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Orlando Pirates midfielder Azola Tshobeni feels he did enough to build a foundation for regular playing minutes after making his first-team debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win away at Maritzburg United.

With Pirates arriving at Harry Gwala Stadium on the backdrop of two winless games and under pressure to recover, coach Josef Zinnbauer braved up to throw the greenhorn deep into the fray.

Tshobeni did not disappoint after being preferred ahead of the likes of Fortune Makaringe, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Nkanyiso Zungu and Siphesihle Ndlovu who all made part of Zinnbauer’s bench.

After the match, the German tactician gave thumbs up to the 18-year-old and it is now to be seen if the teenager will command regular playing minutes as the Buccaneers prepare to host TS Galaxy on Tuesday.

“Now that my first game is behind me, I hope to build on this game and work on getting more matches under my belt. At the end of the day, it's one thing to play one match but to play consistently is a different ball game. It requires a lot more work,” Tshobeni told Pirates’ website.

After Augustine Mahlonoko and Lyle Foster, Tshobeni is the third youngest Pirates player to make his debut in the PSL era.

He reflects on Saturday's maiden appearance, admitting his start was a nerve-wrecking experience but senior players calmed him down.

“I am pleased with my debut. But more importantly, I am happy for the maximum points that we got on the day,” said Tshobeni.

“In terms of personal accolades, this is indeed a day to cherish for me and my family. Everyone has been waiting for my debut since my promotion to the Orlando Pirates first team, I am still in disbelief as I did not expect to make my debut so soon and not only that but to debut as a starter makes this occasion that more special.

“When the whistle sounded at the start of the match, I was nervous. Even though the stadium was empty I knew everyone was watching from all corners of the country. It was nerve-wrecking at first, but I would like to thank my teammates for helping me settle. Their words of encouragement throughout the match helped me to play my football.”

In his bid for regular football, Tshobeni will also have to fight for a place against Linda Mntambo and Collins Makgaka in the Pirates midfield.

Simba SC have signed striker Junior Lokosa as they improve their squad for the Caf Champions League group stages.

The Tanzania Mainland League champions were pooled with the Democratic Republic of Congo outfit in Group A alongside defending champions Al Ahly and Sudanese heavyweights El-Merreikh in a draw conducted at the Caf headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, January 8.

"Welcome Junior Lokosa," the 21-time league champions posted on their official social media outlets.

"An established player from Nigeria who also played for Esperance is ready in Msimbazi after completing his move to the club. 

"Our primary target is to reach the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League as well as successfully defend the league title and the FA Cup.

"Welcome to Simba established striker Lokosa Junior. The Simba Super Cup competition is eagerly waiting for you."

The Nigerian came in as a free agent after being released by the Tunisian heavyweights. He was deemed surplus to requirements and was dropped by coach Moine Chaabani alongside fellow countryman Samuel Atvati and Algerian Tayeb Meziani.

The 26-year-old was signed by Esperance after a good run in the Nigerian Professional League in 2018 where he managed to score 19 goals to emerge the top scorer. 

However, he did not have an impact at the North African outfit owing to a cruciate injury and struggled to make 11 appearances for the team, scoring two goals in the process.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi have already signed Zimbabwean Perfect Chikwende and have also reached an agreement to bring the Democratic Republic of Congo player Doxa Gikanji on board.

On Sunday, the reigning league champions appointed Didier Gomes Da Rosa as the new head coach.

The veteran coach from France has been appointed to fill the space that was left by Sven Vandenbroeck, who resigned a day after leading the Msimbazi club to the group stage of the Caf Champions League in early January.  

He arrives as Simba are making preparations to feature in their own organised tournament, the Super Cup 2021, where Al-Hilal and Tout Puissant Mazembe will feature from January 27.

The Super Cup will be used by the Tanzanian heavyweights as proper preparations for their Champions League Group A duties.

Thiago Silva and Reece James have said their final goodbyes to Frank Lampard, thanking the axed Chelsea boss for "everything" he's done for them during his first few months in west London.

