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Isaac Success has promised to deliver a more impactful performance for Watford when he returns from a long injury layoff.

The centre-forward ruptured his Achilles in a friendly in June and he is expected to be fit for games in January.

The 24-year-old attacker last featured in a competitive game for Watford in their FA Cup against Newcastle United in January 2019.

The Nigeria international has been with the Hornets since the summer of 2016 when he arrived from Spanish side Granada.

The attacker has struggled to establish himself at Vicarage Road, scoring only two goals in 54 league appearances.

Success was part of Nigeria’s team that won the U17 World Cup in 2013 but has struggled to live up to expectations for both club and country.

The forward has expressed his disappointment with his underwhelming performances for Watford and hopes to make amends when he is fully back to action.

“It's been tough. It was painful, but it's football and it happens. I'm just trying to work my way back to the squad as I've missed playing with the team,” Success told Hive Live.

“We need to get back to the Premier League as quickly as possible, so I'm looking forward to getting back and achieving our goals.

“I'm very excited. The last five months have been boring. I've done a lot of work and I know it's going to be an emotional first game back after six months out, but I'm ready for the challenge.

“Sometimes I feel disappointed with myself as I've got the qualities and everything a forward player will need.

“I need to do the right things and wait for my chance. I think I've got lots to offer the team. It's been disappointing not getting the chance [over the years] and being injured a couple of times when it was time for me to explode.

“I just need to keep working as there is so much more to come. It's time for me to deliver for the team and the fans as they have been waiting too long. The wait is now over.”

Watford are currently third on the Championship table with 30 points from 17 games, four below leaders Norwich City.

They will hope to secure victory in their next Championship game against Birmingham City on Saturday to boost their return to the Premier League. 

Rangers sealed top spot in Europa League Group D as goals in either half from Cedric Itten and Ianis Hagi led Steven Gerrard's side to a routine 2-0 win over Lech Poznan on Thursday.

The Scottish Premiership leaders made seven changes from the weekend triumph over Ross County after ensuring their progression to the last 32 with last week's 3-2 beating of Standard Liege, but they never looked in danger of failing to secure a fourth win from their six group games.

The new-look side went ahead shortly after the half-hour mark thanks to Itten's first European goal for the club.

They wrapped up just a third win in their past 20 away games in Europe courtesy of Hagi's close-range header with 18 minutes remaining.

Rangers started slowly and were fortunate not to fall behind after 15 minutes, unmarked Poznan captain Lubomir Satka inexplicably heading over from six yards.

The visitors belatedly woke from their slumber and went ahead with their first shot on target after 31 minutes.

Jakub Kaminski sloppily gifted possession to Itten, who waltzed past Djordje Crnomarkovic inside the penalty area before lashing a fierce strike into the roof of Filip Bednarek's net from 10 yards.

Rangers went agonisingly close to doubling their advantage before the interval, but Hagi's deflected strike flashed narrowly past the post.

Hagi had a low shot from outside the area saved by Bednarek early in the second half, while Jon McLaughlin did well to paw away Tymoteusz Puchacz's free-kick at the other end.

Rangers then sealed victory inside the final 20 minutes, Hagi nodding in from almost on the line after Connor Goldson's looping header bounced down off the crossbar.

What does it mean? Rangers extend impressive unbeaten run

It is testament to Rangers' confidence that they could make significant changes to their starting XI and still cruise past Poznan on their own turf.

This latest win stretches their unbeaten streak to a whopping 25 games and they will not fear anyone ahead of the last-32 draw in Nyon on Monday.

Hagi impresses for visitors

The Romanian was comfortably Rangers' brightest spark. He ensured a comfortable final 20 minutes with what will likely be the easiest goal of his career, while he enjoyed a match-high four shots and made two key passes.

Kaminski endures torrid first half

It was little surprise to see Poznan winger Kaminski hauled off at half-time. Not only was the 18-year-old entirely at fault for Itten's goal, but he completed just nine of his 16 passes (56.3 per cent) and lost possession 11 times – the third-most of any player to feature for at least 45 minutes.

Key Opta Facts

- Rangers are unbeaten in their past 10 Europa League group stage matches (W5 D5).
- Itten notched his third Rangers goal in all competitions, with his other two coming in the same game against Motherwell in September.
- Hagi has been involved in four goals in five Europa League starts for Rangers (three goals, one assist).

What's next?

Both sides are in domestic action on Sunday, with Rangers visiting Dundee United and Poznan travelling to Stal Mielec.

Arsenal finished with a 100 per cent record in Europa League Group B as Mike Arteta's side signed off with a 4-2 win at Dundalk.

Still smarting from Sunday's 2-0 loss to Tottenham in the north London derby, the Gunners made it six wins on the bounce in a major European competition for the first time since 2005.

Arteta, who unsurprisingly made sweeping changes from the weekend for what amounted to a dead rubber, saw Eddie Nketiah break the deadlock before Mohamed Elneny's sweet strike put his side firmly in the ascendancy.

