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Trent Alexander-Arnold admits Liverpool are looking for an answer to the “million-dollar question” as their uncharacteristic struggles in 2020-21 show no sign of abating.

A fifth successive defeat on home soil was suffered at the hands of Chelsea on Thursday, with that sorry slump seeing the Reds record an unwanted first in their glittering history.

Injuries have conspired against Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, but Alexander-Arnold is not looking for excuses and accepts that those on the field need to find a way of turning a corner.

What has been said?

The England international right-back told the Reds’ official website when asked how current problems can be solved: “That's the million-dollar question for us at the minute.

“I thought we played quite well [against Chelsea] – we didn't create that many chances in the game, fair play to them. They kept us out.

“I think Sadio [Mane] had half an opportunity where he scuffed it and it rolled to the 'keeper. From the angle I saw there could have been a handball in there.

“But it's one of those games where it's frustrating. I don't really think we deserved to win at the end of the day, so it was a tough one to take.”

What next for Liverpool?

The Reds are starting to welcome injured players back into their ranks, with Diogo Jota making a lively cameo off the bench against Chelsea.

Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and co could return before the end of the season, with Klopp needing to find inspiration from somewhere.

On the importance of getting injured stars into the side, Alexander-Arnold added: “It's a boost and it's always nice to have a fit squad, but there's still a lot of lads out.

“But there's no excuses from us. We're a good enough squad to be winning, no matter who's in and who's out, rotation, we should be winning these games.

“These are the games we need to win and I think we need to go on a good run to stand any chance of hitting our targets.”

What is Liverpool’s target?

A top-four finish now represents the height of the Reds’ ambition in domestic action.

The defending Premier League champions have slipped to seventh in the table, four points adrift of the top four as the battle for Champions League places hots up.

Klopp’s men remain in the hunt for European glory this season, and boast a 2-0 lead over RB Leipzig in their last-16 showdown, but there is a lot of work to be done at home and abroad in order for the 2020-21 campaign to be salvaged by those at Anfield.

Further reading

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa has singled out the mentality of his players as the reason they have a chance to beat Busoga United in a Ugandan Premier League match on Friday.

The unbeaten Red Eagles will host Busoga at Muteesa II stadium Wankulukuku seeking to dislodge champions Vipers SC from the top of the 16-team league table.

And ahead of the match, coach Bbosa has maintained their readiness to do the job owing to the players’ strong mentality in the league so far and their desire to keep winning their matches, especially when playing at home.

“The most important thing is the players’ mentality, they know we have to keep winning especially at home and I can tell you the concentration levels are very high,” Bbosa told the club’s official website ahead of the match.

“We tried to creating many chances in our last away game [vs Kitara FC] but the pitch [Kavumba Recreation] didn’t make matters any better, the surface was bumpy and it was hard for the boys to convert the chances but I think it’s different this time around, we’re home and we shall try to convert as many chances as we can.”

Express captain Enock Walusimbi echoed coach Bbosa’s sentiments by stating: “Our last win [away to Kitara] was a tough one but we learnt our lessons and I am sure the lads have corrected the mistakes in training.

“We have the right mentality to keep winning the games and we shall.”

The Red Eagles have racked up seven wins (three at home and four away) from 11 games, making them one of only two clubs to stay unbeaten in the league.

The team has been boosted with the return of winger Godfrey Lwesibawa who has served his suspension for amassing yellow cards and missed the Kitara game while forward George Senkaaba will miss the clash after he was ruled out for six weeks.

Senkabba picked up multiple partial tears of his Achilles tendon on matchday 11 away to Kitara.

Express has faced Busoga United thrice, the visitors have picked up two wins compared to the home side’s one but worth noting is Busoga are winless in their last six outings, managing four draws and two defeats.

Victor Lindelof admits he is having to play through pain at Manchester United, with a long-standing back complaint continuing to give him problems.

