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Miguel Almiron has been watched by Atletico Madrid and would have left Newcastle by now if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t struck – according to the player’s agent.

Almiron, 26, joined Newcastle from Atlanta United in a club-record deal midway through the 2018-19 season and has scored four goals in 53 Premier League games since then.

The Paraguay international has flattered to deceive at times in English football but he has become a firm favourite among Magpies supporters.

However, agent Daniel Campos says Almiron will take his next step when things return to normal.

"Miguel Almiron was being observed by Atletico Madrid but no offer was made. When everything returns to normal, Miguel will take a leap in quality," Campos told Paraguayan radio station Futgol 970.

"Miguel’s work rate at Newcastle and Paraguay has been great. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would have been elsewhere. Perhaps he would like to play for a team that has a lot of possession. Maybe in June, he’ll make that jump."

If any club does wish to buy Almiron, Newcastle will be well-placed to demand a large transfer fee. He signed a long-term deal when he made the move from MLS in 2019, and his contract runs until the summer of 2024.

Campos has previously said Almiron has a ‘high’ release clause in his contract, though the exact figure has not been made public.

“We are in contact with the people of Atletico Madrid, with the director but nothing official. Even before his departure from Newcastle, he was already on the radar at the club,” Campos told beIN SPORTS USA in July.

“The speed of social media allows for a long of things that aren’t true. It does not shock me that Miguel is in the interest of various big teams.

“The truth is everything is a field of assumptions. We have to see if Newcastle want to negotiate a departure. Miguel’s release clause is high.

“Miguel is a player that fits perfectly in Diego Simeone’s system.”

Almiron has played 10 times for Newcastle this season, scoring once and registering three assists. He will be in the spotlight on Saturday as Steve Bruce’s side host Chelsea in the Premier League.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has confirmed he has received video clips of their Caf Champions League opponents Plateau United FC of Nigeria ahead of their first meeting.

The two giants were drawn to face each other in the competition with Simba playing away in the first leg on November 27 before the return leg set for December 4 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The Belgian tactician has now revealed he has managed to obtain a couple of video clips with their opponents in action and he is already studying them ahead of the first meeting.

“I have secured a number of video clips of our Caf opponents, and most of the matches are from last year and what I can say is they are a very good team,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by Sokaletu.

“We must be very careful against them because they are a very strong side and they like playing passing football, the same way we play, they also have very strong strikers, and also apply speed to kills off teams.

“Also at the back, they have very good players, and my strikers must be very bright to beat them, we must try and work on ways to handle them.

“We need to plan well because this season we want to retain the league and also do well in the competition, we want to make another step in the Caf competition and that is why I am already studying my opponents.”

Vandenbroeck added: “For us to eliminate them, we must make sure all our departments are working, from goalkeeping, defence to striking force, we must also have a strong midfield and we will work on that before the first leg battle.”

Simba qualified for the third straight campaign after winning the 2019/20 title with seven matches to spare.

Although they looked a strong team, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi went ahead and signed key players like Larry Bwalya, Bernard Morrison, Chris Mugalu, and Joash Onyango, who will be tasked with pushing Simba further in the continental competition.

They have lost two matches in the league already and the Tanzanian champions will have to fight and see whether they can advance further than what they managed last season.

Simba were eliminated in the preliminary stage by Mozambican champions UD Songo at their own turf when they went down 1-0 in August 2019.

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has likened the impact Zlatan Ibrahimovic is having at the club to what Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten had in the 1980s and 1990s.

Gullit and Van Basten joined the club in the late 1980s and, alongside Baresi, helped the Rossoneri dominate domestically and in Europe.

Three Serie A crowns and two European Cups were plundered while the Dutch greats were at the San Siro.

Gullit missed out on a third European Cup and fourth Serie A title as he was on loan at Sampdoria in the 1993-94 campaign.

Two Serie A titles and the same number of European Cups have been secured this century, but Milan have lagged behind the likes of Juventus for the best part of a decade.

However, they are an emerging force again and with Ibrahimovic leading the line, they top the Serie A table after seven games.

It is early in the season, but  Ibrahimovic - despite being 39 years of age - has been a force of nature. The Swede, who joined Milan for a second time in December of 2019, has eight goals from five Serie A appearances this term and Baresi feels there are no limits to what the powerhouse forward can achieve.

"It’s amazing what he can do, what he can pass on to his team-mates,” Baresi told Sky Sport. “Mentally he is still a 20-year-old. He is incredible.

“In my day I had team-mates who were as strong as him. [Marco] Van Basten and [Ruud] Gullit had this quality, this physical strength, this personality.  Ibra is making a difference as they did.

