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It’s imperative for Kaizer Chiefs to get up and running with victories in the Caf Champions League group phase says Amakhosi marksman Leonardo Castro.

Castro was speaking ahead of the Soweto giants’ opening Group C match against Horoya at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Also in the group are Moroccan powerhouses Wydad Casablanca as well as  Angolan side Atletico Petroleos Luanda.

Castro has considerable experience in the Champions League and won the competition with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016.

He knows it’s an unforgiving arena in which mistakes will be capitalised on and in which any chance must be taken.

"We need to work hard to get the result. Its going to be a tough game and we need to be clever,” the Colombian told Chiefs media.

"We need to play with responsibility, we need to be minimise the mistakes.”

With tough away fixtures to come, Castro says it’s vitally important that Amakhosi hit the ground running with a positive result in Soweto on Tuesday evening.

"If we score first I think we are going to get the three points,” he said. "it's very important to start in the right way, to win the first game, we need to make our home games count.

"With away games, if we can make a draw and get a point, it will count for us, its going to be a big achievement."

Horoya are regulars in Africa’s premium club competition and they played Orlando Pirates in 2019 - the Guinea side won 2-1 at home and lost 3-0 in South Africa - and Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018 - a 0-0 draw and a 2-2 draw - in the same phase of the competition.

"We are facing teams with a different types of a structure. Africans are big, they are tall and strength,” Castro said.

“Its going to be interesting in our group how we can make it happen. My friends and colleagues have talked to me about [Horoya], especially when you play away games its tough, because of the weather, the conditions.

"So the most important thing for us is to make it count here in our home ground and win the game."

Simba SC striker Meddie Kagere has promised to help the club beat Al Ahly again when the two sides face off in their Group A match of the Caf Champions League on Tuesday.

The Msimbazi giants will welcome the Egyptian outfit for the first meeting of this campaign at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium after both teams won their first group fixtures.

Simba won their opener 1-0 away against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of the Congo while Al Ahly, who are the defending champions, beat Al Merrikh of Sudan 3-0 in Cairo.

It was the Rwandan striker who scored the last time the two teams faced each other at the same venue, notching in the 65th minute as the Wekundu wa Msimbazi won the Group D fixture 1-0 and it was a revenge of sort as they had lost the first meeting in Cairo 5-0.

Kagere, who joined Simba from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, has now said he is confident of scoring against the African champions again if coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa gives him the opportunity to play in the fixture.

If I get a chance to play in the match on Tuesday and we create chances even if they are few as they were last time, I am confident of giving our fans joy by scoring again,” Kagere told Sokalabongo. “We want to win again at home and we will strive to do it.

“You know we are going to play against the best team here in Africa in all areas so we are going to meet enough competition from them which will contribute to a few scoring chances being created but if I meet one of the few chances, I will make sure I use it.

“We have managed to win away from home [beating AS Vita 1-0], and it was a good start for us because we scored after creating several chances and it could have been bad had we not won the game, and the three points are good for us.

“If we manage to play well and beat Al Ahly, we will simply set ourselves to finish at a very good position which will guarantee us a qualification berth in the quarter-finals and that is our target for this season.”

During the opening fixtures, it was Congolese forward Chris Mugalu who delivered the three points for Simba after stepping up to score from the penalty spot for the 1-0 win while Al Ahly benefited from Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Walter Bwalya, and Mahmoud Kahraba's goals to move top of the group on goal difference.

AFC Leopards defender Clyde Senaji has revealed his desire to leave the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side.

The central defender-cum-midfielder was signed from Tusker in 2019 and has now expressed his desire to quit Kenya's second most successful club.

He left Tusker when the club terminated his contract over some disciplinary issues and his push to leave AFC Leopards, according to him, is based on the recent interest from two top Premier League sides.

"I have enjoyed my time at AFC Leopards but I think it's time for me to move and try out new things," the defender told Goal.

Senaji hopes AFC Leopards will facilitate his exit without putting up unnecessary roadblocks as he intends to serve another club of his choice.

"I have several offers on the table and my intention is to leave the club now. I hope they will not stand in my way because I served them diligently," he added.

Recently, the club acquired Tedian Esilaba from Nairobi City Stars. Esilaba's arrival was expected to strengthen the backline which Senaji is part of but should he successfully negotiate his way out if the Den, it is going to be a big blow to AFC Leopards.

