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Kaizer Chiefs legend Tinashe Nengomasha believes it is too early to start making conclusions about coach Gavin Hunt following the Nedbank Cup exit because he is unable to beef up his squad.

Chiefs were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by GladAfrica Championship side Richards Bay after a 2-1 defeat at home last Sunday.

It was a fourth straight game for Chiefs without tasting victory that overshadowed a recent five-match league unbeaten run, which hinted at a turnaround of fortunes after at one time being just point better off than basement side Black Leopards.

But with Hunt inheriting Ernst Middendorp's squad and being unable to sign players due to a Fifa transfer ban, Nengomasha has called for patience with the coach.

“You can’t fire Hunt now because he’s using players he found there. We must start to judge him from next season. The bosses must be patient with him,” Nengomasha told Sowetan Live.

The Nedbank Cup elimination has not only highlighted Chiefs’ struggles under Hunt, but underlined their grim history of being frustrated by lower division sides in this tournament.

In 2009, they were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by then National First Division side Pretoria University following a 4-3 defeat in the second round.

The following season, they went out at the first round stage after falling 2-0 to another second tier side FC Cape Town.

Similar disappointment struck again for a third successive season when then-third tier outfit Baroka FC knocked them out in the quarter-finals.

Another humiliation then came when they lost in the 2019 final 1-0 to TS Galaxy, who were still a second-tier side, before the latest fall to Richards Bay.

Nengomasha was still a Chiefs player during the three consecutive Nedbank Cup failures but does not agree with the notion that Amakhosi are cursed in this tournament.

“Curse? No, no. I think Chiefs lose these games [against teams from lower leagues] because they underestimate those teams, whereas those teams come with that extra motivation and eagerness to show the world that in football name counts for nothing,” continued Nengomasha.

“I remember when we were going to face Baroka...we were sure that we will win. Our mentality was poor at the time, we just told ourselves that it was going to be easy.”

Hunt now shifts focus to the Caf Champions League although their trip to Morocco to face Wydad Casablanca is in doubt due to complications in securing visas.

Odisha are placed at the bottom of the points table in the 2020-21 edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) as they prepare to face Kerala Blasters on Thursday.

With five games to go, they have only one win to show for their current campaign and it's the 4-2 result over the Blasters from earlier this season.

Odisha could claim a few unwanted records this season. They could end up with the most defeats in a season (13 - jointly held by NorthEast United and Chennaiyin in the fourth and fifth ISL season respectively) and the fewest points in a season (9 - Chennaiyin, 2018-19).

"I think it's been a difficult season for players. Looking at coming in when we did and the way we want to play and develop, both Stuart (Baxter, former head coach) and me wanted to play in a certain way," interim coach Gerald Peyton looked back at Odisha's season.

"I think we've been (competitive) in a lot of games. Even if we look at the last game (4-1 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan), up to the 82nd minute when we got the penalty, we have been in the game. We scored a screaming goal [through] Cole Alexander after Paul (Ramfangzauva) hit the post," he went on to express his disappointment at some of the refereeing decisions that have gone against Odisha.

"If you have a look, [Sandesh] Jhingan had a ball hit his arm and carried on. Cole got the ball on the arm (resulting in a penalty) and the whole season for me has been very small percentages in some of the decision making and at crucial times in the game, things that have gone against us. I thought in the last game, in the last 10 minutes, we didn't carry on passing the ball and trying to go behind. So I take that one," the Englishman continued.

"The message is that we will keep fighting. We will never give up, even though it's been a very demanding season and a lot of things have happened. We will continue to give everything we possibly can and to all our fans, 'thank you for supporting and staying with us.' It's been very tough on the squad and everybody connected with Odisha but we are focused to win games. I can promise you that we will finish the season as strong as possible."

Talking about Kerala Blasters as an opponent, Peyton is confident that Odisha can do the double over their southern counterpart.

"I think they have got some good players. When I go back and look at how they played (when Odisha beat Kerala 4-2), tactically we will play similarly. We know how they play and we will match them in every area. They play a 4-4-2 and we will probably play the same. We're going to make it difficult for them and I think if you're asking me 'can we beat them?', yes, we can do the double over them," he declared.

The former Arsenal goalkeeping coach who mentored the likes of Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia and Wojciech Szczęsny during his time in England feels that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the best goalkeeper in India. He also gave his opinion on Odisha goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh.

"I think Arsh has been our most consistent Indian player this season. He's had some very good performances. Maybe in the last game, he made a few uncharacteric mistakes but his overall performances have been very good.

"I like the Bengaluru goalkeeper, Gurpreet. I think technically, his reading of the game, he likes to come for crosses, his distribution is good and I like a lot about him. I think he is the best (goalkeeper) I've seen in India. He stands out head and shoulders above the other goalkeepers and Arsh has done particularly well this season. Arsh has looked as good as any goalkeeper this season."

Azam FC assistant coach Vivier Bahati has stated his team deserved to win their Mainland Premier League match against Simba SC on Sunday.

