Looking for Soccer News?

Uganda midfielder Tony Mawejje has stated his colleagues are prepared and ready for the pre-African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament and eventually the competition itself.

Cranes were invited for the mini-tournament alongside hosts Cameroon, Zambia and Niger. The experienced midfielder has further confirmed every player is ready and psyched up for the matches.

"All the players are in great condition," Mawejje, who has made 83 appearances for the East Africa nation said.

"Obviously we travelled well and have been able to have our first training session here in Cameroon.

"The mood in the camp is tremendous, the boys are bouncing and are giving their all in training. The attitude and mentality are superb. You can see that everyone is in peak condition and we look determined to take on the task as we continue with our preparations. 

"We cannot wait for the tournament underway because the players are bracing to go out there and prove they deserved their spot on the team."

Cranes will start their campaign on Friday against the Indomitable Lions on Friday, December 1. 

They will then return to action on January 4 against Mulitin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s Zambia before concluding with a game against Niger on January 7.

Uganda are among the teams invited for the mini-tournament, which will be used by most of the participating teams to gauge their preparedness ahead of the Chan tournament that will also be held in Cameroon.

Cameroon have been pooled in Group A of the Chan tournament with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe while Group B comprises Libya, DR Congo, Congo, and Niger.

Group C has Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, and Togo while Group D has Zambia, Guinea, Namibia, and Tanzania. Two top teams will make it to the knockout phase.

The Cranes, who will be taking part in their fifth consecutive Chan tournament after featuring in 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2018 editions, will face Rwanda on January 18 at the Stade de Unification in Douala, before tackling Togo on January 22 at the same venue.

The final group game will be on January 26 against Morocco.

KCCA Players will be joining their colleagues for the tournament after their Caf Confederation Cup game with As Kigali.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to clarify they don’t have plans to let go of their new signing Carlos Carlinhos.

The Angolan star joined Yanga at the start of the 2020-21 season but has struggled to claim his starting role with injuries putting him out of the starting squad.

Despite starting well, earning three assists and two goals, Carlinhos got injured and even missed the derby against Simba SC.

His situation has kept Yanga fans guessing with others feeling the player should be allowed to leave.

However, the Jangwani giants, through vice-chairman of the Yanga Registration Committee Hersi Said have said they still have plans with the player and that he will not be leaving any time soon.

“Carlinhos has been injured and was injured for some time now,” Said told Mwanaspoti as quoted by Sokalabongo. “There was a time when he was given a break while receiving treatment and he has now begun to practice slowly on the instructions of doctors.

“The club is monitoring everything and we have been told he can be ready maybe from January, we are all waiting and it is not true that we want to fire him, this is still our player until his two-year contract expires.”

Yanga are currently in Mbeya preparing to start the second round of the Mainland Premier League with a clash against Tanzania Prisons at Nelson Mandela Stadium.

However, the team has suffered a huge blow after coach Cedric Kaze confirmed that three key players - Saidi Ntibazonkiza, Yacouba Sogne, and Ditram Nchimbi are doubtful to face the Prison Warders owing to injuries and family issues.

“Both Ntibazonkiza and Yacouba picked up injuries during the Ihefu match while Nchimbi has been permitted to go and settle family problems but we still have a room for the named injured players to see how they will respond to the final training session and then we will know whether to feature them or not,” Kaze told Daily News.

On facing Tanzania Prisons, Kaze said: “Each game is different and we are aware that Tanzania Prisons are a good side too as they play as a team and they have a coach with vast experience of the Mainland Premier League but we have prepared in accordance with the status of the game itself.”

Yanga will head into the first match of the second round still topping the league table with 43 points after 17 matches while Prisons are 11th on the table with 21 points accumulated following 17 outings.

Mikel Arteta admits that Arsenal can't repeat the mistakes they made in the summer and must find a way of moving players on before they can add to their squad during the upcoming transfer window.

The Gunners are hopeful of strengthening in January, with Real Madrid star Isco a loan target.

However, failure to get players out the door during the summer left Arteta with such a bloated squad that Mesut Ozil and Sokratis were not even registered to play in the Premier League due to the non-homegrown rules.

That is an issue Arteta admits must now be resolved, with the Spaniard describing the current number of players he has at his disposal as unsustainable.

