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Kai Havertz admits to being inspired by the exploits of Brazil legend Ronaldinho, but the Chelsea playmaker insists he will not be emulating the Barcelona great by becoming a show pony.

An iconic South American forward once graced the very top of the global game, claiming two World Player of the Year awards during his time at Camp Nou.

Ronaldinho played with a smile on his face and spread joy to those who saluted his efforts from the stands.

He was unplayable at his best, with few able to match his creativity when performing at the peak of his powers.

A generation of talent grew up wanting to by like the World Cup winner, with Germany international Havertz falling into that category.

The 21-year-old is, however, aware that he needs to offer much more than flicks and tricks when turning out for club and country, with his game markedly different to those he aspired to be like.

Havertz told Three’s ‘Connect With’ series: “I follow Cristiano Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi. They have always been idols for me.

“Ronaldinho was a player that I loved to watch in the past. I loved to watch him, but I'm not like him. I don't skill too much, only in situations where I need it.

“When you go on social media, you always see many videos and skills, and I try to do them sometimes in games or sometimes in training.”

Havertz added on the step-over being his go-to move of choice: “I'm not like Neymar, who does them all the time, but I think it's a really effective skill.”

Chelsea will be hoping to see Havertz in full flow over the coming weeks, with a big-money summer signing having struggled for form and fitness throughout his time in England so far.

He is expected to come good, having overcome a slow start to his spell at Stamford Bridge and a bout of coronavirus, and there have been flashes of his brilliance.

One of those came in a Carabao Cup clash with Barnsley, with Havertz still looking to build on the hat-trick that he recorded in that contest.

“Of course when you score your first hat-trick you watch it back and you watch the goals,” he said.

“It was an amazing feeling for me, for my family, but it was just the start and I need to continue.”

Havertz saw 14 minutes off the bench in Chelsea’s last outing, a 2-1 Champions League win over Rennes, and will be pushing for a starting berth when Frank Lampard’s side play host to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Egyptian giants Al-Ahly and SC Zamalek collide in Friday’s Caf Champions League final at Cairo International Stadium to decide who will be crowned African champions.

It’s not too far-fetched to suggest that this is the biggest match in the history of African club football, as the continent’s two most successful sides—and fiercest rivals—go toe to toe for the biggest prize on offer.

These two have been battling it out for decades, both domestically—for Egypt’s top silverware—and in the continent, contesting the Caf Super Cup in 1994 and numerous Caf Champions League knockout double-headers.

However, they’ve never clashed at this stage, and neither side can afford to fall short in this showdown between Cairo’s heavyweights.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on BeinSports

Squads & Team News

Both teams underwent coronavirus tests ahead of Friday’s final, and both will be without several key players after they tested positive.

Zamalek will be missing trio Abdallah Gom'aa, Youssef Obama, and Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, with the last of these three already set to miss out after earlier being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Experienced left-sider Walid Soliman and Saleh Gom’aa will be absent for Ahly, while Mali international Aliou Dieng will also be missing for the Red Devils after testing positive, despite returning from an injury sustained on international duty.

Match Preview

One of the big talking points heading into the fixture has been whether or not fans will be allowed into the 74,000-seater Cairo International Stadium in the nation’s capital.

Earlier this week, however, the Confederation of African Football announced—in agreement with the Egyptian Football Association—that they had decided to play the match behind closed doors.

While the safety of the population amidst the coronavirus pandemic must be the top priority, it’s a bitter disappointment for fans of these two giants, who are missing out on a match that has the potential to be one of the most explosive fixtures in the history of the African game.

Nonetheless, expect a feverous atmosphere in Cairo ahead of the contest, and—for one set of supporters at least—in the aftermath of the bout.

Beyond the obvious context of a collision between these two eternal rivals, there’s also intrigue on the touchline, where South African Pitso Mosimane has made a strong early impression at Ahly after signing from Mamelodi Sundowns.

He won the African title with Downs in 2016—becoming only the second Southern African manager to achieve the feat—and would be breaking new ground for sub-Saharan African coaches if he can clinch gold on Friday.

He simply cannot afford to lose to Zamalek as they seek their first title since 2002, while Ahly last won gold in 2013.

