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Isaac Success is in line to make his much-awaited return for Watford when they take on Coventry City in Saturday’s Championship game.

The 25-year-old forward suffered a hamstring injury in training in June and has since been on the sidelines.

The Nigeria international last featured for the Vicarage Road outfit in a Premier League game against Everton in February 2020, due to his inconsistent performances for the club.

Success has recovered from the injury problems and started individual training in December but has now teamed up with the rest of the first-team for full training.

The centre-forward will be in contention to feature against Coventry City and will hope to help his side return to winning ways after their defeat to Queens Park Rangers the last time out.

“Strikers Stipe Perica and Isaac Success are back in training with the first-team squad having both shaken off hamstring complaints, in a boost to the options of Hornets’ head coach Xisco Munoz,” read a statement from the club website.

Success' compatriot Tom Dele-Bashiru suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Reading in October and has since been on the sidelines.

The Nigerian midfielder is still undergoing rehabilitation and will not be available when Watford take on Coventry City at St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium.

“Tom Dele-Bashiru’s rehabilitation from an October ACL injury also continues,” the statement continued.

Dele-Bashiru teamed up with Watford in the summer of 2019 from Premier League side Manchester City, where he spent 14 years.

The Nigeria U23 midfielder has only made two appearances for the Vicarage Road outfit across all competitions this season.

Former Nigeria U20 star Success has two appearances for the Super Eagles since he made his debut against Zambia in 2016.

Dele-Bashiru, on the other hand, is yet to get an opportunity to feature for the Super Eagles and has previously featured for the England U16 team before representing the West Africans at the U20 and U23 levels.

Luke Shaw "is the best left-back in the league", according to Dennis Irwin, who has described the Manchester United star as "top class".

Shaw is currently enjoying his best season yet in a United shirt, having already featured in 25 games across all competitions.

Injuries had previously disrupted the England international's progress at Old Trafford, but he is now a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's line up, with his latest stellar display coming in a 9-0 rout of Southampton on Tuesday.

Shaw set up goals for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Edinson Cavani before being hauled off for a well-deserved rest at half-time, and will likely be back in the team when the Red Devils play host to Everton this weekend.

Alex Telles moved to Manchester from Porto in the summer transfer window to provide Solskjaer with another option of the right of the defence, but he hasn't had much of a look in due to Shaw's impressive recent form.

Irwin claims the Brazilian's arrival forced the 25-year-old to raise his game, and he doesn't feel there is anyone else in the top-flight matching his level of performances right now.

“Alex Telles coming in has probably pushed him and he's been really top class in the last couple of months," the former United full-back told the club's official website before the Southampton victory.

“His overlapping is there to see, his defending is there to see. It's good that he's got competition. He had Brandon Williams last year, and raised his game, and he's got Alex Telles this year and that has helped him to raise his game. Certainly, at the moment, as things stand, he is the best left-back in the league.

“There's Ben Chilwell down at Chelsea. Obviously, they're going through a tough time but he's a really decent player. There are one or two others - Ryan Bertrand at Southampton has been doing well and I'm missing one or two more, maybe Andy Robertson. But Luke is playing really, really well and certainly the best he's played for Manchester United.”

Irwin added on how Shaw has turned his United career around and how important it is for him to maintain his fitness levels in the coming months: “I mean he had a really bad injury and picked up injuries on the back of that, over the following couple of seasons, so it was hard for him to find that bit of rhythm.

“I think he needs a rest every now and again. With Brandon [Williams] last year and Alex this year being able to come in and, first of all, compete with him, then Ole has the luxury, I suppose, of having a couple of really good full-backs available.

“That's great news with the amount of games we've got coming up over the next four months or so. You need a big squad as much as anything, so let's hope Luke stays fit because he's a vital part of our team.

"He offers pace, we know that, and we know he's a good footballer and our best left-back when everything is going in well. He's joining in the play, and his set-pieces are a plus as well.

"With Edinson Cavani in there, he can stick a few more crosses in because he is the ultimate centre-forward so I think that helps as well.

"He's in the position, he's got hold of the full-back position, you can't say the no.3 shirt any more, and he's got to remain there.

"He knows he has got to play well as Alex Telles will be after that position.”

Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has lavished praise on Riyad Mahrez for the quality he adds to Pep Guardiola's men with his ‘magical left foot’.