“We have a large squad, we know that,” said the Gunners boss. “A lot of things that should have happened in the summer, we could not accomplish for different reasons.

“There are some players that are going to go on loan, they are going to leave, and that’s the priority at the moment because we can’t sustain the numbers that we have in certain positions.

“We are looking to do that and then we well see. If we have the right opportunity in the positions that we need some more help, we are working with the club to try to address that.”

Arteta added: “Financially it’s not only us, it’s every single club in the Premier League that’s been hit. We know that this is not going to change in the next year or so and we are going to have to add somehow if we want to improve the team in different ways.

“Financially, some sort of support will decide whether it is with loans or buying players in relation to the opportunities that we have in the market.”

The first player to leave during the transfer window could be Sead Kolasinac, who is close to joining former club Schalke on loan.

Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi, William Saliba and Calum Chambers could follow, although Mesut Ozil is expected to remain in north London until the end of the season.

When asked about Kolasinac’s imminent exit, Arteta said: “I can’t confirm anything yet, we are working on a couple of things. The window is going to bring a lot of news, some are true, some are not. Whenever we have something to say, we will announce it.

“There are some conversations around a few players and whether we can find some loans because the numbers we have in the squad at the moment are really big. But we cannot confirm anything yet.”

One player who has been heavily linked with a move away is Reiss Nelson, with many speculating that a move has already been lined up given he has not featured for Arsenal since the win against Rapid Vienna on December 3.

Arteta, however, insists that is not the case and that the 21-year-old’s absence has be down to an injury issue.

“Probably it’s my mistake not to clarify the situation and what was happening,” said the Gunners boss. “He’s not been 100% fit, that’s the reason he’s been out and has not been featuring around the squad.

“He had a little niggle, a muscular issue, he’s been in and out of training. It’s a shame because I felt he’s been getting into his [top] performance levels and he had started to have some really good games and was starting to build that momentum.

“This little injury has stepped him back a little bit, but I think this week he’s been much better.”

Former Orlando Pirates marksman James Mothibi foresees the Buccaneers beating Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday in Pretoria.

The league encounter is set for a 15H30 kick-off at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium between two clubs who are arguably the title favourites this season.

Mothibi expects a tough tactical battle in the first half before the game opens up after the interval.

“It’s going to be a physical game but a tactical game. First half will be a bit slow because it will look like they are scared of each other," he was quoted saying by the Citizen.

"But the second half you will see a very good game. But I foresee Pirates winning this game 1-0 or 2-1. It will be a Pirates win without taking anything away from Sundowns, they are a big team.

"Yes, Sundowns have been dominating in the last couple of years, but this time around Pirates won’t allow them to dominate,” added Mothibi.

The former Bucs marksman is adamant he's not being biased towards his former club.

“I’m giving it to Pirates, not because I used to play for Pirates but this is all because of the way the club has been playing," Mothibi explained.

"I’ve always praised Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, Downs under Pitso Mosimane and Chiefs under Stuart Baxter. But now it’s time for the Pirates coach to dominate the PSL, they are going to win this game.”

Pirates finished third in the league last season and second in two consecutive seasons before that.

The last time they won the title was all the way back in 2012.

However, boosted by their recent MTN8 final win, the Sea Robbers have also made a good start to the league campaign and are seemingly front-runners to end Sundowns' dominance of the league - the Tshwane club has won the title three years in a row now and four times in the last five seasons.

Pirates have had the upper hand over the Brazilians for the last few years - in their previous five matches, the Soweto side has won two and drawn three - it was November of 2017 when Downs last beat Bucs.

Former Nigeria winger Garba Lawal anticipated Odion Ighalo’s lack of playing time at Manchester United following the signing of Edinson Cavani on a free transfer in October.

Ighalo is struggling for opportunities in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in this campaign with just nine minutes of football in the Premier League so far, and he made his Champions League debut against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month without kicking the ball.

The 31-year-old striker is currently enduring a contrasting experience to his impressive start to life at Old Trafford when he scored five goals in 19 appearances across all competitions in the second part of the 2019-20 season.

While Cavani is making his impact in Solskjaer's team, Ighalo has not made Manchester United's Premier League matchday squad since October 17.

