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Diego Maradona is set to be discharged from hospital imminently, according to his personal doctor Leopoldo Luque.

Maradona has been recovering in hospital since undergoing a "routine" operation for a subdural haematoma last week, a day after being admitted due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Luque provided a further update on the 60-year-old Argentina and Napoli great, who is head coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.

"Diego has a very good clinical picture, very favourable in terms of surgery and the withdrawal picture that we had talked about," Luque told reporters on Tuesday.

"A discharge is being considered, he really wants to leave and, although he had already expressed this desire, this is another context and another clinical picture. A patient with great consistency asks us to be discharged and we are ordering the place that will receive him, a comfortable house for his recovery.

"This is generated thanks to the support of the doctors and the hospital, but above all by the support of their environment, family and representatives. The discharge of Diego is imminent, he is not leaving today but it will be soon."

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and guided Napoli to two Serie A titles, has been in charge of Superliga Argentina club Gimnasia since 2019.

He appeared in a fragile state when he briefly made an appearance as his Gimnasia side played a match on the evening of his birthday last month.

"Regarding his family reunion, I want to highlight everyone's interest, seeking the same goal, Diego's improvement," Luque added.

Gimnasia were in action on Sunday for the first time since their head coach was hospitalised, drawing 2-2 with Velez Sarsfield in Argentina’s top tier.

Their players held a banner reading "we are with you" ahead of the game, and assistant boss Sebastian Mendez hopes his side did Maradona proud with their display.

"It has been a complicated week," he said. "Diego is still hospitalised and we are all aware of that.

"We have built a very strong group and we are a family. When one falls, another picks him up. There is always a word of encouragement and that makes the group healthy. It also results in a team that is hard to beat on the pitch. It was a difficult week and we managed to play well.

"The latest news I have from Diego is that he is very well, luckily, and thank God because it is what we all hope. He is in a good mood and passes these days in the best possible way."

It was perhaps inevitable.

After the proposal to further tighten Covid-19 restrictions on sporting activities was first mooted by the Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin early last week, on Monday, November 11 the National Security Council (MKN) unilaterally announced that the 2020 Malaysia Cup has been postponed indefinitely.

The decision was predictably met with disappointment by many, practitioners and fans alike, who pointed out that other industries have been allowed to continue operating in the country, including those with seemingly less stringent pandemic preventative measures.

Fans have also pointed out that professional and recreational football activities in the country have yet to lead to any new coronavirus infection clusters, due to its participants' strict adherance to social distancing and government-mandated cautionary steps.

On the following day, several parties have issued statements asking the government reconsider its decision.

The Malaysian FA media executive committee head Christopher Raj was one of the first to react against the decision, and among the points he made on his Twitter account was the financial losses that will be incurred by clubs due to the lack of matches.

"Every team needs to pay their player and staff salaries until the month of December. This (Malaysia Cup) cancellation will cause losses to the teams."

On Tuesday, 33-time cup winners Selangor issued a statement on its website, also asking the government to revise the postponement, but on feasibility grounds.

Selangor lifting their last Malaysia Cup in 2015. Photo by Asiana.my

"...another reason to [re]consider the postponement of the Malaysia Cup is the contract signed between the players and the football club in Malaysia - which is on average tied until the end of November this year. If the Malaysia Cup is held after this date, many of the players’ contracts are invalid and this will make it difficult for the club to prepare for the rest of the competition, as well as the preparations for the next season."

Competitions organiser Malaysian Football League (MFL) also released its own statement on Tuesday, saying that it has appealed the government's decision, by including a proposal that would see the competition played out in a carnival format in a state that is not currently under lockdown.

"...teams that have gone through to the quarter-finals will play the remainder of the cup in one state. Clubs that lose will leave the state after their match is over."

This year's Malaysia Cup had been truncated into a single-legged straight knockout competition which started from the round of 16 stage due to the pandemic. The first round was just completed last Sunday, with JDT, Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, UiTM FC, Terengganu FC, Kedah, Selangor and Perak going through to the final eight stage.

