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James Rodriguez has spoken out amid reports of a bust-up in the Colombia dressing room after their World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay.

Colombia suffered a major blow in their bid to qualify for Qatar 2022 after being thrashed 3-0 by Uruguay at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez last Friday.

Edinson Cavani fired home the opening goal of the game with just five minutes on the clock, and Luis Suarez doubled the visitors' account via the penalty spot early in the second period.

Darwin Nunez rounded off the scoring when his thunderous long-range strike went flying past David Ospina in the 73rd minute, with Colombia's misery compounded when Yerry Mina was shown a red card in stoppage time.

It has been reported that tensions within Carlos Queiroz's squad boiled over after the final whistle, leading to a physical confrontation behind the scenes which James was allegedly at the centre of.

The Everton midfielder vehemently denies those claims, however, and has threatened to take legal action against the publications responsible for defaming his character.

"To the public opinion, the media and fans in general that I DISMISS all kinds of supposed information alluding to mistreatment, aggression, disputes or all kinds of controversy raised between players and in which I am mentioned as the protagonist, After the World Cup qualifying commitments that took place on November 13 and 17, 2020," James said in an official statement on Thursday.

"What happened on the court and the unfortunate results have not prospered beyond what the game represents. Both in the dressing room and in my personal life, I maintain excellent and respectful relationships with each of my teammates from the Colombian National Team.

"The moment is complex from the sporting point of view, we players are the first to recognise our responsibility. However, as a group we remain united and with the intact dream of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, something for which we will work even harder.

"For the above, we need to clear all kinds of doubts about what harmony and the environment in the dressing room represent, which although it is affected from the soul has never passed into conflict between us its members.

"Finally, I ask everyone not to fall further into the misinformation of these slanders. Those responsible and creators of these false stories only intend to foment discord and chaos by affecting my name, so I will proceed in law where necessary."

Colombia did nothing to ease speculation of disharmony in the dressing room after losing 6-1 to Ecuador on Tuesday following their Uruguay defeat. 

Xavi believes Frenkie de Jong can 'mark an era at Barcelona' as the Spaniard heaped praise upon the midfielder. 

De Jong moved to Camp Nou last season from Ajax and showed glimpses of his full potential in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Catalans. 

Now playing under Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, De Jong looks set to be played in his preferred position moving forward after being forced to fill in across the midfield last term. 

Still only 23, Xavi believes the best is yet to come from De Jong, with the man tipped to soon return to Barcelona as manager, adamant the Netherlands prodigy is capable of carving out his own legacy at the club and with his country too. 

"When Barcelona signed Frenkie de Jong, it made me happy. I wished him good luck on Instagram, he responded very well, saying 'Thank you, it's an honour'. I consider him a footballer that can mark an era at Barcelona," Xavi told the 2022 World Cup's Instagram account. 

"Surely for Netherlands he will be one of the best players of his generation at Qatar 2022, without a doubt, he's still so young. 

"I think he is an extraordinary footballer, he's not afraid of getting the ball in areas that make it difficult to turn, he's such a good player. 

"Obviously, Barcelona requires players to be at an excellent level, otherwise there's always criticism. When you arrive at Barcelona, you have Messi, Griezmann, Pique, Busquets, Ter Stegen, the best players in the world are on your team. And you need time to adapt to a different culture, different language. It was also difficult for me, for Iniesta as well, when we were younger at 20-23, it's hard at a big club to make a difference.

"Frenkie de Jong is Frenkie de Jong. He has nothing to do with Iniesta, with me or with Busquets, he's totally different. 

"He's a very capable player and he will be the organiser of this generation of Dutch players. He's capable of organising a team from the midfield and I have no doubts, it's up to him.

"The Netherlands had the bad luck that they didn't qualify for the last World Cup but now they have a generation of players who are really good and can achieve great things, without a doubt." 

Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny have secured a private flight back to England after testing positive for Covid-19.

Liverpool talisman Salah was forced to sit out Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualification double-header against Togo after being diagnosed with coronavirus last Friday.

The 28-year-old posted another positive test on Wednesday while in self-isolation, and is now set to miss the Reds' top of the table Premier League clash against Leicester on Sunday.

It has been reported that Salah will have to wait until Monday for his next test, which would mark his tenth and final day in quarantine if the result comes back negative.

Egypt announced that Arsenal midfielder Elneny had also contracted coronavirus on Tuesday, and he subsequently sat out their 3-1 victory over Togo, having played in the first of their Group G meetings with their African rivals three days earlier, which ended in a 1-0 win for Hossam El Badry's side.

The Gunners will be forced to make do without the 28-year-old when they take in a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United this weekend, but he will be travelling back to London with his compatriot on Friday.

Elneny and Salah will be returning to England on a "medically equipped" plane, and will be tested again once they touch down in the country's capital city before continuing their respective spells in self-isolation.

The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed the news via the following statement on their official website: "Salah and Mohamed Elneny, the stars of the professional national team in England, would travel tomorrow from Hurghada airport on a private plane equipped with medical equipment, hoping that their cases would soon turn negative and be able to return to the participation of their two teams in their next matches.

