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Fabrice Ondoa has been fired by KV Oostende having “violated all corona measures” in Belgium amid allegations he organised a party during the lockdown.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international joined De Kustboys on a four-year contract from Sevilla B in 2018.

According to a statement released by the Belgium top-flight side, ten of Ondoa’s guests violated all Covid-19 procedures, while they “verbally harassed” the police who were called up to call them to order.

"During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Ostend police were called up because of noise nuisance in the apartment building of Fabrice Ondoa in the Koningsstraat,” Oostende wrote on their website.

"It turned out to be a lockdown party in which ten people violated all corona measures.

"When the police arrived, they were also verbally harassed by the revellers and 11 police reports were drawn up."

In his response on social media, the goalkeeper denied holding a party while expressing his dissatisfaction with how the club handled the situation.

"I just heard the news this [Tuesday] afternoon in an e-mail almost at the same time as the press," he wrote on Twitter.

"They are taking such a serious decision without even bothering to hear me. I just got a letter from their lawyer. It's scandalous!

"If they had bothered to invite me to explain, they would have understood that I have done nothing wrong. I have not organized anything at all and it sure wasn't a lockdown party."

In the same vein, Oostende president Gauthier Ganaye said the behaviour of the former Barcelona goalkeeper was irresponsible.

"As a football club, we cannot tolerate such selfish and irresponsible behaviour," said Ganaye.

"We are relieved that we have not had any Covid contamination so far and we are doing everything we can to keep it that way.

"That is why we always remind our players of their duties and they also assume their responsibility.

"KVO as a club is above the individual and given the seriousness of these facts, we, therefore, feel compelled to initiate the dismissal procedure against Fabrice Ondoa."

Since his move to the Versluys Arena, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winner has played second fiddle to former Belgium youth international Guillaume Hubert.

The 2020-21 season saw Arsenal set an unenviable record as they got off to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta's side lost five and drew one of their opening 10 games, gathering just 13 points, and their form heading into the turn of the year prompted much concern among the Gunners faithful.

They suffered disappointing losses to the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and arch-rivals Tottenham, as well as defeat to teams such as Wolves and Burnley, who they would ordinarily be expected to beat.

Words like "crisis" and "meltdown" have been used to describe the situation in north London, while doomsayers are even panicking about potential relegation form.

So, with anything possible, Goal brings you a reminder of Arsenal's worst-ever Premier League finish.

What is Arsenal's worst-ever Premier League finish?

Arsenal's worst-ever Premier League finish (since 1992-93) came in the 1994-95 season when they ended the campaign in 12th place in the division.

It was the season which spelled the end of George Graham's tenure as Gunners boss as he was relieved of his position in February after a terrible start in which they lost four and drew two of their first 10 games.

Their form in the league never really recovered as they managed just 13 victories all season, losing 17 matches and drawing 12 in the 42-game campaign.

That year, Arsenal also suffered defeat in the UEFA Super Cup, succumbing to AC Milan - and while they reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup, they were beaten by Real Zaragoza.

Arsenal's finish in 1994-95 PL season

It truly was a season to forget as they were eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle, going down to Millwall in a replay, and they were knocked out of the League Cup - then the Coca-Cola Cup - by Liverpool.

Prior to 1994-95, their 10th-place finish in the 1992-93 season - the first year of the Premier League as we know it - was Arsenal's worst performance in the competition.

After the 1994-95 campaign, Arsenal went 22 seasons without finishing lower than fifth in the Premier League, with Arsene Wenger ushering in an era of success. 

However, things have been in gradual decline since the tail-end of Wenger's tenure. Their sixth-place finish in 2017-18 was a low point in the modern era and it was the final year of the French coach's stewardship.

That disappointment was then eclipsed by their eight-place finish in 2019-20, a season in which the only sheen came in the form of a successful FA Cup campaign.

When was the last time Arsenal were relegated?

Arsenal have never been relegated from the Premier League, but they have been relegated from England's top tier. However, it happened at the beginning of the 20th century, during the 1912-13 season.

Then known as Woolwich Arsenal, they spent two seasons in the Second Division before football was officially postponed in England following the outbreak of World War I.

Interestingly, the Gunners were promoted to the First Division when football resumed in 1919-20, despite the fact that they had finished fifth in the Second Division back in 1914-15.

They were promoted to the new league along with Derby County and Preston North End, leapfrogging Barnsley and Wolves, who both finished ahead of them in third and fourth.

