Looking for Soccer News?

Simba SC are seeking help from Azam FC, asking them to beat rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) in a Mainland Premier League match set for Wednesday.

The two Tanzanian giants will face off in a top of the bill clash at Azam Complex with both teams currently on top of the 18-team league table on 25 points from 11 matches with the winner moving clear at the summit.

It is the reason Simba have now turned to the Chamazi-based outfit to help beat Yanga and slow them down, with the club’s media officer Haji Manara confident one player – Abubakar ‘Sure Boy’ Salum – will help them to beat their rivals.

Manara has taken to his social media pages, calling on ‘Sure Boy’ to make sure he doesn’t disappoint the Azam and Simba family during the league match which will be played while Simba are away in Nigeria for their Caf Champions League fixture.

“Sure Boy’, ‘Sure Boy’, ‘Sure Boy’…”, Manara wrote on his social media pages. “I have called you three times brother, you know how I am attracted by your ability in the field and you know that you are my best midfielder, even if I mention my ten-eleven squad, you will not miss out.

“On Wednesday, my eye will be with you, if you get your performance by just fifty percent, they [Yanga] will not leave, they will definitely lose, I think we have understood each other.”

Unlike Simba, Yanga are currently unbeaten in the top-flight but nearly lost the record on Sunday after they battled to a 1-1 draw against Namungo FC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with their keeper Metacha Mnata saving an 89th-minute penalty to save the day.

On the other hand, Simba have been less impressive this campaign, having lost two matches already – against Ruvu Shooting and Tanzania Prisons – and are currently third on the table with 23 points from 11 matches.

Azam will be seeking to bounce back against Yanga, having lost their last league match 1-0 to KMC FC.

The club’s media officer Zakaria Thabit has promised the fans an immediate response from the defeat.

“We really worked hard against KMC but could not get anything from the match,” Thabit is quoted by Sokaletu. “It was a battle of who could take his chances, and KMC used their one chance and finished us off.

“But we must now forget about the match and focus on our next assignment, it is the derby against Yanga, we know we will be playing at home but all we need is a quick bounce back.

“We must win the tie, we will do everything to win the match for the fans, we hope the coach will see some of the mistakes the boys committed against KMC and rectify them, we want to be ready and get the points against Yanga.”

The Chamazi-based giants suffered their first defeat of the season after going down 1-0 to Mtibwa Sugar at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.

Manchester City are once again being linked with a move for Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish, but Danny Mills says any approach for the England international would be a “kick in the teeth” for Phil Foden.

Pep Guardiola is said to be in the process of piecing together plans for upcoming transfer windows.

Grealish, who the Catalan coach has admitted to being an admirer of in the past, is generating speculation when it comes to a possible £100 million ($134m) switch away from Villa Park.

The Etihad Stadium could be one potential landing spot for the highly-rated 25-year-old, with his qualities being showcased for club and country over recent weeks.

Mills can appreciate why City would be willing to buy into such ability, but he is not convinced that another creative influence is needed in Manchester – given the options already at the Blues’ disposal.

“My concern for Jack going to Man City is where does he fit into that system and where does he play?” former Blues defender Mills told talkSPORT.

“Sergio Aguero is going to be the number nine and if not it's going to be Gabriel Jesus and they've brought in Ferran Torres - he's doing OK.

“You've got Raheem Sterling on the other side and then you drop into the midfield area where you probably expect Jack to play.

“Would it be a kick in the teeth for Foden if that happens?

“For all we've heard about how great Foden is and Guardiola goes on about how he is one of the best young players he's ever seen and coached, he still isn't playing that much for how great he thinks he is.

“That's the only position I see him taking.

“If Grealish goes to City, does he start week-in, week-out? And that's a player in such great form that he is at the moment, do you leave your club for an outside chance that you're going to go and win the Premier League with the position City are in at the moment?

“Are they going to win the Champions League? It doesn't look like it but I understand it would be an opportunity he'd certainly have to look at.

“But also then add to that going there and thinking 'well, I might only make 20 or 25 starts', you start to think 'is that the right move for me?'”

Grealish was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer, while north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal have been credited with interest, but he penned a new contract with Villa in September that is due to keep him in the West Midlands through to 2025.

All hands will be on deck towards making Padsoccer esports tournament a big event across Africa and beyond, according to organiser and sponsor.

With almost 300 gamers pruned to 32, the Lagos qualifiers staged at Akoka’s Game Evo Lounge saw the quartet of Akintoye Arogunmati, Deji Opoola, Imaji Faruna and Nonso Odiaka make the cut for the national finals billed to hold from December 13 and 14, 2020 in Asaba, Delta state.

In a chat with Goal, CEO of competition’s sponsor Chijioke John Odum of Rocket App by Chiji14xchange explained his company’s motive for funding the interactive football contest.

“Esports is majorly for the youths and we as a company are trying to buy into the adoption of cryptocurrency,” Odum told Goal.​

“We are trying to help usher Africa into the digital age, so we believe aligning ourselves with esports which is patronised by young people will bring us closer to our audience.

“I am a gamer also and even in the last competition, I wanted to participate but because there were fewer space, I had to withdraw to allow one other participant. So, putting our resources into this will enable us to get closer to our audience in Nigeria and Africa at large.”

Also, he revealed that his brand would keep associating with the tournament as they are keen on seeing it become a flagship event across Africa and beyond.

