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Gor Mahia have confirmed coach Roberto Oliveira has been allowed to return home after having problems with his coaching qualification papers.

Goal can exclusively reveal the former Rayon Sports of Rwanda tactician left for his native Brazil early this week and will not come back.

K’Ogalo secretary general Sam Ochola has confirmed to Goal indeed the coach has already left for home and they are now in the market for a new coach to handle the team.

“The coach left early this week, right now we are still looking for a replacement because there is no use of having a coach who has no papers,” Ochola told Goal on Saturday.

“We have to save money for Gor Mahia and we cannot keep on having a foreign coach who does not have papers trying to coach the club, so we have told him to go home and when he gets his papers he can come back, but for now we are trying to engage Sammy ’Pamzo’ Omollo until things are sorted out.”

Asked whether they are working to engage Omollo for continental assignment only or on a full-time basis, Ochola said: “We are talking to him [Pamzo], to help us in continental and we are also seeking to have him on a full-time basis.”

The 60-year-old tactician arrived at the Kenyan champions on October 10, replacing Steven Polack, who had left the club on mutual agreement.

However, despite preparing the team in readiness for Caf Champions League and the resumption of the FKF Premier League, Oliveira, who has 25 years of coaching experience and has been to a number of African countries as head coach, even in the Middle East as well as Brazil, was banned by Caf from sitting on the touchline over his qualifications.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) also moved to ban the coach from handling the team in the top-flight and it forced Gor Mahia to hire Omollo of Posta Rangers, and he was in charge as they beat APR of Rwanda 4-3 on aggregate to advance to the second preliminary round of the Champions League.

Oliveira was on record to have defended himself over the allegations by stating: “Listen I don’t talk this about this story, but I prefer to talk about my players and my preparations and because two years or three years ago, I work in the Champions League with Rayon Sports in Rwanda," Oliveira told reporters after the team’s friendly against Posta Rangers.

"I qualified Stade Tunisien of Tunisia for Confederation Cup, okay I know sometimes in football it has more problems, but it is not a big problem.

“Because I have experience as an ex-player in the national team and also as a coach in 25 years and the last time here [in Nairobi with Rayon Sports], against Gor Mahia, I think everybody remembers very well about this game, and me too, because strong Gor Mahia was a strong team and we beat them 2-1.”

Gor Mahia will now face CR Belouizdad of Algeria in the second round of the competition with the first leg set to be played on December 22 or 23 in Algeria, and the return leg planned for January 5 or 6, 2021 in Nairobi.

Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne has addressed comparisons with Bruno Fernandes, while admitting that the "wonderful" Manchester United star "makes football look fun".

Fernandes has had a huge impact on the Premier League since his €55 million (£50m/$67m) move to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in the winter transfer window.

The Portugal international immediately justified his hefty price tag by inspiring United to a third-place top-flight finish last term, scoring eight goals and laying on seven assists in his first 14 appearances.

The 26-year-old has picked up from where he left off in the early stages of the 2020-21 campaign, hitting 11 goals in 17 outings across all competitions, earning plenty of praise from supporters and experts along the way.

De Bruyne has been widely considered to be the best midfielder in the Premier League over the last few years, but similarities are now being drawn between the City playmaker and Fernandes - who picked up the player of the month award for November.

The two men will go head to head when Pep Guardiola's Blues arrive at Old Trafford to face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils on Saturday evening, and De Bruyne has talked up the talents of his midfield counterpart ahead of that clash.

"He’s a wonderful player," the 29-year-old told Sky Sports.

"He came in and he gave United a different momentum.

"They were struggling last year, I know they had some games where they won against good teams but the consistency wasn’t there last year for them.

"That’s much improved this year and Fernandes is a big reason for that. He’s a guy who makes football look fun.

"We’re pretty similar in a way but I don’t compare myself to other players.

"I enjoy other players but I never compare."

There is only one point separating United and City in the league standings at present, with the former sitting in seventh on 19 points and the latter one place further back in eighth.

Both sides have at least one game in hand on all of the teams in the top six, but can ill afford to lose any more ground in this season's title race, with Tottenham and reigning champions Liverpool currently leading the way on 24 points.

