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Gabriel Magalhaes has proved to be an “absolute steal” for Arsenal at £25 million ($33m), says Kevin Campbell, with the Brazilian ticking important boxes for the Gunners as a centre-half “who wants to defend”.

A north London heavyweight has not always found those qualities easy to come by.

Big money has been invested in defenders of international calibre, but few have convinced and been able to plug leaks that have been weighing Arsenal down for some time.

Gabriel, though, has slotted seamlessly into the fold on the back of a summer switch from Lille.

His potential was much sought-after during the last transfer window, with leading sides across Europe ready to test the water, but Emirates Stadium was to be his final landing spot.

Mikel Arteta wasted little time in throwing a new recruit in at the deep end.

Gabriel has swum impressively against the tide, with his presence helping to make Arsenal look considerably more assured at the back.

Campbell believes an immediate return has been offered by a South American enforcer on the investment made in him.

The former Gunners striker is impressed that Arteta was able to do a deal at a relatively low asking price, with it about time that the Premier League giants found themselves a defensive bargain.

“Finally Arsenal have got a centre-back who wants to defend, who likes to defend,” Campbell told Football Insider.

“You see Gabriel back there and he is making the players around him better. That is the sign of a top-class player.

“He is powerful, quick, strong, good on the ball and good in the air – Arsenal stole him for that price!

“That is an absolute steal because he is only going to get better. A very strong player that is only in his 20s. A signing that has hit the ground running straight away.”

Gabriel is just 22 years of age, but has already passed the 100-appearance mark at club level.

Arsenal will be hoping that the Brazilian remains a key part of their plans for many years to come, with a highly-rated talent having been tied to a contract through to 2025 when arriving in English football.

Marcus Rashford has the same flaw in his game as former Manchester United winger Nani once had, claims Paul Scholes, with the 23-year-old forward told he is not playing to his strengths.

The England international has fared admirably since breaking into the senior fold at Old Trafford.

Impressive progress on the field has delivered 74 goals through 225 appearances at club level and 40 caps for his country.

Rashford has also landed an MBE for his fine work off the pitch, which has seen him become a campaigner for political change, but the general consensus is that he could offer even more.

Scholes is among those to share that opinion, with the United legend often left frustrated when watching a clearly talented frontman in action.

For him, a player with such blistering pace should be looking to get behind opposition defences at every opportunity, with said moves being made without the need for instruction.

Former Red Devils winger Nani boasted similar qualities in his heyday, but the Portuguese was another who needed to be guided through matches and told where to be at any given time.

Scholes told BT Sport of Rashford: “Players need to know their strengths. Marcus' strengths is running in behind, Mason Greenwood's strength is running in behind because of his pace.

“Now if you’ve got time on the ball you should be able to play that ball over the top to them.

“If you're a central midfielder for Manchester United you should be able to play that ball over the top. I'm not sure if Fred is. He might be.

“I was lucky enough to play with great forwards – Robin [van Persie], [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, all players who ran in behind and you didn't need to tell them.

“I probably only played with one player who you had to constantly tell - it was Nani. Nani had the strength to run in behind people but you had to keep telling him.

“It looks like Marcus is the same. You're the quick players in the team. You want to stretch the team.

“OK if it's not on, if Fred can't make the pass then create space for your [Paul] Pogbas, for your [Bruno] Fernandes, because the back four are pinned back. Sometimes Fred needs to demand more.”

Rashford drew a blank in his latest outing, as United suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League, but will be hoping to find a spark when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side take in a crucial visit to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Paul Pogba has been “nothing but problems” for Manchester United since returning to the club in 2016, says Paul Ince, will all concerned at Old Trafford now asking questions of where they go from this point.

The Red Devils invested £89 million ($116m) in bringing a France international back onto their books, with their transfer record smashed when doing business with Juventus.

Pogba’s capture was considered to be a quite a coup, with there plenty of potential in his game still to be unlocked.

United have, however, been unable to bring the best out of an enigmatic 27-year-old, with regular questions being asked of his form and future.

Pogba has become a World Cup winner during his second spell in England, but domestic struggles have contributed to the Red Devils being unable to kick on as a collective.

