Looking for Soccer News?

2016 should have been a seminal point in Ahmed Musa’s career, rather it probably marks the point where he plateaued and ultimately declined.

The wide attacker joined then-Premier League champions Leicester City in a deal that looked good on paper: The Foxes were getting a vivacious forward with an eye for goal. Claudio Ranieri’s defending champions were signing an attacker with European experience for their maiden sojourn on the continent.

It looked good, theoretically, especially as the versatile forward was only 23 at the time and was moving to a club that largely suited his profile and a league in which his qualities could shine through. A friendly encounter with Barcelona — in which the arrival from CSKA netted twice — offered promise but that pre-season game proved to be the forward’s highest point at the club.

Musa’s lack of contribution at the East Midlands outfit led to a return to Moscow temporarily before he headed to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr. However, after a two-year stay in Riyadh, the club called time on the forward’s spell at the club in October, leaving him without a club.

Indeed, it’s a comedown for the previously capable wide attacker whose pace and prowess in the final third offered his teams an attacking weapon. Now, at just 28, he finds himself unattached when he should be in his prime years.

Per Fanatik, Turkish giants Galatasaray are said to be interested in the Nigerian’s signature, but a potential move to Turkey puts his Super Eagles future in jeopardy...unless, of course, Gernot Rohr’s partisanship comes to the fore for the umpteenth time.

The German tactician’s attitude to the Super Lig has been evident in his time at the helm, with Henry Onyekuru and, recently, Anthony Nwakaeme not getting a look-in despite their noteworthy forms for Galatasaray and Trabzonspor respectively in the last two years or so.

Of course, there will be arguments presented by people who disapprove of this claim that the 67-year-old boss trusted Super Lig players like Ogenyi Onazi and Shehu Abdullahi at various points in the last few years, while Oghenekaro Etebo remains part of the team despite temporary switch to Gala. 

Still, it only strengthens the case for supporters who disapprove of the manager's double-standards.

While Onyekuru former has failed to kick on since returning to Monaco, Nwakaeme still finds himself out of the international picture despite remaining a key man under Eddie Newton.

The loss of Alexander Sorloth has meant Black Sea Storm have lost a significant part of their attack but the 31-year-old's influence has largely remained, although, it has to be said that the inside forward can’t lead a one-man carry job in Trabzon.

Be that as it may, it is a slap on the face of players like Nwakaeme that Rohr still picks Musa over them despite his apparent decline in recent years and move to a less popular league.

Surely, the Saudi Professional League isn’t superior to the Super Lig, unless the experienced tactician knows something many observers aren’t privy to.

The emergence of players like Chidera Ejuke also means Musa has to earn his call-ups and not simply rely on being captain of the side or previous high points in the national team.

October’s international friendlies present a pretty good example of why supporters are exasperated by Rohr. Despite the inclusion of Cyriel Dessers and Ejuke in the squad, the pair played a combined 38 minutes against Tunisia having missed out completely vs Algeria days earlier.

Musa, by contrast, came on for the final 15 minutes against the African champions before getting another 72 minutes of game time in the 1-1 draw vs the Carthage Eagles.

Dessers’ lack of goals for new side Genk has now seen the former Heracles striker dropped from the national team, whereas the 28-year-old retains his place for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite not playing in any capacity.

The apparent favouritism has been one of the few misgivings fans of the Super Eagles have had over the years, but Rohr’s closed-minded disposition irrespective of a player’s good form or otherwise has been particularly disappointing.

Of course, Musa has served the Super Eagles well — with World Cup braces vs Argentina in 2014 and Iceland four years later in Russia the peak moments — however, his continued presence in the setup means players like Dessers and Ejuke can’t be empowered to thrive in the side.

Getting continued invites to the Nigeria team if the move to Turkey materialises would be the most blatant disregard for someone like Nwakaeme, who’s deserved a second chance for years after an underwhelming debut against Algeria in 2017.

This will lead to queries over Rohr’s unfair preference with many probably questioning the lack of consistency and double-standard of the German boss.

Victor Lindelof admits to having “struggled through matches” at Manchester United this season, with the Swedish defender nursing a back complaint.

Niggling knocks are a way of life for professional footballers, with it rare for elite sportspeople to feel 100 per cent given the demands placed on their bodies.

Lindelof concedes that he has been feeling the strain in 2020-21, with the 26-year-old having to play through pain.

He has taken in 12 appearances for club and country in the current campaign, with nine of those coming for United, and is still searching for consistency.

Questions have been asked of his form and fitness, with Lindelof revealing that he has found it difficult at times to drag himself through Premier League outings.

