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Sergino Dest confirmed that there is no awkwardness between himself and Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman after the fullback turned down the former Netherlands boss' advances to remain with the U.S. men's national team.

Dest was the subject of a battle between the U.S. and the Netherlands in 2019, with Koeman attempting to lure the fullback to the Dutch team after his breakthrough at Ajax.

In the end, though, Dest opted to remain with the U.S., having played for the team throughout his youth career.

Coincidentally, Dest and Koeman have now joined forced at Barcelona as the USMNT defender made the move to the Camp Nou this summer.

And he says there is no ill-will regarding his decision as his relationship with Korman remains strong.

“It was not awkward at all,” Dest told reporters on Monday. “In that time that I chose between the Netherlands and the U.S., I just told him honestly that I didn’t want to play for the Netherlands and I wanted to continue playing for the U.S. national team.

"It’s not his fault or something, so we just keep our relationship good. And after a while he called my agent and asked me if there was a still a chance you can play over here, and I was definitely willing to play in this beautiful club, and when we met for the first time after that it felt natural.”

Dest has already shown plenty of confidence in the USMNT, having guaranteed a victory over Canada in the Nations League last fall before helping the team come through on the guarantee.

And, with stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams joining him in the squad going forward, Dest is confident that the term can contend on the international stage going forward.

“Everybody is hungry, and everybody wants to achieve something with the U.S. and I think that’s a good sign,” Dest said.

“We all want to win the World Cup, achieve great things, not only personally but also as a team for the U.S. I think we are the guys that have to do it, and we all have to keep concentrated, because if you play at a big club and you’re gonna be like ‘O.K., I already made it,’ then you can’t achieve anything.

"I hope, really hope, everyone keeps doing what they’re doing and always wants to develop themselves even more than right now.”

He added: “We haven’t achieved really big things yet with the U.S., so I think everybody wants to be the first one, and that’s why everybody is so motivated to develop yourself and to win the first big trophy for the country.”

Sergino Dest admitted that he's still coming to grips with being a Barcelona player, adding that he still feels "emotional" about recently making his club debut.

The U.S. men's national team fullback joined Barca in a €21 million (£19m/$25m) move from Ajax, making the move to La Liga after just one season of consistent soccer in the Eredivisie.

He made his Barcelona debut on October 4, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Jordi Alba in a 1–1 draw against Sevilla to become the first American to feature in an official match for the Catalan club.

With that debut now out of the way, Dest admits that he hasn't been able to stop thinking about it as it hasn't quite set in that his dream move has become a reality.

“The first couple days I didn’t realize it that much, but when I look back, I’m just like, ‘Wow, I play for Barcelona!’ because everything went so fast the first couple days,” Dest told reporters on Monday. 

“So right now I’m just realizing as I’m seeing all those photos back and the videos, and it’s just an amazing feeling. It’s an emotional moment. It was an emotional moment for me when I was on.”

“I don’t feel like pressure in a bad way. I feel pressure in a good way, so that's really good for me,” he added. “I feel like I’m the first American to be in the selection of Barcelona, so I’m really proud of that and right now I just want to make something great.

"I don’t just only want to be the first one. I want to be the first one that actually does something great at this club. So I’ll work really hard for this, and I want to achieve big things at this club.”

The 19-year-old defender made just 38 senior appearances for Ajax before completing the move, making the step up to a club the size of Barca a massive one for the youngster.

Dest admits that he understands the risk that comes with moving to a club like Barcelona, but he believes that playing alongside players like Lionel Messi will be good for his game in the long-term.

The USMNT star recently admitted that he struggled to communicate with Messi during his debut but he does expect to become a key part of the team sooner rather than later.

“I know a lot of people say I could use one more year to develop myself, but I feel like I like challenges," he said. 

"So I feel like if I'm going to this club, then I will develop because then I see what I have to improve on the most, you know? And it’s just a big challenge for me and it keeps motivating me for developing myself all the time and playing with the best players of the world.

He added: “I dreamed of this all the time. So now I get the opportunity to play for such a big club like this, so I should take it and try, and I think I can learn a lot of things from all those players, because it’s a really good team.

