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Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the Mesut Ozil situation at Arsenal is sorted soon - but the playmaker will not be allowed to depart unless the deal is beneficial to both player and club.

Ozil has not played in recent months after being left out of Arsenal's squad for the Premier League and other competitions, and it is widely expected that he will leave the club in the current transfer window.

The Germany international has been linked with several clubs, including Fenerbahce and D.C. United, although Arteta says that while he would welcome a conclusion to such a long-running saga, he will not sanction any deal that does not benefit Arsenal.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup third-round clash with Newcastle United on Saturday evening, Arteta said of Ozil: "If something is sorted this month it is because it is good for both parties - for Mesut and his future and good for the club.

"If that is the case we will move forward, if it is not the case then he will continue here."

On whether it would be better to get the deal done quickly and move on, Arteta said: "Yes, the decision has to be made when you have to register and not register players, play them or not play them all the time.

"We know we have a really important player that is one of the key players in the past few seasons for this football club.

"We had to make a decision, I made it, I knew the consequences of it and now are going to have to make another one in January and we will put in the balance what is good for the club, the best thing for the team and what the intension of the player are and try and find the right solutions."

In January it is possible for Premier League teams to update their 25-man squads for domestic and European competitions, meaning Ozil could well play for Arsenal again.

Arteta avoided the topic, however, simply responding when asked if Ozil could be involved on Saturday and whether he might remain at Arsenal beyond this month: "We will decide what is happening in the next few days."

The Spaniard did, however, confirm that Ozil is training with the first team, having been given a few days off for personal reasons.

Donny van de Beek needs to consider leaving Manchester United says Ronald de Boer, with the former Netherlands midfielder warning the 23-year-old midfielder that he is in danger of missing out on the European Championships.

The major international tournament, which was postponed in the summer of 2020, will be staged this year. Van de Beek will be hoping to figure prominently for his country, but he is struggling to achieve similar recognition at club level.

A move from Ajax to Old Trafford was supposed to act a springboard for him to take his game to greater heights, with the talented playmaker having shown in his homeland what he is capable of.

Fierce competition for places in England is leaving him frustrated on the sidelines, with just 20 appearances and only two of those being Premier League starts.

De Boer says Van de Beek could be overlooked by his brother Frank, who is Netherlands manager, unless he plays more minutes, with the January window presenting an out-of-favour performer with the opportunity to request a loan switch or permanent move elsewhere.

“Euro 2020 is coming, he will undoubtedly want to be there. Maybe it would be good for him to discuss with the club exactly what they want with him,” De Boer told AD. “If the view on playing time does not improve, he may have to declare that he should be loaned or even sold.

“You have to be lucky every now and then. Of course it doesn't look great now, but with a great performance it can suddenly change completely.

“We also don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Perhaps they have made certain agreements with his transfer, they will get him ready for next year this season. That always remains a bit of a guess.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sought to assure Van de Beek that opportunities will come his way if he remains patient. It may be that he gets a chance to impress in FA Cup action against Watford on Saturday.

Netherlands have been drawn in Group C of Euro 2020, alongside Austria, Ukraine and debutants North Macedonia.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side Mathare United have undergone mandatory coronavirus tests ahead of their game against Sofapaka on January 9.

The Sofapaka encounter will be the first one for the Slum Boys since they were reinstated by the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Mathare United alongside Zoo FC had been expelled by the FKF over the objection they had against the StarTimes broadcasting deal.

But since the tribunal ruled that the two clubs be reinstated, they have been training in anticipation of their league starts.

“In line with the regulations that have been set by the Ministry of Sports as well as Football Kenya Federation and in regards to the resumption of competitive sports in the country, the team on Thursday underwent Covid-19 testing,” Mathare United announced on their social media pages.

The first game for the 2008 league champions will be held in Wundanyi on Saturday. Four days after the clash against the Batoto ba Mungu, Mathare United will play Zoo FC before hosting Bandari on January 22

The Slum Boys will then travel to Nakuru and face Ulinzi Stars on January 27 before concluding the month’s duties with a game against Tusker on January 31.

 Although FKF president Nick Mwendwa did not object to the reinstatement of both Mathare United and Zoo, he was categorical the clubs will not enjoy the money from the StarTimes sponsorship.