The ‘Ice Cream Makers’ produced a great comeback in the second half to deny the Msimbazi giants maximum points as they settled for a 2-2 draw in the match played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Simba were the first to score in the 27th minute through Meddie Kagere and minutes later, they squandered a penalty after Clatous Chama saw his weak effort saved by Ugandan keeper Mathias Kigonya.

The teams then headed into the half-time break with Simba leading 1-0 but on return from the break, Azam showed an improved display after the introduction of Yahya Zayd and Mudathir Yahya, to score two quick goals courtesy of Idd Selemani and Ayoub Lyanga.

However, Simba responded to score through Luis Miquissone and snatch a draw from the fixture.

Bahati has now explained had his strikers used the chances they created in the match, they would have come out victorious.

“It was a good and competitive game, our opponents had a good game in the first half dominating the game and creating chances, but as we went to the break we talked to our players and corrected the mistakes we had made,” Bahati said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“And everyone saw how we played in the second half we were able to dominate and create more chances and if our strikers were calm enough to use the chances we created then I'm sure we deserved to emerge victorious against Simba,”

In a previous interview, Azam media officer Thabit Zakaria also revisited the team’s draw against Simba by insisting they were the best team during the match and deserved to beat the champions.

“In the five matches they [Simba] have beaten us, I can say only one of them they won legitimately and that is the domestic Cup defeat which in general we were not good at all, the other one of Mapinduzi Cup, they won through penalties and we know not everyone is good at penalties," Zakaria told reporters.

“And the other three matches, Simba were helped by the referees to beat us, but on Sunday we scored a goal which was disallowed, it was our day to beat them and they should be happy they managed a draw.”

The draw saw Azam remain third on the table with 33 points from 18 matches while Simba are second on 37 points from 17 outings.

Fernando has highlighted the influence Pep Guardiola had on his career, having come under the Catalan's wing while at Manchester City. 

Now 33, Fernando earned a move to City in 2014 after shining in midfield for Porto. 

He went on to make more than 100 appearances for the Premier League side, before leaving for Galatasaray at the start of the 2017-18 season. 

Now at Sevilla, the enforcer still remembers his time with Pep fondly, despite having spent just one season under his wing at Etihad Stadium.

“He is a coach that teaches you good things, in particular you have to be focused on training and not only on matches," Fernando told Goal. "At training, you can get many good things from him if you pay attention and do it well. Details are really important for him.

"He is a well-prepared coach and he really understands how the game works”. 

Fernando is now hoping Lionel Messi wakes up on the wrong side of the bed when his side take on Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, while pointing out that stopping the Argentine wizard is a job for the entire team. 

Sevilla meet Barca in the semi-finals on Wednesday, having disposed of Leganes, Valencia and Almeria so far, but the Brazilian knows that Messi poses a special challenge. 

“How to stop Messi? It's difficult, there isn't one solution or a method to stop him. We have to do it with the help of our full team," he said. "We all have to be focused when we have to defend and pay attention to Messi. It is difficult. We have to be lucky and hope that Messi has an off-day." 

Despite having lost previous finals against Barcelona, Fernando insists he has no thoughts of revenge going into Wednesday's first leg.

“Barcelona have won many titles, they are known worldwide and are one the best in the world," he said. "We want to beat them but it's complicated. I have lost against Barcelona and now I hope to win this match, I have already beat them with Man City and I want to repeat it with Sevilla."

Zambian side Napsa Stars have named the travelling squad that will face Kenya’s Gor Mahia in the first leg of the Caf Confederation pre-group stage tie on Sunday.

The Pensioners will entertain the Green Army in Nairobi without key players Bornwell Mwape and Emmanuel Mayuka. The club has not given an update why the duo is missing from their Nairobi-bound squad.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji and defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino have been named and are in contention to face their former Premier League side. Timothy Otieno would have been the third player to face his former had he remained with the Zambian outfit.

After a short period with Napsa Stars, Odhiambo – who had joined from Tusker before the season began – returned and signed for Sofapaka in February.

Odhoji, in an earlier interview, had warned his teammates not to underrate K’Ogalo by looking at the previous games.

"Gor Mahia have been struggling in their last few games, but we should not rely on that when playing against them," Odhioji said.

"For my teammates, we have to fight as we have been doing in past Caf competitions. Napsa are a strong team, and I am optimistic of getting a positive outcome away.

"Gor Mahia have been regulars in Caf and they have that experience. But in modern football, there is nothing like a powerhouse or big team. As Napsa Stars, I think with adequate preparations we will do something and advance to the group stage. 

"The more we play stronger teams, we become strong as well; actually we are a very strong team."

Calabar – who joined Napsa Stars after leaving rivals Zesco United – echoed Odhoji’s sentiments on the strength of Gor Mahia.

"As Napsa we have to go with a very strong mentality because Gor Mahia are not a pushover," Odhiambo stated. “Though they are struggling financially, they are very experienced in continental competitions. 