Kedah v Pahang on November 6. Photo by Sports Regmie

However, fans on social media have also been theorising that the seemingly unfair decision to postpone the cup by the goverment, while letting other entertainment and recreational activities continue operating during the pandemic, was driven by the notion that professional football in the country as a whole is not an industry that is economically and financially significant, echoing the opinion that was expressed by Goal back in June. 

Mesut Ozil has expressed his happiness after the reinstatement of Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus at the Emirates Stadium.

The mascot, who has been played by Jerry Quy for the past 27 years, posted a tweet on Tuesday from the sidelines of the Premier League club's home ground with the caption: "Back at Emirates Stadium today."

Gunnersaurus was originally made redundant last month as part of Arsenal's job-cutting scheme to help with the financial impact of Covid-19.

That decision prompted an angry response from sections of Arsenal’s fanbase and a global outpouring of support with the hashtag #JusticeForGunnersaurus.

Despite being frozen out of the Gunners squad, Ozil was saddened by Quy's dismissal and offered to pay the mascot's salary for the entire time he was an Arsenal player.

While it's unclear who is portraying Gunnersauras and paying his wages, Ozil showed his delight with the mascot's return on Twitter: "Happy to see you back where you belong #YaGunnersYa."

Ozil was cut by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta from their Premier League and Europa League squads with the Spanish coach insisting he 'tried his best' to squeeze the German international into the lists.

"What I can tell you that I tried my best, I tried to give him as many opportunities as I could," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"And that from my own side, I’ve been patient, given him opportunities and been fair.

"He’s a player that belongs to a football club, he’s been a really important player in the last few seasons. I have to respect that, I’m here to make decisions, the best decisions for the team and for the club.

"This is what I try to do and then I have to explain them because people need the reasons and the right answers. I just give mine, whether they believe me or agree with me or not, there’s nothing I can do.

"But I have to put my decisions, with my heart and with my brain to make the right decisions that I believe are good."

Ozil's contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season, with the playmaker believed to want to continue his career at another club in London.

He joined the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2013 and has made 254 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals and creating 77 assists, while also helping the team win three FA Cups.

Spain head coach Luis Enrique backed Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati to pick up where he left off once he has recovered from a knee injury.

Fati will spend four months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a tear to the internal meniscus of his left knee – an injury sustained in Saturday's 5-2 La Liga win over Real Betis

The 18-year-old has been in great form for Barca this term, scoring five goals and assisting two more in 10 appearances in all competitions.

Among a number of other records, he became the youngest ever scorer for Spain with his goal against Ukraine in September.

That was one of four caps earned under Luis Enrique and the former Barcelona coach is confident the teenage attacker will find his best form once he returns to action.

"Regardless of how old you are, injuries are part of football," Luis Enrique said at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's friendly with the Netherlands. 

"It is a sad moment but he will overcome it. He will be the old Ansu again."

Fati's absence could give the likes of Alvaro Morata and Marcos Llorente a chance to shine in attack against the Netherlands.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke is back with Spain for the first time in over two years, while team-mate Llorente is in line for his maiden cap this international window.

"Morata is here because he has the confidence of his coach. He has a strong profile," Luis Enrique said.

"Llorente is almost already playing as a forward at Atletico now as the second striker. 

"The normal thing is to change your position, becoming deeper in your role, but with Llorente it is the other way around."

Spain enter the midweek friendly in Amsterdam on the back of a surprise 1-0 Nations League loss to Ukraine last month.

La Roja have won only two of their five matches this calendar year but Luis Enrique insisted all that matters is that his side peak in time for next year's rescheduled Euro 2020 finals.

"These games will help us to see all the players," he said. "But after playing these three games we still won't know what we have for the European Championships. 

"That will be seen in the tournament itself, where we can do very well. We'll see. I like what I see. You have to be optimistic and positive. Spain's real level will be seen at the Euros."

