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Vipers SC midfielder Karim Watambala has described his Uganda senior debut in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers as "a proud moment" after he made an appearance against South Sudan.

Watambala was introduced in the second half when Khalid Aucho was injured and was part of the squad that pushed hard and delivered a 1-0 victory for the Cranes at the St Mary’s Stadium.

“It was a special moment and I couldn’t enjoy it more than I did,” the 2019 Cecafa winner told the club’s website.

“The coach [Jonathan McKinstry] said ‘just enjoy it, get on the ball, try and get a few touches in and just enjoy the game’.

“I think it is a proud moment. You work hard to get there and the club and coach have helped me so it is just a proud moment getting some minutes in the national colours.”

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder described what the moment was like when he just got onto the pitch against the Bright Stars, who were especially resolute in their defence.

“I just tried to get into the game, got a few touches, so it was good, but I now have to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard,” he added. “When my chances come, I have just got to take them.

“I think the coach has done a brilliant job and helped me improve so much since he saw me make my debut for my club [Vipers SC]. I am not the first one [to make my debut] and l know how it feels donning that Cranes jersey.” 

Watambala would be hopeful for a start on November 16, especially after McKinstry explained the need to have new players face South Sudan in Nairobi.

“We are likely to make changes in the second game because energy levels are important,” the Irish coach said.

“You saw players had to leave everything on the field and so yes a number of new players are going to start the second game because we need fresh legs.

“We expect another tough the encounter which is going to take another 90 minutes of intensity to get the results we want.

“Everyone knows the status of the group and our number one priority is to maintain our top position in the group after South Sudan games as we said.”

Raul Jimenez has confirmed that Manchester United made contact over signing him in the summer and has refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford in the future.

The Mexico international, who enjoyed an impressive 2019-20 campaign that saw him score 27 goals in all competitions for Wolves, was on the Red Devils' radar as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to bolster his attack.

Indeed, United have been looking at signing Jimenez since January 2020, with Goal having reported that the Premier League side made enquiries over the availability of Jimenez and team-mate Ruben Neves.

Solskjaer's side ultimately decided to bring in Odion Ighalo on loan from Shanghai Shenhua on January 31, while they also moved for Edinson Cavani on a free transfer in the most recent transfer window.

Jimenez, meanwhile, committed his future to Wolves by penning a new three-and-a-half-year contract at the beginning of October although his latest comments suggest that he would be open to a move away from Molineux.

He told TUDN: "One day I woke up and uventus wanted me, another Manchester United and what I know is that there were approaches made. But an agreement was never reached and nothing was close. I'm very happy at Wolves."

He added: "The truth is I am very happy in Wolverhampton. It's never wrong to be in a place where you are well but they know that I am not satisfied [with my form], I always look for more.

"It (a move) did not happen this time. If it happens at some point then it will have to be what is best for me, for Wolves and the team that I join. But I am very happy at Wolves and being considered a very important player."

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are currently ninth in the Premier League table, with Jimenez having scored four league goals in eight appearances at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

The former Benfica striker, who joined Wolves in a club-record £30 million ($39m) deal in 2019, is currently on international duty with Mexico and is due to face South Korea in a friendly on Saturday evening before a clash with Japan three days later.

Gordon “Fiddle” Thornsberry was crowned the best FIFA player in North America when he won the EA Sports FIFA 20 Summer Cup Series North America.

Representing FC Cincinnati in the eMLS, Fiddle knows more than most about how to win on the game, having also picked up back-to-back trophies last season at the eMLS League Series One in Philadelphia and eMLS League Series Two in Portland.

"Fiddle" spoke to Goal about transitioning from FIFA 20 to FIFA 21 and the players, formations and tactics he believes can give even amateur players an edge.

Goal: Do you think the meta (the best way to ensure victory) has changed in FIFA 21?

Gordon Thornsberry: "The meta of FIFA 21 is quite similar to FIFA 20. The build-up to scoring a goal is exactly the same but the only difference is now you need to have some skill moves to beat the final defender to finish a good chance."

Which players do you think fit this meta?

GT: "The type of players that fit this meta are most like past years - players that have skill moves, decent weak foot, and pace.

