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Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has found himself on the bench for a Bundesliga match for the first time in more than two years.

The prolific hitman was left out by head coach Hansi Flick for the trip to face Hoffenheim, with young Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee preferred in his place to lead an attacking line that also consisted of Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry.

Flick may have regretted his decision, as Hoffenheim would go on to stun Bayern with a 4-1 victory. Lewandowski came on for Zirkzee in the 57th minute but was unable to get on the scoresheet as the champions lost their first game of the season.

A clash against Augsburg at home on September 25, 2018 was the last time Lewandowski did not feature in the starting XI when fit from the outset for a league match.

Lewandowski has been enjoying the greatest form of his life and played a major role in Bayern’s success on both the domestic and European front last season, scoring 55 goals in 47 outings as the Allianz Arena side swept all before them.

The 32-year-old Poland international had also made a strong start to the current campaign, notching a goal and two assists in the Bundesliga clash against Schalke, which they won 8-0, while also grabbing an assist in Thursday’s European Super Cup triumph over Sevilla.

That clash against the Spanish side stretched all the way to extra-time, and with the striker having played every minute of those two hours in Budapest, he was omitted from the starting XI to face the Hoff.

“We didn't really celebrate, we were all too exhausted from the 120 minutes,” he told Bild in the aftermath of their midweek win.

“On Saturday we're flying back to Hoffenheim, we don't have a day off. Actually, five days of ice baths would be nice now.”

It opened a rare window of opportunity for 19-year-old Zirkzee to start, with the teenager posting just the fourth Bundesliga start of his career. When he featured previously from the outset, he scored two goals and created another.

Lewandowski, meanwhile, is widely considered to have been a leading candidate to win the 2020 Ballon d’Or had it not been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nevertheless, the former Borussia Dortmund scorer has been shortlisted for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year along with Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and FCB club-mate Manuel Neuer.

It is the first time in 10 years that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo have not been on the list.

Black Leopards have appointed former Simba SC manager Patrick Aussems as their new coach ahead of the 2020-21 PSL season.

The Belgian coach has agreed to a three-year deal with Lidoda Duvha and will arrive in the country next week. 

Aussems is excited about working in South Africa; the country he's always wanted to work in and he hopes to turn Leopards into a mid-table club in his first season after watching them battle at the bottom of the log since their promotion to the elite league. 

"I've always wanted to work in South Africa and I'm excited about starting my work," Aussems told City Press. 

"The PSL is the best league in Africa in terms of organisation, media coverage and infrastructure. 

"Obviously, for the past few seasons, the team has been fighting relegation. So, my aim will be to help them at least get to the middle of the table and go up from there," he said. 

Aussems expects the next few days to be tough due to Covid-19 coupled with the implementation of lockdown in Marseille. 

"It's a very difficult situation with the virus here. The city of Marseille, where I live, is back in lockdown again." 

"To travel, I will need to go through a long authorisation and testing process," added Aussems. 

Club chairman David Thidiela said management is under pressure to please Leopards fans and their obligation is to strive to appoint the best man for the job. 

"I'm under pressure from our supporters who, by the way, don't get free tickets to attend our games. They spend their own money to come and watch the team play and they fork out their hard-earned cash to buy Leopards merchandise. So, we try to do the best for the club by appointing coaches we believe can take it forward," Thidiela told the same publication. 

Thidiela said the decision to hire Aussems was because the club felt it was too early to throw both Morgan Shivhambu and Mongezi Bobe into the lion's den despite their 100 per cent record in the relegation/promotion play-offs. 

"We've said before that we don't just want to throw Morgan and Mongezi into the deep end. As up-and-coming coaches, they need to learn the ropes from someone experienced," confirmed the Leopards boss. 

The veteran administrator further revealed Aussems will be assisted by Shavhambu while the future of Bobe is still being finalised. 

"So, Morgan will remain as assistant coach while we're still finalising details regarding Mongezi who's done well in his first season as our MDC head coach," he added. 

FC Porto recorded a 5-0 away win over Boavista in Saturday’s Premier League game with Moussa Marega finding the net twice.

Having failed to score in the opening game of the Primeira Liga triumph over Sporting Braga, the Malian was at his best to inspire the Dragons to victory.

