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Red Bull Salzburg’s Patson Daka has offered a morale-boosting update on his fitness after sustaining a thigh injury in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid.

With just 27 minutes of action at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, the 22-year-old went down on the pitch after winning a corner kick for his team.

He was subsequently replaced by Malian forward Sekou Koita when it was obvious he would be unable to continue in the five-goal thriller against Diego Simeone’s men.

Although his Austrian Bundesliga side is yet to give an update about his knock and the duration he would stay on the sidelines, Daka took to social media to play down the severity of the knock.

“The comeback will be stronger than the setback, in every disappointment, there’s an appointment. Thanks for all the messages!” the Zambia international tweeted.

Despite conceding first through Marcos Llorente’s 29th-minute effort, the Austrian top-flight side went into the half-time break leading 2-1 thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s strike and Felipe’s own goal.

However, Jesse Marsch’s men ended up losing 3-2 after 90 minutes with Joao Felix’s brace completing the comeback win for the Spanish top-flight giants.

Following their latest defeat in Spain, they sit in the third position of Group A after accruing just one point in two games alongside Russia's Lokomotiv Moscow.

The 2017 Caf Youth Player of the Year is expected to be out of action when the reigning Austrian kings welcome seventh-placed Swarovski Tirol to the Red Bull Arena in Sunday’s league fixture as well as Tuesday’s Champions League cracker against Bayern Munich.

It is unverified if Daka who has scored 12 goals across all competitions this season would be available for Chipolopolo when they take on Botswana in a double-header of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Zambia.

Thanks to his goalscoring return, the striker was reportedly a transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur with Jose Mourinho aiming to strengthen his frontline before the close of the transfer window.

Last season, he scored 24 goals in 31 league games as Salzburg clinched the top-flight title for the fourth time in a row.

Ghana have received good news ahead of October's 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan but the return to training of Portugal-based fullback Gideon Mensah.

The Vitoria Guimaraes left-back has been off the pitch after being detected to have contracted the coronavirus disease on his return to the club from international duty with Ghana.

The Black Stars faced African counterparts Mali and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in two friendlies earlier this month as part of preparations for next month's Afcon qualifiers.

About seven Ghana players, including Gideon, Besiktas midfielder Bernard Mensah, Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew, Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo, Hoffenheim centre-back Kasim Nuhu Adams and Trabzonspor forward Caleb Ekuban tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the Ghana camp.

"Feels great to be back in training with the whole squad. Thanks to everyone for their prayers and motivation," Mensah posted on Twitter.

Back to training, Mensah is expected to be named in Ghana's squad for the Sudan double-header.

It is unfortunate our players have contracted the virus," Asante Twum told Asempa FM.

"We ensured that every player and management member followed the protocols before and after the games. There were automated hand sanitiser machines at the hotel the team was lodging and at the stadia we used for the matches.

"Tests were conducted every day to ensure we were all safe but it is unfortunate this had happened.

"We did not force these players to come and play for the national team but once they came, you take their health into consideration. We wish them well because we will still need their services next month.

"This is a virus that can be in your system and you cannot determine it but I don't think accusing the Ghana Football Association of failing to do the right thing is the right way.

"We did our best to ensure we all stayed safe but it did not happen."

During the summer transfer window, he made a loan switch from Red Bull Salzburg to Guimaraes.

He is, however, yet to make his competitive debut for the Portuguese club.

Simba SC have moved to fire four members of the team after they suffered two defeats in a row in the Mainland Premier League.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi, who were looking unstoppable when the 2020-21 campaign started, have now lost two matches in a row - a 1-0 defeat against Tanzania Prisons before falling to Ruvu Shooting by the same margin two days ago.

According to Sokaletu, four members of the team – team manager Patrick Rweyemamu, keeper trainer Mwarami Mohamed and media officials Ally Shatry ‘Bob Chico’ and Jacob – have been shown the exit door.

The sports online has further revealed while the first two have been fired because of the team’s poor displays, the other two from the media section have been let go because they have a relationship with former CEO, Senzo Mazingiza, who left to joins rivals Yanga SC.

On Wednesday, Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck revealed he is yet to come to terms with the team’s two consecutive defeats in the top-flight.

“First of all, I want to apologise for the two losses in a row to the Simba family and it is very hard for us to digest,” Vandenbroeck said as quoted by Daily News. “If you look at the game, we missed some aggressiveness in the first half which was not our usual level of play.