“We were part of the sponsors last year and that continued this year, so, we hope to keep associating ourselves with this to make it bigger and take it to the rest of Africa because Padsoccer is the biggest in Nigeria.”

In the same vein, an elated Padsoccer boss Paul Chinedu Ohachu opens up on what the future holds for the annual contest and how that would be accomplished.

“I feel really good because when you put up for a project and you see it get to the right expectations, you feel so very good,” said Ohachu.

“On the standard, what we are doing is improve on what we did last year. All of us are working towards e-sports development in Nigeria and we follow the international standard, so we are exploring the new instructions and new development in the game towards making this competition world class.

“We are working hard towards taking the centre stage in Africa. And from the feedback we are getting from the tournaments we have organised so far, we believe we will get there [international standard] very soon.”

Unlike the 2019 edition where the winner walked home with half a million naira, the champion this term will be a proud owner of PlayStation 5, a home video game console which was released to the rest of the world on November 19, 2020.

Matchday eight in Serie A closed out with the biggest game of the weekend between Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side aiming to do what no other Italian top flight side had achieved since March: beat the Rossoneri.

Aside from ending Milan’s unbeaten run in the league, the Azzurri needed a statement win over a top side to banish events of a recent defeat on home turf to Sassuolo.

In addition, that was how their non-appearance away at Juventus in early October saw the side from Naples lose out on the chance to lay down a marker for the 2020/21 season.

Admittedly, there was a huge victory over Atalanta in mid-October, which came when the La Dea were flying in the league, however, matches following that 4-1 hammering indicate Gian Piero Gasperini’s troops aren’t quite the same side they were last term.

On a personal front, Kalidou Koulibaly had the perfect opportunity to face off with in-form megastar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who’d scored in all five appearances in the league before Sunday. The Swede had netted eight times already, so the Senegal centre-back wasn’t going to have a straightforward time at the back.

Having also missed out on a possible face-off with Cristiano Ronaldo, Koulibaly vs Zlatan represented one of the principal sub-plots as Milan looked for their first win in Naples in a decade.

The opening minute indicated how tight the West African would be to the 39-year-old, who needed all his ingenuity to get the better of the central defender 10 years his junior. The one-time Serie A best defender got the better of Ibrahimovic in their first aerial due in the seventh minute, although events about 60 seconds later demonstrated the forward’s quick-wittedness.

After Franck Kessie intercepted an under-hit pass from Matteo Politano, Ante Rebic received the ball from the Ivorian, before laying it on for Hakan Calhanoglu.

As the Turkey playmaker received possession, Zlatan immediately dropped deep into the space vacated by Tiemoue Bakayoko — who’d been drawn out of position briefly by Alexis Saelemaekers’ inside run — leaving Koulibaly in two minds whether to go with the forward or stay in position.

He half-heartedly pushed up, leaving Kostas Manolas with no choice but to mark Saelemaekers, as the space opened up in the inside-left channel. Ibrahimovic spotted Rebic’s run into that channel and released the Croat whose eventual shot was tame.

Koulibaly wasn’t punished for this indistinct error but that moment was a prescient warning for the 29-year-old defender, who struggled with the smart positions taken up by the forward for the majority of proceedings.

Indeed, this was apparent in both goals scored by the experienced frontman. For the first after 20 minutes, the Senegal centre-back had no idea where Zlatan was as Theo Hernandez prepared to send a cross into the box.

It’s commonly stated that a defender’s in trouble once the attacking player has a clear sight of his jersey number...and so it proved in this case, as the forward beat the West African to the delivery to deservedly send the visitors 1-0 ahead early on.

Strangely, K2 didn’t seem to carry that lesson with him for the rest of the game going by the striker’s second.

After Napoli lost the ball deep in the Milan half, as the visitors’ move developed with Calhanoglu driving forward, Koulibaly actually has Ibrahimovic in his sights when the Turk plays a smart through-ball into space for Rebic to run onto on the left-wing.

However, the smart Swede changed the trajectory of his run and positioned himself behind the centre-back and in front of left-back Mario Rui. Rebic then sent a brilliant cross to the forward who diverted the ball home with his right thigh to put the Rossoneri 2-0 up after 54 minutes.

Even though the Senegal centre-back could have done better, the striker’s cleverness to recognise the situation and station himself behind the two defenders was admirable, while Rebic’s delivery was top class.

Koulibaly had one of his less-impressive games of the season so far, losing four of five ground duels and five of seven aerial tussles. Zlatan had the beating of the Napoli man until his substitution with 11 minutes of normal time to play, whose odd weakness from corners especially was nearly exploited by the Swede and Simon Kjaer in the second half.

In the main, though, especially in possession, the centre-back thrived. He played six progressive passes — third-highest for the hosts — and completed 10 passes into the final third — only Fabian Ruiz with 13 successful passes played a higher volume.

He ranked third for ball-carrying towards the opposition goal while he sometimes moonlighted as a left-winger when the side struggled for an out ball in the opening 45 minutes.

Be that as it may, Koulibaly is paid to defend first and he seemed unable to cope with Ibrahimovic’s ingenuity at key moments on Sunday.

This ultimately led to Napoli’s second home loss on the trot as they finally surrendered a decade-long unbeaten run at San Paolo to the so-far irrepressible Milan.

Paris Saint-Germain assistant Zsolt Low has offered an explanation for Neymar's theatrics on the pitch, claiming the Brazilian star suffers "extreme pain" when fouled and "has extremely sensitive feet".

Neymar is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, having scored 247 career goals across successful spells at Santos, Barcelona and PSG.

