Looking for Soccer News?

Joachim Low will continue as Germany head coach through to next year's European Championship, the German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed.

Low has spent the last 14 years of his career in charge of the national team, having succeeded Jurgen Klinsmann in the role following the 2006 World Cup.

The 60-year-old subsequently led Germany to the final of Euro 2008, and although his side lost to Spain in the showpiece event, their performance in the competition served as a taster of what was to come.

Germany finished third at the 2010 World Cup before reaching the last four of the European Championship two years later, with Low gradually piecing together a winning formula which culminated in glory on the biggest stage in 2014.

Germany won their fourth World Cup after beating Argentina in the final in Brazil, but that triumph marked the beginning of a decline which has led to the current manager's position being questioned.

Low oversaw another semi-final at Euro 2016, but his men were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stage, which sparked his decision to axe several experienced first-team squad members, including Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels.

Germany have still been able to qualify for the next edition of the European Championship due to be held across multiple cities next year without those seasoned performers, but they failed to reach the UEFA Nations League finals after being thrashed 6-0 by Spain earlier this month.

Calls for Low to be replaced before the country's next major tournament appearance have been widespread, but the DFB has revealed that he will be staying on indefinitely following a board meeting on Monday.

"The DFB Presidium agreed on Monday in a telephone conference that the path for the renewal of the national team, with national team coach Joachim Low, will continue without restriction," read an official statement on the DFB website.

"The Presidium thus followed a recommendation by the presidential committee and by Oliver Bierhoff, the director of the national teams & academy.

"It was important for the national coach to discuss the current situation, the defeat against Spain and the months leading up to the European Championship in an open, constructive and intensive exchange. In the process, Joachim Low informed those involved about his assessments, ideas and further plans. 

"The members of the Executive Committee agreed that what counts is the high-quality work of the coaching staff, the intact relationship between the team and the coach, and a clear concept for the previous and future procedures. A single game cannot and must not be a yardstick for the general performance of the national team and the national coach.  

"The DFB Presidium agrees: On the way to the Euro 2021, important sporting goals have already been achieved - including the Euros qualification, staying in League A of the Nations League and being in the top seeding group for World Cup qualification. Accordingly, Joachim Low continues to have the trust of the DFB Presidium.

"Together, the view is purposeful and focused on further preparations for the European Championship next year. There is a firm conviction that Joachim Low and his coaching team will deliver successful games and results despite a challenging situation for everyone. 

"The national coach will take all necessary measures to play an exciting European Championship in 2021 with the team. The national coach's assessment also receives approval that subsequent tournaments - specifically the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 European Championship, which will take place in Germany - must already play a role as perspectives and sporting goals in further sporting and personal considerations at this point in time."

Proline FC chairman Mujib Kasule insists Alpha Ssali, who is a son to renowned musician Musa Ssali, commonly referred to as Bebe Cool, was included in the Uganda U20 team because he deserved it and it is not because of anything else.

The youngster has been unfairly criticized owing to his father's political stance and the administrator has told-off those criticizing the player, saying he does not deserve criticism.

"Alpha is judged because his father Bebe Cool took a certain line of politics which is hated by some of the people, so they transfer that anger over him and so his son," Kasule said.

"But that’s wrong in human nature because this is just a child who has a totally different thinking from that of his father according to us who know him."

The experienced administrator has gone on and revealed some of the details of the background of the Hippos player. 

"Bebe Cool brought Alpha when he was three and a half years old. He wanted him to be a footballer, not a musician, just like any parent, he also had a dream," Kasule added.  

"We wish our children the best, no parent wants his mistakes, conflicts, and differences with other people to be judged against his child.  

"Alpha is now 16 and as we talk now, he is the team captain of Proline FC U17 team and he has been playing in the U17 league since when he was 13 years."

The midfielder was promoted to the Proline senior team and Kasule said it is because the player is on the right path of development.

"Another thing, in April this year, we promoted Alpha to the senior team, and promoting someone in the senior team, it doesn’t mean that he is so exceptional but it means that he is on the right development path, so he deserves to be given a chance to go on with learning," he continued.

"So, it is not an accident to be on the U20 squad and it is not about his father, he fits to be there, it was not about ‘bribe’ because no one bribed us to promote him."   

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has joined the drive for concussion substitutions after seeing the horror collision between Raul Jimenez and David Luiz at the weekend.

Jimenez suffered a fractured skull after a clash of heads with David Luiz in the first half of Wolves' 2-1 Premier League win over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Mexico international required lengthy medical attention and oxygen before being carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital, where he is now in recovery after undergoing surgery.

David Luiz continued playing after having his head bandaged, but the defender was substituted at half-time after his cut began to bleed again.

