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Young Africans (Yanga SC) technical and administrative advisor Senzo Mazingisa has explained the need to have the Bernard Morrison saga resolved before the December transfer window.

Morrison’s move to Simba SC after six months with Yanga in August prompted the latter to protest before the Tanzania Premier League Players’ Status Committee. The committee later ruled that the Ghanaian was a free agent and available to sign for any club.

Dissatisfied, Yanga moved to the Tanzania Football Federation’s (TFF) legal committee but the case is yet to be concluded and the South African now wants it determined before the next transfer window opens.

“We have Morrison’s case that we still believe is a contract that is deficient legally. We asked questions but no one has yet reached back to us on that matter with sufficient answers,” Mazingisa told Mwanaspoti.

“What worries a lot is that that the December transfer window will soon open and they may end up taking advantage of the window to make changes to the current contract.

“We would like to have TFF hear and make a determination on the case well before the window opens up.”

The administrator also touched on other matters after he was recently summoned by police over claims he took part in match-fixing activities against his former side Simba SC.

“Another issue is the football propaganda that has been on the rise but Yanga are a stable and professional club and this also goes to the officials and the sponsors,” stated.

In addition, Mazingisa spoke about the proposed construction of a new stadium and hostels for the club.

“Everything is going on in a direction we like and especially when the committee sat and got to understand what is going on,” the South African concluded.

“We have already announced we are receiving tender applications and anyone with interest should apply for the same.

“We will start with a turf of natural grass first, an artificial one and a swimming pool, the hostels and the main office then the other facilities will follow.”

When the project is completed, Yanga will be the third Tanzania club with a training facility and hostels just like their Kariakoo rivals Simba as well as Azam FC, who have the Chamazi Sports Complex.

Arsenal’s need to spend again in upcoming transfer window is “obvious”, says Freddie Ljungberg, who says the Gunners are still a long way behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal have plenty of international talent on their books, but Ljungberg feels they are light in some areas.

He wants to see those issues addressed, either in January or next summer, saying Mikel Arteta requires more funds in order to make the Gunners consistent and serious contenders for major silverware.

Ljungberg, who spent time in north London as a player and coach, told Sky Sports after witnessing Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Leeds: “It’s not easy. Like he [Arteta] said, he thinks it’s going to be a bit of a roller coaster.

“If you look at it in the last couple of years, I think they’ve got good players there, but of course they need to invest in their squad. It’s obvious for everyone to see.

“I think they did some good business in the centre-back position this summer, but if you look at the big clubs - City or Liverpool - they have top, top players in certain positions.”

Arsenal have found value in Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes, but big-money additions such as Nicolas Pepe – who collected a reckless red card at Elland Road – have failed to deliver.

Finding a solution to those dilemmas is all part of the rebuilding process for Arteta, with Ljungberg convinced that the Spaniard will get things right he can count on the full support of his board.

The Swede added: “I think you need to give Arteta a bit of time, it’s his first job in management. He needs time, like he says, he needs time in order to implement his ideas, but of course, it’s difficult.

“When he first came in, people were a little bit surprised with how he played, when we went back against the big teams, we used [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang for the counter-attack, with opposition full-backs that were too offensive.

“What I see now, when you see the Leicester game at the Emirates, they sat back a little bit, with not so much space for the full-backs to run into. I think people have seen how they play, then it comes to, how do you create the chances in a different way?”

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed some adjustments to the Premier League schedule with the Gor Mahia versus Tusker match among those affected on day one of action.

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.

According to the revised fixture obtained by Goal, the Gor Mahia vs Tusker match which was scheduled for Nyayo Stadium has now been postponed while AFC Leopards, who were supposed to start the season against Western Stima, will now kick off against Posta Rangers.

The Gor Mahia vs Tusker opener has been postponed as the champions will be involved in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League, where they are scheduled to face Armee Patriotique Rwandaise FC (APR) of Rwanda on November 28 in Kigali.

In the opening day, on November 28, 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.

The Kenyan league is returning for the first time since it was prematurely ended in mid-March owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and it is now under the management of the FKF after the federation refused to renew the contract with Kenyan Premier League (KPL), who had managed the division on their behalf for over a decade.

