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Manchester United look set to be without Eric Bailly for their FA Cup fifth-round clash with West Ham on Tuesday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expecting the Ivorian defender to join Paul Pogba on a list of absentees.

The Red Devils have seen their World Cup-winning midfielder ruled out of their plans for “a few weeks”, with the in-form performer suffering the most untimely of setbacks.

There is better news on Bailly, who is edging his way back to full fitness after sitting out five games, but a knockout meeting with the Hammers may come too soon for the 26-year-old centre-half.

What has been said?

“Yeah, he's getting better,” Solskjaer has told United’s official website on Bailly.

“He's still not available for the cup game, we think. He's been out on the grass and training, but we're just going to make a decision. I don't think he'll be involved.”

The Norwegian has said on Pogba: “Well, it was an injury. It'll take a few weeks for it to heal, so he's just started his recovery, working with the medical staff and we'll get him back as soon as we can, as safely as we can, because of course Paul's been very important for us.

“We're not going to take any risks, but a few weeks definitely.”

Solskjaer went on to say in a general fitness update: “There are so many games! But, yeah, everyone's available; everyone's trained, apart from Phil [Jones], obviously.”

What will be Man Utd's team vs West Ham?

It is expected that Dean Henderson, who has started every domestic cup game for United this season, will replace David de Gea in goal.

With Pogba out injured, Solskjaer has a decision to make over who comes in to start in midfield. Fred replaced Pogba against Everton, while Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek will also be pushing for starts.

Anthony Martial could replace one of Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood in the attacking positions, while left-back Alex Telles will be hoping for a start.

The bigger picture

Bailly has endured injury issues throughout his time at Old Trafford, but had appeared to put those behind him after earning favour again under Solskjaer.

He has taken in 13 appearances this season but, after sitting out five games on the back of being involved in a minor car accident, now faces a battle again to win a starting berth alongside Harry Maguire back from Sweden international Victor Lindelof.

Jones, meanwhile, has not figured for the Red Devils in over 12 months, with the versatile 28-year-old enduring his own fitness nightmare to see serious questions asked of his future.

Pogba has become the latest addition to the treatment room at United, with the Frenchman nursing a thigh complaint that will see him sit out crucial fixtures in Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League competition – with the Red Devils looking to bring a four-year wait for major silverware to a close in 2021.

Further reading

Former Black Leopards and Baroka FC coach Dylan Kerr is reportedly on the verge of being announced as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila coach.

Barely two weeks after partying ways with Leopards, Kerr is now with TTM according to Sowetan Live and Sun Sport, and it is understood his appointment will be confirmed imminently.

Far Post also captured images of him taking charge of TTM’s training session last weekend.

The Limpopo side’s coaching job fell vacant last week when Joel Masutha was fired, leaving them placed second-from-bottom on the Premier Soccer League standings.

Kerr is now reportedly set to remain in Limpopo where he has been at the helm of Baroka FC and Leopards within the past four months.

He was fired by Baroka in November 2020, before returning to Lidoda Duvha the following month for a second stint.

Having struggled to steer Leopards clear off the relegation zone, it is yet to be seen if the Englishman will help TTM avoid relegation.

TTM have nine points from 14 games, the same as basement side Leopards.

The club recently changed ownership and has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons including alleged late payment of salaries to players.

Masutha says he does not wish his successor to go through what he came across at Tshakhuma.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to experience what I experienced in five or six months,” Masutha told Sowetan Live.

“If the players are happy and everything is done properly then there is no reason for whoever will take over not to succeed. I didn’t know that I have a strong heart. The situation tested me and even reached the level where I never thought I would be, in terms of working very hard to motivate the players.

“We also tried to make sure that we never missed a match. We went to games with players even though mentally they were not ready, but the motivation that I gave to them made them want to fight.

“There were only two games where I believe we deserved to lose, and those were [against] Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates where we played badly. But other games, under the circumstances, the players did well. l left the club being a better person and I tried to show maturity.

“I understand that when you spend such an amount of money, obviously you will want someone to trust and take care of your investment. The fact that I know what the players went through under a difficult situation makes me feel that I will never have anything against the club. I want the team to do well.”

After booting out SuperSport United from the Nedbank Cup last weekend, TTM's next assignment is a league trip to fellow strugglers Maritzburg United on Friday.

England's new interim head coach Hege Riise has announced her first squad since taking charge, with Carly Telford, Nikita Parris and Beth Mead noteworthy absentees from a reduced group of 20 players.

The inclusion of Jill Scott in Riise's first squad means she could make her 150th appearance for the Lionesses later this month, with them due to play against Northern Ireland on February 23 in their only friendly of the international break.

