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Mwinyi Zahera has tipped Young Africans (Yanga SC) to eliminate Simba SC from the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.

The two giants will clash at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam with Simba eyeing the trophy to complete the double while Yanga are keen to win the trophy and snatch a ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup.

It will be the third meeting between the two giants this season with the first round fixture ending 2-2 while Yanga turned on the screw in the second-round contest to win 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Bernard Morrison.

Zahera, who handled Yanga before he left for Luc Eymael to take charge, has now revealed his former team has the best chance to win the derby.

“Yanga have the biggest chance to beat Simba because they are doing better technically than their opponents and especially they are always better when playing against them [Simba],” Mwinyi is quoted by Sokaletu.

“All Yanga need to do is to continue with where they left, they played very well in the last league match and won 1-0 and they can still win the domestic Cup contest, they stand a good chance.

“Also I know the team is now being handled well by sponsors GSM, they know how to treat the players and with such motivation, they cannot lose in the derby.

“Furthermore, Yanga know very well that if they win the trophy they have a straight ticket to continental football next season, and that is why they will strive even harder to perform, I give them my support and I know they will make it to the final.”

Meanwhile, Simba SC Information Officer Haji Manara says the pressure is with Yanga since if they lose, they will not play in the Confederation Cup next season.

“They will play to win the match and we will play to revenge for the loss we have suffered from them this season and here is where the toughness of the game is,” Manara told reporters.

He added they have already talked with their players to fight hard for the victory insisting that real celebrations come when a team triumphs in derby games.

The winners of the match will qualify for the final to play either Namungo FC or Sahare All Stars who play today in another last-four clash at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant Herbert Mwachiro believes it is high time Kenya finds a way back onto the pitch.

Football was suspended on March 16 owing to Covid-19, and four months down the line there is no clear way forward. A couple of days ago, the government, through the Ministry of Sports Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohammed, formed a committee to strategize the resumption of games in the country.

"Looking at the way things are unfolding in the world, I believe we also have to find a way of getting on the pitch to play football," Mwachiro told Goal on Saturday.

"Some countries have put strict measures which are closely monitored and followed. We are seeing football being played, and I believe Kenya can also borrow a leaf on the same.

"I take nothing away from the fact that Covid-19 is there; we also have to understand the health of a footballer is very important."

The former FKF deputy CEO has also pointed out that clubs should also employ a medical practitioner who is well versed with the coronavirus to help teams handle the situation better.

"We have to understand a bigger percentage of our players are young and should be offered an opportunity to train and play regularly," Mwachiro added.

"To facilitate this, once the way forward is clear to everyone, every top-tier side should consider having a medical practitioner to help them handle the Covid-19 situation.

"While we want to enjoy the beautiful game, we must also prioritize the health of our players. They should be regularly tested and the best thing is to guide them on how to conduct themselves amidst the pandemic both on and off the pitch."

Mwachiro, who has been involved in sporting activities in Kenya for over 30 years, is currently chairman of the NOCK Sports and Environment Commission and Kepsa Sports, President of the Environment Institute of Kenya and heads the Culture and Arts Board.

In July 2018, the administrator quit the Federation, after just seven months, for what he termed as 'differences in opinion' with the then CEO Robert Muthomi.

However, Barry Otieno, who was serving as the Head of Communications stated the contract had expired and it was not renewed.

Apart from incumbent Nick Mwendwa, his predecessor Sam Nyamweya has confirmed he is in the race for the FKF seat. The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Secretary General Nicholas Musonye is also in the race.

The others who have shown interest in the presidential seat are former Vihiga County's Moses Akaranga and Gor Mahia's CEO Omondi Aduda. 

The Uganda women's national team head a coach Ayub Khalifa believes the new dates for the African U17 Women's World Cup qualifiers will be a motivation for them.

After postponing the matches that were set for March due to the coronavirus issue, Caf has provided new dates for the qualifiers. The first leg will be played from October 30 to November 1 and the second leg ties will be hosted three weeks later.

“The new Caf dates are going to make the girls more focused and fully motivated,” Khalifa told Football256.

Khalifa is confident the junior Crested Cranes have been working hard at home to keep themselves fit but feels joint training sessions are far better.

“They love and respect national colours. Despite the lack of clinical supervision, as committed athletes, they are going to double their personal training as they wait to be summoned,” he added.

