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Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side Wazito FC have been ordered to pay their illegally dismissed players more than six million shillings for breach of contract.

The Fifa Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled Ghanaian forward Paul Acquah, Togolese defender Issofou Bourhana, Ugandan midfielder Mansoor Safi Agu, Liberian Augustine Otu, and DR Congo forward Piscas Muhindo were illegally dismissed and deserved compensation. 

As a result, Bourhana has been handed $9600 compensation (Ksh1.04 million) for breach of contract while Otu has been handed $7800 (Ksh848,776) for the aforementioned reason. 

Wazito have been ordered to pay Mansoor Ksh1,698,000 with Ksh370,000 outstanding remuneration. Paul Acquah will benefit Ksh2,165,806 plus Ksh150,000 remuneration while Muhindo has been handed Ksh1,040,000 and Ksh200,000 for outstanding remuneration.

The 2018/19 National Super League champions have been given 45 days to settle the aforementioned debts or face the consequences. 

"In the event that the amount due, plus interest as established above is not paid by [Wazito] within 45 days, as from the notification by the Claimant of the relevant bank details to the Respondent, the following consequences shall arise:   

"The Respondent shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amount is paid and for the maximum duration of three entire and consecutive registration periods," read part of the ruling obtained by Goal.

"The aforementioned ban mentioned will be lifted immediately and prior to its complete serving, once the due amount is paid.  

"In the event that the payable amount as per in this decision is still not paid by the end of the ban of three entire and consecutive registration periods, the present matter shall be submitted, upon request, to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee."   

In the current transfer window, the Kenyan outfit parted ways with several players who they deemed as surplus to requirements.

Among those dropped were long-serving custodian Steven Njunge, midfielder Teddy Osok, forwards Victor Ndinya, Pistone Mutamba and Derrick Otanga.

The foreign quartet of Paul Acquah from Ghana, DR Congo's Piscas Kirenge, Augustine Otu of Liberia and Togolese Issifou Bourahana were not spared either. Kevin Omondi, who has also been serving as the club's first-choice goalkeeper, has been axed as well.

Paul Mungai Kiongera was also shown the door by the Nairobi-based side.

Asante Kotoko communications director Moses Antwi Benefo believes new Brazilian acquisition Fabio Gama Dos Santos brings a lot of quality to the side despite criticism of the club's signing of the player.

The Porcupine Warriors announced the 28-year-old's capture in a two-year deal on Friday, giving him a football home for the first time since March when he parted ways with Swedish second-tier outfit Jonkoping Sondra.

He is a former Brazil national youth player, having represented the South American nation at U17 and U21 levels.

"Fabio Gama Dos Santos, a lot of people are lambasting us [for signing him]. It has become the talking point in the country [Ghana] but as we speak, about 17 international top sports websites are reporting about him," Benefo said, as reported by Footballghana.

"The French-speaking countries, Portuguese and others are all talking about him and it tells you his level.

“Some describe him as a top player while others are sceptical. His signing is creating a buzz around the team, the boy, and around the league because people will be willing to watch that orthodox No.10.

“Brazil is bound with talents so if he is able to feature for the U17 and U20 national teams it tells the quality he possesses. We should forget about people saying he does not score goals, he is an orthodox player."

Gama joins the list of Brazilian players to have signed for Kotoko in recent times, following the likes of Gleisson de Souza Ferreira in 2005 and Hermes da Silva in 2013.

His move to Kotoko has been criticised by a section of fans who have focused on his recent spells with lower division clubs, tagging him as below the standard of Kotoko who are two-time African champions and the most successful club in the history of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

His career was largely based in his home country, and Gama's last two clubs before joining Kotoko were Varnomo and Jonkoping, who were based in the Swedish second division.

Back home in Brazil, he played for Bahia, Botafago-SP, Botafago, Serrano-BA, Operario-MS, SE Gama, ABC FC and most recently Itabaiana-SE and UR Trabalhadore.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice but Milan's perfect start to season was ended by Roma after a thrilling 3-3 San Siro draw on Monday.

Ibrahimovic put Milan ahead early on with deft finish from close range but Edin Dzeko equalised shortly afterwards with a header.

Alexis Saelemaekers edged Milan in front again with a composed finish only for Jordan Veretout to draw Roma level from the penalty spot.

Ibrahimovic netted a penalty of his own 11 minutes from time, but Milan were denied a fifth consecutive victory when Marash Kumbulla volleyed in a dramatic late equaliser.

Ibrahimovic gave Milan the lead in the second minute with an intelligent poacher's goal after he got on the end of a delicious Rafael Leao lofted pass.

However, Roma were back on level terms 10 minutes later after a goalkeeping error from Milan's Ciprian Tatarusanu on his first competitive start for the Rossoneri.