“We said we will do it, to have the teams back in the league because we don’t have issues with them [the teams] and we also respect the courts,” Mwendwa told Goal in an interview. “However, it is not going to be possible to give them grants from the sponsors, they have refused to recognise the sponsors so how can we give them grants?

“If you don’t sign TV rights then you cannot receive any money, including the one from the main sponsors BetKing.”

Apart from the Mathare United vs Sofapaka game, league leaders KCB will be in action against Bidco United, AFC Leopards will host Wazito FC while Zoo will be at Afraha Stadium against Bandari.

On Sunday, there will be three matches - Nzoia Sugar against Western Stima, Kariobangi Sharks vs Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz vs Tusker.

Frank Lampard has been warned that he is going to have to “learn quickly” in order to avoid the axe at Chelsea, with Steve Sidwell seeing the Blues heading down a “rocky road”.

Big investment at Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2020 was supposed to push the ambitious outfit back into contention for the Premier League title. Inconsistency has remained an issue, however, with a collection of high-profile additions delivering a mixed bag of results in west London.

Lampard is now seeing questions asked of his future, despite his status as a club legend at Chelsea. An untimely wobble that has delivered just four points from six top-flight outings has left the Blues playing catch-up and Roman Abramovich weighing up his options.

The expectation is that Lampard will be given time to get things right, as an inexperienced coach overseeing a long-term rebuilding project, but Sidwell says he needs players to step up.

“Before a ball was even kicked, a lot of money was spent in the summer getting players in,” the former Blues midfielder told talkSPORT. “He did ever so well getting top four last year, and top four will be a definite minimum requirement this season, but this season is a very odd and inconsistent one.

“Look at Southampton vs Liverpool, Man City have had a slump in form, and so have other clubs.

“This is a rocky road at the moment for Frank, but he’s got a group of players who we’ve seen the levels they can produce and they need to get back to it.

“He’s learning on the job as a manager, so experience-wise he hasn’t got what a Klopp, a Guardiola, or even a Ralph Hassenhuttl has got. He’s got to learn quickly, but saying that he’s got a group of players that can do it. They just need to compete as that’s what’s been missing in the recent games.”

Sidwell has seen first-hand how quickly fortunes can change for managers at Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho ushered through the exits in September 2007 despite delivering long-awaited title glory.

“I go back to when I was at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho left and Avram Grant took over,” added Sidwell. “I remember when the players called a meeting. JT [John Terry] called all the players in and said, ‘look, I’ve been with Roman and he’s said that Avram would be taking charge’.

“The lads were pretty shocked as Avram was there as a kind of technical director and go-between between Jose and Abramovich.

“I remember John Terry and the lads saying, ‘right, we need to drive this ourselves as Avram hasn’t got the experience of the top echelons of football in terms of the Premier League. We have, and we’ll drive this’.

“I’m not saying they went against his wishes or anything. He still led the football club and the football team, but the players really drove that dressing room.”

Hyderabad coach Manolo Marquez has revealed his admiration for the style of football NorthEast United have adopted this season ahead of facing them in an Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Friday.

The Nizams started 2021 with a 4-1 win over Chennaiyin, while NorthEast United recently suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of ATK Mohun Bagan.

"The other day we won 4-1 after three consecutive defeats. Now, after we won 4-1, they say we scored four goals and Aridane (Santana) didn't score. Now NorthEast, they started with two wins and four draws but they didn't win the last five games but it's the same answer (for them). I think NorthEast can win this game and so can we.

"NorthEast are not in their best form in terms of their results but they have had good games against good opponents. They have good players and a good coach (Gerard Nus). They are with a very good organisation. I like the style of NorthEast. They are fast on the wings," the Hyderabad coach conceded.

Marquez also revealed that he expects his entire squad to be fit for selection only for their match against Mumbai City on Janaury 16. 

"Aridane is our top scorer but when you build a team, you want the wingers to score goals, centre backs from setpieces to score goals. I was told that Hali (Halicharan Narzary) doesn't normally score many goals but now with two goals against Chennaiyin, he now has three goals in the season. Sometimes you don't know what will happen but of course it's good news for our team that not only Aridane is scoring goals. 

"I am very happy with the performance of our players. I don't know if we play better than the other teams. The style of our team is the style of our players. With these kind of players it's very difficult to play with long balls. Of course, this part of the game we know that we have to manage. It's nice to see the style of these players but sometimes the most important thing is to win. The way we are getting our victories is very good," he stated.

