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Manchester City eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a Bernardo Silva-inspired 3-0 win at home to Birmingham City on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola made the somewhat surprising decision to name what was essentially his strongest possible XI, and their superior quality was telling from the start as they quickly raced into a 2-0 lead.

Silva opened the scoring with a gorgeous volley and swiftly doubled City's advantage to cap off a fine move in the 15th minute, before Phil Foden effectively killed off any hopes of a Birmingham comeback before the interval.

City were less deadly in the second period as they failed to add to their lead, but it mattered little as they had no difficulty seeing out a comfortable victory.

Aitor Karanka and Birmingham will have been braced for a difficult day after seeing the line-up chosen by Guardiola, though nothing could have prepared them for the hosts' start.

Silva displayed remarkable technique to make it 1-0 as he unleashed a stunning volley just inside the box to punish a poor clearance, picking out the top-left corner.

He soon got a second with a simple close-range finish, guiding home Kevin De Bruyne's cutback after the Belgian had been well spotted by Riyad Mahrez.

City found their stride again after something of a lull, and Foden increased the lead just past the half-hour mark, rifling into the bottom-right corner from 20 yards after being picked out by Mahrez.

The hosts withdrew De Bruyne, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias at half-time, with youngsters Felix Nmecha and Taylor Harwood-Bellis entering alongside John Stones.

City remained dominant and thought they had a fourth goal just past the hour, only for VAR to confirm Mahrez had strayed offside when latching on to Foden's pass.

Silva passed up the chance to complete his hat-trick as he dragged wide when the ball fell kindly for him, and that proved to be his final opportunity as City settled for a three-goal victory.

What does it mean? City emphatic but Guardiola learns little

It is fair to say, Guardiola may have surprised a few by naming such a strong starting XI and it seemingly yielded the desired result as City went into half-time 3-0 to the good.

Nevertheless, Guardiola will have learnt very little about that first-half performance given his line-up was full of first-team regulars and they were facing a side struggling in a Championship relegation battle.

A few of the kids were sent on in the second half and did their chances of further opportunities no harm, though the game had become little more than a training exercise by that point.

Foden runs Birmingham ragged

There were several City stars who produced classy displays, but Foden was arguably the most enjoyable to watch. His goal was a great strike, while he had already threatened beforehand with his other two shots. The England international also made three key passes – one of those was particularly clever, as he chested down a long ball to tee up Silva for an effort that hit the side-netting.

Gabriel Jesus frustrated

City's Brazilian striker was by no means poor here – with three shots and a couple of key passes, he was actually quite bright. But he will likely be frustrated by the fact he could not get his name on the scoreboard, particularly given one of his first-half opportunities was a one-one-one situation that he spurned.

What's next?

It is back to Premier League action on Wednesday for City, who host Brighton and Hove Albion. Birmingham continue their quest to get clear of the Championship's relegation zone three days later when they go to coach Karanka's former team Middlesbrough.

Tusker FC condemned Kakamega Homeboyz to a 1-0 defeat in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League game on Sunday at Bukhungu Stadium.

Henry Meja scored the only goal that saw the visitors pick all three points from a side seen as their direct rivals in the title challenge.

Homeboyz would have broken the deadlock in the fifth minute when they engineered a counter-attack but David Okoth misplaced his shot and thus wasted a clear opportunity in the 5th minute.

Allan Wanga would have also scored in the 31st minute for Homeboyz but Eugene Asike did well to block his shot and saved Tusker one more time from the hosts’ attacks.

It is in the second half that Tusker showed determination and in the 47th minute they came close to registering an opener but Hashim Sempala’s strike hit the woodwork after he had received a short corner from Boniface Muchiri.

Robert Mboya was called to action in the 50th minute after Shami Kibwana attempted a low strike after he had found his way into the Tusker area.

In the 70th minute coach Robert Matano made three changes as Humphrey Mieno, George Odhiambo and Kevin Okoth came in and Apollo Otieno, Jackson Macharia and Boniface Muchiri were introduced.

The Matano changes brought an immediate impact as Meja scored the opening goal for the Brewers in the 72nd minute. The youngster received the ball from Luke Namanda while in the box, controlled it a little bit and fired into the bottom corner.

Meja was involved in another incident that almost doubled Tusker’s lead in the 89th minute. He delivered a cross from the left-wing and found Mieno who tried to volley the ball over the Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper David Juma but it ended up not troubling the custodian who made a calm save.