The Romanian, deputising for Gianluigi Donnarumma after he tested positive for COVID-19, came to punch Lorenzo Pellegrini's corner but completely missed the ball, which allowed Dzeko to head home.

Milan increased their advantage shortly after the interval with Leao instrumental again as he burst down the left flank and crossed for Saelemaekers who confidently fired his shot beyond Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.

Roma were awarded a controversial penalty, though, when Ismael Bennacer was deemed to have brought down Pedro despite appearing to be fouled himself, and Veretout confidently converted.

Ibrahimovic thought he had secured the points when he sent Mirante the wrong way with a spot-kick, again controversially awarded, after Hakan Calhanoglu was felled by Gianluca Mancini.

Roma refused to give up, though, and gained a share of the spoils with seven minutes remaining when Kumbulla got on the end of a flick from a corner to slam the ball home.

What does it mean? Milan defence under scrutiny

With defending champions Juventus making a stuttering start to the season, Milan find themselves clear at the top of Serie A with four wins out of five.

But this performance was a defensive nightmare, leaving Pioli with plenty of work on the training ground as his side allowed Roma to take 12 shots at goal, with seven on target.

Leao outshines Zlatan

Ibrahimovic turned 39 at the start of October and was involved in everything Milan did well but was upstaged here by Portugal forward Leao – some 18 years his junior.

Marauding with intent on the left flank, Leao provided superb assists for both goals, made 17 passes with an accuracy of 82.4 per cent and was key throughout.

Tatarusanu endures tough debut

It was a difficult Milan debut for back-up goalkeeper Tatarusanu, who was at fault for two of Roma's goals with a failure to command his box.

Tatarusanu made just four saves as he let in three goals and generally appeared a bag of nerves. Donnarumma cannot come back soon enough.

Key Opta Facts

- Milan have scored at least two goals for 11 consecutive games in all competitions, equalling their own such record of 1959.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored multiple goals in three straight games. The last to do so in Serie A was Cheick Diabate in 2018.
- Edin Dzeko has scored three goals in his last two league games, one more than in his previous 11 appearances.
- Rafael Leao registered two assists in this game, as many as in all of his previous 34 Serie A appearances.
- Jordan Veretout has scored six goals in his last seven league appearances. 

What's next?

Both sides have home group fixtures in the Europa League on Thursday. Milan host Czech outfit Sparta Prague while Roma welcome Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.

Tottenham continue to reap the rewards of Harry Kane and Son-Heung-min's seemingly telepathic partnership as the pair combined for Spurs' late winner in a 1-0 triumph at Burnley.

Jose Mourinho's men appeared to be heading for a second successive Premier League draw after what was a largely toothless display at Turf Moor on Monday, but Son headed in from close range with 14 minutes to go after fine work from Kane.

Spurs saw more of the ball in the first period but Burnley went closer to breaking the deadlock, testing Hugo Lloris on a couple of occasions and having a goal chalked off.

James Tarkowski went closest of all for the Clarets, but his effort was cleared from right in front of the goal-line by Kane, who then brilliantly set up Son's winner with a clever header of his own for their ninth goal combination of the season already.

Although Spurs showed promise early on, they were unable to establish control and that encouraged Burnley, who saw an Ashley Barnes strike disallowed for offside in the 21st minute.

While that did not lead to a sustained period of pressure for Burnley, they did finish the first half in the ascendancy, with Lloris thwarting Ashley Westwood and Johann Gudmundsson.

Burnley went close again early in the second half – Josh Brownhill seizing on a wayward Ben Davies pass and driving just wide of the bottom-left corner.

Kane, who had endured a frustrating match in attack, proved decisive at the other end with 18 minutes to go, clearing Tarkowski's header off the line to keep Spurs on level terms.

Just four minutes later he was key in the Burnley area, running away from goal to head a corner delivery into Son's path and the South Korean threw himself forward to nod in the winner.

What does it mean? Unspectacular Spurs find a way

It certainly was not impressive, but Spurs got the job done eventually. Mourinho's side looked the least threatening of the two teams for much of the game, with a lot of the play suggesting Burnley might nick a result towards the end.

In the end, however, Spurs' superior individual quality got them over the line, with the Son-Kane route once again paying off for Mourinho, whose team are up to fifth.

Kane and Son deliver again

It is fair to say Spurs would be significantly worse off without Kane and Son, who have now combined for nine goals this season – one more and they will set a new club record for a single campaign.

On top of that, Kane's eighth Premier League assist of the term means he has had a hand in 13 goals in his first six matches of 2020-21, a new record for the competition.

Lucas disappoints

One of Spurs' main issues until the latter stages was a lack of creativity; Lucas Moura was a part of that. He was hooked in the 57th minute as he had hardly influenced the game at all, making just one key pass. The Brazilian had 21 touches – fewer than all but two Spurs players, both of whom were substitutes – and his replacement, Erik Lamela, was much livelier.