Marquez had earlier claimed that Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan are a notch above the rest of the participants. However, he now has changed his opinion and believes that just about any team in the league can make it into the top four given that this is a pandemic-affected season.

"Even [bottom placed] Odisha, East Bengal and Kerala (Blasters) - all the teams are very equal and it's impossible to say who will be in the top four because it's not a normal season. For example, after this game we have about seven days rest but five games in 15 (16) days after that. This is not an excuse but only to explain why it is impossible to say who will be in the top four," he reckoned.

Mikel Arteta says he is unsure whether Folarin Balogun’s agent wants the young striker to remain with Arsenal.

Talks have been ongoing for months between the north London club and Balogun’s representatives over a new contract, with the 19-year-old’s current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

But the discussions have yet to find an agreement, raising the possibility of Arsenal losing the forward in the summer, with the likes of Liverpool, Sheffield United and Brentford all said to be interested.

Arteta remains hopeful a deal can still be done, but admits he is unsure exactly what Balogun’s agent is thinking.

“You need three parties to make a deal,” said the Arsenal boss. “For sure, the club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, the player wants to stay and I’m not sure about the agent.”

When asked if he thought Balogun’s agent was stopping the talks progressing, Arteta added: “I’m not saying he’s stopping, it’s that we need to find an agreement with him.

“We are negotiating with an agent, with a player that wants to stay at the club and we need to find an agreement.

“I’m telling you that we are doing everything we can to keep him here and hopefully from the other part they are doing the same and in the same interest, which is the player’s interest, which is to stay at the football club and be successful with us.”

Balogun, who is represented by Elite Project Group, has scored twice in five senior appearances for Arsenal and is expected to be involved on Saturday when the Gunners begin the defence of the FA Cup with a third-round clash against Newcastle.

“He is fit and available,” Arteta said. “His progression and the use of the time he’s had with us has been incredibly good and he will keep having chances while he is with us.”

Meanwhile, Arteta says he has reminded all his players about their responsibilities amid the rise of positive coronavirus cases in the Premier League.

The last two rounds of testing have generated 40 positive tests and several high-profile players were caught over the Christmas period breaking the strict Covid protocols that have been put in place.

“We have to be very aware of that and we have to be very strict,” said Arteta. “Players, like any public person, have to be more aware than anybody else.

“There are a lot of people that don’t respect rules. They are out there, they don’t get noticed, they can get away with that.

“We are luckier than anybody else because we are still being around the players, we can still do our job and continue with our professions and we have to bear in mind that everything we do has other consequences and [how] other people act doesn’t.

“At the moment we cannot let anybody down. You know people are sacrificing their lives to help the society in this moment and what we have to do is contribute, contribute, contribute and don’t give anymore issues - neither to the public, neither to the government, to make a decision that we don’t want.”

Arteta added: “The doctor is very aware and all the time trying to push. We are getting educated now with new rules, new protocols. Around the place we have a lot of people and sometimes you can make a mistake. But there are certain things we cannot allow to happen as well.”

Uganda head coach Johnathan McKinstry has picked his final 25-man squad for the African Nations Championship tournament in Cameroon.

McKinstry has maintained Vipers SC’s Halid Lwaliwa as the captain for the competition. The defender has worn the armband in the ongoing pre-Chan competition and is destined to keep it even when Chan starts on January 16.

Wakiso Giants’ captain Hassan Ssenyonjo, Steven Mukwala – the 2019/20 top scorer - BUL FC’s Joseph Semujju and URA defender Ashraf Mandela are the players who have been dropped by the North Irish coach.

Meanwhile, McKinstry has said the Niger pre-Chan game on Thursday will give them an indication of what kind of a game they would face from Togo.

Uganda have been in camp in Cameroon since December 29 as they prepare for Chan. Apart from Togo, the Cranes are in Group C alongside Morocco and Rwanda.

“Niger play physical, fast and direct football,” McKinstry told Fufa website. “The biggest aspect of the game against Niger will be for the players to understand what kind of football they will face against Togo.

“A lot of the young boys in the squad have not come across this kind of football. Not many of them have experience and Thursday will be preparation for Togo. It is time to get their feet in the water so that they can understand and hopefully we can put up another top performance like in the previous two games.”

Uganda will face Niger at the Annex 1 Omnsiprorts in Yaounde before they start on a journey to Douala on Friday.