Chelsea announced their decision to dismiss Lampard on Monday on the back of a disastrous run of domestic results.

The Blues were labelled Premier League and Champions League contenders after a 17-match unbeaten streak earlier in the season, but a 1-0 loss to Everton in early December sparked a dramatic downturn in fortunes.

Lampard saw his side pick up just two wins from their last eight top-flight matches, with five defeats recorded during that period that led to question marks over his credentials.

Chelsea have slipped to ninth in the table since their 2-0 defeat at Leicester on January 19, 11 points behind pacesetters Manchester United and five adrift of the Champions League places, with the board ultimately deciding that a change was necessary to halt the decline.

Lampard was given a £200 million ($274m) war chest in the summer transfer window, which he spent on Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy, but none of those new recruits have been as successful at the Bridge as supporters would have hoped.

Silva, who arrived at Chelsea on a free transfer in August, has been the most valuable addition to the squad despite recently turning 36, making 18 appearances across all competitions.

The Brazilian says Lampard played a key role in helping him to settle into his new surroundings, and has expressed his gratitude towards the departing manager via social media.

“I would like to thank you for everything you and your team have done for me since the day I arrived," Silva wrote on Instagram. "As I told you, it seemed like we had been working together for 10 years! Thank you very much for everything, legend.”

Silva was snapped up by Chelsea after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, where he played under German head coach Thomas Tuchel. The two men are set to reunite at the Bridge later this week, with Goal reporting that Tuchel has verbally agreed to fill Lampard's boots after being relieved of his duties at PSG in December.

James meanwhile was a number of Chelsea academy products given a chance in the first-team under Lampard, along with Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham.

The England right-back wrote on Instagram: "As a Chelsea fan growing up I’ve always looked up to you, idolised you. I can’t explain what it’s been like to play under you, the whole journey has been surreal. I cannot thank you enough for putting your trust into me and giving me the opportunity to play for my boyhood club!

"Thank you so much for all you have taught me, which I will continue to use throughout the rest of my career. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live my dream! I’ll forever be thankful."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Eric Bailly was left out of Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Liverpool as a precaution, with the defender expected to come back into contention for a Premier League clash with Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The Red Devils paired Harry Maguire with Victor Lindelof in a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals at Old Trafford.

That has been a go-to selection for much of Solskjaer’s tenure, but Bailly has returned to fitness and favour in 2020-21.

The 26-year-old has taken in 13 appearances across all competitions this season, with the injury-ravaged Ivorian rediscovering his form amid calls for United to add in his area of the field.

With his record of untimely knocks taken into account, Solskjaer is wary of pushing Bailly too hard and says it was only a minor complaint that prevented him from figuring against Liverpool.

The Red Devils boss told reporters: “Eric will be available [to face Sheffield United].

“It was just a little thing that I didn’t want to risk him. We had cover on the bench and Victor was ready so there was no point on taking a risk with Eric.

“He’s fine, there’s no problem. I can’t say if he’s playing or not, but he’s fit and available for selection for Wednesday.”

Bailly has been earning plenty of plaudits this season, with a forgotten man proving once more that he can be a useful asset for United.

He is, however, wary of getting caught up in any hype and has already stated a desire to stay out of the headlines.

“It’s too early. Too early!” Bailly has told the Red Devils’ website when asked if he is enjoying his best run of form for the club.

“Now you need to make your head calm, train and keep going, getting ready to help the team. That’s my first mission and I hope I don’t get injured again.

“The injuries are very difficult for players when they have the good form. It’s very important to be ready to play every game.

“That [playing regularly] is very important for me, as before, I’d had comments, difficult moments, but now I’ve come back into the team. I am feeling good, train well and I’ll be ready to help the team. I am fit and I want to play.”

Kenya international Ismael Dunga has finally sealed his much-talked-about transfer move to Japanese top-tier side Sagan Tosu.

The transfer of the former Tusker forward has been speculative since January 9 when it was reported the Japanese was already in talks to sign the player from Albanian giants FK Vllaznia Shkoder.