Mason Mount says he doesn’t pay attention to criticism on social media and laughed off suggestions of favouritism at Chelsea.

The 21-year-old has remained a favourite of Frank Lampard’s despite criticism from some quarters this season, with more competition for places at Stamford Bridge after the Blues’ summer transfer spree.

Mount played under Lampard at Derby before he was appointed Chelsea manager, and he was asked if by reporters if he felt it was fair to be labelled a ‘teacher’s pet’.

“No, not at all,” Mount said. “I’m a player that wants to do their best for the team and work hard. And maybe people take that the wrong way, I don’t know.

“You see comments here and there. I’m not one to really look too much into social media and that side of it. I know it’s big in football now, especially when the fans are not at the stadium.

“I’m not really one to look too much into it. It doesn’t really bother me too much. The main focus for me is playing football.”

Mount is currently on international duty with England, where he has been joined by in-form Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.

There have been suggestions from some that there is a rivalry between the two due to their similar playing positions, but Mount says this isn’t the case.

“There are all different players in this squad who can play in different positions. That is the kind of squad that’s been picked. Players that can be played in higher positions and in deeper positions.

“That’s the focus of the squad. So the comparisons [with Grealish] are not just, I don’t think. Me and Jack do different things, along with all the other attacking players and midfielders. We are focused on our own positions and what we can bring to the team personally.

“Hopefully we can all work together, as I said, over the next three games especially and we can play together and do the best we can.

“I’d never look at it as a rivalry. We are two different players and we do different things, so I’d never look at it as a rivalry.

“We are two team-mates who play for the same country. We want to do the best for each other, for the team and for the country as well.

“We can play in different roles. I look at the way he’s been playing this season, he’s been unbelievable and we both want to bring that to the next three games coming up.”

After a 30-year wait, Liverpool finally won an English top-flight title in 2019-20 amidst the massive disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

And now, to celebrate a 19th league title, the club have announced details of an official new documentary that covers the win.

What is The End of the Storm?

The End of the Storm is a new official Liverpool documentary directed by Emmy-nominated James Erskine that tells the story of the Reds' first-ever Premier League triumph in 2019-20.

It is the length of a feature film and offers an inside look on Liverpool's championship glory.

It is a documentary that will celebrate Jurgen Klopp's heroic first English top-flight win in 30 years, and will feature exclusive interviews with Klopp himself, Kenny Dalglish, and a myriad of players including Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.

In addition, it will also provide insight from the fans' perspective with faithful Reds supporters having their say on what the title win means to them.

“The End of the Storm is an ambitious, cinematic feature film that tells a story 30 years in the making,” said Erskine.

“This isn’t simply a story about an outstanding sporting achievement. It is also a story about emotion, community and self-belief – in a moment when we need all these things more than ever before.”

Executive producers Adam Bullmore and Raimon Masllorens said: “We are thrilled to be working with Liverpool Football Club and Altitude on The End of the Storm, which will give generations of Liverpool fans and sports enthusiasts the opportunity to celebrate together by watching the definitive account of one of Liverpool FC’s greatest seasons in the modern era.”

Additionally, musician Lana del Rey - who is also a Liverpool fan - recorded an exclusive acapella rendition of signature club anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" for the documentary.

When will The End of the Storm be released?

The End of the Storm will be released on Monday, November 30.

How to watch The End of the Storm

The documentary will be available to watch from November 30 with purchase on digital, DVD and Blu-ray.

The End of the Storm, which was produced in collaboration with Sky, will also be broadcast on Sky Documentaries in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2021.

Lionel Messi remains the best footballer in the world and makes Barcelona a better team when he is in the side, says head coach Ronald Koeman.

The Argentina international was named among the substitutes for a La Liga game for the first time since September 2019 in Saturday's 5-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou .

He had failed to score or assist from open play in six league matches this term before last weekend's contest, but Koeman denied he was dropped and put his absence from the side down to a knock.

