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Granit Xhaka raved about the qualities new signing Thomas Partey will bring into Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team.

Partey joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid after they matched his £45 million release clause on the European transfer deadline day this month.

On Saturday, the Ghana international made his Premier League debut against Manchester City after replacing Xhaka as an 83rd-minute substitute.

Although Partey's arrival provides more competition in the midfield, Xhaka believes the 27-year-old would improve Arsenal squad with his experience and mentality.

"He will be the guy who is important for me and as well for the team. Everyone in the club can be happy because he has great quality," Xhaka told the club website.

"He will bring a good mentality, a good balance in our game because this is what we need a bit more: the mentality to win.

"He played at Atletico Madrid, a different type of football, and he will bring a lot of good quality and mentality."

Partey is in line to make his full Arsenal debut when Mikel Arteta's men travel to Rapid Vienna for their Uefa Europa League opener on Thursday.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao described the Black Stars midfielder as a long-time target and 'the final piece of the jigsaw' which makes the North London outfit title challengers.

"He is a player that we pursued for a long time and strongly recommended over the last few years," Cagigao said.

“I first watched him about six years ago playing for Almeria on loan from Atletico Madrid and he was more box-to-box, attacking even. I think we will see him with the shackles off because he did very much play in a constricted midfield unit [at Atletico].

“He could be the final piece of the jigsaw that makes Arsenal challenge for the title.”

Real Madrid have now lost three consecutive Champions League matches for the first time in more than 30 years as Zinedine Zidane's side were unable to overcome their worst first-half performance in more than 15 years in the competition.

The La Liga champions conceded three goals in the first half against Shakhtar Donetsk to head into half-time down 3-0 thanks to goals from Tete and Manor Salomon as well as a Raphel Varane own goal.

Despite missing several first-team players due to positive coronavirus tests, Shakhtar ran riot in the opening half of the Group B clash in Madrid, with their three goals coming in the space of 13 minutes.

Tete scored the first, firing an assured finish into the bottom-left corner to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark.

Raphael Varane then scored an own goal four minutes later before Solomon made it 3-0 from Tete's neat backheel.

It meant Madrid let in three first-half goals in the Champions League for the first time since September 2005, when they did so in a clash with Lyon.

Madrid had not conceded three in the first 45 minutes of a home match in the competition since February 2000, against Bayern Munich.

It also continued an unwanted record for Real Madrid, who have now lost seven of their last eight Champions League matches that have not featured Sergio Ramos.

Having lost each of the two legs in their last-16 clash with Manchester City last season, Real Madrid have now lost three consecutive Champions League matches as well.

That means Wednesday's defeat marks the first time they've lost that many matches in a row in the Champions League since September 1986.

Shakhtar, meanwhile became the first Ukrainian team to win against Real Madrid in the Champions League since March 1999, when Dynamo Kiev won 2-0.

At that point, Shakhtar's two goalscorers, Tete and Solomon were not yet born, with the latter born in July 1999 and the former born in February 2000.

Real Madrid will need to bounce back quickly as Zidane's side will now look ahead to a match against Barcelona this weekend.

There was heavy disappointment for Ghanaians as they watched poster boy Mohammed Kudus walk off the pitch after just nine minutes in Ajax's Champions League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

Fresh from scoring his debut goal for the Dutch giants over the weekend, the 20-year-old went down early in the game, clutching his right leg.

After three minutes of on-pitch treatment, it became apparent that his time in the Group D matchday one fixture had ended as he walked off the pitch, his place taken by Quincy Promes.

Having joined Ajax from Danish side Nordsjaelland on a five-year deal in July, Kudus has not taken much time to announce his presence at Johan Cruyff Arena as he registered three assists and a goal in his first three competitive games for the club, earning the Man of the Match award in two of the games and becoming an instant fans favourite ahead of Champions League debut on Wednesday.

On Sunday, he scored one and provided two assists to help Erik Ten Hag's outfit to a 5-1 triumph over Heerenveen in the Eredivisie.

