Looking for Soccer News?

Badou Ndiaye scored twice while Alassane Ndao found the back of the net as Fatih Karagumruk demolished Erzurum BB 5-1 in Friday’s Turkish Super Lig game.

Ndiaye teamed up with the Ataturk Olympic Stadium outfit this summer on a season-long loan from Championship club Stoke City.

The midfielder was handed his third league appearance against Mehmet Ozdilek’s men and opened his account for the Kara Kırmızı in the encounter.

Ndiaye put his side in front as early as the 11th minute after receiving a timely assist from his compatriot Ndao.

Lucas Biglia doubled Fatih Karagumruk’s lead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute and moments before the half-time break, Ndiaye completed his brace.

Senol Can’s men continued to dominate proceedings after the restart and Ndao scored a goal of his own in the 71st minute.

Erik Sabo sealed the victory at the death to render Ricardo Gomes’ strike a mere consolation and ensure the Kara Kırmızı secure their third win of the season. 

Ndiaye featured for 79 minutes before making way for Zeki Yildirim while Ndao played for 84 minutes in the encounter.  

The victory ensured Fatih Karagumruk moved to third in the Super Lig with 11 points from seven games behind leaders Alanyaspor and Fenerbahce.

The Senegal stars will hope to continue their productive partnership when Can’s side take on Nevsehir Belediyespor in a Cup tie on November 4.

Ndiaye has previously played for Osmanlıspor, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in Turkey before returning to the country in August to join Fatih Karagumruk.

The midfielder will be expected to replicate his impressive club performances for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Lyon boss Rudi Garcia has joked that he wants to "tackle" Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman in order to prevent the Catalan club from snatching away in-form attacker Memphis Depay in a mid-season transfer raid.

The Netherlands international, who joined Lyon in 2017, has been in excellent form for his club in Ligue 1 so far this term, notching five goals and three assists to put him in the upper bracket of player performances over the opening weeks of the 2020-21 campaign.

The highly rated 26-year-old and club skipper was linked during the transfer window with a move to join his former national team boss Koeman at Barcelona. But despite the lack of European football at Parc Olympique Lyonnais this season, Depay stayed put for at least the first half of the campaign.

Fears that Depay may still join Barca when the transfer window opens again in January, however, remain arguably well-founded, with the lure of Camp Nou and a reunion with his countryman in La Liga possibly set to prove too much to resist for the ex-Manchester United man.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to his former club Lille on Sunday, Garcia made reference to the Blaugrana's interest in his prized player and joked that he might have to employ some more physical measures against his opposing number to keep the attacker at the club

"[It] makes me think about putting a tackle on Koeman when the time is right," the 56-year-old quipped. "But when the time is right, I will do it."

Garcia was quick to praise Depay's form too, noting that the lack of additional midweek competition in Europe has helped the forward rediscover his best form at a more measurable pace this season.

"I'm not surprised [that he has started well]," Garcia added. "He does what he says is good at. He needed time after his long injury layoff.

"He didn't have 90 minutes in his legs previously. At the start of the season, we hoped that he could deliver what he is doing now. He plays the role of captain excellently. He's very important to me as a coach."

Arsenal’s rivalry with Manchester United has “lost its cutting edge” because neither side is able to sign the best talent available and have tumbled down the Premier League pecking order as a result, says Nigel Winterburn.

Meetings between the Gunners and Red Devils were once the standout fixtures on an English top-flight schedule.

The outcome of contests that pitted Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson into tactical battle would often determine the destination of a domestic crown.

That is no longer the case, with those on the red halves of north London and Manchester having endured humbling falls from grace.

Passion has ebbed away from both camps, with Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking on sizeable rebuilding projects in their respective posts.

They will lock coaching horns at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Winterburn feels both teams are lacking a spark and cannot see either forcing their way back into title contention any time soon.

The former Arsenal defender told FreeSuperTips: “Manchester United and Arsenal has lost its cutting edge as the game is not as physical as it once was, and both teams are no longer feared in the Premier League like they were when I was playing.

“When I was coming through, Manchester United were the team that everyone in the Premier League was desperate to beat. 

“At Arsenal, you always felt that if you beat Manchester United in the league, then you would finish ahead of them and have a great chance of winning the title. 