“And October is almost four months away, therefore, there will be ample time for the players to gain fitness.

“Personal training is so vital but collective training is key in building team chemistry and how they play. We have to find a means of training together in an attempt to make detailed and effective preparations.

“But since everything revolves around Covid-19, we will have to wait for what the Ministry of Health says. If there will be guidelines enabling us to train together, then that would be a real blessing,”

Uganda reached this stage of qualifiers after beating Ethiopia and Tanzania in the first and the second rounds respectively.

They have to overcome Cameroon to qualify for the global tournament set to be held in India next year, something that striker Juliet Nalukenge is looking forward to.

“It would mean a lot for us if we managed to earn qualification,” Nalukenge told CafOnline in a recent interview.

“I think we have done well in the qualifiers and I believe we have what it takes to make history for Uganda. The fact that no other previous team has achieved this is motivation enough for us.

“If we manage to qualify to the Fifa U17 Women's World Cup, it would open so many doors for us and that is why we are working so hard to achieve that.

The final fixtures, apart from the Cameroon-Uganda one, will see South Africa face-off with Morocco while Nigeria will be up against neighbours Ghana.

Juventus must be "patient" with Adrien Rabiot, according to Laurent Blanc, who has described the midfielder as a "great talent".

Rabiot completed a free transfer to Juve last summer after an acrimonious departure from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25-year-old was ostracised at Parc des Princes after refusing to sign a new deal, and ultimately decided to continue his development in Italy after months of speculation over his future.

The France international committed to a four-year contract with Juve, but failed to hit the ground running in his new surroundings at the start of the 2019-20 campaign.

Rabiot was restricted to a backup role in Maurizio Sarri's squad at first, amid strong competition for places in the middle of the park alongside the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Aaron Ramsey and Rodrigo Bentancur.

However, the former PSG star has been a fixture in the Bianconeri's starting XI since the resumption of the season last month, and he grabbed his first goal for the club in some style during a clash with Milan on Tuesday.

Rabiot ran the length of the pitch before firing an unstoppable shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Rossoneri net to give Juve the lead at San Siro, before the home side mounted a stirring fightback to win the match 4-2.

Blanc, who gave the playmaker his first taste of senior football while he was in charge at PSG, thinks a fellow Frenchman can reach the very top of the game as he grows in confidence with each passing year.

The former PSG boss told Tuttosport: “Rabiot is my pupil, Adrien is no longer a boy, but he is still a class of ’95. Aside from his brief experience at Manchester City at the age of 14, for him this is the first real adult adventure away from home, away from France.

“A time of adaptation to Italian football and to a great club like Juventus had to be taken into account. How to get the best from him? We must make him feel confident... I also had problems with him at the beginning in Paris.

“In post-lockdown games I saw an Adrien very similar to the one I trained at PSG. More enterprising, skilled in transitions and powerful. But Rabiot can do even more because he has all the qualities to become a top player. He probably hasn’t figured out how strong he is yet.

“If the Bianconeri bet on him a year ago they must be patient because they have a great talent on their hands. Trust me, there are few players like him and it won’t take long to reach the top.”

Zinedine Zidane praised the "phenomenal" Thibaut Courtois after Real Madrid took another step towards the La Liga title with a win over Deportivo Alaves.

Madrid kept a clean sheet for the fifth straight game, recording a 2-0 win on Friday to move four points clear of rivals Barcelona with three games remaining.

Zidane lauded Courtois, who made four saves in Madrid's win as Karim Benzema netted a penalty before Marco Asensio's second-half goal.

"He has a very big influence. He is our goalkeeper, what he is doing every game is phenomenal," Madrid coach Zidane told a news conference, via AS.

"It is a matter for everyone when it comes to defending … today, he [Courtois] has been good for us with two or three stops, and then the strength of the entire team.

"We have to continue like this."

Madrid scored a penalty for the third straight game, while the VAR was needed to award Asensio's goal after it was initially ruled out due to an offside decision against Benzema.

As another clean sheet helped Madrid, Zidane said he was happy with his team, who are away to Granada on Monday.

"I'm not worried because the important thing is to win matches," he said.

"We didn't score four or five goals, but because there is an opponent who defends. We scored two goals, one very beautiful in play.

"I am happy and calm with what we are doing."