The Brazil international has also got his hands on 22 trophies, including two La Liga titles, three Ligue 1 crowns and the Champions League, while also scoring 64 goals in 103 appearances for his country on the international stage.

The 28-year-old had arguably his best season yet on an individual level in 2019-20, as he inspired PSG to a domestic treble and their first-ever European Cup final, but fitness issues have prevented him from kicking on at the start of the new season.

Neymar is expected to return to Thomas Tuchel's line-up for a Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig on Tuesday , having spent the last few weeks on the sidelines with a groin problem.

Niggling injuries have significantly disrupted the forward's first three years at Parc des Princes, but he is regularly afforded little sympathy due to the way he reacts to being tackled.

The former Barcelona talisman has often been accused of diving to win free kicks or get other players sent off, with it suggested in some quarters that his legacy has already been tarnished by his penchant for unnecessary playacting.

However, Low insists Neymar's apparent over-the-top response to challenges stems from a physical condition which has affected him ever since he began playing football, as the PSG coach told Bild :  "Neymar has incredibly sensitive feet.

"If he is kicked, it gives him extreme pain."

Low added on Neymar being a target for opposition defenders because of his perceived egotistical playing style and lack of humility: "Neymar is a warm guy, very open.

"Of course it sometimes seems arrogant what he does on the pitch. But if he is fouled, then he tries to dribble past his opponent at the next opportunity.

"That is his way of responding to the harshness."

Asked if he expects Neymar to play a part against Leipzig in PSG's latest Group H outing: "He's not yet at 100 per cent. But we need him with his experience and his quality."

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has contested the letter from the club to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League partners StartTimes stating the club has agreed on terms allowing them to broadcast their matches.

Goal exclusively reported K'Ogalo had finally caved in and signed the undertaking to start the 2020-21 FKF Premier League season. 

"We Gor Mahia FC, members of FKF, are cognizant that on September 29, 2020, FKF entered into a media rights and commercial rights agreement [the agreement] with StarTimes [Kenya] Company Limited to be the exclusive broadcaster of the FKF Premier League for seven seasons [2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27]," read a letter from the club signed by Secretary-General Sam Ocholla.

However, Rachier has stated the letter is not from the club and has already contested it with another one which is 'officially' from the club. 

"The letter was written without our authority and the Secretary-General [Sam Ocholla] knows our stand," the veteran administrator told Goal on Tuesday.

"Now he has gone into hiding, you cannot get him on the phone. The letter has no authority from the club and I have written to StarTimes to contest the same."

Rumours have also been circulating that the experienced lawyer is contemplating resigning his post as the club's chairman because of the current issue.

"We have external forces pushing me to resign from my post," Rachier continued.

"At this moment, that is not important, the important issue is ensuring our rights are not interfered with. I am dealing with it and later on, I will focus on other issues."

Earlier on, the four rebel clubs, Gor Mahia, Mathare United, Ulinzi Stars, and Zoo FC, had vowed not to sign the deal, with a source intimating to Goal they are ready to play in the league.

"Both clubs are willing and ready to compete in the league which starts on Saturday, they have vowed not to sign the broadcast deal, they don’t want to give in and sign the document," a source, from one of the clubs and who did not want to be named, told Goal on Tuesday.

"As clubs, we don’t want to lose our broadcast rights, the rights were for the clubs even during the KPL era and what FKF are doing is to snatch what belongs to the clubs, it will not be possible, we will not give in, we will not sign the document but one thing I can assure you, we are ready to play in the league.

The new season will kick-off on November 28, 2020, with eight matches in card.

When Mumbai City played NorthEast United in their first match of the season, Sergio Lobera's team was all about keeping the ball and dominating the midfield. That's how Lobera's teams have always been and nobody expects that to change when the Islanders come up against his former employers FC Goa, now managed by Juan Ferrando. 

Interestingly, Ferrando's Gaurs did not look too dissimilar in their first outing  - an interesting 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC. They were just as defensively vulnerable as Lobera's team was in its first season.

However, Ferrando was able to pull the right strings by bringing on Alberto Noguera, Brandon Fernandes and Alexander Jesuraj in the second half, giving them just enough time to mount a comeback and make it 2-2 from 0-2 in the space of just 12 minutes. 

It will be an interesting battle when these two teams face off against each other but there are some strategies that may need to be redesigned to get the maximum out of each squad. 

For Mumbai City, Lobera will need to replace Ahmed Jahouh in the midfield - that is easier said than done. Jahouh was an irreplaceable member of Goa's midfield during Lobera's three years at his previous club and will continue to be the same at Mumbai City.

But his impulsive sliding tackle on Khassa Camara in Islanders' first match resulted in a sending off that nobody saw coming. Up until then, Jahouh ran the show in the centre, dropping deep to receive passes, turning and feeding the attackers with cross-field diagonals, through-balls and what not. He was everywhere and then suddenly, he was nowhere due to a silly decision just before the break. 

Lobera's blessed with a strong squad but there is no direct replacement to the Moroccan midfielder in that team. This could mean a deeper role for Boumous or Hernan Santana could be deployed in Jahouh's role with Mourtada Fall playing in defence. Anyway, Mumbai's midfield is an area that will be closely monitored by the opponents. 

The Spanish coach also needs to figure out how to use Adam Le Fondre and Bartholomew Ogbeche together effectively. They are two top strikers but can they play together in Lobera's system? Neither of them had an impact against an organised defence set up by Gerard Nus but against Goa, there will be chances and space to operate. 