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 same with FKF president Nick Mwendwa warning them they risk being kicked out of the league if they don’t commit by season kick-off.

“We don’t have time to waste, it is either they sign or they forget about playing in the league,” Mwendwa told Goal on Monday.

“We only have one league in Kenya which is run by FKF, so I don’t know which league the four clubs will play in, it is either they sign or forget participating in the same.”

Already Bidco United players have been tested for Covid-19.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has revealed what may jolt him to retain the seat in the 2025 elections.

After almost one year of prolonged court battles, Mwendwa was finally elected for a second four-year term in October. He now eyes a seat in the Fifa Council and should he clinch the seat, he says, he will need to retain the FKF presidency in order to preserve the Fifa one.

“I will be running for the Fifa Executive Committee or the Fifa Council after five years at the federation,” Mwendwa told Radio Jambo.

“There are seven sits at Fifa where two are given to the French-speaking federations, and a similar number of seats go to the English-speaking members.

“Anyone from the general category is accorded one seat and another is given to the Caf president. I am running for one seat that is preserved for the Anglo-speaking federations.

“We are six contestants in Africa and I would not have qualified to contest for that seat had I lost the election to secure another term.

“One must be a president to run for that position and I have forwarded my nomination papers already.

“When one is elected into Fifa Council, one does not run for one term as one must run for at least two terms.

“That means, if I will be elected, it will be my interest to run again in the 2025 FKF elections for a third term and a second one at Fifa.”

Mwendwa said his election into the Fifa Council will bring a lot of benefits to the country as well as making history.

“Should I get elected, I will be the first man from the Cecafa region to serve at the Fifa Council. While at the council, then you also serve at Caf Executive Committee automatically,” he added.

“When serving in those positions, one gest s a chance to get elected even for bigger seats, one can easily be a Fifa president and maybe I will be the first Fifa black president.

“Let me be clear, in 2025, I will run for the FKF president because if I exit the stage I will have to leave even the Fifa Council seat and that means Kenya will be losing.”

Mwendwa is set to become the first FKF president to run for the Fifa seat.

Declan Rice has offered no indication that a potential move to Chelsea is on his mind, with a West Ham star who is “loving life” in east London more concerned with becoming the next Yaya Toure or Patrick Vieira.

The versatile 21-year-old has seen a retracing of his steps to Stamford Bridge mooted six years after he left the Blues’ academy system as a teenager.

West Ham have offered him the opportunities that Chelsea believed would never come, with Rice going on to become a senior England international and Hammers captain.

Frank Lampard is said to be mulling over a bid to buy back into the ability of a player that the Blues allowed to slip their net, with another transfer window set to open in January.

Rice, though, is aware that he has everything he needs at the London Stadium and believes his previous snub from Chelsea has been a positive in his route to the top.

“I think that’s the making of me to be honest with you,” he told Sky Sports.

“I had to move to West Ham at 14, away from my family. I’m a family boy, love my mum and dad, live at home with them, and to leave them at 14 to play with people I don’t know from Monday to Friday, I think that shaped me into the person I am.

“I had to start being responsible for myself, but look, I’ve come here and flourished. I’ve had three managers that have really looked after me, I’m loving life here.”

Rice has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence at West Ham, with his ability to perform in a number of different positions being embraced.

It is those qualities that have him back on Chelsea’s radar, but a man who started out as a centre-half is eager to nail down a role in a holding midfield berth – allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City and Arsenal icons.

“I see this as my position, 100 per cent,” Rice said on operating in the engine room.

“I’ve played in midfield for the last three seasons and I think a lot of people get carried away with what they want me to do!

“My role is a holding midfielder and there’s not really any flair in that. I’m disciplined, I make sure I’m always available for the team, I’m always in position, I get my passes off quick, I intercept and I tackle. I think a lot of people want to see things like stepovers and I’ve got that in the locker, but that’s not my role!

“I can play at centre-half, but I’ve got much more to give and I think my confidence is growing in midfield. The more I start driving forward with the ball like I’ve done in recent games, the more I’ll grow into that position.