In the Premier League era, the Gunners have never really come close to relegation, though it is true that they were only six points from safety in their worst-ever season in the competition, back in 1994-95.

Arsenal posted a total of 51 points in that season and Crystal Palace were relegated with 45 points.

The 1994-95 campaign remains the only season in which the Gunners finished in the bottom half of the table.

Before the low point of the mid-nineties, the closest Arsenal came to relegation was 20 years earlier, in the mid-seventies, finishing 16th in 1974-75 and 17th in 1975-76.

They were four points from safety in 1974-75 when they ended up in 16th place and six points from relegation in 1975-76 - notably, the same margin as in 1994-95 - when they finished 17th.

Read more about the last time Arsenal were relegated here.

Edinson Cavani looks set to sit out another Manchester United game as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t want to risk the forward against Sheffield United.

The striker was brought off during the comeback win against West Ham and subsequently missed both the Champions League defeat in Leipzig and the Manchester derby at the weekend. 

In his 10 appearances, of which he has only started three times, he has managed three goals and an assist and has already proven his killer instinct in front of goal.

However, Solskjaer looks set to be without him for the third game in a row as he continues to step up his recovery ahead of a busy festive fixture schedule.

“We have to be mindful of little strains and niggles and decisions have to be made from kick-off of Sheffield United to kick-off against Aston Villa. It's 15 times 24 hours, so it's going to be very tight,” Solskjaer said about the amount of games lined up in just over a two-week period.

“Edinson has done well in rehab, but I still have to make the decision if we should risk him. It's a little bit [dangerous] to risk him too early, so I'd doubt he will be available to pick tomorrow.”

Even without Cavani, Solskjaer has a strong squad to pick from ahead of Thursday night’s trip to Bramall Lane and it is likely he will go with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. 

The United manager came under scrutiny after his side’s Champions League exit last week for changing his system too often, but the Norwegian seemed to refute those claims on Wednesday afternoon.

“What was the change in formation [against Manchester City]? It was a 4-2-3-1 and coming into that pocket is probably Paul [Pogba]'s favourite position,” Solskjaer responded when it was put to him that his players have to keep adapting to the team’s changing shape. 

“Paul did well, the team's shape was as it normally is. Twice we have played three at the back - we beat PSG and unfortunately lost to Leipzig. 

“We played a full game with a diamond and two half-games with a diamond, so that’s four out of 22 games. [That] isn't bad for consistency of a normal shape, some details change. 

“Sometimes we look at the opposition and where we need players with different qualities and the players are coping well with it.”

Barcelona can keep hold of Lionel Messi despite their current financial problems, according to Joan Laporta, who insists the club captain is "not only focused on money".

Laporta was previously president at Camp Nou from 2003 to 2010, overseeing the early years of Messi's career, and is now seeking a further term at the helm. 

The Catalan giants were plunged into a financial crisis by the coronavirus pandemic and it has meant pay levels have been closely examined, re-thought and restructured. 

Messi is the club's top earner, but as he approaches the end of his contract, which expires in 2021, there are doubts over whether he will renew. 

The club's all-time record scorer wanted to leave before the 2020-21 season and may again tell Barcelona he intends to depart, although Laporta dearly wants the Argentine forward to stay. 

Laporta says other clubs may have more money to tempt Messi, but they do not have the kinship with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner that would make a split so difficult to bear. 

"We will use all our skills to keep Messi with us," Laporta told Radio MARCA. 

"Leo is not only focused about money. It will be a good economic proposal, but we will not reach what other clubs can offer. 

"I have a very good relationship with Leo. He wants Barcelona. I am convinced that he is looking forward to a proposal from the new president. 

"It is going to be based mainly on a competitive squad that can win the Champions League. If I make this proposal, I will fulfil it; I am lucky to have Leo's credibility. 

"Now is not the time to talk about Messi, and for that I have to be president."

Inevitably, however, it is Messi's future which is dominating the elections, because of the clamour among supporters for him to re-sign. He has been linked with a host of teams, most recently Paris Saint-Germain. 

In January, Messi will be free to negotiate with other clubs. For the elections to fall in the same month is a savage twist, and means each candidate will be expected to have not only a stance on Messi's future, but a stance that appeals to club members and to Messi himself. 

It is far from the only matter for each candidate to address, yet it is an unavoidably seismic topic. 

