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Former Nigeria international Peter Utaka got a brace as Kyoto Sanga silenced Tochigi SC 3-2 in Wednesday’s Japanese J2 League encounter.

Having played out a 0-0 draw at Ventforet Kofu, Noritada Saneyoshi’s team stepped up their game to secure their ninth victory of the 2019-20 season.

After a goalless outcome in the first 30 minutes of the encounter, the visitors took the initiative a minute later thanks to Takahiro Akimoto, who fired past Tomoya Wakahara.

Two minutes before the half-time break, Utaka - who went into the game having failed to score in his last two outings - levelled matters after capitalising on a horrendous mistake from Kazuaki Tasaka’s side.

Both teams approached the last 45 minutes cautiously, and when it looked like the game at the Sanga Stadium would end on a no winner, no vanquished note, Shimpei Fukuoka put the hosts ahead in the 76th minute – beating goalkeeper Shuhei Kawata from close range.

Four minutes later, Utaka completed his double to seal the win for his team to render Yasutaka Yanagi’s 90th-minute effort a mere consolation.

After putting up a matching-winning performance, Utaka was replaced by Brazil’s Juninho with three minutes left to play.

The former Westerlo and Royal Antwerp striker joined Kyoto Sanga in 2020 after a season at Ventforet Kofu. Still in his debut campaign, he has scored 15 goals in 20 league appearances - racking up 1505 minutes of action in the process.

Thanks to this win, Kyoto Sanga sit comfortably in the sixth position after garnering 34 points from 21 outings. They are 10 points behind leaders Giravanz Kitakyushu. Saneyoshi’s men would be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the league to six when they host Omiya Ardija on Saturday.

Utaka made his debut for Nigeria in a 5-2 home win over DR Congo on March 3, 2010, despite a late call-up. In that encounter, he scored the first goal and assisted second.

Jose Mourinho has outlined his ambition to coach a national team at some point in his career, though the Tottenham boss is not certain taking charge of Portugal would be a wise choice.

Mourinho has spent all of his managerial career to date at clubs, having spells at Benfica, Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Spurs.

Though he is in no rush to call time on his time in club management, the 57-year-old disclosed he does wish to step into international coaching eventually.

"Yes, I want to coach a national team, I want to have the experience of a World Cup and European Championship, the emotion of the short competition," Mourinho told a news conference ahead of Spurs' Europa League qualifier against North Macedonian side Shkendija.

However, Mourinho is not convinced coaching his home nation would be the best choice.

"Is Portugal the one I want do do? On one side yes as it is my heart," he added. "But it is very difficult to do it with the country you were born in."

The head coach, who returned to his news conference to field a question from a Macedonian journalist whose late father idolised him, is also anticipating a tough test for Spurs on Thursday.

"My experience in football, I celebrate the 20th anniversary of my career, lots of experience, played lots of teams that nobody knows in top football," he said.

"They can be very dangerous, same way it was difficult in Plovdiv. Is the Europa League a competition that we want very, very much to go to the group phase? Yes, it is.

"I think from my experience, and even you without experience in this chair, as a journalist, you can perfectly feel it's much more difficult this knockout than the group phase of four teams and six matches.

"The six matches give us a little space for a mistake - for example, at [Manchester] United, we lost two matches in the group phase, we won four and we progressed - so we cannot take many risks with these matches.

"Even playing with a very strong team like we did in Bulgaria, we were 15 minutes away from a defeat and being knocked out."

Kenya international Paul Were has extended his contract with PAE Egaleo FC.

The former AFC Leopards winger has renewed his stay with the third-tier Greek side for another year.

The club confirmed the news on their social media pages by stating: “We are pleased to announce the renewal of our cooperation with Paul Were for another year.”

Were, who has also featured for Tusker in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), has expressed his delight at signing the new deal.

“Egaleo has always been home to me and to be honest I had offers from other clubs but they were not as appealing as Egaleo’s," Were is quoted by Nation Sport.

“I have unfinished business with Egaleo and I am eager to help the club earn promotion. We had good momentum before the coronavirus pandemic halted the leagues and it hasn't been an easy time for sportsmen.

“I am very eager to pick from where I left and work hard to ensure the team does better and hopefully scales up the ladder to the second-tier at the end of the season.”

En route to signing for the club, Were had also played for other Greek sides Kalloni, Acharnaikos, Kalamata, and Trikala.

Were could feature for Egaleo when they take on on top-tier side Asteras Tripolis in a friendly match on Thursday.