Four minutes into the encounter at Estadio do Bessa, Marega built play before setting up Serio Oliveira in the area, however, the midfielder was unsuccessful with his intent.

The visitors continued to dominate ball possession and also got the lead, but Matheus Uribe hit the woodwork after receiving a pass from Oliveira.

For Boavista, they seldom threatened as the first-half of the 141st local derby ended on a scoreless note.

Two minutes into the second half, Porto took the lead courtesy of Jesus Corona. Captain Danilo Pereira recovered the ball, passed to Otavio who in turn passed to Corona to beat goalkeeper Leo Jardim.

12 minutes later, Oliveira doubled the lead as his direct free-kick outside the area was deflected past Jardim.

It was Marega’s turn to find the net in the 67th minute with Oliveira providing the assist, while he completed his brace four minutes later. Oliveira took a free-kick deep in the offensive midfield, before Otavio sent a pass to the Mali international.

Three minutes before full time, the striker fluffed a chance to score his hat-trick despite having only the goalkeeper to beat.

Substitute Luis Diaz completed the rout in the third minute of additional time as Boavista ended the game with heads bowed low.

While Marega saw every minute of action alongside DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba, newly invited Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi was introduced by manager Sergio Conceiçao for Alex Telles with 12 minutes left to play.

Senegal's duo of Mamadou Loum and Mouhamed Mbaye played no part in the game as well as Cape Verde international Ze Luis.

As expected, Chidozie Awaziem was not listed for action against his parent club, while Angola's Show replaced Gustavo Sauer in the 71st minute. Gambia’s Yusupha Njie was not considered for selection by manager Vasco Seabra.

Porto remain at the summit of the Portuguese elite division log with six points from two games. They host Maritimo in their next league outing on October 3.

Swallows FC captain Lebohang Mokoena has a point to prove in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The experienced winger led the Dube Birds to the 2019/20 National First Division (NFD) title and the team secured automatic promotion to the top-flight.

Prior to that, Mokoena saw his career decline in the past few years and he spent the last two seasons in the NFD.

The 33-year-old, who was one of the best attackers in the PSL during his days with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, revealed he considered retiring from professional football. 

“I’m looking forward to playing in the PSL again, having spent a lot of time in the second division,” Mokoena told Daily Sun. 

“This is an opportunity to remind people who I am and what I’m capable to do. Obviously, I’m no longer the Lebo they remember. I’m a more experienced player now and I offer much more to the team."

Mokoena joined NFD side Maccabi FC after leaving Ajax Cape Town at the end of the 2017/18 season after the Mother City side was relegated from the PSL.

Maccabi's NFD status was purchased by then-ABC Motsepe League outfit Swallows ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and the club was renamed Swallows FC.

The man nicknamed Cheeseboy was then appointed team captain and he is grateful to his wife and Swallows coach Brandon Trutter. 

"I’m glad I have the people around me that I have who convinced me to keep playing and that I still had a lot to offer the game," he added.

“My wife is a God-fearing woman and our faith is the reason why I’m here. The coach also sat me down and gave me a lot of confidence.”

Mokoena missed just one of Swallows' 30 league matches and he hit the back of the net four times in the process.

The former South Africa international also disclosed he is already working on his coaching qualifications as he is keen to keep contributing to the game beyond his playing days.

“I’m attending a few coaching clinics and I have some projects working with young players. I really want to stay in football,” he concluded. 

Callum Wilson scored a last-gasp penalty to rescue an underserved 1-1 draw for Newcastle United at Tottenham in the Premier League.

The Magpies had not managed a shot on target and trailed to Lucas Moura's first-half goal when Eric Dier was harshly adjudged to have handled Andy Carroll's header in the box deep into stoppage time.

Dier's back was turned but his arm was away from his body, with referee Peter Bankes awarding the spot-kick after checking the monitor.

Wilson fired home from 12 yards, with Jose Mourinho storming off down the tunnel before the whistle and a member of his staff sent off after it for his protests.

It follows a recent spate of controversial handball decisions, with this one sure to be a hot talking point as the hosts had to share the spoils despite having 23 attempts at goal in a dominant display, during which Son Heung-min twice struck the woodwork.

Only an excellent display from goalkeeper Karl Darlow, with a little help from the frame of his goal, limited the first-half damage for Newcastle against a Spurs side who were in Europa League qualifying action in North Macedonia on Thursday.