“When I saw Cavani coming to Manchester, I knew Ighalo is going to have a problem because you have a striker and you bring in another striker so I don't know how that thing works,” Lawal told Goal.

“He is a fantastic player anytime but at this moment, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the coach and every coach has his own philosophy. His philosophy when Ighalo joined with the team was good, but when he brought Cavani I wouldn't know where that was coming from.

“I am a coach also and I can't condemn Solskjaer, it doesn't work like that. We don't know what they are planning to do and Cavani is a good player also. He is playing fantastic; he makes an impact whenever he comes in. They are good.”

The ex-Nigeria international initially joined Manchester United on a six-month loan deal from Shanghai Shenhua in January, but it was extended until the end of January 2021.

When quizzed further about Ighalo’s future, Lawal who won the Dutch Cup twice at Roda JC said; “It depends on the player, if he is happy to stay there like that, because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and being there is something.

“What I want to tell Ighalo at his age is that if he is happy to stay at Manchester, he should stay. He is not young anymore, he knows better than us and he knows what he wants, so I believe. I don't think he wants to be playing every 90 minutes at his age, it is not possible.”

Sergio Reguilon doubts that he could tempt Sergio Ramos to join him at Tottenham, with the Real Madrid captain expected to sign a new contract, but the 24-year-old full-back is not ruling out a reunion back at Santiago Bernabeu at some stage in the future.

Spurs won the race for a much-coveted signature during the summer transfer window when they put a £28 million ($36m) deal in place for Reguilon.

Jose Mourinho remains in the market for more top talent, as he tries to deliver long-awaited silverware in north London, and another window of opportunity is about to swing open.

It could be that Madrid captain Ramos is targeted by sides outside of Spain, as his deal runs down towards free agency, but Reguilon is not expecting a World Cup winner to make his way to England.

“I think it will all be resolved in the end - both for Madrid and Sergio. From the outside, I cannot envisage Madrid without Ramos,” he told AS.

Asked whether he would like to send a message to the legendary centre-half regarding a possible switch to Tottenham, Reguilon added: “I don't think he'd take much notice!”

While reuniting with Ramos in the Premier League appears unlikely, it could be that Reguilon heads back to Spain in upcoming windows.

He is closing no doors there, saying when asked about a return to his roots: “I don't know. Whenever I am asked about Real Madrid I say that it's a club which gave me everything, it's always been my home.

“Returning one day? That doesn't depend on me. I'm focused on the present, but it would be nice to go back in the future.”

Reguilon admits that he held no talks with Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane before heading for the Bernabeu exits, with that lack of communication said to come as no surprise.

He had been deemed surplus to requirements at Real, with the 2019-20 campaign spent out on loan at Sevilla.

The promising defender was not the only one to fall out of favour, with Gareth Bale another of those who was edged towards the exits by Zidane.

He has also ended up at Tottenham, with the Welshman taking in a season-long loan back in surroundings he knows well, and Reguilon believes a 31-year-old currently short on game time will rediscover his spark once he is back to full fitness and sharpness.

“He's had a few twinges and little by little he is getting used to the rhythm of the Premier League again,” Reguilon said of Bale.

“He's had a difficult year, but we all know the quality he has - he's going to be a massively important player for us.”

It is a common trait that when a foreign player joins a Malaysian team whether it is in the Super League or Premier League, the chances are that the player falls into one of two categories - someone with plenty to prove or someone who is on the tail-end of their career.

Which makes the signing of Ignacio 'Natxo' Insa by Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in the middle of the 2017 season such a outlier in the fact that this was a player who came in at the peak of his powers having just been an integral member of the Levante side that clinched the 2016-17 Segunda Division title.

Insa went on to show that on the pitch as he integrated seamlessly into the JDT side, helping them to pick up the 2017 Malaysia Super League title, displaying the game intelligence and quality in the engine room of the Southern Tigers.

In an interview organised by LaLiga as part of their build-up towards the Villareal and Levante encounter this coming weekend, Insa was put together in a conversation with current Levante player Sergio Postigo and former Villlareal and Spain star, Marcos Senna.