Key Opta Facts

- Burnley have won just one of their previous 24 Premier League home games against the 'big six' sides (D4 L19), a 2-1 victory against Tottenham in February 2019.
- Tottenham have recorded clean sheets in successive games in all competitions after failing to record a shutout in 10 games stretching back to last season.
- In his managerial career, against no other side has Mourinho faced more often without losing than Burnley (10 – W6 D4), winning five of his six away matches against the Clarets.
- Kane has recorded eight assists in six Premier League appearances this season, the most he has ever provided in a single campaign in the competition.
- Spurs duo Kane and Son have combined for 29 Premier League goals, with only Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard managing more (36).

What's next?

Spurs turn their attention back to the Europa League as they go to Antwerp on Thursday. Burnley welcome Chelsea to Turf Moor in five days' time.

William Troost-Ekong praised Watford manager Vladimir Ivic for his communication skills, especially when it comes to handling resources.

The Nigeria international was an unused substitute at Reading, featured for 70 minutes at Derby County before returning to the bench against Blackburn Rovers.

In Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, the former Udinese player was on parade from start to finish as the Hornets missed a chance to climb to second in the Championship log.

According to Troost-Ekong, he loves how the former Serbia and Montenegro international is not afraid to rotate his squad and his ability to communicate the decision to the players.

“The coach has made it clear what he expects from us,” the 27-year-old told Hive Live Extra.

“That's the biggest thing. He also talks to the players. People see him as a serious person, but he speaks to the players and he keeps everyone in the loop about what he's doing.

“If you've played well and yet are rotated, he gives you the heads up and that helps so there are no surprises.

“We have lots of competition and everyone is fighting to do well when they get the chance.”

Against the Cherries at the Vicarage Road, the Super Eagles' start was dogged in defence, albeit, he lamented his side’s inability to secure all points at stake – allowing Chris Mepham to rescue a point for the visitors deep into injury time.

“We are a little bit disappointed to only get a point, but if you'd have said before the game we'd get a point, we'd have probably taken it,” he said.

“Of course it's disappointing when you concede so late in the game and it felt a bit like a loss, but if you look back at the game, without a biased view, they had the ball a lot so a draw was probably a fair result.

“We should have perhaps tried to defend a bit higher, especially in the second half, but it's quite difficult as we didn't have the right pressure on the ball.

“They tried to play behind us quite a lot, so they pinned us back a bit with the ball in behind. They moved the ball well and as soon as we tried to get up the pitch, they tried to get behind us. They had quick players, so we had to cover the space.”

Third-placed Watford take on Wycombe Wanderers in their next game on Tuesday at Adams Park.

Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes should be used together as an advanced pairing in Manchester United's midfield, according to Gary Neville.

The French World Cup winner has been a substitute in the Red Devils' last two Premier League matches, while Fernandes has been an ever-present fixture in the starting line-up since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in January.

A number of midfield configurations have been deployed by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Fernandes ahead of Scott McTominay and Fred the current iteration - preferred ahead of the Portugal international in front of Pogba and Matic.

Neville feels Solskjaer should playing Pogba and Fernandes further forward together and use one defensive midfielder to cover - much like Manchester City have used Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva in past seasons.

"I think it's a problem when you have a £150 million worth of midfield players on the bench," Neville told Sky Sports. 

"You've got a player (Pogba) who has won a World Cup, he's been dominant in Europe with Juventus, he's Manchester United's record signing - yet he can't get in the team at the moment.

"Me and Patrice Evra disagreed before the [Man Utd vs Chelsea] game on Saturday. Patrice was disappointed with the team selected because he felt that Manchester United were rotating and not playing their strongest team.

"I think Ole thought Saturday's team was the strongest team. For me, I've never understood why Ole hasn't tried - maybe he has looked it at in training and hasn't liked it - why he hasn't tried one sitter with Pogba and Fernandes in front, like De Bruyne and Silva. De Bruyne and Silva weren't disciplined midfield players before Pep Guardiola came to Man City - he made them that.

"That's the only system I can see where it would be obvious where you could get those two into a position. More often than not, Ole has played Matic with Pogba sitting alongside and Fernandes in front. Pogba can't play there well because you need to be disciplined, but with a one and two I think you can have a bit more freedom to run forward."

The Red Devils have a crucial period of fixtures approaching as they host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, before two crunch league fixtures against Arsenal (home) and Everton (away).

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez says he does not know what the future holds, but feels happy with the club despite being linked with a departure throughout the summer.

The Argentinian star was heavily linked with Barcelona this summer as the club moved on from long-time striker Luis Suarez.

However, a move never came to fruition, with Martinez remaining at Inter while Barca moved forward without a major addition at the striker position.

Martinez, who has recently been linked to a new deal with the Serie A club, has gone on to score three goals in his first five Serie A matches of the season and, when asked about his future, the 23-year-old forward says he is only concerned with shining at Inter.

