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When Ferland Mendy arrived at Real Madrid in 2019, he knew he had a battle on his hands.

If the wideman was to establish himself as the first choice left-back at the Bernabeu, he would have to unseat a veritable club legend in Marcelo.

The Brazil international has become an institution at Real since arriving at the club from Fluminense in 2007.

Since then, he’s made over 350 league appearances, and won all there is to win at club level, including five Spanish titles, two Copa del Reys, and the Club World Cup on four occasions.

Most importantly, the Olympic silver medallist has also clinched the Champions League four times, and was part of the side who clinched Real’s Decima—an achievement that is unlikely to be matched any time soon.

However, all good things come to an end, and at 32, Marcelo cannot go on forever.

Since his arrival at Real, he’s seen off competition from the likes of Gabriel Heinze, Marcos Alonso, Nacho, Fabio Coentrao, Royston Drenthe and Sergio Reguilon to retain the left-back slot and establish himself as a club legend.

The arrival of Mendy, however, surely sheds light on Real’s long-term future in the position.

Los Blancos parted with £43.2 million to recruit the Frenchman from Olympique Lyonnais, making him—at the time—the second most expensive left-back in the history of the game, behind only Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy.

“I will be his successor,” Mendy said of Marcelo at the time of his arrival. “He has a lot of time left, but if they’ve brought me here, it’s because they see potential.”

Ferland has all the tools to oust Marcelo permanently and even match the Brazilian’s legacy at Real, becoming a world-class left-back in the process.

He’s a classic modern full-back, capable of bursting forward into the opposition half and influencing events in the final third, but he’s also defensively astute as well.

“[He has] an extraordinary offensive potential, exceptional technique and defensive qualities coupled with his pace,” said his former coach at Le Havre, Thierry Goudet.

“In short, he has the full range of a modern full-back.”

His pace, as noted by Goudet, is one of his key assets—both offensively, as he beats opposition full-backs, and defensively, as he tracks back to cover spaces left behind when Real push forward.

While Marcelo initially retained the left-back berth following Mendy’s arrival—the 24-year-old was made to work for his spot—the Frenchman has begun to earn a larger portion of playing time.

He’s already a Spanish champion, having been part of the team that won the title last season, and Los Blancos didn’t lose a single game that the full-back started last year—testament to how his presence improves the defence.

Perhaps Marcelo still offers more going forward—he’s one of the greatest attacking left-backs in modern football’s history—but Mendy’s calmness and composure have been massive assets to a Real backline that can be got at.

Some would praise Real coach Zidane for his loyalty towards Marcelo, while others may argue that the World Cup winner has been slow to accept the inevitable and integrate Mendy into his starting XI.

Mendy deserves credit for how he has knuckled down and sought to improve his game to oust Marcelo, and the way with which he has taken the demands of featuring for Real—perhaps the world’s biggest club—in his stride.

He’s rarely looked fazed, rarely looked ruffled, rarely looked overawed by the expectation, even though the capital club have endured a particularly testing 18 months.

So far this season, Mendy has made 10 appearances to Marcelo’s five, particularly impressing in the 2-0 victory away at Levante, when the hosts failed to cope with his rampaging runs forward, and the recent 2-0 triumph over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League.

In the latter match, Mendy was given the nod ahead of Marcelo, and delivered exactly the kind of performance that Real required, where his reliability and defensive focus successfully neutralised Alassane Plea and helped keep the German side at bay.

It’s too soon to completely write Marcelo off yet, but when the South American eventually does bid the Bernabeu farewell, Mendy is primed to step into his boots…some would argue he’s already there!

Manchester United have been warned by Andy Cole that Bruno Fernandes’ head could be turned by Barcelona and Real Madrid if they suffer any more Champions League disappointments.

The Red Devils returned to European football’s grandest stage in 2020-21, but failed to make it through the group stage and into the last 16.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are having to make do with the consolation prize of a spot in the Europa League as a result, with Real Sociedad set to be faced in the last 32 of that competition.

Fernandes will have a key role to play for United in that continental quest, along with efforts to secure another top-four finish in the Premier League.

Cole admits to having been left pleasantly surprised by the impact a Portuguese playmaker has made at Old Trafford, with the 26-year-old exceeding expectations.

The former Red Devils striker told The Target Men Podcast: “I’m very surprised to see how quickly Bruno Fernandes has taken to the Premier League since he joined Manchester United.

“Bruno Fernandes joined the club for a big fee and I have to say I didn’t know too much about him.

“I wondered if he was going to be able to continue scoring goals and producing assists at the same rate this season now that clubs knew more about him, but he’s arguably been even better!