Remembering his former team mate, Postigo suggested that the team felt the absence of Natxo in their return to the top flight of Spanish league football and that Natxo was seen as someone who could have provided a big contribution to the team at the highest level.

"It was a good year in every way, both on a sporting and a human level. Natxo already knows what I thought when he left, he was a very important player for the team. The team noticed it the following season, it was hard for us to maintain the same level. He would have been a very important player once again in that season," said Postigo.

When asked to reminisce about his time with the team, understandably Insa had extremely fond memories of what was a very successful season for him and the club. The experience and education he received during his time in Spanish football has helped JDT greatly, in particular during those AFC Champions League matches.

"I remember my time in Levante, we achieved the goal of promotion with 6 matches to spare, in our stadium with our friend and families all there. One of those days that I will always remember. We had some impressive teammates, both as players and as people, we enjoyed it very much.

"From here I send my greetings to Postigo who continues to show the professionalism that he showed when I was there," said Natxo during the chat.

Thiago Alcantara is "so exciting to watch", according to Michael Owen, who has heaped praise upon the "unbelievable" Liverpool star.

The Reds forked out £20 million ($27m) to bring Thiago to Anfield from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.

Much was expected of a three-time Champions League winner upon his arrival on Merseyside, but a positive Covid-19 test and a serious injury have restricted his contribution in the first half of the season.

The 29-year-old was sidelined with a knee issue after a 2-2 draw against Everton on October 17, and subsequently missed Liverpool's next 17 fixtures across all competitions.

However, Jurgen Klopp was able to welcome Thiago back into his squad for a midweek trip to St James' Park, with the midfielder making an impressive impact off the bench during Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

Owen was delighted to see the Spaniard return to the fold, and highlighted the qualities which set him apart from his peers after the stalemate on Tyneside.

“It’s just the way he plays. It’s so exciting to watch. He is just different to so many players," the former Liverpool striker told Premier League Productions.

“He doesn’t need to say a word when he is on the pitch. His passes tell everything you need to know.

"When it’s coming to you, that ball is telling you there’s a man on or give it me back or run into the space.. he actually plays the ball with the type of spin, with the type of pace, it’s just unbelievable.” 

Thiago will likely be in contention for a place in Klopp's starting XI when the Reds take on Southampton at St Mary's on Monday.

Liverpool increased their lead at the top of the Premier League table to three points after the draw at Newcastle, but Manchester United can move level on points with them if they win their game in hand against Aston Villa on New Year's Day.

Although Klopp has now seen his team drop points in three of their last five matches, he is not concerned by how the standings are shaping up at this early stage of the season.

"The last thing I’m thinking about is our position in the table at the moment," The German boss told Amazon Prime on Wednesday night. "It’s nice but it doesn’t mean anything.

"We drew tonight and we are still top of the table so that just shows how difficult the season is for everybody."

Swansea City boss Steve Cooper does not want to blame Andre Ayew for his poor finishing in Wednesday's Championship home draw with Reading.

Instead, the Jack Army boss gives credit to opposition goalkeeper Rafael Cabral for being on top of his game.

In their matchweek 22 fixture at Liberty Stadium, Swansea drew a blank as the visitors held their own to ensure a 0-0 stalemate.

Ayew, who led the Jack Army's attack together with Jamal Lowe, was at the thick of affairs, thrice being crucially denied by Cabral.

“We are frustrated because I thought we played really well and we created a lot of chances,” Cooper said, as reported by his club's official website.

"In large parts it was not poor finishing, their goalkeeper has had an excellent night.

“He made a load of good saves, one, in particular, from Andre’s header second half was top draw.

“So, we are frustrated, but I don’t think we can be disappointed as the effort was good, the performance was good and Reading have been a dangerous team this season.

“We limited them to a couple of chances from set-pieces, so there were a lot of really good things. But it is frustrating because we deserved more.”

By Wednesday's result, Swansea, currently second on the league table, missed an opportunity to move to second position.

Ayew has been Swansea's most dangerous man this season - as he was last term - having so far registered eight goals in 21 league appearances involving 20 starts.

His goal haul puts him up as the club's top scorer so far in the present campaign.

Last season, the Ghana captain similarly netted the most goals for Swansea, his 16 goals in 46 matches involving 45 starts inspiring the Welsh-based outfit to the Championship play-off semi-final where they lost to Brentford.

