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Prospective Uganda international Uche Ikpeazu featured as Wycombe Wanderers defeated Sheffield Wednesday to pick up their first Championship win this season on Saturday.

The forward, who could make his Uganda debut against South Sudan after he was named in the provisional Africa Cup of Nations squad, came on for Adebayo Akinfenwa in the 72nd minute as 23rd-placed Wanderers sailed to a first win in nine attempts.

David Wheeler's header made all the difference that gave the Chairboys the win over struggling Wednesday, who are at the bottom of the 24-team table.

Wycombe came into the match having lost the opening seven fixtures but Wheeler’s header in the third minute of first-half injury time was all they required to get the first victory.

Wednesday could have equalised and even take the lead but they were not clinical enough to use all the created chances in the second half.

Wanderers’ assistant manager Richard Dobson – who was in charge of the team after boss Gareth Ainsworth's back operation on Friday – confirmed his satisfaction given that his team is now growing together.

"We're growing as a team. We're excited by the challenge of being in the Championship and we're starting to prove that we deserve to be here,” Dobson told BBC Sports.

"They boys were angry and they wanted to put something right. We've had a lot of big game-changing decisions go against us, which has fuelled the fire a bit as the boys feel it's been unjust.

"Gareth is a very happy guy in hospital; he's over the moon. I'm glad he's on road to recovery and we've been able to put a smile on his face."

On his part, Wednesday manager Garry Monk said the only thing missing from his struggling side is the cutting edge.

“The players gave everything, they worked and battled. It’s not running for us at the moment, we are missing that cutting edge,” Monk told the club’s website.

“We’ve had all the possession in the second half but just couldn’t find that way through.

“I thought if we got one we’d have gone on to win the game. I couldn’t have asked anything more from the players but we are not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

“I take the responsibility, I have no problem with that. I will keep giving everything I have to get us out of this run of results. It’s not good enough for a club like Sheffield Wednesday.

“But we are together, the boys are together and you can see that with what has just been said in the changing room.”

Ikpeazu and Wanderers will be up against Birmingham City on November 4. 

Rio Ferdinand has warned that Manchester City’s players could be unsettled regarding speculation over the future of manager Pep Guardiola, who has not committed to signing a new deal with the club.

The former England and Manchester United defender says that it is a worry that Guardiola is nearing the end of his deal, while it could make attracting new players difficult.

Although the Catalan has dismissed speculation that he might return to Barcelona, he has a history of staying at clubs only for three or four years before moving on.

He will come to the end of his fourth year with City in June, when his contract is up.

“I was never really in that position as a player - obviously Sir Alex Ferguson was always fully committed and wore his heart on his sleeve in that respect,” Ferdinand told BT Sport when asked if it might have an effect on the team.

“But Pep is a different animal, a different character and what is more important is what he is relaying to the players. I think if he's speaking to the players and he's filling them with confidence, then it's okay.

“But the big problem with the club in the wider picture will be recruitment because if they're talking to potential players that they're trying to get hold of in January or the following window, if I'm that player I'm saying: 'I'm only coming if Pep's there,' or: 'I want to know who's going to be next in charge before I make my decision and commit.'

“The bigger picture is probably the bigger question but I think his history suggests that he does make late decisions on his contracts and where he wants to go. Man City will probably know that and be very well aware of that.

“Who wouldn't want that guy in their dugout?”

City have had an awkward start to the season, which has seen them draw two and lose one of their opening six Premier League matches, though they overcame Sheffield United thanks to a Kyle Walker goal on Saturday.

Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johanna scored in Jonkopings Sodra IF's 1-1 draw against Dalkurd in Saturday's Superettan tie.

Johanna, who has been included in the Harambee Stars' provisional squad that will tackle Comoros twice in November, scored the goal that ensured his Swedish side got an away draw in the 89th minute.

Johanna did not start in the game but his introduction for Edin Hamidovic in the 65th minute proved a vital change made by coach Andreas Brannstrom.

