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Kaizer Chiefs were stunned by Richards Bays in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 match which was played their home ground, FNB Stadium, on Sunday.

The Soweto giants were under pressure to return to winning ways after losing to their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in a PSL match last weekend.

Amakhosi suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Richards Bay with the visitors scoring through Thabani Dube and Siyabonga Vilane.

While Leonardo Castro's goal proved to be a consolation goal for Chiefs and their coach Gavin Hunt admitted that it was an embarrassing defeat after losing to a National First Division side.

Chiefs fans took to Twitter to express their surprise and disappointment following the encounter, while some criticized Hunt and questioned his team selection.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp suggested that goalkeeper Alisson could have been suffering from cold feet when he made two high-profile blunders against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday while adding that he was overall pleased with his team's efforts.

The Brazilian was guilty of twice giving the ball away to a City player in a dangerous position, with both errors ruthlessly punished by Pep Guardiola’s side.

First, Alisson’s sloppily clearance fell straight to Phil Foden, who teed up Ilkay Gundogan for his second of the game.

Three minutes later the former Roma goalkeeper gifted possession to Bernardo Silva, with the Portuguese’s dinked cross headed over the line by Raheem Sterling.

That put City 3-1 up and in complete control, with Foden wrapping up a stunning win with a thunderous finish with seven minutes remaining.

Despite the one-sided scoreline, Klopp defended his side’s performance and felt there was not much difference between the Reds and City, who simply capitalised on individual mistakes.

“A big part of the game was a brilliant game from my side,” he told Sky Sports. “I can see in your eyes you see differently. I really liked it. First half, played really good football. Second half, City changed the system slightly. A little adaptation and we would be in the game again but in the start of the second half we did not give enough options to play and gave the first goal away.

"We gave them too much opportunity. They scored that goal, we scored the equaliser. We were good again but then made two massive mistakes that is clear. At 3-1 down at this level it is tough to take and then Foden with a genius situation for the fourth goal.

"If we play football like we did for a long time tonight then we will win football games, 100%."

Klopp also accepted Alisson’s errors had proven costly, before offering up an unusual excuse for his sloppy footwork.

The manager says that he has talked about the situation with the goalkeeper, although he acknowledges that it wasn't the Brazilian's finest hour.

"It is true as well we did not give him a lot of options, especially the first one. The second yeah, he just mishit the ball, maybe he had cold feet, it sounds funny but don't know the situation,” Klopp said.

“He has saved our lives many times, no doubt about that, tonight he made mistakes."

Ghana captain Andre Ayew is delighted to get back on the score sheet once again as Swansea City continued their chase for Premier League promotion. 

After going six games without a goal, consequently losing his place as the club's top scorer this season, the 31-year-old bounced back with a strike as the Jack Army saw off Norwich City 2-0 in the Championship 2-0 on Saturday. 

His goal has moved him joint-top with Jamal Lowe as Swansea's leading hitman, each player having racked up nine goals. The club currently sit third on the league table. 

“Leading from the front, it is always important to get goals," Ayew said about his scoring return, as reported by his club's official website.

“It wasn't something that disturbed me much because I was playing well and making the team score goals in different ways by my movement.

“I always want to score; that's for sure, but what's important is the team and what I'm going to do to help them score - it can be by scoring, by movement, assists.

“I'm happy to get the goal - it's been a few games without a goal - but most importantly within that period, we were able to win games.

“I feel that we showed we can't just rely on one or two players and everyone around can chip in with goals and everyone defends.”

Ayew has so far made 26 league appearances involving 25 starts for Swansea this term. 

“There are so many games to play, even within the space of a week the table can change so much, but that’s the nature of the Championship and it’s what we have to deal with given the congested fixture list due to Covid," Ayew said earlier.

“We have things we need to build on and things we need to improve on, I think that is the same for every side.

“I hope to bring my experience to help the team because, even though you will lose games, it is about how you handle those things.

“I think we have been good at that this season, we have to keep that going and make sure there are more good things than bad.”

Last season, Ayew finished as the club's most valuable player and top scorer as they reached the promotion play-offs.

Jurgen Klopp admitted Alisson Becker’s errors had cost Liverpool in their crunch clash with Manchester City, but backed his goalkeeper to come back stronger from a chastening afternoon at Anfield.

Alisson was at fault twice on Sunday as City recorded a 4-1 win which all-but-ends the Reds’ hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.