Tosu have now confirmed on their official website they have sealed the signing of the player, who moves to Japan, just a few weeks after Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga left the J1-League for the Qatar Stars League after signing for Al Duhail SC.

Dunga has signed a one-year deal, with Tosu confirming: “We are pleased to announce Ismael Dunga from FK Vllaznia [Albania] has decided to join Sagan Tosu as a full transfer.”

The striker has expressed his happiness at sealing the transfer by stating: “I am happy to be in the family of Sagan Tosu. I would like to work as a team with you and do my best. Thank you.”

Dunga is among the Kenyan stars who moved to Europe and has additionally played for three Albanian sides in his career.

The former Sony Sugar and Tusker forward joined Vllaznia Shkoder from KF Tirana in 2020. He had joined KF Tirana in 2019 from another Albanian club Luftetari, where, from 2018 to mid-2019, he played in 24 matches and scored seven goals.

The 27-year-old forward played for Greek side Acharnaikos between 2016 and 2017, featured in seven matches, and scored three goals before he moved to Morocco and signed for Raja Beni Mellal.

From Raja Beni Mellal, Dunga signed for the City of Lusaka in 2017, and in 2018 he left for Napsa Stars FC, another Zambian side.

He has also played for Nakumatt and Congo United in Kenya before he started on a journey across foreign clubs in 2016.

His new club finished the concluded season 13th with 36 points after winning seven games, drew 15, and lost in 12 other matches. Eventual champions Kawasaki Frontale finished 47 points above Dunga’s club.

He now joins the league where striker Olunga left a mark after he enjoyed a stellar 2019-20 season with Kashiwa Reysol as he won the Golden Boot – after scoring 28 goals – and was also voted the Most Valuable Player becoming the first African to win both awards.

Ghana have drawn Morocco for the upcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.

The Black Satellites have been pitted against the young Atlas Lions in Group C, which also includes Gambia and Tanzania.

In Group A, hosts Mauritania have been pitched against Cameroon, Uganda and Mozambique while Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia and Central Africa Republic have been drawn in Group B.

The tournament runs between February 14 and March 4.

The competition was to serve as qualifiers for the 2021 Fifa U20 World Cup in Indonesia but the global championship, together with the U17 World Cup in Peru, have been cancelled due to health and safety concerns in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ordinarily, the top four teams at Afcon would have represented the continent at these World Cups.

Ghana qualified for the U20 World Cup after reaching the final of the 2019 Wafu Zone B U20 Cup of Nations in Benin where they went on to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final to win the trophy.

En route to the final, the Black Satellites beat archrivals Nigeria 1-0 in their group opener before falling 1-0 to Cote d'Ivoire to finish second in a three-team Group B.

In the semi-final, Ghana had to do it the hard way as it took a penalty shoot-out (5-3 win) to edge Niger, the match having ended 0-0 after extra time.

Ghana were looking to go all the way to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since reaching the Round of 16 of the 2015 tournament in New Zealand.

In 2017, the Black Satellites failed to qualify for the African Champion in 2017. Two years later, the three-time champions reached the continental gathering but failed to go beyond the group stage, thereby unable to pick one of the four available World Cup qualification tickets.

Ghana won the U20 Afcon in 1993, 1999 and 2009 where they went on to rule the world, beating Brazil in a penalty shoot-out in the final at the tournament in Egypt.

U20 Cecafa Championship winners Uganda have been pooled in Group A of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

The Hippos will have to battle for a quarter-final berth with hosts Mauritania, Central African heavyweights Cameroon and Mozambique.

Tanzania, who lost the Cecafa finals to Uganda, have been placed in a tough Group C that features Ghana, Gambia and Morocco while Group B has Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic.

The two winners from each group will be guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals of the biennial competition alongside the two best third-place finishers from any of the two groups.

Mali are the defending champions after beating Senegal 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time. However, none of the two nations will be in Mauritania for the competition which will take place from February 14 to March 4.

Nigeria are the most successful team having won the title a record seven times. The competition was founded in 1979 to help introduce African youth to the competitive world. Four top teams from the competition will represent the continent in the 2021 Fifa World Cup to be held in Indonesia in the yet to be identified dates.