It was not entirely one-way traffic, though, and Jordan Flores thrashed a powerful shot beyond Runar Alex Runarsson to give Dundalk a moment to savour.

However, second-half goals from Joe Willock and substitute Folarin Balogun put the game to bed as Arsenal made it a club-record nine consecutive away games unbeaten in Europe, ensuring Sean Hoare's header was merely a consolation.

Nketiah, who had already been involved in two promising situations, opened the scoring 12 minutes in when he blocked an attempted Andrew Boyle clearance before lifting a neat finish over the onrushing Gary Rogers to become Arsenal's top scorer in all competitions this season.

The second goal arrived soon after and it was a stunner from the right boot of Elneny, who picked out the top-right corner from outside the box.

Dundalk, who beat Shamrock Rovers in extra time to win the FAI Cup on Sunday, had rarely managed to escape their own half but made it count when they did.

Flores received a pass from Michael Duffy before driving his attempt across Runarsson and into the back of the net, despite the Iceland international having got fingertips on it.

A crucial block from Calum Chambers denied Darragh Leahy an unlikely leveller on the stroke of half-time, but Arsenal finished the job in the second half.

Willock kept his cool with possession inside the area and drilled a low shot underneath Rogers, with Balogun similarly level-headed after coming off the bench to convert from close range.

Hoare's flicked header restored a sense of pride for Dundalk, who nonetheless finish bottom of the group and without a point.

What does it mean? European success a welcome distraction

Arsenal have taken just 13 points from 11 league games this season, which represents their lowest return at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1981-82.

With that in mind, a shot at glory in Europe would serve as a welcome distraction from domestic toils.

As a seeded team in the draw for the next round, Arsenal will have realistic designs on extending their run in this competition beyond the last 32.

Eddie's ready to go

The fact Nketiah is now Arsenal's leading scorer might say more about the team's struggles than his own success – he does, after all, only have five goals to his name.

But given that Arsenal have netted just 10 times in the Premier League this term, Arteta must be considering adding to the solo start he has afforded the 21-year-old in the top flight.

Nketiah had five shots, created one chance and took his goal very well. Perhaps his withdrawal just past the hour mark was with the weekend's game in mind?

Pepe continues to toil

Nicolas Pepe became Arsenal's record signing when he joined from Lille in August last year, but the Ivory Coast international is yet to prove his worth.

He scored in the reverse fixture, which Arsenal won 3-0, but was underwhelming in Ireland on Thursday.

It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that he provided anything of significance, laying on the assist for Balogun, but you expect more for £72million.

Key Opta Facts

- All three of Mohamed Elneny's goals for Arsenal have been scored in European competition, with two of those strikes coming outside the box.
- Arsenal have won all 11 games in which Eddie Nketiah has found the back of the net, with the young forward scoring 12 in total.
- The Gunners are the first team to have three English players aged 21 or younger (Folarin Balogun, Joe Willock and Nketiah) score in a major UEFA European match since Tottenham in 1982 versus Coleraine (Garry Brooke, Terry Gibson and Gary Mabbutt).
- Arsenal have scored twice as many goals in the Europa League this season (20 in six games) as they have in the Premier League (10 in 11).

What's next?

Before the draw for the round of 32, which takes place on Monday, Arsenal host Burnley in the Premier League, while Dundalk's season is over.

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has spoken out following his costly mistake against Black Leopards on Wednesday.

The experienced player attempted to play a pass to his teammate Philani Zulu 12 minutes into the Premier Soccer League (PSL) match.

However, the ball was intercepted by Leopards winger Ovidy Karuru, who then directed it into an empty net as the two teams drew 2-2 on the night.

Khune, who has been criticized by fans on social media, took to his Instagram account to reflect on the encounter.

"Learn and grow – since you have no control over what has already happened, you need to learn from the past and grow for the future," Khune wrote. 

"Remember always, it’s not what happened that matters most; it is how you respond to what has happened that will make the biggest impact on future performances.

"Great come back from the team." 

Amakhosi were trailing 2-0 at half-time, but two second-half goals from Khama Billiat and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo helped the Soweto giants hold Lidoda Duvha to a draw. 

Meanwhile, Chiefs head coach Gavin Hunt refused to openly blame his captain, Khune when speaking to the media in the post-match press conference. 

“Any mistake on any football pitch is disappointing and everybody makes mistakes‚” Hunt said. 

“It’s very disappointing but that’s football‚ it is a game of mistakes. It happens but we stick together‚ we were calm at half time and we made changes that I thought worked because it was one-way traffic in the second half. I thought we could have won the game‚ but from where we were it was a good comeback and we just have to keep working.”

Hunt rued the mistakes which have been committed by his side this season after Chiefs extended their winless run to four matches in the league by drawing with Leopards. 

“We just have to keep on working on the training ground and try to get it right," the 56-year-old tactician added. 

"That’s all we can do and stop making individual errors because in the games that we have lost this year‚ individual errors cost us.”