Following the Granada match, Real Madrid have league matches at home against Villarreal and a trip to Leganes to round out the season before they attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their Champions League second round match versus Manchester City.

Madrid's title rivals Barcelona will play fixtures against Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home) and Alaves (away) as they attempt to haul in the four-point gap established by Los Blancos.

Barcelona have won the last two La Liga titles with Real Madrid last claiming the honour after the 2016-17 season.

Despite winning 33 titles in their existence, Los Blancos have only won it twice in the last 12 years.

Raphael Varane dismissed talk the VAR favoured Real Madrid after the La Liga giants moved closer to the league title with a win over Deportivo Alaves.

A Karim Benzema penalty and Marco Asensio goal saw Madrid record a 2-0 win on Friday, moving four points clear of rivals Barcelona with three games left.

Madrid were awarded a spot-kick for the third straight game, while the VAR was needed after Asensio's goal was initially incorrectly ruled out for an offside decision against Benzema.

Varane, who helped Madrid keep a clean sheet for the fifth straight game, was unfazed by any talk decisions were going his team's way.

"Outside noise doesn't matter to us. We are focused on winning and giving everything on the pitch," the defender told Movistar.

"We don't control the VAR, we control the effort and attitude we show on the pitch."

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu accused the video technology of favouring Madrid after Los Blancos won 1-0 against Athletuc Club last week.

Madrid's game-winning goal in that match came after the referee viewed the VAR pitch-side monitor to award a 76th-minute penalty dispatched by Sergio Ramos, while Athletic appeared unlucky to not receive a late spot-kick themselves.

"I watched San Mames match until almost the end of the second half," Bartomeu said. "I feel bad because we have the best league in the world and VAR after coronavirus isn't fair.

"It has changed some results and always favours the same team."

Madrid are closing in on their first league title since 2016-17, with Barcelona having clinched the past two crowns.

Varane said Madrid still had finals to play ahead of matches against Granada, Villarreal and Leganes to finish the league season.

"We are focused on our objective and we have three finals left," he said.

"It was important to win, of course, but it is very important to keep a clean sheet. That gives us a lot of confidence.

"We will continue with the positive dynamics we have."

Madrid's title rivals Barcelona will play fixtures against Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home) and Alaves (away) as they attempt to haul in the four-point gap established by Los Blancos.

Barcelona have won the last two La Liga titles with Real Madrid last claiming the honour after the 2016-17 season.

Indian women's national team coach Maymol Rocky has claimed that 2019 has been the golden year for women's football in India.

"I think we played more than 40 international matches, traveled to more than 20 countries which was never done before and the girls were very lucky to be in this plan. We had the best year in 2019, for me what I would term as the golden year in women's football," Rocky told AIFF in an Instagram chat.

Not only was the year a landmark for Indian women, there was recognition for the women's game on the global scale as well. The 2019 Women's World Cup attracted a lot of attention with USA forward Megan Rapinoe stealing the show, winning the Golden Ball and helping her team win the World Cup. 

Maymol, who travelled to watch the tournament in France, recalls meeting Rapinoe and calls her as an ideal athlete whom every player needs to learn from.

"I remember watching a match between Australia and Brazil and the atmosphere was fabulous. I was thinking that we are far behind but we are not very far behind. I'm sure that we can make it. When I was playing, I would never dream of making it to the World Cup but now we can believe. 

"I had a very small chat with her (Rapinoe). I wished her congratulations for winning the World Cup. She said 'thank you' and the first thing she asked me was 'where are you from?'. And she was like 'nice meeting you'. The personality that she has, every player needs to carry that and work like her also. She (Rapinoe) has really worked very hard to get where she is," she explained.

The best result for the India women's team in the Women's Asian Cup was a runners-up finish in 1979 and 1983. They also finished third in 1981. However, this achievement came under the aegis of the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI) that was categorised under the Asian Ladies' Football Confederation (ALFC) with no affiliation to FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Fast forward, as the affairs were eventually taken over by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from the early 2000s, the women's national team failed to make it past the group stage on five consecutive times between 1995 and 2003. However, they are set to make their ninth appearance in the competition as India are set to host the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

The country is also set to host the U-17 Women's World Cup in February 2021.

"As a senior team head coach, I am really looking forward to this (U-17 Women's World Cup) because we are preparing for the 2022 Women's Asian Cup. I will definitely get a few players from the U-17 team," Maymol explained.

