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SuperSport United secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match which was played at Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.

The hosts took the lead when Ronwen Williams scored an own following a defensive mix-up in the box, but two goals from Bradley Grobler inspired Matsatsantsa to a victory. 

The Team of Choice were desperate to snap their six-match losing run in the league after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Black Leopards in their last match last weekend.

Assistant coach Delron Buckley, who was in charge of the team in the absence of Ernst Middendorp, recalled Thabiso Kutumela to the starting line-up after the striker was benched against Leopards.

Meanwhile, Matsatsantsa were hoping to avoid their third successive defeat after suffering a 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in their previous match last weekend.

Coach Kaitano Tembo made three changes to the team which faced Pirates with Ghampani Lungu, Kudakwashe Mahachi and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe making their return to starting line-up.

Maritzburg got off to a bright start with Kutumela causing havoc for the SuperSport defence with his clever movement in the visitors' half.

The deadlock was broken just eight minutes into the match after Kutumela's low shot was brilliantly saved by SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

However, Onismor Bhasera's attempted clearance hit Williams and the ball went into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg.

Matsatsantsa then took control of the match and they managed to restore parity after some good work by Evans Rusike down the right-hand side beating two defenders.

The Zimbabwe international then set-up Bradley Grobler, who made no mistake as he beat Maritzburg keeper Sebastian Mwange to make it 1-1 in the 14th minute. 

The visitors came very close to making it 2-1 when Lungu was sent through on goal and he rounded Mwange, but his effort was brilliantly cleared off the goal-line by Daniel Morgan.

Mahachi had a chance to hand Matsatsantsa the lead just before half-time, but he was denied by Mwange, who ensured that the first-half ended with the two teams locked at 1-1.

Maritzburg dominated possession after the restart, but they were struggling to create goalscoring opportunities with the SuperSport defence looking impenetrable.

The visitors took the lead for the first time on the night against the run of play when Mahachi combined with Grobler, who fired past Mwange to make it 2-1 to SuperSport in the 64th minute.

The momentum was with the Team of Choice in the closing stages of the match with Williams producing a magnificent finger-tipping save to deny Judas Moseamedi.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Fares Hachi were both introduced by Buckley as the home side looked to snatch a late equalizing goal. 

However, SuperSport stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and ultimately, they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Maritzburg.

The victory took Matsatsantsa to the third spot on the league standings, while the Team of Choice remain 16th on the table.

SuperSport will now take on Kaizer Chiefs in their next league match on December 15, while Maritzburg will face Mamelodi Sundowns on December 5.

Crystal Palace’ Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate and Jeffrey Schlupp have been handed starting roles against Newcastle United in Friday’s Premier League game.

Roy Hodgson’s men are 11th on the league table after gathering 13 points from nine games following four wins, one draw and four losses.

Eze teamed up with the Eagles in the summer after his impressive performances for Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

The midfielder has adapted well to the Premier League and will be making his ninth appearance for Palace against Newcastle.

Ghana international Ayew will be making his seventh league start in the encounter and has been in fine form for the side in the current campaign.

His compatriot Schlupp will also be making his eighth Premier League appearance for the Selhurst Park outfit this season.

Senegal international Kouyate, who has featured in a number of roles for Palace this season, will hope to produce another solid defensive display at Selhurst Park.

Ivory Coast international Wilfred Zaha has been left out of the clash as he is still in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.

The forward has been an influential figure for the Eagles, helping them to keep their Premier League status.

Palace lost their last Premier League game against Burnley without Zaha and will hope the African stars on parade will help them bouce back from the defeat.

Nantes manager Christian Gourcuff has revealed Moses Simon has returned from a thigh muscle strain ahead of their Ligue 1 game against Marseille on Saturday.

The Nigeria international suffered the injury problem in their defeat to French champions Paris Saint-Germain in October.

The winger has subsequently missed Nantes’ last three games, including their draw against Lens last time out at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The 25-year-old was also not available for the Super Eagles’ 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sierra Leone.

Ahead of their clash against Andre Villas-Boas’ men, Gourcuff has confirmed Simon will be available for selection for the encounter and also provided an update on Mali international Charles Traore.

