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Leon Balogun has expressed his delight following his return to action for Rangers in their 5-1 victory over Motherwell in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership game.

The 32-year-old has only featured four times for Steven Gerrard’s men since teaming up with the side from Championship club Wigan Athletic in July due to injury.

The Nigeria international suffered a muscle strain against St. Johnstone in August and has been struggling with the problem since then.

The injury forced him to miss Rangers’ last seven games, including their 4-0 victory over Willem II in the Europa League third qualifying round.  

Balogun, however, returned to action against the Dossers after recovering from his injury, replacing Filip Helander on the hour mark.

The centre-back gave a good account of himself in the encounter as he made 18 touches, won four aerial contests and made four clearances.

The Super Eagles defender has taken to social media to share his excitement on his return from injury.

“Great feeling to be back out there with the boys and get another important win. Well done lads,” Balogun posted on Instagram.

Balogun will hope to play a prominent role when Rangers square off against Turkish side Galatasaray in their next Europa League game on October 1.

The defender has spent most of his career in Germany, playing for Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Darmstadt 98 and Mainz 05.

Balogun moved to England in the summer of 2018, joining Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion before teaming up with Wigan.

The centre-back has featured in more than 30 appearances for the Nigeria national team since he made his debut against Mexico in 2014.

The 32-year-old was part of the Super Eagles side at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and featured for the side in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Balogun is part of Gernot Rohr’s side that will take on African champions Algeria and Tunisia in friendlies next month.

Jamie Vardy became the oldest Premier League player to score a hat-trick in 17 years in Leicester's stunning 5-2 win against Manchester City on Sunday.

After Riyad Mahrez put City in the lead, the striker levelled the score when he converted a penalty in the 37th minute after he was fouled by Kyle Walker.

The Foxes were in control soon after the restart when Vardy struck again with a lovely backheel flick and then scored another penalty just four minutes later. James Maddison then extended Leicester's lead with a superb effort before Nathan Ake pulled one back for the hosts. 

Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans then heaped more misery on Pep Guardiola's team when he converted another spot-kick for the Foxes in the 87th minute, making Brendan Rodgers' team the first in Premier League history to score three penalties in one match.

At 33 years and 260 days old, Vardy is now the oldest player to register three goals in a single game in the English top flight since former England star Teddy Sheringham did so for Portsmouth against Bolton in 2003, at the age of 37. 

England international Vardy, who was the top scorer in the division last season, is also the first to win two penalties and score both in the Premier League since Milan Baros did it for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in November 2004.

The attacker is also in esteemed company when it comes to scoring trebles against teams managed by Guardiola. It is only the third time the Catalan coach has seen an opposition player net three times. Lionel Messi was the first to do so when Barcelona demolished City in Guardiola's first season in charge, with Vardy putting three past City just two months later as Leicester won 4-2.

Furthermore, it had been 18 years since City conceded a hat-trick at home in a Premier League game, with Liverpool hero Michael Owen the last to do it in 2002. 

Leicester have won all three of their Premier League matches so far and are in action again next Sunday when they host West Ham at the King Power Stadium.

Brahim Diaz scored his first goal for Milan as they claimed a 2-0 Serie A win away to Crotone on Sunday.

Franck Kessie opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before Brahim struck early in the second to secure a fourth win in four games in all competitions in 2020-21.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again absent after testing positive for coronavirus on Thursday, but Stefano Pioli's men were in control throughout at Stadio Ezio Scida as they stretched their unbeaten Serie A run to 14 matches.

There was a blow for Milan, though, who saw Ante Rebic leave the pitch in the second half with a nasty arm injury sustained after he tripped and fell.

Milan's early control of possession yielded little in terms of chances, although a header from Simon Kjaer bounced off the turf and then the crossbar from Hakan Calhanoglu's corner.

As the half moved into injury time, Rebic was felled by Luca Marrone in the penalty area and, after the forward escaped a possible handball following a VAR check, Kessie made no mistake with an emphatic finish from the spot.

Milan doubled their advantage just five minutes into the second half, Brahim finishing low on the turn after the ball fell kindly to him in the six-yard box at the end of a swift break involving Alexis Saelemaekers and Calhanoglu.

