Looking for Soccer News?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had sack calls coming “from day one” at Manchester United, says Steve McClaren, with the Norwegian learning the hard way that life at Old Trafford can be as frustrating as it is demanding.

The Red Devils sounded an SOS call to a familiar face after parting with Jose Mourinho in December 2018.

An initial “honeymoon period” delivered a welcome upturn in fortune for United, convincing them that the interim coach deserved a three-year contract.

Questions have been asked of that decision on a regular basis ever since, with links to the likes of former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino seemingly never far away.

Solskjaer has been able to keep his head off the chopping block, with a 3-1 win over Everton helping to ease pressure on his shoulders once again, but plenty remain unconvinced by his claims to the most prominent of coaching posts.

McClaren says such criticism comes with the job, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man telling talkSPORT of the speculation that continues to rage at Old Trafford: “I think he’s had this from day one, from coming in.

“He had a honeymoon period and got the job, and they’ve had spells [of bad form]. He had it last season, two or three times, where it was ‘Ole for the sack’.

“But they finished the season very well and started this season very poorly, so two or three times already [there have been calls for his sacking].

“It’s bound to get to you. It’s just the sheer frustration and you can’t do anything about it.

“It’s frustration not just of results but also of the players, and to finally get a result like that when needed – wow!

“As a manager it’s such a big relief and you can breathe easy and sleep easy for the next few weeks, but then it starts again.”

United will hope to have turned a corner in their latest outing at Goodison Park, but McClaren believes there are still issues for Solskjaer to address before the Red Devils can claim to be firmly back on the right track.

The ex-England boss added: “I’ve seen them a lot this season and, for me, it’s all about work rate. Not on the ball, they’ve got that, but off the ball. Win the ball back quickly.

“Talk about the back four being exposed, why do they get exposed? Because they are not working hard enough in front. It starts at the front, in terms of winning the ball back.

“You look at Liverpool and Man City and the intensity of the game from the front to the back. I think that was the key.

“[Scott] McTominay and Fred, when they’ve played in there and protected the back four, especially the two centre-backs who have been exposed. They are exposed against top quality players and conceded goals.

“It was attitude, work rate and determination, and all 11 players were willing to work for the shirt.

“They are all fighting against the world after the last two results before Saturday. It’s good; it’s a siege mentality and a bit of anger, passion and emotion.

“To be fair it’s what you want to see, and what supporters want to see. Seeing that after the game.

“The key now is to have a breather and have a break, and come back from the internationals fit. And start playing consistently like that and win games consistently.”

United will return to Premier League action after the international break with a home date against West Brom on November 21.

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has been released by his club Montreal Impact to play for Kenya in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) double-header against Comoros.

Initially, the Major League Soccer (MLS) side was reluctant to release the midfielder and he was even involved in the game against DC United where he scored in a 3-2 win to seal a place in the playoffs.

"All foreign-based players initially called up have checked into camp," the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) communicated in a statement obtained by Goal, "save for Anthony Akumu, Johanna Omolo, and captain Victor Wanyama, who are expected to link up with the team later today."

However, as Goal revealed earlier, striker Michael Olunga is set to miss the game owing to the current situation in Japan and his team Kashiwa Reysol that plays in the J1.

"Michael Olunga has requested to be exempted from the team due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country from which he plies his trade," the Federation further communicated. 

The Les Coelacantes are expected in Kenya on Tuesday, November 10. Thereafter they will have a feel of Kasarani Stadium at 7 pm.

The officials will be from Burundi and Tanzania with the centre referee and his assistants coming from North Africa as communicated by the Federation.

"Confederation of African Football (Caf) has appointed Mutaz Ibrahim from Libya as the centre referee for the match. He will be assisted by his compatriots Attia Essa Amsaaed and Majdi Kamil who will be serving as the first assistant referee and second assistant referee respectively.

"Aimable Habimana from Burundi will serve as the Match Commissioner while Leslie Leonard Liunda from Tanzania will act as the Referee Assessor."