The Sweden international defender is prepared to put his body on the line for the cause, but concedes that he is having to manage his workload.

There is no obvious solution to Lindelof’s injury issues in the middle of a gruelling 2020-21 campaign, with the 26-year-old acknowledging that he is going to have to battle on for the foreseeable future – with a rescheduled European Championship to come at the end of a domestic season.

What has been said?

Lindelof has told United’s official website on his fitness concerns: “Yeah I’ve been struggling a bit with my back. I’ve been having it for the last couple of months.

“I missed a few games as well and I am just trying to manage it in a good way. I missed a few games and I came back slowly. I played one game and then I got to rest again, it felt a bit better.

“It started to come back a little bit but I’m just trying to manage it in a good way, do the recovery right and then treatment. [I'm] just trying to manage it in a good way.”

He added: “I have been having these issues for the last couple of months but I’m still out there because I want to be playing, to help my team win games.

“That’s the most important thing for me. If I’m sore for a few days after it or in a bit of discomfort, that’s not a problem if the team wins. That’s the most important thing and I just want to be out there to help the team.”

How many games has Lindelof played this season?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has handed the Swede 30 outings across all competitions in the current campaign.

A promising partnership has been struck up with club captain Harry Maguire, but Lindelof faces fierce competition for his place from Eric Bailly.

That is forcing him to keep playing, with only three games sat out as a result of his back problem.

Issues in that area first emerged for Lindelof in 2019-20 and have proved difficult to shake or address properly with United’s medical department.

The bigger picture

Lindelof is not going to get an extended break any time soon, with the fixtures continuing to come thick and fast.

A derby date with arch-rivals Manchester City is next on the agenda for United, who remain in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League alongside FA Cup and Europa League trophy quests.

Solskjaer’s side still have 11 games to come in the English top-flight, and Lindelof will want to figure in as many of those as possible.

He also has international action to come over the summer, with Sweden readying themselves for the European Championship in a tough group alongside Spain, Poland and Slovakia.

Further reading

It’s a packed episode of the African Football HQ podcast this weekend, as Ed Dove and Malek Shafei discuss the biggest stories in the world of African football.

As well as comparing Riyad Mahrez and Hakim Ziyech following their recent performances for Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, the pod also assess Uganda’s decision to reportedly suspend head coach Johnny McKinstry.

Considering the Cranes still have their final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to play for, it appears to be a risky move by the East African heavyweights.

You’ll have to wait until next week’s AFHQ Unplugged to hear Shafei discuss the progress of Pitso Mosimane at Al-Ahly, but in the meantime, we take an in-depth look at the players Nigeria have missed out on and the players they absolutely must recruit.

Recently, Jamal Musiala became the latest player to announce that he wasn’t planning to represent the Super Eagles, with the Bayern Munich wonderkid throwing his hat into the ring with Germany.

Tosin Adarabioyo appears likely to follow in his footsteps in snubbing Nigeria. So impressive in the Premier League with Fulham this season, the centre-back had been tipped for a future with the West African giants, but instead, has made noises about wanting to represent England at the European Championships.

He looks likely to be the latest performer to reject the chance of turning out for the Eagles, joining into an illustrious list of star men who never put on the famous green.

David Alaba and Emmanuel Adebayor are two of the biggest names to have opted for international careers with other countries—Germany and Togo respectively—rather than Nigeria.

Alaba would have certainly solved some of Nigeria’s left-back problems, while imagine what Adebayor could have achieved alongside the likes of Yakubu or Obafemi Martins up top.

Elsewhere, England duo Dele Alli and Ross Barkley—both of whom could represent England at the Euros this summer—could have turned out for Nigeria, while the likes of Ugo Ehiogu and Gabby Agbonlahor achieved little with the Three Lions after opting to represent the European giants.

John Salako, John Fashanu and Dennis Aogo are some of the other players who could have represented the Eagles, while Shafei closes the segment by urging Nigeria to do all they can to recruit Michael Olise of Reading.