Rennes manager Julian Stephan says he disagrees with the tactical advice Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma gave Eduardo Camavinga following their Champions League clash this week.

Chelsea won 2-1 away to the Ligue 1 side to qualify for the last 16 of the competition and consign Rennes to Europa League football at best after Christmas, and after the game France international team-mates Zouma and Camavinga were caught on camera discussing defensive tips.

Centre-back Zouma is heard telling teenage midfielder Camavinga that Rennes should play more long balls out of defence rather than trying to play out of trouble. He cites their defensive woes in a recent meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, which the Ligue 1 champions won 3-0.

Zouma said, as captured by Telefoot : "Sometimes you have to go long when you're on the defence. That's what we do sometimes. When there is pressure, you lose the ball and concede a goal. Every time. It happened against PSG."

Stephan has now had his say on Zouma's opinion about his side's style of play, claiming that Chelsea played just as many long balls as his team and were keen to play out from the back themselves.

The Rennes manager said: "They played almost the same number of long balls in the first half.

"The difference at the very highest level is that they punished us, we did not punish them. The only truth is that at the very highest level you have to seize your opportunities.

"I don't think Lampard is asking his defenders to go long. It responds to a context, a circumstance. We also played several long balls. Look at what happened, there was exactly the same situation on both sides, exactly the same."

The result left Chelsea on 10 points in Group E of the Champions League, sealing their place in the round of 16 as either winners or runners-up alongside Sevilla.

Rennes meanwhile know their maiden Champions League campaign will end next month, and are now battling with fellow eliminated debutants Krasnodar for third place in the group and a spot in the Europa League round of 32.

Chelsea had taken the lead in France through Callum Hudson-Odoi, and although Serhou Guirassy appeared to have snatched a late point for Rennes, Oliver Giroud headed in a stoppage-time winner for the Premier League side.

AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has revealed his players’ abilities are putting him under so much pressure ahead of 2020/21 FKF Premier League opener against Tusker.

Ingwe will open the new season against Tusker on November 28 at Nyayo Stadium and Trucha has stated how he is spoilt for choice given how good the players are.

“I think we had some good pre-season and since I came we have had come good preparations,” Trucha told the club’s Online TV. “The players have been responding very well and have been working very hard too.

“They are focused and everyone is trying to show his best. In that way, they put me under pressure because there is a lot of good players.

“We have so many good players but we can only play 11 and we will have another 19 remaining players who are equally good.

“It is a good and very competitive team and so I believe they are prepared.”

The former Orapa United head coach did not want to be drawn on discussing Tusker but said their main priority is to concentrate on themselves.

“Tusker are a very good team and we played them two or three weeks ago so we know how strong they are and how strong we are,” he added.

“I am always telling the players that we must focus on ourselves and not to concentrate so much on the opponent. The most important thing is how we play.

“I will not only need the players on the pitch but also those on the bench. The technical team and the office should also do their job and so I believe at the moment we have a team that can beat everybody.

“On that day, the best team will win. I am going to try and win a game after the other so we will play Tusker and we are looking forward to winning.”

The tactician also spoke about the players like Collins Shichenje, who are out with the U20 national side featuring in the Cecafa Championship in Tanzania.

“They are on the training and are playing too and we will use the good players at the time,” he concluded.

“When they will come back it will bring more pressure to the players that are here now and the competition will be more difficult for them.

“The best players will indeed play. I will be happy if we have more players in the Harambee Stars as I think they are good players who can be there.”

The AFC Leopards vs Brewers tie will be the first one to be broadcast by StarTimes as the new season kicks off.

Nigeria have slipped to 35th position on the latest Fifa global rankings for November.

The Super Eagles dropped three places from their previous position after settling for back-to-back draws against Sierra Leone in their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures.

They are the fourth best country in Africa with Senegal retaining the no. 1 spot, followed by Tunisia and Algeria in the second and third positions, respectively.

A fortnight ago, Nigeria gave up a 4-0 lead against the Leone Stars on home ground to share the spoils with their West African neighbours.

Four days later, the three-time African champions travelled to Freetown where they were held to a goalless draw by John Keister's men.

The results delayed Nigeria's qualification for the 2022 continental showpiece in Cameroon but they remain at the summit of Group L with eight points after four matches.