There is now no obvious role for an expensive asset within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with a place on the bench taken up in a 2-1 Champions League defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir, and Ince admits those on and off the field need to be mulling over their options.

The former United midfielder told Ladbrokes: “I love Pogba. I think he’s a world-class player on his day. We saw that at Juventus. But since he’s come to Manchester United it’s been nothing but problems.

“Under Jose Mourinho and things with his agent, there’s always something. His performances haven’t been up to scratch, the fans have almost gone against him.

“If I was playing with him, I’d be saying ‘listen, you just go out there and play. Go out there and start performing. Once you start performing like you should be performing, then you can talk about wanting to sign for Real Madrid, because at the moment you can’t even get into the Man United side.’

“If I’m Paul Pogba, I’m sitting on the bench thinking ‘hang on, I’ve got Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes all playing in midfield and I’m sat on the bench? There’s got to be something wrong with me.’

“Man United is not about Paul Pogba.”

Pogba has aired a desire to represent Real Madrid at some stage in his career, but United have taken up an extension option in his contract that is due to keep him in his current surroundings through to the summer of 2022.

Nampalys Mendy revealed nothing has changed for him since stepping in for injured Wilfred Ndidi in the Leicester City squad.

A long-term injury worry for the Nigeria international meant the Frenchman now has a chance to revive his deteriorating Foxes career.

The 28-year-old has featured in all 2020-21 Premier League games for Brendan Rodgers’ men, holding sway in the midfield as the King Power Stadium giants currently occupy second spot in the log having accrued 15 points – one point behind leaders Liverpool.

Asked about the absence of a fellow defensive midfielder which has increased his involvement for Leicester, the former French youth international while accentuating the importance of the ex-Genk star to the team disclosed that nothing has altered as he always gave his best when called to duty.

“Personally, nothing changed for me because I give always my best when I'm on the pitch,” the Senegal prospect told the Leicester City website.

"Of course, Wilf is not with us at the moment but we know we have to play without him. We know he's an important player for the club and the team. 

“We have a lot of options and the manager can put me or, for example, Hamza Choudhury [in]. Yes, everyone can perform and that's good for the team. I hope we continue it.

“What the manager wants is very clear. When he puts sessions on, we work a lot in the training and after it is very easy to translate on the pitch at the weekend.

“At the moment, we have had good results, what he has put on the team is very good. Now we have to keep going.”

He also aired his views about Jamie Vardy and how crucial the veteran has been for the former English champions so far this term.

“Jamie, what a player,” he continued. “He's fantastic. We are lucky because we can play with him and we can see how he can perform in front of goal every day.

“He helps the club a lot and gives a lot of energy to every player and has good leadership.”

Mendy would be eyeing his 10th appearance of the season when Rodgers’ men hosts Braga to Filbert Way for Thursday’s Europa League Group G duel.

Bruno Fernandes admits Manchester United “did everything wrong” in a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir that has knocked them another step backwards and piled pressure on beleaguered boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils headed to Turkey looking to build on a faultless opening to their 2020-21 campaign in Europe that had already seen them claim the notable scalps of Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.

Inconsistency remains a serious issue for Solskjaer’s side, though, and familiar failings contributed to them leaving gaping holes at the back for Basaksehir to exploit.

United also struggled to find a spark going forward, firing in just two shots on target, and are now having to pick the bones out of another demoralising showing that has questions being asked of the direction in which the club are heading.

Fernandes concedes that they fell well short of expectations in their latest outing, telling MUTV: “Everything goes wrong, we did everything wrong.

“The intensity was not good since the beginning of the game. They found a goal early and, after, the game was complicated for us. We tried until the end but the problem was [that] I think we came later into the game.

“We can do much better; everyone feels that.

“We know we can't concede goals like that, but now it's time to look [at] what we did wrong, to make it better in the next game.”

The Portuguese midfielder added: “We need to look: one week ago, everyone was talking about we're going well, we're doing amazing games.

“We won against Newcastle, we won against Paris, we beat Leipzig. We draw against Chelsea in one game when we can win.

“This game was important for us – winning the game to be comfortable in the table.