"The Egyptian Federation has been in constant contact and coordination with the two clubs since each of them was infected with the Coronavirus, and communication was made through Captain Mohamed Fadl, a member of the five-year committee in charge of managing the Federation's affairs at the administrative level, and Dr. Muhammad Abu Al-Ela, the doctor of the national team at the medical level, while the two players made a new swab for each."

Kerala Blasters take on ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) opener at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Friday evening. 

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL. It will be broadcasted live on 15 Star channels and in eight languages. 

TEAM NEWS

Kerala Blasters Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Gary Hooper, Sahal Samad. 
 

ATK Mohun Bagan Possible XI: 

Injured - Jobby Justin
Doubtful - None   
Suspended -   None

Key Players -  Roy Krishna, Javi Hernandez  

Lionel Messi is the "only number one" in football, according to Ivan Rakitic, who says it was a "dream" to play alongside the Barcelona superstar for so many years.

Rakitic moved to Camp Nou from Sevilla for €18 million (£16m/$19m) in the summer of 2014, and went on to appear in over 300 games for the club across all competitions, scoring 35 goals while also providing 42 assists.

Messi was often the man to get on the end of the Croatia international's searching passes in the final third, as the two men enjoyed an effective partnership that garnered four La Liga titles and the Champions League during a six-year period.

The Argentine is generally regarded as the greatest player of his generation, having won a record six Ballon d'Or awards while establishing himself as Barca's all-time record goalscorer, but Raktiic thinks he is also head and shoulders above legendary figures of bygone eras.

Asked what he thinks of Messi as a player, the 32-year-old midfielder told FIFA.com: "One hundred per cent football. It doesn’t matter who you are, you just have to watch and enjoy this guy. He’s on another level.

"With all respect to the other greats, there’s only one number one – it’s Leo. To play 311 games next to him, it was a dream.

"I enjoyed it so, so much. I just want to say this: ‘Thank you for everything, Leo, because you’ll never know how much it meant to me to play next to you.'"

Rakitic returned to Sevilla in September after being deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, but says he will always look back on his time with Barca fondly for both professional and personal reasons.

"Six years, 311 games – the foreigner with the fourth-most games after Messi, Dani Alves and Mascherano – 13 titles. I think I can say that I’m part of the history of the club," he added.

"I got so much out of those six years. I will have Barcelona – the club, the city, the people – in my heart for the rest of my life. My family got bigger there – my youngest daughter was born in Barcelona.

"I’m really proud of my time there and will always cherish it."

Rakitic will be back in action with Sevilla when they play host to Celta Vigo on Saturday, while Messi will line up for Barca against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano in the weekend's standout La Liga fixture.

Tottenham Hotspur Women have appointed Lionesses assistant Rehanne Skinner as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half year deal, the club has confirmed.

The former England Under-21 boss, who stepped up to the senior set-up earlier this year, will replace former co-head coaches Karen Hills and Juan Amoros following their dismissal earlier this week.

Spurs sit one place off bottom in the Women's Super League, and are yet to win a top-flight game this term, with three draws and four losses to their name.

Skinner's arrival brings an end to her tenure in the national set-up, with the FA confirming that they will announce a replacement in due course for the ex-Great Britain assistant coach.

“I am incredibly excited by this opportunity," the new Lilywhites boss revealed in a statement. "I would like to thank Phil, Kay Cossington and Sue Campbell for their understanding, and their recognition that this will be a great chance for me to further progress my coaching career.

“I have really enjoyed my time at The FA, working alongside some wonderfully talented people and with players who have done so much to put women’s football and our England teams in the spotlight.

"It will be very hard to leave but I will always have such fond memories of my ten years working with England teams.”

The FA's head of women’s technical development Cossington offered her admiration for Skinner, adding: “I am delighted for Rehanne. While we are sorry to see her leave, we are committed to helping our talented coaches progress in the game.

“This is a brilliant opportunity and I am sure England teams will feel the benefit in the future of having another WSL head coach who understands our commitment to furthering the player pathway and can continue to build on the excellent relationship we enjoy between the domestic and international game."

Skinner first joined the FA in 2017 as Under-19 coach and has gradually worked her way through the ranks over the following three years, having previously worked in the women's set-up at Wales.

Outgoing Spurs coaches Hills and Amoros only signed new two-year deals with the club in September, but have paid the price for their poor start to the current season.

Their sacking brings to an end a relationship with Tottenham forged since 2007 and 2011 respectively, with the pair having guided the side to promotion to the Women's Super League in 2018-19.

Lionel Messi will only consider staying at Barcelona if they win the Champions League or La Liga, according to Rivaldo.

Messi attempted to manufacture a way out of Camp Nou at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, having reached the end of his tether over the way the club was being run at board room level following a shocking 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Barca ultimately managed to block the Argentine's exit with the help of La Liga, but speculation over his future continues to rage as he heads towards the final six months of his current contract.

Messi has continued to enjoy a prominent role in the Blaugrana starting XI despite ongoing transfer rumours, and has continued six goals in ten appearances across all competitions at the start of the new season.

