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The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Despite attempts to play down its significance, Friday night’s clash between Nigeria and Algeria offered a chance for revenge.

It was only 15 months prior that Riyad Mahrez had stepped up, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, to arrow a free-kick in for the win at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. While the reality of the match as a whole, as well as the justice of the result, was undeniable, the popular sentiment at the time seemed to dictate the Super Eagles would have gone on to win the tie in extra-time.

This, then, was the time to set that particular record straight.

Unfortunately, however, no one of a Nigerian persuasion shared that particular script with Les Fennecs.

As it was in Cairo, so it was in Klagenfurt; the location made no difference to a superior Algerian side, and neither did eight changes from that semi-final. The flow of the game was even similar: this second instalment also featured an opening period of such sheer transcendence that Nigeria could not get close to their white-clad opponents, followed by a brief spell when Gernot Rohr’s Eagles clawed their way back into competitiveness, and then a conclusion wherein Algeria saw out the game with relative comfort.

Of course, the Super Eagles had absences of their own, shorn of such influential players as Victor Osimhen (who watched that crushing defeat in Egypt from the bench), Joe Aribo (who was two months removed from a maiden outing in green and white at the time of said defeat), Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo by the mean tag-team of Covid-19 and injuries.

However, while this may have been insufficient mitigation for defeat, it nevertheless provided an avenue for the appraisal of a number of debutants in the team.

The most impressive performance of the newbies came, ironically, from the one player who was not standing in the breach for an injured colleague. Despite the presence in the squad of regular left-back Jamilu Collins, new Porto man Zaidu Sanusi made his first start for the Super Eagles in Austria, and delivered an effervescent showing to titillate.

While Collins has been largely solid since assuming the position, it always felt like something was missing.

By virtue of his athleticism, he was a capable enough defender, but he seemed to lack the dynamism to fulfil the other side of the role, and on that account it was only a matter of time (and providence) before he got displaced.

Those two reactants, chucked into a beaker and swirled around, have brought forth a solution in Sanusi, a whippet of a full-back with the acceleration to go both ways and a wicked delivery from wide areas.

Defensively, up against Farid Boulaya and Riyad Mahrez drifting into that zone, he more than pulled his weight, keeping the former quiet and outmuscling the latter; offensively, he carried that entire flank at times, bombing forward in support of Samuel Kalu and even allowing the Bordeaux man to take up narrower position.

It now appears that, with Collins yet to gain any traction this season at Paderborn, and with Alex Telles having left Porto for Manchester United, Sanusi has the position sewn up.

At least he had a position to sew up, which was more than could be said for the other debutant from the start.

Young Frank Onyeka has earned rave reviews for his performances for Midtjylland, and notably scored in the 4-1 home victory that secured a place for the Danish side in the Uefa Champions League group stage. Here, however, he looked frazzled, uncertain of his duties alongside Semi Ajayi, who was himself moonlighting as a midfield anchor.

The opening 15-20 minutes made for particularly uncomfortable viewing, as the 22-year-old lurched from one emergency to the other, tossed to and fro by the slickness of the reigning African champions. It is difficult enough to come to terms with the weight of representing one’s country, but to do so with very little clarity as to function and responsibility is the cruellest of jokes.

Thankfully his misery was short, but his plight was, perhaps comfortingly for him, not unique.

As the game wore on and whatever invention there was in the Super Eagles seeped away, Kelvin Akpoguma and Samson Tijani both got cameos playing odd roles.

The former can play at right-back, but to plump for him in place of the returning Tyronne Ebuehi, especially when Ola Aina was sat on the bench, seemed difficult to grasp; the latter, for all his apparently prodigious gifts, seems to be undergoing a quick education in the John Mikel Obi School of deep-lying playmakers shoehorned into the space behind the striker.

Neither decision paid off particularly, although it must be said they gave the distinct impression Rohr had altogether ceased to care. It was, after all, a friendly.