"The best player of the world is here, Messi. I can learn a lot from them and it’s the same—if you’re in Spain, it’s easier to learn Spanish. So I feel like if I’m with the best players, it’s easier to develop myself to be honest.”

Following the international break, Dest and Barcelona will visit Getafe as the club returns to league play before then focusing on the Champions League, which begins with a match against Hungarian side Ferencvaros. 

Gareth Southgate is hopeful Harry Kane will be fit to start for England when they meet Denmark in the Nations League on Wednesday.

Spurs head coach Jose Mourinho called on Southgate not to use Kane in all three of England's fixtures during the international break, with Tottenham having had a congested start to the 2020-21 campaign.

Kane scored twice as Spurs dismantled Manchester United 6-1 in the Premier League on October 4, before reporting for England duty later that day.

However, the 27-year-old had a scan on a thigh issue and was not involved in a friendly match against Wales on Thursday, and started on the bench against Belgium on Sunday before replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 66th minute.

Despite Mourinho's concerns, though, England boss Southgate is confident his captain will be able to start against the Danes on Wednesday.

"Well, medically, there's been conversations, because that would always be the case," Southgate told reporters when asked if England had been in contact with Spurs.

"He reported on the Sunday, we gave players that reported on Sunday, who weren't involved in the Wales game for us, we gave them two days' recovery.

"He started to train on the Wednesday, was a little unhappy with how he felt, so then worked with our medical team the next couple of days, we scanned just to be certain but it's a muscular fatigue issue rather than an injury, so it just needed a bit more confidence.

"He knew by then he could push on a little bit, but he just needed a bit more confidence in it, and so his training week really wasn't suitable to start the game.

"I think he'll have gained more confidence from the spell he had against Belgium, and so all being well, we hope he'll be good to start on Wednesday."

It is not difficult to understand Mourinho's concerns, given Spurs' reliance on their star forward.

Kane made 29 league appearances last season, missing nine matches in the top flight.

Of the games he missed, Tottenham won just three, scoring 12 goals in total, compared to 49 goals and 13 victories with Kane in the side, while he already has three top-flight goals and six assists to his name this term.

Spurs' next Premier League outing comes on Sunday, with Mourinho's men hosting London rivals West Ham.

Brazil sensation Rodrygo said he does not want to become the "new Neymar" as he addressed comparisons to the Selecao superstar.

Rodrygo is one of the most exciting young players in football following his exploits for La Liga champions Real Madrid, earning recognition as Goal's NxGn 2020 award winner. 

The 19-year-old winger's €45million (£39.3m/$52.2m) switch from Santos to Madrid in 2019 has carried weight amid comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar and Robinho, who both emerged from the Brazilian club.

He has been compared with Neymar since the age of 12 , when he signed a deal with Nike to become the youngest athlete ever sponsored by the company.

But Rodrygo is uncomfortable with the comparisons as he instead hope to create his own path, one different than his illustrious compatriots. 

On the eve of Brazil's CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Peru on Tuesday, Rodry: "From the beginning of my career when I started at Santos, they already compared me as the 'new Neymar' and with Robinho, I always had that weight over me.

"I always said that I wanted to be Rodrygo and make my story, Robinho and Neymar are great idols of Santos and of all the places where they played. I'm just starting out and I think there is only one Neymar.

"I always had that weight over me, but I just want to be Rodrygo."

Rodrygo – who has three international appearances to his name with Brazil's senior team – came off the bench in the 5-0 rout of Bolivia in Sao Paulo on Friday.

He has made two LaLiga appearances for Madrid in 2020-21, having played 19 matches last term and 26 across all competitions.

"I think it is very important to have a good level, we all know that we have excellent players in my position," Rodrygo said. "It is very important that when it is my turn to play I do well and do what Tite asks of me in training and before each game.

"It is important that I have continuity in my work to continue being summoned in the national team."

Two assists from new Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey inspired Ghana to a 5-1 triumph over Qatar in an international friendly fixture on Monday.

After Ali Almoez cancelled out Tariqe Fosu's opener for Ghana, the 27-year-old set up goals by Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew and Saudi Arabia-based winger Samuel Owusu as the Black Stars won at the Titanic Stadium in the Turkish city of Antalya. Substitute Caleb Ekuban was also on the score sheet for the four-time African champions.

