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CSKA Moscow striker Chidera Ejuke has ended a run of 20 matches without a goal with a wonder strike in Monday’s 2-0 defeat of FC Rotor Volgograd in a Russian Premier League encounter.

The Nigeria international was yet to find the net under Ivica Olic’s tutelage in what is his first campaign at VEB Arena.

But in the 45th minute, Ejuke broke the deadlock with a long-range beauty after latching onto Arnor Sigurdsson’s pass from outside the goal area.

Goalkeeper Josip Condric moved towards the ball’s direction but was unable to prevent the 23-year-old from ending a six-month wait for a goal, which gave the Horses a slim advantage going into the half-time break.

The drought dated back to the 3-1 over Dinamo Moscow on October 18, 2020, when the one-cap Super Eagle scored his side’s second goal while Viktor Goncharenko was in charge.

In the second half of the keenly contested affair, the visitors put up a good fight in their quest to level matters.

Nonetheless, it was the hosts who doubled their advantage in the 70th minute courtesy of Jose Salomon Rondon.

The 31-year-old Venezuela international – who is on loan from Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Professional – rolled the ball past Condric after receiving a cross from Nayair Tiknizyan.

Despite a late rally from Yuri Baturenko's Blue-cyan, they were unable to avoid their 15th defeat of the 2020-21 campaign.

After an impressive shift, Ejuke was replaced in the 88th minute by Vladislav Yakovlev. The African star has now scored three league goals from 20 outings so far in the current season.

Thanks to his impressive performance during his two-year spell at Eredivisie side Heerenveen, he joined the Russian side on August 28, 2020, for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.

On the other side, former Cote d’Ivoire youth international Cedric Gogoua marshalled the Volgograd-based outfit's backline from start to finish.

With this result, CSKA Moscow climbed to the fourth spot on the Russian elite division log after amassing 46 points from 25 outings.

They will continue their push for their 14th league diadem when they travel to the Fisht Olympic Stadium on April 18 for a date with Vladimir Fedotov's PFC Sochi.

Serie A is the top level of football in Ecuador, with 16 teams from across the country fighting it out in the 2021 edition which started Friday. 

All games are live streamed on Fanatiz and you can sign up to watch free here.

The new campaign will be divided into two stages, with a winner crowned at the end of each phase.

The two victors will then advance to the finals in order to dispute the title of champion at the end of the year.

How to watch Barcelona vs Aucas

Barcelona beat out Guayaquil arch-rivals Emelec in the Second stage of the 2020 season to book their place in the final against LDU Quito, who ran out winners in the first half of the year. 

Both legs of the finals ended in stalemate, and Barcelona eventually triumphed 3-1 on penalties to lift their first Serie A crown since 2016.

Four consecutive wins took them to the summit in the current campaign, but results have slowed down in recent weeks and they now share the summit with Emelec after seven games, having lost for the first time at the weekend against Deportivo Cuenca.

Aucas sit ninth in Serie A, with two wins, three draws and two defeats so far in the season.

Deportivo Cuenca vs Barcelona is available to stream worldwide on Fanatiz, where you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.

You can watch all of the 2021 Serie A season live on  Fanatiz.

Live Stream: Fanatiz English ( stream now )

What other Serie A matches are available on Fanatiz?

Watch Serie A live on Fanatiz.

Member of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana has explained why Moses Magogo should not run for the Federation of Uganda Football Associations presidency.

Magogo stated his desire to retain his seat in the upcoming elections, a contest that Ssewanyana has already declared an interest in. The Makindye Division West MP has now labelled Magogo as a convict who is not eligible to stand for public office.

"He is a convict under the Fifa code of ethics statutes and served both sentences. His tenure prior to the conviction was marred with corruption," Ssewanyana said as per Sports Nation.

"He has failed to stir Fufa ahead of these legal battles. Fufa is not transparent and laws are only made to close out any possible challengers to the presidency.

"He should step aside at the end of his tenure as he is still under investigations."

The politician also explained why he fits the bill to lead Fufa instead.

"I am presenting myself as a candidate for the position of Fufa president at the next general assembly," Ssewanyana explained.

"We must make football an enjoyable environment for every stakeholder including myself, players, investors, coaches, sponsors, media and fans."