"Most of their players are in the national team and are experienced when it comes to these competitions. They will want to score first and show they are better than us.

"So, it will be difficult but my teammates have to be mentally strong, fight for each other and try as much as possible to come out with something positive.”

Gor Mahia dropped to the Confederation Cup after defeat to Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the Champions League qualifying round while Napsa Stars advanced after seeing off UD Songo of Mozambique.

Napsa Stars travelling squad:

Goalkeepers: Phillip Banda, Shaban Odhoji, Rabson Muchelenganga,

Defenders: David Odhiambo, Luka Banda, Luka Nguni, Aaron Kabwe, Lawrence Chungu, Bornwell Silengo, Amos Simwanza,

Midfielders: Jacob Ngulube, Daniel Adoko, Dickson Chapa, Simon Nhkata, Enock Sabumukama, Austine Banda, Aaron Banda.

Strikers: Chanda Mushili, Laudit Mavugo, Jimmy Mukeya, Doiy Soko, Tapon Kaseba.

Kaizer Chiefs could fail to travel to Morocco for Saturday’s Caf Champions League Group C match against Wydad Casablanca as the Amakhosi travelling delegation are yet to obtain visas to enter the North African country.

The Soweto giants were due to depart Johannesburg for Casablanca on Wednesday but they were still struggling to be issued with the relevant travelling documents by their hosts.

This comes as South Africa is one of the countries on the list of travellers banned from entering Morocco due to the coronavirus.

“After the draw [on January 8] and the fixture announcement, Kaizer Chiefs made all the necessary arrangements to travel including booking flights, securing accommodation, submission of visa applications and everything that is required for the trip,” Chiefs said in a statement.

“Following the submission of the application for visas, the club has been in constant communication with Caf, the Moroccan Embassy in SA, South African Embassy in Morocco, Safa, Wydad Casablanca, the Moroccan football association and the Department of International Relations and Corporation to ensure that the application for visas is processed and approved.

“Wydad did confirm that they are awaiting confirmation from their Ministry of Health to grant Kaizer Chiefs special permission to enter the country because South Africa is on the list of countries that have been banned from entering Morocco due of the high numbers of the Covid-19 infections. No response has been received by Wydad or Kaizer Chiefs to this effect.

“Kaizer Chiefs will once again send a delegation to the Moroccan Embassy this morning [Wednesday] in an effort to seek clarity and request for the issuing of visas so the team can catch their flight and honour the fixture against Wydad in Casablanca on Saturday.”

With most countries uncompromising in welcoming travellers from countries that have recorded the new coronavirus mutant strain, chances are that the Wydad-Chiefs fixture could be rescheduled for a neutral venue.

Amakhosi are not the first South African club to experience complications to fullfil a continental fixture due to Covid-19 this season.

Nigeria’s strict Covid-19 regulations saw Bloemfontein Celtic struggling to timeously travel to the West African country for a Caf Confederation Cup first round, second leg match against Rivers United earlier this year.

The fixture was then postponed by Caf and played in neutral Benin.

Harry Maguire issued a demand for trophies after a Scott McTominay strike saw Manchester United beat West Ham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

United booked their place in the last eight of the competition thanks to McTominay's fine finish in extra-time, which was needed after a goalless first 90 minutes of action at Old Trafford.

Maguire produced a stellar display at the back to help keep the Hammers at bay, with the Red Devils still on course for their first piece of silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the 1-0 victory.

Match summary

Both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances on a cold Tuesday night in Manchester, with Victor Lindelof coming closest during regular time when his deflected header was parried onto the post by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

United stepped the tempo up a notch in the first half of extra time, and were rewarded when McTominay finished off a flowing counterattack after being teed up by a neat Marcus Rashford flick in the 97th minute.

David Moyes' side pushed hard for an equaliser thereafter but could find no way through the Red Devils' stubborn rearguard, with the visitors ultimately suffering their fourth successive defeat to United in the FA Cup.

What was said?

Maguire told MUTV: “Last season, it was disappointing to lose in the semi-finals like we did, but we've got to win trophies. We've got to demand that of each other. We do.

"We demand that we win trophies and it’s vital the team starts winning trophies, for the club and the fans as well.”

Solskjaer, meanwhile, told BBC Sport: “I felt we dominated. We’re in the hat and that’s what we wanted. We want to challenge and we want to go to the final. That’s what we’re here at Man Utd for.

"Sometimes you’re lucky with draws in the cup – we haven’t been that lucky – but obviously we move another step closer to the final.”

When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?

The draw for the last eight will take place at 7:45pm GMT (2:45pm ET) on Thursday, February 11, with BT Sport covering the event just before the final tie of the fifth round between Barnsley and Chelsea.

All quarter-final matches will be played on or around the weekend of March 20, which means United's scheduled Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace will have to be moved to another date.

When did Man Utd last win a trophy?

United have not won a major piece of silverware since 2017, with a Europa League final victory over Ajax giving Jose Mourinho the third trophy of his tenure.