As Laporta told the radio station, Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid to Juventus was different because he had already played at Sporting CP and Manchester United, but Messi is a one-club player. 

"Leo's case is singular. He would be one of the few players like Pele who has only played for one team," Laporta said, setting aside Santos legend Pele's time at the New York Cosmos. 

Laporta's campaign took a theatrical turn on Tuesday when he unveiled a giant poster of himself next to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu home. 

The poster features an image of Laporta and bears the caption: "Looking forward to seeing you again." 

It was a creative stunt that drew the global attention Laporta craved, and he explained it by saying: "Madrid is an electoral zone and we had to come. It was a nice move, from the point of view of good faith. It has a point of irony, it is nice." 

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is frustrated that similar problems are playing themselves out in his team every week with no remedy appearing in sight.

This follows Chiefs’ 2-1 defeat away at SuperSport United on Tuesday which was their fifth straight winless game as they remained 12th on the standings.

Hunt bemoaned their bluntness in front of goal and inability to capitalise on a good start, which makes them end up pressing for a comeback, a problem he says his side endures regularly.

After a strong early showing against SuperSport, Chiefs missed some “unbelievable chances” and were duly punished by Bradley Grobler and Sipho Mbule, who found the target for the hosts.

A late Lebogang Manyama goal from the penalty spot was a result of Chiefs pushing to level, but that was not enough to earn at least a point.

“We had three or four unbelievable chances before they even had a chance. Then in the second half same error again, bad error, we had enough chances to win the game,” Hunt told the media.

“Well, obviously we are all frustrated because every week we are giving away a good start and then we try to come back from that. It is something that I don’t think I am used to. It is what it is and we have to stick together and try to soldier on.

“We created enough chances to win the game but we can’t be giving away goals like we did. We have the players, we have the means to soldier on with the players.”

Hunt is not worried that Chiefs fans might be slowly losing trust in him as he says the situation at the club is clear for anyone to understand.

“The supporters obviously stay with the team in the good times and the bad times and obviously this is a bad time,” said Hunt.

“But we all know what the situation is and if you understand and if you look at football you know what is happening. It couldn’t happen in the beginning of the season but we have to believe in the players, we have to get the players up their game.

“They had a huge fall off last season, they were way in front and they had a huge drop-off. We need to stick with the players and try to get through this rough period.

"Anyone who understands football will know what is happening. That is what it is. We got the players that we got and we need to soldier on with the players we have.”

Chiefs will now seek to improve their fortunes when they host Bloemfontein Celtic in their next match on Saturday.

Tusker FC defeated Gor Mahia 2-1 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League tie at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani on Wednesday.

David Majak, and Nicholas Meja ensured the champions tasted defeat for the first time in the season as Jules Ulimwengu scored his second goal for K’Ogalo.

Majak, who scored a brace against Western Stima in Tusker’s first season win, opened the scoring in the 12th minute. The former Kakamega Homeboyz star received a good cross from Boniface Muchiri and the Bright Star did not waste the chance as he drove the ball into the bottom right corner.

It was the fourth goal for the South Sudan international after opening the season with a goal against AFC Leopards before the two against Stima and now one from the Gor Mahia game.

Gor Mahia threatened in the 31st minute but goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure was alert to deny Kenneth Muguna a goal as he stopped the curling effort by the midfielder.

Jules Uliwmengu, who won Gor Mahia the game against Ulinzi Stars, equalised for the champions in the 35th minute. The goal is K’Ogalo’s 100th one in this fixture since the teams faced off for the first time in 1970.

In the 61st minute, Robert Mtano made two changes as he brought on Humphrey Mieno for Apollo Otieno and Luke Namanda for George Odhiambo.

Matano waited for another 12 minutes to ring more changes as he withdrew Jackson Macharia and Majak, with their places going to Kevin Okoth and Henry Meja, respectively.

The change worked almost immediately as Namanda won the ball on the edge of the box and played in Meja, who slotted home to regain Tusker’s lead in the 79th minute. The goal was enough for the Ruaraka side to win the second game in a row.

The result means only AFC Leopards and KCB are the sides yet to drop a point so far.

Gor Mahia XI: Gad Mathews, Kelvin Wesonga, Joachim Oluoch, Michael Apudo, Andrew Juma, Ernest Wendo, Kenneth Muguna, Philemon Otieno, Tito Okello, Benson Omalla, Jules Ulimwengu.