Son, the four-goal hero in last weekend's 5-2 demolition of Southampton, hit the post and crossbar, but Moura could not miss from six yards when Harry Kane provided his latest assist in the 25th minute.

Darlow, who had already repelled Giovani Lo Celso's free-kick before reacting to keep out Kane's follow-up, denied the England striker again, clawing away his header after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's searching cross had created the chance.

Steve Bruce's side enjoyed a little more possession after the interval but rarely looked like drawing level before the penalty controversy at the death.

Wilson, who had not scored in 509 minutes against Spurs before this game, kept his calm amid the storm to ensure Newcastle have scored three goals from three shots on target in the top flight this term.

It was too much for Mourinho, who made for the dressing room with a minute or so still to play, lamenting his side's profligacy as well as the apparent injustice of Bankes' decision.

What does it mean? Handball the hot topic

Roy Hodgson was bemoaning the new interpretation of what constitutes handball after Crystal Palace fell foul of a similarly harsh call in Saturday's loss to Everton.

The veteran manager said it was killing his enjoyment of the game, and Mourinho will be able to identify with that.

Kane: How may I assist you?

Kane is first and foremost a goalscorer, which makes his recent selfless exploits in providing for others even more impressive.

Before this season he had five assists in his past 55 league outings, and now he has laid on as many goals in the top flight already this term.

Wilson keeps his cool

Wilson had been on the periphery of things all day, so it took guts to step up and convert his spot-kick so coolly.

He had just 15 touches and the penalty was his only shot, which you might consider a clinical display as it earned his side a smash-and-grab away point.

What's next?

Tottenham's congested schedule continues with the visit of Chelsea on Tuesday, having been given a bye to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Newcastle head to Newport County in the same competition a day later.

Victor Osimhen has been handed his first Napoli start in Sunday’s Serie A encounter against Genoa.

The Nigeria international, alongside Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly and Algeria's Faouzi Ghoulam, were among the 23 players listed by manager Gennaro Gattuso for Sunday’s game against the Griffin.

Now, he will lead the Blues’ attack alongside Hirving Lozano and Dries Mertens in a 4-3-3 formation.

The ex-Lille player made his first competitive appearance in the 2-0 win at Parma as the Blues commenced their 2020-21 campaign on a winning note.

After a goalless affair at Stadio Ennio Tardini, Gattuso brought in the forward for Diego Demme two minutes past the hour mark.

It did not take too long for the Nigerian’s presence to be felt as he took a slight touch off Lozano’s cross which fell into the path of the club’s all-time top scorer Mertens, for the opening goal in the 64th minute.

The game was pushed back by three hours after Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin tested positive for coronavirus.

Osimhen joined Napoli on a five-year deal in July after an impressive debut season in Ligue 1 with Lille, where he scored 13 goals in 27 appearances.

Ferland Mendy says he was afraid about making the move to Real Madrid, but feels he has settled in well at the Spanish giants.

The left-back made the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu from Lyon in June 2019 in a deal worth an initial €48 million (£43m/$54m).

The 25-year-old started 19 of the 25 La Liga games he featured in last season and has been trusted to start both of their matches in the top flight this term while Marcelo is out injured.

Mendy says it is not easy to adapt to life at the capital club and admits he had his doubts over agreeing to join Zinedine Zidane's side. 

"I was very apprehensive about my signing," he told Telefoot. "It's complicated to arrive at Real, but I have adapted, and I find that It went well.

"There is a lot of pressure around the place. It's complicated to move to a club like that."

The France international was flattered to hear that coach Zidane wanted to bring him to Madrid, while he dismissed suggestions that competition with Marcelo has soured the relationship between the two full-backs.

"It's Zizou. It's flattering to be wanted by him. He has class," he added.

“I don't think I have taken Marcelo’s position. We have a good relationship. He gave me advice, especially on the centre-backs. I was able to progress thanks to his advice."

Madrid lifted the Spanish league title last season but crashed out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Manchester City.

Mendy says the goal this term is to add another La Liga title to their trophy cabinet and hopes to go all the way in the European competition before he turns his attention to the Euro Championship with France.

"To regain La Liga, to go far in the Champions League, because it's sticking in our craw. I want to win everything in Blues and with Real."