The incident has amplified focus on the risk of lasting head trauma to footballers amid a campaign in England for the game's authorities to take greater steps to reduce the danger of later-life health problems such as dementia.

While Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted David Luiz was cleared to continue after adhering to concussion protocols, Alan Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, insisted more must be done to safeguard players from serious head injury.

"Football needs to get real, it needs to wake up, it needs to get serious. Not next year, next month, now. It is not acceptable, it has been going too far too long," Shearer, who has previously presented a documentary on dementia, said on BBC's Match of the Day.

Ederson, a former team-mate of Jimenez at Benfica, told reporters on Monday: "I was very worried. I was watching the game. It was an accidental clash, head to head but very difficult.

"All the concern and all the care at the moment is very important. It is a part of the body that is very fragile and needs special attention, I agree when there is a blow to the head there should be a substitution whether the player can continue or not because you might be feeling okay because you're warmed up, but after the game you could feel the consequences.

"It is something we cannot change, it is accidental. It wasn't an intentional blow they just went to compete for the ball, but we know the risks of a head injury. I hope he recovers quickly and will be back as soon as possible."

Jimenez will not be available in time for Wolves' next outing away at Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday as he remains in observation in hospital over the next few days.

Meanwhile, Ederson will be back in action with City on Tuesday when Pep Guardiola takes his side to Estadio do Dragao to face Porto in the Champions League, and Luiz is currently preparing with the rest of the Arsenal squad ahead of a Europa League meeting with Rapid Vienna on Thursday.

NorthEast United's unbeaten run continued as they managed to hold FC Goa to a 1-1 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Monday at the Fatorda Stadium.

Idrissa Sylla handed the Highlanders the lead in the 40th minute from the penalty spot but Igor Angulo's strike in the 43rd minute secured FC Goa a point.

Juan Ferrando made three changes to the FC Goa lineup which lost 0-1 to Mumbai City. Aibanbha Dohling, Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes came in for James Donachie, Redeem Tlang and Len Doungel.

Gerard Nus made five changes to NorthEast United starting eleven as Provat Lakra, Lalrempuia Fanai, Idrissa Sylla, Luis Machado and Britto PM replaced Ashutosh Mehta, Federico Gallego, Kwesi Appiah, Ninthoinganba Meetei and Rakesh Pradhan.

The first half turned out to be an evenly poised contest with end-to-end action. While FC Goa enjoyed more possession, NorthEast United depended on quick counter-attacks down the flanks.

The Highlanders came close to breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute when Idrissa Sylla found himself a very convenient position to score from Britto PM's cross which got deflected off a Goa defender. However, the forward's header sailed over the crossbar.

Sylla made amends for his mistake within five minutes. He was brought down inside the box by Seriton Fernandes and allowed to convert the resulting spot-kick. 

The hosts came back into the game quickly. In the 43rd minute, Igor Angulo's clever movement inside the box allowed him to guide Brandon Fernandes' low cross into the net. Brandon did well to beat Provat Lakra on the left flank with clever footwork before whipping in the cross.

Gerard Nus decided to consolidate his backline at the very beginning of the second half as Ashutosh Mehta was brought in at the right-back position in place of Provat Lakra who had a shaky first half. The Spaniard completely shut shop as NorthEast defended in numbers for most of the second half.

The Gaurs went all guns blazing against the Highlanders but failed to get past their defence. The only major chance Goa got in the second half was in the 84th minute when Alberto Noguera's shot hit the upright. Noguera received a pass from Jorge Ortiz from the right flank, took a touch and unleashed a shot with his left-foot but it did not go in.

NorthEast moved up to the second position on the league table with two draws and a win in their first three matches, while winless Goa remained in the bottom half. 

Tanzania have grabbed the final 2021 African Cup of Nations U20 slot for the East Africa zone after beating South Sudan 1-0 in the second Cecafa U20 Championship semi-final on Monday.

The tournament was organised in order to produce the region’s representatives for the Afcon tournament that will be held in Mauritania next year.

Tanzania defeated South Sudan at Black Rhino Academy in Arusha and the victory will not only give them the Afcon U20 slot but also placed them in a good position to defend the title at home.

After a goalless first half, Kassim Haruna rose to the occasion in the 58th minute to break the deadlock in favour of the Ngorongoro Heroes.

The hosts became the highest-scoring side after netting 15 goals and conceded just two. They started the title defence with a convincing 6-1 win over Djibouti.

The win over Djibouti was followed by an even better outing for them as they smashed Somalia 8-1 in the next group encounter.

In the second game, skipper Kelvin Pius John, who is also turning out for Leicester City's Academy in England, netted a hat-trick.

Tanzania will now face Uganda, who outclassed hitherto unbeaten Kenya by a 3-1 margin, in the final that will be held on December 2.

