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Bruno Fernandes propelled himself into some elite company when netting for the fifth time in a row on the road in the Premier League for Manchester United.

The Portuguese has rapidly become a key figure for the Old Trafford side and he sparked an unlikely comeback for United in the Premier League at Southampton on Sunday, as they trailed 2-0 at one stage before sealing a 3-2 victory at the death.

Fernandes collected a cross from the right from Edinson Cavani and swivelled before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

The goal follows strikes on his travels at Leicester City - at the end of last season - Brighton, Newcastle and Everton.

He is in elite company by scoring five on the spin on the road in the league, as it is a feat achieved by Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for United.

As well as having a knack for goals, Fernandes also has a penchant for assists and he returned the favour for Cavani to draw United level.

Cavani wrote himself into the history books with his goal, as he became only the second United player - after Van Nistelrooy - to score and assist after coming on as a substitute in an away game for the Red Devils.

The Uruguay international capped a brilliant day by heading home in injury-time to seal a 3-2 win.

Fernandes’ goal and assist also reinforced his value to United, and shows the problem manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has with regard to managing the midfielder’s workload.

Solskjaer said earlier this week that he knows he must give his charge a breather at some stage.

"Bruno is not going to be able to play every single game, that's for sure,” Solskjaer said . “So when he only played one-and-a-half games with Portugal during the international break I was very happy."

However, following the win over Saints, United take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

United top Champions League Group G, but their passage to the knockout stages is far from guaranteed so it is unlikely Fernandes will be rested against PSG.

Following the visit of PSG to Old Trafford, the Red Devils face West Ham, RB Leipzig, Manchester City, Sheffield United, Leeds United and Everton before Christmas.

Polisi Tanzania have moved to the fifth position on the Tanzania Mainland League table despite drawing 1-1 with Coastal Union on Sunday afternoon.

Neither of the two sides could get a goal in the first 45 minutes as chances went begging.

After the break, the administrative side started the match on a high and were rewarded in the 50th minute. Tariq Seif was the main man as he capitalized on a defensive lapse to find the back of the net.

With 15 minutes to go, the hosts upped their tempo and managed to equalize courtesy of Raizin Hafidh.

Polisi have managed to get five wins, as many draws and three losses from the 13 games played. Their opponents are in the 11th position having collected 16 points from the same number of games. They have recorded four wins, as many draws and five losses.

In another top tier game played on Sunday, Tanzania Prisons took full advantage of home-ground advantage to defeat Mwadui FC 2-0 and collect a vital win that took them to the sixth position.

The home team opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Lambert Sabiyanka. It turned out to be the only goal in the first half.

It looked like the two teams would be separated by just a goal but it was not the case. Three minutes to the end of the game, Gaspar Mwaipasi doubled the advantage to ease the pressure on his team.

The win was the fifth for Prisons this season from the 13 games played. They have managed to get four draws and as many losses, and as a result they have managed to get 19 points.

The Shinyanga-based charges are down in the relegation zone with just 10 points from the 13 games played.

Despite winning three games and drawing one, Mwadui have managed to fall nine times.

Ruvu Shooting and Kagera Sugar battled to a goalless draw in another top-tier game played on Sunday.

The 27-time champions Young Africans (Yanga SC) lead the table with 31 points from the 13 matches played, and are followed by Azam who are on 25 points after playing 12 games.

Reigning champions Simba SC are third with 23 points from 11 games.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is not happy with the grass inside Limbe Omnisport Stadium, the venue for Sunday’s Caf Champions League preliminary round, first leg match against PWD Bamenda. 

It is the first time since 2016 for Chiefs to play in the Champions League while their Cameroonian opponents’ only appearance in Africa was a second-round exit from the 2004 Caf Confederation Cup.

After a difficult run on the domestic front, Chiefs arrived in Cameroon to find searing temperatures, which Hunt said should not be as much of a worry as the state of the playing surface at the match venue.

“We trained on Saturday afternoon just to get a feel of the pitch but didn’t do much because of the heat,” Hunt told Kaizer Chiefs website.