Uganda will be aiming at stamping its authority in continental football in youth football after dominating the East African region. On the road to Mauritania, they eliminated Kenya and Tanzania along the way.

They defeated the latter 4-1 in the finals held in Tanzania to seal their place in the finals.

The Hippos got the goals from Richard Basangwa, Steven Sserwada, Ivan Bogere, and Kenneth Semakule while the immediate former champions scored their only goal via Abdul Suleiman.

Kenya were defeated in the third-place playoffs by South Sudan when they went down 2-1.

It was the second loss the Rising Stars registered in the tournament after Uganda had beaten them 3-1 in the first semi-final.

South Sudan went ahead in the second minute courtesy of Phillip Biajo’s goal but Stanley Okumbi’s side fought and equalised in the 10th minute when Nicholas Ochieng found the back of the net.

Nelson Elia scored five minutes prior to the half-time break to give South Sudan the lead yet again and Rising Stars’ concerted efforts in the second half were not able to help them level matters.

Most of Frank Lampard's coaching team will also leave Chelsea ahead of the imminent arrival of Thomas Tuchel as their new manager.

Jody Morris and Chris Jones, who acted as Lampard's assistants, will also leave the club having come to Chelsea from Derby County.

The coaches promoted from Chelsea's academy set-up, like Joe Edwards, see their status unconfirmed at this stage, while the club prepares to announce the signing of Tuchel within the next 24 hours.

With the contracts and paperwork having been verbally agreed after Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Leicester City, they were signed and sealed despite Lampard winning his last game in charge against Luton Town in the FA Cup.

The aim is to see Tuchel in place ahead of the upcoming home match against Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, but the Blues are having to oversee the transition in a Covid-19 conscious environment.

It remains unclear whether the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will advise Chelsea's new manager to self-isolate upon his arrival, with travel severely restricted into the country.

Tuchel has been out of work since being sacked by PSG in December and is not in an elite sport environment that would ensure that he was safe go straight into work at his new club.

Chelsea hope the exemption still applies to Tuchel, but Manchester United saw Edinson Cavani having to self-isolate after joining the Old Trafford club because he was a free agent for a period of time.

Meanwhile, the decision to sack Lampard could prove controversial due to his club-legend status. A group of fans placed a banner at Stamford Bridge which read 'In Frank We Trust' at the weekend.

The club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich took the unprecented decision to explain why they were sacking Frank Lampard in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him’," it read. “He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances, we believe it is best to change managers.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, the board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as head coach and wish him every success in the future. He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

The change was further explained through a spokesman on the club website stating that "recent results and performances have not met the club’s expectations, leaving the club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.'

Chelsea are currently in ninth place having lost five of their last eight games, including recent defeats to Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Bruno Fernandes predicts Donny van de Beek is going to be ‘very important’ for Manchester United and understood why the Dutchman was picked ahead of him for the FA Cup clash against Liverpool.

Van de Beek has struggled for game time since signing from Ajax in the summer transfer window but was handed his 10th start for the club, with Fernandes occupying a rare spot on the substitutes' bench, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side progressed to the fifth round by beating Liverpool 3-2. 

Fernandes was needed off the bench to score the winner 12 minutes from time but the Portuguese star was not bothered about having to play back-up for his team-mates, although he did dispute that it was anything to do with being fatigued having played so many games.

"Tired? I’m 26 years old, I can't be tired. If I'm tired now, when I arrive at 30, 32, I will not play. I will play one game in five so, no, I'm not tired,” Fernandes said after the Old Trafford win.

“Of course the coach knows what is better for the team and today he chose to play with Donny to give some freshness to the team.

"I think it's fair enough because Donny is training really well, he's been important for us and will be more and more important in the future."

The win against Liverpool set up a clash with West Ham in the next round and, with United also top of the Premier League table at the halfway stage, there is a growing belief they can win at least one trophy.

While Solskjaer will not get drawn into any early talk of a title charge, Fernandes admitted that he has trophies in his sights.