Even though he could not get on the scoresheet in Wednesday’s Premier League outing, Mahrez was notable as City secured a 2-0 win at Burnley.

The Algeria captain has a tally of five goals and two assists so far in the English top-flight and Goater believes he will be crucial in helping Man City secure a fifth Premier League crown this season.

“When Pep rotates, players come in and there is absolute quality in abundance,” Goater told the Man City website.

“Mahrez excites me, you know he wants to go on his left, but you don't know when!

“He has a magical left foot. It important to open up defences that are compact and with Mahrez, there is always that likelihood.

“He is pure quality. I’m excited to see these players produce quality, make no mistake it isn’t easy to do what they do every three or four days, but these guys play at a high level.

“We had to be on our game because Burnley made it tough and compact, but we were.

“And with Ilkay Gundogan ghosting up and down the pitch - I love him – always looking to get Mahrez in the game, it’s looking really good for us.”

Manchester City are yet to lose a match since their 2-0 league loss to Tottenham Hotspur in November 2020 and Goater thinks they have the capacity to continue their unbeaten streak even in a ‘great game’ against Liverpool on Sunday.

He added: “The confidence we have, I can’t see teams catching us if we keep playing as we are. You look at other teams and think, 'Could they go unbeaten?'

“But City have done it before. Clean sheets, creativity and goals scored so Pep will be a happy man.

“With the momentum and style we are going with at the moment, Sunday should be a great game.

“Yes Liverpool have shown flashes of form lately, but it’s going to be an awesome game with the two great managers going head-to-head together again.”

Liverpool would take a top-four finish right now, according to Jamie Carragher, who has admitted that the Reds' title challenge is all but over.

The Premier League trophy was brought back to Anfield for the first time ever in 2019-20, with Jurgen Klopp's side finishing 18 points clear at the top of the standings after an outstanding campaign.

Liverpool have been unable to maintain the same levels of consistency this season, however, as an injury crisis has significantly disrupted their progress amid the congested fixture scheduled caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Reds fell seven points behind leaders Manchester City after losing 1-0 against Brighton on Wednesday night, and Pep Guardiola's side can extend their lead over the reigning champions if they win their game in hand.

The two sides are due to meet at Anfield this weekend, with Carragher of the opinion that anything less than a win will see his old club's hopes of defending their domestic crown disappear completely.

"Andy Robertson has come out and said Liverpool aren't in the title race, and I think that is the right way to look at it at the moment," the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports.

"Liverpool have to be looking at the top four positions, and to say the obvious, take each game as it comes because the form is so down.

"There are so many changes to the team that you are never quite sure what it's going to be. Alisson was out at the last minute against Brighton and Liverpool are still waiting for players to come back.

"So I think from now, if you were to offer Liverpool a top-four finish they would take that and shake on it. That should be the mindset for Liverpool because that is what they are aiming for at the moment.

"If they could get back into the title race - and, to do that, they would have to beat City on Sunday - you could maybe see where they are with seven or eight games to go. Hopefully from Liverpool's perspective, City could have some sort of drop.

"The run City are on at the moment is out of this world. It's impossible to keep that going, City cannot win every single game so I would expect them to drop points at some stage.

"But the problem for Liverpool is that the gap is too big - and it certainly will be if they fail to win at Anfield."

Carragher still believes Klopp can deliver a positive result against City despite his team's erratic form, though, with the likes of Alisson, Fabinho and Sadio Mane in line to return after missing the Brighton game.

"There are no secrets with how Liverpool play, they have caused City huge problems before," he said. "Guardiola has said this Liverpool team is the toughest he's played against maybe in his managerial career.

"It's not the Liverpool team we've seen in the last couple of years, but it will be different to what we saw against Brighton. Liverpool have been struggling to score goals against certain types of teams, but I wouldn't class City as one of them.

"City aren't a defensive team, they are very good defensively, that's a big difference. It's still a game Liverpool can win, even after the struggles and poor results they have had recently, and Guardiola will know that."

Furious Arsenal fans have vented their frustration at the Football Association after the Gunners’ appeal against David Luiz’s red card against Wolves was rejected.

The Brazilian defender was sent off in first-half stoppage time for clipping the heel of Wolves forward Willian Jose in the penalty area.

Referee Craig Pawson brandished a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, a decision which was backed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the match, Jon Moss.

