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Raul Jimenez hopes he can return to action "soon" but will remain under observation for the time being after suffering a fractured skull during Wolves' win at Arsenal.

Wolves claimed a 2-1 victory at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but the occasion was soured early on by a sickening injury sustained by the Mexican.

In just the fifth minute, Jimenez was left floored after clashing heads with Brazilian defender David Luiz as both men contested for an aerial ball.

He required roughly 10 minutes of medical attention before he was eventually carried away on a stretcher and taken to hospital for checks.

It was discovered that Jimenez had suffered a fracture to his skull and underwent an operation that night to prevent any long term damage, which was a success.

Wolves released a statement on Monday confirming the procedure had taken place and that he was "comfortable" following the surgery, but they were hesitant to outline a recovery period.

Jimenez has, understandably, also stopped short of setting a target as he provided a first personal update to his followers on social media on Monday night.

He wrote on Twitter: "Thanks for your support messages. I will be under observation and I hope to return to the pitch soon."

Mexico international Jimenez has been an integral part of Wolves' team since joining from Benfica, initially on loan, in 2018.

He has scored 34 goals in 86 Premier League appearances, while he also impressed on the European stage last term with 10 in 15 Europa League outings as Wolves reached the quarter-finals.

Jimenez has found the net four times in 10 top-flight outings this season, but Nuno Espirito Santo will have to shuffle his pack in the absence of a key performer when he takes his team to Anfield to face reigning champions Liverpool on Sunday.

Wolves moved up to seventh in the table after beating Arsenal, and they can move to within a point of the Reds, who are currently joint leaders alongside Tottenham, if they spring another upset on Merseyside this weekend.

Comparing Diogo Jota to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane is “unfair” on the Portuguese, says John Barnes, but a Liverpool legend is still expecting an in-form forward to have “a great career” at Anfield.

A summer signing from Wolves has made a dream start to his spell on Merseyside.

Jota was initially seen as a back-up addition for the reigning Premier League champions, with Jurgen Klopp in need of greater depth to his attacking options.

The 23-year-old has, however, hit the ground running on the back of a £45 million ($60m) transfer.

Nine goals have been recorded through just 14 appearances, with the record books being re-written along the way.

Jota has delivered more end product than the likes of Salah and Mane contributed through their early outings for Liverpool, with two star turns going on to become talismanic figures.

Barnes believes it is too early to be placing an in-form performer into a similar category, but he does see Klopp finding considerable value in another shrewd signing.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Jota is an excellent player and the way Klopp is playing him has made him fit right into the team. You want players who can score, which he can.

“Up until now, we’ve relied heavily on the front three to score but the fact that Jota can actually play one of the midfield three, or one of the front three, but score from either, adds a lot of strength to the team, which shows what a fantastic signing he’s been for us.

“As Jota’s early appearances for Liverpool have shown, he can immediately offer the team a decisive attacking threat, coupled with an attitude and mentality made for a club such as Liverpool.

“Comparing Jota with Salah/Mane/Firmino is unfair, as at this very moment in time, he hasn’t got the same experience but his technical level is the same as the level of the front trio.

“Most definitely one to watch and I have no doubt that he’ll have a great career at Liverpool.”  

Jota was back among the goals in his last outing at Brighton, as Mane started on the bench and replaced a frustrated Salah in the second half, and Klopp has more big selection calls to make this week in continental and domestic clashes with Ajax and Wolves.

Owen Coyle is upbeat about Jamshedpur FC season ahead of Wednesday's 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) tie against Hyderabad FC.

The Men of Steel lost their season opener 1-2 against Chennaiyin and threw away a two-goal lead against Odisha in a 2-2 draw, with Nerijus Valskis bagging all of Jamshedpur's goals. However, Coyle is optimistic. 

"I think we were outstanding in the first half against Odisha and we set the standards that we want to continue in the games to come. The disappointment was dropping two points in a game we should have won. 

"We showed that we can score. We want to be an attacking side. We want to get the balance right to make sure that we don't concede soft goals like we did the other night. When we do that and bring it all together, we are going to stand tall against some of the best teams in the league," feels the Jamshedpur coach.