"When the base becomes bigger for the senior team, scouting can be expanded and you have more players in the pool to choose from in different positions."

With regard to the 2022 Women's Asian Cup that also serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, she added, "This is the top-most tournament the girls will be playing in recent times. The tournament happening in India itself gives us goosebumps.

"We don't want to play against countries who we can defeat. Now we want to play against countries who we have to compete hard to defeat. So the plan is already in process. We are going to play the qualifiers as well and I can just say that everybody needs to back us up. The girls will give it all."

Do you consider yourself a huge fan of the Indian football? How abreast are you when it comes to developments in and around the Indian football ecosystem?

How much do you know about ATK and Mohun Bagan, the ISL and I-League champions who have merged to form a new club?

This edition of Goal 's 'Sharp Minds' quiz is for the fans of the new club - ATK Mohun Bagan FC.

As we see football take a backseat among the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, here's your chance to while away some time.

We will bring you a set of 10 questions, a mixture of easy and tough ones, every week on Indian football. Try answering them on your own (without googling, we hope) and see how much you know about Indian football.

Share your scores with others and showboat. The latest edition of Sharp Minds is right here. Have fun.

NOTE : You are welcome to contact us through social media, if you need any clarification on the answers. We will try, to the best of our abilities, to explain.

Many teams have found it difficult since the restart to find their best form and consistency after approximately three months of inactivity but after a disappointing defeat to Genoa on their home return, AC Milan are undoubtedly the form team of the moment in Serie A right now.

The Rossoneri have gone on to achieve four wins from their next five matches  in great fashion with some very notable scalps against teams higher than them in the league standings. Big three points against Roma, Lazio and Juventus have reignited Milan’s hopes for a European spot next season.

Stefano Pioli’s time at the club may be numbered but it looks like he’s found the right formula at the 18-time Serie A champions, culminating in the come from behind win over the current league leaders. At the heart of it all, Hakan Calhanoglu is adamant that the belief is seeping back into the team.

“It feels very good [to beat Juventus]. We played against Juventus who are a very strong team. After the 2-0, we never gave up and we tried to do something on the pitch. We created a lot of chances. After the penalty that Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] scored, the confidence came back to us. It’s an amazing feeling, we are so happy and the atmosphere is so incredible now. 

“We also played well in the Coppa Italia against them but it was difficult with one less player. With 10, you have to run more and defend more. That game was in our mind during the league match and it showed in the way we played.

“This is what we missed in the past because against the big teams, we didn’t win too much. Now we’ve beaten Roma, Lazio and now Juventus with Napoli next,” said Calhanoglu in a special interview with Southeast Asia media earlier in the week. 

Calhanoglu has a special bond with Pioli who told him from day one that he understood what the Turkish international can do and is using him in his preferred position as the number 10, which has given the former Bayer Leverkusen player all the confidence he needs.

Signed by the Italian club in the summer of 2017, it hasn’t always been a rosy ride for Calhanoglu in the three seasons that he has been there thus far. Suspended in the initial months of his arrival, he also had to deal with the changes in head coach from Vincenzo Montella to Gennaro Gattuso to Marco Giampaolo to Pioli.

With five goals and three assists in the league thus far, Calhanoglu is finally able to show just why Milan pushed the boat out to secure his signature for a reported €23.30M fee and gave him the coveted number 10 shirt worn in the past by Ruud Gullit, Zvonimir Boban and Clarence Seedorf.

“I’m three years here but since I’ve been here, things are always changing. I’ve already trained with four coaches and new directors, the stability is not like it was before in Milan. Everybody tries to do the best for Milan but something is missing. As players we can only look at what we can do on the pitch. I’m hopeful that we can bring Milan back to what it was before. 

“Let’s not forget that I didn’t play for six months when I first arrived at Milan. It was very difficult for me to come back. I was in a bad condition physically. Arriving at a big club like Milan, people are expectant of me because they know me from Leverkusen. 

“The first year I didn’t show it like I wanted. The second year I was playing better day by day and when Gattuso arrived, he gave me big energy and pushed me a lot. Physically I was very good with him. Sometimes he let me play in my role but tactically he was not like Pioli, he’s more defensive style. With Pioli we play aggressive and always offensive, that is better for me. So my best year as the people say, is this year. That is true.”