His fine start to his Ajax career was just as good as his early days with the Ghana national team where he netted on his debut in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in November last year, endearing himself to Ghana fans.

His early substitution in Wednesday's game, arguably the biggest game of his young career, certainly then came as a big disappointment to many around the world.

Many Ghanaians took to social media to share their reactions:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic can cope with AC Milan's quick turnaround in matches but Rossoneri head coach Stefano Pioli is unsure how long his side will be without fellow key player Hakan Calhanoglu.

Veteran striker Ibrahimovic scored twice in Saturday's 2-1 win over bitter rivals Inter and is part of Milan's 22-man squad for Thursday's Europa League Group H opener with Celtic in Glasgow.

Pioli has resisted the urge to rest his big hitters and insists they can cope with the demands of a packed fixture list, with four more matches to come in the space of 10 days.

"Zlatan is fine and so are his team-mates," Pioli told Sky Sport Italia . "I think the team is fine, because it's more the head that commands the legs. 

"The derby has taken away a lot of mental energy more than physical, as always happens in this period. We will have a block of three weeks where we will play seven times and they will be close and very competitive matches, but I will certainly field the best side on Thursday."

Calhanoglu will play no part at Celtic Park, however, after spraining his ankle in the narrow win over Inter last weekend as Milan stretched their winning run to nine matches.

He has thrived post-lockdown, scoring and assisting a combined 15 goals in Serie A since June - a tally matched by Ibrahimovic and bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo (16) and Francesco Caputo (17).

Asked for an update on Calhanoglu's fitness, Pioli said: "Unfortunately, we don't know if it is a minor one or a more serious thing. It is a situation that we will have to analyse together with the physios day after day."

Milan made tough work of overcoming Rio Ave in their qualifying play-off tie, requiring a last-gasp goal from Calhanoglu to salvage an epic penalty shoot-out that they edged 9-8.

The seven-time European champions have won just one of their last four matches in the Europa League, conceding two or more goals in three of those fixtures.

However, they enter the competition as the favourites of many to go all the way and Pioli acknowledges his side have to cope with the pressure that comes with that tag.

"We worked hard to get back into Europe and now we want to stay there," he told Milan TV.  "The Europa League is an important competition, we have a very balanced and competitive group, so we are eager to start strong.

"It's natural that there are high expectations around us, and that’s only right, as we are wearing a prestigious jersey of a club that is accustomed to winning.

"It's a privilege for us to have this kind of pressure, as it means we are doing well and there are many more tests we must pass. 

"Milan always play to win, knowing that it’ll be difficult every single time. We have the quality to take home the points and the more we sacrifice ourselves for the team, the more likely we’ll get a result."

Luka Modric is confident Real Madrid will recover from a dreadful week after they suffered a second straight home defeat ahead of Saturday's Clasico at Barcelona.

La Liga champions Madrid will head to Camp Nou at a low ebb after their 1-0 reverse at the hands of Cadiz was followed by a 3-2 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane's side were three goals down at half-time, before a sublime Modric strike sought to launch a comeback.

Vinicius Junior got another back, yet the Brazil winger was then in an offside position in front of the Shakhtar goalkeeper when Federico Valverde scored a stoppage-time equaliser that was waved off as a result.

Sergio Ramos was not involved and Karim Benzema started from the bench as Zidane turned one eye towards Barca, but Modric recognised Madrid were not good enough against a Ukrainian outfit missing 10 first-team players due to coronavirus.

"In the first half, we were not up to the competition," Modric said. "In the second, we tried to improve and we improved, but it was not enough to try to draw or win the game.

"We have to improve - this is obvious. We lacked confidence today in everything we did in the first half. But we have to continue.

"The next game is coming quickly and there is no time to complain. We have to do better in the next games.

"Zidane told us that we have to press more and better than in the first half, that we are together. I think that in the second half we have done it and we have scored two goals.