He told Fotbollskanalen: “The back feels okay. I’ve been having problems for a few weeks. I’ve struggled through the matches there’s been.

“It’s nice that I got a few days off now where there has only been treatment and I really tried to rest.”

Lindelof has been able to take in a much-needed rest after being blocked from linking up with the Sweden squad for the first of their fixtures during the November international break.

With the United Kingdom imposing travel bans on those moving in and out of Denmark, amid coronavirus concerns in the Scandinavian nation, Lindelof was prevented from taking part in a friendly staged in Copenhagen.

He has, however, been cleared to figure in UEFA Nations League clashes with Croatia and France.

It remains to be seen how much game time he will see in those fixtures, given his fitness concerns, but the United centre-half says he is ready if required.

Lindelof added: “It [my back] felt good in training. Hopefully there should be no problems.

“If they want me to play, I will try to play and see how it feels. Then after that we will see how the back will be.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping that no unnecessary risks are taken by Sweden on one of his players, with United set to return to Premier League action on November 21 with a home date against West Brom.

Scottish left back Andrew Robertson was voted as the best player in the world in his position, beating out like minded compatriots becoming the fifth player to cement his position in the Goal's Top eleven powered by FIFA 21 as we attempt to identify who you think are the best footballers around the world.

Robertson led the table with 37% of the votes (+6500) beating out the only close competitior Davies who ended up with 36% of the votes (+6300) followed by Ferland Mendy, Sergio Reguilon and Jordi Alba ending up with 2100, 1450 and 1269 votes respectively. 

Stay tuned to this space as we ask for your help to identify the best defensive midfielder in the world.

Mesut Ozil has picked his side in the celebration spat that has been sparked between Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Toni Kroos, with the Arsenal outcast favouring his current club colleague.

A surprising war of words has broken out between the Gabonese frontman and the German playmaker. Real Madrid star Kroos, who spent several years on the books at Bayern Munich before heading to Spain, has criticised players who indulge in elaborate celebrations.

He told the Einfach mal Luppen podcast: “I find it (choreographed celebrations) very silly. Even worse is if there are any objects hidden in their socks. Aubameyang once celebrated and took out a mask. That's where it ends with me. I don't think that's a good role model, either. What nonsense.”

Former Borussia Dortmund star Aubameyang has broken out Spider-man and Black Panther celebrations in the past after hitting the back of the net.

He sees no reason why his actions should be questioned and has bitten back at Kroos by saying on social media: “By the way - does this Toni Kroos have kids? Just remember, I did it for my son a few times and I will do it again. I wish you have kids one day and make them happy like this junior school pupil. And don’t forget #maskon #staysafe.”

Ozil has now joined the debate and made it clear that his allegiances lie with a man he works alongside at Emirates Stadium.

He posted a video of Aubameyang on Twitter in Black Panther mode with the message: “The best goal celebration.”

Ozil currently finds himself frozen out at Arsenal, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta omitting him from their Europa League and Premier League squads.

The 32-year-old has split loyalties when it comes to a celebration dispute, with the former Germany international having savoured World Cup glory alongside Kroos in 2014.

It remains to be seen whether Aubameyang will take his argument up a notch when Arsenal return to Premier League action after the international break, with the 31-year-old in need of a goal spark that will allow him to break out more hidden masks in the future.

Jadon Sancho has sought to shut down talk of his intense links to Manchester United being a source of distraction, with the Borussia Dortmund winger adamant that he has merely suffered a “little dip” at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

The 20-year-old forward dominated headlines throughout the summer transfer window after United had identified him as a top target and wasted considerable time and energy in trying to put a deal in place.

Dortmund stood firm and refused to buckle under pressure, with the Bundesliga outfit making it clear that they had no intention of parting with Sancho.

That is because he has become a key figure for them since bursting onto the scene as precociously-gifted teenager.

Sancho’s standards have slipped early on this season, with just two goals and four assists recorded, but the England international insists that is not due to his head being turned by the Red Devils.

He told ITV Sport when that question was put to him: “Nah, I don’t think so.

“I feel like every player has a little dip in their career, and I feel I’m going through that at the moment. It is just how I’m bouncing back and I am just happy to have managers who have faith in and keep sight of me.”

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate handed Sancho a start in a 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland.

That faith was rewarded with a lively performance that included a third goal for his country, with Sancho adding: “I’m just happy to be starting for England. Every time I play I just try to do my best and luckily today I got the goal. I’m happy to help the team again.

“I expect a lot from myself personally. When I play I try to assist and score, and help the team. For a couple of games I haven’t been assisting or scoring but I knew I had the chance to do that.”