Uganda Hippos' captain Gavin Kizito Mugweri explained how they managed to sail through to the final despite an opening stalemate against Kenya.

“We are happy that our target of qualifying to the final tournament has been achieved. I thank the coaches for preparing us and the players for the efforts,” Mugweri said after the match as per Kawowo Sports.

“It is working together as a unit that has brought us this far. Everyone has been committed to this fight and I’m happy that we have pulled it off.”

Although the Morley Byekwaso side sealed a place in the upcoming Afcon edition, the skipper warned there is still a need to work even harder.

“Qualification is sealed but we still have to fight for the trophy in the final,” the captain added.

“It would be important for us to return home as champions and we shall go back to prepare for that.”

It is the first time Uganda have qualified for the U20 Afcon competition.

Azam FC have been held to a 1-1 draw by Biashara Mara United in a Tanzania Mainland League match played on Monday.

Ayoub Lyanga opened the scoring for the visitors before Timothy Owenga levelled matters for the home side.

The Ice-cream Makers came into the match hoping to give interim coach Vivier Bahati a positive outcome after Aristica Cioaba's dismissal. 

Despite being away, the 2014 champions played well but struggled to finish the chances they created.

It all changed in the 20th minute - Obrey Chirwa miskicked the ball, but fortunately for him, it went into the right area. The defenders failed to clear it and Lyanga, eventually, managed to tap in from close range.

It happened to be the only goal in the first half.

After the break, the Francis Baraza-led charges came back stronger hoping to get an equalizer.

Their zeal paid dividends in the 58th minute. The Chamazi-based charges committed a foul just outside the 18-yard area, and from the position, Owenga unleashed a shot that Israel Mapigano could not keep out.

Neither of the two teams could get another goal in a match which witnessed fewer chances, especially in the second half.

Monday's game was just one of the two matches Bahati will be in charge of after the exit of Cioaba. The next one will be against Gwambina FC.

The Romanian tactician was shown the exit door after the Chamazi-based giants suffered a 1-0 defeat against Young Africans (Yanga SC), a result that saw them relinquish the top spot in the 18-team league table.

Prior to losing to Yanga, Azam had also suffered a 1-0 defeat against KMC and according to club’s information officer Thabit Zakaria, the two parties agreed to part ways.

"As you know, we began the season on the front pedal winning seven straight games but from the eighth game to the twelfth one, things made a U-turn to the extent that the fighting spirit from players was nowhere to be seen," Zakaria said.

"The board saw this as a threat towards our mission of clinching the title this season hence decided to part ways with the coach and has since wished him all the best."

Zakaria maintained that, despite their fans feeling the coach should have been given more time to handle the team, the board felt otherwise. 

After the draw, Azam remain in the second position but with 26 points, five fewer than leaders Yanga SC, while Biashara are seventh on 19 points.

Ulsan Hyundai coach Kim Do-hoon has welcomed back three key players into the team for the 2020 AFC Champions League, currently underway in Qatar, after completing their quarantine. 

This comes a few days after he complimented Qatar for putting together excellent quarantine facilities for the three players who had travelled to the 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation after completing their national team duties.

Do-hoon was interacting with the media after the K.League runners-up prevailed 2-0 in Group F match against FC Tokyo and qualified for the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League with one group game remaining.

He highlighted the trio for displaying the right mental attributes during their period of isolation. Defensive midfielder Won Du-jae, full-back Kim Tae-hwan and central defender Jung Seung-hyun had flown into Doha following South Korea’s 2-1 win against 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar in a 17 November friendly. 

They were duly subjected to the comprehensive and watertight COVID safety protocols laid out and implemented by Qatar as the centralized hosting venue of the competition.

Won Du-jae and Kim Tae-hwan featured against Tokyo, coming on in the second half. 

“The three players had to obey the regulations and stay in the hotel which they did. It could have been stressful, but they did their best to enjoy the situation and create the right atmosphere for the team. I thank them for displaying the right spirit,” said Kim.

Won, 23, is considered one of the brightest young stars in South Korean football after being named Most Valuable Player as South Korea won the AFC Under-23 Championships in January this year. He celebrated his second-half introduction by setting up Ulsan Hyundai’s match-winner scored by playmaker Yoon Bit-garam. Kim too looked solid as their J.League opponents pressed for the equalizer in vain.

The coach also implied that the positive energy of the trio has had a spin-off effect on the team which, according to him, has the requisite mental strength to pose a challenge in the knockout stages.

“In the days to come, this team would emerge even stronger. I cannot predict the outcome but I know that my team will fight to win every single game of the competition,” said the former South Korea striker who has the distinction of scoring the winner in an international friendly against Brazil in 1999.