“The second half was much better as we took some risks but in total, we were not efficient enough to take good results today [Monday]. It hurts all of us.

“At this point, it is very difficult to point out what is the problem and if I have to analyse everything, it is something which I cannot share with the members of the media.

“According to the way we pushed in the second half, I do not think match fitness is the problem to point at. I think the question is what we have available in the striking position which made me play with a false number nine.”

The defeat against Shooting saw Simba surrender third spot in the 18-team table as they dropped to fourth while their rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) who are still unbeaten, moved to second behind table-toppers Azam FC.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt has expressed the importance of Tuesday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) win over Chippa United as crucial ahead of their MTN8 semi-final clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Chiefs beat the Chilli Boys 1-0 in what was some recovery from an “embarrassing” 3-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in their league opener last Saturday.

They will now arrive at Orlando Stadium on Saturday on a high after the Chippa win.

“Last weekend [against Mamelodi Sundowns] I heard that we should have lost five or six nil,” Hunt told the media.

“They scored a goal from a penalty, from a corner. We had some good opportunities ourselves so I think there was a little bit of pride and I saw it tonight [against Chippa United].

“Anytime anywhere I would not say it brings confidence but it certainly should put us in a better perspective for the next game and the next game happens to be on Saturday. I was more embarrassed about Saturday from a personal perspective but it’s history now.”

In the win over Chippa, Hunt started Njabulo Blom ahead of Willard Katsande and has justified the 20-year-old making forays upfront instead of being the link between the defence and midfield.

“That’s my way I have always played, it is good for my eyes,” said Hunt.

“The football we played was some excellent football. I’m trying to play with energy, obviously with support. I don’t like defensive players or attacking players, they must be able to do both jobs. That’s not my way, it has never been my way.

“Every game will give you different problems. We didn’t press much [against Chippa]. The next game we will be pressing more. That’s a learning curve certainly for a lot of players.”

Hunt’s faith in young players saw midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo being named Man-of-the-Match and the Chiefs coach wants the 20-year-old to keep his head down.

“I won’t say much to him but if he drops below the standards he won’t play,” Hunt said.

“He knows, every young player does. What he does off the ball is the most important thing. He has so much ability - the boy. He should have scored tonight. He has two, three chances to score in the last two or three games.”

Amaju Pinnick has confirmed the receipt of one million dollars ($1 million) from the Federation of International Football Association (Fifa) as a palliative for the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Nigeria football body’s chief, the breakdown is composed of five hundred thousand naira dollars each for men’s and women’s football, while half a million dollars would be received from the body governing the beautiful game in January.

Also, Pinnick confirmed in a series of tweets that the NFF received the sum of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) for Fifa Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborobo.

“Huge appreciation to football's world governing body Fifa for the $1 million (one million dollars) the federation has received in the frame of Covid-19 palliatives,” he tweeted.

“The money was received by the Nigeria Football Federation and we re-confirmed the purpose from Fifa two days ago.

“Fifa also sent $600,000 to the federation for the Fifa Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo. At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centres to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021.

“As a further breakdown, the $1 million for palliatives is composed of $500,000 for men's football and $500,000 for the women's game. Fifa has also promised to send the federation an additional $500,000 sometime in January 2021, also as part of Covid-19 palliative efforts.”

“On the continent, we have received confirmation from Caf that the federation will receive the expected $300,000 from the confederation on or before Sunday, the 1st of November. With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced from our sponsors' funds for the purpose,” he continued.

The former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football assured that the distribution will be made outlining the drives for the funds.

“The coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week. Even though we are bolstered by the guidelines from Fifa strictly outlying the purposes of these funds,” he continued.

“As well as the approval of the NFF Executive Board, we will also interface with our auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on each and every line item, to ensure the disbursements conform to global best practices.

“Beneficiaries must ensure 100% compliance to guidelines by ensuring that all funds are paid into designated accounts. I would also like to thank all beneficiaries for their patience and understanding at these trying times.

“Finally, I would like to wish Fifa president Gianni Infantino God's speed as he recovers. Thank you.”

Kenya international Michael Olunga registered two assists as Kashiwa Reysol bounced back with a 3-1 win over Tokyo FC.