Ssewanyana also revisited the resale of the 2014 World Cup tickets, a scandal that clouded Magogo's administration a few years ago.

"Magogo entered a plea bargain under article 67 paragraph 1 of the Fifa code of ethics," explained Ssewanyana.

"This means that he pleaded guilty and was banned from football for the next two months. 

"However, he attended a football match between Uganda and Malawi during that same period. I petitioned Fifa again and we are still waiting for their decision.

"Through my lawyers, I also locally petitioned sports minister Janet Museveni who then ordered the inspectorate of government to investigate the resale of the World Cup tickets. Despite Police recording my statement in presence of my lawyer, nothing has been done."

Magogo will be running for a third term in office as he ran in 2013 and 2017, where he was an unopposed candidate after Ssewanyana's candidacy was not accepted on technicalities in the latter polls.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Uganda has retired from the Uganda national team, ending a 16-year international career.

Having amassed over 70 caps with the Cranes since 2005, Onyango announced his retirement on Monday just two hours after helping Masadanwana beat Chippa United in a Premier Soccer League match.

His time with Uganda also comes to an end exactly two weeks after they failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals under his captaincy.

"It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from international football," Onyango announced on social media.

"After much consideration, my family, managers and I, decided it was in my best interest to hang my gloves on my beloved Cranes of Uganda Big thanks to every Ugandan over the years.

Writing to the Federation of Uganda Football Association, Onyango, who turns 36 on Thursday, said he believes the Uganda coach will have enough time to select a new captain and number one goalkeeper before the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. 

"The letter represents my official notice of retirement from the Uganda national football team," wrote Onyango.

"It has been a great pleasure and honour to represent my country and I will always appreciate the experience and knowledge that I have gained while playing for the Cranes. I believe that my notice period is sufficient enough for the technical team to adequately prepare my replacement for the upcoming days.

"By remaining a true patriot and supporter of football in my beloved Uganda, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and challenges."

Either Chippa United goalkeeper Ismael Watenga or Al Hilal's Jamal Salim is likely to replace Onyango as the Cranes number one goalkeeper.

The biggest highlight of the Sundowns goalkeeper's time with Uganda was captaining them at the 2019 Afcon where he guided them to the Round of 16.

Onyango retires two days after his former national team vice-captain Hassan Wasswa also called time on his 13-year international career.

On Saturday, he had hinted at retiring while paying tribute to Wasswa.

"Thanks for everything my brother Hassan Wasswa16. On and off the field, you were one of the best guys around. Congratulations on a great 13-year Cranes of Uganda career and know I am soon following suit. But first, enjoy your retirement and be proud. All the best team warrior and fighter," said Onyango.

Simba SC coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has made it clear his main goal in the Mainland Premier League is to win all the remaining matches so as to be sure to achieve their target of winning the league title.

The Msimbazi giants will shift their focus to the top-flight matches after they successfully sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League.

Simba are currently third on the 18-team table with 46 points from 20 matches, four matches fewer table leaders Yanga SC, who have accumulated 51 points, while Azam FC are second on 47 points from 25 matches.

As they prepare to face Mtibwa Sugar at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday, the French tactician has made it clear he understands the challenges they will face in the league but his main focus is to win the remaining matches.

“We need to fulfil the plans we had put in place after the first goal of reaching the quarter-finals of Champions League was achieved, because we are back in the hunt for the league title so we will have to win all the matches we will play in to be assured of retaining the title,” Da Rosa said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“The reason for doing so is to see Simba’s targets they set at the start of the season come true as we need to win the league title and to be a champion you have to win your matches.

“There are matches we will play at home and another we will play away so we are preparing for all the matches that we will play and get ready to do well and achieve our targets.”

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi will come up against a Mtibwa side who held them to a 1-1 draw when they met in the first round meeting at Jamhuri Stadium.

Meanwhile, Simba defender Pascal Wawa has also warned table-toppers Yanga they are eying the top spot after achieving their target of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.

“Other teams have forgotten we are also taking part in the league and they are now sitting comfortably at the top forgetting Simba is yet to play their matches, I want to warn Yanga that we are coming for the top position,” Wawa said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

The match against Mtibwa will kick off at 15:00 local time.

Thomas Tuchel says he joined Chelsea to win trophies and is confident the club has the 'culture' required to fulfil his ambition.