"Cards such as Harry Kane don’t really have a place in the meta because of their lack of pace on and off the ball."

Have you managed to find any players you’d consider are overpowered?

GT: "When I think of OP (overpowered) players I think of R9 (Ronaldo Nazario) because he finishes everything and no defender can take the ball off him.

"A cheaper card that is still very OP to me is Ousmane Dembele. Great skills and can finish with both feet." 

Who have you found to be the best players by position in FIFA 21?

GT: "Goalkeeper: Nick Pope. He’s a very good chemistry link to Joe Gomez and so far, the best 'keeper I used on this game to bail me out in some situations.

"Defender: Raphael Varane. French and Real Madrid chemistry link to Ferland Mendy. Both players are a must in your team because Varane is tall, fast, and a very hard tackler you need in the back.

"Midfielder: The obvious answer is Ruud Gullit due to him being the best midfielder every year but my cheaper option would be inform Renato Sanches. He is strong defensively and also very good on the ball. 

"Attacker: Ronaldo Nazario. The card costs almost 10 million coins for a reason. He single-handedly wins games for me with the type of things he can do on the ball."

How do you think the ability to lock on to players and control runs has changed things?

GT: "For me, this new addition has not changed anything yet. I have not found the best use for it. Maybe this will change as the meta develops as the season continues though."

Do you have any advice on defending and scoring in FIFA 21?

GT: "My advice on defending, scoring, any facet of the game is patience. You don’t need to win the game every time you touch the ball. Play smart and try to put yourself in good positions and you’ll give yourself a chance against anyone in the world."

Have you found any skill moves to be really effective?

GT: "The go-to skill move has to be the 'Elastico'. There was recently a patch that slowed this move down a little bit but I believe it’s still a very good move that every player should know how and when to use." 

What’s your go-to formation and do you use any specific instructions?

GT: "The formation that I go to is 4-2-3-1 with very minimal instructions. I like to keep games very structured and smart. It’s very balanced from the defense all the way up top.

"But if I need a formation to press and come back in a game with its 4-1-2-1-2 narrow."

England women’s home match against Norway that was due to be played on December 1 in Sheffield has been cancelled.

The Norwegian Football Federation has confirmed that it would be unable to travel due to Covid-19 considerations in the country. The Lionesses are still due to report for a training camp later this month, with more information regarding the schedule to follow at a later date.

England head coach Phil Neville said: "While I am disappointed for our fans and players, I fully respect Norway’s decision not to travel.

"These are still challenging times where health and safety for all is the most important thing to consider.

"We will still look to get the squad together for the final time this year, and continue the work we have been doing in integrating younger players and building for the future."

England women's team haven't played a match since March 11, when they were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the SheBelieves Cup - their seventh defeat in 11 games.

Neville's side were due to face Germany on October 27 although, like the Norway game, that match was also cancelled, with a member of the Lionesses' backroom staff having recorded a positive Covid-19 test at the time.

Jill Scott was due to win her 150th cap in that game, with Neville having confirmed that the 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder would have played in the fixture.

Should she be selected in England's next match, Scott will become only the second player to reach the 150-mark, with Reading midfielder Fara Williams having earned 172 caps for the Lionesses.

Away from the international stage, the Women's Super League continues on Saturday, with the Manchester derby taking place at Leigh Sports Village.

Casey Stoney's United side are currently top of the WSL after six matches, one point ahead of second-placed Arsenal, while City are in fifth.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are two points further back but have a game in hand on the two teams above them, with the Blues facing Arsenal on Sunday.

There could well be a full debut for Tottenham star Alex Morgan this weekend too, with the USWNT forward yet to start for Spurs following her arrival from Orlando Pride back in September.

Liverpool have been plunged into confusion after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced forward Mohamed Salah has tested positive for coronavirus - before deleting its statement.

Salah is currently on international duty with Egypt, who initially stated on Friday that their star player would have to enter self-isolation.

A now-deleted statement on the EFA website said: "The medical swab conducted on our national football team showed that our player, Mohamed Salah, the star of Liverpool, is infected with coronavirus after his test came back positive, although he does not suffer from any symptoms, while the other members of the team tested negative.