His renewal comes as good news for Kenya coach Francis Kimanzi, who is set to name the Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros.

On Tuesday, another Kenyan player Aboud Omar sealed a transfer to PAE Ionikos. The Greek club confirmed the arrival of the left-back from Hungarian side Asociația Club Sportiv Sepsi OSK Sfantu Gheorghe, but did not disclose the length of the deal.

“PAE Ionikos is pleased to announce the start of its cooperation with Aboud Omar,” the club confirmed on their official website.

“This is a very important transfer move for our team and another financial overrun by the Tsirigotis administration, in view of our team's participation in the Super League 2 championship after two consecutive promotions.”

Ionikos is a Greek professional club based in Nikaia, Athens, currently competing in the Football League, the third tier of the Greek football league system.

From 1989 to 2007 Ionikos spent 16 out of 18 seasons in the Super League. During that span, Ionikos finished as high as fifth place in the league on two occasions, was a finalist in the Greek Cup, and participated in the Uefa Cup.

The club's colours are blue and white and they play home matches at Neapolis Public Stadium, located in Nikaia, a suburb of Piraeus. The stadium was completed in 1965 and had its latest redevelopment in 2000.

Moroka Swallows have added Ghanaian striker Daniel Gozar to their squad ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

The Dube Birds are preparing for their first season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after a five-year hiatus.

The club released the following statement on its official Twitter page on Wednesday afternoon: 

"Swallows FC has secured the signature of Striker Daniel Gozar. Welcome to the Nest," a club statement read.

The 26-year-old striker has joined Swallows from National First Division (NFD) side Free State Stars. 

Gozar hit the back of the net 11 times from 23 league matches for to Ea Lla Koto during the 2019/20 season which was his debut campaign in South Africa.

The bulky marksman had been signed by Stars from Ghanaian Premier League side Ashanti Gold in July 2019.

Swallows have been busy reinforcing their squad after securing promotion to the PSL having clinched the 2019/20 NFD title.

The 1965 South African Soccer League champions have already signed former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates midfielder Musa Nyatama and former Chippa United attacker Ruzaigh Gamaldien.

Njabulo Ngcobo, who is a defender by trade, and highly-rated midfielder Moeketsi Makhanya have also joined the Dube Birds from NFD clubs Uthongathi and JDR Stars respectively.

Swallows are also replacing players, who were on loan at the club during the 2019/20 season and they have since left the Soweto giants.

Kaizer Chiefs trio of Given Thibedi, Itumeleng Shopane and Kagiso Malinga helped the Dube Birds secure promotion to the elite league and they have been recalled by Amakhosi. 

Swallows recently announced the six players, who have been retained by the club ahead of the new season.

Sanele Tshabalala, Tlakusani Mthethwa, Lebogang Mokoena, Virgil Vries, Givemore Khupe and Mthokozisi Shwabule have been retained by Soweto giants. 

Swallows will be under the guidance of Brandon Truter with the local tactician having been retained by the Soweto giants.

The team is set to use Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto as their home ground and they are reportedly considering registering Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa as an alternate venue.

Jose Mourinho has promised to take a picture with a Macedonian journalist after the reporter revealed that one of his father's dying wishes was for his son to someday meet the Tottenham boss.

Mourinho and Spurs are in Macedonia for the Premier League club's upcoming match with Shkendija in the Europa League's third qualifying round.

Spurs reached this stage after narrowly edging Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-1, with Mourinho's side needing to come from a goal down against the Bulgarian team.

After completing his pre-game press conference, Mourinho returned to the zoom call after the club was informed that a local journalist was upset after missing out on a chance to speak to his idol.

The journalist then explained that his now-deceased father had always been a massive fan, having told his son that, should he ever be lucky enough to meet Mourinho, he must get a photo with the legendary Portuguese manager.

"First greetings to you from him, but he is now in heaven," the journalist began. "One of the occasions when he was very sick he told me if I ever have the opportunity to see you to ask for a picture with you because he always raised me like you when you are the head coach of any team. Psychologically, winning or losing, he has massive respect for you.

"If you allow me a picture of you I will frame it and put it in his eternal resting place. If the match goes good for you and your team will you allow me to do that?"

Mourinho, in turn, responded that it would be his honour as he made plans to meet with the journalist to fulfil his father's wish.

"The picture has nothing to do with the result. The picture is done. We'll do it," Mourinho said. 

