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Simba SC Communications Officer Haji Manara has claimed Harambee Star Joash Onyango is attracting interest from South African heavyweights Orlando Pirates.

The centre-back has been a rock at Wekundu wa Msimbazi, a club he joined from Gor Mahia at the beginning of the season. The Mnyama official has further stated the defender has proved his worth and cannot be let go cheaply.

"Onyango has been impressive for us, even those who were mocking us, in the beginning, have been forced to swallow their words and taunts," Manara told Wasafi FM.

"He is among the best in the continent; recently one of the Orlando Pirates managers called to inquire about the player. I jokingly stated he is worth $1 million.

"But where is the lie? Onyango has been regularly making the Champions League team, he has been selected as the best in his department. Just imagine, if Onyango is worth that, what about [Luis] Miquissone, [Aishi] Manula and [Clatous] Chama?"

Meanwhile, the Msimbazi Street-based charges have partnered with Vunjabei Group Limited to the tune of Tsh.2 billion, which will see the company manufacture the club's jerseys for two years.

Eleven companies had submitted their proposals hoping to win the tender, but it was Tanzania's Vunjabei's bid that won.

"We are proud to end the process declaring Fred [Fabian Ngajiro] of the Vunjabei Group as the winner of this bid," Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez said during the unveiling.

"It is a Tsh.2 billion contract which has never happened before in Tanzania, Kenya even in South Africa.

"Vunjabei understands the value of this contract and it is the reason why they have decided to manufacture kits and merchandise for our junior, women, and senior teams.

"Last season, we were making just Tsh.100 million from the same deal with a different company, but it has skyrocketed to Tsh.2 billion and it shows how big our brand is, how far we have grown.

"We had 11 companies battling for this deal including Umbro and Adidas, and a certain company from the Netherlands but Vunjabei convinced us. They had a better deal and we chose to work with them."

Yanga SC have finally unveiled Nasreddine Nabi as their third coach in this campaign after he arrived in Tanzania on Monday.

The Mainland Premier League giants have been in the market since early March when Burundian coach Cedric Kaze was relieved of his duties after a loss to Coastal Union and Goal exclusively reported on Monday the club had settled on the Tunisian to replace him.

The Tunisian tactician arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport and was received by the team’s top officials before he was driven straight to the team’s headquarters, where he was paraded to the media.

“I have been following a lot about this team and when they contacted me, it was an offer I could not resist,” Nabi told reporters at the unveiling ceremony.

“I know the magnitude of the club I have joined, I know how ambitious they are and I know what they want to achieve at the end of the season, so my work will be to make sure the club reaches the goals they had set before the season started.

“It is a big challenge for me, but I will make sure we move in a good direction, because my philosophy is always to win matches, so I will ask the fans to support us and I know they will.”

Al-Nabi was recently in charge of Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh but he was let go after just three games at the club and his exit came after they had secured a 0-0 draw against Yanga SC rivals Simba SC in the Caf Champions League.

Yanga had already confirmed Mwambusi, who has been working as an interim head coach since Kaze's departure, and he will be maintained as an assistant in order to guide the new coach.

Initially, former Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne had been linked with the job although the Frenchman is understood to have applied for the Democratic Republic of Congo's head coach position.

Yanga will be under a third coach in the season as they hired Zlatko Krmpotc and fired him at the beginning of the season. Kaze was then brought on board before four draws in six matches and the Coastal Union loss cost him the job.

Yanga are still in the title race as they hope to end a three-season wait where their archrivals Simba SC have been successful. They will host Gwambina FC on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium for a Premier League game.

Victor Ikpeba has urged Kelechi Iheanacho to take his chance when Leicester City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on May 5.

The 24-year-old has been in superb form for the King Power Stadium outfit this season and scored in each of Leicester’s last three FA Cup ties, including his brace against Manchester United to inspire the Foxes to the final of the competition.