It was a good response by Ghana who succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 loss to Mali on Friday.

The games are part of the Black Stars' preparations for the resumption of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in November where Ghana face Sudan in a double-header.

Ghana CK Akonnor made five changes to his starting line-up for Monday's tie.

Unattached goalkeeper Razak Abalora, Slovakia-based right-back Benson Anang, Celta Vigo centre-back Joseph Aidoo, Real Mallorca midfielder Mohammed Iddrisu Baba and Saudi Arabia-based Samuel Owusu were handed starting berths.

St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Amiens centre-back Nicholas Opoku, Hoffenheim defender Kasim Adams Nuhu, Besiktas attacker Bernard Mensah and Israel-based Eugene Ansah moved the other way to the bench.

Qatar almost broke the deadlock just four minutes into the game when Almoez connected to a teasing cross from the right, hitting his shot against the upright.

Inspired by the close effort, Afif Akram then released a shot on goal after a quick counter-break but his drive went straight into the arms of Abalora.

Ghana's first chance came in the 14th minute when Andre Ayew, after being picked up by Partey with a through-ball, beat three men inside the box but his final shot went straight to goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb.

Akram then shot over the bar from long range, moments before Brentford winger Fosu broke the deadlock for Ghana with a tap-in from close range after Jordan Ayew's first shot was denied by the goalkeeper.

Jordan went searching for Ghana's second goal with an unsuccessful curler from outside the box in the 27th minute, then Owusu weaved his way into the Qatari box but saw his ultimate shot saved by goalkeeper Sheeb.

One minute to half-time, Qatar levelled the scores when centre-back Khoukhi Boualem floated a long ball over the Ghana defensive line. The ball beat Ghana centre-back Aidoo and perfectly fell to Almoez who lofted his first touch over the onrushing goalkeeper Abalora before hitting a shot into an empty net to make it 1-1.

After the recess, Ghana came back with renewed energy as Partey saw a shot, following a run from deep, saved away by goalkeeper Sheeb.

A minute later, Jordan laid a good ball for brother Andre in the Qatari box but the Swansea City attacker saw his first shot saved by the goalkeeper and his rebound rattle the post.

In the 50th minute, Owusu tried to restore Ghana's lead following a neat exchange with Jordan Ayew but Sheeb was alert to save the winger's effort from just inside the box.

In the 63rd minute, Andre Ayew finally brought the Black Stars 2-1 up after beating an offside trap to receive a neat pass from Partey in the box. The 30-year-old then slotted a cool effort beyond the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Ghana went 3-1 up through Owusu who produced a composed finish after being picked out by Partey with a lofted effort.

Jordan then set up Andre Ayew for his second goal of the day to take the score to 4-1 before substitute Ekuban wrapped things up with a final goal on an Owusu assist. 

FIFA 21 has now been released and players have set about getting used to new features, tweaks and additions to gameplay.

One thing which has remained largely consistent in recent years is the in-game commentary, with new comments and reactions added with each addition to the franchise to give a more in-depth and varied experience.

Goal has all you need to know about the different commentary options on FIFA 21.

This year has seen a huge change in the commentary positions. Martin Tyler and Alan Smith, for many years the default English-language commentators, are not on FIFA 21.

Derek Rae and Lee Dixon are the only English-language commentary team available on FIFA 21, with Alan McInally providing updates in some game modes.

Rae and Dixon first appeared on FIFA 19, providing commentary for Champions League and Europa League matches on Kick-Off and Career Mode. They fulfilled the same role in FIFA 20 and have now become the regular commentators for all game modes.

That means players will no longer have the option to change commentary team in the Settings menu.

Of course, FIFA is one of the world’s most popular video game series, so it isn’t just available in English.

FIFA 21 is playable in the following languages, with region-specific commentary options: English, French, Spanish (South America), Spanish (Spain), Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Russian, Danish, Czech.

Most commentary teams are unchanged from FIFA 20 but one of the biggest changes is in the Spanish team. Nira Juanra, a presenter and reporter for Gol Television, is the first ever female commentator to feature in FIFA.

Some players have been frustrated that not all languages are available as standard. Only English, French and Spanish (South America) are available in all locations, with other languages region-locked by the location of purchase.