Arian Kabashi had scored the opener for the home side in the 77th minute but Johanna’s late effort ensured the goal was not enough to hand the home side all three points.

The strike – in a match in which no one was booked – saw the former Mathare United player take his tally to eight goals in the Swedish Second Division.

With 46 points, third-placed Jonkopings Sodra IF are somewhat out of the title race since Degerfors and Halmstad are first and second with 57 and 56 points, respectively, but the draw may end up being vital for Johanna’s side in their promotion push.

The draw also halted Jonkopings Sodra IF's winning streak that had been registered in the last two games. In the last six matches, they have drawn once and lost once – against Giff Sundsvall – on October 17.

Jonkopings Sodra IF will host Norrby on November 7 hoping to register a win that will open the gap between them and fourth-placed Oster to seven points.

Johanna is among the key players that Kenya will depend on when they face Comoros on November 11 looking for a maiden win in the African Cup of Nations qualifying Group H.

Kenya drew in the last two Afcon qualifiers against Egypt and Togo and a win against the Islanders will greatly push their bid to earn a back-to-back continental slot.

Johanna managed to travel and honour the friendly match against Zambia which Kenya – against all odds – managed to get a controversial 2-1 victory at Nyayo Stadium on October 9.

Johanna and his teammates will face Comoros under a new coach given the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) took the decision to replace Francis Kimanzi with Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes says that he and Paul Pogba can be a revelation together for the Old Trafford side.

The Portugal star has had few opportunities to link up with the World Cup winner since arriving in January, with Pogba having spent much of that time fighting for full fitness.

The 27-year-old, however, has been involved in all of United’s league matches this season and amid questions as to whether he and Bruno can function together in the same team is making his case for more game time.

Bruno believes it is not only possible, but it could lift the level of United.

“It's always a pleasure being in a team with him because I can learn a lot from him, and he can learn a lot from me. Together we can do great things,” he told Sky Sports.

“We have a good relationship, of course. We both speak Italian so most of the time we speak Italian. I have a good relationship with him on and off the pitch.

“He's a funny guy, he always wants to joke. I know him from Italy already but now I have the chance to be in a team with a World Cup winner.”

The playmaker also scotched rumours over Pogba’s supposed poor attitude.

“Paul wants to play, he wants to be in the first XI, that is no different to any player - they all want to be in the first XI,” he said.

“Of course Paul is an amazing player who has done a lot of great things in the past few years. The way he came in against Paris Saint-Germain, against Newcastle, was perfect for the team.

“A lot of people may think Paul is angry on the bench and that he will do nothing when he comes on because he is angry, but he comes in with the right motivation, as we saw with his assist in Paris.

“Being on the bench is a problem for everyone, but this problem is motivation for Paul. He uses this as motivation and he is helping the team a lot when he comes in and plays, like he did in the last game in the Champions League.”

The pair will be vying to start on Sunday against Arsenal as United seek their third Premier League win of the season.

Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has aimed a dig at AFC Leopards after they unveiled their long-term transfer target Peter Thiong’o.

Ingwe confirmed on Sunday they had signed the former Homeboyz winger on a two-year contract ahead of the 2020-21 FKF Premier League scheduled to kick off on November 20.

The two clubs have had a long battle for the services of the player since Ingwe confirmed their interest, with Homeboyz claiming the player will not leave for the Den.

However, after confirming the player had signed as a free agent after his contract with Homeboyz ended on October 31, Shimanyula has now taken a swipe at Ingwe, claiming they are always hanging loose to sign free agents because ‘they don’t have money to sign players.”

“I knew they will unveil Peter [Thiong’o] as a free agent, they don’t have money to sign players,” Shimanyula told Goal on Sunday. “They had to wait for his contract to run down before opening negotiations with him.

“It is unfortunate that a big club like AFC Leopards cannot afford money to buy players, they are just waiting for free agents and then pounce with big social media unveilings. I pity them because they don’t have money to do transfer business, they never do genuine deals.