After receiving call-ups to training camps at the end of last year, the uncapped quartet of Hannah Hampton, Sandy MacIver, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Ella Toone are all involved once again and could make their senior international debuts this month.

Who is missing?

There are 15 players from Neville's final training camp as England head coach that are missing from this month's squad. Of those, Lauren James and Demi Stokes are both injured, with Esme Morgan also only recently back from a short spell on the sidelines.

The most notable omissions are Telford, Mead and Parris, who have all been regulars for their country for a number of years. Telford has been the second-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea this season, however, and the Football Association (FA) is keen for players to be playing regularly.

Parris' comes down to Covid-19 protocols and quarantine requirements due to her playing in France, with Lyon not choosing to release her as a result, but Mead's absence comes down to her player report "not being great", Riise said.

Jordan Nobbs, meanwhile, is a surprise inclusion after she was ruled out of Arsenal's game against Manchester City on Sunday through injury.

What has been said?

Speaking about her first squad as interim England boss, Riise said: "I am looking forward to leading my first international camp with England. I have watched a lot of England and club matches and believe this is a group of players who are capable of winning at a major tournament.

"My work from now until Sarina Wiegman’s arrival is to develop their ability, playing style and physical conditioning to contribute to future success – this summer and beyond.

"It is great for the players to have an official fixture to look forward to and is an opportunity to implement everything they have worked on from previous training camps."

How does this impact the Team GB squad?

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s Director of Women's Football, indicated that during England's upcoming camps, there is one eye on the women’s football team that will represent Team GB at the Olympics.

Speaking last week, Campbell told reporters: "When you see the list of players coming to camp, you will perhaps see some people missing that you would expect to see there, but we've got three or four really important things that we're looking at in preparation for the Team GB squad in Tokyo.

"Physical condition is going to be absolutely key. The fact that people need to be playing week in and week out is really important to us.

"The second part of what we're looking at is mental toughness and mental resilience. That ability to cope with a result that perhaps wasn't quite where you wanted, or the fact you didn't get off the bench or whatever. 

"Thirdly, we really want to make sure that people are versatile. When we go into the Olympics, we will only have a squad of 18, which is much smaller than we'd normally have. Those factors are really critical in terms of the selection that we do now for camp and the selection we do going forward."

Campbell also confirmed that there is a longlist of around 50 players from the home nations on the radar of Team GB. The list will be cut to around 30 names in March, with the final 18 to be submitted in May.

What fixtures do England have scheduled?

The Lionesses will play Northern Ireland later this month in what will be their first game for almost a year.

They haven't played since a 1-0 defeat to Spain at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020 - a game that proved to be Phil Neville's last in charge - with matches against Germany in October and Norway in December both having been postponed.

This fixture will therefore be England's first under the new management of Riise, who has taken over on an interim basis before Netherlands boss Wiegman comes into the role after the Summer Olympics.

In April, the Lionesses have another home game scheduled against Canada, who sit eighth in the FIFA rankings.

What is the squad in full?

Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Everton).

Defenders: Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jill Scott (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City).

Forwards: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth England (Chelsea), Ellen White (Manchester City), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City).

Further reading

Defending Tanzania FA Cup champions Simba SC have been paired with African Lyon in the round of 32 draw conducted on Tuesday.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are aiming at successfully retaining the trophy they won last season after defeating Namungo 2-1 in the final. But they will have to get past the second-tier side to ensure they get a chance of achieving their target.

The 2019/20 finalists Namungo will play Tanzania Mainland League strugglers Mbeya City. The latter are currently in the relegation zone after collecting 14 points from the 18 matches played.

League leaders Yanga SC, who were bundled from last year's edition in the semis by their rivals Simba, have a relatively easier task against Kengold FC.

Another interesting fixture will be between Mtibwa Sugar and JKT Tanzania as well as Mwadui FC who will host Gwambina FC. 

Administrative side Ruvu Shooting have been handed a task against former top-tier side Mbao FC. The latter will be at home and will be aiming at capitalizing on the home ground.

The winner of the competition will represent Tanzania in the Caf Confederation Cup competition in the 2021/22 season.

Meanwhile, Namungo will play Primeiro de Agosto of Angola in the final preliminary round of the Caf Confederation Cup. The FA Cup finalists, who are making a first appearance at this stage, will play away before a home match against the Angolan outfit on February 12 and 21.

Namungo – under a new coach Hemed Morocco – earned a slot in the play-off phase after a 5-3 aggregate win over El-Hilal Obayed.