The win was a massive result for Tusker who have now narrowed the gap to four points with unbeaten KCB.

Meanwhile, at Sudi Stadium, Nzoia Sugar and Western Stima played to a 1-1 draw in their respective league game.

Western Stima took a seventh-minute lead when Baron Oketch beat Humphrey Katasi in Nzoia Sugar’s goal for the first goal of the encounter.

The Sugar Millers equalised in the 27th minute through Peter Wanjala’s effort and eventually picked a point from their home game.

Antonio Conte has defended his decision to withdraw Lautaro Martinez, Arturo Vidal and Achraf Hakimi in the late stages of Inter's 2-2 draw with Roma on Sunday.

Inter were 2-1 up before star striker Martinez was taken off 77 minutes into the match and replaced by Ivan Perisic. Five minutes later, a double substitution saw Roberto Gagliardini take Vidal's place and Aleksandar Kolarov come on for Hakimi.

Roma went on to score the equaliser in the 86th minute, with Gianluca Mancini heading home to seal a point for the home side.

Asked if he could have avoided making the late changes, Conte said: "Vidal had picked up a knock and asked to be brought off. Lautaro was spent after 75 minutes of effort - off the ball too.

"Hakimi gave a lot too and these players have played a lot of football in the last seven days. We have a squad that’s big enough to make good changes so it’s normal to look to the bench."

He added: “[Vidal] performed really well. He had a slow start but then increased the intensity of his game. It was a positive display, as was the case for all the others. He came off due to a physical problem."

Despite the draw, Conte was happy with his side's performance, even though he felt they could have had the win wrapped up before the late equaliser. 

The result leaves them three points behind leaders AC Milan ahead of the Nerazzurri's match against champions Juventus next week.

"I think that we played well, in the first half too. Let’s not forget that Roma are fighting for the same thing we are and are just three points behind us," he said.

"Going away to the third-place team in the league and playing like this means we’re an organised and strong team. We had the chance to kill off the game but couldn’t manage it, and let Roma back into it late on - because we were out of energy. It’s a shame because, with two minutes two go, we were beating a strong side.

"I think that, at the end of the game, there was a bit of anxiety to get a result. On a mental level, this leads you to hold off somewhat.

"From the bench, we told the players to continue to press, because sitting deep isn’t a good thing. However, psychologically, it’s normal for the losing team to push forward and the team in front to try to hold on to the result. We’ll certainly continue to work to improve in this regard.

"We have our own identity and I’m pleased that opposition coaches have referred to this, there’s work that goes into achieving this. We’re an organised side, even if this isn’t often recognised.

"We often concede goals because we press high and leave space for the opposition to hit us on the counter, we’ve conceded too many in this way. Pressing high is a double-edged sword: it allows you to win the ball high up the pitch, but you’re left vulnerable if you make a mistake. Furthermore, you need to have the strength to play this way for the whole game.

"We’ve played three matches in seven days with more or less the same starting eleven, and it’s normal for a bit of energy to be missing at the end. Sitting back is an inevitable consequence."

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel has suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will be out for an "extended period of time", the club confirmed on Sunday.

The Belgium international suffered an injury and had to be helped off during the first half of Edin Terzic's side's 3-1 win at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Following an initial prognosis overnight, Dortmund confirmed the extent of the 31-year-old's injury, with the club refusing to set a timeline on a return for the playmaker.

However, it is highly likely that he will miss the rest of the season, with reports in Witsel's home nation suggesting that he may be a doubt for the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament which is due to start on June 11.

With over a hundred caps to his name for Roberto Martinez's side, he was expected to play a major part as world No 1 side Belgium seek a maiden major competition success.

"Unfortunate news," the club confirmed in a statement on social media. "Axel Witsel suffered a torn Achilles tendon during yesterday's match and will be out for an extended period of time. We all wish Axel a speedy and successful recovery."

Witsel first arrived at Dortmund in the summer of 2018, having signed on a four-year deal from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian, and on the back of featuring in Belgium's run to a third-place finish at the World Cup in Russia.

He previously spent time with Standard Liege in his home country, as well as Benfica and Zenit, winning major domestic honours with all three teams.

Since arriving at Signal Iduna Park, Witsel has emerged as a core senior player within the squad, helping to usher through a new generation of talents including Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.