The Ulsan Hyundai boss had given a thumbs up for Qatar’s COVID protocol implementation ahead of his team’s first group game - against Shanghai Shenhua on 21 November - in the ongoing tournament held in Qatar under the centralized hosting format.

“The quarantine facility here is very good and monitoring of the safety procedures fantastic,” the 50-year-old had said.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says walking to the Al Ahly dugout was “not a free passage” as he heaps praise on Downs for sprucing up his profile which led to recognition in North Africa.

After joining Al Ahly in September, Mosimane reportedly snubbed Wydad Casablanca, who were said to be interested in him.

Just a month after arriving in Cairo, the ex-Bafana Bafana coach won the Egyptian Premier League title, before claiming the Caf Champions League after beating traditional rivals Zamalek last Friday.

He went to Al Ahly after helping Sundowns to 11 trophies in eight years and made them one of the most feared sides on the African continent.

“We call them Masandawana. We have a lot of history together, eight years, lots of trophies together, lots of songs, banners and flags,” Mosimane told Caf media.

“They are very special those ones. They really gave me an opportunity and I am here because of them. If it was not for Mamelodi Sundowns I wouldn’t be here. So I am thankful to the supporters, I’m thankful to the team and the president of the club Mamelodi Sundowns.”

Mosimane earned continental recognition when he guided Sundowns to the 2016 Caf Champions League title after beating Zamalek in the final to claim the Brazilians’ first-ever continental prize.

Sundowns had beaten Zamalek 2-1 away in the group stage that season before the two teams met again in the final.

Also thrashing Al Ahly 5-0 in a Champions League quarter-final match at home in the season 2018/19 made Mosimane a revered figure in North Africa.

Away victories in North Africa over teams like USM Alger, ES Setif, or drawing against Wydad Casablanca and Esperance further made Mosimane a feared tactician on the continent. 

“They gave me the opportunity to be here but I worked hard for it, I have earned it. It was not a free passage,” said Mosimane.

“You would not be here of you do not defeat Zamalek in a Cup final. You would not be here if you do not beat Al Ahly 5-0 so I have also done my work to be here. I am humbled, I am happy to be Al Ahly coach. It is a special club, a big club.”

Expectations have heightened on Mosimane to help Al Ahly retain the Champions League title.

Andy Robertson has backed his Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s appeal for help from football’s governing bodies in a bid to limit the number of injuries players are picking up.

The 2020-21 season is a condensed one on account of the previous campaign finishing late due to the coronavirus pandemic. As such, teams are being forced into quick turnarounds in order to fulfil their fixtures.

Klopp has been vocal on the subject, and hit out at the broadcast partners for his side being asked to play games so close together. 

The German has also called on the Premier League to follow the lead of the Champions League and other divisions across Europe by allowing teams to make five substitutions.

Klopp feels those measures would ease the burden on the players and result in fewer injuries, and it is a view Reds full-back Roberstson agrees with.

"The schedule is hectic, there’s no secret of that, because of Covid and we had to kind of make up time and stuff,” Robertson said at a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“But the schedule is always going to be hectic, we knew that, and the schedule can’t change because we need to get all these games in, in all the different competitions. 

“We get our heads around that but I just think maybe we could get a little bit more help from it.

“My manager has been probably the most vocal on it, but I know a lot of managers are maybe crying out for five substitutions or different things that can maybe help. 

“I know up in Scotland they’ve got five substitutions just now and I know, by speaking to their boys, it makes a massive difference, because their schedule is also hectic.

“I just believe we should be trying to help the players. I don’t know the exact percentage or the exact number but a lot more muscle injuries have happened this season. It seems every game I watch on telly or every game I’m involved in, somebody is going off injured with something.

“I think the Premier League is the best league in the world but you want your best players on there and you want all squads to have their best team available and being able to compete for different things. We’re maybe not seeing that as much just now because players are unfortunately picking up muscle injuries.

“I just think maybe we could get a little bit more help. We’ll crack on with it and let that kind of get decided elsewhere. As it stands we’ll prepare for a game every three days and we’ll try to be as fit and as healthy as possible.”

Robertson will keep his foot on the gas on Tuesday, as a win would be enough to guarantee Liverpool's progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Nigeria defender Faith Micheal believes Anam Imo's signing will prove to be a huge bargain for her Swedish Damallsvenskan club Pitea.

The Nigeria international, who turned 20 on Monday, joined the Swedish top-flight outfit on a three-year deal following the expiration of her two-year contract with 2019 champions Rosengard.

With her signing, Imo becomes the seventh Nigerian to be signed by the Swedish club in their history after Rebecca Kalu, Ulunma Jerome, Francisca Ordega, Onome Ebi, Sarah Michael and Micheal.

And the 33-year-old defender, who penned a new contract extension last week, is confident that the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations winner will provide a boost for Stellan Carlsson's side's attack.