“I work every day to improve. Today I am an Inter player and I want to do the best of the team,” Lautaro said in a pre-match press conference ahead of his side's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.

“I’m happy, we work every day, we want to win and to bring Inter as high as possible. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, today I can say that I am at Inter and that I’m happy.”

“I thank the fans for all their affection," he added. "The same goes for all the people who work for the club and who have always been close to me.”

The striker did experience a moment of frustration recently as he was seen to be visibly upset when Antonio Conte subbed him off in the second half of Inter’s win over Genoa on Saturday.

Martinez was seen punching the bench in frustration, but he says that he was mostly upset with his own performance, not Conte's decision to take him out of the match.

“I was angry with myself because I didn’t play the game I wanted," he said. "It came out of me but today I am happy and ready for tomorrow.”

Inter settled for a draw in their first Champions League group stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk and currently sit behind Shakhtar and ahead of Real Madrid following the Ukrainian side's stunning win over the Spanish champions.

In Serie A, Inter are in fourth place, having collected 10 points from five games with only Sassuolo, Napoli and league-leaders AC Milan performing better to start the Italian campaign.

After their clash with Shakhtar on Tuesday, Inter will play host to Parma over the weekend back in domestic action.

South Africa national team coach Molefi Ntseki has brought back Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, Bongani Zungu and forward Bradley Grobler for the November back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying Group C matches against Sao Tome e Principe.

Bafana are set to host the islanders at FNB Stadium on November 13, before travelling to Sao Tome for the return fixture three days later.

Khune headlines returnees in Ntseki’s 25-man squad as the goalkeeper last featured for the national team in November 2018 in a 2019 Afcon qualifier against Nigeria.

The Chiefs skipper had been called up for the same matches against Sao Tome in March this year before the games were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But after being excluded from last month’s international friendly matches against Namibia and Zambia, Khune had appeared not to be in Ntseki’s plans.

Rangers midfielder Zungu is also back after being overlooked by Ntseki in Bafana’s last games, with the player publicly expressing frustration over being ignored.

Also making a return to the South Africa squad is SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler who was omitted for the Namibia and Zambia friendlies but convinced Ntseki with a brace in the opening weekend of the Premier Soccer League season.

Dean Furman who is now with English League Two side Carlisle United is also back, together with US-based Kamohelo Mokotjo.

Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Lyle Lakay has also been included.

Ntseki has kept faith in the bulk of players he used in the 1-1 draw against Namibia and the 2-1 defeat to Zambia.

South Africa are second in Group C and are keen to dislodge Ghana from the top in the bid for the next Afcon edition to be hosted by Cameroon.

Sudan are third in this group while Sao Tome anchor the standings.

Bafana Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Darren Keet (Oud-Haverlee Leuven) Defenders: Thibang Phete (OS Belenenses SAD (Portugal), Motjeka Madisha, Lyle Lakay (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Orlando Pirates), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Abubaker Mobara (Cape Town City), Reeve Frosler (Kaizer Chiefs), Rushine De Reuck (Maritzburg United)

Midfielders: Andile Jali (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United), Keagan Dolly (Montpellier, France), Percy Tau (RSC Anderlecht, Belgium), Luther Singh (Braga FC, Portugal), Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, UAE), Bongani Zungu (Rangers FC, Scotland), Lebogang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs), Kamohelo Mokotjo (FC Cincinnati, USA), Dean Furman (Carlisle United, England)

Forwards: Thabiso Kutumela (Maritzburg United), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Kermit Erasmus (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Tanzania's national women's team Twiga Stars head coach Bakari Shime has said he will use the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) competition to prepare his team for the forthcoming U20 Women's World Cup qualifier.

Tanzania will play Senegal hoping to get an aggregate win to advance to the next round. The experienced coach has now set his sight on the Cosafa tournament hoping to use it to gauge the preparedness of the team.

"This will surely be our best chance to assess our team prior to the tense world cup qualifiers, whose exact date to begin unfolding are yet to be announced," Shime said ahead of the competition.  

"We have been in camp since September 22 with the main purpose being to let the players gain the required rhythm [considering the fact that] they stayed for a long time without engaging themselves in football."

The tactician has also explained the selection of the team to do duty on behalf of the East Africa nation.

"We got some players from the women's league but our tradition is that we do not frequently select new players whenever the national team is named because we want to create a long-term consistency in the squad."

Tanzania, who are the guest team in the competition, will open their Cosafa campaign on November 4 against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The second game for Twiga Stars will be on November 7 against Botswana.

10 countries will be battling for the trophy in the 2020 edition. Defending champions and hosts South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Angola are the nations in the annual competition.

Group A is made up of South Africa, Eswatini, Comoros, and Angola while Zambia, Malawi, and Lesotho comprise Group B. Group C is made up of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Tanzania.

