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Georginio Wijnaldum admitted Liverpool weren't "sharp" or "greedy" enough during their surprise defeat to Burnley.

Liverpool's 68-game unbeaten league run at Anfield came to an end on Thursday night as the Clarets secured an unlikely 1-0 victory in dramatic fashion.

The hosts had 27 shots on goal over the course of the 90 minutes but only six of those efforts tested Nick Pope in the Burnley net, while the visitors always looked threatening on the break.

The game appeared to be heading towards a draw until Ashley Barnes was brought down by Liverpool keeper Alisson as he bore down on goal, with the referee ultimately deciding there was enough contact to warrant a penalty kick.

Barnes picked himself up to calmly slot home from 12 yards and send the Burnley bench into raptures, while Jurgen Klopp was left in disbelief in the home dugout.

Sean Dyche's side held on for a famous victory which saw them move seven points clear of the relegation zone, with the final result meaning Liverpool have now gone five games without a win.

The reigning Premier League champions haven't even managed to find the net in any of their last four league outings, and Wijnaldum concedes they have lost their ruthless streak in the final third.

"A really tough one. Before the game, we had good intentions to play against Burnley. We wanted to play good possession football," the Reds midfielder told Sky Sports post-match.

"We created enough to score a goal but unfortunately we couldn't. We were not sharp enough and they got the penalty.

"We had 100 per cent chances. Now in this situation we are in we are struggling to score. It is difficult to explain. People from outside will say we don't have confidence.

"I still think we do. You shoot against the keeper and a lot of chances we get we are not 100% greedy to score a goal. We have to keep on going.

"We have to not think about a tricky moment but perform. The next game is Manchester United and we have to try and win it."

Liverpool will be taking on United in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, before their focus shifts back to the top-flight and a crucial meeting with Tottenham on January 28.

Liverpool’s 68-game, almost four-year unbeaten league run at Anfield was shattered on Thursday as the Reds were shocked 1-0 at home by Burnley.

Jurgen Klopp’s side took a step backwards in the title race as, 24 hours after Manchester City and Manchester United had taken turns winning to top the Premier League, they were beaten at home by Sean Dyche’s side.

Ashley Barnes scored the only goal of the game with seven minutes to play, converting a penalty he won himself after colliding with goalkeeper Alisson.

It was Liverpool's first home Premier League defeat since April 23, 2017, when their former striker Christian Benteke got both goals in a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace. The two losses came 1369 days apart.

Liverpool's run was the second-longest unbeaten run at home in English top-flight history. Only Chelsea's run of 86 league games unbeaten at Stamford Bridge, which ran to October 2008, was longer.

The result leaves Liverpool six points behind leaders United at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season. City are four points ahead in second, but also have a game in hand.

Klopp raised eyebrows with his team selection at kick-off, with Sadio Mane the only member of his usual front three to start in attack. Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started, with captain Jordan Henderson missing through injury.

Since the start of last season, Liverpool have now played 12 games without Henderson in the league, losing four. They have lost only two of the 45 games in which he has played.

Origi had the best chance of the game for Liverpool. Put clean through on goal, he looked to pick out the top-right corner with a curling effort but saw his shot cannon back off the bar and away, with Mane free to his left for a simple finish.

Before Thursday's encounter, Liverpool had lost only one of their previous 17 home games against Burnley in the league. That run included 11 wins and five draws, with the Clarets' last league win at Anfield coming in September 1974.

Klopp will surely demand a response from his side with some huge fixtures coming up. Liverpool face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, before travelling to Tottenham in the league the following Thursday.

Games with West Ham and Brighton follow before a four-match run involving league games with Manchester City, Leicester and Merseyside rivals Everton, and the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie away to RB Leipzig.