Community Manager ‘EA-Cade’ explained on the EA forum: “FIFA 21 uses the location where the game was purchased to determine available commentary languages.”

For example: “If you purchased the game in Portugal you would have Portuguese commentary as an available option, if you purchased the game in Sweden for example you would not have Portuguese as an available option.

“PSN (PlayStation Network) allows some Commentary Languages to be downloaded as DLC. You can do this by navigating to the Commentary Languages page in the audio settings and scrolling through the available options - DLC Languages will have a "Press X to download" option on that screen.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have confirmed the signing of striker Saidi Ntibazonkiza from Burundi.

The 33-year-old was in fine form as the Swallows beat Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 1-0 in an international friendly played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday.

Ntibazonkiza, who was turning out for Vital’O has officially been announced as a Yanga player though the club could not confirm the duration of the contract signed.

“Welcome to Yanga Ntibazonkiza, you are now green and yellow,” the club said in a statement published on their social media pages.

Ntibazonkiza’s goal made the difference on Sunday as Burundi earned revenge against Tanzania to win 1-0.

Burundi had lost to Tanzania in a World Cup qualifying match and were keen to earn revenge and with five minutes left to the final whistle, Ntibazonkiza found space outside the 18-yard area to unleash a fierce shot which the goalkeeper David Mapigano could not keep out.

Ntibazonkiza started to play football at Vital'O and as an asylum seeker, he came to the Netherlands in 2005. NEC was the nearest professional football club, and because of that, he trained with their youth team.

Eventually, NEC signed him on a permanent deal. At the beginning of the 2006-07 season, he began playing for the youth team but was shortly thereafter promoted to the first-team squad. On November 18, 2006, against Sparta Rotterdam, Ntibazonkiza played his first game in the Eredivisie.

After receiving a Dutch residence permit, Ntibazonkiza signed a contract binding him to NEC until the summer of 2009. He also signed another contract extension until 2012 in January 2009.

On February 10, 2017, Ntibazonkiza signed for Kazakhstan Premier League club Kaysar Kyzylorda. After being released by Kaysar Kyzylorda, Ntibazonkiza returned to his first club, Burundian side Vital'O, where Yanga have secured his services.

The Jangwani giants are working hard to win silverware in the 2020-21 campaign after finishing last season empty-handed, a move which led to the sacking of coach Luc Eymael and 14 players.

They have signed a similar number and also hired Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotic, who was later fired after only 37 days in charge.

The Serbian, however, left with his head lifted high as he had managed to win four matches from the five played so far with one ending in a draw.

New Young Africans (Yanga SC) head coach Cedric Kaze has confirmed he took part in recruiting new players and how he would face rivals.

Kaze is expected to arrive on Thursday at 10 pm in order to start his new job that became available after Zlatko Krmpotic left after just 37 days in charge.

Yanga signed a number of players from local and international locations and the Burundian has confirmed he played a role in getting them.

“It is true I have been following on what the team is doing since the league started and I have also been having a keen look on how the players - especially the foreign ones - have been doing,” the Burundian Ligue A winner told Mwanaspoti.

“Mukoko Tonombe, Tuisila Kisinda, Michael Sarpong and Yacouba Sogne are all the players who were under my radar and I wanted the club to sign.

“The only player I did not know well was Carlos Carlinhos but since the league began I have seen he is a top player and is good especially in taking fouls. He can deliver super crosses and can also bring deadly free-kicks.

“He is a good player whom I have come to hold in high regard.”

Kaze also spoke about local players at Timu ya Wananchi who he believes are talented enough to help them mount a successful campaign.

“Metacha Mnata, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ditram Nchimbi, Fei Toto, Deus Kaseke and Yusuph Mustafa are the local players who have shown great capabilities. They have what it takes to help me as a coach drive Yanga to more successes,” the former Vital’ O coach added.

“I have watched all the matches since the season-opener against Tanzania Prisons until the latest against Coastal Union which we won 3-0.”

He also confirmed he has been closely following what other teams have been doing and said he is coming to take over at a point that is not completely strange.

“I have also watched the games of Simba SC, Namungo FC, Azam FC and Polisi Tanzania and I have now seen the level of our rivals and got a way to work against them,” he concluded.

“I have also seen the standard of pitches within Dar es Salaam and those in the other regions and I know all have given me a picture on what I should come and do.

“I have also watched all the friendly matches and I can now state I am coming to begin at a level I understand.”

Kaze had been approached by Yanga to succeed Luc Eymael but he was not available due to family issues forcing the club to appoint the former Zesco United coach.

Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has urged the Super Eagles to produce a better display against Tunisia in Tuesday’s international friendly encounter in Austria.

The three-time African champions battle the Carthage Eagles at the Jacques Lemans Arena as part of preparations for next month's double-header Afcon qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

Last July, Nigeria defeated the North African nation 1-0 in Egypt to win bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the former Real Madrid midfielder is expecting them to bounce back from the Algeria defeat.

“They are top-notch friendlies. We saw Algeria what they did, they are the African champions and Tunisia are a very good team as well,” Adepoju told Goal.

“I want them to take the match against Tunisia with all seriousness because it won't be nice for Nigeria to lose two games in a row, it is going to affect our Fifa ranking.

“I'm very sure the players will do everything possible and we're going to see a better performance on Tuesday.”

Fans were left infuriated by the Super Eagles performance against Algeria on Friday where Ramy Bensebaini's early strike separated both teams, and Adepoju did not hesitate to rate the performance critically. 

“It was a below par performance,” he continued. “I believe the Super Eagles have more potential and they can play better than what we saw against Algeria.

“I will not write the team off, probably because of the situation at the moment, and in that game I believe they have players who have not blended together. Nevertheless, I believe the game against Tunisia will be better.

“In a team, the performance of the entire group is very important and I do not want to focus on personal ratings. I believe it's a team game which every player needs to be up and doing.”

Gor Mahia new coach Oliveira ‘Robertinho’ Goncalves has interacted with the players for the first time since he was appointed.

The Brazilian came to fill the void which Steven Polack left after the latter confirmed his resignation last week. Robertinho conducted his first training session with the Green Army on Monday with Caf Champions League duties beckoning in the near future.

“I am happy for today's first contact with the group of players but of course, I do not have all of them as some have been out with the national team,” Robertinho told the club’s Online TV.

“I think in the coming weeks it will be easy to train together since I also trust my players a lot.

“I have experimented on young players and I can say it is very important but what we will need is specific training every day so as to learn positional organisation.

“They also need to be compact and need to play together from defence to the midfielders and finally to the strikers.

“What I can say is that I am happy about the first training session and in the next 15 days we will be far better.”

In his first interview, the former Rayon Sports coach outlined what he would want to achieve with Gor Mahia.

“A big club and Gor Mahia, for example, have objectives and have experience in the Champions League and in the local championship but I think we need good preparations to handle this good project,” he said then.

“We need the players, the coach and everyone's desire on the bigger objective.

“I need to work on my style step by step because every coach has a style and I have my own. I trust my players too much and before everything I respect my players but again they must respect me.

“I hope to start a good relationship in order to help the players seize the opportunity and show their capacity. It is not about picking 11 players to start the game but they must show me during the week why they should start.

“As a Brazilian coach and a former player, I have my own characteristics, I trust my job and during the week I work for my players until Saturday. On Sunday, they will have to work for me and the club.”

The Brazilian has over 25 years of coaching experience and is expected to help Gor Mahia continue with domestic dominance and have a good continental campaign.

Cote d'Ivoire international Josee Nahi was on target in Gyeongju’s 3-2 triumph over Incheon Red Angels in Monday's South Korean WK-League encounter.

The 31-year-old striker continued her fine form in front of goal, having provided the opening goal in Gyeongju’s 2-0 triumph over Hwacheon KSPO three weeks ago.

With four goals so far this season, the Ivorian striker was keen to increase her tally, having been handed a starting role against Incheon who bowed 2-0 to them in their first leg meeting this term.

The visitors made a strong start to the contest as Park Ye-Eun broke the deadlock when she scored the opener in the 32nd minute.

Three minutes later, Nahi found herself in a good position to convert the second as the hosts doubled their lead against the champions.

Incheon, however bounced back in the first half and managed to pull one back through Elisa del Estal's strike on the brink of half time.

After the break, the holders kept alive their comeback hopes and levelled thanks for Estal's second of the match in the 74th minute.
 