Subs: Boniface Oluoch, Geoffrey Ochieng, Frank Odhiambo, Bertrand Konfor, Kennedy Owino, Sydney Ochieng Nicholas Omondi, Samuel Onyango, Nicholas Kipkurui, Andrew Malisero.

Tusker XI: Emery Mvuyekure, Kevin Monyi, Eric Ambunya, Rodgers Aloro, Euegene Asike, Hashim Sempala, Apollo Otieno, Jackson Macharia, Boniface Muchiri, George Odhiambo, David Majak.

Subs: Robert Mboya, Christopher Oruchum, Gilbert Wandera, Michael Madoya, Luke Namanda, Henry Meja, Humphrey Mieno, Jimmy Mbugua, Kevin Okoth, Faraj Ominde.

Al Ahly have announced that their head coach Pitso Mosimane has tested positive for the coronavirus.

This comes after the experienced tactician masterminded a 3-1 win over Misr Lel Makkasa in the opening match of the 2020/21 Egyptian Premier League season last weekend.

The Egyptian champions stated that Mosimane will self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19.

"Al Ahly's head coach Pitso Mosimane tested positive for Covid-19‚" the club statement read on Wednesday afternoon.

"Mosimane will follow the Ministry of Health’s protocol for Covid-19 and will be self-isolated at home."

This means Mosimane will now miss the Red Devils' league encounter against Ghazl El Mahalla which is scheduled to be played on Friday.

In his absence, the team will be under the guidance of Mosimane's assistants, Cavin Johnson and Samy Komsan. 

Mosimane has had a great start to his tenure as Al Ahly coach having ended the club's seven-year wait for the Caf Champions League title last month.

The 56-year-old masterminded a 2-1 win over Egyptian rivals Zamalek in an enthralling final at Cairo International Stadium. 

The man nicknamed Jingles then guided the Red Devils to a 3-2 victory over El Geish on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Egyptian Cup final earlier this month.

As a result, Al Ahly completed a treble in the 2019/20 season with the club having also clinched the Egyptian Premier League title under Swiss coach Rene Weiler.

Weiler was replaced by Mosimane with a few matches left in the league and the South African mentor added the Egyptian Cup and Champions League title to Al Ahly's trophy cabinet. 

Prior to joining Al Ahly, Mosimane won a domestic treble with Mamelodi Sundowns as the Tshwane giants clinched the Premier Soccer League (PSL) trophy, Telkom Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup.

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla is the twelfth main installment in the Assassin's Creed series developed by Ubisoft.

Valhalla arrives just two years after the release of Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, propelling us forward from the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece into the ancient world of the Vikings, and challenges the player to take control of Eivor, a Viking who fought in the Norse invasion of England. From the graphics to the clever world-building features and the game's ties to the broader Assassin's Creed lore, Valhalla is an intriguing game into which the player finds themselves immediately immersed.

The World of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

Driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in the ninth century AD, players will lead Eivor's clan of Norsemen across the icy North Sea to the rich lands of England's broken kingdoms. Players must carve out a new future for their clan, reliving the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a revamped combat system that includes the ability to dual-wield weapons against a greater variety of enemies than ever before.

To secure resources, players can lead raids to select locations using their longship to earn much-needed riches and resources. As the Vikings begin to settle in their new home, they encounter resistance from the Saxons, including King Aelfred of Wessex, who denounces them as heathens as he attempts to establish himself as the sole ruler of a civilized England. Against all odds, Eivor must do what is necessary to keep Valhalla within reach.

One of the widely publicized new features included in Valhalla is the ability to choose Eivor's gender and switch between them, playing as either male or female. The world of the Vikings is one where men and women went into battle together, and women were just as valued as men in the community. In this sense, it is refreshing to have the option to choose Eivor's gender and explore the world of Valhalla through a different lens. However, because this is an older world and efforts have been made to adhere to the constructs of the time period, there is no distinct "gender-neutral" option for Eivor.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Story, Gameplay and Graphics

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla picks up where the previous two games - Origins and Odyssey - left off. No longer set in dense, city environments, we switch to large open worlds, navigated on horseback or by boat.

The writing in Valhalla is breathtaking. Its characters compelling, its tone strikes the right balance between grit and humor, and the stories are enticing. There are also funny moments.

The actual gameplay in Valhalla is just as good as the writing. Vikings are not known for their subtle approach and sneaky tactics, and Valhalla does not force you to play that way either. Like all previous games in the series, you can still sneak around and assassinate silently if you want; but barging in axe-swinging is just as viable a tactic.

