar midfield role in the opening first half of the Toffees’ 3-2 victory over the Craven Cottage outfit.

Iwobi was then redeployed to a wingback role in the second half as Fulham attempted to launch a comeback after they were down 3-1.

The Nigerian international impressed in the right wing-back role to help Carlo Ancelotti’s side secure their fifth Premier League win of the season.

Iwobi has also played on the flanks, midfield and forward roles since teaming up with the Goodison Park outfit from Arsenal and is prepared to continue his versatility for the club.

“I am a forward-thinking player, I like to get on the ball and express myself,” Iwobi told Everton TV.

“We were able to do that quite freely in the first half and had a lot of joy. We were very good going forward and created a lot of threats and chances.

“I played right wing-back a couple of times with Arsenal, they wanted me to bomb on and, like I was doing in the first half at Fulham, get crosses in and run down the line with the ball.

“It is not something I have done a lot but anywhere I am told to play, I try to do my best. Ben [Godfrey] and James [Rodriguez] and Doucs [Doucoure] were talking to me and made it more comfortable.

“Sometimes, with my defensive position, I wouldn’t know where to be but with them helping and talking it was a lot easier.

“I will take the positives but there are still things I have to learn if I am going to play in this position, especially defensively.

“At least, for me, playing right wing-back, the manager has in his mind, I can play anywhere on the left and right and in the middle.

“Anywhere he wants me to play, I will be able to do that job. And wherever I am playing I will give 100 per cent for the club.”

Victory against Fulham helped Everton to climb to sixth spot on the Premier League table.

Iwobi is hoping the win at Craven Cottage will motivate then to perform well in the remaining games of the season, starting with their clash against Leeds United on Saturday.

“It was important for us to kick-start our season, we hadn’t won in a while so the main thing was to get that result and use it as motivation going into the next game," he continued.

“Fulham changed their tactics for the second half and made it difficult for us. But we were able to withstand the pressure and come out with three points, so it was a good result.

“We started the season really well but the past couple of games weren’t good. This will be great for us to kick on and do well for the season.”

Iwobi has made 10 appearances across all competitions for Everton this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Paris Saint-Germain leapfrogged RB Leipzig into second place in Champions League Group H after Neymar's first-half penalty secured a scarcely deserved 1-0 win over the Bundesliga side on Tuesday. 

Thomas Tuchel's side suffered a 2-1 defeat in Germany three weeks ago but they got their campaign back on track at Parc des Princes despite an underwhelming display. 

Neymar sealed all three points from the spot after 11 minutes, with the Ligue 1 champions then failing to have another shot on target until the closing stages of the match.

The result means the two sides are level on six points after four games, with PSG ahead courtesy of a better goal difference. 

Neymar opened his Champions League account for the season early on, slotting home from 12 yards after Angel Di Maria had been fouled just inside the penalty area by Marcel Sabitzer. 

Leipzig midfielder Sabitzer then saw an effort deflected narrowly wide soon after, with Keylor Navas tipping over Dayot Upamecano's header from the resulting corner. 

Di Maria whipped a free-kick wide of Peter Gulacsi's right-hand post after 30 minutes as the hosts ended the first half with just 37.2 per cent possession, their lowest total at half-time in a Champions League game since facing Bayern Munich in September 2017.

The visitors continued to look bright after the interval, with Emil Forsberg and Sabitzer sending efforts just wide.

Yussuf Poulsen should have done better with a header from a corner with 10 minutes remaining as Leipzig looked the more likely to score.

PSG managed to hold on and claim maximum points, though, condemning Leipzig to a second consecutive away Champions League defeat following their 5-0 thumping by Manchester United in October.

What does it mean? PSG prevail despite insipid display

It will be of grave concern to under pressure head coach Tuchel that his side looked so short of firepower, despite having Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Di Maria in his starting line-up.

Last season's beaten finalists were badly off the pace against a lively Leipzig side, who can consider themselves unlucky to be returning to Germany with nothing after having 15 shots and 62 per cent possession.