"I am very happy to see another Nigerian join the club [Pitea]," Micheal, who has been at the club since 2011, told Goal.

"She is a good signing for Pitea. I strongly believe she has what it takes to excel at this club and become one of the best strikers in the Swedish league.

"She is still young and has a good three-year to establish herself here. Pitea can surely turn out a happy place for her. 

"Her coming will also boost the quality of the team, especially in the attack. I look forward to working with her to lead to the club to huge success in the coming domestic season."

During her spell at Rosengard, Imo was a regular feature in the team's title win in 2019 and vital in their runners-up finish in the 2020 season, netting 10 times in 40 games for the Malmo-based outfit.

With the ex-Nasarawa Amazons star set to join the club in the coming weeks, Micheal is eager to help her compatriot settle in quickly at Pitea.

Mario Balotelli has reached an agreement to sign for Vasco da Gama, whose director of sport says the forward “would be like Maradona” for the Brazilian club’s fans.

The former Manchester City, AC Milan and Liverpool forward, 30, has been without a club since leaving Brescia at the end of last season.

Balotelli’s one-year deal with his hometown club was not renewed as Brescia were relegated from Serie A, but he had not played since March after reportedly missing training and falling out with the club’s hierarchy.

His future has been the source of widespread interest, with reports at one point claiming he had been in talks with Championship side Barnsley.

Now, it seems as though Balotelli’s much-travelled career, which has seen him represent eight clubs in three countries, will now take him to the Brazilian Serie A.

“He’d like to come here,” Vasco director Fabio Cordella told the Corriere dello Sport. “Don’t forget, Vasco are the club with the second-most trophies in the world after Real Madrid.

“I don’t think Mario needs to come to Rio to do stupid things, I think he has reached mental maturity. Vasco are an institution against racism. I hope he can wait for us.”

Cordella warned that the deal was not yet set in stone, and it could be another six weeks before the club are able to sign Balotelli.

“Officially, we cannot sign anyone, but there have been messages and offers," he added. "Formally, we agree on everything, we just have to formalise.

"I hope we can do it on January 15, Vasco need a player like Balotelli and he needs a club like Vasco. For our fans, he would be like Maradona.”

Despite their glittering history, Vasco have struggled this season and currently find themselves in the relegation zone - though they do have games in hand over the teams around them.

Balotelli only scored five goals in 19 appearances at Brescia but some of his recent seasons have shown his goalscoring ability has not deserted him.

After leaving Liverpool in 2016, he netted 43 goals in 76 games in two-and-a-half seasons with Nice, before hitting eight in 15 appearances in a short-lived stint Marseille.

Harry Redknapp has expressed his delight to have managed "special talent" Papa Bouba Diop during his time at Portsmouth.

The former Senegal international spent three years with Pompey after teaming up with the club from Fulham in 2007.

Diop played a key role for Redknapp’s side as they clinched the FA Cup in 2008 and featured in more than 50 games for the club under the English tactician before leaving for AEK Athens.

The midfielder passed away on Sunday at the age of 42 after a long illness and Redknapp has expressed his sadness for his demise, while eulogizing him for his contributions during his playing years.

"I was very lucky to have managed such a fantastic boy - he was special. He did a great job for me at Portsmouth and I think the Portsmouth fans loved him," Redknapp told BBC Sport.

"They called him the Wardrobe, he was so big you couldn't move him. He was a big colossus - you wouldn't want to play against him.

"I was talking to my son Jamie [Redknapp, former Liverpool and England midfielder] and he said what a nightmare he was to play against.

"He was so powerful - a giant of a man. He would run all over you, was great in the air and he could pass. He was just a special talent.

"I was distraught when I heard the big man had passed away, I just couldn't believe it. He had been such a healthy, fit, strong guy.

"What an athlete - a giant of a man and to lose him at such an early age is so sad. He was always happy - he never a bad word and would always laugh at the corniest of jokes.

"He looked aggressive on the pitch because he was so big but he always had a smile on his face. I never saw him have a crossword or be miserable - he was always upbeat."

Diop played a key role as Senegal reached the quarter-finals 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.

Andy Robertson has insisted he will play at 100 per cent, even during the current packed schedule, but has admitted he may need to tweak his game in order to avoid injuries.

The condensed nature of the current campaign, on account of the coronavirus pandemic, has resulted in teams competing on a number of fronts having to play every three days.

Liverpool are one of those sides, and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has called on the Premier League and its broadcast partners to help the teams by tinkering with the scheduling of games and allowing five substitutions.

Robertson is in full agreement with his manager on the subject, but is aware that games are being played every few days and it is a schedule he is ready for.

So far, Robertson has avoided injury and is hoping that continues. But the full-back will not take his foot off the gas, despite admitting he may need to tinker with his approach in order to limit the workload on his body.

