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Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Eric Choupo-Moting has not been invited for Cameroon's friendly match against Japan on October 9.

Choupo-Moting who is yet to find a new club after leaving PSG at the end of his contract in August, joins Dynamo Moscow's Clinton Njie and Angers star Stephane Bahoken among the absentees in the 24-man team.

Young Boys star Jean-Pierre Nsame returns to the national team set-up after his goalscoring heroics in Switzerland where he scored 32 goals in 32 league matches last season.

The new invitees include Stoke City goalkeeper Blondy Noukeu, Germany-born midfielder Tsiy-William Ndenge, U23 star Samuel Gouet, Granada midfielder Yan Brice Eteki, Royal Excel Mouscron's Serge Tabekou and ex-Bayern Munich forward Franck Evina.

The Indomitable Lions will be camped in the Netherlands from October 5 to 13, and they will play Japan at the Stadion Galgenwaard four days after their arrival.

Full List

Goalkeepers: Andre Onana (Ajax), Fabrice Ondoa (KV Oostende), Blondy Nna Noukeu (Stoke City).

Defenders: Ambroise Oyongo (Montpellier), Harold Moukoudi (Saint-Etienne), Collins Fai (Standard Liege), Jerome Onguene (RB Salzburg), Michael Ngadeu (La Gantoise), Joyskim Dawa (Valmiera), Ahmad Ngouyamsa (Dijon), Serge Leuko (Waasland Beveren).

Midfielders: Yan Brice Eteki (Granada), Tsiy-William Ndenge (FC Luzern), Jean Onana (Royal Excel Mouscron), Samuel Gouet (Altach), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham), Pierre Kunde Malong (Mainz 05).

Forwards: Serge Tabekou (Royal Excel Mouscron), Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon), Franck Evina (Hannover 96), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys), Jean Pierre Nsame (Young Boys), Ignatius Ganago (RC Lens), Fabrice Olinga (Royal Excel Mouscron).

Malian descent player Moussa Diaby, Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba, DR Congo descent player Christopher Nkunku and Mali's Amadou Haidara were on parade as Bayer Leverkusen held RB Leipzig to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's Bundesliga encounter.

Emil Forsberg broke the deadlock for Leipzig in the 14th minute but his opener was cancelled out six minutes later by Kerem Demirbay.

Tapsoba and Diaby played the duration for Bayer Leverkusen while Haidara featured from start to finish for the visitors and Nkunku came off the bench for goalscorer Forsberg in the 66th minute.

Haidara produced a solid display on Saturday, completing the most tackles (6), the most dribbles (3) and the second-highest interceptions (2) in Julian Nagelsmann's team.

Diaby, however, registered the most shots (4) for Bayer Leverkusen but was unfortunate to not open his goal account for the 2020-21 season despite having two shots on target.

The result was Leverkusen's second straight draw in the Bundesliga this season after playing a goalless draw against Wolfsburg last Saturday.

RB Leipzig, on the other hand, picked up a point on the road at the BayArena to stretch their tally to four points after two league outings.

Nigerian descent player Ademola Lookman did not make the matchday squad as he faces an uncertain future at RB Leipzig.

Lookman is reportedly linked with a return to England with Fulham targeting a loan move for the former Everton forward who started just one Bundesliga match last season.

Next up for Leipzig is a league fixture against Schalke 04 at home on October 3 while Bayer Leverkusen travel to Stuttgart for their next Bundesliga match on the same day.

Prince Dube scored with seconds to go, to help Azam FC go top of the Tanzania Mainland League after a narrow 1-0 win against Tanzania Prisons.

The 2014 champions had anticipated a tough game against the administrative side, but Kagera Sugar's 1-0 win against KMC FC motivated them since a win meant they would go top of the table.

However, as Azam's assistant coach Bahati Vivier predicted, it turned out to be a tough affair at the Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga. The hosts dominated with their slick passing amid cheers from the fans who had come in numbers.

When everyone thought the spoils would be shared, Zimbabwean forward Prince Dube rose to the occasion and won his team maximum points.