However, perhaps the most concerning part of it all was that this performance – from the German, rather than from the players – evoked the very worries that his post-Afcon spell seemed to have dispelled: leaden play, poor substitutions and square pegs jammed into round holes. It would appear, then, that old habits die hard.

Plus ca change...

Kenya striker Michael Olunga continued with his impresive goal-scoring form in the J1 League when he scored a brace to help Kashiwa Reysol down Vissel Kobe 4-3.

It is the second straight time that Olunga scored a league brace after he had achieved the same against Yokohama FC on October 1. The two goals on Saturday now take his tally to 21 after Kashiwa Reysol have played the same number of matches.

Olunga found the back of the net in the 20th minute after he received a pass from Cristiano da Silva for the opener. Ataru Esaka added the second one for Kashiwa Reysol in the 39th minute before the former Thika United star added his second a minute to the half-time break.

Esaka registered his own brace seven minutes after the restart of the second half with Masatoshi Mihara assisting him.

Junya Tanaki scored at the hour mark to deny Olunga and his team a home clean sheet. After 15 minutes, the Japanese international grabbed his brace as he added the second for Vissel Kobe.

A hard-fighting Vissel Kobe earned the third goal from the spot when the former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta converted a penalty in the 87th minute.

Olunga’s form has been superb in Japan, and former AFC Leopards star Charles Okwemba stated that it is time for the former Gor Mahia striker to join another league.

“Olunga has already conquered Japan and he is now ripe for a better challenge,” the AFC Leopards legend said in an interview with Goal on Monday. “If he wants to continue developing and grow career-wise, he has no option but to move.

“He is still young and at his peak, he should be competing with the best in the world. I believe in his ability and potential; it is time for him to risk it in top leagues and I am confident he will prevail.

“We have seen players who are way below Olunga's quality play in the Premier League and make an impact," he added. “Olunga is class and will help any team he plays for in the league. However, he should target small clubs because the pressure is less as compared to established teams.”

Saturday's victory took Kashiwa Reysol up to seventh in the table.

Kalidou Koulibaly was never a centre-half option that Manchester City considered during the summer transfer window, says the club’s chief football operations offer Omar Berrada, with links to the Napoli defender formed by others.

Pep Guardiola was known to be in the market for reinforcements at the back after seeing the Blues cleared to spend again.

Various options were mooted for the Premier League heavyweights, including Senegalese star Koulibaly.

For many, the commanding 29-year-old ticked plenty of boxes for City as they sought a suitable successor to Vincent Kompany in a leadership role at the Etihad Stadium.

Funds were, however, to be invested elsewhere, with Berrada claiming that no discussions were held regarding an approach for Koulibaly.

He told The Athletic: “The truth is, we never were in negotiations with his club at all about him.

“It was very interesting to see the amount of noise that was coming out from certain media outlets and social media.

“I smiled because there were certain instances where people were reporting that the deal was agreed, done, about to happen, he was going to be announced in a few days, when we were never in touch at all with Napoli about him.

“He’s definitely a top, top player, so some consideration was given to him, but really within some parameters that were very clear to us — and those parameters never came into play, so he was never really considered in that sense.”

Rather than snap up Koulibaly, City put deals in place for Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias.

The latter cost them a club-record £62 million ($81m), with Berrada confident that value will be found in a 23-year-old addition for the present and future.

He added: “In the case of Ruben Dias, he has been on our list for a long time.

“We always felt his valuation in previous seasons — and his buyout clause, which I think was €88 million — was too high.

“This year, we were able to negotiate a deal with Benfica for a significantly lower amount and it also happened that they were interested in Nicolas Otamendi (who has moved in the other direction to join the Lisbon club).”

Berrada went on to say: “I don’t think we overpaid for Dias at all.

“We looked at multiple candidates, top centre-backs in Europe, and this was by far the best valuation, once you consider age, experience, current talent and future potential.

“He was by far our No.1 target in that sense. Some of the valuations we were given for other players were a lot higher.”

Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen insisted he does not expect to sit on the bench for the rest of the season as he vented his frustration.

Eriksen swapped Tottenham for Inter in January but the Denmark international has struggled to establish himself in Antonio Conte's starting XI.

