Looking for Soccer News?

Gor Mahia have released two players - defender Wellington Ochieng and striker Edwin Lavatsa - ahead of the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

Goal can exclusively reveal the duo has been allowed to leave the champions. A source, who did not want to be named, has confirmed to Goal the two players have already been asked to go, and this is after the team managed to sign 13 players in the ongoing transfer window.

“I can confirm to you that Wellington [Ochieng] and Edwin [Lavatsa] will not be part of the team in the coming season,” the source told Goal on Saturday. “They have been asked to leave since the club signed players in their positions.”

While Lavatsa was making a return to Gor Mahia after stints at Mathare United and Kakamega Homeboyz, Ochieng was not involved last season as he was out injured.

The right-back sustained a knee injury last year while playing against Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in a Caf Confederation Cup match away in Kinshasa.

In a recent interview with Goal before leaving the club, former coach Steven Polack had described Ochieng and another player Philemon Otieno as new signings for the club.

“I am really very happy to see the two boys [Otieno and Ochieng] back, they have really worked hard to return from the setbacks they suffered in the early stages of last season but they have fully recovered now,” Polack told Goal.

“All the two players are fit now, for Otieno he played a game for us before the coronavirus pandemic, a friendly where we gave him 45 minutes and he came out unscathed, you could see how he battled well to impress the bench in the build-up, he is very okay now.

“Let us see when we start training for the new season, and we check them again, the two will be our first signings, they will come back stronger and will fight to play for us, I think they will be our first signings as they are coming back after a very long layoff, we must be happy to be covered in their positions.”

Gor Mahia were crowned the league champions for the fourth season in a row after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) moved to end the season owing to the Covid-19, and they will represent the country in the Caf Champions League.

Brazil coach Tite praised the performance of Neymar and was pleased at Roberto Firmino's contribution in the 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia. 

Liverpool forward Firmino scored twice as Brazil opened their World Cup qualifying campaign in impressive fashion, despite having not played an international fixture in nearly 12 months. 

Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho also scored, with Bolivia not helping their cause with an own goal in the rout in Sao Paulo. 

Neymar, who has 61 goals in his 102 caps, did not find the net but was influential throughout, the Paris Saint-Germain forward showing no signs of the back problem that had bothered him during the build-up to the game. 

"We seek knowledge, strategies, [to play] with harmony," Tite said after the resounding victory. 

"Neymar was looser, more central, with freedom of movement, as the opponent's marking is more demanding.  

"Coutinho played inside, with Firmino not far behind. He [Firmino] did not seek the ball so much, he waited for it more.  

"He scored two and could have had two more. As the game requires, we may not change the function of the team, but adapt it to suit."

Brazil are next in action on Tuesday, when they are away to Peru. 

Tite will hope his side can be just as clinical on their travels in what will be a repeat of the 2019 Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro, a game the Selecao won 3-1 to lift the trophy.

"It is a feature to maintain possession of the ball. But there is no use getting the ball and finishing little," the Brazil boss added in his press conference.

Brazil are chasing a sixth World Cup trophy, having not lifted the crown since defeating Germany 2-0 thanks to a couple of Ronaldo goals in the final of the 2002 showpiece.

They reached the semi-finals in the home edition of their tournament in 2014 before being infamously hammered by the Germany side that eventually won the competition, while four years later they found Belgium too strong in the quarter-finals, with an own goal and a Kevin De Bruyne strike sending them spinning out in Russia.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to clarify the reason their new coach Cedric Kaze is yet to arrive to take charge.

Goal reported exclusively four days ago the Jangwani giants had picked the Burundian coach to replace Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, who was fired last week, after only 37 days in charge of the team.

Goal further confirmed that Kaze, who was also given the job before Yanga settled for Krmpotic, after he cited family issues, was to be unveiled anytime last week.

Yanga have now come out to confirm the new coach is yet to arrive because he asked for more time after Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) moved to postpone the Kariakoo derby against their rivals Simba SC from October 18 to November 7.

According to Yanga Communication Officer Hassan Bumbuli the coach had planned to arrive on Thursday so as to prepare the team for the derby but now that it was postponed, he will take his time before arriving to take over the reins.