“My confidence is higher, of course. I came to the club because I knew I would come to a club who wants to win everything and my mentality and my way to be in my life and football is about winning,” Fernandes explained. "And so you have to be confident, you have to trust your team-mates, you have to trust yourself, and you have to believe.

"And I will believe until it's not more possible, you know? Like when I see someone get the trophy before me then I will (have) lost my belief."

For now attentions turn back to the Premier League where United host Sheffield United on Wednesday hoping to maintain their grip at the top of the table. While Chris Wilder’s side sit bottom with only one win this season, Fernandes is not expecting it to be a walkover.

“They are a tough team. They are not doing well because they're not getting points but they're still a tough opponent to play against,” the United playmaker said. "But we have to look to ourselves and make our game and try to win."

Mesut Ozil is set to earn €3 million (£2.5m/$3.5m) a year at Fenerbahce after being paid an annual salary of €16m (£14m/$19m) at Arsenal.

Ozil signed a three-and-half year contract with Fenerbahce on Sunday after being released from his deal at Emirates Stadium six months early.

The ex-Germany international had been on Arsenal's books since 2013, scoring 44 goals in 254 appearances while getting his hands on three FA Cups, but had not played for the club since March last year.

Mikel Arteta exiled the 32-year-old, who was pocketing £350,000 per week in north London, following the Gunners' return to action post-lockdown, and he was left out of the Spaniard's Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the new season.

Ozil was linked with several clubs amid his lengthy spell on the sidelines, but it was reported that very few potential suitors would be willing to match his wage demands.

In the end, the playmaker had to accept a huge pay cut to secure a move away from Emirates Stadium, with the details of his new contract published on the Public Disclosure Platform in Turkey.

Fenerbahce released a statement on KAP confirming that Ozil will take home €13m (£12m/$16m) less than he did on a yearly basis at Arsenal. 

The Super Lig club won't start remunerating Ozil until the beginning of the 2021-21 campaign, and they will be required to pay the Gunners a €2m fee if he meets certain targets in the coming seasons.

Ozil will be unlikely to make his debut for Fenerbahce when they take on Kayserispor on Monday night, having not seen a single minute of competitive action for over 10 months. He could, however, be in line to feature when Erol Bulut's side come up against Rizespor in another domestic outing on January 30.

The former Arsenal star wrote an open letter to supporters after leaving Emirates Stadium detailing how he will always support the club and look back on his time in the Premier League fondly.

"I've grown up as an adult in North London, a place I can always call home. I'll never forget that," he wrote. "It's difficult for me to put into words the love I feel for this club and the fans. How could I possibly describe eight years of gratitude in a single letter?

"Whilst I may be no longer playing for the club, I will continue to support them in every game they play. I will be a Gunner for life - no doubt about that."

Pep Guardiola says all managers know they will get the sack if they don’t get results after Frank Lampard was fired by Chelsea.

The former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder was in charge at Stamford Bridge for just over 18 months, but leaves following five defeats in eight games with ex-Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel expected to take over.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has never been sacked in 12 years of management but says he never takes his position for granted.

“Young and old managers - here you have to win,” Guardiola said. “The people talk about projects and ideas but it doesn't exist. You have to win, if not, you will be sacked. 

“I respect the decision from Chelsea, of course, but a huge hug for Frank and hopefully I can see him soon. When the lockdown will be over I can go to the restaurant to see him again.

“He was appointed at a team like Chelsea after the good job he had done at Derby County, these people deserve it. But we depend on the results, not the way we play, not about philosophy or these kind of things or the projects.

"You have to get results. If you don't, you will be replaced by another manager.”

City, meanwhile, have the chance to return to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday night if they can beat relegation-threatened West Brom.

The Baggies were the last side to take any points off City when they drew at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, although Slaven Bilic was sacked before their next game.

Sam Allardyce took over and Guardiola is aware that his reputation and record for rescuing clubs from difficult situations, as he has done previously at Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, deserve respect.

“Sam Allardyce is a genius to take these teams when everyone believes it is over and get results,” Guardiola said. “It happens once, twice, three times you can't say it is lucky because he has done it so many times. 