Stephen Kwame Sey had scored in the first leg which they won 2-0. Sey, Blaise Bigirimana and Edward Charles Manyama scored the three important goals for Namungo in the second leg tie that ended in a 3-3 draw.

Primeiro de Agosto, on the other hand, dropped to the Confederation Cup after they were defeated by South African giants Kaizer Chiefs.

FA Cup round of 32 full fixture:
Mtibwa Sugar vs JKT Tanzania
Namungo vs Mbeya City
Mwadui FC vs Gwambina FC
Coastal Union vs Ihefu FC
Arusha FC vs Mashujaa FC
Rhino Rangers vs Tunduru Korosho
Eagle Stars vs Kagera Sugar
Yanga SC vs Kengold FC
Polisi Tanzania vs Kwamndolwa FC
Dodoma Jiji FC vs Kipigwe FC
KMC FC vs Kurugenzi FC
Azam FC vs Mbuni FC
Sahare All-Stars vs Tanzania Prisons
Biashara United vs Trans Camp

AFC Leopards captain Robinson Kamura was saddened by the departure of interim coach Anthony Kimani.

The former Kenya defender opted to quit after guiding Ingwe to a goalless draw against their bitter rivals Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League Mashemeji Derby.

The 31-year-old felt he was not being appreciated by the club’s top hierarchy despite the efforts he had made to build a strong team in the 2020-21 campaign.

"Sad to see you leave us," Kamura, who remains the longest-serving member at the club, posted on his official social media account. 

"I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be coached by you. At the [Mathare Youth Sports Association]. You were our role model, your generation gave us the right direction, you not only played for Mathare United FC, but you also won the [FKF-PL] in 2008 as the captain and that was our motivation for us, academy players, at that time."

The central defender went on to explain the impact Kimani had on his life.

"I have been a ball boy for you while Mathare were playing," Kamura added.

"It was a dream come true to be coached by my role model and to be your captain too. A father figure to us in this industry. You gave us hope and we believed we can get anything through hard work. 

"Thank you for the guidance and knowledge my coach; I can only wish you all the best in your endeavors coach 'Modo'."  

Meanwhile, Leopards have confirmed the hiring of coach Patrick Aussems.

As exclusively revealed by Goal three days ago, the Belgian tactician, who has also handled Simba SC of Tanzania, will take over the mantle of handling the Kenyan giants but the club has not revealed the duration of the contract signed.

"Patrick Aussems has been appointed as the new AFC Leopards coach," the club said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"He joins the club after a successful stint at Tanzania’s Simba where he guided them to the Tanzanian Premier League title in 2018/19 and reached the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League.

"The 55-year-old Belgian, former Standard Liege defender joins us with vast experience having coached teams across Europe and Africa for the last 30 years.

"He has handled Sudan’s Al-Hilal – he won the Super Cup of Sudan and Congo Brazzaville’s AC Leopards where they won the league in 2014 and qualified in the semifinals of Caf Confederation Cup 2014."

Sergio Ramos admits he had “no other option” but to undergo surgery on his knee, with the Real Madrid captain facing up to six weeks on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old, who has seen serious speculation generated regarding his future at Santiago Bernabeu as his current contract runs down, will be unavailable to Zinedine Zidane for the foreseeable future.

The Blancos are enduring something of an injury crisis at the moment, with their first-team squad being decimated by fitness setbacks, but their skipper says he was left with little choice but to seek medical assistance for a niggling ailment.

What has been said?

Ramos has posted on social media: “Hi everyone! Everything is going as planned.

“Mind already on getting back to work and back on the pitch ASAP. Thanks so much for all your messages and support.”

He added: “In the end, I had to undergo surgery. No one likes to be in that situation but, thanks to God, everything has turned out great.

“It was on medical advice and I had no other option. I just wanted to say that I'm happy with how everything has turned out and that I'll try get back as soon as possible to help the team because there's still a long way to go this season.

“I also want to thank Dr Leyes and all his team for the excellent treatment and job during the operation.”

How many games will Ramos miss for Madrid?

The World Cup winner has already sat out four fixtures, with his last outing coming against Athletic Club in the Super Cup back on January 14.

He went under the knife in early February and is set to miss crucial upcoming fixtures in La Liga and Champions League competition.

Defending Spanish champions Real, who have failed to secure back-to-back wins since before Christmas, will be back in domestic action on Tuesday against Getafe.

Zidane’s men will then take on Valencia and Real Valladolid before facing Atalanta in the first leg of a European last-16 showdown on February 24.

A derby date with neighbours Atletico Madrid – who continue to top the Liga table at present – is pencilled in for early March.