"Physically he is fit, mentally he wants to amaze. Only he can say when the right time comes to say enough and to stop playing."

In October, Ibrahimovic scored twice to secure Milan derby glory over Inter and he made it clear he has no intention of slowing down

“I feel more complete, I have more experience. When you are young you are still growing,” he said. “You spend a moment where you are learning things, playing games, you have moments and situations that repeat themselves. 

“Now I feel complete. If I had the condition of 20-30 years, nobody would stop me. But anyway, they don't stop me even now.” 

Milan will hope Ibrahimovic can carry on the momentum following the international break, as they travel to Napoli in Serie A on Sunday.

Giovanni Simeone, the Cagliari forward linked with a move to Leeds last month, says he would like to play in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old is the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, and he admits the Spanish club feels like his home - even though he has never played for them.

Cagliari president Tommaso Guilini said that Leeds had been interested in signing both Simeone Jr. and midfielder Nahitan Nandez during the summer transfer window.

However, Simeone had only recently signed for Cagliari on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell from Fiorentina, and the Serie A side were not willing to let him leave.

He has started the new season in fine form too, scoring five goals in seven appearances to help his side sit 11th in the table.

Indeed, only Andrea Belotti, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have scored more than him in the Italian top flight, while he also chipped in with one assist and completed a team-high 75 per cent of his dribbles.  

Despite his permanent spell at Cagliari still being in its infancy, Simeone is already thinking about his next move and says LaLiga side Atletico – coached by his father Diego – holds a special appeal.

"I am enjoying Cagliari but I would like to be able to change at some point in my career, that would help me to keep growing," he told Marca . "Maybe in Spain or in England, which is another place that I like a lot.  

"I always say that being in other countries makes you a better player because leagues and teams are different and I would like to keep growing. 

"The feeling that I have for Atletico is different because my dad is there. I am obviously a fan of the clubs that he played for since I was a kid, but Atletico is a bit different. 

"Each time my father played for Atletico I have put on their shirt and been a fan. Since I was a child, I have felt Atletico is my home, even though I never played there and never lived in Spain really.  

"To have this feeling of a second home is a good feeling." 

Cagliari travel to champions Juventus on Saturday as Serie A resumes following November's international break.

Vipers SC have revealed their season's ins and outs ahead of taking part in the Caf Champions League preliminary stage against Al-Hilal of Sudan in November.

Fred Kajoba’s side signed five players - Ceasar Manzoki, Ibrahim Orit, Jamil Kalisa, David Bagoole and Disan Galiwango and they are expected to help the Venoms have a successful outing especially after the return to the continental competition.

All the players signed permanent deals with the four-time Premier League winners.

“Joseph Dhata who was with us last season but couldn’t play because of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) issues, was finally cleared to feature this season,” Vipers announced.

“There have also been some youngsters licenced to feature; Richard Basangwa, Najib Yiga and Sula Mpanga from St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School."

Fahad Bayo, who emerged as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race and was the club’s top scorer, left after a season with them and joined FC Ashdod of Israel.

“But while there is excitement among Venoms supporters at the recent arrivals, there have also been a number of players who bade farewell to the club and others loaned out to get playing time,” Vipers added.

“Tito Okello also bade farewell to St Mary’s Stadium after two seasons with the club, with the striker moving to Kenya’s Gor Mahia.

“Rahmat Ssenfuka and Brian Nkuubi also left on free transfers joining Wakiso Giants FC and URA FC respectively following their release from the club.

“Tom Masiko, Frank ‘Zaga’ Tumwesigye, Duncan Sseninde, Dan Birikwalira, Joseph Janjali, Dickens Okwir, Farouk Musisi, Baden Mujahid and Derrick Ochan were all released by the club too.”

The Kitende club also revealed the loan moves involving some of their players.

“The first loan move away from Vipers was when Brian Kalumba made a temporary switch to UPDF FC. He was followed by midfielder Ibrahim Tembo to the army side on a season-long loan,” the club concluded.

“Goalkeeper Bashir Ssekagya, who spent most of his time on loan last season with Proline FC, was recalled at the end of the 2019/20 season and is among our three custodians in this 2020/21 football season.”

Vipers will face Sudan’s Al Hilal in the preliminary stage of the Caf Champions League at the end of November.

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki has admitted they were unsettled especially in the first half of Monday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 4-2 win over Sao Tome e Principe at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Themba Zwane and Percy Tau grabbed a brace each to seal the victory for Bafana Bafana, who dismissed the same opponents 2-0 last Friday in a reverse fixture.