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has said that cross-town neighbours Atletico Madrid are favourites to win La Liga this season.

Madrid play host to unbeaten league leaders Atleti at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Saturday's derby, with Diego Simeone's visitors holding a one-point advantage over Real Sociedad at the top of the table.

Defending champions Real are six points off the pace and Zidane believes Atletico are in the box seat to claim their first league crown since 2013-14.

Asked if Atletico are favourites for La Liga glory, Zidane told reporters on Friday: "Yes, for sure.

"That's what they're showing on the pitch. They're doing things well and competing. They've always been competitive and they're first right now.

"What interests us is what we're going to do. It'll be a good game of football and one that fans have marked in the diaries and one that the players want to play.

"What we want in each match is to show what team we are, without thinking about whether we'll win the league title. We want to win each match. We're competitive."

Atletico have failed to win in their last eight La Liga games against Real – drawing five matches and losing three – after winning four of the previous six against their rivals in the competition.

But Atletico have won their last seven league games, keeping a clean sheet in six matches – last winning eight or more in a row in the competition in March-April 2014.

After winning his first Liga game as coach against Atletico's Simeone in February 2016, Madrid boss Zidane is unbeaten in his last six games against the Argentine in the league.

"As usual we are always talking about finals, every game is a final here," Zidane added. "I see it as another opportunity to show what we are about as a team. 

"We know where we are. What we want is to play a great football match, just as we did the other day."

Asked about player fatigue amid this season's congested schedule, Zidane replied: "Each game is different and has its history.

"It is true that we have not made many changes in these [last] two games, but it is a particular moment.

"Tomorrow there is another game and there may be five changes, maybe not. It depends on each game."

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow have celebrated with Victor Moses on his 30th birthday.

The versatile forward was born in Lagos on December 12 but grew up in England after leaving the West African country at the age of 11.

The forward featured for the England youth teams before switching his allegiance to represent the Super Eagles in 2012.

The winger represented Nigeria with honour during his short time with the West African country, helping them to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored twice in the tournament and provided an assist.

Moses also featured for the three-time African champions in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was one of the standout performers for the side at the 2018 edition in Russia.

The forward made 27 appearances for Nigeria, scoring 12 goals before his abrupt retirement from the national team in 2018.

The winger has been hailed by the NFF and his current club Spartak Moscow as he reaches a new age.

Moses teamed up with Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer and has played seven league games for the side, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

The forward started his career with Crystal Palace before joining Wigan Athletic in 2010 and made key contributions for the club to earn a big move to Premier League giants Chelsea.

The winger has featured in more than 90 appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit and played a prominent role as they won the 2017 Premier League title.

Moses also helped the Blues win two Europa League diadems and an FA Cup trophy, and has also played for a number of clubs on loan.

He featured for Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United, Fenerbahce, Inter Milan before joining Spartak Moscow.

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has backed under-fire manager Mikel Arteta, describing him as a "powerful individual".

Arteta was handed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Emirates Stadium in December 2019 after being chosen to succeed Unai Emery in the dugout.

The former Gunners captain inherited a squad that had slipped to tenth in the Premier League standings, but he quickly set about raising confidence levels in the dressing room and bringing back a distinctive identity which had been lacking at the start of the post-Arsene Wenger era.

Although Arteta was only able to guide Arsenal to an eighth-place top-flight finish, he made sure they didn't miss out on European qualification by overseeing a thrilling run to glory in the FA Cup.

Optimism was high for the 2020-21 campaign following that record-extending triumph, but Arsenal have ultimately failed to kick on and re-emerge as a major force in English football.

The north London outfit find themselves down in 15th after 11 fixtures, having only picked up 13 points from a possible 33, with all 14 teams above them currently boasting better attacking records.

Questions are now being asked over whether Arteta is the right man to take the club forward, but Venkatesham still believes in the Spaniard's long-term project.

"With Mikel, we have got a number of things," the Gunners chief told The Times. "You've got an individual who has extraordinary experience in the Premier League across his time at Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City and then back at Arsenal.

"You have got a guy that loves this club and understands what it means to play for this club, and he was obviously captain here. You've got a guy who is a real team player.