His exploits also saw him rewarded as the club's best player at their end-of-season awards.

His red-hot form in recent times has also been felt at international level where he has scored four times in his last two games for Ghana.

Swansea will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they visit Watford on Saturday. 

Kingsley Coman is “the best winger out there at the moment” and could be an option that Liverpool explore if Mohamed Salah decides to move on, says Dietmar Hamann.

The Reds have seen their talismanic Egyptian forward hint at securing a future switch to Spain.

Salah has left the door open for Barcelona or Real Madrid to make an approach, with the 28-year-old ruling nothing out despite working on a contract at Anfield that is due to run until 2023.

If he were to seek out a transfer to La Liga, then the reigning Premier League champions would need to bring in suitable cover.

Hamann believes Jurgen Klopp will already have a list of possible targets drawn up, with it likely that star turns at Bayern Munich will figure prominently on that.

The former Reds and Bayern midfielder told Stadium Astro when quizzed on the Salah speculation: “Two of the best wingers in the world are [Serge] Gnabry, who was at Arsenal, and Kingsley Coman – he is running riot at the moment.

“Would they want to leave Bayern Munich? I don’t think so but you don’t know.

“I don’t know if there is anything in Salah giving an interview or wanting to go to Spain. If he wants to leave, Barcelona and Madrid would be interested.

“If a player wants to leave, you have to let him go. If he has the desire to leave, it’s probably likely he will in the summer.

“There is some fantastic talent in Germany and France. I think they will have a list.”

Hamann added: “For me, the best winger out there at the moment is Kingsley Coman.

“He had injury problems when he came to Munich but he got fit and scored the winner in the Champions League final.

“He’s two-footed, he’s quick, he’s very clever, great decision making and his finishing has improved a lot.

“Coman is the player. Bayern Munich aren’t interested in losing him, he’s happy.

“If Salah were to move, if he wants to go that is quite likely, that will have a knock-on effect. Liverpool will have to buy somebody. Whoever they sign, that team will need to buy a replacement. Things happen quickly.”

Belgian First Division A club Standard Liege have confirmed the appointment of former Senegal player Mbaye Leye as their new manager for the rest of the campaign.

Leye previously worked as assistant coach to former managers Michel Preud'homme and Philippe Montanier in the Reds’ set-up from June 2019 to December 2020.

The ex-Senegal international spent the majority of his playing career in Belgium which includes two years in Liege between 2010 and 2012 before he retired at Royal Mouscron in 2019.

Standard Liege are struggling in the First Division A this season, and they find themselves 11th in the league table with an eight-game winless streak.

They are one of the most successful clubs in Belgium with 10 First Division A titles and eight Belgian Cups, but they are yet to win the league since 2009.

“Standard Liege and our former player and assistant coach Mbaye Leye reached an agreement: the 38-year-old Senegalese became the head coach of our team to the end of the 2020-2021 season,” the club statement read.

“He will be assisted by Patrick Asselman, our former player and current video analyst, who will combine this function with that of assistant coach.

“Our club wishes Mbaye Leye a safe return and the best in his new functions.”

Leye is the latest African legend to take up managerial duties in Europe and he joins a host of others who followed a similar path after their playing career like Nigeria's Ndubuisi Egbo who guided KF Tirana to win the Albanian top-flight crown last season. 

Angola's Lito Vidigal is another notable figure but he was sacked by Maritimo earlier this month for their poor run in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Sammy Omollo has lauded Gor Mahia despite falling 6-0 in the first leg of the second preliminary round of their Caf Champions League game away to CR Belouizdad.

The Great Chabab scored their goals through Amir Sayoud, who scored a hat-trick, Hamza Bellahouel, Larbi Tabti, and Maecky Ngombo during a thoroughly one-sided display at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 on Saturday, December 26. 

Despite struggling away, the tactician, who came in as a stand-in coach for the Kenyan champions, has explained why K'Ogalo players deserve respect notwithstanding the humiliating loss.

"If it was any other team, believe me, they could have suffered more goals," Omollo told Goal on Thursday.

"These players are very strong; they came into the match and struggled to get into the match. They had not trained at all and were really under difficult circumstances coming into the game.