"The good news, which was expected, is the return of Moses Simon who will travel to Marseille,” Gourcuff said in a pre-match press conference.

“No additional problems to report. Charles [Traore] is still unavailable. We will have to see his physical condition in a few days.

“Regarding Anthony [Limbombe] and Roli [Pereira de Sa], we should not plan before the end of the year."

Simon has been a key member of the Canaries since teaming up with the French club in 2019, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent.

The forward has featured in more than 32 appearances for the club across all competitions and in the current campaign has made eight appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Nantes are 14th on the Ligue 1 table after gathering 13 points from 11 games and Simon will hope to help the Canaries return to winning ways against Marseille after their back-to-back draws against Metz and Lens.

Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg believes that Mesut Ozil should still have a role to play at the Emirates Stadium.

Ex-Germany international Ozil finds himself on the periphery with the Gunners, having fallen out of favour with manager Mikel Arteta.

The playmaker has not been included in either the Premier League or Europa League squads this season, despite being the club's highest earner.

Ljungberg, who had a brief spell as Gunners interim boss before Arteta was appointed in December 2019, feels that a compromise needs to be reached.

“Mesut is a great football player, we know that,” Ljungberg told The Athletic . “We all have different opinions and everybody needs to accept that people have different opinions.

“For me, maybe the way football has gone now sometimes he’s not as athletic defensively. Let’s say when you play Man City you don’t have the ball and need to just run after them, maybe you need more athletic players.

“What I tried to do, what I believed in, was that when you play teams who, on paper, you’re a bigger club than or you think they’ll have a low block and you need someone to unlock it, Mesut has the total quality to do that. I think there is a space for a player like that in those kind of games.

“But then as well you need to have a communication with the player — not just Mesut, every player. There are different games that suit certain players and other games suit others. The days of playing every single minute of every game maybe are just not happening that often anymore.

“When I left in the summer he was in the squads and now he’s not. What’s happened there, I can’t answer. I don’t know if something else has happened, I have no clue. But if you look at pure football qualities, I think my answer is quite obvious.

"When I was interim coach, I would play him in the games when I thought he could unlock defences, even if I knew his defensive job was not as good as some other players. So that’s my opinion; there should be a space in certain games.”

After nine games, Arsenal are 12th in the Premier League standings. They play Wolves at home on Sunday in their next outing.

Antonio Habas, the most successful coach in the history of the Indian Super League, was satisfied with his team ATK Mohun Bagan's win over East Bengal at the Tilak Maidan on Friday. ATK Mohun Bagan lived dangerously in the first-half but they came back strongly in the second half to bag all three points from the Kolkata derby.   

ATK Mohun Bagan struck twice after the half-time through Roy Krishna (49th minute) and substitute Manvir (85th minute) to blank East Bengal in the marquee clash. Habas was satisfied with his team's overall effort in the game.

"I'm satisfied because the team, the players put out a fantastic performance and big effort. I am very happy," Habas said in the post-match interview. 

ATK Mohun Bagan played defensively in the first half as East Bengal combined well with their passes and created ample opportunities. The home side, however, failed to convert their chances into goals. 

Habas, however, said that the scoreline depicted the story of the match and claimed that his side was superior that East Bengal. The Spaniard also mentioned that he doesn't believe in a one-way mentality to attack or defend and stated that football is a game of transition. 

"I think we decide the game with the score. We were superior to our opponent," the Spanish coach said. 

"This is football. it is a transition between attack and defence (and vice versa). I don't understand football which is only attacking or only defence," he added. 

By the virtue of the victory in the derby, ATK Mohun Bagan have made a perfect start to their season and are top of the table after two matches. 

Former Uganda Premier League champions Sports Club Villa and Ecopharm have signed a five-year USh2.4 billion partnership deal.

The deal will see Ecopharm Medical Centre or Aspire Centre provide medical assistance to SC Villa’s players and all staffs. The club will get up to USh484 million each season as the junior team, as well as their next of kin and the club’s staff, will also earn medical cover.

“This is a great day for SC Villa, as the club, we are looking at strategic development and partnerships,” SC Villa CEO Shawn Mubiru as was quoted by Football256.

“This partnership with our new partners Ecopharm grows our eco-system which will not only help the team but also the club and its members.

