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Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC) midfielder Keziron Kizito has explained how they can earn victory against AS Kigali in a Caf Confederation Cup tie.

KCCA will welcome the Rwandan side on January 6 and Kizito believes being clinical in front of goal can certainly ensure they win the tie that will be held at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

“Everyone in the team is focussed,” Kizito said according to Football256. “For the return leg, we have to work as a team and make sure we finish our chances in the game.

“The boys are in a positive mood and confident because with the work we have put in, we are confident we can get over the task and advance to the next level.

“The team being together in the camp helps us to bond more, because if you’re working as a team you need to build important chemistry.

“We are definitely getting to know and understand each other better and focus since you are aiming at a specific goal, it makes it easy to overcome the challenge.”

Kizito’s explanation on how to pull a victory came after his teammate Ashraf Mugume spoke about a possible KCCA debut at the continental stage.

“I am just going to turn what we have been taught by coaches into action when I happen to get a chance because our team is strong, you can’t be very sure about whether you will play or not,” Mugume said in a separate interview. “But if I get that chance, I am ready to give 100%. It will be my first time playing in this tournament and I will be very happy if I get that chance and take the team to the next level.

“Everyone is in good shape and ready for the game and the camp has helped us to get more time together. We are very ready, everyone is positive and just waiting for the day.”

AS Kigali were awarded a walkover in the first leg after the Kasasiro Boys were dealt a blow as 12 players tested positive for the coronavirus.

Coach Mike Mutebi, his assistant Badru Kabuye, goalkeeping coach Moses Oloya, first-team coach Jackson Magera, goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, Denis Iguma, Kezironi Kizito, Brian Aheebwa, Stefano Mazengo, Hassan Matovu, Samson Kigozi, and Hassan Musana were the ones who were sidelined by Covid-19.

Manchester City impressively overcame the absence of key first-team players due to coronavirus as they eased to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. 

Pep Guardiola's side had their game at Everton postponed earlier this week due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club, one that left them without six squad members for their first match of 2021. 

But City, who handed a league debut to goalkeeper Zack Steffen, were three up inside 34 minutes thanks to strikes from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and star of the show Kevin De Bruyne.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a late consolation for Chelsea but that was the only disappointment for the visitors, who made it three league wins in a row to move up to fifth in the table, within four points of top spot with a game in hand. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain down in eighth position. 

City started without a recognised striker and it was Gundogan who was in the most advanced position when turning away from Thiago Silva to fire past Edouard Mendy for the opener. 

A second goal followed for Guardiola's side 157 seconds later, Foden sweeping home De Bruyne's low cross at the front post following a poor sliding clearance from Silva in the build-up. 

De Bruyne rounded off a swift counter that he started near his own box for City's third, the playmaker converting from close range after Raheem Sterling's shot came back off the post. 

Gundogan went close to doubling his tally with a smart flick that drifted inches wide of the far post and Rodri's header was well saved by Mendy after half-time as City pushed for a fourth. 

They could not quite hold on for a sixth clean sheet in seven league outings, however, as Hudson-Odoi converted fellow substitute Kai Havertz's delivery at the back post from the final meaningful act of the match.

What does it mean? Pep's plan pays off 

Guardiola may have been missing a few but he made full use of his squad depth - and totally outsmarted opposite number Frank Lampard with his tactical plan.

It was hard to work out exactly who was leading the line for City at times, Sterling, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne all popping up through the middle and terrorising the experienced duo of Silva and N'Golo Kante. 

The damage was done in a first half that saw Chelsea concede three times before the interval in a Premier League game for the second time this season, the hosts' late response doing little to repair their damaged morale - they have now registered just one win in six league games. 

De Bruyne at it again 

De Bruyne has a habit of scoring and assisting against Chelsea; his tally of four goals against them in the Premier League is the most a former player has netted against the Blues in the competition. 

The Belgian playmaker has also now scored in three successive top-flight encounters with Chelsea - the first City player to achieve that feat since Carlos Tevez. 