"The team he's formed with technical director Edu - and also his staff - is really strong. You've got a guy who is absolutely driven to succeed, but doing it in a way that respects our history and traditions.

"I think with him we have got a really powerful individual."

Arsenal bounced back from another disappointing defeat in last weekend's derby clash against Tottenham by beating Dundalk 4-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Arteta will hope his side can build up some much-needed momentum when they play host to Burnley on Sunday, with little margin for error remaining in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Fulham fullback Ola Aina has expressed his appreciation to fans and teammates after winning the Premier League Goal of the Month award for November. 

The Nigeria international’s thunderous strike in the Cottagers’ 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion was adjudged the best effort in the month under review.

The 24-year-old fired home from 18 yards to open his account in the Premier League and helped his side clinch their first win of the 2020-21 campaign.

In winning the individual accolade, the defender beat off strong competition from compatriot and Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze.

He also saw off Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, Southampton duo Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse, Brighton and Hove Albion's Solly March, Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and Leeds United's Raphinha.

Aina has taken to social media to thank all those who supported him in scooping the individual accolade.

“So grateful to everyone that voted for me it’s a big pleasure. I thank God also and my teammates. The work continues,” Aina posted on Instagram.

Aina teamed up with Fulham in the summer on a season-long loan from Serie A side Torino with an option to make the deal permanent and has been delivering fine performances, defensively and offensively.

The Super Eagles fullback has made nine appearances for Fulham since teaming up with the side, helping them to win two Premier League games.

His showings also helped the Cottagers to climb off the bottom three on the league table after gathering seven points from 11 games.

Aina started his career with Chelsea and spent more than a decade at Stamford Bridge but only made three Premier League appearances for the club before leaving the side permanently in 2019 to join Torino.

The defender will hope to continue his impressive performances when Fulham slug it out against Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford says he's still hopeful Manchester United "can do something special" in 2020-21 despite their inconsistent start to the campaign.

United supporters have been taken on a rollercoaster ride in the early stages of the new season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side proving to be one of the most unpredictable teams in European football.

The Red Devils have suffered damaging defeats against Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League, while also losing three of their six Champions League group stage fixtures.

The Old Trafford outfit ultimately exited the continental competition following a 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig on Tuesday, which put extra pressure on Solskjaer to deliver a positive result in this weekend's derby showdown against Manchester City.

United are currently sitting seventh in the top-flight standings with at least one game in hand on all six teams above them, and a win over their local rivals could put them in a position to mount a realistic title challenge.

Rashford still believes in the squad, and has suggested that picking up major silverware come May remains a realistic goal, as he told MUTV: “I think it’s still, with how the league has been going, way too early to be looking at the table really.

"I don’t even know where we were three games ago compared to where we are now and all it takes is a couple of wins and teams can be up and down.

"We’ll take it one game at a time to try to pick up points and see where we are a bit later on in the season. But I believe in the team, in the manager and the staff, so, hopefully, we can still do something special this season."

However, he also acknowledges the fact that results have fallen short of expectations in recent months, and has urged his team-mates to find a way of digging out wins more often when not playing at their best.

"I would put us up there in the top three or four most dangerous teams in the league. For us, it’s just about finding that consistent level of performance really," Rashford added.

“Sometimes, there have been times we’ve not played well and won games and, if you’re going to do something special in the league this year, we need to do that a lot more. You know you’re not going to play at your best every single game but it doesn’t mean you lose or draw the game. There is always a way to win the game and we have to find that more.

“Listen – we are a young team, we’re fresh, we’re strong and, yeah, there’s no reason… United always finish strongly. I feel that’s one thing Ole brought with him when he came to United, just that understanding, knowing the club, knowing what it is and what it stands for. Never giving up is right at the top of that list and we’ve shown it on countless occasions. We have to continue to do that.”

Asked if he expects Sunday's clash with City to be a cagey affair with a plenty on the line for both teams, Rashford responded: “No, I think we’ll get chances. You know that’s one thing we’ve improved a lot on - we are getting a lot more chances in games compared to a couple of seasons ago.

"I think, as players, we believe that we are going to get an opportunity to score a goal and, in terms of belief, that’s a massive thing.