“Every strategic partnership that we bring on board will not only benefit the club but the community because SC Villa is a community-based club.”

Mubiru is confident the Ecopharm deal will convince other corporates to invest in football as there are potentially good returns.

“We have done a lot of negotiations with our partners and we are glad that we have brought out the best deal for the club,” the top official added.

“I hope that this sends a signal to the business community that football is a strategic field where they can invest and get value.

“I am delighted to announce to you that we have a partner that will not only have the welfare of the players but also interested in seeing a healthy community.”

There is also a discount for the club’s members who will visit Aspire Medical Centre courtesy of the deal.

“This deal will give our members a significant discount on all Ecopharm centres,” Mubiru concluded.

“Why Ecopharm? medicine is paramount to a player and we are proud to have them on board because this partnership brings significant importance to the club.”

The firm deals in medicine, cosmetics, baby care products, first aid kits, vitamins and herbal supplements and the new deal is expected to offer more stability to a club that has struggled off and on the pitch in the recent seasons.

The record Premier League winners finished third in the 2019/20 season.

New Gor Mahia signing Jules Ulimwengu was not part of the team that travelled to Rwanda for the first leg match in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League against APR.

The 21-year-old Burundi international was signed from Rayon Sports to bolster the attacking department. However, he will not be involved on Saturday away to the Rwandan champions.

"There were some issues with Rwanda's immigration department regarding the player, and as a result, he was not cleared to travel," a source close to the player told Goal.

"It was also a blessing in disguise for him since he is not fully fit as well, it means he has time to continue training."

Ulimwengu is not the only player who will miss the game as there are two others who have been confirmed unavailable owing to different reasons. 

"Midfielder John Ochieng' misses the Rwanda trip following an injury he picked last weekend during a friendly match against [Nairobi] City Stars," the club confirmed via their official social media outlet.

"Striker Benson Omalla will not be available for the Caf match against APR in Rwanda; the lad is with Kenya U20 team in Cecafa Championship in Tanzania."

The team arrived in Kigali on Friday and underwent the Covid-19 test later in the day.

"We had a safe flight from Nairobi to Kigali, we are in a hotel and already done our second Covid-19 test as required, we had the first in Nairobi yesterday," club's team manager Jolawi Abondo confirmed.

"The authorities have promised to deliver our results very early in the morning. All players and staff who are here in Rwanda are in good shape and upbeat." 

The game will be played on Saturday from 16:00.

Travelling Players: Boniface Oluoch, Gad Mathews, Geoffrey Ochieng, Michael Apudo, Philemon Otieno, Kelvin Wesonga, Charles Momanyi, Joachim Oluoch, Andrew Juma, Ernest Wendo, Bertrand Konfor, Kenneth Muguna, Bernard Ondiek, Cliffton Miheso, John Macharia, Samuel Onyango, Nicholas Kipkirui, Tito Okello.

Technical Bench: Roberto Oliveira – Coach, Samuel Omollo – Coach, Patrick Odhiambo – Assistant Coach, Jolawi Obondo – Team Manager, Willis Ochieng’- Goalkeeper’s coach, Fredrick Otieno – Team Doctor, Victor Otieno – Logistics.

Official: Dolfina Odhiambo.

Xavi Vilajoana would stand by Ronald Koeman as Barcelona coach if he is elected president of the club, hailing the Dutchman as a "brave and clear-headed" option in an interview with Goal.

The long-term board member, youth director of football under previous supremo Josep Maria Bartomeu's reign, is one of several candidates waging an election campaign to take the reins in January following the latter's resignation.

With the decision set to be made just over three weeks into the new year, whoever takes charge at Camp Nou will inherit a club fractured by on and off-field turmoil after a barren 2019-20 campaign brought the curtain down on a decade of near-unrivalled success.

Lionel Messi could depart the club next summer, while questions remain over the suitability of former Netherlands boss Koeman for the top job, despite the 57-year-old's long association with the Catalan outfit.

But Vilajoana has stressed the ex-Southampton and Everton boss would have his backing if he was to take overall charge, hailing his character as crucial to helping Barca weather a likely transition period over the next few seasons.