“If you look at their past transfer records, most of the players they get every window are free agents, but to be honest, I don’t have any problem with Thiong’o leaving, we thank him for the services he rendered while at Homeboyz and wish him well at Ingwe.”

The 13-time league champions have been working on strengthening their team ahead of the new season and have already signed John Oyemba, Harrison Mwendwa, Bienvenue Shaka, and Congolese midfielder Fabrice Mugheni.

Vincent Oburu, who has since signed for Wazito FC, is the only local player to have confirmed his departure from AFC Leopards thus far.

Ingwe, who are targeting this season's league title, will start their campaign on November 20 at home against Western Stima.

On November 28, the former champions will be away to league debutants Bidco United, before they take on Zoo FC on December 4 at home in a game that will be expected to start at 18:30.

After facing Zoo, Leopards will play host to Nzoia Sugar on December 9. The Sugar Millers have always proved a tough opponent for Ingwe and the last time the two meet at Sudi Stadium a 2-2 draw was recorded.

Posta Rangers head coach Sammy Omollo is happy with the progress his charges are making ahead of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.

The Mailmen have been doing their best to be in the right shape ahead of the 2020/21 proposes to start on November 20.

The former Kenya defender is optimistic the team will be ready to play Bidco United in their season opener if the players continue training as they are doing currently.

"The signs are really encouraging because players are hungry to play and are giving everything in training to ensure they are ready for the forthcoming campaign," Omollo told Goal on Sunday.

"Every player has an equal chance of breaking into the first 11 and I love the competition I am, seeing. The competition is stiff and every player is progressing well.

"I am confident the team will be ready for the beginning of the league in about three weeks' time."

On Saturday, Rangers were in Naivasha to play two pre-season friendly matches. The first game was against South Lake whereby the top tier side managed to register a 5-1 win.

Jackson Dwang scored a hat-trick with Billy Opora and Kevin Ouma netting once each while Peter Macharia scored a consolation for the minnows.

In the second game against Naivasha combined, former Mathare United striker Elijah Mwanzia scored a brace with William Odero getting his name on the score sheet in a 3-0 win.

"I was impressed with the way my players followed the given instructions from the first to the final whistle," Omollo said.

"They pushed as a unit and defended as a unit as well. My forwards took their chances and we could have scored more goals to be honest. Just that we did not take the many chances we created in the two games.

"Yes, we scored eight goals in the two matches, yes we won, but we need to sharpen our scoring instincts and defensive as well."

Rangers will start the 2020/21 season with the home game against Bidco United and the tactician believes it will not be an easy task.

"[Bidco] have signed good players in preparations for the new season. We will give them the respect they deserve but we will give our best on the pitch to start the season with maximum points," he concluded.

Erik ten Hag's Ajax matched Johan Cruyff's record in Eredivisie following Saturday's 5-2 win over lowly Fortuna Sittard.

Ajax improved their tally to 250 goals in 82 matches under head coach Ten Hag after overturning an early deficit against bottom side Fortuna in Amsterdam.

It is only the second time an Eredivisie team have scored at least 250 goals in their first 82 games under a specific manager after Cruyff's Ajax in 1987, per Opta.

Ten Hag took charge of Ajax in 2017 and the 50-year-old has guided the Dutch giants to Eredivisie, KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield glory, while he oversaw the club's memorable run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.

Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen scored a first-half brace to cancel out George Cox's seventh-minute opener on Saturday.

Brian Brobbey, Dusan Tadic and Quincy Promes were also on target for hosts Ajax, who are top of the table on goal difference through seven matches.

Brobbey (18 years and 173 days) became the youngest player to score a goal on his Eredivisie debut for Ajax since Jairo Riedewald (17 years and 104 days) in December 2013.

The teenager scored just eight minutes after coming on against Sittard and is eager to kick on with his boyhood club. 