Seven more matches remain for the 2019/20 season, seven more matches for Calhanoglu and Milan to attempt to reproduce that second half performance against Juventus in a full 90 minutes match. If they are able to do that, then Milan could find themselves taking that first step to perhaps a title charge in the 2020/21 season.

You can catch Hakan Calhanoglu and AC Milan in action via:

13 July: Napoli vs Milan on FOX Sports 2 (Astro CH 836 (SD) / 816 (HD), unifi TV CH 707)

16 July: Milan vs Parma on FOX Sports (Astro CH 835 (SD) / 815 (HD), unifi TV CH 706)

19 July: Milan vs Bologna on FOX Sports 2 (Astro CH 836 (SD) / 816 (HD), unifi TV CH 707)

22 July: Sassuolo vs Milan on FOX Sports (Astro CH 835 (SD) / 815 (HD), unifi TV CH 706)

The 2016-17 I-League had turned out to be a dream season for Goan goalkeeper Albino Gomes as he won the I-League with minnows Aizawl FC and then got a call into the Indian national team.

Gomes was at the top of his game and had even won the best goalkeeper award in India’s then top tier league. His performance for Aizawl FC prompted Delhi Dynamos to buy him in the 2017 Indian Super League (ISL) Players Draft.

Unfortunately, since 2017 it has been a downward spiral for the custodian. He went into a hiatus for almost three seasons due to back-to-back injuries.

But now the 26-year-old goalkeeper has finally recovered and has joined Kerala Blasters in the summer. During a live Instagram chat with the club, the Goan spoke about how excited he is to take the field for the Southern club in the upcoming season.

“It feels amazing. I always wanted to come to Kerala Blasters. The fan base here is extremely good. I wanted to join the club because of the fans, their passion for football. It is a good place to play football.

“Now I have to play a lot of games for Kerala Blasters and have to impress the national team coach (Igor Stimac) to get back into the national team. Everyone wants to play for the country. That is my aim right now.”

Gomes suggested that his only aim is to win the ISL title this year which will be the club’s first ever trophy.

“I want to win the ISL trophy for Kerala Blasters. It will be historic and I want to be a part of that history. Personally I want to keep as many clean sheets as possible. I believe that I can do it.”

The former I-League winning goalkeeper suggested that he is looking forward to work with Kibu Vicuna and suggested that he feels comfortable playing in the Spanish philosophy.

“Our coach is a really sorted person. He knows his plan and knows how to put it in action. All Spanish coaches like to keep the ball on the ground and I like that as well. It will be much easier for me to understand his plans. His strategies are also very good and if we can implement those strategies then I think we will surely win the league,” said Albino Gomes.

The young goalkeeper also revealed that he seeks inspiration from his former teammate at Mumbai City FC and veteran Indian custodian Subrata Paul.

“Subrata Paul is a great inspiration for me. I was with him at Mumbai City FC for two years and also at Salgaocar. I saw him every day how he worked also saw him in the dressing room. He was always very focused and very professional. For the national team also, he has done so much. I see him as a role model,” concluded the Goan footballer

With the uncertainty over the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, The All India Football Federation (AIFF) are likely to conduct the entire I-League 2020-21 season at one particular venue, Goal can confirm.

Considering the rapid spread of the virus in India, it should not come as a surprise that the AIFF and the league organisers of the I-League and Indian Super League (ISL) have adopted a similar strategy for the 2020-21 season which could begin in November tentatively.

The ISL are looking to conduct the competition at a centralised venue, with Goa the most likely hosts and Kerala the back-up option.

Indian Football Association (IFA), the governing body of football in West Bengal, though, are keen to host the matches in Kolkata. The IFA secretary Joydeep Mukherjee told Goal that they are ready to host I-League matches.

The IFA secretary also mentioned that there are five to six venues in West Bengal which are ready to host the matches namely, the Kalyani Stadium, Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Barasat and many more. The Kishore Bharati Stadium in Jadavpur, Kolkata is also getting refurbished and could be ready when the new season commences.

The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake) might not be used as a venue for the I-League because it is one of the venues for the 2020 U17 Women's World Cup which starts in February 2021.

An increased travelling for matches and diversity in the number of stadiums used for the tournament makes it difficult to contain the spread of the virus.