"So we, as forwards, when the game is tight, we have a lot more confidence now than we did two or three years ago, that we’re going to get an opportunity at goal to score and win the game for the team. So I feel like we have a lot more threats, even from set-pieces, we’re a lot more threatening than we have been in the past. There are a lot more ways we can score goals.

"We’ve got a lot that we can bring to the table, as do they, and it’s going to be an interesting game, definitely a tactical game; and it’s a Manchester derby so anything can happen.

"Hopefully, we’ll get everyone fit. If we do have everyone fit, we have the best chance of winning the game. It’s been a miss not having Edi [Edinson Cavani] and Anto [Anthony Martial] in the team, but hopefully they’ll come back for this game and definitely give us a lot more firepower going forward."

New Legon Cities coach Bashir Hayford believes Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan is physically out of condition for action following the club's Premier League (GPL) defeat to Asante Kotoko on Friday.

In their fifth game of the season, The Royals disappointed one more time as Osman Ibrahim's 10th-minute strike won all three points for home side Kotoko.

Gyan, who completed a one-year move to Legon in October, was introduced into the game on the hour-mark. He is yet to start a game for his new club.

"Asamoah Gyan if he even has 50 per cent of his form, it wouldn’t have been a problem but his form is completely down… We have to work on him," Hayford said at the post-match press conference of Friday's game.

“If he picks up 50% of his performance he will make the difference."

Legon's inability to score on Friday prolongs their search for a first goal from open play and their first win of the season.

Out of five games played so far, The Royals have lost two and drawn three of the matches. Their only goal so far has come from a penalty.

"Yes, we could have won it [against Kotoko] because we squandered some begging chances that we could have buried it," Hayford, who replaced Bosnian-German Goran Barjaktarevic who was fired after matchday two following the club's poor start to the season, added.

"This is the fifth game and we have not even converted one ball into the net.

“That is what I identified immediately I entered into the team…I told them we don’t have finishers. So we are working on that.

"Goalscoring is an art and it's all about pushing the confidence of goalscoring into them and it is not easy. It is not one week, it is not two weeks. Well, we shall overcome."

Gyan, Ghana's all-time top scorer with 51 goals in 109 international appearances, was out of action for nine months before joining Legon.

Before returning to the GPL for the first time in 17 years, he last played for Indian Super League side NorthEast United, with whom he parted ways in January.

His goalscoring achievements also includes an enviable record as Africa's all-time top scorer at the World Cup with six goals. 

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has described coach Josef Zinnbauer as having “failed the team” last season and that he has to listen to technical director Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala and club administrator Floyd Mbele on how to win the MTN8.

Pirates face Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Following a video that went viral the whole week after Pirates’ 2-2 draw away at Cape Town City last Saturday, speculation that Tshabalala calls the shots at the club resurfaced.

In the footage, Tshabalala was seen giving instructions to captain Happy Jele in the stands, before the benched skipper went down to the pitch to supposedly relay the technical director’s message to players during the water break.

Vilakazi alleges Tshabalala and Mbele have been selecting the squad and suggesting tactics for MTN8 matches, while Zinnbauer has been in full charge of league matches.

The retired footballer believes there is need to make decisions for the German.

“There are dynamics in football whereby there is a technical director and your job is to oversee the team,” Vilakazi told iDiski TV.

“You decide with the coach on how to do things and if the coach does not listen, then you put your foot down as a technical director and say ‘either my way or your way.’ They gave him a chance last season because Pirates had an opportunity to win the league title, but the coach failed the team.

“So now they are saying ‘Coach, let us show you. Now the MTN8 is starting and you don’t have the pressure, leave it to us to show you that when we say we need a trophy, how you plan to win the Cup.

“The way they played in the MTN8 up to the final, you could see that their team was solid, strong and consistent as compared to his team [playing in the league]. So he has no choice, he just needs to do exactly what they are telling him to do because he failed.”

Vilakazi’s criticism of Zinnbauer stems from the Buccaneers' elimination from last season’s Nedbank Cup at the Round of 32 stage by Bidvest Wits, as well as failing to win the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title.

“Stanley and Floyd gave the coach the final 18 squad and then the starting XI. Why did they do that? Look at their matches against Kaizer Chiefs [MTN8 semi-finals], both first and second leg, Pirates played and simply won,” said Vilakazi.