"If you can meet us before the game or in the hotel it'll maybe be easier. After the game. It has nothing to do with the result. My pleasure to take a picture with you and my honour to your father and respect that he felt so strong about me."

Mourinho and Tottenham are fresh off a 5-2 victory over Southampton, a match that saw Heung-min Son score four goals with Harry Kane assisting on each while adding a goal of his own.

After their match in Macedonia on Thursday, Spurs will return to London to host Newcastle on Sunday in their third match of the Premier League campaign.

Former Orlando Pirates defender Edward Motale says he is satisfied with Soweto giants coach Josef Zinnbauer's ongoing acquisition of players, but now wants the German to sign goalkeepers, after signing a defender and three midfielders so far.

Pirates announced their latest signings on Wednesday after bringing on board former Bidvest Wits star Terrence Dzvukamanja as well as Collins Makgaka from Baroka FC.

This was after they had secured the services of Bafana Bafana captain and central defender Thulani Hlatshwayo together midfielder Deon Hotto earlier this week.

But Motale believes Pirates’ midfield will have “stiff competition” and Zinnbauer should now close his transfer business in that department.

“Yes I am 150 percent satisfied [with Zinnbauer’s transfer business],” Motale told Goal.

“He came and three or four months already there was light at the end of the tunnel. He did not even have pre-season with the team. He just came in the thick of things but I am very happy about him. I am supporting him 150 percent.

“Yes [midfield signings are now enough]. You know Hotto, Dzvukamanja are attacking midfielders, they scores goals.

"They had been scoring goals for Wits and yes it’s good now because remember the midfield if the engine of the team so there must be stiff competition there.

“That’s why I don’t have a problem with those three signings in midfield. Congratulations to Pirates and the signings.

"They are welcome and I think they are going to bring some change and bring something big.”

While the signing of Hlatshwayo is highly-touted as a solution to Pirates’ central defensive woes, Motale wants Zinnbauer to buttress the rearguard by bringing in goalkeepers.

“We now need goalkeepers at Pirates. That’s my plea. Midfielders, strikers we never had that big problem,” said Motale.

“According to my opinion, the problem was at the back. The goalkeeping department has always had problems so I thought they were going to find three goalkeepers. I am going to be more happy if they sign three goalkeepers.”

Pirates signed goalkeeper Joris Delle at the beginning of last season but the Frenchman found it difficult to hold on to the number one spot which he surrendered to Wayne Sandilands.

Third-choice Siyabonga Mpontshane did not play a single game last term amid rumours that Pirates are keen on Maritzburg United and Ghana number one goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

With the signings made so far, it is yet to be seen which department Zinnbauer will reinforce next after Pirates also struggled for goals in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) bio-bubble.

They received criticism for over-reliance on the season’s joint top goal-scorer Frank Mhango.

Motale, however, feels that the strikeforce should not be much of a concern for the German tactician.

“We were struggling upfront to be consistent with goals but at least we were scoring. Our midfielders were also scoring goals,” Motale concluded.

Kazuyoshi Miura has become the J-League's oldest top-flight player ever by starting for Yokohama FC at the age of 53 on Wednesday. 

The forward was named in his side's starting lineup against Kawasaki Frontale at 53 years, 6 months and 28 days of age, breaking the previous previous record of 45 years, 2 months and 1 day set by Masashi Nakayama with Consadole Sapporo in 2012.

Miura, who is known as "King Kazu," wore the captain's armband and played 53 minutes before being taken off in a game that Frontale eventually won 3-2.

"When I stepped onto the pitch, I felt a deep desire to fulfill my duty and harness everyone's feelings in that armband," Miura said after the match.

The former Japan striker wasn't the only notable veteran to play for Yokohama in the match, with 39-year-old Daisuke Matsui and 42-year-old Shunsuke Nakamura also featuring in the game. 

Miura had been previously named on the bench for one other Yokohama match this season, and made his first appearance on Wednesday in his club's 18th game of the season.

It was Miura's first appearance in a first-division J-League match since 2007 after Yokohama were promoted from the second division following last season.

“Kazu, congratulations on becoming the J1’s oldest player,” J. League Chairman Mitsuru Murai said in a statement. “This is surely the fruit of your strenuous efforts to stay fit as a professional player.

“This great record, which will surely live on in Japanese soccer history, will shine a light on what lies ahead for other players as well as children who hope to become soccer players one day.

“The word sees you continuing your challenge, and your presence is our pride. I look forward to even more activity from you in the future.”