East Bengal will be looking to climb the table as they take on Mumbai City who can equal Bengaluru's unbeaten streak record of 11 games with a win or draw of their own. The 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) encounter will be staged at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, on Friday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

East Bengal Possible XI:   

Injured - None  
Doubtful - Raju Gaikwad
Suspended - Ajay Chhetri

Key Players - Bright Enobakhare, Jacques Maghoma

Mumbai City Possible XI: 

Injured - None
Doubtful - None
Suspended - Hernan Santana

Key Players - Hugo Boumous, Adam le Fondre

Bayern Munich have confirmed their interest in Dayot Upamecano but with several top Premier League clubs also considering a move, there will be no quick decision on his future.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed on Thursday that the Bundesliga champions want to sign Upamecano – but any deal wouldn’t go ahead until the end of the season.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all shown interest in the 22-year-old defender, and Goal and Spox understand there is currently no clear front-runner in the race to sign him.

Upamecano is likely to leave RB Leipzig at the end of the season as he looks to take the next step in his career. He wants to play for a club which can challenge regularly for the Champions League and where he can establish himself as a leader in the team.

Upamecano’s release clause stands at €45 million (£40m/$55m). He signed a new contract to 2023 only last year but Leipzig would accept a departure to bring in much-needed funds as clubs feel the strain from the coronavirus pandemic.

"I have extended my contract with Leipzig," Upamecano said at the time. "I am targeted by several clubs, I speak with clubs, but I have time. We will see what happens in the future."

Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann, himself linked with a move to the Premier League with Chelsea, admitted at the start of the season that he didn’t know if Upamecano would stay beyond the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

"He will be here for the season. I'm sure about that," Nagelsmann told ESPN . "As for the future, I'm not sure as he is very talented.

"Lots of clubs will want to buy - next season it could be real that he leaves the club. But this season he will stay."

Upamecano is two games away from a century of Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig, and made his senior international debut for France last year. He is increasingly regarded as one of the world’s most talented young defenders .

Former Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker told Goal and DAZN : "If he continues like this, works on himself and remains consistent, he will generate more interest. He's definitely one of the most exciting central defenders the world has to offer right now. It's exciting to see where his path is going."

Olanrewaju Kayode featured while Mustapha Yatabare found the back of the net as Sivasspor played out a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in Thursday’s Super Lig game.

Kayode was handed his 13th league appearance of the season as a second-half substitute and gave a good account of himself in the encounter.

Yatabare, meanwhile, was afforded his 14th start of the campaign and utilized the opportunity to register his third goal.

The Mali international opened the scoring in the 18th minute after receiving a fine assist from Ivory Coast international Max-Alain Gradel.

Enner Valencia then levelled proceedings for Fenerbahce, converting from the penalty spot moments before the half-time break.

Despite efforts from both sides to try and score the match-winning goal, the game ended with a share of points at Yeni 4 Eylul Stadi.

Kayode played for 21 minutes after he was brought on for Erdogan Yesilyurt but could not add to his five goals this season.

The Nigeria international teamed up with the Sivas Stadium outfit last summer from Russian Premier League side Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 27-year-old centre-forward has now made 27 appearances across all competitions this season for Rıza Calımbay’s men.

Yatabare was on parade for the entirety of the game along with Gradel, Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa and Gabon defender Aaron Appindangoye.

For Fenerbahce, Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta was an unused substitute in the encounter while Senegal’s Mame Baba Thiam played for 65 minutes.

With the result, Sivasspor are 12th on the Super Lig table after gathering 24 points from 19 games while Fenerbahce are second with 39 points from the same number of matches.

Kayode and Yatabare will be expected to help Sivasspor return to winning ways when they slug it out against Kasımpasa on January 25.

Samatta, meanwhile, will hope to get some minutes under his belt when Fenerbahce square off against Kayserispor.

The forward has featured 14 times and scored four goals since joining the Yellow Canaries in the summer on loan from Aston Villa.

Ghana midfielder Alfred Duncan reveals his limited game time at Italian side Fiorentina contributed to his move to Cagliari 

The former Inter Milan player signed a half-season deal with The Islanders on Sunday, making his debut just a day later in a 2-0 loss to AC Milan.

The transfer includes an option of a permanent move at the end of the season.

"Cagliari? They made me feel important again. I'm here to offer my contribution to the team, to give my all to honour this jersey. I have come to the right place," Duncan told his new club's official website.