Madrid have collected four points from their opening two La Liga games of the season and return to action on Wednesday when they face Real Valladolid at home.

Yetunde Aluko bagged her first brace of the season for Voshod as they came back from a goal down to defeat Karpaty 5-1 in a Ukrainian Vyshcha Liha encounter on Saturday.

The Sunrise went into the international break on a low following a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of leaders Zhytlobud-1, but were determined to bounce back from the disappointing first defeat this term.

Former Sunshine Queens striker Aluko had opened her season goal account in a 2-0 win over Mariupolchanka and was eager to lead her side back to winning ways against Karpaty this week.

Pungin Victor Alexandrovich's side made a false start as Korniichuk Victoria fired the hosts ahead from a tight angle after outrunning her marker from the left in the 34th minute. 

However, Aluko inspired the comeback as she intercepted the ball inside the hosts' area and scored a minute later for Voshod before Nebnubka Tetrha gave them the lead on the brink of half-time.

After the break, Alexandrovich's team continued from where they left off as Nesina Maria blasted home a third from a free-kick in the 66th minute.

Eleven minutes later, Aluko bagged her brace of the match with a brilliant header before Mosquito Roxolana struck on the brink of full-time to wrap up the victory for Voshod.

Aluko, who lasted the duration, along with Cameroon's Ngandi Josephine, has now scored three goals in three matches for Alexandrovich's side. Cote d'Ivoire's Gogogui Ines was absent.

The win takes Voshod to third on the Ukrainian log with six points from three matches and they will, in their next outing, confront leaders Zhytlobud-2 in a Women's Cup showdown on Tuesday.
 

The Ugandan Premier League (UPL) has established a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Sacco) in a bid to support players against future financial problems.

The formation of the Sacco was confirmed during the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) and the Super League Limited Annual General Meeting that was convened on Saturday in Mukono.

“It was a good turn up, many club chairpersons attended and those who failed, sent their respective representatives,” UPL chairman Arinaitwe Rugyendo said as quoted by Sports Nation.

“We exchanged good ideas and a lot has been suggested. We have formed a new Sacco, and I encourage players to come and join. We feel it is very important especially for the active players.

“They can borrow money and go start businesses. Many players always end up poor after misusing the money they receive from clubs.

“With this Sacco, they [players] can use the money later on in the long run and can start other businesses thereafter.”

Fufa third vice president Nakiwala Kiyingi – who represents clubs on the UPL Board – welcomed the idea which he feels will go a long way in empowering everyone, especially the current active players.

“As we talk today, financing is becoming key in football management. Presently, it is not easy to access any easier money without interests and security,” Kiyingi said.

Kiyingi, who has served as Express FC chairperson and Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, stated he would subscribe as one of the members of the initiative.

The initiative comes after many reports of former Uganda internationals struggling financially deep into their retirements after serving the nation and various clubs emerged.

Some players in the top-tier clubs have also faced delayed or none payments as teams have struggled to meet their financial obligations.

Recently, Fufa Disputes Resolution Chamber ordered Sports Club Villa to pay Emmanuel Kalyowa USh11.7 million.

The fines the club were ordered to settle accrued from the 10 months Kalyowa went without the monthly payment at the local giants in the absconded 2019/20 season.

When the league was cancelled, some clubs had to make calls to Fufa seeking financial help to deal with the adverse financial effects as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UPL board is expected to come up with a clear roadmap in the next few months of how the Sacco will work.

Alisson has lifted the lid on the techniques he uses to control the Liverpool defence.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the game, having risen to prominence since signing from Roma in 2018.

He played a key role as the Reds won their maiden title of the Premier League era last season, conceding only 23 times overall and keeping 15 clean sheets from 29 outings for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

He retains the faith of the manager this term, but does not have a traditional manner when it comes to communicating with his defence, as he showed as the Anfield club conceded three times in a 4-3 victory over Leeds on the opening day of the season.

“I don't like to shout at anybody and I don't like it that anybody should shout at me,” he told the Daily Mail. “When you make a mistake, you know that you make a mistake. We are professionals and we work every day on that. I have made many mistakes already in my life. Sometimes they led to a goal, sometimes they didn't.

'I know what I need to improve and what I need to do differently. So I don't need to tell Virgil van Dijk or Joe Gomez or Andy Robertson what they need to do differently.