"I always go 100%,” he said at a press conference ahead of his side’s meeting with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday. “You know, when it gets to game day, I always go 100% of course. But certain games you maybe need to adapt.

“For instance, Atalanta away, we adapted a wee bit - me and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] played a wee bit deeper and a wee bit more inside, instead of us being the width, that maybe saved our legs a wee bit or didn’t mean we were sprinting as much. We also got taken off in that game because of how well we had played and the game was finished.

“You maybe do need to adapt as the season goes on but not too much - the reason you are playing is because of the way you play, so you can’t change everything and you can’t change too much.

“The schedule isn’t going to change, we know what games we’ve got coming up, we know what games are around the corner. It’s just about trying to prepare as best as possible for them, trying to keep as fit and healthy, trying to listen to the sports scientists, listen to your body and trying to do everything right leading up to games.

“So far, touch wood, I’ve been OK and I’ve been fit. Hopefully that continues because obviously the schedule is not going to get any easier but hopefully I can stay as fit and healthy as I am just now.”

Football Kenya Federation Premier League CEO David Thiru has explained why the Mathare United vs Ulinzi Stars league game has been postponed.

In a letter obtained by Goal, Thiru has revealed the match has been pushed to another date so as to give the 2008 Premier League champions time to go through the broadcasting deal the FKF signed with the StarTimes.

Mathare United, Gor Mahia and Zoo FC are the clubs who have not signed the undertaking to ratify the StarTimes deal and the three clubs are yet to play their opening games of the new season.

“In light of your request to peruse the StarTimes contract, and in view of the need to protect both your rights and the rights of other FKF Premier League clubs, the federation has reached a decision to postpone your fixture against Ulinzi Stars,” Thiru’s letter to Mathare United read.

“The match was scheduled for December 2, 2020, and now pushed to a later date which you will be informed in due course. This will allow you to peruse the StarTimes agreement and decide on the club’s next step.

“Nevertheless, the federation wishes to remind you of your obligation as provided for under article 14 (p), 19, 79, 81 (1), (2), (3) and FKF (2017) and the need to respect the same."

Meanwhile, the Slum Boys have undergone the mandatory Covid-19 tests as they prepare for the new campaign.

“Then the wait is now over and on Tuesday 1 December we will reveal our new shirt sponsors for the 2020/21 season. Keep it locked here,” Mathare United announced.

 “The squad on Monday successfully underwent Covid-19 testing at the Goan Institute with Pathologists Lancet Kenya – PLK carrying out the process.

“The tests are in line with government directives geared towards the successful resumption of football in the country following a nine-month hiatus brought about by the pandemic.”

The club also revealed their plans to announce a new shirt sponsor this week.

“The wait is now over and on Tuesday 1 December we will reveal our new shirt sponsors for the 2020/21 season. Keep it locked here,” a short statement on their Facebook page read.

Finally, Mathare United might miss their South Sudan forward Dani Lula, who was injured during the Cecafa U20 Championship in Tanzania.

Lual injured his ankle during the tie against Burundi which they eventually won by a 4-0 margin to seal a place in the semi-final. The junior Bright Stars were defeated at the penultimate stage by Tanzania and will now face Kenya in the third-place playoffs.

Eden Hazard's former team-mate Joe Cole is worried about his future at Real Madrid after seeing him go off with his eighth injury in 18 months in the 2-1 home defeat to Alaves at the weekend.

The 29-year-old's latest muscle injury coincides with a general decline from Los Blancos, who have had a poor start to the season in La Liga and the Champions League.

Chelsea sold Hazard for £88 million ($116m) in 2019 but he has only been able to line up 28 times for his manager Zinedine Zidane.

Cole has long admired Hazard after lining up with him at Lille and he helped convince him to chose a move to Stamford Bridge.

Having seen the best of Hazard first-hand, Cole is now worried that the injuries will now lead to intense pressure that will stop him from succeeding in Madrid.

"It has been a tough time for Eden. It is an example that no matter how good you are, if you are not fit then you can’t do it on the pitch and it won’t work," Cole said.

"For Eden, his body has just let him down in his two years there. He is a great player and one of the best players in the world when he is fit and he has come off again with a muscle injury.

"It is disappointing because I was so excited to see him pull on that Real Madrid shirt and just join the list of the great players they have had over the years and it just hasn’t worked for him.

"I think come January, it might not be done for him, but I think he will need a run of games to show his quality finally. I think Real Madrid are notoriously impatient with their fans and owners so I feel sorry for him. He has just not been able to show it."

Real Madrid could qualify from Group B in the Champions League with a win away at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. However, the Ukrainian side defeated Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in matchday one and defeat could risk seeing them fall into the Europa League.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have already qualified for the last-16 but face an away trip to fellow La Liga side Sevilla to decide which team will top Group E.