“Bruno Fernandes doesn’t wear the captain’s armband but anyone watching this Manchester United team can see that he is the leader of the dressing room and he leads by example on the pitch. He’s a world-class quality player.”

While hailing Fernandes’ importance to the United cause, Cole is aware that said qualities will be attracting admiring glances from afar.

With that in mind, it is considered imperative that the Red Devils continue to force their way into contention for major honours and prevent any exit doors from being edged open.

“The concern for Manchester United is that Bruno Fernandes has well and truly put himself on the map now,” Cole added.

“It’s probably only a matter of time until there are rumours of a Barcelona and Real Madrid being interested in signing him and if Manchester United continue to not perform in the Champions League, no-one knows if his head could be turned in the years ahead.”

Fernandes, who has contributed 23 goals and 14 assists to the United cause through 40 appearances, is tied to a contract at Old Trafford through to the summer of 2024 – with the option there for a further 12-month extension beyond that point.

Jack Grealish would link up “seamlessly with that Liverpool front three”, says Kevin Phillips, with the Aston Villa playmaker expected to make a move somewhere – possibly Anfield – in the summer of 2021.

The highly-rated 25-year-old shunned interest from afar during the last transfer window and opted instead to sign a new contract at Villa Park.

Grealish has, however, seen his stock continue to rise in 2020-21, becoming one of the Premier League’s top creative talents and an established England international.

Manchester United appear to no longer be casting admiring glances in his direction when it comes to big-money transfers, but various other landing spots are being mooted.

Manchester City are said to hold interest in Grealish, while Phillips believes that Merseyside could be the perfect landing spot for a man who would thrive alongside Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

The former Villans striker said at a Ladbrokes event to launch its 5-A-Side Bet on West Brom vs Aston Villa: "I met Jack Grealish last season, and knowing people that know him well, I always thought he was going to stay at Aston Villa in the summer.

"Part of me just felt he would stay another season and see where he could take them.

"Do I see him leaving next summer? I would imagine so. If he keeps performing the way he does, someone just has to come in with a huge offer and it'll be one of those which is just too good to turn down for both club and player.

"There are only a handful of teams that are going to be able to afford Grealish, but I'd love to see him at Liverpool.

"I don't think Man City would be a right move for him. I think Sergio Aguero will probably move on in the summer and there'll be a little reshuffle there, whereas I don't see many players moving on from Liverpool; they'll just get stronger.

"I can just imagine him linking up seamlessly with that Liverpool front three.

"I can see him suiting Jurgen Klopp's style of play because he's got the work rate; he does a job at both ends of the pitch.

"He would fit into that Liverpool team, no problem. For me he keeps getting better and better.

"He just needs to cut the theatricals out a little bit. Lose that tag and he could go on to be a top, top player for club and country - like a Gazza."

Grealish has remained a talismanic presence as club captain for Villa this season, with six goals and as many assists recorded through 11 appearances.

Chelsea will look to shun any interest shown in Olivier Giroud during the January transfer window, says Robert Green, with the Blues more likely to hand out a new contract than sanction a sale.

An experienced French forward has been working on rolling 12-month deals at Stamford Bridge.

Another could be in the offing, with the 34-year-old showing once again that he still has an important role to play in an expensively-assembled squad.

Regular slips down the pecking order have been endured by Giroud during his time in west London, but he has always forced his way back into contention.

A purple patch has been hit in front of goal over recent weeks, with the target found on seven occasions through as many appearances.

Frank Lampard is once again asking the World Cup winner to lead Chelsea’s line and Green believes his services will be retained for the foreseeable future, despite exit talk building again heading into 2021.

“As long as he wants to be there he should be there,” former Blues goalkeeper Green told Stadium Astro.

“It’s one that they are finding very hard to replace. I think Tammy [Abraham] is still a work in progress.

“He [Giroud] is still scoring goals and he’s still massively motivated. I was with him last season and speaking to him then and he was talking about playing in the Euros, playing for France, getting that trophy that he hasn’t got so far and getting into the top ranking of goalscoring for France as well.

“The hunger and the drive is still there. He wants to do it and I can’t see Chelsea going out there and finding a replacement that, if Tammy is playing, is willing to help out and support and when stepping up is providing such a big role.

“I think it’s a massive transfer window in January, I think there will be suitors and people will come in for him and it’s in Chelsea’s interests to keep him there.

“That might include giving him a new contract.”

Giroud has previously admitted that he will be weighing up his options in the new year, but that was prior to earning a regular role in Chelsea’s No.9 berth and it may be that he is now prepared to turn a deaf ear to any interest expressed in him from afar.

The impact made by Diogo Jota at Liverpool has forced Roberto Firmino to raise his game, says Dominic Matteo, with the Brazilian forward in the process of proving that he remains a game-changer.