On Monday, Sao Tome stunned Bafana after captain Joazhifel Soares thrust the islanders ahead 12 minutes into the match but Zwane led the comeback with a 39th equaliser before Tau put South Africa in front.

After Harramiz restored parity for Sao Tome, Zwane and Tau then sealed victory for Bafana Bafana in the last three minutes of the contest.

With the islanders threatening to steal a point in Port Elizabeth, Ntseki conceded that it was a tough afternoon against their opponents who “had nothing to lose.”

“We always struggle as a country when playing against the so-called small football nations,” Ntseki told Marawa Sport Worldwide on Metro FM.

“What was important to us was to psyche our players and prepare them against Sao Tome who lost 4-0 to Sudan and 1-0 against Ghana. But I think our application was very good if you look back to how we approached the game against Sao Tome in the first leg in Durban.

“In the first half, we were a bit anxious. We wanted to score an early goal and things were not coming right and we ended up becoming a bit impatient. Coming into the dressing room at half time we were working on our strengths and exposing their weaknesses.

“We needed some tactical changes of moving players within the team into different positions and it really worked because in the second half we managed to score goals and we missed a number of chances.

“But I think we had a group of good players coming into the national team who were looking forward to representing their country and do well. We all want to do well for the national team, we want to play good football, winning football and qualify for Afcon.

“I think this is what we have seen from our players. Coming into the second match we knew it was going to be difficult because you are playing a team that has nothing to lose. They throw everything at you and that is what they did in the first half.

“Secondly you are playing a team that has conceded too many goals. Coming into this match they had conceded seven goals and we were fully aware that conceding goals is not a problem for them. But in terms of their direct play in trying to get that odd goal would be an important aspect of the game we had to deal with.”

After the win, Bafana Bafana remained second in Group C while leaders Ghana take on Sudan on Tuesday.

Bafana host the Black Stars in their next match in March 2021, while Sao Tome face Sudan.

Nigeria's Ogonna Chukwudi and Cameroon's Gabrielle Onguene have helped CSKA Moscow to the 2020 Russian Women's Premier League title on Monday.

The holders had opened a fourth-point lead at the top of the table after defeating fourth-placed Zvezda Perm 1-0 courtesy of an own-goal from Valentina Orlova at Oktyabr Stadium on Sunday.

Monday's 2-2 draw between second-placed Lokomotiv Moskva and Ryazan saw Mikzim Zinovyev's ladies confirmed back-to-back champions of the Russian top-flight, with a match to spare. 

Goals from Nadezhda Koltakova and Asya Turieva ruined the title dream of Lokomotiv Moskva despite a fightback from Anna Kozhnikova and Elina Samoylova at Sapsan Arena.

In Sunday's win, Cameroon's Onguene, who was in action for the duration, while Nigeria's Chukwudi was again left out due to injury.

In 13 appearances, Onguene was a huge influence as she scored seven goals and contributed several assists to achieve her second-highest scoring campaign since arriving in Russia in 2015.

The title triumph also handed CSKA the sole ticket to represent Russia in the Uefa Women's Champions League next season.

They will hope to end their season on a high at local rivals Lokomotiv Moskva in the final match of the season on November 22.

Before the Lokomotiv clash, CSKA will square up against Austria's St. Polten in the second round playoff for the Champions League Round of 32 on Thursday.

Having successfully retained their title, they will now be eyeing a double this season in a Russian Women's Cup final face-off with Lokomotiv on December 6.

Like it or not, the reality is that your favourite footballers only have a fleeting amount of time to play professionally in the big-name leagues - with most athletes retiring around their early-to-mid 30s.

But retiring from the professional game doesn't necessarily mean the end of their involvement in football, and Goal takes a look at what kinds of careers ex-footballers take after they've kicked their final ball.

There are several avenues that footballers take once they hang up their boots and call time on playing on the pitch.

Two of the most popular routes are plunging into either coaching or punditry after retirement, with some players also earning their coaching badges while still active.

Footballers who have an eye on coaching and management might take a brief break after retirement, before taking up a behind-the-scenes coaching role at one of their former clubs or a smaller team to begin with before steadily climbing the ranks.

After retiring from professional football in 2017, ex-Blues midfielder Frank Lampard worked on his coaching qualifications and was appointed manager of Derby County in 2018.

He later joined his old club Chelsea as manager in 2019, taking over from Maurizio Sarri.

Legendary former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, likewise, retired from the game playing for the LA Galaxy in 2016 and took up a role coaching Liverpool's Under-18 side before the start of the 2017-18 campaign. The following season, Gerrard was named head coach of Rangers.

Prior to the Rangers job, Gerrard also contributed punditry and analysis to BT Sport's football coverage.