Crotone did not lack endeavour but Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal was rarely threatened as the Serie A newcomers slipped to a second successive defeat.

What does it mean? No Zlatan, no problem for Rossoneri

While the 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday was a little closer than Milan would have liked, this was an assured and controlled outing in Calabria.

Crotone did not manage a shot on target as the visitors eased to another victory and clean sheet and a fifth league game without defeat against this opposition.

Brahim building bridges

Not only did he score one of his two shots on target, Brahim also completed all but one of his 23 attempted passes, 15 of which were in the final third.

The Real Madrid loanee might have been on the fringes of things in the Spanish capital, but he is already at the heart of things in the Milan attack.

Can I be blunt?

Crotone's starting attacking pair of Simy and Denis Dragus managed not one shot or chance created between them. Crotone will not last long in the top flight if they cannot start at least threatening a goal.

Key Opta Facts

- Milan have gone 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions (W13 D4) for the first time since March 1996, under Fabio Capello (27 in that case).
- Milan have scored in in 22 consecutive matches  in Serie A for the first time since March 2009.
- Milan have won six matches in a row in all competitions for the first time since August 2017.
- Milan have won their first two games of a top-flight season without conceding a goal for the first time since 2002-03 under Carlo Ancelotti.

What's next?

Milan head to Rio Ave in the Europa League play-offs on Thursday before hosting Spezia in Serie A three days later. Crotone head to Sassuolo next Saturday.

Ferland Mendy says he was afraid about making the move to Real Madrid, but feels he has settled in well at the Spanish giants.

The left-back made the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu from Lyon in June 2019 in a deal worth an initial €48 million (£43m/$54m).

The 25-year-old started 19 of the 25 La Liga games he featured in last season and has been trusted to start both of their matches in the top flight this term while Marcelo is out injured.

Mendy says it is not easy to adapt to life at the capital club and admits he had his doubts over agreeing to join Zinedine Zidane's side. 

"I was very apprehensive about my signing," he told Telefoot. "It's complicated to arrive at Real, but I have adapted, and I find that It went well.

"There is a lot of pressure around the place. It's complicated to move to a club like that."

The France international was flattered to hear that coach Zidane wanted to bring him to Madrid, while he dismissed suggestions that competition with Marcelo has soured the relationship between the two full-backs.

"It's Zizou. It's flattering to be wanted by him. He has class," he added.

“I don't think I have taken Marcelo’s position. We have a good relationship. He gave me advice, especially on the centre-backs. I was able to progress thanks to his advice."

Madrid lifted the Spanish league title last season but crashed out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Manchester City.

Mendy says the goal this term is to add another La Liga title to their trophy cabinet and hopes to go all the way in the European competition before he turns his attention to the Euro Championship with France.

"To regain La Liga, to go far in the Champions League, because it's sticking in our craw. I want to win everything in Blues and with Real."

Madrid have collected four points from their opening two La Liga games of the season and return to action on Wednesday when they face Real Valladolid at home.

Victor Osimhen has been handed his first Napoli start in Sunday’s Serie A encounter against Genoa.

The Nigeria international, alongside Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Algeria's Faouzi Ghoulam, were among the 23 players listed by manager Gennaro Gattuso for Sunday’s game against the Griffin.

Now, he will lead the Blues’ attack alongside Hirving Lozano and Dries Mertens in a 4-3-3 formation.

The ex-Lille player made his first competitive appearance in the 2-0 win at Parma as the Blues commenced their 2020-21 campaign on a winning note.

After a goalless affair at Stadio Ennio Tardini, Gattuso brought in the forward for Diego Demme two minutes past the hour mark.

It did not take too long for the Nigerian’s presence to be felt as he took a slight touch off Lozano’s cross which fell into the path of the club’s all-time top scorer Mertens, for the opening goal in the 64th minute.

The game was pushed back by three hours after Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin tested positive for coronavirus.

Osimhen joined Napoli on a five-year deal in July after an impressive debut season in Ligue 1 with Lille, where he scored 13 goals in 27 appearances.

Callum Wilson scored a last-gasp penalty to rescue an underserved 1-1 draw for Newcastle United at Tottenham in the Premier League.