The Red Devils also picked up the League Cup and Community Shield during the Portuguese manager's first year at the helm, but he was eventually sacked in December 2018 following a dismal run of form.

Solskjaer was drafted in as his replacement, and a club legend will hope he can start bolstering his own managerial CV later this year with his team still fighting on three trophy fronts.

So far, United have lost four semi-finals under the Norwegian. Last season, they were beaten by Manchester City in the League Cup, Chelsea in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Europa League at the last-four stage. This season, United lost 2-0 to City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

As for the FA Cup, the Red Devils last won the competition back in 2016, with Jesse Lingard's incredible extra-time volley earning a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Wembley under the management of Louis van Gaal.

Further reading

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer has responded to criticism that tinkering to his starting line-up in almost every match is compromising consistent performances.

The criticism increased when the Buccaneers lost to Golden Arrows last week after the coach made some key changes to the team that had beaten Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby three days earlier.

The changes included benching vice-captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Ben Motshwari, who has been one of the team’s standout performers this season.

In their last game on Tuesday, when they beat Cape Town City 2-0 in a league match, Zinnbauer dropped Frank Mhango, Innocent Maela and Thabiso Sesane from the team that started in the Nedbank Cup against Uthongathi at the weekend.

The coach has admitted that it is difficult to start a similar team consistently due to injuries and crammed fixtures.

“It’s not always easy, after the games you have some [injury] problems. Last week it was Pule and before that it was [Paseka] Mako,” Zinnbauer told the media.

“You always have problems with injuries. Most players have problems, the muscles like [Bongani] Sam last week. It’s also a problem that we have a lot of games and we always have to manage them within a short time.

“We have a game on Sunday and we have a little bit of time for recovery. That was also the reason why we didn’t change a lot of players for today’s match so that our chances become good. But we need the conditioning for the next game.”

While Pirates fans have been criticising Zinnbauer for constant squad changes, most PSL teams are faced with the same predicament, including Mamelodi Sundowns whose coaches recently came out crying because of a hugely depleted selection pool after being badly hit by injuries and illnesses.

Ahead of the visit to Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy for Sunday’s Caf Confederation Cup, Pirates are now faced with another injury concern in Thabang Monare.

The midfielder lasted just 36 minutes in the win over Cape Town City and will have to be assessed if he can make the Botswana trip.

“I don’t know what happened and tomorrow [Wednesday] we will see if Monare comes out. I hope it’s not difficult for him. I saw him after the game and I think it’s good,” said Zinnbauer.

“But it is small things that we have to work on when a player is out. Then you have another chance you can play another when one player says ‘I am tired or I pulled my muscle a little bit.’ You have to protect them.”

Zinnbauer also said injuries are forcing him to deploy some players out of position.

“I know there are supporters who are saying why is the coach always changing his team or why is he not fielding players in the right position?,” Zinnbauer continued.

“Like today we played Ndlovu as a right-back because the other fullbacks are out. Three full-backs all injured. Those are the things you have to manage as a coach so I understand the supporters, it’s not easy.

“Now we have played 10 or 11 games in 30 days and it’s a lot for players. But you have to find a new structure like [Deon] Hotto today he played as a number nine yet he is not a nine you know this, there is no other nine. These are the things a player has to understand to help us playing different positions.”

Anthony Kimani has delivered a moving farewell to AFC Leopards just two days after he walked out of the FKF Premier League giants.

The former Harambee Stars defender announced his exit from the Den after the Mashemeji Derby against Gor Mahia, which ended in a goalless draw, when he informed his players he had overseen his final match played at Kasarani on Sunday.

And since making the move, Kimani decided to remain silent over the matter while Ingwe, who unveiled new coach Patrick Aussems on Tuesday, insisted they were yet to receive his resignation letter and promised to persuade him to rescind the decision.

However, Kimani has now taken to his social media pages to thank the club for the chance they gave him to handle the side and promised to come back in the future to pay ‘his debt.’

“It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye to AFC Leopards, a club that has given me so much, both as a player and most recently as a coach,” Kimani explained.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this great club, today [Wednesday], I leave here knowing more than when I arrived and it's all because of you.

“I would like to thank the club, led by the chairman Dan Shikanda, secretary-general Oliver Shikuku, Treasurer Maurice Chichi, and CEO Victor Bwibo, you gave me an opportunity to serve this great club and I will forever be grateful.

“To the players, led by captain Robinson Kamura, I would like to thank you for the respect, belief, and trust that you have shown me throughout my time at the club. I would like to urge you to extend the same to the new coach.

“You all have what it takes to help the club reclaim its rightful place in Kenyan football and Africa at large. To members of the technical bench, thank you very much for the cooperation and the cordial working relationship that we shared.

“I leave with great memories, lessons that I learnt from each and every one of you and most importantly knowing that I have made lifetime friends.”

Kimani did not miss a farewell message to the fans by stating: “To the fans, I have nothing but love and great admiration for all the sacrifices that you make in order to push the club forward. You invest your time and your hard-earned money to travel wherever the team goes. Your presence always helps the team to do well.