Uganda international Allan Okello has explained why he joined Paradou AC of Algeria from Kampala Capital City Authority FC.

After a stellar stint with KCCA and the national side, Okello finally signed for the Algerian side despite having numerous offers from a number of other clubs.

The winger feels his Paradou AC move will be a career gateway to Europe where he has dreams of playing professional football in future.

Youcef Atal and Hicham Boudaoui, now at Nice, and Ramy Bensebaini at Borussia Monchengladbach, already secured European moves after winning the Caf Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and all came through the Paradou ranks.

"Like all African players, my dream is to have a career in Europe. I could have chosen another destination, but Paradou AC sell more players to clubs on the Old Continent than any other side in Algeria," Okello told Fifa.com.

"It's a great springboard to make a name for yourself abroad. Just in the last two years, the club has sold three players to European sides, and so I’m working hard to be among the next ones to go there.

"The Algerian championship is really very professional, unlike what I've experienced before. It allows you to evolve very quickly and can open doors to European football."  

The winger also explained the difficulties that were presented by the language barrier as he speaks English while playing in a mainly Arabic-speaking nation.

"When I arrived in Algeria, it was difficult for me, as I had to adapt to the style of play and overcome the language barrier," he added.

"Now things are starting to improve. I’ve learned a few words and studied the language to let me communicate with my team-mates.

"Initially, I couldn't express myself and didn't understand anything. Now, I’m in the ideal situation – I'm an integral part of the team, I feel good on the pitch and I can build my self-confidence."

The Uganda international also spoke about his role models and who he thinks is the best player.

"Originally it was [Andres] Iniesta but now I really like [Lionel] Messi. However, in my opinion, the best player today is Kevin de Bruyne," he concluded.

In 2019, the forward was voted the Player of the Year after a good performance with KCCA that included the successful Cecafa Club Championship in Rwanda.

He joined the Kasasiro Boys' academy at the age of 15, made his debut almost a year later and he was part of the 2016/17 Caf Confederation Cup campaign. 

Okello scored 39 goals for the 13-time Premier League winners from 112 games and that earned him offers from mainly Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.

Loris Karius is eager to spend the final year of his Liverpool contract away from Anfield, with the German goalkeeper open to the idea of extending his loan spell at Union Berlin.

The 27-year-old tumbled down the pecking order on Merseyside on the back of an error-strewn showing against Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final.

Jurgen Klopp moved to snap up Alisson that summer, freeing Karius to head off for two seasons at Besiktas, and there is little chance of him finding his way back into the Liverpool side.

What has been said?

With there seemingly little room for him on Merseyside, and with his current deal with the Reds due to expire in less than 18 months, Karius told Sport Bild: “I still have a contract with Liverpool until 2022. But of course I can imagine staying in Berlin if everything fits. 

“I'm not just passing through here. The mentality of the people and the spirit of the team are good for me. 

“I'm basically a down-to-earth guy, even if I drive an expensive car.”

How many games has Karius played for Liverpool?

Klopp raided the ranks of his former employers at Mainz for a promising shot-stopper in 2016.

Karius had previously spent time in the academy ranks at Manchester City and welcomed the opportunity to take in a second spell on English soil.

He arrived at Anfield sat behind Simon Mignolet, but saw costly mistakes from the Belgian open a first-team door for him.

Karius made 16 appearances during the 2016-17 campaign, before recapturing his spot the following season and making 33 appearances.

The last of those saw him leave the field in tears after handing a European crown to Real Madrid, leaving little chance of a way back into the team.

How has Karius fared at Union Berlin?

Having seen regular game time in Turkey with Besiktas, but experienced issues regarding salary payments, the decision was taken to head home in the summer of 2020.

Game time initially proved hard to come by, with Karius figuring in just five games this season.

He has, however, played in four of Union’s last five Bundesliga fixtures, conceding just two goals and suffering no defeats.