Said qualities were rarely questioned as the South American forged the most productive of partnerships with fellow frontmen Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

End product has, however, been in short supply for the 29-year-old of late, with just three goals recorded through 20 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.

The most recent of those proved to be decisive, with a dramatic late winner nodded home in a 2-1 victory over fellow title hopefuls Tottenham.

Firmino had been leading the line again in that contest as summer signing Jota has been ruled out for several weeks with an untimely injury.

The Portuguese had hit nine goals in 17 appearances prior to being laid low, with plenty suggesting that he should be handed a regular role in Liverpool’s fearsome attacking unit.

With Jota now on the treatment table, Firmino has the chance to prove that he remains the go-to man for Jurgen Klopp, with Matteo expecting a reliable performer to step up to that challenge.

The former Reds defender told Stadium Astro: “Jota has been outstanding – every time he gets on the ball you think he’s going to score a goal. Definitely that might push Firmino forward.

“When you are up against a player who will score goals and make chances, you have to do something to influence the game. Firmino has done that now and hopefully he will get the confidence out of that.

“He had looked a big leggy in the last few games but maybe now after that goal [against Spurs] it will refresh him.

“His keeping of the ball needs to be a bit better, he was so good at that last season. This season he hasn’t kept it as well but people learn a lot about you as a player. Firmino has still got that ability to change a game. I’m sure he will get confidence out of that.”

Matteo added on Firmino’s value to the collective cause at Anfield, with a leading role played in Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League title triumphs: “The one thing we know about Jurgen Klopp and his loyalty to certain players is that he loves Firmino and what he brings to the team on and off the field.

“He’s a brilliant character, a great player. We know Salah and Mane get most of the goals and Firmino chips in, but the work he does is outstanding. He’s a fan favourite as well, they adore him.

“The way he plays, trying to do it the right way. He’s so clever – when the ball comes into him, you never know what he is going to do. He has got a trick in his locker.

“He is probably not as quick as some of the other players but because Mane and Salah are so quick they get away with that.

“The way he links the team together is outstanding. He’s a great all round player. Yes, the goals haven’t come as much as they would like, but sometimes that happens.”

DAR24 Media in collaboration with Spain Premier League - La Liga hosted a football festival in Dar es Salaam involving the city’s top eight teams, with the aim of encouraging young people to avoid drug use and trafficking.

The tournament, which took place on Sunday at Shoka grounds in Mburahati area, was attended by hundreds of football fans who witnessed 150 youngsters from the teams that participated in the competition.

Kitanki FC emerged the winners of the tournament after beating Palianda FC 1-0, in the final, and grabbed a prize of various sports equipment from La Liga headquarters, Spain.

Palianda FC goalkeeper Athman Bonge was named the tournament's best player and was awarded a prize from Dstv.

Speaking to journalists soon after the tournament, a representative of Dar24 Media, which is part of DataVision International, Shaban Kondo said the aim of the partnership with La Liga in organising the festival is to support the government's efforts in combating drug abuse; and visualizing talent as part of youth employment.

“Dar24 Media is focused on promoting positive change in Tanzanian society, including youth. That's why we launched the campaign. We believe that many young people participating in sports will see the value of their lives through talent and will not have time to think of using and trafficking drugs,” Kondo as quoted by The Guardian.

He said the Fifth-Phase government has been very successful in the war against drugs, but the world has not yet succeeded in eradicating it completely.

“Thus, we’re supporting these efforts by motivating young people who are the group most affected. And we believe if we can take good care of this national workforce we will continue to grow economically and achieve a higher economy,” the organiser said.

Kondo said the festival will be held every year as it has shown great response to the youth and talents of its kind, asking football stakeholders and youth development enthusiasts to support the festival in terms of status and resources.

The country representative of La Liga Alvaro Paya said the leadership of the league saw the efforts made by the Tanzanian government and Dar24 Media’s efforts in promoting sports and changing the lives of young people, something which is in line with La Liga mission of promoting football in the world.

“So, they have decided to unite in promoting football to unveil talents and save lives.”

"Tanzania is blessed with different talents, we believe there are many Lionel Messi here and what is needed is to create a better environment for them to be seen.

"But in order to achieve their dreams, it is important to avoid drug use. That is why we as La Liga saw the Dar24 campaign as a success and joined forces to run the 'La Liga Street' competition through the 'Shtuka' campaign,” said Paya.

He said the efforts of the Tanzanian government in promoting talent are encouraging, calling on sports stakeholders to intensify their efforts and establish sports schools to prepare young people from an early age.

Paya expressed his happiness to see the great response of the youth and thanked the leadership of all eight teams that participated with his players which are Mgosi Sports Academy, Kitanki, Palianda FC, Shoka FC, Friends Corner, Sandali FC, Sports Link Academy, and NVRF.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Cedric Kaze has openly claimed he will not rush to buy players just because the transfer window is now open.