Coyle also admitted that his team needs to work on their defending, "There are some bits that we want to improve because we don't want to concede goals in every game. If we can keep it nice and tight at the back, we have fantastic goal-scoring threats in our team. There is no doubt that we can get better. Nothing falls into place overnight and that's what we do in training."

Hyderabad are also yet to win a game this season but has kept two clean sheets.

"We are very respectful of the qualities that Hyderabad have. We are very well aware of the threat they have but we know that if we can perform the way we have in the first half (against Odisha), we can win the three points," the former Chennaiyin coach stated.

Wazito FC head coach Francis Kimanzi conceded the game against Kariobangi Sharks was tough but stated he is not disappointed with the result despite losing 4-0.

The Nairobi-based side came into the match optimistic of getting a good result but a below-par display especially in the first half and early in the second half cost them. The tactician states the time for their preparations were limited and it contributed to the huge loss.

"It was a tough game for us but a good one for [Kariobangi Sharks]," Kimanzi told Goal.

"We cannot say we are disappointed whatsoever, results are results. We are just starting the season and we have to give players some time [to adapt and for us the coaches as well]. 

"We are just starting it. All in all, the players did their best.

"Working with them for about three, four days was not enough but we are impressed that everyone tried to give the best."

The immediate former Harambee Stars coach went on to point out what might have contributed to the loss.

"Some players were excited to prove to the new coach and bench that they are ready and I am delighted I have seen they are good players we can work with," Kimanzi continued.

"These are the players we are trying to understand and it is the reason we made use of the five substitutions available to see what each can give us. You must give players a chance to see how they behave on and off the ball. 

"We have had no chance of playing friendly matches with them and this was a game which we have used to know the team."

The 44-year-old Kimanzi was unveiled as Wazito coach on November 19.

The coach took over from Fred Ambani who was fired alongside his technical bench that included assistant coach Salim Babu and goalkeeper trainer Elias Otieno. 

John Kamau was appointed the assistant coach.

Ambani and his team were fired after failing to convince management that they were the right people to steer the team forward. Wazito FC's 2-1 loss away to Zoo FC in Kericho played a major part in their dismissal.  

Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane “love to play together”, says Jari Litmanen, with the former Reds star seeing each member of a fearsome front three bringing different qualities to the table.

The reigning Premier League champions have benefited considerably from forging the most productive of attacking units.

Salah and Mane have become prolific assets for Jurgen Klopp, while the selfless efforts of Brazil international Firmino allow others to thrive around him.

The arrival of Diogo Jota at Anfield has thrown a slight spanner into the works, with Liverpool now facing a welcome selection headache, but Litmanen is among those who feel that a tried and tested unit should continue to be favoured.

The legendary former Finland international, who spent 18 months at Anfield between January 2001 and the summer of 2002, told the Reds’ official website: “Salah, Mane and Firmino, it’s really nice to look at them playing.

“They all can pass the ball, they all can hold the ball, they all have enough speed to run forward. It looks like they love to play together with each other.

“They are a little bit different in terms of the kind of players they are. Firmino is really important for Mane and Salah by holding the ball, giving the pass and even creating some spaces for those wing players because those wing players are really quick with and without the ball.

“So, it’s really difficult to defend against those three guys because they are doing sliightly different things, but they seem to love to play together.”

While Salah and Co continue to impress on the field, Litmanen acknowledges that the appointment of Klopp in October 2015 is responsible for Liverpool now being Champions League and Premier League title winners.

He added: “I followed him already when he was in Germany at Borussia Dortmund. Actually, he has been really, really good at both of those clubs.

“He has changed a lot. Dortmund had their own problems in a financial way and also in a football way, they were not the Dortmund we were used to.

“Dortmund couldn’t compete with Bayern Munich but with Klopp, for several years they were even a couple of times the champions of Germany. With Klopp, Dortmund became a big club and a big team again in Germany.

“Actually, that last step happened also with Liverpool. Liverpool had all the time a good team and good players but Klopp did that last step.

“When I heard that Klopp was going to Liverpool I was quite confident he would do a good job, just based on what I saw and what I followed at Dortmund.