Barca have won all three of their Champions League group stage matches with the 33-year-old leading the line, but consistency has proved elusive for Ronald Koeman's men in the Spanish top flight, with only 11 points picked up from a possible 21 so far.

Should head coach Ronald Koeman ultimately fail to deliver a major trophy by the end of the season, Rivaldo doesn't believe Messi will stick around at Camp Nou, especially given the fact the club may be unable to afford to keep on him such a lucrative contract after La Liga's decision to reduce its salary cap amid the coronavirus crisis.

"Barcelona had already negotiated some salary cuts with players and also tried to make a general cut that was declined by the squad, so, this is not new for the players," the ex-Barca forward told Betfair.

"But it does reinforce the idea that reaching an agreement to renew Messi's contract is going to be tough with a reduced margin to increase his salary.

"Of course, Messi will have better offers from other clubs, and was already trying to leave the club by the end of last season. I can't see how our board will convince him to take a step back on that decision.

"In my opinion, only winning a Champions League or La Liga title this season, or watching Koeman getting the team playing beautiful football can convince Messi to reconsider his options.

"Unfortunately I'm afraid this will be his last season with the club."

Messi and Co will be back in La Liga action away at Atletico Madrid on Saturday, but Diego Simeone's men will be missing top scorer Luis Suarez, who moved to Wanda Metropolitano from Barca in the summer transfer window, after the Uruguayan tested positive for Covid-19.

Rivaldo thinks Koeman's side have a better chance of a positive result due to Suarez's absence, but he still expects Atletico to provide a stern test after their bright start to the campaign.

"Barcelona have a tough clash against Atletico Madrid in la Liga on Saturday, and while everyone will wish him well, Luis Suárez's absence with COVID-19 is a positive for Ronald Koeman and his boys," the Brazilian added.

"We all know Suárez's quality from his time at Catalonia, but given the way he was 'dismissed' from the club he would undoubtedly be motivated to punish his former club and show the Barca board that they made a mistake by letting him go.

"It's a big loss for Atleti, but they are playing well and I'm sure it will be a very tough match for Barca. As I mentioned last week, they are here to battle for La Liga title this season and I don't imagine Barcelona comfortably winning at Wanda Metropolitano."

Christy Ucheibe's SL Benfica have advanced to the Round of 32 of the Uefa Women's Champions League following Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Anderlecht at Lotto Park in Brussels.

Having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sporting CP last week, the Nigeria international was afforded a place in the starting XI as she was in fine form to help her side reach the next round of the competition.

To reach the second round of the qualifying stage, SL Benfica beat Greek side PAOK 3-1 earlier this month, while hammering Linfield 8-0. 

After a goalless first half, Charlotte Tison broke the deadlock to the shock of the visitors 10 minutes after the restart.

Benfica's Nycole Raysla struck in the 62nd minute to inspire the visitors' second half before she netted her second of the match to later complete the comeback victory 12 minutes from time.

Ucheibe was in action from the start to finish and her presence proved to be a huge bargain for Benfica against Anderlecht.

With the win, Benfica progressed to the Round of 32 for the first time on their debut outing and they will find out their next round opponent on November 24's draw, with fixtures billed for December.

Benfica will aim to bounce back to winning ways at Estoril Praia in their next league game after the international break on December 19.

Frank Lampard remains insistent that Christian Pulisic can prove a hugely influential figure at Chelsea once the club is able to help the American winger solve his hamstring problem.

The United States international, who missed the start of the new campaign, looked set for a run in the Blues' starting XI until he suffered a twinge in the warm-up before last month's game at Burnley.

A previous hamstring injury ended Pulisic's involvement in August's FA Cup final against Arsenal, after he scored the game's opening goal, and he continues to be troubled in that area.

The £58million (€65m/$77m) signing from Borussia Dortmund has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to Newcastle United, three weeks after his Turf Moor setback was described by Lampard as "very minor", and it remains to be seen when he will be next available for selection.

There is no doubt the situation is frustrating to all concerned at Chelsea, with the club's medical staff working to help Pulisic back to full strength.

"With Christian, we're still searching," said Lampard. "He's in a position at the moment where he's had a problematic injury.

"Christian had a history before coming to us of some muscular injuries and he's had them again.

"Everything about Christian and how he is around the training ground, and how he prepares and how much he wants to play, is perfect.

"We need to try to find the right balance between playing and resting and maintenance during the week to try to get the best out of him.

"He's a young player still. It's not abnormal and we will find a solution. I don't want to make more of it than it is, because we want as many games out of Christian as we can possibly get because of his ability.

"But at the minute he's injured so in the short term it's a work in progress.

"But we have a great medical team here and we're very much joined up in the idea of getting the best of Christian, to get him fit as much as we can."

Pulisic has made just three Premier League appearances in the 2020-21 campaign to date, and has failed to add to the Blues' table-leading haul of 20 goals to date.

AmaZulu FC have provided an injury update of Bonginkosi Ntuli, Siphesihle Maduna and Siphiwe Tshabalala ahead of their big encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Usuthu are set to travel to Loftus Versveld Stadium where they are scheduled to face Masandawana on Sunday in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match.

