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Frank Lampard expects Mason Mount to wear the captain's armband "many times" in the future for Chelsea after the midfielder was trusted to lead the team in Sunday's 3-1 win against Luton.

In the absence of captain Cesar Azpilicueta, the 22-year-old became the youngest player to wear the armband for the Blues since club legend John Terry was first given the role at the age of 21.

Chelsea were dominant in the FA Cup fourth round tie as a hat-trick from Tammy Abraham was enough to give them the win at Stamford Bridge despite Jordan Clark's goal for the Championship side in the first half.

Lampard was happy with the way Mount dealt with the new responsibility and feels he was right to trust the England international because of the progress he has made since the start of last season.

"I only told him quickly in the dressing room because the armband was already hanging on his shirt, so I saw him clock it. I went over to him and I kept it brief," the manager told Chelsea's official app.

"Listen, he deserves it. He is playing like a captain and he played like a captain recently and all season. He loves Chelsea and came through the academy.

"The club captain is Azpilicueta and he was not playing today but he is a great role model for Mason. He feels the club, has desire for the club and tries to affect things other than himself.

"You can’t always ask a kid to do that when they are coming through because it is a lot on their shoulders but through the maturity of his performance last season but this season in particular, I have seen that he has gone up a level in his game.

"He dropped deeper today and he showed the strength and quality in his passing, but I thought it was very apt to give him the captaincy. Like I said, it will be one for the future for him with the hierarchy and how it is. But Mason is going to be a captain many times for the club going forward just not regularly right now."

Chelsea will return to Premier League duty on Wednesday when they host Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

SuperSport United extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in the PSL when they secured a 2-0 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo on Sunday.

TTM managed to contain Matsatsantsa in the first-half and the score was 0-0 at the interval, but the deadlock was broken a minute before the hour-mark after some good work by Lucky Mohomi.

The 29-year-old midfielder played a defence-splitting pass to Bradley Grobler, who beat Tshakhuma goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo with a decent finish to make it 1-0 to SuperSport.

It was Grobler's 12th goal of the season and he is sitting at the top of the league's goalscoring charts - two goals clear of his closest rival, Ruziigh Gamildien of Swallows FC.

SuperSport were soon 2-0 up as second-half substitute Kudakwashe Mahachi made an immediate impact after being introduced two minutes after the hour-mark.  

The former Orlando Pirates winger played a pinpoint cross for Sipho Mbule, who finished from close range to double the visitors' lead in the 67th minute. 

Ultimately, SuperSport emerged 2-0 winners on the day after containing Tshakhuma in the closing stages of the match.

The win saw SuperSport climb up to second place on the league standings - level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and third-placed Swallows, while Tshakhuma remained 16th on the log.

Meanwhile, Cape Town City became the first team to defeat Golden Arrows in the PSL this season when they claimed a 4-2 win at Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City, 

It took 14 minutes for the Citizens to take the lead when Thabo Nodada played a through pass for Craig Martin, who beat Arrows keeper Sifiso Mlungwana to make it 1-0 to City. 

However, Abafana Bes'thende managed to level matters when Trevor Mathiane set-up Velemseni Ndwandwe with a header and the latter netted his fifth league goal of the season to make it 1-1 in the 35th minute. 

An entertaining second-half followed as the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute after Taariq Fielies pulled back Knox Mutizwa in the box.

Zimbabwe international Mutizwa then dusted himself down and fired past City keeper Peter Leeuwenburgh from the spot-kick to make it 2-1 to Arrows, who took the lead for the first time on the day. 

However, Fielies made amends two minutes after the hour-mark as he headed home Bradley Ralani's corner kick to make it 2-2 with Abafana Bes'thende caught ball watching. 

The Citizens then took control of the game and they restored their lead when Thato Mokeke’s pass found Mduduzi Mdantsane, who rounded Mlungwana, before firing into an empty net to make it 3-2 to City with 15 minutes left.