“Our plans were for the coach to arrive on Thursday and prepare the team for the derby but since it was pushed to a new date, we don’t have any hurry for him to come,” Bumbuli told Sokaletu. “We wanted him to start his job against Simba because it was an important match for us.

“But now that the derby was moved, now we have given him time to sort out his issues back home so that when he comes to Dar es Salaam he will be ready, to start the job.”

Kaze is an experienced African coach who holds a Caf A License. He started his coaching job as an assistant to Armas Niyamugambo at Prince Louis Rwagasore FC.

He was confirmed as the head coach for the 2005/06 season and his team finished second to Vital’O. He left and joined Atletico FC for the 2006/07 season and he helped the club remain among the top four sides in four seasons in charge.

Kaze was named Burundi’s coach of the season twice; in 2008/09 and in the 2011/12 seasons, although his side finished second.

He lifted the Ligue A title in the 2010/11 campaign. Yanga are now set to have their fifth coach in under one year as they first had Mwinyi Zahera who was let go in November before Boniface Mkwasa was appointed on an interim basis.

Mkwasa - who is at Ruvu Shooting - thereafter acted as Eymael’s assistant until his contract ended in August and was not renewed.

Ronald Koeman concedes Barcelona's financial situation restricted his movement in the transfer market as deadline day passed without any further incomings at Los Cules.

The likes of Arthur, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez departed Camp Nou during the window, while Barca brought in Miralem Pjanic and Sergino Dest, and youngsters Trincao, Pedri and Matheus Fernandes also signed on.

Lyon forward Memphis Depay was among those linked with a late switch to Barca, the Netherlands international thought to have been keen on a reunion with Koeman.

However, with Barca having announced €97 million in losses and a decrease of €203m in revenue – factors blamed on the coronavirus pandemic – no further reinforcements were brought in.

"The squad is okay, I'm happy with the squad I have," Koeman told Barca TV. 

"We have tried to improve the squad and in some positions we could, in some others we couldn't. That was because of the financial situation of the club, so we have to accept it and keep working."

Ansu Fati's early-season performances have been a major plus, with the 17-year-old scoring three goals in as many La Liga games.

The exciting forward has also made the breakthrough into Spain's full national team and Koeman knows he has a special talent on his hands.

"So far, his performance has been the best possible. We are talking about a 17-year-old player," he added. 

"At that age to play three games in a row at such a high level means he is very good, a great talent. 

"Of course he still has a lot to learn, but he is a boy eager to keep learning, he trains every day to improve, so we are here to help him out. 

"Now he is with the national team. Right now, there is nobody in the world who is 17 years old to play in such a high-level national team as Spain are."

East Bengal confirmed the arrival of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as their new manager for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season on Friday. Fowler’s arrival marks a new era at the Red and Golds who are all set to make their debut in the ISL this season, which is the top tier of Indian football. 

The Kolkata giants became the newest entrants in the ISL after they roped in Shree Cement Limited as their new investors last month, which helped them sort out any financial wrinkles they had. As such, their entry into the ISL alone generated a lot of excitement among the fanbase and the neutral onlookers. 

There has been a lot said about what East Bengal would bring to ISL. The anticipation of a Kolkata derby being held in the ISL alone would have been enough to whet the appetite of fans. However, fans of the Red and Golds would have been keen to see their beloved team show some intent, going into their first season in the ISL. 

And the club has responded by making a statement signing by bringing in somebody of Fowler's stature. The Liverpool legend's pedigree as a top player in the Premier League needs no introduction though his coaching career is still at a nascent stage. But there is no doubt about the wealth of experience he brings with him. 

It must be noted that this will be Fowler's third assignment as a head coach. Fowler had managed A-League side Brisbane Roar FC last season. They had finished fourth on the league table but were knocked out in the Elimination finals after losing to Western United FC 0-1. Prior to his venture in Australia, the Brit had managed a club way back in 2011 when he took charge of Thai League 1 side Muangthong United as their player-manager.