The Nigeria international has now racked up 15 goals and provided five assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this term.

Ikpeba has showered encomium on the forward and urged him to continue his eye-catching performances against Thomas Tuchel’s men in the final.

"Iheanacho has shown that he can rely on anytime Jamie Vardy fails to get the back of the net,” Ikpeba told Super Sport.

"In his last few games for Leicester City, he has displayed a good sense of goal-scoring and helped the team push for glory in the FA Cup.

"But he must have to take his chances against a Chelsea side that seem to have a tight defence under manager, Thomas Tuchel."

Iheanacho recently expressed his delight to help the Foxes reach the final of the FA Cup after defeating Southampton.

“It’s really amazing, it’s a dream come true.  I didn’t know it’s going to come like this, but we are in the final now so we are really happy,” he said.

“We need to get back and work hard and focus in our next game. Hopefully, in the final, we’ll really work hard that we win.”

Iheanacho will hope to continue his impressive performances when Leicester City take on West Bromwich Albion in their next Premier League game on Thursday.

The centre-forward has been at the King Power Stadium since the summer of 2017 when he joined the side from Manchester City.

He was recently rewarded for his terrific form for the Foxes with a contract extension, which will see him continue his stay with the club until the summer of 2024.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has condemned the newly unveiled plans for a Super League and pledged his support to UEFA in a bid to help "resolve the problems which the football community is currently facing".

On Sunday it was announced that 12 of Europe's biggest clubs have been included in a controversial proposal for a new continental competition designed to oppose the Champions League, which has caused uproar across all levels of the game.

Several clubs have already publicly stated their refusal to participate, including Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and PSG have now revealed where they stand on the issue.

What's been said?

Al-Khelaifi confirmed that PSG won't be involved in the Super League while speaking as part of a UEFA press release on Tuesday afternoon.

“PSG firmly believes that football is a sport for all. I have been consistent on this point since the very start," said the PSG president.

"We must remember that as a football club we are a family and a community, whose heart is made up by our supporters.

"There is a need to evolve the models of UEFA competition that currently exist and the proposition offered yesterday by UEFA, which concludes 24 months of deep consultation with everyone across the European football landscape, goes in this direction.

"We think that all proposals without UEFA’s support do not resolve the problems which the football community is currently facing, but are motivated by personal interest.

"PSG will continue to work with UEFA.”

UEFA's stance on the Super League

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has expressed his belief that the footballing world and society in general are united in opposition against the Super League, which he has described as a "disgraceful" initiative "fuelled by greed".

He also promised that all clubs and players involved in the breakaway will face severe punishment in a statement at the start of the week, which reads: "We urge everyone from the millions of football lovers around the world, the world’s media, politicians and football’s governing bodies to stand tall with us, as we do everything in our power to ensure this never ends up in fruition.

"The players who will play in the teams that might play in the closed league will be banned from playing in the World Cup and the Euros. They will not be able to represent their national teams at any matches."

Have any of the Super League clubs commented publicly? 

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid tactician Zinedine Zidane have all fielded questions about the Super League during the latest round of club press conferences.

Klopp and Guardiola have both expressed their belief that the plans would have a damaging impact on that game, but Santiago Bernabeu chief Florentino Perez has jumped to the defence of the competition - which has been slated to start in August.

The Real Madrid president has told El Chiringuito: " [We are doing it] to save the more modest clubs, before the chance to save them has gone.

"This will save everyone. Football is going through a really delicate moment. The worst in 20 years."

Further reading

Javier Tebas, head of La Liga, has hit out at the Super League proposals in which Real Madrid figure prominently, with Blancos president Florentino Perez accused of moving from being "pretty clueless" to "lost".

The man calling the shots at of one of Spanish football's most distinguished clubs is heading up plans for a new midweek tournament to be introduced that allows elite sides from across Europe to compete among themselves.