Ferrando, on the other hand, will be hoping his Indian players can step up and outperform their counterparts against Mumbai City. Brandon and Jesuraj will hope to start the big game following their impressive cameos last game. The defence will need to be more alert than when they went to sleep and allowed Juanan to ghost into the box and score Bengaluru's second goal in their first game. 

Upfront, if Brandon can keep creating chances, there is an assurance that they will be converted, based on how two-goal hero Igor Angulo performed on his debut.

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific introduced the ‘Toyota Football for Tomorrow’ (TFFT) project, a corporate social responsibility initiative across Southeast Asia to create opportunities for the youth to discover, develop and reach for the possibilities of tomorrow. 

Toyota Football for Tomorrow empowers youth with skills in football and beyond to enjoy the thrill and joy of moving together and to believe in the possibilities of tomorrow. This is inspired by Toyota's vision to provide the freedom of mobility to all.

Football is not new to Toyota in the region. Since 2013, Toyota has been conducting football clinics. TFFT aims to standardise Toyota's football clinics across the region, delivering consistent and quality training. With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Toyota initiated the TFFT online training video series to keep the youth motivated, as well as to keep up their football skills in a fun and positive virtual environment.

Drills and tactics such as ball control (dribbling, passing, turning) and goalkeeping skills featured in the TFFT football clinic curriculum will be made into a five-part online training video series aimed for the U12 age category. The videos will star renowned coaches and former Japanese national football players, Seigo Narazaki and Motohiro Yamaguchi among others from Nagoya Grampus.

Seigo Narazaki, the legendary national goalkeeper who represented Japan from 1998 to 2010 was the first goalkeeper in history to receive the prestigious “Most Valuable Player” award in 2010 by the Japan Professional Football League. 

“Together with Toyota, Nagoya Grampus has conducted football clinics in this region, and we are thrilled to share our coaching expertise and skills such as dribbling, passing and others in this online video series. We hope that we can continue to share the joys of football and be a source of motivation for youth to confidently explore practical solutions to challenge themselves, even at the comfort of your own homes,” said Motohiro Yamaguchi, Executive Officer (Football Supervisor), Nagoya Grampus FC Academy.

“Toyota has been giving back to the community through football for years. It is a game that connects people and we believe it offers tremendous value to the youth. Despite the on-going pandemic, we remain committed to communities we serve. That’s why we’re taking TFFT online, so the youth can keep their soccer skills up, practising in and around their homes, coached by world-class players and experts,” said  Kaye Lim, General Manager, Corporate Communications and CSR Department, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific.

The TFFT five-part video series will be available for viewing on Toyota’s social media handles with the launch video available at the links below. It is intended for youth under 12 with an interest in football to maintain their football skills by practising them online at home or anywhere safe to do so. The videos are intended to be practised under the supervision by a parent or guardian and participants are advised to always place safety first.

Click here to watch the first of the five-part video series on Toyota Motor Asia Pacific’s YouTube channel. Subsequent parts can be accessed at this playlist; each part will be released every Monday from 23 Nov 2020.

The first Kolkata derby of the new season is historic in every possible way as the big-ticket clash of Indian football will be played in the Indian Super League for the first time in history. 

As the two Kolkata giants begin a new journey in the country's top tier league, we bring you a complete guide to this titanic match.

A is for Anthony : The newest foreign recruit of East Bengal has played for Premier League side Norwich City and has also represented the Republic of Ireland in international football. Anthony Pilkington has been a massive signing for the Red and Golds and all eyes will be on the 32-year-old winger when East Bengal make their debut in the ISL on Friday.

B is for Bhaichung : The Sikkimese Sniper, Bhaichung Bhutia   has scored 19 goals in the eponymous Kolkata Derby, 13 for East Bengal while six in his second stint as a Mohun Bagan player.

C is for Chingri : Mohun Bagan fans - the 'native' Ghotis have made themselves synonymous with chingri - prawns. The debate still continues with Bagan fans famously felicitating players with specially prepared garlands of Golda Chingri (Jumbo Prawns) after a derby win.

D is for Douglas : The versatile Brazilian footballer joined East Bengal in 2002 and was at the club for three and half seasons. During that time, Douglas de Silva won 11 trophies including two back-to-back National Football League (NFL) titles and the famous ASEAN Cup. In 2007, he joined arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and spent two seasons with the Mariners. A unique record which the Brazilian holds is that he has never lost a Kolkata derby.

E is for Embarrassment : Losing the Kolkata Derby is damning and a gut-wrenching experience. The embarrassment a team brings to itself is insurmountable and the echoes of the defeat still ring the ears of the ones involved until the next derby is played.

F is for Fans : The Kolkata derby is all about the millions of fans of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal who throng the stadium whenever the two rivals clash. Unfortunately, for the first time in history, the derby will be played without the presence of any fans in the stadium due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

G is for Goa : The Kolkata derby will be played in Goa this season as the ongoing ISL season is being held there as a centralised venue due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

H is for Habas:  Antonio Lopez Habas is the new manager of ATK Mohun Bagan FC. The Spanish coach is a veteran in the ISL and is also the most successful coach in the history of the league, having won it twice with ATK.

I is for Ilish : The Hilsa fish, or Ilish as it is known, is the Bangal reply to the Chingri. Ilish is served when East Bengal win over Mohun Bagan.