While Fowler is certainly a huge name when it comes to footballing stalwarts to have come to India, there could be eyebrows raised about his managerial credentials. What one must note is that while some former stars with less coaching experience have flopped in India, it is not an absolute indicator. 

For example, let's take a look at Italy's World Cup-winning defender Marco Materazzi who started his managerial career at ISL side Chennaiyin FC in 2014. Materazzi had initially joined the club as their player-manager in the maiden season of the league and had managed to guide the Southern outfit to the play-offs. The second season saw the former Inter Milan defender helping the club win the coveted title by beating FC Goa in a dramatic fashion in the final. 

Delhi Dynamos, rechristened as Odisha FC in 2019, had hired two rookie big-name managers in 2015 and 2016 and those two seasons turned out to be the most successful years in the club’s brief history.

The club had appointed Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos as player-manager in 2015 and Carlos ensured the club reached the play-offs after finishing fourth on the league table. The subsequent year, legendary Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta coached the team to a third-place finish, the club’s highest ever league position so far. Once again, they were knocked out in the play-offs.

Of course, there are examples to the contrary like that of Teddy Sheringham who had taken charge of ATK in 2017-18 season. The former England and Manchester United forward had a forgetful stint in Kolkata and ended up parting ways with the club before the season ended after some below-par performances. 

Whichever way the leaf falls, Fowler's appointment is sure to garner a lot of interest for East Bengal, not just among the domestic audience but also among the international media. And speculating on how his stint in Kolkata would go will just be conjecture at this point. 

Fowler, despite being a rookie manager, has been relatively successful in one of Asia’s top leagues only a season back. The Englishman’s biggest advantage is his experience of managing Asian clubs in both his managerial stints and it will definitely come in handy while managing the Kolkata giants. He has also played for Thailand’s Muangthong which makes him familiar to Asian footballing standards.

Also, Fowler's pedigree as an accomplished international footballer and as a Liverpool legend will benefit the club and its image in terms of their commercial relevance. 

The former Liverpool star's appointment is indicative of East Bengal’s new investors Shree Cement Limited's ambition to excite the fans. Now, the fans will hope the management is able to give Fowler a squad that is able to compete with the bigwigs of the ISL. 

In any case, it promises to be an entertaining season for East Bengal and ISL. 

The final matchday of the Malaysia Super League and Malaysia Premier League will take place this weekend, and while the top tier champions have been confirmed earlier, there are still a few things that remain up for grabs.

What have been confirmed

Last week, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) confirmed their seventh consecutive title with their 4-1 win over Sabah.

PDRM FA meanwhile will not be able to leave the bottom place and the relegation zone, regardless of the result of their clash against Petaling Jaya City on Saturday. This also means that they are the only top tier team that has not qualified for the Malaysia Cup later this season.

A continental spot to be in

Super League runners up will earn an automatic spot in next year's AFC Cup, with Kedah (19 points) and Perak (18) the only teams still in contention for the second place finish. As it so happens, the two will meet on Sunday at the Perak Stadium, in a clash that is certainly this round's headlining fixture.

For the visitors, they simply need to avoid a defeat, but for the hosts, nothing less than a win will do.

Perak v Kedah in the 2019 FA Cup final. Photo by Sports Regime

In danger zone

The situation at the bottom is a little less straightforward. With the Cops having confirmed their last-place finish, only one more team will be relegated; the eleventh-place finisher.

Only two teams are in danger of finishing in eleventh; Sabah, in tenth place with nine points at the moment, and current eleventh-place occupier Felda United, on seven points.

The Fighters have the uphill task of facing the free-scoring Selangor on Saturday, whereas for Sabah, their home match against surprise package UiTM FC has been postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date due to Covid-19 concerns.

Regardless of the scheduling, a win for the Rhinos will guarantee them top tier safety. If a draw is all they could manage, they had better hope that Felda do not win by a huge margin. If they lose however, safety is only guaranteed by a Felda draw or defeat.