“I watched the top players like Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira and every time they see a bit of space, they’d drive into it and look powerful and strong and as a holding midfielder that’s rare these days, so if I can keep adding that into my game, I can keep catching the eye.

“They, as well as [Roy] Keane and [Claude] Makelele, were wonderful footballers but they never overcomplicated things and knew what their games were and knew what their weaknesses were, and I do too.

“I think some fans are calling on social media for me to get the ball off Lukasz Fabianski and run the whole length of the pitch and score with the back of my head, but that’s not my job!

“My job is to protect the team, have good positional awareness, get on the ball, keep it simple and keep it ticking.

“I know what my strengths are and what to base my game around.”

Bayelsa Queens were crowned 2020 Flying Officer's Cup champions after a 1-0 final victory over Nasarawa Amazons in Abuja on Sunday.

The eight-team women's tournament was organised by Paul Edeh in the honour of the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot Tolulope Arotile, who died in an accident, at the age of 24.

To reach the final, Bayelsa Queens finished as runners-up in Group B with five points before squeezing past former champions Edo Queens thanks to Alani Jumoke's own-goal in the semi-final.

Nasarawa Amazons, on their own part, were Group B winners with seven points to advance before edging past Naija Ratels 5-4 on penalties after Blessing Emmanuel cancelled out Sikiratu Isah's effort.

At Guards Brigade Stadium, Barakat Olaiya's 14th-minute strike was all Moses Aduku's team needed to pip Nasarawa to the coveted title.

Following their triumph, the Restoration ladies were rewarded with a giant trophy and N500,000 as prize money, while Nasarawa Amazons went home with the cash prize of 300,000 as runners-up.

Earlier, at the same venue, Edo Queens were held to a 0-0 draw in regulation time by Naija Ratels but the 2019 champions claimed the third-place trophy, with a 4-3 win in the penalty shoot-out.

With the third-place win, Edo also received a cash reward of N200,000, while fourth-placed Ratels received N150,000.

For individual accolades, Bankole Olowookere was named the Best Behaved Coach as the Fair Play Award went to Naija Ratels, while Best Coach was given to Bayelsa Queens' Moses Aduku. 

Ratels' Blessing Emmanuel won the best goal, Bayelsa's Onyinyechukwu Okeke claimed the Golden Gloves and Bayelsa's Joy Jerry was voted the Most Valuable Player, while Confluence Queens' Joy Omewa won the top scorer gong, with six goals. 

Sunday's grand finale attracted top politicians and football personalities, including second vice NFF president Shehu Dikko, NWFL chairperson Aisha Falode, Nasarawa state sports commissioner Bala Adam and parents of Tolulope Arotile.

Arsenal and Leeds United have condemned the social media abuse of Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski following their Premier League clash.

Leeds held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at Elland Road on Sunday, in a game which was overshadowed by an incident involving Pepe and Alioski early in the second half.

The Ivory Coast international was sent off for headbutting the 28-year-old left-back, whose over the top reaction prompted ex-Manchester United defender Patrice Evra to say he "deserves an Oscar" in the Sky Sports studio post-match.

Both players received abusive messages of a racist and threatening nature online in the wake of the incident, with the police now set to launch a formal investigation.

Arsenal have promised to do everything they can to aid the authorities in their pursuit of the guilty parties, releasing the following statement on their official website: "We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media following our match against Leeds United. 

"This is completely unacceptable and we will be working with the police and authorities to do everything we can to trace and prosecute the culprits."

Leeds have issued a similar message to their supporters on Monday morning, which reads: "The vile abuse directed at Ezgjan Alioski and Nicolas Pepe on social media after yesterday’s Premier League game with Arsenal will not be tolerated by Leeds United.

"We will work closely with the police and the footballing authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and punished."

Pepe will now face a three-match suspension for violent conduct, with the 25-year-old's manager Mikel Arteta expressing his disappointment in the winger after the game.

“It is unacceptable,” Arteta said. “I’ve spoken to him; it is unacceptable. I really like the personality of the team. When Pepe let the team down, how we suffered together and stuck to what we had to do.”