Perez has claimed a much-maligned proposal will help to "save football", but Tebas is among those to have blasted back at those acting in their own interests and suggested that they will end up being "the death of football".

What has been said?

Tebas has posted on Twitter when learning of Perez's comments: "In December 2020 I said that Florentino Perez was pretty clueless, but right now he's lost.

"Football isn't completely ruined like he says, nor is the Super League, which is one of the problems, the solution... it's the death of football."

Tebas accompanied his post with the hashtags "bad excuse" and "Florentino Perez the saviour, no thanks".

What did Perez say?

The Real Madrid president has sought to defend the actions of 12 elite clubs and their plans to form a Super League by telling El Chiringuito: "[We are doing it] to save the more modest clubs, before the chance to save them has gone.

"This will save everyone. Football is going through a really delicate moment. The worst in 20 years. It won't disappear but it could slip down to a different level, if the youngsters aren't interested in it.

"We're fighting for the future of football. There are people who aren't taking this seriously.

"We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world. Football is the only global sport in the world with more than four billion fans and our responsibility as big clubs is to respond to their desires."

Opposition to the Super League

Leading sides from England, Spain and Italy have signed up to be founding members of the Super League.

Condemnation of their actions has been widespread, with leading figures in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A speaking out against those involved.

UEFA and FIFA have also been quick to point out that any sides looking to breakaway from their regimes will face serious "consequences", with threats being made to ban the teams involved from competing in established domestic and European competitions, while all players will be prevented from representing their respective countries.

Further reading

Nigeria international and former Leicester City winger Ahmed Musa will only honour Kano Pillars’ away games by flight because of his safety according to the club chairman Surajo Yahaya.

The Super Eagles captain made a stunning return to the Nigeria Professional Football League, joining his former club Pillars earlier this month.

Kano Pillars will take on Warri Wolves and Plateau United in away games on April 27 and May 2 before facing Enyimba at home three days later.

Musa might not be available for the Sai Masu Gida until their home game against the Peoples Elephant, given the statement from Yahaya.

“Ahmed Musa is a big player and at the moment we know the economic situation of the country and the bad roads in some regions,” Yahaya told the Punch.

“He is going to honour all our home matches and if there is an available flight in the state when we have an away game, then he is going to attend.

“He did not say that he’s totally going to be unavailable for our games on the road, but he is going to attend those matches by flight, but for the games that are close by, like a game at Katsina or Bauchi, he is ready to go.

"But we need to provide good facilities for him.

Musa starred for Kano Pillars between 2009 and 2012 before moving to Europe to join VVV-Venlo on loan and later featured for CSKA Moscow, Leicester City and Al Nassr.

The forward was without a club for about six months after leaving Al Nassr before returning to Kano Pillars and revealed the reasons behind his move to the NPFL side.

"Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart," Musa said.

"It's the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond."

Musa recently helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with two games to spare.

The forward, who was close to sealing a move to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in February, will hope to sort out his European future soon.

Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Rhulani Mokwena says they are treating Wednesday's away Premier Soccer League match against AmaZulu as "a cup final" and they will have to "dig deep" for a result against their much-improved opponents. 

The Brazilians will be at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium, fresh from being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Sunday.

While they enjoy a six-point PSL lead, having played two fewer games than second-placed Usuthu, Sundowns still face a real threat to their 20-match unbeaten league run.

"It's a very important game with a profile of utmost importance to us because as we said before, all these games at the moment are Cup finals for us and we have to approach it as such," Mokwena told Sundowns' media.

"It hasn't been easy to prepare particularly after an unfortunate result against TTM in the Cup. But we have to dust ourselves and show some mental resolve and dig deep and produce a good performance because when two very good teams meet you have no chance if you don't play very well. 

"We have to play very well and give ourselves a chance to win the match against a very good team with a very good technical staff, well-coached and also with very good players. AmaZulu have very good players and that is why their results have been very good."