“I feel really good in Berlin and at Union,” Karius added.

“Of course I want to play, but if that were different, then I wouldn't have lost anything here either.”

Further reading

Barcelona’s first season without Luis Suarez has been reminiscent of Real Madrid’s struggles after Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus, says Diego Forlan.

The former Atletico Madrid and Uruguay forward also believes Barca’s decision to oust Suarez had nothing to do with his on-field performances.

Barca trail Atletico by five points in the Spanish title race, while only Lionel Messi has scored more goals in La Liga this season than Suarez.

What has been said?

On Barca’s decision to sell Suarez, Forlan told AFP: "Of course it was a huge mistake. As soon as Barcelona said he was for sale, I knew it was a mistake.

"All I know is it wasn't about his performances on the pitch.

"I messaged him and said, 'Listen, you're not the first and you won't be the last. You have to keep being yourself. You don't have to prove anything to anyone so just keep doing it at Atletico Madrid.'

"But when you get punished for something you didn't do, when you're still in great shape, playing well, of course your aim is going to be to show that you can still perform."

‘It’s like when Ronaldo left Real Madrid’

Barca have dragged themselves back into contention in the title race and reached the Copa del Rey final with a stirring comeback against Sevilla, but they have rarely looked at their best this season.

Forlan drew parallels with Real Madrid’s loss of their own attacking talisman ahead of the 2018-19 season. Madrid finished third in La Liga, were trophyless other than the Club World Cup, and went through three permanent managers in the season after Ronaldo headed to Turin.

"Barcelona are missing Luis, it's like when Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid," Forlan said.

"It was not just Cristiano Ronaldo leaving, one of the best players in the history of football. It is 50 goals leaving as well.

"So if you sell a player like Ronaldo or Suarez, you have to replace them with two players and then there's risk because they have to adapt.

"As soon as Cristiano left it was never going to be easy for Real Madrid and for Barcelona now it's the same."

Further reading

Sofapaka FC are set to welcome Michael Bodo and Stephen Okola back for their Football Kenya Federation Premier League game against Bidco United on Saturday.

The duo has been out owing to injuries but is now ready and fit to be involved this weekend. The 2009 league champions have confirmed the positive news to supporters, but also revealed goalkeeper Aigba Moubarak remains a doubt.

"Bodo has fully recovered [from the groin injury]," Sofapaka, who won their last game against Posta Rangers 2-1 posted on their official portal.

"The defender has had full training sessions with the team and will be available for selection for Saturday’s match. 

"Okola has shaken off a back knock that has put him out for the last two outings. The young defender had a full training session with the team and will be available for selection ahead of the Bidco clash.

"Moubarak is the only injury concern. The custodian resumed light training as he speeds up on his recovery [from a shoulder injury]."  

The hosts will not find it easy against their opponents who are riding high on confidence after a 2-1 win over league leaders Tusker in their last outing.

Meanwhile, Sofapaka midfielder Bizimana Amissi has conceded no team should be underrated in the FKF Premier League.

The midfielder was signed by Batoto ba Mungu on February 8 from Rukinzu FC in Burundi and has since made five appearances for the team.

Having acclimatised to his new surroundings, he has described the league as competitive and to win it you have to take all the opponents seriously.

"The league is so competitive, every team is fighting hard for the points and a place for top honours," Amissi told the same portal.

"In the matches played, I have experienced physicality, lots of goals being scored, no underdogs, and each game and win counts when you want to be champions. I am not worried but am adapting well to the new environment and I believe I will settle in time."

The experienced midfielder further explained why he feels Batoto ba Mungu have what it takes to challenge for this season's league title.

"The team now has depth to compete effectively to be champions, we are a set of new players who have joined the club and it is only a matter of time we get to jell and cause teams troubles," Amissi continued.

"We have a supportive coach who is well learned and by the end of the first leg we shall be good to go."