He has been regularly used alongside captain Robinson Kamura and they have established a solid partnership.

The KPL side has had to deal with departures of their key players in the defensive department and incoming coaches have had to experiment with a number of players.

Soter Kayumba, who initially came on loan from Sofapaka, left in 2019 after he had stamped his authority on the first team. The Rwandan international, who left with another three foreign players alongside then-head coach Casa Mbungo in late 2019 due to financial issues, had been appointed captain.

The unstable defensive line and previous injuries to Robert Ayala and Kamura saw defensive midfielder Collins Shichenje deployed at centre-back especially during last season.

The former Green Commandos starlet had to partner with Kayumba, who left Ingwe at the end of 2019 and returned to Rwanda. Rumours have also had that Shichenje could leave the club as PAOK of Greece have shown interest in him.

AFC Leopards were recently rocked with the resignation of interim tactician Anthony Kimani, who was set to be the assistant coach, just after the 0-0 draw against Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby.

Should Senaji exit, new coach Patrick Aussems will be forced to design a way of drafting another backline as strong as the Senaji-Kamura partnership as the season continues.

Aussems saw his side fall 2-1 to Bandari in the previous game after go-slows prior to the trip to Mbaraki Stadium. After the defeat to the Dockers, Kakamega Homeboyz, Nairobi City Stars, Vihiga United, Mathare and Nzoia Sugar have been lined up as AFC Leopards' next five opponents.

In the FKF Shield, Ingwe have been drawn against fellow top-tier side Posta Rangers, who recently appointed Stanley Okumbi as the head coach.

Thomas Tuchel has held talks with Callum Hudson-Odoi after his controversial decision to sub the player on and off in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw away at Southampton.

The highly-rated Stamford Bridge academy graduate was asked to provide inspiration when introduced in place of Tammy Abraham at the interval.

He was withdrawn just half-an-hour later, with Tuchel questioning the 20-year-old’s attitude when explaining his decision.

What has been said?

The Chelsea boss now claims to have cleared the air with Hudson-Odoi, telling the Blues’ official website: “It is not a big thing at all for me. I have spoken to Callum, and I’ve spoken to the whole group. Sometimes, these things happen in football and it was just my decision.

“Maybe I was being harsh on him because he was on my side of the pitch and I was up close to him, but I did not feel that he was really into the game.

“I didn’t think he was totally sharp and that is why I took a hard decision on him, but that decision was in the moment and for that day only. For me, this is absolutely not a big thing and only becomes one if people want to talk about it.”

Tuchel added: “Callum has been fantastic for me so far and it’s on him to show me that every game and every day in training. I want him to show me that he is a reliable guy for the team when he comes on from the bench like he is when he starts.

“He has started a lot of games for me and in this instance, he has taken a hard decision. Now he must swallow it and come into training ready to work ahead of Atletico, a game which he has every chance of starting.”

What did Tuchel say at the time?

The German tactician revealed after the draw at St Mary’s that his decision to replace Abraham and Hudson-Odoi was driven by disappointment at their respective showings, rather than any injury concerns.

He told BT Sport: “I am not concerned about Tammy Abraham, it was not about the injury, it was hard for him to show his quality. He could not put his stamp in this game so we changed the formation.

“We brought in Callum Hudson-Odoi but I was not happy with his attitude, energy and counter-pressing. I took him off and we demand 100 per cent, I feel he is not in the right shape to help us.”

The bigger picture

Hudson-Odoi has impressed for Tuchel in a wing-back role, with a positional tweak for the England international allowing him to see regular game time once more.

It appears that he now has to prove himself all over again to a demanding manager, with the first leg of their heavyweight Champions League last-16 encounter with Atletico Madrid next on the agenda for Chelsea as they prepare to face the Liga giants in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Further reading

AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy is happy with the impact on-loan Cape Town City midfielder Zukile Kewuti has made with the Durban club.

Kewuti worked under McCarthy during the former Bafana Bafana striker's time in charge of the Citizens, and the now 25-year-old seemed set for a bright future.

However, the impressive form of some of City's other midfielders, especially Thabo Nodada, saw Kewuti's game-time with the Cape Town club limited and he was allowed to join Usuthu on a short-term loan deal in the mid-season transfer window.