Chiefs will take on SuperSport United in a league match on Tuesday, December 15,

Hakim Ziyech walking off the pitch vs Leeds United last Saturday was a particularly worrying sight for many Chelsea supporters.

Clutching his hamstring as he trod off the Stamford Bridge turf moments after playing a role in Olivier Giroud’s equalizer, the average fan understandably feared the worst. Injuries of that nature usually put you out for a few weeks at least or a couple of months, in the case of a tear, so the fact the Morocco playmaker pulled up with the Blues’ demanding Christmas schedule imminent prompted concern.

Easing fears of the club’s followers on Tuesday night, Frank Lampard revealed the former Ajax man shouldn’t be ruled out for long, much the same as Callum Hudson-Odoi who picked up a similar injury in training before Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Krasnodar.

“Both players are hopefully going to be missing for around two weeks,” the Blues head coach disclosed in midweek. “They had scans yesterday and they’re showing it will be about two weeks so I think that’s positive, particularly with Hakim.

“With Callum, we didn’t know what to expect because it was an injury he got in training a couple of days ago.”

While the relief at not missing a lengthy period is almost palpable, the ill-timed nature of Ziyech’s layoff and the profile of the player in question will test, stretch and possibly unsettle the Blues in the next fortnight or so.

Lampard seemed to have found a balance in the last few weeks with Mason Mount and Kai Havertz or Mateo Kovacic playing as free 8’s in a three-man midfield, while Ziyech started on the right side of attack along with Timo Werner or Christian Pulisic on the opposite side, flanking either Tammy Abraham or, recently, Giroud.

The Moroccan’s injury means Havertz may be played in the Ziyech role as he did vs Krasnodar on Tuesday, while it could be Mason Mount to moonlight as a right-sided forward, to the chagrin of Blues fans who absolutely feel the England international shouldn't be moved from his best position in central midfield.

In a sense, this adds to the frustration over Callum Hudson-Odoi’s absence given he’d deputised for the North African in recent games where Lampard has rotated. Due to the significant strides the Bayern Munich target has made in recent months, the youngster could certainly have been a beneficiary of the absence of the ex-Ajax man.

Having the 20-year-old winger — by and large, the only natural winger in the Chelsea side — available will have mitigated for Ziyech’s injury and allowed Lampard keep the shape that’s provided the side’s best performances this season in an impressive 14-game unbeaten run (17 if you, strangely, include the League Cup defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on penalties).

Indeed, there are other alternatives for the Blues legend including utilising both Pulisic and Werner as wide attackers, as witnessed against Leeds following the withdrawal of the maverick. The American initially played on the right after the like-for-like substitution but switched to his favoured position on the left having initially struggled to get into the game.

The upshot of the tweak saw Werner play on the right flank for the majority of the second half, largely unideal for the Germany international, who is anything but a natural winger.

Even though the rapidity of the former RB Leipzig man and evident threat when he turns on the after-burners, as seen in Chelsea’s third vs Leeds, means the possibility of Werner the winger may not be the worst idea in the world; the 24-year-old certainly wasn’t signed for that purpose.

Possible replacements for Ziyech include Mount (better suited in central midfield), Havertz (still yet to hit the heights since his big-money move), Pulisic (more proficient on the left) and Werner (evidently not a winger and in the same boat as the US star).

None of the aforementioned quartet neither has the skillset and invention of the Moroccan nor relationship with Reece James, whose budding partnership with the wide playmaker was evident in that 4-1 success over Sheffield United.

Ziyech leads the way for Expected Assists per 90 in Premier League games, with Mount, Havertz and Pulisic some way off with 0.17, 0.09 and 0.03 respectively. Werner, though, has xA per 90 of 0.21, second to the ex-Ajax player.

The Moroccan also tops for Shot-Creating Actions per 90 (5.80) as well as Goal-Creating Actions per game (1.39). Mount (4.00 and 0.67 for SCA and GCA per 90 respectively), Havertz (3.17 and 0.43), Pulisic (3.21 and 0.36) and Werner (3.18 and 0.77) all trail the 27-year-old and, despite boasting impressive strengths, don’t have his unique final-third influence and artistry.

The playmaker’s impact isn’t surprising given Goal predicted before the start of the season that the arrival from Dutch football would thrive due to his knack for the unexpected, among other qualities.

There was also a feeling that, of all the top Chelsea signings, Ziyech’s role and position were pretty defined, unlike Havertz and Werner who have now been used in several positions since September.

Everton are the opponents this weekend (and Goodison Park hasn’t been the kindest ground to the Blues for a while), while games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United follow before Ziyech’s expected return against Arsenal on Boxing Day.

The Blues then play Aston Villa two days later to close out 2020 at the Bridge and begin the New Year with an interesting clash with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City; games they'll hope to have the team's creative hub available for.

Lampard has shown impressive adaptability in the Chelsea job so far, but how his side navigates yet another tricky period will greatly enhance or diminish the West Londoners’ reputation as title contenders.

Wes Brown has expressed his belief that Manchester United can finish above Manchester City and win the Premier League this season.