The mini-transfer window opened its door on December 16 and will run until January 15, 2021, with Yanga, who are topping the 18-team table looking to strengthen their squad.

The Burundian tactician who is yet to lose a match since joining the Jangwani giants has now said he is aware Yanga will need to strengthen in order to challenge for the title but he will not be forced into panic buying of players.

Kaze, instead, says he will strive to sign players who he thinks will help his team to achieve the targets they set for the season.

“I know we are heading into the mini-transfer window that I will use to make improvements in areas I believe are currently not the same, and it is true we will buy a few players,” Kaze said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“I can’t sign because of the pressure of what people see, I want to take players who I believe are qualified to help the team because in this period it is difficult to find the best player as many are still bound by contracts in their teams and if it fails, I will end with those we have. with them.”

Reports have already emerged that Kenyan keeper Farouk Shikhalo is among the players reportedly set to be released by Yanga.

According to the reports, Yanga is planning to release Shikhalo and go for another foreign keeper who will be able to challenge first choice Metacha Mnata for a starting role as the team strengthens for the second round of the Mainland Premier League.

"Yanga are planning to make a small change of registration in the small window and have planned to register only three players out of which there are midfielders and defenders who will join the team this season,” Sokalabongo reported as quoted from the Champion.

“That’s after the coach made recommendations for the registration of new players and there are those who will be taken on loan while others will be released altogether after failing to show competition in the team.

“Among the players who may be left out is keeper [Shikhalo] who has failed to challenge Metacha for the starting role since joining the side and thus warming the bench.

“So his bosses may leave him out so as to get a chance to sign an international player, Shikhalo is a good goalkeeper but he has failed to give Metacha opposition.”

Yanga are topping the 18-team table with 37 points from 15 matches.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has plans to hire foreign referees for contentious matches in the Premier League including the derby involving Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

According to federation President Nick Mwendwa the move will help end contentious issues which arise from such matches involving the giants of Kenyan football.

Mwendwa further said they will also hire foreign referees to officiate in league matches especially when two or three teams are fighting for the title with few matches remaining to the end of the season.

“What we are saying, we have matches in the Premier League which are contentious and officiating of such matches always raises a lot of debate and sometime it tends to spoil the game,” Mwendwa told Goal on Thursday.

“One of the matches is the derby, and the other one is when we have a tight race for the title, if we have such a scenario where teams are fighting for the title, teams are separated by two or three points, then we will hire foreign referees to come oversee the league [games].

“We will get them from Uganda, Tanzania or even Rwanda, that is the idea, actually what we are looking at is to advance fairness in the eyes of everybody handling these especially the derby which always raises eyebrows.”

Asked whether Kenyan referees will not feel aggrieved by the move to hire foreign counterparts, Mwendwa said: “They will not feel aggrieved because most of them don’t want to officiate in such matches, we have just mooted the idea and we hope it will bring fairness especially during contentious matches.”

The new proposal will thus be introduced when AFC Leopards will host rivals Gor Mahia in the first derby of the 2020-21 FKF Premier League.

According to the fixtures, Ingwe will host K’Ogalo on March 6, 2021, at Nyayo Stadium before the second round duel is set for the same venue on May 23, 2021.

Last season, Gor Mahia won both encounters, beating Ingwe 4-1 in the first round match before edging them out by a solitary goal en-route to winning their fourth straight league title.

AFC Leopards are yet to beat Gor Mahia in their last seven matches with the best result against their rivals coming in the 1-1 draw of the 2017-18 season with Gor Mahia winning the second round fixture 1-0.

According to a report in Belgium, Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion are considering bringing Bafana Bafana and former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Percy Tau back to the club.

Tau left Sundowns to sign for Brighton in 2018 but is yet to make an appearance for the club after being sent out on loan to several clubs in Belgium.

He initially played for second-tier side Union SG, where he won the Proximus League Player of the Season award.

He then moved on to Club Brugge, where he won the league last season and also featured in the Champions League against the likes of Real Madrid and Paris St Germain.

This season he signed a loan deal with a third Belgian club, Anderlecht, where he's been playing under former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, now the Anderlecht manager.

Tau has recently been sidelined with a minor injury, but according to Kompany, will be back in action sooner rather than later.

“Percy is doing well, better than hoped. Maybe he can resume at the end of this week,” the former Belgium captain told Belgium's HLN website.
 
The publication then goes on to state that, "English sources also inform us that there is a real chance that Brighton & Hove Albion will recall Tau in January.