“Of course, making one or a few points again we [would have almost] passed (qualified from) the group. But now it's the same.

“We are in a good position. We need to do the same: going for every game, trying to win, and it will not be different in the Champions League.”

Things are not about to get any easier for United as their next Premier League fixture is set to take them to Goodison Park for a meeting with Everton.

Fernandes has acknowledged the need for standards to be raised in that contest, with the Red Devils heading to Merseyside sat 15th in the English top-flight standings and with just two wins to their name from six games so far.

“Of course, in the league we are not in a good position – we all know that,” said Fernandes.

“We need to do much better, and we need to do something more than say ‘do something in the next game’ because it will be a difficult game for us. Our focus now needs to be already there.”

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) president Moses Magogo has explained what has brought down SC Villa in the recent past.

SC Villa are the most successful Ugandan Premier League club with 16 titles but coincidentally, they have not won the trophy in the last 16 years.

To end the club’s struggles, an interim committee was formed to help stabilise the outfit and recently came up with some recommendations. These have been ratified, and we will now see SC Villa evolve back into a community club run by the Villa Members Trust.

The trust will carry out functions that include voting for the club’s president, entitlements to an individual season and tickets per season of a full subscription, members are eligible to become part of the club’s Executive Committee and any member can be eligible to be elected as the president.

It is also an entity that owns SC Villa and all its assets.

“The lack of ownership led to a lack of proper governance systems that could create and supervise proper management,” Magogo, who is an ardent SC Villa fan, told Fufa website explaining the issues that have bedevilled them.

“This gradually affected the sporting results and of course, revenues became meagre too. The mighty SC Villa have since not won any league championship in the last 16 years and has romanced with relegation at some point.

“SC Villa got absorbed into the unmatched sporting success and slept on the job for important matters of ownership, governance and business.

“Even after being the first Ugandan club to sell a player [Magid Musisi] direct to Europe in 1992 and obtain funds that were used to construct residential houses in the suburbs of Kampala, this was not enough to awaken the business potential that SC Villa had become.”

The Jogoos are one of the Ugandan clubs with a rich history and one of the outstanding parts of their evolution is the first back-to-back participation in Caf competition before its 18th birthday as well as winning the league title a 16th time.

Legon Cities communications director Kwame Dwomoh Agyemang has revealed the figures, reported by local media as the signing fee for veteran Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, are not true.

Gyan joined The Royals on a one-year contract on domestic Transfer Deadline Day on Saturday, amid claims of a deal worth $1 million.

He settled for Legon after failing to reach an agreement with local giants Asante Kotoko whom he had publicly declared love for and stated a desire to wear the colours of the club.

“Gyan will play for us this season and if things go on well there is the possibility that he will stay with us for another season," Agyemang told Vision 1 FM.

“Gyan’s contract is structured, we have seen a lot of things in the media but that isn’t the case.

“We can’t disclose the amount he is going to take even the Europeans do not do that. What we normally hear are speculations from the media. There is no club that will disclose the salary of a player because it is confidential.

“What I can say is that he signed a performance-based contract."

In his first and only previous stint in the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Gyan played for Liberty Professionals.

He could mark his Legon debut against Berekum Chelsea on Matchweek One of the 2020-21 season on May 14.

"Sometimes people forget that the Ghanaian league is also a professional league," Gyan told the BBC.

"I got the offer [from Legon] and everything was right - as a professional you have to evaluate everything. I am very proud to be in the Ghanaian league.

"The most important thing is that they were serious about the contract. I am a very serious guy, despite people seeing me as a funny guy as well, but when it comes to work, it is work. Everything is about seriousness.

"I am in Ghana and I am home. I signed for this club because they have a huge project - they want to change Ghana football. I came here for a reason so while I am enjoying football, we are also doing things behind the scenes to benefit Ghana football."

Gyan once played for Premier League club Sunderland, Udinese in Italy and Rennes in France. 

Juventus director Fabio Paratici has stated that everyone at the club cares deeply about Manchester United's Paul Pogba, but added that it is too early to be talking about transfer targets as the midfielder's future continues to generate headlines.