"It is a tough defeat but there is still a lot to do. I'm sure we'll improve.

"They scored the first goal and we lowered our heads and lost confidence. In general we are not happy but we are sure to go better.

"For the next game, we have to be together, trust in ourselves and in our quality. We have not forgotten how to play football.

"El Clasico is always a different game and we are sure we can be up to the task."

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard hopes to get Joe Aribo up to speed ahead of their Europa League Group D clash against Standard Liege on Thursday.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been out of action since August 12 when he suffered an ankle sprain against St. Johnstone.

The Nigeria international, however, made a return for the Ibrox Stadium outfit on Saturday in their victory over Celtic, making a cameo appearance in the encounter.

Despite his return from injury, Gerrard believes Aribo is not fully back to fitness and the club will do all it takes to help him.

“The squad is in a really good place at the moment. We still need to get Roofe and Aribo up to full speed,” Gerrard said in a pre-match conference.

“Everyone is fit and available and is only Katic not with us at the moment. I am excited to work with a full group of players.”

Aribo has been delivering impressive performances for the Ibrox Stadium outfit since teaming up with the club in the summer of 2019.

The midfielder scored nine goals across all competitions amid other dazzling displays in his debut campaign, helping Rangers finish second in the Scottish Premiership.

The Super Eagles star was rewarded for his eye-catching showings, winning the club’s Young Player of the 2019-20 season.

Aribo has scored one goal in four appearances for Rangers in the current campaign and will hope to add to the effort against Standard Liege.

The 24-year-old has become a key member of the Nigeria national team since he made his debut for the side against Ukraine in 2019.

Aribo’s injury problems forced him out of the Super Eagles games against African Champions Algeria and Tunisia this month.

Barring any injury, he would be expected to play a part when the West Africans take on Sierra Leone in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game in November.

Holders Bayern Munich began their Champions League defence with a stylish 4-0 Group A victory over Atletico Madrid thanks to an eye-catching display from Kingsley Coman.

Coman scored the decisive goal when Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to claim their sixth European crown in Lisbon in August.

The France winger was prominent for Bayern again on Wednesday with the opening goal and a fine assist for Leon Goretzka in the first half against a sluggish Atletico.

Corentin Tolisso added a third after the break with a long-range strike before Coman put the gloss on the result with a brilliant individual goal.

Frank Onyeka has been included in Midtjylland’s squad to tackle Atalanta in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter.

The 22-year-old, alongside Guinea international Sory Kaba, are among Brian Priske’s 23-man squad as the Danish Superliga champions feature at the MCH Arena.

Onyeka was expected to miss the game following an injury picked up while on international duty with Nigeria during a training session ahead of the friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia.

That knock ensured he missed the Wolves’ 3-1 home triumph over OB Odense where goals from Kaba, Anders Dreyer and Pione Sisto helped Priske’s side to a comeback win.

Since joining the Danish top-flight side in January 2016 from FC Ebedei, Onyeka has established himself as an integral part of the squad after making his first-team debut in the Danish Cup.

Meanwhile, manager Priske said his team is ready to face Gian Piero Gasperini’s high-scoring squad on Wednesday as well as Liverpool and Ajax in Group D.

“From a club perspective and also from a squad perspective, everybody is looking forward to our first game in the Champions League. We've all been working hard for a game like this for many years,” he said during a pre-game conference.

“Everybody is fit and ready to perform. I think everybody knows we have a big job ahead of us.

“All six games in the group stages are going to be difficult; big opponents, big teams but everybody is fit and ready to deliver and hopefully, also give ourselves the opportunities to pick up points.

“They are big teams, as I said already, but we have big faith in our squad and in our players. At the end of the day, it’s going to be going to be 90 minutes on the grass that decides the results for us.”

Barcelona have invited the club's players into negotiations regarding a blanket wage reduction for all staff members, but the players are not expected to attend as they await an entirely separate meeting.

