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South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki has admitted that Sao Tome e Principe are a “difficult team” but says he has devised a plan ahead of Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It would be the first-ever confrontation between Bafana Bafana and the Atlantic Ocean islanders.

Very little is known about Sao Tome whose participation in qualifiers for major tournaments usually ends at the preliminary rounds.

“We are fully aware of the challenges that come with this match. We are playing Sao Tome, a difficult team, but all that is important is for us to get maximum points in the two matches,” Ntseki told the media as per Sowetan Live.

“I think we’ve prepared well mentally, physically, and tactically. We would be able to execute the plan on match day. Another plan will come out for the match on Monday.

"We are very positive going into this match to say the country comes first, and if we all say the country comes first, it means we will go out there and do well for the country.”

After Friday’s match, Bafana play the same opponents in a return fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday where they will be considered as the away side.

With Sao Tome opting to host South Africa in Port Elizabeth, Ntseki says it will be an advantage for his side which has players seven players coming in from overseas.

“We are used to the conditions in this country. Even those who are playing overseas come from this country,” said Ntseki.

“They played their football in our country, so they are more used to the conditions than those of Sao Tome. When I was looking at players who are coming in from Europe, the benefit for us as Bafana Bafana is the travelling period that those players were going to experience.

“If Kamohelo Mokotjo were to fly from America to SA for about 16 hours, and then had to fly to Sao Tome for eight hours, then back from Sao Tome to SA and from SA to America, if my mathematics is working very well, you are talking about more than 50 hours.

"And then, when this player gets back to his club, it means he will be finished in terms of readiness and mental readiness to compete in the starting eleven. To play to win matches for his team. That part of it is going to benefit our players, and that on its own is a plus for us.”

South Africa’s opponents anchor Group C which is led by Ghana, who are three points clear of second-placed Bafana Bafana. Sudan complete this pool in position three.

Nigeria players and coaches have tested negative for coronavirus ahead of Friday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone.

The Super Eagles were subjected to coronavirus tests on Wednesday afternoon as part of health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.

The results come as good news for coach Gernot Rohr, who now has 23 players at his disposal for the intriguing encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

Nigeria have made a strong start to the Afcon qualifiers, and they will aim to stretch their unbeaten record in Group L against John Keister’s side.

The three-time African champions sit at the top of their group with six points from two matches while Sierra Leone languish at the bottom with just one point after the same number of games.

The Leone Stars’ solitary point came after a 1-1 draw against Lesotho before they suffered a 1-0 loss against Benin.

Nigeria coach Rohr has stated that they are aiming to secure qualification for the 2022 Afcon finals in Cameroon in the double-header fixtures this month.

“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,” the German tactician said.

“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.”

His Sierra Leone counterpart, Keister is hoping to cause an upset in Benin on Friday as the Leone Stars chase their third win against their West African rivals.

“I want the nation to be positive about the outcome from the first match,” he said. “The team’s rebuilding process starts now, and I’ve put together some of the best players to upset the Nigerians.”

Nigeria travel to Freetown for the reverse outing against Sierra Leone at the National Stadium Freetown on Tuesday, November 17.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has confirmed they will have a trophy made of pure gold for the 2020-21 FKF Premier League season.

The new season will be under the leadership of the FKF after the federation refused to renew the contract of the Kenya Premier League (KPL), who had managed the division for over 17 years, and is scheduled to kick off on November 20.

FKF boss Mwendwa has now told Goal exclusively that the new FKF Premier League Board has purchased a trophy made out of pure gold for the new campaign.

“We will have 24-carat gold trophy, very heavy and enticing,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday. “We have already purchased the trophy, it will be round in shape, very good for everyone’s eyes, these are some of the changes we promised after taking over the league.

“There are no more jokes, we want to have the league managed professionally, we want to have many changes done to the league so that local players can also enjoy the game, we already have two sponsors on board and we are working at increasing the number.”

Asked where the trophy will be kept under lock and key for security reasons, Mwendwa said: “We have already talked to KCB bank and they will keep the trophy for us, the trophy will arrive in town soon and we will parade it for everyone to see it.”

Mwendwa has also confirmed that the FKF Premier League Board, who will be in charge of the league, will be launched on Tuesday.

“The league’s board will be launched on Tuesday,” Mwendwa continued. “They will be the ones running the league and will work from the Goal project.”

Gor Mahia, who were declared the champions of the 2019-20 season after the FKF moved to end the league prematurely owing to the Covid-19 outbreak, are yet to receive their trophy for winning the league.