"They gave their best against a very good and organised team and their fight on the pitch was evident. They deserve respect."

The Kenyan champions looked shaky at the back and struggled to stop the attacks by their hosts. The Posta Rangers coach has refused to blame his defenders for the goals conceded.

"If you look keenly on the way we conceded the goals, it was from individual mistakes," Omollo continued.

"Those are the kind of mistakes that can only be rectified when the team trains together. With proper guidance before the game, Michael Apudo and Geoffrey Ochieng would have played better, but we did not have that chance.

"So let us encourage the boys, and motivate them. This is a lesson which should be taken in well."

K'Ogalo came into the match without the services of their influential captain Kenneth Muguna, midfielder Bernard Ondiek and Nicholas Kipkirui. The first two were nursing injuries while the former Zoo FC man had family issues. 

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) released the fixtures which will resume the Premier League in the New Year. Gor Mahia's game against AFC Leopards in the derby is the only affected match. 

According to the new list of fixtures obtained by Goal, the Mashemeji derby, which was due to be played on January 3 at Nyayo Stadium, has been postponed but no new date was given for the clash.

This move is to allow K'Ogalo to prepare for the second leg game against the Great Chabab scheduled for Wednesday, January 6 at Nyayo Stadium.

Manchester United are a “concern” for Liverpool, says Steve Nicol, with the defending champions aware that arch-rivals are now breathing down their neck in the Premier League title race.

The latest round of top-flight fixtures, which were the last of 2020, delivered contrasting fortunes for two old adversaries.

United ensured that they rounded off the calendar year in style, with a dramatic late winner from Marcus Rashford seeing them edge out Wolves.

Liverpool were unable to replicate that hard-fought success when taking in a cagey contest of their own at Newcastle.

Jurgen Klopp’s side fluffed their lines at St James’ Park, with a 0-0 draw all they could muster on Tyneside.

That result was enough to keep them three points clear at the top of the table, but United now sit second and boast a game in hand on the defending champions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been finding a way to get the job done this season, without always being at their best, and Nicol believes that will have those at Anfield glancing anxiously over their shoulder.

The former Reds defender told ESPN FC: “You look at Liverpool’s result and Man Utd’s result, the performance from one team that dominated the game, should have won very, very comfortably but yet end up with one point and then you’ve got a team in United coming up on the rails who pretty much didn’t deserve anything.

“There’s no way they deserve to win this game [against Wolves] but they end up winning and getting three points. So that has to be a concern.

“At the end of the day, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will be looking at themselves, try not to look elsewhere, and just get the job done. But you have to be concerned with United because regardless of how they play right now, they’re getting victories.”

Liverpool’s superior goal difference means that they will not be knocked from top spot on New Year’s Day, when United take in a home date with Aston Villa, but their lead at the summit could disappear.

Klopp’s side will not be action again until Monday, when they make the long journey south to face Southampton at St Mary’s.

Head coach of the Nigeria women's team Randy Waldrum says he is 'extremely excited' over the Nigeria Football Federation's approval of his side's participation in the 2021 Turkish Women's Cup.

His reaction is coming hours after the endorsement of the Super Falcons' tour of Turkey in February and two friendlies against Morocco days later by the NFF executive board on Tuesday.

Before Waldrum's appointment in October, the African champions have not played a match in 14 months, with their last the 1-1 draw against Cote d'Ivoire in the 2020 Olympic qualifier in Lagos.

On receiving news of the approved tours, the American tactician thanked the Amaju Pinnick-led board, while stressing that the year 2021 would be crucial in the team's quest for success.

"I’m extremely excited about this news and very happy for our players," Waldrum told Goal. 

"I’m very appreciative of the NFF and Executive Committee for approving these vitally important events. I think this calendar year 2021 is vital to our development before qualification begins." 

The Turkish invitational which enters its fourth edition in 2021 will feature Nigeria for the first time after a late withdrawal in 2018.

Despite the possibility of meeting low-profile women's teams, the 64-year-old insisted keeping his team active is of utmost importance for him to build a formidable side. 

"I haven’t seen who is at the Turkish tournament so I can’t say," he continued. 