“He has given some energy to the team and the players. He likes them to be active all the time and that happened at Dortmund and that has happened at Liverpool.

“I like that kind of football, where the whole team, all the players, want to be active and try to have control of a game. There is something happening all the time and that’s what I love.”

Edinson Cavani is set to “bring a lot of goals” to Manchester United, Juan Mata has predicted, with a “humble” striker expected to maintain the standards in England that he has set across a distinguished career to date.

The Red Devils moved to snap up the experienced Uruguay international as a free agent over the summer.

Eyebrows were raised when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer landed the 33-year-old former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain star, with United considered to be in need of a long-term option in their striking department.

Cavani has, however, shown that he has lost none of his predatory instincts, with three goals recorded in the Premier League so far – including a match-winning brace at Southampton.

Mata claims to have never been in any doubt that the proven performer would make a positive impact at Old Trafford, with former United midfielder Ander Herrera – who is now at PSG – telling his fellow Spaniard all about the qualities that the prolific marksman would add to the fold.

“Ander, who played with him at PSG, called me and told me: 'I think Edinson is going to go to your club, you will see he’s a top guy, a top professional. And I know you will help him',” Mata told L'Equipe.

“So since Edinson has arrived, I try to answer the questions he has about the club or the dressing room. I can help to translate when he wants to communicate with people in the club, in the staff.

“And since he’s here, as Ander said, I can see how focused he is, his professionalism. Edinson has done a lot of things in football and he remains very humble. And it’s great to have him. He brings his experience, he will bring a lot of goals.

“Did I advise him to buy umbrellas? Yes, as a joke. I told him that it rains much more in Manchester than in Paris. So actually it’s not bad advice.

“We (Mata and Herrera) speak a lot, but our relationship is above that. We've had a great connection for a long time, since we were playing together in the Spanish Under-21s.

“He's a great guy, we had a nice time together in Manchester. After the game at Parc des Princes, we had a nice chat together in the tunnel.”

While enjoying watching Cavani find his feet in English football, Mata is not experiencing the happiest of times himself.

The World Cup winner has been restricted to just seven appearances this season, and 292 minutes of Premier League action, amid fierce competition for places.

“I try to stay strong in my head, to train as best I can, to be physically and mentally ready every time someone picks me,” Mata added.

“Even if, of course, it’s not always easy to be that way when you don’t play every game.”

Pressed on how he manages to stay positive, the 32-year-old playmaker added: “When I was 15, I left Oviedo/Asturias, the city where I grew up, to join the Real Madrid training centre.

“At that age, when you are away from your parents and friends, you grow up faster.

“I found myself competing with very talented young people and I didn’t know if I was at their level. I was a little terrified.

“And then, suddenly, I was aware of my qualities, but also of my ability to progress. Since then, every time I face competition, I see it as an opportunity to improve myself.”

Lionel Messi will sit out a second successive Champions League outing for Barcelona, with Ronald Koeman opting to leave the mercurial Argentine out of his plans for a meeting with Ferencvaros.

A six-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in the Blaugrana’s 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev on November 24.

The decision was taken to hand the 33-year-old a well-earned rest as positive progress was already being made through continental competition.

Barca had no need for Messi magic against Ukrainian opposition and will be hoping to see history repeat itself on Wednesday.

Koeman’s side will be heading for Budapest 24 hours before facing Hungarian foes on a European stage.

They have enjoyed a faultless run through their Group G campaign so far, with maximum points taken from four fixtures to date.

A place in the last-16 is already secured, which means that Koeman finds himself in the enviable position of being able to shuffle his pack through two more contests.

Messi will be rested again for the first of those, with the intention being to keep him fresh for bigger challenges to come.

Rotation within Barca’s ranks also means that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be handed a break between the sticks.

Philippe Coutinho is another senior star set to remain in Catalunya as his team-mates go in search of another morale-boosting success.

Frenkie de Jong was given a Champions League week off alongside Messi against Dynamo Kiev, but he does form part of the travelling party this time.

Clement Lenglet is also included in Koeman’s squad despite nursing a slight knock.

The French defender picked up an ankle complaint against Osasuna over the weekend to cast doubt over his involvement against Ferencvaros.

