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Yunus Ssentamu's late free-kick ensured Vipers SC picked up a point against Kyetume FC in a 2-2 Ugandan Premier League draw at the Fufa Technical Training Centre on Wednesday.

Ssentamu's brace cancelled out goals from Yusuf Ssaka and Richard Matovu, who struck to give the Slaughters the lead on two occasions in either half.

Vipers started the game on a bright note and saw two of clear chances in the first 10 minutes saved by Kyetume's goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa. The goalkeeper first superbly dealt with Ssenatmu's right-footed effort before he stopped David Bagoole - who was partnering Karim Watambala in midfield - from breaking the deadlock.

After Mutakubwa had denied the Premier League champions, Kyetume took an unlikely lead in the 12th minute when Ssaka found the back of the net to leave the Venoms stunned. 

Vipers looked more determinant after going down to Ssaka's goal and increased their attacks, which forced Kyetume to backpedal in order to stop their rivals from equalising.

But the visitors found their way past the defence in the 21st minute when Ssentamu - who has been a key figure especially in the goal-hunting exploration since his return - finally got one past Mutakubwa.

Head coach Fred Kajoba had to make a change in the 25th minute when Joseph Dhata left the pitch and Ibrahim Orit was brought on.

Vipers' goalkeeper Denis Kiggundu made a brilliant save on the half-hour mark when he reacted quickly to stop Richard Matovu's clinically delivered free-kick.

Despite attacks and counter-attacks by both sides no more goals were produced as they headed into the tunnel with the score tied at 1-1 at the interval.

Matovu, in the 50th minute, finally got the last laugh over Kiggundu as he fired Kyetume ahead once more. Kajoba reacted to the goal by making two changes as he brought on Mohamed Shaban and Abraham Ndugwa in place of Disan Galiwango and David Bagoole in the 58th minute.

Ssaka could have earned a brace but Kiggundu was brilliant again in the 59th minute when the Kyetume forward fired powerfully from close range. In the 67th minute, Ceasar Manzoki was substituted as his place was taken by Paul Mucureezi.

Kajoba made his final change in the 70th minute as Rashid Toha came on to replace Bashir Asiku. Ssentamu tried a bicycle kick in the 77th minute but his effort went wide even though Mutakubwa was all but beaten in the process.

Brilliant then Ssentamu equalised for Vipers in the 89th minute with a clinical free-kick. The last-minute strike ensured the Venoms head back to Kitende with a point from a match they struggled to impose themselves on.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt’s selection options at the back have been boosted ahead of Wednesday’s Premier Soccer League clash against AmaZulu as he welcomes back central defenders Erick Mathoho and Siyabonga Ngezana.

Mathoho is returning from family commitments after he missed their last match, the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 defeat by NFD side Richards Bay.

Ngezana also did not take part in that match as he was serving a suspension after accumulating four yellow cards.

In what further boosts Hunt’s rearguard, another defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele is also back following a short stint on the sidelines saw him miss their last three games.

While the Soweto giants will be celebrating the return of their key defenders, left-back Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya is out suspended.

The full-back was red-carded against Richards Bay and will miss their next two games.

But his absence might not be much of a worry for Hunt as the 24-year-old has been struggling for game time this season, having managed just four appearances in all competitions.

Also missing Wednesday’s encounter is midfielder Dumisani Zuma, whose season has been blighted by injuries.

He started his season late due to injury and now returns to the sidelines where he is nursing his nagging hamstring.

Hunt has other options in midfield including Philani Zulu, who is aware of how AmaZulu have picked up some form.

“It is not going to be an easy game. I mean they [AmaZulu] were playing on Sunday [the 0-0 draw against Swallows FC] and now they will have that momentum going forward‚ and we have not been playing since the previous game in the Nedbank Cup match,” Zulu told Chiefs’ media.

“So it is all up to us as players to just keep our feet on the ground and our heads held up high‚ continue working hard and looking forward to the next game. It is going to be a different ball game because now they have more confidence and they play well as a team going forward‚ they can keep the ball.