United find themselves in a strong position in the top flight heading into Christmas period, despite having flattered to deceive with a string of unconvincing performances.

A 3-1 win away at West Ham last week epitomised all that has been good and bad about the Red Devils in recent months, with a stunning attacking display in the second period ultimately making up for a terrible first-half showing.

That result saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side rise to sixth in the standings with a game in hand on all five teams above them, but a disappointing Champions League defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig on Tuesday brought them crashing back down to earth.

United will be looking to bounce back from an early European exit when they take on City in the Manchester derby on Saturday, with the Sky Blues currently sitting just a point behind their local rivals in the table having played the same number of fixtures.

Brown is optimistic that his old club can get one over on City come the end of the season, and has also backed them to silence their critics by going onto lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2012-13 - providing they can put together a consistent run of form at home.

“The way the season has gone so far, I think Man United could finish above Man City. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still going to be tough, and there are probably six – not Arsenal – teams in there that’ll be fighting for the title," the former Red Devils defender told Ladbrokes.

“I don’t see why United can’t finish above City and win the league, just based on how the season has gone so far.

“United came top four last season when nobody thought they would, so sometimes you have to give them credit where it’s due.

“More consistency in the Premier League is all I’d ask for – at home, especially. Put together a six or seven-game run at Old Trafford and I don’t think anyone can have any questions about whether or not you’re genuine title contenders.”

Speculation over Solskjaer's position at the Theatre of Dreams has been raging in the wake of United's Champions League failure, but Brown is still certain his ex-team-mate is the right man to take the club forward.

“He’ll always get stick in the media, but he knows what he’s doing. He’s doing his thing, he’s getting the players playing the way he wants them to," he added.

“He’s trying to build a really strong squad, because you need exactly that in this league with so many competitions you’re playing in.

“Ole gets a lot of criticism, but that’s Manchester United for you. If you do get beat, you’re going to get stick, and if you win, you’re going to get praise.

“Ole understands the club. He’s been a manager for a while now and he knows where he wants to put the club, back where it belongs. We all understand that doesn’t just happen overnight."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi says they are limiting game minutes for captain Hlompho Kekana so as to reserve him for the later stages when he will “be very important for” Masandawana.

Kekana has started just three out of five Premier Soccer League (PSL) games this season, unusual for the 35-year-old midfielder who extended his contract by four years in March.

He made cameo appearances coming off the bench against Cape Town City and AmaZulu while lasting 58 minutes against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

He played 71 minutes in the 3-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs but lasted the entire game in their last outing away at Maritzburg United as well as the MTN8 quarter-final  defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic.

But Mngqithi said they would need Kekana’s full services and experience when the PSL campaign gets tougher.

“When it comes to our captain, the skipper is one boy who deserves everything that comes his way because he is the true professional,” said Mngqithi as per Sowetan Live.

“We have won many trophies with him, I think 11 of them. He is a machine and he works very hard. Others are looking at him, those who are not playing at the moment. They think maybe he reached his sell-by date. But we know what we are doing.

“We are trying to freshen him up because we know at a certain point in the league he is going to be very important for us. When that time comes, he must be very fresh because if you check in the past few seasons, he has been playing almost all the matches."

Kekana has been instrumental in Downs’ success in the past seasons and his performances has gained global recognition.

He has been nominated for the 2020 Fifa Puskas award after being listed for the same gong in 2016.

Mngqithi says he will not be pleased if Kekana does not win the Puskas award.

“I wish Hlompho could win one of these awards, more especially the Puskas because it is not the first time he gets selected,” Mngqithi.

“It will be sad for me if Hlompho does not get such recognition because if you were to look at the goals that he has scored, [they are] goals that are at the same magnitude as the goal that has taken him to this Puskas award [nomination].”

Arsenal boss has backed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to rediscover his scoring form but is adamant his captain is not "undroppable".

Since the commencement of the 2020-21 Premier League season, the 31-year-old has not scored from open play – with his penalty strike against Manchester United on November 1 his major contribution in his 888 minutes of action.

Aubameyang has not travelled with the squad for Thursday’s Europa League dead-rubber clash versus Dundalk as the North Londoners have booked a place in the next round of the tournament.

When asked if the former Borussia Dortmund man was undroppable in the Premier League, the Spaniard told club media: “No one is undroppable. At the end of the day, we have to find the right players to win football matches.

“But we cannot forget what Auba has done for this club and what he has done in recent months, not years ago.

“As well, I see how he's training and how he's behaving, how much he wants to turn this situation around.

“When I see that type of hunger, it's about supporting the player as well as the status he has in the team because of the performances he has provided for this football club.”

On whether his morale has dropped and if it is important to keep him positive, Arteta continued: “Listen, today and this week, the response that I've seen from the players and the reaction I saw from the players after the match [against Tottenham Hotspur], I cannot be any prouder.

“Because I know how difficult it is for everybody at the moment. After losing a derby you can be completely down and I saw a completely different team, a team that wants to fight, that has a big belief in what they are trying to do and they want to push themselves and push each other harder and harder.