It may be that no risks are taken on him in midweek, with the option there for the 25-year-old to be saved for a La Liga clash with Cadiz on Saturday.

Barca are, however, already without the services of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique at centre-half, with it suggested that Koeman will look to dip into the January transfer market for another defensive option.

For now, though, his focus is locked on the present and guiding his side to three points without Messi – who did not take part in training on Tuesday as plans for a meeting with Ferencvaros were finalised.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has come out to deny reports their captain Robinson Kamura is on his way out of the club.

The towering defender left Ingwe fans guessing on Monday after he took to his social media pages to hint he was set to leave the Den, a statement which came two days after he had guided the team to a 2-1 win against Tusker in an FKF Premier League match.

The experienced defender has been with Ingwe since 2017 and is still regarded as one of the key players. He revealed the following on his Facebook: “No one likes goodbyes.”

The statement was interpreted by many that the former Mathare United defender was on his way out, a move Ingwe boss Shikanda has rubbished, and stated “Kamura is contracted to us and he is going nowhere.”

“Robinson [Kamura] is contracted to AFC Leopards, he is our player and will not go anywhere,” Shikanda told Goal on Tuesday. “I have not heard from him either if he wants to leave, he knows the protocol of a player when he wants to leave and I don’t know why people misunderstood his statement.”

The statement by Kamura came a month after AFC Leopards lost another player – midfielder Duncan Otieno, who signed for the club and later left for Zambia to sign for Lusaka Dynamos.

A source close to the player explained why the player might be on his way out of the 13-time league champions.

“Kamura's contract with the club is almost over and negotiations about the renewal were going on," the source told Goal on Monday. I cannot authoritatively reveal the agreement but I understand the two parties were to sign the new contract this week.

“But again, we all know football business is tricky, maybe he has secured a better offer and is not keen on extending his stay with the club.”

On Saturday, Kamura was part of the Leopards team that beat Tusker FC 2-1 to open their season with a win. The Brewers had taken a deserved lead courtesy of striker David Majak before Kamura levelled matters for Ingwe, and striker Elvis Rupia assured them the maximum points as he converted the winning goal from the penalty spot.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer feels that forward Tshegofatso Mabasa has done enough to edge closer to earning a starting berth in the squad.

Mabasa came on as a substitute in Pirates’ last two Premier Soccer League games and scored crucial goals.

In his first match of the season after recovering from injury, the former Bloemfontein Celtic man rose from the bench to grab the winning goal three minutes from time in the 2-1 victory over SuperSport United.

His latest exploits was last Saturday’s injury-time equaliser to save the Buccaneers in the 1-1 draw against Baroka FC as Zinnbauer’s charges appeared set for their first league defeat of the season.

“I am very happy we have him. Maybe he needs a little bit of time [to play] for 90 minutes,” Zinnbauer told the media.

“His condition is very good, he is coming closer to the 90 minutes but at the moment we are very happy we are bringing him in and he is always in the right position and he scored.

“We are happy about this and I hope he continues like this in the next games and maybe he can play 90 minutes. At the moment I am very happy about him. Last week he was coming from a bad time, from a long time [on the sidelines].

“That’s what we do this season, we have good players and they need more minutes and they help us. It was the same against Baroka and Mabasa came in and he scored.”

Being in the line-up for more games in this campaign would be an improvement for Mabasa who managed to start just eight league games in 22 games last season which was his debut for Pirates.

Mabasa’s two goals have come from the 38 minutes he has managed to be on the pitch so far this season.

It is yet to be seen if Zinnbauer would hand him a full game when they visit Cape Town City for Saturday’s league showdown.

With Frank Mhango back from injury and Zakhele Lepasa also in good form, Zinnbauer could be facing a possible headache on who to start upfront.

If DR Congo striker Jean-Marc Makusu obtains his work permit, it would further provide a selection puzzle for the German.

When Mhango and Mabasa were injured, Lepasa was being deployed as a lone striker and never showed any signs of struggling.

Kariobangi Sharks striker Erick Kapaito is praying for an injury-free season so that he can entertain club fans with goals in the FKF Premier League.

