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Manchester City revealed on Christmas Day that Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and another two members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

Striker Jesus scored an early opening goal in the 4-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Arsenal on Tuesday, while defender Walker made a substitute appearance as Manchester City continued their dominance in the competition they have won in three consecutive seasons and in five of the last seven.

The duo will miss the Boxing Day Premier League encounter with Newcastle United as they self-isolate after contracting COVID-19.

City face Everton two days after Newcastle's visit to the Etihad as the club then continues the hectic festive period with a trip to Chelsea on January 3.

After that, Pep Guardiola's side will look ahead to Manchester United in a mouthwatering EFL Cup semi-final derby at Old Trafford on January 6.

City said in a statement: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, and two members of staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

"All four personnel will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine.

"Everyone at the club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery over the Christmas period ahead of their return to work, training and competition."

Jesus has been vital for Manchester City this season as fellow striker Sergio Aguero has battled injury issues.

Aguero, who recently returned to the first team, has asked for "a little bit of time" as he looks to get back to his best after undergoing knee surgery.

The Brazilian has featured 11 times in all competitions, scoring four total goals with two of those finishes coming in the Premier League.

Walker, meanwhile, has appeared 18 times in all competitions for Manchester City, having featured in 12 of the club's 13 total league matches this campaign.

Manchester City currently sit eighth in the table, but have a game in hand on each of the top seven aside from third-place Manchester United.

Guardiola's side are currently eight points back of league-leaders Liverpool, who host West Brom on Sunday, as well as three points behind fourth-place Everton, who are level with Man Utd on 26 points having played an extra game.

In pursuit of their first win in the Indian Super League (ISL), Robbie Fowler's East Bengal are set to take on Chennaiyin FC on Saturday at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa.

The Red and Golds are struggling in their maiden ISL season and have just two points from their first six matches. They came agonisingly close to registering their first win of the season in their last game against Kerala Blasters but Jeakson's last-gasp equaliser spoiled their party.

Coach Robbie Fowler, though, claimed that conceding last-minute goal against Kerala Blasters has not affected the players' mentality and he is hoping to get a positive result against Chennaiyin.

"The moral of the team is really good. At times we are unlucky and it is unfortunate that you concede a goal in the last minute but our lads worked really well. We had lots of chances and we could have won the game quite convincingly but football is like that. There are ups and downs and we have had plenty of downs at the moment but the morale of the lads is brilliant and hopefully, we will have a lot of ups starting the next game," said the East Bengal gaffer.

Goal had earlier revealed that the Red and Golds decided to release nine Indian players from their squad and will be sending them on loan for the remainder of the season.

Justifying the decision of sending players on loan midway into the season, the Liverpool great mentioned that the decision was taken in the best interests of the club and he would happy to see all the nine players shine in their loan stint and prove him wrong.

"We are bringing in new names in the squad. We are always looking for players who are available and we feel can benefit the team. We are trying to bring in one or two players, obviously, I cannot say who. As for the lads who have gone out, we got opportunities to look over a five to six weeks period and we just felt that we are not going to play them as much.

"So it is not me being nasty and vindictive. It is what is best for the club. We are trying to get the best results for this club and we feel that some of the players who aren't playing they can elsewhere and get games. It is not nice and someone has to make the decisions and the decision is mine to make. My job is to try and get the very best of results I can, bring the best people in the club.

"Everyone has had an opportunity. People will say that he has not played this game but every day is an opportunity. Training sessions are a massive opportunity to show the rest of the staff how could he can become and I don't anyone can say that he hadn't had the opportunity. We feel that this particular group I have got now are maybe in a better place and that is not me being derogatory against the players.

"I have got a lot of time with all the players who were going on loan but now I told them that this is an opportunity to go and play games. It is an opportunity for you to go and prove me wrong. and that is all I can do."

The former England international also cited an example from his own career to motivate those nine players who are leaving the club.