In a tight game, the Brazilian’s poor clearance allowed Phil Foden to set up Ilkay Gundogan to give the visitors a 2-1 lead, 17 minutes from time.

And just three minutes later he was culpable again, gifting the ball to Bernardo Silva, who fed Raheem Sterling for City’s third goal.

Foden himself rounded of the scoring, his powerful angled shot catching Alisson by surprise, to condemn Liverpool to their heaviest home league defeat since October 2005.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Klopp said he saw plenty of good things from his side, but could only agree that the decisive moments came from his goalkeeper’s mistakes.

“We made two massive mistakes and [it was] pretty much game over,” he told reporters. “In a game when you have such a good moment, these two goals killed off the game. Everybody knows that.”

On Alisson, he said: “I spoke to him a few seconds ago. He’s obviously very disappointed. He was like ‘not today, not today’. I said to him ‘that’s the problem with mistakes, you cannot decide when you make them, the only thing you can do is learn from them’

“That’s what he will do and he will make sure it never happens to him again. Tonight it was decisive, but that’s OK. He saved our lives I don’t know how often, and he’s absolutely a world-class goalie.

“Tonight some things went a little bit wrong and we have to take that.”

Asked specifically what he had said to Alisson, Klopp replied: “I said to him ‘we have stands, you can shoot the ball there!’

“Look, it’s a mistake, but different things came together. We didn’t offer exactly the right things. In the first half, Ali played exceptional football and was really calm on the ball, passed it in small spaces, exactly what we wanted him to do.

“Then in the beginning of the second half he didn’t do that. He didn’t see the offers because we didn’t make them in the right way, and then the problem is that he doesn’t shoot the ball somewhere far away from the danger spots.

“He knows that. I can’t help him through the night. We all have nights like this, and tomorrow he will be OK again.”

On the game itself, Klopp was somewhat upbeat, despite the fact his team now sit 10 points behind City, who have a game in hand for good measure.

“It’s not the last game of the season,” he added. “There are a lot of games to come. And if we would have played more often as we played tonight, we would not be 10 or 13 points behind City.

“It’s not dreamland or whatever, we have to accept reality and we do. We will fight for results. We did that tonight and didn’t get it, because of our own faults. That’s clear. But the good stuff we should keep.”

“They have a day off Tuesday. Tomorrow we have training and recovery. I prefer that we speak tomorrow again about it in the right manner. So we have a day off with the right mindset.

“There are worse things in the world than losing a football game. It’s very important for us, no doubt about that, but I want them to understand and to know that the football we played tonight, in long periods of the game, if we would have played this football more often then we would have more points. We will speak tomorrow about that then everyone can recover.”

Asante Kotoko have taken over the top spot in the Ghana Premier League after a 2-0 away win over  Karela United on Sunday. 

Goals from Kwame Opoku and Imoro Ibrahim helped the Porcupine Warriors to three points in the matchday 13 fixture at Aiyinase. 

Karela have consequently dropped to the second position on the league table. 

The Kumasi-based side have set their sights on winning their first GPL title since 2014.

At the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Clinton Duodu, Hafiz Konkoni Wontah, and Moro Salifu scored to ensure a 3-1 win over Great Olympics, who scored through Charles Danso on the stroke of full-time. The Hunters are third on the log, one place above the Wonders Boys. 

Aduana Stars continue to their chase of the leaders with a 1-0 home triumph over Wafa, courtesy of an Emmanuel Baffour effort in the 54th minute. The Fire Boys are fifth on the table while the Academy Boys are eighth. 

Dreams FC sit one place behind Aduana following a 2-0 away triumph over Eleven Wonders in Techiman. Joseph Esso and Farhadu Suleiman scored to send Wonders to two places above the relegation zone. 

Ashanti Gold have moved to ninth on the standings following a 1-0 win over Liberty Professionals, who are one place and one point above the drop zone. Kwaku Kakari scored the decisive goal six minutes prior to half-time. 

Earlier on Saturday, Ebusua Dwarfs stung Inter Allies 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium, Benjamin Acquah and Moro Sumaila scoring the all-important goals. Dwarfs have moved up to seventh on the standings while Allies are rock-bottom of the table. 

The scheduled second game of Saturday between King Faisal and Medeama was postponed. 

On Monday, Elmina Sharks and Berekum Chelsea will come face to face at the Nduom Sports Stadium in the last fixture of the matchday. 