Arteta suggested Pepe was naive in reacting to what had become a running battle with Alioski.

“We knew the level of intensity, aggression and how alive they are in every action and you have to be able to deal with that because it’s part of the plan against this team,” Arteta said. “You have to be able to handle this situation.”

Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry has conceded he knows nothing about the Harambee Stars and their focus is on Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kenya will face neighbours, the Cranes, in the African qualifiers for the Fifa 2022 World Cup.

The draw for the competition was held in Cairo, Egypt a couple of months ago with the two teams also being handed Mali and Rwanda in Group E.

The youthful tactician pointed out the threat expected by the Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee-led charges, but conceded he does not know a lot about the way they play.

"We know we are in the same World Cup qualifying group with Kenya and we will look at that in due course," McKinstry told Goal.

"Currently nothing on them because it would be putting wrong priorities first. Our focus has been on [African Cup of Nations opponents] South Sudan especially in the last several months. 

"But Kenya is another huge footballing nation. I have been on African football for the last 10 years and the players Kenya have produced in the same period [are of high quality]. 

"We know when it comes to those World Cup qualifiers Kenya will be a formidable opponent. But I will be lying if I say at this moment we know much about them. Our focus has been on South Sudan."

In the 2021 Group B Afcon qualifiers, Cranes wasted an opportunity to qualify early for the biennial competition to be held in Cameroon. After beating South Sudan by a solitary goal at Lugogo in Uganda, the team fell by the same margin in Nairobi at Nyayo Stadium in the reverse fixture,

"Ultimately we were not good enough and as a coach, I take full responsibility," McKinstry said after seeing his team fall to the Bright Stars by a goal scored by Tito Okello.

"We planned for the game, we trained, players did their best and the coaching staff did their best to come up with the game plan.

"But I am sad for them [that we lost the game] and we have to go back and see what we have to do to give players what they need to perform [in the next game]."

The Northern Irish coach stated they will have to go and analyse the game well in preparation for their next assignment at home against Burkina Faso.

"So I have to go back and look at ourselves and see if there is something positive; the [1-0 loss] humbles all of us. 

"We took this match seriously, we prepared well, nobody can say we were casual in our approach but for whatever reasons we did not get it right, and congratulations to South Sudan for the win."
  

Jurgen Klopp praised Roberto Firmino for a "super game" after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League.

Firmino headed in the sealer at Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool extended their unbeaten league run at home to a club record 64 games.

Often criticised, Firmino scored his second goal of the season and the Brazilian's 48 passes, 41 successful passes and six shots were the most he has managed in any Premier League game this campaign.

Klopp lauded the forward and said he was pleased to see the 29-year-old also get on the scoresheet, heading in James Milner's 86th-minute corner.

"We were really happy and relieved. He deserved it so much. He played a super game, he played a super game and was so important for us again," the Liverpool manager told a news conference.

"You could see in the face of all the players when he scored that everybody thought, 'Yes, exactly the right goalscorer'."

Firmino's goal came after Diogo Jota doubled Liverpool's lead following Jonny Evans' 21st-minute own goal.

Klopp was proud of his players for setting a club record with their unbeaten league run at home, but said it was something he would reflect on at another time.

"Look, my problem is that in the moment I spoke so much about football, I have so much to think about how we can play the next game and things like this," he said.

"So, it doesn't feel it. Maybe it's not right but there will be a moment, for sure, in the future when I think back – and hopefully it will be a different number and not only 64.

"It's absolutely incredible, but it's all about the boys. It's really difficult to achieve something like this but when you think about how tight a lot of games were then it doesn't happen just like this. You have to really dig in for that and the boys did that.

"I said it a few times before, we really enjoy playing here. It's our ground, it's our home, everything feels home – even when the people are not here. It doesn't feel right but we have to do it and we are happy that we can play.

"So, what the boys put out there on the pitch performance-wise is absolutely incredible and it's the only reason for the number. Obviously it's pretty tricky and pretty difficult to set records for this incredible club because our fathers or grandfathers, they were obviously pretty good. So having this record now, I'm happy for the players but it doesn't feel like a big moment, to be honest, because we play on Wednesday and that's actually my only concern at the moment."