It has been reported that Barca are looking to reduce all salaries, club-wide, by around 30 per cent, but the club's players are not on board with that pay cut.

The players have stated that they will reject any proposal made by the club as they had not been given the chance to sit in on negotiations on Wednesday.

In response, the players are expected to resort to legal recourse if their demands are not met. They believe playing staff contracts should be treated separately to the board of directors and all other non-playing staff employees.

That stance has since been backed by the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE), who said the process so far "suffers from serious formal defects".

On Wednesday, Barcelona announced that they would like to bring players into the discussions as they look to meet this season's budget.

"The constitution of this labour negotiation is part of this package of measures that the club has already been implementing in recent months, and which have helped reduce management costs and the sports payroll of all professional sports," the statement read.

"The aim of the club is to reach an agreement with the entire workforce of the club, which will go through a joint solution of temporary, gradual, proportional, and specific salary adjustment for each of the groups.

"Given the importance of the decisions that must be taken to ensure the sustainability of the club during the impact of the pandemic we are experiencing, the club remains open to the incorporation of the representation of players in this negotiation, which meets the requirements established in accordance with Article 41.4 of the Workers' Statute. 

"The configuration of these negotiations, which must be unique, will allow the adoption of decisions according to the specificities of each group, a will already shared with professional players.  

"All of this will surely contribute to meeting this season's budget and, at the same time, to laying the foundations for tackling the great challenges that will come with the best guarantees, once this global health crisis has been overcome."

Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday, taking down Hungarian side Ferencvaros 5-1.

Next up for the Catalan club is El Clasico this weekend as they host Real Madrid in the two giants' first clash this season.

South Sudan head coach Cyprian Ashu Bessong has named Bright Stars' 37-man provisional squad ahead of their clash against Uganda in November.

Bright Stars will face the Cranes in two African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the summoned players are expected to speed up the preparations towards the double-header.

Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello and John Kuol of Kariobangi Sharks are among the players called up. Makueth Kuol and Ivan Wani, of Mbarara City and Busoga United, respectively, are in the provisional squad as well.

AFC Leopards’ Saad Musa has also been included whereas there is no place for David Majak of Tusker.

South Sudan are without a win in Group B which also consist of Malawi and Burkina Faso. They have played two friendlies against Cameroon and drew in both encounters and another against Zambia has been planned for already.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ramadan John Mayik (Malakia FC Juba, South Sudan), Robert Joseph (Al Salam Wau, South Sudan), Michael Marko (Amarat United FC, South Sudan), Majak Maling Mawith (Melbourne City, Australia)

Defenders: Peter Maker Manyang (Amarat United, South Sudan), Mutwakil Abdelkarim (Atlabara FC Juba, South Sudan), Rahan Angier (Munuki FC Juba, South Sudan), Omot Sebit (Al Merrikh Juba, South Sudan), Peter Nhial Wilson Deng (Heidelberg United, Australia), Mathiang Matur (Brunswick City, Australia), Godfrey Okello (Atlona City, Australia), John Koul Chol (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ruon Tongyik (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Hasoon James Martin (Al Hilal Kadougli, Sudan), Salah Abubakar (Al Salam, South Sudan), Majok Bak Mathiang (Amarat FC, South Sudan).

Midfielders: Koang Thok Kerjok (Al Hilal Kadougli, Sudan), Wani Ivan Adebo (Busoga United, Uganda), Asad Musa Abdallah (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Dominic Angelo (Munuki FC Juba, South Sudan), Stephen Pawaar (Munuki FC, South Sudan), Emmanuel Thomas Lumeri (Amarat United, South Sudan), Jackson Obede Morgan (Perth SC, Australia), Chok Daniel Dau (FC Vysocina, Czech Republic), Denis Yongule Daluri (Geelong SC, Australia), Manumow Achol (Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand), Tingba Justin John (Super Eagles, South Sudan), Jimmy Michael Omar (Atlabara, South Sudan), Dominic Abui (Al Khartoum FC, Sudan)

Strikers: Majok Abraham (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Yuel Kauch (Western Union, Australia), Kenjok Wal Athiu (Unattached), Kuol Alou Mawien (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Tito Okello (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Makueth Wol Akeen (Mbarara City, Uganda), Jose Kuch Nyuar (Amarat United, South Sudan), Aluk Akech Mabior (Al Atlabara, Sudan).