Arsenal were 1-0 up at the time but Ruben Neves equalised from the penalty spot before Joao Moutinho scored a stunning long-range winner soon after the break.

The Gunners were hugely disappointed in the decision and appealed against it, but the decision has been upheld. Luiz will serve a one-match suspension, missing Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The announcement has caused a storm on Twitter, particularly with Southampton defender Jan Bednarek having his red card overturned after a similar challenge on Manchester United’s Anthony Martial.

Arsenal's own response to the decision was slightly more diplomatic.

“We have worked really hard to overturn David Luiz's red card,” a club statement read. “We presented our case to the FA but are disappointed that our appeal has been unsuccessful.

“We accept the FA's decision and continue our preparations for Saturday's match against Aston Villa.”

Arsenal have been on good form in 2021 but could slip back into the bottom half of the Premier League if results go against them this weekend.

Ugandan Premier League side Onduparaka FC have entered into a Ush625 million partnership with betting firm Aba Bet.

The gaming firm has secured the shirt sponsorship rights of Onduparaka and the Green Light Stadium will also be referred to as the Aba Bet Green Light Stadium because of the new partnership.

“This is a very important day for us as a club,” Onduparaka Marketing and Communications Officer Mercy Manduru said during the launch. “We take a step forward in the development of the football club as we re-emphasise the values and traditions of this football club.

“This partnership is not like the usual partnerships we have had before, and we are proud of all our partners current and past.

“Just like Aba Bet, we have moved from the bottom to where we are currently, and we do not take anything for granted.

“It has been two years since we last had a sponsor for the club, and we are very grateful to Aba Bet for coming on board at such a time and we are very pleased to welcome them.”

Head coach Vialli Bainomugisha welcomed the deal and said the move is set to motivate the players in the season.

“As a technical team, we are so grateful to God because it is going to help us in coordinating our players as they will have their issues worked on and focus fully on the game for better results and good performance,” Bainomugisha said as quoted by Sports Nation.

The tactician also explained how his relatively new side is adapting to the competitive demands of the Premier League.

“When I joined the club, I began with team rebuilding since most of the players had left,” he concluded. “We recruited new players who had never played in the league, gave them a chance to play and slowly, they are adapting to the environment.

“We are ready and all set for the league’s return.”

Onduparaka have been in the top-tier since 2015 and that is a record for them as clubs from the north have not stayed that long in the top league.

Arsenal still have an outside chance of winning the Premier League title, according to David Luiz, who says "anything can happen" in the second half of the season.

After winning an FA Cup and Community Shield double last summer, Arsenal were sent crashing back down to earth in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign.

Mikel Arteta had been backed to guide the Gunners back into the Champions League after delivering two trophies, but has instead seen his team struggle for consistency amid an intense fixture schedule.

The north London outfit have fallen to 10th in the top-flight standings after 22 games, 16 points behind leaders Manchester City and nine behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

Arsenal suffered their ninth defeat of the season away at Wolves on Tuesday, and have also suffered an early exit in the FA Cup, with the Europa League now their most realistic hope of silverware come May.

Luiz acknowledges as much, but he refuses to rule the Gunners out of the title picture completely due to the fact there are still plenty of points up for grabs over the next few months.

“Now it’s about fighting for the two titles that are still on," the defender told ESPN Brasil.

“Of course, the Premier League has this very distant gap. It’s impossible? No. But knowing our reality.

"Knowing that we are in a much more difficult reality than the teams that are up there. But also knowing that we play in the most disputed, most difficult league in the world, where 10 points suddenly in a month become one, two or zero. Anything can happen.”

Luiz added: “I think even more after these many changes that the pandemic caused on a physical level, level of change, adaptation and other things.

"All the clubs are a little messed up and the results can fluctuate in several ways that still give us the awareness that we can also fight for the Premier League.

"And the Europa League, which is the title that we have to aim for this year, which is the title that is achievable for us.”

The Brazilian was sent off during Arsenal's loss to Wolves and will miss their next outing against Aston Villa through suspension after the club's appeal against the red card was rejected on Thursday.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) stunned SuperSport United 1-0 in a match which was played at Thohoyandou Stadium. 

Thabo Mnyamane came back to haunt his former club as he scored the only goal of the match for TTM a minute after the hour-mark. 

SuperSport head coach Kaitano Tembo then introduced Zimbabwe international Evans Rusike with the visitors looking to level matters. 

