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The 2020 IFA Shield will take place this year before the start of the I-League season.

The competition is set to kick off in early December with 12 teams, comprising of four I-League teams and eight CFL (Calcutta Football League) Premier Division teams. 

"We wanted to organise the tournament with eight teams. But the response has been overwhelming from all quarters. So we are now looking to host it with 12 teams. Really grateful to all CFL teams who have come forward and have agreed to play this tournament. This shows that football in West Bengal is on the right track. Today (Tuesday) is the last day to send in entries, but I don't think we can accommodate more than 12 sides," stated IFA Secretary Joydeep Mukherjee to Goal.

Meanwhile, after a three-year hiatus, the tournament will once again be a senior-category competition. In the last three editions, only developmental teams were allowed to participate. 

2020 IFA Shield starting date 

The IFA Shield will kick-off in the first week of December, though an official date has not been announced by the governing body of football in West Bengal. 

IFA Shield Participating teams

Reigning CFL champions Peerless SC and Mohammedan Sporting have already confirmed their participation but the two other Kolkata giants in East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are unlikely to take part. The four I-League teams that will participate are Sudeva FC, Gokulam Kerala FC, Indian Arrows and Mohammedan Sporting. 

IFA Shield Venues

The tournament is expected to be played across four venues in a league cum knockout format but a final decision will be taken after IFA's sub-committee meeting. 

Foreign teams in IFA Shield 2020?

The participation of glamorous overseas sides had been one of the main attractions of the IFA Shield. Uruguayan powerhouse Penarol FC, European heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk and even Bayern Munich Reserves had graced the tournament in the past. But this time no foreign teams have been invited to participate because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Bio-bubble for IFA Shield?

Although there will be no bio-bubble for the tournament, the organisers will conduct Covid tests of all concerned.

IFA Shield 2020 broadcast and LIVE stream

All matches will be broadcasted live on Kolkata TV. 

IFA Shield: Previous winners

Mohun Bagan was the first Indian team to win IFA Shield in 1911 when they defeated East Yorkshire regiment 2-1. But their rivals East Bengal are the most successful team in the history of the century-old tournament as they won it 27 times while the maroon and greens have clinched it on 21 occasions. 

Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has maintained he is not troubled by the absence of lead striker Michael Olunga as they face Comoros in an Africa Cup of Nations match on Wednesday.

The Japan-based striker is among the professional players who were summoned for the double-header against the island nation but will not be able to come because of the Covid-19 situation in his country.

Olunga, who is currently topping the goal scorers chart in J1-League for Kashiwa Resyol, has been ordered to go for self-isolation after three players and their coach tested positive for Covid-19.

Mulee, who will be handling the Kenya national team for the first time since his appointment to replace Francis Kimanzi, has now told Goal he knew Olunga’s absence for the past two weeks hence the reason he is not worried about his absence.

“We knew almost two weeks ago that Olunga will not come for the qualifier against Comoros, it was very obvious because of the Covid-19 situation in the country [where he plays football] and what happened to his club three days ago,” Mulee told Goal on Tuesday.

“As Kenyans, we have a way of doing things and I think we have other strikers [in the squad] who can take the mantle and do the job well, we cannot cry over spilled milk, we have to work with the players we have and I know they will step in a do the job.”

On captain Victor Wanyama arriving in camp a day to the crucial match, Mulee said: “It is worrying because he will only train with the team for only one session, but we are happy because he understands the situation of playing on such a big stage and I know he will step up if given the chance.”

Mulee has further revealed the reason he will use more foreign-based players in his squad to face Comoros.

“I will use more professionals because they have been involved in matches unlike our local players who have missed matches since last six months since the league was ended prematurely owing to the Covid-19,” Mulee continued.

On what he wants to achieve from the fixture, Mulee said: “It is a very good fixture at home, we plan to win all our remaining home matches, and it is a very important game for Kenya.

“We want to get something positive from the game. We want to fight all 90 minutes and don't give up. We don't have any injuries apart from Olunga, all the players are in camp are fit and ready to do the job.”

The last time Kenya played against the island nation in Nairobi was in the 2015 Afcon qualifier on May 8, 2014, when they emerged 1-0 winners with the return leg ending 2-2 after goals from Victor Wanyama and Clifford Miheso.