Prior to arriving at AmaZulu two weeks ago, Kewuti had only played in one league match all season - he got 55 minutes in the 2-2 draw with TTM.

But McCarthy has been content to thrust the midfielder straight into the action in important matches - he played 83 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Swallows and followed that up with another 76 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs last week.

“I’m very happy with what I saw from Zukile [Kewuti],” McCarthy was quoted saying by the Daily Sun.

“It’s not easy coming into a team that is in good form and on a good run. We must remember that he has not been playing consistently at Cape Town City, so he’s gonna run out of legs in the first few matches.

“But I think he just makes us so solid in midfield. I’m very happy with his debut. And like I said, he is a player whom I like. I know the qualities he has and what he can bring to this team and he’s only going to get better with more game time. I’m positive about that.”

The Usuthu head coach also expressed his admiration for youngster Samkelo Mgwazela, who got his first two matches of the season recently, also against Swallows and Chiefs.

“Samkelo is just a breath of fresh air,” McCarthy stated.

“A young man but he’s so valiant, so brave. He gets thrown in the deep end and swims. I think we looked more dangerous when he came on."

Mgwazela was signed from Golden Arrows' reserve team and the 20-year-old central defender had not been expected to play much in the AmaZulu first team this season.

Dylan Kerr has explained why Simba SC stand a good chance to beat Al Ahly in their Group A match in the Caf Champions League on Tuesday.

The Msimbazi giants will welcome the Egyptian outfit for the first meeting of this campaign at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, after both teams having won their first group fixtures.

Simba won their opener 1-0 away against AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of the Congo while Al Ahly, who are the defending champions, beat Al Merrikh of Sudan 3-0 in Cairo.

Ex-Simba coach Kerr, who is currently based in South Africa, has told Goal Al Ahly are a very beatable side and Simba could easily carry the day if they prevent them from scoring and use their chances.

“I was just saying at home all Simba needs to do is to keep a clean sheet and score when they get a chance to,” Kerr told Goal on Monday. “Pitso [Mosimane] team has a good reputation but away from home, they’re always beatable.

“Away from home, it will be tough for them [Al Ahly] when we played against Esperance of Tunisia in the Confederation Cup, we should have won both games especially at home but we were so unlucky, and away is always tough.”

Kerr, who handled Simba during the 2015-16 season, has also singled out the club's fans as the ones who will drive the team to victory against Al Ahly.

“Now that Caf has allowed 30,000 fans to attend the game, the fans will push them to victory,” Kerr continued.

“Simba fans are very amazing and buzzing, they don’t give up, they support their team from first to the final whistle, I know they will help them.”

On Friday, Simba spokesperson Haji Manara confirmed Caf had accepted their request to have fans attend the match.

“Caf has told us we can have 30,000 fans only during the match,” Manara told reporters in Dar es Salaam. “And this being a big match, fans will pay Tsh3000 for terraces, Tsh, 15,000 for VIP B, and Tsh30,000 for VIP A.

“For those purchasing tickets they must do so by the end of Monday night since from Tuesday, which will be matchday, the tickets will increase in price with those for the terraces going for Tsh5,000, VIP B Tsh20,000 and VIP A Tsh40,000.”

Simba have also formed a rallying call by coining ‘Total War in Dar’ as their slogan ahead of the key game.

“The last time we met here in Dar es Salaam we defeated Al Ahly 1-0 in 2019 and our slogan then was 'Yes, we can',” Manara told reporters on Friday.

“Before the last game [vs FC Platinum] we said 'War in Dar' a war that was fought in 90 minutes, it was a war of blood and sweat and we emerged victors.

“This time around the clarion call is 'Total War in Dar'. Al Ahly are a big team but we are at a point of no return. We must fight them and we must win.”

In the 2019 season, Simba and Al Ahly met in the group stage of the same competition, with Al Ahly winning the game played in Cairo 5-0 before Simba recovered at home to win 1-0 courtesy of a Meddie Kagere goal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the title race isn't "done" after Manchester United saw off Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday night.

United moved back up to second in the Premier League standings by beating Newcastle 3-1, thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes.

That result came after Manchester City beat Arsenal 1-0 to extend their lead at the summit to 10 points, but Solskjaer doesn't believe that the domestic crown is completely out of his team's reach.

What was said?

"I am never going to say it's done until it's done," the Red Devils head coach told reporters post-match. "We have seen so many examples of teams that have hung in there, have kept working and have kept doing their own jobs.