“They didn’t want to change their line-up because they know and have been in this game for a long time. But there are times when I blame them, Floyd and Screamer.

“But in this scenario I don’t blame them. Pirates need this trophy and they [Floyd and Tshabalala] have decided ‘we will do it by ourselves. We had a chance to win the league title last season but you [Zinnbauer] blew it away. So we can’t give you that chance now, we will do it by ourselves.

“That’s why you realise that in the MTN8 games, they fielded a different line-up to league matches. That’s why you see that Pirates play in the MTN8 and then Orlando in the league.”

Bidco Uganda Limited (BUL) FC central defender Kenneth Ssemakula is optimistic he will have a breakthrough in the 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League season.

The youngster joined the Jinja-based side at the beginning of the campaign and went on to sign a two-year contract. He joined the team alongside Paul Mbaziira, Douglas Bithum, Ibrahim Mugulusi, Aggrey Madoi, Kenneth Kibaale, Peter Onzima and Davis Mutebi.

"I am sure that while at BUL FC, I am going to perform to my best, I feel this is my season," Ssemakula told Football256.

"As a footballer, I have passed through different ranks of football right from the start but currently I feel am ready to perform at the top level of Ugandan football."

The youngster has been a consistent feature for the Uganda U20 team commonly referred to as the Hippos. He went on to play six league games while with former team Busoga United.

In 2019, he was in the Hippos team that won the Cecafa U20 Championship held in Tanzania. He was also in the recent team that defended their title successfully and qualified for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Championship.

Having played against BUL before, the defender feels it will not be hard for him to integrate with his new teammates.

"I feel I am happy to be here at BUL because it is a club I have faced before and I know most of the players," Ssemakula added.

"So I believe it will not be hard for me to fit in right at this mighty club.  

"According to the coach’s [Arthur Kyesimira] philosophy, I believe, it will enable me to play at my best because it gives me the freedom to play to my strengths."  
  
The youngster has promised to give the team his best to ensure he brings positive energy to his colleagues.

"I really cannot wait for my debut to don the colours of this mighty club and payback the trust entrusted in me. 

"I promise to give my best whenever I will be given a chance. 

"The goal is to help the club keep competing at the top, I am here to be part of the success." 

Arsenal defender Jennifer Beattie has opened up on her battle with breast cancer, admitting she "automatically" thought the worst after her diagnosis.

Beattie has enjoyed a prominent role in Arsenal's line up since rejoining the club from Manchester City in June 2019.

She won five major trophies during his first spell with the Gunners between 2009 and 2013, becoming a fan favourite in the process, but her first season back proved to a frustrating one due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Women's Super League decided to abandon the campaign in May, meaning Arsenal had to make do with a third-place finish, and they were ultimately unable to achieve success in either the Champions League or FA Cup when the two competitions resumed in August and September respectively.

Joe Montemurro's side have bounced back strongly at the start of the 2020-21 season though, rising to second in the WSL standings after eight fixtures - one point behind leaders Manchester United.

Beattie has featured in four of those games, scoring once, but has had to juggle her day job with regular hospital appointments over the past few months.

The 29-year-old was diagnosed with cancer in October, which left her fearing for her life, but she says the support she has had from Arsenal's players and staff has helped her get through a frightening period.

"It kind of does seem like a massive blur," Beattie told BBC Sport. "You automatically think the worst. I asked the question, 'Am I going to die?' - that's what I asked them.

"I was grateful because they allowed my club doctor to be in appointments with me to ask all the right medical questions, because I didn't have a clue. 

"The girls here were just unbelievable. I feel like it's moments like these or times like these where you realise why you play sport. It really is like being part of a family away from family. 

"I don't know what I would have done without them. That's the staff and the players. They've all been unbelievable. The support I've had down here has got me through it, for sure."

Beattie will be back in contention for a place in Montemurro's squad when Arsenal take in a trip to City on Sunday.

Uganda striker Emmanuel Okwi is set to miss the Al-Ittihad Alexandria Club's league game away to Pyramids FC after testing positive for Covid-19. 