“We just needed to get the travel out of the legs. The stadium looks really great but our only concern is that the grass is too long so it will be a different type of game for us.

“We are not so worried about the extreme heat and humid weather conditions because when you get into this competition you expect to play in such conditions. I am confident that the players will cope.”

Chiefs welcome back centre-back Eric Mathoho who returns to action after missing their last two Premier Soccer League games due to suspension.

Hunt believes that the lanky defender is the man they need to deal with Bamenda’s “big players.”

“We are happy to have ‘Tower’ back," said Hunt.

“His height will come in handy because you expect to have some big players from the opposition when in West Africa. We hope to use him to deal with their big attackers.”

While Chiefs have played eight matches in all competitions so far this season, their opponents were last involved in competitive action in March when the Cameroonian Elite ONE league was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bamenda’s lack of game time could be an advantage for Hunt’s men although the Cameroonians played a few friendly matches recently, including travelling to Libya.

“We’ve seen some video footage, but the quality wasn’t great,” Hunt said.

“Also, March is too far back so we don’t know what they really look like at the moment. We are aware they played in Libya in a friendly, so we just have to go to the game and do our best.”

Chiefs will for the first time since March play inside a stadium with fans in the stands as 200 supporters are allowed to attend Sunday’s game.

Azam FC forward Prince Dube has left for South Africa where he will undergo extended treatment.

The Zimbabwean star injured his ulnar of the left hand during their Mainland Premier League defeat to Young Africans (Yanga SC) after just a quarter an hour of the derby played at Chamazi Stadium seven days ago.

The 23-year-old, who has been in fine form this season, had managed to score six goals and is among the top scorers in the top flight.

Azam have confirmed Dube has left for South Africa for further treatment and wished the player the best of luck.

“Our striker Prince [Dube] has today [Sunday] left Tanzania for South Africa to undergo further scans and treatment on his left hand in South Africa,” the club confirmed on their social media pages, with a picture of the player at the airport ready to travel.

“Dube will be treated at Vincent Pallotti hospital situated in Cape Town and we wish all the best as he undergoes treatment and further wish him a speedy recovery.”

After the player picked up the injury, Azam also took to their social media pages to confirm the player will be treated in South Africa.

“Our striker Prince Dube, who was injured in our game against Yanga on Wednesday, November 25, will be taken to South Africa for treatment,” stated Azam.

“Dube, who is a Zimbabwe citizen, was injured in the 15th minute after hurting his left hand's ulnar [a nerve transmitting electrical signals to muscles especially in the forearm and hand].

“[Dube] will leave for South Africa on Sunday, November 29 via Kenya Airways. He will be treated at the Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town where he will be treated by a specialist Robert Nicholas. Azam have been using this hospital to treat the players since 2011.”

The absence of Dube will surely affect the Chamazi-based giants who have already started to lose ground as far as winning the title is concerned after losing two matches against KMC and Yanga.

Azam are now second on the 18-team table with 25 points, six less than leaders Yanga, who beat JKT Tanzania 1-0 on Saturday.

The ‘Ice Cream Makers’ can, however, cut the gap if they win their match against Biashara United on Sunday.

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has admitted that his side did not invest enough effort to claim maximum points in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier Soccer League (PSL) draw against Baroka FC at Orlando Stadium.

It was the third league draw this season for the Buccaneers who had to come from behind to salvage a draw via substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa’s injury-time equaliser after Baroka had taken the lead through Ananias Gebhardt.

Following the equaliser which showed some fighting spirit, Zinnbauer is, however, not too happy with their finishing, which denied his side to jump to second spot on the table.

“I think in the first half we had the game what we want, we dominated, we were playing in one half. I think the opponent did not have one chance in the first-half but we did not have enough chances,” Zinnbauer told SuperSport TV.

“This is what we have, on ball possession, on possibilities to score, the final pass was not too aggressive in this game, we need more solutions in the box.

“Second-half, two minutes or so, we [conceded] this easy goal but it's always so when a keeper makes a mistake then in the most of time it's a goal, we had the chance to score.