"Koeman, as Barcelona boss, is a brave and clear-headed coach," the prospective candidate said. "He is leading a team through a process of transformation and that takes time.

"Anyone who has played football will know that everything requires time. [If I take charge], Koeman would still be the coach."

Vilajoana's stance is in contrast to fellow presidential candidate Victor Font, who has made no secret of his desire to bring Xavi back to the club as head coach. 

Vilajoana further opened up on the intentions behind his decision to run as a replacement for Bartomeu, noting that he sees himself as a man enshrined within the club's dynamics and values that he finds absent in other prospective runners.

"I present myself as a natural evolution, because the moment right now makes me think that the club needs people with knowledge," he added.  "[It needs people] with a love for the institution above all else and who can make decisions for the benefit of it.

"I have been at the club for 20 years. I know what joys and disappointments mean and I believe that any future projects have to be based on the knowledge, experience and esteem of the club, with involvement and generosity. I don't see these values ​​in any other candidate."

Elsewhere, Vilajoana ruled out any attempt to lure Neymar back to Camp Nou following the Brazil international's acrimonious exit to Paris Saint-Germain, while further outlining his plans to address Messi's future at the club if elected.

The first-ever Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League ended in favour of ATK Mohun Bagan as they defeated East Bengal 2-0 at the Tilak Maidan on Friday.

The first-half remained goalless but East Bengal looked the better team. Antonio Habas' team then struck twice through Roy Krishna (49th minute) and substitute Manvir (85th minute) in the second-half to bag all three points from the marquee clash. 

East Bengal head coach Robbie Fowler was not satisfied with the result but mentioned that they matched traditional rivals with their performance. Fowler, who has the experience of managing Brisbane Roar and Muangthong United prior to his stint at East Bengal, also believes that his side can grow better as the season progresses. 

"Well of course I'm not satisfied with the result. I think performance-wise we were okay. For a team who have been together two and a half weeks, I think we have put together a good performance. We are talking about a team who were champions last time and we matched them, more than matched them. The result is disappointing, the performance is okay, there are glimpses of what we can become," Robbie Fowler said in the post-match interview. 

The Englishman was of the opinion that ATK Mohun Bagan players were fitter and sharper than his players. He further lamented that East Bengal did not undergo the ideal preparation in the pre-season but there were a lot of positives to take from the match.

"Fitness-wise they were bit sharper than us, maybe towards the end." the former Liverpool player said.  

We haven't had the most ideal preparation but we accepted it. We have spent two and a half weeks on the training pitch. We have not trained together. I think we'll get better and better," he added. 

East Bengal will next face Mumbai City in an away fixture on Tuesday. 

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed Joe Aribo is not suffering from coronavirus and should be available for selection when they take on Falkirk in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup tie.

The Nigeria international was not involved as the Gers played out a 2-2 draw against Benfica at Ibrox Stadium in the Europa League on Thursday night. 

Gerrard explained the midfielder’s unavailability for the encounter was not due to Covid-19 but to illness.

The Super Eagles star is expected to join the rest of his teammates in training on Saturday and could play a part against the Bairns. 

"He was unwell. He had a stomach complaint last night. The plan was for Joe to be involved, he's had a stomach complaint so he'll be getting some checks and assessing him, hopefully, he will be available for the weekend," Gerrard told the media.

“It’s important to say it is not Covid-related. He was negative on his test before people start putting two and two together".

“Joe Aribo is better today and hopeful he arrives back into training tomorrow.”

Aribo has only featured in 11 games, scoring four goals for Rangers across all competitions this season due to injury problems.

The Nigerian midfielder has been turning heads since teaming up with the Ibrox Stadium outfit in the summer of 2019.

Aribo was named Rangers’ Young Player of the 2019-20 season following his eye-catching displays where he helped the club finish as runner-up in the Scottish Premiership.

The midfielder will be expected to continue his impressive performances in the current campaign and help Rangers win titles after narrowly missing the league trophy last term.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Cedric Kaze has explained his happiness at seeing the team gain confidence in every game they play in the Mainland Premier League, saying it will go a long way to help them achieve their set targets.

The Jangwani giants maintained their unbeaten start to the 2020-21 season after seeing off title rivals Azam FC by a solitary in a match played at Chamazi Complex on Wednesday.