Phil Foden admitted his goal for Manchester City in their 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool was "perfect", and said the Citizens had been rewarded for showing "courage from minute one".

The 20-year-old cut inside Reds full-back Andrew Robertson with ease to set up the opportunity before smashing past goalkeeper Alisson from a tight angle. Earlier in the match, he set up his side's second goal by beating several defenders before providing team-mate Ilkay Gundogan with a tap-in.

Manchester City moved 10 points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table with the win and now hold a five-point advantage over Manchester United at the top with a game in hand.

How did Foden describe his goal?

Foden has now scored 10 goals across all competitions this season. Among those in double figures across Europe's top five leagues, only Erling Haaland is younger.

He's also the youngest player to ever score and assist in a Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield.

None of those accomplishments are lost on Foden, who is playing on par with team-mates who cost tens of millions for the club to acquire.

"I struck [my goal] perfect and I'm just happy to see it go in and help the team," Foden said. "It gives us every chance to go on and win [the title], but the job isn't done and we've got a long way to go. When you beat the champions, everyone's confidence goes sky high, so it can only help us."

What did his team-mates and manager have to say?

Manchester City midfielder Ikay Gundogan has seen plenty of immense young talents during his decorated career, and he thinks Foden stands out as one of the best.

"Phil deserves all the credit, he's doing really well," Gundogan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Compared to last season he has stepped his game up this season. He's still so young we can't forget that, a lot to come from him. Very happy to have him in our team he gives us an incredible quality and great to see a young kid playing so well."

Guardiola, meanwhile, has tried to keep Foden hungry to kick on further while still talking up the youngster.

"[He] keeps the ball really well, he arrives so aggressive but he is also still so young," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "When he plays wide it is more easy for him, he will learn. The action for the second goal and the fourth goal, we know what a huge talent he is but he is still young and hopefully he can understand he can still improve.

What else did Foden have to say?

Foden was just a part of a strong performance across the board from Manchester City, and recognised the value of his colleagues while speaking after the game.

"It's brilliant, every player wants to play in big games like this and we showed that courage from minute one," Foden said. "They made it so difficult for us but we showed our courage to play our football and keep going, and in the end it paid off.

"I feel like sometimes we're a slow team to get going. It was definitely better in the second half, it's something to work on. We definitely forced the errors, it's something we're working at in training. Everyone worked for each other and got their rewards today."

Further reading

Unstoppable? Gundogan and Foden end Anfield curse as surging Man City finish off Liverpool's title defence

'Alisson was Man City's best player!' - Liverpool goalkeeper comes under fire for costly blunders in heavy defeat

Sterling joins Messi and Aguero in exclusive Guardiola goalscoring club

Pep Guardiola says he will consider making Ederson the team's penalty taker after midfielder Ilkay Gundogan missed from the spot against Liverpool on Sunday.

Manchester City were awarded a first-half penalty on Sunday after Raheem Sterling was knocked down by Reds defender Fabinho.

Gundogan stepped up, but his spot kick was skied up and over the bar and into the Kop, leaving the score level headed into the second half.

City wouldn't rue the miss, as Guardiola's side notched a 4-1 win thanks to two Alisson blunders and a pair of goals from Gundogan, who earned his redemption in the second half.

Gundogan's miss, however, was still a bit of a concern for Guardiola, who has used four different penalty takers this season.

In total, City have made four and missed three from the spot this season, with Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling also failing to convert.

Guardiola has previously claimed that Ederson is the best penalty taker at the club, with Ederson also saying that he believes that he is Manchester City's most consistent from the spot.

Ederson has also claimed that Guardiola will not let him step up, but the Spanish coach admitted on Sunday that he may actually turn to the goalkeeper following Gundogan's miss.

"A lot of emotions, many things happening in the game," Guardiola told BBC. "Gundogan missed a penalty, it's like a routine against them, but we started really really well, doing what we want to do. In the second half, the way we react to the goal, the way we played with quality made the difference.

"We knew that we should continue with what we have done the last month or two months, and that's what we did well... For many years we were not able to win here, hopefully next time we can do it with people. Anfield is so intimidating."

He added: "It's a problem that we have. In important moments, we cannot miss it, and it doesn't matter the taker. Again, I'm going to think about Ederson, he might be the taker next time."

With Sunday's win, Manchester City went 10 points clear of Liverpool atop the league with Ederson, Guardiola and co. also five points clear of second-place Manchester United and seven points ahead of third-place Leicester.