It was the third goal for the forward in the four games the Ice-cream Makers have played. The result put Azam on top of the table with 12 points. They remain the only team in the division to have won maximum points from their opening four matches.

Meanwhile, Dodoma Jiji FC suffered a 3-0 win to the hands of their hosts Polisi Tanzania.

It took Polisi just 11 minutes to get the opening goal when Marcel Kaheza's free-kick was missed by everybody including the goalkeeper. It was a ball floated in from the right after a foul committed by the defenders. 

Former Yanga SC forward Tariq Seif doubled the advantage in the 39th minute. Kaheza fooled the defenders, and the ball was well controlled by the former on his chest, before unleashing a volley which the custodian could do little to keep out.

In the 61st minute, Kaheza completed his brace. George Mpole spotted the unmarked Seif on the right. The striker took his time, spotted the advancing Kaheza, and crossed the ball to him and the latter tapped into an empty net to ensure Polisi earned a 3-0 win. 

Azam are on 12 points while KMC are second with nine after playing four games as well. Simba, who will play Gwambina FC later on, are third with seven points from three games.

Saturday's win took Polisi Tanzania to fourth with seven points while Dodoma Jiji dropped to sixth with the same number of points but they are inferior on goal difference.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted a lack of sharpness was the reason behind Manchester United conceding goals as he ruled out adding a centre-back in the transfer window.

Man Utd secured a 3-2 win at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday thanks to a last-gasp penalty from Bruno Fernandes, who converted from the spot in the 10th minute of additional time.

However, having conceded three times when losing their Premier League opener at home to Crystal Palace, defensive deficiencies were again a topic of conversation after the final whistle on the south coast.

Neal Maupay and Solly March both scored for Brighton, the latter in the 95th minute to make it 2-2, while the home side were denied five times by the woodwork as they had 18 attempts at goal.

Leandro Trossard was particularly unlucky, becoming the first player to hit the woodwork on three occasions in a Premier League match since Cristiano Ronaldo in October 2006, as Solskjaer retained faith in Victor Lindelof despite his difficult outing against Palace.

"We've got many defenders here and I put Eric (Bailly) on to bolster the defence, following the runs of Trossard and Maupay," Solskjaer said in his media conference.

"For me, we've got enough good centre-backs here at the moment.

"When you concede chances and concede goals, there are two different things you can look at - it's either the team shape, or are there any individual mistakes.

"We're not in our best shape of form, our shape isn't there, we're not sharp enough to stop crosses or follow the runs.

"We're a little bit behind, that's more structural mistakes than individual mistakes. I thought Victor did well today."

Man Utd have been linked with a new defender, media reports suggesting they are interested in Porto left-back Alex Telles.

Solskjaer promised the players he currently has in his squad will improve as they play more matches after a shortened pre-season. They play Brighton again on Wednesday, this time in the EFL Cup. 

"We've got to be honest enough to say they created the most chances. Maybe 50-50 possession but they had loads of shots, big chances and that's not what we want. We need to improve a lot in the weeks coming forward," the Norwegian boss said.

"The spirit and character of the boys I don't question at all, the spirit is there. The sharpness and fitness might not be, but it is going to come.

"We've got three or four weeks to catch up and the more games we play, the more 90 minutes we get, we'll be sharper and sharper."

Andre Ayew opened his season account for Swansea City in their 2-0 win over Dennis Adeniran’s Wycombe Wanderers in Saturday’s Championship game.

The 30-year-old was handed his second start of the 2020-21 season, spearheading the Swans attack and inspired them back to winning ways after playing out a draw against Birmingham City last time out.

Steve Cooper’s men started the game on an impressive note, dominating possession with their top-notch passes which forced Nigerian midfielder Fred Onyedinma to be cautioned in the 11th minute.

Ayew opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the encounter, drilling home his effort from close range after a timely assist from Jake Bidwell.

The Ghana international helped the Swans double the lead 10 minutes later, setting up Jamal Lowe with a sumptuous pass and the 26-year-old swiftly tucked home his effort.

Ayew featured for the duration of the game, struck six shots, made two key passes, had 60 touches with 77% successful pass rate.  

Adeniran also played for the entirety of the match in his debut appearance for Wycombe Wanderers but could not save his new club from defeat.