Experienced striker Ntuli and young playmaker Maduna, who both played an instrumental role in helping Usuthu avoid relegation last season, are yet to feature for the team this term.

AmaZulu physiotherapist Ryan Coert has disclosed that the two players sustained a fifth metatarsal fracture on both their left feet when speaking on the club's official website on Thursday.

“Both Ntuli and Maduna suffered a fifth metatarsal fracture on both their left feet. We are currently using a machine called an Osteotron which helps speed up the healing of the bones with the fracture just a little bit,” Coert said. 

“So, we are doing x-rays on a weekly basis to see the progress. Ntuli is doing very well, he is currently still on a moon boot, but we are hoping to get him out of it within the next week.

"Maduna suffered the same injury a week and a half after Ntuli’s injury so he will probably follow in the same progress soon and get off the moon boot and crutches," he continued. 

"Then both can start running on the anti-gravity treadmill before they can start on the field again."

The 2019/20 campaign saw Ntuli enjoy one of his best seasons in the PSL as the former Sundowns marksman hit the back of the net 13 times in the league.

It was Maduna's breakthrough season as he made 25 appearances in the league and netted once which saw him being nominated for the PSL Young Player of the Season accolade.

Meanwhile, Coert revealed Tshabalala has suffered a thigh strain and the veteran winger is still being monitored by the club's medical team.

“Then Siphiwe Tshabalala sustained a thigh strain. We are still monitoring him, and he should be cleared soon,” he concluded. 

The former Kaizer Chiefs captain, who is yet to make his official debut for Usuthu, joined the club on a two-year deal last month having been clubless for over a year after leaving Turkish club Buyuksehir Belediye (BB) Erzurumspor.

AmaZulu will be looking to record their second successive win in the league when they face Sundowns having defeated Black Leopards 2-0 in their last match on November 4. 

Two-time African champions Asante Kotoko have served the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with a letter, threatening to withdraw from the collective Premier League (GPL) TV rights sold to Chinese broadcasting firm StarTimes. 

The Porcupine Warriors have been at war with the national football's governing body following a heated disagreement over the club's attempt to film its league opener against Eleven Wonders for educational (performance analysis) purposes in Accra on Sunday. 

Match officials initially held off Kotoko's attempt to film the game with their newly-acquired football videoing technology, arguing the activity infringed on the broadcasting agreement with StarTimes. The impasse saw the Porcupine Warriors threaten to abandon the game, delaying kick-off for about 15 minutes. The club, arguably Ghana's biggest, ultimately had their way. 

The GFA has been quick to issue a warning to the club about any future attempts, drawing a prompt response from Kotoko who held no punches in their reply. 

"In your letter, you stated that filming of matches infringes on your contractual obligation with StarTimes Ghana. To this end, we wish to request a copy of the contract between the GFA and StarTimes to enable us to ascertain our rights and obligations and the relevant breaches with regards to clubs filming their matches," part of the Kotoko statement read. 

"If we do not receive our copy of the contract by Monday, November 23rd, we would not be in a position to honour any obligations towards StarTimes since we cannot honour obligations without knowing our rights.

"We wish to posit that your decision to stop clubs from filming matches only for educational purposes is with due respect arbitrary and against the provision of the Ghana Premier League Regulations (2019).

In the GFA's warning letter against the filming of matches by clubs, it urged clubs to rely on StarTimes for match footage for their performance analysis activities or face disciplinary action.

Kotoko, however, maintain "as a progressive club, we are sorry to tell you that we cannot rely on the post-match footage for StarTimes for technical analyses since it does not provide the necessary ingredients, especially for analysis.

"Should you continue to insist on this absurd, primitive and backward approach to the development of the game, we would instruct you to furnish us with your account details in which we would refund the $5,000 [€4,213] out of the $15,000 [€12,639] you were supposed to pay to clubs as sponsorship packages from StarTimes and also instruct you of our decision to cease dealing with StarTimes."

The Porcupine Warriors, Caf Champions League winners in 1970 and 1983, are the most successful club in the history of the Ghana Premier League, having clinched the title on 23 occasions. 

In the 2019 African Sports Centre for Data Research and Technology (ASC) Ghana Premier League Report, 41 per cent of respondents in the nationwide survey declared as fans of Kotoko, 14% more than archrivals Hearts of Oak. 

The latest dispute has seen fans of Kotoko launch a barrage of attacks on the GFA and TV partners StarTimes, particularly on social media. 

In January, StarTimes signed a five-year agreement with the GFA worth $5.25m [€4.42 million] to be the exclusive television rights owner of the Ghana Premier League.

Vipers SC head coach Fred Kajoba is struggling to have his three players released from the Uganda U20 team ahead of their Caf Champions League game which starts on November 27.

The Ugandan Premier League (UPL) giants will be representing the country in the competition to be played later in November. The tactician has now said the three players, Najib Yiga, Aziz Kayondo and Bobos Byaruhanga should be released to help the team have a better chance of advancing.

"I really wanted my players because they are very valuable to the team as we head to the Caf Champions League qualifiers against Al Hilal," Kajoba told Football256. 