In the 2019 edition, South Africa defeated Zambia by a solitary goal in the final to win their record sixth title.

The competition will commence on November 3 with Eswatini playing Comoros before the hosts South Africa take on Angola. Zambia will open their campaign against Lesotho on November 4.

Zinedine Zidane says that he has not thought about resigning despite all of the pressure that comes with managing Real Madrid.

The Frenchman was briefly under fire following a Champions League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk last week in the first game of the group stage.

That loss was preceded by a loss to Cadiz, with pressure mounting on Zidane following back-to-back losses.

However, Zidane's side bounced back this past weekend by taking down Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season, with goals from Federico Valverde, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric leading Real Madrid to victory.

Real Madrid are set to face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Tuesday and, although he knows that every loss brings fresh pressure, the French icon isn't concerned with the fact that his job is seemingly always on the line.

“I think about tomorrow's game, not whether I thought about resigning or not,” he said. “I will fight until the last day. The rest… we'll see ”

Zidane was recently the subject of criticism from Real Madrid midfielder Isco, who said that he is being ostracised by the Frenchman.

The Spaniard says that he does not play enough under Zidane, who he says will either take him off early or put him on after the game is decided.

On Monday, Zidane responded, saying that he understands Isco's frustrations but that line-up decisions ultimately lie with him

“He is ambitious and he wants to play,” he said. “Everybody wants it but it's my responsibility that they play or not. They must be ready when it is their turn to play.”

Zidane, who returned to Real Madrid in 2019 after leading the club to three Champions League titles during his first stint in charge, also reflected on the win over Barcelona, one which saw the club move to second in La Liga.

The match saw Clement Lenglet concede a controversial penalty, which Ramos buried to lead Real Madrid to victory.

After the match, Barca boss Ronald Koeman was critical of the decision, but Zidane says he does not worry about what others think of what was a vital Real Madrid win.

“It doesn't bother me that they talk, that's the way it is. We are left with what we did there: fight, stay focused, work," he said.

He added: “We are happy with what we did last weekend against Barcelona, as a team. We just look at our work.

“It is the game we needed to play. We have to play how we did in Barcelona and try to play a good game.”

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claims that he knew that he would be criticised for refusing to let Lionel Messi leave this summer, but says that it was in the best interests of the club to keep the Argentine at the Camp Nou for at least one more year.

Messi's desire to leave Barca was the story of the summer, with the Blaugrana icon making his intentions known shortly after the club's humiliating Champions League humiliation.

Following an 8-2 loss to eventual champions Bayern Munich, Messi alerted the club of his wish to move on, having spent his entire professional career with the club.

However, Bartomeu and Barca held firm, stating that Messi's ability to opt out of an extension had passed and that any club wishing to sign him would have to pay his €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause.

Messi eventually relented, telling Goal that he would remain with the club to avoid having to drag Barcelona to court in an attempt to force an exit.

The Argentine did say that Bartomeu “did not keep his word”, with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner saying that he'd repeatedly told the president he wanted to leave.

On Monday, Bartomeu said that Messi's departure was something he simply couldn't allow to happen, as it was in the club's best interests to make sure their captain stays on.

“Our priority was keeping Messi as part of our new project so I decided against starting a discussion,” he said. 

“I had been accused of forcing his departure in order to balance our books. Well, no, we put the interests of the club first and didn't want to reinforce a direct rival. We made that decision knowing that we would be criticised for it.”

He added: “I understand the positions of everyone, empathising is important. In the case of Leo, it is good to get angry because it is not good to accept defeat and we have all gotten angry. 

“But there was a deadline for him to announce whether or not he was going unilaterally. He didn't and here it is. We all want him to retire at Barca.”

Bartomeu also discussed calls for him to resign from his post, with the president currently facing a vote of no confidence.

He insists it was never a thought that crossed his mind as he is determined to help Barca usher in a new era.

“Because of the Messi case, it never occurred to me to resign. For Barcelona, for the club, for the team, having Messi and having him retire here is the best option for everyone,” he said.

“The project is very interesting with young people and veterans, like Messi. And I think that, with him, we are going to win a title this season."

Messi and Barcelona have gotten off to a difficult start in La Liga, as the club currently sits 12th in the league after losing El Clasico to Real Madrid this past weekend.

They did get off to a good start in the Champions League, though, taking down Hungarian side Ferncvaros by a 5-1 scoreline.

Barca will face Juventus on Wednesday in their second Champions League group stage match before visiting Alaves this weekend in La Liga.

Toni Kroos says he has had offers to leave Real Madrid but turned them down as he intends to see out his playing days at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 30-year-old is now into his seventh season in the Spanish capital, having won 13 major honours including three Champions League titles since his move from Bayern Munich in 2014.

There has been some speculation in recent months linking Kroos with a move back to his homeland to see out the final few years of his playing career.