"Our international star underwent the medical protocol after contact between the doctor of the team, Mohammed Abu Al-Ola, and his English club Liverpool, in addition to isolating him inside his room and also isolating all contacts.

"Our star is subject to more checks during the coming hours."

However, the EFA has now removed that statement and has put out a different announcement, saying three players from Egypt and their opponents on Saturday, Togo, have tested positive and will have a second test before the match.

If Salah is positive for coronavirus, it is a fresh blow for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who has already lost central defender Joe Gomez during this international break. The England international was injured during a training session and had to undergo surgery on his knee. He now faces months out.

Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also long-term absentees with injury for the Premier League champions.

The only silver lining for Liverpool is the case of Xherdan Shaqiri. He posted a false positive when initially being diagnosed with coronavirus while on international duty with Switzerland last month and did not have to miss any games after passing the second round of testing.

However both Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara have previously tested positive and were forced to miss the Premier League visit to Aston Villa, which Liverpool lost 7-2 in a stunning collapse.

Salah had been called up for Egypt ahead of a double header against Togo in Africa Cup of Nations qualification. They play at home on Saturday before travelling to the west African nation for the return fixture on Tuesday.

The forward was recently filmed dancing at his brother's wedding, with no social distancing or protection such as face masks. He has also trained with his Egyptian team-mates, with reports in Africa now suggesting the continental Champions League final between two Egyptian sides - Al-Ahly and Zamalek - could be at risk.

The CAF Champions League final is currently scheduled for November 27.

Salah has been in superb form for Liverpool this season, scoring eight goals in as many Premier League games, and 10 strikes in 13 matches in all competitions.

The Reds will now be sweating on the fitness of their star attacker, ahead of a return to English top-flight action at home to current Premier League leaders Leicester City on November 21, followed by a home Champions League clash against Atalanta four days later.

Mathew Olorunleke has warned Nigeria they cannot afford to get carried away if they are to defeat Sierra Leone on Friday evening.

The Group L leaders face the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as they continue their push for an early place in Cameroon 2022.

Victory for Gernot Rohr’s men and a draw at least in Freetown will hand the three-time African kings their 19th appearance at the biennial African football fiesta.

Nevertheless, the former Reggiana, Bagnolese and Juve Stabia defender has stressed Rohr’s team must be wary of the West Africans who are hoping to cause an upset to reive their stuttering Afcon ambitions.

“There is no result before a game is played,” Olorunleke told Goal.

“Trust me, these Sierra Leoneans can be dangerous and will go all miles to do their own part to get a win. So, the Super Eagles must avoid complacency and place as if it’s a do or die affair.

“I have a feeling Nigeria will get the result because they have a stronger team compared to Sierra Leone, nevertheless, the visitors must not be underrated because the three points are not given before the game.”

Although the game will be played in an empty stadium to curtail the spread of Covid-19, he former Bagnolese manager discloses that recent happenings in the country is enough motivation for the players to brush aside John Keister’s team.

“I strongly believe that Nigeria will definitely do better against Sierra Leone because so much is being expected from the team,” he continued.

“Here, we are not talking about winning but winning convincingly. The players must put into consideration happenings in Nigeria in recent times to get the goals.

“Football is the only thing that brings Nigerians together notwithstanding the religious and tribal differences.

“So, the onus is on the Super Eagles to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, and I believe they will deliver.”

The country finished third at the 2019 edition of the continental championship staged in Egypt, defeating Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place play-off at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo.

Manchester United’s Odion Ighalo scored the only goal against the Carthage Eagles in the third minute.

Bruno Fernandes has become a talismanic presence for Manchester United in a playmaking post, but the Portuguese has revealed that he was once told by a youth coach that he would only be “really good” as a centre-half.

Like many aspiring youngsters, the talented midfielder started out in a defensive berth.

He showed plenty of promise in the roles he was asked to fill, with those looking to mould his development convinced that any future in the game would lay within a back four.

Fernandes has proved that assessment to be considerably wide of the mark, with the 26-year-old now a creative influence in the middle of the park that club and country look to for inspiration.

“I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or right-back,” Fernandes told the UTD Podcast.

“I was really good, I had a coach who said to me, ‘If you want to be a top player, you will need to play as a central defender. If you want to be a good player, you will be a midfielder’.