"I talked to [Hippos coach] Morley Byekwaso asking him for the boys but my request hit a deaf ear. I explained to him how I badly needed them but I got a negative reply.

"I reached the extent of asking for at least two players namely Aziz Kayondo and Bobosi Byaruhanga but still my request hardly materialised."

The U20 team is preparing for the Cecafa U20 competition which will also be used as a Zone 5 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier and Byekwaso explains why he cannot release the aforementioned players.

"I have spent a good time with these players organising for Cecafa," the tactician said.

"This is a crucial time for our preparations and we can’t afford to lose these players because they are crucial to us. The system that registers players to play in the tournament by Caf was closed so we cannot add any player to the team.

"If we had a chance to bring on other players. You never know we could weigh possible options. I have no say on this though.

"I have informed my bosses at Fufa noting that they are very valuable players on my team. If I lose the three players I am left with only 17 players eligible to participate in the Cecafa tournament."  

Uganda are in Group B alongside Burundi, Eritrea and South Sudan while hosts Tanzania are in Group A, including Somalia, Rwanda and Djibouti.

Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia are in Group C. The tournament recommences on November 23.

Sergio Ramos is set to miss a trio of games for Real Madrid but the Spanish champions will be left relieved that their captain is not set for a longer lay-off after he pulled up in Spain's Nations League victory over Germany.

The veteran centre-back, who skippers both Los Blancos and La Roja, was forced off in the first half of Tuesday's 6-0 drubbing of the visitors in Seville, raising concerns that he could be set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old was able to leave the field under his own steam, making way for Eric Garcia just before the break at Estadio La Cartuja, but his premature exit stoked fears that Madrid would be forced to do without their stalwart defender for the foreseeable future.

The club has now confirmed that Ramos has suffered a hamstring injury in his right leg, and that he will certainly miss upcoming clashes in La Liga with Villarreal and Alaves, as well as a Champions League tie with Inter sandwiched in-between domestic commitments.

"After the tests carried out today on our player Sergio Ramos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg," Madrid revealed in an official statement.

Though the club is yet to provide a further timeframe beyond that, stating that the former Sevilla man is awaiting further tests, the lack of a further timeline suggests a hope that the player will be able to figure in Zinedine Zidane's plans for December's trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Ramos has started every league game for Madrid so far this season, forming the core of their defense as they look to defend their crown, with Saturday's trip to Villarreal offering a chance for the club to reset following a 4-1 defeat to Valencia heading into the international break.

The centre-back had also been in fine form for Luis Enrique's national squad, extending his own record as the most-capped player in Spain history while helping the 2010 World Cup winners to their maiden Nations League finals with victory over holders Portugal.

Ajara Nchout continued her goalscoring form in Valerenga's 7-0 win over Ruvimbo Mucherera's Gintra Universitetas in Thursday's Uefa Women's Champions League second-round qualifying match.

The Cameroon international has been superb for Valerenga since she arrived in 2019, netting 11 times in 19 games in all events, including a brace in a 7-0 first-round victory over Faroe Island's KI.

On the other hand, US-born Zimbabwean Mucherera came into the encounter on the heel of her Champions League scoring debut in Gintra Universitetas’ 4-0 first-round win over Slovan Bratislava.

The Norwegian giants started like a house on fire in Telsiai as Sherida Spitse's cross was headed in by Ingibjorg Sigurðardottir for Valerenga's opening goal after just 19 minutes of the encounter.

In the 33rd minute, Rikke Madsen profited from Jalen Tompkins' poor goalkeeping inside the area to tap in the second of the match.

On the brink of half time, Dejana Stefanovic turned in a goal after a scramble after Spitse's fine cross from the left-wing.

After the recess at Telsiai Stadium, the visitors continued their ruthless form in the second half as Stefanovic tapped in from close range her second of the match in the 61st minute of the encounter.

A minute later, Madsen's effort off Synne Jensen's cross was turned out by goalkeeper Meda Seskute but Nchout was in a good position to convert the rebound for Valerenga's fifth of the match.

In the 69th minute, Vestina Neverdauskaite mistakenly turned a cross in from Spitse into her own net inside six yards before Jensen got on the scoresheet with a seventh to seal Valeranga's win.

Nchout, who lasted the duration of the game has now scored 12 goals in 20 outings in all competitions this season for Valerenga.

The result saw Valerenga and Nchout book a spot in the Round of 32, while Mucherera, who was in action for 81 minutes and could not save Gintra from being booted out of the competition.

In their next fixture, Valerenga will square up with title rivals Avaldsnes in the Norwegian Women's Cup semi-final on Sunday. 

Jose Mourinho is "taking Tottenham in the right direction", according to Dimitar Berbatov, who says the Portuguese boss has turned Spurs into "genuine title contenders".

Mourinho has gradually transformed Tottenham back into a formidable force since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the hot seat in November 2019.

Spurs had slipped into the bottom half of the table before the 57-year-old's arrival, but he managed to guide them to a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification by the end of the season.