The 4-2 win to City was then sealed by Fagrie Lakay in the 85th minute as he showed brilliant dribbling skills beating Trevor Mathiane and Mlungwana, before lobbing an effort into the empty net.

The victory took Arrows to fourth place on the standings, while Arrows remained sixth on the table.

Victor Osimhen made his much-awaited return for Napoli in their 3-1 defeat to Hellas Verona in Sunday’s Serie A game.

The Super Eagles forward last featured for the Parthenopeans in November against Bologna due to injury and coronavirus problems.

The centre-forward suffered a shoulder injury on international duty with Nigeria against Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Osimhen suffered a further setback when he tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the West African country, where he had gone to celebrate the yuletide season and attend his birthday party.

The 22-year-old was isolated for 21 days before testing negative for the virus and immediately teamed up with the rest of Gennaro Gattuso’s men in training.

The forward was handed his 10th appearance across all competitions for the Parthenopeans at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi since teaming up with the side from Lille in the summer.

Napoli started the game brightly when Hirving Lozano opened the scoring only one minute into the game after receiving a timely assist from Diego Demme.

Federico Dimarco then levelled matters for Hellas Verona in the 34th minute after he was set up by Marco Davide Faraoni.

Antonin Barak then gave Ivan Juric’s men the lead moments before the hour mark after benefitting from an assist from Mattia Zaccagni.

In an effort to try and avoid defeat, manager Gattuso brought on his club-record signing, Osimhen, in the 65th minute for Andrea Petagna.

The Nigeria international had six touches on the ball and had a 50 percent successful pass rate in the encounter but could not help his side from avoiding defeat as Zaccagni sealed the victory for Verona in the 79th minute.

Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly was on parade for the entirety of the game and received a caution in the 71st minute.

With the loss, Napoli dropped to the sixth spot on the Serie A table following their inability to add to their 34 points.

Osimhen will be expected to deliver a more impactful performance when the Parthenopeans take on Spezia in a cup tie on January 28.

Napoli are now winless in their last two games after also suffering defeat against Juventus in a Super Cup tie last time out.

Frank Lampard defended Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and striker Timo Werner following their 3-1 win against Luton on Sunday.

Tammy Abraham's hat-trick proved enough to win the FA Cup fourth round tie at Stamford Bridge, but the home side had their difficult moments throughout the game.

A shot from Jordan Clark squeezed past Kepa despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to to the ball as the visitors pulled a goal back at the half-hour mark, while Werner went on to miss a penalty late in the game.

Lampard was quick to point out that Kepa saved his side from surrendering their lead in the second half and said the rest of the team were just as much at fault for Championship side's goal.

"Well, on the flipside of that, Kepa makes a really top save in the second half to make sure it doesn't go to 2-2. It is very easy for people to sort of hone in on that but Kepa is not playing so regularly," he told reporters. "He comes in after training well and he is a good goalkeeper and I will certainly give him that one in the first half.

"I am as annoyed that we let someone stand in our box in space and get a shot away when we shouldn't have done. I think it was a general team moment of complacency with how we were at 2-0 which is not good enough.

"So, we got back to it very quickly and dominated the game and it made us slightly nervous to not have the two goal league that makes it comfortable. Once we got that back again, which we should have got a lot earlier, then the game was comfortable."

Werner's goal against Morecambe in the previous round of the competition is the only one he has scored for the club since early November and the coach feels his penalty miss sums up the Germany international's current struggles on the pitch.

"With Timo I’m disappointed for him. He gave a lot to the performance today. He was a threat behind, his link up with Tammy, his link up with people around him, it’s just one of those things," he said.

"When it’s not going for you quite, it can happen. I missed penalties, I know the feeling. I know he will feel despondent, maybe now and the last few minutes of the game, but he shouldn’t be.

"It’s my job and his teammates’ job to lift him and he will be fine. It was almost a sign of what’s going on for Timo at the minute, it’s not quite dropping for him, but there will be a time when he takes penalties without thinking about it and hits the back of the net without thinking about it. At the moment that’s not quite the time for Timo, but it will come and hopefully soon."

Andre Onana was in action, Sebastien Haller found the back of the net while Zakaria Labyad’s strike was cancelled as Ajax handed a 2-1 defeat to Fortuna Sittard in Sunday’s Eredivisie game.

Cameroon goalkeeper Onana continued his consistency for the Sons of the Gods when he made his 18th league appearance against Sjors Ultee‘s men.

The shot-stopper impressed in the encounter to help the Johan Cruyff Arena outfit secure all three points and extend their winning run to four games.

Haller was also afforded his third start since teaming up with the side from Premier League club West Ham United in January.

The forward utilized the opportunity to score his second goal for Erik ten Hag’s men and help them clinch their 14th win of the season while his teammate and Morocco international Labyad was denied a chance to register his name on the scoresheet.

Ajax hit the ground running in the encounter and mound pressure on Fortuna Sittard which saw Sebastian Polter turn the ball into his own net in the 19th minute.

Mickael Tirpan then brought his side back into contention in the encounter when he levelled proceedings in the 48th minute after he was set up by Lisandro Semedo.

Labyad thought he had handed his side the lead when he fired his effort into the back of the net but the Video Assistant Referee ruled out his effort for a previously committed foul.

Ivory Coast international Haller scored the matchwinning goal shortly after the hour mark following an assist from Nicolas Tagliafico.

Moments before the end of the game, Fortuna Sittard were reduced to 10 men when Polter was shown a straight red card in the encounter for serious foul play.

The victory ensured Ajax maintained their lead at the top of the league table after gathering 44 points from 18 outings.

Onana was on parade for the entirety of the game for Ajax, made 41 touches on the ball and had a 74 percent successful rate.

The goalkeeper has now featured in 24 games for the Sons of the Gods across all competitions this season and kept eight clean sheets.

Onana, Haller and Labyad will be expected to continue their impressive performances when Ajax take on Willem II in their next league game on January 28.

Mesut Ozil says he will be a "Gunner for life" after leaving Arsenal to join Fenerbahce.

The attacking midfielder's free transfer to the Turkish giants was confirmed on Sunday.

Across almost eight years with the Premier League side, Ozil won the FA Cup four times and made 254 appearances in all competitions.

The 32-year-old was frozen out of the Arsenal squad this season, but he said in a long open letter published on social media that he will always support the club.

"It feels strange to be writing this message after such a long time here in London. Since the moment I arrived, it has felt like home," he wrote. "I was welcomed with open arms by all the Arsenal staff, my team-mates, and most importantly the incredible fans. I will always be grateful for the trust placed in me by Arsene Wenger in September 2013.

"I've grown up as an adult in North London, a place I can always call home. I'll never forget that.

"Being with Arsenal for so long has meant I've experienced a big mix of ups and downs. Over 250 games, 44 goals and 71 assists later, it's time that Arsenal and I finally part ways.

"Together we ended the club's nine-year trophy drought and brought long needed silverware back to the fans who deserved it. 

"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.

"Now more than ever we must all be behind the team. This season is a tough one for every team in the Premier League, and that is why we must all back the current squad and staff no matter the results.

"For me, it's amazing to see some of the boys from Hale End coming through into the first team setup. As we all know, they are the future of our club and I wish them every success!

"Hearing my name changed around Emirates Stadium will forever give me goosebumps, and the memories I've made putting on this jersey wil stick with me for life. Much has been written about my time at Arsenal, especially in recent months.

"Arsenal is a club of class and prestige, something that I felt every time I walked onto the pitch. Players, staff and management always come and go - but the club's values and fans will remain forever.

"The principles of class, respect and dignity must never be forgotten. It is the responsibility of every single person from the club to make sure they carry out their job in the name of these values. 

"As I said, the past few months haven't been the easiest. Like every player, I want to play every minute of football for my team. In life however, things do not always play out how we expect or want them to. But it is important to look for the positives in life and not the negative, which is why I try to live with no regrets and holding no grudges.

"Being at Arsenal was more than just football, it was about community. As much as I tried to assist on the pitch, I tried to be part of the London community as much as I could too.

"North London took me in as one of its own, and every season I embarked on a different project to bring happiness to this incredible community. Although I might be leaving North London, this will not stop. 

"It might be the end of a chapter, but my connection with this amazing club will never fade. It might be goodbye for now, but it's not goodbye forever."

Kakamega Homeboyz picked a 2-0 win over Bidco United in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League showdown at Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday.

Ali Bhai and Moses Mudavadi scored for the Kakamega club who have not been with a win in their last six games. In fact, the victory is their second and it has come after the technical bench was reinforced with the arrival of assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo from Gor Mahia.

Bhai scored the opener in the 15th minute before Mudavadi added the second five minutes later in a first half where they enjoyed dominance over the league debutants.

Syll Owino would have made it 3-0 in the 67th minute when he connected with a delivery from a David Owino corner but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Since beating Vihiga United 1-0 in the opener, the subsequent results for Kakamega Homeboyz have been unconvincing as they drew against Posta Rangers and Nzoia Sugar and thereafter went on to lose to KCB, Ulinzi Stars, Tusker and Bandari.

Buoyed by the win, Nicholas Muyoti’s charges will face Wazito FC – who have recorded four consecutive wins – in the last game of the month on January 29. Next for Bidco United will be a home game against Posta Rangers on February 3.

Meanwhile, at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, KCB marched to a 3-1 win over Western Stima

KCB got an opener in the 26th minute when Simon Abuko converted from the pot. The Powermen were not entirely discouraged after they conceded first and fought to equalise in the 52nd minute through Kennedy Agogo.

Henry Onyango gave Zedekiah Otieno’s side the lead three minutes after the hour mark as he blasted into the net at close range. Victor Omondi scored the third goal for the Bankers in the 70th minute for a win against a side that had frustrated them, especially in the first half.

Western Stima will be looking for a first season win when they will be hosted by Mathare United on January 4. KCB are now leading with 21 points after losing just one game – and will entertain Ulinzi Stars in their next assignment in Nakuru.

Elvis Rupia and Jaffery Owiti were the scorers for AFC Leopards in a 2-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League game on Sunday at Kasarani.

This is the second win for Ingwe after they handed KCB a rare defeat in the previous encounter at the same venue.

Erick Kapaito attempted to break the deadlock with a long-range shot in the 10th minute but his strike flew just over Benjamin Ochan’s crossbar.

Seconds after Kapaito’s unsuccessful effort, AFC Leopards took the lead when Rupia – now with nine goals – took advantage of a misunderstanding between Geoffrey Shiveka and Samuel Olwande to fire home. Robinson Kamura’s cross challenged the Kariobangi Sharks’ duo and the former Nzoia Sugar striker just collected the ball and found the top corner with a ferocious strike.

Another defensive mishap almost gave AFC Leopards a second goal when Brian Bwire’s careless clearance landed on Bienvenue Shaka’s path but the Ingwe star saw his low drive cleared in time by the recovering Kariobangi Sharks.

The hosts were lucky not to concede in the 21st minute when they were caught off-guard again by Shaka but the winger’s low drive went out as no one from the Ingwe side was in the right place to tap home past a beaten Bwire.

Kamura’s 38th-minute free-kick hit the post as Ingwe dominated the game and found easy ways especially on the right-wing manned by Harambee Stars defender Olwande.

Bwire was alert to deal with Rupia’s strike launched from a tight angle in the right-wing in the 48th minute. The AFC Leopards forward found himself with a little space in a tight angle and was able to direct his effort towards the top corner but the home goalkeeper parried it over the bar and the visitors wasted the resultant corner.

Ochan’s sliding clearance denied Kariobangi Sharks a likely equaliser in the 70th minute. Kapaito spotted Julius Masaba in an advanced position but the Ugandan goalkeeper reacted quickly to sweep the ball away after his defenders were clearly beaten in the process.

Anthony Kimani made a tactical change in the 83rd minute when he substituted Rupia for Eugene Mukangula in an effort to contain Kariobangi Sharks’ resurgence, especially in midfield. Ingwe were reduced to 10 men when Fabrice Mugheni was red-carded in the 89th minute after a second bookable offence.

Owiti spotted Bwire off his line and struck a long-range shot that landed in the net to double AFC Leopards lead in the first minute of added time to hand Ingwe a win and a clean sheet.

Kariobangi Sharks XI: Brian Bwire, Daniel Sakari, Boniface Onyango, Geoffrey Lemu, Samuel Olwande, Shaphan Oyugi, Douglas Mokaya, Peter Lwasa, Erick Juma, Erick Kapaito, James Mazembe.

Subs: Brandon Obiero, Tom Teka, Boniface Mwangemi, Alphonce Omija, Ronald Reagan, Peter Oudu, Julius Masaba, John Omondi.

AFC Leopards XI: Benjamin Ochan, Collins Shivachi, Robinson Kamura, Clyde Senaji, Lewis Bandi, Fabrice Mugheni, Said Tsuma, Marvin Nabwire, Austin Odhiambo, Bienvenue Shaka, Elvis Rupia.

Subs: Jeff Oyemba, Robert Mudenyu, Peter Thiong’o, Collins Olilo, Hansel Ochieng, Jaffery Owiti, Eugene Mukangula.

Simba SC coach Didier Gomes Da Rosa has insisted his players will have to adapt to his philosophy in order to stand a chance of helping the team meet its targets.

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.

The 51-year-old believes if his charges understand his philosophy well, they will perform well in the Caf Champions League.

"My philosophy is the passing game and it will not be a problem because Simba are good at that," Da Rosa told Goal.

"Then we must also press because if you want to contest or win, you have to put your opponents under high pressure. 

"It is important especially now that we are ready to start the group stage of the Caf Champions League. I believe we have the players who can help us do that. I am very demanding in this because we must be very solid if we want to go far [in the Champions League]."

Wekundu wa Msimbazi have won the Tanzania Mainland League for the last three seasons. The Frenchman has explained why it is important to win it again in the current campaign.

"We want to push to win the league because it is the most important competition," Da Rosa continued. 

"It will help us play in the Champions League, so it is good to prepare for that."

The tactician 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 against AS Vita, Al Ahly and El-Merreikh.

In the league, Simba are facing what promises to be a tight race against archrivals Yanga SC. Timu ya Wananchi are at the top of the table and are unbeaten with the league still in its mid-season break.

Simba have lost two matches but have three in hand and would want to beat their Kariakoo rivals in order to maintain the dominance they have built in the recent past.

Mesut Ozil has signed for Fenerbahce on a free transfer to close the book on his eight-year spell at Arsenal.

Goal reported last week that Ozil had been given permission to travel to Istanbul to undergo a medical with Fenerbahce.

The Gunners agreed to terminate the midfielder's £350,000-a-week contract at Emirates Stadium six months early, and he has now completed a move to the club he supported as a boy.

MLS outfit D.C. United had also been strongly linked with Ozil, but he ultimately decided that Fenerbahce was the right place to continue his career, with the Turkish giants confirming his arrival on Sunday.

Ozil could be in line to make his debut when Fenerbahce take in a trip Sivasspor in the Super Lig on Thursday, but should that fixture come too soon, he will likely feature in a home fixture against Kayserispor four days later instead.

The 32-year-old will be charged with helping Erol Bulut's side secure the club's first title since 2013-14, with only three points separating them and current league leaders Galatasaray.

He may well need some time to settle into his new surroundings and rediscover his best form, though, having spent the best part of 11 months on the sidelines in north London.

Mikel Arteta opted to omit Ozil from his plans following Arsenal's return to competitive action post-coronavirus lockdown last June, and he didn't make a single first-team appearance in the first half of their latest campaign.

The former Germany international publicly expressed his frustration after being left out of Arteta's Premier League and Europa League squads in October, writing on Twitter and Instagram: "As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays.

"I've always tried to remain positive from week to week that there's maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again. That's why I kept silent.

"Before the coronavirus break, I was really happy with the development under our new coach, Mikel Arteta - we've been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level.

"But then, things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say?"

On Monday, ahead of the transfer being confirmed, Ozil took to social media again, posting a picture on Twitter of him holding the hand of his younger self, both wearing Fenerbahce kits and with the caption "Past and Future".

Despite a frustrating end to his career with the Gunners, Ozil departs the Emirates with an uncertain legacy after playing a key role in their run to three FA Cup triumphs under Arsene Wenger.

The experienced playmaker immediately endeared himself to supporters by adding a creative spark to Arsenal's team following a £43 million ($58m) switch from Real Madrid in 2013, and went on to score 44 goals in 254 games for the club in total, while also providing 77 assists.

Even as Mumbai City FC have a five-point lead at the top of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) standings, improvement is all that head coach Sergio Lobera wants from his side.

After a narrow 1-0 win over East Bengal in their last outing, the Islanders have drawn level with Bengaluru FC's record unbeaten streak of 11 games in ISL that the Blues had attained under former coach Carles Cuadrat in the 2018-19 season. 

Their upcoming match against Chennaiyin FC offers Lobera's side a chance of breaking that record outright.

"We are happy with our position on the table and our results but it's always possible to improve. For example, the last game (against East Bengal), especially in the second half. It's very important for us not to think about the past and we need to know that the most important game for us is the next game," said Lobera.

Records apart, he stressed that the aim is to win the league winners shield and qualify for the AFC Champions League (ACL), something he was unable to savour at FC Goa last season as he parted ways with the club with just three games left despite being top of the league.

"We are top of the table but especially in this league, in this situation, everything can change in seven days. Sometimes you have three games in 10 days and nine points is a lot of points. Till now the situation is good, but we want the best situation at the end of the season.

"I don't need to explain the situation (exit from FC Goa) of last season. Hopefully it's possible to achieve this (ACL qualification), this season," Lobera stated.

Chennaiyin are a side that has previously given the Spanish coach tactical headaches when the two sides met last time out. The former Goa coach has ruled out any suggestions of complacency from his team.

"The way we won the last game, everyone in the dressing room was not happy because they knew that our second half was not good. I got very ambitious people in the team and I think it's very important for me as a coach to work with people like that. 

"You can watch the last game against Chennaiyin. The same situation happened. They are a very competitive team and it's not about individualities but collective work. In the last game, they had options to win the game. I think it will be a very competitive game," he advised caution.

The previous meeting with Chennaiyin was decided 2-1 in favour of the Mumbaikars courtesy of goals from setpieces. "Set-pieces are a very important part of the game to change the result and it's very important for us to work in set-pieces, not only against Chennaiyin but against every team," Lobera admitted, with Mumbai City scoring 11 of their 18 goals from set-pieces.

At the back as well, Mumbai have conceded the least number of goals (4) amongst all teams this season.

"When we score a lot of goals, it's about the entire team. We are working very well collectively and I think it's very important for us to keep this balance in attack and defense. I don't think our number in defense is because of only one or two players. In a lot of games, we recover the ball near the opponent's goal. Obviously, we have very good defenders but we are working very well as a team," the 44-year-old reasoned.

Mumbai have allowed Farukh Chaudhary to return to Jamshedpur and Lobera's former protege Jackichand Singh has made his way to Mumbai instead. The coach explained the idea behind the swap move.

"Farukh is a great player. I was very happy with Farukh here but the problem was he didn't have enough chances to play here. Maybe the situation was the (Farukh's) profile for our style of play. I can only speak good words about this player. I was very happy to work with him but we had to find the best solution for the player as he has a chance to play for the national team. I wish him the best.

"I know Jacki very well. He knows our style of play perfectly. So I think it's very easy for him to adapt to our style of play and help us in improving our level," Lobera elucidated.

Jackichand Singh echoed, "In every season I set a challenge for myself in terms of my performance in each game. Since joining the ISL, I have played the most at Goa under Lobera. So I hope to do well back at Mumbai where I have played before with [Hugo] Boumous, Mandar (Rao Dessai), [Mourtada] Fall and [Ahmed] Jahouh. I think it will be a good move for me."

The winger added, "Jamshedpur was also a good experience under a new coach (Owen Coyle). His philosophy was a bit different so I wasn't able to perform as well as I would have liked. I would like to thank the coach and Jamshedpur for giving me an opportunity at Jamshedpur."

Zambia midfielder Spencer Sautu has confessed he was confident they would still recover and get something from their African Nations Championship fixture against Guinea on Saturday.

The two teams clashed in their second match of Group D with Guinea taking the lead in the 58th minute through Victor Kantabaduno’s effort but the tie ended on an equal footing eventually after Sautu came off the bench to equalize in the 87th minute for a 1-1 draw.

The Chipolopolo midfielder has now said he was confident they will not lose in the fixture which was played in Limbe and was happy for his goal, though he was disappointed because they could not bag maximum points.

“No, I never felt like we would lose that game because football is played until the last whistle,” Sautu said as quoted by Zambia FA social media pages.

“So, for me, I kept on believing, no wonder when I came from the bench, I believed in myself until the last minute, and thank God the goal came.”

Sautu, who turns out for Zambian giants Power Dynamos, also said they have already shifted their focus to the clash against Namibia which will be staged on Wednesday.

“That game is not going to be easy because we know how Namibia plays,” Sautu continued. “They try to build on a quick game so for us, we will be ready for them because for us we cannot just give it away looking at where we are coming from.

“We needed a win today [Saturday], but we never got a win so obviously for the next game it will be like a cup final because if we don't win that game, it is doom for us so we make it to the next round.”

The Chipolopolo will face Namibia at Limbe Stadium while Tanzania's match against Guinea has been moved to Doula, and it is the matches that will decide the destiny of Group D.

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.

Tanzania Mainland Premier League champions Simba SC have 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.

"I'm very happy to be here and we have the opportunity to do more together in the future," Da Rosa said as he was unveiled on Sunday.

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 against AS Vita, Al Ahly and El-Merreikh.

The 51-year-old tactician arrives at the club with a full slate as apart from the continental duties – where Simba are hopeful of getting enough points to earn a quarter-final slot after immense business in the last transfer window – Da Rosa will be required to successfully oversee local competitions.

In the league – where they have emerged victors in the last three seasons - Simba are facing what promises to be a tight race against arch-rivals Yanga SC. Timu ya Wananchi are at the top of the table and are unbeaten with the league still in its mid-season break.

Simba have lost two matches but have three in hand and would want to beat their Kariakoo rivals in order to maintain the dominance they have built in the recent past.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are also the Azam Shield Cup champions and are expected to give a good fight to retain the title. Yanga and Azam are still in the competition and that promises to be yet another fierce race as the reigning champions mount a three-pronged title campaign.

The Frenchman will also be under pressure to restore Simba’s bruised ego in the Kariakoo Derby after they lost - in a penalty shoot-out – during the Mapinduzi Cup final against Yanga in Zanzibar.

In the first derby meeting of the season, Simba were lucky to find a late equaliser after they seemingly struggled to contain a determined Yanga on November 11. The second league derby promises to be yet another encounter with high stakes given that its result may end up determining the course of the title race.

Da Rosa is an experienced tactician especially on the African football scene, having taken charge of Rayon Sports, Coton Sport, CS Constantine, JSM Skikda, Ethiopian Coffee FC, Horoya AC, Ismaily SC, and El-Merrikh.

The coach is a 2013 Premier League winner with Rwandan giants Rayon Sports and also helped Coton Sport become champions in 2014 and 2015.