Sancho billed Jack Grealish, who also caught the eye when starting for England, as a “great player” and considers Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham to be fully deserving of the senior international bow that has come his way at 17 years of age.

He said of a club colleague: “He deserves it. At Dortmund he gives 100 per cent and his performances are world class. I’m happy for him.”

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for coronavirus after playing the full 90 minutes against England on Thursday.

Browne was part of the Ireland team beaten 3-0 at Wembley after goals from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Testing since that match has revealed the Preston North End man has contracted Covid-19, however.

Browne, who contested a game-high 13 duels, has had "no close contacts", FA Ireland reported on Friday.

"The rest of the staff and squad tested negative ahead of Sunday's UEFA Nations League [game] against Wales in Cardiff," a short statement read on Twitter.

While Ireland visit Wales then host Bulgaria in the Nations League, England go to Belgium before playing Iceland at Wembley.

The Iceland fixture had been in some doubt due to the visitors' prior match in Denmark, where a latest coronavirus outbreak has led to tightening of travel restrictions, but Iceland were granted exemption on Thursday, allowing the game to go ahead.

It has cast a shadow on a good night for England, who controlled the game against their neighbours, who stepped in as late opposition following New Zealand's withdrawal from the friendly fixture, due to coronavirus concerns, last month.

One of the brightest sparks was Jack Grealish, who played for Ireland at youth international level before switching allegiances to England.

Grealish was the architect of England's second goal as he played Jadon Sancho into the box with a perfectly weighted pass right on the half-hour mark, before the Borussia Dortmund winger cut onto his right foot and fired into the far corner of the net.

Former Ireland midfielder Roy Keane said of Grealish : “We are always questioning about his end product, that has improved over the last six months. It was a cushy night for him. It was his second start, this guy is going on to great things, no doubt in my mind.

“Jack has said his experience coming into the England squad, working with top players, you cannot beat it. You talk about coaching, I think sometimes you learn more from working with better players and we can see that, even from a couple of appearances he has had for England."

Manchester City tabled a “magnificent” bid for Jules Kounde over the summer, Sevilla director Monchi admits, but the Blues missed out on a deal because their offer still fell short of the 21-year-old’s valuation.

Pep Guardiola made the acquisition of defensive additions a top priority during the summer transfer window.

With questions asked of the centre-half options at his disposal, movement in and out of the Etihad Stadium was set in motion.

Nicolas Otamendi was among those to depart, paving the way for Nathan Ake to be snapped up from Bournemouth.

One deal was not enough for City, though, and they pushed hard to buy into the potential of Kounde before eventually settling on a £62 million ($81m) deal for Portuguese star Ruben Dias.

Benfica saw their ranks raided after Sevilla made it clear to a Premier League heavyweight that they would not be bowing to pressure and parting with a promising Frenchman for less than his full value in the present and future.

Monchi told El Desmarque when explaining the decision to shun a big-money approach: “We did what we thought was fair and in defence of the interests of the club, also in an ambitious way, because many people would have chosen to accept that offer.

“We value pros and cons and believe in the player, that has been key. We believe in the projection of a 21-year-old boy with a lot of ground to make up.

“Despite being a magnificent offer, very, very good, it did not satisfy the requests or what we thought of the player.

“Perhaps it was not what he was worth, because possibly that offer was close to what he was worth at that moment but we also have to think about what he can be worth [in the future].”

Kounde could have been forgiven for having his head turned by the interest shown in him by City, but the talented youngster has knuckled down in Spain and ignored the hype he continues to generate.

Monchi added: “He has been professional. Sometimes we are so used to seeing less professional behaviour that we are struck by the normal.

“He has accepted with normality that he has signed a contract, with a clause and some payments. I appreciate that because it’s always easier when the other party understands your position.

“He has had a professional and respectful behaviour with the club that has given him the opportunity to take another step in his career.”

Gareth Bale was caught glued to a laptop screen during Wales’ friendly date with the United States on Thursday and Robert Page says he would have no complaints if the Tottenham loanee was watching the Masters.

An avid golf fan who faced plenty of criticism for that hobby during his time at Real Madrid was not included in the Welsh matchday squad for a clash against the USA.

That freed him to take up a place in the stands, where he seemingly found other ways to keep himself amused.

Plenty have suggested that Bale was keeping up to date with goings on at Augusta while his fellow countrymen played out a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium, with his attention certainly diverted.