Final Uganda squad:

Goalkeepers: Lukwago Charles (KCCA FC, 1), Mutakubwa Joel (Kyetume FC), Alionzi Legason Nafian (URA FC), Ikara Tom (Police C)

Defenders: Hassan Muhamud (Police FC), Kayondo Abdu Aziizi (Vipers SC), Mujuzi Mustafa (Kyetume FC), Ssenjobe Eric (Police FC), Iguma Denis (KCCA FC), Willa Paul (Vipers SC), Lwaliwa Halid (Vipers SC), Mbowa Paul Patrick (URA FC)

Midfielders: Mawejje Tonny (Police FC), Kagimu Shafik Kuchi (URA FC), Anukani Bright (KCCA FC), Kyeyune Saidi (URA FC), Byaruhanga Bobosi (Vipers SC), Watambala Abdu Karim (Vipers SC)

Forwards: Ojera Joackim (URA FC), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC), Ocen Ben (Police FC), Viane Ssekajugo (Wakiso Giants FC), Orit Ibrahim (Vipers SC), Muhammad Shaban (Vipers SC), Karisa Milton (Vipers SC).

Nigeria's Christy Ucheibe and Cape Verde's Jolina Amani made history, winning the first-ever Portuguese Women's League Cup with SL Benfica after their 3-0 victory over Sporting Braga.

The Portuguese League Cup, launched in January 2019, saw SL Benfica and Braga progress to the final after finishing the first phase of the round-robin format in first and second, respectively.

Before the final at the Aveiro Municipal Stadium, the two sides had clashed in the group phase, with the Lisbon side claiming a 3-1 win.

Coach Miguel Santos handed South Africa's Jermaine Seoposenwe, who arrived from Real Betis last July, a starting role for Braga, while Ucheibe and Amani came on from the bench for the Lisbon side.

The Eagles made a promising start to the clash in Aveiro but could not find a breakthrough until Cloe Lacasse broke the resilence of Braga when she struck one minute before the half-time break.

Braga, however, resumed the contest on a high but saw their possible equaliser netted by Cindy Konig cancelled by the VAR a few moments into the second half.

Following Braga's setback, Filipa Patao's team, however, regained dominance in the match and eventually doubled their lead through Ana Vitoria, who scored with a powerful shot in the 64th minute.

The Portuguese champions went on to compound the woes of Santos' ladies when they were gifted a penalty and Nicole converted from the spot in the 73rd minute to seal the historic triumph. 

The result means SL Benfica are the first-ever winners of the Women's League Cup and further confirmed their 2020 title triumph following the coronavirus cancellation of the 2019-20 season.

Seoposenwe featured for 84 minutes of the encounter before making way for Ana Teles but could not help Braga to avoid the Cup defeat.

Ucheibe and Amani replaced Vitoria and Lacasse in the 87th and 92nd minutes, respectively, to play their parts in Benfica's triumph.

After the Lisbon team's historic feat, they will meet Sporting Braga again in the 2020/21 Portuguese Women's Cup final next Wednesday.

Paul Pogba admits playing for Manchester United “is not easy”, but he is keeping his sights set on “the big stuff” after enduring more semi-final heartache at the hands of rivals Manchester City.

Having come unstuck at that stage in three competitions last season, history is repeating itself at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side headed into their latest derby date with City buoyed by an upturn in fortune that has fired them into the Premier League title picture, however they suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Citizens.

Pogba says there is no time for United to wallow in misery with expectations as high as ever, and he remains confident that tangible success can be delivered in 2021.

The World Cup winner told MUTV on the challenges facing Solskjaer’s side: “There is no time to be disappointed for a week because we know where we are.

"We are in a good position now. We don’t have time to be disappointed. We don’t have the time. We will get through this and we will go again.

“It is difficult and it is going to be difficult, and you learn from these games. It is going to hopefully help us to get through, to get better and to have a positive result in the next games.

“Football and playing for Man United is not easy, it will never be easy, but it makes the victory prettier and more beautiful when we get through a tough time, then we get through this.

“It is beautiful and you get the emotion. That is all we want. That is what the fan wants, that is what the team wants, everyone wants this. The club is built on winning and big things, so that is all we want to get – the big stuff.”

Pogba believes United are heading in the right direction despite seeing their semi-final curse strike once again.

The France international, who has enjoyed his own return to form of late, added: “We are improving. Last year they [City] were obviously more dominant and they dominated us.

