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Italy will have to do without Leonardo Bonucci and Roberto Gagliardini for their upcoming Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Defender Bonucci is out with a muscular problem having revealed he had played on with an adductor injury during the second half of Juventus' 1-1 draw with Lazio prior to the international break.

The centre-back had not featured in Thursday's friendly against Estonia, a game the Azzurri won 4-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to 20 matches.

"I wanted to be there at all costs, but unfortunately I can't," Bonucci said in an interview with Rai Sport on Saturday.

"I pushed hard and gritted my teeth in the last 20 days, including against Lazio in the last half-hour when I felt discomfort. 

"Unfortunately it is a crescendo of pain, I am forced to stop. In Turin, we will evaluate the recovery times."

Gagliardini, meanwhile, has left the national squad ahead of the fixture against Poland in Reggio Emilia after returning an inconclusive result in Friday's Covid-19 tests.

The Inter midfielder tested positive at the start of October, though had seemingly recovered as he was cleared to return to action for his club.

After coming off the bench in Inter's 1-1 draw with Atalanta on November 8, the 26-year-old played the entire game for Italy against Estonia.

However, with the outcome of a second swab test taken on Saturday still not known, the Italian Football Federation announced Gagliardini is to return to Milan, meaning he will not be part of the travelling party for the trip to Sarajevo either.

"During yesterday's checks ahead of Italy vs. Poland, Roberto Gagliardini’s test results were inconclusive. He already had previously tested positive for Covid-19 at the beginning of October following swab tests with his club; however, he then recovered from the virus and returned a negative result," Italy confirmed on the FIGC's official website. 

"Since the test results are not always certain in their detection of Covid-19 in cured persons, a second swab was taken this morning, the outcome of which is expected in the evening.

"Taking into consideration the journey this morning to Reggio Emilia and the subsequent trip to Sarajevo on Tuesday, the player, although asymptomatic, will return to Milan as a precautionary measure."

Tanzania claimed the Cosafa U17 Women's Cup for the first time after defeating Zambia 4-3 on penalties following a tightly contested 90-minute 1-1 draw in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The young Twiga Stars finished second in their round-robin with nine points from four matches, while the Copper Princesses ended at the top with 12 points from the same matches to reach the final.

Having won the maiden Cosafa U20 tourney last year, the East Africans eyed another success but made a false start as Comfort Selemani gave Zambia the lead after just 18 minutes of action.

Inside injury time, the Twiga Stars were gifted a penalty and Aisha Masaka wasted no chance to convert her 10th goal of the tournament from the spot to force a stalemate in regulation time.

In the penalty shoot-out, Zambia's search for a first regional title hit the rock as Tanzania converted from the spot to claim the crown.

The result saw the Twiga Stars become the second East African side to celebrate a Cosafa age-grade glory following Uganda's triumph at the inaugural U17 event title in Mauritius last year.

In individual awards, Zambia’s Tisilile Lungu was named the Player of the Tournament and her compatriot goalkeeper Chitete Munsaka claimed the Golden Glove, with fewer conceded goals.

Also, Masaka of Tanzania won the Golden Boot award with her 10 goals, while second-placed Zambia claimed the Fair Play Award.

Thomas Partey’s untimely injury, which has come on the back of a bright start to life in England, should come as no surprise, says Kevin Campbell, with such issues considered to be “an Arsenal thing”.

The Gunners moved late in the summer transfer window to snap up a midfielder that had been registering on their recruitment radar for some time.

Patience in north London finally paid off when a £45 million ($59m) deal was done with Atletico Madrid on deadline day.

Partey was tipped by many to make an immediate impact at Emirates Stadium, with his obvious qualities earning comparisons to Arsenal icons from the past such as Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva.

The Ghana international has delivered on that big billing, slotting seamlessly into the fold.

Early optimism has, however, been countered by an unfortunate knock.

He lasted just 45 minutes in a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa before being forced from the field with a thigh complaint.

Partey has been denied the opportunity to link up with his country during the November break in domestic duty as a result, with the 27-year-old taking in a much-needed rest.

Campbell believes such setbacks are typical for Arsenal, with the Gunners still scratching around for a reversal in fortune after handing their managerial reins to Mikel Arteta.

Partey appears capable of playing a leading role in a bid to bring the good times back to Emirates Stadium, but he will be disappointed and frustrated at recent goings on.