Having played 22 league matches so far, AmaZulu have no player amongst the league's top scorers but they are the fourth-highest scoring side in this campaign. 

Their player with the most goals is former Orlando Pirates midfielder Luvuyo Memela, who has found the back of the net in the league on six occasions, followed by another ex-Buccaneer star Lehlohonolo Majoro, who has five goals.

But that does not stop Mokwena from treating AmaZulu as a major threat as he takes time to profile their opponents and identify the dangermen they will be facing. 

"This is what I say they are a very well-coached side because there is a clear identity. Their schemes are clear, the build-up structure is clear, the high-pressing instincts are clear. The final third preparation in terms of how they build the attack is also clear," said Mokwena.

"The influence of the midfield, the triangle that they have with [Sphesihle] Maduna, [Makhehlene] Makhaula or [Sitethemba] Sithebe and then Xola Mlambo in the space, you have the possibilities of very good players who influence both phases of the game. 

"And then the speed upfront and the intelligence of offensive players like Memela, Majoro and his experience and positional sense, [Siphelele] Mthembu, Talent Chawapihwa and now even [Thabo] Xalinge has come into the space and he has improved the options they have.

"Definitely, we have to be able to give our best performance. Our best performance is the only way we have the opportunity to be able to win against a very good side."

The reverse league fixture ended with Sundowns winning 4-3 in Pretoria last November.  

Thomas Tuchel admits that Tammy Abraham is feeling "worried" and "angry" about his situation at Chelsea, with a lack of game time sparking transfer talk around the England international.

A 23-year-old product of the Blues' academy system has sat out 12 games since February 20, with untimely injuries and fierce competition for places conspiring against him.

Abraham has been absent from key fixtures in Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup competition, with Chelsea progressing positively down all of those avenues, and Tuchel can appreciate why questions about his future will have been asked.

What has been said?

The German tactician has said of a frontman that has figured just five times during his reign in west London: "Everybody is concerned when they’re not in the squad but it’s never an easy decision for me to take. 

"I have a lot of sympathy for him and I can understand that he is worried and sad and maybe angry with me when I make these decisions.

"Sometimes we spend almost an hour talking after the last training which decisions to take and which players we have to leave at home because it’s thin margins which decide.

"Tammy has had this decision now a few times against him which is never personal but this is life at Chelsea sometimes as a player. 

"I hope that he does not get lost in too many thoughts because he knows not to be too concerned about his situation.

"Everything he can do is stay focused and stay with belief because the situation for a striker can change in minutes. 

"We have an important training coming up and my decisions are not made yet."

The bigger picture

Abraham has missed out on meetings with Atletico Madrid and Porto in the Champions League, as Chelsea have reached the last four of that competition, and was overlooked for a FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City that has the Blues within touching distance of major silverware.

A lack of minutes at club level is understandably frustrating, given that he has a club-high 12 goals to his name this season, and is also impacting his international ambitions.

With Tuchel favouring other options in the final third, there appears to be little chance of Abraham forcing his way into Gareth Southgate's thoughts ahead of this summer's European Championship.

Further reading

Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma has revealed he would need to think about his international future with the Netherlands and possibly switch to Nigeria.

The forward was born in Lagos to a Dutch father and Nigerian mother and has represented the Dutch U21 side and featured twice for the senior team.

The 24-year-old is, however, still eligible to represent the West African giants, given the new Fifa rule that players can change nations if they have played no more than three competitive games before turning 21.

Danjuma revealed he could consider the option if he is continued to be snubbed for a recall to the Dutch senior side.

“I’ve heard some bits about Nigeria but I can’t say too much about it though. My mum is Nigerian and my father lived 23 years in Nigeria as well,” Danjuma said, as per Bournemouth Echo.

“The culture is still within the family, so it does not disregard for the Nigerian side. It’s a choice I will think about but I need some time, obviously.

“I think they are interested but obviously I play for the Dutch national team already, I scored for the national team already, so I’ve made that decision.

