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Paris Saint-Germain are close to signing of Danilo Pereira from Porto, Goal understands.

The French giants have reached an agreement with the Primeira Liga champions over a loan deal with an option to buy the defensive midfielder on a permanent basis next summer.

The Porto captain will arrive in the French capital on Sunday to have a medical before completing the switch to the Champions League runners-up.

The 29-year-old joined Porto in 2015 from Maritimo and went on to make 202 appearances in all competitions and won two league titles as well as the Taca de Portugal.

Pereira will be the third new face to join Thomas Tuchel's squad in the current transfer window. Alessandro Florenzi made a temporary move to Parc des Princes from Roma, while 29-year-old goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier was signed on a free transfer, while Mauro Icardi and Sergio Rico both joined on a permanent basis having spent last term on loan. 

PSG are also in advanced talks to sign Moise Kean on loan from Everton, which will also include an option to purchase him outright at the end of the campaign.

Coach Tuchel has been open about his desire to see more reinforcements arrive at the club before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"If we keep the squad we have today, honestly, we can't ask for the same results, because that is the situation," he said ahead of his team's 6-1 win against Angers on Friday. "For example we look at Liverpool, they were not in Portugal at all and they have now signed Thiago [Alcantara] and another player from Wolves [Diogo Jota]."

He added: "If we stay like this maybe we can't ask for the same targets with a reduced squad because as I said we have to cope with Liverpool, Man City, Atletico and Inter who have done well in the window. The club knows which profile we need in terms of new recruits. Now we have to wait."

Tuchel's comments irritated sporting director Leonardo, who warned that the German could be punished by the club.

"We are looking for possibilities [in the transfer market]," he told reporters. 

"I did not like the statement of the coach Tuchel. I don't understand it and I did not like it. The club did not like it. We will see internally [about a punishment]. If someone is not happy, we can talk, there is no problem - but If he decides to stay, he must decide to respect the choices of the sports management."

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is set to join Bayern Munich on a two-year contract, Goal can confirm.

The 31-year-old Cameroon forward has been without a club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.

Choupo-Moting will provide cover for Bayern talisman Robert Lewandowski, with German outlet kicker suggesting the 19-year-old Joshua Zirkzee will be sent out on loan to gain more regular first-team action.

Formerly of Stoke, Choupo-Moting was an unexpected hero for PSG in their run to the 2019-20 Champions League final, coming off the bench to score a 93rd-minute winner over Atalanta at the quarter-final stage. He also made a substitute appearance in the final against Bayern, but was not able to repeat his heroics.

The 6’3” forward has plenty of Bundesliga experience under his belt. Having come through the youth system at hometown club Hamburg, he has also played for Mainz, Nurnberg and Schalke, scoring 45 Bundesliga goals in 204 games between his four German clubs to date.

Now, he is likely to play a similar wildcard role to that which he enjoyed in Paris.

He started 13 Ligue 1 games and appeared as a substitute in 18, scoring six goals, though his winning goal against Atalanta should mean he is remembered fondly by the club’s fans.

PSG boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed in September that the club had offered Choupo-Moting a new contract.

“It's one of the possibilities [a new contract for Choupo-Moting]. Everything depends on whether you want to stay and accept the club's proposal,” Tuchel said.

“My opinion on him has not changed, he accepts the same role to the one he occupied, he can be a good player for us. His role would be the same and if he accepts, it could well be that he remains [at the club]. If he has other possibilities, he must reflect.”

PSG were left short of strikers when Choupo-Moting and Edinson Cavani left, but the Ligue 1 champions are now close to signing Moise Kean on loan from Everton.

Cavani, meanwhile, is set to join Manchester United. Cavani’s PSG contract expired earlier in the summer, and the Uruguayan did not sign an extension to play in the Champions League.

Gary Neville has labelled Manchester United's recruitment strategy "embarrassing" and believes the board have made it impossible for coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to succeed at the club.

The Old Trafford side have made one new signing - Donny van de Beek from Ajax - in the current transfer window. They have been pursuing Jadon Sancho for a long time but have not been able to convince Borussia Dortmund to sell and the German club say there is no chance of a deal happening this year.

United are, however, trying to sign Ousmane Dembele on loan from Barcelona while Edinson Cavani is close to joining the Red Devils on a free transfer before the window closes on Monday.