It will be Kenya’s first match under new coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who was appointed a month ago to take over the mantle after the FKF parted ways with former coach Francis Kimanzi on mutual agreement. 

However, no fan will be allowed since the match will be played behind closed doors.

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. 

Ansu Fati is facing around four months on the sidelines at Barcelona after undergoing knee surgery.

The highly rated 18-year-old went under the knife on Monday. Renowned specialist Dr Ramon Cugat carried out the procedure, with everything going to plan on the medical side.

On a sporting front, Fati may have to sit out the vast majority of the 2020-21 campaign, with the club confirming that he will spend approximately four months on the sidelines - although it could be longer.

Their statement read: "The first team player Ansu Fati has undergone a successful operation on Monday for the injury to the internal meniscus of the left knee by Dr Ramon Cugat and under the supervision of the club's medical services. The approximate time of recovery will be four months.

"It should be remembered that Ansu played the first half of Barca v Betis, in which he was very active. This season, the young Barca forward has played 10 games, seven in the League and three in the Champions League. In total Ansu has played 596 minutes this season, in which he has managed to score five goals and distribute two assists."

Among Fati's five goals was one in the Clasico defeat against Real Madrid which saw him become the youngest scorer in the prestigious fixture this century, while also making a senior international breakthrough with Spain.

Impressive progress has been brought to an abrupt halt, however, with Fati forced out of Barcelona’s latest La Liga outing against Real Betis.

He was withdrawn at half-time in that contest and replaced by Lionel Messi, who went on to score twice in a 5-2 win for the Blaugrana.

Ronald Koeman told reporters afterwards: “Fati had some discomfort in the first half and we replaced him at half-time so as not to take risks.”

With Fati seeing his knee repaired, he can now start out on a long road to recovery.

There is a big part for him to play in Barcelona’s future – especially amid the uncertainty surrounding six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi – with the Catalan giants tying a hot prospect to a new contract through to the summer of 2024.

South Africa national team coach Molefi Ntseki has replaced six players withdrawn from his squad for the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Sao Tome e Principe.

Currently placed second in Group C, Bafana Bafana will host Sao Tome at Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 13, before taking the battle to Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where they will be the away side.

Headlining the replacements is Orlando Pirates midfielder Vincent Pule as well as the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of defender Mosa Lebusa and utility player Thapelo Morena.

Cape Town City’s Thabo Nodada and Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back Tshepo Rikhotso have also been called-up despite the latter featuring in just one league match and two MTN8 games so far this season.

“Mosa Lebusa, Vincent Pule, Thapelo Morena, Tshepo Rikhotso and Thabo Nodada have been drafted into the Bafana Bafana squad to play Sao Tome,” a statement on the Bafana Bafana Twitter account read on Monday.

The changes come after Thibang Phete, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Reeve Frosler, Thamsanqa Mkhize and Abubakar Mobara were dropped for "medical reasons." 

The Cape Town City duo of Mkhize and Mobara will not be part of the Bafana Bafana squad after testing positive for coronavirus, while Frosler was injured during Kaizer Chiefs’ MTN8 semi-final, second leg defeat by Orlando Pirates on Sunday.

Injuries have also ruled out Sundowns midfielder Jali as well as United Arab Emirates-based midfielder Thulani Serero.

It is not yet exactly clear why Phete has been withdrawn but either Lebusa or Rikhotso could play in his place. 

Bafana Bafana were expected to start training on Monday in Durban.

A number of players have already reported for camp but striker Luther Singh was expected to join his teammates late on Monday from Portugal.

Anderlecht attacker Percy Tau and France-based Keagan Dolly were expected to land in South Africa early Tuesday.

Midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, Carlisle United’s Dean Furman, Bongani Zungu, who made his Glasgow Rangers debut on Sunday were expected to join camp late on Tuesday.

After two rounds of matches, South Africa are second in Group C led by Ghana who enjoy a three-point lead. Sao Tome anchor the standings, while Sudan are in position three.

Ghana midfielder Afriyie is pumped up for action after being handed a late call-up for the upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against Sudan.