The Nigerian midfielder teamed up with the Chairboys on a season-long loan from Premier League club Everton on Friday.

Adeniran made 35 touches and had a 91% successful pass accuracy for Gareth Ainsworth’s men in the encounter.

The 21-year-old will hope to make his second appearance for the Chairboys and inspire them to their first win of the season when they face Luton Town on October 3.

Adeniran, born to Nigerian parents, has featured for England U17 but he is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles if he chooses to do so.

Ayew, meanwhile, is currently Ghana national team captain and has more than 80 appearances for the West African country.

The 30-year-old forward was part of the Black Stars squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and will be expected to lead Ghana in their World Cup and Afcon qualifiers.

Manchester United rode their luck to beat Brighton after Leandro Trossard hit the woodwork three times to equal Cristiano Ronaldo's mark from back in 2006.

The Red Devils picked up their first victory of the new Premier League season in dramatic fashion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men ran out 3-2 winners after a last gasp Bruno Fernandes penalty cancelled out a stoppage-time equaliser from Solly March.

Brighton took the lead via a Neal Maupay penalty, only to be pegged back when Lewis Dunk scored an own goal just before half-time. 

A brilliant solo effort from Marcus Rashford put United 2-1 up early in the second period, and looked like being the winning goal until March bundled the ball in at the back post with 95 minutes on the clock.

The Seagulls thought they'd held on for a valuable point as Chris Kavanagh blew the final whistle following a Red Devils corner, but play was brought back after VAR picked up that Maupay had blocked a Harry Maguire header with his hand.

Fernandes stepped up to cooly convert and give the visitors all three points, leaving Graham Potter's side lamenting a number of missed chances which could have easily altered the final outcome.

Brighton dominated the contest for large periods, and could even have won by a clear margin had the woodwork not come to the Red Devils rescue on a total of five occasions.

Three of those efforts came from Trossard, who has become the first man to hit the upright three times in a single match since Cristiano Ronaldo for United against Newcastle in 2006.

More to follow.

Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty with the last kick of an astonishing game as Manchester United stole a 3-2 win over a Brighton and Hove Albion side who struck the woodwork five times.

The Portuguese kept his cool in the 100th minute to settle matters at the end of a dramatic encounter at the Amex Stadium in which United rode their luck to the extreme.

Brighton, showing no signs of fatigue despite facing a fifth game in 13 days, hit both posts and the crossbar in the first half before breaking the deadlock via Neal Maupay's nerveless Panenka penalty after Fernandes fouled Tariq Lamptey.

United – needing a response to their limp opening-game loss to Crystal Palace – levelled within 187 seconds, though, Lewis Dunk unfortunate to divert past Mat Ryan from close range after Fernandes' set-piece caused problems.

Referee Chris Kavanagh chalked off a penalty he had awarded early in the second half after reviewing the incident himself, allowing Paul Pogba to breathe a sigh of relief after Aaron Connolly took a tumble.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men made full use of the reprieve as Marcus Rashford, having just seen a goal disallowed, brilliantly danced his way into the box and fired home via a deflection off Dunk.

Graham Potter was cursing his luck when Solly March and Leandro Trossard hit the post and bar respectively, before jumping for joy when the former headed in a stoppage-time equaliser.

But the drama was not over and Maupay handled Harry Maguire's header, which was cleared off the line by March. The final whistle had gone but a VAR check resulted in a spot-kick from which Fernandes wrapped up the points in a game that will live long in the memory.

What does it mean? United paper over the cracks

This performance will persuade nobody that United are going to be a genuine threat this season – the visitors were clearly second best.

Brighton hit the woodwork five times, which is a record in a Premier League match since Opta began collecting such data in 2003.

On another day, this could so easily have been another chastening loss for United.

Trossard emulates Ronaldo...

Following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo is generally considered a good thing, but for Trossard it will be a source of huge frustration.

He became the first player since Ronaldo to hit the woodwork three times in a Premier League match, the Portugal star having done so for United against Newcastle United in 2006.

Adam Webster also saw a header tipped onto the bar by David de Gea on a frustrating day for the Seagulls.