"The club flirts with relegation in the Premier League and is looking for reinforcements. Due to the new rules, which can be interpreted creatively, it is not impossible that Tau will receive a work permit for England."

Bafana talisman Tau is 26-years-old now and would have gained hugely valuable experience of European football during his years in Belgium.

The Seagulls meanwhile are languishing in 16th spot on the standings, just two points above the relegation zone.

They've scored 15 goals in their 13 league games this term. Neal Maupay has netted four for Brighton in the league, but no other Seagulls player has more than a single goal.

Former Witbank Spurs player Tau has been among the goals and assists throughout his time in Belgium and has four goals in 10 league starts for Anderlecht this term.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has confirmed the opening of the December-January mini-transfer window.

Although there has not been much hype around any particular players in big teams, Azam FC, Simba SC and Yanga SC are expected to bolster their squads nonetheless.

The 2020/21 mini-transfer window has been opened from December 16 and will shut close on January 15.

“The application for the transfer of players who would have met the laid down qualifications, will be handled quickly and such players will be given licenses in order to allow the feature for their new clubs as soon as possible,” TFF’s letter, obtained by Goal read.

“As regulations prescribe, the teams that will only be allowed to sign new players are those that have not hit the cap of 30 players per team. A team that has also loaned or transferred a player to another is also allowed to sign.

“Those teams that have also mutually terminated contracts with a player or players will also be allowed to do business in the window.

“For the clubs who have terminated contracts, they will be required to do so within the transfer window and inform TFF, in writing, of the said development in order to be allowed to buy new players.

“Clubs are also informed that loan deals will have to adhere to the regulations that govern the transfer of players. For that reason, there must be a mutual agreement between the club and the player on the loan move.”

Simba have already signed Uganda international Taddeo Lwanga who is expected to offer more depth and provide an option in midfield especially with the absence of injured Gerson Fraga.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi tied down highly-rated Clatous Chama, who has six goals and six assists in the league, for two more years while Meddie Kagere, with 50 league goals, is expected to remain. The Zambian had been heavily linked with Yanga but the club’s chairman Mo Dewji strongly stated the desire to keep the midfielder.

Kagere, on the other hand, had to deal with rumours of bad blood between him and coach Sven Vandenbroeck when the season had just started. Goal understands Wekundu wa Msimbazi are keen to keep the two-time Golden Boot winner for two more seasons.

What remains to be seen is whether Larry Bwalya, who was missed in the matchday squad in the last five occasions, would remain at the Msimbazi club.

Azam are also expected to buy more players and strengthen a side that has seen their performances take a nosedive in the last few games despite a strong season opening.

For Yanga, not much business is expected given that the players signed in the previous window have settled and have shown the capability to fight for the league title.

Tuisila Kisinda, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Mukoko Tonombe, Michael Sarpong and Yacouba Sogne are the stars who came in and claimed positions in the first team more regularly. Angolan international Carlinhos had also started strong before he was sidelined by an injury.

Very little has gone right for Kaizer Chiefs in the 2020-21 campaign and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has revealed how last season's disappointment has continued to linger over the team.

Amakhosi had been well set last season under coach Ernst Middendorp to win their first league title in five years.

But following the five-month break of action due to Covid-19, Chiefs imploded in the final weeks of the campaign. Still, though they could have clinched the league if they had beaten Baroka FC on the last day of action, but it wasn't to be as Manuel Kambala scored a 59th-minute equaliser after Khama Billiat's earlier goal had seemingly set the Soweto side on course for league glory.

That single goal was enough to send the title to Mamelodi Sundowns, who also won the Nedbank and Telkom cups.

Subsequently, Gavin Hunt took over from Middendorp and he has endured a nightmare start, his plight not helped by the club's transfer ban.

"Very tough indeed," Khune told SuperSport TV after the Glamour Boys' latest setback, a 2-1 defeat against SuperSport United on Tuesday.

"We didn't start the season as [well] as we planned and as much as we wanted. Because we finished second last season and I think that had a big impact in the beginning of this season," he continued.

"So I think a lot of us are still not ready for this season. But we always have to be ready for anything that comes our way. We are the ones who signed up to represent Kaizer Chiefs. And we are the ones who put ourselves in this situation, we are the ones who have to get out of it.”

Amakhosi’s defeat against Matsatsantsa served to highlight several issues they’ve faced this season – a lack of cutting edge up front, and some careless mistakes at the back – underlined by Khune recklessly giving the ball away during the buildup to SuperSport’s opening goal.

"We dominated throughout, but we didn't take our chances,” the former Bafana Bafana skipper said. “I gave the ball away because I think I'm trying to do much. I'm trying to be a ball-player, I'm trying to be a goalkeeper at the same time, so I think I just need to stick to being a goalkeeper."

