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Former Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo has hit out at the club's current management for not following set guidelines by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regarding the accreditation of their new coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves.

Goal exclusively revealed the Confederation of African Football (Caf) had written to the FKF and the club asking to see his Caf A papers, or else he will not be allowed to handle the team during the Champions League.  

As it stands, K'Ogalo have been unable to provide these documents and might play Rwanda's APR without their coach.

"Part of the requirements is the qualification of the head coach, all have had qualifications from different countries and none has ever had a Caf A licence but we have always made sure that the papers they hold are equalized as per Caf requirements," part of the statement by Bolo and obtained by Goal read. 

"The same coach, [Robertinho], has handled clubs in Tunisia and Rayon up to the Caf Confederation Cup quarter-finals. Does it mean that those clubs did the right thing? We seem to have at the moment none in the club who knows what to do!"

The former official has pointed out the Kenyan champions could have followed the right protocol to ensure the team's chances of making it to the next round of the competition are not jeopardized.    

"What should have been done is to accredit the coach with the technical department of FKF," Bolo continued.

"A circular was sent out to all the premier league and super league clubs to that effect but unfortunately we never submitted papers for the head coaches accreditation!  

"Secondly, the club should have engaged FKF to get in touch with the Brazilian Football Association to authenticate the coach's A license and request for his equalization! 

"We still have one week to go and to ensure that we have a coach on the bench with the Caf requirements."  

Goncalves, who previously managed Rayon Sports of Rwanda, has 25 years of coaching experience and has been to a number of African countries, the Middle East as well as his native country Brazil as head coach.

He was in charge of Rayon Sports when they denied Gor Mahia a place in the quarter-finals of the Caf Confederation Cup as he masterminded a 2-1 win at Kasarani Stadium in 2018.

He joined K’Ogalo to take the place of Steven Polack, who left the club on mutual agreement, and on signing for the Kenyan champions, he revealed why he chose Gor Mahia over other clubs. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed AFC Leopards are safe as their new coach Tomas Trucha is qualified to coach in the FKF Premier League.

The statement comes just hours after president Nick Mwendwa revealed Gor Mahia coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves does not qualify to coach in the Kenyan top-flight.

Mwendwa has now told Goal unlike their rivals Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards hired a qualified coach who has a Uefa Pro license and will thus work in Kenya.

“For AFC Leopards, we don’t have any problem with them, their new coach Tomas [Trucha] is qualified to coach in the FKF Premier League,” Mwendwa told Goal on Saturday. “He has the required Uefa Pro license, a good certificate in the world, and he will be eligible to handle the team in the league.”

After Caf banned the Gor Mahia coach from sitting on the touchline during the Caf Champions League preliminary round match against Armee Patriotique Rwandaise FC (APR) of Rwanda on November 28 in Kigali, Mwendwa has also stated he his qualified to coach in the FKF Premier League.

“After employing the coach, the law states that the clubs must submit their papers and documents to FKF and that must be accompanied by payment of KSh100 000,” Mwendwa told Radio Jambo on Saturday.

“They know all these because through club licensing process that is made very clear.

“Gor Mahia presented the coach’s papers and we then sent them to Caf and we have seen their reaction. Caf is very clear that even if the papers are put through the equalisation process, they do not meet the standards.

“That means he will not be on the bench for all Gor Mahia matches including the Champions League and the Premier League.

“He can only coach at the training ground or do some consultancy away from the touchline but he will never be allowed to be on the touchline during games.”

In an earlier interview, former Gor Mahia CEO Omondi Aduda blamed club officials for the problems facing Oliveira, accusing them of negligence and not being abreast with changes in the world of football.

“Someone at Gor Mahia slept on the job,” Aduda told Goal when asked why Caf had reacted that way.

“Caf did not question his [Oliveira] qualifications, do you know that none of the foreign coaches have a Caf A license, and what usually happens is that the licenses they hold must be equalized in tandem with the Caf licensing criteria?