The map is scattered with settlements to raid, and your character is now equipped with a horn that lets you summon your clan to help you. The game’s excellent combat system makes these moments a joy to play, and the new combat abilities you will unlock during these raids make them a worthwhile distraction from the game’s main storyline.

Graphically, Valhalla is the prettiest game in the series. Both England and Norway look stunning, and so do the characters.

Assassin’s Creed is available On Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store on Windows PC, as well as on Ubisoft+, and Stadia.

BUY THE GAME NOW

Jose Mourinho has a “magic touch”, according to former Tottenham man Darren Anderton, who feels that his old club might never have a better chance of winning the Premier League title due to the erratic form of the other big hitters in England's top tier.

Spurs currently sit at the head of the table, level on 25 points with reigning champions Liverpool, and their consistency in grinding out results has seen them emerge as one of the pundits' favourites to lift the trophy for the first time.

Mourinho's predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, enjoyed five fine seasons with the club, going as far as the Champions League final before being replaced by the Portuguese.

And while Anderton feels that the Argentine's brand of football was easier on the eye, he feels that Mourinho's experience and solid defensive style can propel the north London side to glory while other sides struggle for form.

“Watching the other teams, there may not be a better chance of winning the Premier League,” Anderton told Marca. “They have to try to win it.

“Mou has brought his magic touch. The difference is the way they play. With Pochettino, it was nice to watch. He did a great job in his five years, reaching the Champions League final – that was fantastic.

“Mourinho has a different style. It's not as pretty but it's more effective and reliable. He has a lot of experience and knows how to win the Premier League.”

Tottenham arguably have more squad depth than ever before, with the club considered to have signed wisely when bringing in Steven Bergwijn, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguilon and former Spurs favourite Gareth Bale on loan.

And while Bale is undoubtedly the biggest name on that list, Anderton asserts that others are currently better suited to playing in Mourinho's system.

“Bergwijn, despite not having the quality and finishing of Bale, plays ahead of him because he defends very well,” he said. “The mentality has also changed. When Mourinho says something, you should listen to him because he has won trophies everywhere.

“They have signed very well. Hojbjerg is the type of player he likes, he works a lot for the team in the middle. And Reguilon is fantastic – everyone talks about Bale and they forget Sergio. We're lucky that he came to Tottenham.

“Bale isn't at the top of his game and with Mou you have to be 100 per cent to play. We still haven't seen the best Bale. Let's hope he arrives.”

Tottenham travel to Anfield on Wednesday evening to take on second-placed Liverpool in a highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash.

A concussion substitutions trial has been approved for January in the wake of David Luiz and Raul Jimenez's nasty clash of heads last month.

Football's lawmaking body IFAB announced on Wednesday the planned trials were approved after "less than a year of detailed consultation with relevant stakeholders, medical concussion experts, team doctors, player representatives, coaches, competition organisers, refereeing and Laws of the Game experts".

Under the proposed protocols, players with an actual or suspected concussion will be "permanently removed from the match to protect their welfare", with the team allowed to bring on a replacement.

IFAB hopes the approach will reduce the risk of players sustaining multiple head injuries in a single match while also ensuring that teams are not put at a disadvantage should a player be told to leave the pitch.

It said the planned protocols send "a strong message that, if in doubt, the player is withdrawn but there is no numerical or tactical disadvantage by prioritising the player's welfare".

Concerns around head injuries have risen in recent weeks after some high-profile incidents in Europe's elite leagues.

In the Premier League, there was controversy when Arsenal defender Luiz was allowed to continue only to be substituted at half-time after a clash of heads with Jimenez that left the Wolves striker with a fractured skull.

The Football Association (FA) tweeted to confirm head injury substitutions would be trialled "at the earliest practical opportunity" in the FA Cup, the Women's Super League, Women's FA Cup and Women's Championship.

Separately, the IFAB board also approved the extension of the law that allows competitions the option of granting up to five substitutions in a single game.

Domestic competitions can now use the rule until December 31, 2021, with the extension applying to international competitions until July 31, 2022.

IFAB also agreed that "further clarification" over the interpretation of handball incidents should be discussed at the Annual General Meeting in March, as officiating has "not always been consistent".

Kenya international custodian Farouk Shikhalo is among the players reportedly set to be released by Yanga SC during the mini-transfer window.