"We speak to each other about what makes us all more comfortable with our movements but I don't believe that when you concede or make a mistake that you should be pointing the finger at someone. I believe in a different way. You speak in a better way and find a solution.”

He said that the shaky start was not alarming but instead simply cause for reflection.

“We don't need to say that that game against Leeds was a wake-up call,” he added. “On match day, if things don't happen how we want them to happen, we have to analyse that.

"We are always looking for what we can improve and that game brought us a lot of those things and we brought that to the next game against Chelsea and we were successful and we kept a clean sheet.”

Klopp’s men have made a perfect start to their title defence, taking six points from six, while their next test comes against Arsenal at Anfield on Monday.

Rising Brighton and Hove Albion star Tariq Lamptey has stated that he is undecided on where his international future lies.

The marauding right-back has been making headlines since he moved to the Amex Stadium from Chelsea in January.

His fast rise to fame has brought up talks of where he will pledge his international allegiance having been born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents.

He has already played for England at various youth levels, but the Ghana FA has an interest in luring him to represent the West Africans alongside Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah.  

“At the moment I’m just focused on Brighton and playing as many games as possible, keep training as hard as possible, keep playing well and keep a consistent level,” he told The Telegraph.

"What happens in the future on the international side, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Attracting players of Ghanaian descent has been a struggle for the GFA down the years and ex-Black Star Abukari Damba, in an exclusive with Goal, said the country’s governing body must give more incentives that will make playing for the four-time African champions the better choice.

“We need to be able to give the players the kind of protection that they need,” he said.

“We need to remember players will always need insurances and assurances that in a situation where the unthinkable happens – injuries can come about in the game – we will be by their side and take them through treatment and pay for it.

“The players out there know what the other countries do for them. They are guaranteed all these things when they play abroad. These are the challenges we must address to attract these boys to come and play for Ghana.”

Lamptey starred once again for the Seagulls as they narrowly lost 3-2 to Manchester United, when a late Bruno Fernandes penalty was given after a VAR intervention after referee Chris Kavanagh had blown the full-time whistle.

Lamptey’s fast rise to fame has raised questions in some quarters about why Chelsea had to let him go for a meagre sum of £3 million. Lamptey asserts it was the right time to leave Stamford Bridge as he needed to be a place where he could develop further.

"I had been there from a really young age so it was not an easy decision to make but you get to a point where you look at what the best thing is for your career and you speak to your family members and the people around you who help you and how you can take your game to the next level and how you can improve," Lamptey said.

"As I person I am a really ambitious boy. I am not one to sit back and rest on my laurels.

"I want to keep going and keep driving forward so I felt it was the right time for me to make the move and come to a club like Brighton which hopefully can give me the opportunity to develop into the player I know I can be."

Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello has revealed South Sudan believed in him, compared to Uganda, and it is the reason why he opted to play for them in international assignments.

The Bright Stars have been restructuring for the international assignments and they see the forward as one who can also help them achieve their objective of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Gor Mahia forward has since expressed his joy at being selected for the national team.

"South Sudan believes in me, that’s why they made that official move to invite me to play for them," Okello told the Gor Mahia website.

"The call-up means a lot to me because playing for a national team is not something small and to be precise, it’s a dream of every player."

After accepting the call-up, Okello will first engage in an international friendly match against Cameroon in preparation for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers.

"To switch and play for South Sudan was not an overnight decision. It took me three years to think about it, consult before coming up with the final decision," Okello told Kawowo Sports. 

The former BUL FC, African Lyon, Benfica De Macau, KCCA FC, and Vipers SC striker will be tasked to help South Sudan earn their first points in a qualifying group that has Uganda, Malawi, and Burkina Faso.

Another Ugandan-born star who was called up by South Sudan is Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) goalkeeper Nafian Legason Alionzi, who is yet to completely decide on the matter.

"It is a big honour to be thought of for any national team duty. Personally, I am honoured," Alionzi told Kawowo Sports.

"But, I am yet to decide whether to change citizenship. I have to first sit down and recollect myself. I am to involve all the people around me, including my close family members.

"I will need time to come up with a good decision because it is a complex one. However, in the coming weeks, I will come up with the decision."