"We need to be active with games and camps this year as it takes time to develop an understanding of how we want to play and playing together as a unit." 

The camps are likely to see the return of some top players, including Desire Oparanozie and Rita Chikwelu to the team's fold since their appearances at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France.

On what his roster could look like ahead of February's tours, the former Trinidad and Tobago coach provided insight into his plans, while craving for more camping opportunities during the year.

"I certainly want to see the Women's World Cup players but also want to see some fresh local-based players as well," Waldrum disclosed. 

"It's also great to know the Nigerian league is on. I surely can’t wait to watch and see the level of the women's league!

"That’s why it’s important to have as many camps as possible. We need to use those times to evaluate. It's absolutely great opportunities for those players in the domestic league and others. 

"I expect the players to come in with a good fitness level and that’s why I sent them a program I prepared. 

"Those playing internationally will most likely be at a pretty good level but those that have not been active needs to do the programs provided."

Waldrum is tasked to lead the Super Falcons through two major campaigns, the 2022 African Women's Cup of Nations which double as the qualifying event for the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Another day, another late winner from Igor Angulo. The in-form forward sealed three points for FC Goa as they end 2020 on a high, sneaking into the top-four in Indian Super League (ISL).

Just like in the previous game against Jamshedpur FC, the Gaurs once again kept it late but in the end, made sure the job was done thanks to goals from 'super-sub' Ishan Pandita, who scored seconds after coming on to the pitch as a substitute and then Igor Angulo who was too hot to handle for the Hyderabad backline.

The reigning ISL league shield winners did not have the best of starts to their campaign this season but with each passing match, the Gaurs slowly improving. With the mass exodus of foreign as well as Indian players in the summer, new coach Juan Ferrando had a tough job in hand to regroup the side but the young Spanish coach has so far done a commendable job.

FC Goa deserve a bit of credit for replacing talismanic striker Ferran Corominas, who left the club after three seasons this summer, with a worthy successor in Igor Angulo. The veteran striker has a vast experience of playing at the top division of Spain and has done a splendid job in his debut season in India. He has already scored nine goals in as many games and is leading the chart of top scorers in the ISL.

With the support from Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes, Angulo has scored crucial goals to ensure Gaurs remain in the top-four mix. 

But Ferrando still has to sort out a few issues. Goa have not been able to take a game by the scruff of its neck despite dominating possession. Often, after conceding goals, they are forced to go all out in attack and eke a result out. This has worked for them in the last couple of games but it cannot be the norm throughout the season. 

The coach himself acknowledged this after the Hyderabad game and expects more character from his team.

"It is important to be calm because in the last two games we won 2-1 in the last minute. We have to grow up during the games. It is necessary to start the games with more personality and more character and not react only after going down by a goal."

While the Gaurs end the year on a high, the Nizams conceded their third defeat on the trot this season. After a strong start to their campaign where they remained unbeaten in their first five matches, Hyderabad's form graph have suddenly gone downhill and they are now languishing at the bottom half of the league table.

Unfortunately, Manuel Marquez is yet to get a fully fit squad at his disposal. Hyderabad have played with only three foreigners for the majority of the first phase and have done a fairly decent job. 

Good news for them though is the three injured foreigners (Fran Sandaza, Joel Chianese and Lluis Sastre) have recovered from their injuries and are slowly regaining fitness. They have also signed Dutch midfielder Roland Alberg as their seventh overseas signing and he will join the team as soon as his quarantine period is over.

This Hyderabad side has shown a lot of promise so far in the league with limited resources and Manuel Marquez will hope that he gets a fully fit squad in the remaining matches of the league. 

Ghana winger Tariqe Fosu was on target as Brentford secured a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth in the Championship on Wednesday.

The attacker's goal crucially proved the match-winner, helping his side to three points in the matchday 22 fixture at London's Brentford Community Stadium.

The win sees The Bees second on the league table, firmly on course for a Premier League promotion slot.

It was visiting Bournemouth who struck first on the day through Dominic Solanke who planted the ball at the back of the net on a Lloyd Kelly assist in the 25th minute.

Henrik Dalsgaards then hit back for The Bees with a header in the 37th minute after Mathias Jensen delivered a cross towards the near post.