The likes of former England players Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs and John Terry have also taken up coaching jobs within their former sides and elsewhere.

Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, decided to take the non-coaching route and went into punditry soon after he called time on the game in 2013.

Carragher has since been one of the most well-known pundits in the game, helming Sky Sports' football coverage alongside former England team-mate and Manchester United rival Gary Neville.

The duo are one of the most recognisable faces in football punditry, with their Monday Night Football coverage a television mainstay - combining expert analysis with their wealth of experience as former professionals.

Former professionals such as Jamie Redknapp, Graeme Souness, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Patrice Evra have also contributed work as pundits. 

Carragher has explained that his decision to go into punditry instead of coaching was influenced by his former Liverpool managers Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier, who he said were left 'bitter and paranoid' after extensive coaching spells.

"So for 12 years of my career there were those two managers, the two biggest influences on me, love them, great respect for them, but I always say the man who came into Liverpool, who I was so impressed with, was not the man who left," Carragher told the Daily Mail.

"The job had killed them, it had broken them, they were different men, paranoid at the end, doing strange decisions. Things they would come with in the press, you were sat at home thinking 'Oh my God, no'.

"You know they're just not the same person, and I just think it's what the job does to them.

"I think a lot of managers become bitter, and then they get the love for the game, they go back into being a manager, have a year or two out, but towards the end when things aren't going well you just see a bitterness.

"I was a very intense player, and football can take you to places but it can also take you to dark places."

Other former players might do a myriad of jobs post-retirement. Some footballers might decide to do a hybrid of both coaching and punditry, or managing in smaller roles that don't necessarily involve them being the head coach.

Other footballers might also participate in charitable activities and philanthropy, setting up their own foundations and giving back to those in need.

Some might also turn to maintaining their business ventures. Former Manchester United players: the Neville brothers, Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt purchased Northern Premier League side Salford City in 2014 with David Beckham also being named as a shareholder of the side.

Beckham, meanwhile, also spearheads his own MLS club Inter Miami.

Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe is hopeful the team can still make it to the Africa Cup of Nations fnals despite going down 2-1 to Comoros.

The East African nation fell 2-1 to the hosts in a Group G Afcon qualifier on Sunday night. Mohamed Ben El-Fardou and Mattoir Faiz scored the goals for the hosts and the Harambee Stars denied them a clean sheet courtesy of Cliff Nyakeya’s effort.  

After the loss, the Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee-led charges are now on three points after four Group G games, five points behind the islanders. However, the winger is still optimistic Kenya can still qualify for the biennial competition.  

"[I am still] disappointed with the results and performance," Timbe posted on his official Facebook account.

"We fought but it was not enough. We did not take our chances but it is not over yet. We live to fight another day. Still, two games to go; everything is still possible."

Earlier on, captain Victor Wanyama conceded Kenya's chances to Cameroon are slim after Sunday's loss.

"Kenya have a minimal chance of making it to the Afcon finals but it will be hard," the Montreal Impact midfielder told Goal on Monday.

"I am not saying we should relax after the Comoros loss, but to be honest, our chances of making it to Cameroon are very slim." 

The 29-year old has also stated the game was a tough one despite the players giving their all.

He has also stated there was a problem on the technical side but that the coach is the right person to address the issue. 

"We were unlucky [to lose], it did not go as planned, we lost but at times football is like that," Wanyama continued.

"It was a tough game but it is gone and now our focus is on forthcoming assignments, we have to look for a solution now.  

"In football, we can win, lose, or draw; there are about one, two areas where we need to rectify. But that is not my job, it is the job of the technical bench. The players give absolutely everything."  

Kenya had picked up three consecutive 1-1 draws before the loss in Moroni while Comoros had a win and two draws.  

Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has not given up on qualifying for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals but knows they have to win their remaining two matches if they are to stand a chance.

Kenya's chances of making it to a second successive Afcon were dealt a significant blow after they lost 2-1 to Comoros at Moroni on Sunday.

Goals from Mohamed Ben El-Fardou and Mattoir Faiz ensured that the island nation picked up their first win in Group G to move top of the table and dim Kenya’s chances despite Cliff Nyakeya's first-half equaliser.

However, ‘Ghost’ has remained confident that Kenya still have a chance to make to the Afcon finals, if they beat Togo and Egypt to end the group on nine points.

“It is not over until it is over,” ‘Ghost’ Mulee told Goal on Monday. “We still have hopes and will work hard to make sure we haul the six points from our remaining two matches and it means we will finish the group with nine points.

“I know it will also depend on how Egypt and Togo will play in the return leg on Tuesday, I feel that we still have a chance if we win all our matches, if we win the two matches we will have a big chance.