The KPL were yet to purchase a trophy after title sponsors SportPesa walked away, leaving the league in turmoil.

However, the FKF has already unveiled Nigerian betting-firm BetKing and Chinese Pay TV StarTimes as part of their partners for the new campaign.

Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has come out to defend goalkeeper Arnold Origi following the goal he conceded against Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.

Kenya conceded a comical goal from a free-kick after M'changama Youssouf's well-taken effort evaded Kenya’s static wall and found its way into the net leaving, keeper Origi rooted to the ground without moving as Kenya conceded their third goal in the qualifiers.

With Covid-19 restricting fans to watch the game on TV, many felt Origi, who was making a comeback to the team after five years out, should have done much better to save the ball from hitting the back of the net.

However, ‘Ghost’ has now defended the Norwegian-based custodian, saying he could have done little to save the ball because it was directed by the wind after taking off from the ground.

“There is nothing Origi could have done in that situation,” ‘Mulee told Goal on Friday. “It was a well-taken free-kick and immediately it took off from the ground, it changed direction and after the strong wind inside the stadium pushed it.

“So I don’t think Origi deserves the blame, it was a very tricky ball, and not sure even other keepers could have done anything.”

Without discussing the goal he conceded, Origi has promised to put a better fight when the two sides clash against in Moroni on Sunday.

“We are going there to fight,” Origi told Goal. “We let ourselves down for not winning the game on Wednesday but we have done the review of the game with the coach and rectified a few mistakes which cropped up.

“We now know what we need to do and Kenyans must be ready to see an improved display from the first meeting on Wednesday.”

On his part, Mulee has maintained that the team will make sure that they get a positive result in Comoros so that they remain in contention.

“We have now gauged our strengths and weaknesses, and when we play them in Moroni, we will do our best to remain in contention, for a place at the 2022 Afcon finals," he concluded.

Kenya have now registered three identical results in the qualification campaign – 1-1 against Egypt, Togo, and  now Comoros.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has confirmed they will charter a flight for the Harambee Stars as they travel to face Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Harambee Stars are due to leave the country on Saturday for the must-win reverse fixture after the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the first meeting staged at Kasarani Stadium in Kenya on Wednesday.

FKF boss Mwendwa has now told Goal for the first time in the history of Kenyan football, the team will use a chartered flight to Comoros ahead of the match set to be played in Moroni.

“It will be a chartered flight for the boys, we want them to feel good,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“Now that we have motivation partners, we have this kind of things, we are flying by private jet to go for matches starting with Comoros and that is what we need to give, that is what we can do.

“We will hire a chartered flight to take the team to Comoros, it will be hired like a person hires a bus, it will wait for us at the airport, take us to Comoros, wait for us again in Comoros, and bring us back to Kenya.”

On the incentives they have lined up for the team, Mwendwa told Goal: “Allowances were being paid by Ministry of Sports but the policy of the government was Sh1, 000 at home…you see, so for football players, it is really paltry so what counts for this boys is when they win what do they get?

“And it is the reason our partners Odibet gave out Sh2.5million [against Comoros had they won] and the money had already been given to the team captain, he had it in the pocket, now we are debating away it will be Sh5million if they win.

“Between us [FKF] and Odibet, [our betting partners], it is Sh5million so we are motivating the team now the question is how many more partners can we get to reward these boys?

“Because if they win all the three matches remaining that is Sh15million and the money they had it, on Sunday we had said we don’t have the Sh5million, but if you win we give you the money in January”

Mwendwa continued: “We are saying we want to have a structure, we want them to know what they are supposed to get when you play for Harambee Stars and it is not a conversation anymore, because we are staying in Safari Park, we are flying in jets, we are now giving the players the equal treatment other big nations in Africa are getting.

“Now we want to get ready, and get the win away in Comoros, if they win on ‘Sunday they will get Sh5million in January, from both Odibet and FKF, but now already they have the Sh2.5million, so the coach has to decide to take it away because they did not win, it is upon the coach and the players.”

After the Comoros match, the Harambee Stars will have two more matches to play in the qualifiers - against Egypt at home and Togo away.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has hit out at those criticising the appointment of Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee as the coach of the Harambee Stars after the team drew 1-1 against Comoros in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.

In his first match in charge since replacing Francis Kimanzi, Mulee managed to secure a draw after Masoud Juma scored for Kenya in the second half to cancel out M'changama Youssouf's well-struck free-kick in the first half.