“Auba was one of the main guys there and today he was walking around the place with an energy that wouldn't be associated to a team or a player that is suffering at the moment and that is for me the way we have to approach it.”

After their game against the Irish team, Arsenal welcome struggling Burnley to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. As it stands, the Gunners are 15th in the English log having accrued 13 points.

Frank Lampard is relishing a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti when Chelsea head to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Blues legend Lampard played in 60 of Ancelotti's 76 top-flight matches at the Stamford Bridge helm, when the Italian averaged 2.07 points per game, aided by the midfielder's 32 goals.

Everton boss Ancelotti led Chelsea to league glory in 2009-10 but will be looking to put a dent in their hopes of repeating the feat this term when the sides meet at Goodison Park, where his tenure in charge of the Blues ended in 2011.

Lampard's men sit third, just two points off the summit and five clear of an Everton team who have suffered a loss of form, with the Chelsea head coach nonetheless still full of praise for his old mentor.

"I was heavily influenced by him as a player and a man," said Lampard. "He is right at the top when I speak about the managers I've worked with for everything about him, the huge success he has had at a number of clubs.

"One to one I found him to be a great coach, a great man and I look forward at all times to seeing him and speaking to him."

Everton made a fine start to the season but have won just one of their previous seven matches, sliding into mid-table as a result.

However, the Toffees have triumphed in their last two Premier League home games against Chelsea – including a 3-1 win under Duncan Ferguson's tutelage in the corresponding fixture last season – and, in 11-goal striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, boast the division's top scorer.

Lampard, whose team cruised to a 4-0 win over the Toffees at Stamford Bridge in March in their final game before a three-month, coronavirus-enforced break, has some sympathy for how Everton's fortunes have changed.

"That's the nature of the Premier League, they started very well and have quality players, and have a fantastic manager who is one of the best in the world," he said.

"The Premier League is unforgiving. We all have patches where results are challenging but it doesn't change my thoughts about how I approach Everton.

"They are a very good side, with quality individuals, who can win games. I'm focusing on their strengths and dangers when we go there."

As for his own side's hopes of competing for the ultimate prize, Lampard added: "We're happy where we are but there's a long way to go. Words aren't important at this point."

Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight Premier League meetings with Everton, losing both games in which they conceded.

The man the hosts, who have leaked top-flight goals this term, will need to watch out for is Olivier Giroud, who has scored in each of his last six Premier League starts for Chelsea – only Mark Stein (seven between December 1993 and February 1994) has scored in more consecutive starts for the Blues in the competition.

The South Africa national team will enter the new year unchanged on the Fifa world rankings from the 71th position they ended 2019 on.

In a year where international football was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Bafana Bafana managed to play just four matches.

They first drew 1-1 with Namibia, before losing 2-1 to Zambia in October’s international friendly matches, results that saw them slid a rung down to position 72.

But after beating Sao Tome e Principe 2-0 and 4-2 in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, South Africa then returned to number 71, the same standing they ended the year 2019 on.

Those results against the islanders saw them remain on second position in Group C which is led by Ghana with whom they have the similar number of points, but undone by head-to-head record.

They will enter 2021 ranked 13th in Africa as Senegal lead Caf standings, followed by reigning African champions Algeria.

Bafana will now seek to improve their standings in March next year when they host Ghana and then visit Sudan in Afcon qualifiers.

A positive result against the Black Stars who are ranked 52 in the world and eighth in Africa will certainly earn South Africa a good position.

Also likely to boost their global placing are the results from the bid to book a ticket for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

Dates for the quest to qualify for Qatar 2022 are yet to be finalised but Bafana are in Group G where they will again meet Ghana.

Zimbabwe and Ethiopia complete this pool which is likely to provide a stern test for coach Molefi Ntseki and his men.

What could motivate South Africa to claim good results is that they last qualified for the World Cup in 2002, while they had an automatic place in 2010 as hosts.

Former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov has recounted his memories of Cristano Ronaldo, and how every training session was like a “war” with the young Portugal star.

Since the pair teamed up at Old Trafford during the 2008-09 season, Ronaldo has since gone on to Real Madrid and Juventus, winning all of club football’s biggest titles.

According to the Bulgarian, it was Ronaldo’s formidable attitude that set him apart, and that was aided by the incredible competitiveness of the United squad at the time.

“Training sessions were like a war sometimes, people in that squad hated to lose, it was a great environment to feed determination and hunger to win,” he told Betfair.

“You could see how competitive he was by just looking at his training schedule, he trained so hard, he was determined to be better than everyone else.

"You could also see it in the small training games we had or in matches if he missed a chance or the side was losing, he was always determined to be a winner. We all had this side to us, that's why we played for United.

“I was lucky to play alongside Ronaldo for a season. He was 100% professional, on the training pitch and off it. I don't remember him ever being late for training. He was always preparing in the gym, after training he would stay and do extra work like working on his shooting, then he would go swimming and go to the gym again.