Sudan's Premier League giants Al-Hilal SC have appointed former Jose Mourinho assistant Ricardo Manuel Nunes Formosinho as their new head coach.

Formosinho worked with the veteran Portuguese manager in England at both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur until 2020.

Al-Hilal, who are in Algeria for a Caf Champions League tie against CR Belouizdad, confirmed the appointment of Formosinho via a Facebook post.

Initially, the former Champions League runners-up had appointed Zoran Manojlovic but the Serbian did not stay long and forced the club back into the market.

Al-Hilal had approached Egyptian tactician Hamada Sedki but the move was reportedly opposed by the club's honorary president Turki El Sheikh, who fronted the candidacy of Formosinho instead.

The Portuguese tactician joins a club that has enjoyed unparalleled domestic success as they are the record champions of Sudan's Premier League.

They have won the league title a record 27 times, the most recent coming in 2017. The Omdurman club has also won the Sudan Cup seven times, the last one in 2017.

The giants, based in the State of Khartoum and founded by graduates of Khartoum Memorial College 91 years ago, finished second in the 2019-20 season.

Al-Hilal have been captained by a record 39 players but Hashim Deifallah - who served from 1938 to 1942 - and Haitham Mustafa - who was the skipper from 2004 to 2012 - have had long spells with Al-Hilal.

Mustafa was in charge of the club when it enjoyed quite a good run in the Premier League as they lifted the title in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2012 while they became Sudan's Cup winners in 2004, 2009, and 2011.

At continental level, Al-Hilal have made 34 appearances in the Champions League with their best being losing finalists in 1987 and in 1992.

In the Confederation Cup, they have made appearances on six occasions and were semi-finalists in 2010 and in 2012, which remains their best achievement in the competition. They have featured in the African Cup winners' Cup four times and played in the Caf Cup on two occasions.

Although they are no longer an ever-present side in the Cecafa Club Championship, Al-Hilal took part in the competition from 1985 to 1999; making eight appearances in total.

Formosinho, 64, himself with vast experience in club management, launched his career in 1992 and has gone on to serve a massive 21 clubs since. 

He served under Mourinho at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018 before moving to London where he was again assistant for his countryman from 2019 to 2020.

He was also part of Mourinho's technical staff at FC Porto in 2003–04 in a campaign which culminated in them winning the Champions League

Mason Mount has revealed his goal celebration after netting Chelsea’s match-winner against Liverpool was inspired by the “anime cartoons” that Kurt Zouma watches on Champions League away trips.

The England international grabbed a priceless effort at Anfield on Thursday, with a well-earned victory over the defending Premier League champions lifting Thomas Tuchel’s side into the top four.

Mount’s moment of magic saw him produce a composed finish after cutting inside Fabinho, lashing into the bottom corner, with Ben Chilwell joining him to acknowledge that strike as Chelsea revelled in a Merseyside masterclass.

What has been said?

Talking the Blues’ official website through a choreographed celebration, Mount said: “Me and Chilly always sit together behind Zouma on the plane when we travel away for the Champions League and stuff.

“He’s always watching cartoons like anime so we usually watch from behind and laugh at him.

“We said if one of us scored, we’d do it so that was the reason behind it and obviously it’s one for Kurt as well.”

How did Chelsea overcome Liverpool?

Tuchel’s side set up against Jurgen Klopp’s men to play on the counter, with it apparent from the off that they would be looking to get in behind a makeshift centre-half partnership of Fabinho and Ozan Kabak.

Timo Werner was deployed as a central striker, with the Germany international boasting the pace to trouble any high defensive line.

Chelsea controlled proceedings throughout and will feel as though their margin of victory could have been greater – with a tight VAR call and some smart goalkeeping from Alisson keeping the score down.

“We know they have quite a high line and they like to press high, especially at home, so any time we won the ball back from turnovers or we played out from the back, we looked to go in behind them,” Mount said on the Blues executing their game plan to perfection.