Whereas for the Fighters, nothing less than a win will give them a reprieve, and even then it is still dependent on Sabah's result. If Sabah win, Felda's victory would have been for naught, and if Sabah are held at home, Felda need a big win to overcome the goal difference. A Sabah defeat and a Felda win will allow the Fighters to pip the Rhinos to safety.

Sabah. Photo by Sports Regime

East Bengal announced the arrival of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as the club head coach on Friday on a two-year deal. 

The new East Bengal manager will be accompanied by a team of backroom staff to assist him at the club. Former Manchester City midfielder Tony Grant will be his assistant coach. Grant had also worked as Fowler’s assistant in his last assignment at A-League’s Brisbane Roar.

They have also roped in goalkeeping coach Robert Mimms, sports scientist Jack Inman, physio Michael Harding and video analyst Joseph Walmsley. But the most interesting addition that has been made to Fowler’s backroom staff is the appointment of former Blackpool manager Terence McPhillips who will join the team as a set-piece coach.

The concept of having a set-piece coach is alien to Indian football and no Indian club has made such a specific appointment.

Setpieces play a very important role in modern football as nearly 50 per cent of a team's goals in a season comes from dead-ball situations. Top teams across the world deploy innovative methods to take their setpieces and convert them into goals. 

Almost every top club in the world have a specialist coach just dedicated to work with the setpieces of the team. Recently Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recruited setpiece coach Andreas Georgson who used to work as Head of setpieces and Individual development at Brentford. 

A setpiece coach not just innovates the taking the setpieces and convert them into goals but they also help a team defensively while defending the opposition's setpieces.

It is a specialist's job and East Bengal have become the first Indian club to hire a setpiece coach.

Ex-Argentina star Esteban Cambiasso expressed doubts over the possibility of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona for Serie A side Inter.

Messi handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season, which saw Barca humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga, before the six-time Ballon d'Or winner exclusively told Goal he will be opting to remain at Camp Nou this term.

The superstar captain – who has a €700 million release clause – was heavily linked to Premier League giants Manchester City, while Inter have emerged as a possible destination throughout the year.

Cambiasso spent 10 years at Inter, where he won the treble in 2009-10, and the former Argentina international was asked about countryman Messi's future.

"Messi-Inter? I don't live the market," Cambiasso said. "I always wait for the end and then I make my assessments.

"The reality says that Leo is still in Barcelona and that he is still motivated to play for the Blaugrana.

"We want to see his football again, his best. Is he happy? I think he is, as always."

Messi's friend and former team-mate Luis Suarez, who recently completed a move to Atletico, believes the Argentine legend will stay at Barcelona if the club gets a new board.

"There may be the possibility that Messi plays for another club, but if he feels comfortable, happy again and another board arrives, he will want to continue at the club," Suarez said.

"As a friend, I'll be happy if he does well there and if he has to go to another club, I'll be happy too.

Messi scored the winning goal as Argentina opened their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Thursday.

The 33-year-old has scored one goal in three La Liga appearances under new Barca head coach Ronald Koeman this season.

Messi's Barca – fifth in the table and three points behind defending champions Madrid – are next in action against Getafe on October 17.

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

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 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.

“We have agreed on everything and that is why the coach has decided to travel,” the source, who did not to be named, told Goal. “He will sign a two-year contract and we will unveil him on Saturday.”

The former Brazil international has previously handled the Angola national team and also Atlético Sport Aviação in the same country.

Polack, who was handed a ten-day leave to visit his family in Finland, did not return after agreeing to terminate his contract with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions on mutual agreement.

“We are in receipt of your resignation letter dated October 8, 2020, as Gor Mahia coach, much as we regret this happening we also respect the reasons that you have pointed out to occasion your action, as a club we will miss you amongst us greatly,” Gor Mahia said in a statement signed by the club’s secretary Samuel Ochola.

“Especially your impeccable coaching abilities and social cohesion and the excitement you brought to the Gor Mahia fraternity as a whole.

“Your time with us was momentous and fulfilling. We take cognizance of your achievement at our club which was coloured by having our team being declared the 2019/20 KPL champions for the 18th time in our country.

“We wish you would stay longer!”