Upamecano unlucky to be on losing side

Upamecano proved exactly why so many of Europe's biggest clubs are interested in his services with another imperious display. The Frenchman won nine of his 11 duels, completed more passes (83) than any player on the pitch and gained possession a game-high 14 times.

Mbappe endures a game to forget

Mbappe scored twice against Monaco last Friday to take his tally in Ligue 1 this season to nine goals, but his struggles in the Champions League continued. The 21-year-old did not manage a shot on target in what was his eighth game in the competition this year without a goal.

What's next?

PSG will hope to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 following their 3-2 defeat to Monaco when they host Bordeaux on Saturday, while Leipzig entertain Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga on the same day.

Luka Modric is eager to stay at Real Madrid beyond the expiry of his current contract and see out the rest of his career at Real Madrid despite seemingly losing his 'untouchable' status under Zinedine Zidane, whom he has defended from criticism.

The 35-year-old Croatian will be able to discuss a free transfer away from the Santiago Bernabeu from January 1, with his deal set to run out in June.

Modric recently dismissed the idea of returning to Tottenham – whom he left for Madrid in 2012 – at the end of the season, while the Spanish giants have reportedly delayed talks over a new deal until next year.

The former Ballon d'Or winner remains an important player for Madrid, though he has perhaps lost a little regularity – last season he only started 22 LaLiga games, while he has been in the starting line-up just once in three Champions League matches this term.

Modric accepts he cannot be completely sure about his future, though he seems in little doubt regarding his desire.

When asked about the matches he has not started, Modric told reporters: "I feel good. These games you mention I didn't play in, it's the coach's decision. When I come on, I hope to help the team and do a good job."

Regarding his future, he added: "I feel good, I feel strong, and I still have plenty of football in my legs and strengths to continue, but let's see what happens in the future.

"A lot of people are talking and ask about my situation but let's see what happens. I'm calm. I just want to help the team like always.

"I've said many times and I'll say it again, I'm very happy at Madrid and I'd love to end my career here, but let's see what happens.

"Maybe you thought my answer was a bit cold because I've been asked many times and I've said the same answer many times. I feel good and I want to stay at Madrid for as long as I feel I can help the team.

"Who wouldn't want to end their career at Real Madrid? But it depends on a lot of things. But there is no-one who'd be happier than me to continue at Real Madrid."

Zidane's future – as it has been for much of his time back at the club – is also a little shrouded, with the Frenchman receiving criticism for Madrid's performances this season.

Los Blancos are fourth in LaLiga after nine matches, six points behind leaders Real Sociedad with a game in hand, and are third in Champions League Group B.

Nevertheless, Modric insists the coach has the team's backing ahead of Wednesday's trip to Inter, who are propping up the table.

"It's not just recently we've defended the coach - we've always defended him since he came to Real Madrid," he said.

"Every time they ask us about him, the criticism he receives, of course we're with him. We've never doubted him. We've won many things together and we hope this continues in the future.

"It's normal we defend our coach; it's always been like that. We've won many things with him and I hope we continue to win things."

The Indian Super League match between Jamshedpur and Chennaiyin on Tuesday produced high-intensity action as first-half goals from Anirudh Thapa and Isma Goncalves secured a win for the Machans at the Tilak Maidan. 

Anirudh Thapa, the first Indian to score in the ISL this season, hit the net in less than 60 seconds after kick-off and his team doubled their lead from a Goncalves spot-kick. Nerijus Valskis scored the only goal for the Men of Steel.

Chennaiyin looked good for a win throughout the game and have started their season on a positive note under new head coach Csaba Laszlo.

Even though all the clubs in the ISL had a brief pre-season camp, Laszlo did not hesitate to employ an attack-minded approach. After the game, the 56-year-old said that Chennaiyin will play high-intensity football this season. 

"I also have my stuff and my knowledge about football, I want even more intensity because it is just the beginning, it is important to use your knowledge and your head and this was also important for me to come with my stuff. In Indian football, we need knowledge from the staff members," he said.