“Those games, you had added intensity because of the history and incidents that would happen that made those games so special, and as a player you wanted to be a part of those games.

“They are still two huge clubs, but they’re not teams that are fighting for the title and have both fallen down the pecking order when it comes to signing the best players. 

“Arsenal were always going head-to-head with Manchester United for league titles, and that is where the intensity stemmed from and where they have both fell off in recent years, the game has lost its edge.

“It must be said that the rivalry is not what it was, but it is still a huge game which the players should be able to motivate themselves for.”  

If Arsenal are to start turning the tide, then they need to dramatically improve their record on the road against fellow members of the so-called ‘Big Six’.

It could be that they are running into United at the perfect time as, despite their impressive results in Europe, the Red Devils have also looked out-of-sorts this season and are yet to win a Premier League home game in 2020-21.

England World Cup winner and former Manchester United player Nobby Stiles has died at the age of 78.

Stiles' family confirmed that the one-time midfielder passed away peacefully on Friday after a long illness.

A statement issued by his family said: "The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family after a long illness.

"The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time."

Manchester-born Stiles earned 28 caps for England and was a big part of the squad that won the World Cup in 1966.

Two years later, he was part of the United side that became the first English club to win the European Cup.

He made almost 400 appearances for United in all competitions across an 11-year spell at Old Trafford and went on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End, before hanging up his boots in 1975.

A statement from United read: "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles MBE.

"An integral part of our first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club's history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch. He will be sorely missed by us all."

The England national team Twitter account posted: "We're incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles, a key member of our World Cup-winning squad, at the age of 78. All of our thoughts are with Nobby's loved ones."

Former England striker Gary Lineker was also among those to pay tribute to Stiles on social media, tweeting: "Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away.

"Another of our 1966 World Cup winning heroes leaves us. He had a heart that was even bigger than the gap in his teeth. RIP Nobby."

Danny Higginbotham, who came up through the youth ranks at Man Utd, also posted a tribute on Twitter.

"Such sad news to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away," Higginbotham wrote. "I know he was ill for a while but doesn’t take away the shock. He was my coach as a kid @ManUtd and what an unbelievably humble human being. A massive influence on myself as a youngster. Thoughts and love with his family."

Anthony Nwakaeme bagged a brace while Bengali-Fode Koita scored the winning goal in Kasimpasa’s 4-3 victory over Trabzonspor in Friday’s Turkish Super Lig game.  

Nwakaeme was afforded his sixth league appearance and gave a good account of himself but his effort was not enough to help his side to halt their winless run.

Trabzonspor have gone four games without a victory, including losing their last two matches in the Turkish top-flight.

The Black Sea Storm started the game on the back foot allowing Kasimpasa to dictate the pace and duly opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Mickael Tirpan.

Trabzonspor seemed to be awoken after conceding the goal and pressed for an equalizer which came in the 23rd minute when Serkan Asan fired home past goalkeeper Ramazan Kose.

Nwakaeme then gave the Black Sea Storm the lead for the first time in the encounter when he found the back of the net moments after the half-hour mark.

The Nigeria international then completed his brace seven minutes later when he hit the ball past Kose after he was set up by Abdulkadir Omur.

Moments before the half-time break, Yusuf Erdogan reduced the deficit for Kasimpasa to inspire the comeback.

Two minutes before full-time, Edgar Ie turned the ball into his own net as the Apaches levelled proceedings before Guinea international Koita scored the match-winning goal at the death.

Nwakaeme, who featured for the duration of the game, has now scored three goals in the current campaign for Trabzonspor.

The 31-year-old forward scored 11 league goals in 29 appearances last season to help Trabzonspor finish as runner-up.

Nwakaeme will be expected to continue his impressive performances for his club when they face Alanyaspor on November 7.

Koita, meanwhile, will be expected to feature when Kasimpasa square off against Antalyaspor in their next league game.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor reveals he has handed a recall to FC Metz centre-back John Boye because of his experience at international level.

The 34-year-old centre-back was listed among 23 players for next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan.

He has been summoned for international duty for the first since playing for the Black Stars at the 2019 Afcon tournament in Egypt, where Ghana exited the tournament at the Round of 16 stage. Germany U20 winger Jamie Leweling has also been called up.