The Magpies had not managed a shot on target and trailed to Lucas Moura's first-half goal when Eric Dier was harshly adjudged to have handled Andy Carroll's header in the box deep into stoppage time.

Dier's back was turned but his arm was away from his body, with referee Peter Bankes awarding the spot-kick after checking the monitor.

Wilson fired home from 12 yards, with Jose Mourinho storming off down the tunnel before the whistle and a member of his staff sent off after it for his protests.

It follows a recent spate of controversial handball decisions, with this one sure to be a hot talking point as the hosts had to share the spoils despite having 23 attempts at goal in a dominant display, during which Son Heung-min twice struck the woodwork.

Only an excellent display from goalkeeper Karl Darlow, with a little help from the frame of his goal, limited the first-half damage for Newcastle against a Spurs side who were in Europa League qualifying action in North Macedonia on Thursday.

Son, the four-goal hero in last weekend's 5-2 demolition of Southampton, hit the post and crossbar, but Moura could not miss from six yards when Harry Kane provided his latest assist in the 25th minute.

Darlow, who had already repelled Giovani Lo Celso's free-kick before reacting to keep out Kane's follow-up, denied the England striker again, clawing away his header after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's searching cross had created the chance.

Steve Bruce's side enjoyed a little more possession after the interval but rarely looked like drawing level before the penalty controversy at the death.

Wilson, who had not scored in 509 minutes against Spurs before this game, kept his calm amid the storm to ensure Newcastle have scored three goals from three shots on target in the top flight this term.

It was too much for Mourinho, who made for the dressing room with a minute or so still to play, lamenting his side's profligacy as well as the apparent injustice of Bankes' decision.

What does it mean? Handball the hot topic

Roy Hodgson was bemoaning the new interpretation of what constitutes handball after Crystal Palace fell foul of a similarly harsh call in Saturday's loss to Everton.

The veteran manager said it was killing his enjoyment of the game, and Mourinho will be able to identify with that.

Kane: How may I assist you?

Kane is first and foremost a goalscorer, which makes his recent selfless exploits in providing for others even more impressive.

Before this season he had five assists in his past 55 league outings, and now he has laid on as many goals in the top flight already this term.

Wilson keeps his cool

Wilson had been on the periphery of things all day, so it took guts to step up and convert his spot-kick so coolly.

He had just 15 touches and the penalty was his only shot, which you might consider a clinical display as it earned his side a smash-and-grab away point.

What's next?

Tottenham's congested schedule continues with the visit of Chelsea on Tuesday, having been given a bye to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Newcastle head to Newport County in the same competition a day later.

Swallows FC captain Lebohang Mokoena has a point to prove in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The experienced winger led the Dube Birds to the 2019/20 National First Division (NFD) title and the team secured automatic promotion to the top-flight.

Prior to that, Mokoena saw his career decline in the past few years and he spent the last two seasons in the NFD.

The 33-year-old, who was one of the best attackers in the PSL during his days with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, revealed he considered retiring from professional football. 

“I’m looking forward to playing in the PSL again, having spent a lot of time in the second division,” Mokoena told Daily Sun. 

“This is an opportunity to remind people who I am and what I’m capable to do. Obviously, I’m no longer the Lebo they remember. I’m a more experienced player now and I offer much more to the team."

Mokoena joined NFD side Maccabi FC after leaving Ajax Cape Town at the end of the 2017/18 season after the Mother City side was relegated from the PSL.

Maccabi's NFD status was purchased by then-ABC Motsepe League outfit Swallows ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and the club was renamed Swallows FC.

The man nicknamed Cheeseboy was then appointed team captain and he is grateful to his wife and Swallows coach Brandon Trutter. 

"I’m glad I have the people around me that I have who convinced me to keep playing and that I still had a lot to offer the game," he added.

“My wife is a God-fearing woman and our faith is the reason why I’m here. The coach also sat me down and gave me a lot of confidence.”

Mokoena missed just one of Swallows' 30 league matches and he hit the back of the net four times in the process.

The former South Africa international also disclosed he is already working on his coaching qualifications as he is keen to keep contributing to the game beyond his playing days.