“We're not happy with the score, we're not happy with the second-half but we're happy with the fight. The belief always is okay, we have the chance we can score, we did this but it's not enough for three points.”

After conceding Gebhardt’s goal two minutes into the second half, Zinnbauer responded by introducing forwards Frank Mhango, who was coming from injury, and Mabasa, who then grabbed their crucial goal for a second successive weekend.

In seeking creativity, Zinnbauer threw in Deon Hotto and Collins Makgaka for Terrence Dzvukamanja and Nkanyiso Zungu.

“We needed goals and we needed [an offensive] player, then it's not normal in the second half, the opponent is ahead and we get counter-attacks,” said Zinnbauer.

“But we have to do this risk, we have to do bring the offensive player on the field and you work offensively much better than before. You get more opportunities in the box and I'm happy we scored in the end of time. A point is a point, it's not enough for us but it's a point.”

Pirates now shift focus to next weekend’s league visit to Cape Town City as they seek to stay in touch with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who are four points better off than them.

Bidco United head coach Anthony Akhukilia has revealed he would not be part of the team as they tackle Western Stima on Sunday at Moi Stadium in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League tie.

Akhulia has not specifically given the reason why he would miss the first top-tier match for Bidco United. The Thika club was promoted, alongside Nairobi City Stars, after finishing as the top two sides in the National Super League’s 2019-20 season.

The tactician believes his charges are capable of picking up a win as they face the Powermen away from home in their respective league opener.

“My people I might not be there with you physically but I am there with you spiritually. I might not be on the touchline to guide you guys but God is always with you,” Akhulia said in a Facebook post.

“In you, he put everything you need to win the game. You are more than winners. As I always tell you, the team comes first and as a team, you can beat anyone with or without so and so.”

The coach urged the players to ensure they get a positive income in order to make everyone around the club happy at the beginning of the new season.

“I pray for you guys, God helps you in our first game of the league; win the game for yourself, win the game for your colleagues who didn't travel, win the game for your families, win the game for our loyal fans, win the game me your coach,” he concluded.

“And lastly win the game for the team. All the best gentlemen. Make me proud, make us proud.”

There will be four matches to conclude the opening matchday actions in the FKF Premier League with Posta Rangers and KCB meeting at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.

Nairobi City Stars will host Nzoia Sugar at Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok while Kariobangi Sharks will play Wazito FC in a second match at Kasarani.

The Kasarani double-header will also be broadcast live by the new league partner, StarTimes.

Gor Mahia have been exempted from the opening matchday due to the participation in the Caf Champions League. They will face Zoo FC in their bid to have another successful title-defence campaign on December 2.

Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier believes that under Jose Mourinho, the club can finally claim the Premier League title.

Spurs have flirted with silverware in the recent past but have not won anything since a League Cup success in 2007-08. Meanwhile, they have been waiting on a league title since the 1960-61 season.

With no clear frontrunner for the Premier League title, Dier is hopeful that the Portuguese can mastermind an end to that drought.

“I'd say this team is probably more pragmatic. I think we still possess a lot of the qualities we had during that spell [under former coach Mauricio Pochettino], I think we're all a bit older, a bit more mature, we've all seen a bit more, and we're ready to do different things compared to when you're younger,” he told Sky Sports.

“I feel like it's a much more mature team, and the depth of the squad is not something I've seen during my time here, we've got an incredible depth. The amount of quality we have coming off the bench, and not even in the squad, is incredible.

“That competition is definitely driving things, and I think that's something in the past we struggled with, not having that competition to drive things. You want to have your own self-motivation, but you can't deny it's different when it's a big squad and everyone is driving each other.

“Mourinho is definitely putting his stamp on the club, on the team and the players individually. He's definitely implementing the things he wants to see. He wants us to be a representation of himself. Tough is definitely one of the words I'd use to describe him, and this team.”

Having lost the 2018-19 Champions League final to Liverpool, Spurs struggled to react but are now in a better place, Dier says.

“Last season was just a difficult time, even when the new manager came in, it definitely wasn't easy. It definitely feels like we're building something new, I feel like the foundations are there, and it's up to us to make it what we want it to be,” he said.