Kroos, though, is not interested in a return home just yet and plans to remain in the Spanish capital until retirement.

"I always like to go back to Germany because it is my country and it is my language," Kroos told reporters. But I really enjoy life in Madrid and playing for Real Madrid.

"I have had offers, but I never spoke with other clubs because my idea is to finish my career at Real Madrid ".

Kroos also insists the Real Madrid squad still has faith in coach Zinedine Zidane after the Frenchman came under scrutiny in the wake of some recent poor results.

Although Madrid head into Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Borussia Monchengladbach on the back of a 3-1 Clasico win over Barcelona, prior back-to-back defeats to promoted Cadiz and a depleted Shakhtar Donetsk raised questions.

Both shock losses came at home, with the 3-2 reverse to Shakhtar – in which they found themselves 3-0 down at half-time – seeing Los Blancos playing catch-up right away in Champions League Group B.

The Clasico victory at Camp Nou on Saturday prevented the pressure from increasing, though another poor result in Europe will surely have Zidane on the back foot again.

But Kroos is adamant such defeats are not on the coach.

"For our part, there have never been doubts with Zidane," he said. "We lose and win together.

"It is easy if something is not going well to say that there are doubts, but the result of the Clasico showed that it is not like that.

"If you play for Madrid you have to accept that if you lose matches there is criticism. The important thing is how you react and we did very well, but it is only one victory and you have to continue like this."

Pep Guardiola fears Sergio Aguero could be out for as much as a month after the Manchester City striker suffered a hamstring injury.

The Argentine has not travelled to Marseille for his club's second Champions League clash and is expected to miss next month's Premier League match-up with Liverpool.

Guardiola hopes he could be back sooner but the injury is another blow for City, who flew to France on Monday without a recognised striker.

“It depends on the injury, 10-15 days is the minimum,” Guardiola said. “If it’s a little bit longer it will be three weeks, one month.”

Guardiola does at least have Kevin De Bruyne fit again after he came off the bench in Saturday's draw, while Aymeric Laporte has travelled to France after missing City's last three matches.

But they are still without Gabriel Jesus, however, who is stepping up his recovery from the thigh injury he suffered in the opening game against Wolves, while academy forward Liam Delap is not eligible after being left out of the squad submitted to UEFA.

“Kevin is back again, he played a few minutes at West Ham,” Guardiola added. “Aymeric is back, Nathan [Ake] is so close, Gabriel is a week to 10 days to returning. The rest will be two or three weeks - Sergio and [Benjamin] Mendy.”

Jesus is still to return to first-team training, although he hopes to be back on the pitch later this week, while Delap is available for the Premier League and Saturday's trip to Sheffield United.

Guardiola said they considered adding another striker in the last transfer window but decided to strengthen in other areas.

“We thought about it, another type of striker, but we couldn't [do it],” he added.

“It’s not a club that wants revenues at the end of the year, they want what’s best for the team. Our team is young in many positions and we have guys with experience.

“If you decide to buy a striker, it has to be a striker in the league of Gabriel and Sergio. But we cannot afford it.

“I’m not saying the club didn’t want to do it, not just in terms of strikers but in every position, but we thought: Okay, Sergio is back. We didn’t expect Gabriel to be injured but sometimes it happens.”

Defenders Mendy and Ake are also missing from the squad that travelled to France, with injury and illness having ravaged Guardiola's squad in the early weeks of the season.

Guardiola said he must carefully manage his squad but warned that he expects all top clubs to lose players to muscle injuries because of the gruelling schedule that is seeing them play twice a week up until the New Year.

“We are not an exception compared to the other teams in Europe, we’re on the same schedule,” he said. “Now it is recovery and preparation, recovery and preparation, recovery and preparation. We don’t have time to practice much.

“Everyone got the statistics than in the Premier League; we have 47 per cent more muscular injuries than the same period last season. It’s not just about City, it's about everyone.

“Now we have to protect the players as best as possible. The strongest ones will survive, the others will fall down.”

Former Barcelona adviser Arieda Braida says that the club never had any intention of signing Paul Pogba or Erling Haaland as he detailed his messy exit from the club.

Braida originally joined Barca in 2015 when he was told he would be part of a sporting committee involving president Josep Maria Bartomeu, vice president Javier Bordas, Jordi Mestre and Alberto Soler.

As part of that committee, Braida was expected to be responsible for negotiations with foreign clubs, having been responsible bringing the likes of Ruud Gullit, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko and Thiago Silva to Milan during his time as sporting director of the Italian side.

However, Braida says that committee never truly got going, claiming those in charge routinely dismissed his suggestions before his eventual firing in August 2019.

Braida refused to accept the terms of his dismissal, which came with two years left on his contract, and the case is set to go to court in December.

In an interview with Marca, Braida says that one negotiation he was involved with was to bring Pogba to the club back when the now-Manchester United midfielder was at Juventus.