The Lilywhites have built on that platform at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, winning five, drawing two and losing just one of their opening eight fixtures to rise to second in the early Premier League standings.

Mourinho's men have also scored 19 goals, the second-highest total in the division, and Berbatov says the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager has proved he is the right man to take the club forward after initial scepticism from a large section of supporters over his appointment.

"It is exactly a year since Jose Mourinho took over as Spurs manager. At the time I said it was a good appointment and backed Mourinho to succeed when many fans were unhappy about his arrival," the ex-Tottenham striker told Betfair.

"I bet they're not complaining now. Spurs' league position shows Mourinho is taking the club in the right direction. And they're not just playing defensive football either - just look at the brilliant form Son Heung-min is in at the moment.

"At the same time, no manager is more than two defeats from a crisis so he needs to keep up the good work."

Tottenham will have the chance to move ahead of Leicester City at the top of the Premier League when they play host to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on Saturday.

Berbatov is backing Mourinho to come out on top against his long-time rival on the touchline, and says a victory for Spurs would represent a huge statement of intent in this season's title race.

"It will be fascinating to see Mourinho take on Pep Guardiola on Saturday," he added. "Their rivalry has been played out in some heady atmospheres - El Clasico in Spain and the Manchester derby - but in front of no fans in north London on Saturday it will be different. There probably won't be any verbal clashes between the pair because they wouldn't want the TV cameras picking that up!

"The rivalry is always there between them and it will be played out on the pitch as they pit their wits tactically. I want to see Tottenham win, to say to the whole league that they're serious about challenging for the title, and I believe they will win a tight match.

"Spurs have already sent a powerful message to the rest of the Premier League with their performances so far this season, whether that was demolishing Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford or grinding out victory at Burnley.

"If they beat City then Spurs message will resonate even more. City have had their problems this season but they're still one of the best teams in the world. Spurs are capable of beating them and are genuine title contenders, especially in a year when the race looks wide open."

Former Serbia star Marko Pantelic has hit back following Nemanja Vidic's criticism of the football association by asking if he remembers missing a decisive penalty against Slovenia in a European Championship play-off eight years ago.

Serbia's hopes of reaching Euro 2021 were ended when they fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat in last week's play-off encounter at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade.

The game finished 1-1 after normal time, with Ryan Christie and Luka Jovic grabbing the goals for their respective nations, and spot-kicks were needed after a goalless 30 minutes of extra time.

Scotland held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties, with Serbia failing to qualify for the European Championships for the fourth time since they began competing as an independent nation in 2006.

Ex-Manchester United star Vidic, who won 56 caps for his country over the course of his career, launched a scathing attack on the FA for the way they have been running the national set up on Thursday, insisting that they have been putting money ahead of the team's progress on the pitch.

"The whole system works in the interest of managers and officials, and not in the interest of football. It allows people, to put it mildly with dubious biographies, to make huge money," he said in a lengthy statement published by Danas.

"A system that replaces a coach who qualifies for the World Cup? Footballers and coaches are doomed to cooperate with such people, because, unfortunately, they are the ones who decide their fate. 

"They teach children that for the path to success, it is important who is your manager and who is the coach, because quality is not a measure, neither football, nor human.

"Such a way of functioning starts from the younger categories. By the time a player comes to the first team, he has learned the opposite of what should create emotion and respect for the jersey he wears. Only when that changes then every player will fight to play in such a national team!

"Capable people in our football are those who manipulate the system and the law! Just ask them where they got their money from and how they earned it! Until that changes - there is no progress! I am really interested in which of the next experts will come forward to defend such a system."

Pantellic has issued a swift response to his old team-mate, urging him to become a part of the solution instead of adding fuel to the fire after a damaging defeat, while also bringing up some of the high profile mistakes he made in a Serbia shirt.

The ex-Hertha Berlin and Ajax star reminded Vidic of his infamous penalty miss during Serbia's 1-0 defeat to Slovenia back in 2012 during his own statement, which reads: "My dear Nemanja, there are few Serbian football players who have achieved what you are and who have represented our country in such a way. 

"There are few who had the courage to take responsibility on the ground like you. You never hesitated, you entered everything uncompromisingly. We called you before this cycle to get involved in the work of the alliance, to take responsibility and to be with a new generation, just like on the field. 

"But this time you didn't want to. You turned down every suggestion. Decided to stay in the shadows contrary to your position.

"Now you have welcomed the moment and hit the alliance that was with you as a player, but also now. You say you see a lot of problems. There were a lot of them when you, as a member of the national team, did not manage to go to big competitions or when you took responsibility and made mistakes when it depended on you. 

"Remember the penalty against Slovenia, the defeat against Estonia, the penalty against Germany ... Not everything was good even then. However, you did not write statements then. You did what you know best. Now you have decided to start fighting the system. The only question is with which people.

"It's easy. Protect coaches and players with your name and authority. Get in the system and show that you can do better. Who will be able to ban Nemanja Vidic from anything? You weren't at the stadium against Scotland, with the players and the profession. You weren't there before to point out the problems you see.

"What would have happened if the penalty roulette had sided with us and we had gone to the European Championship? Would he write statements even then?