However, Tshakhuma goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who spent last season with SuperSport, was in top form on the night.

The 35-year-old shot-stopper pulled some great saves to deny strikers Rusike and Bradley Grobler in the closing stages of the encounter. 

Ultimately, TTM emerged 1-0 winners and they reached the Last 16 for the first time since 2019.

While SuperSport, who have won the Nedbank Cup five times, were eliminated in the Last 32 for the fourth year running. 

Meanwhile, All Stars overcame fellow National First Division (NFD) side Bizana Pondo Chiefs 3-1 in a game which took place at King Zwelithini Stadium. 

The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute by Wassem Isaacs to make it 1-0 to All Stars, but Ayanda Mvambi equalised for Chiefs just before half-time.

The visitors restored their lead just after the hour-mark through Ndiviwe Mdabuka as the experienced midfielder scored for the second time against Chiefs this season. 

Jaisen Clifford, who has been plying his trade in Portugal for Condeixa, was introduced in the 73rd minute with Igugu Lekapa searching for more goals. 

The attacking midfielder scored on debut to seal All Stars' 3-1 victory in the last minute of the encounter. 

All Stars progressed to the Last 16 for the first time in the club's history, while Chiefs crashed out of the South African FA Cup.

TTM and All Stars joined defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Round of 16 after the Tshwane giants defeated Stellenbosch FC 3-2 on Wednesday.

Sofapaka FC have completed the signing of former Wazito FC midfielder Joseph Waithera and Burundi defender David Nshimirimana.

The two have been added to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League side's squad to strengthen the team and they stand a chance of pushing for the league title. The 2009 champions have confirmed the arrival of the duo in the ongoing transfer window.

"We have signed two important players who will add quality to the team and help us achieve our targets," club president Elly Kalekwa told Goal on Thursday.

"Former Wazito forward Waithera has joined us as well as central defender Nshimirimana. Both are coming in on a two-year contract and I believe we will have a more competitive squad."

Waithera is delighted to have joined Batoto ba Mungu and believes he will help them get better results in the top-tier.

"It is a new team, with clear targets and I am happy to be part of it," the creative midfielder said after sealing the deal.

"I promise to work harder and help Sofapaka challenge for the league title as well as other competitions the team will be taking part in."

Waithera was part of the Wazito team that gained promotion to the top-tier in the 2017/18 season.

He comes alongside Nshimirimana who came in from Zambian outfit Buildcon, a team he joined from Mukura Victory Sports. He has also played for Vital'O and Flambeau de l'Est. 

Sofapaka are doing their best to bring in players to fill the gap left by the players who were let go.

Batoto ba Mungu released nine players who were deemed surplus to requirements.

According to a list of axed players obtained by Goal, players who were released are 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, goalkeeper Isaiah Wakasala, captain Eli Asieche, Ghanaian striker Jedinak Nana and another Nigerian striker Michael Karamor.

Sofapaka have not started the season as anticipated as they have struggled to win matches and are currently in eighth position on the 18-team league table with 10 points from eight matches.

Former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper William Shongwe has refused to view Itumeleng Khune as a spent force, saying the South Africa international needs a fresh mind to invigorate his hunger between the posts.

Costly blunders committed in successive Premier Soccer League matches against Black Leopards and SuperSport United last December have seen Khune being frozen out of the team.

He has been dropped for eight consecutive league games and two Caf Champions League matches, with Nigeria international Daniel Akpeyi taking up the number one spot.

But Shongwe feels that the mistakes Khune made and being left out of the team does not make him a bad goalkeeper.

“I refuse to believe that Khune is finished‚ he is far from being finished because goalkeepers mature with time‚” said Shongwe as per Sowetan Live.

“He has been in the wars with Chiefs and the national teams for far too long and he is experienced enough. He needs to be refreshed mentally so that he is hungry again and I am certain that he will back to it.”

With possibilities that Khune might grow frustrated at being overlooked and consider leaving the club, Shongwe has encouraged the goalkeeper not to seek playing opportunities elsewhere.

The 33-year-old goal-minder has spent all his professional career at Amakhosi after coming through the club's development ranks.

“He must stay there and keep on working hard. How many goalkeepers have been in his position in the past? In this business of goalkeepers you need exercise a lot of patience‚” Shongwe said.