“I think he was wrong but, maybe as a central defender, I could be much better, I don't know! At the time I didn't like to play there, but everyone was saying I was a good defender, they said I was smart, that I covered the sides.”

Fernandes added on his move up the field: “The coach looked at the list of players, and because some were on vacation he said, ‘Oh we have no strikers’ and I said ‘I'm a striker!’ He said, ‘I thought you were a central defender’ and I said, ‘No, I don't play there anymore, I'm a striker!’

“So he gave me one try-out in training, I scored twice and he said ‘OK, you can play a striker!’ He played me as striker in one game, then, in the second game, I was like a fake nine with two strikers, and after that I moved back to number 10 and number eight.”

Fernandes has also revealed that his relentless drive and ability to brush off knocks is due to having played against boys much older than him when he was honing his skills on the streets of Portugal.

“I grew up with my brother who is five years older, and so I grew up playing with him and with his friends,” Fernandes said.

“Most of the time, I wouldn't play because he didn't want me to play with his friends – I don't know if he was afraid that I was too good for them!

“I was a difficult boy at the time because I always wanted to play with the older ones and the problem was I didn't want to just play, I wanted to be the best out of all of them. And if I need to do a nutmeg on someone, I will do it – I don't care.

“And at that point, when you play with older guys, they are mad when they see a little boy do that, everyone starts shouting and laughing at them saying ‘Hey, you took a 'meg from a little boy!’

“And then someone can come for you and kick you… so I think sometimes my brother was afraid of this and other times he knew I was good enough to play against them, and so he just doesn’t want problems!”

Fernandes has taken in 33 appearances for United since securing a switch from Sporting in January 2020, with 18 goals and 13 assists recorded across those outings.

Liverpool’s hand has been forced by defensive injuries, admits Mark Lawrenson, with the Reds legend expecting money to be spent as Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have been sidelined and Joel Matip is “like a willow tree” that could break in the wind.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his options at the back decimated over recent weeks.

Van Dijk was the first to go, with the Dutch centre-half suffering knee ligament damage in a Merseyside derby date with Everton.

Joel Matip also picked up a knock in that contest, while Fabinho was laid low shortly after being asked to provide cover for absent colleagues.

Gomez is another that has had to undergo knee surgery , ruling him out for several months, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is nursing a calf complaint.

Lawrenson believes the Premier League champions have been left with little choice but to seek out reinforcements in January , with the former Reds defender telling talkSPORT : “Joe is a very, very important player.  Obviously with Virgil van Dijk out, it would be Joe Gomez and another.

“The thing with Joe Gomez is he’s had his operation straight away and they’re already saying he’ll miss most of the season, but that sounds to me really that he might just make it back towards the end.

“And Matip is a decent player but he’s like a willow tree; he occasionally gets blown over and he’s not fit for two or three weeks, so he’s another worry.

“Some of the younger players have come in and they’ve done absolutely fine, but I think you’re looking at Matip, if fit, with the likes of Fabinho or maybe even Henderson [playing in defence] at some stage.

“But I would think it will force the manager’s hand in the January transfer window.

“He’s going to have to go out and buy somebody, and it won’t be a difficult conversation with the owners. They’ll realise what’s going on; the great thing about them is they’ve got this sporting franchise in America and they know people lose form and get injured, so it’s case of who he’s going to bring in.

“We’re all going to play the game now going into January – who are Liverpool going to sign?”

While it remains to be seen whether Klopp will show his hand in the winter market, Lawrenson admits that Liverpool may see their high standards slip slightly with so many key men ruled out.

A man who won five league titles and the European Cup during his time at Anfield added: “We will see a difference, they will lose the odd game. I think the problem will be teams will just load balls into the box because they don’t have the domination of Van Dijk and Gomez.

“But as we know, I think this season there’s going to be four or five, maybe even six, teams pushing to win the league, so it might not be the worst season to have injuries.

“In fairness to Liverpool, if you look at the front three they’ve hardly missed any games, so you always know eventually you’ll have a season where you get lots of injures, it’s just how you cope with it.”

Nigeria face Sierra Leone on Friday evening in continuation of their race towards qualifying for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles have made a brilliant start to the competition – defeating Benin Republic and Lesotho – to sit at the summit of Group L with six points.