Mourinho’s men take on Chelsea on Sunday and can move top of the standings with a win or even a draw.

FC Goa host NorthEast United at the Fatorda stadium on Monday in their third Indian Super League (ISL) game this season as they continue their search for their first full points.

The Gaurs against Bengaluru FC in their opening game which was followed by a 1-0 loss to Mumbai City FC. Coach Juan Ferrando believes that his side should have picked three points from the game against Bengaluru FC.

"Our mentality all the time is to get three mpoints. Of course, I'm not so happy because against Bengaluru. I think we lost three points because we had more opportunities to win the game. Against Mumbai, it was difficult after Redeem (Tlang) received the (red) card and in the end, we lost the game because of the penalty.

"It was very difficult for everybody but now this is the past. Now our focus is on NorthEast and to get the three points (against them)," said Ferrando.

Meanwhile, NorthEast United are unbeaten in their first two games and have four points to show for their efforts. Ferrando exuded confidence ahead of the tie that his side will have a 'good game' against NorthEast United.

"Every game depends on a lot of details. Our philosophy is the same - to build the game and create space for positional attack. Sometimes, it depends on the moments, the minute of the game or substitutions. I'm very happy about the way the players are working and it's more or the less the same for the opponents. They (NorthEast) have very good players and are very aggressive in one against one. I think we will have a very good game on Monday."

FC Goa's Spanish centre-back Ivan Gonzalez has expressed the disappointment of the loss to Mumbai City ahead of the NorthEast United challenge. He also mentioned that FC Goa's style of play was best seen against Bengaluru when they came back from two goals down to earn a point.

"For me, the experience is very good because I think the level of the league is very good with Indian and foreign players. In the last two games, we have faced some of the best teams of the league and we competed very well.

"It's not easy to play with 10 players against Mumbai. I'm very proud because we did a good job on the pitch and when the game finished, I could see the face of my team-mates and told them 'it's okay' because in football you have another opportunity in two-or-three days. Now Mumbai is the past and we can be focused on NorthEast.

"In our mind, it's [that we play an] attacking style. Against Bengaluru, for me, was perfect for our style and the goals that we scored were with our style. I think against Mumbai, it was difficult because we played with only 10 players but I'm okay with the way we played," assessed the Real Madrid youth product.

NorthEast United have had positive results in their first two games of the Indian Super League (ISL) as they won against Mumbai City FC and managed a draw with Kerala Blasters. In their next match, they take on ISL Shield winners FC Goa on Monday and coach Gerard Nus is wary of the threat that the Gaurs pose. 

"Goa have the pressure to win. They have a huge squad in terms of quality and talent. They need to get the three points. All the games are in Goa. But we will be brave and go for the game. We are working hard to be competitive in every game. I am not surprised by the way we have played. That's the way we train. It is the resolve, passion and hard work we put in every training session. Everybody is working hard, both players and staff. 

"The morale is really high. We are excited about the previous performances. We definitely have to keep improving in some aspects. We keep the positives from the last two games and are thinking about tomorrow's game. It is a major challenge. Goa is last year's champions for a reason," stated the manager. 

The Highlanders did not enjoy lion's share of possession in both their matches and were happy to chase the opposition. But Nus is not concerned with that and remains focussed on creating goal-scoring opportunities.

"For me, it is not the team that has more possession which controls the game. For me, the team who has more chances has better control. Creating chances is very important. Even results sometimes are not fair. We are strong and we create chances."

NorthEast are training in Candolim and the training ground is smaller than a standard football pitch. However, the former Liverpool academy coach is not sweating over it and is intent on making the most of the facilities. 

"All conditions are different for different teams. Some teams have to travel more. But we are happy that the training pitch is near our hotel. The size is not what it is supposed to be. It cannot accommodate 11 vs 11. But we are not thinking about it. We are trying to get the best from it. We are just trying to get better with each session," he stated. 

Injuries have plagued many ISL sides already this season and Nus opines that rotating players will be key to achieve success as games come in thick and fast. 