Sierra Leone, on the other hand, are among the biggest movers on the continent as they climbed four places to 116th in the world.

The biggest movers in Africa are Equatorial Guinea and Burundi who climbed 10 spots after avoiding defeats in their Afcon qualifying games against Libya and Mauritania, respectively.

The next Fifa ranking which will be the final release for 2020 will be announced on December 10.

Jose Mourinho does not like Frank Lampard standing up to him, says former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, with there obvious “needle” between two men who once enjoyed a productive working relationship at Chelsea.

Mourinho delivered three Premier League titles across two memorable spells at Stamford Bridge and Lampard was a talismanic part of the Portuguese's plans as Chelsea enjoyed a remarkable era of success, but he has since made his own move into the dugout.

The Blues legend finds himself back in west London and being charged with the task of emulating the efforts of Mourinho.

He is set to lock horns with his former boss once again this weekend, with Chelsea preparing to play host to old adversaries Tottenham.

Robinson believes there will be sparks on and off the pitch in that contest, with friendships being put to one side on the touchline as master and apprentice go head-to-head.

“I have been at a couple of the games between them and I have watched them closely - there's a bit of needle on the touchline which is good to see,” ex-Spurs keeper Robinson told the Racing Post.

“Frank likes to show he is no longer the pupil and stands up to Jose to prove to him he is no longer the pupil, which I am not sure Mourinho likes.”

While Lampard is still learning his trade, Mourinho remains one of the most decorated coaches of the modern era.

It was his trophy-laden CV that convinced Tottenham to snap him up 12 months ago, with Robinson confident that a proven winner can deliver long-awaited silverware in north London.

He added: “Jose was brought in for one reason - to win trophies - and I genuinely believe he can do that with the team he has.

“He knows he can be part of history if he can win with Tottenham and you saw that in the week when they played Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and had Europa League qualification two days later. He picked teams to win both games. Jose is looking to keep his balls in the air for all competitions.”

It could be that another Premier League title falls within Mourinho’s reach in 2020-21, with Robinson expecting Spurs and Chelsea to compete for the grandest prize in English football.

He said: “Jose and Frank Lampard are doing fantastically well and I genuinely believe they are both title contenders this season. 

“This will be a game between two teams who have managers who need to produce and this is a big test for Frank, who was given a lot of money and brought in some outstanding players to the club.”

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has received the green light to start the 2020-21 Premier League.

This is after the Kenya government moved to lift the ban on contact sports which has been in force since the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) for last season was prematurely ended owing to coronavirus pandemic.

A letter from the Ministry of Sports signed by CS Amina Mohamed and obtained by Goal has confirmed the resumption of contact sports by stating: “The Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage in consultation with the Ministry of Health as revised the resumption of sports guidelines as follows.

“All contact sports [low-risk] may resume their Premier [tier] and Team Kenya activities. All other activities related to lower-level leagues remain suspended.

“All contact sports [high risk] remain suspended and all national teams may resume training in preparation for international events.”

The statement continued: “No spectators will be allowed at any sporting event, and all federations must ensure compliance of to all the provisions of the guidelines.

“The ministry will continue to monitoring compliance with the guidelines and revise them from time to time in the best interest of the health and safety of all our stakeholders.”

Earlier on Friday, FKF boss Nick Mwendwa told Goal they were ready to kick-off the season after doing a test match between Kariobangi Sharks against Bidco United and further warned fans will not be allowed to watch their teams.

“I want to be very clear, no fans will be allowed into the stadium be it in Nairobi or matches being played outside the City,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday. “We don’t want fans crowding the stadium, trying to come to watch matches, they will not be allowed in.

“We are under clear instructions to play football without fans and that is what we will do, and to be clear, should fans of any team try to come to the stadium to watch any match, then the referee of the day is under instructions not to kick-off the match, the match will not start.

“We don’t know how long the league will be played without fans but that is the situation, for now, clubs must inform fans of the development, we don’t want to have problems, only players, club a few club officials and journalist, covering matches will be allowed into the match venues.

“My humble appeal to the fans is to urge them to grab their StarTimes decoder and watch matches live from their homes, the matches will be live on both packages, aerial and satellite, and will also apply if you have a StarTimes App, so get ready so as you don’t miss the action.”