“Caf doesn’t have problems with his [Oliveira] certificates, that is not right, even those other foreign coaches that we have had, what you do is you send their papers for equalization so that those certifications they get from their countries are equalized at every given level.

“There is no way particularly when the team is engaged in Caf, you must be abreast with each and every regulation which Caf always give out periodically, then you cannot get into this kind of messes, because it is not the first time we are hiring a foreign coach.

“He was in Rwanda [coaching Rayon Sports], and he coached the team without trouble, even against us [in Caf competition], and he even reached the quarter-finals with the team, he has also coached in Tunisia with the same papers, if there were changes this time around, it was the honour of the club to ensure that we keep abreast with those changes and act on them.”

Caf has already outlined a possible ban that Gor Mahia are likely to face should they fail to abide by the orders.

Sergio Aguero will follow the lead of Pep Guardiola by committing to a new contract with Manchester City, says Micah Richards.

The Blues have tied their highly-rated coach to fresh terms through to the summer of 2023.

His previous deal had been due to expire next summer, with Aguero another of those to have entered the final 12 months of his current agreement.

It has been suggested that the prolific Argentine could walk away as a free agent and take on a new challenge – possibly one back in his homeland.

He will be 33 shortly after the 2020-21 season comes to a close and is approaching the final stages of a distinguished career.

Richards, though, believes City’s all-time leading scorer can still offer plenty to the cause at the Etihad Stadium, and in the Premier League as a whole, and that may see him agree to extend a productive spell in England.

“His intention has always been to finish his career back in Argentina but I expect now Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension that Sergio will do the same,” Richards, a former City team-mate of the South American, told the Daily Mail.

“Whether it is for 12 months or two years, it is a piece of business I hope City conclude.

“City will sign another striker in the future, and hopes are high for Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres, but there is nobody like Sergio.

“There will never be another one like him at Manchester City and there haven’t been many better in the Premier League.”

Aguero is into his 10th season as a City player, having been snapped up from Atletico Madrid in 2011, and Richards believes he will go down as an all-time great - even if the predatory finisher does not always get the credit he deserves.

Richards added: “If Aguero had been the face of an advertising campaign, would people be more respectful and appreciative of his talents?

“I often wonder whether we realise what a player we have watched for the last 10 seasons. Aguero has had as big an impact on English football as Thierry Henry. 

“He might not be as easy on the eye as Henry in terms of style but he is a better finisher than the Arsenal legend.

“Henry, though, will always command affection. He was the man with ‘Va va voom!’ — he is charismatic and played football with a swagger.

“He gave revealing interviews and had a spell as a pundit before he turned to management. If you didn’t support Arsenal, I bet you still liked Henry.

“Most people, on the other hand, wouldn’t know a great deal about Sergio. It makes me think the fact he is a quiet man has stopped him being recognised as one of the greats of the modern era, a striker who Manchester City will never be able to truly replace.”

Wayne Rooney has revealed he could have signed for Chelsea or Newcastle before joining Manchester United in 2004.

Rooney left Everton as one of the most exciting young forwards the Premier League had seen, and went on to score more than 250 goals for United, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Speaking on the UTD Podcast, he said Everton were keen for him to sign for Chelsea, but he only had eyes for United – though, when the Red Devils looked to delay the move, he almost ended up on Tyneside.

“I knew it [joining United] was an option before Euro 2004,” Rooney said. “I knew Manchester United wanted to sign me.

“I think going to the Euros and doing well there probably added a bit more money onto the transfer fee but I broke my foot and found out a few things.

“Everton were really struggling for money at the time and I found out they were listening to offers from people as well.

“They were trying to push me to sign for Chelsea because they were going to pay the most money. But, once I knew United were interested, I wanted some confirmation that they did want to sign me.”

When United came calling, the conversation was over as far as Rooney was concerned.

“Once I knew they did want to sign me, it was the only club [for me] as I wanted to work with Sir Alex Ferguson and play with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, these players, so I knew where I wanted to go.