N'Golo Kante handle City 

The defensive midfielder was not alone in struggling to deal with City's fluid attackers in the first half, but it is difficult to remember him having as bad a day as this. 

He won just six of his 13 duels and lost possession seven times before being replaced by Billy Gilmour with 64 minutes gone, the youngster doing more during his time on the field than the player he replaced. 

Key Opta facts

- Chelsea have suffered as many defeats in their last six Premier League games (W1 D1 L4) as they did in the 23 matches beforehand (W14 D5 L4).
- Since their 2-0 defeat to Spurs in November, City have won five of their seven Premier League matches (D2). Only Manchester United (20) have picked up more points in that time.
- Chelsea have found themselves conceding at least three goals during the opening 45 minutes of two Premier League games this season, just the third time they have done so more than once in the same campaign (also 1996-97 and 2011-12).
- Gundogan has opened the scoring in three of City's last four league games, netting more times in his last four appearances than he did all last season in the top tier (two goals in 31 games).
- Following his 12th appearance in a row without a goal in all competitions, Timo Werner has only ever embarked on two longer goalless runs during his top-flight career – both as a Stuttgart player.

What's next? 

City have an EFL Cup semi-final trip to Manchester United on Wednesday, while Chelsea will be desperate to put this loss behind them when they take on fourth-tier opposition Morecambe in the FA Cup third round next Sunday. 

Bayern Munich came from behind for an eighth successive Bundesliga match as the champions overcame struggling Mainz 5-2 at Allianz Arena.

Hansi Flick's side have not taken the lead in a league game since October and might have been staring down the barrel of a second defeat of the season had Danny Latza beaten Manuel Neuer early in the second half.

Mainz had a 2-0 lead at that stage, with Jonathan Burkardt and Alexander Hack scoring in the first half, but Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane restored parity in the space of five minutes.

Robin Quaison struck the woodwork as 17th-placed Mainz fought back, though Bayern ultimately had too much.

Niklas Sule's deflected strike and Robert Lewandowski's double – the first of which came from the spot – settling a thrilling contest firmly in Bayern's favour.

Against the run of play, Mainz struck first – Burkardt getting the better of Jerome Boateng and thumping beyond Neuer.

Bayern were convinced Boateng had been fouled, but the VAR disagreed, though Mainz's lead would have been swiftly cancelled out had Finn Dahmen not palmed over Lewandowski's strike.

But Bayern were dealt another blow before the interval, Hack capitalising on some dreadful marking to head home from Daniel Brosinski's free-kick.

Latza should have put Mainz out of sight three minutes after the restart, only to drill straight at Neuer from point-blank range, and the visitors were punished when Kimmich headed in from Lewandowski's flick.

Bayern quickly doubled down – Sane cutting in from the right to curl in a crisp, low finish.

Neuer's crossbar came to Bayern's rescue from Quaison's blistering shot and the hosts made their fortune count as Sule's volley skewed in off a defender a few moments after Leandro Barreiro's own goal was disallowed for Alphonso Davies straying offside.

Barreiro's luck ran out in the 74th minute when he wildly scythed down Serge Gnabry, giving Lewandowski the chance to wrap up the win.

Having sent Dahmen the wrong way from 12 yards, Lewandowski then met Thomas Muller's cross to add a fifth with seven minutes remaining and send Bayern back to the Bundesliga's summit.

What does it mean? New year, same Bayern

Though their habit of going behind in games may soon come back to bite Bayern, who have kept just one clean sheet in 13 league matches, they just had too much power and quality for Mainz on Sunday.

Bayern have recovered 18 points from losing positions in their last eight league outings, and hold a two-point lead over second-placed RB Leipzig, who beat Stuttgart on Saturday.

Lewandowski keeps on rolling

Having capped off a superb 2020 by pipping Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Best FIFA Men's Player award, Lewandowski picked up where he left off.

He created Kimmich's goal with a deft flick-on and took his penalty in typically composed fashion before sweeping in on the volley late on. He is now on 19 league goals for the season from just 14 games and all three of his attempts were on target.