The 28-year-old has only featured in 73 minutes of Serie A action this term, having started just eight of 17 league fixtures in 2019-20.

In total, Eriksen started 11 matches across all competitions for Inter last season.

Asked about his Inter situation while on international duty as Denmark prepare to face Iceland in Sunday's Nations League clash, Eriksen told reporters: "I don't want to sit on the bench for the whole season. I hope this isn't the coach's or the club's intention.

"There will be an incredible number of matches in a short time, and now we also have three national team matches in a few days. The Champions League starts when we get back to their respective clubs, so there will be a lot of games to play.

"I'm sure I'll probably have my minutes. So it depends a lot on the people on the outside and I myself expect this moment to come.

"I find myself at a point where perhaps I had never been in a club team before. I got off to a great start after arriving at Inter in January and tried to show off... then we stopped because of coronavirus and it went little up and down.

"People's thinking and expectations of me as a player is to be decisive in every game, and that wasn't the case. That's why people from the outside look at me differently now.

"Obviously you become less patient when you have experience and have tried different things… in the end it is always unpleasant to sit on the bench."

Eriksen was linked with a deadline-day exit amid reported interest from Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin, but the Danish star remains in Milan.

"I have not heard anything from my agent, and if there was something around me, I would have heard it from him or the club, but there was nothing," he added.

"I gradually got used to the fact that a lot is written in the press. What is true and what is not true, I cannot answer. I only know what I was told and there was nothing concrete. So Monday was just a day like any other for me, because nothing happened."

Super Eagles international Chibuzor Okonkwo has urged national team coach Gernot Rohr to stop excessively experimenting with players following Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat against Algeria in Friday’s international friendly. 

Ramy Bensebaini’s sixth-minute strike was enough to hand the African champions victory over the Super Eagles in Austria, and the full-back believes that the German tactician must take a portion of the blame for the display.

“Rohr must stop experimenting with players, even if there will be changes it should be few, probably two or three," Okonkwo told Goal. "If Algeria can play their full squad, why can't we present our best. [Riyad] Mahrez was there!

“All the Super Eagles players were foreign-based," he added. "They are playing week in, week out for their teams, so there should not be an excuse.

"The fact that [Victor] Osimhen and [Wilfred] Ndidi were not in the squad is not an excuse for failure."

The West Africans were without some of their key players for the encounter due to injury, club inactivity and Covid-19 restrictions among other issues.

Leicester City’s Ndidi, Rangers’ Joe Aribo, Galatasaray’s Oghenekaro Etebo and Napoli’s Osimhen were not involved in the game.

The Super Eagles' regular goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho were also left out of the match.

Rohr handed Kevin Akpoguma, Sanusi Zaidu, Samson Tijani and Frank Onyeka their first international caps in the bout, although the fresh blood wasn't able to produce a dynamic display.

“The players did not play well," Okonkwo continued. "If you are called upon for a national-team assignment, you have to give your best.

“If for any reason you won’t be able to perform, then stay away from the team. People are not happy with the Super Eagles performances at all."

Next up for Nigeria, they meet Tunisia in an international friendly on Tuesday.

“Against Tunisia I want us to be more focused," Okonkwo concluded, "and I know we will do better than the Algeria game."

Nigeria's friendlies are part of their preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in November.

Okonkwo has nine caps for the Super Eagles since he made his international debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2010.

Mesut Ozil has made “Arsenal look absolutely stupid” by offering to cover the wages of club mascot Gunnersaurus, says Paul Merson, with the Gunners questioned for letting “an institution” go amid supposed cost-cutting measures while handing a £150,000-a-week contract to Thomas Partey.

The Emirates Stadium outfit find themselves back under the spotlight following an eventful few days in north London.

The summer transfer window closed with Mikel Arteta able to add the commanding midfielder to his ranks that he has been crying out for in the form of ex-Atletico Madrid star Partey.

Considerable funds were found there, including a £45 million ($58m) fee, but no money is left in the pot to extend Gunnersaurus’ association with the club.