“John Boye is again an old guy; all this is because of the fact that we want immediate solutions and therefore it is needed for us to deal with the experience and those who have been in such surroundings before,” Akonnor explained, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) website reports.

“They have the experience, been around the terrain before and know what it takes to play qualification and so I thought it wise to bring someone who’s doing well in Europe.

“People have talked about him and I think he deserves that chance and that’s why he’s here to support the team.”

Like Boye, Chelsea left-back Abdul Rahman Baba has been called up for the first time since playing at the Afcon tournament. Interestingly, he has been frozen out of the Blues’ first team to the second team.

“Baba Rahman was once a regular player here; due to injury, he was taken out,” Akonnor revealed.

“Now he is back, he is fit, he is playing very well with his team. Unfortunately, he has not had the chance to play in the first team. But he has had a couple of friendly matches since August, September and even recently 24th October, which he played against Liverpool’s second team.

“And these matches, he has played 90 minutes, some are 90 minutes, a lot of 90 minutes and of course 70 minutes.

“So, we have taken a lot of consideration, looking at the fact that we have a little bit of weakness within that area, the full backs so I thought it necessary to bring him to compete with Gideon on that side.”

There were more surprised in Akonnor’s latest call-up as Columbus Crew right-back Harrison Afull has also been summoned back for national duty. He last played for the Black Stars against Ethiopia in 2018.

“For me, I am looking for immediate solutions and if you want to do that you don’t want to play around, you want to go straight to the point and therefore the immediate solutions are those guys,” Akonnor said on the USA-based fullback.  

“Again, on the right side, just recently, this young gentleman, Benson, who did very well.

“But he needs support, he needs the old guys to be around, to learn from them and therefore I thought it wise to bring around none other person than Harrison Afful, to back him up and of course support him and that is why Harrison is also there.”

Ghana are set to host Uganda for the first of the double-header in Cape Coast on November 12.

Striker Dickson Raila has revealed his main objectives after he signed for the Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia.

Terming K’Ogalo as the biggest club in the region, Raila hopes that the stage will help him grow into a better footballer as he aims to sign for a top club in future.

“I am very glad to join Gor Mahia since it has been my dream to join the best team in East Africa. Joining Gor Mahia will open my ways because I want to play up to the top level in football,” Raila told the club’s Online TV.

“As a striker, my main job is to score goals and that will of course market me so well. To me every chance that I will be given, although it is going to be very competitive, I will take it and keep competing for the best.”

He also explained the genesis of his second name that resembles the name of the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.

“I was given the name by my father because he loved Raila and that is the only reason I carry the name. I have also been given the nicknames that Raila has like Agwambo, Tinga, and Amollo they are so many indeed,” he added.

“I really enjoy having the names.”

The forward also explained how he started his football journey and what the Gor Mahia move means to him.

“Football is in my blood and when I was between five and 10 years I had already started playing with older people,” he explained.

“I was not afraid and they actually valued me so much because of the commitment even though I was so small and young.

“The move is a big step that I have made and so far I cannot say the time with Gor Mahia is bad but I am going to try my best by working hard and showing commitment.

“Where I am now, is all about the determination and God’s care. I hope I will go far.”

On his part, midfielder Nicholas Omondi stated what the K’Ogalo fans should expect from him.

“I shot from the sub-county football to the National Super League and I can only describe it as a good journey so far,” Omondi told the club’s Online TV in a separate interview.

“People have not seen me a lot but as time goes by let them expect big things. The competition is good since it is helping me become better and better.

“The presence of Kenneth Muguna and others give me the motivation that I need to work even harder. I have got to where I wanted by joining the biggest team in the Premier League.”

The two are among 14 players that were signed by the local heavyweights.

Diego Maradona turned 60 on Friday, and there have been plenty of tributes from across the football world for a true legend of the game.

Maradona's two most famous goals with Argentina came in the same game: a 2-1 win over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. 

The playmaker scored his infamous "Hand of God" goal against the Three Lions, which was quickly followed by his incredible solo run and finish that is considered among the greatest goals ever scored.

But Maradona, of course, scored plenty more goals for Argentina than just those two. In total, he would score 34 times across 90 appearances for the Albiceleste.