Three matches will kick off the season on Saturday with AFC Leopards versus Tusker being broadcast live by StarTimes, with the two other matches pitting promoted Vihiga United against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Compex and Bandari against Sofapaka at Mbaraki Stadium.

On Sunday, four matches will be played - Nairobi City Stars taking on Nzoia Sugar at Nyayo Stadium, Kariobangi Sharks against Wazito FC at Kasarani Stadium, Posta Rangers vs KCB at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, and Western Stima against Bidco United at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Gor Mahia, who will be taking part in Caf Champions League assignment against APR of Rwanda, will open the season with a home game against Zoo FC at Nyayo Stadium on December 2.

Folarin Balogun has described his first goal for Arsenal as a reward for his years of hard work at the club.

The Nigerian descent came off the bench to seal the Gunners' 3-0 win over Molde in Thursday's Uefa Europa League encounter.

Balogun replaced Eddie Nketiah for his second appearance in the secondary European competition in the 82nd minute and he instantly found the back of the net. 

A few months ago, the teenage sensation was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium but he is now excited by the opportunities Arteta is giving him at the club. 

"I’m feeling really happy, it shows that all the hard work I’ve put in over the years is just starting to pay off," Balogun told the club website. "It’s important that I keep working hard to enjoy more moments like this.

"I didn’t think that particular [break for the goal] was going to be my chance, but I always try to stay ready and I’m happy that on this occasion it paid off.

"It’s been good [to be involved], it’s nice to see the boss showing faith in me. It feels like this is good experience for me, I just need to keep on learning, keep on adding to my game and I’m happy that I could contribute today."

Balogun's immediate impact at Molde has earned him high praise from teammate Shkodran Mustafi.

The Germany defender described the 19-year-old striker as a "hungry" player who has a bright future ahead of him.

"He’s a very strong and intelligent player. He’s a good striker and he’s hungry," Mustafi said.

"I think at this age in strikers you can always see that hunger to score and they always want to do something in the box, and I think for him it was really nice. He came on in the last game as well and this time it was his first touch he scored with, so I’m very happy for him because I think this is something that is very important.

"We all started as young boys and everyone knows the feeling of how difficult it is to come to the first team and perform the way you perform with the youth team, so we have to give him credit and hope it’s a sign of more coming in the future."

Neco Williams has challenged Liverpool to prove that they are “one of the best teams in the world” by responding positively to a rare setback suffered in Champions League competition.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten 2-0 by Atalanta at Anfield in their last European outing.

Liverpool are unaccustomed to coming unstuck on home soil, with their recent success having been built on the sturdiest of foundations.

An immediate opportunity to right continental wrongs will present itself on Saturday, with the Reds set to take in a Premier League trip to Brighton.

Williams, who is providing cover for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, is eager to see the defending English champions deliver a performance against the Seagulls that allows them to put down another marker to domestic rivals.

The Wales international has told Liverpool’s official website: “With a team like us, we're fighting to win trophies and to do the best we can. At the moment, I'd say we're one of the best teams in the world, so to make sure we bounce back and get the result that we want is a massive part of this team.

“With the lads we have around us and the staff and everyone around us, I think it is possible to bounce back in the way we want to. We can prove to people that we can bounce back and get the win.”

Williams added on a quick turnaround, which Klopp has criticised: “We're playing two games a week, so it's literally: play, recover, play, recover. You don't really have time to dwell on the games that you lose.

“I think the main focus now is to put the [Atalanta] game to the side, put it to bed and focus on the next game. I think that's what has been the main part of our success in recent years is putting the bad games away to bed and focusing on the next game, doing what we do and getting the wins.”

A trip to the Amex Stadium will see ambitious Liverpool reunited with a familiar face, with Brighton hoping that Adam Lallana can shake off a knock in time to face his former club.

Williams is hoping to line up against the England international, saying of a man who spent six years on Merseyside before returning to the south coast over the summer: “For me, I'd say he's one of the best trainers I've ever trained with and played with. He's a top athlete and when we used to do training, in my opinion, he was the best trainer every single day.

“They're a top side and I'm sure whoever they put in, they're going to have good players. We'll do our best to try to get the win and we'll play our football.”