UEFA had confirmed that Estadio da Luz and Estadio Jose Alvalade, home to Benfica and Sporting respectively will play host to the single-legged games in the subsequent rounds. There will be no changes in venues for the remaining games from the Round-of-16.

Even the Qatar Stars League (QSL) has adopted this format to finish their league off. The rest of the rounds in QSL will be played in three stadiums. Numerous other leagues, including the Chinese Super League (CSL) and Australia's A-League are mulling over a short tournament at neutral venues.

More importantly, any tournament or camp in the coming months will need to follow a standard operating procedure (SOP), much like what leagues in Europe are currently doing in order to ensure the virus doesn't spread. A compact tournament at a reduced number of venues will help the organisers implement the SOPs required to maintain safety and health of players.

According to the SOPs, sanitising the venues and training area is paramount and so is testing the players for Covid-19 every week. It is a costly undertaking but something that cannot be avoided.

Ngozi Okobi and Halimatu Ayinde were pivotal in Eskilstuna United's 2-1 stunning away victory over Anam Imo's Rosengard.

Ahead of this week's clash, the reigning champions had been boosted by back-to-back 1-0 victories over Vittsjo and Kristianstads.

For visitors, they had failed to get a win from two matches, having come from behind to claim a 3-3 draw at Orebro before forcing a late 1-1 draw at home against Goteborg.

Friday’s game at Malmo IP will see Eskilstuna battle for their first win of the season, while the holders sought to make it three wins in a row.

The hosts started brightly but the visitors drew first blood when Loreta Kullashi broke the deadlock in the 25th minute before Ayinde's effort went wide two minutes from half time.

After the restart, Magnus Karlsson brought on Okobi for Julia Tunturi immediately and she almost doubled the lead for Eskilstuna but her attempt was saved in the 52nd minute.

A minute later, Vaila Barsley slotted in the second and that turned out to be the winner of the match for the visitors as the introduction of Imo nine minutes from time could not rescue the champions.

Ayinde lasted the duration and Okobi was in action for 44 minutes for Eskilstuna, but Imo played for only nine minutes for Rosengard.

The victory, which was their first this term takes Eskilstuna to fifth position with five points after three games and they will welcome Kristianstad at Tunavallen on Wednesday.

For Imo's Rosengard, it's their first loss this season and they will aim to bounce back in their next league tie against Vaxjo on Tuesday.

Simy Nwankwo scored his 17th goal in the Serie B this season as Crotone grabbed a crucial away victory by defeating Citadel 3-1 on Friday.

The Super Eagles forward doubled the Pythagoreans' lead in the 37th minute, after Junior Messias broke the deadlock at the Pier Cesare Tombolato Stadium in the 11th minute.

He made it four goals in his last five league outings after scoring a hat-trick in Crotone’s 3-0 victory over Benevento last Friday.

The effort was Simy's 17th goal after 32 league outings this campaign, and he is currently the joint-second top scorer in the Italian second division, with a goal behind Perugia's Pietro Iemmello.

Four minutes into the second half, Messias sealed maximum points for the visitors with his second goal of the night which has now made them unbeaten in their last nine league matches.

Since their 3-2 loss to Juve Stabia in February, Crotone have drawn three and won six of their last nine league outings.

Simy was in action for 90 minutes alongside Libya midfielder Ahmed Benali before they were replaced by Maximiliano Lopez and Tomislav Gomelt respectively in the stoppage time.

Crotone maintained their second spot in the Serie B standings after the win at the Citadel which earned them 58 points after 33 games. They still hold a three-point lead above third-place Pordenone.

With five games remaining, the race for Serie A promotion is heating up with two slots left for grabs after runaway leaders Benevento sealed their spot.

Crotone have the chance of extending their lead when they host Pordenone at the Stadio Ezio Scida for their next league fixture on Monday.

Bukayo Saka and Musa Juwara are the names on everyone’s lips in the world of African football this week, with the duo scoring their first goals for Arsenal and Bologna respectively.

These two youngsters are two of the hot topics discussed in this week’s African Football HQ Podcast, as Malek Shafei and Ed Dove dissect the big stories in the African game.

In the same week that Saka signed his first contract with Arsenal, he also opened the scoring for the Gunners as they downed fellow Champions League hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League action.

Typically lauded for his work in wide areas, and his ability to set up goals for his teammates, the wonderkid showed off another string to his bow with a delicious finish, meeting Kieran Tierney’s cross with a deft finish beyond Rui Patricio.