"It is a challenge for all teams. Not the ideal recovery time for all players to be at 100 per cent. Therefore, everybody must be ready with fitness and tactics. They have to perform even if they come in for five minutes. It is sad to see injuries in some games. We want to avoid that. As coaches, we can do something about it. Sometimes we don't have any chance. Rotating players will be a key option in my opinion."

He informed that all players are available for selection barring the few, who were in isolation after testing positive with Coronavirus. 

Lalengmawia has been putting in great shifts in the centre of the park along with Khassa Camara and the gaffer heaped praise on the duo for carrying out their responsibilities to perfection. 

"Apuia (Lalengmawia) is a great player. He is talented and is a local player. He is determined to become better in every game and is also one of the captains. He is in the group of captains. I just have positive things to say. I expect so much from him. Khassa and Dylan (Fox) are (also) amazing. So happy about their performance and the leadership in games and training session," signed off the coach. 

The fifth iteration of FIFA's The Best awards takes place this winter as football's supreme governing body pays tribute to those who have excelled over the season by handing out individual accolades.

Past players, journalists and fans are all consulted in the process of identifying the best players, with panels convened and online polls established to canvass for opinions.

Past winners include Megan Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and, despite the unusual circumstances of the past year, there have been plenty of stand-out individual displays, so it will be competitive.

The longlists of nominees were confirmed on November 25 and they will be narrowed down closer to the event.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2020 awards, including the nominees in each category, voting and when it takes place.

Contents

When does The Best 2020 awards ceremony take place?

This year's FIFA's The Best awards ceremony will be held on Thursday December 17, 2020.

It will be a virtual event only, due to the public health measures that are in place across the world to suppress the spread of Covid-19.

As well as The Best Men's and Women's player and coach awards, the winner of the Puskas Award for best goal will also be crowned.

The FIFPro World 11 (Men's and Women's) will be revealed too, as will the winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award and the FIFA Fan Award.

The nominees for the categories can be seen below.

Voting is open to the public until midnight on Wednesday December 9, with the three finalists in each category set to be confirmed on Friday December 11.

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The Best Men's Player of the Year 2020 nominees

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The Best Men's Goalkeeper of the Year 2020 nominees

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The Best Men's Coach of the Year 2020 nominees

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The Best Women's Player of the Year 2020 nominees

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The Best Women's Goalkeeper of the Year 2020 nominees

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The Best Women's Coach of the Year 2020 nominees

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has lauded the striking trio of Themba Zwane, Peter Shalulile and Kermit Erasmus, whose partnership has proved to be the team’s biggest trump card in all their games this season.

Between them, the three have scored a combined 10 of log leaders Sundowns’ 12 Premier Soccer League goals in five matches.

The trio’s latest exploits were in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Stellenbosch in which they all scored, with Erasmus also ending the match with two assists, while Shalulile as well set-up Erasmus to score.

Zwane already leads the PSL scorers standings with five strikes including a hattrick against AmaZulu last week.

After the match, Mngqithi spoke about Shalulile and Erasmus adapting to life at Chloorkop, where they arrived just before the start of the season, and added in Zwane into the mix of the trio's selflessness when setting each other up for goals.

“The good thing about both [Shalulile and Erasmus] boys are very positive and easy to comprehend in tactical situations, whenever you want to use them in a certain way they are there and they worked very hard both defensively and offensively in our pressing moments," Mngqithi told SuperSport TV.

“But you know the quality that Kermit will present you with it in terms of scoring goals. But the good thing I like more from Kermit and Peter is that in as much as they are scoring goals even Mshishi [Zwane] in that space they are also prepared to share with others because Kermit could’ve easily decided to take a shot there but he decided to lay it back for Mshishi.

“The same thing happened last week [against AmaZulu]. Kermit played almost the same ball for Mshishi on the inside and Peter Shalulile played two balls for Mshishi and that atmosphere of brotherhood is more important wherein as much as we are all on the race.

“But we make sure we play as a team and play for one another because this is a marathon and we’ve just completed the five kilometres out of the 30 kilometres we still have so when everybody works what we’re trying to achieve. We’re all encouraged.”