“This is the advice that I gave to Rowen Fernandez‚ the late Senzo Meyiwa and a number of other goalkeepers who consulted me in the past. My advice to him is that leaving is not going to help even if right now it may seem the better or preferred option.

“As hard as it is right now that he is not playing‚ the temptation to leave will always be there but does he have the courage to leave Chiefs‚ because there is an emotional attachment to Chiefs? You can also imagine the huge reaction of the fans if it were to come out that Khune is leaving Chiefs. There is so much attachment and sentiment around Chiefs and Khune.”

Khune has also lost his Bafana Bafana spot to Ronwen Williams but Shongwe tips him to bounce back and continue with his international career.

“I don’t think his Bafana career is over but for obvious reasons he can’t be selected now‚” said Shongwe.

“Anybody who mentions his name around Bafana will be making a big mistake and that’s why‚ in as far as that is concerned‚ let him relax. I believe he will bounce back and I believe he can reclaim his No.1 spot at Bafana but not now.”

It is yet to be seen if Khune will be selected for Sunday’s Nedbank Cup Last 32 match against Richards Bay.

Hakim Ziyech has stated Chelsea are ready to attack and control their Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

The 27-year-old revealed the Blues have been working to dominate possession in games since Thomas Tuchel took over from Frank Lampard and they hope to continue their style of play against Spurs.

Ziyech is expected to return to the matchday squad after he was rested for their 2-0 victory against Burnley on Sunday and he is aiming for victory at Stamford Bridge after both London teams played out a goalless draw back in November.

“I’m feeling good. I’m fit and of course I’m hungry as well,” Ziyech told the club website. “It wasn’t really an injury, more like game and training overloading. Sometimes you have to be smart and let the body relax. The coach did well, we spoke about it and we did that so now I’m ready.

“I think you will see a Chelsea that attacks more and controls the game more. That’s what we’ve tried to do in the last two games, to play with possession and from there try to attack a lot.

“When we played them last time, it was against a team that really played on the counter with quick people on the sides but really staying compact so there was not a lot of space for us. It then is the job to keep the ball and let the ball do the work, move it quickly and in the end, spaces will come.”

On how he is adapting to life under Tuchel, the Morocco international said: “It’s been good so far. We’ve had a good week. It’s not always nice when a manager leaves and a new one comes in but he’s brought his new ideas and everybody is excited to work under him.

“The training has been different and in the last two games our formation and playing style was different as well so he really has his own ideas about the game. For us, it’s important to adapt quickly to it, to focus on the games and to follow the information the coach is giving us so we play how he wants us to play.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Nicolas Pepe for his improvement and has urged him to continue to be a threat to their opposition.

Pepe has played from start to finish in the Gunners' last two matches and on Wednesday, he scored in his second straight Premier League away game but it was not enough to help the visitors avoid defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

The Ivorian forward has contributed four goals in 15 league appearances in this campaign, excluding his tally of three goals and three assists in the Europa League.

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa, Arteta commended Pepe for his work ethics and he hopes the 25-year-old keeps improving as Arsenal aim to bounce back from Wednesday’s setback.

"Even when we made decisions not to play him, he kept working hard," Arteta said in a press conference on Thursday. "He has improved in a lot of areas and has been much more consistent for 90 minutes.

"He's a threat at the moment because he's been scoring goals, he's been assisting players, he's been a real threat. He needs to continue doing that.

"At the end of the day, we have to play the players who are in the best form and everybody has to earn the right to play and participate in the games. That's what everybody's doing, pushing each other to raise the level.

"You can see that the level has been raised because everybody is playing at their best. There's still room for improvement so everybody has to keep pushing."

Arsenal are 10th in the league table with 31 points from 22 matches, a point behind ninth-placed Aston Villa who have two games in hand.

Fifa has banned Football Kenya Federation Premier League sides Gor Mahia and Wazito FC from signing new players from the current transfer window for failure to pay Dickson Ambundo and Augustine Otu fines respectively.

Ambundo and Otu took the FKF Premier League outfits to Fifa over contractual matters and the world football governing body ordered Gor Mahia and Wazito to pay Ksh1.2 million and Ksh1 million respectively.

Fifa warned the clubs that failure to settle the fines within 45 days upon the delivery of that judgement, then they will be barred from engaging in the transfer windows.

"We take due note that in its correspondence, the creditor informed us that the debtor has not complied with its financial obligation in accordance with the decision of Fifa,” Fifa’s letter to the concerned parties as was carried by Nation Sports stated.