To help celebrate Maradona's milestone birthday, Goal brings you a host of the legend's best goals in an Argentina shirt.

Michael Essien believes that Thomas Partey is a great signing for Arsenal, arguing that his fellow Ghanaian is precisely the kind of player the club has needed since the tail end of the Arsene Wenger era.

The Gunners signed Partey from Atletico Madrid for £45m ($58m) just before the close of the summer transfer window and the 27-year-old has impressed in his first three performances for Mikel Arteta's struggling side.

Essien is not in the least bit surprised that his compatriot already looks at home at the Emirates, as the former Chelsea ace says Partey is the kind of all-round talent that Arsenal have long lacked in midfield.

"I know him, I have seen him play a couple of times and we do talk now and then," the 37-year-old Essien revealed in an interview with Goal. "If he has any questions, he can always contact me for my thoughts – except when he plays Chelsea.

"But I wish him well and I am looking forward to seeing him do very well for Arsenal. They have made a great signing by bringing my countryman to take on the Premier League.

"He is more of a typical No.6 than me. He is very good on the ball, wins duels, has good speed, reads the danger well and he is a very complete midfielder.

"When I arrived in England, Arsenal were very tough, with Gilberto Silva and a great midfield, so it was a tough team to play against. But I think the Arsenal I played towards the end of my career could have done with a player like Thomas Partey.

"I think it is a great move for him too, though. Arsenal is a great club. The Premier League is also brilliant, so it will help him to improve his game as well."

Partey is expected to make his third consecutive start in all competitions when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Saturday to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Essien, of course, enjoyed many great battles with the Red Devils during his time on Chelsea's books between August 2005 and January 2014.

However, the former Ghana international could have been on the other side of one of the fiercest rivalries of the Premier League era had he not been blocked from making an even earlier move to England.

"I had the chance to go to Manchester United when I was 17," he explained. "I went twice for trials and I passed them. But I couldn't get the work permit.

"I went to France instead and when I came to Chelsea, I had Man United after me as well, but only Chelsea could afford me in the end.

"So, that's what happened and Jose Mourinho was very persuasive in the end, anyway!"

Essien enjoyed an excellent working relationship with former Chelsea boss Mourinho, who brought him to Stamford Bridge before later taking him on loan during his time in charge of Real Madrid.

However, Essien also played under the likes of Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti, so perhaps it is no surprise that he is now taking his first steps into the world of coaching as a player-assistant at Danish Superliga outfit FC Nordsjaelland.

He no longer gets as much time to watch as much Premier League football as he used to but he continues to keep a close eye on some of the managers plying their trade in England's top flight.

"I played a lot against Mikel Arteta when he was at PSG and I know him quite well," he added. "So far, he is doing a good job at Arsenal, he needs to keep going and it is good for the game to see good young managers like him.

"I don't watch a lot of football nowadays, as I am busy learning the job and a new league myself.

"But Liverpool have a great coach in Jurgen Klopp and I love seeing what my former manager Carlo Ancelotti is doing with Everton."

In the United States, college sports have a reputation for almost being as entertaining as professional sports.

The college athletic program is complex and intricate, and while a handful of student athletes go on to become professional once they graduate, this usually isn't the case.

How much do U.S. college soccer players get paid?

U.S. college soccer players do not get paid.

It is against NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules for men's and women's college athletes - not just soccer players - to receive direct compensation from their institution or get money from endorsements or appearances related to their sport. 

Instead, college athletes are often awarded with full or partial scholarships to their school.

Why don't U.S. college soccer players get paid?

The NCAA does not let student athletes get paid because they require them to remain as amateur players during their time in college.

To be an amateur player, you are not allowed to receive monetary payments for playing for your university.

They are also not allowed to be granted money for choosing a college to play for, though most U.S. soccer players get compensated for their efforts by being awarded a scholarship.

The scholarship would ensure that they would have most, if not all, of their school expenses paid for, as well as free room and board on campus.

If colleges and universities are found to be paying their student athletes, they would be in danger of losing their official NCAA status.

Families of student athletes are also not allowed to be paid for helping their child choose a school.

Those who are found to break the rules face a punishment of being suspended from sports for the rest of their time at college.