Wakiso Giants head coach Douglas Bamwenyana has stated he is excited to showcase what his team has been preparing in the forthcoming 2020/21 Uganda Premier League season.

Save for the national team, football in Uganda has not been played since March owing to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) was forced to annul the league and crown Vipers SC as the champions with five rounds left.

However, football is set to resume once again but under tough guidelines by respective authorities. Clubs have been preparing for the new campaign and the tactician has also pointed out his charges are ready.

"We are happy with our preparations and excited to showcase what we have been cooking," Bwamenyana said as quoted by the club's website.

"On a technical note, the further delay to kick-off was a blessing in disguise; and was used to good effect to steadily impart our philosophical ideas. 

"We await our kick-off date with excitement and optimism."

The experienced coach has also pointed out how the coronavirus affected the sports fraternity at large.

"It is with mixed feelings; excitement and relief now that we will take to the pitch and play again," Bwamenyana continued.

"I might sound selfish but it feels as though the pandemic has affected us in sport the most, probably because it is a way of life for us."  

Fufa confirmed the Premier League will start on December 3.

As the government had not lifted the ban on contact sports, the federation rescheduled the programme again and said the league would start on November 20 before the latest development.

"The Fufa Club Licensing Committee will issue 2020/21 UPL club licenses by November 3, 2020, while the Fufa Competitions Directorate is to issue players’ licenses and bench permits by November 10 2020," Fufa’s statement read in part.

"The UPL secretariat shall release the fixtures by November 10, 2020, and the Uganda Premier League kick-off is set for December 3, 2020.”

Tough regulations have been put in place in order to guide participating teams in adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

"Licensed players and technical staff for the 2020/2021 season who will undertake sporting roles at training and matches will undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test," it added.

"Only persons who test negative and get issued with a Fufa Covid-19 clearance certificate shall be eligible to participate in the team training and matches.

"All referees and match commissioners for the 2020/21 UPL Season will undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test. Only persons who test negative and get issued with a Fufa-Covid-19 Clearance Certificate shall be eligible to officiate the matches.

"The Fufa Covid-19 personnel and the official Fufa Covid19-testing centre will administer the bi-weekly testing of players and technical staff."

Sammy Omollo has stated he will not have any challenges managing Gor Mahia on Saturday in the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League match away to APR.

The tactician was appointed to be in the technical area for K'Ogalo after Brazilian coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves failed to get accreditation.

Caf banned K’Ogalo’s current coach Robertinho from stepping onto the touchline during their preliminary round fixture against APR for allegedly not having Caf ‘A’ coaching qualification papers and the Kenyan champions turned to the Mailmen for help.  

"I am not new at Gor Mahia, actually I know these players better, just the way I know mine at Posta Rangers," Omollo told Goal on Friday. 

"We have trained together for three days and I have managed to collect some vital information. Remember I have also played against K'Ogalo twice so I know what to expect from those players.

"Remember, in the dressing room, the head coach will also be there, so there will be no problem for me."

The former Harambee Stars full-back has also pointed out what he is expecting from his charges on Saturday.

"As usual, I will be targeting a win which will put the team in a good position to advance to the next round," Omollo continued.

"However, if that is not the case, then a draw will not be a bad result for us, we will be in a good position still."

While the coach will be away with K'Ogalo, the Mailmen will be at home taking part in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

"I have prepared the team well for the league and there will be no problem at all," Omollo added.

"The team is okay and I am confident of a good result. I have an able team to help the players get a win."

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.

Chelsea will take in a meeting with old adversaries Tottenham on Sunday determined to prove that they are the No.1 side in London, says Cesar Azpilicueta.

A long-standing rivalry is set to be rekindled at Stamford Bridge in the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

Spurs will make a short trip across the English capital aware that they can cement a standing at the top of the table.

Victory for Chelsea could lift them to the summit, as they sit just two points off the pace at present, and there will be plenty to play for in the heat of a derby battle.

Clashes between two neighbours have tended to be fiery affairs down the years, with ‘The Battle of the Bridge’ from 2016 set to live long in the memory.

Azpilicueta figured in that contest, which saw Chelsea dash Tottenham’s title dreams and hand the crown to Leicester, and the Spaniard is hoping for a similar outcome this weekend.