The statement continued: “The club executive committee, management, and our fans wish you all the best in your endevours, knowing so well that we shall forever share with you the K’Ogalo heritage and may you excel in making the beautiful game better wherever you are.”

On Wednesday, Goal reported the return of Polack, who was given 11 days to visit his family in Finland, was shrouded in controversy as the club could not confirm whether he will return to see out his remaining one-year contract.

On leaving for Finland, Polack told Goal he will come back to see off his contract and stated he never runs away from his work.

“I don’t run away from contracts,” Polack told Goal. “I always make sure that I see through my contracts and if you check my records, that is what I usually do, it is not easy for me to go and never to come back.

“I have a contract with this club and I will make sure that I come back.”

Polack joined Gor Mahia at the beginning of last season and managed to win the season opener, KPL Super Cup, and also won the league title, after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) ended the season to crown K’Ogalo.

Gor Mahia have already resumed training for the 2020-21 campaign and are training under assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo.

Azam FC dominated the Mainland Premier League awards for the month of September after their coach and player were named the best.

The ‘Ice-cream Makers’ saw their coach Aristica Cioba named the best for the month, which saw his team win five straight matches, to remain on top of the table with 15 points heading into the international break.

The Romanian scooped the gong after beating his closest challengers Sven Vandenbroeck of Simba SC and Zlatko Krmpotic of Young Africans (Yanga SC). However, Krmpotic has already been fired by Yanga after only 37 matches in charge.

In the players' category, Azam striker Prince Dube was named the best for the month after managing to score five goals during the period.

The Zimbabwean player beat his teammate and keeper David Mapigano and midfielder Clatous Chama of Simba to the award.

In a recent interview, Dube revealed his main target for the season is to help the club to win major silverware.

The Zimbabwean striker is currently topping the goalscoring chart in the Mainland Premier League after notching five goals and is followed closely by Simba SC's Meddie Kagere, who has four to his credit.

Kagere has been the man dominating the scorers' chart as he has won two Golden Boot titles since he joined the Wekundu wa Msimbazi from Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia in 2018.

“On the claims, I want to win the Golden Boot, I want to say that it is not in my mind, I don’t think I have ever thought about it, my main intentions now is to help Azam achieve the targets set for the season,” Dube told Sokaletu.

“I am scoring the goals to help the team, I am not thinking about anything else, I want to score as many goals as I can so that the team can achieve what they want to achieve.

“I am not looking at the goals I score, I am looking at what the goals will help with the team at the end of the season, but if the goals come with the Golden Boot then that is fine, I don’t have a problem, but it is not my primary target for now.”

The Chamazi-based club, who last won the league title in 2014, has made a good start to the 2020-21 campaign, winning their opening five matches to sit at the top of the table on 15 points.

In fact, Azam only conceded their first goals this season when they beat the stubborn Kagera Sugar 4-2 in their last match before the international break.

They will resume their hunt for more points when they take on Mwadui FC in their next league assignment.

Roberto Firmino scored twice as Brazil eased past Bolivia 5-0 in a dominant display to kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Brazil barely raised a sweat in their opening CONMEBOL qualifier on Friday, outclassing Bolivia thanks to Firmino's brace, while Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho were also on target, to go with a Jose Carrasco own goal.

Tite's Brazil had not played since their 3-0 win over South Korea in a November friendly after the coronavirus pandemic forced World Cup qualifying to be postponed in March, but the Selecao did not look like a team featuring for the first time in 2020.

Brazil dominated from the outset and they should have scored two goals inside three minutes, however, Everton and Marquinhos wasted golden opportunities in the pouring Sao Paulo rain.

Marquinhos, who glanced a header wide in the third minute, made no mistake in the 16th minute as he got on the end of a Danilo cross and headed powerfully past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to open the scoring.

Bolivia could not get close to Brazil and the visitors almost conceded again after Coutinho's shot from the top of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and skidded off the turf, forcing Lampe into a fine diving save.

Bolivia's non-existent defending was exposed when Renan Lodi made an unmarked run and whipped a ball across the six-yard box for Firmino to tap home.