“When I got the ball, I thought I was in a bit of space and I could go at Fabinho, even though Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was maybe coming back as well.

“When I got into the box, I knew I was one-on-one so I just tried to get a yard, get it on to my right foot and then when you’re inside the box, you can open up the goal a bit. That was my idea.

“I tried to execute it and it went into the far corner. It was a massive goal for us and a massive win as well.”

The bigger picture

Victory for Chelsea has lifted them above Everton and West Ham and into the final Champions League spot.

The battle for the top four remains tight, with nine points separating Manchester United in second from Tottenham in eighth into the final third of the 2020-21 season.

Chelsea’s fate is now in their own hands, with form and momentum rediscovered at just the right time with Tuchel’s unbeaten start to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout extended to 10 games.

Further reading

Metz’s Algerian goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja has been given a five-game suspension in Ligue 1 after he was sent off in stoppage-time of their 1-0 loss to Angers.

The league disciplinary committee confirmed Oukidja will serve a four-match ban while the ban for the fifth match is suspended.

The Algeria international was involved in an altercation with Ivory Coast's Souleyman Doumbia in the 92nd minute of Wednesday's game which resulted in his expulsion, while the defender received a yellow card.

Oukidja’s punishment is expected to start this weekend when Metz visit Ligue 2 club Valenciennes for their French Cup Round of 16 clash on Saturday.

His likely return date is scheduled for April 10 when the Maroons host leaders Lille for a Ligue 1 match at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

The 32-year-old has been a regular fixture in Frederic Antonetti’s team this season, having played in all but one of their league matches so far.

Oukidja’s contributions between the sticks have helped Metz surge on the Ligue 1 table and they currently sit sixth with 41 points from 28 games – three points adrift of the European qualifying spots.

Mali's Boubakar Kouyate is another African star who was punished in Antonetti's team. Kouyate was shown his third yellow card in less than 10 matches on Wednesday, which will make him serve a one-game ban.

The 23-year-old was cautioned on the stroke of half-time after he brought down Lois Diony in the penalty area and the resulting spot-kick was converted by Angelo Fulgini.

January signing Krepin Diatta was also sentenced to a match suspension after he picked up three yellow cards in his first nine matches for AS Monaco.

Although he is yet to open his Ligue 1 goal account, the Senegal international received yellow cards against Marseille and Nantes - both in January - and Brest on Saturday.

The sanction takes effect from March 9 and he will miss Monaco's Ligue 1 outing against Lille five days later.

Coastal Union coach Juma Mgunda as explained how they managed to end Yanga SC’s unbeaten run in the Mainland Premier League on Thursday.

The Jangwani giants were yet to lose a match in the top-tier after 21 matches but it finally came to an end after goals from Erick Okorai and Said Mudathir were enough to help the hosts claim a 2-1 win against Timu ya Wananchi, who scored their goal courtesy of Tuisila Kisinda.

Speaking after the game, Mgunda has now revealed their change of game plan in the second half after studying Yanga’s weaknesses in the first half helped them to beat the giants at home.

“I had said it from the previous days that this game was very important for us and we did not care whom we were playing against and all we needed was a win,” Mgunda told Goal after the game.

“I also said we respect Yanga but don’t fear them, they are a big team with good players and are leading the table, so we planned very well knowing we are playing against a top team, and I want to thank my players for playing according to instruction and as usual thank God for the vital win.

“Football is all about mistakes, I always talk about this, the coach always looks at the weaknesses of an opponent, and I studied Yanga very well in the first half, and noticed their weakness, and at the break, we discussed that and also discussed where we were doing things wrong.

"We also discussed Yanga’s good areas, but all in all my players followed instructions in the second period and we have won.”

On whether he was a better coach than Kaze, Mgunda said: “I don’t talk about coaches of my rival teams, it is not right to do so because I am also a coach, but what I can say is that we studied the weaknesses in Yanga's defence and used that to punish them.