“In addition to the coach, whom I already knew from Sassuolo, my decision was influenced by other components: the president, the sports director, and my teammates also strongly wanted me. All this gave me an extra boost: they made me feel important, it was what I needed.

“In recent months I have not played much and I have suffered a bit: now I want to redeem, to start having fun doing what I like best.

"Working with Mr Di Francesco, a coach who knows my strengths and weaknesses will help me improve as it has already happened with him in the past: I will try to learn even from the most experienced teammates. I'm in the right place."

Duncan made only four league appearances for Fiorentina during the first half of the season.

He joined the club from Sassuolo in January last year, initially on a loan deal which was ultimately made permanent.

“I am a footballer who makes dynamism one of his main characteristics: I have running, body, technical and tactical skills," Duncan added.

"I consider myself someone who learns quickly and I still have a great desire to improve myself. I am a team man: I want to give my best to help my teammates.

"For me, the greatest satisfaction is when the team achieves results. I'm here to defend this club, this shirt: I will do my best to honour it and bring Cagliari as high as possible."

Duncan, who has played all his career in Italy, has also previously featured for Sampdoria and Livorno.

The 27-year-old will hope to play his way back into Ghana's national team, having been snubbed in the last two call-ups by Black Stars coach CK Akonnor. 

U.S. national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski has confirmed that Alex Morgan has recovered from Covid-19 and is back on the training field.

Two weeks ago, Morgan announced that she and her family had tested positive for Covid-19 over the holidays. Following the diagnosis, Morgan was left off the roster for the USWNT's January camp and two friendlies against Colombia.

"We’re very happy to hear that Alex is doing great and everything in terms of Covid is behind her," Andonovski said on Thursday. "She’s been training well. She passed all the medical tests and screenings that she’s supposed to in order to get back on the field and start training."

Morgan recently returned to the U.S. after a short stint in England with Tottenham. After battling injuries to start her time in north London, Morgan scored two goals in four Women's Super League appearances for Spurs. 

She will now return to the Orlando Pride ahead of preseason and appears likely to be called in next month when the USWNT hosts Brazil, Japan and Canada for the SheBelieves Cup.

The USWNT defeated Colombia 4-0 on Monday night on the strength of a hat-trick from Sam Mewis and another goal from her sister Kristie.

The two teams will face off again at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Friday night and Andonovski has said there will likely be some major changes to his lineup. 

"We'll have 18 players on the gameday roster and rotation will be significant," he said. "We're going to see players that didn't play or didn't start and that's what these games are all about.

"We want to see what players can do under pressure, we want to see how certain players are connecting with different players. We want to see how different sub groups are doing.

"We will use hopefully all six subs."

Andonovski also confirmed that Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh will both miss out against Colombia on Friday. Smith was injured in warm-ups on Monday night, while Pugh was injured on the third day of camp and has been working on rehabbing her injury since then.

Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Happy Mashiane says his current form is down to hard work and the support from the club's technical team which is led by coach Gavin Hunt.

The 23-year-old player has been in top form lately having netted twice and provided one assist in his last two PSL matches which Amakhosi won against Cape Town City and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). 

Mashiane also spoke about what Chiefs' plan is having had a slow start to the current campaign and he also discussed their upcoming encounter with Stellenbosch FC which will be played at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.

What's been said

“These recent wins are a great motivation for us. Knowing very well that we did not start the season on a high, things were not going our way in terms of getting the right results," Mashiane told the club's media. 

“I have to thank the technical team for pushing me. I am not saying things are rosy now for me or the team, but credit should be given to them for pushing me in terms of me being back and playing.

“Knowing very well that we are playing Stellenbosch on Saturday, it will not be an easy game. They are a playing team. They will be motivated to do well after their last result and so will we – which will make for a good game," he continued. 

“We are playing away from home and we have to go there and grind out the result. We have to come back with maximum points. They have good speedy players, and we are aware of that. Whatever they bring at us, we will be ready.

“We as a team we have rectified some of our mistakes and minimised certain errors. I think going forward, we do not want to find ourselves in the situation again," he added. 

"It is crucial that we must keep calm and keep our feet on the ground. We really need to work hard at reclaiming the glory and staying in the top half of the table.”