Olunga was not lucky to get what had become a routine goal as he chases his Golden Boot dream. The Harambee Star has 23 goals – with the last goal coming up against Gamba Osaka - from as many matches and remains the clear leader in the top-scorers’ chart after 25 games.

Ataru Esaka scored the opener for Kashiwa Reysol in the 28th minute before Cristiano da Silva added the second two minutes after the start of the second half. Da Silva’s goal came courtesy of Olunga’s first assist of the match as they dominated the tie away from home.

Adaliton da Silva scored the only goal for the home side that denied Olunga’s team a win and a clean sheet.

A combination between the Brazilian and the former Gor Mahia striker again in the 75th minute led to a third goal for Kashiwa Reysol.

Da Silva scored his second goal with Olunga’s direct involvement through an assist as the 2019 J2 League champions picked up a victory that saw them hit a 40-point mark.

Olunga had scored his 22nd goal of the season against Shonan Bellmare when they were defeated 3-2 on October 18. The centre-forward recorded a brace that helped Kashiwa Reysol down Vissel Kobe 4-3 on October 10.

The Wednesday assists came as former Harambee Stars defender James Situma praised him for work done in Japan.

“He has been scoring for the national team and he is currently doing a good job for the club,” Situma told Goal. “So, I believe when he turns out for the national team again, his form will not be affected by the coaching changes.

“It is an advantage for the national team that he is in good form because it will be very easy to transfer the form to the national side.”

The win was not enough for Kashiwa Reysol to close in on Tokyo who are fourth with 47 points. Olunga is expected to lead Kashiwa Reysol’s attack again when they will host Shimizu S-Pulse on October 31.

John Stones has been backed for a return to Manchester City's first team by Joleon Lescott, who thinks the defender will still have plenty of opportunities to shine despite increased competition for places at Etihad Stadium.

Stones was initially a regular in City's starting line up after being signed by Guardiola from Everton in the summer of 2016. The Blues invested £48 million ($62m) in the England international, who has since helped the club win two Premier League titles and the FA Cup.

He has, however, gradually fallen out of favour amid a string of niggling fitness issues, and only managed 16 top-flight appearances in total for the Manchester outfit in 2019-20.

Guardiola moved to bolster his defensive ranks in the summer transfer market after seeing his side knocked off their domestic perch by Liverpool, bringing in Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias from Bournemouth and Benfica respectively.

As a result, Stones has been restricted to just three senior appearances for City this season, with his latest outing coming from the bench during the 3-0 win away at Marseille in the Champions League.

Lescott, who also joined City from Everton at the height of his playing career, was delighted to see the 26-year-old return to Europe's biggest stage, and hopes he can force his way back into contention for regular minutes.

“I’m just glad to see him out there,” the ex-England centre-back told City's official website. "Obviously it’s been a difficult time for him with injuries and minutes out on the pitch, so I’m grateful he’s back and fit again.

“I think when everybody is fit, Pep could potentially have a headache and he’ll have a decision to make.

“I think the fact he’d brought two centre-halves in this season in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake is due to the fact that there hasn’t been a consistency in terms of fitness and form.

“Hopefully, he can see a partnership forming with Dias and Aymeric Laporte this season, but once again, Stones is a top player and given the opportunities, hopefully, he can perform.”

Lescott added on the importance of rotation amid a congested fixture list: “I’m sure the incentive for the team is to get the job done and qualification confirmed as soon as possibly so players can be rotated and rested. It’s important that happens because there are so many games in such a short space of time."

The former City star also offered an assessment of his old club's win at Marseille, insisting Guardiola's men looked back to their best after a mixed start to the season.

“Overall, it was important to get a good performance against Marseille," said Lescott. "We’ve seen a few inconsistencies in certain games this season, but this was what we are used to seeing – dominant City from start to finish. Marseille didn’t have any chances and we set the tempo and everyone looked happy, so it was a good night’s work.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Juventus' Champions League fixture against Barcelona on Wednesday after being left out of the squad following his positive Covid-19 test.

Ronaldo has been self-isolating since he tested positive for the virus while away on international duty with Portugal this month.

The Bianconeri star has made just two appearances for the Serie A club this season, having last played in the 2-2 draw against Roma at the end of September.

The 35-year-old attacker had hoped to feature in Juve's Group G fixture against Barca, meaning a chance to once again go up against Lionel Messi, but needed a negative test 24 hours prior to kick-off in Turin.