A mixed bag for Barreiro

Barreiro impressed going forward for Mainz, creating three chances – more than any other player for the visitors.

However, he also conceded possession on 15 occasions – a team-high – and committed three fouls, including a ludicrous lunge on Gnabry, while he was fortunate to not have an own goal to his name, too.

What's next?

Bayern travel to Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday, while Mainz host Eintracht Frankfurt a day later.

Pep Guardiola was delighted to see Phil Foden take centre stage on Sunday as the youngster's goal helped Manchester City to a comfortable 3-1 win over Chelsea. 

Foden, 20, started at Stamford Bridge as part of a much-changed City starting XI, following the club's woes with coronavirus in the past week. 

City were missing the likes of Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy for the weekend's Premier League clash, but nevertheless proved too much for Frank Lampard's charges who were comprehensively outplayed over the 90 minutes. 

Ilkay Gundogan, Foden and Kevin De Bruyne all found the scoresheet in the first half before Callum Hudson-Odoi netted a late consolation for the hosts, but it was the England international who stood out for his manager. 

"So proud - he never dropped one bit of his energy he can play up front in all four positions," Pep told Sky Sports when asked about Foden's exploits.

"He has a sense of goal, he scored a fantastic goal. We rely on him incredibly, for England and the national team, he will be a top player because he's so clever and calm.

"He made another great performance today."

Despite Chelsea's subdued performance, Guardiola insisted that his team had to work hard for victory and that the game could easily have finished with another outcome.

"[Chelsea] press and push in the first minutes, we suffered a little bit because we didn't concede almost anything except the goal in the last minute but we played really well," he added. 

"The result is excellent at Stamford Bridge but the way we play was really great you can't win titles without playing like that.

"Chelsea are one of the strongest teams, they are suffering from the last game but you see the quality of their players and the bench. We had a plan we tried to play like we have in the past and it worked.

"The players were excellent in every way especially with the ball. We cannot play like other teams, we have to play in our rhythm and attack in the right moment. We won titles in that way, more patient. We missed a bit of this tempo and today we had it.

"We don't have the physicality and quality of players to make quick transitions, maybe Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne but the others haven't played with the ball. You create problems and that's what we have to do. From the keeper to the striker we have to put the ball on the grass, make 1000 passes and pick the right moment."

Kevin De Bruyne found it "bizarre" playing in the striker position in Manchester City's 3-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday.

With Gabriel Jesus out due to coronavirus and Sergio Aguero on the bench as he works his way back to full fitness, the Belgium international playmaker started at the front of the attack at Stamford Bridge. 

De Bruyne adjusted well to his new spot, registering a goal and an assist as his side sealed the three points in the Premier League clash. He admits it took some time getting used to the change in position but was happy with his team's performance overall.

He told Sky Sports: "Bit bizarre in the beginning, I've done it a few times in my career obviously we have a lot of forwards out and the coach asked me to do this job, so I tried my best to do it as good as possible."

De Bruyne added: "I think after five or 10 minutes we found our rhythm - the beginning was a bit lacking and I was in a bit of a different role today but after that we played very well. We took our chances at the right time and defensively were solid for 90 minutes. It's a shame we conceded that goal in the last minute.

"We have different players so we play different this year so we have adjusted to our personnel, but the team is finding more rhythm in the last month we are playing better. When we had chances today we took them and leading 3-0 at half-time meant we could play more realistic in the second half."

The victory extended City's winning streak to four matches, while they are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions.

They are now four points adrift of leaders Liverpool, though Pep Guardiola's team have a game in hand and De Bruyne hopes they can maintain their good run of form.

"It's important that we win one of these big games. This season we have played some good games but not won any of them so today we have shown we can win the big games," he said. "We're still fighting an uphill battle but we are getting closer, that's all we can do now.

"The years we were champions we were winning these big games - it's a bit different this year because everyone is losing points. We had a bad start but we are coming back a bit so it's a good thing we're here fighting and that's all we can do now.