Miura made his professional debut in Brazil as a teenager and has since embarked on a 37-year career that has included stints in Italy, Croatia, Australia as well as with several Japanese sides.

Internationally, Miura made his debut with Japan in 1990 and went on to earn 89 caps for his country, scoring 55 goals. 

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been left off the final shortlist for the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award for first time in 10 years, with Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski set to battle it out for the individual prize.

Ronaldo, who currently plies his trade in Italy with Juventus, has picked up the accolade on three occasions and also has a total of nine nominations to his name, while Barcelona superstar Messi has won it two times and made the final shortlist in six of the last 10 seasons.

Both men have stood out as the best players of their generation for well over a decade, but as they continue to advance into their thirties, an inevitable changing of the guard is beginning to take shape.

Juventus exited the Champions League at the last 16 last season after a surprise defeat to Lyon, while Barca were knocked out in humiliating fashion in the last eight by eventual winners Bayern.

Ronaldo only managed three goals in eight appearances and Messi recorded three strikes in the same number of matches, with Lewandowski ultimately finishing as the competition's top scorer with 15 to his name.

The Bayern striker is now in line to win the coveted Player of the Year award alongside Manchester City's De Bruyne and Allianz Arena team-mate Manuel Neuer, who recorded a clean sheet in the final victory over Paris Saint-Germain on August 23.

Virgil van Dijk won the award in 2019 after helping Liverpool win the European Cup for the sixth time in their history, but was not in the running this time around due to the Reds' defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first knockout phase.

De Bruyne could become the second Premier League player to get the nod in as many years when the final announcement is made before the draw for the 2020-21 Champions League group stages on October 1, having inspired City's run to the quarter-finals.

UEFA have also announced the final nominees for the Women's Player of the Year award and Men's Coach of the Year, with Lucy Bronze, Pernille Harder and Wendie Renard shortlisted for the former, and Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann in contention for the latter.

Meanwhile, Lluis Cortes, Stephan Lurch and Jean-Luc Vasseur make up the final candidates for the Women's Coach of the Year, as the managerial awards are set to be presented for the first time in the competition's history.

Former South Africa coach Gordon Igesund feels new Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt is at the right club which matches his ambitions to win trophies.

Hunt was named the new Amakhosi coach, replacing Ernst Middendorp who closely missed out on last season’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) trophy.

The former Bidvest Wits tactician arrives at Chiefs, a club which last claimed a major piece of silverware in 2015 when they clinched the PSL title.

Expectations are high on Hunt to break Mamelodi Sundowns dominance of South African football which has seen them rack up five league championships since 2014 under Pitso Mosimane.

“I think the competition [for league titles] is good between Gavin, me and Pitso, you enjoy those kinds of challenges,” Igesund told Sowetan Live.

“The challenge of winning, I think that’s what people strive to be the best you can be. I think you become a winner when you win titles and championships.”

Hunt arrives at Naturena with a reputation of having previously won four league titles; three with SuperSport United and another one at Bidvest Wits and what could inspire him to halt Downs dominance is how he pipped them to the 2016/17 league medal.

Two other coaches have bagged four league crowns; those being Igesund and the late Ted Dumitru, with the former winning them at Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Dumitru won it twice with Chiefs and again twice with Mamelodi Sundowns.

It is only Mosimane who has been crowned PSL champion better than Hunt, Igesund and Dumitru, bagging it five times with the Brazilians.

“Gavin, me and the late Ted Dumitru have four and Pitso got to five,” said Igesund.

“It is not easy to win the championship as it takes a lot of hard work. Gavin has got a very good club. I'm sure he and the supporters and the management at the club want to win titles.

“I think he has got a good chance, Chiefs are very hungry. He is hungry and everybody is hungry, so let’s see what happens.”

Hunt begins his quest for trophies when he leads Chiefs against Maritzburg United in the MTN8 quarter-finals, a Cup Amakhosi have won a record 15 times.

Hunt will be assisted by Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard as Chiefs look to kickoff a trophy-laden new era.

Zambian Super League champions Nkana FC can now breathe a sigh of relief after Fifa withdrew a transfer ban it had imposed on them.

The club found themselves under Fifa’s transfer sanction following a contractual issue with their former goalkeeper Stephen Adams.

Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chamber had ordered Nkana to pay the Ghanaian for a breach of contract in May 2019. Nkana had terminated the goalkeeper’s contract in June 2018 after he had served the club for just six months.