But former United and England full-back Neville says the club has fallen far behind their rivals when it comes to bringing in new players, citing the long saga surrounding Sancho as an example of their ineptitude. 

“I just don’t think they’re smart enough and wise enough and agile enough in the market," he said to Off the Ball.

“I was reading that Liverpool have accepted a bid for Rhian Brewster for £24 million from Sheffield United. Liverpool aren’t just buying smart, they’re selling smart.

“I look at Chelsea and I think they buy smart, they seem to sell smart over the last 15 to 20 years.

“City spend a lot of money, but they seem to get deals done, whereas United just don’t seem to be able to get the deals done.

"Even with Harry Maguire last year, it dragged on right the way to the end, Sancho this year. They don’t seem to be able to get deals over the line, they don’t get things done efficiently or quietly.

“Liverpool announced [Diogo] Jota and Thiago [Alcantara] – I know Thiago had been linked for a bit – but it’s done at reasonably prices, £27m and £40m, no hundreds, so I just think they’re not smart enough.

“They’re being outwitted in the market by the other clubs and if you lose recruitment you don’t win the league, it’s as simple as that. You can have a great coach, but if you don’t get the right players you’re not going to win the league.

“The Sancho thing is embarrassing. It’s been going on now for fourth months. It’s embarrassing, that. And then to put a bid in that gets rejected... the smart clubs, they have deals sorted behind the scenes, the agents are working hard, club officials are agreed on things and when the bids goes in it gets accepted, it’s done.

“Who puts bids in nowadays that aren’t accepted? That doesn’t happen that often. Very rarely.

“Generally clubs have the deal sorted, the agents knows what the player’s getting, the player knows what the club are getting, the club knows what the other club are getting. I just don’t understand it at all, it’s not great. That’s why I’ve been critical."

United finished third in the Premier League last season, 15 points behind runners-up Manchester City and 33 adrift of champions Liverpool.

They are aiming to compete for the top-flight title under Solskjaer, but Neville says they are a long way from achieving that goal.

“Ole, for me, has a period of time to win the league. He’s been there one and a half seasons and this is his third season," he added.

“Will he be expected to win the league this season? No, but maybe next season in his fourth he’ll have to win the league.

“He can’t win the league, it’s impossible to win the league against the Liverpool team this year unless he gets three or four players that takes him towards it.

“So essentially your tying the manager’s hands behind his back if you’re not giving him the players he needs to win the league and yet you’re setting him the target of winning the league.”

Bukayo Saka celebrated his first England call-up with a goal as Arsenal beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Gunners failed to fire in a poor first half at Emirates Stadium, but two goals in the space of three minutes from Saka and substitute Nicolas Pepe secured their third top-flight win out of four in 2020-21.

Mikel Arteta's decision to leave out in-form striker Alexandre Lacazette was in danger of backfiring before Saka and Pepe rocked the Blades, who might feel aggrieved David Luiz was not sent off early on.

David McGoldrick gave Chris Wilder's side hope with their first Premier League goal of the season seven minutes from time, but Arsenal held on.

The Blades have lost all four Premier League matches and will need Rhian Brewster, who was not signed in time to play in north London, to hit the ground running after the international break.

David Luiz was fortunate to get away with a tug on Oliver Burke's shirt as he tried to race away following a mistake from the Arsenal defender early on.

The Gunners did not pose a threat until Aaron Ramsdale made amends for a poor clearance by tipping over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's long-range strike eight minutes before half-time.

Aubameyang was able to continue after going down following a sliding tackle from Sander Berge, who was shown a yellow card, and Ramsdale comfortably saved the Arsenal captain's acrobatic effort late in a lacklustre first half.

An unmarked Aubameyang was a whisker away from getting on the end of Dani Ceballos' clever first-time pass as Arteta's side tried to raise the tempo.

Arsenal finally produced the quality they had been lacking to take the lead just after the hour mark, Saka finishing off a slick passing move by nodding Hector Bellerin's cross from the right into the top corner at the back post.

Pepe added a second just six minutes after coming on, cutting in from the right after playing a one-two with Bellerin and clinically picking his spot in the far corner with his left foot.

McGoldrick curled home from 20 yards out to set up a tense finale and the striker flashed a shot wide in the closing stages with Ramsdale also sent up, but Arsenal were not to be denied all three points.

Moussa Djenepo scored his first league goal for Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium as he gave the Saints the lead in Sunday’s Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.