“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by Fifa as of today.

"Debtor member association is requested to immediately implement on the debtor, if not done yet, a ban from registering new players at the national level.”

Apart from Otu, Wazito parted ways with another three players who took the club to Fifa. Ghanaian forward Paul Acquah, Togolese defender Issofou Bourhana, Ugandan midfielder Mansoor Safi and DR Congo forward Piscas Muhindo were the other complainants who were awarded a total of KSh6 million in salary arrears.

Bourhana was awarded $9600 compensation (KSh1.04 million) for breach of contract while Otu was handed $7800 (KSh848,776).

Mansoor got Ksh1,698,000 with KSh370,000 outstanding remuneration. Paul Acquah will benefit with KSh2,165,806 plus Ksh150,000 remuneration while Muhindo has been handed KSh1,040,000 and Ksh200,000 remuneration.

Victor Ndinya, Teddy Osok, Derrick Otanga, Lloyd Wahome and goalkeepers Steve Njung’e and Kevin Omondi were the local players who were let go at the same time by Wazito.

Ambundo left Gor Mahia in 2020 and joined Dodoma Jiji before Fifa ordered the club to pay him outstanding salary arrears.

Even though the two sides have been banned effectively, Gor Mahia have already signed striker Wilson Silva Fonseca, former defender Harun Shakava and Abdul Karim Nikiema Zoko of Burkina Faso.

Wazito have completed the signing of Ellie Asieche, John Odhiambo, Levi Opiyo and Erick Otieno.

AFC Leopards were also ordered to pay former midfielder Vincent Habamahoro Ksh1.7 million over unpaid salaries at the time he was serving Ingwe.

Liverpool played "like a bunch of strangers" against Brighton, according to Mark Lawrenson, who says Jurgen Klopp needs to have a re-think after an "unusual" defeat.

Brighton picked up their first win at Anfield in 37 years on Wednesday night, with a 56th-minute Steven Alzate goal the difference between the two teams.

The Seagulls were good value for their 1-0 victory against a Liverpool side lacking a cutting edge, as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino struggled to make an impact on the game in the final third.

Klopp's side seemed to have turned a corner after a five-match winless run by beating Tottenham and West Ham last week, but their latest result at Anfield was an untimely setback ahead of a top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

Lawrenson was shocked by the Reds' latest performance, and has suggested that Klopp may have to go back to the drawing board to get their season back on track.

The Liverpool legend told talkSPORT: “The last time Brighton won at Anfield I was actually playing for Liverpool against them! I thought the last couple of results for Liverpool, winning at Tottenham where they played well and beating West Ham, it makes you think ‘they’re back’.

“It looked like they had that swagger back, they looked more confident. But last night was just really really strange. They played like a bunch of strangers in all honesty, they hardly created too much which is most unusual to them.

“Last night’s result was a big surprise. We knew Brighton would make it difficult because they’re in a good run, but it was a very strange result.

“You look back at the quality of the goals they scored against West Ham in the second half, they were really quality team goals, and then that performance last night – that will drive Klopp mad.

“That result is the worst one for him. You understood how they lost to Burnley because they were on a bit of a bad run, but to win two difficult games on the road against Tottenham and West Ham and then lose at home to Brighton?

“It’s like, wow. It’s almost time to return to base and start again, he has to have a re-think. Klopp will be perplexed, he’ll be wondering what is going wrong. And he can’t change the team around too much because when that front-three are firing they can beat anybody.

“It’s a strange one, very, very strange.”

The defending Premier League champions are now seven points behind leaders City having played a game more, and Lawrenson thinks the title will be out of reach if they fail to beat Pep Guardiola's team at Anfield this weekend.

“The City game is absolutely massive,” he added. “If City go there and win, I think they’ll just walk away with the league.”

Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Posta Rangers have parted ways with head coach Sammy Omollo and confirmed they have settled for Stanley Okumbi as his replacement.

The Mailmen have struggled for results this season and are in 14th position with 10 points from 11 matches in which they have won just once, drawn seven, and lost three.

"It is true we have parted ways with Omollo after failing to meet the set target," Mailmen chairman John Tanui told Goal on Thursday.

"We had signed a performance contract with the coach and the entire technical bench but they did not meet what we had agreed. So we decided to part ways on mutual consent; nothing personal.