Kenya are currently second in Group G after managing two draws from their first two matches, 1-1 against Egypt and the same scoreline against Togo.

Liverpool will find it hard to replace Georginio Wijnaldum and should look to keep the Barcelona target, according to former Reds full-back Glen Johnson.

Wijnaldum is out of contract at the end of the season and an extension for the Netherlands international has yet to be agreed.

Barcelona were keen to sign the 29-year-old during the summer transfer window and Ronald Koeman could make a renewed attempt to bring his compatriot to Camp Nou in January.

However, Johnson believes that Liverpool need to retain Wijnaldum’s services due to the qualities he adds to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

“I think they need to keep him,” Johnson told compare.bet. “I think he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s one of those all-round midfielders, great on the ball, not an out-and-out goalscorer, and not an out-and-out defender, so he’s one of those utility men in midfield who can play in any one of the three positions.

“And I think he’s a fantastic squad player and, obviously, the experience he’s gained in the last few years is hard to replace.”

One player yet to make a sustained impact in Klopp’s team is Naby Keita, who moved to Anfield from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2018.

Johnson added: “He’s probably not hit the ground running as people would have liked and obviously it’s a hard team to break into. Everyone thought he’d do better early on, but I still think he’s a fantastic player.

“I guess for him, when he next gets his opportunity, he needs to take it. No player really likes being a squad player, everyone likes to play.”

Another player yet to make an impact for the Premier League champions is Thiago Alcantara, who has been hampered by injury since his arrival from Bayern Munich.

However, Johnson is confident that the Spain midfielder will be able to increase the goal productivity within the Liverpool ranks once he is back on the pitch.

“Last season their three front men were carrying the side in terms of goals, but you can’t rely on that consistently all throughout the year,” said Johnson.

“For a player like Thiago, or even someone in the past like Coutinho, a player who can score and create from midfield gives another threat for the other team to neutralise.

“I certainly think they need to get more goals from midfield, and whether Thiago actually scores them or not, I certainly think he’ll play a role in a lot of goals.”

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki says he appreciates the huge responsibility he has to satisfy the hard-to-please national team fans as he faces another test against Sao Tome e Principe in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana first host the Atlantic Ocean islanders on November 13 at Moses Mabhida Stadium, before switching battleground to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where they would be considered as the away side three days later.

After concerns about his pedigree to handle the national team, especially following last month's 1-1 draw against Namibia and the 2-1 defeat by Zambia in international friendlies, Ntseki knows that he could be living on borrowed time.

The results added to his record of last year’s 2-1 friendly match victory over Mali, the 2-0 Afcon qualifier loss to Ghana and a 1-0 win over Sudan which left Bafana placed second in Group C.

“It is a responsibility that we are fully aware of that South Africans are very impatient when it comes to Bafana Bafana because it is the pride of the nation,” said Ntseki as per Sowetan Live.

“It is what unites the nation. When we win games‚ the whole nation will celebrate‚ when we lose games‚ the whole nation will be up in arms to say they are not happy with Bafana‚ they are not happy with the coach‚ they are not happy with so and so... it is a team.”

Bafana are three points behind Group C leaders Ghana and tied on three points with third-placed Sudan whom they have an edge over in their head-to-head record.

Despite his team’s inconsistency, Ntseki is unmoved and believes that they are on the right track as he expresses confidence in his team, the majority of who's team members have rose through the ranks of youth national teams to the senior side.

“So now we need to do well for Bafana Bafana because I think that everything has been working very well for us,” Ntseki said.

“We have three generations of players in the Bafana team. We have the team of [captain] Thulani Hlatshwayo that played in the Afcon 2015‚ we have the team of [Motjeka] Madisha that played in the Olympics in 2016‚ and we have the team of Teboho Mokoena that is going to the Olympic Games in Tokyo [next year].

"So this is the generation that will very important to take us to the next level.”

Collecting six points from Sao Tome would set Ntseki’s side in good standing to finish top of their group.

Jude Bellingham has been drafted into the senior England squad for the first time, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder emulating Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott in earning a call-up at 17 years of age.

The talented teenager has been promoted into Gareth Southgate’s ranks after initially being called upon at U21 level.