"Something might happen. It's not something we think about - we just think about our own performances. That's the only thing we can control. We have got loads to play for, and as a team we've got loads to improve on.

"To build momentum by going on the pitch and playing well is important. We have had a couple of setbacks in West Brom and Sheffield United where I can sit here and explain why we did not get the points we deserved but that's not what I want to do. For me, the boys are really focused.

"We have been good at recovering mentally and physically. It's not easy playing Thursday night [In the Europa League] and coming back here. Maybe that's why we needed 45 minutes to get going."

How did United get the better of Newcastle?

United started slowly against a Newcastle outfit fighting for survival and struggled to find a way through their stubborn rearguard while conceding a number of clear cut chances at the other end of the pitch.

The hosts eventually took the lead on the half-hour mark via Rashford, who cut in from the left before firing a fierce strike past Magpies goalkeeper Karl Darlow at his near post.

However, Allan Saint-Maximin levelled the score six minutes later with a well-taken volley, and the Red Devils seemed somewhat relieved when the half-time whistle blew to give them a chance to regroup.

Whatever Solskjaer said at the break seemed to work as his side upped their game significantly in the second period, with James finishing off a well-worked move at the back post in the 57th minute after seeing the ball poked into his direction by Fernandes.

United made sure of the three points 15 minutes from time when Fernandes stepped up to score from the penalty spot after Rashford was fouled in the box, which took his tally for the season to 15 Premier League goals.

What's next?

The Red Devils will now look ahead to the second leg of their round of 32 Europa League tie against Real Sociedad on Thursday, which is due to be staged at Old Trafford.

Further reading

Express FC striker Mustata Kiragga has promised to build on his debut for the club against BUL FC in a Ugandan Premier League match on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who joined the club from Alexandria FC in South Africa in August, was yet to feature for the team due to delayed paperwork but was handed his debut against BUL at the Kyabazinga Stadium, when he replaced Erick Kambale with ten minutes left on the clock.

By the time coach Wasswa Bbosa introduced Kiragga, the Red Devils were already running away with maximum points as they were leading 4-0 but for the player, the debut was worthwhile and he looks forward to performing even better when given another opportunity.

“It’s been a gruelling four months about, training hard as I waited for my paperwork to be sorted,” Kiragga told the club’s official website after the game.

“I want to thank the club CEO for doing a great job now that I can play, about the game [versus BUL], what a performance from the team, I am happy I marked my debut with such a performance, it’s just the start, a lot more is coming and as an individual, I am ready to fight for my spot and help the team win.”

On whether Express are ready to win silverware this campaign, Kiragga explained: “We still have a long way to go but one thing I can assure all our fans is that the team has one thing on their minds, winning silverware.”

Against BUL, the Red Devils scored through defender Murushid Juuko, Arthur Kiggundu, and Andrew Kayiwa as they picked up a win after drawing their previous fixture 1-1 against rivals and former champions Kampala Capital City Authority.

Kiragga has now been named in the team’s travelling squad for their next league match against promoted and winless side MYDA FC in Tororo on Tuesday.

The win away to BUL was the first time since 2018 that the Red Eagles won by four goals, it is also the club’s second away win of the season and fourth overall this campaign.

Express FC are now placed third on the table with 16 points level, with Police FC although the Cops have a superior goal difference.

David de Gea has become “a real problem” for Manchester United says Paul Scholes, but the Red Devils legend feels another “real dominant centre-back” remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s most pressing transfer requirement.

A 3-1 victory over Newcastle has ensured that the men from Old Trafford remain the closest challengers to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

They were, however, unable to keep a clean sheet once again, with questions being asked of an experienced performer between the sticks.

What has been said?

United icon Scholes told BT Sport of De Gea, with the Spain international suffering more nervy moments in a game that saw him beaten by a strike from Allan Saint-Maximin that bounced up and into the roof of his net: “Yeah, [the clean sheet record is] not good enough.

“We mentioned it before the game, I think that is the biggest weakness in this team.

“David again, so sloppy, it's becoming a real problem, having the confidence in your goalkeeper, and short corners, United had one out for two or three corners, this is the one where David again, can you catch that? He punches it into a really bad area.”

How many clean sheets have United kept this season?