Ramos should be well down a road to recovery by then, but it remains to be seen when he will be ready to step back into a team that requires inspiration from somewhere.

The bigger picture

Real’s injury struggles have left them with just 12 fit members of their senior squad.

Eder Militao is the latest to have been laid low, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Alvaro Odriozola already ruled out.

Zidane will be down to the bare bones against Getafe as a result, with questions already being asked of his long-term future at the Bernabeu as the Blancos scratch around for consistency.

Further reading

Mason Greenwood is “over his dip” at Manchester United, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Red Devils boss pleased with the teenager’s progress this season despite seeing him score just four goals.

A highly-rated product of the famed Old Trafford academy system enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2019-20, with the target found on 17 occasions through 49 appearances in all competitions.

Greenwood has been finding the going a little tougher this time around, but his manager believes positive steps are being taken in the right direction by a promising forward who remains a work in progress.

What has been said?

“He's improved and matured immensely, and he's working with some of the top forwards in the country, of course,” Solskjaer told reporters ahead of an FA Cup fifth-round clash with West Ham on Tuesday.

“He’s learning off them, and it's exciting to see that he's come over his blip and is playing really well.

“I think the last few games, if you look at him closely – yeah, I know we scored nine against Southampton – but if you look at his performance, I thought his performance was top.”

What are Greenwood's stats this season?

The teenage frontman has made 27 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign, with those outings coming in domestic and continental competition.

His four goals have been spread across the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

A solitary effort in the English top flight was registered in a meeting with West Ham on December 5, with 10 outings taken in since then without finding the target.

Greenwood has, however, looked lively across recent fixtures and contributed his fifth assist of the season during United’s 9-0 mauling of Southampton.

The bigger picture

Greenwood faces fierce competition for places at Old Trafford and continues to be used in a wide attacking role by Solskjaer.

The general consensus is that he will fill a central striking berth in time, with Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial battling for that number nine spot at present.

That is leaving Greenwood to focus on life on the flanks, with the England hopeful – who already has one senior cap to his name – looking to prove that he can help the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford carry the weight of creative responsibility at United.

Further reading

Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg have announced the signings of Daniel Owusu and Forson Amankwah.

The two players each join Die Roten Bullen in deals lasting until 2025 from Ghanaian side Wafa, where they have been regular features in the Ghana Premier League this season.

Both have been promptly farmed out on loan to second tier sides, striker Owusu will spend the rest of season with Horn while Amankwah will go to Liefering.

"We have signed two talents from Ghana. Daniel Owusu and Forson Amankwah have both signed until 2025," Salzburg have announced on their official website.

"Eighteen-year-old Forson Amankwah is joining our Red Bulls from the West African Football Academy and has signed a contract until 31 May 2025. The midfielder will play as a cooperation player for FC Liefering.

"Daniel Owusu is also 18, also joins from WAFA, has signed a contract until 31 May 2025 and will play first as a cooperation player at SV Horn."

Owusu and Amankwah join the Austrian side just shortly after Majeed Ashimeru, who similarly moved to the club from Wafa in 2017, transferred to Belgian outfit Anderlecht.

Gideon Mensah, who currently plays for Portuguese fold Vitoria Guimaraes, is another player who has benefited from the relationship between Wafa and Salzburg.

Liefering and Horn currently occupy the second and 10th positions, respectively, after match day 13 of the 2020-21 Austrian Football Second League.

Founded in 1999 and named Gomoa Fetteh Feyenoord Academy owing to then partnership with Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam, the talent production hub has produced a host of top Ghanaian stars.

Ashimeru and Mensah are currently members of Ghana's senior men's national team while Newcastle United star Christian Atsu, Columbus Crew fullback Harrison Afful, Belgium-based Nana Kwasi Asare and Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan have also developed through the system.

In 2014, the club changed its name to the West African Football Academy (Wafa) before later moving its base from Gomoa Fetteh to Sogakope in Ghana’s Volta Region.

The club are currently eighth on the Ghana Premier League table after 13 rounds of matches so far this season. 

Juan Sebastian Veron has insisted that he harbours no regrets over his ill-fated spell at Manchester United, having "found an extraordinary club" after deciding to leave Italy.

Veron signed for United from Lazio for a then club-record fee of £28 million in the summer of 2001, but only lasted two seasons at Old Trafford after struggling to justify his hefty price tag.

Although the former Argentina international acknowledges the fact he failed to live up to expectations during his time with the Red Devils, he still looks back on his time with the club fondly after being pleasantly surprised by the lifestyle he was able to adopt in England.

What has he said?