The Mali winger has played in every game for the Saints this season including the entirety of the heavy 5-2 loss against Tottenham Hotspur and the 2-0 EFL Cup second round defeat by Championship club Brentford.

This time he made sure home advantage did count with a brilliant goal four minutes before the half-time break.

Danny Ings tried to find Che Adams, but instead the ball fell to Djenepo who controlled it with his right foot and looked like he was going to shoot with the same foot.

Instead, he dummied the Albion goalie Sam Johnstone by switching to his left foot and drilled the ball home, leaving the former Manchester United shot-stopper for dead.

Djenepo’s goal was only his third in a Southampton shirt since he joined from Belgian club Standard Liege in the summer of 2019.

His previous two goals were on the road in a 2-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion and a 1-0 win at Sheffield United. He also provided two assists in 2-1 and 2-0 wins over Watford and Aston Villa respectively.

Djenepo made a total of 20 competitive appearances which totalled 1,062 minutes, last term, and received four yellow cards. He was also sent off once - in a 1-0 loss at Newcastle United.

Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen will not be taking part in Nigeria’s friendly games against Tunisia and Algeria during the international break, with the Nigeria Football Federation stating that he has been excused.

While the exact reason for his absence has not been publicised, Napoli learned this week that midfielders Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas had contracted coronavirus, with the squad's other players returning negative tests.

The club later announced that both playing and coaching staff had been placed under isolation, throwing Sunday's Serie A clash with Juventus into doubt.

“@victorosimhen9 has been excused from @NGSuperEagles’ games against Algeria and Tunisia. His replacement is Paul Onuachu,” read a post on the official Super Eagles Twitter handle

The seven-time capped player was in the initial squad alongside Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Kalu and Chidera Ejuke as the attacking options.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in a big-money deal thought to be worth up to €80 million and has since been the focus of attention at the San Paolo. He made his debut in the Serie A season opener against Parma, winning plaudits for his impact with the short time he spent on the pitch.

He then went on to start the next match at home to Genoa, playing the entire 90 minutes and providing an assist for Piotr Zielinski’s goal with the game ending 6-0. The match made bigger headlines than the scoreline after 14 Genoa players tested positive for Covid-19.

Genoa’s match with Torino has subsequently been cancelled.

Osimhen’s replacement, Onuachu, has been having a good scoring run in the Belgian Jupiler League with Genk. His goal in Saturday’s draw at Waasland-Beveren was his seventh of the season in his seventh game which sees him lead the top scorer's charts.

The 26-year-old has won seven caps for Nigeria and has scored one goal, which came in a 1-0 friendly victory over Egypt on March 26, 2019.

Bernard Molekwa has resigned from his position as Polokwane City assistant coach, citing the need to “grow and look for new challenges elsewhere” following a lengthy spell at the club.

Molekwa has left Rise and Shine after the team were relegated to the GladAfrica Championship from the Premier Soccer League at the end of last season.

He follows his ex-boss Clinton Larsen who resigned as head coach after the team lost their top flight league status.

“I had a meeting with chairman [Johnny Mogaladi] and we decided it’s best we part ways,” said Molekwa as per Sun Sport. “I can confirm to you that I am no longer with Polokwane City.

"It hurts, but life must go on. As a person you need to grow in your career and look for new challenges elsewhere. If you stay at one place for a long time, it makes you feel you are in a comfort zone and forget about your future.”

Molekwa has been with Polokwane City since their days in the second-tier before they were promoted to the PSL in 2013.

During his lengthy spell at the club, he worked in various capacities including being assistant coach for the better part of his stint.

He was also caretaker coach in between the sacking of his bosses and performed the team manager role as well.

During his time at City, Molekwa worked with the likes of Kosta Papic, Boebie Solomons, Zlatko Krmpotic, Luc Eymael, Jozef Vukuzic and lately Larsen.

“I have worked with many coaches at City and I have gained a lot of experience from them. I think it is time I go solo and try new challenges,” Molekwa said. “I hold no grudge against Polokwane City.

"I am sad to leave this team after they were relegated. It would have been good if I left them when they were still in the top flight. I wish them all the best.”

The 43-year-old’s next destination is yet to be known, and it remains to be seen whether he will return to work with a PSL club or a GladAfrica Championship side.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is fully aware of what he got himself into by accepting the Al Ahly coaching job, and is ready for the huge responsibilities at the eight-time African champions.