The window opened on December 16 and will run until January 15, and according to reports in Tanzania, Shikhalo, who signed for the Jangwani giants from Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Bandari, is among the players who will be dropped.

According to 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 have already signed Burundian striker Said Ntibazonkiza in the mini-window and he was in action on Tuesday as they beat Singida United 3-0 in a friendly.

Ntibazonkiza announced his arrival with two goals during the match as Deus Kaseke grabbed the third to seal the win.

In a recent interview, Shikhalo revealed the coaching style of new tactician Cedric Kaze will make the team better in no time.

“Kaze is a very good coach and I now understand why he has been abroad for a long time,” Shikhalo told Mwanaspoti.

“There are some tactics he is bringing on board that will make Yanga play modern football ahead of all the other teams in Tanzania.

“The team is now having defensive discipline which starts with the strikers. But it is done tactically; defensive midfielders are not solely relied on to stop the opponents from getting to the ball in the danger zones.”

The Harambee Stars goalkeeper also revealed how Kaze wants his team to play.

“He likes us to possess the ball, and when the opponents get it, he wants us to press fast and regain possession. If you are keen, you will realize these are the tactics used by most teams in Europe," he added.

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

Odisha have lost four of their five matches in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season and face an unbeaten Bengaluru FC on Thursday.

However, the Kalinga Warriors' coach Stuart Baxter refused to blame his defence alone for failing to keep a single clean sheet and feels that all teams could have lost the games they have won, suggesting that no team has dominated the league so far. 

"I don't think conceding goals is a direct responsibility of the centre-backs and I don't think the [Odisha] centre-back's performances have been sub-standard. We have defended very well in some games. 

"Bengaluru have done well. They started with a few issues to iron out but they have been making progress. It will be a tough game for us but if you look at the league in general, every team who have won could have possibly lost the game. We have experienced it in our games," he said.

Against Bengaluru, the 67-year-old added, "We certainly need to be better at attacking more based on our possession. If we can gain momentum there and take momentum away from the opponents, that will help us."

Talking about the things that may have not gone their way, Baxter hinted that Odisha may have to look for reinforcements in the January transfer window.

"To sit and say what we're lacking would be highly disrespectful of the players who have worked very hard because even in 1-0 defeats the players have worked very hard. So I can't fault them for that. Certainly, we need to do better as a team - those small things in critical phases of the game that decide games.

"Identifying which players we need now is probably not a good idea. The January market is going to be one with danger. You've got a quarantine, you need to identify the player and he's got to acclimatise to the Indian game and team-mates. By that time it may be the close of the season. We will think about it but at this time, we don't have any concrete plans.

"The resources have not gone our way. I don't think that translates directly into a bad performance. Sometimes, yes, but not all the time. I think we have to make sure to turn that corner first. I hope the fans stick with us and I hope we can give them more to be happy about. If we stick together, it's a big step into turning this thing (season) around."

Lucas Torreira's agent has addressed rumours that the Arsenal star's loan stay at Atletico Madrid could be cut short.

When Ghana international Thomas Partey completed a £45 million ($61m) move to Emirates Stadium from Atletico on October 5, Arsenal allowed Torreira to head in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old was initially a big hit in north London following his £26 million (€30m/$34m) switch from Sampdoria in 2018, but he was only used sparingly by Mikel Arteta last season.

The Gunners were happy to sanction Torreira's temporary departure after signing Partey, who plays in the same position just in front of the defence, with the Uruguayan though to be a better fit for Diego Simeone's set-up at Wanda Metropolitano.

Unfortunately, the former Sampdoria talisman has been unable to hold down a regular spot in Atletico's starting XI, with all but two of his nine appearances to date coming from the bench.

Arsenal's fortunes have also taken a turn for the worst since Torreira's exit, with Arteta's side currently sitting 15th in the Premier League standings after losing seven of their opening 12 fixtures.

It is now being suggested that the Gunners will look to bring the midfielder back to the Emirates in January to boost their chances of climbing the table in the second half of the season.

Arteta refused to rule out such a scenario when quizzed on Torreira's situation ahead of Arsenal's midweek clash with Southampton, as he told reporters: "[Technical director] Edu has been dealing with that situation, but again, when the market opens and we have the possibility to bring players in and get players out, whatever we have to do, we will discuss it."

However, Pablo Bentancur, who serves as the Gunners loanee's main legal representative, has moved to squash the speculation surrounding his client's future once and for all.