Consequently, the Zambian side was ordered to pay Adams $27,000 and five per cent interest per annum as of August 2018 until the date of effective payment within 45 days.

“The world football governing body Fifa has lifted a transfer ban imposed on Nkana Football Club following a dispute with Ghanaian goalkeeper [Stephen] Adams,” the club said on Wednesday confirming the lifting of the ban in a document obtained by Goal.

Fifa head of players' status Erika Montemor Ferreira acknowledged receipt of the communication of the legal representative of the player confirming the parties involved in the matter have indeed settled it.

“In this respect, we acknowledge receipt of the communication of the legal representative of the player by means of which he confirmed the parties settled the matter,” Fifa’s letter read.

“Consequently, we will now proceed to the closure of the present matter. Furthermore, we kindly inform your club that the ban imposed on it is in line with the aforementioned decision is now lifted.”

Nkana president Joseph Silwamba pledged to uphold good governance and also acknowledged the help from Football Association Zambia (Faz) president Andrew Kamanga during the transfer ban period.

“As a club, we are grateful to anyone who was involved in ensuring this matter is put to rest and we move forward as Nkana FC,” Silwamba said.

“We are very grateful for [Stephen] Adams and his lawyers, the Ghanaian Football Federation, Faz and Fifa for their favourable consideration of our appeal. We shall uphold governance going forward and respect Fifa statutes."

Adams had joined the Zambian club in January 2018 on a free transfer where he agreed to a three-year deal before it was ended just months into it.

Nkana are now free to sign players before engaging in the Caf Champions League 2020/21 season.

Pep Lijnders has hailed the arrival of Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota at Liverpool, tipping the newboys to have a big impact at Anfield in the coming months and years.

The Reds spent more than £60 million ($76m) to bring the duo to Merseyside last week, with Thiago signing from European champions Bayern Munich and Jota joining from Wolves.

Thiago was able to make his debut in the 2-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday, while Jota could be used for the first time in Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie away at League One outfit Lincoln.

And Lijnders, who stepped in for manager Jurgen Klopp at the pre-match press conference for that game, believes the pair will become firm favourites at the club.

He said: “First, let’s talk about Thiago. Good teams need good players. We’re really happy he is with us. 

“This team, especially, deserves a player like him. He will make sure that we keep evolving. Teams adapt, teams try to destroy our plans, and it’s most important that we stay unpredictable. Unpredictability means that from each position, we can play the last pass and speed up the game as much as we can. Thiago does that for us. 

“He’s a great signing. We didn’t buy a problem, we bought a solution!”

On Jota, Lijnders was equally effusive.

“What can I say? His technical level is on the same as our front three. He has so much future in the game and he will have a great pathway inside our club. He’s like a pressing monster, so he will fit in straight away!

“I knew him from when he was very young, because he’s from the city of Porto. We played against each other when he was very young, then he came through at Pacos de Ferreira. 

“In Portugal, they all say what a great signing Liverpool made, because they know exactly how he is and what kind of potential he still has. 

“Like I said, he’s a pressing monster, he will fit into our style, but at the same time his technical level is the same as our front three. We are happy with him, and all the things we heard are true. He is a very professional, passionate, dedicated, brave player."

Lijnders also refused to discuss the future of striker Rhian Brewster, who has been strongly linked with a move to either Crystal Palace or Sheffield United before the transfer window closes next month.

“These things have to be discussed in the boardroom, without the press of course," he said. "We cannot discuss transfer policy here.”

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has revealed he would love to keep midfielder Clatous Chama at the club.

The Zambian international is already running down his contract with the Wekundu wa Msimbazi as it will expire in July next year.

The Belgian coach has now confirmed he would like to keep the player at the club when his contract comes to an end.

“Whenever a player's contract is over, he becomes free to make his decision but if he continues to perform like this, maybe it will be hard to let him go,” Vandenbroeck is quoted by Daily News.

“For now, I cannot comment much because I do not know what is in the head of Chama and the Board Members. I can only say that if he will continue to play like this, I will be the happy coach and will want him to stay.”

Chama has been the key player for Simba and only last season he led the side to win a treble – Community Shield, a league title, and FA Cup.

He was also voted the Most Valuable Player and midfielder of the year in the 2019-20 campaign and won the Community Shield again with the club during the season opener when they beat Namungo FC 2-0.

Meanwhile, Vandenbroeck has maintained the club does not rely on one player to put the ball behind the net because everyone in his team can score and assist a goal.

