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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."

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.”

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."

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eric Bailly has revealed that he joined Manchester United in 2016 after snubbing interest from City, with a personal phone call from Jose Mourinho convincing him to head for Old Trafford.

Eye-catching performances for Villarreal had brought the Ivorian defender onto the recruitment radar of leading sides in England.

Those at the Etihad Stadium were keen on doing a deal, with Pep Guardiola taking City’s managerial reins that summer.

The Blues’ Catalan coach was, however, beaten to a much sought-after signature by his old adversary Mourinho – who had just taken charge at United.

A £30 million ($40m) transfer was put in place, with Bailly favouring red over blue when it came to a fierce Premier League divide.

Explaining that big career call, amid talk of Barcelona also being keen on acquiring his services, the 26-year-old centre-half told Mundo Deportivo: “In the summer of 2016 there were many rumours.

“I was in Ivory Coast, in the dining room at home with my mother when the phone rang. It was a Portuguese number; Mourinho. He told me to come with him, that he liked me since he saw me with Espanyol and Villarreal.

“Manchester City were also interested, but if Mourinho calls you, you can’t say no.

“You can’t say no to Barca either. It just didn’t happen because the interest was not public or so explicit.”

Bailly has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions since making the decision to join United, with fitness struggles restricting him to 89 appearances across four-and-a-half years.

Four of those have come this season, with the Ivorian convinced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can find a formula at the back that allows the Red Devils to plug defensive leaks.

Bailly added: “We have known how to overcome adversity because the dressing room is with Solskjaer.

“He is a close guy who has a good relationship with everyone and understands the codes of the football player.

“At the back, he [Solskjaer] asks for concentration and more character. There are small mistakes that have been avoided.

“We need to pay more attention to plays that seem of little danger and that end up costing us too much.”

United will be back in Premier League action on Sunday when they take in a trip to Southampton.

Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to the late Diego Maradona, and says meeting the Argentine legend was like having an audience with the Pope.

Maradona passed away this week at the age of 60, leaving the football world in mourning.

Tributes have flown in from across the globe for the former Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli star, who was widely considered as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Klopp was among those to pay his respects, doing so before and after Liverpool’s Champions League game with Atalanta on Wednesday night.

And speaking at a press conference ahead of his side’s trip to Brighton, the Reds boss reiterated his belief that Maradona stands among the legends of the sport.

He said: “[He is] the best in my lifetime, which I watched most often. 

“Maybe that’s not right anymore because I watched Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Lionel [Messi] a few times now as well. But during my own playing career he was the standout player. 

“His life shows how nice life can be when you are a world-class footballer, and how difficult it can be as well. 

“He was a very, very impressive figure. I met him once, which for a player of my level was like meeting the Pope, to be honest! It was really, really special.

“Football will miss him, I will miss him, and you can see that with the reaction all over the world. If we would have shown our love for him without wanting to have a selfie, if we had shown him the respect he deserved while he was still alive, then I think we could have helped him.”

Maradona's body is lying in honour at Casa Rosada, the presidential mansion in Buenos Aires, during three days of national mourning in Argentina. His coffin was draped in the national flag, as well as a football shirt bearing his iconic No.10.

Thousands turned out to pay their respects in the capital, although the day was marred when clashes between police and mourners broke out.

Maradona, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and went on to coach his country, is survived by his five children and his former wife, Claudia Villafane, with whom he split in 2004.

Jose Mourinho boasts the “secret ingredient” at Tottenham that Mauricio Pochettino was lacking, says Jermaine Jenas, with the Portuguese being backed to deliver a long-awaited trophy in north London.

A charismatic coach has now completed his first year in the managerial hot seat at Spurs.

He was appointed in November 2019 as a Premier League heavyweight desperately sought to find inspiration from somewhere.

The tough decision to part with Pochettino, who had guided the club to the Champions League final a few months earlier, was taken as Spurs saw themselves slipping away from silverware again.

Mourinho’s CV made him an obvious choice to step in, with the former Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss having enjoyed success wherever he has been.

The 57-year-old appears to have turned Tottenham around after putting his own stamp on things, with Jenas convinced that a proven winner can succeed where those before him have failed.

The former Spurs midfielder told BBC Sport: “We can't forget what Poch did for Tottenham because he made them Champions League regulars and took them to a whole new stratosphere in terms of their belief levels.