“It was 40 minutes from my home, where I grew up, as well and it was a perfect fit for me. United actually wanted to wait a year, until the following year, but then Newcastle came into talks with Everton and with myself.

“I'd gone too far then. I couldn't wait another year, I couldn't stay another year at Everton, so I was prepared to go to Newcastle for that year.

“I spoke to them, we spoke about salary and what I wanted if I went there was, after a year, if Manchester United come in, you have to let me go.

“Newcastle were agreeing to that but obviously, with United, I went back to them and said, if you don't do it now, I'll go to Newcastle with a clause in place. United obviously didn't want me to go there so I came here.

“It was basically whatever Newcastle paid for me, United would have paid a year later.”

United eventually paid just shy of £26 million ($35m) for Rooney, at the time the highest fee ever paid for a player under 20.

He scored 17 goals in 43 appearances in his first season, which saw Chelsea win the title ahead of United in third. Newcastle finished 14th, with Alan Shearer top-scoring with 19 goals in the penultimate season of his career.

Kylian Mbappe appears to be “more headed towards a way out” at Paris Saint-Germain than committing to fresh terms, says former Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev, with hope seemingly offered to the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid when it comes to a possible transfer.

Reigning champions in England and Spain have both been linked with moves to bring a World Cup winner into their respective squads.

Big money would be required to put a deal in place, but Mbappe is only tied to a contract at Parc des Princes through to the summer of 2022.

At 21 years of age he has already collected an enviable haul of honours for club and country, with some suggesting that the France international may open himself up to a new challenge outside of his homeland.

Vasilyev, who was sporting director at Monaco when Mbappe left for PSG in 2017, believes one of the most exciting talents in the global game will be mulling over his options when it comes to a big career call.

He told Telefoot: “He is going to have to make very important decisions, and right now he seems more headed towards a way out.

“Nothing is impossible. Kylian is young and what he wants to win is titles.

“Kylian is ambitious. He wants to win everything and break all the records.”

PSG have shown that they can match Mbappe’s ambitions, with Thomas Tuchel’s side enjoying domestic dominance while also proving themselves on a Champions League stage – having reached the final of that competition in 2020.

They have a star-studded collection of international performers on their books, including the likes of Neymar and Angel Di Maria, and are prepared to spend even more in pursuit of major honours.

That may be enough to convince Mbappe to stay, with a man who has netted 99 goals for the club through 133 appearances set to see a lucrative extension offer tabled at some stage.

“If tomorrow PSG propose an ambitious project, where he feels comfortable and with options to go further and guarantees that he can win everything in his career, he could renew,” Vasilyev added.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has revealed Gor Mahia coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves does not qualify to coach in the FKF Premier League.

Mwendwa said the Brazilian does not possess the standard qualification papers that would allow him to coach the Kenyan giants in any competition.

Robertinho, as the former Rayon Sports coach is known, was appointed after Steven Polack resigned while in Finland for holiday in September.

“After employing the coach, the law states that the clubs must submit their papers and documents to FKF and that must be accompanied by payment of KSh100 000,” Mwendwa told Radio Jambo.

“They know all these because through club licensing process that is made very clear.

“Gor Mahia presented the coach’s papers and we then sent them to Caf and we have seen their reaction. Caf is very clear that even if the papers are put through the equalisation process, they do not meet the standards.

“That means he will not be on the bench for all Gor Mahia matches including the Champions League and the Premier League.

“He can only coach at the training ground or do some consultancy away from the touchline but he will never be allowed to be on the touchline during games.”

The local FA chief also explained how they would have assisted the Green Army had their coach been a Kenyan citizen.

“We cannot follow and know what Gor Mahia are doing about that. Even if Gor Mahia were not going to the Champions League, we would not have allowed him to take charge of the league games,” he added.

“But if he was a Kenyan, there are mechanisms FKF would have engaged Caf on that but that is not the case.

“Robertinho has a lot of certificates but when they fall short of our standards. They should have been equal to either Caf ‘A’ or ‘B’ license and that means he does not qualify to be on the bench for the league and the Caf matches.”

Mwendwa stated how the FCF has been going on the matter of coach hiring as they have never had to deal with low-grade papers possessed by the national team tacticians.

“We hire coaches, we hired Paul Put and we did not have to deal with matters of qualifications thereafter. We also had Sebastien Migne and we did not have issues with his qualification,” Mwendwa concluded.

“We hired Francis Kimanzi, who is a trainer, number one and top instructor and we also brought on board Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee who has a Caf ‘A’ License. We have been spot on in picking coaches for the national sides.

“But what must be noted is that we, as the federation, do not deal with club matters per se. When AFC Leopards or Wazito and even Gor Mahia employ coaches, that is their job and not the federation’s.”

Mwendwa’s comments came after Caf stated Gor Mahia could be kicked out of the Champions League should they have Robertinho on the touchline.

Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso believes their game against South Sudan in the Cecafa U20 competition will be a tough one since their opponents know the way they play.

South Sudan have been making massive developments in football, and recently, their senior team defeated their Ugandan counterparts by a solitary goal in their Group B Africa Cup of Nations qualifier staged at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. 

In 2018, the U23 side also suffered a similar fate as they fell to their neighbours in the 2019 Afcon qualifiers. It is for these reasons that the tactician anticipates a tough game in the forthcoming competition which will also be Zone 5 Afcon qualifiers for the U20 team.

"Most of their players have grown in Uganda and are aware of our playing style; you could see the way they played the senior team," Byekwaso said ahead of the team's departure to Tanzania where the competition will be held.

"South Sudan have developed in recent years and for sure, they will be a tough team to beat. We need to step up and ensure we give our best.

"Being our first game, it will be crucial for us to get a win and avoid unnecessary pressure."

After their opening Group B game against South Sudan on November 23, the Hippos will entertain Burundi in their next assignment two days later.

Group A is made up of Tanzania, Somalia, and Djibouti while Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan are pooled together in Group C.

Among those selected to represent the country are for the tournament that will take place from November 23 to December 6 is son to Uganda’s music star Bebe Cool, Ssali Alpha Thierry.

Gavin Kizito has recovered from a malaria attack that sidelined him from the KCCA FC friendly during the week and has been named in the travelling squad.  

Ivan Asaba has also been named after he had suffered a strain on his ankle while Andrew Kawoya, Ivan Eyamu, Robert Kitabalwa, Sunday Opio, Umar Lutalo, Jamal Masiko, Wilber Wamala and Derrick Kakooza have all been omitted after training for eight days with the rest.   

Final Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jack Komakech and Denis Ssenyondwa Kaala

Defenders: Richard Bbosa, Abdu Aziizi Kayondo, Musa Ramathan, Gavin Kizito Mugweri, Kenneth Ssemakula, Joseph Kafumbe

Midfielders: Isma Mugulusi, Steven Sserwadda, Joseph Kizza Bukenya, Ivan Asaba, Yiga Najib, Ashiraf Mulindi, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Alpha Thierry Ssali

Forwards: Ivan Bogere, Richard Basangwa, Faisal Wabyoona, Raymond Onyai

As Mumbai City prepare for their first Indian Super League (ISL) game of the 2020-21 season on Saturday, the City Football Group family members took to social media to wish them luck.

The Islanders, owned by the City Football Group, will take on NorthEast United at the Tilak Maidan in Goa on Saturday.

Saturday's fixture is Sergio Lobera's first game in charge of Mumbai City. The former FC Goa tactician has given the Mumbai-based team a new look with the addition of several high-profile stars including Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam Le Fondre. He has also brought in a few of his star players from the Gaurs, namely Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh, Mourtada Fall and Mandar Rao Dessai. 