Pogba returned to Old Trafford in 2016 after four trophy-laden years in Turin, with United paying a then-record fee to bring their former charge back to Manchester despite having originally lost him on a free transfer.

The World Cup winner arrived to much fanfare in the England, with his undeniable talent seen as a major coup for a league that prides itself on being able to attract the top stars in global football.

Pogba has struggled to live up to the hype, however, with injuries and inconsistent form meaning Red Devils fans have only seen glimpses of his best. As a result, a transfer elsewhere has been mooted, with the player himself leaving the door open to Real Madrid.

A return to Juventus has also been touted, however, and Paratici admits that the Old Lady still harbour strong feelings for their former star.

“Right now, Pogba is a Manchester United player and it is far too early to think about future transfer targets,” the director Sky Sport Italia. “We all care for Pogba here, one of many ex-players who gave Juve so much, but it's too early to talk about future objectives.

“We are concentrated on constructing this team for this season, that is where our focus lies.”

Another player who struggled for form after leaving Turin is Alvaro Morata, who has since returned to the club following underwhelming spells with Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.

Morata has since regained his confidence, bagging six goals in seven appearances across all competitions this term, and Paratici has hailed the Spaniard's skill set and ability to give the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo different options.

“Ronaldo is someone who can play with more or less everybody because he moves a great deal,” he said. “So we can have a more physical centre-forward or a more mobile one like Morata, someone like Paulo Dybala who comes towards him.

“Morata was always the first choice [target] in our minds, because we already knew the lad well. He's had two very good seasons with us. We also knew his personality and that he could give something more in Turin.

“He moves around a lot, looks for the space, so his characteristics suits the style of football our coach wants to play.”

Phil Foden has helped to put “the Manc back into Manchester City”, says legendary former Blues captain Paul Power, with a home-grown star being tipped to become a key man at the Etihad Stadium.

A prominent role at club level has already been taken on by a talented 20-year-old, who also harbours ambitions of becoming a regular for England’s senior side.

Foden has been tipped for the top ever since City fended off interest from a number of North West rivals to bring him into their academy system.

Power played a part in securing that potential, during a role working in the Blues’ youth set-up, and claims to have always been convinced that a classy midfielder would become a first-team regular.

Pep Guardiola is now handing out those opportunities, with Foden helping to counter the departure of modern day icon David Silva, and City are benefitting from having local pride at the heart of their side.

Power told the club’s official website: “What fills me with a lot of pride at the moment is to see Phil doing really well.

“When I was working under Jim Cassell as part of the academy coaching set-up, we were all instrumental in helping to get Phil to sign for us as a nine-year-old.

“Everyone knew he was the best player in the North West when he was eight. [Manchester] United and Liverpool and Everton were all interested in signing Phil.

“But Phil’s dad is a big Blue and he said: ‘He ain’t going anywhere but City’ and I’m absolutely delighted to see how Phil has progressed.

“His dad must be proud as anything to see him now in the first team and doing ever so well.

“I remember during my City career, I played in the semi-final of League Cup in 1976 we went to Middlesbrough and I think 10 of the 11 starting players that night were all local Manchester lads. The only one not from the Manchester region was Asa Hartford.

“Now those days are gone of course, but I did feel in recent years we had maybe lost a little bit of that 'Manc'. But I do think Phil has helped put the 'Manc' back into Manchester City, which I’m delighted to see.”

Foden is now up to 84 appearances for City, with 18 goals and 14 assists recorded across those outings, and Power believes there is plenty more to come from a player still learning his trade.

He added: “Phil’s already achieved some of his potential, but he’s got a lot more to come.

“Phil’s mentally tough, he works hard, he’s got the right attitude – and he has got the skill and ability to create and score goals. And I would love to think that he can take over from David Silva and be the playmaker that Kun Aguero needs to get chances.

“He’s made mistakes but he’s still very young, he’s still only 20, and he has the right mental make up to achieve what he wants to in football.

“Pep’s looking after him well, he is giving him more and more time on the pitch and I think it’s fantastic that he’s doing so well.

“And it’s also wonderful to see so many of the other young local lads at the club progressing and being given their chance.”

Nampalys Mendy is “showing the quality player he is”, says Brendan Rodgers, with the midfielder “performing to the level” Leicester City wanted in the absence of Wilfred Ndidi.