The former Real Madrid player, who has been Juve's top scorer for the past two seasons, enjoyed a fierce rivalry with Messi on the pitch during his time in La Liga.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ronaldo said he was "feeling good and healthy", but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner then followed that up with a comment questioning the accuracy of the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. 

"PCR IS BULLSH*T", he wrote, before eventually deleting the comment.

PCR tests are the most common way to test for coronavirus and is believed to be the most accurate. The test is performed by collecting a swab or sputum sample - mucus coughed up from the lungs - from the nose or throat. The sample is then enlarged in a machine and inspected for coronavirus genetic material.

Juventus confirmed the forward's absence from the squad for the midweek clash in Turin, while centre-back Leonardo Bonucci was included in Andrea Pirlo's list, however, having passed a late fitness test.

Juve are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, but have won just two matches and drawn four. Pirlo's side started their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, while Barca beat Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros 5-1 at Camp Nou last week.

Manchester City have "peaked" under Pep Guardiola, according to Dietmar Hamann, who thinks "any other manager would be in big bother" if they had failed as often on the European stage.

Guardiola's nine-year wait for success in the Champions League was extended after City suffered a shock quarter-final defeat at the hands of Lyon last season.

The Spanish boss has not won the competition since leaving Barcelona, having also fallen short at Bayern Munich, with supporters at Etihad Stadium growing increasingly impatient with each passing year.

Guardiola has delivered eight trophies during his four-year stay in Manchester, including two Premier League titles, but a lack of success in Europe's elite competition is now beginning to threaten his legacy.

Hamann has suggested that the 49-year-old is only still in the job because he played alongside City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, at Barcelona.

Begiristain spent seven years in the same boardroom role at Camp Nou, the last two of which saw him work closely with Guardiola, and the former Blues midfielder thinks their alliance has kept his position safe.

“If you look at their record in the Champions League, any other manager would’ve been in big bother,” Hamann told talkSPORT.

“Obviously he’s got some Barcelona history in the boardroom and maybe that’s why he’s still there.

“He didn’t reach a final with Bayern Munich or Man City – and if you look at the teams who did, they don’t have the same funds.

“It’s simply not good enough. If you look at the teams who beat them, I just wonder what has to happen for them to make a change.

“We don’t like managers getting sacked, but I think any other manager would be in big bother.”

City made it two wins from two in the current Champions League campaign by beating Marseille 2-0 at Orange Velodrome on Tuesday, but Hamann doesn't think the club will win the trophy any time soon.

The ex-Germany international, who also played for Bayern and Liverpool, believes City have gone as far as they possibly can with Guardiola, adding: "Historically, he was at Munich for three years and he improved the team, but the players were happy when he left because he was so demanding.

“I think a manager like Guardiola can’t be at a club for more than four or five years.

“He’s done that at Man City and if you see the players they bring in, there is no continuity and I don’t see them improving enough with the money they’ve spent.

“I think they’ve peaked under Guardiola, I don’t see them winning the Premier League or the Champions League in the next few years.”

Inter Milan led the football world to felicitate with former Nigeria international Obafemi Martins who turned 36 on Wednesday.

Famous for his acrobatic goal celebrations, the striker began his football career at Nigerian side FC Ebedei before moving to Reggiana. After one season with the Maroons, he was snapped up by Inter in 2001 for a transfer fee worth €750,000.

Having scored 23 goals for the club’s youth team in his maiden season, he was drafted to the senior team by manager Hector Cuper to compete in a star-studded attacking setup that paraded the likes of Hernan Crespo, Gabriel Batistuta and Alvaro Recoba.

Before moving to Newcastle United after five seasons with the San Siro giants, he won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italia as well as the Supercoppa Italiana diadem in 2005.

At St. James’ Park, he scored 28 goals in 88 games while playing a crucial role in the Magpies' Uefa Intertoto Cup triumph in 2006.

He left for German side Wolfsburg in 2009, before featuring for Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City, Levante, Seattle Sounders and Shanghai Shenhua.

During his loan spell at Birmingham, Martins scored the winning goal in the 2011 Football League Cup Final as the Blues beat Arsenal 2–1 at Wembley Stadium, having been brought on as an 83rd-minute substitute.

He joined Chinese Super League side Wuhan Zall as a free agent in September 2020 after his departure from rivals Shenhua. There he was handed a one-year contract by the Han Army.