"Take this opportunity to once again invite you to come to the Serbian Football Association, as a man of clean and unpolluted biography and to start improving football.

"State your plan for solving the problems you mentioned, because these are all general places or general problems of European football, and let us try to change everything together. 

"Otherwise, you will drown in a group of critics who know everything after failure and do nothing. And finally, it does not belong to the former captain of the national team to communicate in this way or to stab him in the back at such a difficult time. We did not expect that from you."

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has spoken about Wilfried Zaha's role ahead of their encounter against Burnley on Monday.

The Ivory Coast international has been delivering consistent performances for the Eagles to help the club maintain their Premier League status.  

In the current campaign, the forward has been in fine form in front of goal, firing home five strikes and providing two assists in eight league games.

His scintillating showings helped the Selhurst Park outfit to their current eighth spot on the Premier League table.

Hodgson has praised the form of the 28-year-old and disclosed the forward’s desire to score more goals for the club.

“Zaha is in very good form at the moment, I'm pretty sure they'll be well aware of that and trying to stop him,” Hodgson said in a pre-match press conference.

“He's definitely more focused on scoring goals. He's always been dangerous, but now he's attracting attention because of his goals and assists whereas in the past he helped us win games but may not have got on the scoresheet.”

Zaha has impressed in the forward role since teaming up with Palace and Hodgson has revealed the club has always believed in his ability.

“I'm not certain about how his role has changed. He's never really played as an out-and-out winger since I've been here,” he continued.

“He spent virtually the first season upfront with Townsend, now it's with [Michy] Batshuayi or [Jordan] Ayew.

“I don't read as much into the second striker role. Our aim is to get him on the ball high up the pitch to use all the skills he has.

“He's never been a winger during my three years at the club. He's played as a wide forward, getting in the box when the ball's on the opposite flank.

“We know he can not only create goal chances, but we've always believed in his ability to score goals.”

Zaha will hope to help Crystal Palace clinch their fifth Premier League win of the season against Burnley at Turf Moor.

Levante midfielder Cheick Doukoure is aiming to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon and play for the Ivory Coast again.

He suffered the injury in July and he is expected to be on the sidelines for over six months. The setback came barely two months after he recovered from a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out of action from February 2019 to May 2020.

Doukoure is yet to play for Levante this season with his last competitive appearance dating back to July when he was on loan at Huesca.

On the international scene, the 28-year-old’s last outing with the Ivory Coast was over two years ago during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

When asked about his long absence from the Elephants squad, the 2015 Africa Cup Nations winner told Goal; “The selection was part of my daily life. I got used to it. Today, I want to find my daily life and therefore the selection. Defending the colours of your country is the pinnacle.

“We had created a family and this is something that I miss a lot. I was injured before Afcon 2019. It was hard to accept because I had done everything to qualify.

“But I continued to follow them and today I'm lucky that the coach (Patrice Beaumelle) hears from me. He bothered to call me as soon as he took the team. We know each other because he was with us when we won the Afcon in Equatorial Guinea. He shows me that he is counting on me, that I am not left out. The staff calls me too.”

Doukoure has started mild training sessions ahead of a potential return in January and he disclosed how he’s coped with the injuries.

“It is true that it makes two big injuries in a short time. I had my cruciate ligaments in February 2019. I also had a small tear at the beginning of the year, and now the Achilles tendon,” he continued.

“These are hard knocks to take every time. It is not always easy to accept, especially since I had already made the crossroads in Metz. But I am lucky to have a big mind, I am equipped to face these tests.

“My family is around me, I work a lot and I take that as a challenge. So far, I have been able to respond to every hard blow, but it is sure that a lot of work had to be done because recurring injuries are never trivial. I don't have a bad lifestyle. I am a calm person.

“I'm fine. I resumed work with the ball on the field, I resumed the work of running and support too. I am entering the last phase now. The objective is to be present for January in order to attack the second part of the season at the top.”

Kaizer Chiefs legend Stanton 'Stiga' Fredericks has discussed factors which have contributed to the Soweto giants' slow start to the 2020/21 season.  

Banned from registering players for two consecutive transfer windows, Amakhosi have won two‚ drawn one and lost three matches across all competitions under their head coach Gavin Hunt.

The accomplished tactician replaced German coach Ernst Middendorp, who was dismissed by Chiefs after the team lost the PSL title to Mamelodi Sundowns on the last day of last season.

“I have to touch on what Ernst Middendorp and [assistant] Shaun Bartlett did with the players at their disposal last season,” Fredericks told Times Live. 

“Middendorp brought the best out of the players. They worked‚ they never played attractive football‚ but they had a winning mentality. Chiefs fought.

“So here comes a different era‚ and this is the same case for every team out there. I think the Covid pandemic was such a struggle – because we can just imagine; we were not in that bubble."

The retired winger explained Amakhosi's embarrassing defeat in the MTN8 to their archrivals Orlando Pirates exposed their weaknesses, but he feels the Glamour Boys were unlucky.

“The psychological part players are dealing with now we can’t understand. And maybe in two years we’ll look back and say‚ ‘Oh, players reacted like this because it was post-Covid-19'," he continued.