“There is not much time after the tough Cheltenham game but the training session today was really good and we're optimistic to travel to West Bromwich tomorrow.”

A win would move City a point above neighbours Manchester United, but despite a 10-game winning streak, Guardiola is taking nothing for granted.

“The leader is United, they are top of the league,” he added. “When we have the same games altogether we will see then but for now we are not top of the league and the difference in the top six is so small. 

“I don't see the table, just like I didn't watch it much when we were 12th and nine points behind the leaders. Now it is the same, my focus after Cheltenham was West Bromwich.”

The criticism being aimed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s direction is “ridiculous”, says Dietmar Hamann, with the 22-year-old being backed to come through a “blip” that was always going to happen at some stage.

A meteoric rise to prominence has been enjoyed by a home-grown star at Anfield.

Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Alexander-Arnold has played a leading role in Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League title triumphs on Merseyside.

For the most part, he has been a model of consistency and useful source of ammunition from the flanks.

The buccaneering right-back has, however, suffered a wobble in 2020-21 – along with many of those around him.

Confidence has dipped and mistakes have crept into the game of a man who has been setting the highest of standards.

Hamann is surprised it has taken this long for Alexander-Arnold to face the first test of his senior career, with there every reason to believe that a talented performer will bounce back stronger for having unfortunate experiences to go alongside his positive ones.

“The only thing that surprises me is that the blip didn’t come earlier,” former Liverpool midfielder Hamann told Stadium Astro when discussing Alexander-Arnold’s struggles.

“If you play on a weekly basis, or every three days, the standard he has set has been exceptional. He has been faultless for two years.

“He has played over 100 games and is only 22. It is understandable that there has been a blip. I expected it to come a lot earlier.

“At the moment, there are hardly any other options at right-back. I think he needs a break but with the injuries and the players that are out, at the moment the manager feels he can’t give him a rest.

“I think the criticism towards him is ridiculous. Both full-backs have probably been the best two full-backs in the world in the last two years. Now to have a go at a player who is still very young because he has had a few average games and hasn’t had an assist for a few months is ridiculous.

“I think he’s a quality player, so is[Andy] Robertson, and fatigue is just catching up with the pair of them. Once they have a break will we see different players again.

“I hope he stays at Liverpool because at the moment there are not too many full-backs around that can do what Alexander-Arnold does.”

Michael Owen says Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group continue to “run the club properly”, with Jurgen Klopp having to accept that he may face transfer frustration in January.

Many expected the reigning Premier League champions to have dipped into the winter market by now.

Injury struggles have been hindering the cause at Anfield for several weeks, with key men being laid low across the field.

Defensive options have been hit particularly hard, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez picking up long-term keen problems.

Their absence was expected to see Klopp make efforts to bolster his ranks at the next opportunity, with several centre-half targets being mooted.

There has, however, been no movement on Merseyside and Liverpool are having to make do as they scratch around for form in a season that is in danger of crumbling around them.

Owen says that may be down to a lack of funds in a coronavirus-affected world, with even English title holders needing to accept that they cannot live beyond their means.

The former Reds striker has told BT Sport, with Klopp putting academy graduate Rhys Williams back into his starting XI for a 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United: “He decided against it in the game at Anfield, he obviously played with his midfield pairing at the back [Jordan Henderson and Fabinho].

“He’s gone with the youngster Williams this time. I think he made it abundantly clear in his interviews this week that he would like a centre-half.

“But the people that hold the purse strings, it’s their decision and you’ve got to run the club properly.

“If the money is not there, the money is not there.

“Hopefully, fingers crossed for Liverpool, a few of the injuries are going to start coming back in the coming months.”

Klopp has been playing his cards close to his chest when it comes to possible additions, with the German refusing to be drawn on the identity of any supposed defenders in his sights.

He has admitted to holding recruitment talks, though, but the clock is ticking if any moves are to be made to get fresh faces on board before the next deadline passes.

Bertrand Traore is delighted to help Aston Villa climb up the Premier League table with his goalscoring contributions.