He has told The Telegraph: “It's one of those kinds of games when you usually feel a special atmosphere at the Bridge and that game [in 2016], we were having a terrible season, we were losing 2-0 at half-time.

“But, in the second half, the electricity around the stadium... I think something clicked that day that even though we were not playing for anything, just to not let Tottenham win the league. It was not only the game, it was the title race as well that they were involved in.

“Every year is different and we had a very good record against them until two or three seasons ago when we lost, but, hopefully, we can keep beating them at the Bridge.”

Azpilicueta added: “We always try to be the top team in London and we want to be at the top because that means we are the No.1. That's what we fight for.

“We are in good form and, hopefully, we can improve on last season and now reach higher levels.”

As well as wanting to get one over on Spurs as a collective, Chelsea are also set to be presented with another opportunity to frustrate former manager Jose Mourinho.

Azpilicueta insists the presence of a Portuguese tactician on the touchline will offer no added motivation to the Blues, as they have faced him on a number of occasions in the recent past, but Frank Lampard’s troops are eager to put down a marker.

“That's football. I think Jose has a great history in Chelsea, but, after, football moves on,” Azpilicueta added.

“We played against him when he was in Manchester United and now he's in Tottenham.”

Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Gaston Sirino has revealed that he wants to leave the defending Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions.

This is according to a report by SoccerLaduma - the publication have stated that Sirino wants to join up with his former coach Pitso Mosimane at Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The news comes on the same day on which Mosimane is set to lead the Red Devils into battle against their fierce Cairo rivals Zamalek in the final of the Caf Champions League.

There has been ongoig speculation about a possible move for Sirino to eight-time Champions League winners Al Ahly.

The Uruguayan took part in Sundowns' first match of the season, against Bloemfontein Celtic, a defeat in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

He's not played at all since then, reportedly due to a hamstring injury.

Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi commented earlier this week that the player is making good progress in his recovery, although he also said Sirino won't be rushed back.

At the same time Mngqithi reiterate the club's stance that the attacker won't be leaving Downs.

It's now transpired however, that Sirino wants out, as he has said himself:

"It is my intention [to leave],” Sirino told Laduma. “But it does not depend on me, but on Sundowns to accept the offer.”

The PSL transfer window shuts on Monday, November 30, but it stays open a little longer in the Egyptian league – until December 6.

Despite Sirino’s absence, the Brazilians have been in commanding form, their blip in the MTN8 aside.

In the league, they are in second spot, with three wins and a draw from their four matches.

New signings such as Kermit Erasmus and Peter Shalulile have started the season brightly and could potentially make up for the loss of Sirino, should he go.

Themba Zwane has also been in scintillating form while Downs have plenty of other players capable of making and scoring goals, including the likes of Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lebohang Maboe, Phakamani Mahlambi, Mothobi Mvala and Gift Motupa.

The 29-year-old Sirino’s contribution has, however, been immense – in three seasons he’s played 100 matches, scored 24 goals and created 29 assists for the Tshwane giants.

Gor Mahia's problems are far from over as they finally boarded the plane to Rwanda in tracksuits belonging to the Harambee Stars.

While the team’s trip to Kigali for their Caf Champions League first leg meeting against Rwanda’s APR aborted on Wednesday due to a lack of air tickets, the team finally left on Friday but surprisingly they were donned in tracksuits donated by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

A source, who did not want to be named, confirmed to Goal one player from the club called the federation seeking help after it emerged club officials had asked them to travel in jeans.

“A player called the federation asking for help, the officials wanted them to travel in jeans but as a federation, we agreed to assist them [Gor Mahia], we have given them the green tracksuit of the senior national team Harambee Stars, and that is what they will wear going to Rwanda,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal .

“It is a big shame that a big club like Gor Mahia cannot afford a tracksuit for a playing unit and technical bench of 30 people, I don’t know what is happening at the club, but they have received help they wanted.”

The Kenyan champions named a travelling squad of 18 players with stand-in coach Sammy Omollo making the trip alongside Roberto Oliveira who was banned due to a controversy regarding his coaching qualifications.

The last meeting between the two sides was in 2008 when Gor Mahia won the FKF Shield Cup to qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup.