The 2018 Golden Boot winner was the chief destroyer as Sharks under William Muluya thrashed Wazito FC 4-0 in a one-sided league match played at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Daniel Sakari and Julius Masaba scored the other goals, to hand Sharks a good start in the 2020-21 campaign and Kapaito has now said he will only pray for an injury-free season to continue doing what he loves doing best, scoring the goals.

“Last season was a nightmare for me because I picked a long term injury but now I am working alongside our club physio and I am also trying to manage myself well and I want to pray to God that I have an injury-free season so I can entertain my fans with goals,” Kapaito told Goal.

On the 4-0 win against Wazito, who are touted as among the title contenders, Kapaito said: “It was a good start because we picked maximum points against a very tough side and also scored more goals, so it is a good start.

“For me, it is a good start, I have managed to score two goals, I don’t want to say I will win the Golden Boot again, but what I am happy about is we have started strongly as a team, something everyone was looking for before the match.

“The team always comes first, my target to win the Golden Boot always comes second, so I have to help the team first to win matches and then the team can help me to achieve my target for the season [winning the Golden Boot], but I am sure I will do something good this time around.”

On whether Sharks are ready for the season after the resounding win, Kapaito said: “It is the reason we won the match, we are all looking at having a better season than last time out, if you look at the team, everyone wants to win, we are pushing ourselves to win.

“And the start speaks volumes [winning 4-0], we are also trying to press as a team and keep the ball as much as we can and I know if we continue like this, then I can see a very good season ahead of us, I want the fans to pray for me and I will push myself beyond the limit to make them happy.”

Kariobangi Sharks will next face Nzoia Sugar, who lost their opening match 2-0 against promoted side Nairobi City Stars, on December 5, 2020.

Bandari FC coach Ken Odhiambo has set his eyes on winning their back to back Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League matches against Tusker FC and Nairobi City Stars respectively.

On Sunday, the Dockers will be playing the 11-time champions before playing the newly promoted Nairobi City Stars six days later. The Mombasa-based side opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Sofapaka FC while the Brewers fell 2-1 to 13-time champions AFC Leopards.

Simba wa Nairobi started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nzoia Sugar at the Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok.

"We want to continue from where we left on Saturday," Odhiambo told Goal regarding the forthcoming assignments.

"The back to back games against Tusker and Nairobi City Stars will be tough but if we play as we did against Sofapaka, then I am confident we will get a win. But as of now, we are focusing on the game against Tusker since it is scheduled for this weekend."

Odhiambo, who took over from the fired Bernard Mwalala has also pointed out what helped his players to get a win against a tough Sofapaka side. 

"We had some new players who were determined to help the team win and they gave their best," Odhiambo continued.

"It was not easy to play against an experienced side like Sofapaka, but the boys played a wonderful game despite being their first in the top-tier."

Youngsters Swaleh Chacha, Dennis Magige and Hamid Mohammed were given their debuts for the Coastal-based side. Hassan Iddi, Benjamin Mosha, William Wadri, and Johanna Mwita are some of the players who are out injured.

"The preparations for the league have not been as expected owing to obvious reasons.

"We usually have about six pre-season weeks but this time around we had just three. We could not play friendly matches as we would have wanted and with the injuries we had, I thought we would not score.

"Despite our short pre-season, we managed to get a win which is a massive boost for us."

Harambee Stars international Abdallah Hassan scored the only goal of the match at Mbaraki Stadium.

A man in Kenya lost his life at Kinamba Centre along the Naivasha-Kirima Road, after allegedly mocking Arsenal fans after their 2-1 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC last weekend.

In the absence of their top scorer Raul Jimenez who was injured earlier on, Wolves scored through Pedro Neto and, although Gabriel briefly headed Arsenal level, the visitors claimed a deserved three points through Daniel Podence's superbly taken 42nd-minute winner.

It was a third straight loss at home for the 13-time English champions.

"The middle-aged man was hit on the head with a stone when he started mocking supporters of [Arsenal after the loss]," The Standard Newspaper reported.

"The group was watching the live match that was being aired on television when the incident occurred on Sunday night. 