“These things happen in football, sadly,” Campbell told Football Insider of events on and off the field at Arsenal.

“I am sure Thomas Partey would have been shocked by the performance against Aston Villa.

“The frustrating thing is that this guy was virtually ever-present at Atletico. He rarely suffered injury but the Premier League is a different kettle of fish and this is something Arsenal have to deal with.

“It’s an Arsenal thing – you have just signed a top player, he plays well and he gets injured.”  

Arsenal are still waiting to discover whether Partey will be ready to step back into their side when they take in a trip to Leeds on November 22.

Luis Figo claims to see shades of himself in Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, with the France international still considered to be a player that boasts “enormous potential”.

The Blaugrana have not seen enough of that potential since investing heavily in the 23-year-old during the summer of 2017.

After offloading Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking deal, part of that €222 million (£200m/$262m) transfer package was reinvested in luring Dembele away from Borussia Dortmund.

He was considered to be one of Europe’s hottest prospects at the time, but has endured “bad luck” on the injury front since arriving at Camp Nou, according to Figo.

Questions have also been asked of Dembele’s attitude at times, as he has been restricted to 82 appearances across three full seasons and the opening months of the 2020-21 campaign.

Figo, though, believes that there is a top talent there and that Barca should keep the faith.

The Portuguese is also expecting big things from Ansu Fati in Catalunya, with the talented teenager currently laid low with an unfortunate knee injury.

Figo told Marca of those in the modern era that conjure up memories of his own efforts: “If you have to ask me for a player that reminds me of the way I played, I'll say that I really like Dembele.

“He's had bad luck with injuries, but he has enormous potential.

“Then there are others like [Serge] Gnabry at Bayern Munich; he's very good, young. They play as a winger and I like their self-confidence when it comes to one-v-ones.

“Ansu Fati has also started like that. They're players that I like because they like to take risks and they have no fear. And that's important for teams that play with wingers.

“I also like [Cristian] Portu at Real Sociedad.”

Barca tied Dembele to a five-year contract when snapping him up from Dortmund, with those terms due to run through to the summer of 2022.

No extension has been agreed as yet, which has led to speculation surfacing regarding a potential move elsewhere.

The likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the Frenchman in the recent past and the Blaugrana are under pressure to sell before they splash the cash on further incomings.

The majority of the United States - and the rest of the world - collectively breathed a sigh of relief when former vice president Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, defeating Donald Trump and ending four years of a tumultuous term.

Biden's presidency will be a positive step forward, shifting away from the dangerous and exclusionary rhetoric that Trump would engage in while in office.

So is the Democrat a soccer fan, and if so, what soccer team does Biden support? Goal takes a look.

Donald Trump vs Joe Biden: Where do U.S. presidential race 2020 candidates stand on soccer issues?

While Biden has never pledged his affiliation to any club soccer team in the United States in Europe, he is obviously an ardent supporter of the U.S. national teams.

He has, however, been photographed at a game between D.C. United and Philadelphia Union in 2010.

Biden been supportive of both the U.S. Men's National Team and the U.S. Women's Team especially, voicing his support for the women's team to be granted equal pay.

The former vice-president, along with his wife Jill Biden, has been pictures at several soccer games, and supported the United States' bid to host the 2022 World Cup before it was eventually awarded to Qatar.

Biden congratulated the USWNT immediately after their World Cup success in 2019 in France, writing on his Twitter: "USWNT, congratulations on the big win and thank you for the jersey!

"Your talent, heart and advocacy for equal pay represents the best of America and serves as an inspiration for all."

He has consistently called for the USWNT to be paid the same as their male counterparts, and even threatened to withdraw funding for the 2026 World Cup as president should the gender pay gap issue not be resolved.

"To USWNT: don't give up this fight," he said on Twitter. "This is not over yet.

"To U.S. Soccer: equal pay, now. Or else when I'm president, you can go elsewhere for World Cup funding."

A number of current and former USWNT athletes have also publicly endorsed Biden for president, with Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan all supportive of him.

"Congratulations Joe Biden," Rapinoe wrote on Twitter. "#46 and has to be said, historic day for @KamalaHarris and for Women, for Black Women, for South Asian Women. LFG!"

Rapinoe has often spoken out against Trump, calling the outgoing president a "white nationalist" and refusing an invitation to the White House should the USWNT win the World Cup - which led to a social media sparring war from Trump.