Mosimane was appointed Al Ahly coach last week and immediately began work on Friday ahead of his first Egyptian Premier League match against Al Mokawloon on Sunday.

He arrived in Cairo to take over from Swiss tactician Rene Weiler who had already won the current league campaign and remained in contention for a first Caf Champions League title since 2013.

“I’m humbled to be here. I was listening to [Head of Football Planning Mohsen] Saleh about my CV and why they chose me to be the coach of Ahly amongst all the big names from all the parts of the world,” Mosimane told the media.

“That is why I’m not taking for granted where I am – I know where I am, and I know the responsibilities of my work here.

"I know the pressures and the stresses, because it’s not the first time I’m in Egypt – I’ve seen the pressures of playing Caf Champions League against Zamalek and Al Ahly."

With the Cairene giants 15 points on top of the Egyptian Premier League table, pressure on Mosimane is to maintain or widen that gap, but the biggest task is winning the Caf Champions League as Al Ahly prepare to take on Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals later this month.

“I know the pressures of seeing captain Sayed [Abdel Hafeez] on the other side," Mosimane continued. "I remember him as from the national team of Egypt and interacting with him when I was coach of Bafana Bafana.

"I know the expectations, but I am a football coach and I am paid to deal with the pressure," he continued. "Pressure is everywhere at big clubs.”

While at Sundowns, Mosimane faced Al Ahly four times, and the memorable result of those meetings was Downs’ 5-0 win in the first leg of last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Ahly are the most successful side in the history of the Champions League, but are without success in the competition since defeated Orlando Pirates in the 2013 final.

Mamelodi Sundowns have officially appointed Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as co-coaches.

The duo has been promoted following the recent departure of Pitso Mosimane, who has taken over the reins at Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly this week.

Mokwena and Mngqithi served as Mosimane's assistants as Masandawana clinched the Premier Soccer League title and Nedbank Cup in the 2019/20 season.

The Tshwane giants released the following statement on Sunday afternoon:

"Mamelodi Sundowns today announced the appointment of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as Head Coaches with the opinion of Manqoba Mngqithi prevailing when there isn't consensus," a club statement read.

Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe explained why the club appointed the two local tacticians.

“Manqoba and Rhulani have been with Mamelodi Sundowns for many years and were part of the Technical Team that were crowned Champions of Africa in 2016 and have also won the Premier Soccer League and other titles in South Africa," Motsepe said.

"The board of Mamelodi Sundowns was particularly keen to appoint South African coaches and express its commitment and confidence in the talent and ability of our local coaches," he added. "Manqoba, Rhulani and the Technical Team at Sundowns will focus on defending the PSL and the other titles that we won during our historic 50-year anniversary.

"They will also advance and continue with the objective that we stated in 2004, which is to make Mamelodi Sundowns one of the best clubs on the African continent.”

Mngqithi is an experienced coach having taken charge of Lamontville Golden Arrows, AmaZulu FC and Chippa United, before joining Sundowns as Mosimane's assistant in 2013.

The 49-year-old led Arrows to their first and only major trophy which is the MTN8 in 2009 as Abafana Bes'thende defeated Ajax Cape Town in the final, while Mokwena returned to Sundowns to serve under Mosimane in July 2020 for the second time following his spells with Orlando Pirates and Chippa United, where he served as the head coach.

This is not the first time Masandawana have appointed co-coaches, with Miguel Gamondi and Neil Tovey having served in this capacity in the 2005/06 season.

They oversaw Sundowns' triumph in the PSL as the team clinched the league title in the same campaign.

Zlatko Krmpotic was shown the door at Young Africans Sports Club after just 37 days in charge, and Goal can now reveal why the relationship was so brief. 

The Serbian had led the 27-time Tanzania Mainland League champions to a 3-0 win over Coastal Union this weekend, and as a result, moved atop the table.

However, moments later, the club officially released a statement confirming the exit of the 62-year-old coach.

"Krmpotic engaged players to low-quality training sessions with the players and some key players were not satisfied with what he was doing," a source close to the club told Goal on Sunday. "There was a time [Yanga official Senzo] Mbatha made an impromptu visit to the training ground, and he was not satisfied with what he saw. 

"He managed to convince the main sponsor Hersi Said of GSM to accompany him the next time he went, and the duo agreed something had to be done, and that is how the fate of the coach was sealed," the source continued. 