“They are a very structured team and they are even more offensive than they were before. So it is up to us to bring our A-game just as much as they are going to be on top. So we have to match them in every way and we are very much prepared.”

Timo Werner has vowed “the goals will come” for him at Chelsea after ending a 1,000-minute drought in the final third.

The Germany international was back on target in a Premier League meeting with Newcastle, with an effort that was just about bundled over the line against the Magpies seeing a 14-game barren run in the English top flight brought to a close.

Werner has been contributing to the Blues cause in different ways – winning penalties and teeing up others – but a £47.5 million ($66m) frontman is understandably relieved to be back in the groove.

What has been said?

“I am happy that I scored, finally,” Werner told Chelsea’s official website.

“As a striker you always want to score. The last month I was not so happy without scoring, but at the end it’s a team sport. When we win, everything is good. When I help my team with assists, with winning penalties, and now with scoring I am happy. I am very glad I scored.

“For a striker it’s much worse when you don’t have chances. I had in the past a lot of chances and I missed them. The team gave me a lot of situations where I can score, and that’s the important thing for me.

“If I keep going the goals will come, and also the assists.”

Werner’s record in 2020-21

Having been lured away from a prolific spell at RB Leipzig by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, Werner appeared to have settled quickly at Stamford Bridge and had eight goals to his name by mid-November.

He was, however, to hit a serious wobble at that point and has seen plenty of uncomfortable questions asked of his value to the Blues.

Between November 17 and February 15, just one effort was recorded through 21 games for club and country – with that solitary strike coming against League Two side Morecambe in the FA Cup.

A change in the dugout was made as Werner struggled for a spark, with fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel appointed as successor to Lampard.

He has been backed to bring the best out of a proven performer and, with six assists added alongside his goal tally, the 24-year-old appears ready to kick-start his career in England.

Further reading

Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has revealed that disgusting comments from “stupid people” forced him off social media, with the Germany international revealing that one troll told him to “do it like Enke” after one disappointing performance.

The Gunners shot-stopper's fellow countryman Robert Enke took his own life at the age of 32 after struggling with depression across a career that took in spells at Hannover, Benfica, Borussia Monchengladbach and Barcelona.

Leno finds himself operating under a similar spotlight, with the relevant authorities being urged to take action against mounting online abuse of professional sportspeople, and he has opted to step away from a platform that continues to generate unfavourable attention.

What has been said?

Leno has told Sky Sports: “Of course I have a lot of experience with that, here and also in Germany. There was one thing that kept in my mind, it was crazy.

“I had a very bad game and then one guy on social media said to me 'do it like Enke'.

“Since I read this I realise that there are so many stupid people on social media. That is the reason I don't read it even when everything is good. I don't need that, it doesn't make me better, it is wasting time.

“There are so many fake people that hide behind their computers to make you feel bad. Many times with racism, abuse to families, I don't like it, I don't read it. It affects your life, what is the point?”

The bigger picture

Elite level football has been plagued by instances of social media abuse in recent years, with calls for action failing to be seriously heeded.

Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford were subjected to racist comments in the wake of an outing against Crystal Palace in August 2019, with Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham and Reading forward Yakou Meite raising similar issues immediately prior to that.

They were not the first to find themselves in that situation, and unfortunately have not been the last.

There have been several incidents of racist abuse recorded in the 2020-21 campaign, with Ian Wright, Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Lauren James, Romaine Sawyers, Reece James and Alex Jankewitz among those to speak out.

Facebook has claimed to be “horrified” at the comments posted on its platform, while Instagram has vowed to close the accounts of anyone found to be involved in such activity.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs have informed the Caf that they cannot honour their upcoming match against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.

This comes after Africa's football governing body announced that the Champions League Group C match between the two teams will be played on Friday in Cairo, Egypt.

The Soweto giants have now released the following statement on their official website explaining that they won't be able to face Wydad due to travel logistics and bureaucracy issues.

"The emailed letter received suggests that the game between the two teams be replayed on Friday, 19 February at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt," a club statement read.