“Thank you for the love, the support, and the belief that you had in me. I kindly ask that you extend the same to the new coach. To those that I might have disappointed, I beg for your forgiveness and ask for your blessings as I move on. You will forever remain in my heart.”

Without explaining his next move, Kimani concluded: “It's the end of a chapter but certainly not the end of the story, I am indebted to you, and one day, I will come back home to pay my debts in full. May God bless you all and may God bless AFC Leopards.”

Kimani left AFC Leopards in position four on the 18-team league table with 19 points from nine matches.

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa has blamed missed chances for the team’s 1-1 draw against Vipers SC in a Ugandan Premier League match played on Tuesday.

The Red Eagles took the lead courtesy of Godfrey Lwesibawa before the Venoms levelled matters through Karim Watambala for the draw at Wankulukuku.

Despite earning a point from the fixture which also saw his team maintain their unbeaten start to the season at home, Bbosa still feels his side deserved to win the duel had they converted the many chances they created.

“I thought it was a good fight, the boys for me ticked all the boxes but our biggest undoing was the failure to convert the chances we got,” Bbosa told the club’s official website after the match.

“Going forward, especially our game against [URA], we shall do our best to win.”

During the match, Vipers coach Fred Kajoba decided to tinker with the squad which had demolished Myda FC 7-0 in their previous match, with Fabien Mutombora preferred in goal while Watambala made a return in midfield.

Another player who came in was Paula Willa, in place of Joseph Dhata as Ibrahim Orit took Allan Kayiwa's position.

On the other hand, the Red Eagles introduced Mahad Yaya in place of Abel Etrude while Sadiq Ssekyembe came in for the injured Arthur Boca.

At first, the two sides approached the game cautiously and did not make many clear scoring opportunities, and in the first 20 minutes, only Orit had a good chance but failed to capitalise on it.

After a host of missed chances for both sides, Express took the lead in the 57th minute. The Venoms conceded a free-kick in a good area, it was taken by Lwesibawa and it took a slight deflection from Disan Galiwango en-route to the back of the net.

A minute later, the two teams were on level terms as Wetambala managed to beat the custodian from his free-kick outside the 18-yard area.

In the 64th minute, the Venoms were let loose in a promising position but Manzoki failed to hit the target. As the game progressed, it was Vipers who upped their tempo hoping to get maximum points.

They came closest in the 76th minute when Kayiwa managed to dance his way past his markers but when he was just about to pull the trigger, Enock Walusimbi did his defensive work.

The draw means Express will remain sixth on the league table as they prepare to face URA in their next league assignment the Arena of Visions in Ndejje.

Mumbai City became the first team in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season to book a top-four berth after their entertaining 3-3 draw against FC Goa on Monday. 

With the draw, the Islanders now have 34 points from 16 matches and have reached the play-offs after having missed out last season. 

With Mumbai's play-offs spot already sealed, the remaining three slots are now up for grabs for teams placed between 2nd to 10th on the points table. 

After their win over Bengaluru on Tuesday, ATK Mohun Bagan’s job is the easiest among all the nine teams who are in the race for the play-offs, as just a point from their remaining four matches will confirm their spot in the play-offs.

With the race to the top-four heating up at the business end of the season, we take a look at the scenarios of all the nine teams who can still make it to the play-offs this season. 

ATK Mohun Bagan (M-16, P-33) 

The Mariners are the closest to confirm a play-offs berth. Their next four matches are against Jamshedpur, East Bengal, Hyderabad and Mumbai City respectively. They need just a point to book a top-four berth. Also, if Hyderabad drop points against East Bengal on Friday then 33 points which they have at present will be sufficient for ATK Mohun Bagan to make it to the play-offs.

In case Hyderabad FC, NorthEast United and FC Goa remain tied on points at the end of the league stage, the points accumulated in the matches between the three teams will be considered to determine the qualifier or qualifiers.

Hyderabad FC (M-16, P-23)

Hyderabad's last four fixtures are against East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan and FC Goa respectively. The Nizams have the toughest fixture list compared to their competitors (NorthEast United and FC Goa) for the play-offs, as they have to face second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa in their last two games.  

Also if they manage to win all their remaining games they will automatically qualify as that will mean that FC Goa can reach a maximum of 32 points. If they manage to get 30 points, then Hyderabad will only have to worry about NorthEast and FC Goa since none of the bottom six teams can surpass that mark. 

NorthEast United (M-16, P-23) 

NorthEast United have the easiest run as their last four matches are against the bottom four teams on the league table, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal and Kerala Blasters.  

The Highlanders will go through if they win their remaining matches considering Goa and Hyderabad have to face each other in their last match. If they manage to get to 30 points, then NorthEast will only have to worry about Hyderabad and FC Goa since none of the bottom six teams can surpass that mark. 

FC Goa (M-16, P-23) 

FC Goa face bottom-placed sides Chennaiyin and Odisha, mid-table side Bengaluru and play-off rival Hyderabad in their last four encounters. 