“We are improving in the league and, even though we lost in the semi-final, we are still going far and that is what we want - but now it is about details. It is good to improve but we have to go to the next step now, all of us.”

United have more knockout football to come on Saturday, with their FA Cup third-round clash with Watford next for the Red Devils.

Thomas Partey could be fit for Arsenal's FA Cup third round clash with Newcastle United on Saturday after he returned to full training.

The midfielder has missed the previous month after suffering a thigh injury, although the Gunners say the summer signing from Atletico Madrid is back with the first-team squad and will be ready to return to action very shortly.

Arsenal confirmed on Thursday that Partey is back in training but that he will be assessed regularly in the build-up to the FA Cup clash, in which the north Londoners will begin their defence of the FA Cup having beaten Chelsea in the final last season.

They face Newcastle at Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, with Mikel Arteta's men having finally found some form following a terrible start to the Premier League season.

Arsenal have won their last three games and will get another big boost should £45 million ($60m) summer signing Partey be available for action.

Arteta has been eagerly anticipating Partey's return, saying earlier this month that having the Ghana international back will be like having a whole new signing at Emirates Stadium.

He said of Partey: "We are in January and I think he’s played two and a half games. That’s all and he was our main signing. 

"We’ve been missing him. He brings something different to the team, he’s a player with an enormous talent, but as well someone that can transform the team the way we want. 

"It’s great if we can have him, keep him healthy and I think he will contribute in a really positive way."

Partey has made six appearances for Arsenal in the first part of the 2020-21 season, five of them in the Premier League.

One player who is not available for the cup match, however, is Gabriel, who remains sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19.

Arsenal say the player is asymptomatic and showing no signs of illness, but he remains in self-isolation and the club say he will not be permitted to return to training until thorough medical checks have been carried out.

The Gunners beat West Brom 4-0 in their previous match and the club confirmed there are no other major injury concerns following their comfortable Premier League win at the Hawthorns.

Gor Mahia forward Nicholas Kipkirui opted to lengthen his stay in his rural home after failing to raise money for rent, instead of playing against CR Belouizdad

The former Zoo FC attacker scored the winning goal as K'Ogalo sealed passage to the second round of the Caf Champions League with an aggregate 4-3 win over Rwandan outfit APR.

He, however, missed the game against CR Belouizdad, where the Kenyan champions bowed out after a humiliating 8-1 aggregate loss.

Prior to the first leg, the forward had requested to leave for his rural home to complete his engagement. He was expected to be back for the return leg which was played on Wednesday, January 6, but he was a no-show.

"Kipkirui has not paid his three-month rent and without salary from his club, things have become tough," a source close to the player told Goal on Thursday.

"He wished to be part of the team but without financial boost, he could not manage and opted to remain in his rural home. But he is committed to the team, it is only that some things cannot be done without money."

After Tuesday's training, Gor Mahia players camped in chairman Ambrose Rachier's office hoping their dues will be settled, but the administrator did not show up.

The players are owed two months' salary, stretching back to November last year. Former club organizing secretary Judith Nyangi and some fans chipped in to ensure the players attended training sessions conducted by stand-in coach Sammy Omollo.

In the second leg, K'Ogalo put up an improved performance despite going down 2-1 to the Great Chabab.

Jules Ulimwengu scored K’Ogalo’s opener while Amir Sayoud and Abdelkader Belharane found the back of the net to complete the rout for the Algerian Premier League side.

Ulimwengu, who is fast establishing himself as a dependable striker at Gor Mahia, broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as he awarded the hosts with an opener.

Gor Mahia started the match looking a more determined side than in the first leg, backed-up by a handful of fans on the stands, and the Ulimwengu goal served to make them even more hopeful of an unlikely turnaround.

A case of few and missed chances became the order for most of the first half as Gor Mahia headed back into the tunnel clutching onto a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, the visitors ventured forward more than in the first half and ended up restricting Gor Mahia in their own area. Belouizdad’s hard work was rewarded in the 79th minute when Sayoud scored the equaliser.

It took the visitors a few minutes to all but bury Gor Mahia’s hopes of a win on the day when Belharane added the second goal in the 84th minute.

Jack Grealish is a “super player" says Andy Cole, but the former Manchester United striker is not convinced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to be breaking the bank in order to sign the Aston Villa playmaker.

Speculation regarding a possible move to Old Trafford for the 25-year-old has resurfaced with another transfer window now open.