The USWNT star also jokingly hinted that Biden should nominate her for vice-president prior to him choosing Kamala Harris in an Instagram live video: "I don't want to put you on the spot – I think I could still play soccer and do this," Rapinoe told Biden.

"But if you need a vice-president, I'm just saying I'm available for an interview. We can talk logistics and the details. Put it on your list. No pressure."

While Biden does not seem to follow club soccer closely, he is an all-around sports fan - a supporter of the Philadelphia Phillies in baseball and Philadelphia Eagles in NFL.

He is also known to have a soft spot for the New York Yankees due to his grandfather's ties to the team.

Gareth Bale’s penchant for golf continues to receive the full backing from those around him in the Wales camp, with Chris Gunter pointing out that the Tottenham loanee is not the only one keeping a close eye on The Masters.

A man who faced plenty of criticism for his interests outside of football during his time at Real Madrid continues to fall under the spotlight.

Bale was not involved in Wales’ 0-0 draw with the United States in a friendly encounter on Thursday, leaving him watching on from the stands.

He was caught on camera glued to a laptop screen while his fellow countryman faced the USA, with many quick to suggest that he was keeping up to date with goings on at Augusta.

Caretaker Wales coach Robert Page claims to have no issue with Bale’s extracurricular activities, with Gunter claiming that mindset is shared across the entire camp.

“Who doesn’t keep an eye on The Masters? It’s one of the best sporting events of the year,” Gunter, who has spent many years playing alongside Bale for Wales, told reporters.

“It’s something really good to watch in the hotel over the next few days.”

Wales are due to be back in action on Sunday when they face the Republic of Ireland in their latest UEFA Nations League fixture.

That contest will coincide with the final round of The Masters, with Gunter adding: “It would certainly be nice if we can get a good result at the weekend.

“And then if anybody has a pound or two on any of the players then hopefully they can do well too.

“Most important thing for us is the football — but it is something nice to watch in the next few days in the hotel.”

Bale is expected to be involved against the Irish, as his workload continues to be carefully managed by Spurs and Wales, with Gunter seeing a spark back in the 31-year-old after his struggles in Spain.

The experienced full-back said: “The way he’s been this week is the way he’s been any time I’ve been with Wales. He’s the exact same, regardless of any situation. He just loves coming away and is fully excited.

“He’s always in good shape, that’s your job as a footballer.

“It would be disrespectful to say he’s in the best shape now, because of his professionalism since he started breaking in for club and country.

“Whenever he comes away with Wales he performs to an extremely high level.

“I haven’t noticed any different. He’s the exact same guy when we started playing together in the Under-17s.

“We’re lucky to have him and hopefully he can do over the next week what he’s been doing for many years for us.”

Simba SC attacking midfielder Clatous Chama has revealed why he has respect for Young Africans (Yanga SC) as speculation mounts on his future.

Goal understands the Zambian is engaging Simba for a possible new two-year deal as his current contract is expected to collapse at the end of the season.

Yanga have been open suitors for Chama but the midfielder has revealed why he would not be joining Simba’s rivals although he has total respect for them.

“I respect Yanga a lot because they are a big team who have very good players and officials who are very experienced in soccer administration,” the former Lusaka Dynamos star told Mwanaspoti.

“Taking into account the kind of competition and rivalry Simba and Yanga have had, it would be hard for me to join them because that would hurt the officials who brought me here.

“That will also hurt the fans who have been supportive regardless of my situation since I came.

“Football is an adventure that is run by money and that helps the players have some good lives for themselves and those who depend on them. And that is why I respect Yanga for putting enough money as they recognise that fact.”

In a separate interview, Chama had revealed why he was optimistic the negotiations with Simba and gave an indication they will strike common ground soon.

“Negotiations between me and Simba are taking a good direction and there are a few demands I have made, before I can extend the contract with the club,” the Zambian star revealed. “But I can confirm the talks are going on well.

“If we continue with the talks as we have done and because I believe Simba officials are going to agree with me, then I am going to sign a new contract in the next few days.

“Let me give Simba fans some hope, the chances of signing a new contract now stands at 80% and in the end, I believe I am going to remain at this place for two more years.

“But if the talks are going to collapse, I will not play for another team here in Tanzania.”

Chama has been an influential first-teamer since he signed for Simba in 2018.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to assure their fans that midfielder Mukoko Tonombe will not leave the club.