The Blues have not lifted a trophy since their 2019 Europa League success under Maurizio Sarri, but are still in contention for the Champions League and FA Cup this season.

They will look to seal a place in the last four of the Champions League on Tuesday when they face Porto in the second leg of their quarter-final tie. The London club are then set to battle Manchester City for a place in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

What has been said?

Asked at a press conference if the Champions League is his side's clearest path to a trophy this season, Tuchel replied: "Maybe when you are in the final. 

"We are in the second leg of the quarter-final of the Champions League, you will not find any team who does not have the goal to reach the semi-final. 

"We are in the semi-final of the FA Cup and have the chance to arrive in the final, if we arrive in the final then we have the chance to win. 

"There is nothing to hide. This is a club that has culture, a structure, to win titles and win games consecutively. Chelsea is the club that has the culture and the history and mentality to do so. 

"I am here to win titles, I am here to win games and as a result, win titles. This is what I demand of myself so why should we now say anything different? If you want to win in five years or three years, I don’t know what that is.

"Now is the time but honestly we can talk for hours and hours but tomorrow is the game to play and there is no tougher match than the next game, there is no tougher obstacle than the one in front of you and we should not get lost in dreams, hopes and speeches or whatever. 

"We are here to perform in the second leg of the quarter-final, this is what we do and then hopefully after tomorrow we can talk about a semi-final."

Chelsea's path to silverware

Tuchel's team have a 2-0 advantage from the first leg of their tie with Porto, making them heavy favourites to reach the next round.

The winner of the tie will go on to face either Real Madrid or Liverpool in the final four.

A win against City in the FA Cup at the weekend would send them into the FA Cup final, where they would face either Leicester or Southampton.

Further reading

New Bayer Leverkusen coach Hannes Wolf has spoken of the positive relationship he has with Jurgen Klopp and the “special time” he had at Borussia Dortmund.

Wolf is treading his own path as a manager, and recently took interim control of Leverkusen.

He has had spells at Stuttgart, Hamburg and Genk, after learning his trade under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund.

What has been said?

The 39-year-old Wolf was in charge of regional side ASC 09 Dortmund, but his exploits caught the eye of Klopp, who brought him to the Bundesliga giants in 2009.

“The beginning was a special moment,” Wolf told DAZN.  “He heard my story, a young coach being successful in Dortmund. 

“I was voted 'Sports Person of the Year' and he was the special guest. We were in the sixth division and I was just 27 years old.

“Of course this is something special that he told me: 'Join us, we want to work with you'. And I had the possibility to go all the way at BVB. 

“I was able to train teams on a very high level, I was able to be on the training pitch with him. That was great and a special time for me.

"We are still in contact and everything has remained on a friendly basis.”

Wolf’s path to Leverkusen

As a player, Wolf operated as a forward in the regional leagues - with the high point being a couple of seasons with Nurnberg’s second string.

He went into management in his early 20s, with his three years at ASC 09 Dortmund impressing Klopp, who took him to BVB in 2009.

Wolf took charge of various levels in the BVB structure, leading the U17 and U19 teams to national titles.

He left BVB one year after Klopp’s exit to take the reins at Stuttgart in 2016, where he spent two seasons before pitching up at Hamburg. He was axed after failing to lead them back to the top flight in 2019.

A season in Belgium followed with Genk, while he was working with the German federation before being asked to take charge of Leverkusen last month.

Further reading

Barcelona were "stabbed in the back" when Vinicius Junior moved to Europe, claims the Blaugrana's former head scout in South America, with those at Camp Nou left feeling "betrayed" as a hot prospect ended up at Real Madrid.

The promising Brazilian starlet had been on the recruitment radar in Catalunya for several years prior to the Blancos putting a big-money agreement in place during the summer of 2017.

Barca believed they were the ones supposed to be pushing that deal through, with their Clasico rivals benefitting from the tactics adopted by the teenager's representatives.

What has been said?

Andre Cury, who spent many years spotting and acquiring South American talent for Barca, told Sport: "We were three-and-a-half years ahead of Madrid on Vinicius.

"His agents, Frederico Pena and Stefano Hawilla, betrayed us. They had a commitment with Barcelona. I was good friends with them but at the key moment they stabbed us in the back. 