The 25-year-old continued his fine run in front of goal with the second strike in Aston Villa's 2-0 league victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.

The goal was his fourth goal in his last six Premier League appearances and his fifth effort of the season since he joined Dean Smith's side from Ligue 1 club Lyon in October.

The victory over the Magpies ended Aston Villa's four-game winless streak across all competitions, and it also moved them to eighth on the league table with 29 points from 17 games - five points adrift of the top-four.

Traore described his goals as the major way he uses to help the team, and he is pleased to assist the Claret & Blue Army bounce back to winning ways after consecutive losses to Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City.

“As a striker, it’s nice to get some goals for the team," Traore told the club website. "After winning games, scoring goals is the most important thing for me in trying to help the team get some points.

“I’m really happy with the goal as I’ve been working hard for the team. It was nice to get the victory.

“We weren’t on a good run after losing against Manchester United and Manchester City, so being back at home was important for us and we got the victory.

“I think we were really good against City and today we just continued from the performance again but today we were rewarded.”

The former Chelsea forward will turn his attention to Wednesday's Premier League trip to Burnley with the target of helping Aston Villa build on Saturday's win.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed what his Manchester United forwards must learn from Edinson Cavani after his latest stellar performance in the FA Cup.

Cavani was asked to lead the line for United for the second successive game as Liverpool arrived at Old Trafford for the fourth-round tie on Sunday.

The 33-year-old didn't get on the scoresheet during the 3-2 victory but was a constant thorn in the Reds' side with his superb hold-up play and pressing in the final third of the pitch.

He also saw a header cannon off the post and won the free-kick which Bruno Fernandes dispatched late on to wrap up the win, earning special praise from his manager post-match.

Solskjaer has urged Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to soak up as much knowledge from a man who joined United on a free transfer in October as they can, while highlighting his movement up front and expert recovery process behind the scenes.

“Anthony [Martial], Marcus, Mason, Dan [James], all our forwards they have to use the time Edinson is with us to the best effect,” he said following the Liverpool win," the Norwegian head coach told reporters. “They have to learn off his movement, you have to learn off his attitude, his desire to win.

“He’s one of the most hard-working centre-forwards but he is also one of the cleverest, his movements inside the box are very good. You see his header towards the end. There is loads they can learn off him.

“They’ve got to learn from him. Look at his fitness, he’s 34 next month, and the way he has looked after himself.

“When you bring in older and more experienced players, it’s also to help the rest of them, it is not just for him to come in and do his job. He knows he has a job or a responsibility to be a role model and I asked him to [do that].”

Cavani will be back in contention for a place in Solskjaer's line up when the Red Devils host Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan will hope to add to his haul of four Premier League goals when he comes up against the Blades, who are still looking for their first away win of the season.

Roman Abramovich says Frank Lampard's status as a Chelsea icon "remains undiminished" despite his dismissal, and has thanked him for his work at Stamford Bridge over the last two years.

Lampard's 18-month reign in the Chelsea hot seat came to an end when he was sacked by the club on Monday morning.

The 42-year-old guided the Blues to a fourth-place finish last season despite being hampered by a transfer ban, but was unable to build on that platform in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign.

Summer signings, such as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings, with Lampard ultimately unable to find the optimal system to bring the best out of a talent pool costing over £200 million (£273m).

Chelsea are currently sitting eighth in the Premier League standings having lost five of their last eight games, including a dismal 2-0 reversal at Leicester City last week.

A 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Luton Town proved to be the final game for Lampard, who has seen his initial three-year contract cut short at the halfway point.

Abramovich, who has never previously released a statement after axing a manager, paid tribute to a club legend in the wake of his departure, insisting that, although a tough decision had to be taken, he still enjoys the full respect of the board.

“This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him," the Russian billionaire's statement on Chelsea's official website reads.

"He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances, we believe it is best to change managers. 

"On behalf of everyone at the club, the board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as head coach and wish him every success in the future.

"He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

Goal has reported that ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has already verbally agreed to succeed Lampard at the Bridge, having been out of work since his removal from the Parc des Princes dugout in December.