Page, who has been standing in as national team coach during the enforced absence of Ryan Giggs, claims to have no interest in what Bale was up to off the pitch, with the 31-year-old being kept fresh for a UEFA Nations League double header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

When the Masters theory was put to him in Swansea, Page told reporters: “I don’t know what the players not in the squad were up to.

“There are no problems at all. Balo’s here, he’s in the dressing room with the lads beforehand and making sure that everyone’s in the right frame of mind.

“He is probably the fittest he has been and we will benefit from that.

“It’s great to have him playing week-in week-out and the way Tottenham have built him up to full fitness.

“It’s a case of managing him this week. It was always the plan to leave him out of the 23 and have him raring to go and firing on Sunday.”

Page is in temporary charge of Wales as Giggs has agreed to a three-game absence from the touchline following allegations of assault.

The Manchester United legend is still having an input on decisions, though, as he watches on from afar.

Page added: “We spoke before the game and he wished us all luck.

“We spoke about substitutions and how we anticipated the game would go.

“We’ll also have a debrief and we’ll go through any little knocks we’ve picked up, performance, areas we need to look at and have a quick chat.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is “the best athlete” around and more than capable of playing beyond his 40th birthday, claims former Manchester United fitness coach Mick Clegg, a man who is also backing the Juventus superstar to break Josef Bican’s all-time goalscoring record.

A five-time Ballon d’Or winner is showing no sign of slowing down in Italy at the age of 35.

Remarkable standards are being maintained by a man who has spent his entire career to date being driven by a desire to be the best.

That work ethic, along with no little ability, has carried the Portuguese superstar to the very top of the game.

Speculation has started to surface regarding another potential move, with Juve reportedly weighing up their options, but Clegg can see Ronaldo emulating and eventually eclipsing the efforts of ex-United team-mate Ryan Giggs when it comes to longevity.

“Before Ronaldo, the best athlete in terms of work on his body was Ryan Giggs,” Clegg, who formed part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching team at Old Trafford, told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He was the strongest, the most attentive to details. If Giggs played at United until he was 40, Ronaldo can play till he is 41.

“Cristiano was the only one able to go beyond the high standards of Giggs.”

Clegg is also expecting Ronaldo to add another entry to the record books that he already dominates.

A 102nd goal for Portugal was recorded in his last outing, taking him onto 746 in his career as a whole.

Only Iran icon Ali Daei (109) has more international efforts to his name, while Pele (767), Romario (772) and Bican (805) are all that lie between him and a standing as the greatest marksman of all-time.

“He will score more goals than Bican,” Clegg added. 

“Ronaldo will change his way of playing, maybe his role too, as it happened with Giggs. He's going to stay close to the top because he's obsessed with being the best ever.

“He trains a lot, he takes care of recovery and sleep, he has a cook, he knows how to avoid stress.

“He is attentive to details, this is the secret even if an injury can always arrive, it is not 100 per cent predictable.”

Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Baroka FC have announced the departure of English coach Dylan Kerr.

The 53-year-old tactician was placed under suspension by the club for alleged insubordination last month. 

The Limpopo-based side has now dismissed Kerr, who had joined the club in December 2019 replacing Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda.

"Baroka FC parted ways with team head coach," a club statement read. 

Kerr came to South Africa after leading East African giants Gor Mahia to two consecutive Kenyan Premier League titles between 2017 and 2018.

The former Leeds United defender served as the Black Leopards coach between December 2018 and June 2019.

Meanwhile, Baroka also confirmed that Kerr has been replaced by Thoka Matsimela as the new club head coach. 

"Baroka FC's newly appointed head coach for 2020/2021 season Thoka Matsimela," a club statement read.

Matsimela is thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the 2018 Telkom Knockout Cup champions. 

"Firstly, let me say thanks for this opportunity, my chairman. He gave me the opportunity to lead the team as the coach of Baroka FC," Matsimela said.

"I am humbled by the opportunity. I will make sure that I grab this opportunity with two hands."

Matsimela worked as the assistant coach under Mike Rapatsa‚ Sello Chokoe‚ Kgoloko Thobejane‚ MacDonald Makhubedu, Nyirenda and Kerr at Baroka over the years.

The loyal tactician is confident of guiding Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele to a top-eight finish which would see the team qualify for the MTN8 for the first time. 

"Yeah, we have been given a mandate of making sure that the team finishes in the top eight this season," he continued.

"It is something we have been failing to achieve as a club. We have been unable to secure a top-eight finish in the previous seasons.

"But we promise that Baroka FC will compete in the MTN8 next season." 

Matsimela took charge of Baroka's first three matches this season after Kerr was placed under suspension.

He led the team to two successive wins over Maritzburg United and Leopards and a draw against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

As a result, Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele are placed second on the PSL standings with seven points from three games.