The Yeni Malatyaspor man is among seven players announced by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as new additions to the original 23-man squad on Monday.

It is his first invitation for national duty since playing at the 2019 Afcon final tournament in Egypt.

Ghana host Sudan for a matchweek three tie on Thursday, five days before the reverse matchweek four fixture.

“I always try to do my best for the team. I am going to do the same job I have been doing for the team: to play well and help the team win the game," Acquah told Sportsworldghana.

"I want to help the team to qualify for the Afcon as we try to win the tournament this time around.

"We reached the finals in 2015 and have made a couple of semi-finals appearances and now the most important thing for us is to try to win the Afcon for our country. This is what I am looking forward to achieving with the team."

Acquah shared his thoughts on the recent transfer of veteran Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan to local side Legon Cities.

“When I heard that Gyan has joined the Ghana Premier League again, I was so happy for him because I think this is going to help make the league more interesting," said the 28-year-old.

"When you look at the career of Gyan he has done amazing things and he comes to the league with a huge personality. This is my dream also.

"One day when I feel that I have had enough of European football I want to come to the Ghana Premier League and have a feel of it before I call time on my football career.

"As you know I never played in the Ghana Premier League or even the Division One and so it is my dream to also do what Gyan has done now.”

Nearing the twilight of his career, Acquah sheds light on the possibility of following the likes of Gyan.

“I am a BA United fan through and through. My family is a BA United one but you know they are currently not in the elite league," he revealed.

"In future when I decide to come back to Ghana to play in the top-flight I will consider BA United first if and only if they are in the elite league.

"If United is in the league then straight away I go there. Otherwise, the club that I dream to play for in Ghana is Asante Kotoko. Kotoko is that club that I want to play for one day.

"This is my dream also and so I congratulate Gyan and wish him all the best at his new club."

Acquah has previously played for Italian sides Palermo, Parma, Sampdoria, Torino and Empoli, and Hoffenheim.

Statistics suggest that Marcelo has become a weak link in the Real Madrid squad, as he is now the only player to have featured in all of Zinedine Zidane's La Liga defeats in his second spell at the club.

Marcelo played the full 90 minutes of Madrid's surprise 4-1 defeat away at Valencia on Sunday - a result which leaves the reigning Spanish champions four points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad having played a game less.

The Blancos were by far the most consistent side in La Liga last season, but their performance levels have dipped significantly in the early stages of the new campaign.

Warning signs were shown during a 1-0 defeat to Cadiz at Santiago Bernabeu last month, which was followed by a loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League at the same venue, but Zidane's men hit a new low point at the Mestalla.

Karim Benzema gave Madrid a 23rd minute lead in the contest, but a Carlos Soler penalty levelled the scoreline before Raphael Varane put through his own net to give Valencia a 2-1 half-time lead.

Soler scored two more penalties in the second period as the Blancos' defence capitulated, with Marcelo putting in another underwhelming display at left-back, giving away one of the spot-kicks while also picking up a yellow card.

The Brazilian has now appeared in all nine of Zidane's top-flight losses since his reappointment at the Bernabeu in March 2019, and Madrid have a much more favourable record when he has been absent.

Zidane hasn't seen his side lose any of the 29 La Liga fixtures he has overseen without Marcelo over the past two years, with his latest showing likely to lead to an increase in calls for Ferland Mendy to take his spot in the team on a permanent basis.

The two men have shared duties in defence since Mendy's arrival at the Bernabeu from Lyon last year, but the Blancos head coach now has a decision to make to try and address an alarming number of goals being shipped at the back.

Madrid will now benefit from a two-week break over the international recess before returning to Liga action away at Villarreal on November 21, with their focus set to switch back to the Champions League thereafter.

Mendy and Marcelo will both be back in contention to feature at El Madrigal and at San Siro four days later, which is where Zidane's men will be looking for a vital three points against Inter to boost their chances of qualifying from Group B.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has invited Shehu Abdullahi to replace injured Midtjylland midfielder Frank Onyeka for their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Sierra Leone.