“With the choice, I would like to represent Holland as well but then again I’m not being called up at the moment. So on the back of that, maybe I need to make some decisions.

“I’ve played for Holland at senior level. One cap in the Nations League and one against Belgium but that wasn’t an official match. They have changed the rules so, if you have one cap, you can still change.

“It isn’t a decision I can make just in a split second. I need to think about it.”

Danjuma has been in fine form for Bournemouth this season, scoring 14 times in 32 games, including his brace against Coventry City.

The winger hopes to help the Cherries, who are fifth on the Championship table, return to the Premier League at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

“To be fair the club is the most important thing for me at the moment,” he continued.

“I just want to make sure the club gets back into the Premier League and whatever happens with the national team that’s secondary to me, to be honest.”

Danjuma will hope to help Bournemouth extend their winning streak to six games when they take on Millwall in their next league game on April 21.

Kylian Mbappe's future at Paris Saint-Germain remains up in the air, with the World Cup-winning forward yet to commit to a contract extension at Parc des Princes beyond the summer of 2022.

It is no secret that the talented 22-year-old is attracting admiring glances from across Europe, with La Liga giants Real Madrid looking to make him their top target for the next transfer window.

And although Goal can confirm that Mbappe has started house hunting in Madrid, there is as of yet no suggestion that he has his made up his mind over a move to the Spanish giants as he continues to weigh up his future.

How is Mbappe feeling?

Amid all of the speculation surrounding his next move, Mbappe remains calm.

He is in no hurry to make a decision on his professional future and plans to wait until the end of the 2020-21 campaign before assessing his options and making a big career call.

For now, there are two sizeable targets for him to hit: win another Ligue 1 title with PSG and claim a first Champions League crown - with PSG preparing to face Manchester City in the semi-finals of elite continental competition.

With so much to focus on, Mbappe and his representatives are reluctant to rush into anything on contract and transfer fronts, with there a desire on their part to avoid taking the wrong step.

What about Madrid?

While very much part of the immediate future in France, Goal has learned that Mbappe has started house hunting in Madrid - with a member of his entourage charged with the task of finding a suitable residence.

The Frenchman, who speaks almost perfect Spanish, is eager to snap up a property in the capital city of Spain.

There is no indication that said move is a nod towards making a permanent move to Madrid, it could merely represent an effort on his part to acquire more real estate.

As things stand, even Mbappe would find it difficult to speculate on what the next few months will bring for him on the field.

The bigger picture

For now, Mbappe's future remains shrouded in mystery.

It is unclear whether he will remain in Paris or seek out a switch to Madrid, with all parties keen to know where they stand, especially given that the forward's contract expires in 2022.

The Blancos remain keen on landing a long-standing target, as confirmed by Goal last week, and Mbappe acknowledges that he must tread carefully from this point.

Quizzed again on his plans a few days ago, Mbappe said: "I am in a period of reflection, but if I sign with PSG it is to be there for many years."

Prominent figures in Paris have stated their confidence that fresh terms can be thrashed out, with sporting director Leonardo and head coach Mauricio Pochettino waiting on updates.

Further reading

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claims no decision has been made on who the club will target as their next boss, with speculation suggesting that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could come into the reckoning.

The man currently calling the shots with Premier League champions at Anfield has indicated that he is less than impressed at seeing his board sign up to the new Super League proposal.

Questions have already been asked of the German's future on Merseyside in a testing season for the Reds, despite being tied to a contract through to 2024, and a homecoming could be on the cards as successor to Hansi Flick - who has already stated his intention to leave Bayern in the summer.

What has been said?

Quizzed on the rumours of Klopp being lined up by Bayern, Rummenigge told Corriere della Sera: "We have not yet decided on the coach, first we win the championship and then we decide what to do. 

"Of course he spoke heavily against his company."

What has Klopp said?