Why does it matter & what's the bigger picture?

Further reading

Krepin Diatta has joined Monaco on a five-and-a-half-year contract from Belgian First Division A side Club Brugge.

The deal brings an end to Diatta's three-year stay in Brugge as he gets set for a new adventure at Stade Louis II.

The 21-year-old started his European career at Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08 before he earned a move to Club Brugge in January 2018, where he scored 18 goals in 72 Belgian First Division A matches.

During his stay in Belgium, the 21-year-old won two First Division A titles, the Super Cup and he also made his debut in the Uefa Champions League.

Diatta's arrival will be expected to boost Niko Kovac’s squad as they currently sit fourth in the Ligue 1 standings with six points behind leaders Lille.

In his reaction, the Senegal international disclosed his readiness to repay the confidence the Monegasques have in him.

“I am very happy to get involved with AS Monaco and to have the opportunity to progress in a recognized and ambitious club in the French championship whose history everyone knows,” Diatta told the club website.

“I look forward to discovering this new environment and working hard with my new teammates to give the club back the confidence it has placed in me.”

On the international scene, Diatta has established himself as a regular fixture in Senegal national team since he made his debut in a 2-0 win over Madagascar in March 2019.

He has made 10 appearances for the Teranga Lions and was part of Aliou Cisse's team that finished second at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Thanks to his impressive performances in Egypt, Diatta – after scoring a goal in seven appearances – was decorated as the Young Player of the Tournament.

Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell, meanwhile, raved about how the 21-year-old will boost Kovac’s team with his qualities.

Mitchell said; “Like his qualities of percussion, dynamism, his skills in finishing but also his versatility and his international experience despite his young age, Kréein brings together many assets that will fit into the modern style of play advocated by Niko.

“The arrival of Krépin is part of the club's desire to further raise the quality level of the group for this season and to continue to build on the long term.”

Leroy Sane says Pep Guardiola spent so much time trying to improve him as a player, he ended up with ‘a little man in my ear’ telling him what to do on the pitch.

Media reports during his time at Manchester City often suggested Sane did not see eye-to-eye with Guardiola, but he insists the pair got on well.

Sane scored 39 goals in 135 games during his time at City, developing into one of the most dangerous wide players in the Premier League.

“Pep and I had a good relationship,” Sane told Der Spiegel.

The winger actually used to live in the same building as Guardiola in Manchester, along with David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, but he didn’t feel any extra pressure on his personal life as a result.

"I saw Pep's family in the building more often than Pep himself," Sane said. "He wasn't standing at the window waiting for us to come home in the evening to check on us! I thought it was great to live so close to my colleagues. It was a good neighbourhood.

"He raised me to a completely new level. Mainly by working on little things: with which foot do I take the ball in which situation and how? What is the best action to open the space?

“Other coaches tell you that too, but he really did it every day until I did at some point have a little man in my ear with his voice that told me what to do when and how.”

When asked what exactly is special about Guardiola, Sane replied: “That he doesn't stop when he sees that you've improved.

“He'll find something new to work on with you tirelessly. If I hadn't moved to Manchester, I probably wouldn't have reached that level."

Sane got his long-awaited move back to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich over the summer, but things haven’t gone quite as he would have hoped so far.

He started with a goal and two assists in an 8-0 thrashing of Schalke on the opening day of the season, but his form has been up and down since then.

Recently, he was taken off just 36 minutes after being brought on as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

"When I saw my number on the substitution board, I knew there would be discussions about me,” Sane admitted. “When someone like Thomas Muller stands up for you so strongly in front of the TV cameras, this shows you that the team accepts you.

"I know that the club is behind me, otherwise they wouldn't have brought me. But I'm working very hard to get there."

Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Gaston Sirino has spoken for the first time since his proposed transfer to Al Ahly failed to materialize. 

Sirino made his desire to join his former coach Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly known and the Egyptian champions opened talks with Sundowns over the services of the Uruguyan player.

The transfer saga went on for several months with Sirino reportedly agitating for a move to the North African club and he missed some of Masandawana's training sessions too.