"Fifteen days before signing for Madrid, here in Brazil, Vinicius was saying that he was a Barca fan, that his idol was Neymar and that [Lionel] Messi was better than [Cristiano] Ronaldo. 

"His agents and father were in Barcelona. Wagner Ribeiro phoned [Madrid president] Florentino [Perez] to alert him. And he invited them to Madrid on the Saturday. 

"They told us they would go, but that nothing would happen because the player was already with Barcelona. We had their word. They returned to Barcelona, closed the agreement with us, shook hands... and then they disappeared. They betrayed us." 

Pena has previously claimed that Barca offered more money than Madrid, but that Vinicius preferred the project that was put forward in the Spanish capital.

What else has Cury claimed?

Vinicius is not the only addition made by Real that has caused confusion for Cury.

He claims that a similar deal for Rodrygo was put in place back in 2019 as the Blancos did not believe that their other Brazilian starlet would live up to expectations.

He added: "They didn't have confidence in Vinicius and feared they would have signed the wrong player and that we'd get the right one. 

"For that reason, they have two players of the same age, in the same position and both in non-EU spots. 

"I knew Rodrygo for a long time and he had the profile to play for Barca. I started to negotiate with his agent, Nick Arcuri. The club was in Brazil twice to meet with the Santos president. It was me, Oscar Grau and Pep Segura. I told them we had to leave with the deal closed. We didn't. And Madrid arrived."

The bigger picture

Vinicius has faced questions of his end product throughout a testing spell in Spain, but delivered on a Champions League stage when Real needed inspiration against Liverpool.

He bagged a brace in the first leg of a heavyweight quarter-final showdown that has helped Zinedine Zidane's side to establish a commanding 3-1 lead.

The South American has managed 15 goals for the Blancos in total, through 107 appearances, while Rodrygo - who has a Champions League hat-trick to his name - has found the target on eight occasions in 49 games.

Further reading

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has not ruled out a possible senior debut for youth attacker of Ghanaian descent Jusurun Rak-Sakyi as he showered praise on the teenager.

The 18-year-old, who primarily plays for The Eagles' U18 and U23 sides made significant progress in his development as he was named on the bench for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.

It was his first time making the final matchday squad.

“It’s not impossible [for Rak-Sakyi to make his debut before the end of the season]. Unfortunately, you’ve got to go back a long way, almost before my time in the Premier League, in the ‘90s, where you actually gave away a few positions in the team at the end of the season just to give someone a run-out or to give a couple of players a bit of extra rest," Hodgson said, as reported by his club's official website.

"I’ve got a feeling those days are gone because each Premier League game is of such vital importance.

“But if he continues to impress us as he’s doing - he plays in a wide area where there’s competition and it’s competition he feels he can handle – who knows, maybe he’ll do so well we’ll decide our best team in these last games is one with him in it.

“But he’s got to get ahead of some players we really do believe in and really do appreciate.”

Before making the bench for Saturday's game, Rak-Sakyi travelled with the Palace squad for the preceding 1-1 away draw with Everton but he failed to find a place in the starting team and bench.

"He's dealt with it [stepping up] very well. For such a young man he's shown remarkable maturity and remarkable sangfroid," Hodgson opined.

“Coming into a group of senior players that he’s probably only watched from the terraces before, you wouldn’t notice that with his performances in the training sessions where he’s really taken the responsibility that he’s capable of taking.

“Everyone’s taken to him and been appreciative of him and what he can do so it’s nice we’ve been able to have him with us in a situation where a vacancy has occurred because we’ve had enough senior players out of our squad to not be able to fill our 20-man quota.

“I’m very pleased with him, very pleased for him and we believe at Crystal Palace that he has a big future and will get better and better.”

The winger joined Palace in 2019 after failing to earn a scholarship deal at Chelsea.

"He's certainly started in the right way because being thrown-in to first-team training – because we still had eight or nine of our first-teamers with us last week [the international break] – for him to come in and make the impression he's made and get the senior players all around him to appreciate his talents is no mean achievement," Hodgson concluded.

Rak-Sakyi's promise has been promptly rewarded as he signed a first professional deal on Monday.

"It’s a very big moment in my life, something I have been working towards since I started playing football and I’m just happy and grateful that I’ve come this far. I just want to keep pushing on," said the teenager.