The decision to part with a popular and long-serving character has been met with widespread criticism, despite the need for belts to be tightened in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Ozil has come out and said that he would be willing to pay the salary of Arsenal’s mascot, but the German is currently frozen out of the first-team picture under Arteta and another of those who seemingly has no long-term future in the Gunners’ plans.

Merson told the Daily Star of a sorry episode: “Mesut Ozil has made Arsenal look absolutely stupid by offering to pay for Gunnersaurus to keep his job.

“But binning their mascot just shows how selfish and out of touch the people who run the club are these days. You cannot believe how angry I am about this. It is unbelievably shocking at the highest level.

“Arsenal used to ooze class. I don’t think the owners even know what that word means any more. Whoever made the decision to get rid of the mascot needs to take a long hard look at themselves.

“The guy in the suit, Jerry Quy. This bloke loves doing that. He was there when I played for Arsenal. He’s an institution. My kids grew up with him. They would be as interested in the dinosaur as they were in the players. Their faces would light up.

“It absolutely does my head in that they’ve got rid of him just to save money. How many other clubs, ones in the lower leagues who are really struggling, have done that? Even if they bring him back when fans are allowed back in the stadium, it’s a disgrace.”

Former Arsenal winger Merson added: “They’ve just signed Thomas Partey for £45m. If he’s on £150,000-a-week, are you telling me they couldn’t have offered £149,000 and given the rest to the dinosaur?

“The club are putting money above the fans, above the things that are important. I can’t catch my breath if I’m being honest. I don’t think the people who run the club understand the club really.

“I like where Arsenal are going on the pitch. Mikel Arteta is doing really well. And Partey is an unbelievable signing.

“I don’t know why Manchester United or even Manchester City didn’t go for him. He’s better than what they’ve got.

“But off the pitch, I don’t like what is happening at Arsenal at all sometimes. It’s not the club I remember. It would have been so easy to keep Jerry Quy on. But they just went: ‘Let’s save ourselves a tuppence’. Because that’s all it is at the end of the day.”

Newly signed Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau has revealed why he feels joining the Tshwane giants is a good move for his career. 

Mudau penned a five-year deal with the reigning PSL champions on Friday after the move became public knowledge earlier this week. 

The lanky right-back said being part of a winning team is what he wanted as a player, and he's already looking forward to helping the club win more trophies.  

"I feel very happy to be part of Mamelodi Sundowns," Mudau told the Sundowns media team upon his unveiling.  "This is a good move for me as a player to achieve more with the club.

"I think they have been doing very well as a club, collecting trophies. So, I think it's a good move for me," added the former Black Leopards man. "Yellow nation, I can't wait to play for you on the pitch."

Mudau, 25, has been brought in to increase competition in the Sundowns defence, and the utility man can also contribute in the centre of the midfield. 

For Sundowns, the player will primarily compete with the likes of Thapelo Morena, Anele Ngcongca, Nicholus Lukhubeni and returnee Nyiko Mobbie. 

Ngcongca's future with Sundowns is hanging in the balance as reports emerged earlier this year that he could be set for a return to Belgium. 

Morena only returned to action prior to the completion of the 2019-20 season after a long injury lay-off. 

The inexperienced Lukhubeni was promoted to the first team not so long ago from the club's youth structures. 

This means Mudau stands a chance of featuring regularly for the Chloorkop-based side, but he'll have to compete with Mobbie unless the technical team decide to loan him out again. 

Mobbie spent last season on-loan at Stellenbosch and made 29 appearances as one of Steve Barker's trusted men.

He's now happy to be back at Sundowns

"I am happy to be back home and I am looking forward to working very hard. I can't wait to make you proud," he said. 

Staying with Sundowns, rising star Promise Mkhuma has joined a new stable in the form of Prosport International, which looks after the interest of many top footballers in and outside the country. 

The news of Mkhuma joining the established sports agency was confirmed on Saturday.

Mkhuma was promoted to the first team last season and played a role in Sundowns' winning the treble. 