Sundowns released a statement last month making it clear Sirino will be staying put at the club after the PSL champions failed to reach an agreement with Al Ahly regarding a transfer fee.

Sirino seems to have accepted his fate at the Tshwane giants having returned to action against Baroka FC earlier this month and it was his first PSL appearance of the season. 

“I feel happy to be back in the side after being away for a long time," Sirino told the club's official website. 

"It’s a great feeling to come back and help the team with an assist or a goal whenever I can and I just want to go out and work hard for the side.”

The 29-year-old has been able to help Masandawana maintain their unbeaten start to the current season in the league. 

Sirino, who has played three league games and provided one assist, is keen to win more silverware with the Tshwane giants having helped the club clinch the domestic treble last season. 

“This season we just want to make sure we keep the standard from last season and bring more accolades to the club, we want to dominate the league and go further in the Caf Champions League," he continued.

"It is a cup where we come up against very good teams and we do have the players that can go out there and win."

The Montevideo-born player, who is contracted to Sundowns until June 2025, has won three successive PSL titles with Sundowns since he joined the club from Bolivian side Club Bolivar in January 2018.

He has also lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup with Masandawana.

Guinea international Yakhouba Gnagna has expressed his desire to emerge as the top goalscorer of the 2021 African Nations Championship currently taking place in Cameroon.

The 23-year-old found the net on two occasions with Morlaye Sylla sealing the triumph as the Syli National breezed past Namibia 3-0 in their opening Group D game played at Limbe Omnisports Stadium on Tuesday evening.

As it stands, he is the competition’s joint-highest goalscorer with two goals alongside Cameroon’s Salomon Banga. However, he is keen on winning the individual accolade when the 2021 Chan draws to a close on February 7, 2021.

“I am happy to score two goals in our opening match against Namibia. But my target is to keep working hard so that I become the tournament top scorer,” the Horoya AC goal machine told the Caf website.

Thanks to their result against the Brave Warriors, Guinea lead their group that also parades Zambia and Tanzania.

Notwithstanding their good start, Gnagna made it clear that it is still very early to rate them amongst the tournament’s favourites.

“As a team, we must treat every match like a final because this will help us reach our goal,” he continued.

“I am also glad that we have very passionate fans that came to the stadium on Tuesday and cheered for us.”

Guinea will earn a place in the quarter-final should they defeat the Chipolopolo in their next outing on January 23. Zambia made a winning start to the competition, defeating the Taifa Stars 2-0 courtesy of second-half strikes from Collins Sikombe and Emmanuel Chabula.

The West African country is making their third appearance in the biennial African football showdown. Their best result remains a fourth-place finish at the 2016 edition staged in Rwanda – losing the third-place match 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali.

Prior to Cameroon 2021, they have only won two, lost on four occasions and settled for a draw thrice in their nine Chan outings.

Their victories were against Nigeria 1-0 on January 26, 2016 and against Mauritania (1-0) on January 21 2018, each time in the group phase.

Bernard Mensah scored a brace and Vincent Aboubakar grabbed a goal as Besiktas hammered Fatih Karagumruk 4-1 in a Turkish Super Lig match on Thursday.

The away win stretched the Black Eagles' unbeaten run to eight league matches and it extended their lead at the summit of the league table, three points clear of second-placed Fenerbahce.

Aboubakar broke the deadlock at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium a minute before half-time with his 10th league goal of the season after benefitting from Georges N'Koudou's assist.

The Cameroon forward is the second African top scorer in the Turkish top-flight after Gabon's Aaron Boupendza who leads the Super Lig scorers' chart with 13 goals for Hatayspor.

After the restart, Mensah doubled the lead for Besiktas in the 50th minute and he sealed their big win with his second effort in the 70th minute, four minutes after Cyle Larin grabbed their third goal.

The Ghana midfielder, currently on a season-long loan from Kayserispor, is enjoying a fine spell in Istanbul with four goals in 17 league appearances so far in this campaign.

He was later replaced in the 71st minute while Aboubakar played the duration and Algeria's Rachid Ghezzal watched on as an unused substitute.