The win saw Yanga take a commanding lead at the top of the 18-team league table with 28 points, and also saw coach Kaze remain unbeaten since taking over the reins at the club from fired Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotic.

After a 0-0 result in the first half, Yanga turned on the screw in the second period to grab the vital goal courtesy of Deus Kaseke, who after a well-laid cross from Yacouba Songne.

Kaze has now revealed his happiness upon seeing that confidence among his charges is improving game after game, saying that is the most important thing to be encouraged in a team.

“I can say the attitude of players has positively changed to the extent that they can now play as a team by attacking and defending together,” Kaze is quoted by Daily News.

"We are now gaining confidence to the extent that even if the ball is in danger zone, we try to build up, change the side of play which is very important in a game of football.

Kaze also hailed his players for their response after three consecutive draws by saying: “They knew that even if they were posting draws, there was still a room for them to improve in the upcoming games. What I hope for is for us to use well the scoring chances we make and also to play simple football.

“We were good defensively and I do not think that Azam created best chances to score other than simple balls which went straight to the goalkeeper. We also had opportunities to net more than one goal.”

Meanwhile, Azam media officer Thabit Zakaria said his side will now turn their focus on their match in the league.

“We had the mentality to win the game and grab all three points but, that was not achieved instead, we have lost the match. We now focus on our next match so and our mission to clinch the league title remains unchanged," he said.

Azam have already fired their coach Aristica Cioaba following the defeat.

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has appealed to Lionel Messi to extend his stay at the club.

Out of contract in the summer, Messi has had a fractious relationship with the club for some time now. He pushed to leave on a free transfer after the season concluded and only stayed when he was told his contract was legally binding.

Although president Josip Maria Bartomeu has resigned his seat, forcing a presidential election scheduled for January, there is no guarantee that the new board will be able to talk him into staying, particularly as Barca are in the process of slashing their wage bill.

Pique, though, is not giving up hope that his old ally might be talked into staying at Camp Nou, having joined the club as in 2001 from Newell’s in Argentina.

Asked by Radio Marca if Messi is set to renew his deal, he said: “We’ll have to ask Leo, I don’t know. We hope that we will stay. It’s a very personal decision and we’ll see.

“As long as he continues at Barca, there is hope, and we hope that he can be seduced into staying.”

Meanwhile, Messi’s old attacking cohort Luis Suarez departed under a cloud in the summer, one of the actions that the old board took that riled the Argentine.

Pique admits it was difficult to see the Uruguay international depart for Atletico Madrid.

"I was very sorry when Luis left, he spent many years at the club and we shared many experiences,” he said. “You play with each other for 90 minutes, but you spend many, many hours with them. We see them every morning, we travel, we are in the hotels, it is as if they was a class-mate.”

Barcelona are enduring a difficult start to the season and presently lie 13th in the Primera Division standings, albeit having played one or two games fewer than virtually every other team in the league.

However, they already find themselves an intimidating 12 points off the pace of leaders Real Sociedad, having lost three of eight league fixtures under Ronald Koeman.

They play Osasuna at home on Sunday.

Former Gor Mahia striker Jacques Tuyisenge has revealed he would not celebrate should he score for APR in the Caf Champions League tie against his former team on Saturday.

Tuyisenge left Gor Mahia, after winning three Premier League titles and a Shield Cup, for Petro Atletico of Angola but returned to Rwanda in the previous transfer window when the army side acquired him.

The Champions League tie has offered him an opportunity to play against K’Ogalo for the first time but he has confirmed he would not celebrate should he find the back of the net.

“Personally, I will not celebrate if I score, but I am going to give it my best to win the game,” the Amavubi star told The New Times.

“It is a very important game for us because we want to take a good lead to the return leg.

“We are going to mean serious business – fighting for a win. It is going to be a special moment, and of course, accompanied by a lot of pressure.”

In a separate interview, the striker revealed he was ready for the preliminary encounter against Gor Mahia after shrugging off an injury.

“Yes, I got injured while I was with the national team Amavubi but since I arrived at the club I was put under good care. I am now in good form and I am training well,” Tuyisenge said.

“I am 100% ready to represent APR during the Saturday game.