The fact that NCAA athletes do not get paid has been a source of controversy within the world of college sport and beyond, with many feeling that these athletes deserve to be awarded compensation - especially with college athletics being such a lucrative industry.

Will U.S. college soccer players get paid in the future?

In April 2020, the NCAA's highest governing body signalled their support of a rule change that would allow student athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness starting from the beginning of the 2021-22 school year - as long as their college or university does not pay them directly.

The NCAA's Board of Governors stated it supports allowing "student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements both related to and separate from athletics".

This means that players will be able to earn money from their social media sponsorships as well as business they have created.

“Throughout our efforts to enhance support for college athletes, the NCAA has relied upon considerable feedback from and the engagement of our members, including numerous student-athletes, from all three divisions,” said Michael V. Drake, chair of the board and president of Ohio State.

“Allowing promotions and third-party endorsements is uncharted territory.”

Many have criticised the inability of student athletes to be paid in light of the NCAA's annual revenues passing the $1 billion threshold due to television contracts and marketing deals.

California Governor Gavin Newsom passed a bill in September 2019 that enabled college athletes to pen their own endorsement deals and hire their own agents.

Newsom described the bill as "the beginning of a national movement - one that transcends geographic and partisan lines."

This alteration to how student athletes are compensated could be a hint at further changes to the system in the future.

Tanzania Mainland League leaders Azam FC dropped points for the second consecutive game after being held to a 1-1 draw by JKT Tanzania at Azam Complex in Chamazi.

The Ice-cream Makers had suffered a 1-0 loss, their only defeat in the league this season, against Mtibwa Sugar in their last outing and were keen to bounce back. However, it was not going to be an easy outing on Friday against the administrative side who had defeated Mwadui FC 6-1 just a week ago.

It took the visitors 43 minutes to open the scoring when Michael Aidan finished a swift move.

After the break, the 2014 champions came back stronger hoping to get a draw and probably get the winning goal.

Getting a win became more likely after midfielder Salum Abubakar managed to put the two teams into level terms in the 78th minute. The last 12 minutes were the longest for JKT, as Azam pushed forward aiming at getting a win. 

However, the visitors held on to get a vital point away.

In an earlier match, Gwambina FC suffered a 3-0 loss in the hands of their visitors KMC.

The Kinondoni-based team had suffered a 2-1 loss when they played their last match at home to Yanga SC and were desperate for a positive outing.

KMC had to wait until the 44th minute to open the scoring. The hosts conceded a free kick in a good area and Israel Patrick managed to find Lusajo Mwaikenda, and the defender made no mistake from about six yards, heading the ball past the goalkeeper.

Gwambina fought bravely hoping to get an equalizer and get at least a point. Concentration lapses at the back allowed Reliants Lusajo to score the second goal for the visitors and lower the pressure.

The third goal came in stoppage time when the unmarked David Bryson scored from about 16 yards after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

After Friday's games, Azam remain on top with 22 points from nine matches, three more than second-placed Yanga SC who have played seven. JKT Tanzania moved to 12th with nine points.

KMC moved fourth on the table with 14 points while Gwambina are 14th on nine points.

Diego Maradona has called upon his old club Napoli to claim another Serie A crown as a present for his 60th birthday, as the Argentina legend celebrated reaching a different kind of milestone.

The Gimnasia de La Plata boss, who remains one of the game's most renowned figures as he enters his seventh decade, spen many of his halcyon playing days with Napoli, who he helped power to two top-flight titles and the UEFA Cup during his stay.

The striker also won the World Cup for his country during his time in the Campania region and remains something of a cult hero in the city where he emerged as a larger-than-life sporting figure.

Now, in an open letter published in Corriere dello Sport, Maradona has called on last season's Coppa Italia victors to go one step better and end Juventus' chokehold on the Scudetto, offering words of support to manager Gennaro Gattuso as he looks to steer the club to a first title since Maradona's own success in 1990.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for the good wishes today," the former forward wrote. "I hope to be able to celebrate it with titles that can make me happy.

"I wish for my Gimnasia to be able to challenge for the championship this coming season - but it is also true that I wish for another Scudetto to be won by Napoli.