Dean Henderson has been catching the eye since returning to Manchester United, admits Lee Grant, but David de Gea is also looking “really good” in an intriguing battle for goalkeeping duties.

The Red Devils were always going to face a welcome selection headache between the sticks in 2020-21.

Having allowed Henderson to spend the last two seasons out on loan at Sheffield United, the 23-year-old has been absorbed back into the fold at Old Trafford.

Given the ability and confidence he boasts, it is expected to be only a matter of time before he takes on a prominent role for United.

Henderson is, however, having to bide his time at present as De Gea remains the favoured No.1 of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Premier League competition.

Grant – another member of the Red Devils’ goalkeeping crop – supports that decision as a long-serving Spaniard has shown that he is ready to embrace the challenge posed by a younger rival.

A 37-year-old shot-stopper told United’s official website of Henderson at the competition for places in Solskjaer’s squad: “I have [been impressed], but not just from him.

”Nathan Bishop has been outstanding in training and all the lads will tell you the same. David has come back with a really high level so I’m really pleased for David and how he has started the season as well. The goalkeeping department is in really good shape.”

Henderson has been limited to Carabao Cup outings so far, but has kept clean sheets in 3-0 victories over Luton and Brighton.

He has not been overly worked in either of those contests, but has offered enough when called upon to suggest that he is ready to represent an elite club.

Grant added on the concentration that is required to turn out for United: “It’s hugely important.

“We like to dominate possession and we like to dominate the opposition so we’re not always at the heart of the action. As Dean showed really well on a couple of occasions you have to be ready when called upon.”

United, who saw De Gea beaten on six occasions in their last outing against Tottenham, will be back in Premier League action on October 17 when taking in a trip to Newcastle.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has joined Nigerians in calling for an end to the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

Young people in the West African country have been protesting in large numbers over the last few days, with SARS widely accused of unlawful arrests, torture and killings.

Earlier this week, the Federal Government promised to reform the police unit, but citizens are demanding more than reorganisation, with a disbanding of SARS the goal of the protesters.

After watching a video of how SARS operatives harass the youths on social media, Wright did not hesitate to lend his voice to the public outcry.

"#EndSARS #EndSarsNow," the 56-year-old tweeted with a Nigerian flag and a love emoji.

Serie A club AS Roma also joined to show solidarity for Nigerians with a message on their pidgin account.

"We are seeing what our fans in Nigeria are going through. We have read all tweets and messages since. We stand with you and we pray no innocent lives are lost again. #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality,” the tweet read.

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi who is on the sidelines with a groin injury, claimed some of the country’s football stars are afraid of travelling home because of the unprofessional conduct of the security operatives which could turn to harassment.

“#EndSARS for the safety of Nigerians... We are scared to visit home because the people who are meant to protect us are killing us. Looking good with dreads is not a crime,” Ndidi said.

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has taken the positives from their 1-0 defeat to Algeria in Friday’s friendly game. 

Borussia Monchengladbach defender Ramy Bensebaini scored the only goal that separated the sides in the sixth minute, poking home his effort from close range.

The North African side held on to their first-half lead to see off the three-time African champions in Austria and extend their impressive form. 

The defeat ended the West Africans’ five-game unbeaten run, having last lost against the Desert Foxes in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Super Eagles were without some of their key players like Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, Rangers’ Joe Aribo, Galatasaray’s Oghenekaro Etebo and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, among others.

The German tactician used the opportunity to hand a debut to Kevin Akpoguma, Zaidu Sanusi, Samson Tijani and Frank Onyeka in the encounter.

Despite the defeat, Rohr is satisfied with the quality of the friendly and has now shifted his focus to their next game against Tunisia on Tuesday.

"This is a very good test for us. There are positives to pick from a tough game like this,” Rohr said.

“Now we have to recover well and start to plan for the next game on Tuesday against another tough team."

The three-time African champions will hope to bounce back to winning ways against the Carthage Eagles, who defeated Sudan 3-0 on Friday.

Nigeria last met Tunisia in their third-place match at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where the Super Eagles won to finish third in the tournament.