“They are two difficult matches against two tough teams because we are also playing away in Lome and Egypt will come home, so they are heavy matches but it doesn’t mean we cannot bag maximum points from the fixtures.”

The Harambee Stars went into the match played seeking their first win in the qualification campaign as they had drawn each of their first three matches - against Egypt, Togo, and Comoros - 1-1.

Earlier in an interview with Goal, captain Victor Wanyama was of the same opinion.

“Kenya have a minimal chance of making it to the Afcon finals but it will be hard,” Wanyama told Goal on Monday. “I am not saying we should relax after the Comoros loss, but to be honest, our chances of making it to Cameroon are very slim.

“We were unlucky [to lose], it did not go as planned, we lost but at times football is like that. It was a tough game but it is gone and now our focus is on forthcoming assignments, we have to look for a solution now.”

After the loss, Kenya are now on three points after four Group G games, five points behind the islanders, and will host the Pharaohs on March 22 before wrapping up their campaign with a trip to Lome against Togo on March 30.

Manchester United can breathe a sigh of relief following confirmation from the Brazilian FA that Alex Telles has tested negative for the coronavirus.

The Red Devils issued a statement on Monday afternoon in response to reports in Brazil that the left-back had tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with his native country.

Telles came off the bench to feature in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Friday, but he emerged as a doubt for the second game of the international break against Uruguay on Tuesday after producing a positive Covid-19 test.

The Brazilian federation said Telles would undergo a second test before a decision was made on whether he could travel with the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Montevideo.

That test came back negative, with the Brazilian FA releasing a statement saying the 27-year-old would be in the travelling party.

“After a negative result in his last test, Alex Telles will travel with the squad to Uruguay,” the CBF said in a statement.

The initial positive test was a worrying moment for the player, club and country as Telles tested positive in October, and was forced to spend a fortnight away from the United squad.

The new signing from FC Porto tested negative prior to travelling to South America for the latest round of internationals.

Man Utd were aware of the situation and issued a statement to clarify their position.

The statement from Man Utd read: “The club is checking on the situation regarding Alex Telles and will assess the defender upon his return to Manchester from international duty later this week.

“Reports in Brazil have suggested Telles has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time and could therefore miss his nation’s match against Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday night.

“However, it is understood Alex’s positive test does not necessarily mean he has contracted the virus again.” 

Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now be able to plan for the weekend with a degree of certainty.

Solskjaer is without left-back Luke Shaw, who has been forced onto the sidelines by a hamstring injury he picked up against Everton prior to the international break.

The domestic season has been played at break-neck speed due to the late start to the term on account of the knock-on effects from the delay to the previous campaign.

The pace will be unrelenting after the international break, and United will face West Brom at home on Saturday which will be followed by a clash with Basaksehir in the Champions League and a trip to Southampton in the Premier League.

To have Telles, a signing from Porto in October, at his disposal will be a huge boost to Solskjaer as the defender made such a positive impression during his debut - a win against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on October 20.

Jose Mourinho has given his view of the international break with a prickly Instagram post, on the day one of his Tottenham players has tested positive for coronavirus.

Right-back Matt Doherty has returned a positive Covid-19 test while on international duty with Ireland.

Plenty have questioned the logic of holding international breaks during the pandemic. Last week, Doherty’s Ireland team-mate Alan Browne tested positive less than 24 hours after he had played the full 90 minutes of a friendly match with England.

Doherty also played the entirety of that game, as did Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, while Harry Kane and Eric Dier were on the bench. Doherty also played against Gareth Bale and Ben Davies' Wales on Sunday.

Mourinho’s Instagram account is quickly becoming a favourite of football fans, offering a refreshingly candid look into the life of one of the game’s top managers.

Alongside a picture of himself making use of Tottenham’s gym facilities, Mourinho wrote on the international break: “Amazing week of football. Great emotions in the national team matches, superb friendlies and total safety.

“Covid test results after matches been played, randomers running on the pitch while team sessions are taking place and much more. After another training session with only six players, it is now time to take care of myself.”

Tottenham have been fortunate not to have suffered injuries to any of their key players during the November international break, which has seen some of their Premier League rivals lose important players.

In a season when managers have repeatedly raised their concerns about fatigue and player welfare, international breaks have been expanded to allow countries to play three matches, rather than the usual two – so Mourinho can’t breathe easy just yet.

A number of their players could feature in international matches on Tuesday and Wednesday, before returning to north London for Spurs’ game with Manchester City on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side could be set to receive a triple injury boost with Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling all hoping to be fit for the game.

A win for Tottenham could take them to the top of the Premier League table if leaders Leicester drop points against third-placed Liverpool.