"This is just the beginning. I hope there are more to come," Brobbey told Fox Sports post-match. 

"I played my matches in Young Ajax and just did my best. Then I knew my chance would come. This was the moment. I just want to stay with Ajax. I am close to signing an extension."

Speaking about Brobbey, Klaassen added: "A lot is written about the young boys here. You are always in the spotlight. You have to wait and seize your chances. He did that today."

Ten Hag also singled out Brobbey for praise but was quite critical of his side's overall performance on Saturday, who had won their last Eredivisie match 13-0 against VVV-Venlo. 

"The sharpness was not there today. Both in the box of the opponent and in our own sixteen. That was insufficient. We wasted energy unnecessarily," the Ajax manager said.

"Last year he [Brobbey] went from one injury to another. This year we have carefully built it up with him. It is a compliment to him and to the staff that he has come this far now. He still needs a lot of work. That he scores is great. He is a player that we would like to continue with. Let that be clear." 

With the United Kingdom heading into another national lockdown amidst a second wave of Covid-19, many football fans will be wondering if the Premier League will be able to continue. 

In March this year, the competition was suspended as the UK and the entire world came to grips with the coronavirus. 

While the Premier League season would ultimately restart in June and be completed behind closed doors, there are fresh fears that the 2020-21 campaign could also now be put on hold. 

So could the Premier League be headed for another enforced break? Goal takes a look.

Will the Premier League continue during lockdown?

At this stage, the good news is that the Premier League looks set to play on despite the UK heading back into lockdown. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson directly confirmed that the competition would be permitted to continue on October 31 when announcing the country's latest move to lockdown.

"I can say yes to the Premier League, I think, with authority," Johnson told reporters when announcing the new lockdown rules, due to come into place from Thursday until December 2. 

Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, also confirmed that elite sport in general will be allowed to go ahead behind closed doors. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has welcomed the initial decision to allow the Premier League to continue and believes they've shown they can play safely. 

"It's obviously what we want. We proved that we can go on and keep the bubble kind of safe," Klopp said on Saturday. 

"Yes we have cases, everybody does, but we can isolate these cases pretty quickly. Things never happen at the training ground, they happen with travelling, national teams, new players into the club and things like that.

"We proved that we can do it, and in a lockdown I think it's important that the people can do things they like to do, and watching football is obviously something they like to do. I'm obviously happy we can continue."

How will grassroots football be impacted by the lockdown?

It's currently unclear how the lockdown will affect non-elite football across the UK with the FA currently seeking out more information. 

"We acknowledge the government’s announcement today regarding Covid-19 restrictions and are awaiting further information before we can confirm how this may affect non-elite football across England. We will communicate any necessary updates in due course," the FA said via Twitter on Saturday. 

FC Goa and Hyderabad will be the only two clubs to start the seventh season of Indian Super League (ISL) with six foreign players in their rosters. 

The 2020-21 ISL player rules allow clubs to sign a maximum of seven and at least five foreign players, which should include a player from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nation.

A total of eight teams have officially filled their foreign quota.

East Bengal have brought in six new foreigners to play under Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. Jacques Maghoma, Matti Steinmann, Anthony Pilkington, Danny Fox, Aaron Holloway and Scot Neville are the overseas players for the ISL debutants. But Fowler did indicate in a recent social media interaction that the club might sign another overseas player.

FC Goa, who will take the field under the leadership of Sergio Lobera's successor Juan Ferrando, have opted to keep one foreign slot open. Following a player exodus to Mumbai City, they have brought in Igor Angulo, Jorge Ortiz, Alberto Noguera, Ivan Gonzalez and James Donachie and have retained Edu Bedia from last season. 

By not filling the foreign player quota, the Gaurs now have the option of adding one more foreigner without selling any player if such a need arises. 

If a club registers less than seven foreigners (and the squad length is still less than the maximum size of 35), they can still fill the quota post the stipulated date provided the player is a free agent. 