"I can speak from my own life. I had played for Liverpool for a number of years and obviously, I didn't want to leave but eventually I had to because I needed to play games and my ethos was to show the manager exactly what you are missing. It is up to those players to play in the ISL or I-League and prove that my decision has not been the right one for them. We wish them well and I want them all to prove me wrong and come back and say that you made a mistake there."

Fowler heaped praise on opposition manager Csaba Laszlo and suggested that he considers Chennaiyin as a very tough opponent to play against.

"Their (Chennaiyin) manager (Csaba Laszlo) is someone I look up to in terms what he has achieved in the game, He got a solid team, some excellent players. Our job is to stop their great players and that is difficult because good players shine. Also, consistency is something that Chennaiyin has. They have done this for lots of years now. Good solid team, good solid manager and it will be tough to break them down. But we have to go out there, believe in ourselves and give our best shot and we will try and get the three points," said the British coach.

Cristiano Ronaldo was voted as the best player in the world in his position, beating out his strongest oponents Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema, becoming the last player to cement his position in the Goal's Top eleven powered by FIFA 21 as we attempt to identify who you think are the best footballers around the world.

CR7 led the table with 39% of the votes (10000) beating out the rest of the competition. Lewandowski was the closest with 25% of the votes followed by Benzema, Haaland and Mbappe with 3200, 2934 and 2920 votes respectively. 

South African Football Association (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan says Patrice Motsepe is a revolutionary choice for the Confederation of African Football (Caf) presidency. 

Jordaan and his organisation are backing Motsepe, who is bidding for the role of Caf president with the elections set to take place in March 2021.

Motsepe's campaign is gaining serious momentum having been publicly backed by football associations in Sierra Leone, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Benin, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria as he looks to dethrone current Caf president Ahmad Ahmad. 

"His business acumen, observance of governance, legal training, global business, networking and skill, his love of African football, makes him a revolutionary choice for the leadership of African football,” Jordaan said on Daily Sun. 

“So it is clear to me that what Africa needs at the moment is what Patrice offers. So we must give him a chance and support. This is the man who was once named among the 100 best CEOs by Forbes magazine.”

Motsepe, who is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, is one of the richest people in Africa and he owns Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Jordaan stated there is much more work to be done to get Motsepe in the office with Morocco set to host the Caf Elective General Assembly. 

“He has to go and meet as many FA presidents as possible and that is what we are encouraging him to do,” he added. 

However, Motsepe refused to discuss his ambitions for the Caf presidency, but he stated he would listen to the views of FA leaders across the continent. 

“It will be extremely premature for me to say anything. This is the time for me to listen and be exposed to be the views of various leaders and presidents,” he said when speaking on the same publication. 

Motsepe would need to step down at Sundowns if he is elected new Caf president because Safa has strict rulings against club owners serving as an association president at the same time.

The 58-year-old bought a 51% share in Sundowns in 2004 and later took total control of the Tshwane giants by buying the remaining share and becoming the sole owner of the club.

Uganda Cranes midfielder Abdul Karim Watambala has promised assists and goals for the team in the African Nations Championship (Chan).

The Vipers SC midfielder is among the 28 players preparing for the biennial competition. The youngster has also lauded the training sessions in camp ahead of the competition.

"We have spent three days at the camp. The training is very good, the coaches have helped us improve on our weaknesses," Watambala said.

"We are not looking at just competing, but looking at bringing the trophy back home. We promise to give our best at the tournament, especially me as an individual, expect more assists and goals from me."

The Venoms midfielder was part of the Cranes squad that recently played South Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Cranes are sweating over the fitness of striker Muhamad Shaban who limped off from training on Wednesday.

The Vipers SC striker reportedly sustained a hamstring injury but will be assessed further.

The attacker had just made a return to football after a knee injury kept him out of action for 18 months.

The Johnathan Mckinstry-led charges will leave the country for West Africa where they will take part in a pre-Chan tournament that will also involve hosts Cameroon, Niger and Zambia. The competition will be played between January 1-7.

In the Chan competition, Uganda is in the group alongside defending champions Morocco, Rwanda and Togo.

Tonny Mawejje, Ben Ocen and Murushid Juuko are some of the top players in the team.