Juwara was also among the goals for Bologna, coming off the bench to equalise against Internazionale in Serie A last Sunday, before Musa Barrow added a second to defeat the Nerazzurri and all but end the title hopes of Antonio Conte’s side.

The 18-year-old’s route to the top has been remarkable, with the orphaned Juwara only arriving in Italy four years ago, on a migrant ship having traversed the Mediterranean, before working his way up the rungs of the national game.

Also up for discussion this week, Wazito’s project in Kenya continues to lurch from crisis to crisis, with the club owner sacking 11 players and then publishing an expletive-laden rant on social media in which he criticised those he had kicked to the curb.

We also discuss the future of Al-Ahly under Rene Weiler, examine what’s in store for Africa’s biggest leagues following updates from Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria.

Major League Soccer returns this week following the coronavirus-enforced suspension, as football in the United States continues to be a hotbed for African players.

There’s plenty of Ghanaian interest in the division, with Black Stars like Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, David Accam and Latif Blessing among the African players hoping to have an impact in the top flight this season.

Dove is particularly excited to see what Lalas Abubakar can achieve this term; is he a player who could be turning out for the national side within the next 12 months?

Victor Wanyama will be hoping to bounce back at Montreal Impact following his decline at Tottenham Hotspur, while Kei Kamara—the second highest scorer in the MLS history—will be hoping to fire himself further up the all-time goal king charts.

Jose Mourinho expects to turn Tottenham into trophy winners before his contract with the club is up.

The Portuguese joined the Premier League side in November on a three-year contract, replacing Mauricio Pochettino at the helm after a difficult start to the season.

Last year’s Champions League runners-up have not collected silverware since the 2008 League Cup, and this campaign will end without any, too.

But Mourinho says it could take some time for the London team to end their trophy drought, but pointed to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as evidence that patience and smart signings pay off.

"How long did it take for Jurgen and Liverpool?" he said to reporters. "Four years, four seasons. Buying one of the best goalkeepers in the world, buying one of the best centre-backs in the world and so on and so on and so on.

"I'm focused on my three-year contract. I believe that in my three-year contract we can win trophies. If we don't, but the club does it in the new era if I stay here only for three years, I will be happy with that."

He added: "I work for the club. I'm not thinking about myself. I keep saying that my ambition is the same, my DNA is the same, but probably I am in the stage where I look less to myself and my records and I look more to the club.

"I am optimistic because I start working from day one. Because I believe we are going to make some changes in our squad, and for that we don't need a huge investment like the club made in the past summer.

"I cannot believe that the season is going to be so full of negative episodes like we've had since practically day one.

“There are many reasons to believe that it is going to be different."

Spurs have spent a lot of money over the last year to bring record signing Tanguy Ndombele as well as Ryan Sessegnon and Steven Bergwijn to the club and the coach feels it is unfair to say they are reluctant to invest in the squad.

"The only thing that I feel is quite an injustice is to forget that the best stadium in the world is there, the best training ground in the world is here, and around £100 million investment in the summer," he said.

"That was probably one of the biggest investments by a Premier League club [that] is considered quite not committed with evolution or not committed with an investment - £100m.

"Then you can discuss good, bad, successful, not successful. You can discuss all these things.

"But nobody can discuss that around £100m was on the table in the last summer which I think is proof, open proof, that the club wanted to invest."

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has warned his Premier League rivals that the club’s talisman Wilfried Zaha is back to his best.

The Ivory Coast international has been playing influential roles for the Eagles over the past seasons, helping them to avoid relegation a number of times with his brilliant performances.

The forward, who failed to secure a move away from the side last summer, has, however, not lived up to his standard in most part of the 2019-20 campaign before delivering an eye-catching display against Chelsea on Tuesday.

The winger scored a spectacular long-range effort against Frank Lampard's side and was a constant threat to the Stamford Bridge outfit on the flanks.

Ahead of their Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, Hodgson has backed the 27-year-old to maintain his new-found form.

"He's had some good games during this period and some games where I'm sure that he'll have said he can do better," Hodgson was quoted as saying by the Standard.

"The other night he was certainly at the very, very top of his game and I see no reason why he shouldn't keep that going in the last four games.”

Zaha has only managed four goals and five assists in 34 Premier League games this season and Hodgson believes the former Manchester United striker can add to his tally.