The manager said he expected more from Lallianzuala Chhangte who created plenty of chances in front of goal but failed to convert. He also mentioned that the club with fewer injuries and COVID-19 cases will have an upper hand during the ongoing season amid a pandemic. 

"In the first half, I think we had to finish our chances. Chhangte and even Isma had a big chance each. To be safe you have to score the goals (finish the chances). At the end of the game I'm happy because the boys did a great job," he said.

"I think the team with fewer injuries and COVID-19 cases will be luckier. But generally, for the three points, we have to fight, have to show desire. We have to play as a team," he added. 

Bidco United announced their intentions in the 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League after a win against Kariobangi Sharks in a pre-season friendly game played on Tuesday at Nyayo Stadium.

Stephen Waruru scored the only goal in the second half to help the Thika-based side to victory.

However, it was the Slum Boys who had started the game on a high, pressing with every opportunity they got. Coach William Muluya started with his best team, starting with goalkeeper Brian Bwire in the post, while Patillah Omoto, Erick Kapaito, and James Mazembe also started the game.

The newly-promoted side also included Stephen Waruru, Pitson Mutamba, and David Orem in their squad.

After a goalless first half, Sharks intensified their tempo and were denied by the woodwork early in the first half.

The Nairobi-based side committed a foul moments later, and the former Ulinzi Stars and Sofapaka FC striker sent the Kenya international the wrong way to score the only goal.

"The preparations have been good and the win is a reward for their efforts, and the good thing is that our strategy worked," Akhulia said after the match.

"The win is a morale booster not only to me as a coach but the entire team as well and they have a reason to look forward to the start of the season.

"I have also been impressed with the way Pistone [Mutamba], Waruru, Gathu and Victor Ayugi have played. Critics said that those players are old but they have proved them wrong."

On his part, William Muluya pointed out the most disciplined side won the game.

"We have reached a time in football when positional discipline wins you a match I mean both in defence and attack," the youthful coach said.

"Bidco defended well and have managed to create two chances, they have used one. We also struggled in creating chances and we have to work on improving that in our forthcoming games.

"My players should know the league has started and they have to do their best to be in a good shape on the pitch ahead of our game against Wazito. It is good we lost because it shows we have a lot to go and work on."

Leon Goretzka has yet to sit down with Bayern Munich for contract talks but would be ready to hold discussions with the club.

The Germany midfielder has been a regular since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2018 and still has around 18 months to run on his existing deal.

He featured 38 times in last season's treble-winning campaign and has been used on 10 occasions in all competitions already in 2020-21.

No Bayern player has recovered the ball more often than Goretzka in the Bundesliga this term (10.47 per game) and only Javi Martinez has more interceptions (3.03 per game compared to 2.76).

Bayern have struggled to tie down fellow key player David Alaba to a new deal, with the messy saga being played out in public in recent weeks, while Thiago Alcantata recently left for Liverpool when he had just a year remaining on his contract.

But Goretzka, who previously spent five seasons with fellow Bundesliga side Schalke, is open to talking over fresh terms.

"So far there have been no discussions held with me," he told reporters at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Salzburg.

"I'm under contract for another year and a half so there is not a lot of pressure.

"But if Brazzo [sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic] or Hansi [Flick] approach me in the next few weeks then I will not refuse to talk to them."

Goretzka has also started all four of Germany's Nations League matches this year, playing an hour of last week's humbling 6-0 loss against Spain.

It was Germany's heaviest defeat since they lost to Austria in a friendly in 1931 by the same scoreline and has led to questions being asked of long-serving boss Joachim Low.

The German Football Association this week announced it would give Low time before assessing his future and Goretzka can understand the furore surrounding the defeat.

"If you lose a game that high then it is normal in our business to be criticised," he said. "I didn't exactly wake up the next morning with a good feeling, either.

"For me personally, it was about processing the loss, taking some time and then switching focus back to challenges at Bayern."

The Zambia women's national team has named a squad of 20 players who will travel to Santiago for an international friendly with Chile this week.