Fatih Karagumruk, on the other hand, had two Senegal stars Papa N'Diaye and Alassane Ndao on parade.

Next up for Aboubakar and Mensah's Besiktas is a league match against Goztepe at the Vodafone Park on Sunday while Fatih Karagumruk travel to Denizlispor for their fixture on the same day.

Bruno Fernandes "dented Paul Pogba's ego", according to Paul Parker, who says the Manchester United midfielder has raised his game after "playing in the shadow" of the €55 million (£49m/$67m) star last year.

Fernandes quickly established himself as a talismanic figure at Old Trafford after completing a big-money move to United from Sporting CP in January 2019.

The Portuguese inspired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to a third-place Premier League finish last term, recording eight goals and seven assists in his first 14 outings for the club.

He has built on that platform to spearhead the Red Devils' title tilt this season, emerging as one of the most influential players in the division and a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award in the process.

However, Fernandes' output in the final third has dipped in recent matches, with Pogba stepping up to make the difference instead during crucial victories over Burnley and Fulham.

The Frenchman, who has largely flattered to deceive since returning to Manchester from Juventus for £89m ($122m) back in 2016, scored spectacular winning goals in both of those fixtures and seems to have rediscovered his best form after overcoming a bout of coronavirus and a number of niggling fitness issues.

Parker believes Pogba's improved performances have stemmed from a stubborn refusal to be overshadowed by Fernandes, and he has called on the World Cup winner to maintain his current level as United bid to win their first domestic crown since 2013.

"In 2020 he was been playing in the shadow of Fernandes and that will have dented his ego," The former Red Devils defender told Eurosport.

"Pogba was signed for a big fee; his marketability and profile - as well as his playing ability - suited Manchester United.

"But the best profile you can ever have is to be an excellent footballer, and while Fernandes came in with a much lower profile, his status has outgrown Pogba’s and for the right reasons: he’s at the top of the tree for being brilliant.

"And you can’t beat competition. In any industry, if competition comes along and you just sulk about it, then you’re not going to survive. You have to improve to get respect.

"Fernandes quickly became the key man when he arrived and it became Manchester United and Fernandes, not Pogba. It was Pogba before for the wrong reasons, now it’s Fernandes for goals and assists.

"United need that from Pogba now to challenge for the title, for him to not drop below a 7/10 in any game."

United will put their title aspirations on the backburner this weekend as they come up against Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Parker wants to see Solskjaer send a statement of intent by going all out for the victory at Old Trafford.

"No one has won the league title yet, it’s only January," he added.

"United have an opportunity in the FA Cup against Liverpool, who are still beset by a few injuries. If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks he has a strong squad then use it.

"It is better to not have three holding players on the pitch, instead go and put players out there who are going to try to win a game of football.

"United are on a great run, and are in a good place, but they can improve that by beating Liverpool. The Red Devils can win it. The players will want it.

"Even under lockdown, you don’t want to be a United player around Manchester, having lost to Liverpool."

Uganda head coach Johnathan McKinstry has stated they are looking at solutions against Togo in their second African Nations Championship game.

The Cranes – who drew 0-0 against Rwanda in Group C’s opener – need a win against Togo if they are to keep their hopes alive of a place in the next phase.

Togo were defeated by Morocco in their respective encounter and that makes the Friday clash even more important in terms of survival for both sides.

“We know both teams provide different challenges and we must get solutions,” Mckinstry told Fufa website. “We know Togo will come into the game looking to improve as well but we feel that we have solutions for the game against Togo.

“Togo play differently from Rwanda. The boys look confident ahead of the match with Togo but we shall make small adjustments going into this game.

“Togo will present a different challenge from Rwanda but we don’t want to give them their rhythm in the game. If we do that, we shall be punished.

“The session on Thursday night will give us a true picture of what we want to do on Friday.

The Northern Ireland tactician confirmed they will miss Milton Karisa but defender Halid Lwaliwa is set to be available.

“It is unfortunate that Karisa had to come out early in that game where we had a bright start against Rwanda,” he added. “He had a good run during the Mini Tournament in Doula. The medical team has done a wonderful job and will monitor the situation in the next few days.