Personally, he has had a number of achievements as he was named the best coach in Cameroon in 2014 and won a third-best French coach in Africa in the Zarpa Awards of 2015.

Uganda midfielder Saidi Kyeyune believes his long-range shot against Togo in their 2-1 African Nations Championship Group C win is so far the best goal he has ever scored.

Paul Mbowa scored an own goal to give the Sparrowhawks a lead in the 48th minute, but three minutes later, the URA SC player unleashed an unstoppable shot from 40-yards out to make things even, before Richard Nane scored the winner for the Togolese.

Despite the Cranes' defeat, many fans were impressed with the goal scored in Cameroon.

"Definitely, it is the best [goal] in my career," Kyeyune said as quoted by Kawowo Sports.

"I have watched the video and it was a good goal. Personally, I know my ability as a player. I can shoot from long range, so when the opportunity came, I made the attempt to go for it."

The midfielder has further revealed what was on his mind when he received the ball from a teammate in that particular game.

"When I received the ball, something inside me told me to shoot," Kyeyune continued.

"It seemed very far and would have opted to pass to the next player but I decided to shoot."

After Friday's game, Uganda are at the bottom of Group C with one point. Reigning champions Morocco lead with four points, followed by Togo on three. Rwanda have so far collected two points.

The Cranes will play the Atlas Lions in their next outing and in an earlier interview, coach Johnathan McKinstry exuded confidence his charges can defy the odds and win the game to advance.

"If we can produce the display especially that we had in the second half [vs Togo], which had a little bit more quality, we can get the result against Morocco," McKinstry told Goal. 

"And if that happens we will be in the quarterfinal. So, people are disappointed now and everyone is after a loss, but we need to get our heads up. We know we have got the quality that is going to cause Morocco problems.”

The Cecafa champions have never progressed into the quarter-final of the tournament and McKinstry's ambition was to break the jinx.

Despite the loss, the former Rwanda coach is hopeful the target is still achievable.

"As a nation, our target is to go deep into the tournament. I think we have three players who were in the tournament two years ago and the current one is a completely new team," he concluded.

"Our target from the beginning of the tournament was to go deep and the target at this exact moment remains to go deep into the tournament."

Diego Simeone says Luis Suarez has performed exactly as he expected from his first phone call with him.

The Atletico Madrid striker is La Liga’s joint-second top scorer this season, tied with his former team-mate Lionel Messi on 11 goals. Only Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri has more, though both players have played more games than Suarez.

Barcelona’s loss has been Atletico’s gain since his acrimonious departure from Camp Nou, with Suarez’s goals spearheading their title charge.

Atletico go into Sunday’s game with Valencia four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, with Simeone’s side also holding two games in hand over their city rivals.

"The moment I spoke with Luis on the phone I found what he gives on the pitch: a lot of desire and energy," Simeone said during Saturday's pre-match press conference.

"The team helps him to be at his best, which is scoring, something that has marked him throughout his career."

Atletico will be confident of stretching their lead against Valencia on Sunday. Javi Gracia’s side are languishing in 14th and haven’t won any of their last 12 league games against Atletico – a run stretching back to 2014.

Despite Atletico’s good form, Simeone would like to see Portuguese prodigy Joao Felix rediscover his touch after a slight slump in his recent performances. The 21-year-old hasn’t scored since a flurry of four goals in two games at the beginning of November.

"You always seek to focus on a footballer," Simeone said. "They have good, average and extraordinary moments, and as coaches we try to take advantage of every players' moments.

"We need Joao. When he is at his best, he can unbalance [the opposition's defence] and give different solutions. We need him in that version. It's what we are looking for in training."

The stats are firmly in Atletico's favour going into Sunday's game.

The Rojiblancos have won their last seven home games in the league, keeping six clean sheets, while Simeone has never lost a league game at home to Valencia as manager.

They will, however, be without right-back Kieran Trippier after FIFA rejected their appeal against his 10-week ban for infringing betting rules.