He has already taken in four appearances for the Young Lions, registering one goal in the process, but could now be in line for a full debut for his country.

Bellingham has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence over the last 15 months, with a competitive debut for Birmingham City only made in August 2019.

He was just 16 at the time and did enough across his debut campaign as a first-team star to earn a big-money move to Bundesliga giants Dortmund.

Impressive progress in Germany has now been rewarded with England recognition, with Bellingham in contention for minutes during a friendly date with the Republic of Ireland and UEFA Nations League clashes with Belgium and Iceland.

A statement from the Football Association read, with updates offered on those who have picked up untimely knocks: “Jude Bellingham has been added to the England men’s senior squad following the withdrawal of James Ward-Prowse and Trent Alexander-Arnold through injury.

“The Borussia Dortmund midfielder was originally included in the MU21 squad but will now link up with the seniors for the first time.

“Marcus Rashford is scheduled to report for duty on Thursday to allow for further assessment on an injury sustained playing for Manchester United last Saturday.

“The majority of the squad arrived at St George’s Park on Monday with Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling due to report on Tuesday.

“Elsewhere, Aidy Boothroyd has now added Everton duo Ben Godfrey and Tom Davies to his MU21 squad but will be without Norwich City defender Max Aarons.”

If Bellingham were to figure for England at some stage over the course of the latest international break, he would become the third-youngest player to represent the Three Lions.

Former Arsenal and Everton winger Walcott, who is now back at Southampton, tops that chart having made his bow against Hungary in 2006 aged just 17 years and 74 days.

Manchester United legend Rooney is second on the list, with England’s all-time leading goalscorer earning his first cap against Australia in February 2003.

James Prinsep and Tot Rostron, stars of the 19th century, also made their respective bows at the age of the 17, with Manchester City forward Sterling the only other player to slip into that category having started out young in a meeting with Sweden in 2012.

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi has revealed he is happy to open a new chapter with the national team after he was handed a call for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros.

Origi, who is the cousin of Liverpool striker Divock, last played for Kenya in a 1-0 defeat at home to Guinea-Bissau on March 27, 2016, and five years later he was recalled by coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee ahead of the double-header against the island nation.

Origi has now told Goal he is happy to return to the national team fold and further promised to open a new chapter and leave a mark by achieving big things with the team.

“It feels great to be back in the national team,” Origi told Goal on Tuesday. “I knew one day I will return, the chapter was not closed and it is my time now to write a new chapter, a new history with the national team.

“I am here for something big, I want to achieve big things with this team and I know there is always pressure which comes with it but I am ready to achieve my targets.”

Origi is likely to start for Kenya against Comoros and talking of the match he said: “It will be a difficult game, [Comoros] are a good team, they have many players in Europe and they have actively been playing football despite Covid-19.

“We want to return to Afcon and it is the reason we must work hard to beat them, we need the points, it will be good to win our home matches and strive hard to get something in away matches.”

Origi, who lives in Norway but was turning out for HIFK Fotboll in Finland until recently, was Kenya’s goalkeeper for close to four years after he took over the mantle from Francis Onyiso and made his debut against Ghana in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2005.

The last time Kenya played against the island nation in Nairobi was in the 2015 Afcon qualifier on May 8, 2014, when they emerged 1-0 winners with the return leg ending 2-2 after goals from Victor Wanyama and Clifford Miheso.

Kenya are currently second in Group G after managing two draws from their first two matches, 1-1 against Egypt and the same scoreline against Togo.

Hakim Ziyech has been billed as a mix of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas by former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin, with the Morocco international making quite the impression at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard moved early in 2020 to put a deal for the talented 27-year-old in place.

His obvious quality was prised away from Ajax, with the opportunity to grace a Premier League stage being embraced by an ambitious performer.

Early injury issues prevented Ziyech from stepping immediately into the fold, but patience in west London is being rewarded.

Two goals and three assists have been contributed to the Chelsea cause, with arguably his best performance so far put in against Sheffield United last time out, and Nevin claims to see shades of two iconic figures from years gone by in a player looking to write his own memorable story for the Blues.

“It was a magnificent performance showing little glimpses that reminded you of the best of Eden Hazard at one moment and then Cesc Fabregas’s genius two minutes later,” Nevin told Chelsea’s official website of Ziyech’s display against the Blades.