If they will their remaining matches which includes Hyderabad FC in their final game then they will make it to the play-offs as the Nizams will be left behind with 32 points. If they manage to get to 30 points, then FC Goa will only have to worry about NorthEast and Hyderabad since none of the bottom six teams can surpass that mark. 

Bengaluru FC (M17, P-19) 

Bengaluru FC’s last-three fixtures are against Mumbai City, FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC. Their fixture list is one of the toughest as they meet two top of the table sides in their last three encounters. 

Winning all three matches will take the Blues’ points tally to 28 and then in order to qualify, they must hope that two out of the three teams - NorthEast United, FC Goa and Hyderabad FC - do not get more than four points in their remaining matches and the teams below them drop at least a point.

Jamshedpur FC (M-16, P-18) 

Jamshedpur FC face Chennaiyin, ATK Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City and Bengaluru in their final four matches. If Jamshedpur win all their remaining matches they will reach 30 points and then hope that two out of Hyderabad, NorthEast United and FC Goa do not get more than six points in their final four matches. 

Chennaiyin FC (M-16, P-17) 

The former ISL champions take on Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters in their last four games and full points from all those ties will see them get to 29 points.  

With 29 points, Chennaiyin will also hope that Jamshedpur drop two points and two out of Hyderabad, NorthEast United and FC Goa do not get more than five points in their final four matches.  

East Bengal (M-16, P-16) 

East Bengal’s win against Jamshedpur in their last match kept the Red and Golds in the hunt for a top-four berth but their chances are bleak. Their last four matches are against Hyderabad FC, rivals ATK Mohun Bagan, NorthEast United and Odisha FC. 

The Red and Golds have to get 12 points from their last four matches which will take their point’s tally to 28. They will also hope that two out of Hyderabad, NorthEast United and FC Goa do not get more than four points in their last four ties. Also, Bengaluru must drop points, Jamshedpur must lose at least one game and Chennaiyin should drop points in one out of their remaining matches. 

Kerala Blasters (M-16, P-15) 

Much like East Bengal, Kerala Blasters too have to win their remaining four matches which are against Odisha FC, Hyderabad FC, Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United which will take their tally to 27 points. 

After that they must hope that two out of Hyderabad, NorthEast United and FC Goa do not get more than three points in their last four ties and Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, Chennaiyin and East Bengal drop five, four, three and three points respectively in their remaining matches. 

Click here to view the latest ISL standings

Simba SC coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa has explained the importance of going for goals away from home when they face AS Vita Club in their first group match of the Caf Champions League on Friday.

The Frenchman will be handling the Msimbazi giants for the first time in the competition after replacing Belgian Sven Vandenbroeck, who left the club immediately after guiding them past FC Platinum of Zimbabwe to reach the group stage for the third time in history.

Da Rosa has now explained their target in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is to ensure they score as many goals as possible by using the chances they create, insisting he was very sure they will have many scoring opportunities coming their way during the match set to be played at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

“We are going to Congo with ambitions but there is no hiding that we must correct some things, particularly when we have an opportunity to score we need to score, and we insisted on this in our last training session if we have an opportunity in Congo and for sure we will have, we need to score a lot of goals,” Da Rosa told Simba online before the team left for Congo.

“It is very important also we need to be very consistency defensively because against Azam FC and particularly in the second half we let too much space to the opponent and so we need to minimize space between us particularly when we play outside.”

On why the team travelled with a squad of 27 players for the away match, Da Rosa explained: “We go there with our full squad, we never know with the Covid-19 regulations, we don’t need to be surprised in Congo so it is much better to carry a large squad.”

Simba’s squad left for DR Congo on Tuesday with captain and lead striker John Bocco among the players left behind, alongside new signing Perfect Chikwende.

Bocco, who has been struggling with injury, was dropped by coach Da Rosa while Chikwende was not included as he is cup-tied, having turned out against the Msimbazi giants for Platinum in the second round of the competition.

However, Ghanaian forward Bernard Morrison, who missed the two-legged clash against Platinum due to injury, has been included in the squad, as is the new signing from Uganda - Tadeo Lwanga.

Other players in the squad include the Kenyan duo of defender Joash Onyango, midfielder Francis Kahata, Zambian midfielder Clatous Chama, goalkeeper Aishi Manula, and striker Meddie Kagere.

Simba have been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly from Egypt, Vita Club from Congo, and Al-Merrikh from Sudan.

Simba squad; Goalkeepers: Aishi Manula, Beno Kakolanya, Ally Salim Juma.

Defenders: Shomari Kapombe, Joash Onyango, Pascal Wawa, Ibrahim Ame, Erasto Nyoni, Peter Muduhwa, Kennedy Juma, Gadiel Michael, Mohamed Hussein.

Midfielders: Tadeo Lwanga, Jonas Mkude, Larry Bwalya, Said Ndemla, Mzamiru Yassin, Luis Miquissone, Hassan Dilunga, Francis Kahata, Ibrahim Ajibu, Clatous Chama, Bernard Morrison.