J is for Jose Ramirez Barreto:  The Brazilian Magician, Jose Ramirez Barreto is a revered figure among the Mariners' faithful, having netted 17 derby goals while donning the Green and Maroon jersey. This is a record for goals scored by a player for a single team in the Kolkata derby.

K is for Krishanu Dey:  The 'Indian Maradona' played for both the clubs over a span of 22 years in the '80s and '90s. He made many defenders lose sleep over his ability to convert meagre chances into goals. He formed a lethal attacking combination with Chima Okorie at Mohun Bagan.

L is for Loyalty: While the likes of Goutam Sarkar, Prasanta Banerjee, Dulal Biswas and Renedy Singh have skippered both sides in their career, players like Jose Barreto, Subrata Bhattacharya, Satyajit Chatterjee, Chuni Goswami, Sailen Manna (All Mohun Bagan) and Tushar Rakshit, Alvito D'Cunha, Ahmed Khan, Tulsidas Balaram (All East Bengal) never jumped ships. Rest assured, supporters would always stay loyal to their badge, forever. 

M is for Maidan: Maidan is the iconic green belt of central Kolkata which houses the East Bengal and Mohun Bagan grounds. Many great players have started their careers at the Maidan.

N is for Nepal Chakraborty: The two teams clashed for the first time in history on 28 May 1925 in the Calcutta Football League when a solitary Nepal Chakraborty goal gave East Bengal a victory over their next door rivals, Mohun Bagan. 

O is for Okorie: Chima Okorie represented the Green and Maroon side in two stints, between 1991-93 and 1997-99, winning trophies galore including a National Football League. 

P is for Pal: Gostho Behari Pal was a Mohun Bagan legend. He played for 24 successive seasons between 1912 and 1936. Nicknamed the 'Wall of China', Pal was the first ever footballer to receive the Padma Shri. His legacy continues as the road leading to the Bagan ground is named after him.

Q is for Quess: Quess Corp were the former investors of East Bengal who parted ways with the club in June 2020 ending a two-year association with the club. After the Bengaluru-based firm left, the club brought in Shree Cement Limited as their new investors which facilitated their move to ISL this season.

R is for Robbie: The Liverpool legend has joined East Bengal this season as their head coach and will lead the Kolkata giants as they are all set to make their debut in the ISL.

S is for Suresh Chandra Chaudhuri: A noted industrialist, he was vice president of the erstwhile Jorabagan club but left his position after star player Sailesh Bose was not allowed to start against Mohun Bagan and formed a breakaway club which now is known as East Bengal. 

T is for Thapa: Legendary striker Shyam Thapa scored a brace on 29 September 1975 when the Red and Golds trounced Mohun Bagan 5-0 in the IFA Shield finals - the highest margin of victory in the derby till date. Also, not many can forget his scissor kick goal, this time for Mohun Bagan in the 1978 CFL derby at the Eden Gardens.

U is for Umakanto Palodhi : Umakanto Palodhi, a Mohun Bagan supporter committed suicide after the 0-5 loss in 1975. In his suicide note, the following line was written - “In my next birth, I will take the revenge by becoming a Mohun Bagan footballer.”

V is for Vijayan: The legendary Indian striker has had his fair share of derby experience. ' Kalo Harin'  or Black Buck as he was affectionately called, has played for both the Kolkata giants.

W is for Win-Rate:  East Bengal have a win rate of 37.77 per cent, marginally overshadowing Mohun Bagan's 33.33 per cent in the NFL and I-League. The Red and Golds have won the tie 17 times in the I-League while Bagan have won it 15 times. 13 matches ended in a draw.

X is for Xavier Pius:  In the 70s and 80s, there was a long-haired and bearded striker from Kerala who used to set the Maidan on fire with his lethal strikes. His name was Xavier Pius, a Mohun Bagan legend who now serves as a coach for youth teams in his home state.

Y is for Yuvabharati Krirangan : The Salt Lake Stadium or Yuvabharati Krirangan has been the 'Colosseum' for the derby. An arena which once housed more than 120,000 fanatics has been a part of history hosting quite memorable derbies. The 'Mecca of Indian football' had a major facelift for the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Z is for Zest: There is no other fixture in Indian football that can produce the kind of zest that the Kolkata derby can produce. The energy and enthusiasm surrounding the fixture starts weeks back and reaches a crescendo as the game approaches among fans. The same applies to the players as well. 

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed the 2020-21 National Super League (NSL) will now kick off on December 5.

The lower tier league, whose winner earns direct promotion to the FKF Premier League, was planned to kick off on November 28, 2020, but according to a signed statement from FKF CEO Barry Otieno, sent to all participating clubs, and obtained by Goal, the kick-off date has now been postponed.

“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to inform you the league kick-off for the National Super League 2020-21 season earlier scheduled to kick off on November 28, 2020, has been pushed forward and the league shall now commence on December 5, 2020,” read the statement from Otieno.

“Further you are hereby incited to a club’s meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at Kasarani Goal Project office boardroom at 10:00.

“The agenda of the meeting will be shared with you in due course.”

Last season, the league was prematurely ended in mid-March after the outbreak of the coronavirus with table-toppers Nairobi City and second-placed Bidco United earning promotion to the top-flight.

Third-placed Vihiga United were the third team to be promoted after they beat Kisumu All-Stars on post-match penalties after a 3-3 aggregate scoreline in the two-legged promotion play-off battle to seal their return to the top tier.