"I don't really have an explanation for [the strange results this season] - it is what it is. Every game we play there's never a feeling it's going to be easy. You need to be here 100 per cent for every game. If you're only at 95% then you're not going to win the game and that's what a lot of teams have done this year."

Sam Allardyce says West Brom's transfer plans have been disrupted by the new regulations following the United Kingdon's exit from the European Union.

Following the split, a points system has been introduced that will mean clubs need a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to sign players from the EU.

A GBE will be awarded on the basis of senior and youth international appearances, the quality of the selling club and the players' club appearances.

The new rules have already hindered West Brom's attempts to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window.

"The new regulations are a problem. I have found three players already who were capable of coming here and they're not allowed. It's a shame," Allardyce told reporters.

"Due to the new regulations in terms of the permit they were unable to come to this country, whereas [previously] they would have done. I have to look at that and think 'can he qualify?'

"That has made life a bit more difficult. It's not so much the pandemic, it's the change of rules because of the Brexit deal.

"We will do what we can and finding a player in this pandemic is going to be the hardest window I have ever worked in.

"No disrespect to my players here because they are all working as hard as they can but I do have to find better to lift the squad.

"Whatever player comes in they have to be better than what we have and capable of going into the team almost immediately."

Allardyce says his side's preparations for matches have also been disrupted in recent weeks, damaging their attempts to end their current seven-game winless streak in the Premier League.

“Training sessions have been almost zero, because of the load of the games, and the recovery periods the players need, and because of the weather on some occasions," he added. 

"We’ve had zero chance to be on the training ground as often as we’d have liked.

"It means that practices we’d normally do haven’t been able to take place - we’ve tried to do that via our analysis room and screen, but that’s obviously an area you go to on top of your training - your training session is backed up by analysis and videos that follow.

"We’ve been on the analysis side of it more than on the training pitch which has left me very frustrated, but the more I can get on the training ground, the more organised we’ll become - particularly defensively.

"I can’t knock the players for trying their best - every player is shattered in there. They’ve run and I can’t knock them for that - they’re just falling short against this opposition."

Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has tested positive for Covid-19, the club has revealed.

The Premier League side have been hit by an increase in cases recently, leading to the postponement of the match against Everton hours before kick-off on Monday. 

It has been confirmed that 19-year-old centre-back and a member of staff are the latest to contract the virus, with Garcia now the sixth Manchester City player to test positive.

"Manchester City can confirm that Eric Garcia and one member of staff have tested positive for Covid-19," a statement on the club's website read. 

"Both personnel will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK government protocol on quarantine. Everyone at the club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition."

Garcia, 19, has made three Premier League appearances this season - starting two - while he has featured a further three times in the Champions League.

It has been reported that Garcia is one of six first-team players to have returned a positive test at City in the last 10 days. Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker were both revealed on Christmas Day to have contracted coronavirus, while a further three unnamed players have had to self-isolate in the subsequent days.

On Sunday, the club released a statement expressing disappointment in left-back Benjamin Mendy for breaching tier four restrictions by attending a New Year's Eve party. City pledged to launch an investigation into the France international's actions after news of his flouting of the rules came to light.

Despite the increase in cases, City's Premier League match against Chelsea is set to go ahead as planned on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's team, who are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, are seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool heading into the match at Stamford Bridge, although they have two games in hand over their rivals.

Chelsea are level on points with their weekend opponents but have won just one of their last five matches in the English top-flight.

After Sunday's encounter, City will take on rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Al Merreikh arrived Nigeria on Sunday afternoon as they get set to face Enyimba in Wednesday’s Caf Champions League first round second leg encounter.

According to a post on the club’s Twitter handle, the Sudanese topflight side landed in Abuja aboard Al Zaeem’s private plane. There, they will board another aircraft to Owerri before heading to Aba by road.

Their inability to show up as planned on Saturday caused the Nigeria Football Federation to write to the Confederation of African Football – asking them of the Leader’s whereabouts.