Former Nigeria and Udinese midfielder Christian Obodo was kidnapped in Warri - a city in the South-South region of Nigeria - on Sunday but he has regained his freedom without any injury.

Sunday’s incident was the second time the 36-year-old was kidnapped in Delta State, after he was abducted by gunmen in June 2012 and rescued a day later in a police raid.

Obodo, who spent over a decade as a player in Italy, narrated his ordeal after his release on Monday and he stated the kidnappers blamed the Super Eagles for their loss after betting on Friday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

The Super Eagles had led 4-0 after 29 minutes but contrived to throw away the lead and had to settle for a 4-4 draw.

“It was really discomforting locked up in a hot car trunk for hours,” he was quoted as saying on Brila FM.

“The kidnappers were even telling me about how they lost money for placing bets on Nigeria to score in the second half.

“They didn’t hurt me or intimidate me but I can’t understand the reason for anyone to want to put me through this sort of thing over again.”

During a telephone interview with AFP, Obodo divulged further information regarding the incident.

"They pushed my girlfriend out of the car," he told AFP by phone while mentioning that a third gunman drove in a car behind them.

"I was praying and trying to hold a conversation with them asking them what have I done, but they barked at me and told me to keep quiet and that if I make any sound I was going to be killed."

The Delta State Police Command, through its spokesperson Onome Onovawakpoyeya, confirmed the abduction and she stated that the former Fiorentina player was spotted when he stopped by the road to buy fruit.

“Obodo was kidnapped at about 17:00 on Sunday around Ishaka Hotel just along Refinery Road,” Onovawakpoyeya told the Punch.

“He was with his girlfriend when he was abducted. They both stopped by the road to buy bananas.”

Obodo, before retiring in 2017, had a nomadic playing career across Europe with stints in Italy, Greece, Belarus, Romania and Portugal.

On the international scene, he scored four goals in 21 appearances for the Super Eagles having been a regular in the side from 2003 to 2008.

Nigeria have arrived in Freetown on Monday afternoon for Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone.

The three-time African champions will battle the Leone Stars at the National Stadium Freetown and they will aim to make up for their disappointing 4-4 draw in Benin on Friday.

The Super Eagles surrendered a four-goal lead to allow Sierra Leone to pull off a remarkable comeback and share the spoils at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Despite the 4-4 draw, Nigeria remain Group L leaders with seven points after three games and victory over John Keister’s men would secure the country’s ticket for the continental showpiece in Cameroon 2022.

Injured Napoli forward Victor Osimhen did not make the trip to Freetown and he is expected to return to Italy for treatment of his dislocated shoulder.

Aside from Osimhen, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Rangers defender Leon Balogun and Club Brugge’s Emmanuel Dennis face a race against time to be fit for Tuesday’s match.

“The two players I took out [Balogun and Chukwuez] were injured,” Rohr said before the team’s departure.

“Balogun had a little knock but he is okay. He did a little training with the team, it’s not painless but he will be okay.

“Dennis had a little injury in the last training session, his ankle is swollen and he cannot play, he can only run, and Chukwueze has a pain in the groin and could only work in practice today but we hope to get him back for the next game.”

After Friday's capitulation on home soil, NFF president, Amaju Pinnick has set a target of goals for the Super Eagles as they seek to redeem their image in Freetown.

Kepa Arrizabalaga remains capable of proving “everybody wrong” at Chelsea, claims Asmir Begovic, with the world’s most expensive goalkeeper expected to be a “huge success” somewhere.

The Blues had been hoping that they would be the ones to benefit from the talents of the 26-year-old shot-stopper.

They invested a record-breaking £71 million in Kepa’s current ability and future potential when luring him away from Athletic Club in 2018.

Unfortunately for the Premier League heavyweights, an expensive gamble has backfired as Kepa has struggled for form throughout his time in England, with the Spaniard rarely convincing across an error-strewn spell in west London.

He has now been nudged down the pecking order by summer signing Edouard Mendy, with Frank Lampard looking to move in a different direction.

Begovic admits that things have not worked out as hoped for Kepa at Chelsea but he believes that the under-fire keeper will silence his critics at some stage, be that at Stamford Bridge or elsewhere.

The former Blues keeper told talkSPORT: “I don’t think it’s gone to plan for everyone.

“These situations are never straightforward. If you spend a big transfer fee it doesn’t mean everything is going to work out; there are a lot of factors into making a move work and making an impact at a club.

“Mendy has come in and done really, really well, I think he’s really solidified that position.

“He’s been impressive, he’s been a joy to watch to be honest and he’s someone I really enjoy watching.