The Red Devils have secured just eight shutouts in 25 Premier League games in 2020-21. A further five clean sheets have been kept in domestic cup competition, and two across seven continental outings in the Champions League and Europa League.

The bigger picture

With United remaining far from watertight at the back, Scholes believes further funds need to be invested in their defensive ranks during the summer transfer window.

He said: “I said before the game I think that they're missing a real dominant centre-back. You look back at the history of the teams that win leagues, they have real leaders in the back four.

“I think Maguire possibly could be but I think they need somebody with him who could be really dominant in that position, really commanding, can bully a centre-forward, can demand from the rest of the squad around him on and off the pitch as well. I just think they're missing that.

“I don't think we're that far off at all. I think the attacking play, the midfield play, Paul Pogba's looked a brilliant player, the player we hoped we'd bought. Fred and [Scott] McTominay are doing well, McTominay especially, and the attacking players.

“A young [Mason] Greenwood coming of age really. This lad could be a superstar. You've got [Marcus] Rashford, you've got [Anthony] Martial. Martial's struggling for confidence I suppose but that lad's got real ability.

“We've got the experience of [Edinson] Cavani, there's goals in the team, [Bruno] Fernandes, I've not even spoke about Fernandes.

“I just think a real dominant centre-half with authority. It could take United to that next level.”

Further reading

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer says he was pleased with the way young midfielder Azola Tshobeni handled himself during Sunday's Caf Confederation Cup match against Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy at the Orlando Stadium.

The Buccaneers won the match 1-0 thanks to Linda Mntambo's goal 10 minutes into the second half. That gave them a 4-0 aggregate victory and booked the Sea Robbers their spot in the group phase.

The 3-0 first-leg win from the match in Gaborone the previous weekend enabled Zinnbauer to rest some of his senior players and to give game-time to some of those players who don't usually feature regularly.

"I think the result is deserved and we had some players on the field who get minutes, and it's also good for us to get more information about the players," the German told the media.

"They were good - defensive good and offensive good. We are happy we come in the next group."

The Bucs mentor was particularly pleased with how 18-year-old attacking midfielder Tshobeni handled himself physically against tough opposition.

"For me its always important that the players get new information, that they get experience," Zinnbauer explained. "That is for me as a coach important, that they get more input.

"For young players like Azola, he make a very good game. He gets the next step or he has a small step forwards, like in defence.

"I remember in the duel in midfield, I think the [Galaxy midfielder, Gape Mohutsiwa] is close to 1,90m [tall]. And Azola won the duel and this is for me good to see.

"Young players getting international games will improve them and that's important."

Tshobeni has played in five matches for Pirates this season - two in the Confederation Cup and three in the league.

The draw for the group stage will be held on Monday at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt from 15:00.

Meanwhile, they will return to domestic action with a league fixture against SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Steven Polack has called on Gor Mahia to walk with their heads held high despite exiting the Caf Confederation Cup following a two-legged defeat to Napsa Stars on Sunday.

The Kenyan champions headed into the return leg with a lot of difficulties, as they only arrived in Zambia two hours before match kick-off and headed straight to National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Despite failing to reach the group stage, Polack, who handled Gor Mahia in the 2019-20 season, has praised the players’ character and for showing a good reaction after losing the first leg at home.

“The players showed a good reaction after losing the first leg but to lose over the two legs on a penalty in the last minute must be very disappointing for the players and supporters,” Polack told Goal from his base in England.

“The players showed their character in this game and they should be proud of that, they just have to move on and focus on their next game.”

Polack, however, blamed the team’s unpreparedness for the exit saying whatever they went through before the return leg could have affected the players’ and their performance.

“If the stories that I have read on the internet are true statements about the team flying on the day of the game, that would maybe have some effect on some people’s minds,” Polack continued before adding, “There is a saying: “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

Ironically, Gor Mahia started the match stronger than their opponents and took the lead in the 16th minute when winger Samuel Onyango, who did not start in the first leg battle at Nyayo Stadium, broke the deadlock in the 16th minute to hand Gor Mahia an unlikely lead.

Two minutes after conceding, Napsa Stars equalised through Austin Banda with a well-timed effort past Boniface Oluoch but a determined Gor Maia fought and responded quickly as they restored their lead in the 19th minute through Miheso.