"To Gattuso, I say, go on like this. With your determination and the ability of your side to play, I cheer for you. I want to tell you that while there are people who boast of having played for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus, I am proud to boast that I was part of Napoli. I hope one day that you will be able to too."

Former Milan boss Gattuso, who succeeded Carlo Ancelotti last December, oversaw his first managerial triumph against Juventus in June's Coppa Italia final, with his side running out 4-2 penalty shootout victors following a goalless draw at Stadio Olimpico.

Maradona meanwhile is facing a difficult campaign ahead as he looks to reverse the fortunes of Gimnasia, who flirted with relegation from Argentina's top-flight last term.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor has described German-born Greuther Furth attacker Jamie Leweling as a "future star" after calling up the teenager for upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan in November.

The winger was undoubtedly the biggest surprise in the Black Stars 23-man squad announced on Friday.

He currently plays for Germany at U20 level but his Ghanaian roots make him eligible to represent the four-time African champions at international level.

“He [Leweling] is a young man who is all over the place with lots of teams interested in him because of what he has done,” Akonnor said, as reported by the Ghana Football Association’s official website.

“He is growing very fast. He just got a chance from the [Greuther Furth] second team and now he is with the first team. He’s been a player I believe is a hope for the future.

“He is one of the guys that we can have because he’s young, 19 years of age and he has had the chance to play for the German national team and so we are looking at how we can also get him on board to also help us in the future. He’s somebody I believe if not today, he’s going to be the hope for our future and that’s why he’s here.

“As we speak now, I have spoken to him but I haven’t assured him [of a permanent Ghana place]. I went to Germany to watch him because he was also recommended by our technical director [Bernhard Lippert].

“Nobody had an idea [of his existence], but he [Lippert] said he is a good talent and so we have to watch him. So, I went to see him play, it was not enough but the two matches that I saw, I think it’s a good opportunity for him to also come here and showcase his talent but I believe he’s one good talent, hope for the future.”

Leweling broke into Gruether Furth’s first team last season where he made 22 league appearances involving seven starts for the club in the German second tier.

This term, he has played five times so far, starting in only one of the games.

His last appearance for Germany came for the U20s in September where he scored in a 2-1 win over Denmark.

The new season of football in Argentina begins this weekend with the Copa de la Liga Profesional filling a gap in the calendar before the proper domestic league kicks off in 2021.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Boca was crowned 2019-20 league champions in March after coming out on top during the 23-game season. 

The Copa Superliga was scheduled to follow on from the regular campaign, but was scrapped after just one game as football came to a halt.

This season’s action begins with a new cup format where six groups of four teams compete for 12 places in the Campeon de Copa phase. That next step will consist of two groups of six teams and the winner of each will play in a final clash on January 17.

The winner of the Campeon phase will then qualify for the 2021 Copa Libertadores.

It is expected that the new season of the next Primera Division season will then follow in March 2021.

Fanatiz has the rights to the Copa de la Liga Profesional wordlwide, excluding  Argentina, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Israel, Russia, Switzerland and the Balkans.

How to watch Lanus vs Boca Juniors on US TV

Boca Juniors is the current Argentine champion and will retain that title regardless of what happens in the Copa de Liga Profesional.

However, winning is in their nature, as Argentina’s most successful club team, and they will look to start the 2020-21 domestic season with a win against Lanus.

Carlos Tevez remains the club captain and scored five goals in the last four games of the league season before the coronavirus pandemic cut the campaign short.

Lanus and Boca Juniors compete in Group D, which looks like the strongest pool as it also contains Newell’s Old Boys and Talleres Cordoba.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

River Plate vs Banfield team news and preview

River Plate finished as runners-up to Boca Juniors in the shortened 2019-20 Argentine Superliga, missing out on the league title by just one point.

River’s first game of the new Copa competition is against Banfield, who had a mixed season in the Superliga, winning just six of 23 games.

The shorter season meant that the two sides faced off just once in the league in 2019-20, but that ended in a 1-0 win for hosts River Plate, who will be hoping for a repeat of the same this weekend.

River Plate will be expected to win this game, but after the long break without football, expect some unpredictable results on the first weekend.

Watch all this weekend's Copa de la Liga Profesional matches on Fanatiz in the US with a 7-day free trial.

What other Copa de la Liga Profesional matches are available on Fanatiz?