“Away from the pitch, Ronaldo would make jokes, he'd laugh at himself and he was friendly to everyone. I remember at the players' Christmas party he was fun, one of the boys, but he didn't drink and that was him all over - totally focused and professional.”

At the age of 35, Ronaldo continues to post incredible numbers and showed his talents on Wednesday as he helped Juventus to a 3-0 win away to Barcelona in his first on-field meeting with rival Lionel Messi since he departed the Bernabeu.

With Juve this term, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 12 games in only 10 outings in all competitions.

Last weekend’s Turin derby, which Juventus won 2-1, was the first time he had not posted either a goal or an assist in a match this term.

Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Napoli’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad on Thursday evening.

The 21-year-old suffered a shoulder dislocation during Nigeria’s 4-4 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone and subsequently missed the Blues’ last five encounters versus AC Milan, Rijeka, AS Roma, AZ Alkmaar and Crotone.

However, the former Lille man has been undergoing physiotherapy since returning to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and on Monday, he trained alone as Gennaro Gattuso’s men stepped up their preparations of the Spanish elite division side.

“Victor Osimhen worked on the pitch, in the gym and had physiotherapy,” read a statement from the club website.

“The squad was split into two groups for the session, with those who started Sunday’s game at the Stadio Ezio Scida doing recovery work in the gym.

“The remainder of the squad began with a warm-up and some passing drills, then focused on tactics, technique, building play and shooting, before finishing with a mini-match and a gym circuit.”

Nevertheless, he did not make the cut for the crucial game against Imanol Alguacil’s side. Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly and Algeria's Faouzi Ghoulam are part of the 20-man squad that has Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Ospina and Lorenzo Insigne.

With 10 points from five games, the Serie A outfit lead Group F and a draw defeat could cost them a place in the next round provided Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar defeat Croatia’s HNK Rijeka at the Stadion Rujevica.

After an impressive spell with Lille, Osimhen was snapped up by Napoli for a club record fee of €80 million.He has since scored two goals for the team across all competitions in the 2020-21 campaign.

In the first leg that ended in favour of the Italians, the Nigeria international was shown a red card by referee Craig Pawson in the third minute of added time for a second caution.

After replacing Andrea Petagna a minute after the hour mark, he was first cautioned in the 81st minute before he was given his marching orders 12 minutes later after elbowing Robin Le Normand while trying to control David Ospina’s goal kick.

SQUAD IN FULL

Meret, Ospina, Contini, Di Lorenzo, Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Maksimovic, Manolas, Mario Rui, Demme, Elmas, Lobotka, Fabian Ruiz, Zielinski, Bakayoko, Lozano, Mertens, Petagna, Politano, Insigne.

The Group Stage of the Uefa Champions League is often considered something of a formality.

It will throw up the odd shock from time to time, but for the most part it simply serves the purpose of whittling away the “smaller” sides. Give them enough to foster a vague sense of inclusion, but not enough to truly matter.

Of the 16 sides to advance to the 2020/21 knockout round, 15 are drawn from Europe’s top five leagues.

A straight knockout format all the way through will, of course, never happen again. Cash rules everything, and the level of unpredictability that would foster is the very enemy of a reliable cashflow.

The most we can do, then, is celebrate what is offered. The Group Stage saw some notable African involvements, both good and bad. So Goal runs the rule over the good, the bad, and the ugly from the continent’s stars in the Champions League.

Rennes would ultimately see their inexperience count against them, as they finished bottom of Group E with one draw and five defeats. Julian Stephan’s side were far from embarrassed, however, and a lot of that owed to the excellence of Senegal international Alfred Gomis in goal.

The departure of Edouard Mendy to Chelsea may have seemed like a hammer blow, but Rennes’ remedy for a potentially crippling situation was almost amusingly straightforward: recruit his international compatriot. Gomis’ performances since have been an ode to the genius of simplicity, and the trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan was perhaps the pick of the lot.

Sevilla fired off 23 shots at the French side’s goal (16 from inside the penalty area), hit the target with 10 of them, and troubled the woodwork twice. Overall, the hosts fashioned four big chances, but they found Gomis in inspired form, withstanding and repelling everything thrown at him.

The highlight: a superb fingertip save that diverted a stinging Munir El Haddadi volley onto the crossbar.

Honourable mentions: Amadou Haidara vs Manchester United (H); Sadio Mane vs Atalanta (A); Chancel Mbemba vs Olympiacos (H)

The exception to the procession of top five league clubs into the Champions League Round of 16 was Porto, who racked up 13 points to finish second in Group C.

Their progress, however, owed a great deal to a defensive solidity that kept opponents to three goals over the course of six games. At the heart of this resistance was DR Congo international Chancel Mbemba.

The 26-year-old was a dominant presence at the back, helping the Portuguese champions to five straight clean sheets during the Group Stage. He was an ever-present too, a factor that gives him an edge over other prospective candidates for ‘Star Player’.