Manchester City have a game in hand on each of those teams and will now look ahead to Wednesday's FA Cup clash with Swansea ahead of a meeting with Tottenham back in Premier League play on Saturday.

Manchester City wrote yet another page in the history books with their stunning 4-1 victory against champions Liverpool on Sunday.

A double from Ilkay Gundogan, plus further goals from Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden, earned City their first win at Anfield since 2003 with Mohamed Salah’s penalty not enough to prevent a third successive home defeat for the Reds.

The win moves Pep Guardiola’s side five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table and 10 points ahead of Liverpool in fourth.

City equal winning record

City’s win on Merseyside was their 14th successive victory in all competitions, equalling the all-time winning record by an English top-flight side.

They now sit alongside Preston in 1892 and Arsenal in 1987 in the record books.

The last game they failed to win was against West Brom at Etihad Stadium on December 15.

Liverpool’s home struggles continue

Jurgen Klopp’s side have now lost three successive top flight home matches for the first time since 1963, following 1-0 defeats at the hands of Burnley and Brighton.

They are the first side to lose three straight home league matches in the following campaign after winning the English top-flight since Chelsea did so 65 years ago in March 1956.

The Londoners would end that campaign down in 16th place.

Further reading

Unstoppable? Gundogan and Foden end Man City's Anfield curse

Sterling joins Messi and Aguero in exclusive Guardiola goalscoring club

'He was Man City's best player!' - Alisson comes under fire for costly blunders in heavy defeat

Raheem Sterling has become just the third player to score 100 or more goals under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City forward chalked up triple figures with a close-range header as his side recorded a 4-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield that puts them in full command of the Premier League title race.

Sterling’s strike may not have been spectacular, but it was of great significance both in terms of the direction of the season and as a personal milestone as it was his 100th under the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach.

Indeed, the England international’s special achievement is made clearer by the fact that only two players have achieved such a feat before. One of those is club-mate Sergio Aguero, who has scored 120 times under the former Spain midfielder, while the other is six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, who stands apart with 212 goals under Guardiola’s guiding hand.

The 26-year-old Sterling has been at Manchester City since 2015, when he made a high-profile move from Liverpool.

Guardiola arrived a year later and oversaw a transformation in Sterling’s game. Previously considered to be wasteful and panicky with his final action, Sterling has become an important offensive arm for the Champions League hopefuls.

Indeed, he has netted at least 15 Premier League goals in each of the last three seasons, having never gone past 10 before that. Last term, he notched 31 in all competitions, which was the third year in succession he had notched a career-best figure.

Sterling is unlikely to challenge that tally this term, however. He endured a slow start to the campaign but has been picking up the pace in recent weeks. Indeed, he has now scored in each of City’s last three Premier League matches and four of their last five. In total, he has nine in the league plus 11 in all competitions.

City, meanwhile, have put themselves in a strong position to reclaim the title they lost to the Reds last season. They have opened up a five-point lead over Manchester United and have a game in hand over their neighbours.

Defending champions Liverpool, meanwhile, are 10 points back having played a game more.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson came under fire on Sunday after the normally-steady Brazilian made two costly mistakes against Manchester City at Anfield.

Sunday's clash between the two most recent Premier League champions was widely seen as a title decider for Liverpool, who fell 10 points behind their rivals with Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, who also have a game in hand.

After Ilkay Gundogan missed a penalty in the first half, the German midfielder made amends early in the second to open the scoring.

Liverpool fired back with a spot kick from Mohamed Salah, but Alisson was at the centre of the Reds' collapse, with his first shocker coming in the 73rd minute.

The Brazilian No1's attempt to play out of the back quickly went wrong, as his pass found Phil Foden who teed up Gundogan for his second.

Moments later, Alisson's passing ability let him down once again as he served Bernardo Silva before the Portuguese star's cross to Raheem Sterling.

The two mistakes ensured that Alisson became the first Liverpool goalkeeper to make two errors leading directly to a goal in a single game since Loris Karius vs Real Madrid in the infamous 2018 Champions League final.

Goal's View - Liverpool correspondent Neil Jones at Anfield

"It was bizarre, the kind of thing we associate with a distant Liverpool era. The game in the balance, there to be won. Tight and edgy, tense - then a goalkeeper takes centre stage.

"Alisson Becker’s errors were as remarkable as they were costly. They certainly cost Liverpool any chance of a result here. Their title dreams are in tatters.