Brazil continued where they left off in the second half after Firmino netted within four minutes of the restart – Neymar playing a ball to his team-mate, who routinely poked home.

Weverton – playing in the absence of injured number one goalkeeper Alisson – had nothing to do until he was called into action by Bruno Miranda's rising shot in the 50th minute.

Brazil showed no mercy as Carrasco deflected the ball into his own net past the hour mark, before Neymar provided the cross for the onrushing Coutinho to head home emphatically with 17 minutes remaining.

What does it mean? Brazil dance to their own beat

Brazil took to the field for the first time in almost a year and the South American giants did not look off the pace, unlike rivals Argentina on Thursday. Albeit against weaker opposition, Brazil kicked off their road to Qatar 2022 in ruthless fashion.

Neymar pulls the strings

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was not on the scoresheet, but he produced a great performance. After shaking off a back problem, Neymar was at the heart of Brazil's big moments, providing a pair of assists in his 102nd international appearance.

Sorry Bolivia

It was always going to be an uphill battle for South America's whipping boys. Bolivia – beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their last meeting at the 2019 Copa America – rarely threatened, pegged back in their own half for the majority of the contest.

What's next?

Brazil will face Peru on Tuesday, while Bolivia host Lionel Messi's Argentina on the same day.

Roberto Firmino scored twice as Brazil eased past Bolivia 5-0 in a dominant display to kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Brazil barely raised a sweat in their opening CONMEBOL qualifier on Friday, outclassing Bolivia thanks to Firmino's brace, while Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho were also on target, to go with a Jose Carrasco own goal.

Tite's Brazil had not played since their 3-0 win over South Korea in a November friendly after the coronavirus pandemic forced World Cup qualifying to be postponed in March, but the Selecao did not look like a team featuring for the first time in 2020.

Brazil dominated from the outset and they should have scored two goals inside three minutes, however, Everton and Marquinhos wasted golden opportunities in the pouring Sao Paulo rain.

Marquinhos, who glanced a header wide in the third minute, made no mistake in the 16th minute as he got on the end of a Danilo cross and headed powerfully past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to open the scoring.

Bolivia could not get close to Brazil and the visitors almost conceded again after Coutinho's shot from the top of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and skidded off the turf, forcing Lampe into a fine diving save.

Bolivia's non-existent defending was exposed when Renan Lodi made an unmarked run and whipped a ball across the six-yard box for Firmino to tap home.

Brazil continued where they left off in the second half after Firmino netted within four minutes of the restart – Neymar playing a ball to his team-mate, who routinely poked home.

Weverton – playing in the absence of injured number one goalkeeper Alisson – had nothing to do until he was called into action by Bruno Miranda's rising shot in the 50th minute.

Brazil showed no mercy as Carrasco deflected the ball into his own net past the hour mark, before Neymar provided the cross for the onrushing Coutinho to head home emphatically with 17 minutes remaining.

What does it mean? Brazil dance to their own beat

Brazil took to the field for the first time in almost a year and the South American giants did not look off the pace, unlike rivals Argentina on Thursday. Albeit against weaker opposition, Brazil kicked off their road to Qatar 2022 in ruthless fashion.

Neymar pulls the strings

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was not on the scoresheet, but he produced a great performance. After shaking off a back problem, Neymar was at the heart of Brazil's big moments, providing a pair of assists in his 102nd international appearance.

Sorry Bolivia

It was always going to be an uphill battle for South America's whipping boys. Bolivia – beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their last meeting at the 2019 Copa America – rarely threatened, pegged back in their own half for the majority of the contest.

What's next?

Brazil will face Peru on Tuesday, while Bolivia host Lionel Messi's Argentina on the same day.

Roberto Firmino scored twice as Brazil eased past Bolivia 5-0 in a dominant display to kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Brazil barely raised a sweat in their opening CONMEBOL qualifier on Friday, outclassing Bolivia thanks to Firmino's brace, while Marquinhos and Philippe Coutinho were also on target, to go with a Jose Carrasco own goal.