"Chiefs have since responded to the letter, citing a few impediments that will hinder us from honouring the proposed new fixture date, which is in three days’ time.

"The two main reasons are visa challenges and travel logistics. Given the three days’ notice to play the match, the club will still face the similar challenges from the Egyptian Embassy because it takes a minimum of seven working days to get approval for visas that will enable us to travel to Egypt.

"Securing flights at this late hour will also pose a challenge given that some airlines are not operational due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"Based on the above, this may have a negative impact on the Champions League game against Horoya AC scheduled for Tuesday, 23 February 2021.

"The club then proposed that the game be played at a later stage, as this will enable us to honour all the Champions League games on 23 February and 5 March."

Chiefs' site also confirmed that their PSL match against AmaZulu FC which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday will go ahead. 

"Meanwhile, Chiefs will on Wednesday, 17 February face AmaZulu in a PSL fixture at FNB Stadium," the club added.

Amakhosi will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they face Usuthu after they were stunned by National First Division side Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup two weeks ago.

Goals from Austin Dube and Siyabonga Vilane inspired Richards Bay to a 2-1 win over Chiefs, who netted a late consolation goal through Leonardo Castro.

Simba SC players have been rewarded for their win against AS Vita Club in their first group match of the Caf Champions League season.

Goal can exclusively reveal the 27 players who made the trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the match have all been rewarded, with those who featured in the game getting Tsh10million while those who were not used pocketing Tsh5million.

A source within the club, who did not want to be named, has confirmed to Goal the players were indeed given the token of appreciation when the team arrived from Congo on Monday.

“Before the match, in Congo, the team's top brass put on the table some of the incentives the players will get if they win the match and this included cash rewards, and I can confidently tell you all the players who travelled to Congo have been rewarded,” the source told Goal on Tuesday.”

“The cash reward is not the same because those who played in the match have received a bigger share [in terms of the amount given] than those who never played, but the bottom line is all the players have received the cash token."

Before the match which was played at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez confirmed they had motivated the players to win the match and even said they will receive cash awards if they do the country proud by winning the game.

“From our end, we have planned ourselves very well, you know my work is to make sure the technical bench gets the best so they can give us good results,” Gonzalez told Simba Online from Kinshasa.

“We have started with encouraging the players to get ready for the match, we have given them good bonuses, we have done it already and I don’t want to reveal the amount of money each player received, but we have boosted their confidence with bonuses.

“We have also prepared them psychologically to understand their opponents by giving them all they needed, we have secured videos of our opponents playing in their last five matches and the technical bench has been using the same to analyse them and it means from our side we have done our job.”

Congolese import Chris Mugalu was the hero for the Msimbazi giants as he notched the only goal of the game in the second half to sink the home team and help his side move top of Group A.

Simba will now face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in their next group match on February 23 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Wazito FC have rewarded playmaker Kevin Kimani with their January Club Player of the Month Award for his immense contribution.

In the aforementioned month, the Nairobi-based charges registered five league wins in a row. They scored six goals, and surprisingly, the former Mathare United player was involved in all of them.

It was for this reason he was voted the best as his team collected maximum points.

"[Kimani] scored four goals and assisted two in the month of January," Wazito posted on Tuesday.

"He] was instrumental to our good run and he is our January player of the month. Congratulations Kim."

The Harambee Star started the year with a brace in a 2-1 win over Nairobi City Stars. He then followed it up with a strike against 13-time league champions AFC Leopards in their 1-0 win.

However, the 31-year-old contributed none of the goals in the 2-1 win over Bidco United but was back with a goal as his team defeated Nzoia Sugar by the same margin in the team's next fixture.

The final game of the month was against Kakamega Homeboyz and the Francis Kimanzi-led side managed to claim a 1-0 win.

The midfielder has expressed his feelings after winning the award, succeeding Fidel Origa who had won it in December.

"Delighted to receive the Wazito FC January Player of the Month Award," Kimani tweeted.

"It was indeed a good month for us as a team. To the technical staff and my fellow players, thank you for making this possible. To our fans, thank you for the support you give us, let us keep winning."