Victory over John Keista’s men will push them nearer to the championship billed to hold in Cameroon.

For the Leone Stars who sit at the base of the log, they must upset the Super Eagles to put them in contention for a third appearance at the biennial African football showpiece.

TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch

In Nigeria, the game will be shown live on TV. 

Squads & Team News

Probable XI for Nigeria: Okoye, Awaziem, Aina, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Iwobi, Aribo, Etebo,  Chukwueze, Ejuke, Osimhen

Probable XI for Sierra Leone: Kamara; Bangura, Sesay, Kakay, Wright; Koroma, Kamara, Strasser; Quee, Kamara, Kei Kamara

Match Preview

The Super Eagles ground out a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their last friendly match played in Austria after losing four days earlier to reigning African champions Algeria.

Even at this, the Super Eagles look very much prepared to face the Sierra Leoneans who are in Benin City for all three points to help their qualification ambitions.

Although the three-time African champions are outstanding favourites to secure all points at stake, coach Gernot Rohr hinted that his men will not look down on John Keister’s men, while hoping his team win the double-header towards booking an early flight to Cameroon. That will also see them shift their attention to the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

“We do not in any way underrate the Sierra Leoneans that we play over two legs within these four days, but we have our focus and objective for the matches,” Rohr told NFF media.

“We want to win both games so we can have the ticket and be able to be little more relaxed for the final games.

“You know that next year, we also have the World Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better to get the Africa Cup of Nations job behind us now.”

No doubt the Leone Stars are in dire need of a win against the Nigerians, yet, they are massive underdogs to pick a positive result having in mind that they are yet to win any game away from home since 1999.

They would be hoping to take advantage of the fact that this fixture would be played without fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their last outing against the Super Eagles ended in a 2-1 defeat at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on February 2, 2011.

England  have booked their place at Euro 2020 after taking seven wins from eight games in Group A, scoring 37 goals in the process.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate now begins the business of identifying his final squad for the tournament, which is due to kick off in June 2021.

The 3-4-3 formation has been favoured by Southgate in recent months and that will probably inform any decisions regarding personnel, but there is a lot of competition for places.

He can choose 23 players to form his squad for Euro 2020, with the semi-finals and final taking place in the UK at Wembley, giving players just a few more months to impress before the names have to be submitted.

Who is guaranteed to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looks set to start for the Three Lions after establishing himself as England’s number one after a series of impressive displays at the 2018 World Cup.

Pickford's deputies will most likely be Burnley's Nick Pope and Manchester United shot-stopper Dean Henderson  - with Pope perhaps the closest to the Everton custodian in the pecking order.

In defence, Manchester United captain  Harry Maguire , is a certainty as long as he remains fit, but the identity of his centre-back partners remains changeable.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker should make the final panel and brings vast experience, while Liverpool's  Trent Alexander-Arnold  will be one of the first names on the teamsheet after a stellar two years establishing himself as one of the best right-backs in the world.

In midfield, Liverpool captain  Jordan Henderson is primed to be England’s key central midfielder while  Declan Rice has established himself as one of England’s best holding midfielders.

Captain Harry Kane  should lead the line for the Three Lions and Man City’s Raheem Sterling should also be included, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford .

Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks to have established himself as Kane's first deputy up front after a consistent spell for Everton, while Eric Dier is now a solid centre-back option for Southgate, with versatility.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has emerged as a dependable player for Southgate and has formed a good understanding with his childhood friend Rice.

Who are the contenders to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

There is a lot of competition all over the pitch and in defence, Michael Keane faces a battle with Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady for a seat on the plane - all three are very much contenders for the squad.

Liverpool's Joe Gomez would have been a guaranteed member of the squad, but a knee injury in November 2020 means he faces a race to regain fitness and major doubts have been cast over him as a result.

Players such as Kieran Trippier and Ben Chilwell have been consistently impressive over a number of seasons, but the likes of Bukayo Saka and Reece James are snapping at their heels after solid club seasons.

Manchester City defender John Stones has endured injury and form woes so has fallen down the pecking order, but his experience means he remains in with a chance if he gets game time.