The French midfielder of Senegalese descent joined the Foxes from Nice in 2016 on a four-year deal worth £13 million, a club record at the time. In his first season, he featured in 31 Premier League games for Claudio Ranieri’s men – with 23 of them as a starter.

However, the arrival Ndidi from Genk meant the 28-year-old was confined to the bench. In the 2019-20 campaign, he featured in just seven English elite division encounters.

In a positive twist of fate, Mendy has demonstrated to be a perfect replacement for the injured Nigeria international who is out of the team owing to an abductor injury. He has churned out impressive displays in all nine games played so far this term.

Commending the contributions of the former France youth international, the Northern Irish manager feels the midfielder is fast grasping his opportunity as a main cog in his starting line-up.

“He is performing to the level the club wanted when they brought him in,” Rodgers told the club website.

“He's a defensive midfield player, tactically very good, understands the role, and does a lot of dirty work for the team. 

“Of course, before he’s played with Wilf [Ndidi], who’s something similar beside him and it’s probably where both those players need someone creative beside them.

“I think because of Wilf’s form, certainly since I’ve been here, he’s been so consistent, Wilf, and it's been difficult for Papy to play but it really shows you the mark of the guy – how well he has trained, how concentrated he has been. He never lost his focus and was always there if an opportunity came to give his very best.

“Now, what you’re seeing is a player that is getting a consistent run of games, and he’s really showing the quality player he is. I have been delighted with Papy. He gives the team stability with his experience and understanding of football and how we work. He has been crucial to how we play.”

Born in La Seyne-sur-Mer, France to Senegalese parents, Mendy is eligible to represent Senegal at senior international level.

Ruvimbo Mucherera marked her Champions League debut with a goal in Gintra Universitetas’ 4-0 triumph over Slovan Bratislava in Siauliai on Wednesday.

The US-born Zimbabwean was introduced as a second-half replacement for her American compatriot Mckenna Davidson and helped the hosts guarantee a big win at the Siauliai Central Stadium.

The Lithuanian champions enjoyed huge dominance but were held to a stalemate by their opponents from Slovakia in the opening half of the qualifying round play-off encounter. 

After the recess, Mucherera was brought on 12 minutes into the second half for Gintra and Tristian Corneil assisted Amanda Kass to break the deadlock in the 66th minute of the match.

13 minutes later, the hosts continued the search for more goals as Abby Carchio found another breakthrough to double the lead off a fine pass from Rimante Jonusaite. 

Substitute Mucherera fired home a low effort past goalkeeper Dominica Rezekova in the 88th minute before Corneil also got on the scoresheet from the spot on the brink of regulation time.

The Zimbabwean forward was involved in the final 33 minutes of the match on her maiden appearance in the European competition.

The big win sends Gintra Universitetas into the Round of 32 and they will know their opponents in the next round on November 6.

Mucherera will be eager to play a part in the aspiration of Rimantė Jonusaite's team to surpass their Round of 16 feat in 2017 this term.

TS Galaxy coach Dan Malesela felt Kaizer Chiefs were there for the taking in their league encounter at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw, which leaves Premier Soccer League (PSL) newcomers Galaxy in seventh place on the table and unbeaten after three matches with a win and two draws.

It was actually the rookies who had the better chances against Chiefs, including a missed penalty by Wayde Lekay.

There were other good opportunities too for the likes of Tshegofatso Nyama and Mokete Mogaila and the Rockets could well have been celebrating a famous victory had they been more clinical.

Malesela wasn't pleased by his player's inability to make the most of their opportunity against a Chiefs side battling for form.

"You miss goals like we did, and it doesn't help," he told SuperSport TV after the game.

"But it happens sometimes, you've got to be patient with these guys, we've just assembled a squad.

"If it's going better than expected, then all good. You get penalties and you miss them. I don't understand, I can't take that," Malesela lamented.

"We are building and we will build, I'm just disappointed that we didn't get the three points."

Captain and central defender Spiwe Msimango was named Man of the Match. He was satisfied with the outcome yet also felt it could have been three points instead of one.