England  have booked their place at Euro 2020 after taking seven wins from eight games in Group A, scoring 37 goals in the process.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate now begins the business of identifying his final squad for the tournament, which is due to kick off in June 2021.

The 3-4-3 formation has been favoured by Southgate in recent months and that will probably inform any decisions regarding personnel, but there is a lot of competition for places.

He can choose 23 players to form his squad for Euro 2020, with the semi-finals and final taking place in the UK at Wembley, giving players just a few more months to impress before the names have to be submitted.

Who is guaranteed to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford looks set to start for the Three Lions after establishing himself as England’s number one after a series of impressive displays at the 2018 World Cup.

Pickford's deputies will most likely be Burnley's Nick Pope and Manchester United shot-stopper Dean Henderson  - with Pope perhaps the closest to the Everton custodian in the pecking order.

In defence, Manchester United captain  Harry Maguire , is a certainty as long as he remains fit, but the identity of his centre-back partners remains changeable.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker should make the final panel and brings vast experience, while Liverpool's  Trent Alexander-Arnold  will be one of the first names on the teamsheet after a stellar two years establishing himself as one of the best right-backs in the world.

In midfield, Liverpool captain  Jordan Henderson is primed to be England’s key central midfielder while  Declan Rice has established himself as one of England’s best holding midfielders.

Captain Harry Kane  should lead the line for the Three Lions and Man City’s Raheem Sterling should also be included, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford .

Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks to have established himself as Kane's first deputy up front after a consistent spell for Everton, while Eric Dier is now a solid centre-back option for Southgate, with versatility.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has emerged as a dependable player for Southgate and has formed a good understanding with his childhood friend Rice.

Who are the contenders to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

There is a lot of competition all over the pitch and in defence, Michael Keane faces a battle with Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady for a seat on the plane - all three are very much contenders for the squad.

Liverpool's Joe Gomez would have been a guaranteed member of the squad, but a knee injury in November 2020 means he faces a race to regain fitness and major doubts have been cast over him as a result.

Players such as Kieran Trippier and Ben Chilwell have been consistently impressive over a number of seasons, but the likes of Bukayo Saka and Reece James are snapping at their heels after solid club seasons.

Manchester City defender John Stones has endured injury and form woes so has fallen down the pecking order, but his experience means he remains in with a chance if he gets game time.

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison would have had high hopes of cementing a place in the team in 2019, but injuries dealt him a set-back. Nevertheless, Maddison remains a contender.

One player who has certainly thrust himself into the equation is Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish and the playmaker has shown he is on the same wavelength as team-mates Mount and Sancho.

Phil Foden and Harry Winks are now firm contenders as well, and will be in the mix for the tournament should they continue to impress at club level for Man City and Spurs respectively.

Up front, Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham has been in and around the panel for a number of years now and offers an alternative presence in attack, while Danny Ings has been sensational for Southampton.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is around the fringes of the panel, but the Arsenal man's versatility is an asset and something that will be to his credit in the consideration of a tournament team.

Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood can consider himself a contender, but his form will have to be at its peak if he is to force his way back into the reckoning.

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse has improved immensely over the past few seasons and boasts set-piece ability that could be an asset in a tournament, while Kalvin Phillips has impressed in the Leeds United engine room under Marcelo Bielsa.

Who is a long shot to make England's Euro 2020 squad?

Such is the competitiveness of the squad that a number of previous stalwarts find themselves categorised as long shots to be included in Southgate's 23-man squad.

Among those is Tottenham's Dele Alli and the playmaker will require a serious upturn in his club form if he is to get back into the conversation.

Ross Barkley will need a big season on loan at Aston Villa to get back into Southgate's thinking and Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping to show that he can still contribute as well.

Similarly, Danny Rose has long been a fixture in England squads, but his club situation at Tottenham means he is likely to struggle for the gametime needed to claw his way back into the reckoning.

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has not featured for England since 2018 and is well down the pecking order, so barring a spectacular season for the Red Devils his chances are slim.

Similarly, Shaw's club-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka appears far from Southgate's thoughts and there have even been suggestions that he might throw his lot in with DR Congo.

There are a number of rising stars for whom Euro 2020 may come too early, such as Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Leicester City's Harvey Barnes .

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk along with his club-mates Tariq Lamptey and Ben White are only likely to be called upon in an emergency, with the same applying to goalkeepers such as Aaron Ramsdale and Tom Heaton .

Predicted England squad for Euro 2020

Nigeria face Sierra Leone on Friday evening in continuation of their race towards qualifying for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles have made a brilliant start to the competition – defeating Benin Republic and Lesotho – to sit at the summit of Group L with six points.

Victory over John Keista’s men will push them nearer to the championship billed to hold in Cameroon.

For the Leone Stars who sit at the base of the log, they must upset the Super Eagles to put them in contention for a third appearance at the biennial African football showpiece.

TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch

In Nigeria, the game will be shown live on TV. 

Squads & Team News

Probable XI for Nigeria: Okoye, Awaziem, Aina, Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Iwobi, Aribo, Etebo,  Chukwueze, Ejuke, Osimhen

Probable XI for Sierra Leone: Kamara; Bangura, Sesay, Kakay, Wright; Koroma, Kamara, Strasser; Quee, Kamara, Kei Kamara

Match Preview

The Super Eagles ground out a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their last friendly match played in Austria after losing four days earlier to reigning African champions Algeria.

Even at this, the Super Eagles look very much prepared to face the Sierra Leoneans who are in Benin City for all three points to help their qualification ambitions.

Although the three-time African champions are outstanding favourites to secure all points at stake, coach Gernot Rohr hinted that his men will not look down on John Keister’s men, while hoping his team win the double-header towards booking an early flight to Cameroon. That will also see them shift their attention to the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

“We do not in any way underrate the Sierra Leoneans that we play over two legs within these four days, but we have our focus and objective for the matches,” Rohr told NFF media.

“We want to win both games so we can have the ticket and be able to be little more relaxed for the final games.

“You know that next year, we also have the World Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better to get the Africa Cup of Nations job behind us now.”

No doubt the Leone Stars are in dire need of a win against the Nigerians, yet, they are massive underdogs to pick a positive result having in mind that they are yet to win any game away from home since 1999.

They would be hoping to take advantage of the fact that this fixture would be played without fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their last outing against the Super Eagles ended in a 2-1 defeat at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on February 2, 2011.

Liverpool’s hand has been forced by defensive injuries, admits Mark Lawrenson, with the Reds legend expecting money to be spent as Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have been sidelined and Joel Matip is “like a willow tree” that could break in the wind.

Jurgen Klopp has seen his options at the back decimated over recent weeks.

Van Dijk was the first to go, with the Dutch centre-half suffering knee ligament damage in a Merseyside derby date with Everton.

Joel Matip also picked up a knock in that contest, while Fabinho was laid low shortly after being asked to provide cover for absent colleagues.

Gomez is another that has had to undergo knee surgery , ruling him out for several months, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is nursing a calf complaint.

Lawrenson believes the Premier League champions have been left with little choice but to seek out reinforcements in January , with the former Reds defender telling talkSPORT : “Joe is a very, very important player.  Obviously with Virgil van Dijk out, it would be Joe Gomez and another.

“The thing with Joe Gomez is he’s had his operation straight away and they’re already saying he’ll miss most of the season, but that sounds to me really that he might just make it back towards the end.

“And Matip is a decent player but he’s like a willow tree; he occasionally gets blown over and he’s not fit for two or three weeks, so he’s another worry.

“Some of the younger players have come in and they’ve done absolutely fine, but I think you’re looking at Matip, if fit, with the likes of Fabinho or maybe even Henderson [playing in defence] at some stage.

“But I would think it will force the manager’s hand in the January transfer window.

“He’s going to have to go out and buy somebody, and it won’t be a difficult conversation with the owners. They’ll realise what’s going on; the great thing about them is they’ve got this sporting franchise in America and they know people lose form and get injured, so it’s case of who he’s going to bring in.

“We’re all going to play the game now going into January – who are Liverpool going to sign?”

While it remains to be seen whether Klopp will show his hand in the winter market, Lawrenson admits that Liverpool may see their high standards slip slightly with so many key men ruled out.

A man who won five league titles and the European Cup during his time at Anfield added: “We will see a difference, they will lose the odd game. I think the problem will be teams will just load balls into the box because they don’t have the domination of Van Dijk and Gomez.

“But as we know, I think this season there’s going to be four or five, maybe even six, teams pushing to win the league, so it might not be the worst season to have injuries.

“In fairness to Liverpool, if you look at the front three they’ve hardly missed any games, so you always know eventually you’ll have a season where you get lots of injures, it’s just how you cope with it.”

Bruno Fernandes has become a talismanic presence for Manchester United in a playmaking post, but the Portuguese has revealed that he was once told by a youth coach that he would only be “really good” as a centre-half.

Like many aspiring youngsters, the talented midfielder started out in a defensive berth.

He showed plenty of promise in the roles he was asked to fill, with those looking to mould his development convinced that any future in the game would lay within a back four.

Fernandes has proved that assessment to be considerably wide of the mark, with the 26-year-old now a creative influence in the middle of the park that club and country look to for inspiration.

“I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or right-back,” Fernandes told the UTD Podcast.

“I was really good, I had a coach who said to me, ‘If you want to be a top player, you will need to play as a central defender. If you want to be a good player, you will be a midfielder’.

“I think he was wrong but, maybe as a central defender, I could be much better, I don't know! At the time I didn't like to play there, but everyone was saying I was a good defender, they said I was smart, that I covered the sides.”

Fernandes added on his move up the field: “The coach looked at the list of players, and because some were on vacation he said, ‘Oh we have no strikers’ and I said ‘I'm a striker!’ He said, ‘I thought you were a central defender’ and I said, ‘No, I don't play there anymore, I'm a striker!’

“So he gave me one try-out in training, I scored twice and he said ‘OK, you can play a striker!’ He played me as striker in one game, then, in the second game, I was like a fake nine with two strikers, and after that I moved back to number 10 and number eight.”

Fernandes has also revealed that his relentless drive and ability to brush off knocks is due to having played against boys much older than him when he was honing his skills on the streets of Portugal.

“I grew up with my brother who is five years older, and so I grew up playing with him and with his friends,” Fernandes said.

“Most of the time, I wouldn't play because he didn't want me to play with his friends – I don't know if he was afraid that I was too good for them!

“I was a difficult boy at the time because I always wanted to play with the older ones and the problem was I didn't want to just play, I wanted to be the best out of all of them. And if I need to do a nutmeg on someone, I will do it – I don't care.

“And at that point, when you play with older guys, they are mad when they see a little boy do that, everyone starts shouting and laughing at them saying ‘Hey, you took a 'meg from a little boy!’

“And then someone can come for you and kick you… so I think sometimes my brother was afraid of this and other times he knew I was good enough to play against them, and so he just doesn’t want problems!”

Fernandes has taken in 33 appearances for United since securing a switch from Sporting in January 2020, with 18 goals and 13 assists recorded across those outings.

Brazil have confirmed that Neymar has been released from their squad through injury, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward set to sit out 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

The Selecao were always aware that a leg complaint was going to prevent the 28-year-old from taking part in the first game of that double header.

Neymar was called upon, though, in the hope that he could return to full fitness in time to figure in a crunch clash with Uruguay in Montevideo.

The PSG superstar has, however, been unable to recover enough to force his way into Tite’s plans.

Rodrigo Lasmar, Brazil’s national team doctor, told reporters when offering an update on Neymar: “We were hopeful that he could play, that's why we brought him to Brazil.

“He improved but not enough so that he'll be ready for the game on Tuesday against Uruguay. The backroom staff decided to release Neymar.”

That news will be welcomed by those back at Parc des Princes, with PSG boss Thomas Tuchel having queried Brazil’s decision to select Neymar when he was clearly not ready to play.

He said at the time: “It's the right of the national team to call up players. We cannot do anything.

“If the boys are injured and can't play, I always prefer that they don't play.

“It's a super important phase, a good time to recover for players, but we have confidence that they will be treated well, that they have good care and good preparation. It's the truth. We have confidence in these people who are responsible for the national teams. If the players are called up, there's nothing we can do.”

Brazil have already lost Philippe Coutinho, Fabinho and Rodrigo Caio to injury, while Eder Militao and Gabriel Menino are unavailable after contracting Covid-19.

Flamengo striker Pedro has been included in Tite’s plans to help provide attacking cover, but Merseyside rivals Richarlison and Roberto Firmino – of Everton and Liverpool respectively – will be among those asked to lead the line in Neymar’s absence.

Tite has said of his tactical tinkering: “The placement in relation to Richarlison is nine. Firmino's will be a freer player, more bow than arrow, unlike the other games.

“I don't want to go into more detail. In terms of strategy, we try to preserve some information.”

Brazil will face Venezuela in Sao Paulo on Friday before then travelling to Uruguay on Tuesday.

Former Kaizer Chiefs utility player Patrick Mayo says the Soweto giants “do not have the depth to compete against some of the best teams on the continent” and predicts that they will struggle in the 2020/21 Caf Champions League.

Gavin Hunt's Chiefs are back in the Champions League where they last took part in 2016, when they were eliminated by Ivorian giants Asec Mimosas at the first round stage.

They begin their campaign at the preliminary round against Cameroonian champions PWD Bamenda, who they first visit on the weekend of November 27-29, before hosting their opponents on the weekend of December 4-6.