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison would have had high hopes of cementing a place in the team in 2019, but injuries dealt him a set-back. Nevertheless, Maddison remains a contender.

One player who has certainly thrust himself into the equation is Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish and the playmaker has shown he is on the same wavelength as team-mates Mount and Sancho.

Phil Foden and Harry Winks are now firm contenders as well, and will be in the mix for the tournament should they continue to impress at club level for Man City and Spurs respectively.

Up front, Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham has been in and around the panel for a number of years now and offers an alternative presence in attack, while Danny Ings has been sensational for Southampton.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is around the fringes of the panel, but the Arsenal man's versatility is an asset and something that will be to his credit in the consideration of a tournament team.

Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood can consider himself a contender, but his form will have to be at its peak if he is to force his way back into the reckoning.

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse has improved immensely over the past few seasons and boasts set-piece ability that could be an asset in a tournament, while Kalvin Phillips has impressed in the Leeds United engine room under Marcelo Bielsa.

Who is a long shot to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

Such is the competitiveness of the squad that a number of previous stalwarts find themselves categorised as long shots to be included in Southgate's 23-man squad.

Among those is Tottenham's Dele Alli and the playmaker will require a serious upturn in his club form if he is to get back into the conversation.

Ross Barkley will need a big season on loan at Aston Villa to get back into Southgate's thinking and Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping to show that he can still contribute as well.

Similarly, Danny Rose has long been a fixture in England squads, but his club situation at Tottenham means he is likely to struggle for the gametime needed to claw his way back into the reckoning.

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has not featured for England since 2018 and is well down the pecking order, so barring a spectacular season for the Red Devils his chances are slim.

Similarly, Shaw's club-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka appears far from Southgate's thoughts and there have even been suggestions that he might throw his lot in with DR Congo.

There are a number of rising stars for whom Euro 2020 may come too early, such as Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Leicester City's Harvey Barnes .

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk along with his club-mates Tariq Lamptey and Ben White are only likely to be called upon in an emergency, with the same applying to goalkeepers such as Aaron Ramsdale and Tom Heaton .

Predicted England squad for Euro 2020

Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Baroka FC have announced the departure of English coach Dylan Kerr.

The 53-year-old tactician was placed under suspension by the club for alleged insubordination last month. 

The Limpopo-based side has now dismissed Kerr, who had joined the club in December 2019 replacing Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda.

"Baroka FC parted ways with team head coach," a club statement read. 

Kerr came to South Africa after leading East African giants Gor Mahia to two consecutive Kenyan Premier League titles between 2017 and 2018.

The former Leeds United defender served as the Black Leopards coach between December 2018 and June 2019.

Meanwhile, Baroka also confirmed that Kerr has been replaced by Thoka Matsimela as the new club head coach. 

"Baroka FC's newly appointed head coach for 2020/2021 season Thoka Matsimela," a club statement read.

Matsimela is thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the 2018 Telkom Knockout Cup champions. 

"Firstly, let me say thanks for this opportunity, my chairman. He gave me the opportunity to lead the team as the coach of Baroka FC," Matsimela said.

"I am humbled by the opportunity. I will make sure that I grab this opportunity with two hands."

Matsimela worked as the assistant coach under Mike Rapatsa‚ Sello Chokoe‚ Kgoloko Thobejane‚ MacDonald Makhubedu, Nyirenda and Kerr at Baroka over the years.

The loyal tactician is confident of guiding Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele to a top-eight finish which would see the team qualify for the MTN8 for the first time. 

"Yeah, we have been given a mandate of making sure that the team finishes in the top eight this season," he continued.

"It is something we have been failing to achieve as a club. We have been unable to secure a top-eight finish in the previous seasons.

"But we promise that Baroka FC will compete in the MTN8 next season." 

Matsimela took charge of Baroka's first three matches this season after Kerr was placed under suspension.

He led the team to two successive wins over Maritzburg United and Leopards and a draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

As a result, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele are placed second on the PSL standings with seven points from three games.

Cristiano Ronaldo is “the best athlete” around and more than capable of playing beyond his 40th birthday, claims former Manchester United fitness coach Mick Clegg, a man who is also backing the Juventus superstar to break Josef Bican’s all-time goalscoring record.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner is showing no sign of slowing down in Italy at the age of 35.