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has described the hiring of Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee as the Harambee Stars coach as "a special gift" to Kenyans.

The 52-year-old tactician was handed the mantle to handle the team on a three-year contract following the exit of Francis Kimanzi, whom the Federation claims they parted with on mutual agreement on Tuesday.

Mwendwa has now told Goal he settled for ‘Ghost’ to take charge of the team because he has been there before and knows what it takes to qualify a team to the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

"‘Ghost’ is Kenyan, he knows Kenyan football, he had been there, he has done it before, he has won the league, he has won different cups, he has won Cecafa, he had been to the Afcon before, and now he has the chance once again to take us there,” Mwendwa told Goal on Wednesday.

“I am 100 percent sure that he will use that knowledge we got in the last Afcon and when he was there to try and do better in the Afcon, we want to be there all the time and he now have the chance to do that with us, and I strongly believe he will succeed.

“He will be there for a contract of three years and if he qualifies for the 2022 Afcon and the World Cup then we can extend it so we find stability with our boys and motivate them, we can find something special, and that is what I have brought to you, a special gift.”

On unveiling ‘Ghost’, the last local coach to take Kenya to the 2004 Afcon finals held in Tunis, Tunisia, Mwendwa explained: “We are done with elections and now it is all about football and today [Wednesday] I am happy, in a new chapter, in our new beginning, in our next notch for Kenyan football to introduce to you a change in our national team bench, that will pave the way to the work we want to do to head to the Afcon 2022 in Cameroon.

“It will also help us for Afcon and the World Cup in Qatar, I have spoken many times and many years the last four years about going to the World Cup and today we start laying down the framework to find ways of competing against Mali, Uganda and Rwanda from June next year.

“But before that is to compete against Comoros on November 11 and 15 and then play against Togo away in March and Egypt in Kenya in March as well, we have four matches to go for Afcon qualification, we have two points and we need more points to be back at Afcon again.

“We are starting our new term only two days into it and we found it necessary [having discussed it for a while], to make a change in the bench and so I want to bring you Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who everybody knows, who is the last coach to take Kenya to take the Afcon finals in 2004, and who is a household name in Kenya, once again to spur on our team, energise our team, to play and hunting for qualification for both the Afcon and the World Cup.

“I know it is not a simple job. We want to support him, we want to find something special in the team, I also ask you to support him, let us give it life, let us push the boys across the finishing line so that we can join the elite nations of African football.”

Kenya started their campaign in the Afcon qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Egypt away in Cairo before getting another 1-1 draw, against Togo at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has donated a 62-seater team bus to Shabana FC just a day after they beat AFC Leopards 1-0 in a match to celebrate Mashujaa Day.

The Kisii-based ‘Glamour Boys’, who are struggling financially and also featuring in the National Super League (NSL), shocked many as they beat the FKF Premier League side by a solitary goal at Gusii Stadium on Tuesday.

Fred Nyakundi scored the all-important goal for Shabana in the 40th minute after receiving a cross from Ashif Obwaka, and they held on to win the battle and the Mashujaa Day bragging rights.

A statement from Kenyatta’s media team confirmed: “President Uhuru Kenyatta has donated a 62-seater bus to Shabana. The bus was requested by Kisii leaders during a recent meeting with the Head of State at State House, Nairobi.”

After the friendly, Kakamega Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula also promised to donate new set of uniforms and five balls to Shabana for beating Ingwe.

“Shabana have done wonders, they have ashamed a team with a new bus, new uniform, new sponsors and new players,” Shimanyula told Goal after the match.