Hyderabad had seven foreign players on their roster but the club has registered only six foreign players ahead of the season. They currently have Joao Victor, Lluis Sastre, Aridane Santana, Odei Onaindia, Joel Chianese and Fran Sandaza as their overseas footballers. Nestor Gordillo is not part of the pre-season preparations of the Nizams.

FC Goa will kickstart their season with games against Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City on November 22 and 25th respectively. 

Hyderabad will look to open their account against Odisha on November 23 and will take on Bengaluru five days later. SC East Bengal, on the other hand, open their campaign against arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan on November 27. 

Former Lyon defender Bakary Kone is expecting nothing less than a crucial role at his new club Kerala Blasters ahead of the seventh season of Indian Super Leauge (ISL). 

The 32-year-old joined the Yellow Army from Russian club Arsenal Tula for whom he could only manage to play one league game. Before his Russian stint, he played in the Turkey league for Ankaragucu and started 11 league matches. 

Kone, however, feels he will be able to play regularly for Blasters in the upcoming season. He wants to play every single game for Kibu Vicuna's team in the upcoming season as he has the experience of playing in big tournaments including the UEFA Champions League for Lyon. 

"I hope that I play every minute and every game this season because I have a lot of experience (playing) in big championships in Spain and France and the Champions League. I'm expecting to play every minute and do my best (for the team)," Kone, who is in quarantine in Goa, told Goal. 

His most notable displays were during his time with French club Lyon for five years from 2011. The Burkina Faso international, who has faced off against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani in Ligue 1, had stints in Spain, Turkey and Russia since leaving France. 

Last year, however, was particularly difficult for the defender as he dropped down the pecking order at Arsenal Tula. As he looked out for offers abroad, Kerala Blasters offer turned out to be the most tempting. 

"I did not want to stay in Russia. I had offers from Turkey but it was not interesting for me. Then my agent told me there is an option in India with Kerala and I wanted a new challenge in my career.

"Kerala Blasters is very interesting (project). I noticed that there is a big fanbase and for me, it is important that we have a lot of support. India is an emerging country for football," he said.

The experienced defender added, "Last year, the coach preferred another centre-back, so I did not play much. I fought and did my best to show that I have the qualities to play but he still chose another player.

"I always trained hard in Russia. In France also I trained well. I will give my best and I cannot wait to play official matches."

Kerala Blasters will play at least four friendly matches against fellow ISL clubs in the pre-season bio-bubble in Goa as they gear up for the season which starts on November 20. 

A brand new season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is upon us as the top tier league of Indian football returns to action in less than three weeks’ time.

The seventh season of the ISL will witness the arrival of Kolkata and Indian football giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. While the Red and Golds have entered the league with the help of their new investors Shree Cement Limited, the Green and Maroons have merged with reigning ISL champions ATK to take part in the ISL.

The new season will also be different from its previous editions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The entire league will be played in Goa without any fans in the stadiums.

As the new season begins on November 20, we take a look at some of the exciting matches of ISL in the month of November.

Kerala Blasters vs ATK Mohun Bagan FC: Nov 20, 7:30 PM IST

The new ISL season kicks-off with a big-ticket game between title holders ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters. ATK and Kerala Blasters have developed a strong rivalry in the past six seasons and now with the addition of giants Mohun Bagan, the intensity of the clash will be a notch higher. A few interesting personnel changes will further ramp up the rivalry. Mohun Bagan’s I-League winning coach from last season Kibu Vicuna has joined Blasters this summer as their manager while the Southern outfit’s former poster boy Sandesh Jhingan has joined the Kolkata giants.

Owen Coyle and Nerijus Valskis, two of the biggest names in Chennaiyin FC from last season, have jumped ship this summer to join Jamshedpur FC. While Coyle had miraculously turned the fate of Chennaiyin FC around last year and had guided them to the ISL final out of nowhere, Valskis had spearheaded their attack and had bagged the Golden boot award. The Marina Machans too have signed Brazilian midfielder Memo Moura who was an integral part of the Jamshedpur midfield in the past three seasons. 