He starred in the club's 2019 DFL-Supercup victory over Bayern Munich as Lucien Favre's side claimed a convincing 2-0 win, although he has been unable to help Dortmund break their barren streak in the Bundesliga.

His injury means he will now miss a crucial second half of the 2020-21 campaign, as Terzic looks to steer the club back into title contention with champions Bayern five points ahead at the summit.

Sergio Aguero missed Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Birmingham City in the FA Cup after being forced to self-isolate.

The club's all-time top scorer was set for just his fourth start of the season in Sunday's third-round clash as he looks to put the after-effects of meniscus surgery behind him, but Pep Guardiola confirmed that someone close to Aguero had tested positive for Covid-19 and the striker was forced to quarantine despite testing negative.

The City boss has been careful with Aguero's recovery following his operation in June after a hamstring injury at West Ham curtailed his initial return in October.

Aguero, 32, could now be be forced to miss the clashes with Brighton on Wednesday and Crystal Palace on Sunday

"Unfortunately he was in contact more than usual with one person who is positive," Guardiola confirmed after the game. "He must isolate for a few days. I don't know exactly because he has been tested like all of us six times in the last 10 to15 days so it is negative.

"Today, I think he was negative too but the protocols say in some cases isolate, and in other cases we still play football. He was not able to play today."

Guardiola was able to start with Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker for the first time since they tested positive for Covid-19 on Christmas Day.

City are close to having a full squad available after the coronavirus outbreak at the club that forced the game against Everton on December 28 to be called off at short notice.

Ederson, Ferran Torres and Tommy Doyle have also returned to first-team training after positive tests and could be in contention for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Brighton at Etihad Stadium.

Aymeric Laporte missed the game with a minor hamstring injury, but Guardiola hopes to have him back soon.

"Laporte yesterday had a first session alone," he said. "So hopefully in one week, I don't know exactly but hopefully one week, ten days he will be OK."

City progressed comfortably with two goals from Bernardo Silva and a third from Phil Foden while academy yoingsters Felix Nmecha, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Liam Delap got valuable game time in the second half.

"Our first objective is done. Some young players were involved and we have qualified for the next round," Guardiola added. "If you follow the trajectory of our team since I arrived, we didn't drop one game. That's why we are in a fourth Carabao Cup final in a row, the FA Cup we won two seasons ago, and a semi-final last season.

"Players like Kyle and Gabriel came back. Rodri didn't play last game, Mendy for a long time didn't play. So for six, seven players today was good.

"Every game we play, we will try to win and if the players are more or less fresh, I will use them."

Simphiwe Dludlu, the former Banyana Banyana defender, thought that Orlando Pirates should have been awarded a penalty in their match against Swallows FC at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw after Pirates scored first in the 85th minute, only for the Birds to equalise through Kamahelo Mahlatsi in the third minute of added time.

Overall, it could be argued that the draw was a fair reflection of a game in which Swallows enjoyed the upper-hand in the first half before Bucs came back strongly after the interval on a wet afternoon in Soweto.

"Sharing the spoils is a true definition of how they played this afternoon," Dludlu said in her role as SuperSport TV analyst.

"Because in the first half Pirates could not handle the pressure from Swallows. And in the second half, they really had a clear plan to say, 'let's change up how we add numbers forward'. Because you could see them playing with three at the back when they have the ball."

The match’s controversial moment arose in the 70th minute with the scores locked at 0-0.

The Sea Robbers engaged in an intricate build-up around the Swallows box which culminated in Fortune Makaringe charging into the penalty area and seemingly getting taken out by Birds defender Tlakusani Mthethwa, just as he was about the pull the trigger.

Replays certainly strongly suggested that Makaringe had been fouled. But after consulting with his assistant on the far side, referee Jelly Chavani decided the Pirates midfielder had dived and showed him a yellow card instead of pointing to the spot.

"I could have thought that was a penalty, honestly,” Dludlu said. “Because how [Makaringe] went in, he carried the ball close to him and did not show any simulation there. This really looks close, like a penalty.

"Because Mthethwa really lunged in there for Makaringe, and he didn't even know where the opponent was coming from. He [Makaringe] couldn't step trying to carry on forward to try and score.

“Definitely I could say its a penalty when you look at the different angles. It's wet, it's slippery, it's bound to happen and just unlucky that the referee didn't call it."

Bucs also appeared to have a harsh decision go against them in the 89th minute when a goal-bound Deon Hotto was called back for being off-side.