Tite's Brazil had not played since their 3-0 win over South Korea in a November friendly after the coronavirus pandemic forced World Cup qualifying to be postponed in March, but the Selecao did not look like a team featuring for the first time in 2020.

Brazil dominated from the outset and they should have scored two goals inside three minutes, however, Everton and Marquinhos wasted golden opportunities in the pouring Sao Paulo rain.

Marquinhos, who glanced a header wide in the third minute, made no mistake in the 16th minute as he got on the end of a Danilo cross and headed powerfully past Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe to open the scoring.

Bolivia could not get close to Brazil and the visitors almost conceded again after Coutinho's shot from the top of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and skidded off the turf, forcing Lampe into a fine diving save.

Bolivia's non-existent defending was exposed when Renan Lodi made an unmarked run and whipped a ball across the six-yard box for Firmino to tap home.

Brazil continued where they left off in the second half after Firmino netted within four minutes of the restart – Neymar playing a ball to his team-mate, who routinely poked home.

Weverton – playing in the absence of injured number one goalkeeper Alisson – had nothing to do until he was called into action by Bruno Miranda's rising shot in the 50th minute.

Brazil showed no mercy as Carrasco deflected the ball into his own net past the hour mark, before Neymar provided the cross for the onrushing Coutinho to head home emphatically with 17 minutes remaining.

What does it mean? Brazil dance to their own beat

Brazil took to the field for the first time in almost a year and the South American giants did not look off the pace, unlike rivals Argentina on Thursday. Albeit against weaker opposition, Brazil kicked off their road to Qatar 2022 in ruthless fashion.

Neymar pulls the strings

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was not on the scoresheet, but he produced a great performance. After shaking off a back problem, Neymar was at the heart of Brazil's big moments, providing a pair of assists in his 102nd international appearance.

Sorry Bolivia

It was always going to be an uphill battle for South America's whipping boys. Bolivia – beaten 3-0 by Brazil in their last meeting at the 2019 Copa America – rarely threatened, pegged back in their own half for the majority of the contest.

What's next?

Brazil will face Peru on Tuesday, while Bolivia host Lionel Messi's Argentina on the same day.

U.S. women's national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has said he still has Megan Rapinoe in his plans despite the winger's extended absence from the field. 

Rapinoe was not on the 27-player roster for the USWNT's October training camp, the team's first time gathering since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

March was also the last time Rapinoe saw the field, with the OL Reign star having opted out of the NWSL Challenge Cup and Fall Series. 

On a conference call Friday, Andonovski said the 2019 World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner also decided that this month's camp in Denver was not the right time for her to make her return.

"Of course we’re in constant communication with Pinoe," Andonovski said. "We had a good talk and Megan said that she didn’t feel like now was the right time to come back to the team, and had some physical concerns as well so we’ll continue to monitor her.

"She’s not going to be here, some of the more experienced players are not going to be here so we’ll just use this opportunity to evaluate some of the younger players and see how they fit in the environment."

At 35, Rapinoe's future on the field is in doubt with the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics set to begin in nine months and the USWNT star increasingly focused on her off-field activism.

Andonovski, though, believes that Rapinoe still has plenty left to give on the field and has tipped her, along with the injured Carli Lloyd and other U.S. stars who missed the camp, to make an impact in the future.

"Yes of course," Andonovski said when asked if Rapinoe was in his plans for Tokyo.

"Megan Rapinoe and some of the other injured players like Carli Lloyd and the ones that are overseas, they’re all in our plans. We know that they still have some high-quality games in their feet."

The squad for the October camp will be entirely domestic-based, as players currently in the Women's Super League such as Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis and Christen Press were left off the roster.

“For this camp, it just did not make sense for the players in Europe to leave their club environments, where they are getting quality training games, as they are just starting to get settled," Andonovski said in a U.S Soccer release on Thursday.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe 'Rama' Mphahlele has lauded the club's new head coach Gavin Hunt as a proven winner.

The Soweto giants moved swiftly to appoint Hunt as their coach after parting ways with German tactician Ernst Middendorp last month. 