"On behalf of the club, I take this opportunity to thank him for his services."

Tanui has further explained the immediate plans for the Nairobi-based charges to ensure the team does not struggle.

"We have reached an agreement with Okumbi, he will be taking over and filling the void left by Omollo," he revealed.

"Okumbi will come with his team, I mean the technical bench, and we will unveil him on Monday once we are done with contractual agreements. They will have a free hand on determining who to be signed and who will be released in the current short transfer window."

Omollo took over from John Kamau, on August 23, who was shown the door after struggles in the 2018/19 season, where the team finished in the relegation zone but managed to stay in the top tier after overcoming Nairobi Stima in the play-offs.

Before his sacking, the former Kenya defender had explained where the team lacked. 

"I will be trying to sharpen my attacking department in the mini-transfer window," Omollo had told Goal initially.

"We are playing well as a team, and our defence is solid. Chances are there but we are struggling to get the ball in the back of the net. So we have to find a solution because I believe if we would have taken a fraction of the chances created, the team would have been in the top five.

"We have to do something in the attacking department."

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Dumisani Zuma says Sunday’s Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash against Richards Bay is an opportunity to pick themselves up after last weekend’s Soweto derby disappointment.

Amakhosi were edged 2-1 by their traditional rivals Orlando Pirates as their five-match unbeaten run was also broken.

Making it more painful for Chiefs is that it was the third time to lose to Pirates this season after home and away defeats in the MTN8 semi-finals earlier on.

Now they have switched attention to the Nedbank Cup where they meet GladAfrica Championship side Richards Bay, a side Zuma admits they know little about.

“I think it’s a good chance for us to bounce back since we lost our last game. I think this is going to be good for players that are not playing, maybe they will get a chance to play,” Zuma told Chiefs’ media.

“I will say it’s very difficult to play against such teams because we don’t have a lot of information we know about them. I think we will need to stick to our own philosophy and play to win. I would say it’s a tricky time for us since games are coming thick and fast.

“I think it’s going to be key for us to maintain discipline and ensure recovery so that we can be able to do battle in all the games.”

This is a Cup Amakhosi last won in 2013 and their campaign last season ended at the Last 16 stage at the hands of Highlands Park.

The previous season, they reached the final but lost to then National First Division side TS Galaxy.

After missing the Soweto derby, Zuma’s participation in Sunday’s match is in doubt due to injuries that have blighted his season in which he has made eight league appearances, mostly as a late substitute.

“I’m still not fully fit. I think it’s still work in progress and eventually I will be fit enough to play regularly,” said Zuma.

With Chiefs eighth in their PSL campaign with 15 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, the Nedbank Cup appears their realistic opportunity to finish the season with silverware.

Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has praised Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho for his ‘brilliant’ strike against Fulham on Wednesday night.

The Nigeria international put the King Power Stadium outfit in front with a fine header after a timely cross from James Maddison.

The striker, thus, ended his 15-game Premier League drought , having last found the back of the net in the division in July 2020.

James Justin sealed the victory as the Foxes secured all three points in the encounter and returned to winning ways after losing against Leeds United last time out.

Hargreaves has showered encomium on the centre-forward for his well-taken strike at Craven Cottage, describing it as a dream goal.

"What a ball from James Maddison, he puts it on a plate for Iheanacho," Hargreaves told Premier League Production.

“To be fair, Iheanacho adjusts absolutely brilliantly. This goal is a dream, Iheanacho with a lovely turn and then the rest of it is a dream."

The victory moved Leicester to the third spot on the Premier League table after gathering 42 points from 22 games, behind leaders Manchester City and Manchester United.

Iheanacho has now scored four goals and provided four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions this season and has spoken of his desire to continue to seize the opportunities that come his way.

"I’m always working in training. I need to work really hard to get my chance,” Iheanacho told the club website.

“Sometimes, the gaffer switches the team around, so I need to work for my chance. When it comes, I need to take it and that’s what I did tonight.”

Iheanacho will hope to continue his impressive performance when Leicester City take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next Premier League outing on Sunday.

The forward remains a significant member of the Nigeria national team and will be expected to feature in the Super Eagles 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

Liverpool’s “samey” midfield has become a problem for Jurgen Klopp says Michael Owen, with a lack of energy in the engine room forcing Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to step in off the flanks.

As wide attackers come inside, opposition defences are able to pack together and contain the threat posed by the reigning Premier League champions.