Onyeka picked up an injury during his side's 4-0 win over FC Copenhagen in a Danish Superliga game on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was initially called for the battle against Sierra Leone after he made his Super Eagles debut in an international friendly outing against Algeria last month.

The setback has made Rohr turn to Abdullahi who was placed on the standby list after his fine start to life in the Cypriot First Division with Omonia Nicosia.

The 27-year-old has played five games across all competitions for Omonia since he joined them as a free agent in September. Last Thursday, Abdullahi made his Uefa Europa League debut in Omonia's 2-0 loss to Granada.

The last time the former Bursaspor midfielder earned a call-up to the national team was in October 2019. He was introduced as a stoppage-time substitute in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Brazil in Singapore.

Onyeka is the second player to withdraw from Gernot Rohr's team after Nantes winger Moses Simon pulled out due to a groin injury a week ago. Simon was subsequently replaced by Genk striker Paul Onuachu.

The Super Eagles head into Thursday's game against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium as Group L leaders having won their first two games against Benin and Lesotho.

They are scheduled to play the reverse fixture in Freetown on November 17.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic has claimed he turned down the chance to represent France at international level.

The Blaugrana midfielder, who moved to Camp Nou from Juventus in the summer transfer window, was born in Tuzla, in what was then Yugoslavia, before his family moved to Luxembourg shortly after the outbreak of the Bosnian War.

Pjanic represented Luxembourg's national youth teams during his formative years and signed for Metz at 14, later turning out for Lyon.

And it was while he was playing in Ligue 1 that he was telephoned by then France head coach Raymond Domenech about the prospect of declaring himself available for Les Bleus.

“Yes, I could have played for the France team when I arrived in Lyon, but I said a few days before that my dream was Bosnia," Pjanic, 30, told Canal Plus.

"Domenech called me, but I had already made up my mind. I thanked him of course, but I preferred to be realistic.

"For me, the France team, it was too much [to break into] at that time. And it would have hurt my heart if, on the other side, Bosnia was watching one of its own playing for the France team."

Pjanic is currently preparing for Bosnia-Herzegovina's international friendly against Iran before Nations League matches against Netherlands and Italy.

The former Juve star has racked up 96 caps for his country to date, scoring 15 goals, but has yet to feature in a major international tournament.

The experienced playmaker will be fresh for Bosnia Herzegovina's clash with Iran after coming on as a substitute during Barcelona's 5-2 victory over Real Betis at Camp Nou on Saturday.

That cameo appearance marked his seventh outing for the Blaugrana at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, but he has yet to nail down a regular place in Ronald Koeman's starting XI.

Pjanic's next chance to make an impact could come when Barca take in a trip to Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid on November 21.

Atletico are currently third in La Liga with two games in hand on leaders Real Sociedad, having won five and drawn two of their opening seven fixtures.

In stark contrast, Barca have slipped to eighth after recording only three wins along with two defeats and two draws, and they cannot afford to lose any more ground when they meet Diego Simeone's men later this month.

Roberto Firmino should not be worried about the presence of Diogo Jota at Liverpool, claims John Barnes, who expects Jurgen Klopp to keep all of his attackers happy with regular game time.

The Reds boss found himself facing a big selection call heading into the crunch clash with fellow title hopefuls Manchester City.

With summer signing Jota thriving and established No 9 Firmino faltering, change was expected in the middle of Liverpool’s front three.

Klopp however had a trick up his sleeve and opted to go with a front four at the Etihad Stadium with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also included from the off.

The defending Premier League champions are not expected to stick with that system, but it is now an option for them.

The Anfield heavyweights also now boast the strength in depth that will allow them to rest and rotate as required, with Barnes seeing no one position falling under threat.

The Liverpool legend told BonusCodeBets: “I must admit, I didn’t think Jota would get this much air time. I knew he was a good player but I don't think anyone could have imagined he’d do this well.

“Normally, it takes a while for players to fit into their new club, their new surrounding, their new system, but not Jota.