Braida says it wasn't much of a negotiation at all, though, as there was never any intention to actually bring him to Barca.

"It's not a lie. It is true that Albert Soler and I went to Milan and met with the Juventus board," he said. "But despite the talks, there was no real intention to sign him. 

"In fact, Pogba ended up staying that summer in Turin and did not go to another club. I said he was a great player, I was talking about it with Albert Soler, with whom I consider that he had a good personal relationship, but again, professionally we could not work together because I was not allowed."

In addition to missing out on Pogba, Braida says Barca also passed on signing Haaland, who was earmarked as a target alongside the likes of Inter's Nico Barella and Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo, players that went on to become Italian internationals.

"They did not give me the responsibility, they put others in charge of this work," he said. "I was studying players and I wrote down some names like Haaland from Borussia Dortmund when he was still playing for Rosenborg. But at the club, they told me no, that he didn't have the Barca profile. 

"From Italy, I also suggested other names, such as Barella, who is now at Inter, or Zaniolo, from Roma. But if you do not have the responsibility to execute this because it has been given to others, you cannot do anything. I was separated."

Braida went on to add that he had no real relationship with Barca president Bartomeu, who is currently under fire amid a vote of no confidence from the club's members.

"You say that I know him, but in reality I had nothing to do with him," he said. "At first it is true that we talked a little, but later it was non-existent. This was also new for me because normally in Milan, I did have contact with my superior. I think that talking once a year is not having a great relationship.

"I met him several times in the sports complex and we greeted each other, but I had very little relationship with him. We didn't talk every day or every week."

Manchester City are “missing a trick” by not re-signing Daniel Sturridge to bolster their injury-hit frontline, according to his former City team-mate Micah Richards.

The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after his contract at Trabzonspor was terminated in March just six months into a three-year deal shortly before his four-month worldwide ban for breaching betting rules.

Prior to that disappointing spell in Turkey, Sturridge had enjoyed a successful career in the Premier League, having graduated from the City academy in 2006 before going on to play for Chelsea, Bolton, Liverpool and West Brom.

Richards, who played alongside Sturridge at Etihad Stadium, believes the striker is still good enough to play in the top flight and City are making a mistake in not snapping him up.

Pep Guardiola’s side are short of forward options currently with Gabriel Jesus still sidelined with a thigh problem suffered in their season-opening win at Wolves, while Sergio Aguero picked up a hamstring injury during last weekend’s draw at West Ham.

“When he plays football again it might be with another team abroad, but I can't help but think that there are several clubs in the Premier League who are missing a trick by not signing him,” Richards told BBC Sport.

“I would include City in that, just to fill in while Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are injured. Even if he was half-fit, he would score goals in that side.

“At the moment it almost feels like people have forgotten how good he is, but Daniel still has time to remind them, and show everyone what he is really all about.”

Richards also hit back at suggestions Sturridge is a disruptive influence in the dressing room, while dismissing concerns over his injury record.

The former England international was particularly critical of former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan, who suggested Sturridge was a “problem player” shortly after his departure from Liverpool in 2019.

“I thought what he [Jordan] said about him was absolutely disgusting,” added the 32-year-old.

“Jordan called Daniel a 'problem player' and a 'divisive influence' and said he wouldn't go anywhere near him, adding that he 'wouldn't want Sturridge in my dressing room or at my training ground around younger players'.

“I was listening and I was flabbergasted. I phoned Daniel up straight away to ask what had happened and he said he had no idea - he had never dealt with Jordan, and neither had his agent.

“I don't know whether someone else was touting him around various clubs without his authority and they were asking for ridiculous money - that kind of thing does happen. But you cannot tarnish Sturridge because he wasn't involved, and it definitely doesn't justify a personal attack like that.

“Daniel's had to deal with a lot of stick in recent years, mostly to do with his injury record.

“The way it has been reported is that he won't play unless he is 100% fit, which is nonsense. He's been struggling with his hip from a young age but if he could play, he always would.

“In the past, Daniel has considered retirement too, partly because of his injuries but also because of the way he is portrayed in the media. It must have felt like he was fighting a losing battle to prove people wrong.”

Mustafa Kizza has praised Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC) for giving him a platform to develop until he was scouted by Montreal Impact.

The Ugandan full-back has already left to join the Major Soccer League teammates after he signed a two-year contract that brought to an end his seven-year stay with the Kassasiro Boys.

The left-back said he arrived at KCCA as a boy and now has left as a man.

“It was a pleasure for me to play for this big club and I want to thank all the stakeholders, the coaches and teammates for the seven years,” Kizza told KCCA’s Youtube Channel.

“I want to extend my thanks to the coaches who I have passed through their hands for the opportunity they gave me to play for the big club.

“I have to say I played for the biggest team in Uganda and it has been a pleasure and honour.