The seventh season of ISL kicked off on Friday as ATK Mohun Bagan beat Kerala Blasters 1-0 in the opener. Roy Krishna scored the only goal of the game and kickstarted the race for the Golden Boot as well. 

Roma legend Francesco Totti has paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s longevity, saying the AC Milan forward can play until he is 50 years old.

Ibrahimovic has confounded his detractors since returning to Serie A with Milan in January. With eight goals in five league games so far this season, the 39-year-old has been the key figure in his side’s early title challenge, with Milan two points clear at the top of the table after seven games.

Totti was speaking to Ibrahimovic at the launch of an autobiography by Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who played for Roma in the 1990s and managed Milan from 2015-16.

Totti and Ibrahimovic never played together, but Mihajlovic was certain about what would have happened if they had.

"Zlatan with Totti in the team would have scored at least twice as many goals, but so would Totti,” Mihajlovic said.

Ibrahimovic is closing in on 500 club goals in his illustrious career, and Totti doesn’t expect to see him stop any time soon.

“Zlatan could play on one leg. He could go until he’s 50 at this level. Seeing you play is a pleasure. The physical strength, the technique, the plays that people never expect. I am proud to see you again on the pitch.”

Serie A is proving a happy hunting ground for veteran forwards this season, with Ibrahimovic top of the scoring charts and 35-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in second.

Totti, meanwhile, played for Roma until he was 40. His career might not have endured if he had taken the advice of then-director of football Walter Sabatini, who also spoke at Mihajlovic’s event.

“Many years ago, I said that Totti was like the light on the roofs of Rome at sunset - a light that does not want to die,” he said.

“He was a great player all the way. When I was there, there were difficult times. I have a great regret: I told him to stop playing, because I was afraid to see him in decline.

“I would have been sorry to see him going towards the end on the pitch. On reflection, I was talking bullsh*t. Because he played and he was still having fun. Sorry Francesco, that was one of the mistakes I have made in my life.”

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) FC are desperate to secure their home stadium after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) refused to grant them permission to use Lugazi Stadium.

The four-time champions are among the clubs that were denied a top-tier licence by the Federation after failing to meet the standards set, specifically a quality home ground. The Tax Collectors had initially submitted the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited Stadium which was deemed fit to host utmost the Fufa Big League.

"We submitted Lugazi stadium but Fufa has deemed it unfit yet we have done all the necessary improvements as requested," the club's head of communications Patrick Ochieng' told the Sports Nation.

"We have to look elsewhere, and by next week, we will have got the solution."

In the second round of the abandoned 2019/20 season, URA used Luwero Stadium and Arene of Visions in Ndejje. However, the former has not been passed for this season following the failure to build dressing rooms for players.

"The league is going to be broadcast on TV, so we want stadiums that fit the standards," Fufa Stadium Inspection Committee Chairman John Kalibbala Crizestom clarified. 

"Lugazi did not meet the required standards because it lacks a full-fledged furnished dressing room, the goalposts are not to the standards, there is no warm-up space, and there is a [crease] in the middle of the pitch because the stadium was recently used for cricket, among other [activities]."

Initially, the Tax Collectors were using Namboole Stadium but the facility is not available since it is currently used as a Covid-19 medical centre. 

The stadiums that have been given the greenlight to host top-tier matches are Lugogo Stadium, Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru, Wankulukuku, St Mary's, Green Light in Arua, Tororo's King George and Kabaka Kyabaggu.

Of the 16 clubs in the top-tier, only seven have managed to meet the requirements set to be eligible to play in the league next season. The seven teams are the defending champions Vipers SC, KCCA FC who finished second, Express FC, Wakiso Giants, Onduparaka FC, Police FC and MYDA.

Andy Robertson says he is fit to play for Liverpool in their top-of-the-table clash with Leicester City on Sunday after a gruelling international break.

The Scottish left-back had been fighting a hamstring niggle but helped his country qualify for Euro 2020 with a historic win over Serbia.