The Liverpool boss, who has spoken out in the past against the lack of competition that a Super League would bring, told Sky Sports on Monday that he can understand why widespread opposition has been lodged against plans drawn up by the European elite.

He has, however, vowed not to walk away from a role at Anfield, saying: "I am 20 years in football, and a lot of times owners made decisions without asking me, and I deal with it. I don’t want to be involved in these things, I don’t understand them. I’m a football person. It’s not about letting me down.

"I’m here as a football coach and manager, and I will do that as long as people let me do that. I heard today that I will resign or whatever. If times get even tougher, that makes me even more sticky that I will stay here. I feel responsible for the team, responsible for the club and for the relationship we have with our fans. It’s a very tough time, but I will try to help to sort it somehow."

Bayern's take on the Super League

No German clubs have signed up for a competition that could be put in place from 2021-22, with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund stating their opposition to the plans.

Rummenigge has reiterated that nobody at the Allianz Arena is considering joining six Premier League teams and three apiece from Serie A and La Liga in a breakaway tournament.

He added: "We're not inside because we don't want to be part of it.

"We are happy to play in the Bundesliga, a 'bread and butter' business, as the British say.

"We are happy to make the Champions League and do not forget the responsibility towards our fans, who are generally against such reform. And we also feel the responsibility towards football in general."

Further reading

Simba SC coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has maintained his players are determined and motivated to unseat rivals Yanga SC from the top of the Mainland Premier League table.

The Msimbazi giants are two points away from going level with Yanga after they won 1-0 against Mwadui FC at CCM Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga on Sunday.

Striker John Bocco scored the all-important goal in the 66th minute which pushed their tally of points to 52, two fewer than Yanga who are on 54, but the Wekundu wa Msimbazi have three matches in hand.

The French tactician has stated they will leave no stone unturned in their quest to reclaim the top spot and maintained his players are more than determined to do the job as quickly as they can.

“If we continue to win away matches, the first position will surely be on our hand,” Da Rosa said as quoted by Daily News.

“We are so far satisfied, we have a long way to go to Bukoba for the next match and make sure we secure three important points.

“The players are very determined and motivated and I am completely sure they can reach our target soon.”

On his part, Simba defender Pascal Wawa said nothing will stop them from winning a fourth successive league title because of the quality of players they have in their squad this campaign.

“I think we are still the best team in the league because we have quality players and we thank God because, despite the stiff competition and difficulties in winning matches, we have still managed to get better results for our side,” Wawa told the same portal.

“I really believe the chance to defend our title is clear and no one can stop it at the moment due to fact that we have the best level in the competition,”

“The main focus right now is to make sure that we do not drop points so that we can achieve our targets regardless of who is leading the league at the moment.”

Yanga have a chance to move five points ahead of Simba as they face relegation-threatened Gwambina FC on Tuesday while Simba will return to action on Wednesday as they play away against Kagera Sugar.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out a return to Santiago Bernabeu for Cristiano Ronaldo and claims to have had no contact with Paris Saint-Germain regarding a move for Kylian Mbappe.

Movement in the Spanish capital is being mooted ahead of the summer transfer window, with Perez - who is famed for his 'Galactico' recruitment model - being re-elected to remain at the helm of the Liga giants.

It has been suggested that efforts will be made to re-sign a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, with Ronaldo having left Real for Juventus as the club's all-time leading scorer in 2018, but no bid is being lined up to land the 36-year-old Portuguese.

What has been said?

Perez has told El Chiringuito: "Cristiano Ronaldo will not come back to Real Madrid.

"It does not make sense, he has a contract with Juventus. I love him a lot, he has given us a lot."

Who else are Real being linked with?

While the Blancos are not exploring the option of signing Ronaldo, rumours continue to suggest that a raid on PSG for World Cup-winning forward Mbappe is in the pipeline.

He is yet to sign a contract extension in France, as he approaches the final 12 months of his current deal, and could be the subject of big-money bids over the coming weeks.