The Copper Queens are scheduled to face La Roja in two-legged warm-up fixtures, with the first leg set for November 28 and the second encounter will take place three days later.

The 20-woman squad selected for the trip, which is dominated by local players comprise of two goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five strikers.

Despite missing the Cosafa Women's Cup due to club duties, Zaragoza's Rachel Nachula and Hellen Mubanga were drafted into the squad alongside Hapoel Beer Sheva's Mary Mwakapila.

Notable inclusions in the squad are Shanghai striker and captain Barbra Banda and Zesco United's Grace Chanda, who finished as top scorer in the Olympic qualifiers, with eight goals.

Surprise absentees are goalkeeper Nali Hazel, defender Margaret Belemu and Kazakthan's BIIK Kazygurt striker Rachel Kundunanji, who played in their historic Olympic qualification.

Bruce Nwape's side will depart Zambia on Tuesday, November 24, while Nachula and Mubanga are expected to join the squad in Santiago from Spain en route to Germany on the same day.

After a third-place finish at the Cosafa Cup, the African representatives will be hoping to intensify their preparations for next year's maiden Olympic Games outing against the South Americans.

Chile, on the other hand, are gearing up for their play-off fixture against African finalists Cameroon in a quest for an Olympic ticket.

FULL SQUAD: 
GOALKEEPERS: Catherine Musonda (Indeni) Ngambo P. Musole (Zesco United)

DEFENDERS: Agness Musesa (Green Buffaloes), Anita Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Martha Tembo (Green Buffaloes), Lushomo Wilombe (Green Buffaloes), Vast Phiri (Zesco United), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Fikile Khosa (Red Arrows),

MIDFIELDERS: Judith Zulu (Green Buffaloes), Esther Banda (Bauleni United Sports Academy), Mary Mulenga (Red Arrows), Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Misozi Zulu (Indeni), Mary Mwakapila (Hapoel Beer Sheva, Israel)

STRIKERS: Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza, Spain), Grace Chanda (Zesco), Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli, China), Maylan Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Rachel Nachula (Zaragoza, Spain)

Kenya U20 coach Stanley Okumbi has admitted his players must push more to remain in contention to win the Cecafa championships being held in Tanzania.

The Rising Stars got off to a flying start after they thrashed Ethiopia 3-0 in their opening Group C match but Okumbi has now said they must up their game to win their next match.

“I think we still need to push more, we have our final match of the group against Sudan which we need to give our maximum to get all three points,” Okumbi is quoted as saying by FKF's official website.

“In the first 15 minutes [against Ethiopia] we were a bit slow, but we managed to keep a clean sheet. Thereafter, I can confidently say we were on top of the game, and the boys showed character and desire to win the game. Collectively, we played a great game.”

Against Ethiopia, Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, Ronald Reagan, and Enock Wanyama scored for Kenya, who could have won by a huge margin had they taken their chances.

Kenya grabbed the first goal in the 39th minute when Omalla rose highest to head home a cross from the right and their push for the second goal bore fruit in the 46th minute when Ethiopia goalkeeper failed to keep hold of a high ball and Omalla flicked it to Reagan who had no trouble finding the back of the net.

With five minutes remaining on the clock, a long ball from the back fell to Omalla whose first touch put him past the defender. He steadied himself but with the keeper to beat, he spotted the advancing and unmarked Enock Wanyama who tapped the ball into an empty net.

The Rising Stars will now face Sudan in their final Group C match on Friday, after which the winner from the group will come up against the winner of Group B, which consists of Uganda, South Sudan and Burundi.

In Group B, The Hippos of Uganda were held to a goalless draw by South Sudan. Burundi are also in the same group. Group A has the hosts Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti.

The semi-final and final matches have been scheduled for November 30, and December 2, 2020, respectively. The finalists from the regional competition will gain automatic qualification to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations set to take place in February 2021 in Mauritania.