“I will give the team a new uniform for the entire playing unit and also five balls, and will also ask that we play a friendly against them at the same venue before the new league kicks-offs, I want to donate my pledge to them during the friendly.

“Kudos to Shabana for making us proud, we now know that AFC Leopards is the same team as from last year and nothing will change this season, it is a shame they lost even after parading their new team bus.

“I think if it was Shabana with all the financial support that AFC have been accorded then they would have won even 7-0.”

Before the match, AFC Leopards unveiled their third signing - Bienvenue Shaka from Tunisian top division side Etoile Sportif du Sahel

According to the fixtures released for the 2020-21 campaign, AFC Leopards will first host Western Stima, who are expected to have a relatively new-look team after Gor Mahia and Wazito FC raided their first team, on November 20.

On November 28, the former champions will be away to league debutants Bidco United. The Thika-based club has moved to strengthen their squad with players including experienced Piston Mutamba and Stephen Waruru.

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Themba Zwane is eager to win the PSL Footballer of the Season award.

The Bafana Bafana international was one of the most outstanding players in the 2019/20 season and he has been nominated for three accolades at Thursday night's PSL Awards ceremony. 

Zwane could walk away with a whopping R500,000 if he wins the Footballer of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season accolades.

The 30-year-old revealed that he would be thankful to his Sundowns teammates, family and sponsors if he scooped the prizes. 

"I will feel happy [to be nominated] and obviously more than happy [if I win] because it shows that hard work pays," Zwane told the media. 

"If I win these awards I would like to thank my teammates, my family, my sponsors PUMA and the whole Mamelodi Sundowns family. Thank you so much for the support, I really appreciate it."

Zwane was named South African Football Journalists' Association (SAFJA) Footballer of the Season last month.

This was after he played an instrumental role in helping Masandawana clinch a domestic treble with the team after they lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup, Nedbank Cup and PSL title.

Zwane is up against Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic and his Sundowns teammates Peter Shalulile and Gaston Sirino for the Footballer of the Season award.

The Tembisa-born player explained that it would mean a lot to him if he is named Footballer of the Season as the accolade is more important to him. 

"I have been nominated for the Footballer of the Season, Midfielder of the Season and Players' Player of the Season," he added.  

"For me all [the awards] are important but the most important one is the Footballer of the Season award."

Zwane has been nominated for the Players' Player of the Season accolade along with his teammate Hlompho Kekana and Chiefs playmaker Lebogang Manyama.

He is also up against Manyama and Cape Town City captain Thabo Nodada for the Midfielder of the Season award.

Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch won the 2018/19 PSL Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season accolades, while Kekana scooped the Midfielder of the Season award.

 U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Ethan Horvath says he "just needed to let it out" after breaking down in tears while celebrating Club Brugge's Champions League victory on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper started Club Brugge's 2-1 victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, which saw the Belgian side claim victory thanks to a 93rd-minute goal from Charles De Ketelaere.

It was Horvath's first start since September 2019, with the American brought in to replace former Liverpool star Simon Mignolet who missed out after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Horvath was on the unfortunate end of an own goal in the second half after a Dejan Lovren striker cannoned off the post, hit the goalkeeper and went in, but the American did make two vital saves to keep Club Brugge in the match.

After the game, Horvath was in tears as he celebrated with teammates, and he later explained that he was simply overcome by the moment given the events of the past year both on and off the field.

"I haven't played for such a long time," he said, "so to be able to contribute to the team's victory with what's going on with the pandemic, come December it will be one year since I've seen my mom and dad, so it was just a whole bunch of emotions. The fact that we won, it was the cherry on top, so I just needed to let it out."

Horvath's performance made an impression on Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez, who was serving as a pundit for CBS Sports.

While watching a match featuring some players in his national team pool, Martinez says he was left impressed by Horvath's standout effort in goal.

"I thought he was commanding. I thought the way he controlled his back four was excellent. You can see the reactions. Overall, it was never in danger," Martinez said on CBS.