"The deceased was left bleeding from his head outside a petrol station located a few meters from the bar that the friends were drinking."

A witness who has been identified as Peter, went on to explain what transpired between those involved before the unfortunate incident.

"[The argument] degenerated into name-calling and the deceased was chased out of the bar and later attacked and left unconscious," he revealed.

Police have now launched a manhunt for those involved in the incident. The result moves Wolves up to sixth in the table, with Arsenal languishing in 14th.

Following the long delay and amid a fog of deep concern over Jimenez's wellbeing, Wolves took a 27th-minute lead.

Adama Traore got the better of Kieran Tierney down the Arsenal left and Neto was on hand to convert when Leander Dendoncker's header came back off the crossbar.

The visitors' advantage did not last long, with Gabriel powering home Willian's cross from a well-worked short corner.

Opportunism and poor Arsenal defending were again evident when Wolves made it 2-1 - Podence deftly lifting a bouncing ball over Gabriel and finding the finish after Bernd Leno saved Neto's deflected strike with his legs.

Exactly a year on from Unai Emery being relieved of his duties at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal seem no closer to once again being a Premier League force. 

The congested nature of the early-season table means their lowly position should not cause huge concern, but they have now won one and lost four of their past six league matches, scoring just twice in that period.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed no fans will be allowed to attend the Caf Champions League match between Gor Mahia and APR.

The two Kenya and Rwanda sides will clash in the return leg of the competition at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday with K’Ogalo seeking to overturn a 2-1 defeat suffered in the first leg played in Kigali last Saturday.

The Kenyan champions managed to secure an away goal after they lost 2-1 in the first leg played at Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda on Saturday.

Olivier Niyonzima had given the hosts an early lead in the ninth minute before Kenneth Muguna cancelled it out with a perfectly taken free kick in the 28th minute, only for defender Andrew Juma to score in his own net.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno has now confirmed to Goal due to the Covid-19 restrictions, fans will not be allowed to watch the match.

“We will have no fans attending the match between Gor Mahia and APR, and it is all because we are adhering to the strict regulations put in place by the Ministry of Health to combat the spread of Covid-19,” Otieno told Goal on Tuesday.

Despite losing 2-1, Gor Mahia stand-in coach Sammy ‘Pamzo' Omollo is confident they will reverse the result and qualify to the next stage of the competition come Saturday.

“Despite the loss, the boys played well in that game, and they stuck to our game plan," Omollo told Goal on Monday. “A 2-1 [loss] is not a bad result for us; the important thing is that we scored the important away goal.

“The one goal we scored will be very crucial for us in the return leg because now we just need one goal, or even two if possible, to advance.”

On his part, APR coach Adil Errade Mohamed has cautioned his players not to underrate Gor Mahia as they did in the first leg contest.

“I am told that local media reported extensively about the financial difficulties that our opponents are going through and how it had affected their morale because some players had threatened not to play,” Mohamed is quoted by New Times.

“This might have made our players become a little bit complacent but I don’t want to see that attitude in the return leg, we must be very cautious against them and make sure we don’t crack.”

Gor Mahia have been in the competition in the last four seasons but have always found it hard to advance further and their last attempt, in 2019, was ended by Algeria’s USM Alger.

The Algerian outfit picked up two victories against K’Ogalo and the two defeats came at a time Gor Mahia were strained financially as they operated without a sponsor.

It is the same case with APR - they have dominated their game in Rwanda but it has not been the same case at continental level. They have never made it to the group stage of the Champions League either. 

Uganda head coach Morley Byekwaso has now targeted the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) U20 Championship after reaching the final.

The Hippos started their campaign with a goalless draw against South Sudan before defeating Burundi 6-1 in Group C to qualify for the semi-finals against Kenya. They went on to register a 3-1 win over the Rising Stars on Monday to seal their place in the final.

"First of all, I want to thank the Almighty God for blessing us in this way because we have won the game successfully," Byekwaso said after the victory over the Stanley Okumbi-led charges.  

"I also want to thank the boys for the effort that they have shown and I pray to God that he blesses us in the finals. We want to win the trophy because for whoever reaches the final, the focus is always on winning the trophy."