Juan Ferrando's objectives at FC Goa includes winning trophies and making a mark at the continental level. He has replaced Sergio Lobera who had tried his best to shape the Gaurs to perfection. Clearly, there is pressure on the Spanish head coach to succeed. 

On Sunday, the Ferrando era at FC Goa officially began on the field with their first match of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season against Bengaluru FC. 

Facing off against Bengaluru was not the easiest of starts for Goa because of the Blues' compactness at the back and the fact that they put their physicality to good use upfront. Tall, strong players in Bengaluru make it tough to defend setpieces against them.  

Moreover, the last time Goa won against Bengaluru was in November 2017 - three years ago. In the six fixtures in the last three seasons, the Blues have won five. The Gaurs always struggled against the team from the South. 

Neither team got off to an explosive start at the Fatorda Stadium. Frequent fouls, stoppages of play and sideways passing affected the tempo of the game in the first half. Goa dominated the proceedings in the centre but they couldn't get past a solid, organised defence led by Juanan and Fran Gonzalez. 

For the Blues, Ashique Kuruniyan found a lot of joy down the left flank but his marauding runs forward weren't enough to break the deadlock. The opening goal came from a Harmanjot Khabra throw-in which the Goan defence failed to clear. Cleiton Silva pounced inside the box and headed in a debut goal as newcomer Sanson Perera failed to keep a check on the Brazilian. 

It was turning out to be a match where the more efficient team would get the win and Juanan ensured a two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, with the Goan defence going to sleep. Bengaluru were able to put together of four straight headers in and around the Goan box uncontested which eventually led to Juanan slamming it home. It was almost inexcusable from the Goan defence.

Ferrando had read the game well in the second half and made two changes just before the Blues' second goal. Alexander Jesuraj and Brandon Fernandes were introduced and the changes turned the game around. Also key was the entry of Alberto Noguera in place of James Donachie.

Igor Angulo, who was looking for a service provided in midfield, got his man and the connection was switched from 2G to 4G LTE. Brandon was instrumental in creating the opportunity that led to two goals in three minutes for Ferran Corominas' replacement at the club and the striker did not disappoint. Angulo was fed in behind by Noguera and the forward slotted the ball past Gurpreet Sandhu for the first goal. Soon enough, Jesuraj latched onto Brandon's pass and crossed into the box from the right for Angulo to score the second with his abdomen. It wasn't the Hand of God, it was the Abdomen of Angulo!

However, Bengaluru were unlucky to see this goal not disallowed, since Angulo was in an offside position when Jesuraj crossed the ball. 

The changes made a huge impact as FC Goa then embarked on their pursuit of a winning goal. But Cuadrat, wary of a late onslaught, opted to be conservative with his tactics and the Blues ensured that they only lost two points and not three. 

When Anirudh Thapa burst on to the scene with Chennaiyin FC in the 2017-18 Indian Super League (ISL) season (though he made his first appearance in 2016), he was a precocious talent with a bright future.

Fast forward to the start of the 2020-21 season, the talented youngster has morphed into a capable leader in midfield and is one of the cornerstones around which this Chennaiyin FC team is built. 

And his importance to the team was proclaimed by head coach Csaba Laszlo who named him a vice-captain of the team ahead of their season opener against Jamshedpur FC on Tuesday. It has been a satisfying journey for Thapa at the club where he made his professional debut. Much of it has come from a desire to learn the tricks of the trade and get better, as seen by the 22-year-old's obsession to improve and match the best midfielders in the country. 

"People call me young because of my age but to be honest, I don’t consider myself as young. I am playing with people like Rowllin (Borges) bhai in the national team. I want to be past that stage where I am (just) a talented youngster. I want to be like him (Borges). I want to be better than him. I feel he is one of the best midfielders in India and I want to improve myself and be the best," Thapa told Goal.

"Coaches have helped me evolve and even the teammates have helped me start controlling games. I’ve been learning and getting more experience. Especially in understanding what tempo I need to play in and how I should control games and of course, the coaches have helped."