“We write to bring to your attention that A Merreikh SC communicated to us, its schedule to arrive Nigeria on Saturday, 2nd January 2021 at about 1800hrs via chartered flight through Port Harcourt International Airport. Thus, we mobilize resources in readiness to receive the team as scheduled,” the statement from NFF read.

“However, on 1st January, 2021, we received another correspondence intimating us of its arrival on Saturday, 2nd January 2021 via EgyptAir at about 1345hrs. We deployed vehicles to Port Harcourt Airport and personnel to Lagos Airport in anticipation of the arrival of the team in any of the two entry points.

“Up till 2200hrs of the day, Saturday 2nd January 2021, Al Merreikh SC did not arrive in any of the two entry points and did not communicate to us changes in its plans. Thus, we are handicapped as to what to do and where to receive the team.

“It may also interest you to know that we have tried various communication channels to reach the team, including through its Embassy in Nigeria but all in vain.

“We would very much appreciate if Caf prevails on the team to immediately communicate its movement to us for ease of discharging our obligations and responsibilities as a host.”

Saif Terry’s hat-trick handed Didier Gomes Da Rosa’s side a commanding 3-0 first-leg triumph inside Al-Merrikh Stadium in Omdurman.

The People's Elephant must defeat the 21-time Sudan Premier League winners by at least four unreplied goals in the second leg billed for the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba to progress to the group phase.

Failure to do that would see the eight-time Nigeria Professional Football League champions demoted to the Caf Confederation Cup.

Anthony Martial is playing "nowhere near his full potential" according to Andy Cole, who has urged the misfiring Manchester United star to keep "persevering".

Martial headed home his first goal from open play of the 2020-21 campaign to set United on their way to a 2-1 home win over Aston Villa on Friday night.

The Frenchman has won his place back in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting line-up in recent weeks after overcoming early-season fitness and discipline issues, but his finishing touch in front of goal has still been lacking.

Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are now the two main sources of the Red Devils' goals, while summer signing Edinson Cavani has made a strong claim to take Martial's spot through the middle.

However, Cole is convinced that a man who scored 23 goals across all competitions last term still has a lot more to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, and hopes his effort against Villa can serve as the springboard which propels him onto better things.

"He's [Martial's] super talented, he gets in great positions but sometimes his finishing is a bit erratic," the United legend told Sky Sports. "He hits the goalkeeper, he doesn't make the right decisions at times but he has all the talent in the world. I do genuinely believe, like Marcus [Rashford], he's nowhere near his full potential.

"He just has to keep persevering and hopefully he'll go on a good run. He's another one that could get 25 goals, easily."

Solskjaer also reserved praise for Martial after his side's second successive victory at Old Trafford, telling reporters: "Anthony is going to improve. He’s going to be better and better. 

“He’s still creating chances, he’s just not had that little bit of luck, margins in front of goal. They’ll come. We saw a better version of Anthony, a more confident one.”

The 25-year-old's next chance to shine could come when the Red Devils play host to arch-rivals Manchester City in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Solskjaer will start preparing his players for their FA Cup third-round meeting against Watford afterwards, with United not due to return to Premier League action until January 12 away at Burnley.

East Bengal scored three goals past Odisha to register their first-ever win in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday at the Tilak Maidan.

After failing to pick a win in their first seven matches, Robbie Fowler's team looked desperate to secure three points against Odisha.

The English coach pointed out that his team has lost only one game in their last five outings which shows that they have been making steady progress in the league.

"It's always nice to get a win also our first win," Fowler said after the match. "That's one game in five we have lost now. It was a good, professional performance. This club is all about progression and we will try and get for the future. We are building, there is a lot of work to be done and we will continue to do that. It is a great win and a great start to the new year and hopefully, it will continue.

"It is unbelievable to get a win. I have said this all along that if we keep playing well the win will come. I had said this weeks back - that the results are not far around the corner and we have done that. We made a few changes and it was important that we got the win," said Fowler.