Pablo Zabaleta has revealed he hopes Lionel Messi joins Manchester City if he leaves Camp Nou, and that seeing the Barcelona star arrive at the Etihad Stadium would make him "very happy".

Messi shocked the football world when he handed in a formal transfer request at Barca following their 8-2 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League quarter-finals.

The 33-year-old thought he could activate the release clause in his contract in order to leave the club on a free transfer, but the Blaugrana successfully blocked his departure with the help of La Liga.

He eventually announced his decision to see out the final year of his deal in Catalunya during an exclusive interview with Goal, but also confessed that he no longer feels Barca are capable of competing at the very highest level.

Messi has continued to enjoy a prominent role in the team at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future, with Ronald Koeman the latest man charged with bringing the best out of the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

However, the Dutchman has been unable to inspire the diminutive forward so far, and questions are being asked of his output in the final third, with five of six goals this term coming from the penalty spot.

City have been mooted as the most likely landing spot for Messi if he pushes for a move again next year, with the prospect of a reunion with former Camp Nou boss Pep Guardiola seen as a potential draw for the Argentine.

Zabaleta would like to see his fellow countryman make his way to Manchester should his struggles at Barca continue, but insists he does not know for sure what the next chapter of his old team-mate's career will hold.

"I know that Messi must not be enjoying this situation right now," the former City defender told Marca.

"He must just be thinking about what is best for the future and getting the club back on track to win trophies. I don't know the plans for City and Messi's idea. 

"The best thing for him is to focus on the current situation. If he has to change clubs, I would be very happy if City were chosen."

Zabaleta added on the importance of Messi rediscovering his enthusiasm for the game after a turbulent period at Camp Nou: "There was always a link between Barcelona and Leo that we never imagined could be stretched to this point.

"Everything seems to be uncertain because of his future, and at an institutional level Barcelona are in a complicated situation.

"There are several things that mean that Leo is not going through a moment of happiness. Where he is happy is [on the] pitch.

"Messi is a winner and a competitor; he wants the best for Barcelona. I wish him all the happiness he can find [and] we'll see if he can find it at Barcelona."

Chennaiyin put on a solid all-round performance to get off to a winning start in the 2020-21 Indian Super League campaign. 

Csaba Laszlo's team beat former Chennaiyin manager Owen Coyle's Jamshedpur 2-1 at the Tilak Maidan on Tuesday. First-half goals from Anirudh Thapa (1') and Isma Goncalves (26') were enough for the two-time champions to bag the win. Nerijus Valskis (37') opened his account for the season but was unable to bring his team back into the game. 

Chennaiyin got off to a brilliant start as Anirudh Thapa opened the scoring seconds after the kick-off. After a neat exchange of passes in the centre, Rafael Crivellaro slipped a through-ball for Isma Goncalves who ran down the right flank. The forward drilled a low cross into the centre of the box for Thapa whose late run and a splendid first-time strike was more than what the Jamshedpur defence and the goalkeeper could deal with.

It was a fantastic start to the match as both teams seemed unwilling to sit back with a deep block. Jamshedpur's attack led by last season's Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis tried to press for an equaliser but it was Chennaiyin's energetic forays forward that stood out. 

Isma Goncalves had multiple opportunities to score in the first half but was finally rewarded for his athletic centre-forward play when Issac Vanmalsawma decided to nudge Lallianzuala Chhangte inside the box in the 25th minute. Chhangte felt a slight push on his back as he contested for an aerial ball inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Isma converted the penalty to double his team's lead. 

The former Matsumoto Yamaga striker nearly added another goal to his tally for the night three minutes later. He pulled off a lovely give-and-go with Crivellaro at the edge of the box and fired a shot towards the goal but Rehenesh pushed the effort wide. 

Jamshedpur tried to build their attacks from the flanks but their attacks were well dealt with by the Chennaiyin defence until the 37th minute. The defenders failed to spot Valskis' run into the box as Jackichand clipped a delightful cross into the box from the right flank. The Lithuanian striker got off the mark with a neat header into the net from what was his team's first shot on target. 