Uganda Cranes provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Joel Mutakubwa (Kyetume), Nafian Alionzi (URA), Tom Ikara (Police)

Defenders: Eric Ssenjobe (Police), Aziz Kayondo (Vipers), Derrick Ndahiro (SC Villa), Paul Willa (Vipers), Ashraf Mandela (URA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Mustafa Mujuzi (Kyetume), Patrick Mbowa (URA), Murushid Juuko (Express), Muhamood Hassan (Police)

Midfielders: Shafiq Kagimu (URA), Tony Mawejje (Police), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Saidi Kyeyune (URA), Hassan Ssenyonjo (Wakiso Giants)

Forwards: Ben Ocen (Police), Ibrahim Orit (Vipers), Vianne Ssekajugo (Wakiso Giants), Joseph Ssemujju (BUL), Joachim Ojera (URA), Milton Karisa (Vipers), Stephen Mukwala (URA), Mohamed Shaban (Vipers), Ivan Bogere (Proline).  

Wazito FC head coach Francis Kimanzi has conceded he has to push every department in the team for better results in their forthcoming assignments.

The immediate former Harambee Stars coach has seen his team pick just five points from as many Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League matches. The 44-year-old says he is building a team and is not focusing on specific departments.

"On where there is an improvement, we will ensure it is maintained and where adjustment is needed we will do so as well," Kimanzi told Goal.

"I do not want to say a certain department is better than another. This is a team I am building and I must push every department to work harder."

On Thursday, Wazito recorded their second defeat in the FKF Premier League against high-flying KCB FC.

In the 29th minute, former Mathare United winger Kevin Kimani managed to bring in a good cross from the right. Michael Owino managed to head the ball but it went over the crossbar.

The former had a chance to test the goalkeeper from a free-kick in the 35th minute, but just like Owino, his effort went over the bar.

On the Banker's side, Derrick Otanga and Simon Munala had chances to score but were closed down quickly.

Henry Onyango managed to get in a good position in the 38th minute but his effort missed the target.

The goalkeepers of both teams had less work to do in the first half as the strikers failed to beat the defenders.

After the break, the Zedekiah Otieno-led charges upped their tempo hoping to get a goal. Their tactical change eventually paid dividends in the 50th minute when Otanga was slipped into the danger zone, and he managed to beat goalkeeper Otieno for an opening goal.

"We did not play well; if we would have done so then we could have ended the game with a point or three," Kimanzi said.

"We accept the result now we have to go and work on where we went wrong in order to improve in our next assignment. The whole team needs to be motivated and pushed."  

Gor Mahia team manager Jolawi Obondo is hopeful the team will rise above their internal struggles and make Kenya proud in the Caf Champions League against CR Belouizdad.

The Kenyan ambassadors are en route to Algeria for the rescheduled tie and the official has explained how Gor Mahia have always overcome their own problems and got good results.

“Everybody knows that with this Covid-19 so many things have been difficult, and specifically money issues have been tough in all the institutions,” Obondo told the club’s Online TV.

“And Gor Mahia are not an exception as we have had it rough but at the end of the day we talk to the boys, they understood and came back for training. They are now ready to play football and represent the country and by the end of it, we want to go all the way to the group stage.

“I have been there [Algiers] not once or even twice and so I know the place well and it is a bit challenging especially when it comes to matters [of the] weather. But I know Gor Mahia whenever we have internal challenges that is the time we rise and surprisingly give good results.

“I know we will put a good effort and get good results and come back home so that we can finish the job. We are just playing for a goal even if they win 2-1, 1-1 or whatever the result we know we can get good results in Nairobi.”

Obondo also picked previous encounters with teams from the North African hemisphere as another reason why they are in a better position to tackle Belouizdad.

“It is going to be a challenging match because we know how the Arabs play especially in the first 15 minutes because I have the experience of Esperance and Zamalek. It is always their target that in the first 15 minutes they must get a goal,” he concluded.

“But what we have been doing and what the coaches have been doing as well as the mood from the boys, I can deduct that we are going to put a good effort there and get a good result so that while in Nairobi we can finalise it and make the country proud.”