Simba roared to a 4-0 win against Biashara United in their third league match played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Sunday with Chama notching a double, while the other two came from Meddie Kagere and new signing Chris Mugalu.

"As you saw, Chama had two goals and two assists that is the power of our team. We do not have one but everyone can score and have an assist,” Vandenbroeck told Daily News.

“In the end, you make choices on what you see during the training on the best balance, defensive and offensive while taking advantage of the pitch.”

On the match, the Belgian explained: “I expected Biashara United to play with five defenders so as to defend throughout the game but they opted to open up something which was a profit for us in the end.”

Simba – with seven points from three matches - will now shift focus to their next opponents - Gwambina FC on September 26 - while Biashara United will look to pick themselves up when they play Ruvu Shooting on September 27.

Pep Lijnders believes Billy Koumetio can be a big part of Liverpool’s future as he detailed the huge potential of the young centre-back.

Koumetio, at 17, has already made a big impression on Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad, impressing during the Reds’ pre-season training camp in Austria last month.

The Frenchman was named on the bench for the Community Shield against Arsenal, and would have featured in the squad at Chelsea last weekend had it not been for a minor injury sustained in training.

Lijnders confirmed the teenager will be assessed on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup trip to League One leaders Lincoln, but spoke glowingly about Koumetio’s ability.

He said: “He’s a proper talent. He needs time but he’s a proper talent. We want to give him that time. 

“He’s a very tall centre-back, but has a real strength in the air, not only in set-pieces. If you are a pressing team, you have to accept there will be a lot of long balls and second balls, so it’s really important that you have centre-halves that are good in the air. 

“Billy, even in the air, can put the ball where he wants to put it. For his age, that’s really good and then you see his physicality, how strong he is. 

“We like to give him the opportunity to develop with us and become a strong centre-half for the future for Liverpool FC.” 

Liverpool are expected to make a number of changes to their starting XI against Lincoln, with the likes of Adrian, Neco Williams, Curtis Jones, James Milner and Takumi Minamino all pushing for starts. There could also be debuts for new signings Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota.

Captain Jordan Henderson will miss the game with a thigh issue picked up at Chelsea, while defenders Joe Gomez (knee) and Joel Matip (hamstring) are also ruled out.

“Joe will train hopefully on Friday with the team, to prepare for the Arsenal game,” Lijnders said. 

“Joel will be out longer. It’s a hamstring, so it will take another two weeks. Hopefully the international break will solve that one so he’s ready afterwards for the Everton match. 

“Hendo is a little bit difficult. We have to see. For sure not tomorrow, and Arsenal will be tight, but let’s see.

“The team tomorrow will be a strong team, I think some of you guys will be surprised.”

Ghana coach CK Akonnor will be forced to take a pay cut owing to the global economic stress resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, sports minister Isaac Asiamah has revealed.

The virus which brought the world to a standstill earlier this year, crashed businesses and had a huge impact on the finances of many organisations.

The Government of Ghana, who pays the salaries of the Ghana national team coaches, has been no exception as Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has been informed about a slice in his monthly remuneration.

“I have told the coach [Akonnor] to accept a salary cut in the Covid-19 period before we pay him," Asiamah told Asempa FM.

"We cannot give him a full salary in the Covid-19 era, and we are waiting for a response from the FA.

“The coach has agreed in principle to accept a salary cut in this Covid-19 era, it's left with the FA to come out with the modalities for us to pay him."

Akonnor assumed duty as new Ghana coach in January, replacing James Kwasi Appiah.

Nine months on, the former Wolfsburg captain is yet to lead the team into action as planned matches in March and June have had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus disruptions.

He is reportedly on a $ 25,000 monthly salary.

“He has shown leadership. CK has demonstrated quality leadership. I monitored his exploits at Kotoko. He has demonstrated clearly if Ghanaians back him he will deliver," Asiamah said.

Akonnor contended with a host of expatriates for the job.

Swiss coach Rene Weiler, Martin Poustka and Frantisek Straka - both of the Czech Republic - were highly linked to the job before Akonnor got the nod.

“He [Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo] believes in the capacity of local coaches to deliver, so he says we should appoint a local coach. By God’s grace, CK Akonnor is a Ghanaian and we should all support him."

Reports say Ghana will face Mali and Equatorial Guinea in friendly matches in October, a set of games that will be the first assignment for Akonnor.