The Men of Steel were more proactive after the restart as they chased the game and tried to overpower the midfield. They took advantage of an unconvincing few minutes from Vishal Kaith and went close twice just after the hour-mark.

Stephen Eze outjumped his marker inside the boss to meet a cross from the left but headed wide with the keeper off his line. Minutes later, Kaith failed to collect a straightforward lob into the box and pushed it straight into the feet of Jackichand Singh. The former Goa winger tried to hit an open net but found Sipovic in front of goal and the defender spared the keeper's blushes. 

The game was stretched as Jamshedpur tried to pile the pressure on the two-time champions. The Chennaiyin defence, however, was largely untroubled and Valskis' threat was well dealt with throughout the second half.  

Baroka FC coach Thoka Matsimela is not reading into Orlando Pirates’ good Premier Soccer League (PSL) run, declaring that their match against the Soweto giants at Orlando Stadium on Saturday is a “must-win.”

Bakgaka started the season on an impressive note, beating Maritzburg United 2-1 and Black Leopards 3-1, before a 1-1 home draw against Golden Arrows.

But their unbeaten run was halted last weekend when they were edged 1-0 by Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, leaving Matsimela declaring war on Pirates.

“That one is a must-win for us because we cannot manage to drop points. If we do that, we are inviting the other teams down there to come and close the gap,” Matsimela told Sowetan Live.

The Baroka coach’s war cry comes as they face a Pirates side that is yet to taste defeat in all competitions this season.

What could be worrisome for Matsimela is that his team has been conceding goals in every match and their trip to Gauteng coincides with the return from injury of Pirates chief forward Frank Mhango who joins his fellow attackers Zakhele Lepasa and Tshegofatso Mabasa whose goals sunk SuperSport United last Saturday.

Matsimela however admits that his men were far from being at their best when they allowed Tshakhuma to beat them and claim their first victory of the season.

One of the weaknesses in Baroka’s game is conceding late goals and the coach said they are working on improving their concentration levels ahead of the Pirates tie.

“We didn’t play well [against Tshakhuma]. I'm not impressed about the performance we dished out,” said Matsimela.

“We tried. It is just that this thing of concentration in the dying minutes is killing us. This is the second game where we lose concentration. If you remember our match against Golden Arrows, we gave away a goal in the last 30 seconds, and we threw away two points.

“We will work on those things but this thing of concentration...we need to work more on it, talk to them, and apply those leadership skills. We learned from this, and we will try to avoid it.”

Sofapaka FC head coach John Baraza is confident his team is ready for the upcoming 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League campaign scheduled to start this weekend.

The 2009 champions have made several quality signings in preparation for the forthcoming season. The tactician has pointed out the players have prepared well physically and psychologically, and the former striker is confident his charges have a higher chance of winning.

"We are delighted the league is back and we shall once again be engaged on the pitch," Baraza told Goal.

"The league has always been tough regardless of the team we are playing, so we are not taking anyone lightly. We will have to give the best and take our chances; KCB are a good side and I know they will offer us stiff competition."

Brian Kayanja, Nicholas Sebwato, Cersidy Okeyo, Isaiah Wakasala, Thomas Wainaina, Ronald Okoth, and George Maelo are some of the players who parted ways with the Nairobi-based side owing to different reasons. 

Batoto ba Mungu replaced them with seven new signings among them Michael Bodo, Isaac Mitima, Michael Karamor, Michael Kibwage, Michael Bodo, Kevin Omondi, Roy Okal, and Paul Kiongera. 

"They are good players who will give us different dimensions when it comes to game situations," Baraza continued.

"I am confident they will give us what we lacked in the abandoned [2019/20 season] and we will be among the top teams in contesting for the league title this season."

Michael Kibwage is one of the players signed by the club in the last transfer window and he will be playing his former side, KCB.

"I have nothing to prove against them; it was their decision to let me go and I am happy at my new team," the 22-year-old centre-back told Goal on Tuesday.

"This is a game like any other; furthermore, all we want is three points, just like in the other games. It is a tight game, but we are optimistic about getting maximum points.