Fernandes a cut above

Along with Rashford, Fernandes is one of the few United players who will emerge from this game with credit.

As well as getting the winner, he provided an assist and has now had 17 goals involvements in 16 Premier League appearances.

Key Opta Facts

- United have given away a penalty in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March 2009; it's the first time the Red Devils have conceded one in both of their first two games in a Premier League campaign.
- De Gea has saved just two of the 29 penalties he has faced in the Premier League. Of goalkeepers to face at least 25 spot-kicks in the competition, only Paul Robinson has saved a lower proportion (6.1 per cent to De Gea's 6.9 per cent).
- United have won each of the last four Premier League meetings with Brighton, their joint-longest winning streak against a current top-flight side (also 4 versus Leicester City).
- Since the start of last season, United's Premier League games have produced 20 penalties, the most of any team in that time (15 for, five against).

What's next?

It will be a case of deja vu for these two sides, who meet again in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela says Mamelodi Sundowns’ financial muscle has given Pitso Mosimane an edge over other Premier Soccer League (PSL) coaches in the transfer market as he started his business earlier than most clubs.

Downs’ seriousness in building a strong squad for next season was shown in March when George Maluleka signed a pre-contract with them after turning down a new deal at Kaizer Chiefs.

Soon after Maluleka was announced as a Sundowns player in July, the Brazilians went on to sign Lesedi Kapinga from Black Leopards and ex-Ajax Cape Town midfielder Grant Margeman.

Just as the season ended, the former Bidvest Wits duo of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and midfielder Haashim Domingo, as well as the ex-Highlands Park pair of Mothobi Mvala and Peter Shalulile, arrived at Chloorkop.

“It’s not easy in the transfers. It’s helluva difficult,” said Komphela as per Sun Sport.

“I think Mamelodi Sundowns have managed to do their business on time because obviously of their financial situation and also assisted by the fact that there have been changes of teams and all that [club sales]. We don’t have the luxury of Sundowns.

"I wish I had that as well. Life will be a lot easier.”

Mosimane has indicated that he is not yet done with transfers and is also looking for players in South America.

Mosimane’s transfer business appears swifter than Orlando Pirates, who only announced their fist signings last week while Kaizer Chiefs' hands are tied by a Fifa transfer ban which they have since appealed against.

Also very active in the acquisition of players have been PSL returnees Moroka Swallows, who have so far brought in seven players including former Orlando Pirates star Musa Nyatama and Ruzaigh Gamildien from Chippa United.

Most PSL teams appear quiet ahead of the start of the 2020/21 season, pencilled in for early October, and Komphela said the coronavirus situation has disturbed transfers.

“Everybody is going through a difficult period in the transfer market currently. Whether you want to have your foreign intake... it is affected by the Covid-19 situation in that you can’t go across the borders,” Komphela said.

“Then at home you need to start checking who is available and who is not because we have just finished the season. There is a lot of activity. There are teams that have lost their status. Others just got into the PSL.

“So you need to be very smart. If you are desperate you end up making wrong decisions because you are in a rush. Beyond that, you also need to get the willingness of whoever you are targeting.”

Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty with the last kick of an astonishing game as Manchester United stole a 3-2 win over a Brighton and Hove Albion side who struck the woodwork five times.

The Portuguese kept his cool in the 100th minute to settle matters at the end of a dramatic encounter at the Amex Stadium in which United rode their luck to the extreme.

Brighton, showing no signs of fatigue despite facing a fifth game in 13 days, hit both posts and the crossbar in the first half before breaking the deadlock via Neal Maupay's nerveless Panenka penalty after Fernandes fouled Tariq Lamptey.

United – needing a response to their limp opening-game loss to Crystal Palace – levelled within 187 seconds, though, Lewis Dunk unfortunate to divert past Mat Ryan from close range after Fernandes' set-piece caused problems.

Referee Chris Kavanagh chalked off a penalty he had awarded early in the second half after reviewing the incident himself, allowing Paul Pogba to breathe a sigh of relief after Aaron Connolly took a tumble.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men made full use of the reprieve as Marcus Rashford, having just seen a goal disallowed, brilliantly danced his way into the box and fired home via a deflection off Dunk.