Cameroon B handler Martin Ndtoungou Mpile has raised the alarm over the country’s preparations for the 2021 African Nations Championship (Chan).

Tournament hosts Intermediate Lions will be featuring in the event for the fourth time with their best outing being a quarter-final finish at the 2011 and 2016 editions.

Expectations are high to emerge as Chan 2021 champions, however, Ndtoungou who replaced sacked Yves Clement Arroga in October, has raised the alarm in his quest to put together a conquering side.

"We're supposed to take the best players to Chan but where are we supposed to get them from when there's no championship?" said Ndtoungou as per BBC Sport.

"I'm not yet serene over the team's current situation. We had elaborated a plan hoping that the league will kick off but we've had to change everything and it's just an ugly situation.

"No one is happy with this situation. We're just trying to limit the damage because right now we're not where we want to be."

The absence of a Cameroonian league and a mass exodus of players has left the veteran tactician – who led the country to a quarter-final finish at Rwanda 2016 - with the option of calling up clubless but experienced players like 34-year-old Patrick Mevoungou plus Yannick N'Djeng and Franck Ondoa Edima who both compete for fifth-tier clubs.

Cameroon have been without a championship since March due to the impact of Covid-19 and as a result of the upshot of a fierce power tussle between the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and the country's professional football league (LFPC).

As a result of that, 19 top and second flight Cameroonian clubs recently called for the disbanding of the country's professional football league (LFPC), mentioning the poor organisation and management of the leagues.

Cameroon have been zoned in Group A alongside Mali, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe. They begin their campaign against the Warriors at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde.

The competition initially billed to commence in April 2020 was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, which brought footballing activities to a stop.

Morocco are the tournament’s defending champions having silenced Nigeria 4-0 in the final of the 2018 edition played in Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca.

FKF Premier League side Sofapaka have appointed Ken Odhiambo as their new head coach.

Batoto ba Mungu President Elly Kalekwa has confirmed to Goal they have handed the former Bandari FC coach a two-year contract and he will be assisted by Mike Mururi.

The coaching role at the club fell vacant on Tuesday after the club moved to fire coach John Baraza, who had only overseen three FKF Premier League matches – losing 1-0 against Bandari, and beating Western Stima 3-1 before losing 2-1 against AFC Leopards.

“We have now settled for Odhiambo to handle the team and he has already joined us on a two-year contract,” Kalekwa told Goal on Thursday. “He has already reported to work and will be assisted by Mike Mururi, who was the deputy to Baraza.

“We hope the new changes will spur the team to post positive results as our main target is to win the title this season, we have quality players who can do the job and that is why we feel the new bench can now work with them for better results.”

On Thursday, Baraza took his time to wish the team well.

“It’s a hard decision leaving, this has been a family to me for the years have been around,” Baraza told the club’s official website.

“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to honestly thank everyone involved with the Sofapaka family, the president, the playing unit, the CEO and the entire staff. They have really been an amazing family, I appreciate the support, the respect, the love that everyone showed me."

On the playing unit; Baraza said: “To the players kindly accord coach Odhiambo and Mururi the same and much more support so that the team can accomplish its season target.

“To the club president Kalekwa, I want to sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity and more so trusting me with the position of head coach at this great club Sofapaka.

“It’s so unfortunate that all we had planned haven’t worked out as we had agreed. I leave wishing the team the very best now and in the future.”

On Wednesday, Kalekwa revealed to Goal the reason the club decided to part ways with Baraza by stating: “I want to thank Baraza for the job he did while at the helm of Sofapaka and wish him well in his next move of heading for studies abroad.

“He has two schools to attend, one in Germany and another in Norway, and so he will choose where to go but as Sofapaka family we wish him well.”

Pressed further to explain whether he had left the team because of school or performance, Kalekwa said: “Obviously the performance has not been good [since the season kicked-off] with the kind of quality players we signed for him but for now he is heading to add more knowledge abroad.”

Odhiambo also doubles as the assistant coach of Kenya’s national team Harambee Stars and will start his reign with a match against Kariobangi Sharks on Saturday.

Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font has told Goal that he will not be repeating the mistakes of previous candidates by making bold transfer promises amid links with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

It has been suggested that the Blaugrana could enter a scramble for the talented Norwegian frontman if an exit door were to be swung open in Germany.

Barca, though, do not boast the funds required to make such an elaborate signing and are eager to avoid offering false hope.

Back in 2003, as Joan Laporta prepared to take office at Camp Nou, an incoming president said he would be snapping up David Beckham from Manchester United, only to then see the England captain head to arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Font will not be doing the same with Haaland, telling Goal: “It’s campaign time so it's normal to hear about popular names but the supporters are smart and know for the first time in history it is not about promising an astonishing name, as happened with Beckham in 2003.