Born to Ghanaian parents in the UK, the attacker remains eligible to play for Ghana at international level. 

Mauricio Pochettino has given an update on Marquinhos' injury ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's crunch Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

Pochettino is currently preparing his players for the second leg of their last-eight tie against Bayern, which will be played at Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.

PSG will be defending a 3-2 aggregate lead on home turf, but have been sweating on the fitness of star defender Marquinhos, who limped off after scoring their second goal at Allianz Arena last week.

What's been said?

Asked if the Brazilian will feature in the return fixture in the French capital, Pochettino told a pre-match press conference: "We don't know yet. We will make a decision tomorrow. In principle, he could be part of the group.

"Of course, he won't be able to start the match, but he could be on the bench."

The PSG boss went on to reveal that Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi are also doubts for the second leg, with the pair having only just returned to full training after respective spells in quarantine with Covid-19.

"In principle we haven't decided on the team. It would be difficult for Marco Verratti to start and, for Alessandro Florenzi, we will also see how he is tomorrow," Pochettino added.

PSG's quest for European glory

PSG reached their first Champions League final under Thomas Tuchel last season, but ended up losing 1-0 to Bayern in the showpiece event.

Pochettino is on the verge of helping the French giants gain revenge over the European champions, but he is wary of a repeat of his side's unconvincing second-leg display against Barcelona in the last 16.

Pressed on the importance of having a full squad available when Bayern arrive in Paris, the Argentine responded: "Against Barcelona at home, we had a lot of difficulty keeping the ball despite the presence of Verratti and Paredes in the team. It is not a question of names.

"It's a question of collective attitude, of the approach to the match that we will have. It will not only be necessary to defend, but also to keep the ball, to hurt the opponent. This is the challenge that we will face tomorrow, and we will have to bring back a good result.

"Barcelona is a thing of the past, it's Bayern against us, it's the best team in the world. Of course, Bayern will put us in difficulty. We must be strong, united."

Further reading

Manchester United have been advised by Andy Cole to take "more money than was expected" for Jesse Lingard, with the on-loan midfielder's asking price continuing to rise at West Ham.

The 28-year-old playmaker was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and stuck in a serious rut when allowed to head for east London during the winter transfer window.

A spark has been rediscovered in the capital, with an England recall earned along the way, and any permanent move this summer is now expected to generate a sizeable fee.

What has been said?

With United in the process of mulling over whether to retain Lingard or sell him, former Red Devils striker Cole told talkSPORT: “The opportunity for him to go on loan to West Ham came at a fantastic time. He’s taken it with both hands.

“Now Manchester United have a decision to make. Take him back or sell him in the summer for a little bit more money than was expected?

“I think if I was Manchester United, I would move him on. And if I was Jesse I would want to go and play games. Definitely.”

Lingard's record at West Ham

Having figured in just three domestic cup outings for the Red Devils in 2020-21, Lingard jumped at the chance to link up with the Hammers.

An immediate impact was made with David Moyes' men, with a brace bagged on his debut against Aston Villa, and eight goals have now been recorded through just nine appearances.

The bigger picture

Lingard's return to form saw him figure in all three of England's 2022 World Cup qualifiers during the March international break, with Gareth Southgate now facing some big decisions.

He has a number of creative number 10s at his disposal heading towards this summer's European Championship, with Cole of the opinion that Lingard should get the nod in any battle with the likes of Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Mason Mount.

The ex-Three Lions frontman added: “Ultimately when you come to this stage of the season you have got to take the players in form.

“I don’t really care about, ‘oh, yeah, he, six months ago, was fantastic’, I’m talking about now because the tournament is going to be when the season finishes in, what, May? Three weeks later. You have got to take the players in form and if Jesse continues this then why not?”

Further reading

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has disclosed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be available for their Europa League trip to Slavia Prague on Thursday.

Aubameyang did not make the Gunners’ trip to Bramall Lane on Sunday because he felt ‘unwell’ a day before their Premier League match against Sheffield United.

In his absence, Alexandre Lacazette’s brace and Gabriel Martinelli’s lone goal steered Arsenal to a comfortable 3-0 away win.

Last week, they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium after a stoppage-time header from Tomas Holes cancelled out Nicolas Pepe's opener.