Graham Potter was cursing his luck when Solly March and Leandro Trossard hit the post and bar respectively, before jumping for joy when the former headed in a stoppage-time equaliser.

But the drama was not over and Maupay handled Harry Maguire's header, which was cleared off the line by March. The final whistle had gone but a VAR check resulted in a spot-kick from which Fernandes wrapped up the points in a game that will live long in the memory.

What does it mean? United paper over the cracks

This performance will persuade nobody that United are going to be a genuine threat this season – the visitors were clearly second best.

Brighton hit the woodwork five times, which is a record in a Premier League match since Opta began collecting such data in 2003.

On another day, this could so easily have been another chastening loss for United.

Trossard emulates Ronaldo...

Following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo is generally considered a good thing, but for Trossard it will be a source of huge frustration.

He became the first player since Ronaldo to hit the woodwork three times in a Premier League match, the Portugal star having done so for United against Newcastle United in 2006.

Adam Webster also saw a header tipped onto the bar by David de Gea on a frustrating day for the Seagulls.

Fernandes a cut above

Along with Rashford, Fernandes is one of the few United players who will emerge from this game with credit.

As well as getting the winner, he provided an assist and has now had 17 goals involvements in 16 Premier League appearances.

Key Opta Facts

- United have given away a penalty in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March 2009; it's the first time the Red Devils have conceded one in both of their first two games in a Premier League campaign.
- De Gea has saved just two of the 29 penalties he has faced in the Premier League. Of goalkeepers to face at least 25 spot-kicks in the competition, only Paul Robinson has saved a lower proportion (6.1 per cent to De Gea's 6.9 per cent).
- United have won each of the last four Premier League meetings with Brighton, their joint-longest winning streak against a current top-flight side (also 4 versus Leicester City).
- Since the start of last season, United's Premier League games have produced 20 penalties, the most of any team in that time (15 for, five against).

What's next?

It will be a case of deja vu for these two sides, who meet again in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Ivory Coast will play Belgium and Japan during the next international break in October, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF)  has confirmed.

The Elephants were initially scheduled to play Nigeria on October 9 in Austria but the Nigerian football authority confirmed on Friday that their West African neighbours pulled out of the encounter due to internal problems.

Ivory Coast will now travel to Brussels to take on Belgium on October 8 at the King Baudouin Stadium before battling Japan five days later at the Stadion Galgenwaard.

Next month's matches in Belgium and the Netherlands are expected to prepare the 2015 African champions for their double-header fixtures against Madagascar in their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ivory Coast's most recent international outing ended in a 2-1 defeat to Ethiopia in their second Group K game last November, and they sit third in the group with three points after two matches.

“After a little more than 10 months of inactivity, the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire will resume service during the next international break scheduled for October 5 to 13,” read a statement on the FIF website.

“Two friendly matches are planned for this purpose. The first against the Belgian team on October 8 at the Roi Baudoin Stadium at 20:45 local time and the second Japan-Cote d'Ivoire on October 13 [time to be confirmed] at the Galgenwaard Stadium in Utrecht in the Netherlands.”

The games would be Patrice Beaumelle's maiden outings as the national team coach since he succeeded Ibrahim Kamara at the helm in March.

Beaumelle, who assisted Herve Renard in helping the Elephants conquer the continent in 2015, has been tasked to lead the country to the next Afcon tournament in Cameroon after signing a one-year contract.

Ronald Okoth has urged the authorities to respect the "players office" regarding the opening of Nyayo stadium.

The facility was closed about three years ago for renovation but was re-opened on Saturday, September 26 by President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, to many people's surprise, the tent was erected on the playing surface.

"Nyayo Stadium, one of the best stadiums I enjoyed playing in was closed for renovation for three years," Okoth, who played for top clubs in the country like Mathare United, Sofapaka, and Western Stima, tweeted on Saturday.

"On the day of its reopening, they have just erected a tent on a newly refurbished pitch. Hopefully, no military parade thereafter.

"Respect our office even though it has no roof."