The Nairobi-based charges have not started the month of February on a high. They lost against Tusker FC, their only game so far, by a solitary goal scored in the stoppages by Jackson Macharia.

After a goalless first half, the 11-time champions came stronger in the second half and threatened through youngster Henry Meja, who came close twice and Luke Namanda. 

Wazito had also threatened through Musa Masika and Kimani.

With seconds to go, Meja picked Macharia's run, and the midfielder went past Emery Mvuyekure in the Brewers' goal to score the winner and deny Wazito a chance to go top of the table for the first time this season.

Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car has revealed that he turned down an approach from Liverpool in January.

Liverpool were heavily linked with Caleta-Car during the winter transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp sought to bolsters his options at the back amid a defensive injury crisis.

Some reports suggested that the 24-year-old was all set to join the Reds before the proposed move fell through on deadline day, and he has now confirmed that he received a formal offer from the Premier League champions.

What was said?

Caleta-Car told reporters: “I received an offer from Liverpool.

"It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me. We decided with the club that I was going to stay.

"Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”

What attracted Liverpool to Caleta-Car?

Caleta-Car has established himself as one of Marseille's most consistent performers since joining the club from Red Bull Salzburg in 2018.

The Croatian has featured in 130 games for the French outfit across all competitions, scoring four goals, while also picking up a Trophee des Champions runners-up medal.

The Reds were looking to bring him in to provide cover for injured duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, but had to turn their attention to alternative targets when he rejected their approach.

Who did Liverpool sign instead?

Liverpool ended up signing two new centre-backs before the winter market closed, with Ben Davies arriving at Anfield on a permanent deal from Preston and Ozan Kabak joining the club on loan from Schalke.

Davies has yet to make his first-team debut for Klopp's side, but Kabak was handed his first start away at Leicester City on Saturday, and had a day to forget as the Foxes ran out 3-1 winners to move six points clear of the Reds in the Premier League table.

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo can be considered “the best finisher of all time”, says Andrea Barzagli, with the former Juventus defender saluting the “hunger” of an iconic former team-mate.

A Portuguese superstar has raised a bar of individual excellence to a height few have been able to get close to during a remarkable career at the very top of the game.

He is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and already assured of a standing among the all-time greats, with Barzagli considering the 36-year-old to be one of the best he has faced and played alongside.

What has been said?

Barzagli, who spent eight years with Juve before retiring in 2019, has told the club’s official Twitch account: “The striker who put me in most difficulty? Ronaldo always scored against us so it was always very difficult with him. Didier Drogba also, a force of nature.

“Ronaldo? He is the best finisher of all time. He scores goals for you in all different ways. His goals record says it all. His wickedness and his hunger are incredible things.”

Ronaldo’s remarkable career stats

Despite now being into his mid-30s, Ronaldo continues to maintain quite stunning standards.

He has broken through the 20-goal barrier again this season, for a 15th successive year, and now has 661 efforts to his name at club level – with that haul spread across spells at Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

The target has also been found on 102 occasions through 170 appearances for Portugal.

Records have tumbled around a talismanic presence throughout his career, with the history books being re-written on a regular basis.

Title triumphs have been enjoyed in England, Spain and Italy, while five Champions League crowns and various domestic cup honours form part of the most enviable of sporting CVs.

The bigger picture

Ronaldo is tied to a contract at Juventus through to the summer of 2022.

Fresh terms have been mooted for him in Turin, with the Bianconeri reluctant to part with an evergreen forward that shows no sign of slowing down.

Plenty have suggested that Ronaldo could play on beyond his 40th birthday, providing he steers clear of injury, with there no reason for him to consider hanging up his boots any time soon.

Further reading

Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak and Serbian coach Kosta Papic have gone their separate ways, the club has announced.

The two parties part company after barely three months of association. It was the coach's second stint with Hearts, the first spell in 2009 also ending unceremoniously.

According to a statement by the Phobians, the separation is partly due to a run of poor performances.