When asked if Aubameyang will make the trip to Prague this week, Arteta told the club website : “I hope so yes. He was unwell yesterday, he could not train, he could not be available today but hopefully in the next day or two he will be feeling better and he will be available to get picked.”

Aubameyang started last Thursday’s game on the bench but he was later introduced in the 78th minute and he provided the assist that helped Pepe break the deadlock.

The Gabon captain is yet to find the back of the net for Arsenal since his opening goal in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Burnley on March 6.

Despite his struggles in front of goal, the 31-year-old’s presence might be a boost for Arteta’s side as he is the second top scorer in the team, after Lacazette, with 14 goals scored so far in all competitions.

Arsenal are faced with a growing injury list after Bukayo Saka limped off with a thigh injury against Sheffield United. While Martin Odegaard is a doubt, David Luiz and Kieran Tierney are ruled out of Thursday's crucial game.

Arteta continued: "Yes [I feel unlucky]. I don't know the extent [of Bukayo's injury]. I think for certain David will be out. Kieran will be out and then with Martin, we don't know yet. Bukayo, we'll see how he develops in the next few days."

Just five days after midfielder Hassan Wasswa decided to quit playing for Uganda Cranes national team, Federation of Uganda Football Association President Moses Magogo has called on any other unhappy players to follow suit.

The 33-year-old announced on Saturday he had retired from playing for the national team after earning 75 caps.

Wasswa has been among the senior players in the Cranes squad, who has openly criticised Magogo’s style of leadership and especially on his criticism of the players who played in the 2021 African Nations Championship in Cameroon.

In what looks like a response to Wasswa’s comments, Magogo has advised Cranes' players who are tired to retire honourably.

“We ask those who are tired to honourably retire and we give them a good send-off,” Magogo said as quoted by Kawowo Sports. “There is no player in this country who is indispensable. We have great players who retired, great, great players retired."

We have a Geoffrey Massa who averaged a goal per match at home, he retired. We had the Magid Musisis, the Hasules, the Sadiq Wassas. They retired. There is nobody who is irreplaceable in this world.”

Magogo has further confirmed the federation is in the process of building a new Cranes team stating some players have outlived their importance for the national team.

“There are players who have offered nothing for the past five years but are still part of the team. If I was the coach, I wouldn’t be summoning them,” Magogo continued.

On his hitting out at Magogo, Wasswa said: “Ugandans have a tendency of running out of situations.

“You know when things are moving badly, they shift blame elsewhere, so, Magogo came out and told people they played sh**ty football but he is the very person who appointed the technical team that summoned the players who played sh**ty football.

“I think Magogo should look into what he said and apologise. The players give 100% to the nation, it's a heavy jersey to put on. They leave their families back home to represent their country. When you talk about money, they brand you a bad person.”

Wasswa served the Cranes at two Afcon finals – 2017 in Gabon and 2019 in Egypt –and his last assignment for the national team was in Egypt when the Cranes played against Senegal and he also managed a total of 75 caps.

Outside Uganda, Wasswa played for St George (Ethiopia), FC Cape Town (South Africa), Karabukspor (Turkey), Altay (Turkey), Kayseri Erciyesspor (Turkey), Dong Nai (Vietnam), Al Shorta (Iraq), Nejmeh Sporting Club (Lebanon), Tala’ea El Gaish Sporting Club (Egypt) and lately Jeddah club in Saudi Arabia.

Harry Kane may struggle to leave Tottenham, according to Peter Crouch, who says club chairman Daniel Levy "simply won't bend".

Kane has established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe during his time at Tottenham, becoming their second most prolific goalscorer of all time in the process.

However, the 27-year-old is still looking for his first piece of silverware, and it has been suggested he will seek a new challenge if Spurs finish the season empty-handed and outside of the Champions League places once again.

What's been said?

Crouch thinks Kane will find his exit path blocked if he tries to leave north London this summer, having seen first-hand how stubborn Levy can be when it comes to negotiating transfers.

"Harry Kane might want to play in the Champions League next season, but Daniel Levy simply won't bend," the former Tottenham striker told the Daily Mail.

"I know how tough Daniel is when it comes to deals."