Remarkable standards are being maintained by a man who has spent his entire career to date being driven by a desire to be the best.

That work ethic, along with no little ability, has carried the Portuguese superstar to the very top of the game.

Speculation has started to surface regarding another potential move, with Juve reportedly weighing up their options, but Clegg can see Ronaldo emulating and eventually eclipsing the efforts of ex-United team-mate Ryan Giggs when it comes to longevity.

“Before Ronaldo, the best athlete in terms of work on his body was Ryan Giggs,” Clegg, who formed part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching team at Old Trafford, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He was the strongest, the most attentive to details. If Giggs played at United until he was 40, Ronaldo can play till he is 41.

“Cristiano was the only one able to go beyond the high standards of Giggs.”

Clegg is also expecting Ronaldo to add another entry to the record books that he already dominates.

A 102nd goal for Portugal was recorded in his last outing, taking him onto 746 in his career as a whole.

Only Iran icon Ali Daei (109) has more international efforts to his name, while Pele (767), Romario (772) and Bican (805) are all that lie between him and a standing as the greatest marksman of all-time.

“He will score more goals than Bican,” Clegg added. 

“Ronaldo will change his way of playing, maybe his role too, as it happened with Giggs. He's going to stay close to the top because he's obsessed with being the best ever.

“He trains a lot, he takes care of recovery and sleep, he has a cook, he knows how to avoid stress.

“He is attentive to details, this is the secret even if an injury can always arrive, it is not 100 per cent predictable.”

Gareth Bale was caught glued to a laptop screen during Wales’ friendly date with the United States on Thursday and Robert Page says he would have no complaints if the Tottenham loanee was watching the Masters.

An avid golf fan who faced plenty of criticism for that hobby during his time at Real Madrid was not included in the Welsh matchday squad for a clash against the USA.

That freed him to take up a place in the stands, where he seemingly found other ways to keep himself amused.

Plenty have suggested that Bale was keeping up to date with goings on at Augusta while his fellow countrymen played out a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium, with his attention certainly diverted.

Page, who has been standing in as national team coach during the enforced absence of Ryan Giggs, claims to have no interest in what Bale was up to off the pitch, with the 31-year-old being kept fresh for a UEFA Nations League double header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

When the Masters theory was put to him in Swansea, Page told reporters: “I don’t know what the players not in the squad were up to.

“There are no problems at all. Balo’s here, he’s in the dressing room with the lads beforehand and making sure that everyone’s in the right frame of mind.

“He is probably the fittest he has been and we will benefit from that.

“It’s great to have him playing week-in week-out and the way Tottenham have built him up to full fitness.

“It’s a case of managing him this week. It was always the plan to leave him out of the 23 and have him raring to go and firing on Sunday.”

Page is in temporary charge of Wales as Giggs has agreed to a three-game absence from the touchline following allegations of assault.

The Manchester United legend is still having an input on decisions, though, as he watches on from afar.

Page added: “We spoke before the game and he wished us all luck.

“We spoke about substitutions and how we anticipated the game would go.

“We’ll also have a debrief and we’ll go through any little knocks we’ve picked up, performance, areas we need to look at and have a quick chat.”

Manchester City tabled a “magnificent” bid for Jules Kounde over the summer, Sevilla director Monchi admits, but the Blues missed out on a deal because their offer still fell short of the 21-year-old’s valuation.

Pep Guardiola made the acquisition of defensive additions a top priority during the summer transfer window.

With questions asked of the centre-half options at his disposal, movement in and out of the Etihad Stadium was set in motion.

Nicolas Otamendi was among those to depart, paving the way for Nathan Ake to be snapped up from Bournemouth.

One deal was not enough for City, though, and they pushed hard to buy into the potential of Kounde before eventually settling on a £62 million ($81m) deal for Portuguese star Ruben Dias.

Benfica saw their ranks raided after Sevilla made it clear to a Premier League heavyweight that they would not be bowing to pressure and parting with a promising Frenchman for less than his full value in the present and future.

Monchi told El Desmarque when explaining the decision to shun a big-money approach: “We did what we thought was fair and in defence of the interests of the club, also in an ambitious way, because many people would have chosen to accept that offer.