"Accra Hearts of Oak have parted company with head coach Kostadin Papic and goalkeepers' trainer Ben Owu," the club announced on Tuesday.

"Both members of the technical team tendered in their resignations on February 15, 2021.

"The coach in his resignation letter stated: 'My reasons are partly personal, also for the fact that I am not getting the desired and needed results and I have no hope that it's going to change'.

"The club and Kostadin Papic have both acknowledged that recent results and performances have not met expectations and agreed on the need for new technical leadership.

"The club would like to thank Papic and Ben for their time at Hearts of Oak and wish them success in their future endeavours."

Under Papic, who began his second stint with a 3-0 win over Dreams in the Ghana Premier League, Hearts have won four of 10 matches, drawing three times and losing three matches. His last match ended in a 1-1 draw with Legon Cities, leaving the Phobians 11th on the league table.

"In the interim, the club's U15 coach Samuel Nii Noi will lead the team at training until a new head coach is appointed," the statement added.

"The club will be making no further comment until a new coach is appointed."

Papic has previously coached South African sides Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Maritzburg United, Black Leopards, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Royal Eagles.

The 60-year-old has also worked in Nigeria, coaching Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, Enyimba and Kwara United, while in Tanzania he worked with Young Africans.

Between 2018 and 2019, he had a brief spell as head coach of the eSwatini national team.

Hearts are the second most successful club in the history of the Premier League, having won the title on 19 occasions. They were Caf Champions League winners in 2000, Caf Super Cup victors in 2001 and Caf Confederation Cup champions in 2004.

KCB head coach Zedekiah Otieno has been named the Football Kenya Premier League best coach for the month of December.

Otieno - who bagged Ksh50,000 in prize money - led KCB to straight victories in six games including four in the month of December and has consequently been named as the best tactician within that period.

The Bankers started the season on a bright note before they were beaten for the first time by AFC Leopards on matchday seven.

After opening the season with a 3-0 win over Posta Rangers on November 29, they ushered the month of December with a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars. They then played Kakamega Homeboyz - whose season has been characterised by lukewarm performances since -  a 2-0 victory on December 13.

On December 18, Otieno and his charges faced Bandari and won the encounter with a 2-1 scoreline and that was the very first goal they conceded - having kept three consecutive clean sheets in the opening games of the season. They fought and defeated an ambitious Wazito 1-0 on December 24 at home before keeping another clean sheet against Bidco United with a 1-0 victory on January 9.

When they faced AFC Leopards a week after playing Bidco United, the Bankers were handed their first defeat as a determined Ingwe took home a 2-1 win in what was the second instance when KCB conceded. When struggling Western Stima visited on January 24, KCB made amends after AFC Leopards' loss and picked a 3-1 victory.

Their first draw of the season came when they were held to a 0-0 draw by the 2010 Premier League winners Ulinzi Stars on January 30. The first engagement in February was a match against Vihiga United where they struggled but eventually won the encounter with a 1-0 margin.

KCB are currently second with 25 points one behind Tusker who started their season on faulty ground after losing to AFC Leopards. The Brewers later improved and moved up the ladder swiftly to overtake the Bankers who have played one fewer game.

As they keep their title ambitions alive, KCB will have to fight for maximum points when they face Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium on February 20, before visiting Sofapaka at Wundanyi Stadium four days later.

A match against Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani Annex on February 28, a battle against Gor Mahia on March 8 and a home tie against Zoo FC are the other matches for Otieno's side in February and March.

Mason Greenwood has signed a new contract keeping him at Manchester United until June 2025, with the option for a further year.

The 19-year-old has become a regular in the first team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having made his debut in 2019 and has gone on to make 82 appearances for the club since.

He is highly regarded as one of the brightest attacking young talents within the Premier League, and has been rewarded for his progress and hard work with a new deal to keep him at the club for the next four years at least.

What has Greenwood said?

The teenager said: “When you join the club at seven years old, you just dream of playing for the first-team one day. I’ve worked so hard to reach this level and the last two years have been amazing. There is so much that I want to achieve in the game and I know that this is the perfect environment to play my football.