On the international scene, he made a scoring debut for Nigeria in a 2004 Unity Cup game against the Republic of Ireland.

Before drawing the curtain on his Super Eagles career, he featured in the 2006, 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as one Fifa World Cup final in 2010 – featuring in two games as Lars Lagerback’s men crashed out of the group stage that paraded the likes of Argentina, South Korea and Greece.

Below are tweets of how he was celebrated across the globe.

Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho will not return to fitness before the November international break, according to the Brazil national team's medical staff.

Coutinho suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday's defeat to Real Madrid despite completing the full game at Camp Nou.

Barca said a timescale for the former Liverpool man's return "depends on how the injury evolves", but Brazil's doctors have also now assessed the player.

Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said in a statement that he believes "there is not enough time for the recovery of the player for his participation in the next two rounds of [2022 World Cup] qualifiers".

Brazil have therefore called up Lyon's Lucas Paqueta in his place for the fixtures against Venezuela and Uruguay on November 13 and 17.

Should Coutinho be available for Barca again following the break, he would make his return against Atletico Madrid almost a month on from the initial issue.

Coutinho is set to be joined in missing Brazil's qualifiers by Liverpool's Fabinho. The midfielder, who has been playing in defence for the Reds since Virgil van Dijk's injury, sustained a hamstring problem in Tuesday's Champions League win over Midtjylland.

Liverpool were waiting for a scan on the injury on Wednesday, but Jurgen Klopp suggested Fabinho's absence would not represent a major blow for Brazil, as he has earned just 12 caps for his country and started on five occasions.

"I'm not sure if Tite's too worried because he plays him never, so he will probably now not sit on the bench for the next [two] international games," Klopp said.

He also told beIN SPORTS: "We have to wait for the scan obviously but you know these times when somebody is going off with a muscle problem, then it's really rare that the doctor calls me the next morning and says: 'False alarm, all fine, he can go again.'

"So it's now only about how long. That's all, and nowadays a week means three games, 10 days means four games, 14 days means seven games and all these kinds of things. So that's how it is. Yeah, absolutely not cool but that's the situation."

Sofapaka have confirmed the exit of five players ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Batoto ba Mungu have named the five players as Brian Kayanja, Nicholas Sebwato, Cersidy Okeyo, Isaiah Wakasala, and Thomas Wainaina.

“We can confirm we have parted ways with five squad members ahead of the new season,” the club confirmed on their official website.

“The five are Brian Kayanja, Nicholas Sebwato, Cersidy Okeyo, Isaiah Wakasala, and Thomas Wainaina.

“Brian Kayanja, Nicholas Sebwato, and Thomas Wainaina have left the club on mutual consent while keeper Isaiah Wakasala and Cersidy Okeyo leave the club after the expiry of their contracts.

“We thank them for their services and wish them well.”

Sofapaka have been very active in the transfer window as they have already roped in seven new signings among them Michael Bodo, Isaac Mitima, Michael Karamor, Michael Bodo, Kevin Omondi, Roy Okal, and Paul Kiongera.

The exit of the five comes just a day after long-serving captain and defender George Maelo officially announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old player decided to call it a day after 17 years of active football which saw him also play for Police FC with Sofapaka confirming the decision by stating: "Captain George Maelo has officially retired from active football.

"Club captain Maelo has finally called it a day from football after 17 years in the game. Maelo joined the club from Police FC in July 2016 and went on to serve the club for four years.

On quitting, Maelo said: “I’m so happy and proud of what God has done to me with my talent, all the years of my career I didn’t encounter any serious injury, and when fully fit I managed to play a junk of the matches. As a leader, I did my best on and off the pitch for the betterment of the team.

“Football has built me as a person and taught me a lot about life. At Sofapaka I found a second family where unity and love prevail. The club forms and holds a huge part of me, the trust from the management and everyone in the team meant a lot. I love Sofapaka family and I wish the team the very best.”

Sofapaka will open the new season with a clash against KCB on November 22 before they take on Kakamega Homeboyz in their second fixture on November 29.

They will then face Wazito FC on December 5, confront champions Gor Mahia four days later before tackling Bandari on December 13.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe has been advised how to deal with pressure by France legend Thierry Henry, who has urged him never to "lose the little kid inside of you".

Mbappe has become one of the world's best players in the space of just four years after a lightning-fast start to his professional career.