At their best, Liverpool slice through rivals as wingers create space down the middle for passes and runs in behind.

Owen fears those qualities have deserted the Reds, with the 1-0 defeat to Brighton seeing Klopp’s men fail to find the target in a third successive top-flight home game and for a fifth time in seven outings.

For him, issues are being caused in the middle of the park, with Thiago Alcantara, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner all sitting deep, winning the ball and moving it on.

“I often think that Mane when he plays, and Salah, they’re better when they start wide,” former Liverpool striker Owen told Premier League Productions.

“Think of the chance Salah had early on [against Brighton], he needs to start wide and run inside. As soon as Roberto Firmino drops in it leaves those gaps and they come wide.

"A lot of the time this season they’ve been starting narrow and then you’ve got nowhere to run - the only way you can run is out and away from the goal.

“I think Liverpool are better when they have width. They get clustering. They have a lot of samey players in midfield in Thiago, Wijnaldum and Milner.

“I would like to see them stretching play a lot more, upping the tempo, winning the ball high again, committing players forward to win the ball high, they have to do it, they have to stem it themselves because they don’t have the Anfield crowd.

“You can react off the crowd, it’s a powerful thing but they can’t call upon that now they need to do it themselves to get this monkey off their back.

“It looks like there’s no energy in the team. Liverpool are used to winning the ball high, keeping the energy up, keeping a high tempo game. All of a sudden now it’s just not the Liverpool I’m used to watching, they rarely hunt in packs any more. It’s just not what we’re used to at the minute and they need to find something quick.”

Liverpool need to find inspiration as their next outing is at home to leaders Manchester City, a side they sit seven points behind despite playing a game more.

Owen added on the Reds’ title chances: “Yeah, at the moment, it’s seven points and a game in hand what City have got. That’s a lot, we’re past halfway.

“You’d have to say if Liverpool don’t beat Manchester City at the weekend, because it’s not just the points total, it’s what’s going to happen in the future and Liverpool just aren’t playing well enough and haven’t played well for the last month or so.”

Lionel Messi has made no contact with anyone from PSG, Manchester City or any other club, amid rumours surrounding his future, and is waiting until the end of the season to decide whether to remain with Barcelona or depart, Goal can exclusively reveal.

Messi's contract expires in the summer and he has been linked with several leading European clubs, including the Ligue 1 champions and Premier League leaders.

However, talk of any discussions with PSG is premature, as Messi has not had contact with the French club, and has not spoken to any players nor new manager Mauricio Pochettino. There has also been no contact with Man City - managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola - or any other prospective suitors.

Instead, Messi is waiting until the end of the season to decide what to do about his future, and whether to extend his contract with Barcelona, where he has spent his entire professional career.

Goal understands that Messi is tired of the constant media speculation, and says that it will be he who speaks out at the end of the season to declare where he will be playing in the 2021-22 campaign, and nobody else.

He is currently free to speak to non-Spanish clubs, with his contract expiring this summer - players out of contract at the end of the season can speak to foreign teams from January 1 onwards - however Messi is choosing not to.

Messi has been the centre of speculation ever since last summer, when he attempted to secure his release from his contract at Barcelona by activating a clause in his contract that would have allowed him to walk away for free.

However, he did not activate this clause in time and after weeks of rumours, Messi eventually revealed exclusively to Goal that he would stay with Barcelona for the 2020-21 season.

Further uncertainty has been brought about by the Barcelona presidential elections, after the resignation of Josep Bartomeu with whom Messi had endured a strained relationship. 

Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font are the three candidates, however Goal has learned that Messi has contacted none of them, intends to stay neutral in the election and that it will not have an impact on whether or not he chooses to stay at Barcelona.

Messi's contract situation recently returned to the fore after Spanish newspaper El Mundo published details about his €555 million (£491m/$674m) contract.

Their report states that the four-year agreement, which the Argentine signed in 2017, includes fixed incomes and bonus payments which amount to €138m (£112m/$167m) in annual earnings.

Messi has already pocketed €510m (£452m/$619m), with a further €45m (£40m/$55m) set to come his way over the next six months, with El Mundo claiming that the 33-year-old is the best-paid athlete in the history of professional sport.

Barcelona announced their intention to take legal action over the leak, and Goal understands that Messi's team are looking at whether to sue, but no case has yet been officially filed.