Cole played alongside the Chelsea manager Frank Lampard while at Stamford Bridge and he is feeling confident that his side can achieve something special this season.

"I think they got the recruitment spot on in the summer," he added. "They needed time to settle in at the start of the season. I wouldn’t say he has done anything different, the work on the training ground continues and the structure is in place and they are just adding little bits of quality in the final third.

"The goalkeeper has made a huge difference. I think Frank was always going to be successful. I think it is just time now, letting the team simmer, get better and better. They are one of the youngest squads in the league, apart from Thiago Silva, so there’s so much more to come from this Chelsea squad."

BT Sport Monthly Pass lets customers watch all UEFA Champions League fixtures for the next 30 days for a simple fee of £25 with no contract. For more info visit bt.com/monthlypass

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he considered retiring from football but decided he had to take on the challenge of returning AC Milan to their former glory.

The Italian giants haven’t won a Serie A title since 2011, during Ibrahimovic’s first spell at the club. Since then, they have finished as low as 10th in the Italian top flight, and last finished in the top four back in 2012-13.

Since the Swedish forward returned in January, however, their fortunes have improved dramatically. Milan are five points clear at the top of Serie A with the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic top of the scoring charts with 10 goals in just six appearances, and he has scored 22 in 30 games in all competitions since his move from LA Galaxy.

Ibrahimovic had plenty of doubters when he returned to Europe after two years laying waste to MLS, but he has answered his critics in typical style – by scoring goals and winning games.

“The first question I got when I came back to Milan was related to all the ex-players who had returned and had not come up to the standards from the first time they were here, they had failure,” Ibrahimovic told UEFA.

“What’s the difference in my case? I answered simply that I have never lost my passion for what I do. Every time I go out on the pitch, I feel like a small kid eating candy for the first time. I understand that the ball is my best friend and I want to be with my best friend for the rest of my life.

“Life is all about challenges. I felt I had done enough and I started thinking about whether to continue or not.

“For me, it was a big challenge to come back here to try to change the mentality, to try to change the situation and to make the players understand what Milan was about. The Milan I know, the Milan that the whole world knows.

Ibrahimovic says he puts pressure on his team-mates to give their best in every game.

“When I play, I bring my character, my personality and obviously my quality onto the pitch. I put a lot of pressure on my team-mates, I try to get the most out of each of them.

“Some take it in a good way, others a little less, some cannot handle it. They find it very hard in the sense that you have to perform when we decide that you perform, and I decided that we have to perform every day. The way you train is the way you play.

“Whether you are young or old I put the same pressure on you because if you are here there is a reason; you are here because you are good enough.

“But off the pitch, if you are young obviously I speak to you differently, I treat you differently, the behaviour is not the same compared to the older ones. But on the field, they are all the same for me.

“I’m never satisfied, I always want more and maybe that’s why I’m here today and I’m able to perform and do what I’m doing.

“I don’t see many players, in the past and in the present, able to perform like I am doing. I consider myself like Benjamin Button, I’m getting younger every day. I need to feel alive, to feel that I am giving something back.”

Mikel Arteta is aware that he will be forced out of Arsenal at some point in his coaching career, but the Spaniard says he does not fear getting the sack.

The 38-year-old is finding out the hard way just how tough life in a Premier League dugout can be.

He has been thrown in at the deep end, after cutting his teeth alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with a demanding role in north London presenting him with plenty of challenges.

Arsenal have made their worst start to a season – Arteta’s first full campaign at the helm – in 39 years and find themselves languishing in 14th spot on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Sunday.

Questions are being asked of the direction in which the Gunners are heading, with changes off the field doing little to deliver a reversal in fortune on it.

Arteta has been around long enough to know that pressure comes with the territory in professional sport, with it rare for players or managers to spend too long at any one club.

He is, however, adamant that expectation will not weigh heavy on his shoulders and that no thoughts will be given to potentially being axed from the most prominent of posts.

“It’s something that the day I decided to be a coach I know that one day I will be sacked or leave the football club,” Arteta told reporters after overseeing another disappointing display at home to Wolves.

“I don’t know if it’s the day after I sign my contract, in a month’s time, a year’s time or six months’ time. I never worry about it.

“My only concern is to get the best out of the players, give the best possible service to the club and become better and better.

“I know, I repeat, in this profession, one day I will get the sack or leave but I don’t know when that is going to happen.”

Arteta appeared to have Arsenal back on track after delivering FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, while also dipping back into the transfer market, but inconsistency remains a problem for the Gunners and a solution needs to be found quickly if more tangible success is to be savoured in the near future.