Sundowns now prepare for a trip to basement side Maritzburg United next Saturday as the attention remains on the attacking trio to see if they will continue with their fine form.

Former Republic of Ireland international striker Tony Cascarino claims that VAR is destroying the soul of football.

The technology has been in use at the top level of the game several years now, with the 2018 World Cup in Russia introducing the system at a global level.

However, it has been mired in controversy, particularly regarding the handball rule and the interpretation of the offside law, which are widely regarded to have become too precise.

Debates are sparked by its implementation on a weekly basis, with Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on Saturday the latest to come into focus because of VAR.

Cascarino, who played with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Marseille during his career, says it is spoiling his love of the game.

“Of course I find it perplexing and difficult to explain,” he told Talksport. “Do I like it? No. Does it put me off football? Absolutely, at times.

“The game is beautiful, but unfortunately you are going to get that.

“I know a lot of my friends, and a lot of people listening to this show, who love football but don’t like the form of football today. They don’t like the product.

“I admire the technique, the physical condition of football is extraordinary, it’s beautiful, and the game is being played by teams who are very attack-minded; I love all of that.

“But the side of football that makes it rotten is this, what we are watching and witnessing now.

“I find we’ve lost the soul of the game at the moment, by the decisions that are being made.

“I say this a lot, but you don’t want to sound old school; but where we are in the game today, compared to yesterday, is a million miles away.”

Cascarino pointed to the penalty that Welbeck was awarded for Brighton.

“Danny Welbeck said it was a very soft penalty, and that is the opposition,” he said.

“If you want to make really stupid cases you could argue Danny Welbeck, as he stretches his leg, puts his foot up. That’s a stupid argument, because you want Danny as a centre-forward to try and get the ball.

“I’m seeing a defender who is trying to clear the ball clip the foot of a player. If you think that is clear and obvious as a foul, I am sorry – I don’t understand the game, I don’t understand football.”

Zinedine Zidane did not prepare his Real Madrid side sufficiently well enough to allow them to overcome Alaves on Saturday, according to former Blancos striker and director of football Predrag Mijatovic.

Madrid went down to a 2-1 home loss as goals from Lucas and Joselu consigned the Bernabeu outfit to a shock reverse at their temporary home of the Alfredo Di Stefano.

The display was widely condemned as being disorganised and Mijatovic has hit out at the coach’s preparation for the game.

“He must fix the situation but this begins when you prepare for the match,” Mijatovic argued to Cadena SER. “You should know that Alaves’ three forward players are their strength.

“So if you have Lucas Vazquez, who was more advanced against Inter, when he played a good game, you can’t put him as a full-back today because you have a Militao who could play there. I don’t know what’s happened to that kid because he doesn’t play either as a centre-back or a full-back.

“And then you have Lucas Vazquez as your full-back with Marco Asensio in front of him, when you that Asensio can’t help him as much as any other player.”

The former Serbia international continued: “Preparing for this game, I don’t think they realised that the strong point of Alaves is their left wing and their two forwards, and that is where the problems began.

“Alaves surprised me a lot because they came out with a lot of desire, without fear. I think that surprised Real Madrid, too.”

Los Blancos had been expected to close the gap to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid at the top of the table to just three points but instead they are six behind, while Diego Simeone’s men also have a game in hand.

Their next challenge is an encounter away from home against Shakhtar Donestk in the Champions League – a match they must not lose if they want to qualify for the knockout phase.

Madrid previously scored a vital 2-0 victory against Inter in the same competition at San Siro.

Guangzhou Evergrande forward Ai Kesen was massively impressed after playing at 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar venue Al Janoub Stadium in the ongoing AFC Champions League. He now aims to return to the venue in two years with the Chinese national team to once again set foot in this stadium.

After putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Japanese club Vissel Kobe in Group G of the 2020 AFC Champions League, Ai Kesen admitted that a lot of hard work lay ahead for Li Tie’s team to realize the dream.