Strikers: Meddie Kagere, Athumani Miraji, Chris Mugalu, and Junior Lokosa.

Tusker midfielder Jackson Macharia has dismissed claims they are under pressure sitting at the top of the 18-team FKF Premier League table.

The Brewers are leading the pack on 26 points from 11 matches, one more than second-placed KCB, while Wazito FC are third on 20 points.

After notching a late strike to sink Wazito in their last league outing, the dreadlocked midfielder has now said the team does not face any pressure being at the summit, but insisted they will have to keep working hard to maintain the results.

“Tusker is a big team and we are used to being on top,” Macharia told the club’s official website. “For us, there is no pressure at all being there and we just need to keep the consistency, we need to keep working hard from the training ground to the games.

“As a team, we work so hard in training and that is why you see the results translating on the pitch.”

Macharia was among the players who came on as a second-half substitute in the clash against Wazito, and reflecting on how his 93rd-minute goal helped them to claim maximum points, he said: “It felt great to give the team three points but the win was a collective effort from the coaches to the players.

“It has been long before I scored but I didn’t put it in my mind because that only works to bring you pressure. I knew I would score but I never knew the day or time but I am glad that I did.”

The league match played at Kasarani Annex was evenly contested until Tusker coach Robert Matano made three tactical changes at once, bringing on Macharia, Humphrey Mieno, and George Odhiambo for Chris Onyango, Otieno Apollo, and Boniface Muchiri.

And it was those changes that paid off as Macharia scored a stunning goal, seconds to the final whistle.

In a previous interview, Matano spoke of how his tactical changes enabled the Brewers to snatch the win, after Wazito proved a hard nut to crack in the first half.

“In the first half we did not play well, we did not keep the ball around ourselves, and our passing was not so frequent and we were lacking composure and then we came in and brought the players who can play that game to maintain the ball and then we can create chances to score and it happened as we got the goal at the final whistle,” Matano told Goal.

Tusker will next face struggling Posta Rangers on February 18.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise revealed where he believes the Soweto giants need to improve following their victory over Cape Town City on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers claimed a 2-0 win over the Citizens in a PSL encounter which took place at the Mecca of South African football, Orlando Stadium.

Modise believes that Pirates' game plan worked against City, who came into the match undefeated in their last four competitive matches, having thumped Bloemfontein Celtic 4-0 in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 game last weekend. 

"Pirates had good intentions from the first minute," Modise told SuperSport TV. 

"They knew that in order to beat Cape Town City, especially in the form they [City] came with into this game, they [Pirates] had to close them down very quickly, don't afford them any space.

"Pirates did very well. That first goal set the tone for them. From there, Pirates piled more pressure on Cape Town City.

"City could not find solutions to get out of the pressing zones and create enough chances to score goals."

Pirates' two goals were netted by Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule following quick counter-attacking moves by Josef Zinnbauer's side. 

"The mentality was right today for Orlando Pirates. They pressed very well and they shifted very well. They were also precise with the passes going forward," he continued

"They identified spaces where the ball had to be and they used those spaces very well hence you see the goals which were scored especially the second goal even with the first goal, to be honest."

Modise, who played 66 international matches for Bafana Bafana, added that Pirates need to learn when and how to kill off matches after the Buccaneers failed to take their chances in the second half.

"They identified the spaces and they used the ball very well. Even after that with the chances which they created as well in the second-half where they could have buried the game," he added. 

"But also this is a problem for Orlando Pirates where they have to understand that these are situations where if you have an opportunity to bury the game by scoring goals then do that.

"The indecisiveness that they have upfront there I think that is something that needs to change because once Cape Town City scores one goal then the game changes.

"So, Orlando Pirates need to learn when to kill [off] the game and how to kill [off] the game and when to manage the game as well."

Pirates next face Botswana champions Jwaneng Galaxy in the Caf Confederation Cup playoff round first-leg match in Gaborone, Botswana on Sunday. 

ATK Mohun Bagan put on a clinical performance on Tuesday night to inflict yet another defeat on Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). 

Antonio Habas' side, while scoring a very important win in the race for the league stage title, ensured Bengaluru's play-off hopes took a huge hit. 

Bengaluru FC began the match well, with a few occasional long balls played to Kristian Opseth who failed to steer clear of the ATK Mohun Bagan defence throughout the game. In Bengaluru rarely threatened the ATK Mohun Bagan defence.  

The Kolkata giants were more clinical in front of the goal from the onset. The first instance when Antonio Habas' men made their intent clear came in the 4th minute when Marcelinho received the ball on the left flank and dogged past three Bengaluru FC defenders with his quick feet and movement. The Brazilian continued with his solo run inside the box and then took the first shot off the match which ended in the safe pair of gloves off Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. 