Former FC Goa captain Mandar Rao Dessai, midfielders Ahmed Jahouh and Hugo Boumous and defender Mourtada Fall have followed head Sergio Lobera from FC Goa to Mumbai City this season. The mass influx from the Gaurs to the Islanders will add that extra bit of spice to this clash.

Also, the acrimonious circumstances in which Hugo Boumous, who was Hero of the League last season, agitated for a move to Mumbai City would not have gone down well with FC Goa.

SC East Bengal vs ATK Mohun Bagan: Nov 27, 7:30 PM IST

The biggest match in Indian football will be played in the ISL for the first time in the league’s history. The blockbuster clash is bound to attract millions of fans across the country. The Red and Golds will announce their arrival in the ISL by facing their arch-rivals in the second game week of the season.

This, perhaps, is the most talked-about game this season - Kolkata derby in the ISL.

Reigning champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) couldn't have asked for a better draw to defend the Malaysia Cup trophy they won in 2019 after the official draw was made on earlier today.

UiTM FC and Felda United are the only two Super League sides who are drawn in their half with all the other big boys congregating in the other half of the draw.

JDT will kickstart their campaign against Kuching FA with Kuala Lumpur waiting in the quarterfinals after the City boys were handed a bye in the opening round due to Sabah's exclusion from the competition.

Meanwhile in the same side of the draw, Premier League champions Pulau Pinang will host Felda with UiTM slated to face Kelantan with the possibility of this match being moved to be played in Kota Bahru because of CMCO.

Over in the other half of the draw, Terengganu FC and Perak could repeat their 2018 final at the quarterfinal stage if they could get past Petaling Jaya City FC and Kelantan United respectively.

The remainder of the half will be an all-Super League contention with Kedah hosting Pahang and Selangor facing Melaka with the likelihood of the latter fixture being played in Hang Jebat Stadium because of CMCO.

The Round of 16 matches will be played starting Nov 6 and because the Malaysia Cup this year will be a single knockout format, the winning teams from 1, 3, 5 and 7 will play host for the quarterfinal matches.

Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities have completed the signing of former Sunderland forward Asamoah Gyan on local Transfer Deadline Day.

The 34-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, marking his return to domestic football for the first time since 2003 when he left Liberty Professionals for Udinese.

He last featured for Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United with whom he parted ways in January after a brief spell.

Recently, the centre-forward was heavily linked to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko, whom he had publicly maintained a personal desire to represent, before calling time on his professional career.

Gyan's acquisition is the latest statement of intent from Cities, who are on a re-branding course following their re-christening from Wa All Stars last year. He could make his debut for The Royals against Berekum Chelsea on the opening day of the 2020-21 GPL season in a fortnight.

In December, Legon signed Ghana international and former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Fatau Dauda ahead of the 2019-20 season which was prematurely terminated halfway due to the coronavirus disease disruptions.

The club was taken over by new owners from former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi who had to give up the outfit following his Fifa life ban from football over a bribery and corruption scandal.

Gyan returns to the GPL after a 17-year career abroad where he played in Italy, France, England, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, China and most recently India.

In 2003, he left Ghana for his first stint abroad, joining Udinese in the Italian top flight. Between 2004 and 2006, the Accra-born was farmed out on loan to lower division fold Modena.

In 2008, he transferred to French outfit Stade Rennais, from where he joined Sunderland in the Premier League after impressing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Gyan left The Black Cats for Al Ain in the UAE after just one season, initially on loan, before the switch was made permanent.

He has since gone on to play for Shanghai SIPG in China, Al Ahli Dubai in the UAE, Turkish side Kayserispor and NorthEast United.

At international level, Gyan, who scored his nation's first ever World Cup goal in 2006, is Ghana's most-capped player and all-time top scorer, having made 106 appearances and racked up 51 strikes.