“I’m attending a few coaching clinics and I have some projects working with young players. I really want to stay in football,” he concluded. 

FC Porto recorded a 5-0 away win over Boavista in Saturday’s Premier League game with Moussa Marega finding the net twice.

Having failed to score in the opening game of the Primeira Liga triumph over Sporting Braga, the Malian was at his best to inspire the Dragons to victory.

Four minutes into the encounter at Estadio do Bessa, Marega built play before setting up Serio Oliveira in the area, however, the midfielder was unsuccessful with his intent.

The visitors continued to dominate ball possession and also got the lead, but Matheus Uribe hit the woodwork after receiving a pass from Oliveira.

For Boavista, they seldom threatened as the first-half of the 141st local derby ended on a scoreless note.

Two minutes into the second half, Porto took the lead courtesy of Jesus Corona. Captain Danilo Pereira recovered the ball, passed to Otavio who in turn passed to Corona to beat goalkeeper Leo Jardim.

12 minutes later, Oliveira doubled the lead as his direct free-kick outside the area was deflected past Jardim.

It was Marega’s turn to find the net in the 67th minute with Oliveira providing the assist, while he completed his brace four minutes later. Oliveira took a free-kick deep in the offensive midfield, before Otavio sent a pass to the Mali international.

Three minutes before full time, the striker fluffed a chance to score his hat-trick despite having only the goalkeeper to beat.

Substitute Luis Diaz completed the rout in the third minute of additional time as Boavista ended the game with heads bowed low.

While Marega saw every minute of action alongside DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba, newly invited Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi was introduced by manager Sergio Conceiçao for Alex Telles with 12 minutes left to play.

Senegal's duo of Mamadou Loum and Mouhamed Mbaye played no part in the game as well as Cape Verde international Ze Luis.

As expected, Chidozie Awaziem was not listed for action against his parent club, while Angola's Show replaced Gustavo Sauer in the 71st minute. Gambia’s Yusupha Njie was not considered for selection by manager Vasco Seabra.

Porto remain at the summit of the Portuguese elite division log with six points from two games. They host Maritimo in their next league outing on October 3.

Black Leopards have appointed former Simba SC manager Patrick Aussems as their new coach ahead of the 2020-21 PSL season.

The Belgian coach has agreed to a three-year deal with Lidoda Duvha and will arrive in the country next week. 

Aussems is excited about working in South Africa; the country he's always wanted to work in and he hopes to turn Leopards into a mid-table club in his first season after watching them battle at the bottom of the log since their promotion to the elite league. 

"I've always wanted to work in South Africa and I'm excited about starting my work," Aussems told City Press. 

"The PSL is the best league in Africa in terms of organisation, media coverage and infrastructure. 

"Obviously, for the past few seasons, the team has been fighting relegation. So, my aim will be to help them at least get to the middle of the table and go up from there," he said. 

Aussems expects the next few days to be tough due to Covid-19 coupled with the implementation of lockdown in Marseille. 

"It's a very difficult situation with the virus here. The city of Marseille, where I live, is back in lockdown again." 

"To travel, I will need to go through a long authorisation and testing process," added Aussems. 

Club chairman David Thidiela said management is under pressure to please Leopards fans and their obligation is to strive to appoint the best man for the job. 

"I'm under pressure from our supporters who, by the way, don't get free tickets to attend our games. They spend their own money to come and watch the team play and they fork out their hard-earned cash to buy Leopards merchandise. So, we try to do the best for the club by appointing coaches we believe can take it forward," Thidiela told the same publication. 

Thidiela said the decision to hire Aussems was because the club felt it was too early to throw both Morgan Shivhambu and Mongezi Bobe into the lion's den despite their 100 per cent record in the relegation/promotion play-offs. 

"We've said before that we don't just want to throw Morgan and Mongezi into the deep end. As up-and-coming coaches, they need to learn the ropes from someone experienced," confirmed the Leopards boss. 

The veteran administrator further revealed Aussems will be assisted by Shavhambu while the future of Bobe is still being finalised. 

"So, Morgan will remain as assistant coach while we're still finalising details regarding Mongezi who's done well in his first season as our MDC head coach," he added. 