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

Simba SC are negotiating with Kenyan Abdul Idd Salim with intentions of appointing him as the goalkeeping coach.

The position fell vacant after the release of Muharami Mohamed on October 30 alongside team manager Patrick Rweyemamu. The 21-time champions are now in the market for a replacement and their eyes have settled in Kenya.

"After parting ways with Muharami, the management has opened negotiations with our former goalkeeper's trainer Abdul Salim hoping to bring him back," a source from the club revealed.  

"So far the negotiations are well and we believe we will reach a conclusion soon and [Salim] will come and sign a contract with us."

The tactician, who is in Bangladesh, has however denied reports linking him with Wekundu wa Msimbazi, saying he is still engaged with his current team.

"Ever since I left Simba two years ago to come [in Bangladesh], I have not coached any team in Africa," Salim revealed.

"Actually I have not had anything regarding Simba wanting me, it is something new to me. Yes, I have a five-year contract with my current team but yes, there is a possibility of leaving if I get a better deal elsewhere."

The veteran goalkeeper trainer was first introduced to the Msimbazi-based charges in 2015 when the team was coached by Dylan Kerr. He was released briefly before he was re-hired again in December 2016 when the Cameroonian Joseph Omog took over.

The defending champions are currently under pressure after losing their last two matches.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi registered identical 1-0 losses to Tanzania Prisons and Ruvu Shooting.

According to the club’s media officer Haji Manara, what the team has gone through in recent weeks, losing back-to-back matches against Tanzania Prisons and Ruvu Shooting, is part of football and "which makes the game interesting".

"Simba is still my club, Simba is still my team for life, I don’t have any other team than Simba, my friends and fans, they know what Simba can do, I cannot stop supporting them now because I know, they are going to bounce back like Simba," Manara wrote stated.

"We will bounce back, this is Simba, it happens in football, they are challenges every champion faces in their respective leagues, all teams must pass through what we are going through now.

"I want to ask Simba fans to stay calm and keep the support, we will do it again, we will bounce back, we will retain the title."

Campeonato Brasileirao Serie A is the top level of soccer in Brazil and has been the breeding ground for some of the world's greatest players including Pele and Neymar.

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

As a result, football fans and scouts from all over the world watch the Brasileirao to see some of tomorrow's stars today, as well as some of the most exciting and entertaining games on television, filled with amazing technical ability and plenty of goals.

The 2020 Serie A season was due to begin on May 3 and end in December but, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament calendar was paused before eventually starting in August. It will now continue until February 24, 2021, barring any further delays.

How to watch Flamengo vs Sao Paulo on US TV

This weekend's biggest game sees Flamengo take on Sao Paulo on Saturday.

Flamengo is heavily involved in the title race and is level on points with league-leaders Internacional after 18 games.

Sao Paulo currently sits in fifth place, eight points behind the leaders, but has three games in hand on Internacional and Flamengo.

A top four finish is important as it guarantees automatic qualification for the 2021 Copa Libertadores Group Stage, while teams in fifth and sixth have to enter at the second qualifying stage.

Flamengo vs Sao Paulo is available to stream in the US on Fanatiz, where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

Brasileirao 2020 is exclusive to Fanatiz outside Brazil and the Balkans.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

Flamengo vs Sao Paulo team news and preview

Last season's champions Flamengo could only draw 2-2 with Internacional last weekend and likely needs to win against Sao Paulo to stay level on points with its title rivals.

Flamego has played nine games in the last four weeks, so could decide to rotate or rest players against Sao Paulo.

Both Willian Arao and Thiago Maia need to be replaced in the starting XI as they each picked up a booking last time out and will miss this weekend through suspension.

On-loan forward Pedro Rocha is back in contention following an injury, while Gabigol has returned to training after missing a month with a sprained ankle.

Sao Paulo had eight players absent for their Copa Sudamericana game with Lanus, but hopes captain Hernanes could be passed fit this weekend.

Hernanes trained properly for the first time since picking up an injury in September, but defender Igor Vinicius is not expected to play despite restarting training.

Watch all this weekend's Brasileirao matches on Fanatiz in the US  with a 7-day free trial.

What other Brasileirao matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch the Brasileirao live on Fanatiz.