The Masters of the City were hoping to start the Egyptian campaign on a high and were aiming at having all their players available for the game. The six-time Egypt Cup Winners have confirmed the player is not yet in Egypt since he could not travel with the condition.

"The return of Ugandan striker Emmanuel Okwi has been postponed after he was diagnosed with the coronavirus," the club confirmed through a statement.

"Results of the coronavirus detection test conducted on Uganda professional player Emmanuel Okwi of Al Ittihad Club of Alexandria before leaving his country showed that the player was infected and tested positive. 

"The player had taken this test in preparation for returning to Egypt to join his team for training and matches, but the positive test has led to the postponement of his return to a later date.

"Our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to our Ugandan striker Emmanuel."

Okwi was part of the Johnathan McKinstry-led charges who played South Sudan in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.

In the home game played at St Mary's Lugogo stadium, Cranes managed to get a 1-0 win. 

South Sudan were destined for what could have been their first point in Group B, but Halid Lwaliwa’s 86th-minute goal denied them the point despite a strong performance against the hosts.  

Okwi was substituted in that particular game and Allan Okello took his position.

The Bright Stars avenged the loss at home when they defeated 10-man Cranes by the same margin at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. Okwi did not start the game and he came in as a second-half substitute.

A defender fouled the opponent's player in the danger zone and Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello rose for the occasion to send Denis Onyango the wrong way and ensured Bright Stars picked up a maiden group win while Uganda suffered an unlikely first loss in the qualifiers.  

Okwi's introduction could not help his team get an equalizer.

The 27-year-old is the second Uganda player to test positive, after Smouha's Derrick Nsibambi in July.

Sofapaka head coach John Baraza has revealed how they have prepared for the Saturday Football Kenya Federation Premier League tie against unbeaten AFC Leopards.

Ingwe will face Batoto ba Mungu in what has been described as ‘Cats Derby’ at Kasarani. AFC Leopards remain unbeaten given that they picked up wins against Tusker and Bidco United while Sofapaka were beaten by Bandari before picking up a win against Western Stima.

“Building momentum is very vital, it also helps in instilling confidence and a winning mentality,” Baraza told the club’s website. “Definitely, we are going for a win on Saturday because we want to make it two out of two in a row.

“With no doubt this a big clash and a very crucial one for us as a club. We are facing a side that is equally challenging for the title so it won’t be a walk in the park.

“We have had a good preparation towards the match, the seriousness of this match has been translated in our training sessions and I am confident that we are well prepared.

“It is a big clash and as you all know it’s always termed the ‘Cats’ Derby’ thus the bragging right is fully at stake and we as a club want to emerge winners on Saturday.

Paul Kiongera, Promise Chinonso and Willis Obayi are all available for selection after recovering from injuries. Kiongera was suffering from a hip injury but has recovered and was part of group training in the last session.

Chinonso overcame a groin injury while captain Obayi has recovered from a knee injury.

“So far so good we have been boosted with a timely return of our three important players; Chinonso, Kiongera and Obayi,” Baraza confirmed.

“As a coach, I am pleased because this gives us depth and options. We, however, will still miss defender Michael Bodo and Brian Magonya who got a knock in our last match.”

Bodo is recuperating from a groin problem while Rwandan international Isaac Mitima is out due to a knee injury he got while turning out against Western Stima in Wundanyi.

The tie will kick-off at 15:00 EAT as AFC Leopards interim coach Anthony Kimani looks for his second win in the relatively new season.

Mathare United and Zoo FC will now remain suspended from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League after they failed to sign the broadcast deal with StarTimes.

The two clubs were on Wednesday given 48 hours to endorse the deal and were suspended provisionally from taking part in the top-flight until they signed the same.

However, the 48 hours elapsed on Friday at 5 pm, and none of the ‘rebel’ teams had signed the contract, with FKF CEO Barry Otieno confirming to Goal the clubs only came back asking for more time before they can sign it.

“We gave [Mathare United and Zoo FC] 48 hours to sign the document and none has signed,” Otieno told Goal on Saturday. “As passed by the federation’s National Executive Committee (NEC), they will remain suspended from the league and their players will be allowed to join other clubs.

“We will now proceed to redo the fixtures for the current campaign and remove the two teams from the roster.