The outcome of the match meant Kenya have now drawn three matches in the qualification campaign after a 1-1 draw against Egypt in Cairo and the same scoreline against Togo at home.

Mwendwa has since come out to defend the decision of handing the coaching mantle to Mulee, saying he was not hired for only one game but was given the job to prepare the team for three competitions that they will take part in.

“When you give a coach a job, you don’t give him a job for one game, and there is no guarantee he will win every game, but the question is the general progress he makes,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“I feel that by what we showed against Comoros, apart from bad lack, we played very well especially the second half and that is undisputed, but we have three tournaments, we have Afcon 2022, Afcon 2023 and World Cup 2022, so we are building a team for the three, so we work.

“We now head to Comoros and we must work hard, let us learn on how to win away, lets us know on how to win at home, let us make the changes that is required, let us have entire team intact and a good coach to motivate them which ‘Ghost’ Mulee does very well.

“So for me, I am happy with the result we picked against Comoros, I would have wanted three points but I am happy with what the boys did and the outcome of the match.”

Asked whether the Harambee Stars still have a chance to qualify for the Afcon finals to be held in Cameroon after three draws so far in the qualification campaign, Mwendwa told Goal: “Yes, I am confident, there is a path, even if we draw away in Comoros there is still a path because the other teams are also dropping points, so we are still in the game.

“The question is Togo and Egypt, what do we do? Is it a guarantee we win the matches? It is not, we never said it is a done deal, so what do we do?

“We have to give it the best effort but after we have a team to play against Mali, to play against Uganda for World Cup qualifiers, after which we have a team, David ‘Calabar’ Owino is back, he hasn’t played for two years now we saw him out there, Arnold Origi has not been there, our best team have not been put together for a while because of different reasons but now we do.”

“So what I am saying, let us give this squad time for them now to show us what they have, you know we will be disappointed of course if it goes badly but when you are leading you have to show leadership and the leadership is we are pointing the direction of good preparations better than before.”

The Harambee Stars will now depart for Comoros on Saturday ahead of their return leg clash against the island nation set for Moroni on Sunday.

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki will be out to prove that he is the right man for the job when he leads Bafana Bafana in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome e Principe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

Following inconsistent results in both competitive and international friendlies, since he took over the reins in August 2019, the pressure is increasingly mounting on the coach.

The bid to qualify for the Afcon finals to be staged in Cameroon comes as the perfect test for Ntseki’s credentials after he defended the team’s struggles in friendly games.

After two rounds of matches, Bafana are currently placed second in Group C, and are keen to win this match as well as the return fixture in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Positive results against Sao Tome will set South Africa up for a top finish in this group which also includes leaders Ghana and third-placed Sudan.

The last time Molefi Ntseki and his men were involved in a competitive fixture was November 17, 2019 when they edged Sudan 1-0 in their only win of the campaign so far.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV and SABC. 

Squads & Team News

It turned out to be a hectic week for Ntseki who had to deal with seven withdrawals from the squad.

The Cape Town City duo of Thamsanqa Mkhize and Abubakar Mobara could not join the camp as they are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler, Portugal-based defender Thibang Phete, Thulani Serero, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali and Kaizer Chiefs right-back Reeve Frosler all pulled out due to injuries.

This saw the coach turning to Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule as well as the Sundowns duo of defender Mosa Lebusa and utility player Thapelo Morena as replacements.

AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe, Thabo Nodada and Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back Tshepo Rikhotso were also called-up in place of the withdrawals.

What could be the biggest headache for Ntseki in plotting against his opponents is that not much is not known about the Sao Tome players.

Most of their players ply their trade in the lower leagues of Portuguese football, especially at amateur level

However, veteran forward Luis Leal of Mexican side Club Tijuana could pose the biggest threat to Bafana Bafana.

Another striker, Harramiz, has two goals – the last being on Sunday - in four games for Portuguese second-tier side GD Estoril Praia and could cause problems for the Thulani Hlatshwayo-marshalled Bafana defence.

Left-back Jardel Nazare, who turns out for FC Saburtalo Tbilisi in the Georgian top-flight league, is another high-profile player for Sao Tome.

All these players featured in their last Group C against Ghana in which they lost 1-0 at home.

Match Preview

Bafana’s inconsistency under Ntseki is the major talking point going into Friday’s contest.

With Ntseki in charge, South Africa have managed just two victories, a draw and two defeats in all competitions.