Asked if he laments swapping Rome for Manchester at the height of his playing career, Veron told FourFourTwo magazine: "No, never. I signed for United because I had a passport issue in Italy and thought a change of scenery would be good for my mind.

"Truth be told, I had a pessimistic view about playing in England, as I imagined that life there would be so different to what I was used to: the Latin lifestyle. But I found an extraordinary club. You could hardly find one as well-organised, with so many people willing to help.

"If there was one thing that played against me, I’d say it was the physical conditioning. As we played more matches, my performance levels dropped. I had so many up and downs: a few really good games, but other poor ones. 

"I know that my time in English football wasn’t the best."

Veron's record at Man Utd

Veron racked up 82 appearances across all competitions for United before being sold to Chelsea after the club's title-winning 2002-03 campaign.

The playmaker contributed a total of 11 goals and 11 assists to the Red Devils' cause during that period, but only found the net twice in 25 Premier League outings during his final season on their books.

Man Utd's top five record signings

Veron was only the most expensive signing in United's history for a short while, with club officials breaking the bank to bring in Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for £30 million in July 2002.

Dimitar Berbatov, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria were also subsequently acquired for record fees, but Paul Pogba's return to Manchester from Juventus in 2016 saw him set a new mark of £89m, which has yet to be surpassed.

Further reading

Yves Bissouma has been announced as the winner of Brighton and Hove Albion's Goal of the Month award for January.

The 24-year-old midfielder delivered a spectacular performance in his side’s FA Cup victory over Blackpool last month.

The Mali international scored a wondergoal in the encounter to help the Seagulls progress in the competition.

Bissouma opened the scoring at the American Express Community Stadium, firing home a long-range effort after he was set up by Steven Alzate.

The midfielder’s effort has now been adjudged the best strike from any Brighton player in the month under review and has been rewarded accordingly.

Bissouma has made 23 appearances for Tony Bloom’s men across all competitions this season, scoring two goals.

The midfielder will hope to continue his impressive performances when Brighton take on Leicester City in Wednesday’s FA Cup tie.

The 24-year-old will be expected to face Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi in a midfield battle in the encounter.

The Super Eagles midfielder has been out of action since January 27 when he suffered a hamstring injury against Everton.

Ndidi has subsequently missed the Foxes’ last three games, including their Premier League draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has previously revealed the 24-year-old midfielder will return against Bissouma’s Brighton.

“Wilf will be back for Wednesday. We were thinking about this game but we just felt we didn’t want to risk him [against Wolves]," Rodgers told Leicester Live. 

“He’s had a couple of really good days of training and he should be fit and ready for Wednesday.”

Bissouma has been with Brighton since the summer of 2018 when he teamed up with the club from French side Lille.

The midfielder has recently been linked to a number of Premier clubs following his impressive performances for the Seagulls this season but will be expected to see out his five-year contract with the club.

Cape Town City midfielder Thabo Nodada says that he does not need to play against big teams such as Orlando Pirates in order to be motivated.

Nodada has been among City's standout performers this season and has scored four times and created one assist in 14 matches.

Such has been the 25-year-old's influence in the centre of the Citizen's midfield that he has was rewarded with a new three-year deal on Monday.

Whether he stays the duration of the three years will be another story, but what City have done is ensuring that they should be well compensated should Nodada be tempted away.

He's now looking forward to Tuesday evening's clash against Pirates at the Orlando Stadium (17:00 kick-ff).

"My focus is to help my team. I want to prove a point every time I step onto the pitch, against every opponent. Pirates will be no exception. I am happy with my new deal and want to repay the faith shown in me, Nodada was quoted saying by the Sowetan.

"We go to another level when we face these big teams, but this time we do not need extra motivation. It is a jostle for a higher position on the log with them. If we beat them, we go above them on the log table that is the incentive to win this game."

City go into the game on the back of a 4-0 weekend win over Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup last 32, a game in which Tashreeq Morris netted a second-half hat-trick.

They'll have little time for recuperation ahead of their showdown in Soweto with the Buccaneers.

Sitting just one place and two points behind Bucs, the Cape side can potentially move above Pirates and Golden Arrows into fourth spot with a victory.

"We must not take our foot off the pedal. We have to keep on working hard. They [Pirates] have not been consistent in the league and had mixed results. It is a tricky game for us as we do not know what to expect from them," Nodada added.

A win for City would also take them to within striking distance - seven points, of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Pirates and City met as recently as December 20 – their league encounter in Stellenbosch ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Harambee Stars coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee is impressed with the spirit shown by the local players in the non-residential training camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

The East Africans will be welcoming the Pharaohs at Kasarani Stadium on February 22 hoping to get a positive outcome to keep alive their faint hopes of making it to Cameroon.