Tonombe, who signed for the Jangwani giants in the just concluded transfer window has been linked with a move to rivals Simba SC, a day after it emerged Yanga had also shown interest to Clatous Chama from the league champions.

Hersi Said, GSM’S Investment Director, has now rubbished the claims that Tonombe will leave for Simba saying the player is happy to serve Yanga.

“What is being said on social media platforms concerning Mukoko is just propaganda by a certain fraction of people who do not wish Yanga well and have run out of ideas,” Said said as quoted by Daily News.

“The truth is Mukoko signed a two-year extension contract to serve at our club as such, people should not be misguided from what they see on social media outlets since he is our legal player.”

He further revealed that already Yanga have completed payments of transfer and signing fees of Mukoko from his former club AS Vita hence the two parties have nothing to worry about.

“As you know, Tonombe is the third captain in our team and I can assure you that he is happy to serve Yanga,” Said continued.

His statement comes just a day after Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez stated there is no way they are going to let midfielder Chama join Yanga.

“Simba are a big brand who know what to do so that the fans might not end up regretting their support for the club,” Gonzalez told Mwanaspoti.

“On matters Chama, we have had some negotiations with him which are ongoing and in a direction we like but for now we have not come close to an agreement. What I can tell fans is that soon, they will know the answer to the questions surrounding the midfielder and his future.

“Talking of Simba, they are the biggest club in the country and in no way can be compared to Yanga. I can state categorically, Chama will never join Yanga and if their fans were waiting for that to happen, let them prepare their minds to see him turn out in Simba’s jersey for long.

“During transfer seasons, anything can be said about any player but we know what to do and how to help Tanzanian soccer grow even better. As Simba, we want to be a good example to other teams.”

Simba signed Chama from Lusaka Dynamos in 2018 on a one-year deal which was later extended by two years. The contract is expected to expire at the end of the season.

South Korea will take the field for Saturday's friendly against Mexico despite seeing a host of players test positive for Covid-19, the Korean Football Association has confirmed. 

The KFA revealed that screening for the virus carried out on Thursday had yielded four positive cases among the squad as well as a further instance in the nation's coaching staff. 

Forward Lee Dong-jun, midfielders Kwon Chang-hoon and Hwang In-beom, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, and an unidentified staffer were the confirmed cases according to the association. 

The KFA additionally noted that in a second round of tests conducted on Saturday morning in Austria, two further players, Kim Moon-hwan and Na Sang-ho, returned positives and were also separated from the squad.

The outbreak in Austrian capital Vienna had put Korea's friendly clash in the Stadion Wiener Neustadt due to the risks of further infection. 

But the KFA insists that the situation is under control and that the game would not be abandoned.

"KFA announced on November 14 that it has decided to continue the match between Korea and Mexico as a result of a meeting with officials from the Mexico Football Association and Austrian Football Association," the association signalled in a statement released on Saturday.

"The Mexico Football Association and the Austrian Football Association hoped to play the match based on the FIFA/UEFA rules and following the precedents set in October and November, while the KFA also accepted the request of the two associations in consideration of various conditions.

"According to the rules of FIFA and UEFA, if there are 13 or more players (including one goalkeeper) eligible to play (with negative Covid-19 tests), the game can be played.

"Currently, four of the 25 national team players, including Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Jo Hyun-woo, and Hwang In-beom, have tested positive. The number of people who can participate in the game is 19.

"Ahead of the match between Japan and Panama, which took place in Graz, Austria on [November] 13th, just before the game with Mexico, two Covid-19 confirmed cases came out from the Panama squad, but the match was held excluding the two players.

"In October, a similar situation was produced, but the match was not cancelled. At the time, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the match, but the international was normally held without Ronaldo.

"The match kicks off on November 14 at 9pm. Only players and staff who have tested negative in the Covid-19 PCR test conducted will participate. Players and staff who are currently testing positive will be quarantined locally for 10 days. After that, the quarantine will end only after a Covid-19 diagnostic test is conducted again and a negative test is obtained.

"Meanwhile, the national team's squad and coaching staff conducted a PCR test within 72 hours of travelling to Austria, and all negatives were confirmed. In addition, according to the FIFA rules, a second inspection was conducted at 5pm on the 12th, two days before the game, and Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Jo Hyun-woo, Hwang In-beom and one staff member were positive.