The Frenchman helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title in 2016-17 and also played a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, before being snapped up on an initial loan deal by PSG.

He helped the club win a domestic treble in his first season at Parc des Princes and became a permanent member of the squad after his €133 million (£121m/$155m) transfer from Monaco was finalised in the summer of 2018.

Mbappe then added a World Cup winners' medal to his collection, scoring in France's 4-2 final victory against Croatia in Russia.

The 21-year-old has scored 96 goals in 130 outings for PSG in total, and has 16 strikes to his name in 38 appearances for Les Bleus with his output in the final third as high as ever at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Former Arsenal and France frontman Henry, who was similarly prolific at the height of his playing career, has now offered Mbappe advice on how to ensure his longevity at the highest level.

“Don’t ever lose the little kid inside of you. Sometimes I did, I won’t lie," the current Montreal Impact boss told the PSG talisman at a promotional event for EA Sports alongside heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua.

"Sometimes with the pressure, after 10, 11, 12 years you kind of forget about the enjoyable part of the game. Make sure you listen to that kid because you know what, he brought you there."

Mbappe and Henry were then asked who would win in a race between them, with the former insisting he would have beaten the ex-Barca star in his prime. Henry refused to give a definitive answer before insisting speed in possession is the most important thing on the pitch.

"What?! No, no you know what? Listen, we can never know. You need to understand something; it’s not about speed, it’s about how fast you can be with the ball," Henry said.

"This is something that people do not understand. This kid right now, Kylian, put speed on the side, yeah he has speed - but [it’s different] to be able to shift the ball, stop it, go with power. To be able to block someone at the same time, shift it on your right, block here, shift it on your left and still have your head up and see what’s happening."

Mbappe went on to offer an insight into his killer instinct in the final third, and admitted that he still has a long way to go before emulating multiple Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the very highest level.

“When you come one on one [with the goalkeeper] you wanna kill him, of course. That’s from me, that’s not something I work on, that comes from me since I was a young kid. I want to kill him, one against one you think you will stop my shot? No. It’s this spirit for me," he said.

“Sometimes I come to a one on one and I approach it too easy, too sure of myself, too much confidence. I’m not focused on what I want to do, I’m too confident as I’m thinking 'I can score easily', but that’s not the good way.

"I know what I have to do, today I see the best players in the world like Messi and Ronaldo and I’m really happy with the start of my career but I have more steps to reach their level and I know what I have to do to be there, I have to improve every day.”

Mbappe also opened up on his disappointment following PSG's defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 Champions League final, revealing he struggled to accept the result after working towards the goal of winning the trophy for so long.

“We lost the Champions League Final and people have to understand this; we train all year to be ready for this moment and when you lose, you can’t be happy," he added. "You can’t be happy because you remember all the sacrifices that you made to arrive there.”

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Ruvu Shooting have revealed they warned Simba SC that they will beat them before their Mainland Premier League match on Sunday.

Shooting, indeed, were true to their warning after they silenced the Wekundu wa Msimbazi 1-0, to hand them a second consecutive defeat in the league as they had lost to Tanzania Prisons by the same margin in the previous fixture.

Media officer Masau Bwire has now revealed that prior to the match, they warned Simba they should expect a Barcelona-like display from his side but they were ignored and came into the match underrating them.

“I warned Simba in advance that the way we are playing currently is like Barcelona of Tanzania, but for them, they took it lightly and ignored, and came knowing we are not strong, but you see now, we beat them,” Bwire is quoted by Sokaletu.

“Simba always thought they will beat any team in the league, they have always bragged how they play good football, but again us, we proved them otherwise, we played like Barcelona, and I want to say we can still beat them if we replay tomorrow or even today.”

On his part, Shooting coach Boniface Mkwasa was happy with the performance from his players saying they played according to his instructions.

“In games like this, it becomes easier for the small team to shine because the big teams always underrate you as such; you have to take advantage of that scenario,” Mkwasa told reporters after the match.

 “Our game plan was to dominate the midfield play which was amicably fulfilled that is why we created a chance to score the winning goal. But in the second half, we were a bit down as Simba pressured us a lot no wonder we conceded a controversial penalty which they failed to convert.

“It was simply football made in Tanzania as we have a squad and technical bench which is comprised of Tanzanians as such, if given priority, domestic players can achieve more like the way you saw.”