“But can Kepa still prove everybody wrong? Possibly.

“I think Kepa is a really good goalkeeper, he played really well in Spain before his move to Chelsea and it’s obviously been a bit of a tricky time for him.

“He’s got really good quality and I’m sure he’ll be a huge success, whether it’s at Chelsea or somewhere else.

“When you have that equality it’s only going to be matter of time before things turn around for him again in a positive way.”

Kepa, who has taken in 98 appearances for Chelsea, started the 2020-21 campaign between the sticks for the Blues, but fell out of favour once Mendy was snapped up from Rennes and has not seen a single minute of action since October 17.

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has no intention of attempting to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain should he win his election bid.

Neymar spent four trophy-laden seasons at Camp Nou before joining the French giants for a record €222 million (£200m/$262m) in August 2017.

He has since been embroiled in a court battle with his former club over an alleged breach of contract and unpaid loyalty payments.

Amid fresh rumours last week linking Neymar with a return to Catalunya, Font has ruled out making an approach for the 28-year-old.

"Institutionally, Neymar's not in my plans," said Font, who has previously stated he wants to bring Pep Guardiola back to the club to reunite the Catalan coach with Lionel Messi.

"For financial reasons and for other reasons, like the lawsuit he has against the club and the fact he left the club in a tricky position days before the season started [in 2017]."

Neymar has scored 49 times in 56 Ligue 1 outings since arriving at PSG and assisted a further 29 - only team-mate Kylian Mbappe (95) has been directly involved in more goals in the competition in that time.

During his time with Barca, meanwhile, he was directly involved in 164 goals in 186 appearances, helping the club to eight trophies.

"He would fit in on the sporting side but not on the financial or the institutional side of things," Font added in the interview with Sport.

"But the signings will be in the hands of the sporting directorate, not as they have been made up until now."

Barcelona have been without an official president since Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned at the end of October ahead of an expected vote of no confidence.

Font is the heavy favourite to win the election, which is scheduled to take place on January 24.

He may have a number of issues to address if he is to take control of power at Camp Nou, with it possible that Messi – who is only tied to a contract through to the summer of 2021 – will have spoken with suitors outside of La Liga by the time Barca get their new president in place.

Barcelona want Lionel Messi to stay put and win more Ballons d’Or and Champions Leagues while on their books, with Toni Nadal revealing that Victor Font will look to make those dreams a reality if he wins the club’s presidential election.

With Josep Maria Bartomeu losing control at Camp Nou, a new figurehead will be put in place during late-January 2021.

Several contenders are in the frame to fill a prominent role within the most demanding of sporting boardrooms, and Font is a leading candidate with big ambitions for the club.

Part of his blueprint involves keeping talismanic captain Messi in Catalunya, with Nadal – the uncle of tennis superstar Rafa – among those who could fill a position alongside him.

He has told Sport of efforts to get Messi tied to a new contract after seeing the South American push for a move elsewhere over the summer: “I don't know if I see myself capable, but I would try for sure.

“I wish they gave me the opportunity to try. I would like to see him win another Champions League with us, winning the Ballon d'Or and I would like him to help us make an exciting project.”

Nadal claims to have been given no indication from Messi that his head has been turned, with the 33-year-old considered to be as important as ever in 2020-21.

“In the games I have seen, I see him motivated and at a good level," he continued. 

“I always trust the best and Messi has been the best in the world for many years, he continues to be so and I am convinced that he still has a lot of satisfaction to give the club.”

He added on long-term planning with and without an all-time great: “At the moment we have to try and enjoy the fact that Messi is there. 

“Unfortunately Messi will not last forever and will leave a great void for all of us who have enjoyed him for so many years. 

“There is no other option, the club is more than 100 years old, it has been without Messi and at some point unfortunately we will have to be without him again, so we have to prepare well.”

Nadal believes Barca already have a number of potential successors to Messi’s crown in place, with exciting youngsters such as Ansu Fati, Pedri and Trincao expected to unlock further potential.

“Being another Messi is very difficult for anyone,” said Nadal. “It's almost impossible. Being the best in history is very difficult. 

“What any athlete has to try and do is to reach his maximum level, but it will almost never be Messi's, although I think that Ansu Fati is a great player and, due to his age and talents, he is one of the possible great stars of the post-Messi era. Pedri also seems very good to me, and Trincao too.”

Mathieu Flamini is more than just a footballer, but the former Arsenal midfielder is not expecting his business interests to put him in a position where he could return to Emirates Stadium as owner.

The 36-year-old Frenchman has taken in two spells at Emirates Stadium, either side of a stint with Serie A giants AC Milan.