Robertson’s absence from Scotland’s squad in their following game against Slovakia raised concerns about his fitness but he returned for the defeat to Israel, and he says he only missed the second game as a precaution.

"Yeah, I feel fit, feel ready to go," Robertson told Liverpool’s official website. "I think I just got a tighter hamstring than usual against Man City, first and foremost.

"Then obviously the game on Thursday for Scotland was a huge one and 120 minutes and penalties had taken its toll on me.

"Sunday, I wasn't ready and just took a bit more time to recover from the game. But there weren’t any real concerns about it. It was just the [risk] of doing anything worse to the hamstring was quite high on Sunday and the manager had made the call not to play me. Wednesday, I was good to go.

"Now I'm ready to go for Sunday, I feel fully fit, I feel ready. I know some people were quite concerned but I suppose with the amount of injuries we've had, people have become used to it. But I'm fully fit and ready to go."

Liverpool’s growing injury list over recent weeks has become a regular story, but Jurgen Klopp has been boosted by the possible return of Thiago and Fabinho ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leicester.

Robertson is adamant that the remaining squad haven’t been affected by the injuries, and have been going about their business as usual.

"Nothing changes," he said. "We let everyone else focus on reading the long list of injuries and things like that.

"But the boys that are fit, we can only concentrate on the lads that are out on the training pitch and the lads that are fit, and to go and play the games.

"We have a big squad, we have a squad full of quality, we've got a good few young players that have already made massive strides and are probably ready to make the next step.

"If you train with us and you play with us, we believe, the manager and the coaches believe that you're good enough to play for Liverpool and that doesn't change.

"Look, obviously I'm gutted for everyone that's injured, especially the long-term ones. But part of us just need to do them proud on the pitch and try to focus on our own game – and get the results that will maybe help keep a smile on their face when they're going through a tough time."

Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga scored as Kashiwa Reysol were defeated 2-1 by Sagan Tosu on Saturday in a J1 League showdown.

It was the first time Olunga’s side were coming into action since their actions were temporarily suspended after six players tested positive for the coronavirus in late October.

Daichi Hayashi scored the opener for Sagan Tosu in the 53rd minute while the second was scored by Fuchi Honda. So, Olunga’s effort in the 87th minute was not enough for Kashiwa Reysol to pick at least a point.

Although the team failed the Sagan Tosu test, Olunga’s goal saw his tally jump to 24 as he chases the Golden Boot award in the J1 League. The former Girona striker remains the leading scorer after 27 games.

Olunga was named in the J1 League team of October after he got a number of goals that stretched his lead in the Golden Boot race.

The former Thika United and Gor Mahia striker was on target twice when Kashiwa Reysol defeated Yokohama FC 3-0 on October 3.

He also registered a brace against Vissel Kobe on October 10 as his side picked up a 4-3 win against the league rivals. His stellar form also saw him get a goal against Shonan Bellmare on October 18 and the last goal of that month came against Gamba Osaka although Kashiwa Reysol lost the two games.

The towering striker missed Kenya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros in November after some of his teammates and head coach returned positive coronavirus tests. Harambee Stars picked just a point from the double-header as they drew 1-1 at home before they lost 2-1 in the second game.

According to head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, Olunga would have assisted Kenya in a big way by scoring goals had he been present.

“Olunga is a top striker, we all know him and we all know what he can do, and if you look at the chances we created, both in Kenya and away in Comoros, he could have scored a couple of goals,” Mulee told Goal in a separate interview.

“He [Olunga] is a striker who uses half a chance to score goals, so I must admit we missed his services a lot, he can turn a half-chance to score, he can score from nowhere, we really missed him.

“He is the engine of the team, Olunga is our key striker and his absence was indeed a blow but like I said before, we don’t have to cry over spilt milk, we must accept and move on and if possible use what we have.”

Kenyans would hope the Kashiwa Reysol striker will be available in the remaining Group G matches against Egypt and Togo.