“Every time he's come on he's done really well, and it shows from the recruitment point of view that Jurgen Klopp is spot on in terms of looking at players who he knows can fit into what he wants - but I don’t think Firmino has anything to worry about.

“Firmino and Jota are very different players and just because Firmino hasn’t scored a lot of goals lately, it’s important to remember that he plays a different role within the front three.

“Furthermore, Mane and Salah wouldn’t score as many goals if it wasn’t for the way Bobby plays. It all comes down to incredible team work.”

Barnes added, with further tactical tweaks expected in the weeks to come: “Also, Firmino and Jota play very differently which is a really luxury to have as some games will suit one of them better than the other; or other times, like yesterday [against City], they both play.

“I think Klopp will chop and change this season, and I don’t think it’s a reflection on who he feels is better, it’s more about who they are playing against.

“The good thing about it is Jota and Thiago [Alcantara] can now come into the team and take over from any of the players in midfield or up front and do a great job, and that’s what you want.”

Liverpool will return to action after the international break with a home date against table-topping Leicester on November 21.

Real Madrid have confirmed that Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde has suffered a broken leg.

Valverde played 76 minutes of a La Liga clash against Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday before being replaced by Toni Kroos.

The Blancos ended up losing the match 4-1, with Carlos Soler scoring a hat-trick of penalties for the hosts, slipping to fourth in the Spanish top flight in the process.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 23rd minute but the visitors fell apart thereafter, with a Raphael Varane own goal compounding a miserable evening for Zinedine Zidane's men.

Madrid have now revealed that Valverde sustained a serious injury during the weekend fixture which could see him sidelined for a significant period, but did not offer a specific timeframe for his recovery.

A statement on their official website reads: "Following tests carried out on our player, Federico Valverde, by Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a fracture in the posterior tibial bone in his right leg.

"His recovery will continue to be assessed."

The Blancos midfielder will almost certainly sit out his country's next round of World Cup qualifiers, with Uruguay scheduled to face Colombia on Friday before coming up against Brazil four days later.

Valverde has played a key role in Zidane's set-up at the start of the season, scoring three goals in 11 matches across all competitions, and has now firmly established himself as one of the most reliable members of the squad.

The 22-year-old has impressed in a holding role alongside Luka Modric, but Madrid may have to make do without a key performer when they return to action after the international break.

Benzema's fitness could also be a cause for concern after he limped off late on against Valencia with an apparent hamstring strain, while Eden Hazard and Casemiro missed the trip completely after testing positive for Covid-19.

Zidane will hope his players can recover quickly over the next fortnight before Madrid take in a tricky away fixture at Villarreal on November 21, with a crucial Champions League clash against Inter at San Siro set to follow that encounter.

Tammy Abraham is “over the moon” to be back in favour at Chelsea, with the striker embracing added competition for places at Stamford Bridge.

A product of the Blues’ famed academy system enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Stamford Bridge in 2019-20.

Frank Lampard’s hand was forced slightly by a transfer embargo, but Abraham showed that he was ready for a step up onto a Premier League stage.

Consistency was always going to be an issue for a frontman still learning his trade, which led to the 23-year-old slipping behind World Cup winner Olivier Giroud in the pecking order at times.

Questions were then asked of his ongoing presence in west London as Lampard dipped into the transfer market over the summer to bring in Germany international Timo Werner.

Injuries, suspensions and rotation are always going to play a part at ambitious clubs, though, and a door has opened up again for Abraham.

He has made the most of that chance, netting in his last two appearances against Rennes and Sheffield United, with a man who is also looking to nail down a place in the senior England squad feeling confident about individual and collective form at Chelsea.

Abraham told the Blues’ official website: “I am over the moon to be back in the team.

“I am playing with great players and the new signings have been a breath of fresh air. We are starting to understand how each other plays and we are getting results.

“We have self-belief now, the belief is back, the confidence is back and we hope we can keep it going.”

Chelsea stretched a winning run to four games with victory over the Blades, and are now unbeaten in six Premier League outings, with Abraham seeing plenty of cause for optimism.