“As we welcome back our captain Lwaliwa, it is unfortunate that Karisa will not be available for selection on Friday. The medical team will keep assessing his fitness levels and report back.

“We shall miss him but it is an opportunity for others to step in and show what they can do.

“In the current situation where it is for the rest of the teams in the tournament playing after every three days, we have got to find the balance between the technical and tactical part that you want to do on the field.”

The Sparrowhawks and the Cranes will pay at 22:00 after Morocco and Rwanda have clashed.

Mathare United coach Salim Ali has stated he has not joined Gor Mahia as an assistant coach yet because they have not finalized their agreement. 

Goal exclusively revealed the youthful tactician was on his way to the reigning FKF Premier League champions. The position fell vacant after former assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo left to serve Kakamega Homeboyz in the same capacity. 

As a result, K'Ogalo had no alternative but to look for his replacement to deputise Portuguese Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto. The former Ulinzi Stars coach was picked but nothing has been concluded.

"I just could not start before agreeing on everything and putting it on paper," Ali told Goal on Thursday.

"It is important to ensure an agreement is reached before you start working. So before that is done, I cannot start working. Being a professional, everything has to be done professionally."

Goal tried to contact Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier for an official comment but calls went unanswered.

Mathare recorded their first FKF Premier League win on Monday when they defeated Zoo FC 2-0 at Kasarani. Prior to the game, the 2008 champions had fallen 4-2 and 3-1 to Sofapaka and Gor Mahia respectively.

Against the Herman Iswekha-led charges, the Slum Boys scored their goals through Daniel Otieno and John Mwangi. 

The hosts needed seven minutes to open the scoring when Mwangi managed to pick out Otieno in a good area and the latter took a low shot that Vincent Misikhu failed to keep out.

Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage. Mwangi, who assisted the first goal, was let into the danger zone.

He unleashed a fierce shot which the goalkeeper parried straight to him, and the winger made no mistake with the second attempt from close range.

In the 20th minute, the Herman Iswekha-led team created a good opportunity: Kepha Ondati created space and had a good hit ball from about 30 yards, but Job Ochieng did a good job to stop it from finding the back of the net. 

Mathare resorted to cautious play after the break, ensuring Zoo do not get much of the ball.

Young Africans assistant coach Juma Mwambusi has left the Mainland Premier League record champions, Goal understands.

Mwambusi tendered his resignation letter while the team was in Zanzibar for the Mapinuzi Cup competition citing health issues. According to a source, Mwambusi’s letter was received and accepted by Yanga SC’s chairman Mshindo Msolla.

“Mwambusi resigned while we were in Zanzibar and one of the reasons he cited that informed his resignation was health matters,” a source at the club told Goal.

“He stated that the doctor advised him to avoid an assignment that would force him to use a loud voice and even at the Mapinduzi Cup he spoke with a low voice.

“His request to leave was granted and you even know players at times get injured and they return and surely we believe even Mwambusi will return someday.”

Reports have linked Yanga with a move to approach and probably appoint African Lyon FC’s coach Nizar Khalfan in place of Mwambusi.

The Tanzanian arrived at Yanga before the 2019/20 season before the appointment of Luc Eymael who later left the club unceremoniously in July 2020.

Mwambusi acted as Yanga’s head coach when Zlatko Krmpotic left the club. The duo had worked for just 38 days before he was asked to oversee the team as the management looked for another head coach.

He leaves Timu ya Wananchi who are unbeaten after 18 games in the Premier League. Mwambusi was part of the technical bench that delivered the Mapinduzi Cup after beating archrivals Simba SC in the penalty shoot-out.

Eyes are now on head coach Cedric Kaze to see who the Burundian will pick as his preferred assistant before the second leg starts.

The Tanzania Premier League Board has already confirmed the second round will start on February 13. The competition had been paused in order to give time to the players selected for the ongoing African Nations Championship.

Simba and Namungo FC are expected to play catch-up games from February 4 in order to be on the same page with the rest of the teams from February 13. The clubs had to miss domestic games due to their participation in the Caf Champions League and in the Confederation Cup.