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has found himself on the bench for a Bundesliga match for the first time in more than two years.

The prolific hitman was left out by head coach Hansi Flick for the trip to face Hoffenheim, with young Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee preferred in his place to lead an attacking line that also consisted of Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry.

Flick may have regretted his decision, as Hoffenheim would go on to stun Bayern with a 4-1 victory. Lewandowski came on for Zirkzee in the 57th minute but was unable to get on the scoresheet as the champions lost their first game of the season.

A clash against Augsburg at home on September 25, 2018 was the last time Lewandowski did not feature in the starting XI when fit from the outset for a league match.

Lewandowski has been enjoying the greatest form of his life and played a major role in Bayern’s success on both the domestic and European front last season, scoring 55 goals in 47 outings as the Allianz Arena side swept all before them.

The 32-year-old Poland international had also made a strong start to the current campaign, notching a goal and two assists in the Bundesliga clash against Schalke, which they won 8-0, while also grabbing an assist in Thursday’s European Super Cup triumph over Sevilla.

That clash against the Spanish side stretched all the way to extra-time, and with the striker having played every minute of those two hours in Budapest, he was omitted from the starting XI to face the Hoff.

“We didn't really celebrate, we were all too exhausted from the 120 minutes,” he told Bild in the aftermath of their midweek win.

“On Saturday we're flying back to Hoffenheim, we don't have a day off. Actually, five days of ice baths would be nice now.”

It opened a rare window of opportunity for 19-year-old Zirkzee to start, with the teenager posting just the fourth Bundesliga start of his career. When he featured previously from the outset, he scored two goals and created another.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, is widely considered to have been a leading candidate to win the 2020 Ballon d’Or had it not been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nevertheless, the former Borussia Dortmund scorer has been shortlisted for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year along with Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and FCB club-mate Manuel Neuer.

It is the first time in 10 years that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo have not been on the list.

Netherlands international and Ajax attacker Quincy Promes has expressed his amazement by the early exploits of new club additions Mohammed Kudus and Antony dos Santos.

The duo, who joined Erik ten Hag's outfit earlier this year, are enjoying a fine start to their time in Amsterdam following outstanding performances in the opening games of the Dutch Eredivisie.

Kudus, who was acquired from Danish fold Nordsjaelland in July, was adjudged Man of the Match on his debut on matchday two. In Saturday's matchweek three fixture, he assisted the match-winner, scored by Antony.

"I am pleasantly surprised that they [Kudus and Antony] are already making a difference," Promes told Voetbal International.

"You know that if a player goes abroad he can have adaptation problems. I think those guys don't have much of that.

"They are well received and luckily they translate it on the field."

Promes took a deeper look at Saturday's hard-fought win over Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax having to finish the game with 10 men after Edson Alvarez was sent off one minute to half-time.

The Dutch star scored first for the hosts in the 21st minute before Riechedly Bazoer drew Vitesse level on 56 minutes.

Kudus then went on a surging run to set up Antony for the winner for Ajax 20 minutes to full-time.

"In the beginning, they had two good chances, but then we took the lead and there was nothing wrong," Promes said.

"The red card changed the game. With 10 men you have to run extra. The team deserves compliments.

"We went very deep to find out. to turn it around, it was a heavy pot."

Kudus will be hoping to reproduce his fine showing in their next league match away to Groningen on Sunday.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder joined Ajax on a five-year deal after being linked to Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, AC Milan and Everton.

On Friday, he was listed by Ghana among a squad of 23 players invited for an international friendly game against Mali on October 9.

He will be looking to make his third appearance for the Black Stars after a scoring debut against South Africa last year and a second-half appearance against Sao Tome and Principe four days later. 

Premier League clubs must do their bit to support lower league teams deal with the financial problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, culture secretary Oliver Dowden says.

Clubs have suffered a huge financial blow since fans were no longer allowed to attend matches and the EFL has said its teams are set to lose a further £200 million ($255m) over the course of this season.

After meeting with the governing bodies of various sports earlier this week to discuss the financial impact of the restrictions currently in place, Dowden says the UK Government are willing to chip in to help keep clubs afloat but urged those in the top flight to "step up to the plate".