"I congratulate them [Yanga] because they are a good team, they gave us a tough game, and in football, you either win, lose or draw, it is part of football.”

On his part, Coastal Union captain Salum Ally told Goal: “We had planned from the word go that we need maximum points from Yanga, we know the position we're in the table is not good at all, so we had planned to win our next three matches starting with Yanga and I thank God we have crossed the first hurdle.

“At least the win will push us from the position we are in and if we win the next matches, then we will move to a better position, that was our target and remains to be our target.

“We want to ask fans to be with us, they know we are fighting for them, we will continue to work hard and make them happy, so they should not give up supporting us because we have good plans for them.”

The win pushed Coastal Union to 10th position in the 18-team table with 26 points that have come from 22 matches as well.

Yanga SC coach Cedric Kaze has given credit to Coastal Union after they ended the team’s unbeaten run in the Mainland Premier League on Thursday.

The Jangwani giants were the only unbeaten side in the top-flight heading into matchday 21 but the run was shattered after goals from Erick Okorai and Said Mudathir gave the home team the 2-1 win despite Tuisila Kisinda’s strike in the match at Mkwakwani Stadium.

The defeat was also the first for the Burundian coach since he joined the side as a replacement for Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, and speaking after the match, Kaze conceded they deserved to lose in the game and took his time to congratulate the winners for putting up a good display.

“It is true we have lost three points and I want to take this chance to give credit to our opponents [Coastal Union], they played very well more than, they had the determination to win the game more than us and they were very fast on the ball, so they deserved to beat us,” Kaze told Goal after the game.

“Even after scoring the second goal they [Coastal Union] continued to play hard on us without defending and if you check how they controlled the ball, I simply want to give them credit.

“We had a very bad day, first minutes into the game we lost a penalty and then two minutes later we conceded the first goal, and all this put us under huge pressure but we pulled level, and again we pressed them to score, but we failed to maintain compact at the back as we all moved forward, and it gave them space to use the midfield and they scored their second goal.”

On whether he will blame his players for the defeat, Kaze said: “We don’t have time to complain or pick on individuals for the result, we need to go back and plan, we have to go to the drawing board as a team and plan since we have a game on Sunday.”

On whether Yanga are still in the title race, Kaze said: “We still have 12 matches to play for and we need to lift ourselves up now and win our matches, it is still too early to talk about the title.”

Kaze has further blamed the team’s defensive tactics for the defeat, insisting they gave their opponents too much room to meet the ball and it turned out to be costly.

“I must admit we must always fight for a win and if not a win then we must get a draw from our matches but again my players are not getting it right, they move forward looking for goals and left a gap in the back, and we were punished,” Kaze continued.

“It is the discipline tactic which caused us the game especially in the second half, and we will talk about it, we will train and work on that problem but the most important thing is for us to lift ourselves up, without help from anyone.

“Like the first goal, it was a cross from the wing and the keeper did not manage it well, so they scored and for the second, I can say we lacked compactness as a team and allowed Coastal Union players to invade our danger zone which is very wrong, and it is not about defenders coming back to defend, no…even the midfielder are supposed to come back and give defenders the support.

“But today [Thursday], I can say at some point, our defenders were not sharp to reach the ball quickly and it allowed their strikers to get the balls easily, turn and dribble easily but we will work on all the issues.”

Despite the defeat, Yanga are still top of the 18-team table with 49 points from the 22 matches played and they have recorded 14 wins, seven draws, and a loss, scoring 35 goals in the process and conceding 13.

The Timu ya Wananchi giants will next face Biashara United in another league match on Sunday.

Gor Mahia have promised to defend their players after Caf opened disciplinary proceedings against them following incidents during their Confederation Cup match against Napsa Stars.

The African body confirmed three days ago they have opened disciplinary action against K’Ogalo captain Kenneth Muguna and goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch after they investigated claims that Lesotho referee Lebalang Mokete was insulted and attacked by the players.