Substituted on in the 65th minute, Fosu made his presence felt 14 minutes later as he headed home Bryan Mbeumo's cross at the far post.

The goal was his first strike of the season, having made 15 appearances so far involving five starts.

Last season, he made 11 league appearances involving two starts for Thomas Frank's side in their run to the Championship play-off final.

The attacker joined The Bees from Oxford United in January, having previously also played for Charlton Athletic, Colchester United, Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town and Reading where he developed through their youth ranks.

Fosu will hope to continue to impress for Brentford to improve his chances of earning a third straight Ghana call-up when the team assembles for a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in March next year.

Born to Ghanaian parents in London, the 25-year-old, who was previously involved with England at U18 level, switched allegiance to represent the country of his parents at senior level.

He made his debut for the Black Stars in a friendly fixture against Mali in October, few days before scoring against Qatar in a second friendly.

His fine October performances convinced Ghana coach CK Akonnor for another call-up for back-to-back games against Sudan in the Afcon qualifiers in November. 

Iwobi, by and large, had an underwhelming 2020, but it’s come to an encouraging finish with events in the last month and a bit.

Criticised for his end product, the former Arsenal playmaker has come on in leaps and bounds to energise Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the last few weeks to play a solid part in James Rodriguez’s absence.

In that time, Everton have risen to top four hopefuls in a tight season laden with crazy results across the Premier League, and this offers hope for to an ambitious Toffees in 2021.

Iwobi: The story of 2020

The Nigeria playmaker had a slow start to the year, mostly playing catch-up following Ancelotti’s arrival in December 2019, due to an unfortunate layoff after the experienced manager's arrival on Merseyside.

While Iwobi returned before the lockdown, there was a feeling the ex-Gunner wasn’t quite right then and after the sport returned in June and he largely epitomised an Everton side that petered out in the final gameweeks of 2019/20.

One goal contribution throughout a tumultuous maiden campaign led to old doubts creep up about the Arsenal academy graduate, who many believe can produce a lot more in the final third.

The marquee arrival of Rodriguez for the new season, as well as acquisitions of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure from Napoli and Watford respectively gave the Merseyside club a boost in quality but the upshot of those arrivals put Iwobi’s place under threat.

Even though missing out on the squad in the opening weeks of the campaign didn’t bode well, the West African’s quality has shone through, making him a useful member of the team.

It hasn’t been by design, however, neither has it sat well with observers with injuries to Everton’s full-backs seeing the Nigerian deployed at wing-back and even at right-back against Burnley.

It was far from ideal for the attacking midfielder but he’s shown great versatility and impetus in possession to suggest Ancelotti can trust him in that position if need be in future.

Rodriguez, Richarlison and Seamus Coleman (the club’s primary right-back) are expected to return to full fitness in the New Year, meaning Iwobi’s run of starts may be halted as the principal starters return.

However, the consistency and tenacity shown in the last few weeks of 2020 — which prompted effusive praise from his manager — suggest the Super Eagle won’t be on the periphery of this side in 2021.

Iwobi: Any transfer rumours?

If the year ended three months ago, the Nigeria star may have been one of the few players to be considered for a sale to raise funds to improve the side.

Proving he can be relied upon and stepping up in unfamiliar positions, though, mean Iwobi is going nowhere...unless something really drastic happens in January or the second half of the 20/21 season.

Iwobi: One big ambition for 2021

Given the first XI attacking quality Ancelotti has at his disposal, it’s safe to say getting into the Everton front three won’t be easy for the 24-year-old when everyone’s fit.

Be that as it may, a role in the midfield three could offer Iwobi consistent first-team action in a position that actually suits his skill set, in theory at least.

In the middle of the park, his ball-carrying and link-up know-how come to the fore, while the pressure for raw numbers in goals and assists will be lessened, too.

Not playing regularly or performing consistently enough to actually cement a place at Arsenal and now Everton has hindered the Nigerian’s development, making midfield a sensible option to do just that.

If the Toffees make Europe at the end of it all, even better!

Iwobi: One big fear for 2021

Lack of match action which suggests the Nigerian could remain a bit-part player in Ancelotti’s team.

Not making the top six or winning a trophy may even lead to a sale if Everton need to balance the books after heavy investment in summer 2019.