"He was to be released on Friday but that could have destabilized the team ahead of the crucial Coastal Union tie, so they had to wait until the game was played."

Some players had to go the extra mile and make arrangements to ensure they were fit for the team's assignments and it did not go down well with them.

"We had some players who had to hide and go train by themselves even at night just to be fit," the source continued. "Some players also had to book extra minutes for gym sessions to be fit.

"In short, the coach had lost the dressing room just because of his way of training."

The Serbian has vast experience in coaching in Africa, having handled APR of Rwanda, Zesco United, Congolese giants Tout Puissant Mazembe, and Polokwane City in South Africa.  

It was in DR Congo when he was named the best coach of the championship in the 2016-2017 season and was also named the best coach of the Zambian Super League in 2017-2018, and the best coach of the Botswana Premier League in 2018.

During his playing career, between 1977 and 1986, Krmpotic spent nine seasons with Red Star Belgrade, making over 200 appearances in all competitions and winning five major trophies.

He then moved abroad to Turkey and spent two seasons with Genclerbirligi (1986–1988). Before retiring from the game, Krmpotic played for AIK Backa Topola in his homeland.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has ruled out a move for Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso but says Radja Nainggolan is likely to leave ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

The Italian club have already spent big this window and had registered an interest in signing Alonso on loan with an option to buy.

Alonso, who is out of favour at Chelsea after falling out with boss Frank Lampard last week, is seeking to leave Stamford Bridge, and the Spain international was targeted by Antonio Conte's Inter, having also been of interest in January.

Conte had been interested in bringing in fellow left-back Emerson Palmieri from Chelsea on a similar deal, with Inter only needing to sign one this summer having agreed a deal to bring in Matteo Darmian from Parma.

However, Marotta has confirmed that Alonso will not be heading to San Siro before the transfer window closes, telling DAZN:  "I can say that [Alonso] is not on our agenda and so he will not arrive."

Inter have also been busy in terms of outgoing activity since the end of last season by moving on a number of fringe players, with Nainggolan expected to be next out of the door.

Former Belgium international Nainggolan spent last season on loan with Cagliari and they are in talks with Inter over a deal worth a reported €12 million (£11m/$14m).

Marotta added: "We cannot keep a player [Nainggolan] who wants to leave. This will be evaluated with all members of the club."

Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco has confirmed that Nainggolan is keen to return to the club, but is also hoping for further new signings before Monday's deadline.

“Nainggolan is an Inter player, even if he wants to return here and we want him back,” said Di Francesco after a 5-2 away defeat at Atalanta.

“I think we need more new signings to boost the team in other departments."

Inter, meanwhile, took maximum points from their first two matches and Marotta feels they are a better side than they were 12 months ago.

"In this market we have strengthened," he said shortly before Inter's clash with Lazio on Sunday. "We have spent a year that has led to this and we feel stronger."

The Uganda Cranes squad of 26 players has left the country for Dubai ahead of their ten-day training camp, following the completion of coronavirus tests.

The Cranes, under coach Johnathan McKinstry, left Entebbe Airport in Kampala at 5 pm on Sunday aboard Emirates Air with 14 officials on board.

McKinstry has confirmed that several foreign-based players will not make the trip to Dubai because of Covid-19 restrictions in their various countries.

“A number of players were unfortunately ruled out from consideration for the training camp due to Covid-19 travel restrictions applicable to them, or through injury,” McKinstry told the Fufa official website. “However, the camp presents a great opportunity for a large quota of the foreign-based players alongside the best players in the Uganda Premier League to prepare for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and Chan engagements.”

Fufa have also confirmed that Covid-19 results for the local legion of players and officials returned with negative results for all, making them available to travel with their health certificates.

“The camp has been organized in line with preparations for the 2021 Afcon qualifiers and the 2020 Chan finals to be held in Cameroon next year. Fufa Executive Committee member Ronnie Kalema is the head of the delegation,” added the statement on the Fufa website.

In a recent interview, McKinstry explained why they chose a training camp in Dubai over friendlies during the Fifa international break.

“We believe that taking the team to Dubai for nine days helps us to achieve a lot of things. We get quality time with the players in class and on grounds which you wouldn’t get before,” McKinstry told the Fufa website.

“Logistically, most of our players are playing across 17 different countries and with restrictions of travel, it would be easy for them to get to Dubai where most of the restrictions have been lifted.