While the league had 19 teams last season, this season the tier will have 17 teams after relegated Chemelil Sugar and Ushuru FC got disbanded owing to lack of funds with three teams - Silibwet Leo's FC, Soy United, and Mwatate United FC – earning promotion from the FKF Division One League.

Meanwhile, the top-flight is set to kick off on Saturday, November 28, 2020, with eight matches lined up across the country on matchday one, while three of the matches will also be aired live by FKF broadcast partners StarTimes.

In the opening day, three matches will be played with AFC Leopards taking on Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium, the game will also be live on TV, while Mathare United will come up against Kakamega Homeboyz and Bandari host Zoo FC.

On Sunday, two matches will be beamed live, Kariobangi Sharks against Wazito FC at Kasarani Stadium and Western Stima against Bidco United at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

In other matches set for Sunday, promoted side Nairobi City Stars will open their campaign against Nzoia Sugar, Sofapaka host KCB at Narok Stadium, while Ulinzi Stars will come up against Vihiga United.

While 14 clubs have signed the undertaking to start the season, four clubs – led by Gor Mahia, Mathare United, Zoo FC, and Ulinzi Stars – have not signed the document, with FKF president Nick Mwendwa warning them they risk being kicked out of the league if they don’t commit by season kick-off.

FKF PL Round 1 Fixtures: Saturday: AFC Leopards vs Posta Rangers (Nyayo Stadium, 15:00), Mathare United vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Kasarani Stadium, 16:15) and Bandari vs Zoo Youth FC (Mbaraki Grounds, 15:00).

Sunday: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar (Nyayao Stadium, 15:00), Kariobangi Sharks vs Wazito FC (Kasarani Stadium, 15:00), Sofapaka vs KCB (Narok Stadium, 15:00), Ulinzi Stars vs Vihiga United (Afraha Stadium, 15:00) and Western Stima vs Bidco United (Moi Stadium, 13:00).

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has organised a friendly between Kariobangi Sharks and Bidco United to test their readiness for the Premier League's start on November 28.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno has confirmed to Goal the match will be played at Nyayo Stadium on Tuesday, November 24, and will also be used by their broadcast partners StarTimes to test their machines in readiness for the season.

“We will use the match to gauge our preparedness ahead of kick-off and that is the reason we have planned to have the match,” Otieno told Goal on Tuesday.

“We feel we are now ready to resume action, but the test match will be a clear picture of how prepared we are, our TV partners StarTimes, will also use the chance to test their machines, and plan accordingly for the gruelling campaign.”

On Monday, the FKF successfully kicked-off the exercise of testing players and officials for Covid-19 ahead of the resumption of the league, which was prematurely ended in mid-March after the outbreak of the coronavirus.

In line with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sports and Culture protocols, Bidco United, Kariobangi Sharks, and KCB were the first to get tested at the Thika Stadium and Utalii grounds respectively on Monday.

Kakamega Homeboyz, Wazito FC, Tusker FC, Posta Rangers, Bandari FC, Nzoia Sugar, and Western Stima will be tested on Tuesday, at the Bukhungu Stadium, Marist University College, Utalii Grounds, KPA Sports Club Mbaraki, Sudi Stadium (Nzoia) and Moi Stadium (Kisumu), respectively.

Vihiga United, AFC Leopards, and Nairobi City Stars will close the Covid-19 testing process on Wednesday at the Senede High School (Vihiga), De Paul Center Karen and Ligi Ndogo grounds, respectively.

The 2020-21 FKF Premier League is set to kick off on Saturday with eight matches lined up for matchday one which will also see a total of three matches screened live by FKF partners Startimes.

Three matches will be played on Saturday with AFC Leopards taking on Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium, the game will also be live on TV, while Mathare United will come up against Kakamega Homeboyz and Bandari host Zoo FC.

On Sunday, two matches will be beamed live, Kariobangi Sharks against Wazito FC at Kasarani Stadium and Western Stima against Bidco United at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

In other matches set for Sunday, promoted side Nairobi City Stars will open their campaign against Nzoia Sugar, Sofapaka host KCB at Narok Stadium, while Ulinzi Stars will come up against Vihiga United.

FKF PL Round 1 Fixtures: Saturday: AFC Leopards vs Posta Rangers (Nyayo Stadium, 15:00), Mathare United vs Kakamega Homeboyz (Kasarani Stadium, 16:15) and Bandari vs Zoo Youth FC (Mbaraki Grounds, 15:00).

Sunday: Nairobi City Stars vs Nzoia Sugar (Nyayao Stadium, 15:00), Kariobangi Sharks vs Wazito FC (Kasarani Stadium, 15:00), Sofapaka vs KCB (Narok Stadium, 15:00), Ulinzi Stars vs Vihiga United (Afraha Stadium, 15:00) and Western Stima vs Bidco United (Moi Stadium, 13:00).

Kaizer Chiefs Nkosingiphile Ngcobo has underlined some areas his side can improve on in order to get a positive result against Swallows FC at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night.

Swallows, back in the top flight after a five-year absence, are unbeaten in the league, with two wins and two draws from their four matches, which has elevated them to the second spot on the league table.

Chiefs meanwhile have managed only one win in their four Premiership outings so far in the 2021/ 21 campaign.

In their most recent game, last Saturday, they managed a 2-2 draw away to Golden Arrows and could perhaps have even taken all three points had they been more clinical - there were a few missed chances as well as a header from Leonardo Castro which struck the woodwork.

Ngcobo certainly feels the performance warranted victory.