Messi ended his open-play drought by powering home as a half-time substitute against Betis, having earlier scored his fifth penalty of the campaign in all competitions.

Koeman has reaffirmed he has full faith in the forward, who failed in an attempt to move away from the club at the end of last season.

"Messi has shown me to be a person who wants to win things and continue to be the best, even though he has had his problems with the club," Koeman told Sport .

"Barcelona have been, are and will be a better team with Messi than without. When I arrived, they told me that Messi was unhappy.

"We spoke at his house and he explained his reasons to me. I was honest. I told him that the only thing is the system, his position on the field, his importance in the team.

"But the problems that he had had with the club I couldn't change. From the first day I have said the same thing. He is the best and is committed to the club.

"He has had his issues, his problems this summer, but since he returned to training he has been very good.

"He has had bad luck in some games and he has not been able to offer the usual performance, but I am sure that at the end of the season he will have scored the usual goals."

Koeman replaced Quique Setien ahead of the 2020-21 campaign and oversaw Barca's joint-worst start to a La Liga campaign after six games in the three-points-per-win era.

But the ex-Netherlands boss has put part of his side's early struggles down to poor refereeing and is confident positive changes are being made on the field.

"We have been able to change the image of the team. We have made changes that have given another air to the group," he said.

"People are very involved, very committed. We have increased the intensity of the training sessions and we have played good games.

"It is true that we have lost many points in the league, in games that we could have achieved a better result. Refereeing decisions have influenced the final result in some.

"We know we have to improve things and we are working towards that. Now we have a break, but we are already preparing a very demanding schedule for when we return."

Brahim Diaz has backed Zinedine Zidane to get Real Madrid back on form, and says he has a special relationship with his parent club’s manager.

Diaz, formerly of Manchester City, is currently on loan at AC Milan, who are top of Serie A going into the international break.

Madrid haven’t fared so well this season, finding themselves fourth after a shock 4-1 defeat away to Valencia in their last game.

Zidane has faced criticism in the past despite his two league titles and three Champions Leagues at Madrid, and Diaz thinks he will prove himself to be a winner once again.

“Everything about Zidane is questioned but, in the end, he always wins,” Diaz told Movistar Plus.

“I have no doubt that my team-mates from Real Madrid will achieve their objectives this season.

“Zidane and I have a special and mutual affection. The relationship between he and I is very good. Now that I am in Milan, we have less contact, but from time to time I receive a message from him.”

After his time on the fringes at Madrid and Man City, Diaz is now taking a more central role in Milan.

He has been a regular starter in their Europa League campaign so far, and has contributed a goal and an assist to the cause in Serie A.

Diaz says he has been learning from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the man 18 years his senior still playing a starring role at San Siro.

“Now I am showing my football, showing what I can provide to the team, and it’s much easier,” he said.

“You always enjoy being able to play. I have formed a good connection with Ibra, he gives me a lot of advice. He and I get along very well both on and off the pitch.”

Diaz scored his first goal for AC Milan in an early-season win over Crotone, before following it up with strikes against Celtic and Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

After the international break, they face a tricky away game against a Napoli side managed by former Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, before finishing November with games against Lille and Fiorentina.

The 2020-21 Champions League is up and running, with the group stage now in full flow.

After a disappointing exit to Atletico Madrid last season, Liverpool will be keen on getting their hands on a historic sixth Champions League trophy this campaign following their 2019 triumph.

But with a second wave of Covid-19 underway and new travel restrictions implemented to prevent further spread of the virus, will the Reds' game against Danish opponents Midtjylland be axed?

Liverpool's final Champions League group-stage clash against Midtjylland on December 9 is in danger due to new travel restrictions involving those returning to the UK from Denmark.

The UK government's latest Covid-19 travel rules state that non-UK citizens are not permitted to travel back from the Scandinavian country due to discovery of a new strain of the virus, while UK citizens who return must self-isolate for 14 days.

This would mean that crucial players would be forced to miss Premier League fixtures upon return from the European games.

Coronavirus-related travel protocols were waived for athletes in the elite sport tier following football returning in the summer, such as when English teams were allowed to travel to Germany and Portugal for Europa League and Champions League matches, but sports figures will not be exempt from this rule due to the new Covid-19 outbreak.

New UK government policy states: "Unlike other travel to the UK, there will be no exemptions to this quarantine policy."

These measures also come alongside new quarantine measures for the UK, in which the whole region has now been instructed to re-enter a hard lockdown starting November 5.

The Reds, then, might possibly have to forfeit their European clash in Denmark due to the new travel restrictions, unless they change.

Liverpool won their home fixture against the Danish side 2-0, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota.

Midtjylland could also host Liverpool in a neutral venue that is not in Denmark or the UK should the travel restrictions continue to be upheld.

These new restrictions will also have an effect on England's UEFA Nations League tie against Iceland on November 18 at Wembley, due to Iceland playing Denmark in Copenhagen three days prior.

According to the rules, Iceland players would not be allowed to enter England unless new government exceptions are made.

The FA would also explore options of staging the match abroad if it cannot go ahead in the UK.

Liverpool have won all three of their Champions League group stages so far, clinching victories in Group D against Ajax, Atalanta and Midtjylland.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have been "shocked" by his side's poor defensive display in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, claims Kevin Campbell.

The former Arsenal striker has singled out right-back Hector Bellerin for particular criticism, saying the Spain international "can't defend" and was run ragged by Villa star Jack Grealish. 

Arteta's side were easily defeated at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka's first-half own goal followed by a pair of second-half strikes from Ollie Watkins. 

Villa were especially successful down their left-hand side, attacking Bellerin and right-sided centre-back Rob Holding all evening. 

Grealish assisted Watkins' second goal while Ross Barkley also had a fine evening and grabbed an assist on the first goal from Watkins. 

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell said that Arteta would never have expected before the game that his side would perform so poorly.

"Arteta was shocked by the performance and the way the team capitulated," Campbell said. 

“Bellerin is not a good defender and he got exposed against Jack Grealish.

“Grealish had the run of the Emirates down that left-hand side. You have to be able to defend against your winger one-on-one.

“Just getting back into your shape is not enough against ball players like Grealish. Ball players will play it around you and expose you and that is what Grealish and Barkley did. You have to affect the ball.

“Bellerin did not get much help though. You were hoping Rob Holding could but he is still coming back from injury. Ollie Watkins showed that Holding was still rusty.”  

Following the game, Arteta took the blame for his side's poor showing.

"I take full responsibility. I am responsible to make the team perform on the pitch and today we were not a team and it is my job. It is why I am standing here," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"It is a frustration. It takes a lot to build momentum, to build a way of being, living and performing and when something like that comes up it's a hard one to take but in a hard moment you learn more than in a positive moment and I want to see how we react."

Following the international break, Arsenal will return to action on November 22 with a match against Leeds United.

Paul Pogba can't compare to past midfield greats like Steven Gerrard, Yaya Toure or Frank Lampard, according to Jamie Carragher, who thinks that Manchester United should sell the French international.

The 27-year-old has struggled for consistent first-team minutes in recent months, as he has battled injury problems as well as a Covid-19 diagnosis.

Pogba has started from the bench in United's past two matches, a loss at Istanbul Basaksehir and a win at Everton.

France manager Didier Deschamps acknowledged Pogba's tough situation on Monday, admitting the midfielder is not happy with how things are currently going at Old Trafford.

Carragher, who played alongside Gerrard at Liverpool for several years and Lampard with England, as well as against Toure, has said United should consider cashing in on a player he feels can't compare to that trio.

"Would I pick him in the Manchester United team? No, I wouldn’t. He’s a huge name, he’s come for a huge transfer fee, but I don’t think he’s a great player," Carragher told talkSPORT.

“People say he’s won the World Cup and I get that. But when he came in I thought he might have the impact like Lampard at Chelsea, Gerrard at Liverpool, Yaya Toure at Man City – those players drove their team to titles, European Cups.

“When you’re that man who’s seen as the one to take United to the next level, which people might say it’s too much pressure to put on one man, but that’s what we were told was coming.

“It just hasn’t happened for him at Manchester United. For me, I’d be looking to move him on.”

Bruno Fernandes has emerged as one of United's most important players, with the Portugal international serving as a creative hub in the middle of the park. 

With Fernandes in the team, Carragher has said putting Pogba alongside him would make United far too undisciplined defensively. 

"Fernandes and Pogba are not disciplined," Carragher added. “They are probably two of the most undisciplined players in the Premier League.

“You can maybe carry one but you can’t play the two of them. It’s one or the other.

“I do not believe Pogba and Fernandes can play in the same team so you have to play Fernandes and he has played really well since he joined."

Memphis Depay will not be allowed to leave Lyon in the January transfer window according to the club’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas.

The Dutch winger looked certain to leave the club for Barcelona over the summer, only to see the move collapse at the end of the window.

Barca and Lyon have been involved in a tug of war for Depay ever since. Ronald Koeman has openly said he still wants to sign him, with Lyon boss Rudi Garcia quipping that he would ‘tackle’ Koeman to keep hold of his player.

More recently, Depay suggested Lyon should enjoy him while they can, and refused to commit to seeing out the rest of the 2020-21 season at the Groupama Stadium.

Now, though, Aulas says Lyon won’t be selling any of their star players before the end of the campaign. Lyon missed out on European qualification last season after the Ligue 1 season was cut short, and he is desperate to make up for what he still sees as an unjust failure.

“We have a lot of internationals for different countries, including Memphis, who is a leader,” Aulas told RMC Sport.

“Memphis, I’m not in love with him but I think he can bring to Lyon a dimension that everyone wants the club to have. But, no, we are seemingly not going to keep him [at the end of his contract].

"I was the first to say he would not go to Barcelona. Nobody listened to me during the transfer window because everybody thought he would leave.

“There is not only Memphis, but also Houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele. From the start, I told you, they will not leave because in a year when we were unfairly deprived of European football, we absolutely have to make a success of the season. So he will stay.”

Lyon were seventh when the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, but Aulas’ side are back in the European hunt this time around.

They went into the international break in fifth, just a point outside the top four but having played one more game than fourth-placed Marseille.

Free agent midfielder Jack Wilshere has insisted he would never be able to move to Tottenham.

Wilshere came up through Arsenal's academy and spent 10 years as a part of the first-team set-up with the Gunners, making 197 total appearances.

Though he marked himself as one of England's most promising talents, Wilshere did not completely fulfill his potential with Arsenal due to a host of injury issues. 

He joined West Ham in 2018 but his time with the Hammers was also blighted by injuries, as he managed only 19 appearances over two seasons – including just six Premier League starts.

West Ham ended Wilshere's £100,000-a-week contract early in October, making the 28-year-old a free agent. 

Though Wilshere is still without a club, he told the Super 6 podcast that his Arsenal ties would make any move to their north London rivals impossible. 

When asked if he would ever consider a move to Tottenham, Wilshere responded: "I love [head coach Jose] Mourinho, I think he's an unbelievable coach... But I couldn't do it."

Wilshere went on to express doubt over whether he'd ever be in a position to turn down an approach from Spurs.

"They wouldn't have me!" he said. "But I don't think I could do it. It's not as if Arsenal got rid of me and kicked me out and there is bad feeling, they offered me a deal and I wanted to try something else. I'm an Arsenal man."

Wilshere spoke about his future with the BBC in October, saying that he is training with friends in a local park while waiting to decide his next move. 

The midfielder said he is open to playing in a number of different countries and insisted he still has plenty of football left in his legs.