After going down 2-0 away in Ghana in their Group C opener, before edging Sudan 1-0 in another match, Bafana find themselves placed second in this pool.

Lebogang Phiri’s goal against Sudan at home is the only one South Africa have managed in this campaign so far, something that throws into question the forwards’ capabilities.

The team goes into Friday’s match on the backdrop of a two-match winless run; a 1-1 draw against Namibia and a 2-1 defeat by Zambia in October’s international friendlies.

In the absence of Grobler, Luther Singh who scored against Namibia, Kermit Erasmus and Percy Tau provide hope for goals.

As for Sao Tome, they arrived in South Africa having not played friendlies to prepare for this trip, with their last match being the 1-0 defeat by Ghana in November 2019.

This result was preceded by a 4-0 drubbing by Sudan as they now languish at the bottom of the group, having failed to find the back of the net and conceded five goals in two matches.

Argentinian attacker Facundo Pereyra was the first signing announced by Kerala Blasters ahead of the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL). 

Pereyra will look to be the link between midfield and attack for Kerala Blasters in the upcoming season. He can play all across the attacking band of three and can also slot in as a striker if need be. 

Jersey Number: 10

Youth Career and Professional Debut

Pereyra started his career with his local team Club Atletico Estudiantes. He went on loan to Chilean club Palestino in 2009 but could not feature regularly for the club.

Turning Point

The Argentine forward got his much-needed break at another Chilean destination when he made 34 league appearances for Audax Italiano in 2011. He also scored 15 goals during that season and this was when clubs began taking notes. 

Pereyra then moved to Mexico but could only net three goals for San Luis. But it was just a minor dip in form as the versatile footballer registered another 15-goal season at Gimnasia La Plata and helped the club earn promotion from the second division. He was fourth on the list of top scorers in the league that season.  

He played one season in the top division and scored nine goals before joining Greek club PAOK. He started 29 games and scored 12 league goals in his debut season. He also opened his account in the Europa League against Moldovian club Zimbru in a game which PAOK won 4-0. 

Pereyra then fell down the pecking order and had to go on loan to find first-team minutes. An unhappy spell at Azerbaijan and unsuccessful stints at Argentina and Mexico followed and he even returned to Gimnasia during the first half of 2018. But could only get one goal from a total of five starts in the league during the 2017-18 season. 

International Record

Facundo Pereyra has not played for the Argentina national team.  

Last Stint

In his last two seasons, Pereyra has scored 17 goals in 45 appearances (Cypriot Cup and first division league). Last season, he played 14 league games for Cyprus club Apollon and scored three goals. 

For a football club, the good thing about getting a good young player who can stay with the club for many years is that they can be heavily involved in his development into a star. But the only downside is when he leaves, the team might struggle to find a proper replacement. 

Kerala Blasters are in that situation now. They've had the services of Sandesh Jhingan right from the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) but after the sixth season ended, they said goodbye. Jhingan, a national team regular and one of the best centre-backs in India right now, has left a gaping hole in a defence that already had a lot of holes. 

In the last three ISL seasons, Blasters have conceded 82 goals in 54 matches, 1.5 goals per game. They have only scored 64, 1.2 goals per game in the same period. Heading into the seventh season, newly-appointed sporting director Karolis Skinkys and head coach Kibu Vicuna have decided to shore up the teams' defence by adding two reputed foreign centre-backs. 

A foreign centre-back duo is not new at Blasters. Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart formed a good partnership at the back to lead the team into the final of the competition in 2014. Then as Jhingan evolved into a tough-tackling defender, he became a mainstay in that defence. Last season, with Jhingan out injured, Eelco Schattorie brought in Jairo Rodrigues and Gianni Zuiverloon and the former was replaced by Vlatko Drobarov due to another season-lasting injury. 

Jhingan's presence freed up a foreign player slot in the first team that coaches could then use in the midfield and attack. However, going by the team' defensive displays, that approach clearly has not worked. Vicuna will have two experienced defenders in Costa Nhamoinesu from Zimbabwe and Bakary Kone from Burkina Faso who are both eager to step onto the field. 

Kone and Nhamoinesu will both need to regain match fitness as quickly as possible and it will be key to Blasters' getting off to a good start in the seventh season of ISL. Kone last played an official game in May 2019. Costa, after playing 15+ league games every season for Sparta Praha in the Czech League until 2019, featured in only nine league games during a pandemic-hit 2019-20 season. 