Premier League referee Michael Oliver has admitted that Jordan Pickford should have been punished for injuring Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk has been out of action since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on October 17.

The Dutchman was the victim of a reckless flying tackle from Pickford, but Oliver took no action against the Toffees goalkeeper after VAR ruled that there had been an offside in the buildup to the incident.

The match official has now conceded that he was wrong for failing to show Pickford a red card, having been too preoccupied with trying to decide whether or not to give a penalty to properly assess the nature of his challenge.

“It was a big game. Both teams were flying. The assistant has given offside and there is the delay in the flag, as we have had this season. Jordan then comes out to Virgil," Oliver told the Daily Mail.

“The thought initially was, ‘It can’t be a penalty because it’s offside so we need to check the offside first’.

“I think I said to the VAR, ‘If it’s not offside, I’m going to give a penalty’.

“I have watched it back so many times. I genuinely don’t think Pickford has done anything apart from try to spread himself but he did it the wrong way, as the injury has shown.

“We have all, myself included, not thought about the challenge as much as we should have done. We could still have given offside and sent Pickford off.

“What I was surprised about looking at it afterwards was that nothing was expected on-field in terms of a red card. None of the players were asking for that.

“We got sucked too much into going step by step as opposed to thinking of the bigger process, which was considering the challenge as well and not just the fact it can’t be a penalty.

“We should have restarted wth the offside, as we did, but with a different punishment for Jordan Pickford.”

Van Dijk returned to training in the gym last month, but Jurgen Klopp revealed before Liverpool's defeat at Southampton on January 4 that the centre-back still has a "long way to go" with his recovery.

The Reds boss told reporters: "It's very good but still a long way to go, that's [the deal with] this kind of injury. I'm happy when I see these videos [of Virgil training] because it just shows he makes good progress. But it will still take a lot of time, that's how it is. 

"I'd like to say something else but these are the facts unfortunately."

Goal can confirm that Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Moussa Dembele on loan from Lyon, with a €33 million (£30m/$40m) option to buy set to be included in the final deal.

Dembele has spent the last two-and-a-half years on Lyon's books, having been snapped up from Celtic for €22 million (£20m/$27m) in the summer of 2018.

The Frenchman has scored 45 goals in 108 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit during that period, helping them compete for both domestic and European honours in the process.

However, only one of those efforts has been recorded in the current campaign, with Lyon sporting director Juninho admitting that Dembele's motivation levels have dipped in recent months.

The Groupama Stadium chief revealed that the 24-year-old has been in talks over a January transfer to Atletico after the team's 2-2 draw with Rennes on Saturday, telling Telefoot: "Moussa thinks that this is the moment to change teams, that he has lost a bit of motivation.

"This was not something we foresaw, I like him a lot. I think that Moussa has found an agreement with Atletico.”

Goal has learned that Dembele will arrive in Madrid to undergo a medical at Wanda Metropolitano on Monday before joining Los Rojiblancos on loan until the end of the season.

Atletico have moved for the former Celtic star as a replacement for Diego Costa, whose contract was terminated for personal reasons in December.

The current La Liga leaders can choose to buy Dembele outright in June if he impresses over the next six months, but a home fixture against Sevilla on Tuesday may come too soon for the forward to make his debut.

Dembele has just resumed training after recovering from a broken elbow, and will probably not be ready to return to action until Atletico take in a trip to Eibar on January 21.

Diego Simeone's side are currently on course to win their first league title since 2013-14, as they sit one point clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table having played three games fewer.

Angel Correa and Joao Felix have been playing up top alongside Luis Suarez since Costa's departure, but Dembele will likely slot in alongside the Uruguayan when he completes his move to Metropolitano Stadium.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have confirmed they will add one new player into their squad before the transfer window closes.

The Jangwani giants are yet to sign a player since the window opened on December 23 and with its door set to close on January 15, GSM’s Director of Investment Hersi Said has revealed they will add one more player into their squad.

“We are in the final procedure to sign a new player and soon, he will be unveiled to the public. At the moment, I cannot disclose more details about him because we want to make it a big surprise,” Said explained as quoted by Daily News.

Said has also refused to reveal the reason why winger Carlos Carlinhos was withdrawn from the team’s camp in Zanzibar where they are taking part in the Mapinduzi Cup tournament.