Hunt has been tasked with ending Chiefs' five-year trophy drought having enjoyed some success at his previous clubs, Moroka Swallows, SuperSpot United and Bidvest Wits 

“Gavin Hunt has been in the game for long. He knows what South African soccer is all about. He’s a proven winner," Mphahlele told the club's official website. 

“He is very precise in what he wants. We concentrate on what to do when we have the ball, what to do when we don’t have the ball and how to break down opponents.”

“It was an agonizing ending to the season. we all agree on that. Now, we just want to play and make things right," he continued. 

“He’s different. He pushes us hard and clearly wants the best out of everyone. One thing is clear, if you don’t work hard, you won’t be part of the matchday team.”

Mphahlele has reunited with Hunt as the 56-year-old mentor handed Rama his first professional contract at Swallows in the 2006/2007 season, with the versatile defender having been nurtured in the club's academy. 

“The coach clearly loves working with young players. I am seeing it now at Chiefs as well. It’s interesting to see how he’s pushing them," Rama said.

"The youngsters will need to step up and show that they are ready to compete for a first-team starting position. I think what we need is a mixture of senior players and youngsters.”

The 30-year-old also explained that Hunt is working on the players' mindset after the Soweto giants narrowly missed out on the PSL title on the last day of the 2019/20 season.  

“From the first day of training, Hunt went straight into tactics. For sure, we are running a lot, but it is mostly with the ball. He also wants training sessions to be done in a certain way, with high intensity," he added. 

“It’s a bit too early to talk about that match in detail, but we are all looking forward to play a competitive match again and to change the mindset of losing out on the league trophy."

Chiefs will take on Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-final match on October 18, before starting their league campaign against Mamelodi Sundowns on October 24. 

Romelu Lukaku has promised to return to Anderlecht at some point in the future, while describing former Belgium assistant Thierry Henry as his "mentor".

Lukaku rose through the youth ranks at Lotto Park before graduating to the senior squad in 2009, and went on to score 41 goals in 98 appearances for the club.

He impressed enough to attract the attention of Chelsea, who forked out £14 million ($18m) to bring him to Stamford Bridge in 2011.

The Belgium international spent three years with the Blues before going on to take in spells at Everton and Manchester United, where he managed to establish himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League.

Lukaku was, however, often criticised for a perceived lack of technical ability during his time at Old Trafford, and ended up being sold to Inter for £74 million ($96m) in the summer of 2019.

The former Chelsea striker quickly settled into life in Italy, scoring 34 goals in his first season at San Siro, helping Antonio Conte's men finish second in Serie A and reach the Europa League final.

He has hit the ground running once again at the start of the 2020-21 campaign but has now revealed a burning ambition to make his way back to the club where his professional career began.

“I always follow Anderlecht,” Lukaku told VTM. “I will definitely return. The attraction for a player that wat there as a youngster is too big.

“Ask guys like Leander Dendoncker, Youri Tielemans. They are still involved with the club too because we had so many good moments there.”

The Inter forward was speaking while away on international duty with Belgium, who are currently preparing for a UEFA Nation's League doubleheader against England and Iceland.

Lukaku says he is still in regular contact with Henry, who served as Roberto Martinez's assistant coach for the national team between 2016 and 2018, and that the Arsenal legend has played a key role in his development over the years.

“I often speak with Thierry Henry,” he said. “Very often. He’s actually my mentor. He gave me the impetus to be compared with other strikers in Europe.”

Lukaku added on how much he is enjoying his time in Italy and his relationship with Conte at Inter: “Italy suits my lifestyle. If I had known before, I would have moved here first."

“At Inter we play with two forwards. When I play on his [Conte] side, he makes himself heard, but me and the coach get along well.

“We are more or less similar. I too, like him, hate losing.”

Asked if his own goal in Inter's 3-2 defeat to Sevilla in last season's Europa League still haunts him, Lukaku responded: “It was too much for me. I have always had those moments when I simply have to say no. Super Cups, Scudetto lost by one point, semi-final of the World Cup with Belgium.

“It was all terrible for me. I thought, sod this. I had given so much for that target, then I didn’t get it. It took me four or five days to get over it.”