"We stand ready to support clubs because they are such an important part of our local community. They were there at the height of the crisis, they had our back and now it's time for the Government to have their back," Dowden told Sky News. "The first thing we need to look to is the Premier League and I've been in contact with them this week.

"We're all agreed the Premier League needs to step up to the plate and they're having intensive discussions with the EFL over how they can support those clubs. They're ready to play their part, and the Prime Minister and I have been urging them to do that.

He added: "The direction is clear, we understand the Premier League needs to play its part. I'm in close consultation with them and I'm hopeful they will be able to reach a deal and provide that level of support. Most people would agree against this backdrop of rapidly rising cases now is not the time to bring back crowds."

This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson froze plans to allow fans back into stadiums from October 1 and Dowden says he is unsure if they will be able to attend games by December. 

"I would desperately love that to happen and we keep the situation under constant review," he said.

"We are also investigating the use of new technology, working with the clubs who have done a fantastic job until now, but in this rapidly moving situation with the virus, we just need to exercise a little bit of caution which is what we've done in relation to October 1.

"Most people would agree against this backdrop of rapidly rising cases now is not the time to bring back crowds."

Kenya international Michael Olunga continued with his goal-scoring prowess in Japan as he grabbed a goal but could not help his side Kashiwa Reysol as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday.

The former Gor Mahia striker had gone for two matches without finding the back of the net but against Yokohama, he put his side in the lead in the 40th minute after powering home a header from a corner kick.

However, Yokohama turned the heat in the second half and managed to level matters in the 77th minute through Erik Lima. This was before Takuma Ominami scored an own goal to make it 2-1 in favour of Yokohama.

Daizen Maeda then powered home the third in added minutes to end Resyol’s fight to grab at least a point from the match.

The defeat has seen Reysol drop to the eighth position in the 18-team league table with 30 points from 19 matches while the win enabled Yokohama to jump to position 13th with 20 points from the same number of matches.

Olunga and Resyol will now shift their focus to the next league match against Yokohama FC on Saturday.

Despite his current form, Kenya’s Harambee Stars will not be able to use the player in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers set for November.

The Harambee Stars, under the tutelage of coach Francis Kimanzi, are scheduled to play Comoros in Nairobi on November 9 before clashing with the islanders in Moroni four days later.

However, Goal exclusively reported on Friday Olunga, will not be able to travel for the two matches, as well as the planned friendlies against Zambia and Sudan.

A source close to the player told Goal Kashiwa Reysol are not ready to release Olunga for the international assignment as the player will miss seven matches should he travel to Kenya owing to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

“Japan have put in place tough rules owing to Covid-19 and it might not be easy to have Olunga for the Afcon qualifiers against Comoros home and away,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal on Friday.

“Why Kashiwa Reysol are concerned is because should they release the player to play for Kenya, then when he returns to Japan, he will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine and in that period they have important league matches to play, so they are not ready to release the player.”

Apart from the foreign-based players, Kimanzi will have a headache to pick his squad for the double-header with the KPL yet to resume after the government extended the ban on contact sports until further notice last Friday.

Kenya started their campaign for the 2021 Afcon, to be held in Cameroon, with an impressive 1-1 draw away to Egypt. They followed it up with another draw, by the same margin, in Nairobi against Togo.

In Group G, Comoros, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win against Togo before settling for a goalless draw against the Pharaohs, lead with four points.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has backed Thiago to be a big success at Anfield and has admitted that he is surprised the midfielder was allowed to leave Bayern Munich.

The Reds completed a swoop for the 29-year-old on September 18, and he gave an impressive debut display against Chelsea, a match in which he came off the bench.

The former Scotland international says that the Barcelona youth product shows all the signs of being an intelligent signature for the Premier League champions.

“Bayern Munich don’t usually let their big players go before they are on the wane, but I just don’t see any indication of that with Thiago at 29,” he wrote for The Times. 

“He’s played at the highest level, at big clubs in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so won’t be intimidated by coming to Liverpool and playing under pressure. He’ll understand that you’re playing in cup finals every week because the opposition badly wants to beat you. He can deal with all that.”