What makes them a good fit at their new club is that they both are players who have been part of teams who have won trophies. It is said that defences win titles and both these African footballers have played key roles in achieving silverware at their previous clubs. 

Only a few months ago, Costa capped off his stint in the Czech Republic with a trophy. The 34-year-old was on the bench as Sparta Prague beat Slovan Liberec 2-1 to win the Czech Cup. That was Costa's second Czech Cup trophy after winning the same in 2014 in his debut season in the Czech Republic. In his seven seasons in Prague, he has become a league champion, won Czech Cup twice and has a Super Cup trophy as well. 

If a fully match-fit Kone can add grit to the Blasters defence, then teams won't find it easy to score against Blasters. The man from Ouagadougou also arrives with plenty of experience of playing against top teams with lethal strikers in the Champions League and Ligue 1.

Aside from winning Trophee des Champions and Coupe de France (twice), Kone played every single minute of his national team's African Cup of Nations 2013 campaign in South Africa. Burkina Faso lost the final 0-1 to Nigeria but their defence conceded only three goals in that tournament. 

Blasters also have Indian alternatives at central defence but given their recent displays, it remains to be seen if any of them can stake a claim to be a first-team regular this season. With both flanks locked in by Nishu Kumar and Jessel Carneiro, these two foreign centre-backs, once fully match fit, won't make life easy for the league's most lethal attackers. 

Kerala Blasters striker Gary Hooper is looking forward to the battle with former teammate and Odisha defender Steven Taylor in the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL). 

The 2019-20 edition of the competition will kick off on November 20 as Kerala Blasters take on new entrants ATK Mohun Bagan behind closed doors in Goa. 

There was an exodus of players from A-League to ISL this summer and it included winger Anthony Pilkington and Steven Taylor. Hooper played with Pilkington for Norwich City during the 2013-14 season in the Premier League and holds him in high regard. 

"I played with Pilks (Pilkington) at Norwich. He is a good player, plays with the ball, he is quick and he scores goals," Hooper told Goal .

He will also be facing off against Odisha's Steven Taylor who was his teammate at his previous club Wellington Phoenix. Blasters will face Odisha on January 7. 

"The battle I am looking forward to will be against Steven Taylor, my old teammate.  We will be going up against each other," Hooper said. 

Kerala Blasters have a good mix of foreign and Indian players and will be hoping to get into the playoffs for the first time in four years. While acknowledging Blasters' strengths, Hooper also pointed out that Mumbai City could be a difficult opponent this season. 

The Islanders appointed Sergio Lobera as their head coach and have two lethal finishers - Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam le Fondre - as their options upfront. 

Hooper opined, "I think Mumbai City look quite strong. They have got two good strikers. Adam le Fondre is a good finisher. We are very strong on paper, we just have to take it into the games. East Bengal is also looking good, playing good football, I think they will be up there as well. We don't need to worry about anyone else, we just have to focus on our game."

Blasters will just have to focus on the game when they take the pitch as fans won't be allowed inside the stadium due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

"Fans get us going. It is up to the players to step up for the fans who are watching on TV to play good football and win the games," said Hooper. who is raring to get going with a goal in the season opener on November 20. 

Experienced Belgian central defender Benjamin Lambot has joined NorthEast United FC for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The 33-year-old footballer is predominantly a central defender but can also play as a defensive midfielder. He has a vast experience of playing at the top division of Belgium, Azerbaijan and Cyprus.

Jersey Number: 19

Professional debut

Born in Etterbeek, Belgium, Lambot had joined the youth system of local club RWS Bruxelles before heading to the youth team of RWD Molenbeek. Later he joined AFC Tubize from where he had graduated in 2008. He was promoted to the first-team of Tubize during the 2008-09 season and he made his professional debut against Westerlo.

Experience in Belgium, Azerbaijan and Europa League

In 2009, Lambot moved to second division club Royal Antwerp FC where he spent three seasons before returning to the top division to join Lierse where he spent two more years. In 2013, for the first time in his career, the Belgian defender stepped out of his country to join Azerbaijan top division side Simurq PIK. In the Azerbaijan Premier Liqa, Lambot appeared in 41 matches in two seasons.

Lambot returned to his country in 2015 and joined Cercle Brugge where he spent the next five season. During the 2018-19 season, the defender got the opportunity to play in the Europa League qualifying play-offs where he played eight games.

Last stint

The Belgian last played for Cypriot top division side New Salamis FC during the 2019-20 season where he appeared in 23 league games. He even scored two goals. After his contract expired with the club at the end of the season, Lambot joined the Highlanders ahead of the upcoming ISL season.