Nyayo Stadium is located in the Nairobi city centre and has hosted league and Harambee Stars games whenever it was in operation.

Kenya’s famous club encounter - the Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia - have always been held at the stadium and its unavailability saw the matches shifted to the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The Caf Champions League matches pitting Gor Mahia and their opponents were held at Kasarani. KPL clubs Bandari and Kariobangi Sharks also hosted their Confederation Cup rivals at the stadium.

The reopening of the facility is set to add more options to the league organisers who have had to depend on Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, Bukhungu Stadium, and Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County.

Nzoia Sugar’s Sudi Stadium, Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, Zoo’s Kericho Green Stadium, Moi Stadium in Kisumu, South Nyanza’s Awendo Green Stadium, Chemelil Sports Complex and Tusker’s Ruaraka have been other stadiums available for use in the recent past.

"We have had a problem with availability of grounds and in such situations, everything is always in a mess. Most teams are located in Nairobi and their home ground is usually the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos," Posta Rangers coach Sammy Omollo told Goal.  

"Having a ground in the city centre is very good especially for Nairobi teams because it will greatly cut the cost of travelling to stadiums located in far-flung areas."  

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Josta Dladla believes Gavin Hunt will bring a change of fortune to the team given his experience in the local game. 

Hunt joined Amakhosi on a three-year deal last week, and Dladla believes his experience and pedigree to win trophies are what the club needed to end their five-year trophy drought. 

"They have just signed a new coach who comes in with a vast amount of experience. I mean, he won trophies with different teams," Dladla told the media.  

"You need to take him seriously. He has been in the game and has done a lot of things. I think he's going to bring a lot of changes to the team," he said. 

Dladla doesn't agree with the view that Hunt's style of play will not suit Chiefs, saying the 56-year-old turned SuperSport United into one of the best ball-playing teams during his six-year stay with them where he won them three league titles in a row. 

"I know a lot of people say his style of play might not suit the club [but] this is the guy who has been in the game. When he was with SuperSport United, they played one of the best football in the country. So, you can't say he will never handle the style of Chiefs."  

According to the retired midfielder, the fact that Hunt has Dillon Sheppard and Arthur Zwane as his assistants mean Chiefs are in capable hands. 

"He's coming with Dillon Sheppard who has been doing well with the youngsters at Bidvest Wits and he's got Arthur Zwane who has been doing it on the other side, producing a lot of youngsters for the team. 

"So, he's got two guys who know what they are doing and when they work together, anything is possible," continued Dladla.       

The 41-year-old television pundit further questioned if the current Amakhosi players are ready to stand up and be counted under Hunt, adding that it is all up to them to make the coach's stay a success at the end of the day. 

"Are the players ready to take everything in the blueprint that he's going to come up with? Are they going to understand whatever he's going to be coming up with?" he asked. 

"Are the players ready for the new coach? It's all about them at the end of the day. 

"The coach can only do so much. He can talk the whole day but if you don't go out there as an individual to do the best then it's useless. It's all about the players at the end of the day," concluded Dladla.   

Robert Lewandowski says Bayern Munich were "too exhausted" to celebrate their UEFA Super Cup win and RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg has warned the German champions that they can beat them to the Bundesliga title this season.

Bayern picked up their fourth major trophy of the year by beating Sevilla in the Super Cup final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Thursday night.

Goals from Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez gave Hansi Flick's side a 2-1 victory after extra time, but they have had little time to enjoy their achievement with a Bundesliga clash against Hoffenheim looming large on the horizon.

Bayern will travel to Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Sunday after just two days of preparation time, with the fixture list already starting to pile up after the quick turnaround between seasons caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The Bavarians had less than three weeks off following their Champions League final victory over Paris Saint-Germain in August, and Lewandowski says the players are really beginning to feel the strain.

Asked how the Bayern squad marked their latest trophy triumph, the Polish striker told BILD: "We didn't really celebrate, we were all too exhausted from the 120 minutes.

“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."

Flick saw his side open their latest Bundesliga campaign with an 8-0 rout of Schalke last weekend, and they will be expected to pick up another three points against Hoffenheim before focus shifts to a DFL-Supercup final meeting with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Dortmund have been Bayern's closest challengers in the German top-flight in recent seasons, but Leipzig finished third in 2019-20 and have been tipped to close the gap even further this time around.