“Now we must generate interest from other angles, there's a new generation who deserve responsibility and the right conditions for decisions to be taken.”

Another player to have been heavily linked with a switch to Barcelona in the recent past is Brazil international Neymar , with a return to La Liga mooted for the South American ever since he completed a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Font remains a big fan of the 28-year-old forward, but cannot see him back in Catalunya.

He added: “I love him as a player, I enjoy him because is pure talent but we must be realistic.

“From now on the club will have strong leadership. In addition, the club is how it is in a financial aspect and he probably wants a competitive salary - we can't pay for this.

“Beyond these facts, we can’t forget about many other aspects. We are FCB and the club is more important than any one person. Neymar left us, he is constantly suing FCB, I think this choice is obvious.”

While Neymar is unlikely to retrace his steps to Barca, Font is still hoping to see talismanic club captain Lionel Messi commit to a new contract at some stage and bring the uncertainty surrounding his future to a close.

He said of the mercurial Argentine: “We think he can be retained. Beyond his frustration, which is probably very high given the level we reached last August, there's his love for FCB.

“He always said he wants to end at FCB and his frustration belongs to the lack of a project.

“This is exactly what we have been working on, to be competitive again. This is what we would like to tell him and I think he will give us an opportunity.”

Messi is, however, heading towards free agency in 2021 as things stand, with Font adding: “I am sure with a project like ours he would never have reached the point of asking to leave.

“But if we reach that point and you have a verbal agreement with someone who has earned the right to decide what he wants, we should be at his side to make sure he leaves with the biggest honours ever seen and to ensure that the relationship lasts a long time.”

Ian Wright has taken aim at Arsenal's technical director Edu, with the Gunners legend baffled as to how those at Emirates Stadium can be saying that Willian – a proven Premier League performer – needs “time” in which to settle and produce his best.

The north Londoners were believed to have pulled off quite a coup when prising an experienced Brazil international away from London rivals Chelsea.

A few eyebrows were raised at handing the 32-year-old a three-year contract , but he is a two-time title winner in England and was expected to slot seamlessly into the fold under Mikel Arteta.

Wright admits that is what he was expecting from the South American, with Arsenal needing another creative influence to hit the ground running.

That has not been the case, with Willian’s disappointing form mirroring that of many around him , but he retains the full support of those in the Emirates boardroom.

Wright believes the wrong messages are being sent out by Edu and Co, with the ex-Gunners frontman telling the Wrighty’s House Podcast : “Can I say something because there’s something I read with Edu, who I was with during the Rapid Vienna game. We had a chat and he’s very energetic.

“But I was very disappointed with something I read with Edu talking about Willian needing time. I can’t have that – and I’d say it to him if I saw him – because we don’t want to be peddling that.

“We’ve brought Willian in to hit the ground running and when he came in I read what you [Edu] said about a player that we need an immediate impact from.

“We’ve signed him for three years, which was very dubious for a lot of people. I went, 'okay, Willian is good enough, a serial winner, and you look at the experience he brings'.

“To hear, 'we need to give him more time'… I needed something to squeeze because that’s not why he bought him. Willian needs that chat where someone says, 'my friend, listen, you’re here to hit the ground running'.

“I’m not throwing him under the bus but I’m trying to explain that Edu cannot come out and say these things when Arsenal are in a position where we’ve signed the player for three years and he needs to hit the ground running.

“It should be a dream move for him but maybe he hasn’t been energised. But he’s come into a dressing room that needs him to be the man.

“Now Edu’s saying he needs time. No, you shouldn’t be saying that. Someone needs to get him in that office and speak to him and say, 'you’re meant to be doing it now'.”

Willian was an unused substitute as Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Wednesday, with Arteta opting to drop him to the bench as Alexandre Lacazette also slipped out of the Gunners’ starting XI.

Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie has admitted that he is open to a January move to Scottish champions Celtic as the USMNT international looks to follow in the footsteps of Virgil van Dijk and compete at the highest level in Europe.

Neil Lennon's outfit had been in talks with the Union over a summer swoop for the 21-year-old but eventually settled on Brighton's Shane Duffy on loan for a fee of around £2 million.

Reports claim the Hoops are set to rekindle their interest in January, however, and the Bronx-born centre-back feels that relocating to Glasgow could be a good fit as he targets a career at the very top of the game.

Asked if a move could be on the cards next month, McKenzie told Sky Sports News: “Yeah, ultimately it's about the situation being right for all parties.

“As the player you are probably the most important piece in the puzzle, but it's about making sure it's right for the club I'm at now but also the club I could potentially be going to.