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Jean-Philippe Gbamin is in the last phase of his recovery from a hamstring problem.

The Ivory Coast international teamed up with the Goodison Park outfit from German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 on a five-year deal in the summer.

The defensive midfielder was recruited as a direct replacement for Senegal international Idrissa Gueye, who joined French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Gbamin has, however, been struggling with injury problems since his arrival at Goodison Park which has limited his appearances to two games.

In his second game for the Toffees against Watford in August 2019, the 25-year-old suffered a thigh injury and had a surgery which ruled him out of the remaining 2019-20 season.

Just when the midfielder started regaining his fitness, he suffered an Achilles tendon in training in May and has since been on the sidelines.

Ahead of Everton’s Premier League game against Fulham on Sunday, Ancelotti has revealed Gbamin is now nearing a return to action.

"Gbamin is in the last part of his recovery, I think he will be here in two or three weeks to be ready to train and play," Ancelotti told the club website. 

"We have Coleman not available for this [Fulham] game, and then the others are quite fit and in good condition.

Gbamin was a consistent performer for Mainz 05 during his three-year stay, featuring in more than 85 Bundesliga games.

The Ivory Coast international will hope to replicate similar performances for Everton when he overcomes his injury setback.

Everton are currently seventh on the Premier League table after gathering 13 points from eight games. A victory against Fulham could see them climb into the top five.

FC Goa have not beaten Bengaluru FC in six of their last seven meetings so far and this is something which they would look to overturn under the guidance of Juan Ferrando. 

The Goan outfit, under new coach Juan Ferrando, host Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda stadium in Goa as the two teams open their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign on Sunday.

"Everybody knows that the pre-season was very short and the problem for us and other teams is that all the players were out of action for seven months. I feel that all the teams are not ready for 90 minutes," opined the Spanish coach.

"It's time to pay attention to the mentality of the players and it's very important to take care of injuries. In these situations, we need to forget stress and to improve the team game-by-game," he added.

The former Volos FC made a point stating that while in Europe players have a strong mentality, this is an area which needs to be focussed on in order to make the players understand its importance. 

"Tomorrow (Sunday) we play against a very good team because we know Bengaluru are with the same coach (Carles Cuadrat) and more or less with the same philosophy. Now it's a new chapter and a new (FC Goa) team with only six weeks of working together. There are some points that are difficult but there are positives and all players ready for tomorrow.

"In Europe, it is totally different. Everybody had a strong mentality (in Europe). I hope day-by-day it gets better but it's normal. Here it's necessary to help the players to understand the mentality."

Ferrando believes that Ishan Pandita, through his experience in Spain where he played in the lower divisions, would certainly help his Indian team-mates. 

"He is a new player for us. I hope he gives a better performance and helps the team. This is the same with all players. Now he has a good opportunity in the ISL. He is working hard and he is of help to the Indian players with his experience from Spain."

Sergio Lobera was at the helm of FC Goa for close to three seasons where he led the club to a play-off spot on each occasion. Ferrando will be expected to at least match the same feat, if not go one better. 

"Lobera has done a wonderful job with very good games. Goa was the champions of the regular season last year. Now it's a new chapter, with new young players. We have to be compact with the new players and our mentality is the same - to do better day-by-day and game-by-game and win. Last season is in the past and now the most important is the present. The past was wonderful but today is a new day," he maintained.

Asked about his priroties between winning the ISL trophy or finishing atop the standings, Ferrando answered stating that professional football is all about getting results.

"My mentality is to win every game, not only (ISL) trophy. When we play 11 versus 11, it's very important that everybody has the mentality to win because when you are professional, you need to have the mentality to win games. This is not an academy to learn - here we need to give high performance and the only objective is to win."

Lenny Rodrigues has played for Bengaluru FC in the past before joining the Goan franchise two seasons back.