"The way the teammates care for him at the end of the game, he was so relieved that the team won because they deserved to win. He hasn't played for a long time. It's very difficult.

"He's 25 so he needs to play constantly, but that moment, winning the game, it makes a big big difference. He'll be delighted and you can see he's a very popular boy in that dressing room."

Club Brugge, who currently sit atop the Belgian Pro League, were drawn into a group with Zenit as well as Lazio and Borussia Dortmund, with the Italian side taking down the German contenders on Wednesday to join Horvath and co on top of the group.

Horvath, who has earned four caps for the USMNT, believes that his side is being overlooked, even after Tuesday's vital victory.

He said: "A lot of teams, and probably or opponents, count Brugge as a weaker opponent, but I think this was a perfect start to show that you should not underestimate Brugge."

Achraf Hakimi has tested positive for the coronavirus and faces a spell out of action for Serie A giants Inter Milan.

He is expected to miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach at San Siro.

“Achraf Hakimi has tested positive in the latest round of Uefa checks [required by hygiene protocols] undertaken ahead of tonight's game against Borussia Monchengladbach,” a statement from the San Siro giants read.

“The Inter full-back is totally asymptomatic and will now follow the procedure set out by the health protocol.”

After completing a two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, the Morocco international joined Antonio Conte’s side on a five-contract, for a reported fee of around €40 million.

The 22-year-old opened his Italian top-flight goal account with a first-half strike in their 5-2 victory over Benevento on September 30, 2020.

This development is another setback for Conte’s squad who are still without Roberto Gagliardini, Andrei Radu, Milan Skriniar and Ashely Young due to the virus.

Although Hakimi is still completely asymptomatic, nevertheless, he will have to observe all the isolation procedures provided for by the health protocols.

Apart from the game against the Germans, the former Real Madrid star will also miss games against Genoa and Shakhtar Donetsk, as Inter Milan will have to rely on Parma loanee Matteo Darmian until he recovers fully.

Acting Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could be taking long to make a ruling on Kaizer Chiefs' transfer ban appeal because the parties involved are from different countries.

Amakhosi were in February 2020 slapped with sanctions by world governing body Fifa, forbidding them from participating in the transfer market for two registration periods after being found guilty of a transfer offence.

This emanated from the 2018 illegal acquisition and registering of Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana from Madagascan club Fosa Juniors.

After Chiefs lodged an appeal with CAS on September 9, the outcome of their petition is yet to be released as the close of the transfer window is edging closer.

The club recently said CAS is taking long to make a ruling on their transfer ban appeal due to the voluminous nature of the evidence they filed.

But Motlanthe, who is a former legal head at Safa, says the delay could be due to the fact that the case involves team from different countries.

"Look one will not be certain but of course every case is dealt with on its merits. When South Africa last had a case with CAS it was when Thanda Royal Zulu went to the court‚" said Motlanthe as per Sowetan Live.

"And CAS did it here in South Africa and the decision went out quite fast‚ because the judges came from Switzerland and did the case in South Africa. Look‚ it was strictly South African case [with Thanda]. Remember in some cases they are dealing with teams or members from different countries‚ so that's the other challenge."

The Thanda Royal Zulu case saw the club approaching CAS, arguing that some 2013/14 National First Division boycotted matches should be played after an alleged agreed strike by clubs.

This was after Safa had dismissed Thanda Royal Zulu's application which was backed by Chippa United, prompting them to approach Zurich.

CAS officials flew into Johannesburg to hear evidence from both Thanda Royal Zulu and Chippa United and Motlanthe says that is what makes this case different from Chiefs'.

"With the Chiefs matter‚ my participation has been very limited. At some stage Chiefs had to send the contract [to CAS] which the player signed with Chiefs. It involved a lot of things‚ like hand-writing experts," Motlanthe said.