He added on finding the target against Chris Wilder’s side and helping to put down a potential title-chasing marker: “It was a case of being in the right place at the right time.

“I knew what [Mateo] Kovacic was going to do, he was going to pull it back so it was just about hitting the target. I don’t know if I got a bit lucky but I will take them any day.

“A couple of us are used to Sheffield United and their style of play, like myself, I have played against them a few times before so I always knew it was going to be hard to break them down.

“They had the first goal so we had to keep our heads, we spoke and said relax and hopefully the chances will come, and I scored soon after.”

Harry Kane is “a certainty to join Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in the 200 club” and could go on to net 300 goals for Tottenham and become the Premier League’s all-time leading marksman, says Peter Crouch.

A prolific presence in north London has passed a double century for his current club after a late match-winner in his latest outing against West Brom took Kane onto 201 goals for Spurs, while reaching 150 in the English top flight.

He has some way to go before thoughts can turn towards raising a bar set by Newcastle legend Shearer at 260, however, time is on Kane’s side at 27 years of age and he is showing no sign of slowing down.

A move away from Tottenham has been mooted for some time, with many suggesting that major silverware will be required in order to keep an ambitious performer happy.

Were he to open an exit door, then it could be that a European heavyweight prises him away from the Premier League.

For now, though, the England captain continues to tick over at a remarkable rate in the final third of the field, with Crouch admitting that Kane would be the man he turns to if he ever needed someone to save his life by hitting the back of the net.

The former Spurs and Three Lions frontman told the Daily Mail of a modern-day superstar: “The numbers are staggering.

“He's got 201 for Tottenham now and he could end up with 300 for the club before he finishes.

“He's a certainty to join Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in the 200 club for the Premier League but beating Shearer's total of 260 will be a tall order.

“Kane is not only Tottenham's best scorer, he's also their best creator. He's like two men rolled into one.

“The best compliment I can pay him is that if you wanted someone to take a shot to score from 25 yards to save your life, I'd pick Kane every single day.”

Kane’s efforts in 2020-21 are allowing Spurs supporters to dream again, with Jose Mourinho’s side sat second in the table – a point adrift of leaders Leicester – while also making positive progress in Carabao Cup and Europa League competition.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has reluctantly dismissed reports that have linked head coach Nicholas Muyoti with Wazito FC.

Wazito parted ways with head coach Fred Ambani and his assistant Salim Babu on Monday and Muyoti – who has enjoyed stable seasons with Kakamega Homeboyz – has been heavily linked with the vacant position.

Shimanyula has clarified the coach is still with the team and has not expressed any desire to leave so far.

“Muyoti is now at the pitch conducting training even though I thought he had left for his father’s burial arrangement but I am surprised he is with the team,” Shimanyula told Goal.

“Wazito approached him that I cannot deny but Muyoti turned their offer down saying he has a contract with Kakamega Homeboyz which he is willing to serve it in full.

“Those are rumours for now but if he decides to leave he is an adult and we cannot stop him from making the move. He is a decent person that if he is planning to leave he would have told me.

“I am not under pressure at all and if Wazito want him even today they can come for him. I cannot panic because of that.

“I know they hungry to snap everything from Kakamega Homeboyz especially that we finished third last season and they think by taking Muyoti will see them succeed as we did.

“Muyoti knows Wazito is not a team to rush and join.”

Shimanyula criticised the manner in which the former National Super League champions have hired and fired coaches, suggesting Muyoti is not ready to suffer the same fate.

“What I know about Wazito is that they can fire anyone after just two games and no one would join them knowing very well that he can be chased like a child anytime,” Shimanyula continued.

“They have had many coaches and Muyoti, I know, is not ready to be on the list of the many coaches who have come and gone so fast.”

Wazito were under the tutelage of Fred Ambani when they earned promotion to the Premier League before he was sacked and Melis Medo was appointed in 2019.

Medo did not last long before he was shown the door after barely a month in charge and the club went for the former Sofapaka and AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall.