Otieno continued: “Instead of signing the document, the clubs came back asking for more time but since NEC had already given them an ultimatum [of 48 hours which they did not meet], it is not possible to give them more time, they will now remain suspended and the league will continue without them.”

FKF has also urged the two clubs to lodge a complaint with the Court of Arbitration in Zurich if they feel aggrieved with the decision.

In a letter obtained by Goal signed by CEO Otieno and sent to Zoo, who had already said they will seek advice from the local Sports Dispute Tribunal, FKF has said: “In any event, in your previous email dated December 9, 2020, you were unequivocal that you had elected to seek the Sports Dispute Tribunal’s advice and direction on the matter, a contentious proclamation that is an express admission of a deliberate contravention of the FKF constitution (2017), calling for disciplinary action and an equally clear expression of a definite decision/position on the matter from your end.

“Subsequently, the FKF National Executive committee brought the matter to a conclusive end. FKF and the NEC are now functus offcio. Zoo may, if aggrieved, lodge an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.”

The letter to Mathare United sent to the club’s lawyer Rachier & Amollo Advocates also stated: “Please refer to your letter dated December 11, 2020.

“The content of the draft correspondences you list in your letter in self-evident of a fair and engaging process undertaken by the federation. Unfortunately, your client is engrossed in endless circumlocution.

“The FKF NEC having brought the matter to a conclusive end, FKF and NEC are functus offcio and your client, if aggrieved can lodge an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

With the suspension of the two teams, it means the 2020-21 season will have 16 teams but if Ulinzi Stars also fail to sign (as per deadline day on Monday), then the top-flight will have 15 teams.

Pep Guardiola has praised John Stones for turning his career at Manchester City around, while insisting he never lost faith in the defender.

Stones has racked up 141 appearances in all competitions for City since completing a £50 million ($66m) move to Etihad Stadium from Everton in 2016.

The 26-year-old has helped the Blues win seven trophies in total, including two Premier League titles, while also establishing himself as a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad at international level.

However, Stones slipped down the squad pecking order at the Etihad last season amid form and fitness issues, with Guardiola ultimately dipping into the summer transfer window to bolster his defensive ranks after seeing Liverpool knock them off their perch at the top of the table.

City managed to bring in Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake from Benfica and Bournemouth respectively, which initially left Stones facing an uncertain future heading into the final 18 months of his contract.

The centre-back has managed to force his way back into Guardiola's plans in recent weeks though, and has started four of the Blues' last five matches, including a 2-0 home win over Fulham last weekend.

Stones could be in line to feature again in Saturday's derby clash against Manchester United, with his manager left delighted by the hard work he has put in behind the scenes to give him a welcome selection headache.

"I'm incredibly happy for John Stones," Guardiola told Sky Sports News. "In the end, the players have to show for themselves, we can't help them for certain points.

"I never changed my mind. When we bought him from Everton we thought he had the quality to do it. But footballers are not just footballers they are human beings, human beings have problems and personal lives.

"Some footballers when they have a problem outside, they forget it when they are inside and other ones put the problems inside.

"He came here as a young lad, only 21 or 22, and immediately everything started happening with the national team for England and playing here in the Champions League, which he had never played before. And sometimes you need time and a process to settle and some players need more time than the other ones.

"We know the quality he has and I am especially happy because he is an incredible person. In the good moments, he is always there and in the bad moments, he fights and always was with the team.

"This behaviour will help him to have a long, long career and live for this amazing job for a long time. Just the mentality and the positivity. He turned it around and hopefully he can continue not just for coming seasons as well."

Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer is keen for his first piece of silverware, a year since he arrived at the Soweto giants, while also ending their six-year trophy drought when they clash against Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

For his opposite number John Maduka, he would be out for his first career gold medal as a coach, five months into his spell as Celtic head coach following the departure of his then co-coach Lehlohonolo Seema.

Maduka will also be seeking to bury the agony of missing out on the Nedbank Cup following defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in September’s final.

Losing another final in three months is something that Celtic would be eager to avoid as the team also wants to lift their first major trophy since 2012 when they claimed the Telkom Knockout.

They face a Pirates side that has also gone for a number of years without winning any Cup since bagging the 2014 Nedbank Cup.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV and SABC. 