In November, the Black Stars will return to action with a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against Sudan.

Akonnor has been tasked to lead Ghana to win the Afcon tournament and guide the team back to the World Cup after an unsuccessful qualification campaign for the 2018 championship in Russia. 

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of Nigeria’s friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia after suffering a groin injury in the Foxes’ 4-2 victory over Burnley.

Ndidi was among the 25-man squad to prepare Nigeria for their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in November.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes on Sunday evening as Brendan Rodgers’ men silenced the Clarets at the King Power Stadium, but he will not be part of the international game billed to take place in Austria.

Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye confirmed this development to Goal.

“Of course, Ndidi is injured and has been ruled out of the games against Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire,” Ibitoye told Goal.

Meanwhile, coach Gernot Rohr is expected to name a replacement for the injured midfield trojan.

Since the beginning of the 2020-21 campaign, the ex-Genk man has featured in a defensive role for Rodgers’ men with Caglar Soyuncu. This was following the unavailability of Wes Morgan, Jonny Evans and Filip Benkovic.

The Northern Irish tactician had stated the centre-back role will not be permanent as Ndidi would return to his natural position when the defenders overcome their injury and suspension worries.

“Wilf is a player that I have real confidence in,” Rodgers told the media.

“He played the position [centre-back] very well and he has the attributes to play there. We don’t want him there for a long period of time.”

The is the first time Ndidi has suffered from a groin injury and the news will be particularly worrying for Leicester, with the youngster starting the season on a solid note.

Although the length of his recuperation is unknown, he will be unavailable when his team take on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal in Wednesday’s English League Cup encounter as well as Sunday’s mouth-watering Premier League matchup against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The onus could fall on Austria’s Christian Fuchs who is yet to play a game this season. As it stands, Leicester sit at the top end of the league after accruing six points from two games played so far.

Lazio striker Ciro Immobile is grateful to have played under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, describing the German coach as "someone you do not forget".

Immobile was brought to Dortmund by Klopp in 2014 as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski but scored just 10 goals in 34 games before heading to Sevilla the following year.

He again struggled in front of goal at Sevilla but has since revived his career at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring a combined 103 goals in the last four Serie A campaigns.

However, the Italy international is disappointed things did not work out for him across his one season playing under now-Liverpool boss Klopp at Dortmund.

"Klopp leaves something behind for you. You don't forget someone like him," he told Sport Bild. 

"I was lucky to be able to play under him. He's a super emotional trainer. Someone for whom you fight for every ball.

"He demands that of you too, and you can see that in his behaviour on the sidelines."

Asked why he struggled to make an impact with BVB in 2014-15, Immobile said: "I think that I just moved to Dortmund at an inconvenient time as far as the team was concerned. 

"With Klopp, BVB became champions in 2011 and 2012 and then came second twice. After the first half of my season there, we were second from last in the Bundesliga.

"That meant young, foreign players being left out. I don't think Klopp didn't see any quality in me, but in this difficult phase he put more trust in players he already knew and could rely on."

Immobile won the European Golden Shoe last season after scoring 36 Serie A goals for Lazio, two more than Bayern Munich star Lewandowski in the German top flight.

The 30-year-old is honoured to have finished ahead of such esteemed company and labelled closest challenger Lewandowski as the best player in the world.

"If I could vote at the Ballon d'Or, I would give him my vote," he said.

"What makes me particularly proud is that I won the Golden Shoe with two more goals than him. For me, he was always a role model.

"When it comes to the best number nine in the world, the names Lewandowski, [Luis] Suarez or [Karim] Benzema always come up. 

"To be mentioned in the same breath as them and to have scored more than these strikers is incredible for me."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with Afshan Ashiq, the goalkeeper from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), in an online chat session as part of the Fit India programme. 

She had been in the headlines for the wrong reasons after a photo of her throwing a stone at J&K police had gone viral in 2017. However, that was a one-off incident as per the footballer who has now taken a leadership role in the footballing scene of J&K. 

Along with her, Prime Minister Modi will interact with several other dignitaries like Virat Kohli, Milind Soman amongst others. 

Fit India was launched by the Prime Minister at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on 29 August 2019 which is also recognised as the National Sports Day. 

Prime Minister Modi's vision is to make the Fit India movement a 'Jan Andolan'. 

"A fit mind in a fit body is important. Courage is interlinked with fitness. Healthy India is my goal. The way to make India a great nation is only possible through a healthy person, healthy family and healthy society," said the PM during the launch of the event. 