“With the support from the manager, his coaching staff and so many great players to learn from; I know that I am developing every single day. There is a lot more to come from myself and this team and I am so committed to working hard week in, week out to help the group achieve success.

“I want to repay the club for the support that everyone has given me over the years and show everyone just what I am capable of.”

What has Solskjaer said?

The United manager said: “Mason is a fantastic talent and yet another fine example of the type of player that our Academy produces. He has made great progress this season, showing real maturity and adaptability to his game, which has seen him develop into one of the best young players in the country.

“Whilst it is easy for people outside of the club to forget that Mason is just 19, it is our job as coaches to ensure he reaches his phenomenal potential and every step we take is to help him along that path.

“Mason is naturally gifted and has a brilliant attitude; we know how important he is going to be for Manchester United over the coming seasons.”

When did he make his first-team debut?

Greenwood made his first-team debut off the bench in the Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019.

His first senior start in the Premier League came on the final day of the 2018-19 campaign at home to Cardiff. He has made 82 appearances for the first team since his debut.

How many goals has he scored?

Greenwood has scored 21 goals for the first team, with 17 of those coming last season when he impressed after the restart following the coronavirus-enforced break in the campaign.

He has only managed four goals in all competitions this term but he has stepped up in recent weeks after a difficult start to the season and has been impressing with his displays.

Further reading

Fulham manager Scott Parker has revealed Josh Maja wants to learn and improve with his side and hailed the forward for his impressive start at the club.

The 22-year-old teamed up with the Cottagers during the January transfer window on loan from French side Bordeaux until the end of the season.

The Nigeria international has already showcased what he is capable of with his scintillating performances for the Craven Cottage outfit.

The forward was handed his second Premier League appearance against Everton on Sunday and seized the opportunity to open his goalscoring account.

Maja scored twice in the encounter to help the Cottagers secure all three points and end their eight-game winless run.

Parker has expressed his delight with the manner the forward hit the ground running and backed him to continue with blistering performances.

"I’ve been impressed with Josh Maja in a short space of time,” Parker said in a press conference ahead of their Premier League game against Burnley.

“He’s fitted in very well. He’s come into a young, energetic group of players. He wants to learn and get better, which is vitally important."

Maja teamed up with Bordeaux in January 2019, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract after turning down a chance to extend his contract with Sunderland, where he had spent three years.

The forward scored two goals in 17 league appearances this season before leaving the Matmut Atlantique outfit for the Premier League temporary.

Maja will hope to continue his eye-catching performances for Fulham to boost his chances of getting a regular call-up to the Nigeria national team, having only featured once for the three-time African champions.

The forward will be expected to be part of the Super Eagles team that will take on the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

Former Orlando Pirates forward Andries Sebola says it would be “poor mentality” for the Soweto giants to go easy on Jwaneng Galaxy whom they host in Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup play-off, second leg match.

The Buccaneers carry what looks like a comfortable lead from the away leg against Galaxy following a 3-0 victory in Gaborone.

It was a convincing result that saw Pirates put one foot into the group stages of the competition but Sebola still wants his former club to be on fire at Orlando Stadium.

“The coach must still field his strongest possible line-up in the second leg,” said Sebola as per Sowetan Live.

“We must make a strong statement by being ruthless in these Caf competitions. On the continent, you get respected by winning all the games. You must not be picky and say 'no, this game is not big because we've qualified'. That is a poor mentality.

“You see Sundowns are renowned throughout the continent now. Why? I think it’s because whenever they play these Caf games they give their all. Pirates must also do the same irrespective of the first leg’s big scoreline.”

Sundowns' ruthlessness in Africa was highlighted by thrashing continental giants Al Ahly 5-0 two seasons ago in the Caf Champions League quarter-final, first-leg in April 2019.

Five months later, they recorded a 11-1 home victory over Cote d’Or from Seychelles in a Champions League first round, second leg match to seal a group stage spot following a 16-1 aggregate scoreline.