“It is not straightforward, as well, but it gives 80 percent of our players a chance and will be available. It’s been a long time since we last played in November last year and obviously, the camp is timely.

“When you look back at the last time we played in November last year against Burkina Faso and Malawi, we only had three training sessions coupled with travelling and playing two games in a space of four days.”

The Cranes will use the training camp to prepare for their upcoming Afcon double-header against South Sudan on November 9 while the second leg will be played eight days later.

Full Delegation: Players;

Goalkeepers: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Salim Jamal Magoola (Al Hilal Omdurman, Sudan), Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume, Uganda), Charles Lukwago (KCCA, Uganda).

Defenders: Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Alex Kakuba (Desportivo Cova De Piedade, Portugal), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, United, England), Nicholas Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell, Scotland), Samuel Kato (KCCA, Uganda), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers, Uganda), Patrick Mbowa (URA, Uganda).

Midfielders: Shafiq Kagimu (URA, Uganda), Karim Watambala (Vipers, Uganda), Saidi Kyeyune (URA, Uganda), Allan Kateregga (Erbil, Iraq), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers, Uganda), Jayden Onen (Reading, England), David Owori (SC Villa, Uganda), Bright Anukani (KCCA, Uganda).

Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha), Milton Karisa (Vipers, Uganda), Alexis Bbakka (Umea, Sweden), Edrisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia).

Officials: Leader of Delegation: Ronnie Kalema (FUFA Executive Committee member), Johnathan McKinstry (Head coach), Abdallah Mubiru (Assistant Coach), Livingston Mbaabzi (Assistant Coach), Ibrahim Mugisha (Goalkeeping Coach), Alexander McCarthy (Fitness Trainer), Felix Ayobo (Sport Scientist), Emmanuel Nakabago (Doctor), Regan Innocent Baluku (Doctor), Samuel Mulondo (Kitman), Ayub Balyejusa (Kit man), Geoffrey Massa (Team manager), Paul Mukatabala (Team officer), Ronald Lusulire (Media Officer).

Krepin Diatta found the back of the net as Club Brugge claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Anderlecht in Sunday’s highly-anticipated Belgian Jupiler League match, with Percy Tau playing from start to finish against his former club.

The Purple and Whites had an unbeaten start to the season prior to this game, winning three games and drawing four, including their last game against Eupen which ended 1-1.

Tau has been ever-present for Vincent Kompany’s side since he joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, scoring two goals which came in a 3-1 win over St. Truiden and a 2-2 draw at Oostende.

Brugge meanwhile started the season poorly, losing two of their first three games. They have been in cruise control after that setback with straight victories against Waasland-Beveren, Zulte Waregem and city rivals Cercle Brugge.

Diatta was the man to put them in front at the Jan Breydel Stadium thanks to his 23rd-minute strike, the assist coming from Hans Vanaken. The Senegal international took his tally for the season to four having scored a brace against Eupen and the other against Cercle.

Philippe Clement’s men carried that lead going into the break and made it 2-0 just two minutes after the restart with Vanaken scoring from the penalty spot.

Anderlecht were then reduced to 10 men after Franco-Congolese midfielder Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga was given a second yellow card for his lunge on Charles de Ketelaere in the 72nd minute.

Club Brugge still had time for one more goal and got it in the fourth minute of added time courtesy of Dutch midfielder Ruud Vormer.

Nigerian duo Emmanuel Dennis and David Okereke started on the bench for Brugge and come on in the 75th and 86th minute respectively for Senegalese teenager Youssouph Badji and Vanaken.

Club Brugge move within a point of Jupiler League leaders Charleroi who play Standard Liege later on Sunday while Anderlecht have dropped to seventh, and are six points away from the top.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) communications director Henry Asante Twum has revealed the outfit has not received a withdrawal request from any of the players called up for the Black Stars' October friendlies against Mali and Qatar.

CK Akonnor's side is set to take on their African counterparts on October 9, three days before facing 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in a second friendly in the Turkish city of Antalya.

The Black Stars boss has invited 23 players for the double-header but there have been reports Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Mohammed Kudus, Crystal Palace ace Jeffrey Schlupp and France-born Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku will not be able to answer the call due to injury setbacks.

“When a player gets injured, it is for the doctors to confirm. We have a very experienced doctor who is in charge of the Black Stars. So from last week when the list was made known to the public, he has gotten in touch with the clubs,” Asante Twum told Silver FM.