Liverpool also completed a deal to sign Diogo Jota from Wolves, and it is the Portuguese’s lack of big-club experience that is the only reason Souness has to doubt he will also excel under Jurgen Klopp.

“That would be my only question mark against Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s other new signing,” he added of the 23-year-old.

“At Wolves, it wasn’t a cup final every week but it will be at Liverpool, so he has to show that he’s ready for that. Otherwise, he fits the bill to deputise anywhere in that front three.

“He’s got great technique and understanding of the game, he’s already shown he can deal with the English game and play in a team that works hard, as Wolves do. Although he’s scored some important goals, I always felt that Divock Origi was never going to hold down a regular place in that Liverpool team, so Jota has to try to do that.”

Liverpool have made a strong start to their Premier League title defence, recording victories over Leeds and Chelsea while they defeated Lincoln City 7-2 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. Their next outing sees Arsenal come to Anfield in the league on Monday, before that fixture is repeated on Thursday in the cup.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) are yet to name a permanent captain since the departure of midfielder Papy Tshishimbi.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) star was among the 14 players released by the Jangwani giants at the end of last season after the team failed to win silverware.

New coach Zlatko Krmpotic, who took over from fired Luc Eymael, has been rotating the armband in the last three Mainland Premier League matches with Deus Kaseke, Haruna Niyonzima, and Lamine Moro taking turns leading the side.

A source within the club has now revealed Krmpotic is still weighing up the performance of his players, which is the reason why he is yet to name a permanent captain for the side.

“The coach is looking at having a captain who will be able to lead the side and the coach is also yet to make a decision because he is still rotating the squad and not all the players are assured of playing time,” the source is quoted by Sokaletu.

“Though the coach is yet to pick the captain, he has settled for Niyonzima and Moro to continue wearing the armband and either of them could have it when he makes his final decision.

“The coach has maintained the captaincy is a big role for any club and he wants to be assured of the player who will take it, whether he is good enough and ready for the task.”

The source continued: “The coach is also looking at a player who can speak more than two languages – English and Swahili and at least

"French, it is because the team is built around players from across Africa.”

When reached for comment on the delay to name the captain, Yanga vice-chairman Frederick Mwakalebela said: “That is not the work of the office, it falls under the technical bench headed by Zlatko, our work is to make sure the team is well prepared and ready for assignments.”

Yanga are currently in Morogoro, where they are scheduled to take on Mtibwa Sugar in a league match at Jamhuri Stadium.

New Zesco United head coach Numba Mumamba has promised not to introduce a radical approach to  the team as he takes charge.

Mumamba signed a three-year contract to guide the Super League giants and the former Zambia midfielder has said every player - including the new signings - is guaranteed to get a chance and prove his worth.

Mumamba took the reins of the eight-time Super League winners to succeed George Lwandamina, who parted ways with the club after a disappointing 2019/20 season.

“I am humbled to be given this chance to coach Zesco United. The objective for me is to continue with the philosophy of the club which is about winning titles and playing competitive football,” the former Zanaco star told the club’s website.

“This is a big team that has been consistent in the last decade. I know the expectations are very high especially with the good work my predecessor did. It is important to pick up from there and take the team to the next level.

“What is important is for players to prove that they are worth being at this football club. I am not here to make speedy and radical decisions. I will give everyone the same opportunity so that they can prove themselves worth keeping.

“Our additions to the squad will be based on the assessment we will make from the current setting.

“My philosophy has always revolved around mixing young and old players. I can see that there are already young players who are fighting to get first-team football.

“I will give them a chance to play but they must prove to us that they can play for this club by working hard and remaining disciplined. They will be given a chance to thrive.”

Zesco United finished fifth last season and thus missed a chance to feature in any Caf competitions, but Mumamba is hopeful he will guide the Ndola club back to the continental fold.

“It is sad that we failed to qualify for Caf next season due to unforeseeable circumstances,” he concluded.

“However, it is important that we focus on getting back to our winning ways. The first target is of course to win the title and qualify for Caf competitions.

“What is crucial is for everyone to give their whole to this great football club. We will definitely bounce back.”

Zesco United are on their pre-season training camp but have shifted base from Ndola to Mongu in the Western Province.

Mumamba is expected to conduct a first training session on Sunday.