“Okay, so it was ‘only the Blades’ some might say and yes, things will be tougher against the likes of Man City and Liverpool, but he has enough technical ability to live and thrive very easily in that company too I reckon.

“We will find out soon enough, but it is noticeable how many chances we appear to be making and indeed scoring since Ziyech started against Krasnodar. We have played four games and have a current running scoreline of 14-1!

“So there is his vision, stunning delivery with his left foot, while his right foot is pretty hot as well. He can score as well as creating but it is that ability to see gaps and deliver the ball into them that is the most noticeable thing at the moment.

“In short, it all looks very good, but of course because it looks good, everyone else has been watching him now and maybe the element of surprise will be diminished? Will this have an influence on his effectiveness in the short to medium term?

“If you are an opposition coach the first thing you have to do against him now is a no-brainer, you have to get him ‘shown down the line’ on that right-hand side by the full-back and hopefully the covering midfielder. 

“It is better dealing with a decent right-foot cross than that vicious, bordering-on-unstoppable left-foot screamer he has in his locker.

“The thing is, it is obvious players have been trying to do that to Hakim for years and he is wise to it. If they over-cover he just goes inside further and releases the space for his own overlapping full-back. That creates just as big a problem for the oppo, as Reece James is probably the only player who could argue with Hakim about having the best delivery in the squad just now.

“As the new players have arrived and been integrated into the team, many of us have been waiting for the on-field understandings to blossom.

“Sometimes these can take a while, but I can already see something special with Reece and Hakim. You might stop one, but that will create space for the other.”

Reece James is a "better defender" than Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to Glen Johnson, who feels the England right-back position is a "toss-up" between the pair.

Alexander-Arnold has established himself as arguably the pre-eminent right-back in world football over the past few seasons after playing a key role in Liverpool’s recent success.

James, meanwhile, has come to the fore at Chelsea under Frank Lampard over the past 18 months and has also broken into the senior England squad.

Both players have been selected by Gareth Southgate for the upcoming friendly against the Republic of Ireland, and the Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Iceland.

However, Alexander-Arnold will now miss out on the games after suffering a calf injury in Liverpool’s draw with Manchester City on Sunday, while James is suspended for the Nations League games after being sent off against Denmark last month.

When both players are available for selection, former England full-back Johnson believes Southgate faces a difficult decision over who to start on the right side of defence.

“I would say, overall, it’s a toss-up between Trent and Reece James,” Johnson told compare.bet when asked who England’s best option at right-back is.

“It depends on who you’re playing against of course, but I think Reece James is a better defender. I think he’s quicker, stronger.

“Trent is great on the ball, he’s a great footballer, and he’s very smart and a lot wiser than his age suggests. But in international football, you get a lot more time on the ball, so I think Trent would be number one, but Reece would be a fantastic back-up.”

Johnson has also backed Southgate’s decision to start with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount over in-form Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish.

Former Blues defender Johnson added: “At the moment, I think he’s probably getting it right picking Mount.

“But look, in terms of what Grealish can do, of course, we’ve seen him in fantastic form, but it’s a difficult one.

“With Grealish, he’s Villa’s main man and loves being the main man, but when he goes to the England camp he’s not the main man.

"So he’s got to adapt the way he plays and when he learns to do that, then I think he’ll certainly climb the ladder in Southgate’s pecking order.”

Manchester United players are always going to be “under pressure and scrutiny”, admits Andy Cole, with the club’s class of 2020-21 urged to embrace that expectation and forge a “siege mentality”.

Calls for leadership at Old Trafford are growing in intensity, with the Red Devils considered to be lacking in that department of late.

The likes of Bruno Fernandes have been doing their best to drag others along with them, but collective effort is going to be required in order to hit ultimate targets.

Former frontman Cole knows what is required to deliver under the brightest of spotlights, having secured an enviable collection of trophies with United in his playing days, and he wants those in the modern era to prove that they have what it takes to follow in some illustrious footsteps.

“The club is about being under pressure and scrutiny consistently,” Cole told The Sun.

“Success breeds contempt and, when things are not going well, people want to jump on the bandwagon and talk about your lack of success.

“You have got to use that and get that siege mentality. And when you walk out there, believe in each other and say to yourselves, ‘This is what we are going to do, it is about us and what we can achieve’.

“The players have to get their heads down and become a unit.”

Cole added on the accusations of United lacking leaders and character: “In my day we were all captains in our own right and you had to lead your own ship.

“When we crossed that white line and looked at each other we knew we all wanted to win. In fact, we had some teams beat when we were in the tunnel.”

Cole concedes that adopting such a mindset is never easy, with tangible success required in order for morale to be lifted, but he believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have shown that they can compete with the very best in the business.

“Being at United at times is not easy,” added the ex-England international.

“Even if the club have not won the league for seven years, every opponent still raises their game against you.

“You have to match that. When I was at Manchester United the players understood what the club was about, that you always had to prove yourself.

“This team has to find that consistency. They go to Paris Saint-Germain and get an unbelievable result and then come back to the league and not play well.

"You are just not sure what team is going to turn up. Once they get that consistency it will breed confidence.”

Joseph Yobo has stressed the importance of Nigeria beating Sierra Leone at home when they face off in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game on Friday.

The Super Eagles will square off against the Leone Stars at Ogbemudia Stadium before the reverse fixture in Freetown on November 17.

The three-time African champions are leading Group L with six points from two games after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Yobo, an assistant to Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, believes the Super Eagles must take the home tie in Benin City seriously, as it could go a long way in deciding their qualification for the continental showpiece.

“These are big games. There’s a difference between friendly matches just like the ones we played, [against Algeria and Tunisia],” Yobo said on the Super Eagles YouTube channel.

“It was experimental where we gave younger players the opportunity to show themselves. But this is a qualifying match where if we do well in both games we will almost qualify for the Afcon.

“We expect big performance and very good results. If we have to do the mathematics, I think four points will get us through. But when you play at home, it’s crucial, it is so important to play very well and to take the three points. 

“Away from home we know is always difficult especially Sierra Leone. If I can remember the last time we were away to Sierra Leone was 2008 and it was very difficult and I scored the only goal. So, it’s a difficult place to go to but football has also changed so the first game is what is important.

“I try not to bother much about the second game. All we have at this moment is the first game so we need to play very well and our performance will get us the three points.”

Yobo had his first experience as a Super Eagles assistant coach when Nigeria played Algeria and Tunisia in international friendlies last month.

The 40-year-old revealed his delight to return to the Super Eagles after starring for the side for 13 years, winning 101 caps.

”It was good. One thing was that after my career I stayed away because I played for 13, 14 years and I wanted that break. So coming back was refreshing for me because most of the players haven’t seen me,” he continued.

“I think it was a very good thing. And coming back as a coach and not as a captain or player anymore is a different ball game.

“We have the head coach, Gernot Rohr that is there and his team. For me, it was like a family. It was like I never left, even easier than I thought because when I got on to the pitch and into the mood of playing and coaching, the natural things I needed to do started coming out.

“So, whatever I do came out naturally and I think it’s because of my love and passion for the national team.”

Nigeria finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and will hope to reach the next edition of the tournament with ease.

Lionel Messi’s attitude towards Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann has been “deplorable”, claims the French forward’s former advisor Eric Olhats, with an Argentine superstar accused of being a bad influence off the pitch at Camp Nou.

A World Cup-winning striker was added to the talent pool in Catalunya during the summer of 2019.

With Barca having been heavily linked with Griezmann for some time, a long-running saga was finally brought to a close when a big-money deal was pushed through with Atletico Madrid.

The France international has struggled to make the desired impact with the Blaugrana, but Olhats says that is not down to a lack of effort from the 29-year-old.

For him, certain high-profile figures have made life more difficult for Griezmann than it needed to be, with Messi – who pushed for a move away from Barca in the last transfer window – considered to hold too much power at the club.

Olhats told France Football: “Antoine arrived in a struggling club where Messi has a view on everything.

“He’s at the same time emperor and monarch, and he didn’t see Antoine’s arrival with a good eye.

“His attitude has been deplorable, he made him feel that. I’ve always heard Antoine say there’s no problem with Messi, but never the other way around.

“In my eyes, Messi said he wanted to leave to see what role he still had as a decision-making player, regarding the players who arrived and those who left, but he eventually stayed. Classic Messi! As good on the pitch as he is bad off it

“Barcelona has been suffering for a while. There was a cancer in that club, and it obviously leaves some marks.”

Griezmann managed only 15 goals for Barcelona in his debut campaign, and has only two to his name this term.

Questions are once again being asked of his long-term future, but Olharts says struggles for consistency are down to issues outside of the Frenchman’s control.

He added: “It’s the club that’s sick, not him.

“Last year, when Antoine arrived, Messi didn’t talk to him, didn’t pass him the ball. He created a real trauma for a more than negative adaptation.

“That clearly left its mark. It was clear and visible. Add to that the president stepping down, the club conceding eight against Bayern and three different managers, the conditions aren’t good.”

While conceding that Griezmann has found the going tough at Camp Nou, Olharts claims to be “very confident” that a seasoned performer will turn things around and prove his worth to those who continue to write him off.

Luis Suarez fits like a glove and even Lionel Messi and former star Antoine Griezmann would face competition for places at high-flying Atletico Madrid, says Koke.

Uruguay striker Suarez was deemed surplus to requirements by new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman and, despite being third on the Blaugrana's all-time goalscorers list, joined Atleti for a nominal fee.

From six La Liga appearances, Suarez has five goals and one assist for his new club, while he has created four chances for his team-mates and hit the target with eight of his 22 shots at goal, including blocked shots.

It is form that has helped unbeaten Atleti to third in the table with two games in hand on the two sides above them in the table, and they will face Barca at home after the international break.

Atleti midfielder Koke says Suarez's arrival has allowed others in the team, such as Joao Felix, Angel Correa and Marcos Llorente, to flourish.

"A radical change has hit us in [our] game," he told Cadena Ser. "[Having Suarez] leaves Joao, Correa and Llorente free in some situations. He has fit us like a glove."

One player Suarez has had limited playing time with is Diego Costa, with his fellow Atleti forward out with a left thigh injury sustained last month.

Asked about that link-up, Koke added: "They are two great forwards and they have to adapt together. The team is playing well and has more solutions in attack."

While Atleti's current attacking crop are flourishing, Griezmann – who departed for Camp Nou ahead of the 2019-20 campaign – has struggled to find his best form for Barca.

In seven top-flight appearances this season, Griezmann has two goals and an assist and created four chances, while he missed a penalty in the 5-2 win over Real Betis last week.

The last time Barca faced Atleti in June, it took until the 90th minute for Griezmann to enter the fray despite the game being locked at 2-2 – something that took Koke by surprise.

"I was very surprised to see a player of the stature of Griezmann [not play until] the 90th minute in the last game in which we faced Barca," Koke said.

But when asked about the potential for a Griezmann return, Koke added: "I think now he would have a lot of competition here."

Indeed, such is the strength of Atleti's forward line, Koke believes even superstar Messi – who himself failed to engineer a move away from Barca in a long-running saga during the close season – would find it difficult to get into the team.

"He would also have a lot of competition at Atleti," Koke added.

Koke is particularly delighted to see Llorente beginning to flourish at Atleti, with the 25-year-old excelling in a more advanced role, scoring three goals and assisting two more this term.

"He does everything. He is at a spectacular level. The work pays off and he works [hard]," Koke said. 

"I'm happy for him because at first he didn't have a good time by not playing, but all work has its reward. Those that last year had fewer minutes have more this season."

Uganda striker Fahad Bayo has promised fans the best when the team takes on South Sudan on Thursday.

The Cranes will be hosting the Bright Stars on Thursday at the StartTimes Lugogo Stadium in the Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The forward has further stated the team is ready and are in dire need of maximum points.

"It is unfortunate that there will be no fans, but we promise to serve better because we love our country," the FC Ashdod striker said ahead of the game.

"Fans should expect the best, we want to win because we need these points badly. We are ready and we want it more."

The striker scored his first goal for the Johnathan McKinstry-led side in a 2-0 win over the Flames of Malawi on November 11, 2019.

Uganda started their campaign with a goalless draw away to Burkina Faso, before recording a 2-0 win at home against Malawi.

Emmanuel Okwi and Fahad Bayo scored the goals in the 30th and 68th minutes, respectively, to ensure the East Africa nation went top of the group with four points.

They are playing South Sudan, who started with a 1-0 loss away to Malawi with the lone goal coming in the 68th minute courtesy of Frank Mhango.

The Bright Stars then hosted Burkina Faso at home but ended up falling 2-1 despite putting up a brave fight.  

In Group B, both Uganda and Burkina Faso have four points but the former are on top courtesy of a better goal difference. The Flames of Malawi have three points ahead of matchday three actions.

Local-based players:

Goalkeepers: Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC)

Defenders: Galiwango Dissan (Vipers SC), Lwaliwa Halid (Vipers SC), Mbowa Patrick ( URA FC) 

Midfielders: Kagimu Shafiq (URA FC), Watambala Karim (Vipers SC)

Forwards: Aheebwa Brian (KCCA FC). 

Foreign-based players

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Magoola Jamal Salim (Al Hilal Omdruman, Sudan)

Defenders: Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden), Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam FC, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Sport Club Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, Democratic Republic of Congo), Alex Kakuba (CD Cova Piedade, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United, England)

Midfielders: Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria) 

Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Alexis Bbakka (UMEA, Sweden), Fahad Bayo (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), William Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel, Israel), Uche Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers, England), Edirisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia) 

Tottenham winning the Premier League under Jose Mourinho would be the "most outstanding story" and something that would "alarm" Manchester United fans, according to Gary Neville.

A congested 2020-21 season is expected to produce a much closer title race and the lead at the top of the table has changed hands several times already.

Spurs briefly hit the summit on Sunday, for the first time in over six years, following a late 1-0 win at West Brom and they are unbeaten in the league since an opening-game defeat by Everton.

Mourinho won the Premier League three times when Chelsea manager and, while Neville does not believe Spurs will end up champions, he acknowledges the former United boss has the attacking power at his disposal to deliver a first league title for the north London club since 1961.

"I said a couple weeks ago on Monday Night Football that Spurs couldn't win the league, and I still don't think they can,” the former United defender told The Gary Neville Podcast.

"But I do agree with Jamie Carragher that it would be the most outstanding story to see Jose Mourinho win the Premier League with Tottenham.

"It would be something that would alarm Chelsea fans, Manchester United fans and Arsenal fans. It would be one of the great stories, because Tottenham don't win leagues!

"He's got the forward players to do it. You think of the strike force and the goal - it's incredible.”

Neville also praised Harry Kane, whose winner against West Brom was his 150th goal in the Premier League, which came a few days after hitting the 200 mark for Spurs.

He added: "The only thing that can stop Harry Kane doing everything in the game, breaking every record, is injury.

"Alan Shearer is definitely the best striker in PL history in terms of his goal record. He's the best striker I've played with for England, in terms of a number nine, and Rooney I'd put up there with him.

“And Harry Kane has so much similarity in his game, in terms of the mentality, just ice cold, doesn't seem to flinch if he misses a chance, flinch if a goalkeeper saves one, he'll come back and do the right thing. Scoring a goal is a process for them, where he knows where the target is.

"It's methodical, and he's brilliant. He's a great professional, and England are lucky to have him."

Liverpool have no need to dip into the January market for another centre-half, claims Jason McAteer, with the likes of David Alaba set to require “a lot of money” in order to get a deal done.

The Reds will have funds available if they do decide to seek out defensive reinforcements.

With Virgil van Dijk facing up to a lengthy spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage, Jurgen Klopp has some big recruitment decisions to make.

It has been suggested that he will look to add over the winter, with another proven performer sought at the heart of his back four.

Various targets have been mooted, from Dayot Upamecano to Kalidou Koulibaly, while Ben White and James Tarkowski have also been mentioned.

Bayern Munich star Alaba is another that the Reds are said to have in their sights, with the versatile Austrian seeing contract extension talks break down in Germany.

His price tag will be dropping as he edges towards free agency in 2021, but McAteer is not convinced that the reigning Premier League champions need to be investing at all in the next window.

The former Reds midfielder has told FreeSuperTips: “When Virgil van Dijk got injured everyone started to panic, saying that Liverpool need to bring a top-quality centre half.