Julian Nagelsmann's men, who reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time last season, got off the mark with a 3-1 win at home to Mainz, and will be back in action away at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Asked if Leipzig have a realistic chance of dethroning Bayern, Forsberg told BILD: "We'll see. We were the only team not to lose to them last season. And on good days we can certainly beat them too."

The Swedish winger also admitted that Leipzig had become overly reliant on Timo Werner before he joined Chelsea earlier this summer, and says the squad has already adapted to life without the German frontman to make sure that recent progress is sustained.

“With Timo, we got 47 scorer points. But maybe it was also the case that we sometimes subconsciously relied on him," Forsberg added. "Now we had to change and played an outstanding game against Mainz. Because everyone has taken responsibility. "

Gor Mahia new signing Andrew Juma has revealed he will have to step up his game to make it at the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions.

Juma is among the 13 players, who have already been unveiled by K’Ogalo ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 campaign.

“In football new challenges are inevitable,” Juma, who was signed by Gor Mahia as a replacement for Joash Onyango wrote on his social media pages.

“You just need to adapt; or else, you won't fit in. And if you don't fit in, then you will have to ship out.”

In a recent interview, Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna praised the team’s new signings saying they are capable of helping the side reach the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League in this campaign.

K’Ogalo will be representing Kenya for the fourth straight season in a row having been crowned the 2019-20 champions when Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved to end the season prematurely owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Muguna, who joined K’Ogalo from Western Stima, is confident the squad they have assembled is good enough to help them do well in the Caf competition.

“We have been training individually at home and sometimes when you have a pitch next to your home, you were allowed to go out and jog, the program was coordinated through a WhatsApp group by the coach,” Muguna told Gor Mahia TV.

“I was the one who was monitoring how the players were doing during individual training and you can see everybody took the program very seriously, so we just have to thank all the players for following the training sessions.

“It feels great to resume training and this time at least we want to go past the quarter-finals [of the Caf Champions League], like we did in 2018 [in the Confederation Cup], so the squad is ready and the new players have bonded very well and are looking sharp, ready to kick the ball again.”

After losing five key players – Joash Onyango to Simba SC of Tanzania, David Mapigano to Azam FC, Dickson Ambundo to Dodoma Jiji, Omondi, and keeper Peter Odhiambo to Wazito FC – Gor Mahia have been actively involved in the current transfer window.

Some of the new signings at Gor Mahia include Andrew Malisero Numero from Malawi, Benson Omalla, midfielder Sydney Ochieng, goalkeeper Samuel Njau, and defender Wesonga from Western Stima, Cameroonian midfielder Bertrand Konfor, John Macharia, Jules Ulimwengu (Rayon Sports), and John Ochieng from Chemelil Sugar.

PSL returnees Swallows FC have announced their seventh major signing following the acquisition of Thabo Mosadi from Ajax Cape Town. 

Club chairman David Mogashoa has been busy putting together a squad that will compete in the elite league after his team pipped the Mother City-based club to the automatic promotion on the final day of the 2019-20 season. 

Swallows took to their social media platforms on Saturday morning to unveil the former AmaTuks marksman. 

However, the club didn't disclose the details of Mosadi's contract. 

Mosadi comes with a wealth of experience to the Dube Birds as he's previously campaigned in the PSL with AmaTuks. 

He joined Ajax from AmaTuks in 2016 and went down with them in an attempt to help them return to top-flight football but his efforts and that of the team were not enough to secure a place in the PSL. 

Ajax lost to Black Leopards in the play-offs, finishing second behind the Thohoyandou-based side who won all their four games to eventually retain their status.

Mosadi has 138 league games in the PSL and boasts 12 goals and 18 assists to his name. 

He joins the other six players who arrived this week as preparations for the 2020-21 season are underway under coach Brandon Truter. 

The first signing to arrive at the Dobsonville-based side is veteran midfielder and former Orlando Pirates maestro Musa Nyatama. 

Swallows then acquired the services of Moeketsi Makhanya from JDR Stars to boost their striking department. 