The East Bengal head coach did not want to single out individuals for praise and instead suggested that the entire team delivered against Odisha.

"I think all the players were impressive. Few of the new players came in. (Anthony) Pilkington was once fantastic, Jacques Maghoma probably had his best game, he was brilliant. All our players were good."

Fowler also mentioned that the players are getting adjusted to his style of play and he hopes that the team will continue to churn out more such positive results.

"We didn't change our system. We have our style of play and we want to try and keep it simple. When you do that it becomes a bit easy for everyone. It is not about formations or certain players. Players have a role. With the quality we have, even today if we see, Pilkington's goal, Jacques' goal. Not to mention Bright (Enobakhare). Bright was fantastic. He made the game so simple. He looks like an unbelievable player."

The Red and Golds failed to keep a clean sheet as Odisha scored a late goal. The British coach though wasn't too disappointed with that as he felt that the result was more important than keeping a clean sheet.

"Ideally, all of us want to keep a clean sheet but the most important part of the game is the result. Maybe a little bit disappointed for not keeping a clean sheet but again our lads were brilliant and score three goals. We deserved to win. Clean sheets are great but three points are is more important," said Fowler.
 

Lionel Messi's wages are not sustainable but the superstar forward can be persuaded to stay at Barcelona with a sporting project that appeals to him, according to presidential candidate Emili Rousaud.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was unsuccessful in his attempt to leave Camp Nou ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, but he is now free to discuss an end-of-season transfer with clubs after entering the final six months of his contract.

He was strongly tipped to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Inter and Paris Saint-Germain – now coached by fellow Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino – have also been linked.

But while reiterating Messi will have to take a pay cut if he is to stay on at Barca beyond this season, Rousaud has outlined his plan to tempt the one-club man to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

"He did not want to leave the club for economic reasons. It was down to the lack of a sports project," Rousaud told Sport.

"I will look him in the eyes and say: 'Your salary is unsustainable, the club cannot pay you. But we are going to launch a project to surround you with young talent.'"

Despite Barca's financial concerns in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Rousaud has previously outlined his intention to bring in prolific striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund if he succeeds Josep Maria Bartomeu in this month's elections.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe is another possible target and Rousaud believes the prestige of playing for Barcelona could give the La Liga giants an advantage in the transfer market.

"The market prices in which the players move now are not those of two years ago," he said. "In addition, Barca has something very important: a shirt that has a lot of weight in the world. But of course, we will not stretch the arm more than the sleeve.

"My advisor Josep Maria Minguella has spoken with [Haaland's agent] Mino Raiola to find out the conditions in which he would come and we have started talking. 

"For a player like him, being in a club like ours would give him a great showcase worldwide."

Rousaud has also vowed to attempt to bring Neymar back to Catalonia should he be elected, despite the Brazilian forward leaving Barca for PSG under a cloud that has since seen him embroiled in a court battle over an alleged breach of contract.

However, rather than condemning Neymar for leaving the club for a record €222 million (£197m/$270m) fee in 2017, Rousaud feels Barca only have themselves to blame for wasting the money on two players who have been blighted by injury problems.

"The money left by Neymar was invested in two players: [Philippe] Coutinho and [Ousmane] Dembele, who have not given the expected sporting result," he said. 

"And since they didn't work, we signed others. And since we no longer have cash, we started to get into debt.

"They say that Neymar humiliated us. I respect that opinion, but it left us €222 million. If with that money we had signed Mbappe, maybe we wouldn't talk about Neymar anymore."

Tusker FC and Sofapaka played to a 1-1 draw in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League at Kasarani on Sunday. 

Skipper Elly Asieche scored for Batoto ba Mungu with Luke Namanda equalizing for the hosts.

It took the 2009 champions just six minutes to open the scoring. Titus Achesa was left unmarked in a good area and he brought in a good cross which Asieche tapped in.

The Brewers almost equalized in the 15th minute when Boniface Muchiri was let loose in the danger zone but goalkeeper Kevin Omondi pulled a fantastic save to deny him.