"It wasn't an easy game for us, we knew that they're coming from a defeat and they are going to want to come back strong," the 23-year-old said in the post-match interviews.

"We had a good game-plan, we created a lot of chances of which I thought we could have capitalised. But on the day we were unfortunate not to score a goal.

"We've been putting in a lot of work at training, myself, Bevan [Fransman], everyone, credit doesn't go to me alone, it's a team effort. The boys did well today."

Galaxy will next be in action on November 21 in a league game against Swallows FC, while Amakhosi turn their attention to Sunday’s second leg MTN8 semi-final against Orlando Pirates, needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit.

Kenya international Michael Olunga and Kashiwa Reysol colleagues will not be in action on November 7 as the J-League Cup tie against Tokyo FC has been postponed.

The tie has been pushed to a date that is yet to be made public after three members of the Kashiwa Reysol side tested positive for the coronavirus. Olunga’s coach Nelsinho Baptista is the only person who is confirmed to have contracted the novel virus whereas the identities of the other team members have not been confirmed.

The positive tests at Olunga’s camp were announced on Tuesday and consequently, a J-1 League encounter between them and Vegalta Sendai had to be rescheduled.

After 26 matches, Olunga’s side sits ninth on the table with 41 points while the former Gor Mahia striker is leading in the Golden Boot race with 23 goals.

The coronavirus infections at Kashiwa Reysol came at a time Kenya were eagerly waiting to have Olunga at the national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros.

Due to travel restrictions, Olunga was not part of the Kenya team that faced Zambia on October 9 in a friendly tie at Nyayo Stadium which the hosts won 2-1.

Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee – in his first provisional squad since his appointment – called up five strikers and Olunga’s probable absence will mean he will have to look upon the other four.

Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala, Masoud Juma of JS Kabylie, John Avire of Tanta FC and Ulinzi Stars’ Oscar Wamalwa are the other forwards summoned.

The Comoros qualifiers - set for November 11 and 15 - offers Kenya a chance to fight for a first group win since they drew 1-1 against both Egypt and Togo in the first two games.

Harambee Stars are in the hunt for back-to-back Afcon qualifiers since they took part in the 2019 edition but were eliminated in the group stages.

In a recent interview, former Harambee Stars defender James Situma explained how Olunga’s presence with the national team would be important given his current goalscoring form.

“He has been scoring for the national team and he is currently doing a good job for the club,” Situma told Goal. “So, I believe when he turns out for the national team again, his form will not be affected by the coaching changes.

“It is an advantage for the national team that he is in good form because it will be very easy to transfer the form to the national side.”

But the ongoings at the Japanese club might be a blow to Situma and the majority of the supporters’ expectations.

Vihiga County under the leadership of Governor Wilberforce Ottichilo have expressed their delight after Vihiga United managed to defeat Kisumu All-Stars to get promoted to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

Despite winning the first leg 2-1, Kisumu All-Stars could not protect the advantage as they lost 2-1 in the return fixture and thus the tie ended at 3-3 after the two-legged affair, prompting the match referee to order for penalties in which Vihiga triumphed 5-3. 

"Today is a happy day for the County Government of Vihiga and the Vihiga County sporting fraternity as a whole following the comeback of Vihiga United FC into the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League," Ottichilo said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"As a Governor, I wish to express my delight to the team for being the first team ever from the National Super League to earn promotion to the top-tier via playoffs.

"Their 5-3 post-match penalty win against Kisumu All-Stars in today's second league match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu is an excellent performance that deserves recognition."

The Vihiga County administrator has also lauded those involved in the fight for promotion and went on to promise support for the team in the forthcoming campaign.

"Special gratitude to the management of the team for their resilience, players for their hard work on and off the pitch, and to our dear fans who have always supported the team passionately," Ottichilo added.

"I wish to reiterate my continued support to the team especially in the upcoming 2020/21 FKF Premier League season to enable them to continue scaling to greater heights.  

"With the County Government of Vihiga being the official sponsor of the team, I will ensure that my government continues to support it." 

The Western-based side was relegated in the 2018/19 season and it is a theme of joy for the fans to see their team back on the Kenyan top-tier.