Makhanya scored 12 goals for JDR Stars in his debut season in the NFD and Swallows moved swiftly to sign him, beating the likes of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs to his services. 

The other new players include Ruzaigh Gamildien, Daniel Gozar, Kagiso Malinga and Wandisile Letlabika. 

Letlabika arrived on Friday alongside Malinga from Bloemfontein Celtic and SuperSport United respectively.

What's clear from the players Swallows have signed so far is that they want to build their team with a blend of experienced and young players in order for them to at least stay in the PSL in their first season.

Kagera Sugar head coach Mecky Maxime has revealed the team is missing their winning spirit despite defeating league leaders KMC FC by a solitary goal scored by Yusuf Mhilu.

The Kaitaba-based side came into the match without scoring and without a win in their previous three games, with the only thing achieved being one point. It was the opposite for the Kinondoni-charges who were riding high in confidence after reaping maximum points from their opening three games.

"Yes we have won, it was a good game for my players and we are all happy about it," Maxime told reporters at Kaitaba Stadium.

"But one observation I have made is that the team is lacking the winning spirit. It is not about the players because we have the best. However, when you lose the winning touch for some time, you tend to lose your confidence as well."

The former Taifa Stars defender also lauded the opponents for their display despite the defeat.

"KMC came stronger considering the fact that they had already won their initial games," Maxime added.

"They played well, gave us a run for our money but we won it. It is not because [KMC] played badly, but we capitalized on the chances we created."

KMC coach Habib Kondo was, however, a disappointed man owing to what he terms as embarrassing incidents.

"When [Kagera] scored, the balls disappeared and we remained with only one and when it went out, we had to wait for up to almost a minute for it to be returned for the game to continue," said the tactician.

"Then we had their goalkeeper who fell about eight times without someone touching him. It was a way of wasting time but he was not even cautioned.

"It is embarrassing because when we came on the pitch, we wanted to know our tactical prowess and help the players play on the pitch. But I am disappointed we played about 60 minutes out of the possible 90 owing to orthodox ways of wasting time."

The coach has now urged the league administrators to chip in and punish the team.

"Acts like these should not go unpunished," Kondo continued, "the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) should investigate and act. Our game cannot grow with these kinds of things."

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has fired a warning to Arsenal over Houssem Aouar, claiming their reported opening offer of €35 million (£32m/$41m) for the midfielder is too low.

RMC Sport reported that Arsenal submitted a formal bid for Aouar on Friday, with the Frenchman thought to be open to a potential move to Emirates Stadium .

However, it would appear that offer would be rejected and, as it stands, Aouar will line up for Lyon against Lorient in Ligue 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Aulas confirmed that the reported figure failed to match the club's valuation - thought to be €60 million (£55m/$70m) - of the 22-year-old and posted on Twitter: "There will be very few departures. For Houssem, Arsenal are too far from his value.

"We are counting on him to play a great game in Lorient and lead Lyon into the Champions League next year."

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea have also been linked with Aouar in recent months, having seen him inspire Lyon's run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.

The talented playmaker graduated to the senior squad at Groupama Stadium back in 2017, and has since racked up 139 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals and providing 27 assists.

He is contracted to remain on Lyon's books until at least 2023, but it has been suggested that a poor run of results at the start of the new Ligue 1 season could hasten his departure.

Rudi Garcia's men are currently sitting 12th in the French top-flight, having only managed to win one of their opening four fixtures.

They were held to a 0-0 draw at Nimes last time out, but will be expected to get back to winning ways against Lorient, who are two points further back in 16th at the moment.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are attempting to put the final touches to their squad under Mikel Arteta, who has overseen a significant turnaround in results since inheriting the managerial reigns at Emirates Stadium last December.

Gabriel, Willian, Runar Alex Runarsson and Cedric Soares have all been brought in on permanent deals, while Dani Ceballos has seen his loan from Real Madrid extended by another year.

In addition to Aouar, the Gunners are also being heavily linked with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey , but the Spanish giants will not, as it stands, sanction the midfielder's departure unless his £46m ($58m) release clause is triggered.