Lionel Scaloni called for greater consistency with the VAR after Argentina were denied a winner against Paraguay.

Nicolas Gonzalez cancelled out Angel Romero's penalty at La Bombonera on Thursday and Argentina thought they had a third straight win to begin World Cup qualifying when Lionel Messi scored in the second half.

However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR check for a foul that started Argentina's passing build-up, and Scaloni's men were held to a 1-1 draw as they moved onto seven points from three World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

But the Argentina coach wants to see greater consistency from the VAR after his side were denied a winner.

"I think that in some way it is necessary to seek to unify the issue of the VAR," Scaloni told a news conference. "I am not talking in good or bad faith, but to unify criteria."

Regarding a foul on Exequiel Palacios, Scaloni added: "We are left without a player for several days or months. The knock was there and VAR didn't review it." 

After a slow start, Argentina dominated following Romero's opener from the penalty spot for Paraguay.

Argentina have won just two of their past eight qualifiers against Paraguay, who held on for a point in Buenos Aires.

Scaloni was satisfied with his team's performance and said they were dominant for long periods.

"In the first 15 minutes the team did not go well. After the penalty I think it was all ours, honestly," he said. "The team reacted, created situations, did what it had to do. We achieved a draw.

"We are leaving with a bittersweet taste because Argentina did everything to win. In the second half, we put the rivals behind. We must also value the attitude of the team, which always believed in achieving victory."

Goalscorer Gonzalez adding: "I think in the first few minutes it cost us a lot but then we got up and came close to winning it. This is the way. We all know it's not my position [left-back], but I always try to help the team."

Argentina continue their qualifying campaign with a trip to Lima to face Peru on Tuesday.

Kerala Blasters may have lost their rock at the back Sandesh Jhingan but Kibu Vicuna has replaced the Indian defender with a foreigner from Zimbabwe - 34-year-old Costa Nhamoinesu. 

The left-footed defender, who is over six feet tall, will hope to hit the ground running when Blasters take on ATK Mohun Bagan on November 20 in the opening game of the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL). 

Jersey Number: 26

Youth Career and Professional Debut

Costa started playing football during his middle school at Harare. He started his career with Zimbabwean club Ama Zulu before joining Masvingo United. 

Turning Point

After impressing for Masvingo, he signed for Polish club Zaglebie Lubin and managed to be a first-team player at the club for four years. In 2013, his displays caught the eye of Czech Republic club Sparta Prague and that was the turning point of Costa's career. 

Costa spent seven seasons at the club and was the first African to captain the club. He has more than 200 appearances for the team and has chipped in with 16 goals from the back during his long stay. He has won the Czech league and a Super Cup once and domestic cup competition twice. 

International Record

Costa has played for the Zimbabwe national team but has only managed a few appearances.Costa Nhamoinesu involved in the infamous Asia-gate scandal where quite a few Zimbabwean footballers were accused of collaborating to match fix the national team’s games for a betting syndicate in Asia in 2009.

In 2012, he was exonerated from the lifetime ban imposed on those involved in the scandal. He scored his first and only international goal in 2017 against Eswatini and that was also the last time he played for Zimbabwe.  

Last Stint

Costa played out his seventh and final year at Sparta Prague in the 2019-20 season. He was an unused substitute on the bench a few months ago as the team lifted the domestic cup trophy. Last season, he played nine league matches and scored one goal. 

Kerala Blasters have been struggling in the defensive midfield since 2016. Last season, Jeakson Singh played as a defensive midfielder but they now have a foreign presence in what could be a crucial position on the field. 

32-year-old Spanish midfielder Vicente Gomez adds much-needed steel and experience to the Blasters midfield and will have a vital role to play in the team's pursuit of a top-four spot.  

Jersey Number: 25

Youth Career and Professional Debut

Born in the Canary Islands in Spain's Las Palmas, Gomez started out at local club Huracan and eventually made it to their senior team in 2007. 

Turning Point

In 2009, Gomez was drafted to the reserve team of Las Palmas and within a year, he got into the first team. He built his career at the Spanish club and spent a total of eight seasons from 2010 to 2018. Vicente was instrumental in his club’s promotion to the La Liga during the 2015-16 season and has captained his team against Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

After playing more than 200 games and scoring 15 goals for Las Palmas which included three years in La Liga, Gomez left the club and joined Deportivo in the summer of 2018. He has played 60 games in the last two seasons for the club that plays in the Segunda Division. 