The defeat saw Simba lose their third spot in the league and they will be seeking to recover when they take on Mwadui FC at Uhuru Stadium on Friday.

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Fadlu Davids says his side’s biggest challenge in Wednesday’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against Stellenbosch will be their opponents’ “well-drilled and organised defensive structure.”

The Buccaneers host Stellenbosch at Orlando Stadium, fresh from being held 1-1 by AmaZulu in their opening league match last Saturday away in Durban.

Pirates struggled to penetrate the AmaZulu defence with their goal coming from a controversial penalty converted by Frank Mhango.

After facing a difficult evening in Durban, Davids is expecting another tricky encounter against Stellenbosch on Wednesday.

“Stellenbosch have always had a well-drilled and organised defensive structure with five players at the back,” Davids told Orlando Pirates media.

“They are aggressive too. They are one of the organised teams defensively so it’s really about us to unlock this defence, to unlock this deep-lying block.”

Expectations on Pirates are very high after they made some big-name signings ahead of the season, including Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshawayo, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Hotto and goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Davids says the new arrivals are slowly settling in the team as midfielders Dzvukamanja, Hotto and Wayde Jooste have immediately become regular starters.

But the supply of goals has not improved as the Pirates forwards have so far struggled to score.

Two goals in as many matches define their season after Dvukamanja’s strike helped them edge Cape Town City 1-0 in the MTN8 quarter-finals before Mhango’s penalty against Usuthu.

“There are positives to take from the last two games,” Davids said.

“Not the result we wanted in the last match but the new players are beginning to understand. Gelling with their teammates, getting to understand our movements, non-verbal communication between each other, knowing exactly where to be on the pitch, in defence and in attack.

“The fluidity is coming in as we saw in the second half [against AmaZulu]. It is just about the finalising those chances we create to be able to score goals."

 Victory for Pirates is crucial as it would set the right tone ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final clash against old foes Kaizer Chiefs.

Chiefs are already geared up for the Soweto derby at Orlando Stadium after they edged Chippa United 1-0 in a PSL match on Tuesday.

Karim Benzema has been caught telling Real Madrid team-mate Ferland Mendy not to pass to another player on the team during the club's latest Champions League outing.

Madrid's poor start to their latest European campaign continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany on Tuesday night.

The Bundesliga outfit found themselves 2-0 up before the hour mark thanks to a Marcus Thuram double and seemed on their way to a famous victory before Benzema's acrobatic volley halved the deficit in the 87th minute.

Casemiro then snatched a point for the visitors in stoppage time after turning home a Sergio Ramos header, with Madrid narrowly avoiding a fourth-consecutive European defeat - which would have been a new club record.

Zinedine Zidane's side were visibly rattled as they went in at half-time 1-0 down, and Benzema was seen criticising someone - reportedly attacking partner Vinicus Jr - while talking to Mendy in the tunnel.

In footage now doing the rounds on social media, the Frenchman can be heard telling his Madrid colleague: “Brother don’t play to him. On my mother’s life. He is playing against us.”

Reports of a dressing room divide had already been circulating in the wake of Madrid's 3-1 victory over Barcelona at the weekend, with Isco publicly criticising Zidane for restricting his playing time at the start of the new season.

“If he has to take me off, he takes me off in the 50th or 60th minute of the game. Sometimes even at half-time,” the Spanish midfielder told Movistar. “If he has to put me on, he’ll do it in the 80th minute.”

The Blancos missed their chance to build on their Clasico triumph against Monchengladbach, and now have a real fight on their hands to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

Zidane's men lost their Group B opener at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, and after the draw at Borussia-Park, they are sitting bottom of the group - three points behind the Ukrainian outfit.

Madrid will be back in La Liga action on Saturday when Huesca visit, three days before a vital European encounter against Inter at home.

Former Tusker captain James Situma has explained why the Harambee Stars players will find it easy to understand the new coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and his playstyle.

Mulee was appointed to fill Francis Kimanzi’s place and Situma claims the two tacticians are almost similar tactically and that is why the players will find it easy to adapt.

“Mulee is more or less similar to Kimanzi, he is a good coach who would want players to freely express themselves and so I do think the players are going to find it rather easy to understand him,” Situma told Goal.

“Of course Mulee is going to come with one or two things that are new which would force the players to adjust but that again will not take a lot of time as this is just but a continuation of the Kimanzi reign.