"At 8am on the 14th, all the members who were negative in the second round were retested. The 19 people who were negative as a result of the test will compete today. The positive responders, Kim Moon-hwan and Na Sang-ho, are excluded from the squad list and will undergo a reconfirmation process for body odor samples."

Liverpool will enter the January transfer market for an “A-list centre-half”, says Don Hutchison, with the Reds expected to set their sights on the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Two star turns currently plying their trade for RB Leipzig and Napoli respectively have been heavily linked with moves to Merseyside.

That is because Jurgen Klopp finds himself alarmingly short on defensive options.

A spate of injuries at Anfield has left the likes of Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the treatment table.

Liverpool are expected to counter that misfortune by exploring all of the options available to them in the winter window.

Hutchison believes money will be spent, as the Reds are down to the bare bones, and that another proven performer for the present and future will be acquired.

The former Liverpool midfielder told ESPN FC: “[Klopp will] come up with a game plan and he may give one of the rookie centre-halves a chance to stake a claim because it might dent their confidence if they see Jordan Henderson or James Milner go and play in their position.

“So he might give Nat Phillips a start, who's very, very good in the air, I think Rhys Williams is a little bit quicker over the ground, so he might play him [against Leicester] looking at the Jamie Vardy factor.

“But it's important that whoever plays, and I think Fabinho's going to be fit, but I think whoever fills this void in the short term tries to get Liverpool through the next few games, the next period, to try and get them to January.

“I think Upamecano's buyout clause at Leipzig is £40 million [next summer], so that's not a huge amount of money for such a young talent.

“Koulibaly is still at Napoli, who was valued at about £60m, so I think what it does is it really pushes Liverpool into the transfer market to go and buy an A-list centre-half, and when Joe Gomez is back and when Virgil van Dijk is back, they've still got that quality.

“The squad from there will only be stronger.”

Liverpool will be back in Premier League action on November 21 when they play host to Leicester, with the reigning champions facing 11 games across all competitions through to the end of the calendar year and the opening of another recruitment opportunity.

Luis Figo believes Lionel Messi may yet force his way through the exits at Camp Nou, with Barcelona warned that “nothing can change your mind” once you set your heart on making a fresh start.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner pushed for a move away from the Liga giants over the summer.

Having grown disillusioned with life at the only club side he has represented over the course of a distinguished career to date, Messi decided that the time was right for a new challenge.

The likes of Manchester City and Inter were quick to position themselves at the front of a transfer queue, but no talks could be held as Barca stood firm.

Messi revealed to Goal that he will be honouring the final year of his contract, with those terms taking him through to 2021.

No extension has been agreed to that deal as yet, meaning that the 33-year-old will be free to speak with interested parties from January.

Figo is intrigued to see how a remarkable sporting story plays out, with the Portuguese conceding that Messi may have already decided that a departure is on the cards in Catalunya.

The former Barca winger told Marca: “I watched the thing with Messi and his attempt to leave Barcelona this summer like all football fans: expectantly and surprised.

“He'll have his motives and reasons for making that decision. I don't know what happened beforehand.

“Every club wants to have a player like Messi, but then it depends on factors like the current financial situation at the club, the money he'll cost the club in wages, the will of the player...

“But generally, in life, if you don't want to be somewhere, in the end there's nothing that can change your mind.”

Opinion regarding Messi’s next move remains divided, with plenty tipping him to stay put and agree another contract at Barca.

Others believe that he is destined to explore alternative options at the turn of the year, with Barca not holding their presidential elections until late in January, and that the likes of City may get the chance to put the most remarkable of deals in place.

South Africa claimed the Cosafa Women's Cup for a record seventh time after defeating Botswana 2-1 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Six-time winners Banyana Banyana thrashed 10-player Malawi 6-2 to reach an eighth final while Botswana edged Olympic-bound Zambia 2-1 to a first ever final appearance on Wednesday.

The hosts were seeking to end their outing on a high as Gabriela Salgado set up Sibulele Holweni to open the scoring for Desiree Ellis' team, with her eighth goal of the tournament after just two minutes.

With a narrow first half lead, Banyana continued from where they left off in the second stanza of the match as Salgado got on the scoresheet in the 66th minute to double her side's lead.

Botswana, however, fought back when Thanda Mokgabo fired past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini five minutes from time but her effort could not deny Banyana a fourth crown in a row.

The latest regional title success was the fourth under South Africa manager Ellis, while Botswana will be consoled by their first-ever runners-up finish. 