The tactician is optimistic about getting good results in the aforementioned game since the players in camp are already promising.

"We had a session just to gauge the players, especially the new call-ups to see what they have, it went well," Mulee told Goal.

"On Tuesday we will have a double session before the players break and go back to their clubs.  

"I am impressed already; a lot of players have speed on the ball. The spirit is also good, you can see and feel it.  

"If we continue like this, by the time we hit the fourth week, I think we will have a good team that we can pick from the local boys and combine them with abroad-based players we will be calling.  

"It gives you a good feeling that we will probably have a good match [against Egypt]."

The Stars are in Group G alongside Comoros, Egypt and Togo. They have so far managed to get three points from the four games played. They started their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Egypt before registering the same against the Sparrowhawks in Nairobi.

They hosted Les Coelacantes in Nairobi and settled for a 1-1 draw before falling 2-1 away in Moroni.

Kenya’s Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Joseph Okoth (KCB), Peter Odhiambo (Wazito)

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Michael Kibwage (Sofapaka), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks), Nahashon Alambi (KCB), Bonface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), David Owino (KCB), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks), Baraka Badi (KCB)

Midfielders: Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards), Micheal Mutinda (KCB), Musa Masika (Wazito), John Macharia (Gor Mahia), Reagan Otieno (KCB), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker), Kevin Kimani (Wazito), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari)

Forwards: Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards), Henry Meja (Tusker), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia).

FKF Premier League side Sofapaka's president Elly Kalekwa has confirmed they have finished their transfer business for foreign-based players.

This is after the 2009 champions made the signing of two players – Burundian midfielder Bizimana Amissi and goalkeeper Abdoul-Moubarak Aigba from Togo – on Monday.

The two players arrived on two-year contracts, from Rukinzu FC and AS OTR Football Club from Togo, respectively, and thus joined one other foreigner, defender David Nshimirimana also from Burundi, who was signed by the club three days ago.

According to Kalekwa, they have now closed business on signing foreign players as they have reached the required quota of five players.

“We have now closed our business to sign foreign players because we have reached the required quota,” Kalekwa told Goal on Tuesday.

“We have already signed three players and we already had two in our squad and since none of them is going out, we are finished with the business.

“We have added three quality players into our rank, and I am happy the transfers were completed without a hitch, the three players were our targets when the window opened, so we have managed to net the players we had planned to sign and it is a closed chapter now.”

Kalekwa continued: “For example, keeper Aigba is a player we have followed for a very long time and it was not easy to get his signature, several clubs had lined up for his services, and I had to use every mean possible to convince to come to Sofapaka.

“To be honest his transfer saga reminded me of the day I was signing Fiston Abdoul Razak, how I fought to get his services, it was a real fight, it has never happened to me for a while now and I am happy he has finally signed for us, straight for Chan tournament.

“We all know him [the keeper] well, we all know what he can do, he was in Kenya when Togo played against Harambee Stars but he did not play in the match, so I have been following him for a while now, and it is the best signing for me.”

On whether they are done signing local-based players, Kalekwa said: “I don’t think we have finished business on that front, I don’t want to reveal the names we are targeting but one thing I know we need one more local player after signing striker Timothy [Otieno].”

When the transfer window opened, Batoto ba Mungu released nine players who were deemed surplus to requirements.

Among the players released were Nigerian striker Promise Chinoso, former KCB defender Jacobs Faina, defender Bryson Juma, who was signed in November from second-tier Soy United, midfielders David Simiyu and Collins Wakhungu.

Others are goalkeeper Isaiah Wakasala, captain Eli Asieche, Ghanaian striker Jedinak Nana and another Nigerian striker Michael Karamor.

Oliver Bierhoff, national team director of the German Football Association (DFB), claims to have held positive talks with Bayern Munich starlet Jamal Musiala regarding his international future.

The talented 17-year-old finds himself at the centre of a tug-of-war that also sees England battling to secure his allegiance – with dual citizenship allowing him to pick between two old adversaries.

Musiala, who was born in Stuttgart but moved to London at the age of seven and spent eight years within the academy system at Chelsea until joining Bayern in 2019, has represented the Three Lions at U21 level.

What has been said?

“We had a very good and open conversation,” DFB director Bierhoff has told Bild on discussions with Musiala.

“We clearly showed him what we think of him and that we are convinced that he will be a national team player, but it's a very personal decision.”

Who else has spoken about Musiala's international future?