The tactician's sentiments were echoed by his captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri who has promised hard work from his teammates.

"We are going to work hard and take the trophy back to Uganda," the skipper said.

"We have played the semi-finals and God has helped us to secure a win today which makes me sure that we shall win the tournament. As I said before, we did not come here to participate in the tournament, rather we are here to compete and win the tournament."

Forward Ismail Mugulusi was happy to qualify for the finals and all he wants from his colleagues is focus ahead of Wednesday's game.

"I am happy because we have made it to the finals," the striker expressed his feelings.

"I encourage all my teammates to stay focused so that we can go on and win the title. I thank God for enabling us to reach this level, I also thank all the fans for the massive support towards us"   

By defeating the Rising Stars, the Hippos qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations U20 competition for the first time in their history.

They will play against hosts Tanzania on Wednesday. The Ngorongoro Heroes qualified after defeating South Sudan by a solitary goal.

Edinson Cavani is “what Manchester United need”, says Paul Ince, with the experienced Uruguayan considered to be a “world class” alternative to Anthony Martial.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has continued to favour a 24-year-old Frenchman as his starter in a No.9 berth.

He does, however, boast a prolific South American on his books, with Cavani having been snapped up as a free agent over the summer.

At 33 years of age, questions have been asked of whether the former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain star was the right option for United.

His impact off the bench through eight appearances so far is silencing those doubters, with three goals recorded – including a match-winning brace last time out against Southampton.

Ince believes Cavani will have an important role to play for the Red Devils across the rest of the 2020-21 campaign.

The former United midfielder claims “Martial is not a centre-forward”, making it imperative that Solskjaer does have someone who knows how to lead the line on his books.

“Listen, he's world class,” Ince told Premier League Productions of Cavani.

“He's not one of those that's going to run channels or work the centre-halves but what he does is... if you put the balls in the right position, he will score you goals.

“He's probably what Man United need, a proper centre-forward. Martial is not a centre-forward.

“He can play along the lines but he's not an out-and-out centre-forward.

“They tried it with [Odion] Ighalo, it didn't really work. This kid is world class.

“He knows the areas to go into, he can sense goals, he sniffs out goals and I think he will score a lot more goals for United this year.”

While backing Cavani to thrive at Old Trafford, and asking further questions of Martial’s ability to be a leading frontman, Ince believes a 33-year-old forward will continue to be used in a super-sub role.

He added: “Listen, I'm sure Cavani's done enough to warrant a start, but it depends how [Solskjaer] sees it.

“Cavani's in his 30s, he can't start every game, but what he can do is come on and make an impact like we saw [at Southampton].

“Whether he can start from the beginning, I'm not too sure. I think he might want to, but he's got options now.

“When Ighalo came over from China, he was coming on for the last 10-15 minutes because he wasn't too sure about him.

“Now he knows he can throw someone like Cavani on, 45 minutes, and he will get goals. It's good to have those problems, that's for sure.”

Fulham forward Ademola Lookman has paid tribute to former Portsmouth star Papa Bouba Diop after scoring in their 2-1 victory over Leicester City in Monday’s Premier League game.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the encounter after a fine combination with Cameroon international Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

The Nigerian forward then ran to the bench and took a Senegal shirt with Diop’s number on the back and held it up in celebration of his goal.

The former Senegal international passed away on Sunday after a long illness at the age of 42 and tributes have continued to pour in for the former Fulham star.

Diop played a key role as Senegal reached the quarter-final of the 2002 World Cup for the first time in their history.

The midfielder had 63 caps and 11 goals for the Teranaga Lions before his retirement from international duty.

Lookman has also expressed his delight with the performances of his side against Fulham, which saw them move off the bottom three after gathering seven points from 10 games.

The forward has now shifted his attention to their next Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday and will hope to continue his impressive displays.

“Fantastic performance from the boys and massive three points, we go again on Saturday now,” Lookman tweeted. 

Lookman has now scored two goals and provided one assist in seven appearances since teaming up with the Craven Cottage outfit in the summer on loan from RB Leipzig.

The forward will hope to help Fulham maintain their Premier League status at the end of the 2020-21 season.