Thapa had a brilliant 2019-20 season for Chennaiyin FC, playing the role of a fulcrum in midfield to perfection. He anchored the midfield with elan alongside the likes of Germanpreet Singh and Edwin Vanspaul, helping out defensively as well as offensively. He made 20 appearances, scoring one goal (against FC Goa in the play-offs) and registering six assists. 

More importantly, his performances as a number 8 helped Rafael Crivellaro focus on his playmaking duties, underlining how important Thapa has been to the Marina Machans. It is a role he has made his own in the national team as well, under Igor Stimac. 

"I like to play as a number 8. I like to start the game from behind and then move forward rather than waiting for the ball to come to me in the attacking third. I am more comfortable playing as a number 8.

"I have played this role for a very long time now, even during my youth days and at the national team. That is the position I love to play. But the coach might want to put me in another position. If coach Csaba Laszlo wants me to play as a 10 or elsewhere, I will play there." 

One of Thapa's aims ahead of the upcoming season will be to improve upon his performances from the last campaign. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown up challenges galore. The players have had to be holed up without football or even training for almost six months since March when the lockdown was imposed. Moreover, the pre-season has not been foolproof, thanks to the Covid protocols that have meant that the players are in a bio-bubble for the duration of the tournament. 

Thapa explains that staying in the bubble for the entirety of the ISL will be a huge challenge for the players mentally. 

"We are staying in a bubble and to be honest it is very difficult because we are doing the same thing every day and we can’t do anything else," he revealed. "We can’t interact with others and we can't go outside the area that has been allotted.

"It is difficult to stay like this for five months. Also, for the last six months, during the lockdown, we’ve been staying in the same place. We haven’t been able to go out or train or do anything like this. And now we are in a bubble and it is difficult for us as a player."

However, the AIFF Elite Academy graduate understands that these are challenges that must be dealt with as the season approaches. And when the matches start, with the first game coming up against Jamshedpur FC on Tuesday, their only focus will be on football. 

"But we need to stay focused on our matches and do well. We need to start and finish off the season on a good note and do as much good stuff as you can."

As the first-ever Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) is upon us, we take a look at some of the interesting facts about the marquee clash of Indian football.

First derby

The arch-rivals met for the first time in 1925 and East Bengal had won the fixture 1-0. Nepal Chakraborty walked into the history books by scoring the only goal. Mona Dutta captained the victorious East Bengal side.

Centenary, bicentenary and tricentenary derbies

The 100th Kolkata derby was played on December 16, 1967, in the Rovers Cup final where East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan 2-0. The 200th match between them was an Airlines Cup final in April 1993, in which Bagan again won 6-5, courtesy of a tie-breaker. The 300th meeting between the two sides was in a championship-leg encounter of the Calcutta Football League's premier division held on January 8, 2012. Nigerian Odafa Okolie and Manish Bhargav scored as the Mariners sealed the game 2-0.

Biggest margin of victory

The highest margin of win in the Kolkata derby is the famous 5-0 victory of East Bengal on 30th September 1975 in the IFA Shield final. Shyam Thapa (2), Ranjit Mukherjee, Surajit Sengupta and Subhankar Sanyal were the scorers for East Bengal and Ashok Banerjee was the skipper of the Red and Golds. 

Umakanto Palodhi

Umakanto Palodhi, a Mohun Bagan supporter committed suicide after the 0-5 loss in 1975. His suicide note read - “In my next birth, I will take the revenge by becoming a Mohun Bagan footballer.”

Black Day

A fatal pandemonium occurred in the derby on 16th August 1980 taking a toll of 16 young lives. This marks the darkest day of Indian football. As the referee gave Dilip Palit and Bidesh Basu the marching orders in the second half, the gallery burst into agitation. A stampede at the Eden Gardens resulted in the disaster.

1,31,000 strong Salt Lake Stadium

The Federation Cup 1997 semifinal witnessed the madness of the city reach its all-time high as 1,31,000 supporters came to the Salt Lake stadium to watch the derby. East Bengal won the match 4-1 with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring a hat-trick, while Najimul Haque had scored the other goal. Chima Okorie scored the consolation goal for the Green and Maroons.