Germany national team coach Joachim Low has said: “He is an exceptionally great talent. He is particularly valued in Germany and at FC Bayern.

“I think he knows one way or another that I want to pick him. There aren't that many talents in Germany who are at his level. The decision is his.”

England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has added: “We’ve got a lot of players with dual nationality. 

“It’s down to our work with them, whether they enjoy coming with us. Is it progressing their careers? I think yes, it is. 

“At some point we are going to miss out on a player but the environment, system and pathway – there aren’t many who have as good a record as we do currently. 

“The lads will all get their opportunity and we’ll have to make tough calls as we go on. We don’t need to do any special measures for anyone – the pathway is there. 

“Some players get stretched and moved up quicker than others. I don’t think there is a better time to be an England player.”

Who will Musiala choose?

Goal has learned that the DFB is confident of convincing the teenager that he should commit to them.

He has previously represented the country of his birth at U16 level, before then going back to the England fold.

No definitive decision has been taken as yet regarding his international plans, with his future at club level also generating plenty of speculation.

The bigger picture

Musiala only has 18 months left to run on his youth deal at Bayern, with talks ongoing when it comes to an extension.

Deadlock is said to have been reached there, with wage demands proving to be a sticking point, and the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are keeping a close eye on developments as they look to offer the promising playmaker a route back to the Premier League.

Further reading

William Saliba has questioned Mikel Arteta’s snap judgement on him at Arsenal, with the highly-rated defender claiming to have been given “two-and-a-half” non-competitive matches in which to prove his worth.

The 19-year-old linked up with the Gunners during the summer of 2020, some 12 months on from a deal being done with Saint-Etienne that would take him to England.

He is still waiting to make his debut for Arsenal , despite questions being asked of Arteta’s side at centre-half, but that won't be coming any time soon as he spends the  remainder of the current campaign on loan at Nice.

What has been said?

“He (Arteta) judged me on two-and-a-half matches,” Saliba told  RMC Sport.

“I would have liked for him to play me more. But he told me I wasn't ready.

“I was waiting for him to give me a chance, but football is like that.”

What has Arteta had to say?

The Gunners boss told reporters when sanctioning a move for Saliba in early January: “He will come back for pre-season and he will be with us, and hopefully he will come back after playing a number of games and [with] his performances raised and his development progressing in the right way. That is why we made that decision.

“I know that sometimes it is difficult to explain or understand after the money the club spent bringing him in, sending him on loan, but a lot of things have happened to him, he is a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well.

“Giving him three or four games is not enough for him, he needs much more than that but what has happened over the past 18 months, he has gone through some personal problems as well that we have to try to help him with, and stay as close as possible to him, and now he needs to play, play and play and enjoy his profession as well.”

How much did Saliba cost & what has he done so far?

Arsenal invested £27 million ($34m) in Saliba when snapping him up from Saint-Etienne.

Rival interest in the youngster was fended off at that stage, with north London neighbours Tottenham said to be keen, and a shrewd addition appeared to have been made.

Saliba is, however, yet to take in a single minute of competitive action for the Gunners.

His only two outings for the Premier League heavyweights have come in the Football League Trophy, with a red card collected in a 3-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon the last time he graced an Arsenal shirt.

The talented teenager, who is tied to a long-term contract at Emirates Stadium, has since gone on to take in seven appearances for Nice.

The Goal view | Charles Watts | Arsenal correspondent

This is the third interview Saliba has done in as many weeks and you have to wonder what Arsenal think about his willingness to discuss his thoughts so publicly.

Yes, he has every right to feel frustrated at the way his situation has been managed since his move to north London, but if he harbours any hope of returning to Arsenal and making a success of his time there, he would be best served just getting his head down and focusing purely on performing for Nice.

Mikel Arteta has shown already he is not a manager who likes to have his authority questioned, so Saliba is playing a risky game with his very public comments about the Spaniard.

Sources at Arsenal remain adamant that they still see Saliba as a big part of the club’s future so they will be delighted with the impressive performances he has been producing since joining Nice. But there’s no doubt that they would prefer to see the young centre-back do all of his talking on the pitch from now on, rather than in the newspapers.

Further reading

Vipers SC coach Fred Kajoba has cautioned his players against complacency when they face Express FC in a Ugandan Premier League match on Tuesday.

The Venoms will head into the match at Wankulukuku oozing with confidence as they smashed Myda FC 7-0 at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende in their last league outing three days ago.

However, despite the biggest win for the club in recent history, the veteran tactician has warned his players not to relax when they come up against the Red Eagles, insisting they are a very good opponent to play against.

“We know the kind of opponent we are going to play and the atmosphere,” Kajoba told the club’s official website.