The friendlies have been lined up as part of the Super Eagles preparation for the Afcon qualifying game against Sierra Leone in November.

The West Africans currently lead Group L with six points after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Steven Polack has appreciated Gor Mahia's players for their hard work and commitment during his time with the team.

The 59-year-old and the Kenyan outfit parted ways after just one season in charge and the tactician states the decision had to be made owing to the Covid-19 situation.

"The club and I have come to a mutual agreement to terminate my contract due to the economic downturn and coronavirus pandemic which is not only affecting Gor Mahia FC but also other clubs and businesses around the world," Polack said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"I would like to say thank you to the club for giving me the opportunity to coach Gor Mahia FC. I enjoyed working with all the staff and of course the players. I thank them for their hard work, dedication, and commitment, so continue that same attitude going forward.

"It has been an honour working with you all."

The Finnish has also thanked the fans for their support while acknowledging the hospitality of the Kenyan people.

"And of course the supporters, which of course, you don't have a club without them," Polack continued.

"They really made me very welcome and they were unbelievably the best in Kenya and I really appreciate their support.

"I would also like to give a very big thank you to the Kenyan people for making me feel at ease and at home. Kenya is a beautiful country which I enjoyed very much and one day I will come back to visit.

"I wish you all the best for the future and I look forward to our paths crossing again in the future."

Brazilian Roberto Oliveira Goncalves do Carmo is set to be unveiled as the new Gor Mahia coach to replace Polack.

The 60-year-old tactician arrived in Kenya on Saturday morning, just a day after the club confirmed they had parted ways with Steven Polack, who failed to return to see off his contract.

A source within the club has confirmed to Goal that the Brazilian, who has coached many teams in Africa including Rayon Sports of Rwanda, will be unveiled on Saturday after signing a two-year contract.

Djamel Belmadi believes Algeria were tactically better than the Nigeria national team in their 1-0 win on Friday. 

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ramy Bensebaini scored the solitary goal of the encounter to ensure his side continued their domination over the Super Eagles.

Belmadi, who guided his side to clinch the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, has showered encomium on his side for their performances against the West Africans.

“We had spotted two or three weaknesses that they could tactically have with certain players,” Belmadi said in a press conference.

“Today, they actually played others so it disturbed some of the information I was able to give to the players a bit, but they adapted to this situation. 

“We responded well against a team which is tactically in good shape. We gave a physical response with a lot of intensity in the midfield and in the pressing.

“These are things that we were able to work on. I think our players have been almost perfect against a strong team.

“We came to find difficulty. We were tactically better. We did everything we had prepared this week. Great credit to the players.

“The new players played as I wanted. They have fully shown their qualities. I really appreciated the fact that I gave them the opportunity to play, I am satisfied with that.

“I think of Mehdi Abeid and Haris Belkebla who did a job at the heart of the huge game of pressing and harassment. They responded to the physical challenge.

“Then, Said Benrahma, he missed the goal today. He was very visible, especially in his second half. He doesn't miss much.

“Andy Delort, he has already played away a lot in games that are not easy. He had a very big game, he harassed the defenders, he was only missing the goal, that's what I told him. Farid Boulaya was very interesting to me today. "

Algeria will take on Mexico in their next friendly while Nigeria will square off against Tunisia on Tuesday.

National First Division (NFD) side Uthongathi FC are mourning the death of their acting chairman Sthembiso Chamane. 

Chamane was driving home when he was shot in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday night. 

According to the club's director Nkosinathi Chili, Chamane was stopped by armed men with AK47's who then shot him repeatedly. 

The acting chairman was declared dead even before he could get to the hospital. 

"Our acting chairman Chamane was shot dead in Tongaat last night [Thursday] with plenty of bullets while in his car," Chili told Daily Sun.

Uthongathi have now lost two chairmen in just over two years after Nicholas Mkhize was also shot in September 2018. 

At the time, Mkhize had just stepped out of the club's meeting to discuss plans for the 2018-19 season. 