Perez, though, has sought to play down the speculation, saying of a highly-rated 22-year-old: "The fans always ask me to buy Mbappe.

"My answer? I say: don't worry... the truth is that he is a good player, yes.

"I've never talked to Mbappe. At least up to now... I don't know what's going to happen to his contract with PSG."

Any other business?

It is not just fresh faces that are making headlines in Madrid, with Real also seeing moves away from the Bernabeu discussed.

Long-serving club captain Sergio Ramos is set to hit free agency this summer, as no new contract has been agreed with the 35-year-old defender, and Perez is unsure as to what will happen with a legendary centre-half.

He added: "I love Sergio Ramos, but we are in a very bad financial situation at Real Madrid. Nobody puts money into this club.

"Will he leave the club? I didn't say that... many things can happen. We will think about it at the end of the season."

Further reading

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has volunteered to help Bordeaux avoid relegation if called upon.

The Girondins are currently enduring a difficult time, having failed to secure victory in their last four games, including suffering a 3-0 defeat against Monaco on Sunday.

The disappointing results have seen Jean-Louis Gasset’s men drop to the 16th spot on the Ligue 1 table, two places above the relegation zone.

Rohr, who starred for the Girondins as a player for more than a decade and also managed the side between 1990 and 1996, is willing to return in any capacity to help the club maintain their Ligue 1 status, even though he just recently signed a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation following his satisfactory performances with the Super Eagles.

“We have to make the club sparkle and we need a really combative and united team. Coach Gasset also unfortunately seems a little lost in this situation. He must have tried a lot of things already, he still has the experience,” Rohr told France Bleu.

“We didn't give up, we reacted but what we see is that the results are still just as catastrophic and that you concede three or four goals. .. It's still difficult to always say the same thing.

“Boys do not get along, from what I was told. And then, there is an unconducive atmosphere, unfortunately, with the supporters. It is very difficult for everyone to work effectively.

"I have always been the man of the club. Currently, I am under contract with Nigeria. But if it is to help the Girondins, I will always be available."

Rohr was the manager of the Girondins when they avoided relegation in the 1995-1996 season and recollected how they achieved the feat, warning it will be disastrous if the club dropped to Ligue 2.

"At the time it was a little different. We had a team of young players, often from the region, that we had trained ourselves,” he continued.

“We managed to keep up thanks to supports, also thanks to a state of mind which was truly exemplary.

“This season, to go down to Ligue 2 would be really catastrophic because I don't see how we could rely on the same values ​​as at the time."

Bordeaux will be aiming to bounce back from their unimpressive run of form when they take on Lorient in their next league game on April 25.

It will be a rejuvenated Cape Town City who square up to Kaizer Chiefs in a league encounter at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening.

City head into Wednesday’s clash in Soweto - a 17:00 kick-off - sitting above Chiefs on the league standings – the Cape side are seventh with 30 points and the Glamour Boys are ninth with 25 points.

However, City have not been in good form over the past few months and had gone eight matches in all competitions without a win until their 3-0 victory over SuperSport United in their most recent outing, on April 10 in the Mother City.

Their coach, Jan Olde Riekerink, is hopeful that the win over Matsatsantsa could be a catalyst for improved fortunes and that it will have boosted his side’s confidence ahead of the Amakhosi clash.

"I think it was very important that we had the result in the last game against SuperSport. We played very good football and finally it resulted in goals and we didn't concede any," the Netherlands-born coach was quoted saying on IOL.

"For the morale side of things it was very important that game. We know we end the season in a very good way, so let's focus on that. If you see the fixtures, besides Sundowns in our last game, we are all facing teams that are below us. If we have the ambition we can show it in these games."

That said, Olde Riekerink is also wary of a Chiefs side who seem to be on the up.

"We know that Kaizer Chiefs is a big team with a big history and they have a good squad. We are aware of their qualities,” he continued.