He has 246 appearances for the Gunners to his name, along with three FA Cup successes and a Champions League final appearance.

A strong bond with Arsenal has been retained since heading to pastures new, with a close eye kept on how the Premier League heavyweights are faring.

It has been suggested that Flamini could make his way back to north London at some stage, with his efforts away from the field helping to further raise his profile and bank balance – with denials having to be made in the recent past that he has €30 billion (£27bn/$36bn) to his name.

Asked by The Athletic whether he expects to launch a bid for control at the Emirates, Flamini said: “No!

“Don’t ask me how I’ll be involved in football, because it’s not something I’ve thought about. But, definitely, it’s something which I’ve been part of forever in my life. I will always want to be part of this community.”

Flamini’s latest venture has seen him team up with former Arsenal colleague Mesut Ozil to launch the Unity project – a health platform that will work with a network of athletics and elite sportspeople to bring their experiences to the masses.

With plenty to keep his hands full, a man with three senior international caps to his name could be forgiven for winding down his on-field commitments.

Flamini is, however, adamant that he is not ready to head into retirement just yet, despite being without a club since severing ties with Getafe in 2018-19.

He added on his future plans: “I haven’t announced my retirement yet.

“I still feel good and healthy! When you take care of your health, when you eat healthy, when you drink water, when you sleep well, I will say you age better. I’m feeling very good and I haven’t decided to continue or to stop, that’s the first aspect.

“The second aspect is obviously I’ve been in the industry of football forever, that’s the industry I know the most. So, obviously, I will always want to be close to that industry and to stay involved.”

Uganda failed to book an early African Cup of Nations slot after South Sudan condemned them to a 1-0 loss at Nyayo Stadium on Monday.

The win, courtesy of a goal scored by Gor Mahia’s new star Tito Okello, ensured the Bright Stars picked up a maiden group win while Uganda suffered an unlikely first loss in the qualifiers.

After the matchday four fixtures, Burkina Faso lead Group B with eight points, followed by Uganda on seven. Malawi are on four and South Sudan on three.

As was the case in the reverse fixture, South Sudan looked comfortable in dealing with Uganda’s attacks that were spearheaded by Allan Okello, Fahad Bayo and Luwagga Kizito in the early moments of the game.

The showdown did not witness any clear chances until in the 22nd minute when South Sudan’s Makueth Wol’s shot on target was stopped by Uganda’s captain Denis Onyango.

As the Bright Stars stood firm at the back and dealt with Uganda’s attackers with some ease, Farouk Miya attempted a long-range shot but it went off target in the 25th minute.

A well-drilled build-up saw Uganda disintegrate at the back and Tito Okello found himself through on goal but he was clumsily stopped by Khalid Aucho, who was the last man.

The referee awarded a penalty for the Bright Stars and the Gor Mahia striker successfully converted to give the hosts a 35th-minute lead.

As Aucho left the pitch, having been sent off for his offence, coach Johnathan McKinstry made a tactical change to deal with the effects of the red card. Michael Azira was brought on as William Kizito was consequently sacrificed.

The Bright Stars almost doubled their lead in the 57th minute through the former Vipers SC forward Okello. Ivan Wani set up a good cross for the goal scorer but his effort was blocked and resulted into a fruitless corner.

After being given a good pass by Allan Okello, Emmanuel Okwi thought he scored in the 58th minute but his goal was ruled out for offside and the decision led to some protest from the Ugandan side of the pitch and on the touchline.

The former Simba SC winger almost got a place on the scoresheet again but goalkeeper Majak Mawith did well to block him from giving Ugandan an equaliser in the 60th minute.

AFC Leopards’ Musa Saad was sent off in the 82nd minute for a dangerous tackle on Okwi who was posing a real threat to South Sudan since he came on.

As the teams played the last stage of the match with 10 men each, the Bright Stars got the last laugh especially after losing the last match with a 1-0 margin despite the good fight at the time.

McKinstry, as he had hinted since they recorded the win at St Mary’s Stadium on Thursday, effected six changes in his squad. Karim Watambala, Nicholas Wadada, Halid Lwaliwa, Disan Galiwango, Okello and Bayo all started for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup champions.

South Sudan Starting XI: Majak Mawith, Peter Maker (C), Omot Sebit, Mutwakil Abdelkarim, Rahan Angier, Stephen Pawaar, Jackson Morgan, Munyumow Achol, Tito Okello, Chok Daniel, Makueth Wol.

Uganda Starting XI: Denis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada, Disan Galiwango, Halid Lwaliwa, Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Karim Watambala, Farouk Miya, Allan Okello, Fahad Bayo, Luwagga Kizito.