Lionel Messi "loves Barcelona", according to Joan Laporta, who expressed his confidence that the Argentine superstar will stay after announcing his second club presidency bid.

Speculation over Messi's future at Camp Nou is raging as he approaches the final six months of his current contract.

The 33-year-old tried to secure a way out of Catalunya in August following a humiliating Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich, but saw his exit path blocked by Blaugrana and La Liga officials.

Although he agreed to remain on Barca's books for at least one more season , rumours of a possible move to Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 continue to overshadow his exploits on the pitch at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned along with the rest of the board of directors in October after being blamed for the team's recent failings, and elections to appoint his successor are due to take place on January 24.

Laporta, whose first spell in charge between 2003 and 2010 garnered unprecedented success, announced his candidacy for a second term on Monday, before addressing Messi's current situation.

"No one can have any doubt that Messi loves Barcelona, ​​in our relationship we respect and love each other," the 58-year-old told a press conference.

"I have not spoken with him because I think it would not be convenient to speak without having the power to decide, the elections have to pass, I hope to have the confidence of the members to be president and then I'm sure we'll talk but we haven't done it yet.

"Leo loves Barcelona."

Laporta added on the need to ensure that Messi remains comfortable in his current surroundings amid talk of a possible switch to England or France: "He lives in a place where his whole family is comfortable and there is not much to encourage leaving a city like this, it is a kind of life that is very good for them.

"[Change it for Paris or Manchester?] well, it is not a question of money but we have to rise to the occasion and we must give them an almost familiar treatment, esteem and professional appreciation.

"I think there will be time to talk, although the calendar and the dynamics are what they are, if they had been before the elections, agreements could have been reached earlier."

Asked what is the most important factor in convincing Messi to see out his playing days at Camp Nou, Laporta responded: "Messi loves Barcelona, ​​it is something that I know, no one can doubt it, my relationship with him is one of respect and esteem, of affection; I think the best thing for him is to wait and see who wins and what proposal is made to him.

"I hope I can tell you we are more convinced than ever that we have a good sports project, we want to recover all this and do it with Leo in the squad and the other excellent players we have.

"When I talk about motivation I also believe that it is important that joy returns to convince the best player in history, I hope to arrive in time and that any pressure does not prevent this conversation from happening."

Jurgen Klopp claims to be setting no targets for Liverpool in the 2020-21 and has no desire to achieve “perfection” as a coach.

The Reds have delivered remarkable levels of consistency across the last two seasons, allowing them to claim Champions League and Premier League crowns.

UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup triumphs have also been achieved, with the intention on Merseyside being to deliver more major honours in the years to come.

Klopp is the man charged with the task of overseeing trophy quests, however the sporting scene has shifted dramatically during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, making short and long-term planning difficult.

With that in mind, and with anything still possible in 2020-21, Klopp insists no plans are being set in stone at Anfield.

“This is not a season, this is not a time in life when you should limit yourself, in a positive and a negative way, with targets. It's just we all have to get through this situation. That's how it is,” Klopp told UEFA’s official website.

“For the players, it's incredibly intense what we are doing. We're all happy and it's without any alternative that we play. It's great – love it, fantastic – but it's all on the backs of the players.

“They have to deliver. You watch the game and if they don't play well, you still think: ‘That's not really good!’ You don't think about what they go through in the week, because we all have normal lives, obviously, left and right of the games we play.

“That's pretty much the same for all of us, where you cannot see friends, you cannot see your family, and all these things. Recovery is not only sleep, it's not only treatment.

"It's really giving yourself a bit of freedom to think about things you want to think about and not what you have to think about. In the world out there at the moment, the biggest problem is that we don't have this time often enough and it keeps us quite tense. That doesn't help if then you have a game to play every three days at 110%, in the best way.”

Klopp has always demanded, and normally delivered, the very best from those around him. The 53-year-old is adamant, though, that is no perfectionist.

He added: “As a human, as a person, probably the first thing I realised that helped me a lot in life is that I don't have to go for perfection because it's not possible. I didn't even try; I just always tried to make the best of the things I had, and it never went anywhere close to perfection, to be honest.

"With football, it's pretty much the same. So, we are always trying to be as good as possible, but perfection, I never saw it, and I watch a lot of football.

“As long as you are not perfect, you have space to improve, which is nice and gives you the drive to get through all the different challenges you face during a football season, a football career, or life. So, I'm not a specialist in perfection, obviously – probably the opposite – but I still try to push my boys to get there as close as possible.

“There is so much space for improvement. That's what we're working on, but while you try to improve, you should never forget what is good already and use that, and that's what we do as well.

"So, it's not an obvious thing to do every morning: ‘We have to get better, we have to get better’. No, we know some things are that good that it would sometimes be enough just to bring them consistently on the pitch.”