“I also think that they have also only lost once in the last nine games. They are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. And they also have ambitions to be in the top eight.

"It is also an important phase for them in the competition, so it will be two teams with ambition, so hopefully we will go out and get the result in the way we played against SuperSport."

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has expressed his readiness to play in Sweden after completing his national examination.

The former Western Stima player officially sealed a six-month loan deal to play for Swedish Division One side FC Linkoping City late last month, with the deal set to expire in December 2021, when he will be required to return to his parent club.

But despite signing the contract, the 18-year-old had to wait before travelling to the Scandinavian country as he was taking his Kenya Secondary School Examination, which he finally completed last Friday at Kisumu Day High School.

Omala has confirmed he has already started the process of travelling and will visit the Swedish Embassy in Kenya on Tuesday to apply for the visa before he embarks on the journey.

“I have completed my exams and I am currently in Nairobi to finalise my travelling plans to Sweden,” Omala said as quoted by Nation Sports.

“I have the passport already and will know this week the exact day I’m leaving the country after obtaining my visa.

“My focus will now be playing football as I also wait for my results.

“I have been following up on Linkoping and so far they have played three league matches. As a young player, I want to grow and start playing professional football since I have the talent. I trust this will be the beginning of my successful football life."

Linkoping has lost their first three matches - against Varnesborgs FC, Torns, and Utsikten - in the Swedish Division One League.

On his stay at Gor Mahia after he joined from Western Stima, Omala explained: “At Gor Mahia I didn’t play as many matches as possible because of the school work.

“I wish the club the best when the league resumes but it is good I played in the Caf Champions league against APR of Rwanda and would have featured more were it not for preparations for the exams.”

In a previous interview, Gor Mahia secretary-general Sam Ochola clarified the youngster, who also features for the Harambee Stars, will return home after the short-term contract comes to an end and will not stay in Europe.

“Of course Omala is going to Sweden on a six-month loan deal and we are hopeful the deal will make him a better player while in Europe and we expect him back by January to play for us,” Ochola told Goal.

“We want the player to go out there and develop and nothing much and we know when he comes back, he will be a better player than he is now.”

Since joining Gor Mahia, Omala has not enjoyed regular playtime with the Kenyan giants, with the arrival of Burundian Jules Ulimwengu and Tito Okello of South Sudan, who were signed in the same transfer window, saw him relegated to the bench most of the time.

FC Goa have taken the AFC Champions League (ACL) by storm as the Indian Super League (ISL) side have scripted history after just their first two matches in their maiden campaign in the competition.

What is the record?

Juan Ferrando's FC Goa are the first team in the history of the AFC Champions League to register back-to-back draws in their first two matches of the competition. The Indian side, who are placed in the Group E of the ACL, began their debut campaign with a goalless draw against Qatar Stars League side Al-Rayyan and then repeated the result in their second match against UAE's Al Wahda.

The Gaurs were extremely impressive in both their outings as they matched their oppositions toe-to-toe despite being the underdogs on paper. In neither matches did coach Ferrando deploy ultra-defensive tactics. Instead, he implemented the right amount of pragmatism and made his team rely on quick counter-attacks.

The Spanish coach has not backed out from his philosophy of possession-based passing football as Goa were almost on par with their opposition in terms of ball possession. 

Against Al Wahda, Goa were close to taking the lead on quite a few occasions. Brandon Fernandes came closest to score his team's maiden ACL goal but unfortunately, his shot struck the post and came back.

FC Goa rock-solid in the back

The Gaurs have one more feat under their belt in the ongoing ACL 2021. Along With UAE's Sharjah FC, FC Goa are the only side who have not conceded a single goal so far in the tournament. The Gaurs are currently second on the group table behind Persepolis.

What next?

FC Goa next face reigning Persian Pro League champions Persepolis FC in their third match of the group on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. The match kicks off at 10:30 PM IST.

Stats courtesy Opta Jeev