"Bengaluru has a strong team and so do we. t's not about Bengaluru being strong but the mentality of the players. If you're mentally strong, you can do better. Everyone is giving their best in the training sessions and so I think we are ready for tomorrow," the Goan echoed Ferrando's sentiments. 

Victor Wanyama and Mustafa Kizza’s Montreal Impact were defeated 2-1 in the Major League Soccer Cup playoff match on Friday as their season came to an end.

Kizza – who was making his second appearance - was introduced in the second half while Wanyama was missing completely as he is yet to link up with club teammates after international assignments.

The win helped the eighth-seeded New England Revolution advance and will either play the top-seeded Philadelphia Union or second-seeded Toronto FC on Tuesday.

The Revs took the lead in the 38th minute via Carles Gil's effort, a goal that gave the side the lead in the second half.

Rommell Quioto equalised for Montreal Impact in the 61st minute when Amar Sejdic sent a free-kick that the Honduran met and headed home after it had been cleared by Rudy Camacho.

Clement Diop made a number of saves that kept Kizza’s side in the game but his heroics were undone by a late Gustavo Bou’s winning goal in the fifth minute of added time.

The Argentine struck from a distance to hand New England Revolution a late win as Montreal Impact’s journey in the MLS came to an end.

Thierry Henry, who had claimed his side were going into the match as underdogs, lauded his players despite the dramatic loss.

“Personally, I have nothing bad to say about the desire of my team tonight,” Henry said according to ESPN.

“I'm proud of them and of the season they had on the emotional level with everything they had to go through. They fought until the end.”

The Arsenal great was, however, hurt by Bou’s winning goal for the New England Revolution.

“Allowing a goal like that in the last second of the game hurts. It could have happened before with New England having a few chances,” Henry said.

“We have to congratulate New England for what they did.”

It was the Revs’ first play-off victory since 2014 and their manager Bruce Arena managed to register his 33rd career play-off victory.

“I thought both teams played extremely hard,” former D.C. United manager said.

“Give Montreal credit. They battled for 95 minutes. We scored, I think, two outstanding goals. And it's nice to get both Carles and Gustavo back on the field together.

“I just think we played well.”

Kizza’s season has now ended after recently joining teammates at the Canadian side from KCCA FC.

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids has hailed the November Fifa international football period, saying it afforded them to work on certain aspects of their game, while some of their players will go into Saturday’s Premier Soccer League showdown against SuperSport United at home “refreshed”.

Pirates were last involved in action on November 8 when they eliminated rivals Kaizer Chiefs from the MTN8 before they sent nine players for international duty with various countries.

Davids feels that players who remained behind had time to recharge their 'batteries', especially those who have featured in the team’s six games across all competitions so far this season.

“The break was good in the sense that we could work on certain things,” Davids told Pirates' media.

“But also knowing that our internationals were gone, nine players away, two players injured, not having a full squad to prepare, that gave a chance to players who had played all the games to reload, refresh and get ready for the next match.

“When facing a club like SuperSport, we know it always brings goals, it also brings us to tactically prepare in detail. So we have to be prepared for SuperSport aggressively in defence and in attack as well.”

Pirates players expected to be back from injury include chief forward Frank Mhango who could combine with new signing Jean Marc-Makusu against SuperSport.

Forward Tshegofatso Mabasa who is yet to play a match this season also returns from injury together with defender Bongani Sam.

While Davids says they have adequately prepared for SuperSport despite the Fifa international break, SuperSport coach Kaitano Tembo was singing a different tune.

Matsatsantsa had six players with various national teams and Tembo says having some of his men away disrupted their preparations for the Pirates game.

“International call-ups have an impact on preparations because some of the players only came back on Thursday and this means we only have one day to prepare,” said Tembo as per Times Live.

“You can’t really prepare properly because you need to have all the players and the other thing is that you are not sure how they are feeling because of the travelling. Some might be fatigued and you will only know their mental and physical state once they are back."

SuperSport and Pirates have played six games each this season after both reached the semi-finals of the MTN8.