“I felt we were unlucky against Arrows. We were supposed to win the game, but we played a draw, we might not have been clinical enough in front of goal, but these are things we can improve on. I know we will,” he told the Chiefs website.

The 21-year-old Ngcobo has been taking the chances given to him in central midfield by coach Gavin Hunt and has caught the eye with some good performances.

This also means he may be singled out by the opposition in order to try and stop him making the play for Amakhosi.

But Ngcobo says he's up for the challenge.

“It gives me positive energy if the opponents are focused on me,” he explained. "I don’t put myself under pressure by overthinking anything. I stay focused and will continue to go out and play for the team and the badge," he continued.

“I have enjoyed my football since the league started and have also enjoyed doing and implementing what the coach asks of me. I do feel I need to be more effective by creating and scoring more goals."

And while Swallows have made themselves hard to beat this season, Ngcobo remains optimistic that Amakhosi can come away with a victory in Dobsonville.

“We expect them to come out and attack. We know they are also strong at the back. They have conceded one goal this season and if we apply ourselves well, we will be able to get the win. I am confident of that," he concluded.

Swallows FC coach Brandon Truter is hoping to use certain conditions to his side's advantage when his unbeaten team take on Kaizer Chiefs in a league encounter on Tuesday night.

The match is set to take place at the Dobsonville Stadium - which is Swallows' first advantage.

Obviously, because it is the Birds' home ground, but also because of a tricky playing surface, which could be made even trickier by the recent rains in the Johannesburg area.

"The Dobsonville pitch also, not the easiest pitches when it is wet and it is raining, so the players will definitely feel it," Truter was quoted saying by TimesLive.

"But it is our home game and of course we want to get the maximum points on offer, so that is what we will be going for."

The other factor which the Cape Town-born Truter has highlighted is the lack of crowds, due to the coronavirus restrictions.

He feels this suits his side better than Chiefs, even if it would have been great to see packed stands for this traditionally big fixture in South African football.

"It does have an effect, but we have managed it well," Truter continued

"When the bio-bubble came and there were no crowds, we were very successful in playing without the crowd. So this season continues like that.

"I think it has affected Chiefs a bit more because they are used to the big crowds, the crowds being the extra player on the field, and pushing them.

"We could see that in the bubble when there were no crowds and how it affected them. Maybe it is still on their minds. But it would have been nice to have had a full Dobsonville Stadium for this game."

The Birds head into the match in a lofty second position on the standings after claiming eight points from four league matches this term.

The Glamour Boys have won only one of four league outings and approach the match in 11th spot.

Kick-off is at 19:30.

Simba SC have named a squad of 24 players who will travel to Nigeria for their Caf Champions League against Plateau United FC on November 27.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi were drawn to face the Nigerian outfit in a two-legged preliminary round fixture with the winner set to qualify for the next round of the competition.

Despite returning to training on Monday after two weeks out with injury, Rwanda striker Kagere has been drafted into the squad alongside striking partner and captain John Bocco.

Kenyan duo of defender Joash Onyango and midfielder Francis Kahata have also made the squad, as did midfielder of the year Clatous Chama, who is being linked with a move to rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC).

Simba have confirmed the team will depart for Nigeria on Tuesday, November 24 through Kilimanjaro International Airport for their trip to Nigeria via Ethiopia.

The journey will begin at 17:45 with the team arriving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the squad will rest for the night and begin the final leg of their trip the next day to Abuja, Nigeria.

Kagere missed Mainland Premier League action as Simba roared to a 7-0 thrashing of Coastal Union on Saturday, a result head coach Sven Vandenbroeck claimed was a perfect sign they are destined to do well in the Champions League.

“The victory against Coastal Union is a great sign to the Champions League campaign,” Vandenbroeck told reporters after the match. “It shows you that we are prepared to take on the best in Africa.

“We needed such a win going into continental football, we know we face a tough opponent but we don’t want to go into the match with a negative mind, or we know it is possible, it can be done, and my boys have shown it after the huge win against Coastal Union.”

Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula, Ally Salim, and Beno Kakolanya.

Defenders: Shomari Kapombe, Gadiel Michael, Mohamed Hussein, Erasto Nyoni, Ibrahim Ame, Joash Onyango, Pascal Wawa, Kennedy Juma.

Midfielders: Jonas Mkude, Mzamiru Yassin, Said Ndemla, Rally Bwalya, Hassan Dilunga, Francis Kahata, and Clatous Chama.

Strikers: John Bocco, Meddie Kagere, Miraji Athumani, Bernard Morrison, Luis Miquissone and Ibrahim Ajibu.

Gor Mahia youngster Benson Omalla has set his sights on scoring seven goals in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) U20 Championship currently taking place in Tanzania.

The forward is one of the experienced players in the Rising Stars squad and produced a man of the match display as the team defeated their counterparts from Ethiopia 3-0 in a Group C game.

The former Western Stima striker has now revealed his targets for the competition

"First of all I want to help the team to go all the way and win the competition, and qualify for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations as well," Omalla told Goal on Monday.

"My second objective is to score a hat-trick; I know it is a tall order but it is still possible. With the help of my teammates, I know I can achieve my dream. It is all about giving my best to ensure I get the goals. But that does not imply that I will be selfish, no.

"Finally, I want to give my best for the team and get at least seven goals for the team."

On Monday, the 18-year-old was involved in all the three goals that Kenya scored.

In the 39th minute, Omalla rose highest to head home a cross from the right. The defenders left the forward unmarked and he did not waste the opportunity.