Vihiga win means three teams from the National Super League have been promoted.

Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United were the first ones to be assured of promotion by the virtue of finishing in the first and second positions respectively. They took Sony Sugar and Chemelil Sugar places.

The 2021 season has been scheduled to start on November 20.

Smouha SC striker Derrick Nsibambi has joined Uganda national team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan.

Nsibambi becomes the first foreign-based Crane to join the local contingent at the Lugogo StarTimes base preparing for the November 12 encounter.

He has scored three goals for the Egyptian Premier League side and registered four assists in 17 games since he joined them one year ago.

Nsibambi and captain Denis Onyango were not part of the team that took part in a week-long training camp in Dubai during the previous Fifa break.

The local players that were called up by head coach Johnathan McKinstry have been training for days now as assistant head coach Abdalla Mubiru said they are not under any particular pressure ahead of the double-header against the Bright Stars.

“We are not a group that works under pressure,” said the tactician on Wednesday. “There is no pressure but of course, there is urgency because we want to win, therefore we shouldn’t allow complacency to creep in anyway.

“Eventually, it will go down to what we do as a team. We should be able to execute our plan very well; how we attack, how we react if we don’t have the ball and how we defend will be important for us.”

The Cranes are leading Group B with four points that came from a draw against Burkina Faso and a win against Malawi.

Should the Cecafa champions pick up six points from the Bright Stars, it would be enough for them to earn a place in the next Afcon edition to be held in Cameroon in 2021.

McKinstry would have then achieved one of the targets placed on his shoulders - to lead Uganda to a third straight continental competition. Under Sebastien Desabre, the Cranes were eliminated in Round of 16 by Senegal in the 2019 tournament.

They will host South Sudan at St Mary’s Kitende before travelling to Nairobi for the second qualifier at Nyayo Stadium on November 16.

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman),

Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe), Alex Kakuba (Cova de Piedade), Nicholas Wadada (Azam FC), Elvis Bwomono (Southend United), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK), Timothy Awany (Ashdod FC),

Midfielders: Micheal Azira (Chicago Fire), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa), Kizito Luwagga (Hapoel Kfar Saba), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor), Emmanuel Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria), Allan Kymabadde (El Gounah FC), Allan Okello (Paradou FC),

Forwards: Fahad Bayo (Ashdod FC), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond), Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha SC), Mubiru Uche Ikpeazu (Wycombe Wanderers), Alexis Bbakka (Umea FC)

Manchester United made a mistake in snapping up Edinson Cavani over the summer and should have been investing £40 million ($52m) in Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, says Paul Ince.

The Red Devils have been struggling to find a spark across the field in 2020-21.

Their deficiencies were exposed again in a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side mustering just two shots on target.

Anthony Martial was asked to lead the line in that contest, with Cavani being introduced off the bench.

Nigerian frontman Odion Ighalo was an unused substitute, with United finding out the hard way that they lack the attacking firepower and defensive solidity to perform on a consistent basis.

Ince believes part of that problem could have been solved with better recruitment in the last window, with Solskjaer left scratching around for striking reinforcements on deadline day.

The former Red Devils midfielder, who also represented Wolves in his playing days, told Ladbrokes: “There are so many players out there who could have come into that Man United team. You look at Thomas Partey and Raul Jimenez for example.

“Last season United needed to bring in a striker and they go and get Odion Ighalo from China. What was that about? Go and spend £40 million on Jimenez. He’s a proven striker, a scorer. You know, and then they go and get Edinson Cavani who will hardly play.

“You’ve got to look at the structure, the recruitment, the scouting system and think ‘what are they looking at?’ There’s a lot of good players out there, top, top players. Go and get these players. But they haven’t.

“If you’re going to spend the money, put them in the team. I’m not having this ‘you’ve got to give them time’ – you’ve got to put them in straight away if you’re going to spend that money. Why would you spend £40m on a player who you’re going to just stick on the bench?

“Solskjaer will have wanted these players. As recruitment goes, he will have had a list of players and number one targets, number two targets, if you can’t get number one then go for number two, and so on.”

Jimenez would likely cost United much more than £40m ($52m) after committing to a new contract at Wolves, but he has left the door open for a future move away from Molineux to be made.