"What was the Brazilian doing? It was shocking, so out of character. He’s one of the best in the world, but he was anything but here. His two shoddy clearances allowed City to race off into the distance.

"In a season where so much has gone wrong for Liverpool, this was rock bottom. If they can’t rely on their No 1, who’s left?"

Twitter reaction to Alisson's mistakes

AFC Leopards interim head coach Anthony Kimani has left the club after a 0-0 draw against Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League Sunday tie at Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.

Kimani has left Ingwe after acting as their interim coach for the second time. When Rwandan tactician Casa Mbungo – now at Premier League side Bandari - left in December 2019, the retired Harambee Star took charge until Tomas Trucha was appointed before the current season began.

He also assumed the roles when Trucha – citing threats to life – resigned after he had led AFC Leopards to an opening 2-1 win against Tusker.

Kimani, according to a source at the club, informed the players of his exit after the Sunday stalemate against their traditional rivals K’Ogalo.

“The coach [Kimani] told us after the game that it was his last moment with the club,” the source, who requested anonymity, told Goal.

“Sincerely, where he is going I cannot state because he did not go to that length in his explanation of the exit.”

When reached for comment, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda confirmed he had heard the rumours of Kimani walking out of the club but insisted he will only give a detailed report on the isue when he gets his resignation letter.

“I have heard rumours Kimani has left after the derby but as a club, we have not received any letter from him on the same,” Shikanda told Goal.

“I can only comment further on the matter when I get his letter, for now, I don’t know if he has resigned.”

Kimani has left the local heavyweights just a day after the former Simba SC head coach Patrick Aussems arrived to take charge of the club.

His exit now leaves Lawrence Webo – the goalkeeper coach and Tom Juma – Kenya’s retired midfielder – as the senior members of the technical bench that will now be under Aussems.

The timing of Kimani’s exit coincides with a rare point won against the Mashemeji rivals Gor Mahia. It is the first draw since the second match of the 2017 Premier League season.

AFC Leopards last defeated Gor Mahia in 2016.

Refiloe Jane shone brightly as AC Milan bounced back to winning ways in a 4-1 victory over San Marino in Sunday’s Serie A tie.

The 28-year-old, who was handed her 11th league start for the Rossoneri, delivered an eye-catching performance as she starred in her midfield role, inspiring a comeback victory with her assist.

Following a 1-1 Coppa Italia draw with Sassuolo in the last outing, AC Milan were hoping to return to winning ways but were held to a goalless draw at half-time by their struggling visitors.

After the restart, San Marino were gifted a penalty and Azzurra Corazzi converted from the spot for a shock 50th-minute lead.

Milan, however, recovered from their sluggish start to the second half and got back into the mix when Jane set up Giorgia Spinelli to level matters five minutes later at Peppino Vismara Stadium.

Six minutes later, Linda Tucceri Cimini assisted Natasha Dowie to hand the hosts the lead for the first time in the encounter.

Dowie grabbed her second and a third of the match for Milan courtesy of Veronica Boquete's assist in the 78th minute before the former teed up Sara Tamborini to seal the big win with the last kick.

Jane lasted the duration of the match and has now made 12 appearances across all competition for Milan this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

The win keeps Milan in second on the Serie A table with 36 points from 13 matches - three behind leaders Juventus.

Jane will be expected to feature when her side welcome Sassuolo in a second leg encounter in the Coppa Italia fixture on February 13.

Senou Coulibaly scored and was sent off while Moussa Konate found the back of the net as Montpellier secured a 4-2 victory over Dijon in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game.

Coulibaly was handed his ninth league appearance and scored a goal but could not finish the game as he was shown a red card.

Konate, meanwhile, was afforded his 17th Ligue 1 appearance and utilized the opportunity to add to his tally, although his effort was not enough to save the Owls from defeat.

Coulibaly ignited the surge of goals in the fifth minute of the encounter when he headed home Bersant Celina’s cross.

Gaetan Laborde levelled matters in the 48th minute for Montpellier and completed his brace eight minutes later after he was set up by Florent Mollet.

Teji Savanier then increased Montpellier’s lead in the 61st minute after receiving a timely assist from Laborde.

Eight minutes later, Dijon's hopes of avoiding defeat suffered a further blow when they were reduced to 10 men after Coulibaly was sent off following a second caution in the game.

With three minutes left to full-time, Savanier brought down Konate in the area and the Senegal international swiftly dispatched home his effort to reduce the deficit for his side.