Then Downs coach Pitso Mosimane fielded a strong squad in that match in Tshwane and the Brazilians went on a rampage despite already enjoying a 5-0 advantage from the away leg.

Now, it is to be seen how Pirates will fare against their opponents from Botswana following a heavy win last weekend.

Jwaneng Galaxy are the same side dismissed by Mamelodi Sundowns 5-1 on aggregate in the Caf Champions League earlier this season before dropping down to the Confederation Cup.

With Pirates posting a 3-0 away victory, expectations are high on the Buccaneers to complete the job with more goals.

Congolese forward Jean-Marc Makusu was one of the scorers in Gaborone last Sunday in what was his first-ever goal for Pirates and Sebola tips the on-loan AS Vita forward for more goals.

“That goal was important for Makusu. His confidence will be boosted big time,” Sebola said.

“You saw the way he celebrated after scoring... that goal means a lot to him. I sense he was starting to worry. I strongly feel the boy will settle in now.”

Simba SC coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa has stated they are going for nothing less than three points when they face Biashara United in a Mainland Premier League match at Karume Stadium on Wednesday.

The Msimbazi were not involved in last weekend’s league matches as they were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where they managed to beat AS Vita Club 1-0 in their first Group A match in the Caf Champions League.

Having returned home on Monday from DR Congo, Simba will now shift focus to domestic action, where their last match ended in a 2-2 draw against Azam FC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

And awaiting them is Biashara United, a game the Frenchman has said they have to do everything to win so as to reduce the gap between them and table toppers Yanga SC.

“I know it will be a tough and competitive game but I have told the players that we need three points, it doesn’t matter how, we have to win the game because of the situation on the table,” Da Rosa told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

“The biggest thing is that a win will get us back on track, we drew our last game [2-2] and it somehow slowed down our chase, we need to catch up with the team at the top, it is the reason we have to fight on the field and get a win.”

Da Rosa has also urged Simba fans to attend the match and push the players to victory.

“We need their support [fans], we cannot leave them out, they should come and support us, we want them to push the team since the league is now heading into a very crucial stage.”

While Simba are eyeing three points from Biashara United, the team’s head coach and Kenyan Francis Baraza has different ideas.

The former Tusker coach has said his team is ready to beat Simba.

“I have a strong belief in my players and I know we have prepared well for the match, I am sure they will not let me down,” Baraza told reporters.

“I know Simba very well, I know the kind of game they play, I know they have the best squad around. We will not fear them though, we only respect them for what they have achieved but we also have equally good players who can win us the game.”

Simba are currently second on the 18-team league table with 39 points from 17 matches while Biashara United are fourth on 32 points.

Steve Bruce claims to have “no regrets” at allowing DeAndre Yedlin to leave Newcastle, despite the departure of a United States international leaving the Magpies short on right-back options.

The Premier League outfit agreed to let a 27-year-old walk away from the final months of his contract during the winter transfer window, with a move being made by the USMNT star to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

That decision is now being questioned, with an unfortunate injury to Javier Manquillo leaving Emil Krafth as the only fit right-back on Tyneside, but Bruce has sought to defend his actions.

What has been said?

The Magpies boss has told reporters on Yedlin: “Look, he was out of contract, and we had three right-backs at the club. So, you know, we made the decision.

“You have to make decisions. We had to make way for somebody else to come in. I’ve got no regrets.”

Who were Newcastle making room for?

Bruce was aware that space and funds needed to be freed up in his squad during the January window in order for reinforcements to be brought in.

With Yedlin removed from the ranks, the Tyneside outfit were able to reach an agreement with Arsenal that will see Joe Willock spend the remainder of the season at St James’ Park.

Yedlin’s career in England

Tottenham were the first to spot the defender’s potential when snapping him up from the Seattle Sounders in 2014.

Fierce competition for places in north London restricted Yedlin to just one competitive appearance for Spurs, leading to him seeking regular game time elsewhere.

The 2015-16 campaign was spent on loan at Sunderland, with 25 outings taken in for the Black Cats.

Newcastle saw enough in him during a stint with their North East neighbours to do a £5 million ($7m) deal during the summer of 2016.