18 players have been selected for the Saturday match but the Premier League giants will do without Kenneth Muguna, Bernard Ondiek, Nicholas Kipkirui and John Ochieng.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Abel Shongwe has criticized the club's head coach Gavin Hunt for the team's poor results. 

The Soweto giants have endured one of their worst starts to a season, this coming after Hunt was appointed prior to the start of the current campaign.

The veteran tactician was brought in to replace Ernst Middendorp with the German coach having guided Amakhosi to a second-place finish in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) last season.

Shongwe, who played for Chiefs in the 1980s, is not pleased with how Hunt sets up the team and he believes that the four-time PSL title-winning coach is struggling to manage Amakhosi. 

"Remember that the players that Hunt is using are the ones, who almost won the league title with Ernst Middendorp last season," Shongwe told Isolezwe. 

"In my opinion, Hunt is finding it difficult to coach Chiefs. Sometimes he just sets up the team in a weird way.

"What has happened to Chiefs is shocking now, something must be done immediately." 

Amakhosi are currently enduring a five-match winless run across all competitions after being held to a 0-0 draw by CD Primeiro de Agosto in the Caf Champions League first-round first-leg game at home on Wednesday.

The Glamour Boys' current woes have seen their captain and trusted goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune make mistakes leading to goals in back-to-back PSL matches against Black Leopards and SuperSport United.

Nicknamed Chaklas, Shongwe feels Amakhosi's players are lacking confidence and they are not playing as a team hence the club's poor results this season. 

"I don't know if they need counselling or not. When you see Chiefs players coming into the stadium that confidence is no longer with them," he added. 

"Lately, it has hit even the goalkeepers. This is the first time I've seen Khune make such terrible mistakes.

"You can see the players are playing for themselves, this is no longer a team, they are not co-operating as a team."

Chiefs will be hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Agosto in the second-leg encounter in Angola on January 5.

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer says he was impressed by Jean-Marc Makusu and Thabiso Sesane's debut performances.

The duo played their maiden competitive match for the Buccaneers as they secured a 1-0 win over Angola's Sagrada Esperanca in the Caf Confederation Cup first round first-leg match on Tuesday.

It was a game which saw Wayne Sandilands return to the Bucs starting line-up having fallen out of favour since the arrival of fellow goalkeeper Richard Ofori at the Houghton-based giants in October 2020.

Zinnbauer has now explained he was pleased with how veteran shot-stopper Sandilands performed in an encounter which was played at Estadio dos Coqueiros in the capital city of Angola, Luanda. 

“We know what we have in Sandilands. He is a top keeper in this league and I’m happy that I have him. He had a good performance,” Zinnbauer told Pirates’ media department.

“I’m very happy with Pepe [Thabiso Sesane], who is a young player from the youth team, he came to the first-team squad and now he got a few minutes.

"I’m happy about this. He didn’t play for a long time, but he was in and had two good actions."

Sesane, who is a central defender by trade, was named among the substitutes with experienced centre backs Thulani Hlatshwayo and Happy Jele absent.

The 19-year-old was promoted from Pirates' reserve team prior to the start of the season having excelled in the Diski Challenge. 

Forgotten Zambian winger Austin Muwowo also played his first game under Zinnbauer at Pirates when he came on a substitute - replacing Terrance Dzvukamanja. 

“Mumu [Muwowo] came in and had a good game. He had opportunities to score," the German mentor continued. 

“Mundiele [Makusu] is working in the front, he gave us a lot of space for the other players and that’s good because we have a team that is coming closer and closer."

DRC Congo international Makusu grabbed an assist when he set-up Thembankosi Lorch for the winning goal.

"The guys that were not in before had a good performance and we had more than one opportunity to score, we had two or three opportunities," Zinnbauer added.

"But it is what it is, it’s football and we cannot say it was a bad result, we had the possibility for more goals, but we got one and it is a good result for me."

Pirates will travel to Loftus Versfeld Stadium where they are scheduled to take on their Gauteng rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in a titanic PSL match on January 2.