Petar Skuletic then sealed the victory for Montpellier moments before the end of the game and, thus, condemned Dijon to their 13th defeat of the season.

Gabon international Bruno-Ecuele Manga featured for the duration of the game along with his compatriot Didier Ndong.

Guinea-Bissau’s Mama Balde played for 84 minutes while the Democratic Republic of the Congo international Ngonda Muzinga featured for 63 minutes before making way for Morocco’s Fouad Chafik.

For Montpellier, Algeria international Andy Delort was on parade for 67 minutes before he was replaced by Elye Wahi.

With the result, Michel Der Zakarian’s men moved to the 11th spot on the league table after gathering 32 points from 24 games.

Dijon, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone after accruing only 15 points from the same number of matches.

Next, Montpellier will take on Strasbourg while Dijon will square off against Lille in a Cup tie on February 10.

Chippa United came back to defeat National First Division outfit Free State Stars 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Riaan Hanamub opened the scoring to make it 1-0 to Chippa with four minutes left on the clock and it was his first-ever goal for the Chilli Boys.

However, Abdel Suanon equalized for Stars in the 88th minute and the match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.

Stars took a 2-1 lead in extra-time through Stephen Tau, but Andile Mbenyane scored an important Chippa equalising goal to ensure that the match went into a penalty shootout. 

Chippa booked their place in the Last 16 after winning on penalties and their coach Dan Malesela will be hoping to win his second Nedbank Cup trophy, having won his first with TS Galaxy in 2019. 

Meanwhile, Swallows FC secured a 1-0 victory over Cape Umoya United in a match which was played at Dobsonville Stadium. 

The score was 0-0 at the interval after the NFD side contained Swallows in the first-half with Kgaogelo Sekgota having missed a sitter.

However, Sekgota made amends in the second-half as he was involved in the build-up when Kamohelo Mahlatsi scored the only goal of the match in the 56th minute.

The win saw the Beautiful Birds progress to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2014. 

At Profert Olon Park, Ovidy Karuru inspired Black Leopards to a 2-1 win over Jomo Cosmos as the Zimbabwe international grabbed a brace.

All three goals were netted within the final eight minutes of the match with Karuru opening the scoring in the 82nd minute.

Khethukuthula Zwane then levelled matters for Cosmos a minute later and the two teams pushed for the winning goal.

Karuru proved to be the hero for Lidoda Duvha as the former Kaizer Chiefs winger hit the back of the net with two minutes left to seal Leopards' win over their NFD opponents. 

The result saw Leopards advance to the Last 16 for the first time since 2019 in a day which saw their PSL rivals Chiefs being eliminated by NFD club Richards Bay. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the 500th club goal of his long and illustrious career in AC Milan’s Serie A clash with Crotone on Sunday.

The former Sweden international opened the scoring in first half for the Rossonieri, his 13th league goal of the season.

He quickly moved to 501 goals with his second of the game after the break, with another double from Ante Rebic completing a thumping 4-0 victory.

Where has Ibrahimovic scored his goals?

Ibrahimovic is now into his 24th season as a professional, having played for nine different clubs since beginning his career with Malmo in 1999.

His double on Sunday were his 82nd and 83rd goals in a Milan shirt spread across two spells.

The only club side he has scored more goals for is Paris Saint-Germain, for who he netted 156 times in 180 appearances.

Next on the list is the 66 goals he scored for Inter between 2006 and 2009. He was the first player to reach 50 goals for both Milan sides.

The 39-year-old’s career also includes 18 goals for first club Malmo, 48 for Ajax, 26 for Juventus, 22 for Barcelona, 29 for Manchester United and 53 for LA Galaxy.

Where does he stand among the all time greats?

Ibrahimovic is just the third player in the 21st century to reach 500 club career goals, after superstar duo Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He remains some way behind their career totals, though, with both players having scored 661 club goals to date during their career.

The next player to reach the milestone is likely to be Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who is currently on 463 goals.

What next?

In addition to his club goals, Ibrahimovic also scored 62 in 116 appearances for Sweden. That leaves him just 38 goals short of 600 goals for club and country.

Though he brought his international career to an end five years ago, Ibrahimovic shows no sign of hanging up his boots completely just yet, meaning he has every chance of reaching that milestone.

Further reading

Ibrahimovic planning talks to extend Milan contract beyond 40th birthday

Ibrahimovic sets new personal best as Milan eye Scudetto run

Superstars want to play in Serie A again