"I'm convinced we're going to see some very good things from him in these last 360-odd minutes,” he continued.

“ I'm pretty sure also he'll be looking to try and add to that tally of goals and assists so at the end of the season he's got a bit more to show for what he's done this season."

Zaha has scored 49 league goals in 323 appearances since his promotion to Crystal Palace first team in 2010 amid other dazzling displays which have endeared him to the club’s fans.

Palace are without a victory in their last four games and Zaha will hope to help them return to winning ways against Aston Villa. 

The Eagles are already safe from relegation, given their current points of 42 in 34 games, the forward will, however, look to help them finish above the 12th place they achieved last season.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has revealed the officials who will be in charge for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final between rivals Simba SC and Yanga SC at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

It will be the third Kariakoo Derby this season with the initial two in the league - the first one ended 2-2 while the Jangwani-based side won the last meeting by a solitary goal.

The match commissioner will be Ally Katolila from Dar es Salaam, as well as Nadeem Aloyce, Ramadhan Kayoko, Frank Komba and Kassim Mpanga.

Other two officials are Abubakar Mturo and Abdallah Mwinyimkuu, who are from Mtwara and Singida, respectively.

The Tanzania Mainland League champions eliminated holders Azam FC after claiming a 2-0 win in the quarter-final.

Captain John Bocco, who has turned into a key goal-scoring figure for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi since football resumed in Tanzania, scored the opener in the 40th minute to ensure Simba were leading at the break.

Benedict Haule's misplaced pass was collected by Francis Kahata and the Kenyan's cross into the box was headed in by Bocco with minimal interruption from the opponents.

Simba fought and they were deservedly rewarded in the 57th minute when Zambian Clatous Chama scored the second to stretch the lead against the defending champions.

Yanga also made it into the final four after defeating Kagera Sugar 2-1 in another all top-tier quarter-finals.

Kagera were the better side as they pressured Yanga in the opening stages and it took them only 20 minutes to take a deserved lead when Aweku Ibrahim scored from close range.  

After the resumption, Yanga levelled matters when Congolese import David Molinga met a cross from a corner-kick to head home to score his third goal for the club in just three days.

Deus Kaseke then won the game for Timu ya Mwananchi after he slotted home from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after a Kagera defender was punished for bringing down Molinga.

On Saturday, Namungo FC will be playing Sahare All-Stars in another semi-final match.

Namungo defeated Alliance FC 2-0 to advance with All-Stars defeating Ndanda in a shoot-out to complete the list.

The eventual winner will play in the Caf Confederation Cup and Sunday's match will kick-off at 17:00.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Josta Dladla says his good reputation at Danish Superliga side Aarhus GF paved the way for Bafana Bafana fringe player Gift Links to be accepted at the club.

Dladla spent three seasons at Aarhus during his playing career before returning home to join Mamelodi Sundowns and later on Kaizer Chiefs.

With Links now turning out for the Danish side, Dladla has encouraged the 21-year-old to leave good and lasting impressions that would open doors at the club for other South African footballers.

“It’s important that he carries himself well because that is how the Danish will judge South African players who will follow in his footsteps," Dladla was quoted as saying by Sun Sport.

"If I had given the club issues during my time there, they most likely wouldn’t have taken a chance on any other South African player after me. 

“The Danish Superliga is actually a nice league to play in, but isn’t always the easiest. Aarhus are a nice team which always embrace young talent.

"People were looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team, that’s for sure.”

Links joined Aarhus from Cape Town City at the beginning of September 2019 and has been one of their regular players this season.

He has, however, managed just one assist and has scored no goals in 11 league appearances so far this season.

“And Gift was always going to encounter a few hardships but the most important thing was for him not to give up. He needed to take his time and get comfortable, and it will show on the field,” Dladla said.

“Aarhus is a very small city and you do the same things over and over again, which can get lonely and a player can easily get homesick but he needs to stay there and focus on his game.

“He is not the biggest player, but he has been blessed with skill and plenty of pace. He is good at using that speed to trouble defenders.

"Those Scandinavian players are huge and they don’t like people running at them.”

It is not the first time for former Platinum Stars player Links to ply his trade outside South Africa.

His first home on foreign soil was a brief stint at Egyptian side Al Assiouty Sport which are now named Pyramids FC.