They will then host Esperanca in the second-leg match on January 6. 

Bayelsa Queens extended their winning streak at the Samson Siasia Stadium on Thursday as they defeated FC Robo 1-0.

Charity Reuben's 53rd-minute goal proved decisive for Bayelsa Queens as they overcame a resolute Lagos based outfit who had enjoyed a fine start, winning their two opening matches this season.

The victory means Moses Aduku's side has won three out of three matches, while Emmanuel Osahon's team suffered their first defeat of the season in three opening league outings.

The result saw the Restoration ladies open a two-point lead at the top with nine points, while the Lagos Landladies have slipped to fourth on the log with six points from three matches.

In Uyo, Ibom Angels finally had something to cheer about at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium after they celebrated their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over Royal Queens.

Before the visit of newcomers Royal Queens, Ibom had played two matches, garnering just one point following a 1-0 win at home to Osun Babes before they forced a 1-1 draw at Pelican Stars last week.

Chika Idika struck in the 39th minute to cancel out Mercy Itimi's 27th-minute opener for the Orange ladies before Blessing Nkor netted the winner in the 78th minute for the hosts.

At Osogbo City Stadium, Osun Babes returned to winning ways on Thursday after they pipped eight-time champions Pelican Stars 3-0.

The Omoluabi Queens went into the match in search of maximum points after they were condemned by Gift Monday's hat-trick to their first defeat in a 3-1 loss to Robo at Legacy Pitch, Lagos.

Yemisi Samuel broke the deadlock in the 69th minute for Osun and bagged her brace five minutes from time before Kafayat Bashiru converted a late penalty to seal their second win this term.

Elsewhere, Confluence Queens recorded their maiden victory of the season in Lokoja, with a 1-0 triumph over Nasarawa Amazons.

The Kogi ladies were smarting from a 2-0 defeat at Sunshine Queens in Akure last week after an opening day 1-1 draw with Rivers Angels.

A first-half strike from the spot by Winifred Eyebhoria ensured Whyte Ogbonda's side ended their winless start to the season and condemned Nasarawa Amazons to a third defeat in a row.

In Umuahia, Abia Angels grabbed their second win of the season following a 2-1 triumph against DreamStar Ladies on Thursday. 

Ann Chiejine's side could not follow up their opening day triumph over Pelican Stars 2-0 at home as they crumbled to a 1-0 defeat to top-flight newcomers Royal Queens in Warri last week.

At Umuahia Township Stadium, the hosts made a rough start to the tie until Maxi Bisong opened the scoring on the brink of half time.

After the break, the visitors rallied for a comeback and were rewarded in the 79th minute through Ayatsea Hembafen.

Abia, however, bounced back to claim maximum points when Nmesoma Ibeh netted the matchwinner six minutes from time.

The result saw Abia return to winning ways, while the Galacticas endured another bad day, with a third defeat in a row this season.

In Agbor, Sunshine Queens suffered their second away defeat in a row as they lost 1-0 to Delta Queens at Agbor Township Stadium.

The Akure Mermaids aimed to build on their 2-0 triumph over Confluence Queens last week but capitulated against the hosts, where they were desperate to recover from a 6-2 bashing at Rivers Angels.

With the first-half ending in a goalless draw, Amarachi Orjinma's 52nd-minute solitary effort was all Delta Queens required to record their second win of the season, at home.

The win saw Delta move to fifth on the log with six points from three matches, while Sunshine are ninth from the same number of games.

While in Benin City,  the top-of-the-table encounter involving Edo Queens and defending champions Rivers Angels ended in a 1-1 draw.

After a goalless first half, Vivian Ikechukwu scored her first goal of the season when she fired the visitors in front in the 79th minute.

The hosts, however, fought back late to earn an equaliser when Elizabeth Zirike levelled matters from a free-kick to force a stalemate at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The draw saw Edo Queens slip to second on the table with seven points from three games, while Rivers Angels are now seventh with five points from three matches as well this season.