“What I know is that when any of these players are not in a position to play, the clubs will officially communicate that to the FA.

“As it stands, I am only hearing it on the radio, I may have read some in the newspapers and online, but at the end of the day we can only speak to facts.

“So if the clubs write to the GFA that any player is injured and is ruled out for one month or two months, then we can dwell on that to take a decision. So let us wait for just a few days. We have one more week to the game. If we get any official information from the clubs, we will make it public."

Schlupp, who has been recalled to the Black Stars for the first time since March 2019, has missed his club's last two games, including Saturday's league defeat to Chelsea, owing to injury situations.

Kudus has been confirmed out of Ajax's Eredivisie clash with Groningen, having picked up an injury in training during the week while there have been reports Djiku picked up an injury during his club's last league game against AS Monaco, casting doubts over his availability.

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has warned his players not to underrate JKT Tanzania when the two sides clash in a Mainland Premier League match on Sunday.

The league champions are heading into the match knowing their rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) won their match on Saturday after beating Coastal Union 3-0 to move top of the table.

The Belgian tactician has now warned his players against underrating their opponents maintaining they must be ready to harvest maximum points from “a difficult pitch in Dodoma.”

“It is going to be a difficult game considering that we have not played at the venue for a very long time,” Vandenbroeck told reporters ahead of the match on Sunday.

“The pitch at Jamhuri Stadium is very difficult and not friendly to my players and the style of football I would like them to exhibit but we have no choice and my players know that they must work hard to get the points.

“We have been training for the three points and that is what we want to achieve at the end of the match, it is our target to win every match this season and I know we can beat them, they are tough while playing at home, and I have warned my players not to underrate them because they can hurt you.”

Simba are heading with no injury concerns apart from Gerson Fraga, who has missed the better part of the new campaign after he picked an injury and was ruled out for three weeks.

Vandenbroeck will face a headache to select his starting eleven, especially the striking force where captain John Bocco has returned from injury and could start ahead of Meddie Kagere, who has scored two goals so far this season.

Simba have so far played four matches, winning three and drawing one – a 1-1 draw against Mtibwa Sugar – and have accumulated 10 points but will come up against a wounded side, who lost their last match 1-0 against Coastal Union.

JKT Tanzania are lying in position 14th with four points while Simba are placed third.

In other league matches set for Sunday, Biashara United will come up against Mtibwa Sugar while Azam FC, who are yet to lose a match nor drop points from four matches, will come up against Kagera Sugar at Chamazi complex.

Ghana coach Nuhu Baba believes his team are favourites to beat Nigeria to secure a qualification ticket for the 2021 Fifa Women's U17 World Cup.

The archrivals are set for a final round showdown over two legs on October 30 and November 20.

Ghana come into the games on the back of a 10-0 aggregate triumph over Liberia in the last round, the same phase Nigeria accounted for Guinea on an 11-2 score after the home and away matches.

"If you look at our record of winning 10-0 against Liberia and that of Nigeria winning 10-1, I think that we are ahead of them, I should say so," Baba said, as reported by the Ghana Football Association's official website.

"There has never been anything like getting scared of Nigeria.

"We are Ghana, they are Nigeria and we are two strong teams in Africa, so we are going on with our preparations and when the match day comes, people will see what we are made of."

Ghana will host the first leg fixture In Cape Coast before travelling for the return encounter.

The games were originally scheduled for May but had to be postponed to new dates because of the coronavirus pandemic disruptions.

"It is very important that at least we have an idea of our opponent but for now, we don’t have any information on them so we are going ahead with our preparations," Baba continued.

"We are playing home first so it’s our game strategy. They should be looking out for us on how they will be able to counter us.

"Even though it's good for us to have information about them, we don’t have it. I believe we are preparing for them and everything is going to be okay."

The Black Maidens are the only African side to have qualified for all editions of the U17 Women's World Cup held so far, a reputation Baba and his charges are poised to protect.

"When people talk about my girls being scared, I laugh because this is not Black Stars vs Green Eagles," the coach added.

"Remember these are women's sides, under-17 sides.

"Ghana has always been a tough customer for this age category and I believe that they [Nigeria] will be more scared of us than we will do [about them] because we have always qualified for the tournament and excelled."

The 2021 U17 Women's World Cup is scheduled to be held in India.