“So‚ trying to answer your question on Gavin and having a difficult start‚ I think that defeat they got handed from Orlando Pirates [5-0 on aggregate in the MTN8 semi-finals] is really causing a lot of in-depth analysis‚ putting the spotlight on to say‚ ‘Wow‚ how bad are we?’

“We could have been talking a different story now if Leonardo Castro and Khama Billiat scored from those early chances in the first leg. But because of the scoreline it now seems like it’s going to be a very difficult situation."

The former Bafana Bafana international, who played under Hunt at SuperSport United, believes the 56-year-old tactician needs new signings to improve the team. 

“Huntie coming in‚ not being able to sign is a massive blow. Because wherever Gavin has gone he’ll sign in pivotal positions. He’ll get the centre-back – Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ Bongani Khumalo‚ Ricardo Katza – he wants," he explained. 

"He’ll get the guy in the middle‚ and get his two strikers – one who can hold the ball up and is good in the air‚ one who can connect. The second challenge is the injury to Samir Nurkovic‚ because he showed his impact last season.

"I think their squad isn’t where it should be in terms of the pedigree of Chiefs‚ and a few signings can change that. You can see Gavin is trying to find his combinations in the middle‚ and in defence‚ and a signing or two could solve that.”

Fredericks also stated that Hunt is used to coaching smaller-clubs and he is now facing his biggest challenge as a coach with senior players such as Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande having struggled for form thus far this season. 

“The challenge for coach Huntie is that you’re going to need to manage your star players. There is no doubt‚ we know his pedigree‚ it’s just a matter of time that he’s going to win," he said. 

"But that struggle is: how do you manage personalities‚ how do you manage players who are earning big bucks‚ who are playing at a big team‚ are very famous? That is a challenge he never needed to face. And this is an opportunity for him to do that. Because he’s going to have to do things a bit differently.

“I’m part of the old school where if I have a coach like Eddie Lewis or Gavin Hunt‚ and it comes to training or I have a bad match‚ or half-time he lashes you – he expects a reaction."

“That’s Huntie’s players he uses. Now it’s a different ball game. You need to tell Billiat‚ ‘Listen’‚ you need to explain to Willard Katsande why you’re dropping him," he added. 

“And I’m sure he knew that going into the job. And that is something we will have to see‚ and I would love to see – how he manages that aspect.”

Chiefs will be looking to return to winning ways when they face Lamontville Golden Arrows in a league clash on Saturday having succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Pirates in their last game which was the MTN8 semi-final second-game on November 8.

Youssoufa Moukoko will "break many Bundesliga records", according to his former coach Michael Feichtenbeiner, who has hailed the Borussia Dortmund teenager as an "outstanding talent".

Moukoko has enjoyed a rapid rise through Dortmund's youth ranks since joining the club from Hamburg-based club St. Pauli in 2016.

The 15-year-old has hit a staggering hitting 127 goals in 84 appearances for BVB's academy sides and has also managed to lay on 26 assists, proving himself as both a prolific marksman and an inventive playmaker in the final third of the pitch.

Moukoko has been training with Dortmund's senior squad since August, with the club handing him the No.18 shirt to mark his step up to the professional level.

The forward is even being touted to make his full debut when Lucien Favre's side takes in a trip to Hertha Berlin this weekend, as Bundesliga rules will permit him to be available for selection when he turns 16 on Friday.

Moukoko will become the youngest player to ever feature in the German top-flight if he is handed some minutes at The Olympiastadion, and Feichtenbeiner says this is only the beginning for the player with limitless ability.

Asked if the BVB starlet is the most talented player he has ever worked with, the ex-Germany U16s coach told Goal and SPOX: "Definitely. Such a talent does not come along in Germany every five years. 

"His football skills are simply outstanding and he is a player who can make all the difference. He scored his goals everywhere - and there will be no end. 

"Youssoufa will break many records in the Bundesliga."

Pressed on whether a player who has already represented Germany at U20 level will be an immediate success at Dortmund, Feichtenbeiner responded: "Yes. He has this great determination and a very neat finish with his left foot. Youssoufa simply has quality. 

"In an environment like Dortmund with so many young players, it's a little easier for him. You can see that in Jude Bellingham, who as a 17-year-old from England seems to have few problems keeping up with the level."

Feichtenbeiner also offered an insight into how advanced Moukoko's skills were when he joined Germany's international set up at the age of 12, describing him as "extraordinary".

"He was physically extremely far, had good muscles and overall compact athletic, physical conditions - even at twelve. It was just a great fit for this class where the other players were two years older," he said.

"The fact that he still scored as he wanted and did not show any star behaviour, that was extraordinary."

The 60-year-old added on Moukoko's temperament: "Youssoufa is a very kind and completely normal boy. He just wants to play football. For me as a coach, with all the hype around him, it was reassuring to see that he remained a child on the pitch. 

"He had fun with his teammates and in training everything around him was forgotten because he was simply a footballer. You have to take a bow for how he puts all these things away. 

"He really can't be bothered easily."