The German could be unveiled before Chelsea's next Premier League fixture at home to Wolves on Wednesday night.

The Tanzania Football Federation has confirmed defender Erasto Nyoni has been allowed to return home from the African Nations Championship squad in Cameroon.

The Simba SC player has not played any part during the competition where the Taifa Stars were drawn in Group D alongside, Guinea, Zambia and Namibia.

The defender, alongside Simba striker John Bocco, travelled with the team to Cameroon with injuries, with the team’s medical team hoping they will be fit to play in the competition.

However, in the opening two matches which Tanzania played against Zambia, losing 2-0, and against Namibia, which they won 1-0, Nyoni and Bocco did not make the starting XI nor the reserve bench.

The TFF has now confirmed in a short statement on their social media pages that Nyoni has been released to leave the team's camp in Doula so he can continue with treatment back in Tanzania.

“Our player Erasto [Nyoni] has been given permission to leave Taifa Stars camp in Cameroon and will travel home to continue with treatment as directed by the team of doctors,” read the statement on the TFF social media pages.

Tanzania remained on course to reach the knock-out stage of the competition with the victory against Namibia in a match played at Limbe Omnisport Stadium on Saturday night.

Farid Mussa secured the maximum points for the Taifa Stars after he scored the all-important goal in the 66th minute and they will now face Guinea knowing a win will guarantee them passage into the next stage of the competition.

Ahead of their third match against the Syli Nationale on Wednesday, coach Etienne Ndayiragije has challenged his players to focus on the must-win contest.

“I am going to review our plan against Guinea in order to see what measures we can do to get positive results from them,” the Burundian tactician said as quoted by Daily News.

On whether striker Bocco, who is yet to play in the tournament owing to injury, will be available for the clash, Ndayiragije said: “For now, I am just focusing on the players who are already 100 percent fit to play because they too have an opportunity to fight for our country because we did not come here to play but rather to win matches.”

Zambia and Guinea are now tied on four points at the top while Tanzania are third with three points and Namibia have already been relegated as they have not picked up a point from two matches.

Paul Pogba has left himself open to criticism with struggles for consistency at Manchester United, says Ryan Giggs, but the World Cup winner has been showing over recent weeks that a prominent role can be found for him at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have failed to bring the best out of an enigmatic talent since bringing him back to English football from Juventus in a record-breaking £89 million ($122m) transfer.

That deal was done during the summer of 2016, with four-and-a-half years spent trying to eke undoubted ability out of the France international midfielder.

Pogba has often been a source of frustration for managers, team-mates and supporters, with the 27-year-old offering sporadic flashes of brilliance as questions are asked of his form, fitness and future.

Giggs admits that a divisive character has brought many of his problems on himself, with actions on and off the field, but is pleased to have seen experiments with his position pay off as full potential stars to be unlocked in his game.

The United legend told Stadium Astro after seeing Pogba put in another eye-catching performance during a 3-2 FA Cup win over Liverpool: “When you set a standard that he has done, for France and Juve, and he comes to United and doesn’t really live up to the expectation, then you are open to criticism.

“I think he is a talent and he is a good lad as well. He gets a lot of criticism and I think that is down to some comments from his agent and just the fact he hasn’t been consistent since he joined United.

“Now we are starting to see some of that. Ole has been moving him around a little bit, off the left and right. He seems to now be hitting his best form, like a lot of the United players at the moment.”

Giggs added, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer often moving Pogba out of a role in the Red Devils’ engine room alongside Bruno Fernandes: “When you are out wide, you have to track the full-back sometimes in midfield. He definitely let his runner go quite often in games, whereas out wide you can see it.

“Ole has tried him in a deep role, as a 10, and messed around with his role and is now reaping the rewards.

“His attacking play and defensive play have become more consistent. He is producing those goals we all know he is capable of.”

Pogba has recorded match-winning goals in recent outings against Burnley and Fulham, with his efforts helping United to the top of the Premier League table as they look to chase down a first top-flight title in eight years.