“I want to be playing regular and consistent minutes - at least fighting for my spot and then trying to keep that spot. That's the most important thing. It's something I've obviously talked to my agents about and talked to the club and staff about and make sure it's right for everyone.

"I've done my fair share of research [on Celtic and the Scottish Premiership] and I've always loved football so I've known about Celtic for a while. You hear about Celtic and the path of Virgil van Dijk - going from there to the Prem.”

It has been claimed that Premier League and Bundesliga sides have registered an interest in McKenzie, but the player himself is wary of biting off more than he can chew so early in his career.

“I think you have to understand where you're at as a footballer and think 'what is the best option for me? Would it be to go to a top three or four league? What does the club dynamic look like?

“Are there veterans in my position? Are there high-profile individuals in my position? Am I ready to compete in this league? Where are my weaknesses? Do I need more time to develop? Do my strengths align with this league?'

“Ultimately Europe is where every footballer understands is the highest level. I'm not bashing any leagues but when you wake up as a kid on a Saturday and you turn on the Prem. Right after that, there might be a Bundesliga game or El Clasico. 

“Europe is where you want to be and I find myself in that position also. It's out there - my goal is to play in the Champions League, play against the best players in the world, win trophies. That's my goal and those are my personal ambitions.”

Kai Havertz is finding out the hard way that a £70 million ($95m) price tag was always going to weigh heavy on his shoulders, says former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot.

The Blues won the race for a much sought-after signature during the summer transfer window, with a big-money agreement put in place with Bayer Leverkusen.

With Havertz’s star very much on the rise, Frank Lampard was considered to have acquired himself a player that could thrive on a Premier League stage.

Chelsea are still waiting on that fuse to be lit, with a talented 21-year-old taking a while to find his feet in new surroundings.

Melchiot claims that was always going to be the case, given the relative lack of experience a Germany international had under his belt.

He remains convinced that Havertz will come good, but accepts that expectation around him will not be reined in as so much faith and funding has been invested in his potential.

Ex-Blues star Melchiot told talkSPORT: “I knew Kai Havertz before he came to Chelsea. I knew Kai was a great talent.

“The only difference I see is that in the system Chelsea play he comes from the outside, but in Germany he was a No.10 or a striker.

“He had more freedom because the team was built around him.

“When he comes to Chelsea, he’s not going to get that! They have a player that has to get used to a certain way of playing and that takes time.

“People don’t expect him to need more time because of the price tag; people want him to fire straight away.”

Another former Chelsea defender, Jason Cundy, is another that expects Havertz to start firing if he is given the time in which to play himself into peak form.

He added: “He’s 21 years of age, he’s come from Germany and he hasn’t settled yet.

“When you pay £70m for a player of that age you’re mostly paying for his potential. It’s a lot of money and we will see – you can’t judge him after 12 games.

“He’s struggling, right now he’s struggling, but from what we heard and you listen to a lot of people who know German football, he is a great talent.

“I don’t want to be too hard on the kid, he’s just got here and he’s young and he hasn’t adapted yet. So let’s just wait and see – we can judge him in a year or two years’ time.”

Columbus Crew star Jonathan Mensah has left the door open for a potential move to a European team in the future.

The Ghana international led Caleb Porter’s Black and Gold to win the Major League Soccer (MLS) title for the first time having defeated Seattle Sounders 3-0 in the finals thanks to a brace from Lucas Zelarayan and a third from Derrick Etienne.

Having featured for Udinese, Granada, Evian and Anzhi Makhachkala between 2010-2016, Mensah joined the Crew in 2017 as the fifth Designated Player in club history and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the side.

His contract expires at the end of the 2020 and, should Porter’s side choose not to renew his terms, the 30-year-old may be forced to head for Europe.

"You never say never. What would get your name out there is to keep putting in solid performances week in, week out for your team and doors will open,” Mensah told BBC Sport Africa.

"This league has attracted big superstars, the likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Wayne Rooney and recently Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"People keep saying this is a retirement league but we've seen it's the complete opposite. We saw Zlatan came here at age 35 and scored lots of great goals.

"He gave the fans something to shout about with great games, he went back to Europe and is still scoring at the top level like he never left. That tells you how great this league has been and it can only get better from here."

The 2009 U20 World Cup winner also revelled in his team’s triumph over Timbers in a year flawed by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's such an incredible achievement for the team because we've been through so much as a club, city and everyone connected to Columbus," he continued.

"The community and everyone behind the Save the Crew movement made it all happen, we the players and staff are just the vehicle that delivered it.

"Their determination, resilience and undying desire gave us the strength and determination to accomplish this mission, because this is pretty special.

"When you look at life in the past three years, what they've done off the field and how this year has been for all, this trophy is our little contribution to say 'thank you' for everything."