Hall left after the 2019/20 season was cancelled even though he had helped Wazito stabilise and dodge relegation.

After the British coach left, the Nairobi club turned to Ambani again and Babu was appointed as his assistant from Western Stima.

The duo has now left before the 2020/21 season, slated for later this month, begins.

Joachim Low says he is keeping the door open for Mario Gotze to return to the international fold with Germany.

Gotze, who scored the winning goal for Germany against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final, has not played for his country in three years.

The 28-year-old's career took a nosedive after his crowning moment in Brazil, with Bayern Munich deciding to sell him back to Borussia Dortmund two years later following a string of fitness issues.

His second spell at Westfalenstadion was equally underwhelming, and he was eventually allowed to leave the club as a free agent in the summer transfer window.

PSV took a chance on Gotze when they handed him a two-year contract on October 6, in the hope he could rediscover the form which saw him emerge as one of the top midfielders of his generation.

The Dutch outfit have since been rewarded for their calculated risk as the ex-Bayern star has scored three goals in his first six appearances, with his latest effort coming in a 3-0 home win over Willem II on Sunday.

Low has been impressed with Gotze's recent performances and hasn't ruled out calling him up to the international fold again if he continues on his current trajectory.

"We don't lose sight of him, of course" the 60-year-old head coach told Sports Buzzer. "He looks very fresh and very agile, the joy can be seen in him. He needs that for his light-footedness, for his variability."

Low added on the weight of expectation which has hampered Gotze over the years: "Everything was always focused on him. He had a backpack on with the 2014 goal, which must have been a heavy burden.

"That's why I'm happy for him that he has started so well in Eindhoven."

Low is currently preparing his squad for a friendly meeting against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, which comes three days before Germany resume their latest UEFA Nations' League campaign.

Die Mannschaft's next two fixtures in League A, Group 4 will see them take on Ukraine and Spain, with the latter currently sitting top of the pool by a single point.

Gotze, meanwhile, will benefit from two weeks off before PSV's next Eredivisie clash away at Twente on November 22.

Hakim Ziyech is already a “top player”, admits Mario Melchiot, but the former Chelsea defender says the Moroccan winger can be “way more confident and dominant in games”.

The highly-rated forward arrived in west London over the summer nursing a slight knock, which delayed his start to Premier League life.

The ex-Ajax star has, however, slotted seamlessly into the fold now free of niggling injuries and fully adjusted to the demands of life in a new country, culture and division.

His creativity has been on full display through early outings for Chelsea, with a man-of-the-match performance put in during a 4-1 victory over Sheffield United.

Melchiot claims to have always been convinced that Ziyech could thrive in English football, telling Stadium Astro of the qualities that the 27-year-old offers: “He’s a top player. I see a top player because of his technical ability.

“When you come to Ajax, the system that they build up is about the technical aspect. Physically we are not always up to the task to compete with people, but technically we are.

“If you look at Ziyech, he’s a strong player. He may not look it, but physically he is.

“Left foot is great and as a human being he is a real fighter.

“It’s about how he positions himself because he’s a guy who tries to achieve better for himself. The only way to do that is through his stamina.

“His stamina, it looks like this guy will never get tired. So it comes down to how long and how effective can he stay for a team?

“Now Chelsea have him, for Ziyech it’s whether he can create the same ability that he had at Ajax – in terms of being so crucial to that team.

“When he does that, then we have a really good player. He is a top player and now he has to continue.”

Melchiot believes there is even more to come from Ziyech, adding: “We are seeing a confident guy but he can be way more confident and dominant in games.

“When he gets to that point, that’s when we are going to see the guy we really want to see.”

Obvious comparisons have been made between Ziyech and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, with two men who are blessed with wands of a left foot bringing similar traits to their respective clubs.

Melchiot can see similarities between the pair, but believes Chelsea have landed themselves more of a team player.

The ex-Netherlands international said: “Mahrez has that dribble sense of trying to take you on. Ziyech has passing skills and the way of delivery is different than Mahrez.