The South American agent insists Torreira remains fully focused on his duties with Atletico, and is just beginning to find his feet in the Spanish top-flight.

"Lucas is calm and happy and has nothing in his mind beyond continuing with Atletico," Betancur told Gianluca Di Marzio.

"He is finishing his process of adaptation [to the team and La Liga]."

Torreira will be back in contention for a place in Simeone's line up when Atletico play host to Elche on Saturday afternoon.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Steve Komphela was impressed by his players' mindset following the team's win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening.

It was Masandawana's first match without Motjeka Madisha, who is understood to have passed away in a car crash on Sunday morning.

Two goals from Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane ensured that Sundowns secured a 2-0 win over Galaxy in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match in Pretoria.

Komphela, who was in charge of the team in the absence of his seniors, Manqoba Mnqgithi and Rhulani Mokwena, praised the team's ability to thrive on challenges. 

"Yes, a difficult evening and we knew that it was not going to be a game that would be played through tactics, technique or whatever but from a physical point of view you could see that okay we're starting to drop, even towards the end of the first-half," Komphela told SuperSport TV.

"We dropped towards the end of the match, naturally so but I think the most important is the mental part of it. There are stages where you just have to focus, mind over matter. Destructions will always be there but champions will always say, they feed and thrive on challenges."

Madisha, who was nominated for the 2019/20 PSL Defender of the Season, is suspected to have died in a car accident that occurred in the East Rand, Johannesburg. 

The club appears unwilling to confirm the defender's passing until DNA results confirm it and as expected, Masandawana players came into the match against Galaxy in a sombre mood.

"Adversity is the breakfast for champions and compliment must be given to them and as well TS Galaxy, they played good football and I think coming to the resulting penalty, uncharacteristic of them to be playing a crossing game, they are more possession-based," he went on," Komphela continued. 

"So when they started crossing you go, 'Oh, this is not them' but a team that starts to lose character when circumstances and challenges start to be a little bit dynamic you think different, which is something that worked for us." 

Galaxy were awarded a penalty after Sundowns defender Brian Mandela Onyango handled the ball in the box, but goalkeeper Denis Onyango denied Ebrahim Seedat from the spot-kick.

"I must thank these players, all they said was that. 'We know what we're going through, it doesn't need an explanation, we're doing this for the supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns, we're doing this for a family that is facing a challenge and predicament, yet undefined,"  Komphela added. 

"We shall remain disciplined and focused while looking at how does it unfold, even in the midst unfolding in ways we don't expect, we need to remain disciplined."

Sundowns, who are sitting at the top of the league standings, will be in action this weekend as they take on Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday.

Ghana U20 coach Abdul Karim Zito reveals his team have achieved their main target of the ongoing Wafu B U20 Cup of Nations by their qualification for next year's Africa U20 Cup of Nations tournament in Mauritania.

The Black Satellites sealed their progress with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Niger in the Wafu Cup semi-final which also guaranteed a place in the final of the competition.

The match had ended 0-0 after extra-time at Stade de Gaules in Porto Novo in Benin.

“We came in for the qualification. After securing that, we’re going to also fight for the cup,” Zito told Silver FM.

“Personally, I am okay with the qualification. But if we are also able to win the cup, that will be great.

“We are not going to relax in our pursuit for the ultimate, we will go all out [to win the trophy],”

Ghana's shoot-out win was remarkable considering the nation's penalty woes at various international competitions in recent times.

On Tuesday, all five penalty takers, including goalkeeper William Emmanuel Essu, who was introduced into the game just before extra-time full-time, expertly converted their kicks, much to the admiration of many.

“Penalties are often Ghana’s bane. So as part of my training, penalties are practised at the end of every session,” Zito said.

“We tried this severally before leaving Ghana for the tournament.

“The goalkeeper [Essu] we introduced for Danlad [Ibrahim] is good at taking penalties and also his frame makes him a good option to scare opponents in shootout scenarios.

“So we always leave one change available for such an instance. It is something we practice at training and you can see that for once we were able to score all the kicks.

“We were repeating this all the time so we were certain of those who would take the kicks."

In the final, Ghana are set to take on Burkina Faso who handed Cote d'Ivoire a big 4-1 defeat in the second semi-final fixture on Tuesday.

At the U20 Afcon next year, the top for nations will be rewarded with tickets to represent the continent at the 2021 Fifa U20 World Cup in Indonesia.