In individual accolades, South Africa forward Hildah Magaia was named Player of the Tournament following her impactful displays throughout the tournament in Banyana Banyana's triumph.

Besides Magaia, compatriot Sibulele Holweni won the Golden Boot, with eight goals, while Botswana goalkeeper Maitumelo Bosija claimed the Golden Glove and Eswatini bagged the Fair Play award.

Eric Garcia continues to give little away when it comes to his future plans, with the teenage defender eager to point out that he remains a Manchester City player as talk of a return to Barcelona rumbles on.

The Catalan native has emerged as a top target for those at Camp Nou.

He left his homeland in 2017 and has earned senior recognition with City and Spain during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Garcia is, however, only tied to a contract through to the summer of 2021.

His current employers have expressed interest in thrashing out fresh terms , but those pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

That is keeping Barcelona interested, with the Liga giants confident that they can pave a way for the 19-year-old to retrace his steps.

Garcia, though, is keeping his focus locked on the present and is reluctant to be drawn on what the coming months could hold for him at club level.

Quizzed on his plans by El Mundo , the highly-rated centre-half said: “The only thing I can say is that I am a Manchester City player.

“I have a contract, and I am very grateful because they were the ones who bet on me.

“I’m grateful for the confidence of Pep [Guardiola], Txiki [Begiristan], everyone… and nothing, just that.

“Today I'm at City, but tomorrow you never know where you can be, maybe because you don't perform, because of an injury…”

Garcia has become a much sought-after commodity due to his ability to play the ball out from the back.

City and Barca place plenty of emphasis on those qualities within their respective systems, but the youngster is aware that his main “mission” is to keep opponents out.

He added: “My function is to defend, if you have to kick, you do it.

“If you have to give a kick, it is done. If you have to go out with the ball, it is done. If you have to clear, it’s done.

“It’s true that I like to go out with the ball, also because in the clubs where I’ve been I’ve had to do it, but my first mission is to defend.”

Garcia, who has taken in 26 appearances for City, is currently on UEFA Nations League duty with Spain and will be eager to add to the two caps he has already collected for his country.

Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki wants to make a statement to the big guns of African football in order to earn more respect.

Ntseki was speaking in the context of the 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, following South Africa's 2-0 win over Sao Tome e Principe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday night.

On the score-sheet for the hosts were Percy Tau, who scored with a penalty, and Bongani Zungu, who weighed in with a 90th minute header from a Keagan Dolly corner.

The result moves Bafana to six points and keeps them in second spot in Group C, behind Ghana, who have nine points from their three matches. Sudan are third with three points.

South Africa will meet once more with Sao Tome e Principe in Port Elizabeth on Monday afternoon and Ntseki wants his men to ensure they keep the pedal on the gas in order to try and keep pace with Ghana.
 
"So it’s not like maybe we are going to take the foot off the pedal and say‚ ‘It is their game’," the coach was quoted saying by the Sowetan.

“It is our game‚ being in South Africa. Even if we were to play in Sao Tome it would be the same.

“Because in every game we are fully aware that we cannot just allow Ghana to run away with the group. We are also a force to be reckoned with," he continued.

“And we can only ever get respect if we do well against teams like Ghana‚ who are No.6 in Africa‚ and we are No.13. We want to be in the top 10‚ and to do that we have to play well and win games.

“Caf and Fifa rankings are very important. It’s been some time since we’ve been out of the top 10 in Africa and the top 50 in the world."

Bafana Bafana are ranked 72nd in the world by Fifa, while Ghana are 48th and the top African side, Senegal, are 21st.

South Africa lost their opening Group C match 2-0 to Ghana and will meet the Black Stars again in March 2021.

Gareth Southgate says "phenomenal" England captain Harry Kane is capable of breaking Wayne Rooney's all-time scoring record.

Kane has hit 32 goals in 49 games for the Three Lions since grabbing his first international cap back in 2015.

Only five men have scored more goals for England than the Tottenham striker, with ex-Manchester United and Everton frontman Rooney currently leading the way on 53.

Kane has drawn blanks in each of his last four appearances for Southgate's side but has been in scintillating form at club level, scoring 13 in 14 outings for Spurs across all competitions.

The 27-year-old's latest chance to increase his haul for his country will likely come in a UEFA Nations League clash away at Belgium on Sunday, with Southgate of the opinion that the experienced striker could go onto overtake Rooney given the fact he is just entering the prime years of his career.