“We value pros and cons and believe in the player, that has been key. We believe in the projection of a 21-year-old boy with a lot of ground to make up.

“Despite being a magnificent offer, very, very good, it did not satisfy the requests or what we thought of the player.

“Perhaps it was not what he was worth, because possibly that offer was close to what he was worth at that moment but we also have to think about what he can be worth [in the future].”

Kounde could have been forgiven for having his head turned by the interest shown in him by City, but the talented youngster has knuckled down in Spain and ignored the hype he continues to generate.

Monchi added: “He has been professional. Sometimes we are so used to seeing less professional behaviour that we are struck by the normal.

“He has accepted with normality that he has signed a contract, with a clause and some payments. I appreciate that because it’s always easier when the other party understands your position.

“He has had a professional and respectful behaviour with the club that has given him the opportunity to take another step in his career.”

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for coronavirus after playing the full 90 minutes against England on Thursday.

Browne was part of the Ireland team beaten 3-0 at Wembley after goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Testing since that match has revealed the Preston North End man has contracted Covid-19, however.

Browne, who contested a game-high 13 duels, has had "no close contacts", FA Ireland reported on Friday.

"The rest of the staff and squad tested negative ahead of Sunday's UEFA Nations League [game] against Wales in Cardiff," a short statement read on Twitter.

While Ireland visit Wales then host Bulgaria in the Nations League, England go to Belgium before playing Iceland at Wembley.

The Iceland fixture had been in some doubt due to the visitors' prior match in Denmark, where a latest coronavirus outbreak has led to tightening of travel restrictions, but Iceland were granted exemption on Thursday, allowing the game to go ahead.

It has cast a shadow on a good night for England, who controlled the game against their neighbours, who stepped in as late opposition following New Zealand's withdrawal from the friendly fixture, due to coronavirus concerns, last month.

One of the brightest sparks was Jack Grealish, who played for Ireland at youth international level before switching allegiances to England.

Grealish was the architect of England's second goal as he played Jadon Sancho into the box with a perfectly weighted pass right on the half-hour mark, before the Borussia Dortmund winger cut onto his right foot and fired into the far corner of the net.

Former Ireland midfielder Roy Keane said of Grealish : “We are always questioning about his end product, that has improved over the last six months. It was a cushy night for him. It was his second start, this guy is going on to great things, no doubt in my mind.

“Jack has said his experience coming into the England squad, working with top players, you cannot beat it. You talk about coaching, I think sometimes you learn more from working with better players and we can see that, even from a couple of appearances he has had for England."

Jadon Sancho has sought to shut down talk of his intense links to Manchester United being a source of distraction, with the Borussia Dortmund winger adamant that he has merely suffered a “little dip” at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

The 20-year-old forward dominated headlines throughout the summer transfer window after United had identified him as a top target and wasted considerable time and energy in trying to put a deal in place.

Dortmund stood firm and refused to buckle under pressure, with the Bundesliga outfit making it clear that they had no intention of parting with Sancho.

That is because he has become a key figure for them since bursting onto the scene as precociously-gifted teenager.

Sancho’s standards have slipped early on this season, with just two goals and four assists recorded, but the England international insists that is not due to his head being turned by the Red Devils.

He told ITV Sport when that question was put to him: “Nah, I don’t think so.

“I feel like every player has a little dip in their career, and I feel I’m going through that at the moment. It is just how I’m bouncing back and I am just happy to have managers who have faith in and keep sight of me.”

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate handed Sancho a start in a 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland.

That faith was rewarded with a lively performance that included a third goal for his country, with Sancho adding: “I’m just happy to be starting for England. Every time I play I just try to do my best and luckily today I got the goal. I’m happy to help the team again.

“I expect a lot from myself personally. When I play I try to assist and score, and help the team. For a couple of games I haven’t been assisting or scoring but I knew I had the chance to do that.”

Sancho billed Jack Grealish, who also caught the eye when starting for England, as a “great player” and considers Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham to be fully deserving of the senior international bow that has come his way at 17 years of age.

He said of a club colleague: “He deserves it. At Dortmund he gives 100 per cent and his performances are world class. I’m happy for him.”