Gor Mahia then held onto the lead until added minutes of injury time when Napsa Stars were awarded a penalty which veteran striker Emmanuel Mayuka converted for the Pensioners who eventually advanced courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate win after a 1-0 victory in Nairobi.

Florian Neuhaus has chosen not to upend his relationship with current club Borussia Monchengladbach amid a flurry of transfer rumours linking him to Liverpool and elsewhere.

One week after German publication Kicker wrote that Liverpool were readying an offer for Neuhaus in the event they lose Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, the midfielder downplayed the suggestion his mind might be wandering to places beyond the Bundesliga.

The 23-year-old "can't say what will happen" beyond the current campaign, which sees Monchengladbach in the Champions League last-16 as well as an uphill league scrap to qualify for Europe next season.

How did Neuhaus answer transfer questions?

 "I have a contract until 2024 and I have very big goals for this season," Neuhaus told Kicker. "That's what I'm concentrating on now.

"[Transfer talk] is really not a big issue for me now.

"I play at Borussia, I have a contract, and we as a club are still pursuing very big goals this season. I can't say what will happen in the summer at the moment.

"I'm also very relaxed about the future. Borussia is a club where I was able to develop excellently and where everything is there. I know what I have with Borussia."

What is his release clause?

Neuhaus reportedly holds a €40 million ($48.5m) release clause in his contract.

The bigger picture

Neuhaus is quickly becoming one of the most talked about midfielders on the continent for the upcoming summer, and it's no accident that such a development comes as Monchengladbach wobbles following the announced departure of manager Marco Rose to Borussia Dortmund. The club has a daunting European challenge awaiting this week in Manchester City, and its current eighth-place standing in the Bundesliga table is somewhat disappointing.

So, the next couple of months could prove difficult for the squad Neuhaus has given his loyalty.

What Liverpool are capable of in the transfer window this summer is clearly dependent on whether they qualify for the Champions League. But if it's not the Reds chasing Neuhaus, it would seem another top-caliber club will be vying for the Monchengladbach player's attention.

Further reading

FC Goa are well in control of their fate in the 2020-21 Indian Super League play-off race after their 2-1 win over Bengaluru at the Fatorda stadium on Sunday.

The result meant that Bengaluru FC will not finish in the top four for the first time in the ISL since their entry while Goa now have a three-point lead over play-off rivals Hyderabad and NorthEast United.

Having lost the likes of Mandar Rao Dessai, Ahmed Jahouh, Hugo Boumous and Jackichand Singh in the summer, it was always going to be a difficult year for FC Goa as they were undergoing a transition of sorts.

Most of all, they had to muster a replacement for their record-breaking goalscorer in Ferran Corominas. But the club overcame that challenge and now have a striker as clinical as Coro in Igor Angulo. It must be noted that most ISL clubs, including Bengaluru, have failed to rope in a clinical attacker.

Angulo scored his 13th goal in 18 games to open break the deadlock against Bengaluru in the 20th minute on Sunday, a goal that was created by Lenny's replacement in Glan Martins who dispossessed Erik Paartalu. The second strike was courtesy Alexander Romario's delicate set-up to let Redeem Tlang score his first goal in FC Goa colours in the 23rd minute.

When Angulo was injured for a bit, Jorge Ortiz also efficiently stepped up to the occasion and filled in his shoes. Alberto Noguera, too, impressed and has eight assists to his name. He could well have his ninth assist on Sunday had Angulo been able to hit the target against the onrushing Gurpreet Singh who did well to narrow down the angle in the second half.

Goa are reaping the benefits of finding another top notch striker in Angulo and have made smart moves in the market to prove themselves self-sufficient in their objectives for the season that also include their AFC Champions League engagements which will no doubt pose new challenges.

Coming back to the present scenario, the one area Goa has to do a lot better is their resolve at the back. Their defence has been leaky this season as they have struggled to keep more than two clean sheets - the last of which was nine games ago in the 3-0 win over Jamshedpur.

"After 19 games, it's normal that we learn about the high press. It's necessary to continue to improve because sometimes we have problems in defence," admitted FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando post the Bengaluru win.

If Goa do qualify for the play-offs, this factor could make a lot of difference. Going by Sunday's win as well, it was not that Bengaluru didn't have a lot of chances. The JSW-owned side had their chances, especially in the first half. But then again, it came down to being clinical in front, something Goa has shown this season.