"And then different laws for different countries create problems too. I will be open‚ it's difficult to say. Especially when you are not involved with the case. Our involvement was that they [Fosa Juniors] just sent a contract‚ which we allowed Chiefs' lawyers to come and view‚ and then we returned it to them.

"It's difficult because you don't know how far CAS are with the case. Chiefs' lawyers will know exactly where they are."

As Amakhosi anxiously await word from Zurich, new coach Gavin Hunt is helplessly watching as their PSL rivals are in the thick of transfer business preparing for the upcoming season.

Christabel Oduro opened her Maltese goal account with a treble for Birkirkara as they claimed a massive 12-0 triumph over Raiders Luxol in a BOV Women's League game on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old striker moved to Malta from Swedish outfit Kalmar this summer and has started to prove her mettle for Melania Bajada's side.

The Canadian-born Ghanaian was handed her second start of the season by manager Bajada and she gave a good account of herself in front of goal in their first home match, against Raiders.

The Yellows made a fine start to the contest as Alishia Sultana opened the scoring inside the first minute, before Veronique Mifsud doubled the lead for the champions on 14 minutes.

Oduro broke her duck and hit a third for her side three minutes later before she bagged her brace in a matter of a minute and Sultana netted her second and the hosts' fifth in the 24th minute.

Raina Giusti and Stephania Farrugia bagged the sixth and seventh of the match for Birkirkara, three minutes from the half-time break.

Birkirkara continued from where they left off in the second half as Giusti bagged her second and their eighth in the 58th minute before hitting her third and fourth of the game before the 67th minute.

Oduro netted her third of the contest nine minutes later before Sultana wrapped up the victory for her side with her third of the encounter three minutes from time.

Oduro, who is a cousin of Ghana youth international Dominic Oduro, is eligible to represent the West Africans after only featuring at youth level and in non-competitive games for Canada.

Besides lasting the duration of the match, she has now scored three goals for Birkirkara in two appearances so far this season.

The result saw Birkirkara moved to the top of the log on goal difference with six points after two games despite being tied on points with second Mgarr United and third-placed Swieqi United.

They will continue the campaign to defend their title against second-placed Mgarr in their next fixture at home scheduled for October 27.

Arsenal's decision to drop Mesut Ozil from their 25-man Premier League squad is a "big gamble", according to Paul Merson.

The German midfielder has not played for the Gunners since before lockdown, and on Tuesday the club confirmed he would not be in their Premier League squad for the 2020-21 season.

Ozil was also left out of the squad for the Europa League group stage, meaning he can't play for the Gunners until February at the earliest. 

With his contract set to expire at the end of the current season, it is possible that the playmaker has played his final game for Arsenal. 

On Wednesday, Ozil reacted to the club's decision by claiming "loyalty is hard to come by" in a post on social media. 

Although Ozil has not featured for the Gunners since March, Merson still believes he could have contributed to the cause this season.

"He’s an absolute talent. So, to keep him out of the squad, completely out of the squad, it's a big gamble by Arsenal," Merson told Sky Sports. "He’s on massive wages, no doubting that. He gets fortunes. I'm surprised, it shocked me. When I was told that he’d been left out of the squad I was shocked if I'm being honest, because I am one of his biggest fans."

Merson also pointed out that Ozil has been a recent contributor for the Gunners, having started 10 straight Premier League matches between December and March of last season.

"I think when he's on song, he can play and you've got to remember just before lockdown, he was playing," the former Arsenal star added.

"He was playing in Arteta’s team so for him to come back and then not be in the team and not even get a squad place, yeah I'm quite surprised."

Ozil is the club’s highest-paid player, earning £350,000 ($453,000) a week, but Merson said that the German won't be happy to just sit back and collect his wages.

"It’s a shame. It’s a sad day for Arsenal. It’s a sad day for him if I’m being honest," Merson said. "People go, ‘Oh yeah but he's on 350 grand, what does he care?’ You want to play football. You know when you get to my age and you're not playing football anymore. It soon goes."