Striker Nicholas Kipkirui will miss Gor Mahia’s Caf Champions League tie against CR Belouizdad as he has been omitted from the travelling squad.

The match was rescheduled for December 26 after Gor Mahia had requested the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to push the game forward owing to the travel technicalities.

Kipkirui, who was on target against APR of Rwanda when K’Ogalo saw off the Rwandan side and qualified for the first round tie, is, however, not going to be involved against the Algerian side.

“Captain Kenneth Muguna misses the trip with a rib injury, midfielder Bernard Ondiek and John Ochieng’ too are out with injuries,” Gor Mahia explained the absence of the injured players without revealing why the former Zoo FC striker was left out.

Ernest Wendo, who has been looking a rejuvenated midfield maestro, is among the travelling stars that also includes Jules Ulimwengu. The Rwandan was consecutively on target against Ulinzi Stars and Tusker in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League and would hope he would find the back of the net on the continental stage.

The team en route to Algeria comprises mostly of local players as Ulimwengu and Tito Okello are the only foreigners available.

With the absence of Muguna, assistant captain Philemon Otieno is expected to lead the team to get good results although they have had tough times whenever they face Northern African sides.

Stand-in coach Sammy Omollo remains confident the team is capable of delivering the desired results.

“If we manage to stick to our game plan, I am optimistic we will get at least a draw away. Yes, we are going for a win but a draw will not be bad. Then when we come home we finish the job by winning,” Omollo told Goal in an earlier interview.

“Yes, Algerian teams have been challenging for us, but nothing is impossible, we can get past them.”

Travelling Squad:

Gad Mathew, Philemon Otieno, Michael Apudo, Charles Momanyi, Juma Andrew, Ernest Wendo, Sydney Ochieng, Samuel Onyango

Tito Okello, Jules Ulimwengu, Geoffery Ochieng, Bonface Oluoch, Kevin Wesonga, Joachim Oluoch, Nicholas Omondi, Benson Omalla, Frank Odhiambo, Clifton Miheso

Technical Staff:   Samuel Omollo, Patrick Odhiambo, Jolawi Obondo, Willis Ochieng, Victor Nyaoro, Frederick Otieno

Officials: Dolfina Odhiambo, Gerphas Okuku.

A decision made by FIFA just one day before Christmas Day has put a stop to Malaysia U-19's dream.

On Thursday, December 24, FIFA announced that it has cancelled the 2021 editions of the men’s U-20 and U-17 World Cup competitions.

In a statement issued through its website, the world football governing body explained that the decision was made due to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"...it became clear that the global situation has failed to normalise to a sufficient level to address the challenges associated with hosting both tournaments, including the feasibility of the relevant qualification pathways."

In 2019, Australian head coach Brad Maloney-led Malaysia U-19 took one step closer towards realising their World Cup dream, when they qualified for the 2020 AFC U-19 Championship finals. Maloney's charges include 2020 Goal NxGn lister Luqman Hakim, who is currently with Belgian top-tier side KV Kortrijk.

Luqman Hakim. Photo by Sports Regime

The Young Tigers would have needed to reach the semi-finals of the AFC finals at the very least, in order to book their World Cup spot. The 2020 AFC U-19 Championship finals had earlier been scheduled to be played in Uzbekistan in October 2020, before it was then postponed to March 2021 due to the pandemic. Maloney's charges have been drawn in Group D alongside Qatar, Tajikistan and Yemen, and the tournament is still set to take place.

For Luqman and his U-19 teammates, who mostly are the first batch of Mokhtar Dahari Academy graduates, they now have no chance of qualifying for a junior World Cup as FIFA does not organise any U-23 or U-22 World Cup tournaments.

Malaysia's neighbour and regional rival Indonesia meanwhile have been assured of their World Cup spot. Originally the planned host of the 2021 U-20 World Cup, with Peru hosting the U-17 tournament, FIFA has decided that the two countries will host the next editions instead, in 2023.

Apart from Malaysia and Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are the other Southeast Asian nations that have also qualified for the 2020 AFC U-19 Championship finals.