In the 20th minute, the 11-time champions were caught in a counter-attack. Achesa managed to find Nixon Omondi in the danger zone but Mboya managed to make a save and deny Batoto ba Mungu.

The Robert Matano-led charges equalized in the 25th minute. Kevin Okoth's shot was parried by the goalkeeper and the ball kindly fell to Namanda who did not hesitate to head it in.

Sofapaka had a chance to get another goal in the 40th minute. Achesa managed to beat defender Eugene Asike. But he lacked the composure to beat goalkeeper Robert Mboya.

After the break, the visitors continued to push for the second goal and it almost came in the 60th minute. Paul Kiongera received the ball in a good area and took a shot but Mboya was in a good position to stop him.

Moments later, Lawrence Juma managed to beat the goalkeeper but Rodgers Aloro made a goal-line clearance to deny him. 

Both teams increased the tempo hoping to get the winning goal, but neither managed to get it.

The Brewers are now in third position with 11 points after six games while Sofapaka are 11th with four points from five games.

Tusker XI: Robert Mboya, Kevin Monyi, Eric Ambunya, Eugene Asike, Rodgers Aloro, Hashim Sempala, Luke Namanda, Humphrey Mieno, David Majak, Kevin Okoth, Boniface Muchiri.

Subs: Emery Mvuyekure, Christopher Oruchum, Sammy Miseh, Apollo Otieno, Faraj Odenyi, Wellington Ochieng', Jackson Macharia, Brian Marita, George Odhiambo, Christopher Ochieng', Henry Meja, Michael Wanjala

Sofapaka XI: Kevin Omondi, Michael Bodo, Nixon Omondi, Willis Obayi, Michael Kibwage, Sunday Ikekhai, Ambrose Sifuna, Mohamed Kilume, Titus Achesa, Ellie Asieche, Juma Lawrence

Subs: Simon Masaka, Sammy Imbuye, Faina Jacobs, Paul Kiongera, Brian Myakan, Brian Magonya, Michael Karamor, Aswani Kepha, Collins Wakhungu 

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC) midfielder Ashraf Mugume has explained how he is ready for a possible debut in the Caf Confederation Cup against AS Kigali.

The two sides will meet on January 6 as the first leg was awarded to the Rwandan outfit after the Kasasiro Boys failed to raise the required number of players for the showdown then in Kigali. KCCA had to travel with 15 players after 12 of their stars had tested positive for the coronavirus and Caf was forced to award AS Kigali a 2-0 walkover.

The return match at St Mary’s Kitende will offer Mugume a possible opportunity to feature for the first time in continental competition should he earn Mike Mutebi’s trust for the decisive game.

“I am just going to turn what we have been taught by the coaches into action when I happen to get a chance because our team is strong, you can’t be very sure about whether you will play or not,” Mugume said as per Sports Nation.

“But if I get that chance, I am ready to give 100%. It will be my first time playing in this tournament and I will be very happy if I get that chance and taking the team to the next level.

“Everyone is in good shape and ready for the game and the camp has helped us to get more time together. We are very ready, everyone is positive and just waiting for the day.”

The midfielder also expressed his feelings on Caf’s decision to award their opponents a first-leg victory.

“Just like every footballer, when you travel, you want to play, but we were disappointed because we didn’t play due to Covid-19 as you all know,” he added. “But we managed to talk to ourselves as players, we exchanged ideas and we managed to come up with one thing; lifting ourselves and to be able to take our team to the next stage.”

Mugume joined the 13-time Premier League winners from their local rivals Vipers SC – who were unable to progress from the Champions League preliminary round after going down to Al-Hilal Omdurman – on a four-year deal. In the 2019/20 season, the star spent time with Police FC on loan.

Meanwhile, Caf has appointed Anthony Ogwayo as the centre referee while Oliver Odhiambo and Tony Kidiya will be Ogwayo’s assistants.