Busoga United midfielder Ivan Wani and Mbarara City’s striker Makuweth Wol are also part of the provisional squad announced.

In Group B, both Uganda and Burkina Faso have four points but the former are on top courtesy of a better goal difference. The Flames of Malawi have three points ahead of matchday three actions while South Sudan have zero.

The South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) will seek legal advice on the impact the new partnership between the PSL and DStv will have on the station's mandate. 

DStv took over from Absa as the league's premier sponsor and the details of the deal are expected to be unpacked in Wednesday's press conference. 

The deal struck by the PSL and DStv has had fans asking whether or not local football would still be available on the free-to-air station as well.

As things stand, SuperSport International, another company owned by MultiChoice Group, holds the broadcasting rights and this has often left the SABC with no choice but to pick up less fancied matches, especially on weekends. 

Since the SABC lost the rights to broadcast local matches to SuperSport, football fans who rely on free-to-air channels have not been able to watch midweek games regularly from the comfort of their own homes.  

Furthermore, the national broadcaster hasn't been able to secure matches for high-profile teams such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, even on weekends due to their well-documented financial woes.   

PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza assured the nation in his press conference earlier this week that the agreement signed between the league, SABC and SuperSport will remain unchanged. 

This, according to Khoza's statement, means SABC will continue to broadcast local matches for next season. 

However, SABC appears to be panicking and they will go ahead and consult their lawyers in order to make sure that those who rely on free-to-air channels to watch football are still be able to do so, even with DStv on board as the league's main sponsor. 

"The SABC will see legal advice on how this partnership will negatively affect its constitutional mandate to deliver sports of national interest to the public, especially the millions of South Africans who solely depend on the SABC's free-to-air channels for education, information and entertainment," SABC acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo told City Press.

According to media reports, the SABC is currently paying R280 million a year for 144 official matches. 

This package includes selected Cup and league matches as well as the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.   

Harambee Starlets midfielder Corazone Aquino has revealed her worst game for the national team was the defeat to Zambia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers.

The East Africa nation had eliminated West Africa giants Ghana in the previous round and looked odds on to get past Shepolopolo in the next round. However, they managed a 2-2 draw at home before falling by a solitary goal away in Lusaka to lose out on a place in the global showpiece.

"It remains to be my worst game," Aquino, who plays for Portuguese top tier side Atletico Ouriense, told Goal.

"Zambia were not so tough as compared to Ghana, but we lost due to poor preparations. We were in camp for just a week and did not do most of the things as compared to the initial round.

"Taking the defeat was tough because we lost the opportunity of making it to the Olympics; it remains my worst."

The 21-year-old has revealed her best moment was when Kenya eliminated Algeria to qualify for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) in Cameroon.

"Algeria were good, they played the better football but we were prepared to play them," Aquino recalls.

"When we qualified for Awcon, it was like a dream come true for us, and to me it was even sweeter because I was making my first appearance in the national team.

"In Cameroon, things didn't go as planned; we were to win against Mali because they were the weakest team in the group, however, we underrated them and after scoring first, we became overconfident and ended up losing [3-1].

"Nigeria were way above us in terms of quality, physique, everything in general. We could not match them in any aspect. Actually, we were scared of big names and it is how we lost the game.

"But we have learned and I hope we will have a chance of playing against them again."

The Gor Mahia FC fan also had a piece of advice to upcoming female footballers in Kenya.

"First of all you must stay focused especially on what you want. Go for it regardless of the obstacles faced but again, ensure you are disciplined because, without it, you might end up stumbling on the way," she concluded.

New Zesco United head coach Numba Mumamba has promised not to introduce a radical approach to  the team as he takes charge.

Mumamba signed a three-year contract to guide the Super League giants and the former Zambia midfielder has said every player - including the new signings - is guaranteed to get a chance and prove his worth.

Mumamba took the reins of the eight-time Super League winners to succeed George Lwandamina, who parted ways with the club after a disappointing 2019/20 season.

“I am humbled to be given this chance to coach Zesco United. The objective for me is to continue with the philosophy of the club which is about winning titles and playing competitive football,” the former Zanaco star told the club’s website.

“This is a big team that has been consistent in the last decade. I know the expectations are very high especially with the good work my predecessor did. It is important to pick up from there and take the team to the next level.