"In terms of what is possible, the goalscoring record is the really interesting one because his strike rate for us is phenomenal and he has time on his side to chase Wayne Rooney's record which would be a remarkable feat," the England boss told a pre-match press conference.

"I know from his perspective, while the personal achievement is something he is driven towards, it is the team achievement.

"He is so focused on the team having success and he would want to look back over the next few years at the team achieving."

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who was an unused substitute along with Kane as the Three Lions picked up a 3-0 friendly victory over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, added on the Tottenham star's influence in the dressing room and on the pitch: "With 'H', you feel his presence all the time.

"If you look at the other night, he was involved but beforehand he is in the changing room, getting everyone ready and talking to the lads individually.

"For a youngster like me, who is aspiring to be a future captain, you have to look at what he does.

"He might not be the loudest on the pitch, but the way he takes the ball under pressure and gets defences scared, he is a real leader."

Eden Hazard has "switched off" again at Real Madrid, according to Tony Cascarino, who says the ex-Chelsea star is failing to live up to his "great" potential.

Madrid invested €100 million (£90m/$118m) in Hazard's talents in the summer of 2019, having seen him become one of Europe's most effective wingers during his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgium international scored 110 goals in 352 outings for Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, two Europa League crowns and the FA Cup in the process, but has so far been unable to reach the same heights at Santiago Bernabeu.

Although Hazard did manage to become a Liga winner in his first season with the Blancos, he only scored once in 16 domestic outings amid persistent struggles for form and fitness.

Those issues have continued at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, with Cascarino of the opinion that the ex-Blues talisman has allowed his standards to slip.

The former Chelsea forward says Hazard was guilty of doing the same throughout his time in west London, with a lack of consistency preventing him from nailing down a place among the greatest players in history.

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

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

“He went to Real Madrid to become the best player in the world, he even mentioned that, he talked about that when he joined Madrid, but what a difficult time he’s had since he’s joined. It’s been really hard on him. He’s found it tough.

“Obviously injuries have played a huge part in it, he went to Real Madrid and apparently was a tad overweight, he lost his confidence, but he seems to recovered his fitness of late.

“Belgium miss him. I can remember his performance against Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, it was him and Neymar both out on the right and Hazard outplayed Neymar all night. He was just superb.

“I really miss seeing Hazard being Hazard, because he is a great player when he’s on.

“He has done this a couple of times, he has switched off in his career and Chelsea fans will tell you. There were a couple of times where he just switched off at Chelsea.

“But when he switches on he’s up there with the best players who have ever played the game.

“We just haven’t seen Hazard at a best for a long time.”

Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of France’s UEFA Nations League clash with Portugal through injury, with the Paris Saint-Germain striker being denied the chance to face Cristiano Ronaldo again.

The 21-year-old forward has been nursing a hamstring complaint since taking in a Ligue 1 outing against Nantes on October 31.

He was replaced after 74 minutes of that contest and has not been seen since – sitting out PSG’s Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig and a domestic victory over Rennes.

Despite being short of minutes and fitness, Didier Deschamps still elected to add Mbappe to his squad for the November round of international fixtures.

He was, however, to play no part in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Finland and has now been left out of the 23-man party that will face Portugal on Saturday.

France have submitted their list for that fixture, and Mbappe is not included.

The reigning World Cup holders' attacking spots are filled by Anthony Martial, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram.

Given Mbappe’s absence from that squad, it appears unlikely that he will be ready to face Sweden on Tuesday.

PSG will certainly be hoping that no unnecessary risks are taken with one of their most prized assets.

They have already seen Neymar released from the Brazil squad as he was carrying an injury that prevented him from figuring in the 2022 World Cup qualification plans of his country.

Thomas Tuchel had questioned the thinking behind two of his star men being called up by their respective nations when they clearly were not ready for action.

He said: “It's the right of the national team to call up players. We cannot do anything.

“If the boys are injured and can't play, I always prefer that they don't play.

“It's a super important phase, a good time to recover for players, but we have confidence that they will be treated well, that they have good care and good preparation. It's the truth. We have confidence in these people who are responsible for the national teams.

“If the players are called up, there's nothing we can do.”

France have now agreed that Mbappe cannot figure in their plans, with the World Cup winner being prevented from lining up against Ronaldo a month after the pair were involved in a goalless draw during the October international break.