Chili feels there is a plot against the club's hierarchy, saying they do not know who could be next. 

"We are shocked and we don’t know what we did wrong," said Chili.

"Even when we are sitting together in a meeting, we even joke to ourselves on who is next because signs are there, someone is next." 

"We don’t know what we did wrong that we can’t be forgiven, we are deeply saddened to see our fellow colleagues are passing away in this manner because you can see this thing is planned."

Uthongathi has been one of the most promising sides in the NFD since their promotion from the ABC Motsepe League. 

Under the leadership of Chamane, the club came close to securing a spot in the promotion/relegation playoffs after consistently being in the top three last season. 

However, Uthongathi finished the season in sixth position.  They will now have to find Chamane's successor ahead of the upcoming season with the intention that the new man would, together with the rest of management, work hard to see the club gain promotion to the elite league in the near future. 

Details of Chamane's funeral are yet to be confirmed but the club is expected to keep their fans updated in the next few days. 

Goal shares our heartfelt condolences to Chamane, his family and everyone associated with Uthongathi.  

New Tottenham striker Carlos Vinicius has been tipped to be a great success at the club by his former Rio Ave boss Jose Gomes.

The 25-year-old has been well travelled over his short professional career to date, with Spurs set to be his eighth different side since 2016.

After spells at the likes of Napoli and Monaco, it was with Benfica that he made his real breakthrough, netting 18 times in 33 league games for the Lisbon club and earning a move to the Premier League side this summer on loan.

Gomes, who is now in charge at Almeria in the Segunda Division, believes that Vinicius will successfully provide competition to Harry Kane.

"He's a powerful player, and very intelligent," Gomes told The Athletic. "He is someone who always gets himself into goalscoring positions.

"He has a great sense for where opportunities are going to appear. He shoots with enormous power with his left foot. He protects the ball really well - even when defenders are pressuring him, he is able to shield the ball and turn his man to get a shot in.

"I used him as a No.9, a penalty-box striker. But we looked to make the most of his mobility: he likes to make diagonal runs into wide areas, behind the full-backs.

"He's someone who holds the ball up well, which allows the rest of the team to move up the pitch and start an attack, or just take a breath. He was our reference point in attacking transitions.

"English football is very intense, and very demanding for strikers. But I think he will show what he can do.

"He will help the team - by holding up the ball, by finding space to get a shot off, by giving opposition centre-backs plenty to think about when he is near the area.

"It’s a good move for Vinicius and for Tottenham. This is a win-win for both parties."

The striker will be aiming to make his debut after the international break, when Tottenham play host to West Ham in a derby encounter.

Jose Mourinho’s men are currently sixth in the Premier League standings, with seven points from four games.

Napoli should be thanked for not risking the health of Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Vincenzo De Luca, president of the Campania region of Italy.

After two players from the squad tested positive for Covid-19, the local health authority (ASL), decided to prevent them from travelling to an away Serie A fixture with the league champions.

Despite this decree, Juventus were angered by the inability of the fixture to go ahead, claiming that protocols were not followed.

De Luca, though, has taken to the defence of his region’s most successful club.

"Nobody has thanked us for preventing Cristiano Ronaldo from getting the virus,” he explained on a Facebook video. “Try and imagine it. If Napoli had travelled with several positive cases in their squad like Genoa did. If Ronaldo had got the virus a week later, we would have hit the front pages even of the New York Times. 

"The protocol is no good when it comes to health and the laws. Napoli didn't travel because the ASL decided that and Juventus ended up going to play with the ball boys.

“The players, from a health point of view, are subjected to the same rules as all Italian citizens. And, therefore, Napoli will not play because they have been quarantined by the ASL.

“Juventus, through the words of president Andrea Agnelli, made a painful statement, embarrassing. ‘Since there’s a protocol, we will go to the stadium,’ they declared.

“The Juventus president is a man who is passionate, not only about football, but philosophy too. And that’s why I remind him of what Schopenauer said: ‘Honour has not to be won; it must only not be lost.’