It was the only goal scored in the first half as strikers looked a little rusty.

The Rising Stars continued with their push for another goal immediately after the break.

Their push for a second goal bore fruits in the 46th minute when the Ethiopia goalkeeper failed to keep hold of a high ball and Omalla flicked it to Ronald Reagan who had no trouble finding the back of the net.

With five minutes remaining on the clock, a long ball from the back fell to the K'Ogalo attacker whose first touch put him past the defender. He steadied himself but with the keeper to beat, he spotted the advancing and unmarked Enock Wanyama who tapped the ball into an empty net. 

"I really felt good after helping the team get an important win against Ethiopia," Omala stated.

"I had desired to turn out for the national team, desired to get a chance and it came at the right moment." 

It's a reunion for more than just Jamshedpur FC's Owen Coyle and Nerijus Valskis but also for Memo who switched over to Chennaiyin FC this season, as the two teams face each other at the Tilak Maidan stadium in Vasco, Goa, on Tuesday. 

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

Jamshedpur FC Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Nerijus Valskis, Peter Hartley    

Chennaiyin FC Possible XI: 

Injured - None  
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None

Key Players - Memo, Lallianzuala Chhangte   

FC Tokyo coach Kenta Hasegawa may not be a stranger to a centralized Asian tournament hosted by Qatar but that still did not prevent him from calling the 2020AFC Champions League East Zone a unique tournament.

In 1993, a good 27 years before the pandemic-delayed 2020 AFC Champions League currently ongoing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation, Hasegawa had been part of the Japanese national team in the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 1994 FIFA World Cup which had followed a centralized hosting model.

On his return to another centralized completion in the West Asian nation, Hasegawa told media on Monday ahead of his team’s Group F clash against Shanghai Shenhua that the 2020 AFC Champions League is a tournament the likes of which he has never experienced before.

“This is a special tournament as it is being held in an unusual year,” Hasegawa implying the global COVID health crisis which has had massive sporting as well as political ramifications in Japan owing to the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games scheduled to be held in the same city of which Hasegawa’s club is the face of in J.League.

The 55-year-old, however, lauded the contribution of the tournament organisers working to ensure things are as smooth as can be for the teams under the prevalent Government-mandated protocols.

“I understand that the AFC and the Local Organizing Committee of the tournament have put in a tremendous effort to make this tournament a reality in unusual circumstances and we appreciate this. Asian football is developing at a rapid pace and is catching up with the top level. We are happy to represent the J.League in this competition. We hope to play in the normal style of FC Tokyo in the coming days.”

Hasegawa acknowledges that the compact nature of the centralized hosting model will help his team achieve their objectives by focusing more on training and on-field performance and less on logistics.

“In a centralized hosting model such as this, we are saved from the stress of travelling,” said the former Samurai Blue forward who took charge of the capital club in 2018.  “In the AFC Champions League traditional home and away format, for example, we have to travel to Australia which is a 10-hour journey. This is not needed in the centralized format which we are having now.

Hasegawa also said that his team has been waiting for a long time to restart the AFC Champions League whose normal schedule was hit by the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in March. FC Tokyo had played two group games in February winning against Perth Glory and sharing points with Ulsan Hyundai. “My team has been wanting to come to Qatar to restart the 2020 AFC Champions League. We have had a week’s preparation ahead of our first game and we will be ready for the game.”

Kim Doo-hoon, the coach of FC Tokyo’s fellow Group F leaders Ulsan Hyundai, reemphasized his statement of last week when he had praised Qatar’s quarantine facilities and COVID safety protocols.  “It is true a lot of players were worried about Coronavirus and there is a lot of pressure because of the disease,” he told media on Monday ahead of his side’s group game against Perth Glory.

“We follow the safety protocols of Qatar and everyone in the team knows how important it is to do this. We also practice social distancing and one example is that we have single rooms in the hotel. Coronavirus has not affected our football preparations though – the players knew about the situation before they came for the tournament and have been focusing on what they need to do.”

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken in favour of increased matchday squads, as he believes isolation takes a mental toll on those not involved.

Solskjaer is preparing his side for a meeting with Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

As well as being afforded the opportunity to make five substitutes, which cuts down the chances of players becoming fatigued, he will also be able to select a larger matchday squad than is allowed in the Premier League.

When United travelled to Istanbul earlier in November, Solskjaer had 12 players on the bench during the 2-1 defeat.

The expanded matchday squads allowed in Europe give managers more options from a tactical standpoint, but Solskjaer feels there is an intangible benefit in that the players benefit mentally from being involved as opposed to being in isolation at home.

"So I like the five subs, I also like the size of the squads because the players feel involved, especially during lockdown,” Solskjaer said. “Sometimes if you're told you're not in the squad you've got to stay at home and you can't go and see your friend or see the game with a friend. 

“That's another mental welfare that we have to look after with the players, so Champions League, I like it.”

United occupy top spot in Champions League Group H ahead of Tuesday’s game, but their position is not secure following the shock loss in Turkey on November 4.

Solskjaer does not have the luxury of being able to rotate his squad, but he has admitted he wants to get a breather into midfielder Bruno Fernandes at some stage.

The Portuguese is pivotal to how United play, but the Red Devils are heading into a period of 11 games before the turn of the year and Solskjaer wants to give his star man a rest.

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

Following the game with Basaksehir, United travel to Southampton and that may be a game Fernandes sits out as immediately after that match is a clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.