International Record

Vicente Gomez has not played for the Spain national team. However, in an interview to Goal, he claimed that he was nearly selected for the national camp by the then head coach Julen Lopetegui after seeing his displays in La Liga.  

Last Stint

Gomez' last game for Deportivo before leaving the club to join Blasters was on August 8, 2020. He played 25 league games and started in 15 of those for Deportivo last season in the Segunda Division. 

Kerala Blasters reinforced their defence in the summer by adding two foreign centre-backs. Bakary Kone from Burkina Faso is one of them and he arrives with plenty of domestic and continental football experience.

The 32-year-old retuning to full fitness during the pre-season will be crucial to Kibu Vicuna's plans, especially since he has not played many games recently at his previous club. 

Jersey Number: 4

Youth Career and Professional Debut

Kone, who joined Blasters from Russian club Arsenal Tula, started out at local club Abidjan and went onto make his professional career debut for Ouagadougou-based club Etoile Filante.

A Career Made In France

Kone left his boyhood club to step into the world of French football in 2006. After two years with the reserve side of Guingamp, he made his first-team debut in 2008 in Ligue 2. After three and a half seasons with Guingamp, Kone was brought on board by popular Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais also known as Lyon. He played alongside the likes of Dejan Lovren, Anthony Martial, Alexandre Lacazette, Samuel Umtiti, Nabil Fekir and more. 

He soon became a first-team regular there and remained so for many years until the 2015-16 season during which he suffered due to injuries and form. In 2016, he joined La Liga club Malaga, bringing his four-year association with the two-time Coupe de France winners to an end. 

Kone only managed to play seven league games for Malaga before succumbing to an injury and ending up being transferred. Ligue 1 turned out to be another lifeline for Kone as the defender joined Strasbourg on a season-long loan and played 28 league matches during the 2017-18 season. Of those 28, 27 were starts. 

Upon the completion of his loan deal, he terminated the three-year contract he had with Malaga and joined Turkish club Ankaragucu. The Burkina Faso international scored an own goal on his debut for Ankaragucu as they succumbed 3-1 to Galatasaray in a Turkish Super Lig clash.

He ended up playing 14 league games for the Turkish club and switched to the Russian Premier League in the second half of the 2018-19 season. 

International Record

Bakary Kone is one of the most capped footballers of the Burkina Faso national team. He made his debut at the age of 19 and was the runners up at the 2013 African Cup of Nations held at South Africa. He last played for the country in 2017. 

Last Stint

Kone joined Arsenal Tula in the first half of 2019 but failed to get into the head coach's first-team plans. He made just one league appearance for the club before making a move to India. 

Argentina continued their unbeaten start to World Cup qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay at La Bombonera on Thursday.

Angel Romero's penalty gave Paraguay a first-half lead, but his opener was cancelled out by Nicolas Gonzalez's header.

After falling behind, Argentina were dominant, and Lionel Messi had a second-half goal ruled out following a VAR check.

Lionel Scaloni's men were forced to settle for a point and are unbeaten through three qualifiers to top the CONMEBOL standings with seven points, while Paraguay are also yet to taste defeat and have five points.

After a bright start, Paraguay took a deserved 21st-minute lead through Romero's penalty.

Miguel Almiron's strong run at the Argentina defence saw the attacker brought down by Lucas Martinez, and Romero stepped up to place the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Argentina started to enjoy more possession but struggled to create much of note before Gonzalez equalised prior to half-time thanks to his first international goal.

Gonzalez met a good corner from Giovani Lo Celso, who replaced the injured Exequiel Palacios during the first half, to head in at the near post and make it 1-1.

The equaliser gave Argentina a boost and Rodrigo De Paul's long-range drive forced a save from Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva on the stroke of half-time.

Lautaro Martinez and Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez squandered good chances shortly after half-time before Argentina thought they had the lead.

After a cutback from Lo Celso, Messi beat Silva despite a strong hand from the Paraguay goalkeeper, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up after a VAR check.

Messi went close in the 72nd minute, Silva tipping his free-kick onto the crossbar after Lo Celso was fouled as Argentina continued to push, but they were unable to find a winner.

What does it mean? Argentina extend unbeaten run

Now unbeaten in three World Cup 2022 qualifiers, Argentina also stretched their overall run to 10. They made a slow start in Buenos Aires but were dominant after falling behind and deserved all three points. Argentina were denied a third straight win to begin a qualifying campaign, something they have managed just three times before.