The highlight, without a doubt, came when Manchester City rocked up at Estadio do Dragao. What followed was a stirring rearguard action: despite 68 percent possession and a total of 18 shots, Pep Guardiola’s side could not find a way through, and Mbemba was at his impassable best, winning seven duels from seven and racking up 13 clearances.

Honourable mentions: Edouard Mendy, Zaidu Sanusi, Sadio Mane, Ze Luis

There is some sympathy here for the 22-year-old, given the inscrutability of Antonio Conte’s decision-making on Champions League nights.

The former Juventus and Chelsea boss continues to divine new ways to fall short on the big stage; this time, it was a bottom-place finish in Group B, behind both Shakhtar Donestsk (a side they soundly trounced in the semi-final of last season’s Europa League) and Borussia Monchengladbach.

That said, it is still true that Inter paid a sizeable fee to bring Hakimi to San Siro, and he was expected to seamlessly integrate into a system geared toward bringing the best out of wing-backs. However, over the course of five appearances, the Morocco international only managed one assist, and by the end of the Group Stage, he finds his place in the starting lineup under threat from Matteo Darmian.

In back-to-back meetings with Real Madrid in November, Hakimi did little to indicate his hometown club had erred in letting him go. There is no doubting his potential, and the incompetence at Inter is pervasive, but his own individual performances fell well short of the billing.

One assist and zero goals might not exactly leap off the page, but Koita is a special player whose performances during the Group Stage are worthy of mention.

Even as Red Bull Salzburg finished third in Group A, the Guinea youngster thrived with mature, intelligent performances as part of a front two.

Koita is, simply put, a chance creation machine. His low centre of gravity and flair allow him to thrive in small spaces, and he produced strong showings against Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern Munich.

He is a breath of fresh air: in a bid to meet European demand, African football has pretty much stopped exporting players in his mould. Watching him pirouette past challenges has been a highlight, and there is room for more still.

The classic case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, perhaps.

Last season, Choupo-Moting was a part of the Paris Saint-Germain side that contested the final with Bayern Munich.

This season, he is turning out for the Bavarian side, taking some of the load off Robert Lewandowski. The reigning champions are likely to go all the way once again, even allowing for the loss of the influential Thiago Alcantara.

There is just so much quality there, and they have brought their best to the Champions League once more, only dropping points to Atletico Madrid – and that after qualification had already been secured.

Choupo-Moting pitched in too, scoring in the routine 2-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday night. With Bayern Munich going strong, it could be second time lucky for the Cameroon forward.

A 10-man East Bengal managed to hold Jamshedpur to a goalless draw in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Tilak Maidan on Thursday.

The Red and Golds' registered their first point this season after four matches. Jamshedpur had plenty of chances to score but failed to convert and turn the point into three. 

Robbie Fowler made four changes to the East Bengal lineup. Sankar Roy, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Mohammed Rafique and Jeje Lalpekhlua replaced Debjit Majumder, Surchandra Singh, Wahengbam Angousana and Balwant Singh.

Owen Coyle, on the other hand, made just one change to the Jamshedpur starting XI which won 2-1 against ATK Mohun Bagan. Aniket Jadhav came in for Jackichand Singh on the left flank.

Jamshedpur started well and looked hungry for an early lead. Aniket Jadhav should have scored in the sixth minute when he found himself in a one-on-one situation inside the box but he blasted the ball over the crossbar.

East Bengal received a major blow in the 25th minute when Eugeneson Lyngdoh was sent off for a high-footed challenge on Alex Lima. It was a harsh decision for the Kolkata club as Lyngdoh caught the ball before brushing his boot against Lima's leg.

Stephen Eze came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute when he attempted a header off Aitor Monroy's dangerous delivery from a corner but the crossbar denied the centre-back a goal. 

With a man down, Fowler took a pragmatic approach in the second half as East Bengal hardly raided the opposition's half. Coyle, on the other hand, brought in Isaac Vanmawlsawma on the right flank in place of Aniket Jadhav to add more firepower in the attack.

Jamshedpur completely dominated proceedings in the second half as they created multiple goal-scoring opportunities but credit to the East Bengal backline who stood firm and nullified every single Jamshedpur attack.

The Men of Steel too were down to 10 men after Laldinliana Renthlei was sent off after he received a second booking for a challenge on Jacques Maghoma in the 90th minute.

East Bengal remains at the bottom of the league table and Jamshedpur climbed up to the fifth position with six points from five games following Thursday's draw. 

Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Elias Pelembe has revealed that he has received offers from Premier Soccer League and National First Division (NFD) clubs.

The Mozambique international has been a free agent since he left Bidvest Wits at the end of last season with the club having sold its PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

Pelembe, who has enjoyed a lot of success in South African football, is currently assessing his offers including a few from Mozambican clubs.

“I’m still looking for a team. I have some offers on the table but I’m still studying them,” Pelembe told Sowetan.

“I have two in the NFD, one in the DStv Premiership and a few [from] teams here in Mozambique.