“Mahrez is more of an individualist, he is trying to create danger himself, whereas Ziyech can open doors for a lot of other players.”

Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry has defended his decision to keep forward Karim Watambala in the Cranes squad to face South Sudan.

On Tuesday, the Northern Irish tactician whittled down his squad of local-based players from 20 to seven, and Watambala, who turns out for Vipers SC in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL), was among those who made the cut.

Some of the players who were left out include the experienced trio of Tonny Mawejje, Denis Iguma, and Murushid Jjuuko, who were handed a recall to the national team despite staying out of action for almost a year each.

The players who made the final cut alongside Watambala include goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, defenders Halid Lwaliwa, Disan Galiwango, and Patrick Mbowa as well as midfielders Shafik Kagimu, and forward Brian Aheebwa.

According to McKinstry, Watambala is one player who attracts anybody’s eye because of his great intensity, real force, and positivity he exhibits while playing.

“Some of the reasons we were attracted to Karim is that he plays with great intensity, Karim attracts everyone’s eye because he does everything with force and positivity,” McKinstry told the Fufa website.

“He is really hungry to learn and improve. We have worked with him for the past six months and he gas made step by step progress.

“He is still young who will make mistakes but in general he is moving in the right direction. There’s no doubt that he deserves to be in the squad and I also think he can learn so much because of the exposure to experienced players like Khalid Aucho, Mike Azira, Emmanuel Okwi from whom he can learn so much from them and that can help him improve further.”

McKinstry has also revealed that he will not put much pressure on the player by explaining: “We can’t put much pressure on Karim [Watambala] because he is still young. I have worked with young players of Karim’s age and helped their transition to professional games. We have to be patient, supportive, and understand that he will make mistakes thus help and guide him through.”

Watambala started his football journey with Blessed Soccer Academy under Coach Isingoma and Town view Primary School all in Mbale, he also played for Vipers and helped them to win the UPL crown in the 2019/2020 season.

Uganda will host South Sudan in the first meeting on November 12 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende (16:00) before they face off again five days later in Kenya

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Patrice Motsepe has confirmed his intention to challenge Ahmad Ahmad for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football ahead of March’s elections.

However, speaking to BBC Sport, Nigeria Football Federation chief Amaju Pinnick has confirmed that he’s opted not to contest the presidency, instead offering his support for would-be rival Motsepe.

The 58-year-old South African has been named by Forbes as Africa’s tenth richest man, with a personal fortune worth an estimated $2.4 billion, having initially made his wealth in mining having begun his career as a lawyer.

In order to clinch the Caf presidency, however, he will have to defeat both Ahmad and Jacques Anouma of the Cote d’Ivoire, with the former declaring his intention to re-stand and the latter also throwing his hat into the ring on Saturday.

Anouma has experience on Fifa’s Executive Committee, and will likely generate a considerable Francophone vote after being backed by the Ivorian Football Federation.

Motsepe’s decision was announced in a press conference on Monday, and while the man himself was not present, South Africa Football Association president Danny Jordaan revealed his backing for the Sundowns chief.

"Caf must improve its global standing," Jordaan told journalists, as per BBC Sport. "He is the most appropriate person we could offer for the leadership of Caf."

Motsepe is an unlikely candidate for the Caf presidency, as he has not previously had a role in the governance of the African game. However, he is eligible to stand by virtue of receiving Safa’s backing and for his track record at the helm of Downs, having held the reins at the club since 2004.

The initial optimism that greeted Ahmad’s arrival at the helm of the African game, when he defeated Issa Hayatou in March 2017’s elections, has given way to allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

It remains to be seen whether the 60-year-old will be eligible to contest the 2021 elections as a potential ban—a result of allegedly breaching various Fifa ethic codes—hangs over his head.

“He has more superior qualities than me,” NFF chief Pinnick told BBC Sport Africa, confirming his intention not to run for office. “It's not about me, it's about African football.

“If you have someone with superior qualities, you have to learn from him and queue behind him and wait for your time."