Grealish first sparked talk of interest from United 12 months ago, only for the Red Devils to move in a different direction and snap up from Bruno Fernandes from Sporting. That decision has been vindicated, with a Portugal international midfielder becoming a talismanic figure in Solskjaer’s plans.

There have, however, been suggestions that Grealish could be targeted again as his stock continues to rise, particularly with questions being asked of Paul Pogba’s future in Manchester.

Ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that he would be launching a raid on Villa, telling FIVE: “I don’t care if [Paul] Pogba goes or not, Grealish is my man. If I am a manager of a top team in England, a top three or four team, then I would not allow him to stay there, I would go and take him.”

Cole can appreciate why Grealish is generating such buzz, with a further six goals and nine assists for Villa this season. He has questioned, however, whether a player that is said to have a £100 million ($133m) price tag would fit into the system that has helped Solskjaer to deliver a reversal in fortune at Old Trafford.

The former frontman told talkSPORT: “I think Grealish is a super player, I’m not going to sit here and say anything different, but I’m looking at Manchester United’s midfield at the moment, where would you play him?

“You look at Bruno [Fernandes], the performances he’s putting in; that’s the position [Grealish] likes to play in. If you put him off the left, [Marcus] Rashford plays there - so where would you play him again?

“I’m a mere mortal when it comes to things like this. I’m like everybody else from the outside looking in.”

United saw Fernandes endure a rare off day in their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City.

NorthEast United find themselves in the seventh position on the Indian Super League (ISL) table and ahead of their clash against Hyderabad FC on Friday, coach Gerard Nus is confident of a positive result which would help them climb up the standings.

The Highlanders have won just two of their nine matches and from their last five games, they could only muster three points via three draws.

Nus stated that while Hyderabad have a good set of players in Aridane Santana, Mohammad Yasir and so on, his players have been armed with enough information on the opponent and a strategy in order to pick their third win of the campaign.

“We analysed Hyderabad FC and know that they are a good side. We know that no matter what has been the result in the previous game, they are dangerous. We analyse what they do with ball possession, set-pieces, and take everything into consideration. We will try to be at our best both offensively and defensively. 

“We know that Hyderabad FC have a fantastic squad. Aridane is always a threat on top and they play in different systems. (Halicharan) Narzary and (Mohammad) Yasir are excellent. They are good with the ball. We have to be at our best. We will go with full commitment to get the three points, but with the utmost respect as well,” said Nus.

NorthEast suffered a 2-0 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan in their last game where they leaked in goals thanks to their poor defending in set-piece situations.

“I disagree about that,” responded Nus when asked if his side lacked intent against the Kolkata outfit.

“We are well organised. We do a lot of things to control the match. Two set-pieces cost us the game. We are doing what we need to do to improve,” he added.

Idrissa Sylla has two goals to his name, with his last goal coming on November 30th, 2020 against FC Goa through a penalty. Nus came to the defense of the former QPR striker and also explained why his team are a difficult bunch to defend against.

“Sylla is a great player and we’re lucky to have him in our squad. I am confident about him. We keep trying to create chances. We score goals in different ways. This makes it hard to defend against us. It makes us more unpredictable to manage. Sometimes you have two chances and yet you score three goals, and sometimes more chances but fewer goals. But with time it will be fine,” reasoned Nus.

Nus believes that the players are motivated at NorthEast United and are aware of their fallacies or areas where they need to improve upon.

“It is not hard to motivate players. They are professionals. They all have the desire to win. The players are 100 per cent focussed. The team wants to get better. We need to have that confidence and we are going in a good direction. A lot of games are coming up. So just moving from one game to another,” he pointed.

He reiterated that scoring goals is the most difficult part of football and that his players are aware of how important it is to find the back of the net.

“We have scored a lot of goals. We want more. We want to win games and scoring is important. Without scoring you cannot win games. We can create those opportunities but there is an opponent who tries to avert that. It is definitely the hardest thing in football,” he signed off.

Ruzaigh Gamildien has been at the forefront of Swallows FC's remarkable return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Back in the top flight for the first time since being relegated five seasons ago, the Birds have surprised everyone and currently sit joint top of the league standings with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns after nine rounds of action.

They've conceded only five goals, and scored 13, seven of which have come from Gamildien, including a brace in a 3-2 win over high-flying Cape Town City earlier this week.