With six goals, he also stands as Africa's all-time top scorer at the World Cup after shattering Roger Milla of Cameroon's record at the 2014 global showpiece in Brazil.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, the forward is second on the list of Ghana's all-time top scorers as the tournament, sitting only one strike behind Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew who has nine goals to his name.

Gyan last played for Ghana at the 2019 Afcon tournament.

Kylian Mbappe was replaced in the second half of Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Nantes as a precautionary measure, head coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed.

The France international was seen holding his thigh when replaced by Bandiougou Fadiga 16 minutes from time in Saturday's Ligue 1 clash at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

He had earlier set up Ander Herrera for the opening goal of the match and scored the second from a penalty that he had himself won, before Pablo Sarabia added a late third.

Moise Kean was also taken off at half-time but Tuchel, who lost Neymar to an adductor injury earlier this week, does not expect the pair to spend any time on the sidelines. 

"With Mbappe I think it's not a injury, but more fatigue," he told Canal+. "The same goes for Kean. He took a lot of hits, which was painful. He wanted to continue but I said 'no'.

"Now is not the time to take too many risks. I really hope we don't have any new injured players."

Providing an update on PSG's other walking wounded at his post-match news conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to RB Leipzig, Tuchel said: "I hope that Leandro Paredes will resume training on Monday, but I'm not sure about Mauro Icardi."

PSG failed to register a single shot on target in the first half but were much improved in the second period as they made it seven league wins in a row to consolidate top spot.

The reigning champions have now won 70 per cent of their Ligue 1 away games under Tuchel – the best percentage for a PSG coach in their history – and the German was pleased with the mental resolve showed by his side.

"I am very happy," he said. "You've got to remember there are no spectators, so games lack that energy and atmosphere. 

"It's difficult for my team. We played a very serious game today. I saw good energy, more qualities in the second half and a bit of luck in the game. 3-0 is a great victory.

"The team was mentally tired and there were a lot of changes. I knew it wouldn't be an easy game. With fatigue, it's like that. We found shorter distances in the second half, more connections. It was better."

PSG's win was not as routine as the scoreline may suggest, with Moses Simon missing a sitter from three yards in the first half and Kader Bamba having a penalty saved by Keylor Navas at 2-0.

Navas now has five clean sheets in six Ligue 1 appearances this term – only Bordeaux's Benoit Costil, with six from eight matches, has more – while no keeper to have played at least two games has a better save percentage than his 92.86.

"I think the team played a good game today," Navas, who captained the side, said after the match.

"We have a lot of injuries. There have been team-mates who have the opportunity to play and they have done it well.

"It was a united team display. We are happy and we hope to be able to recover some of the injured players in the next matches to be stronger."

Former Barcelona head coach Quique Setien believes Lionel Messi is hard to manage, adding that the Argentine's enormous reputation meant he was difficult for the coach to criticise while in charge at Camp Nou. 

Setien took over Barca in January after the club sacked Ernesto Valverde, but the ex-Real Betis manager lasted just over six months in the post before he too was relieved of his duties in August. 

Barca's stunning 8-2 defeat in the Champions League was the final straw for Setien, who completed a season at Camp Nou that saw the club fail to win a trophy. 

After the season Messi stunningly attempted to engineer a way out of the club, before ultimately withdrawing his request when it became apparent he would be forced into a legal battle with Barca.

In an interview with former Real Madrid and Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for El Pais, Setien spoke about the difficulty of managing a player like Messi – winner of six Ballon d'Or awards and someone Setien considers the greatest to ever play the game.

"I think Messi is the best of all time," Setien said. "There have been other great players who have been great, but the continuity that this boy has had throughout the years has not been had by anyone.

"Leo is difficult to manage. Who am I to change him! If they have accepted him as he is for years and have not changed him.