“Mourinho, though, has somehow looked at that blueprint and said 'it is brilliant but I can make it better because I know the secret ingredient'.

“That secret ingredient is a desire to win. These Tottenham players are all very good footballers, but the question was 'do they want success enough to get it in a horrible way?'

“Basically, are they willing to do it Jose's way?

“It looks like they are, and the more big results it gets them, the more they will be in the palm of his hand.”

Mourinho is already a three-time Premier League title winner, while also boasting FA Cup and League Cup triumphs on his enviable roll of honour, and Jenas claims the enigmatic tactician can bring the grandest of prizes to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He added: “At 57, Jose's legacy is already established, of course. Just look at his track record - he will go down as one of the greatest managers ever, because of what he has already achieved.

“But he has got an opportunity now to create something different with Spurs - something that, in a weird way, would almost be more than everything he has done elsewhere.

“I mean, can you imagine if he won the Premier League with Tottenham?

“There are not many other managers on this planet who would even think it is possible to walk into Spurs and win the title within 18 months, let alone be able to carry it out.

“Jose won't admit his side are contenders of course, but it's clearly something he feels he can get his teeth into.

“Off the pitch, you can tell he is more comfortable now he is back in London than he ever was in Manchester, living out of a hotel.

“On it, he has got the players that he wants, and he has instilled the spirit he demands from them.”

Tottenham sit top of the Premier League table heading into the latest round of fixtures, but will see their title credentials tested to the full on Sunday when they take in a trip to old adversaries Chelsea.

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Boniface Ambani has claimed he was willing to help kit Gor Mahia for their Caf Champions League trip against APR of Rwanda.

Gor Mahia had to travel kitted in Kenya national team jerseys for the Saturday clash against the Rwandan champions and Ambani, who featured against K’Ogalo in the famous Mashemeji Derby, has said he was willing to extend a helping hand to his former rivals.

The retired Harambee Star owns a sports merchandise shop in Nairobi.

“My in-laws, I have never had a dark heart since. You would have come to me instead of going for the Harambee Stars track-suits,” Ambani said in a Facebook post.

“I would have lent you some suits then start charging you slowly. You are our in-laws but next time knock at Bochend Sports.”

A source privy to the issue revealed to Goal why they had to seek help from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over the kitting matter.

“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],” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal.

“We have given them the green tracksuit of the senior national team Harambee Stars, and that is what they wore going to Rwanda.

“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 the help they wanted.”

The kitting problem is one of the major issues the Kenyan giants have faced before the APR tie. Head coach Roberto ‘Robertinho’ Oliveira was banned for lack of qualification and his place was filled by Posta Rangers head coach Sammy Omollo on a temporary basis.

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.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has approached the Supreme Court (SC) of India to seek an extension of term for the current Executive Committee. 

The committee’s term is set to end on 21st December 2020 but the lack of a Constitution that purportedly does not conform to the National Sports Code has meant that the Indian FA are unable to hold elections to form the next Executive Committee. 

The AIFF went on to approach the Supreme Court against the decision, arguing that India was in danger of being derecognised by FIFA which only allows an elected, independent body to run an affiliated FA. 

The FIFA statutes state that: 

Recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations. Recourse to ordinary courts of law for all types of provisional measures is also prohibited.
The associations shall insert a clause in their statutes or regulations, stipulating that it is prohibited to take disputes in the association or disputes affecting leagues, members of leagues, clubs, members of clubs, players, officials and other association officials to ordinary courts of law, unless the FIFA regulations or binding legal provisions specifically provide for or stipulate recourse to ordinary courts of law. Instead of recourse to ordinary courts of law, provision shall be made for arbitration.

ARBITRATION: disputes shall be taken to an independent and duly constituted arbitration tribunal recognised under the rules of the association or confederation or to CAS. The associations shall also ensure that this stipulation is implemented in the association, if necessary by imposing a binding obligation on its members. 

The associations shall impose sanctions on any party that fails to respect this obligation and ensure that any appeal against such sanctions shall likewise be strictly submitted to arbitration, and not to ordinary courts of law.

Previously, there are a couple of instances when FIFA had actually banned a national football federation when a court of law had appointed an ombudsman or a civil servant to run operations. 

In 2010, the Venezuelan Supreme Court had to overturn its decision which directed fresh elections under revised laws as FIFA threatened to ban the nation's governing body. FIFA believes that allowing an ordinary court to interfere in a matter governed by its international rules constitutes a violation of its statutes. FIFA stated that it would not recognise the revised electoral process ordered by the court.