The 31-year-old Gamildien initially made an impression at Bloemfontein Celtic a decade ago but has since drifted from club to club, including several stints in the National First Division.

He scored 11 goals in 17 matches for Steenberg United last season before being signed by Chippa United, only to be released at the end of the campaign.

But since being signed by Swallows coach Brando Truter, Gamildien has enjoyed a new lease on life.

“I just think I came back really motivated because I was a bit disappointed with my previous club (Chippa) after I got released,” Gamildien was quoted saying by Farpost.

“I had small goals for myself for the season and obviously most of my performances is actually through the coaches who believed in me and actually giving me a chance to prove myself once again."

The Cape Town-born attacking midfielder admits he's eyeing the Golden Boot award,  although he says it's not his priority.

“Obviously those are personal goals, but most importantly is for the team to be as high as possible in the league. It all goes down to belief and obviously believing in one another as a team," he added.

“Like the coach keeps on preaching we have to give credit to the man above for pushing us this far. We just keep taking it game by game and as time goes on we might find ourselves in a good position at the end of the season."

Orlando Pirates will certainly be doing their homework on Gamildien as the Buccaneers host the Birds in a league encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Sports Club Villa youngster Salim Abdallah has explained why he carries a number 10 tattoo on his leg.

Abdallah said the tattoo is a sign of respect for his departed father who gave him great support while he was young as he chased the dream of becoming a professional footballer.

“My parents have been very supportive in my football journey,” Abdallah told the club’s portal. “While he was still alive, my father always inspired and encouraged me that I have to play professional football when I grow.

“He also said that I should put on the number 10 and when he passed on, in his honour I got the number 10 tattooed on my right leg to remember him.”

The 20-year-old also spoke about the support from his mother, from buying what he needs on the pitch to the inspiration she has been since he turned pro.

“My mother on the other hand continues to support my career up to this day. Growing up, she bought all the necessary attires for me to play in,” he added.

“Today, she continues to encourage me to train hard and always believe in myself.”

The starlet was promoted to the senior team in the 2019/20 season and although he has not enjoyed a breakthrough into the starting XI regularly so far, he declared he has seen his career progress nonetheless.

“From the junior team, I learned very many important things which I have carried forward to the senior team. I learned discipline on and off the pitch,” Abdallah added.

“My coaches also taught me very well about the positional play that on and off-ball movements while on the pitch, I thank them for that.

“These skills have helped me a lot settle into the senior team without struggling.”

Abdallah also pointed out differences from how life is at the senior and at the junior teams.

“Transitioning from the junior to the senior team is every youth player’s dream,” explained the midfielder.

“It is a long journey both physically and mentally because the priorities of the junior team differ from those of the senior team. In the junior team, the main emphasis is on building the style of play and there is little competition.

“At the senior team, there is a new challenge which needs to be mentally strong. There is a lot of hard work and competition at the senior team even during training. The training is usually very tense in that we not only compete for starting slots but also being included in the matchday squad.

“On match days, the intensity of the game being played is so high and every player is obliged to pay maximum attention to what is going on even if you are not playing. In the senior team, there are high expectations of you unlike in the junior team.”

Abdallah has often enjoyed minutes coming from the substitutes bench in the Uganda Premier League.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Khama Billiat has revealed the one part of his game which Amakhosi coach Gavin Hunt has been asking him to improve upon.

Billiat played a crucial role in helping the Glamour Boys advance to the group phase of the Caf Champions League when he provided a 41st minute assist for fellow striker Leonardo Castro in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Angolan champions Primeiro de Agosto.

It was a well-worked move by the Soweto giants involving several players, with Billiat's movement key.

According to the Zimbabwean, who won the Champions League in 2016 while playing for Mamelodi Sundowns, it's an aspect of his game Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt wants to see more of.

"Normally the coach is on my case, [telling me], 'your strength is to run behind the defenders and make sure you finish the attack'," Billiat told the Chiefs media team.

"As soon as Njabulo [Blom] and [Philani] Zulu got the ball, I just turned and gave them my back and started running.

"Exactly as I expected, Njabulo put the ball behind the defence. It made it easy for me and I was left with one versus one and I told myself I just need to eliminate the one in front of me and I know my player is going to be in the box, and Castro was in the right position at the right time.”

Amakhosi were without several experienced players in their victory in Luanda, which made the win all the more impressive.