“I cannot say much on that because only the coach can elaborate on what really happened. For me, I know nothing on that subject,” he said.

The Angolan star, who signed for the club at the start of the 2020-21 season, was forced to travel to Dar es Salaam with the club saying he had suffered another injury setback.

“The squad is in good shape; all the players are fit except for Carlinhos who has been forced to return to the capital, Dar es Salaam,” Yanga media officer Hassan Bumbuli told reporters in Zanzibar when the player was allowed to leave camp.

“He will have to continue with the treatment as well as the programs he was scheduled for due to his lack of fitness.”

His withdrawal made him join the list of Yanga players not in the tournament including Feisal, Kaseke, Yasin Mustapha, Farid Mussa, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ditram Nchimbi, and striker Yacouba Songne.

In a recent interview, Yanga coach Cedric Kaze explained the reason he is targeting a striker in the transfer window.

“Having been very successful in the defensive zone in the first round, we now want to make sure we add more edge to the attacking zone and that is why we are in the process of recruiting another striker who will strengthen the area,” Kaze said, as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“We want to see our team score more goals, to have a better balance of goals scored and conceded if we want to finish in a better position in the standings.”

Reports have already indicated the Jangwani giants are in the process of signing Congolese striker Ferebory Dore to boost their striking options.

Yanga are currently topping the 18-team table on 44 points from 18 matches.

Monza forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has been named Serie B Player of the Month for December.

The 33-year-old contributed two goals and two assists as Monza recorded five wins and a draw after eight league matches in the month under review.

Boateng scored a quick-fire brace on December 15 when the White and Reds cruised past struggling Virtus Entella with a 5-0 victory at home.

Four days later, he assisted Davide Bettella in finding the back of the net as Monza fell to a 3-2 loss against Pescara. It was their second defeat in December after a 3-0 loss at Reggiana.

Boateng continued with another assist for Carlos Augusto as he helped the U-Power Stadium outfit bounce back to winning form with a 2-0 win over Ascoli on December 22.

Since he joined Monza from Fiorentina in September, the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward has contributed four goals in 13 Serie B appearances and his return in front of goal has helped the White and Reds climb to fourth in the league table as they aim for promotion to the Italian top-flight.

Monza started 2021 with a goalless draw against Lecce on Monday with the 33-year-old playing 86 minutes of football before he was replaced.

With four points adrift of the summit, Boateng will be aiming to help Cristian Brocchi's side boost their chances of promotion when they host Cosenza for their next league fixture on January 16.

Boateng moved a step lower to the second division in September to reunite with former AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi who first brought him to Italy in 2010.

"How did Silvio Berlusconi convince me [to come to Monza]? He called me and said 'my son, come home'. There was no need for many more words," Boateng said.

Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has backed Almeria striker Umar Sadiq for his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles after his fine performances in the Spanish second division this season.

The Nigeria U23 star is enjoying a rich vein of goalscoring form in Spain since he joined Rojiblancos on a five-year deal from Serbian club Partizan Belgrade in October.

He has scored nine goals in 18 appearances in the Segunda Division, which include a hat-trick against Ponferradina last Sunday.

Sadiq was part of the Dream Team VI that won bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games where he contributed four goals in six appearances, and he is yet to be considered for an international assignment in over four years.

When asked if the 23-year-old is ready for a role in Gernot Rohr’s team, Siasia told the Punch; “I believe Umar is ready to join the senior national team.

“I know him very well, he has grown to become disciplined, mature and a much better player.

“Osimhen and Umar are two different and unique players.”

Sadiq, meanwhile, is ready to wait for his opportunity with the Super Eagles as he acknowledges the abundance of Nigeria-eligible talents across the world.

“First of all, Nigeria is blessed with young talented players,” the former Roma striker told the Nation. “We have a lot of them. We are growing there in all the leagues of Europe.

“You can see a good number of Nigerian players in all the leagues of Europe. Some are even playing for the England national team.

“I will say that I will just wait for my time and when it comes, I hope I will just grab it. I have no doubt about it one day it will happen and we would all see it. At the moment I’m focusing on my club after playing in the Olympics.”

Liverpool have held talks with three clubs over a potential loan move for young defender Sepp van den Berg.

The Reds want the 19-year-old to pick up first-team experience, and will therefore allow him to leave this month despite the club’s lack of options at centre-back.

Discussions have already taken place with clubs in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, and sources have told Goal a deal is likely to be agreed this week.