They were paired against the Army who had also won the Rwandan Cup and in the first leg played in Kenya, the Rwandan outfit managed to get a 1-0 win and going back to Kigali, they multiplied their efforts in front of the home fans and won the game 5-0 to advance 6-0 on aggregate.

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.

Kenya Caf Champions League representatives Gor Mahia will be in action against APR of Rwanda on November 28 in another attempt to progress to the group stage for the first time.

Gor Mahia have been in the competition in the last four season but have always found it hard to advance further and their last attempt, in 2019, was ended by Algeria’s USM Alger. The Algerian outfit picked up two wins against K’Ogalo and the two loses came at a time Gor Mahia were strained financially as they operated without a sponsor.

The Kenyan champions conceded six goals and scored just once against USM Alger given hey were defeated 4-1 away before they fell with a 2-0 margin at Moi Sports International Complex in September 2019.

K’Ogalo made a comeback to the continental stage on February 2017 and were handed Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea in the first preliminary round. The Kenyan ambassadors drew 1-1 in their away fixture after they had eased to a 2-0 win at home.

The Green Army were then paired against Tunisian giants Esperance on March 2018, and were defeated by a slim margin; 1-0 away from home after a 0-0 draw at Kasarani.

That meant the Green Army dropped to the continent's second-tier and were handed Premier Soccer League side SuperSport United in the play-offs. They moved to the group stage as their qualification was based on the away goal rule after 2-2 aggregate draw. The Kenyan giants had won at home with a 1-0 scoreline before they suffered a 2-1 away loss at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

K'Ogalo then found themselves in Group D with Yanga SC, USM Alger and Rayon Sports. They drew 1-1 with Rayon Sports, lost 2-1 to USM Alger but did manage to get a 3-2 win over Yanga SC as their away record let them down.

However, it was the 2-1 loss at home to Rayon Sports, then under their current beleaguered head coach Roberto Oliveira, which complicated their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals as the Rwandan side managed to pick up a point away to USM Alger, meaning the two sides progressed from Group D.

Gor Mahia's Champions League journey in 2018 started with a match and a win against Malawian giants Nyasa Big Bullets.

In the first leg, the Kenyan champions needed stoppage time to pick up a 1-0 home win at Kasarani. The second leg ended with a 1-0 win for Big Bullets, and ultimately forced the match to extra time.

The Green Army withstood the pressure and pulled off a 4-3 win, with goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch turning hero after saving two penalties; one in the 86th minute, when he denied Chiukepo Msowoya and also when he stopped Marakesh Kubeya's third spot-kick.

Gor Mahia's Champions League charge hit a dead end in December 2018, when they were eliminated by Nigerians Lobi Stars in the second qualifying round after a 2-0 away loss.

Austin Ogunye and Alimi Sikiru scored to break the hearts of the Green Army after the Kenyans had won 3-1 at home.

Again, the Green Army, then under a new manager Hassan Oktay, dropped to Confederation Cup and were given New Star de Doula of Cameroon in the play-offs.

After a 2-1 home victory, they took a goalless draw in Doula, which meant they booked a place in the group stage. In Group D, the Kenyan outfit lost 2-1 away to Petro Atletico, 1-0 to NA Hussein Dey of Algeria and 4-0 to SC Zamalek of Egypt.

They managed to progress through to the quarter-finals after a 4-2 win over Zamalek, a 2-0 win over Hussein Dey and a 1-0 win over Petro Atletico in Nairobi, but here their poor away record cost them, as they were defeated 5-1 by Renaissance Sportive de Berkane of Morocco.

Oktay, who later resigned after winning the league title, failed to help them win at home too as they were defeated 2-0.

In the 2019/20 season, where Gor sailed past Burundian champions Aigle Noir with a 5-1 home win after failing to score away from home, as the match ended 0-0 in Bujumbura.

After a season that has been heavily affected by the coronavirus outbreak and under the leadership of Sammy Omollo, another opportunity for Gor Mahia to stake their claim as a big force in the competition has presented itself.

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Francis Xavier has stated they have a chance given their experience in the competition.

“Remember they have been there and have learnt key lessons which they hope to implement and advance even further,” Xavier told Goal in a previous interview.

“With Omollo, they have a good coach who understands the terrain of such high profile competitions and will offer what is required.”

Gor Mahia will first visit APR before they play at home in the preliminary stage.