"So, I’m still checking which ones will fit me. Maybe before the end of next week, I would have made a decision," he continued. 

"I’m not in a hurry to get a team. I’m currently training alone to get fit. I have a gym at my house ... and I am in good shape.”

The ageing player was part of the Mozambique squad which took on Cameroon in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers last month.

Having turned 37 last month, Pelembe is keen to continue playing professional football for at least two or three years. 

“I’m still feeling well. Maybe after two or three years, I will retire. People will still see the best out of me. I’m still the way I was. Even my shape, as I said, is OK," he added. 

“Everything is OK. I’m injury-free. The reason I’m delaying to join a new team is that I want to get a proper club where I will be happy and where I can play regularly.

“But as I said, next week I will know which team I’m joining. I want to take my time to make the right decision. I don’t want to rush things.”

Pelembe admitted that it was difficult for him after Tshakhuma decided against keeping him and he became clubless. 

“It's something which happens. It is part of life but there is nothing we can do. We like to do what we love, which is playing football," he explained. 

“I was disappointed when they sold the status, especially how we found out from other people, not the club, but it happened. We just need to move on.”

Pelembe won two PSL titles with SuperSport United and he also won the league trophy with Sundowns and Wits. 

He was named 2007/08 PSL Player of the Season after playing an instrumental role in helping SuperSport clinch the league title.

Bayern Munich dominate the nominations for the 2020 FIFA FIFPRO Men's World XI, with the Champions League winners having nine candidates out of 55.

Hansi Flick's team won a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble in 2019-20, seeing off Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the European football's premier competition in August.

Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich were the only Bayern players to make the long-list last year, and those two again feature this time around.

Lewandowski scored a remarkable 55 goals across all competitions for Bayern last term, and has hit the ground running this season, netting 15 times to take his tally for the year so far to 70.

Manuel Neuer enjoyed something of a resurgence last term and heads up a list of 10 goalkeepers.

David Alaba was last on the list in 2017 but returns after starring at centre-back alongside Jerome Boateng, who also makes his first appearance in three years.

Thomas Muller is back after a four-year absence, while Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka are all included for the first time.

Philippe Coutinho was something of a bit-part player but did score twice and provide an assist in a thumping 8-2 win over Barcelona – where he has now returned after a loan spell in Munich – in the Champions League semi-finals, while Thiago Alcantara, now of Liverpool, also features.

The list, which is based on players who received the most votes from other professionals, also includes 11 new faces.

It is no shock to see Borussia Dortmund's scoring sensation Erling Haaland make the cut, while Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes is also involved.

Dele Alli, meanwhile, is something of a surprise inclusion. The Tottenham midfielder has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho, making only two Premier League appearances, with his only top-flight start coming in the opening day defeat to Everton. In total, Alli has played just 66 league minutes this term.

Premier League champions Liverpool have eight players on the list, including new signing Thiago.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are included among 15 forwards, while Dani Alves is the only man on the list not to play in Europe's top five leagues.

The 2020 FIFA FIFPRO Men's World XI will be made up of the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackers who receive the most votes, with the final spot going to the highest-ranking outfielder outside of the top nine.

It’s an African Football HQ special this week, as Ed Dove sits down to talk all things Spanish football in Africa with Managing Director for La Liga in Southern Africa, Marcos Pelegrin.

Since taking his current role 15 months ago, Pelegrin has maintained the work of his predecessor Antonia Barradas, continuing the brand development she began in 2015.

Five months into the La Liga Africa project, Pelegrin talks us through the progress made to date, particularly the strategic partnerships forged and the way the Spanish top flight has been introduced to populations in the region in their own local languages.

Indeed, taking La Liga—in Shona—to the Shona population of Zimbabwe is something that Pelegrin is particularly proud of!

2020 has, of course, been a testing year, but La Liga has still maintained growth in Southern Africa, not least in Ghana where, according to Pelegrin, the league has become even more popular since the departure of Thomas Partey to Arsenal.

Despite the boom in the region, Pelegrin isn’t keen for the league’s big names—be they Lionel Messi or Partey—to depart, and is acutely aware of the importance of local stars in the Spanish top flight in order to engage with African fans.

Fortunately, the likes of Huesca—with Kelechi Nwakali—or Granda—with Ramon Azeez—can boast Nigeria stars to generate interest in the massive West African nation.

However, it isn’t the same everywhere, and Pelegrin sheds light on a few of his strategies to ensure that local fans buy into the allure of some of La Liga’s less glamorous sides.

Perhaps the elephant in the room is the relationship between La Liga and Africa’s local leagues—particularly the PSL in South Africa, where attendances at and interest in games not involving the big three can be modest.

Similarly, La Liga’s competition with the Premier League—which already enjoys a major foothold across Africa—is a challenge.

How can the Spanish top flight compete with the PL, which engenders such an emotional response and enjoys such visibility among African supporters?

Check out our in-depth interview with Pelegrin to hear about his strategies and solutions to these problems—and more—as La Liga aims to bring the best of Spanish football to Africa.