“I came here as a boy and now I am leaving as a man. As a young boy, I wanted to play for KCCA because it was a club that I supported and the dream of playing for them was achieved.

“The coaches helped me grow because they were pushing me to improve in every aspect of the game after I joined from the junior side. It was their job to push me and it was my duty to push myself.”

The defender picked their 2018 Caf Champions League group stage qualification as their best moment, given that they had to beat all odds to achieve it.

“The best moment was the time we qualified for the Champions League and the other one was the time we won the Cecafa Club tournament [in 2019],” he added.

“No one believed in us before and qualifying for the Champions League group stage was great because we played against big teams.”

Kizza also did not rule out the possibility of returning to his boyhood club in future.

“I am grateful how I was treated as a young boy at KCCA, they made my dream come true and it will remain an honour for me to have served them,” he concluded.

“KCCA will remain my home and I will return whenever I get an opportunity. You never know it might be my retirement home in future.

“I believed I was going to make it like any other player and I will work hard to see I get a starting position at Montreal Impact.

“I am working hard to see that I become one of the great players in that team and in my country. To all the youngsters, never give up and stay focused on what you do.”

Uganda coach Johnny McKinstry has revealed why he opted to take the team to Dubai for a 10-day residential camp instead of playing friendly matches.

While other nations played friendly matches during the just concluded Fifa international break, Uganda instead camped in Dubai for 10 days as they prepared for their Group B Africa Cup of Nations double-header against South Sudan in November.

The Northern Irish tactician has now explained the reason behind the move.

“I decided to use two approaches: more training and the classroom,” McKinstry told KFM Sports as quoted by Daily Monitor. “In the first qualifiers I didn’t have much time with the players, so the Dubai training provided that environment to spend more time on the training ground together and in the classroom.

“We agreed with Fufa we shall have two friendly matches this year but now, also because of the pandemic, more bonding and the classroom helps improve communication with the players.

“So we train, and, thereafter, do the classroom. We never let a session go without players asking a question. I normally call on a player, play a video, and ask them to explain what we’ve just been on. That way, you improve their confidence and communication, and feedback.”

McKinstry continued: “If a player is still asking questions on the day of the match, then that is a problem for all of us. Players must be empowered to speak and speak out, to act. That translates to the pitch during the match.”

The former Rwanda coach further explained why no local-based players were included in his 20-man squad for the back-to-back fixtures.

“The more Ugandan football grows, the less and less local players will play for the national team. “When I was coaching Sierra Leone, all our players played in Europe, but I’d be forced to call up someone playing at AC Milan rather than one in the lower division because of the level at AC Milan.

“When you do well in the UPL, you definitely move to a better club, that should encourage local-based players.

“We just can’t call them up for the sake of it. So, if Allan [Okello] plays well in the UPL and moves to a bigger and better club out of Uganda, do I drop him because we need to play a local player?

“But local-based players will still get the chance and what I can tell them is look, if you get a chance to step onto that pitch, leave your heart out there.”

Uganda are seeking to qualify for the Afcon for a third successive time.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has conceded his side are far from being a formidable team he desires as he seeks better fortunes in their next Premier Soccer League (PSL) match against Stellenbosch on Wednesday.

The Soweto giants kicked off their season with a 1-1 draw against AmaZulu away in Durban but they now return to Orlando Stadium hoping for their first set of maximum points.

“There is a lot of work to be done with the team. We will take things slowly, we are not there yet. A point is a point. It’s important for us, we worked hard for this point,” said Zinnbauer as per Sowetan Live.

“This wasn’t easy ... AmaZulu are a good team. They made high pressure, they fight. It was an away game for us. First game isn’t easy, you saw the results from other games. We have the next game on Wednesday, we must focus on that. We always expect to get three points, a home game now but we know Stellenbosch are a good team.”

Zinnbauer and his men face a Stellenbosch side which also shared the spoils in their opening league match.

The Western Cape side was held 1-1 by PSL returnees Swallows FC at home on Sunday.

Zinnbauer is aware of the possible upset his side could suffer at the hands of Stellenbosch who they edged 1-0 in last season's penultimate league match early in September.

The Buccaneers coach could make some changes in his squad to face Stellies and Zinnbauer says he will “work on a plan” to beat the visitors.

“We need freshness in the team and we’ll know exactly in the next two days what will happen.... the fitness and the spirit in the team‚ then we can make the decision for the next game,” Zinnbauer said.

“We’re always expecting to win the three points and it’s a home game now‚ but we know Stellenbosch is a good team. They’ve got good pressing‚ they always wait for the chance and they can play the counter-attack.

“Don’t forget the game we played against them in the bio-bubble. It was a difficult match for us in the first 15 minutes and then we became better in the game. But we know exactly what we want and we will work on a plan to win these three points.”

Victory over Stellenbosch would spur Pirates ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 semi-final match against their bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs.