Looking for Soccer News?

Algerians were disappointed not to see Riyad Mahrez in action when Manchester City hosted Liverpool last Sunday, according to the national team coach Djamel Belmadi.

The Algeria captain was surprisingly dropped from the Citizens' 18-man squad that held Jurgen Klopp's team to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Mahrez has played 10 matches in all competitions for the Manchester City this campaign and Belmadi thinks his recent snub should not be a worry.

“There is nothing alarming about Riyad Mahrez's situation at Manchester City. If we look at the number of games he has played recently with his club, it is quite significant. He played almost every game,” Belmadi was quoted as saying by DZ Foot.

“It's true that we were all waiting for this match against Liverpool, two big clubs in the English Premier League. We wanted to see Riyad play and perform in this kind of match.

"Unfortunately, it is part of the profession as a player. Deal with this kind of situation. Stay strong and don't overdo it.

“Riyad is a football lover, he would have liked to play this kind of match. He's disappointed, we were all disappointed not to see him.”

On Thursday, Mahrez helped Algeria stretch their unbeaten run across all competitions to 21 games with a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The 29-year-old scored the Desert Foxes’ third goal in Algiers after efforts from Baghdad Bounedjah and Sofiane Feghouli fired them in ahead in the first 45 minutes.

“But at the same time, he is very happy to return to the national team every time,” Belmadi noted.

“He is psychologically focused and concerned about the match [vs Zimbabwe]). He is the captain of this selection and he wants to do well. There are zero worries.

“He's a player with a strong character too. He's got to where he is because he knows how to deal with this kind of situation. We wish him the best and to all his teammates.”

Harambee Stars winger Cliff Nyakeya believes the team was punished by Comoros for starting the game casually.

In Wednesday's game, M'changama Youssouf put Comoros ahead from a free-kick which was expertly taken, wrong-footing Arnold Origi in the Kenya goal, but Masoud Juma equalised for the Harambee Stars in the second half after the visitors were reduced to 10 men ahead of the half-time break.

Before the goal by the visitors, the Harambee Stars had looked the stronger side in the opening minutes and were unlucky not to take a lead in the second minute when Ayub Timbe floated the ball from the left-wing but Brian Mandela headed wide. 

In the 11th minute, when Cliff Nyakeya ran fast on the right-wing before passing the ball to Timbe on the left, he winger was brought down and the subsequent calls for a penalty were dismissed by referee Mutaz Ibrahim.   

Kenya were left to rue these missed chances when they fell behind in the 26th minute through Youssouf 's set-piece.

"Everything was good from the squad and tactical approach by the technical bench," Nyakeya told Goal on Friday.

"We were punished because we started the match casually; otherwise we had every chance to win the game and be in a good position."

After three Group G games, Kenya have not yet registered a win - they started with a 1-1 draw in Alexandria, Egypt against the hosts before being held by the same margin by Togo and Comoros.  

Wednesday's draw puts Kenya in a tricky situation considering two of their remaining three matches are played away. The first one will be on Sunday against the islanders before travelling to Togo. Then they finish against Egypt at home.  

"On Sunday, we have to employ a better approach and ensure we get a positive outcome," the 25-year-old Nyakeya continued.

"We have to give our best to win. Whether we qualify for Afcon or not will depend on Sunday's outcome.

"I am assuring the fans that we are going to give absolutely everything to be in a position to come home with maximum points. We learn through mistakes and after the game we played [on Wednesday] I believe we are ready to make amends." 

Memphis Depay would not be a “pure nine” for Barcelona, admits Roy Makaay, but the former Netherlands international believes his fellow countryman would be a useful option for those at Camp Nou.

A switch to Catalunya for the Lyon forward appeared to be on the cards over the summer as Ronald Koeman, upon taking the reins at a La Liga giant, made his compatriot a top transfer target.

No deal was done before the deadline passed, but Barca have retained their interest in Depay and are plotting a fresh approach.

Lyon have made it clear that they would be opposed to parting with a key man in the middle of a season, with it their intention to keep the talented 26-year-old on their books.

Depay has, however, been keeping the exit door ajar in France and is waiting on Barca to make their move.

Makaay believes the former Manchester United winger would be a useful addition in Catalunya as he has been transformed into a productive frontman – one with 58 goals to his name through 145 appearances for Lyon.

He concedes that Depay is not a natural leader of the line in the Luis Suarez mould, as Barca seek to counter the sale of the prolific Uruguayan to Atletico Madrid, but he would offer important qualities to Koeman – especially with Ansu Fati now ruled out long term with a knee injury.

Makaay, who spent time in Spain with Tenerife and Deportivo La Coruna during his playing days, told Radio Marca: “Depay is a very good player, although I don't see him at the level yet that he had before he was injured.

“He's not a pure nine but if he goes to Barca, I'm sure he'll be important because he's got a lot of quality.”

While Barca are very much in the market for proven performers heading towards another transfer market, they are also prepared to show considerable faith in home-grown talent.

Fati, at just 18 years of age, has become a key man for the Blaugrana while fellow teenager Pedri is also displaying plenty of promise.

Makaay added: “I love Ansu Fati, he's showing he's got a really high level for an 18-year-old kid.

“I also like Pedri, I didn't know him and if you like football you'll like to see him play. Koeman's showing he'll give the young players a chance.”

Julen Lopetegui believes Jules Kounde can continue to develop at Sevilla and does not think he will be hampered by missing out on a move to Manchester City.

The 22-year-old recently confirmed there was interest from the Premier League giants over the summer but a switch to the Etihad Stadium ultimately failed to materialise.

Kounde made 29 La Liga appearances for Lopetegui's side last season as they also went on to win the Europa League, with the Sevilla coach eager to ensure the defender's continued growth. 

“He continues with us and I think it is good for us and for the player," Lopetegui told Goal. 

"He is at an age when he has to keep growing, improving and developing. He'd not been with the national team before and he was one of the players we did a little more individual work with. Now there is less time but it is logical that he goes to the Under-21 team due to the evolution he's had.

"He has a good character to learn, he is a mature boy, very curious about what he has to improve and that is very good."

Along with nurturing Sevilla's younger talents, Lopetegui is also out to make the most of more experience stars like Jesus Navas, who is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of his 35th birthday.

“Jesus has had an enviable career. He has been with teams like Manchester City, he has been and continues to be in the Spanish national team, he has been a world champion," Lopetegui said.

"Now he has converted to a new position in a brilliant way and is performing at a very high level. I think he recognised highly by the football world.

"He continues to go to the national team even at 35 years old. In this regard, I don't think he lacks recognition in the world of football."

Following a short stint with Real Madrid in 2018, Lopetegui has managed to achieve success at another La Liga club and doesn't see himself leaving Sevilla anytime soon.

"We see ourselves competing on a day-to-day basis, in the next match. We are very demanding on a day-to-day basis and I don't look any further," he said.

"It doesn't help you at all. You have to focus on giving the best of yourself from the moment you wake up and that is what we have to focus on. I am happy at Sevilla and thinking about having continuity in a team is very nic,e but we all know what football is like. I am happy and delighted." 

Curtis Jones concedes that he has to walk a fine line between “being confident and being cocky”, but the Liverpool starlet says he will always have complete faith in his ability.

At just 19 years of age, an Anfield academy graduate has landed a regular role in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.

His creative qualities are being embraced by a side that prides itself on out-playing domestic and continental opponents.

Jones has shown that he is up to the task, taking in 21 appearances to date, and still has plenty of potential to unlock as he welcomes the challenges posed by fierce competition for places.

The talented teenager believes that he is capable of becoming a key man for the Reds, with there no fear in his game, but is also aware of the need to remain grounded after earning a big break.

“I think I'm two totally different people on and off the pitch,” Jones told Liverpool’s official website.

“I've never doubted myself, no. I've always believed in my ability and I always will.

“I'll always believe in myself to know that anybody that I'm up against, if you get the better of me in one game, then there's only one thing on my mind: the next game when I play against you, I'm going to beat you, it'll literally be me for the whole game playing against you.

“There's being confident and being cocky – I think there's a fine line in between that. I don't want to have people think that I'm going over that.

“Yeah, there's been times when my confidence is not as high but the last thing I'll ever do is doubt myself.

“Off the pitch, a lot of people know me for just being like a humble kid. I'm just humble, relaxed, I'm chilled, I'll speak to anybody. I'll just try to be how I was brought up to be. I would never change.

“Obviously I'm still a little bit loud and can have a laugh, but I don't walk around confident and [act] how I am on the pitch. I'm different off the pitch.”

Jones has every reason to believe in himself, with the youngster boasting five senior goals for Liverpool to his name and a place in the England U21 squad.

It's back on!

At least from one perspective after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the new dates for the remainder of the joint 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifications that was postponed because of the global pandemic due to Covid-19.

March and June of 2021 are not the dates for Malaysia to complete their Group G matches, of which there are three remaining in United Arab Emirates (away), Vietnam (home) and Thailand (away). Currently sitting in second spot in the group, Malaysia has a real opportunity not only to advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers but also confirmed a spot in the Asian Cup.

But 2020 has been a year of frustration for Tan Cheng Hoe and his coaching staff as they were left without a single fixture to play as the pandemic went into overdrive in Malaysia in March 2020 when the national team was initially due to travel away to UAE.

Next year will also present a new set of challenges for Cheng Hoe with the postponed 2019 AFF Championship (AFF Suzuki Cup) being set to be played in April, in what will be directly in the middle of the domestic season of local competitions, which meant that player selection will be more difficult.

"With the announcement, at least now we start thinking of a schedule and training program for 2021. We have already missed one year plus of training camp. Players are still playing but after a lapse of one year not being together, it's definitely tough.

"It will be a big challenge next year because of the tight schedule for the players and coaches. We need a good planning and at the same time a good cooperation between FAM and MFL regarding the league. We have World Cup qualifier and AFF so I will need to sit down and discussed with FAM what's best for the national team," Cheng Hoe told Goal.

Initially there were plans for the national team to have a training camp in the last two months of this year but that had to be scrapped to make way for the Super League and Malaysia Cup to be completed. So when the news broke on Thursday that the Malaysia Cup had to be cancelled, it meant a wasted opportunity for the national team.

All of Malaysia's rivals in the group in UAE, Thailand and Vietnam had various training camps already this season while Cheng Hoe has only seen his charges with their respective clubs for a good 12 months to date. While others have had the opportunity to finetune and adapt, Malaysia were left behind.

"As a coach there's frustration of course. If you look at UAE after they appointed their new coach, they had training camp in Serbia with 3-4 friendly matches. They also played yesterday against Tajikistan after having faced Uzbekistan in October. If you look at Group G, Malaysia is the only one without any training camp after November 2019!," quipped an irked Cheng Hoe. 

Lionel Messi’s attitude at Barcelona has been saluted by Rivaldo, with the Argentine praised for accepting that he may need to start the odd game on the bench as Ronald Koeman manages his workload.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been the first name on the team sheet at Camp Nou for well over a decade now.

He remains a talismanic presence for the Blaugrana and would play 90 minutes every week if given the chance.

Messi is, however, 33 years of age and still having to juggle domestic and international commitments.

That means that rests will be handed to him at times, with Barca eager to ensure that they do not ask too much of a player that they worked so hard over the summer to retain.

Koeman named the mercurial South American among his substitutes for a meeting with Real Betis prior to the international break, with Messi introduced at half-time after Ansu Fati suffered an unfortunate knee injury.

Rivaldo was pleased to see a modern-day great accept that selection call, while also making a telling contribution upon joining the action as he bagged a brace in a welcome 5-2 win.

“It's not easy to convince someone of Messi's pedigree that staying on the bench is a good option, because Leo will always want more,” Barca legend Rivaldo told Betfair.

“It came out perfectly [against Betis]: Messi played marvellously and, what's more, he saved energy for the future.

“It caught my eye that I didn't see Messi angry and even that he pushed hard in the second half to make the difference.

“Of course, it's crucial for a coach at a big club to manage its players well, communicating clearly with everyone to win their trust, Koeman's doing that.”

Having spent 45 minutes charging his batteries at club level, Messi is now away on 2022 World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina.

He took in an eventful outing against Paraguay on Thursday, with a potential match-winner in a game that ended 1-1 ruled out by VAR.

The Albiceleste will be back in action on Tuesday against Peru, while Barcelona have a trip to Atletico Madrid to take in when La Liga action resumes on November 21.

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) is ready to probe Kei Kamara over his alleged defamation of the team’s hotel in Benin ahead of their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria on Friday.

The 36-year-old, on Thursday morning, took to social media to complain about the mattress and pillows in his room at Lushville Hotel and Suites, the team’s base.

Kamara stated that he found it difficult to sleep on the hard bed but the SLFA moved swiftly to condemn such claims and apologise to the hotel management.

Sierra Leone’s delegation, including government officials led by the Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh and the SLFA President, Isha Johansen are also lodged in the hotel.

The SLFA statement read: “The Sierra Leone Football Association will open an investigation into a viral video posted by the Sierra Leone National Team striker Kei Kamara in which he is seen defaming a hospitality establishment at which the National Team Delegation including the Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority Dr. Kenneth Brima and the President of Sierra Leone Football Association Madam Isha Johansen are currently residing.

“The SLFA unreservedly apologises to the Management of Lushville Hotel and Suites in Benin City, Edo State, emphasising that the views expressed by Kei Kamara are his individual comments which are strongly condemned by the FA.”

Kamara, who just returned to the Leone Stars after retiring last November, summarised his conversation with the receptionist and shared the pictures of the pillow and the video around 5.30 on Thursday.

“I went to the front desk to talk to the lady about how I can’t sleep,” Kamara said in the video that has gone viral.

“She was so calm and said don’t worry, we will fix everything in the morning. I said I can’t sleep, I have been lying down for two to four hours and again she said, don’t worry, we will fix it in the morning.

“And why can’t I sleep? This bed, these pillows. My head can’t sink in this thing; my head can’t get in this pillow, so my neck hurts. My body can’t get comfortable because this is a box spring, not a mattress.

“I switch to one part, then switch to the other side and she says don’t worry, don’t worry, we will fix everything in the morning. I told her it’s already morning, it’s 5:30, I have practice at 8:00am. She is so calm and I can’t get mad about it because she had this calmness and I haven’t heard all that before.”

Ghana coach CK Akonnor admitted his team was not at its best despite securing a 2-0 triumph over Sudan in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.

Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew scored a goal in each half to ensure his side picked up all three points in the Group C matchweek three encounter at Cape Coast.

The victory has put leaders Ghana on the verge of registering a 23rd appearance at the continental showpiece.

“It wasn’t the best performance but I am very happy for what we have produced today," Akonnor said after the game, as reported by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Twitter.

"We kept a clean sheet and that’s the most important thing. We are expecting some players tonight who will join us for the return leg in Sudan.

“I feel good, I am grateful to the players for showing a lot of commitment. The preparation was a difficult situation but in the end we won and it feels good.

“As at yesterday before we had a full house. Putting the players together was not easy. As we said earlier, Covid-19 has made things extremely difficult but the win answers all the questions.

“There are a number of positives to pick from the game. A player like [Asante Kotoko's Christoper] Nettey played [for Ghana] for the first time and he did well. All he needs is another chance."

Ayew opened the scoring in the 19th minute, curling home a free-kick.

Nine minutes prior to full-time, the 30-year-old roared one more time, this time around driving towards the box from the right, beating two men and hitting a sweet shot beyond goalkeeper Ali Abdullah Abu-Eshrein.

It could have been a treble of goals for the captain had Senegalese referee Maguette N'Diaye not disallowed a header in first-half injury-time for a perceived foul on the Sudanese shot-stopper.

The match was Akonnor's first competitive game in charge of the Black Stars since replacing James Kwasi Appiah in January.

Last month, he supervised his first games in what ended in a 3-0 loss to Mali and a 5-1 victory over Asian champions and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in friendly fixtures.

The coach's next assignment comes on Tuesday when Ghana face Sudan away on matchweek four of the qualifiers. 

Adil Rami is a World Cup-winning defender, but even he concedes that Lionel Messi cannot be stopped and that Cristiano Ronaldo is “a machine”.

The vastly-experienced centre-half, who is currently on the books at Portuguese side Boavista, has faced a couple of all-time greats on a regular basis down the years.

He spent two years in Spain with Sevilla between 2015 and 2017, allowing him to lock horns with Barcelona and Real Madrid when Messi and Ronaldo were at the peak of their powers.

Unsurprisingly, Rami admits to having found the going tough against two players who share 11 Ballons d’Or between them.

The former France international told RMC Sport on his experiences of trying to contain two attacking talents that are almost impossible to tie down: “Lionel Messi, on the pitch, we felt like we couldn't do anything. We can't defend, he always has the right pass. It's a gift.

“But the thing about Ronaldo that impresses me is the amount of work he puts in.

“The first time I saw him was when I left Frejus and arrived in Lille. They were playing in the Champions League at the time. I saw him and I was like 'this one is amazing!'

“Sometime later, I met him in La Liga ... a machine.

“After the match, I went to eat with the family and they asked me ‘so, Ronaldo?’. I told them I was shocked at how tough he is, not a gram of fat!

“The first few games, I was a little stressed. Unai Emery told me not to give him any space, to stay on my feet and to have cover because when he strikes, it is over.”

While Rami found it difficult to get close to Ronaldo whenever he lined up against the Portuguese superstar, he has struck up a surprising bond with the Juventus frontman and boasts a number of mementos to prove as much.

He added: “With all the Messi and Ronaldo shirts I have, I can buy myself a villa in Los Angeles!

“The first time, I went to see Ronaldo, he accepted. We played again, I asked him once again and he gives his shirt to me again... and, super respectful, he gets mine each time.

“Later, we play against Real and we win. I ask him for his jersey during the match, he laughs and asks me how many I have, but he accepts.

“At the end, I'm not going to ask him, I see that he comes back to the locker room super annoyed. Then he calls me, he comes towards me, takes off his jersey, waits for me to give him mine and wishes me good luck. High class.”

Tanzania have confirmed they will miss three key players against Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

The Taifa Stars arrived in Tunis on Thursday in readiness for the first meeting between the two sides this month that will be played at Stade Olympique de Rades.

However, news coming from the team’s camp have confirmed that three players – captain Mbwana Samatta, Thomas Ulimwengu, and Adam Adam – will not be available to face the North African giants.

While Ulimwengu and Adam failed to secure their travel documents in time and this missed the flight to link up with the team, Samatta has been ruled out owing to a knee injury.

“We can now confirm three players, Ulimwengu, Samatta, and Adam will not be available as we take on Tunisia,” a source in the team camp told Goal on Friday.

Meanwhile, striker Simon Msuva had promised a decent outing against Tunisia.

“We know how difficult the task is, playing away from home and also against a big African giant but one thing I can assure the fans is that we are ready to battle and get a favourable result,” Msuva said in a statement on Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) social media pages.

“We know Tunisia is a tough team while playing at home, they are not easy to handle but I feel we can push them, we want to get a good result and we want the fans to pray for us, we want them to rally behind us.”

Goalkeepers: Juma Kaseja (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Metacha Mnata (Young Africans SC), Aishi Manula (Simba SC), David Mapigano (Azam FC).

Defenders: Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC), Deus Kaseke (Young Africans SC), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Brayson David (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans SC), Abdallah Kheri (Azam FC), Himid Mao (ENPPI SC), Erasto Nyoni (Simba SC).

Midfielders: Ditram Nchimbi (Young Africans SC), Ally Msengi (Stellenbosch FC), Feisal Salum (Young Africans SC), Farid Mussa (Young Africans SC), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba SC), Iddy Suleiman (Azam FC), Thomas Ulimwengu ( TP Mazembe), Saidi Hamisi (Simba SC).

Strikers: Mbwana Samatta (Fenerbahçe), Simon Msuva (Difaa El Jadida), John Bocco (Simba SC), Adam Adam (JKT Tanzania), Salum Abubakar (Azam FC).

Uganda head coach Johnathan McKinstry has hinted he may deploy a different set of players in the second African Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan in Nairobi.

After sweating to produce a 1-0 win on Thursday at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, McKinstry has now revealed he may consider having new players against Bright Stars on November 16.

The need to have new players will be partly necessitated by injuries to Khalid Aucho and Ronald Mukiibi. Azam FC’s Nicholas Wadada is also expected to start at the expense of Southend United’s Elvis Bwomono, who debuted against South Sudan.

“We are likely to make changes in the second game because energy levels are important,” McKinstry told Sports Nation.

“You saw players had to leave everything on the field and so yes a number of new players are going to start the second game because we need fresh legs.

“We expect another tough encounter which is going to take another 90 minutes of intensity to get the results we want.

“Everyone knows the status of the group and our number one priority is to maintain our top position in the group after South Sudan games as we said.”

Uganda are now second in Group B after picking up a second win but McKinstry is not moved by the fact they are close to sealing an Afcon slot yet.

“We have taken our first step toward that which can put us in a great position though we cannot control what goes on from other places,” he concluded.

“So, it might be enough to confirm qualifications or not, but regardless of the overall outcomes we want to finish in the number one position.”

In a separate interview, the former Rwanda head coach had defended his players despite struggling to see off the northern neighbours.

“Because not every day your performance is 10 out of 10, but even if it’s below par a little bit, you need to find a way to win,” McKinstry said.

“I am really not going to criticise anyone for the work rate because I think all the players put a real shift in there and they stayed calm until the perfect moment happened and we won the game.”

South Sudan, who are yet to pick up a single point in the qualifiers, will host the Cranes at Nyayo Stadium.

Experienced Belgian central defender Benjamin Lambot has joined NorthEast United FC for the upcoming season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The 33-year-old footballer is predominantly a central defender but can also play as a defensive midfielder. He has a vast experience of playing at the top division of Belgium, Azerbaijan and Cyprus.

Jersey Number: 19

Professional debut

Born in Etterbeek, Belgium, Lambot had joined the youth system of local club RWS Bruxelles before heading to the youth team of RWD Molenbeek. Later he joined AFC Tubize from where he had graduated in 2008. He was promoted to the first-team of Tubize during the 2008-09 season and he made his professional debut against Westerlo.

Experience in Belgium, Azerbaijan and Europa League

In 2009, Lambot moved to second division club Royal Antwerp FC where he spent three seasons before returning to the top division to join Lierse where he spent two more years. In 2013, for the first time in his career, the Belgian defender stepped out of his country to join Azerbaijan top division side Simurq PIK. In the Azerbaijan Premier Liqa, Lambot appeared in 41 matches in two seasons.

Lambot returned to his country in 2015 and joined Cercle Brugge where he spent the next five season. During the 2018-19 season, the defender got the opportunity to play in the Europa League qualifying play-offs where he played eight games.

Last stint

The Belgian last played for Cypriot top division side New Salamis FC during the 2019-20 season where he appeared in 23 league games. He even scored two goals. After his contract expired with the club at the end of the season, Lambot joined the Highlanders ahead of the upcoming ISL season.

Kerala Blasters striker Gary Hooper is looking forward to the battle with former teammate and Odisha defender Steven Taylor in the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL). 

The 2019-20 edition of the competition will kick off on November 20 as Kerala Blasters take on new entrants ATK Mohun Bagan behind closed doors in Goa. 

There was an exodus of players from A-League to ISL this summer and it included winger Anthony Pilkington and Steven Taylor. Hooper played with Pilkington for Norwich City during the 2013-14 season in the Premier League and holds him in high regard. 

"I played with Pilks (Pilkington) at Norwich. He is a good player, plays with the ball, he is quick and he scores goals," Hooper told Goal .

He will also be facing off against Odisha's Steven Taylor who was his teammate at his previous club Wellington Phoenix. Blasters will face Odisha on January 7. 

"The battle I am looking forward to will be against Steven Taylor, my old teammate.  We will be going up against each other," Hooper said. 

Kerala Blasters have a good mix of foreign and Indian players and will be hoping to get into the playoffs for the first time in four years. While acknowledging Blasters' strengths, Hooper also pointed out that Mumbai City could be a difficult opponent this season. 

The Islanders appointed Sergio Lobera as their head coach and have two lethal finishers - Bartholomew Ogbeche and Adam le Fondre - as their options upfront. 

Hooper opined, "I think Mumbai City look quite strong. They have got two good strikers. Adam le Fondre is a good finisher. We are very strong on paper, we just have to take it into the games. East Bengal is also looking good, playing good football, I think they will be up there as well. We don't need to worry about anyone else, we just have to focus on our game."

Blasters will just have to focus on the game when they take the pitch as fans won't be allowed inside the stadium due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. 

"Fans get us going. It is up to the players to step up for the fans who are watching on TV to play good football and win the games," said Hooper. who is raring to get going with a goal in the season opener on November 20. 

For a football club, the good thing about getting a good young player who can stay with the club for many years is that they can be heavily involved in his development into a star. But the only downside is when he leaves, the team might struggle to find a proper replacement. 

Kerala Blasters are in that situation now. They've had the services of Sandesh Jhingan right from the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) but after the sixth season ended, they said goodbye. Jhingan, a national team regular and one of the best centre-backs in India right now, has left a gaping hole in a defence that already had a lot of holes. 

In the last three ISL seasons, Blasters have conceded 82 goals in 54 matches, 1.5 goals per game. They have only scored 64, 1.2 goals per game in the same period. Heading into the seventh season, newly-appointed sporting director Karolis Skinkys and head coach Kibu Vicuna have decided to shore up the teams' defence by adding two reputed foreign centre-backs. 

A foreign centre-back duo is not new at Blasters. Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart formed a good partnership at the back to lead the team into the final of the competition in 2014. Then as Jhingan evolved into a tough-tackling defender, he became a mainstay in that defence. Last season, with Jhingan out injured, Eelco Schattorie brought in Jairo Rodrigues and Gianni Zuiverloon and the former was replaced by Vlatko Drobarov due to another season-lasting injury. 

Jhingan's presence freed up a foreign player slot in the first team that coaches could then use in the midfield and attack. However, going by the team' defensive displays, that approach clearly has not worked. Vicuna will have two experienced defenders in Costa Nhamoinesu from Zimbabwe and Bakary Kone from Burkina Faso who are both eager to step onto the field. 

Kone and Nhamoinesu will both need to regain match fitness as quickly as possible and it will be key to Blasters' getting off to a good start in the seventh season of ISL. Kone last played an official game in May 2019. Costa, after playing 15+ league games every season for Sparta Praha in the Czech League until 2019, featured in only nine league games during a pandemic-hit 2019-20 season. 

What makes them a good fit at their new club is that they both are players who have been part of teams who have won trophies. It is said that defences win titles and both these African footballers have played key roles in achieving silverware at their previous clubs. 

Only a few months ago, Costa capped off his stint in the Czech Republic with a trophy. The 34-year-old was on the bench as Sparta Prague beat Slovan Liberec 2-1 to win the Czech Cup. That was Costa's second Czech Cup trophy after winning the same in 2014 in his debut season in the Czech Republic. In his seven seasons in Prague, he has become a league champion, won Czech Cup twice and has a Super Cup trophy as well. 

If a fully match-fit Kone can add grit to the Blasters defence, then teams won't find it easy to score against Blasters. The man from Ouagadougou also arrives with plenty of experience of playing against top teams with lethal strikers in the Champions League and Ligue 1.

Aside from winning Trophee des Champions and Coupe de France (twice), Kone played every single minute of his national team's African Cup of Nations 2013 campaign in South Africa. Burkina Faso lost the final 0-1 to Nigeria but their defence conceded only three goals in that tournament. 

Blasters also have Indian alternatives at central defence but given their recent displays, it remains to be seen if any of them can stake a claim to be a first-team regular this season. With both flanks locked in by Nishu Kumar and Jessel Carneiro, these two foreign centre-backs, once fully match fit, won't make life easy for the league's most lethal attackers. 

Argentinian attacker Facundo Pereyra was the first signing announced by Kerala Blasters ahead of the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL). 

Pereyra will look to be the link between midfield and attack for Kerala Blasters in the upcoming season. He can play all across the attacking band of three and can also slot in as a striker if need be. 

Jersey Number: 10

Youth Career and Professional Debut

Pereyra started his career with his local team Club Atletico Estudiantes. He went on loan to Chilean club Palestino in 2009 but could not feature regularly for the club.

Turning Point

The Argentine forward got his much-needed break at another Chilean destination when he made 34 league appearances for Audax Italiano in 2011. He also scored 15 goals during that season and this was when clubs began taking notes. 

Pereyra then moved to Mexico but could only net three goals for San Luis. But it was just a minor dip in form as the versatile footballer registered another 15-goal season at Gimnasia La Plata and helped the club earn promotion from the second division. He was fourth on the list of top scorers in the league that season.  

He played one season in the top division and scored nine goals before joining Greek club PAOK. He started 29 games and scored 12 league goals in his debut season. He also opened his account in the Europa League against Moldovian club Zimbru in a game which PAOK won 4-0. 

Pereyra then fell down the pecking order and had to go on loan to find first-team minutes. An unhappy spell at Azerbaijan and unsuccessful stints at Argentina and Mexico followed and he even returned to Gimnasia during the first half of 2018. But could only get one goal from a total of five starts in the league during the 2017-18 season. 

International Record

Facundo Pereyra has not played for the Argentina national team.  

Last Stint

In his last two seasons, Pereyra has scored 17 goals in 45 appearances (Cypriot Cup and first division league). Last season, he played 14 league games for Cyprus club Apollon and scored three goals. 

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki will be out to prove that he is the right man for the job when he leads Bafana Bafana in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome e Principe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday.

Following inconsistent results in both competitive and international friendlies, since he took over the reins in August 2019, the pressure is increasingly mounting on the coach.

The bid to qualify for the Afcon finals to be staged in Cameroon comes as the perfect test for Ntseki’s credentials after he defended the team’s struggles in friendly games.

After two rounds of matches, Bafana are currently placed second in Group C, and are keen to win this match as well as the return fixture in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Positive results against Sao Tome will set South Africa up for a top finish in this group which also includes leaders Ghana and third-placed Sudan.

The last time Molefi Ntseki and his men were involved in a competitive fixture was November 17, 2019 when they edged Sudan 1-0 in their only win of the campaign so far.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV and SABC. 

Squads & Team News

It turned out to be a hectic week for Ntseki who had to deal with seven withdrawals from the squad.

The Cape Town City duo of Thamsanqa Mkhize and Abubakar Mobara could not join the camp as they are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

SuperSport United forward Bradley Grobler, Portugal-based defender Thibang Phete, Thulani Serero, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali and Kaizer Chiefs right-back Reeve Frosler all pulled out due to injuries.

This saw the coach turning to Orlando Pirates’ Vincent Pule as well as the Sundowns duo of defender Mosa Lebusa and utility player Thapelo Morena as replacements.

AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe, Thabo Nodada and Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back Tshepo Rikhotso were also called-up in place of the withdrawals.

What could be the biggest headache for Ntseki in plotting against his opponents is that not much is not known about the Sao Tome players.

Most of their players ply their trade in the lower leagues of Portuguese football, especially at amateur level

However, veteran forward Luis Leal of Mexican side Club Tijuana could pose the biggest threat to Bafana Bafana.

Another striker, Harramiz, has two goals – the last being on Sunday - in four games for Portuguese second-tier side GD Estoril Praia and could cause problems for the Thulani Hlatshwayo-marshalled Bafana defence.

Left-back Jardel Nazare, who turns out for FC Saburtalo Tbilisi in the Georgian top-flight league, is another high-profile player for Sao Tome.

All these players featured in their last Group C against Ghana in which they lost 1-0 at home.

Match Preview

Bafana’s inconsistency under Ntseki is the major talking point going into Friday’s contest.

With Ntseki in charge, South Africa have managed just two victories, a draw and two defeats in all competitions.

After going down 2-0 away in Ghana in their Group C opener, before edging Sudan 1-0 in another match, Bafana find themselves placed second in this pool.

Lebogang Phiri’s goal against Sudan at home is the only one South Africa have managed in this campaign so far, something that throws into question the forwards’ capabilities.

The team goes into Friday’s match on the backdrop of a two-match winless run; a 1-1 draw against Namibia and a 2-1 defeat by Zambia in October’s international friendlies.

In the absence of Grobler, Luther Singh who scored against Namibia, Kermit Erasmus and Percy Tau provide hope for goals.

As for Sao Tome, they arrived in South Africa having not played friendlies to prepare for this trip, with their last match being the 1-0 defeat by Ghana in November 2019.

This result was preceded by a 4-0 drubbing by Sudan as they now languish at the bottom of the group, having failed to find the back of the net and conceded five goals in two matches.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has hit out at those criticising the appointment of Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee as the coach of the Harambee Stars after the team drew 1-1 against Comoros in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.

In his first match in charge since replacing Francis Kimanzi, Mulee managed to secure a draw after Masoud Juma scored for Kenya in the second half to cancel out M'changama Youssouf's well-struck free-kick in the first half.

The outcome of the match meant Kenya have now drawn three matches in the qualification campaign after a 1-1 draw against Egypt in Cairo and the same scoreline against Togo at home.

Mwendwa has since come out to defend the decision of handing the coaching mantle to Mulee, saying he was not hired for only one game but was given the job to prepare the team for three competitions that they will take part in.

“When you give a coach a job, you don’t give him a job for one game, and there is no guarantee he will win every game, but the question is the general progress he makes,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“I feel that by what we showed against Comoros, apart from bad lack, we played very well especially the second half and that is undisputed, but we have three tournaments, we have Afcon 2022, Afcon 2023 and World Cup 2022, so we are building a team for the three, so we work.

“We now head to Comoros and we must work hard, let us learn on how to win away, lets us know on how to win at home, let us make the changes that is required, let us have entire team intact and a good coach to motivate them which ‘Ghost’ Mulee does very well.

“So for me, I am happy with the result we picked against Comoros, I would have wanted three points but I am happy with what the boys did and the outcome of the match.”

Asked whether the Harambee Stars still have a chance to qualify for the Afcon finals to be held in Cameroon after three draws so far in the qualification campaign, Mwendwa told Goal: “Yes, I am confident, there is a path, even if we draw away in Comoros there is still a path because the other teams are also dropping points, so we are still in the game.

“The question is Togo and Egypt, what do we do? Is it a guarantee we win the matches? It is not, we never said it is a done deal, so what do we do?

“We have to give it the best effort but after we have a team to play against Mali, to play against Uganda for World Cup qualifiers, after which we have a team, David ‘Calabar’ Owino is back, he hasn’t played for two years now we saw him out there, Arnold Origi has not been there, our best team have not been put together for a while because of different reasons but now we do.”

“So what I am saying, let us give this squad time for them now to show us what they have, you know we will be disappointed of course if it goes badly but when you are leading you have to show leadership and the leadership is we are pointing the direction of good preparations better than before.”

The Harambee Stars will now depart for Comoros on Saturday ahead of their return leg clash against the island nation set for Moroni on Sunday.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has confirmed they will charter a flight for the Harambee Stars as they travel to face Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Harambee Stars are due to leave the country on Saturday for the must-win reverse fixture after the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in the first meeting staged at Kasarani Stadium in Kenya on Wednesday.

FKF boss Mwendwa has now told Goal for the first time in the history of Kenyan football, the team will use a chartered flight to Comoros ahead of the match set to be played in Moroni.

“It will be a chartered flight for the boys, we want them to feel good,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“Now that we have motivation partners, we have this kind of things, we are flying by private jet to go for matches starting with Comoros and that is what we need to give, that is what we can do.

“We will hire a chartered flight to take the team to Comoros, it will be hired like a person hires a bus, it will wait for us at the airport, take us to Comoros, wait for us again in Comoros, and bring us back to Kenya.”

On the incentives they have lined up for the team, Mwendwa told Goal: “Allowances were being paid by Ministry of Sports but the policy of the government was Sh1, 000 at home…you see, so for football players, it is really paltry so what counts for this boys is when they win what do they get?

“And it is the reason our partners Odibet gave out Sh2.5million [against Comoros had they won] and the money had already been given to the team captain, he had it in the pocket, now we are debating away it will be Sh5million if they win.

“Between us [FKF] and Odibet, [our betting partners], it is Sh5million so we are motivating the team now the question is how many more partners can we get to reward these boys?

“Because if they win all the three matches remaining that is Sh15million and the money they had it, on Sunday we had said we don’t have the Sh5million, but if you win we give you the money in January”

Mwendwa continued: “We are saying we want to have a structure, we want them to know what they are supposed to get when you play for Harambee Stars and it is not a conversation anymore, because we are staying in Safari Park, we are flying in jets, we are now giving the players the equal treatment other big nations in Africa are getting.

“Now we want to get ready, and get the win away in Comoros, if they win on ‘Sunday they will get Sh5million in January, from both Odibet and FKF, but now already they have the Sh2.5million, so the coach has to decide to take it away because they did not win, it is upon the coach and the players.”

After the Comoros match, the Harambee Stars will have two more matches to play in the qualifiers - against Egypt at home and Togo away.