To inspire people for joining the movement, the Prime Minister said that Fit India Movement may have been started by the government but it is the people who have to lead it and make it a success.

“Success is related to fitness, success stories of all of our icons from any field of life have a common thread- most of them are fit, have a focus on fitness and are fond of fitness.

“Technology has reduced our physical ability and has robbed us of our daily fitness routines and today we are unaware of our traditional practises and lifestyle which could keep us fit. With time, fitness has been relegated a lower priority in our society. Earlier a person used to walk or cycle for kilometres, today mobile apps have to tell us how many steps we walked”.

A 28-member committee comprising government officials, members of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports federations, private bodies and fitness promoters was also constituted to advise the government on the Fit India Movement.

The committee under the chairmanship of sports minister Kiren Rijiju, has 12 members from the government, including secretaries of Sports, Secondary Education, Ayush, Youth Affairs, among others.

Mr Rijiju is actively involved in developing football in India as the Member of Parliament has repeatedly stressed that he wants football to become a part of Indian lives. He aims to build five zonal committees to bring out the best talents in India. 

"I want to have at least five committees for a large country like India. So there can be a Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern, and a North-Eastern zonal committee. These would include former players and other technical members who have sound knowledge of the sport. The five committees will scout for talent below 12 years of age. We have to start now if we have to make a mark in the Olympics and the World Cup," stated the minister. 

Mason Greenwood is capable of becoming a No.9 but must first "learn how to head the ball", according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has challenged the Manchester United star to improve his aerial game.

Greenwood announced himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football during the 2019-20 season.

The 18-year-old hit 17 goals across all competitions to help United earn a third-place Premier League finish and reach three semi-finals, while forming one-third of a deadly attacking trio alongside Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

He impressed enough to earn a maiden call up to England's national team, and was handed his first cap during a 1-0 win away at Iceland at the start of the month.

Greenwood notched his first goal of the new club season in a 3-0 EFL Cup third-round victory over Luton Town, while also grabbing an assist after coming on as a late substitute.

The teenager has been primarily deployed on the right wing since breaking into Solskjaer's line up, but the Red Devils boss expects him to take up a role through the middle as his career progresses.

“He had a fantastic season last season,” Solskjaer said of Greenwood after the win at Kenilworth Road. “And to get his goal now was important for him. And Marcus. It always is with strikers, to get that confidence and feeling of scoring, to get that hunger again.

"So I'm very happy with that, he just needs to work to get his fitness and sharpness back as well, like the rest of us.

“He can play through the middle as well. I think, as a young boy, not physically grown yet, it is nice to be facing forward rather than being the No.9, the foil; being the battering ram if you like.

“So I think he’ll end up as a No.9 in the end, probably. But he’s so good with his right and left, so he can come in off his right and left, or through the middle. I scored most of my goals from just outside the post as well, I wasn’t in the middle."

However, Solskjaer warned that the England international will have to work on one key area of his game in order to start leading the line for United, as he added: “For him to be a No.9, he needs to learn how to head the ball.

"I keep telling him that and, if he wants to do that, he’s welcome to come and practice with me.” 

Greenwood's next chance to shine will likely come when the Red Devils take in a trip to Brighton on Saturday, where they will be looking to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener.

United will then start looking ahead to a meeting with Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 3, which will see their former manager Jose Mourinho return to pit his wits against Solskjaer once again.

Selangor recently sacked head coach B. Satiananthan, after a run of poor performances and their recent 6-1 humiliation by JDT in the Malaysia Super League.

While many Red Giants fans breathed a sigh of relief over his departure, a former Selangor coach came to the defence of Satiananthan.

In the comments section of a Selangor supporters fan page's post announcing Satiananthan's departure, former Selangor player, caretaker and youth coach Gunalan Karupiah posited that one factor for the club's failure to perform well under Satiananthan is their refusal to give a chance to young players from the state of Selangor.

K. Gunalan. Photo from TV Selangor YouTube

"Don't just blame the head coach, I had been the caretaker coach back in 2016 and I took them to the [Malaysia Cup] final.

"But as the President Cup (U-21) head coach in 2019 it seemed that Selangor did not have a long-term plan. There were a lot of youth players with potential, but they were not promoted to the first team. The current management then signed AMD (Mokhtar Dahari Academy) players, which I disagree with.

"If they want to improve football in Selangor, they need to give a chance to good players from the state," wrote Gunalan.