The Kenyan champions were eliminated from the competition by the Zambian Pensioners after a 2-2 draw in the return leg staged at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka as Napsa had won the first leg played in Nairobi 1-0.

However, after the 2-2 draw, Gor Mahia's players proceeded toward the referee after he awarded the home team a penalty in the 94th minute which was converted by veteran striker Emannuel Mayuka.

Gor Mahia have confirmed they will adhere to the report from the match commissioner but maintained the two players did not abuse the referee as claimed in the report.

“Our stand as a club is simple,” Ochola said as quoted by Standard Sports.

 “We will adhere to the match commissioner’s report, we are in possession of the report and we are still going through it as we continue consulting on the way forward.

“It’s not an easy matter but I think what the referee was trying to explain in his report is a bit vague.

“How could he identify the two yet he was crowded by many people? And which language did they use to abuse him as he claims?

“I know the boys didn’t abuse the referee.”

In the letter from Caf sent to Gor Mahia, the African body said: “The officials of the above-mentioned match [Napsa Stars vs Gor Mahia] have indicated in their report that: “After the match Gor Mahia players No. 29 – [Oluoch Otieno Boniface] and No. 10 [Mugambi Muguna Kenneth] attacked us and used abusive language against us.

“Caf has decided to implement the provisions of the Disciplinary Code in terms of article 11 and to open an investigation allowing your affiliated players to respond to the reported incident.

“Therefore, the club is required to provide us with its comments within five days namely March 5, 2021, by the latest, after which the matter will be admitted to the Caf disciplinary board.”

Gor Mahia have until March 5 to respond to the allegations.

In ATK Mohun Bagan's last league stage match against Mumbai City, coach Antonio Habas was forced to change the defensive combination three times.

The Spanish coach initially fielded his team in a 3-4-3 formation with Sandesh Jhingan, Carl McHugh and Tiri at the back. In the absence of left-back Subhasish Bose, who was suspended for the game, defensive midfielder McHugh was slotted in as a central defender and Pritam Kotal was deployed as a left wing-back, a position which he is not accustomed to. 

Unfortunately, this make-shift combination in the backline lasted for only 19 minutes as Jhingan had to leave the field with an injury. After Jhingan's departure, Pritam went back to being a right centre-back as full-back Prabir Das was introduced at left wing-back. 

Then again at the beginning of the season half, in a bid to strengthen the attack, Habas fielded Edu Garcia, replacing Tiri, and to fill in the Spanish defender's place he introduced Salam Ranjan Singh for the first time this season.

Habas' selection dilemma in the backline has been an issue since the beginning of the season. In their very first match against Kerala Blasters, left wing-back Michael Soosairaj got injured and Bose replaced him in that position. And now Jhingan's injury seems serious and he is doubtful to feature in the club's all-important first-leg of the play-offs clash against NorthEast United.

Prabir Das also has not hit the heights of last season and has struggled to nail down a first-team spot. The full-back, who had provided five assists last season and was an automatic first-team player, has managed to provide just one assist this season and has started in 10 out of the 18 matches he has played. With Jhingan virtually out of the play-offs clash, the Mariners boss might be tempted to field Sumit Rathi as a central defender alongside Tiri with Pritam Kotal shifting back to his natural right-back's role.

The selection dilemma also persisted in the midfield for Habas this year as star midfielder Edu Garcia had to miss as many as seven matches in the middle of the season due to an injury. It was only before their final clash against Mumbai, Garcia returned to action. Australian David Williams too had to miss quite a few matches in the beginning due to injury.

Several injuries and suspensions to key players have impacted coach Habas' team selection and tactics this season and has forced him to change his system multiple times and the issues still persists for the Spaniard.

The veteran tactician needs to chalk the best possible team with the players he has if he wants to shrug off the league stage blues and add one more Indian Super League (ISL) title to his trophy cabinet.