“The stadium is amazing and as a player every chance to get to play in such good facilities is welcome,” said Ai Kesen, who scored a sublime free-kick during his side’s 2-0 win. The strike takes his AFC Champions League career tally to 31, six shy of the tournament record held by the recently retired South Korean veteran forward Lee Dong-gook.

“I know this [Al Janoub Stadium] is going to be a stadium for the World Cup. As a member of the Chinese national team, of course it is my dream to come back with my team here in two years for the World Cup.”

Ai Kesen had become the first-ever player without Chinese ancestry to play for the national team when he was called up for the national team in 2019 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers after having completed his naturalization process.

He has scored three goals after playing in all four qualifiers played till November 2019 with the outbreak of the COVID pandemic postponing the remaining fixtures which will resume in March 2021. 

However, Ai Kesen has been a prolific presence in Chinese football from 2013 when he first joined Guangzhou Evergrande. He has won five Chinese Super League titles since then – a total of four of them with his current club in two separate spells and one with Shanghai SIPG.

The 31-year-old was also a member of the Guangzhou Evergrande side which won the AFC Champions League in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Despite being a high-flyer in club football, the Brazilian-born forward realizes that international football is a different challenge altogether and qualifying for Asia’s second FIFA World Cup is still a long way.

“We know we have a tough road ahead,” said Ai Kesen. “It is going to be very difficult but we don’t want to give up and we still want to continue to dream.”

China are currently placed second in Group A of the second round of Asian qualifiers with seven points from four matches – third-placed Philippines have an equal number of points but have played an extra game. Ai Kesen and his teammates will also have the advantage of playing on home soil in a potentially winner-takes-all game against the ‘Azkals’ in June 2021.

Al Janoub Stadium is one of the three fully completed 2022 FIFA World Cup venues which are being used in the 2020 AFC Champions League, of which Qatar are the centralized hosting venue following the disruption of the original home and away format due to the outbreak of the global COVID pandemic in March this year.

The 40,000-capacity stadium, designed by the late Zaha Hadid, will host 2022 FIFA World Cup matches till the quarterfinal and was formally inaugurated in May 2019. Al Janoub Stadium, located in the southern coastal city of Al Wakrah, has hosted 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and 2019 Gulf Cup games prior to being chosen as a venue for the centralized AFC Champions League.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango says they were playing for their former teammate Anele Ngcongca in their clash against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday evening.

The Brazilians secured a comfortable 3-0 PSL win over Stellies in what was their first game since Ngcongca tragically passed away in a car accident in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday morning.

Onyango, who played with Ngcongca at Sundowns for four years before he was loaned out to AmaZulu FC last week, dedicated the victory to the former Bafana Bafana international.

"Definitely we were playing for our late brother, Anele. May his soul rest in peace," Onyango told the club's YouTube channel. 

"We had to give our best because he as part of us, he was part of this team. His fighting spirit is what we showed today. It was a fantastic [[performance] from the guys.

"It was a very difficult game against a high pressing team. I think the team played very well."

The Uganda international was recalled to the starting line-up after he missed Masandawana's 4-3 win over AmaZulu in a league match last weekend.

Onyango had missed the clash against Usuthu due to an injury and back-up keeper Kennedy Mweene conceded three goals.

"We were composed and we kept a clean sheet because the last time we conceded three goals which is not good for a team of our calibre," he continued. 

"But big ups to the team, they fought hard and they showed that they are bigger than anyone else. So, compliments go to the players who did well."

The 35-year-old admitted that he had very little to do in their clash against Stellenbosch as Sundowns dominated the match from start to finish at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane. 

"There was nothing much which I did on the pitch. But I think my presence helped a little bit and the noise I make," he said.

"The team kept fighting and there was no shot on target which was very important.

"Yes of course it is good to be back. I was welcomed back by the guys, Kennedy, Reyaad [Pieterse], Jody [February], [Ismail] Watenga and [Ricardo] Goss," he added.

"I had to keep the momentum going, I had to give what the team was asking which was a clean sheet."

Sundowns' next match is against Maritzburg United on December 5 in a league game which is scheduled to take place at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.