Bengaluru were not able to do much in the second half as they were pretty much outshadowed by the marauding Goan attack, particularly towards the end of the match, but one cannot ignore the fact that Goa need to be a lot more tight at the back. 

Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh is also playing after a long time following his January move to Goa and the nerves can be seen in his game at times. But he also pulled off the splendid reaction save to deny Sunil Chhetri and will hope to improve with more game time. 

Rangers midfielder has revealed his wonder goal against Dundee United in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership game came from extra training session.

The 24-year-old was a delight to watch in the encounter, dictating the pace and marshalling the midfield to help his side secure a 4-1 victory over the Terrors.

The Nigeria international scored a breath-taking goal in the game, firing a left-footed strike beyond the reach of goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist and was deservedly handed the man-of-the-match award.

The midfielder has now scored seven goals this season and provided four assists in 29 appearances and hopes to finish the campaign impressively.

“I probably haven’t hit a shot with as much power,” Aribo told Ranger TV after the game.

“Everyone in training says I just like to finesse and curl it but I’ve been practicing so I just thought I would put my laces through it and thankfully it went in.

“The boys are buzzing, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game. We had to start fast and give all we could in the game to get a foothold and just keep going throughout the whole 90 minutes.

“I just want to finish the season strong, keep pushing, keep going and giving all that I can and I am happy that I’m getting positive results.”

Rangers will take on Belgian side Royal Antwerp in their second leg round of 32 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Aribo has urged the Ibrox Stadium outfit to do all it takes to progress to the next stage of the European competition.

“It’s a big game and it’s knockout football. We know what we have to do and we just have to focus, get ready, dust ourselves off and move on to that,” Aribo added.

Aribo has also been praised by Rangers manager Steven Gerrard for his versatility and commanding display against Dundee United, describing him as a ‘boss kid’.

“For me, good players can do whatever you ask them to do. The good thing for Joe is he can be effective as a right 10 or a left 10, of course he can because he’s closer to the goal,” Gerrard told Rangers TV.

“If you ask Joe, he’ll probably want to be closer to the goal. But when we’re at home, playing him as a left eight or a right eight it gives us that bit of ambition in the team rather than having the three number sixes and we know he can burst from deep and it gives us the chance to get Hagi and [Ryan] Kent in the team as well and maybe other people for different games as well.

“Honest to God, I can’t speak highly enough of the kid. He’s a boss kid and he wants to improve. We’re delighted to have him. He decided to come here and develop and grow and he’s moving in the right direction.

“He’s low maintenance, everything he’s putting into it, it’s no surprise he’s getting a lot of good performances in his game now.”

Marcus Rashford has paid tribute to debutant Shola Shoretire after the teenager made his first senior appearance for Manchester United on Sunday, saying the club's willingness to hand youth stars opportunities was "in our DNA".

Shoretire, wearing No. 74, became the latest academy product to graduate to senior status at Old Trafford when he was broughout on as a late second-half substitute by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Red Devils' 3-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League.

The 17-year-old followed in the footsteps of several other young United starlets handed chances to shine in recent years on the bigger stages, including Rashford himself, and the striker was quick to both praise his team-mate and the club's approach to handling junior talent.

What did Rashford say?

"It's in our DNA, it's what we do at Man United," the England forward stated when asked post-match. "it's important our kids know when they're good enough, [they know] they're old enough.

"Shola has been training with us now for a little while, and has done really well, [this] was the next step up.

"In the last transfer window we let a few players go out on loan, which made the path for him shorter and I'm sure he'll remember his five or six minutes on the pitch tonight."

The bigger picture

Shoretire's maiden appearance comes just days after fellow youngster Amad Diallo made his bow in the Europa League round-of-32 against Real Sociedad following his arrival from Atalanta, making him the latest starlet to step up to first-team action.

Though the midfielder is unlikely to see signficant action going forward across the rest of the campaign, it still reflects a show of faith from Solskjaer, who has made no secret of his desire to promote from within at the club when possible.

James Garner, currently midway through a season-long spell with Nottingham Forest, Milton Keynes Dons-based Ethan Laird and Derby Country loanee Teden Mengi represent some of the other players the Norwegian has blooded since his arrival.

Though Shoretire has benefited from their absence to find a place on the United bench, he too will likely spend time next season out on a short-term basis with another club, as Solskjaer looks to ensure his players can flourish with senior experience.

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