First foreigner to score a derby hat-trick

Nigerian forward Chidi Edeh was the first-ever foreign player to score a hat-trick in the Kolkata derby. The striker also holds the record of scoring the maximum number of goals in a single match. He had scored four goals as Bagan registered a 5-3 win over their rivals in an I-League clash on 25th October 2009. Manish Maithani scored the other goal.

Most derby goals by a player

Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has scored the maximum number of goals, 19, in the history of Kolkata derby. Among his 19 goals, 13 are for East Bengal, while the other six are for Mohun Bagan. Jose Ramirez Barreto comes second with 17 goals, all scored for the Mariners, which obviously is the highest number of goals for one side by a player.

Skippers

Only four players - Goutam Sarkar, Prasanta Banerjee, Dulal Biswas and Renedy Singh - have captained both the sides in a Kolkata derby. An interesting similarity is that all four had been the captain of the East Bengal side first and then went on to lead the Bagan side later in their career. Interestingly Renedy Singh will be in East Bengal on November 27 as an assistant coach to Robbie Fowler.

Head to head record in NFL/I-League

The two teams have faced each other 45 times in the National Football League and I-League combined. East Bengal have won 17 of them, while Mohun Bagan have snatched the bragging rights in 15 games. 13 matches ended in a tie. The last time these two rivals clashed was January 19, 2020, where Mohun Bagan emerged victorious 2-1. Joseba Beitia and Baba Diawara scored for the Mariners while Marcos De La Espada scored for the Red and Golds.

The end of the international break unfortunately did not see Malaysian stars based abroad obtaining any domestic minutes.

In Thailand

Just days after it was revealed that Norshahrul Idlan Talaha will not have his contract extended by BG Pathum when it ends next month, he was missing from the Thai League 1 leaders' matchday squad, in their 3-2 league win over Trat on Saturday.

Dominic Tan and Mohamadou Sumareh also did not see any competitive action over the weekend. However, their absence was due to the fact that Police Tero did not have a match scheduled.

Dominic Tan and Mohamadou Sumareh

In Europe

Luqman Hakim Shamsudin was not listed on the KV Kortrijk matchday squad that would go on to lose 1-0 to league leaders Club Brugge on Saturday. De Kerels are now in twelfth place in Belgium's First Division A standings.

Despite coming closer to his first ever competitive appearance for Portuguese Premeira Liga club Portimonense Safawi Rasid, the Malaysia star has been made to wait again. He was an unused substitute for their Portugal Cup clash against third tier side Union of Leiria, with the favourites ending the clash in a shock 1-0 defeat and cup exit.

Dion Cools, the Belgian-born right back who is also eligible for Malaysia, however had a better weekend. He played the full 90 minutes of FC Midtjylland's 2-1 league win over Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Sunday. The win has allowed the Danish Superliga defending champions to move up to the top of the standings. The match was also Cools' seventh league appearance this season.

Fagiano Okayama's Hadi Fayyadh and Sporting Kansas City's Wan Kuzain did not see action for their respective clubs and were not on the bench over the weekend.

Odisha FC take on Hyderabad FC in their 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season opener at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa, on Monday. 

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

Odisha FC Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - Jacob Tratt, Jerry Mawihmingthanga  
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Marcelinho, Diego Mauricio    

Hyderabad FC Possible XI: 

Injured - None  
Doubtful - Fran Sandaza  
Suspended - None

Key Players - Aridane Santana, Subrata Paul    

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hit out at British broadcasters for failing to adjust their schedules during the coronavirus pandemic, claiming they don't care about player welfare. 

The Reds are set to play in the Champions League on Wednesday night against Atalanta before being forced to play Saturday against Brighton in the Premier League's midday match. 

Klopp's side are already short on players with the squad plagued by injuries and Liverpool suffered another casualty on Sunday after Naby Keita was forced off in their 3-0 win Leicester City. 

Speaking after that match, Klopp let loose at broadcasters, calling on them to ensure clubs aren't being forced to play so many games in such a short space of time. 