Tewodros Mitiku has been given the fourth official’s mandate and Malawian Patrick John Sabe will be the match commissioner. Ugandan James Ssekajugo has been appointed as the Covid-19 health official.

The 2019 Spanish champions Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Cameroon striker Ajara Nchout, on a two-year contract.

The Madrid-based outfit secured the Indomitable Lionesses star as a free agent after successfully seeing out her two-year contract with 2020 Norwegian Toppserien winners Valerenga last December.

The 27-year-old had moved to Atletico to continue her impressive career in Europe, where she had been since 2011 after leaving the Cameroon women's side l’Ecole Franck Rollycek.

During her spell at Intility Arena, the Cameroonian was influential in Valerenga's runners-up finish in 2019 before their maiden domestic double in 2020, scoring 29 goals for Jack Majgaard's side.

Nchout ended her three-year sojourn in Norway on a high as she won the 2020 Toppserien top scorer award, getting 10 goals in 18 games.

Following her unveiling on Sunday, she becomes the third signing in mid-season for Dani Gonzalez's side after Rasheedat Ajibade and Aminata Diallo from Avaldsnes and PSG respectively.

"It is a great pleasure to join a team with a great record of achievements, a great club in both men's and women's football," Nchout told the club website.

“I am an attacker who plays on all three fronts, even behind the attack. I prefer to play as a nine, but I am available for the coach to play where he thinks is best for the team and help the team grow and win.

“I would like all the Rojiblancos to know that I am very proud to wear their colours. I am a very competitive player who believes in victory until the last minute. 

"Cameroonians never hesitate, we never give up. I will put these values ​​at the service of Atlético de Madrid. I will do my best to make them proud of me and the team."

At international level, she featured for Cameroon at the 2015 and 2019 Women's World Cups and is on the brink of inspiring the Lionesses to a second Olympic outing since her debut in Rio 2016.

The signing of Nchout explains the ambition of Gonzalez to put the former champions back in title reckoning after missing out on a fourth trophy in a row in the last term at the expense of Barcelona.

Following her switch, Nchout becomes the second African with the Spanish outfit after Nigeria's Ajibade and the third Cameroonian in the country after Rassia Feudjio and Michaela Abam.

Nchout will aim to hit the ground running at Ciudad Deportiva Rayo Vallecano if handed her debut for Atletico against Rayo Vallecano in their first game of the year 2021 on January 6.

Former Paris Saint-Germain assistant coach Zsolt Low thinks Thomas Tuchel “overachieved” with the club and says he was “surprised” when news of his sacking broke.

Low was Tuchel’s right-hand man with the Parisians as they swept to the domestic treble in 2019-20 and then reached the Champions League final in August.

However, a mediocre start to the current campaign saw both men fired just before Christmas, with Mauricio Pochettino coming in to replace them as of Saturday.

“We were surprised because on the December 23, after winning a match 4-0 against Strasbourg, Leonardo brought us together to say that the club was no longer counting on Thomas for the future,” Low told Nemzeti Sport.

“After having to face considerable difficulties in 2020, after achieving historic success with PSG, after going through the group stage of the Champions’ League in autumn, and we were in full swing in the league, it made the decision very difficult to understand.

“The fact that we were impacted by numerous injuries throughout the season, and had to come up against Covid-19, I think that it was a great professional success to finish the year the way we did. We overperformed, that is the truth.”

As well as results, however, there was tension between the management team and the sporting director. Low has again pointed his finger at Leonardo as being a source of trouble.

“The summer window did not go as we wanted, the main players who left after the Final 8 were not correctly replaced. That created tensions between certain board members and the staff, as well as with the sporting director who was espousing management principles that were different to that of the coach,” Low claimed.

“They had different ideas in a number of domains, and the difference in viewpoint accrued over time. This led to Leonardo deciding to create a future with a different staff. To be honest this situation could not have lasted. It was better to stop now, nearly at the summit, to say goodbye with a great majority of wonderful memories.”

PSG are currently third in Ligue 1, a single point behind leaders Lyon and second-placed Lille.