Van den Berg moved to Merseyside from PEC Zwolle in June 2019, with Liverpool paying £1.3million ($1.75m) to secure his services.

He has since made four senior appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, all of them in domestic cup competitions, but has not featured at all in the first team this season despite the Premier League champions’ ongoing injury problems.

Instead, Van den Berg has been with Barry Lewtas’ U23 side this term, with another 19-year-old, Rhys Williams, promoted to Klopp’s senior setup.

Billy Koumetio, another teenager, has also featured following injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, as has Nat Phillips.

Liverpool believe the progress of both Williams and Phillips, who have made 14 appearances between them this season, can be attributed to successful loan spells last season.

Williams was sent to Kidderminster in the sixth tier of English football, while Phillips spent the bulk of the campaign with Stuttgart in the 2.Bundesliga. Both have spoken positively about their experiences.

Liverpool hope for similar results with Van den Berg, who already has top-flight pedigree in the form of 23 Eredivisie appearances for Zwolle.

Goal understands that there is one Belgian Pro League club, one 2.Bundesliga outfit and one Swiss Super League side in the mix to sign him, and that the player has already held talks with all three via video link.

There has also been interest from clubs in England, with numerous scouts present at the Reds’ U23 fixtures this season. Blackburn, who have another Liverpool loanee in teenage star Harvey Elliott, are among those to have enquired.

A final decision will now be made, with Liverpool keen to ensure Van den Berg has the chance to play regular games at a level which will allow him to develop the key areas of his game.

The Reds allowed Liam Millar, the captain of their U23 side, to leave for League One side Charlton earlier this week, with the Canada international making his debut for the Addicks in their 2-0 defeat at home to Accrington on Friday.

They will also consider offers for left-back Yasser Larouci, who is into the final six months of his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension.

Gor Mahia coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto has promised to win trophies with the club after penning a deal to handle them.

The 47-year-old Portuguese tactician was unveiled on Sunday as the team prepared to face Kariobangi Sharks in an FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Stadium.

The former Saint George SC of Ethiopia and Angolan club Clube Recreativo Desportivo do Libolo coach has now revealed the reason why he chose to work for Gor Mahia and also promised to help them reach the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup.

“I have a lot of experience in Africa. I worked before in two countries, Angola and Ethiopia I played Confederation Cup and Champions League and now I come to Gor Mahia because they are a big club,” Pinto told Gor Mahia TV during the unveiling ceremony.

“I am very proud to be the coach of Gor Mahia and of course I want to achieve big things and make history with the club. We start to work very hard to win games in the league and put Gor Mahia in the group stage of the Confederation Cup, that is my target here.”

On whether he has enough time to prepare the team for their Confederation Cup play-off fixture against Napsa Stars of Zambia, Pinto said: “Yes, of course, the time is not on our side, we don’t have enough time to analyse our opponents, analyse and study how they play, we want to put strong training sessions and give them [my players] a winning mentality, so I think together we can achieve group stage qualification.”

On what he targets to achieve with the team, Pinto explained: “I am a young and ambitious coach and I want my team to be ambitious, we must be ready to achieve goals and we must achieve our targets, I am ambitious and I want my team to be ambitious, to fight in every game, win every game and win trophies as well.”

Despite unveiling the coach as Brazilian Roberto Oliveira's replacement, Gor Mahia did not divulge the details of his contract.

However, a source, who did not want to be named, confirmed to Goal the coach, will sign a two-year contract when he lands in Kenya to take over the job.

“We have agreed on everything in regards to his contract and what I can tell you is he will sign for two years,” a source privy to the deal, told Goal on Sunday.

“He is supposed to arrive anytime starting today [Sunday] and thereafter, the club will do a big unveiling ceremony.

“He is a very experienced coach, and has also helped a team to reach the semi-finals of Champions League, he holds the required papers, he has a Uefa Pro and Caf A licenses, so he will help us a lot.”

Vaz Pinto also managed the FC Famalicao U23 side from September 2019 to June 2020, where he oversaw 26 matches, won four, drew 11, and lost 11.

He also worked as the Technical Director of Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak, where he served for only seven days, before he resigned after the club rejected his proposal to remove Edward Nii Odoom as assistant coach of the team.

Gor Mahia have already played two matches since the 2020-21 season kicked off – beating Ulinzi Stars 1-0 before losing 2-1 against Tusker.