“Jurgen remained calm and knew that if they brought in a world-class defender, the like of Alaba, you are going to have to pay a lot of money, certainly in this inflated market.

“When everyone is fit, if you have got four top centre-halves - Alaba, [Joe] Gomez, Van Dijk and [Joel] Matip and then Fabinho as cover - when Klopp picks his team, he can only pick two from five, one goes on the bench that’s three, he’s got two that he has to leave out.

“Liverpool don’t want to be paying a lot of money on wages to keep unhappy players that can’t make the squad, it has to be the right balance.

“Liverpool have enough players of real quality that can slot into the defence, even with Virgil van Dijk out, so they don’t currently need another top centre-back to come in.”

Along with the senior centre-half options mentioned by McAteer, Liverpool also have academy graduates Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams at their disposal – with both impressing when called upon of late – so may decide that they can make do with those already on their books.

Former Ghana international striker Kwesi Appiah has joined Indian Super League (ISL) side NorthEast United FC this summer after seeing off his contract with League One side AFC Wimbledon.

Appiah has been a journeyman and has played for multiple clubs in England and Norway in his 12-year long career. He has also represented his national team in the African Cup of Nations.

Let's take a look at the career of the former Crystal Palace forward.

Professional debut

After graduating from the youth system of Ebbsfleet United in 2008, Appiah was promoted to the club’s senior team. In his first professional season in the National League (Fifth division of England), Appiah played three matches, scoring one goal.

Experience in England and Norway

The Ghanaian international has played for 27 different clubs in 12 seasons of his professional career. Before coming to India, the only time he had stepped out of England was in 2017 when he was sent on loan to Norwegian top division side Viking FK where he appeared in 12 matches, scoring three goals. He returned to Crystal Palace after his four-month-long loan period ended. 

He had joined Crystal Palace during the January transfer window of the 2011-12 season and remained at the club until 2017. During those four and half seasons, Appiah had appeared in just six Championship matches and two League Cup games.

International experience

Appiah was selected in the Ghana squad by then-coach Avram Grant for the 2015 African Cup of Nation. He made his international debut against South Africa in the third match of the group when he had come on as a substitute. The striker had started in the quarterfinal tie against Guinea where he had scored one goal and provided an assist as Ghana clinched a 3-0 win. It is his first and only international goal so far.

He also started in the semifinal and the final against Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast respectively. Unfortunately, Ghana lost in the final in the penalty shootout. The last time he wore the Ghana jersey was in March 2015 in two friendly matches against Senegal and Mali.

Last stint

The Ghanaian forward last played for League One side AFC Wimbledon. He joined the club ahead of the 2017-18 season on a three-year deal. He left the club at the end of the 2019-20 season and joined NorthEast United on a free transfer ahead of the 2020-21 ISL season.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has slammed the club’s links to Mauricio Pochettino, with the former defender claiming no talks have been held and that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves more respect.

Murmurs of change in the Old Trafford dugout are nothing new, with speculation surfacing every time a disappointing result is posted.

There have been a few too many of those of late, leading to Solskjaer seeing his position called into question.

A 3-1 victory over Everton last time out appears to have eased some of that pressure, but links to the likes of ex-Tottenham boss Pochettino continue to do the rounds.

Ferdinand is disappointed to see a coach doing the best he can with an inconsistent squad facing more unwelcome rumours, especially as he sees no substance to such talk, with everyone in the United camp – on and off the field – pulling in the same direction.

“Man United needed a huge performance and a result this weekend,” Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel.

“The pressure was absolutely on this team and the management, they went out there and produced.

“In the media, there’s been bit of disrespect to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be honest. People touting about that Pochettino has been spoken to.

“I’ve got it from a really, really, really good source that there’s been no conversations and they wouldn’t disrespect Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in that manner. I feel like that should be addressed.

“We can all say ‘so and so will be good or better’, that’s just part of the game. But to say someone has been spoken to and is coming in imminently, when it’s not true, I think that’s out of order.

“The man is in the job and his team have found a knack of always pulling a result out when they need it and this was no difference, they were solid.”

Having made a welcome return to winning ways, United have the international break to devise a plan that will allow them to build much-needed momentum.

They are due to return to Premier League action on November 21 with a home date against struggling West Brom.