"There's another facet beyond just the player and it's more difficult to manage. Much more difficult. It's something inherent in many athletes that can be seen in the Michael Jordan documentary ("The Last Dance"). You see things you don't expect.

"He's very reserved but he makes you see the things that he wants. He doesn't talk much."

Setien believes that in hindsight, he would have been better off making decisions with the club as a whole in mind, rather than any individual players.

"After leaving what I am clear on is that at certain times I should have made other decisions, but there's something above you: the club.

"And it is above the president, the player, the coach. It's the club and the fans. They are the ones to whom you owe the greatest respect, and you have to do what is most convenient for the club as a whole."

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan, Africa's top scorer in the history of the World Cup, has returned to his homeland in a surprise move to sign for local side Legon Cities.

His return was confirmed by the Ghana Premier League on Saturday, local transfer deadline day, with the 34-year-old putting pen to paper on a one-year deal. 

The signing marks Gyan's return to domestic football for the first time since 2003 when he left Liberty Professionals for Italian side Udinese, embarking on a career that would include stints in England, France and China among others.

He last featured for Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United with whom he parted ways in January after a brief spell, and signs for Legon Cities despite recently announcing an interest to play for domestic giants Asante Kotoko before calling time on his professional career.

Gyan's acquisition is the latest statement of intent from Cities, who are embarking on their first full top flight campaign after being rebranded from their previous name - Wa All Stars - last year. Gyan could make his debut against Berekum Chelsea on the opening day of the new season in two weeks' time.

In 2003, Gyan left Ghana for his first stint abroad, joining Udinese in the Italian top flight. Five years later, he transferred to French outfit Stade Rennais, and subsequently joined Sunderland in the Premier League after impressing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Gyan left the Black Cats for Al Ain in the UAE after just one season, initially on loan, before the switch was made permanent. He has since gone on to play for Shanghai SIPG in China, Al Ahli Dubai in the UAE, Turkish side Kayserispor and NorthEast United.

At international level, Gyan, who scored his nation's first ever World Cup goal in 2006, is Ghana's most-capped player and all-time top scorer, having made 106 appearances and racked up 51 strikes.

With six goals, he also stands as Africa's all-time top scorer at the World Cup after shattering Cameroon great Roger Milla's record at the 2014 global showpiece in Brazil.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, the forward is second on the list of Ghana's all-time top scorers as the tournament, sitting only one strike behind Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew, who has nine goals to his name.

Antoine Griezmann declared that Barcelona's players were furious with themselves after a 1-1 draw at Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Saturday.

Barca failed to come up with a winner despite playing the majority of the second half with an extra man.

A goalkeeping mistake by Neto allowed Luis Rioja to give Alaves the lead before Jota was shown a second yellow for a dangerous high kick on Gerard Pique.

France striker Griezmann equalised soon after with a classy finish, but the Blaugrana could not find a way past Fernando Pacheco in the Alaves goal.

Pacheco's seven saves were more than any other goalkeeper has made in a La Liga game against Barca this season, while Lionel Messi took 10 shots across the 90 minutes but failed to get his name on the scoresheet and has now scored just once from his past 45 direct free-kicks for Barcelona. 

"We are angry, and angry because we wanted the three points," Griezmann said in a media conference afterwards.

"We are failing a lot in front of goal, I am the first. We have had many chances, but we have only scored one. We have to work to improve. The team needs my goals and I try to improve on that."

The result meant Barca lost further ground on Real Madrid and are now eight points behind the leaders in 12th place.

It also ensured that they have equalled their joint-worst start to the season since La Liga changed to three points for a win - Barcelona also had eight points after six games in 2002-03.

Although Griezmann was quick to stress that nobody at the club has started to panic despite the stuttering start.

"We must improve and with work it will be like that. We need calm because the campaign is long," Griezmann added. "We still have a lot to improve. We have to work towards Wednesday's game against Dynamo Kiev now and try to win."

Barcelona must pick themselves back up quickly as they host Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday before facing Real Betis in La Liga action on November 7.