But with Amakhosi having failed to beef up their squad due to a Fifa transfer ban as well as struggling with injuries to key players, it has led to inconsistent form and Mayo believes that playing in Africa would be too much of a task from Hunt and his men.

“I don’t want to lie to you‚ they are going to struggle in the Champions League because most of the clubs that have qualified there are very strong and have experience of playing in this competition,” Mayo was quoted as saying by Times Live.

“It is pointless to focus on the Champions League and find yourself threatened by relegation at the end of the season. You need to focus more on the domestic league and push to qualify for the Champions League next season.

“They must just forget about it because‚ like I said‚ they don’t have the depth to compete against some of the best teams on the continent who they may even meet before the group stages.”

Much of Chiefs’ focus has been on domestic competitions, having last played in Africa during the 2018/19 season, when they were eliminated from the Caf Confederation Cup by Zesco United in the play-off round on a 5-2 aggregate scoreline after losing both legs.

Interestingly, Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu was one of the scorers for Zesco when they won the second leg 2-1 at FNB Stadium while another chief forward Lazarous Kambole had netted in the 3-1 first-leg victory in Ndola.

But both players are currently struggling to find their feet at Amakhosi with Kambole being a shadow of a player who finished as joint top-scorer of the 2018 Champions League.

AFC Leopards have continued their preparations for the new season on a high note after defeating Tusker FC 2-0 in a pre-season friendly match played on Friday morning.

The 13-time league champions started the match on a high note, creating numerous chances and limiting the Ruaraka-based side from getting chances, especially in front of the goal.

Striker Elvis Rupia happened to score what turned out to be the only goal in the first 45 minutes. The Brewers failed to track his run, and the former Nzoia Sugar and Wazito FC striker had an easy task to find the back of the net.

The Robert Matano-led side tried to push for an equalizer in the second half, but it was Ingwe who doubled the advantage when youngster Austine Odhiambo converted from close range to give his team a deserved 2-0 win.

Leopards team manager Tom Juma believes Ingwe are ready for the start of the 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League scheduled to start on Friday, November 20.

"Despite the 2-0 win, it was a tough game, to be honest, Tusker are a good side and they played well," the former international told Goal after the match.

"We are, however, happy with the way Leopards players have played the game. It shows we are ready for the new season. You can tell from the body language and the players' fitness level.

"Playing against a big team like Tusker and getting a 2-0 win is also a good sign that we are ready."

Some of the high-profile games Leopards have played are against National Super League sides Shabana FC and Ushuru FC. They fell by a solitary goal against the Glamour Boys before defeating the Tax Collectors 3-0.

They also played against top tier side KCB FC and registered a 2-2 draw.

The former champions will be at Nyayo Stadium to play Western Stima in their opener and the former midfielder expects the best from his players/.

"Yes, we are prepared but we cannot say it is a guarantee we will get maximum points," Juma stated.

"Western Stima are a good side as well, we respect them. Yes, we want a win, but we have to show them respect meaning we have to take the game with all the seriousness it deserves."

Simba SC midfielder Clatous Chama has explained why he decided against joining Young Africans (Yanga SC).

Yanga are understood to have listed the Zambian as their primary transfer target but Chama said the demands made by one official from the club pushed him away from listening to the offer.

“My agent video called one of Yanga bosses and told him that we were together and were discussing the possibility of joining the club when my current contract ends,” Chama told Mwanaspoti.

“During the talk, the official revealed to me what offer Yanga were putting on the table. But the trick lied in the demands he made as he wanted to pocket a certain amount of money should I sign for Yanga.

“Without dwelling much on that talk, I cut the story short and told my agent that I still have an active Simba contract and so, there was no way I was going to sign another contract with another club.

“The Yanga boss even wanted to travel to Zambia for more talks but I told my agent I would not meet with him at all.”

The Zambian further stated his chances of remaining with Wekundu wa Msimbazi are high even though contract extension talks are yet to be finalised.

“Negotiations between me and Simba are taking a good direction and there are a few demands I have made before I can extend the contract with the club,” the former Lusaka Dynamos star revealed. “But I can confirm the talks are going on well.

“If we continue with the talks as we have done and because I believe Simba officials are going to agree with me, then I am going to sign a new contract in the next few days.

“Let me give Simba fans some hope, chances of signing a new contract now stands at 80% and in the end, I believe I am going to remain at this place for two more years.

“But if the talks are going to collapse, I will not play for another team here in Tanzania.”

Simba signed Chama in 2018 on a one-year deal which was later extended by two years. The contract is expected to expire at the end of the season.