“They’re a good side but we are set for the challenge, we are not going to be complacent despite our last win.

“We expect our opponent to play the same way and we attack from our defence but the most important thing for us is to play according to our plan.”

The Red Eagles have scored a goal in each of their last four games this season and they are yet to lose a game at home having beaten both Bright Stars FC and SC Villa at a ground they seem intent on turning into a ‘fortress’ this term.

But in the last five meetings between the two sides, Vipers have managed to dominate their rivals, winning four of them with the other one ending in a draw.

Last season, Vipers won both ties 2-0 and in the 2018 season, they managed to hammer Express 5-0.

Vipers will miss the services of Milton Karisa who is yet to recover from injury while Disan Galiwango will face his former employers after leaving the side to join the Venoms last July.

In a previous interview, Express coach Wasswa Bbosa insists they have done enough homework to beat Vipers at home.

“A lot of positive progress has happened during the break with the team, we’ve used the time to be sharper in front of goal and just as I said in my matchday programme notes, we respect Vipers but our target is to get maximum points,” Bbosa said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“If we can execute our game plan, I am sure we will pull through.”

Bbosa has a fully fit squad to pick from with no injury worries apart from left-back Arthur Kiggundu, who will face a late fitness test.

FKF Premier League side AFC Leopards have confirmed the hiring of coach Patrick Aussems.

As exclusively revealed by Goal three days ago, the Belgian tactician, who has also handled Simba SC of Tanzania, will take over the mantle of handling the Kenyan giants but the club has not revealed the duration of the contract signed.

“Patrick Aussems has been appointed as the new AFC Leopards coach,” the club said in a statement obtained by Goal.

“He joins the club after a successful stint at Tanzania’s Simba where he guided them to the Tanzanian Premier League title in 2018/19 and reached the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League.

“The 55 year-old Belgian, former Standard Liege defender joins us with vast experience having coached teams across Europe and Africa for the last 30 years.

“He has handled Sudan’s Al-Hilal – he won the Super Cup of Sudan and Congo Brazzaville’s AC Leopards where won the league in 2014 and qualified in the semifinals of Caf Confederation Cup 2014.

The statement continued: "Aussems holds a Uefa Pro coaching license, he has also coached Nepal’s national team and he will have his first training session on Tuesday and will be in charge for our Saturday’s FKF Cup match against Taita Taveta All-Stars in Wundanyi.”

The Belgian, who arrived in the country on Saturday and watched the derby against Gor Mahia at Kasatani Stadium on Sunday, will take over from Tomas Trucha who quit his duties at the club.

Ingwe have been without a coach since Trucha quit, alleging some officials were interfering with his work. The Czech Republic citizen was appointed to lead the 13-time champions in early November to help the team challenge for the 2020/21 league title.

Aussems was born on February 6 in 1965 at Moelingen, Belgium, and played football for various clubs in Europe, including RCS Vise, Standard Liege, KAA Gent, RFC Seraing and France's ES Troyes AC.

On his last stint in East Africa, Simba opted to part ways with the tactician after he failed to guide the team to the group stage of the Caf Champions League despite the quality of the players at his disposal.

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce believes Mbaye Diagne has shown he is capable of scoring goals for the club.

The 29-year-old teamed up with the Hawthorns outfit in January on loan until the end of the 2020-21 season from Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray.

The Senegal international has played three Premier League games for the Baggies since his arrival and bagged an assist.

The forward came close to scoring against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend but his efforts were ruled out for offside.

Notwithstanding his failure to open his goalscoring account yet for West Brom, Allardyce is confident the centre-forward will score many goals for his side.

“If we put quality balls into the opposition box then the big man Mbaye seems to be able to get on the end of them,” Allardyce said, as per Express and Star.

“He has those two ruled out at Tottenham because he just went a little too early with his run. He just needs to read those situations a little better. But it was encouraging

“Mbaye is looking like if we get balls into the right areas with the right quality, he’ll get chances to score – he showed that.

“It is positive. But until we stop the goals going in at the other end then life is going to be increasingly difficult for us.”

West Brom are winless in their last five games, which have condemned them to the relegation zone, having only gathered 12 points from 23 games.

Diagne will hope to impress and inspire the Baggies back to winning ways when they take on Manchester United in their next Premier League game on February 14.

The Senegal forward has previously played for Juventus, Tianjin TEDA and Kasimpasa before joining Galatasaray in the summer of 2019.

Diagne spent last season on loan with Club Brugge, where he endured a difficult time and will hope to make a meaningful impact for West Brom before leaving the Premier League club.