The likes of Itumeleng Khune, Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande never made the trip, although as Billiat explained, they were still able to lend their support from afar.

"The support they gave us, it really means a lot,” he said.

“They give us confidence, they calm us down. Their motivational texts on the group shows that we are together. No matter if one is not in, the ones that are selected on the day are going to fight because if they were here they would be doing the same.”

Chiefs will be hoping to build on the midweek win when they return to domestic action this weekend – they host Maritzburg United at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Abigail Kim scored the first goal for Fiorentina as her side progressed to the Italian Supercoppa final following a 2-1 comeback win over Refiloe Jane's AC Milan on Wednesday.

Having arrived in Italy from the US in September, American-Liberian Kim broke her Serie A duck against Empoli on December 13 and continued from where she left off against Milan.

On her part, South Africa's Jane was pivotal to Milan's top-four finish last season and was keen to help her team inch closer to glory by seeing off Fiorentina in the race for a final spot.

Having both finished in the top four last term, runners-up Fiorentina were drawn against third-place Milan in the semi-final encounter.

After her Uefa Women's Champions League debut in the 1-0 Round of 32, second leg win at Slavia Praha, Kim earned a place in the starting XI of Fiorentina, just as Jane was a starter for Antonio Cincotta's side.

At Aldo Gastaldi Stadium, Milan well when Valentina Giacinti opened the scoring after just seven minutes to claim a narrow first-half lead over last season's runners-up.

After the break, the home side staged a fightback and gained their deserved equaliser through Kim 11 minutes into the second half.

Nine minutes later, Irish star Louise Quinn found a breakthrough and made no mistake to find the back of the net for the hosts, scoring what proved to be the winner.

The result means Fiorentina are through to the final and will square up against league champions Juventus.

Kim's goal saw the 21-year-old Liberian-born American international raise her season's tally in four matches to two for Fiorentina this term.

On the other hand, South Africa's Jane was involved from the start to finish but she could not save Milan from a semi-final defeat,

Carles Cuadrat's stint with Bengaluru seemed to be one that is set to last for many years when he won the 2018-19 Indian Super League (ISL) trophy. 

But less than two years later, the Spanish coach was asked to leave by the club management and agreed to mutually terminate his contract on January 5, 2021. 

Most managerial changes in ISL has happened in the December-January period but Carles Cuadrat's departure would have been one silly opinion to make only a year ago. He was deeply involved with the club and their project so the combination seemed unbreakable. But if there's a start, there's an end. 

Bengaluru's shortcomings on the pitch were there for all to see. And that didn't start this season. However, to blame it all on Cuadrat wouldn't be an apt assessment of the situation.

After bagging the ISL trophy, everybody expected the Blues to kick on for bigger and better things, such as putting up a solid showing in Asia. That didn't happen as Bengaluru lost in the inter-zone play-off semi-final and then crashed out of the Super Cup with a defeat to Chennai City. 

Bengaluru's star striker Miku, who had been prolific during the title-winning season, had fitness and injury issues throughout the season and at the end of the season, the club decided against renewing his contract as he was deemed too expensive. 

After scoring 20 goals and registering four assists in 32 appearances, Miku left the club and the Blues are yet to find a proper replacement in his position. Manuel Onwu, Kristian Opseth and even Cleiton Silva cannot be compared with the Venezuelan at this point and the goals soon dried up for a team that once treated the final third as their favourite hangout place. 

Ahead of the 2020-21 season, there were further blows when the defence was also affected by the departures. Nishu Kumar, who had grown to be a first-team regular at the left-back role under Cuadrat, left the club to join Kerala Blasters who had produced a significant offer for the young full-back. Centre-back Albert Serran also left the club and what remained was a depleted backline which was once the best in the league. 

Bengaluru's defence was what helped them land the title in the 2018-19 season as their contributions in the final third had seen a big drop. That continued into the pandemic-hit seventh season of the ISL and Blues put out back-to-back displays which were unimpressive. Losing three games in a row for the first time in the history of the competition was the last straw. 

It is safe to say that the head coach wasn't backed by the club in the transfer market ahead of the 2020-21 season but the people in charge will have their own explanations for that, especially since it has been a financially difficult period for all football clubs. 

Carles Cuadrat has left a lasting legacy at Bengaluru. He delivered an important league trophy and topped the league standings, something that nobody else has done. Moreover, he was, and always will be, a true blue.