"It is all about giving our best and sticking to the game plan. It is not going to be an easy game for either side."

Maritzburg United have named Delron Buckley as caretaker coach, following Monday's sacking of Eric Tinkler.

Buckley has been with the club for the past two months as an assistant to Tinkler and has been elevated to the role of head coach on an interim basis as the club hunts for a substantive tactician.

The club said Buckley’s immediate challenge would be to “restore some confidence on the training pitch” and “paying close attention to the players' mindsets.”

Friday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) hosting of SuperSport United would be Buckley’s first challenge and he could be fancying to impress and be rewarded with a permanent job, however, subject to how long the Team of Choice take in finding Tinkler's replacement.

“It's a normal situation when a coach goes, players start thinking about what's going to happen,” Buckley told the Maritzburg United website.

“For me now as a caretaker coach I have to boost the players' morale. Get them motivated and get them prepared for the game on Friday. It's up to the players to take the situation into their own hands.

“It's a do or die game and the minute they put their foot onto the pitch, they must realise that if we are going to win, we are going to have to be aggressive and challenge for every ball. Sometimes when the going gets tough, you can't play pretty football. You have to play the ugly way to win games.”

He takes over a side low in confidence following four consecutive league defeats that have left them at the bottom of the standings with zero points.

It might prove to be a huge task for Buckley to psyche-up a team that has gone for a massive run of 11 winless games which started during the PSL bio-bubble.

Worst still, they face a wounded SuperSport United that surrendered a first-half lead before losing to Orlando Pirates in their last league match.

There is no speculation as yet regarding who might succeed Tinkler as permanent coach at the Team of Choice.

Sergio Ramos is “writing his name in the history books” at Real Madrid, says Casemiro, with those working alongside an iconic defender delighted to have him on their team.

A World Cup winner moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Sevilla back in 2005.

Since then he has taken in 660 appearances for the Blancos, hitting 100 goals, and has played a leading role in five La Liga title wins and four Champions League triumphs.

Many of his outings for Real have come as captain, with records tumbling around him as Ramos has also taken his collection of Spain caps to 178.

It has been suggested that the clock is ticking on a legendary spell in the Spanish capital, with a contract running down towards free agency in 2021, but Casemiro is among those looking to make the most of every opportunity to learn from a modern-day great.

The Brazilian midfielder told reporters of Ramos ahead of a European clash with Inter on Wednesday that the Blancos' skipper will sit out through injury: “Sergio is a leader in the dressing room and on the field. It’s a pleasure to have shared all these years with him. What he’s doing now is writing his name in the club’s history books.

“He’s a player who never gives up. He always wants to fight and he always wants to win. He pushes the team forward, and he’s a leader and a role model for us.”

While Ramos is the undoubted on-field leader for Real, Casemiro is among the others filling vital roles.

He said of the importance now placed on a holding midfield post: “I always say that a footballer, whatever his age, is going to learn something new every day, even if it’s small details.

“The role of the defensive midfielder was quite common in the past, especially in Brazil.

“We had a lot of players, like Mauro Silva, Gilberto Silva and Dunga, who felt comfortable playing that number five role, as we say in Brazil. That ceased to exist, but now it’s returning because formations themselves have changed.

“Today we’ve returned to the old formation where the full-backs are coming up high and then backing away, and the defensive midfielder plays a vital role in this. He provides balance and must keep an eye on the other players and fill any gaps they leave.

“The defensive midfielder is the centre of everything in the midfield and is essential for any team.”

Casemiro will be looking to prove that point when Real take in a trip to San Siro, with Zinedine Zidane’s side having already claimed a dramatic 3-2 win over Inter in this season’s Champions League.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game but mentally we were very strong and focused on victory. And then Rodrygo confirmed it with a goal,” Casemiro said of an eventful game at the Bernabeu on November 3.

“The mental work and concentration that we maintained throughout the whole match were very important. We’re aware that there is still a long way to go, but that victory was very important.”