“What is important is for players to prove that they are worth being at this football club. I am not here to make speedy and radical decisions. I will give everyone the same opportunity so that they can prove themselves worth keeping.

“Our additions to the squad will be based on the assessment we will make from the current setting.

“My philosophy has always revolved around mixing young and old players. I can see that there are already young players who are fighting to get first-team football.

“I will give them a chance to play but they must prove to us that they can play for this club by working hard and remaining disciplined. They will be given a chance to thrive.”

Zesco United finished fifth last season and thus missed a chance to feature in any Caf competitions, but Mumamba is hopeful he will guide the Ndola club back to the continental fold.

“It is sad that we failed to qualify for Caf next season due to unforeseeable circumstances,” he concluded.

“However, it is important that we focus on getting back to our winning ways. The first target is of course to win the title and qualify for Caf competitions.

“What is crucial is for everyone to give their whole to this great football club. We will definitely bounce back.”

Zesco United are on their pre-season training camp but have shifted base from Ndola to Mongu in the Western Province.

Mumamba is expected to conduct a first training session on Sunday.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) are yet to name a permanent captain since the departure of midfielder Papy Tshishimbi.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) star was among the 14 players released by the Jangwani giants at the end of last season after the team failed to win silverware.

New coach Zlatko Krmpotic, who took over from fired Luc Eymael, has been rotating the armband in the last three Mainland Premier League matches with Deus Kaseke, Haruna Niyonzima, and Lamine Moro taking turns leading the side.

A source within the club has now revealed Krmpotic is still weighing up the performance of his players, which is the reason why he is yet to name a permanent captain for the side.

“The coach is looking at having a captain who will be able to lead the side and the coach is also yet to make a decision because he is still rotating the squad and not all the players are assured of playing time,” the source is quoted by Sokaletu.

“Though the coach is yet to pick the captain, he has settled for Niyonzima and Moro to continue wearing the armband and either of them could have it when he makes his final decision.

“The coach has maintained the captaincy is a big role for any club and he wants to be assured of the player who will take it, whether he is good enough and ready for the task.”

The source continued: “The coach is also looking at a player who can speak more than two languages – English and Swahili and at least

"French, it is because the team is built around players from across Africa.”

When reached for comment on the delay to name the captain, Yanga vice-chairman Frederick Mwakalebela said: “That is not the work of the office, it falls under the technical bench headed by Zlatko, our work is to make sure the team is well prepared and ready for assignments.”

Yanga are currently in Morogoro, where they are scheduled to take on Mtibwa Sugar in a league match at Jamhuri Stadium.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has backed Thiago to be a big success at Anfield and has admitted that he is surprised the midfielder was allowed to leave Bayern Munich.

The Reds completed a swoop for the 29-year-old on September 18, and he gave an impressive debut display against Chelsea, a match in which he came off the bench.

The former Scotland international says that the Barcelona youth product shows all the signs of being an intelligent signature for the Premier League champions.

“Bayern Munich don’t usually let their big players go before they are on the wane, but I just don’t see any indication of that with Thiago at 29,” he wrote for The Times. 

“He’s played at the highest level, at big clubs in Barcelona and Bayern Munich, so won’t be intimidated by coming to Liverpool and playing under pressure. He’ll understand that you’re playing in cup finals every week because the opposition badly wants to beat you. He can deal with all that.”

Liverpool also completed a deal to sign Diogo Jota from Wolves, and it is the Portuguese’s lack of big-club experience that is the only reason Souness has to doubt he will also excel under Jurgen Klopp.

“That would be my only question mark against Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s other new signing,” he added of the 23-year-old.

“At Wolves, it wasn’t a cup final every week but it will be at Liverpool, so he has to show that he’s ready for that. Otherwise, he fits the bill to deputise anywhere in that front three.

“He’s got great technique and understanding of the game, he’s already shown he can deal with the English game and play in a team that works hard, as Wolves do. Although he’s scored some important goals, I always felt that Divock Origi was never going to hold down a regular place in that Liverpool team, so Jota has to try to do that.”

Liverpool have made a strong start to their Premier League title defence, recording victories over Leeds and Chelsea while they defeated Lincoln City 7-2 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. Their next outing sees Arsenal come to Anfield in the league on Monday, before that fixture is repeated on Thursday in the cup.