“I will be there given that I have been exercising which means I am in good form. I have no problem now and I am sure I will be there.”

He was not involved in the midweek friendly match against Association Sportive d'Arta of Djibouti which APR won 2-0, in a game the team used to test their preparedness for the Saturday match.

“For now, I do not know what the coach’s plans are although he chose to bench me during the friendly,” he added.

“He is the one who knows why but that does not matter for me because I have to stick on what the coach plans.”

Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna explained why they would not focus on Tuyisenge alone during the Kigali showdown.

“We are taking the game with a positive mindset but it is not about playing against Tuyisenge because we will be playing against the whole APR, not just one player,” Muguna stated.

“There are some dangerous players in the team and that is enough reason to focus on all of them and not just one person.”

Gor Mahia jetted out for the tie on Friday.

Gor Mahia’s Benson Omalla scored in a 2-1 win for Kenya against Sudan in the ongoing Cecafa U20 Championship at the Sheik Amri Abeid Stadium on Friday.

With the win, the Rising Stars have now qualified for the semi-finals courtesy of goals from the newly-called up Harambee Star and Fortune Omoto.

Omoto gave Kenya the lead in the 28th minute before Sudan equalised in the 85th minute from Al Gozoti Nooh’s strike. Omalla gave the Rising Stars a late win when he drove past Sudan’s backline and fired a low drive into the bottom right corner in the 90th minute.

The goal is the second for the former Western Stima striker who also earned two assists in their opening game. Ronald Reagan and Enock Wanyama as well Omalla scored against Ethiopia in the opener and that means Kenya are undefeated so far.

The group meeting between Kenya and Sudan was their second encounter in a matter of weeks since they faced off in a friendly tie in Nairobi before the Cecafa tournament.

The Stanley Okumbi-led side finished as Group B leaders and will face arch-rivals, the Hippos of Uganda, in the first semi-final on Monday.

In another match, South Sudan powered past Burundi with a 4-0 scoreline in the second match of Group B that was played at Sheik Amri Stadium too. The huge win saw the junior Bright Stars finish as the best losers and qualified for the penultimate stage.

William Kundu and Khamis Atari handed South Sudan a 2-0 lead before the half-time break while Japhet Ntunzwenimana’s own goal made it three-nil for them. Phillip Biajo scored the fourth one to hand South Sudan their first biggest victory and a second clean sheet in the tournament after they held Uganda to a goalless draw in the opener.

They have four points, same as Uganda, but an inferior goal difference meant they would finish second and will face the hosts and the reigning champions Tanzania in the second semi-final.

South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will fight for the two positions that will guarantee nations the available slots in the 2022 U20 African Cup of Nations.

The Cecafa final and play-off will be played on December 2.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have all dropped on the latest Fifa standings.

The three neighbours registered different outcomes in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

The Harambee Stars have dropped one position to 104th with 1187 points, 18 points fewer than what they had last month. The drop has been caused by a poor outing against Comoros where the team managed to get just one draw.

In the first game played at Kasarani on Wednesday, November 11, M'changama Youssouf put Comoros ahead from a free-kick which was expertly taken, wrong-footing Arnold Origi in the Kenya goal, but Masoud Juma equalised for in the second half, after going down to the visitors who had to play with 10 men for the better part of the game.

In the second match played four days later in Moroni, Mohamed Ben El-Fardou and Mattoir Faiz scored the goals for Les Coelacantes and the Harambee Stars denied them a clean sheet courtesy of Cliff Nyakeya’s effort.

Uganda have dropped three positions. They are now placed in the 79th position with 1307 points.

The Johnathan McKinstry-led charges won against South Sudan in the first match by a solitary goal.

Second-half substitute Halid Lwaliwa struck late to ensure the Cranes picked up a 1-0 win over their opponents at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

In the second match played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, the Bright Stars won by the same margin. The win, courtesy of a goal scored by Gor Mahia’s new star Tito Okello, ensured the hosts picked up a maiden group win while Uganda suffered an unlikely first loss in the qualifiers.

The Taifa Stars, on their part, have also dropped by one position. They are placed 135th with 1085 points. 

The Etienne Ndayiragije-led team fell by a solitary goal away to Tunisia before settling to a 1-1 draw at home.