Similarly, in 2014, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) was suspended after a court ordered the Sports Minister to appoint a civil servant to head the federation. The NFF was later reinstated after the court order was revoked. 

More recently, in 2017, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was suspended after the Lahore High Court appointed an administrator to take control of the sports body. FIFA recognised this as a 'third-party interference' and implemented the ban. This prevented Pakistan from playing in any FIFA recognised international competitions. It also meant that PFF was left out from benefiting from various FIFA development and training programmes.

It was only after PFF had “successfully taken back control of the PFF offices along with the PFF accounts" the suspension was lifted in March 2018. 

FIFA remains strict that all member federations must be free of any government and judicial interference in their respective countries to carry out footballing activities independently. 

With the term of the Praful Patel-led Executive Committee set to wind down, the Indian FA are in a tight bind. They are unable to conduct fresh elections due to the lack of a constitution (still not finalised by the court-appointed committee). If the term of the current committee expires and the court appoints an ad-hoc administrator to take charge of Indian FA, there is a high chance of FIFA banning India which would prove detrimental to the progress of football in the country. 

And since the old constitution has been ruled as not conforming to the National Sports Code, the AIFF cannot conduct elections as per it. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed the 2020-21 Premier League season, which starts on Saturday, will be played without fans.

The federation president Nick Mwendwa has told Goal fans will not be allowed to watch matches owing to the Covid-19 restrictions and that if fans try to use force to enter the stadium, then the referee is under instructions to not kick off the match.

“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.”

Mwendwa also admitted he was excited to see domestic football return to the country since mid-March when it was prematurely ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic, while having two sponsors – betting firm BetKing and TV partners StarTimes.

“It is breaking of new ground, Mwendwa continued. “We have suffered a lot for the last three years and I remember people kept asking me when will we see Kenya football on TV [since the exit of SuperSport], and I am happy we are back in a big way on Saturday.”

“It is a seven-year deal with StarTimes but it took us two months to reach an agreement and it is worth 1.1million US dollars per year in seven years and we have a right to renegotiate again when it expires.

“We now have two partners, long term contracts of seven years each, and I know what it means to have such partners, we have suffered a lot, the players have suffered and it is good news for us as Kenyan football, it is time to kick-off football again.”

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.

Champions 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.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was voted as the best player in the world in his position, beating out stronger opponents becoming the seventh player to cement his position in the Goal's Top eleven powered by FIFA 21 as we attempt to identify who you think are the best footballers around the world.

Modric led the table with 38% of the votes (7500) beating out the rest. Frenkie De Jong came in second with 35% of the votes (7000) followed by Thiago Alcantara, Toni Kroos and Van de Beek with 2400, 2200 and 750 votes respectively. 

Stay tuned to this space as we ask for your help to identify the best attacking midfielder in their respective positions globally.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side Gor Mahia have named their travelling party for the Caf Champions League tie against APR on Saturday.

Stand-in coach Sammy Omollo has named an 18-man squad that is set to face the Rwandan champions in the preliminary stage of the tournament. Omollo was appointed to stand-in for Roberto ‘Robertinho’ Oliveira who was banned due to a controversy regarding his coaching qualifications.

Oliveira has been included in the travelling contingent despite the ban. He is among other members of the technical bench that also include assistant head coach Patrick Odhiambo and the team manager Jolawi Obondo.

Gad Mathews, Bertrand Konfor, Kelvin Wesonga, John Macharia and Tito Okello are the new signings who have been included in the squad.

According to Kenneth Muguna, the players are ready for the away tie as he also stated their focus will not be on their former teammate Jacques Tuyisenge.

“So far the preparations are good as the players and the coaches are equally doing a good job. I can only say the team is good to go,” the Green Army captain said in an early interview.

“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.

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

The Premier League-winning captain also advised on how they can fight and ensure they win away from home.

“If we perform at the highest level individually and as a team, then I know we will come out with a good result,” Muguna added.

“There is always pressure in what you do and we expect it this time around. We have been dealing with it.

“To beat pressure, one must believe in what he or she is doing, believe on the teammates and the coach and his game plan and that is the only way to deal with pressure.”

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.

Gor Mahia are expected to jet out aboard Rwanda Air on Friday morning.