"It is important to find a club where I am going to play, be an important player and be happy. I don't want to rush into anything. It has to be the right team in the right country," Wilshere said. "I am open to Europe or wherever.

"People forget I am 28. Everyone thinks I am 30 or 31, probably because I started when I was 16. That is 12 years ago, which is a long time in football."

The Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) guidelines to its member association to boost safety and security protocols during this month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have been applauded by Samuel Olatunji-Okuku.

The race to Cameroon will be held between November 11 to November 17, albeit, no fans will be allowed at match venues – a decision taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the wake of Caf’s verdict, Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development through directives from the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 maintained that Super Eagles’ tie against Sierra Leone will be played without any fan or media in attendance.

“The ministry wishes to bring to your urgent attention that in compliance with the condition of no gathering agreed upon by the ministry and the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 before the Federal Government opened up football and contacts sports, the match between Nigeria and Sierra Leone will not have any audience," the Ministry wrote in a statement, as per Punch.

Reacting to this, the experienced football administrator claimed the measures by the continent’s ruling body is a welcome development as that would thwart any possibility of players and coaches from contracting the virus.

“This is a very good decision considering what is happening in several parts of the world as we have some countries already going back into lockdown,” Olatunji-Okuku told Goal.

“This shows that Caf is very proactive this time around and that is worthy of commendation. It is better to play these matches behind closed doors and ensure that everybody returns safely to their clubs without any health scare.

“Recently, some top European coaches expressed their fears releasing their players for the Afcon qualifiers because they don’t know what is happening here. However, with the decision of Caf and the NFF, that has sent a strong signal that these players are safe.”

He went further predicting that Gernot Rohr’s men would soar against the Leone Stars despite the prospect of playing in an empty Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.  

“Whether we have the fans in the stadium or not, we are home and with due respect, I don’t see Sierra Leone leaving with a point because we boast quality players in our ranks.”

Nigeria currently lead Group L with six points after securing victories against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Former Fulham and Leicester City defender John Paintsil believes Thomas Partey's reported absence from Ghana's upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying games against Sudan will be a big blow to the West Africans.

Goal has reported the Arsenal midfielder will miss his country's double-header after picking up a thigh injury in a Premier League match against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Ghana host Sudan for a first meeting on Thursday, the reverse fixture scheduled for November 17.

"He [Partey] has had an opportunity to play friendly matches and knows which players are ready and which ones are not. We should know that he has a replacement for Partey," Paintsil told Ghana Web.

“I think Akonnor will use his experience to turn things around. That’s why he wants to try a lot of players and this is where we are going to know who’ll replace him [Partey].

"I think we’ll definitely have someone who will replace him and play the same way as Partey does.

"His absence is definitely going to affect the team but I believe that we have a coach who will turn things around."

Currently top of the table in qualifying Group C, Ghana are hoping to add to wins in their opening two games with six more points from the back-to-back matches against the North Africans.

New coach CK supervised his first set of assignments in friendly matches against Mali and Qatar last month.

Thursday's fixture will be his first-ever Afcon qualifier as a coach.

“They [Ghana] have a great coach with enough experience as a coach and player," Paintsil added.

"The players also need to understand that the coach trusts them, that is why he brought them. He has confidence in them to do a job.

"The players should play from their hearts and listen to the coach because the coach has tactics so they should stick to his plans.

“I’m sure the coach has watched the Sudanese and knows where he can hurt [them], so he will designate players who can get him the result.

"The players should stick to the coach’s plan and make sure it works. I’m confident Akonnor will work magic for Ghana."

Nicolas Pepe says he wants more first-team minutes at Arsenal to "find a smile again".

The 25-year-old winger has been in and out of the Gunners’ starting XI ever since he joined as a club-record signing from Lille in 2019.

This season, Pepe has played in all but one of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far – but only once as a starter, generally being used as an impact substitute. He has started all five of his side’s games in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, but would clearly like to see more playing time in the league.