Despite surrendering their two-goal lead, the hosts fought hard to claim the three points and finally gained the late crucial winner courtesy of Kim In-Jin's brilliant finish a minute from time.

Nahi, who has now scored five goals in 20 matches featured from the start to the end along with compatriot Ines Nehry for Gyeongju.

The victory keeps Gyeongju in second spot on the WK-League table after garnering 51 points from 20 games and cut the lead of leaders Hyundai Steel Red Angels WFC to one-point.

As it stands, a final-day home win over Suwon could see Gyeongju finish on top should Incheon fail to beat Hwacheon on Thursday.

Juventus and U.S. men's national team star Weston McKennie says that he feels like he plays for a country that doesn't accept him due to the color of his skin.

The midfielder has been an outspoken voice for racial equality since the start of 2020, speaking out several times following the death of George Floyd.

McKennie donned an armband that read "Justice for George" while playing for former club Schalke and later said that he saw it as his "responsibility and duty" to speak out.

The 22-year-old midfielder also took aim at President Donald Trump, saying that he believes the Commander in Chief is both "racist" and "ignorant".

And, in an adidas advertisement released on Monday, McKennie once again discussed his feelings on race in America, saying that he wants his legacy to be about more than just what he did on a soccer field.

"This year, at the beginning of the season, we played and the fans after the game were making monkey noises at me," McKennie said. "It's devastating.

"I went back home to Dallas and I'm afraid to drive at night just because I don't know what's going to happen if I get pulled over. I'm representing a country that possibly doesn't even accept me just for the color of my skin.

"It's definitely a bit heartbreaking. When I wore the armband, I felt it was a duty and a responsibility: one being American and two being a Black American. I just felt a need to bring awareness overseas. I got a lot of support from it. I also got hate from it.

"'You're a soccer player, you shouldn't be making political statements,' and I'm just thinking in my head: 'I don't see how this is a political statement at all.'

"A person lost their life, I'm not going to shut up and dribble. I'm not going to make my opinions small just because people believe that I should just play soccer.

"I don't want to be just known as a great soccer player. I want to be known as a great human being, as a great person and that is what I am starting to try and do; to create my legacy. This version of me that I love."

McKennie completed a move to Juventus this summer, joining the Italian giants on a one-year loan deal with an €18.5m (£16.5m/$22m) purchase option plus up to €7m in bonuses if certain performance-related clauses are met.

The midfielder had already made two appearances for the club this season ahead of this weekend's match with Crotone.

Eibar manager Iker Dorronsoro has opened up on how he ensured the club secured the signing of Noko Matlou over the summer.

The 2008 Africa Women's Footballer of the Year completed her maiden professional deal at the age of 35 to the Spanish outfit a week ago and will team up with compatriot Thembi Kgatlana.

Matlou, however, was seemingly convinced to join the Gunsmith on a one-year deal after the assessment of her exploits and discussions by Dorronsoro.

The Eibar coach described his plans with the defender and made sure to stress how much the club wanted Matlou to join them following their top-flight promotion for the first time since 2009. 

“It is a very even category [Primera Iberdrola], it is very difficult to add three," Dorronsoro told the club website.

"Winning has given us confidence and we are convinced that we can achieve something there.

"On the first day, we saw a solid Eibar, with a lot of help and we are clear that we have to be that if we want to compete every weekend in the Iberdrola League.

“With Matlou, we want experience. She is a veteran player, who has also played for her national team. I think that within the team, especially for the young players, it will contribute and help us grow".

The striker-turned-defender has previously featured for South African domestic clubs like Development Ladies, Brazilian Ladies and the University of Johannesburg before joining Maindies.

Matlou boasts over 150 appearances for Banyana Banyana since her senior debut in 2006 and became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year two years later.

After two top-flight matches, Eibar are fifth on the log with four points following a 2-2 draw with Levante in their last outing.

Since teaming up with the Spanish side last week, Matlou is waiting to make her professional debut in the colours of Eibar when they take on Madrid at home in their next fixture on October 18.

There was much excitement as Ghanaians took to social media to share their reactions to the national team's 5-1 win over Qatar in an international friendly on Monday.