For now, though, Solskjaer needs to keep faith with those already at his disposal, which means bringing the best out of Martial and finding roles for Cavani and Ighalo that allow them to prosper.

AmaZulu marksman Bongi Ntuli has reiterated his commitment to the Durban-based Premier Soccer League (PSL) club.

Usuthu have been boosted by some big name signings this season following Sandile Zungu's takeover of the team.

Those include Luvuyo Memela, who scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Black Leopards on Wednesday night, as well as the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala, Augustine Mulenga, Xola Mlambo and Siphesihle Mthembu.

Ntuli meanwhile, last season's top goal-scorer in the league for Usuthu, with 13 of their 20 goals, is yet to be seen in action this term.

There's been speculation that the one-time Mamelodi Sundowns striker is on the radar of some of Gauteng's big clubs and Orlando Pirates have been mentioned, albeit in unsubstantiated rumours.

However, in an interview with the Sowetan, the player has made it clear that he sees himself staying at AmaZulu and not leaving in the current transfer window.

He says it's an injury which has kept him sidelined.

“I am injured at the moment," Ntuli explained. "I fractured my left foot. I sustained that injury during our pre-season.

"The doctors said I will be fine in the next three weeks. The injury is the only reason people don’t see me with the team.

“There’s no truth in that thing of the transfer request," the former Platinum Stars and Golden Arrows man elaborated. "I am very happy at the club. I read about all these things in the newspapers and I have never handed in a transfer request. AmaZulu are like a family to me and I want to continue with my career here."

Last season was a standout for Ntuli, who has previously been a consistent, but not prolific forward. Prior to the 2019/ 20 campaign when he netted 13 times, his best goal return in a league season was seven.

In 199 matches in all top-flight competition, he’s scored 60 goals and registered 14 assists.

Amazulu's next match is away to Mamelodi Sundowns on November 22.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has welcomed Vihiga United's promotion to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League at the same time, stating AFC Leopards is not part of the Western region.

The Vihiga-based club was relegated from the top-flight last season and were seeking to bounce back against All-Stars, who were playing in the top league in the 2019-20 campaign.  

Despite winning the first leg 2-1, Kisumu All-Stars could not protect the advantage as they lost 2-1 in the return fixture and thus the tie ended at 3-3 after the two-legged affair, prompting the match referee to order for penalties in which Vihiga triumphed 5-3.  

"Vihiga United promotion is a delight for the Western region because it means we have three teams representing us in the Premier League," Shimanyula told Goal on Thursday.

"We now have Nzoia Sugar, Kakamega Homeboyz, and Vihiga United playing in the top-tier. AFC Leopards is not on the list since it is a Nairobi team and does not represent the Western region."

"I wish the team all the best in the league as we aim at taking our game to the next level."

The vocal administrator has also exuded confidence his charges will be a team to beat in the new season.

"Homeboyz are ready for the new season, they will be a team to beat in the league," Shimanyula stated.

"We have assembled a very competitive team with players who have what it takes to push for the title. It will not be easy for teams to play against us, they will have a long day.

"Our target is to go all the way and win the league this season; I am confident we can do it. Last season we were close but things happened; we want to be better this time around."

In the abandoned 2019/20 season, the Kakamega-based team finished the campaign in second position with 47 points, behind Gor Mahia who were crowned.

Shimanyula bragged that his club will remain a force despite losing players to other teams in each and every transfer window.  

The Kakamega-based club has recently conceded losing midfielder Peter Thiong’o to rivals AFC Leopards after the two clubs tussled over the player since the transfer window opened on August 10.  

"We have always been feeding KPL clubs with players, not a single club in KPL has not signed a player from Homeboyz.  

"We have lost Harun [Shakava] and Charles [Momanyi] to Gor Mahia before but it did not affect us, we still went ahead to finish second on the table in the last campaign, and actually had the season been played to the end, we should have won the title.  

"We have an academy which is very strong, not even AFC Leopards or Gor Mahia have an academy like the one we have, we don’t fear losing players, we lose and promote from the academy and they just fit in very well," Shimanyula concluded.