Lo Celso provides spark

Palacios' injury was unfortunate for Argentina, but Lo Celso's introduction just before the half-hour mark boosted Scaloni's side. The Tottenham attacker assisted Gonzalez's equaliser and set up Messi's disallowed goal, while he was a constant threat.

Paraguay continue to trouble Argentina

Since being belted 6-1 by Argentina at the Copa America in 2015, Paraguay have gone four games unbeaten in meetings between the countries. In World Cup qualifying, Paraguay have won three and lost just two of their past eight clashes with Argentina.

What's next?

Argentina make the trip to Lima to face Peru on Tuesday, while Paraguay host Bolivia on the same day.

NWSL expansion side Racing Louisville selected U.S. women's national team stars Tobin Heath and Christen Press in the Expansion Draft on Thursday. 

Ahead of their first season in the league in 2021, Louisville selected 14 players in the draft, with the two USWNT stars taken with the team's final two picks of the night. 

Press and Heath are both currently signed with Manchester United in the Women's Super League through the end of the 2020-21 season.

With the Olympics currently set to take place in July next year and the WSL season ending in May, Press and Heath would be set to miss a large portion of the 2021 NWSL season should they make the USWNT roster for Tokyo. 

The NWSL trade window opens on Friday as well, meaning Press and Heath could be moved to another club before they ever take the field for Racing Louisville.

Press joins from the Utah Royals, where she played 25 matches over two and a half seasons, scoring 10 goals and tallying four assists. 

In a club statement, Royals general manager Stephanie Lee admitted the uncertainty around Press' future meant the club was more willing to leave her unprotected for the expansion draft.

“We are appreciative of the contributions made by Press and wish her luck in this next chapter,” Lee said. “The decision to leave Press unprotected allowed us to focus on players we were certain would and could show up to contribute in the 2021 season, and provides us some flexibility with allocation money during our current transition.”

Due to Press’ status as a USWNT allocated player, Utah received $75,000 in allocation money after she was selected by Louisville.

Heath, meanwhile, had been with the Thorns for seven years and helped the team win two championships.

“Tobin has been with our club since we started in 2013 and has given so much to the Portland Thorns, playing a massive role in winning two NWSL championships and an NWSL Shield,” the team’s owner, Merritt Paulson said in a club statement. 

Racing Louisville Expansion Draft selections

1. Addisyn Merrick (defender, North Carolina Courage)
2. Julia Ashley (defender, OL Reign)
3. Jennifer Cudjoe (midfielder, Sky Blue FC)
4. Cecelia Kizer (forward, Houston Dash)
5. Katie Lund (goalkeeper, Washington Spirit)
6. Alanna Kennedy (midfielder, Orlando Pride)
7. Lauren Milliet (midfielder, NC Courage)
8. Kaleigh Riehl (defender, Sky Blue FC)
9. Caitlin Foord (midfielder, Orlando Pride)
10. Katie McLure (forward, Washington Spirit)
11. Erin Simon (defender, Houston Dash)
12. Michelle Betos (goalkeeper, OL Reign)
13. Tobin Heath (midfielder, Portland Thorns)
14. Christen Press (forward, Utah Royals)

Roy Keane has heaped praise on Jack Grealish after England's win over the Republic of Ireland, while claiming that the midfielder is on the path to "great things".

Grealish was handed the second start of his international career in a friendly against Stephen Kenny's side at Wembley on Thursday night.

Harry Maguire gave the hosts the lead 18 minutes into the contest, powering home a header after rising highest to meet a beautifully flighted Harry Winks cross.

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.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin rounded off a 3-0 victory for Gareth Southgate's men from the penalty spot early in the second half, with Grealish ultimately earning the man of the match award after successfully transferring his form at club level to the international stage once again.

The 25-year-old has helped Aston Villa rise to sixth in the early Premier League standings, and has now made a strong case to be included in England's next UEFA Nations' League fixture against Belgium on Sunday.

Former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United midfielder Keane was full of praise for Grealish after his latest display for the Three Lions, noting that the playmaker has taken his game to a new level since being called up by Southgate.

“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," Keane told ITV Sport.

“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."

Ex-England and Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole echoed Keane's sentiments on Grealish, adding: “He controlled the wide areas, he controlled inside areas and he was very good on the ball.

"He decision making was better, he was linking up well with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bukayo Saka out wide.People always argue and say he needs to create more but he got an assist and was very good.”