“Mulee has been watching games for sure and what I know is he is not going to implement wholesale changes on the squad.

“The players called up have the chance to impress during training and if one excels then they would surely be given opportunities.”

With Mulee’s primary objective being an African Cup of Nations berth, the two-time Kenyan Premier League winner asserts the target can be attained.

“Why not? It all depends on the preparations made and if the management, the players and the technical bench work in unison then the dream is largely achievable,” the former Sofapaka captain said.

Situma pegged his hopes on a back-to-back Afcon qualification for Kenya on the previous participation where Kenya faced the finalists at the group stage.

“One of the teams we faced emerged champions and in football not all the participants are going to be champions but that fact cannot make one not to prepare,” he concluded.

“We learnt something, we were exposed to the new things and the good thing is that the FKF management that was there before will be there for the preparations of the next Afcon.

“We have to keep building the team and the last Afcon results should not weigh down on us. If we get our things right then we will be in a good place to harvest big things.”

Kenya will face Comoros in November for the third and fourth group stage qualifiers.

Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram says his side must learn from their mistakes after they lost a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga side were 2-0 up in the Champions League encounter at Borussia Park, with the 23-year-old winger netting twice within the first hour.

But Zinedine Zidane's men fought back to earn a point as Karim Benzema fired past Yann Sommer in the 87th minute before Casemiro found the net deep in stoppage time to ensure the teams shared the points.

Gladbach now have two points from as many games in the competition and sit two points behind Group B leaders and next opponents Shakhtar.

Thuram was happy with his side's performance against the Spanish champions, but warned that they must be more vigilant in the future. 

“We played well on the whole, but we came up against an excellent side,” he told reporters.

“Everyone knows that such a tough opponent doesn’t give in – they fight to the end. We saw that in this match.

“Unfortunately, we conceded two late goals, but I hope we can learn from this and do things better in the next game.”

Thuram needed just two appearances in the Champions League to score his first goals in the tournament, giving him a better record than his father, Lilian. 

The former Juventus and Barcelona star needed 67 games to score his first goal in Europe's most prestigious club competition. 

When told that he had eclipsed his dad, Thuram replied: “I didn’t even know until now that he even scored a goal in the Champions League, but I’m pleased for him!"

But the France international feared his second goal was going to be disallowed and delayed his celebration for a few seconds.

“I thought that I might just have been standing offside. We know what it’s like with VAR, too," he added.

"I didn’t want to celebrate too early in case they intervened, but everything was fine and the referee gave the goal. Then I could celebrate.

“We’ll keep going and work hard to improve. We’ll also obviously try to perform at our best in the upcoming games. After the six group games, we’ll see where we’re at and whether we’ve managed to progress or not.”

The Algerian Football Federation has tied Djamel Belmadi to a new deal that will see him remain as Desert Foxes coach until the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

Belmadi – who played for Manchester City and Southampton, was named as handler of the North African team following Rabah Madjer’s failure to lead them to the 2018 Fifa World Cup staged in Russia.

In less than one year after his employment, he led Algeria to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt – defeating pre-tournament favourites Senegal in the final after silencing Nigeria in the semi-final.

Addressing media at the Sheraton Hotel during the announcement on Tuesday, Algerian football president Kheireddine Zetchi said the 44-year-old’s contract extension was necessary following his achievements in a short time, while disclosing that the pact is not primarily financial but also related with aspects that could aid his work.

"When Belmadi arrived as the coach of the Greens, he had made no conditions,” said Zetchi.

“The national team was going through a difficult period and it is to his credit to have placed the recovery of the technical situation before any other consideration.

“With what he managed to do in record time and in the most beautiful way, it is logical that after the continental coronation in Egypt, we have reviewed his contract.”

Belmadi is on course to lead Algeria to the 2022 Afcon billed for Cameroon. With six points accrued from two games, the Desert Foxes lead Group H that boast of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.

Their last outing at the World Cup was in 2014 Brazil, where they reached the Round of 16, before losing to eventual winners Germany.

Nevertheless, the tactician is not only eyeing a return in the Middle East, but also making an impact on the world stage.

“The objective will be to give everything and believe in the impossible,” Belmadi told Canal + Africa per Football 365.

"When we have done the work, when we have qualified, the objective will be to win it.

“We will now speak seriously, the objective will not be to just participate, the players do not set any limits.”