Crouch added: "People talk about Daniel's reputation but let me put it like this: his one and only agenda is what is best for Tottenham. If I was ever in a position where I owned a football club, I would want Daniel running it because he puts the club's interests above anything else.

"He doesn't deal in sentiment and it won't matter what Harry has done these last seven years. If he really wants to go, it won't happen unless there is an astronomical fee involved — and that puts a cap on those who could afford him."

Who is chasing Kane's signature?

Manchester United and Real Madrid have been strongly linked with the England international, but it has been reported that Tottenham will only listen to offers within the region of £150 million ($206m) for their captain.

Crouch believes Kane will want to stay in the Premier League and thinks Manchester City would suit him best, adding: "I feel the circle of potential destinations will be further limited by his ambition to break Alan Shearer's Premier League scoring record.

"Tottenham won't do business with Chelsea, I doubt he'd get the trophies he wants at Manchester United, so that leaves only one domestic option: Manchester City."

Kane's record for Spurs in 2020-21

Kane's stock is arguably higher than ever before after his outstanding exploits for Spurs this season.

Jose Mourinho's side have struggled for consistency but Kane has still been a regular source of goals, scoring 29 in 42 appearances across all competitions - while also laying on 16 assists.

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rhulani Mokwena wants to use the weekend's Champions League loss to Algerian side Belouizdad as motivation for the Brazilians' domestic league clash against Chippa United at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

In what is a big rarity, Downs will be heading into Monday's match (3 pm kick-off) on the back of a defeat - the Champions League loss was the first time in 28 games they have been defeated in, since being knocked out of the MTN8 by Bloemfontein Celtic on the very first day of the season.

Mokwena, who is co-coach with Manqoba Mngqiti, wants his men to use that as motivation to bounce back against the Chilli Boys.

"We face Chippa United on the back of a defeat, we haven't felt like this in a very long time," he told Downs media. "The mood is extremely sombre, there is of course a feeling of unhappiness in and around the workspace.

"But it's okay, this is how we have to test our resolve and our mental fortitude. Can we bounce back? Because it's not in failing you are tested, it's in how you react after the fall - how quickly do you get up and arrest the situation.

"The pain is good because the pain drives you to not want to be in that space again."

The departure of Chippa United head coach Dan Malesela, after a 5-1 defeat to Maritzburg United, will make it more difficult for Sundowns to plan for how the interim manager, Siya Gwambi, sets out his team, says Mokwena.

"Preparing for Chippa is very difficult because of the change in leadership - the change in technical direction from a coaching perspective," Mokwena, who previously had a brief spell in charge of Chippa, explained.

"The coach in charge at the moment - we don't know much about him. We can't even profile his games except for his stint in the MDC (reserve league)."

In 21 previous encounters between the two clubs, Sundowns have won 12, Chippa two, and there have been seven draws.

The Chilli Boys are lying second from bottom on the table with 17 points from 21 matches.

Gabriel Martinelli has calmed any fears regarding the suffering of a fresh injury setback at Arsenal, with the Brazilian raring to go after ending a 15-month barren run in front of goal.

Mikel Arteta returned the talented teenager to his Premier League starting XI for a meeting with rock-bottom Sheffield United.

Martinelli found the target in that contest, which the Gunners won 3-0, but was also replaced seven minutes from the end amid concerns regarding a supposed ankle knock.

What has been said?

Asked by Arsenal's official website afterwards on whether he is now nursing another problem, Martinelli said: "No, I am alright to play on Thursday."

The Gunners are due to take in the second leg of a Europa League quarter-final clash with Slavia Prague in midweek.

Is Martinelli ready to shine again?

The South American enjoyed a productive debut campaign at Emirates Stadium in 2019-20, as he broke into double figures for goals scored.

His season was, however, ended by a knee injury that presented him with plenty of setbacks.

A long road to recovery was taken in, with Martinelli then facing the challenge of trying to win a place back in Arteta's plans.

That has not been easy, but a promising display against the Blades suggests that form and fitness will return with more game time under his belt.

Martinelli added on his efforts, with a first goal recorded since finding the target against Chelsea in January 2020: "I am feeling a bit tired but I'm so happy with the goal and even happier with the victory and the three points.

"I work every single day in training, you need to prepare yourself because when Mikel needs you, you need to be there to play and show something."

Further reading