“My goal is to play more, to have a little more playing time,” Pepe told Canal+.

“A player who plays is happy. For me, I would like to play a little more to find a smile again.

“He [Mikel Arteta] wants me to be 100 per cent focused during the 90 minutes of the match. Afterwards, I see during training that I will be a substitute the following weekend.

“But the coach speaks to me, he also has assistants who are there for that. But it is frustrating for any player to be on the bench.

“A super-sub role? The coach makes his choices. It's up to me to show him that I don't have that role.”

Arsenal’s stuttering form in the Premier League may give Arteta pause for thought as he considers whether Pepe is deserving of more minutes.

The Gunners have lost four of their last six games in the league, and have only scored once in the last four – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty in the 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Pepe has contributed at least one goal or assist in every appearance in the Europa League so far this season, but he only has one goal to his name in the Premier League.

Arsenal went into the international break licking their wounds after a bruising 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, and Arteta will be demanding a swift improvement when club football returns.

The Gunners travel to Elland Road to face Leeds in their first game back, before rounding off November with fixtures against Molde and Wolves.

Rasheedat Ajibade's Avaldsnes have advanced to the semi-final of the Norwegian Women's Cup following Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Arna-Bjornar at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian.
 
To reach the last eight stages, Avaldsnes thrashed Amazon Grimstad 5-0 a month ago, while Arna-Bjornar beat KIL / Hemne 2-0.

Having shone in her side's recent 3-0 win over Klepp, the Nigeria international was afforded a place in the starting XI as they aimed for a fourth semi-final at the expense of Remi Natvik's team.

A solitary strike from Elise Thorsnes sent Thomas Dahle's team through to the semi-finals as Ngozi Ebere's side were made to pay dearly for referee Veronika Fjeldvar's controversial decision.

Thorsnes opened the scoring for the hosts after she struck from a rebound following Andrea Nordheim's shot which was initially saved after just 13 minutes of the encounter.

Arna, however created many chances against the hosts but could not convert before the half time break at Avaldsnes Idrettssenter. 

After the restart, Avaldsnes could not add to their lead but managed to hold their nerves to claim the vital victory amidst the controversies.

Ajibade was in action from the start to finish and her presence proved to be a huge bargain for Avaldsnes against Arna.

With the win, Avaldsnes are two matches from reclaiming their second Norwegian Cup title and also kept alive their dreams of a domestic double this season, with a point adrift of the top spot.

After the win, Avaldsnes aim to wrap up their 2020 Toppserien outing at Sandviken on Saturday, and hope for a win to claim the title.

South African Football Association (Safa) President Dr Danny Jordaan has spoken about the Senzo Meyiwa murder case after an update from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was killed six years ago and his murder has left many asking questions about the mysterious case. 

Meyiwa passed away two weeks after playing an instrumental role in helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Jordaan reflected on the Umlazi-born shot-stopper's murder when speaking at the unveiling of Meyiwa’s tombstone in Durban on Tuesday.

“We celebrated the joy of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations with Senzo keeping a clean sheet. The joy turned into shock and disbelief,” Jordaan said. 

“We asked the question why, what happened, and six years later we are still asking why." 

Meyiwa, who was killed at the age of 27, captained Bafana in all of his last four matches which he played during the 2015 Afcon qualifiers. 

Unfortunately, the former South Africa under-23 international was unable to play in the finals in Equatorial Guinea where Bafana failed to reach the knockout stages. 

Last month, Police Minister Bheki Cele announced they have a solid case against the five suspects, who were arrested six years after Meyiwa was murdered.

However, Jordaan has made a curious comment on the supects. 

“We were told about the robbers, the other day they presented the robbers, only to find they are jailed men," the experienced football administrator added. 

"If you are a robber then they catch you and say here are the robbers, but those were jailed men. So until today, we don’t know."

The case was postponed to November 27 after the appearance of the five suspects in the Boksburg magistrate's court in East Rand, Gauteng on October 27.