“If I had behaved in this way, I would have felt that I lost my sporting honour.

“We are talking about sport, sporting values, sporting loyalty, honest competition and respect for our opponents.

“But how can we reduce ourselves to the pettiness of pretending to win a match when the antagonists are quarantined by the ASL and not by their own will?”

Napoli have won both their Serie A fixtures to date this season, while Juventus have four points from their two games under new boss Andrea Pirlo.

Former Bidvest Wits midfielder Cole Alexander has found a new home after penning a two-year deal with Indian club Odisha FC. 

The reported Kaizer Chiefs target was recruited by coach Stuart Baxter who knows Alexander very well after having watched him in action during his three-year stay in the PSL. 

The pair also worked together at South Africa senior national team, Bafana Bafana, where Baxter called up Alexander a few times as head coach. 

Odisha announced the signing of the Cape Town-born player on Saturday morning. 

"Odisha FC is delighted to announce that the club has reached a two-year agreement with South African midfielder Cole Alexander ahead of the seventh edition of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL)," reads a statement on the club's website. 

Baxter said he was delighted to reunite with the 31-year-old, saying the midfielder brings high energy, character and quality as a player. 

And he's confident the club fans will love Alexander once they see him in action.

"We are delighted to secure Cole to our squad. I have worked with Cole with Bafana and he brings a combination of high energy, character and quality. His personality will enrich our squad environment and I am sure he will be popular among our fans," said Baxter. 

Speaking to the club after completing his move, Alexander is already looking forward to playing in the Indian Super League (ISL) and working with Baxter again.  

"I am extremely delighted to join Odisha FC and play in the Indian Super League for the first time. It will be really great to play under coach Stuart Baxter again and I can’t wait to meet my teammates. I am very excited and looking forward to the season ahead," said Alexander. 

The former Polokwane City and Ajax Cape Town player has already heard a lot about Odisha fans and while they will not be able to attend matches to watch him live due to the coronavirus, Alexander is hopeful the players will not forget their supporters whenever they take to the field.

Furthermore, the South Africa international hopes Odisha can achieve something special in the two years he will spend with them.    

"I have heard a lot about the special fans that the club has and although they will not be in the stadiums with us this year, we will carry them in our hearts and try and make them proud. I hope we can achieve something special at Odisha FC in the upcoming seasons."

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Oliveira Goncalves as their new head coach.

The former Rayon Sports tactician arrived on Saturday to take over the reins after Steven Polack and Gor Mahia mutually ended their one-season association.

“Brazilian Roberto Oliveira is the new head coach taking over from Steven Polack,” the club announced.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, who has overseen one of the most successful periods of the club, explained why they settled on the Brazilian.

“We are excited to announce the arrival of our new coach Oliveira from Brazil. He has had long coaching experience in Africa thus making him more conversant with African football,” Rachier said.

“We think he will be a great asset in our quest to achieve better results on the field.”

The new K’Ogalo coach has been in football management for the last 25 years and his arrival is expected to help Gor Mahia launch an advanced Caf Champions League campaign in the 2020/21 season.

Robertinho, as he is widely known in the football circles, shared his reasons why he chose Gor Mahia over other clubs.

“After leaving Rayon Sports, I got three offers to come back to Africa but I turned them down,” revealed the new coach.

“When Gor Mahia came knocking, I couldn’t turn it down because I like the club, I like their style because I have seen Gor Mahia play many times and even had a tie against them in Caf competition. I am happy to be offered the chance to coach the team.

“Gor Mahia have won everything in local competition and it is about time to make a mark in Caf continental competitions. It will take the collective efforts of players, technical staff, and management to achieve what we want.

“I believe it can be done.”

Robertinho was in charge of Rayon Sports when they denied Gor Mahia a place in the quarter-finals of the Caf Confederation Cup as he masterminded a 2-1 win at Moi International Sports Complex in 2018.

He takes the K’Ogalo mantle after a number of coaches including Jose Marcelo Ferreira had been linked with the top job. He is expected to link up with the players who have been training in order to start preparations for the Caf assignments.