He penned a five-year contract and, with those terms coming to a close, is now opening up a new chapter at Galatasaray after 125 games for the Magpies.

Further reading

Barcelona have been boosted by Gerard Pique's return from injury ahead of their Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain.

Pique has been out of action with a cruciate knee ligament issue since November, but he was able to return to training with the first team at the start of the week.

Ronald Koeman has now included the 34-year-old in his final squad for the Blaugrana's first leg last-16 clash with PSG, which is set to take place at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

What was said?

Martin Brathwaite is also back in the fold after overcoming a hamstring problem, with Barca confirming the news via their official website: "Gerard Pique and Braithwaite have been discharged. The Barca centre-back has been called 87 days after injuring himself against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano.

"Thus, the Barca centre-back has already overcome the grade three sprain in the lateral ligament internal injury and the partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee that he suffered last November."

How many games has Pique missed this season?

Pique was forced to undergo an extensive rehabilitation programme after leaving the pitch following a freak collision with Angel Correa during Barca's defeat to Atletico Madrid on November 21.

The veteran defender has sat out 14 La Liga fixtures since then, including last weekend's 5-1 win over Alaves, leaving Koeman with only Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo to call upon at centre-back.

Pique has also missed Copa del Rey wins over Cornella, Rayo Vallecano and Granada, along with both of Barca's matches in the Supercopa de Espana and their final three Champions League group-stage outings against Dynamo Kiev, Ferencvaros and Juventus.

The bigger picture

Koeman was forced to deploy Frenkie de Jong in the heart of the defence against Alaves due to a lack of options, but Pique's return means he won't have to resort to the same measures against PSG.

It remains to be seen whether the World Cup winner starts against the French champions, but his presence alone could help the team earn a positive result due to his extensive experience in matches of this magnitude.

Barca are also still in contention for La Liga and Copa del Rey honours, and Pique could have a key role to play in Koeman's set-up between now and the end of the season.

Further reading

European champions Lyon will face Brondby for a place in the quarter-finals of this season's Women's Champions League as they search for a sixth successive title.

The draw for the last 16, made on Tuesday, pitted Women's Super League leaders Chelsea against Atletico Madrid in the most eye-catching tie of the round, the Spanish giants unseeded in the draw.

Last year's finalists, Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will take on Norwegian champions LSK Kvinner.

When will the games be played?

The first legs of these last-16 ties will be played across Wednesday, March 3 and Thursday, March 4, with the second legs to be played the following week on Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11.

The last 16 of the UWCL is usually played before Christmas, but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic means the turnaround between this stage of the competition and the quarter-finals will now be particularly short.

The quarter-final draw will be made on Friday, March 12, with those ties to be played in the final two weeks of March. 

Who are the favourites?

Lyon have won the last five UWCL titles, beating Wolfsburg 3-1 in last year's final to break their own records for successive triumphs and total wins, with that their seventh overall.

The German side won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 and have since reached three finals without picking up winners' medals. This season, however, they are struggling domestically, with injuries to key players in particular hindering them in their pursuit of a fifth successive Frauen-Bundesliga title.

Chelsea have built themselves a squad they believe capable of finally winning this competition, one that has helped them to the top of the WSL table and to the final of the Continental Cup. Manchester City, second in the league, have plenty of star power, too.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also among Lyon's greatest threats. PSG have already beaten the French giants this season, winning 1-0 in their league meeting in November. The pair will face off again in the reverse fixture just after the last 16 concludes, on Saturday, March 13.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are top of the Primera Division by seven points with three games in hand over Levante. The 2018-19 UWCL finalists also won the Copa de la Reina on Saturday, beating Logrono 3-0.

Last 16 draw in full

Wolfsburg vs LSK Kvinner

Barcelona vs Fortuna Hjorring

Rosengard vs St. Polten

BIIK Kazygurt vs Bayern Munich

Manchester City vs Fiorentina

Sparta Prague vs Paris Saint-Germain

Lyon vs Brondby

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid

Further reading