Suresh Singh Wangjam, meanwhile, distributed the ball well in the initial 10 minutes but faded away as the match progressed despite his impressive workrate. Bengaluru FC looked clueless in attack, combining few back passes and keeping the ball in their own half. Occasional movement ahead of the ATKMB centre-halves was the highlight of their game in the first 30-odd minutes. A lot of credit for this goes to ATK Mohun Bagan who nullified Bengaluru well and broke with purpose.

Habas' side attacked on the counter from the left flank with David Williams as their key man. The forward not only controlled and dribbled the ball past the defenders but also cut into the middle in search of half-chances. He also found good support in Marcelinho on the left.

It was 65 per cent possession in favour of the Blues but the inevitable goal arrived when Pratik Chaudhari made an error while defending a through ball. Roy Krishna pounced on it and Chaudhari ended up hauling him down to concede a penalty. The Kolkata giants grabbed even more authority on the match when Marcelinho hit home a sublime free-kick from only a yard outside the box, given for a very rash foul on Williams by Harmanjot Khabra.

Marcelinho has had a massive impact since he joined the Kolkata giants in January. The Brazilian’s movement has added more teeth and flair to ATK Mohun Bagan’s attack, something which the opposition defenders are finding it difficult to contend with. Roy Krishna has combined well with the Brazilian as the penalty was won as he got on the end of a through-ball by Marcelinho.

The Brazilian has thus far had 13 shots on goal and ATK Mohun Bagan has clinched victory in all three matches he featured in. Habas also took no time to show his faith in Marcelinho as he gave him a start since he was brought into the side over a loan swap dead with Australia-born Scottish midfielder Brad Inman.

Bengaluru FC struggled to create openings and the only real chance they had was a shot from outside the box by Sunil Chhetri which was kept away by Arindam Bhattacharya.
What would also concern Bengaluru is that they have another injury to be concerned about. Rahul Bheke injured his hamstring and looks set to miss the last few games for Bengaluru FC.

Moreover with the playoffs approaching and Manvir Singh finding the back of the net in the previous matches -- the ATK Mohun Bagan forwards consisting Marcelinho, David Williams and Krishna -- is poised to take their team to distance.  

The Malaysia Premier League team which had listed only two foreign players on their roster in 2020, Selangor FC 2 have since added more import signings.

Although forward Bajram Nebiha has left after the end of the 2020 season, leaving only Singaporean-German midfielder Armin Maier Rafi on the books, the Red Giants' reserve team has since refilled their foreign signing quota.

In January, they officially announced the loan signings of two Ghanian players; 20-year old striker George Attram and 19-year old defender Jordan Ayimbila from the country's second-tier side, Accra Lions.

And Goal can now confirm another rumoured signing for the reserve team, after talking to club CEO Johan Kamal Hamidon on Tuesday.

The Red Giants have signed 19-year old Burmese winger Hein Htet Aung from Myanmar National League club Hanthawaddy United.

The teenager had been with Hantharwady since 2018, helping them to a second-place finish in the league last year.

Hein Htet Aung (left). Photo from Hanthawaddy United

"Yes, we've signed Hein as a future prospect on a multi-year contract. We think he's a good talent who we can develop into a formidable player," revealed Johan.

"We think him, George and Jordan can be prepared as future first team players or as players whose sale we can profit from."

With the players being young, Johan also addressed the risk of them failing to adapt to a new country and environment.

"We looked into a lot of things including their talent and age, before signing them. And these players are looking to progress, coming from countries that are not so well-known and seeing the Malaysian league seen as a step-up for them.

"There's always a risk that being so young, they would get homesick in a few months and ask to return home. But Michael (technical director Michael Feichtenbeiner) also scouted their attitude and personalities, their willingness to become bigger players. A lot of them come from difficult backgrounds and less-privileged, where football represents a way out. They have a humongous desire to succeed," explained the club officer, who also credited Feichtenbeiner's scouting network for identifying these players.

When questioned by Goal whether the signings of the three foreign players to the club's reserve team, on top of the one who is already on their books Armin, will deprive local boys of the chance to shine, Johan responded: 

"The most important thing is the quality of development that we offer the local boys. In any football set-up there's always a big base with a small peak; only a few will make the cut at the elite level. Our focus is still on developing young players, local foreign, with the few who are exceptional eventually progressing to the first team.

"Having young foreign players should push the local ones to work harder and engage in knowledge transfer. The foreign ones are not much better than our local boys; they are simply more determined and disciplined. We want the local boys to emulate these qualities. 

"It's not a reflection of the local talent pool because we have talent in all departments either. They (Selangor 2's recent foreign signings) are just good talents that we really want at the club. We like them and that's why they're on board. Our goal is still the same, what has changed is only the approach," he affirmed.

He also added that the club have snapped up a total of 10 recent graduates from the national academy the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD), in preparation for the coming season. National news agency Bernama had earlier reported that the number is six, but Johan told Goal that four more were lated later.

Ahead of the 2020 season last year, the first competitive season for the reserve team, the club signed 28 of the first batch of graduates from the academy that had been launched in 2014, to their reserve and junior teams.

"We had earlier signed six boys for this season, but later added four more."