In North Africa, captain Youssef Msakni converted from the spot in the 18th minute after he was fouled in the box.

At the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Feisal Salum cancelled out Saifeddine Khaoui’s opener as the two teams shared the spoils. 

Ghana’s stunning loss to Sudan has had a negative effect on the nation’s standing on the Fifa world rankings as the Black Stars have fallen down the pecking order by four.

Five days after registering a 2-0 home win over the Falcons in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, CK Akonnor’s side received a shock in the reverse fixture in Omdurman as Mohamed Abdelrahman’s injury-time effort ensured a 1-0 triumph for the home side.

At the time, Ghana were ranked 48th on the world order while Sudan occupy the 128th spot.

In the latest ranking, however, Ghana have moved down out of the Top 50 to 52nd on the world. The Black Stars’ loss was Sudan’s gain as the latter moved up by one spot to the 127th position.

Ghana’s new position see them between Costa Rica (51) and Greece (53). At continental level, the Black Stars have dropped down by two places from sixth to eighth, just ahead of Mali (57) and Burkina Faso (58) in Africa’s Top 10.

Senegal (20), Tunisia (26) and Algeria (31), still lead the table on the continent, followed by Nigeria (35), Morocco (35), Egypt (49) and Cameroon (50).

Back on the world table, there was no change among the top six as Belgium still lead the pack as the number one nation in the world, followed by France, Brazil, England, Portugal and Spain.

Argentina moved one place up to seventh, displacing Uruguay one spot down to eighth. Mexico (ninth) and Italy (tenth) each moved two places up to join the Top 10.

In November 2019, Ghana, then under the leadership of Kwasi Appiah, were placed 47th on the rankings.

Ghana do not return to action until March 2021 when the next international break comes around, their next set of games fixed against South Africa (away) and Sao Tome and Principe (home) in the Afcon 2022 qualifiers.

Ghana’s highest-ever placing since the ranking’s introduction in August 1993 remains 14th in February 2008, while their worst placement was an 89 position, reached in June 2004.​

The next rankings will be released on December 10.

Second-half goals by Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh gave ATK Mohun Bagan the victory against East Bengal in Indian Super League's first Kolkata derby on Sunday. 

The Red and Golds showed a lot of promise on the field but couldn't beat the Bagan defence which stood strong till the end. At the other end, Krishna's quality came to the fore and proved to be a big difference between the two teams. 

Antonio Lopez Habas made three changes in the ATK Mohun Bagan lineup that beat Kerala Blasters 1-0 in the season opener. Jayesh Rane and David Williams came in place of Pronay Halder and Edu Garcia and Subhasish Bose replaced the injured Michael Soosairaj.

Robbie Fowler's side commanded the game for most of the first half and attempted to be fluid in their forays forward. Anthony Pilkington came close to scoring the opening goal in the seventh minute when he received a through ball from Matti Steinmann inside the box. The former Norwich City winger did well to go past Pritam Kotal but delayed his final effort and allowed Tiri to intercept and clear. 

The only proper chance ATK Mohun Bagan had was in the 36th minute when Javier Hernandez received the ball inside the box from a corner. He kept his shot on target but Debjit Majumder did well to parry the ball out for a corner.

Roy Krishna finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a clinical finish. Jayesh Rane initiated the move with a pass to Javier Hernandez at the edge of the box. The Spaniard took a touch and squared the ball for Krishna who found the back of the net with a quality strike. 

Fowler tweaked his tactics after conceding the goal as he East Bengal shifted to a four-man defence and introduced Abhishek Ambekar on the left flank.

Balwant Singh should have restored parity in the 59th minute when he received a pass and entered the box through the left side but he failed to keep his shot on target.

In the 83rd minute, Pilkington unleashed a cracking shot on target from the edge of the box but Arindam Bhattacharya pulled off a brilliant save to deny the winger from scoring on his debut.

Two minutes later, Manvir Singh sealed the fate of the game with a quality goal from a solo effort. The forward went past Narayan Das on the right flank before cutting into the box and finding the back of the net with a swerving shot.

ATK Mohun Bagan bagged the bragging rights and also climbed to the top of the league table after today's match with six points from their first two outings.