Fresh from a disappointing 3-0 loss to Mali in a first friendly match on Friday, the Black Stars bounced back promptly in style as they handed the Asian champions and 2022 World Cup hosts a thrashing at the Titanic Stadium in Antalya, Turkey.

England-born Brentford winger Tariqe Fosu opened the scoring for Ghana with a rebound but Ali Almoez restored parity for Qatar just before half-time.

After the interval, the Black Stars upped the ante as captain Andre Ayew netted twice while Saudi Arabia-based Samuel Owusu and substitute Caleb Ekuban added a goal each.

New Arsenal signing Thomas Partey was in the thick of affairs as he assisted two of Ghana's goals on the day, one less than Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew who set up Andre Ayew's second goal.

Below are the best reactions from Twitter after the game:

Tunisia international Ferjani Sassi has dismissed news he has tested positive for Covid-19.

His Egyptian Premier League side announced on Sunday that the 28-year-old midfielder had contracted the virus while on international duty, with president Mortada Mansour describing it as ‘bad luck’.

However, the former Metz star quashed the information which insisted he had to put himself in isolation after direct contact with Covid-19.

“Clarification: Respecting the health protocol in place in my country, I decided on my own to put myself in self-quarantine for five days after I had direct contact with Covid-19. Everything about my health is just a rumour,” he tweeted.

Sassi was missing in action as the Carthage Eagles silenced Sudan 3-0 inside Stade Olympique de Rades with Saif-Eddine Khaoui, Ali Maaloul and Anis Ben Slimane caging Hubert Velud's Falcons of Jediane.

The midfielder is expected to be absent from Tunisia’s squad that will take on Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles on Tuesday evening in Austria.

Five-time African champions Zamalek would be hoping their prized asset is in the right frame of mind ahead of this month’s Caf Champions League semi-final games against archrivals Raja Casablanca.

The winners over two legs will lock horns with either reigning Egyptian kings Al Ahly or Wydad Casablanca in the grand final billed for Douala’s Japoma Stadium in Cameroon.

Sassi began his professional career at CS Sfaxien before moving to Metz five years later. After one season with the Maroons where he scored one goal in 39 appearances, he returned home to feature for Esperance.

After a short stint at Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr, he teamed up with Zamalek where he won the Caf Confederation Cup, Egyptian Cup, Egyptian Super Cup and the 2020 Caf Super Cup.

On the international scene, he played his first international game with the senior national team on June 8, 2013 as the North Africans played to a 2-2 draw with Sierra Leone.

He was part of the Carthage Eagles squad for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia – scoring a penalty as they held England to a 1-1 draw at the Volgograd Arena. 

Bayern Munich will not give David Alaba an ultimatum to sign a new contract, according to the club's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

The Austria international's contract expires at the end of the season and a public spat has broken out between former Bayern president Uli Hoeness and the player's father about ongoing negotiations over a new deal.

George Alaba reacted furiously to Hoeness' insinuation his son was only interested in money and accused him of "spreading dirty lies”.

Hoeness had also accused Alaba's agent Pini Zahavi of being a "greedy piranha."

The comments from Hoeness forced Alaba himself to get involved in the fray, with the defender denying accusations that his financial demands were excessive.

Last month Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer insisted that his club's contract offer to Alaba is "fair and competitive” .

A host of clubs have been linked with a move for the defender, most notably Serie A champions Juventus.

Salihamidzic says that Bayern are keen to keep hold of the player, but insists the club will not put undue pressure on him to reach an agreement.

"First of all, David is our player and he has been at this club for a long time," Salihamidzic told reporters on Monday. "I think you can imagine that we will not give him an ultimatum because we are serious about this.

"We try to convince David [to stay] and we would obviously be happy if he does stay here in Munich. We hope the contract will be signed soon."

Alaba joined Bayern's academy in 2008 and has gone on to make more than 400 appearances for the club, claiming nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles during his time in Bavaria.

The 2019-20 was particularly memorable for Alaba and Bayern, winning the Bundesliga and German Cup before defeating PSG in the Champions League final last month to clinch a treble.

He was also part of the Bayern side that beat Sevilla to lift the Super Cup last month.

Alaba is on international duty with Austria currently and played the full 90 minutes in Sunday's 1-0 Nations League win over Northern Ireland.

Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi wants to revive his career in the Danish Superliga with SønderjyskE after injury struggles in Turkey.

The Super Eagles star's injury nightmare started with a ruptured Achilles tendon back in December 2018 which ruled him out of action for almost a year.

He found it difficult to break into Trabzonspor first-team after the injury, and he left the Turkish Super Lig club to join their rivals Denizlispor on a short-term contract in January.

Onazi's hopes of securing regular playing time with the Roosters were dashed when he suffered a groin strain and hamstring injury which limited him to nine league matches last season.

"Injuries are inevitable because it's something that happens a lot in football, but it's not been fair to me," Onazi told BBC Sport.

"At the most important time in my career is when it happens to me and I have no proper explanation for this.

"Coming from where it all started I believe I've seen the worst that life has to offer on and off the pitch.

"I am more hungry and determined to do extra well. I've lost a lot of grounds, but it can only be better from here on.

"We had other offers from different places but the main reason I chose Denmark is because I haven't played in a while.

"I decided to go to a place where I can have proper fitness, get regular game time and test myself mentally.

"It was not the best option financially but it's the most challenging and it provides a tough physical challenge. The training is physical like the German league.

"It's a short-term plan but I am prepared to take it one week at a time and after this we can look at something bigger."

Before signing a year contract with SønderjyskE which comes with an option to extend the deal with two further years, the former Lazio star confirmed he was close to completing a return to the Italian Serie A but Crotone withdrew their deal.

"It's true I had a medical at Crotone. When I was in Turkey we had an agreement," he said.

"My agent [Ayodele Makinwa] explained everything to me on the phone, but on getting to southern Italy they pulled out of the agreement.

"This happens in football but it's the way of life."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has compared playing football in La Paz to "drowning" as he braces his team for the challenge posed by competing at altitude in Tuesday's clash with Bolivia.

La Albiceleste will be hoping to build on their winning start to World Cup qualification on, having beaten Ecuador 1-0 on Friday.

But up next is one of the trickiest tasks on the South American football calendar; getting a result in La Paz.

It is situated roughly 3,650 metres (11,975ft) above sea level, making La Paz the highest capital city on Earth and consequentially causing some visiting athletes to struggle due to the air pressure.

Unacclimatised individuals are known to suffer from breathlessness much faster at such altitudes, giving Bolivia a significant advantage in some home matches.

Never has this been more applicable than when Bolivia thrashed Argentina 6-1 in 2009, despite the visitors having the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Zanetti and Javier Mascherano in their starting XI.

Argentina's last trip to La Paz in 2017 resulted in a 2-0 defeat, and with their squad vastly different this time around, Scaloni – who played in their most recent away win in Bolivia 15 years ago – is preparing the team for a gruelling challenge.

"I am going to talk about it with the players one by one," Scaloni said. "We are going to evaluate everyone.

"Before we get to the pitch, we will not realise how players react. Coming two days before the match, the idea was to notice [the effects on individual players].

"We need the players at 100 per cent. If there is a player who is not at 100 per cent, I will speak and make the best decision for the team. The important thing is the hour and a half before the game.

"There is no formula, whether you come the day before the game or two days before. You have to spend 20 days training to have a physical condition equal to theirs.

"Drowning. All the players are going to drown. The issue is the feeling that each one has. We are doing everything possible so that they can get to the game in the best way."

Scaloni's plan for the match will seemingly hinge heavily on captain Messi, with the Argentina coach emphasising the importance of retaining possession and exploiting set-pieces.

"I spoke with everyone and with Lionel Messi in particular," he continued. "There are players who suffer more, others who suffer less, due to physical and training issues.

"We prepare the game in a way that we think can go well. It is a football match. We have a clear idea, we transmit it. The important thing is the journey of the ball.

"We have to use all our weapons. We try to take away the anxiety. We have enough to come here and be at 3,000-odd metres. The more you have the ball, the better.

"When we won in 2005, we scored goals from set pieces. They were specific situations and the game was defined there. We emphasise that."

Argentina and Bolivia have met 20 times in World Cup qualifiers – all five of the latter's victories coming at home.

Similarly, Argentina have only won on three of their 10 trips to La Paz and that 6-1 defeat 11 years ago is the joint-largest defeat in their history.