"It was never about us when I talked about it, it was about all the players. If you don't start talking to BT [Sport] we are all done," Klopp told Sky Sports. 

"Sky and BT have to talk because if we keep playing on Wednesday and Saturday [at] 12:30, I'm not sure if we will finish the season with 11 players.

"I know you [the broadcasters] don't care and that's the problem. We've discussed it for a long time and nothing's happened. 

"I don't talk about Liverpool, I talk about all the football players out there. Yesterday, [Gerard] Pique massive knee injury. Today, [Bukayo] Saka, maybe, I'm not sure, a knee injury - he played all three games for England during the international break.

"Now people tell us to rotate players but who? We have some offensive players but the rest are kids. 

"It's a massive problem. Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 is a broadcaster problem and nothing else. We play against Atalanta on Wednesday and then 12:30 [Saturday] against Brighton. It's an early Christmas present. We will show up there shaking. I think about sending the points. That's how it is."

In response to Klopp's charges, the interviewer on Sky brought up the contracts that clubs agreed with broadcasters – a subject that touched a nerve with Klopp.

"Gentlemen, start talking and making decisions. I like the relationship with you. If someone tells me again about contracts I'll go really nuts. Because these contracts aren't made for a Covid season," Klopp continued.

"We all have to adapt. Everything's changed, but the contracts with the broadcasters is still: 'We have this, so we keep this'. What? Everything changed, the whole world changed!" 

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has previously called for early Saturday games to be scraped altogether after his side were forced to play the fixture after the international break.  

Caleb Ekuban scored the only goal that gave Trabzonspor a 1-0 victory over BB Erzurumspor in a Turkish Super Lig game on Sunday.

Ekuban’s effort in the 23rd minute handed Trabzonspor their first league victory since September 26 and it ended a five-game winless run in the Turkish top-flight.

The Black Stars forward linked up with Abdulkadir Omur before firing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Kayacan Erdogan.

It was Trabzonspor’s second win of the season after a 3-1 triumph over Yeni Malatyaspor two months ago.

Ekuban was on parade from start to finish, while DR Congo's Benik Afobe and Nigeria's Anthony Nwakaeme were replaced in the 62nd and 86th minutes respectively.

Nwakaeme could not add to his tally of three goals on his seventh league appearance of the season. It was a similar fate for Afobe who did not increase his record of three goals after eight league games since he arrived in Turkey on a season-long loan from Championship club Stoke City in the summer.

The victory fired Trabzonspor to 15th in the Super Lig table with nine points after nine matches, a point above BB Erzurumspor who are 17th in the standings with a game at hand.

Ekuban, Nwakaeme and Afobe will have their sights set on Friday's Super Lig trip to bottom-placed Ankaragucu as they aim to build on Sunday's result and grab their third win of the campaign.

Napoli were without Victor Osimhen as Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer helped AC Milan secure a 3-1 away victory in Sunday’s Serie A outing.

Osimhen suffered a dislocated shoulder during Nigeria’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone and he did not recover in time for the encounter at the Stadio San Paolo.

In the absence of the Nigeria forward who has scored two Serie A goals this campaign, Gennaro Gattuso opted to have Dries Mertens lead Napoli's attack while Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly marshalled the defence.

Kessie and Bennacer produced fine performances in the middle of the park for AC Milan while the latter assisted Jens Hauge to seal all three points for the Rossoneri in the stoppage time.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring at the Stadio San Paolo in the 20th minute, and he later made it 2-0 with his second goal of the night in the 54th minute.

A few minutes after the hour-mark, Mertens reduced the deficit for Napoli but it was not enough to inspire a comeback as they suffered their second straight loss at home.

Bennacer completed the most tackles in the encounter (5) while Kessie managed the best pass accuracy (94.1 per cent) and they were both in action for 90 minutes.

Sunday's triumph stretched AC Milan's dominance at the summit of the Serie A table to 20 points after eight matches as Napoli dropped to sixth with 14 points.

Gattuso will hope to have Osimhen ready for Thursday's Uefa Europa League clash against Rijeka at home, after he missed their last match due to a red card he picked up against Real Sociedad on October 29.