Squads & Team News

After mentioning that the Caf Confederation Cup is not economically viable to them, Celtic have been fielding a second-string squad in continental competition.

In Africa, Maduka has been playing the likes of goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto, midfielder Shadrack Kobedi, Mokone Mereko, defender Mpusani Tani and Aviwe Nyamende all who are yet to make a single appearance in their Premier Soccer League (PSL) games this season.

This has seen season campaigners like captain Ndumiso Mabena, Justice Chabalala, Ronald Pfumbidzai, ex-Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane and Given Mashinkinya being rested.

They are likely to be fielded on Saturday and will take to the pitch with fresh legs with most of them having last been involved in competitive action two weeks ago when Celtic beat Black Leopards in a league match.

Earlier this week, Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer hinted at fielding utility player Thabiso Monyane who is returning from injury.

Monyane has played just one match this season and it would be interesting to see if Zinnbauer will hand minutes to someone coming from a long spell on the sidelines.

Bafana Bafana attacker Thembinkosi Lorch and defender Abel Mabaso are still out injured.

Striker Frank Mhango could start on Saturday after coming on as a substitute in Pirates’ last two games that marked his return from injury.

Congolese forward Jean-Marc Makusu who is yet to make his Pirates debut could provide a fresh dimension if he is allowed to play.

Match Preview

Pirates’ road to the MTN8 Cup final saw them edge Cape Town City in the quarter-finals.

This was followed by an emphatic 5-0 aggregate triumph over traditional rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-final after a 3-0 first-leg win and a 2-0 return leg victory.

Celtic have also been impressive in their path to the final especially after eliminating Mamelodi Sundowns in the last-eight.

Siwelele then knocked out defending champions SuperSport United in the semi-finals following a 1-1 away draw in the first leg, before a 1-0 win in the home leg.

It is six weeks since Celtic and Pirates last met in a competitive fixture when the Buccaneers beat the Free State side 1-0 in a PSL encounter at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

The last time the two sides met in a knockout competition was in the 2017 Nedbank Cup when Pirates eliminated Celtic at the quarter-finals stage following a 2-1 win.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Christian Benteke will benefit immensely from the impressive skills of Eberechi Eze.

The 22-year-old has been in sparkling form since teaming up with the Premier League club from Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the summer.

The versatile midfielder has been showcasing his fine dribbling and offensive skills in the English top-flight, helping the Eagles to win five games so far.

Eze opened his goal account for Palace in style against Leeds United, curling home a well-taken free-kick which has been adjudged the best Palace goal for November.

The Anglo-Nigerian’s performances have also been rewarded by the Eagles fans, who overwhelmingly voted for him as the club’s Player of the Month for November.

Zaha returned from coronavirus isolation to bag a brace in their comprehensive victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The forward has remained an influential player for Palace over the years, helping them to maintain their Premier League status with his audacious and dazzling performances in front of goal.

The Eagles lost the two games Zaha missed against Burnley and Crystal Palace but Hodgson insisted his side is not built around a player and explained they gave their best in both games but were not lucky enough to avoid defeat.

He also explained how Zaha, Ghana international Schlupp and Benteke will benefit from Eze’s top-notch abilities.

“The stat about us without Zaha is a bit of a half-truth because we've played well in some of those games and lost,” Hodgson said in a pre-match press conference.

“But Eze is showing us at the moment that we've made the right decision. Being an offensive player and making a cutting pass will definitely help Wilf, as will Benteke and Schlupp."

Eze has now scored one goal and provided two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.

The 22-year-old will be expected to continue his eye-catching performances when Crystal Palace take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford is not yet a "world-class striker", according to Louis Saha, who has claimed that the Manchester United star is not "deadly" enough in front of goal.

Rashford has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom since bursting onto the senior stage at Old Trafford as a teenager back in 2016.

The England international has scored 77 goals in his first 232 appearances across all competitions for United, while also providing 45 assists, getting his hands on three major trophies in the process.

The 2019-20 campaign marked Rashford's most prolific yet in the famous red shirt as his 22 goals helped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side secure a third-place Premier League finish and three semi-final berths.

However, the 23-year-old only has three to his name from 10 Premier League outings at the start of the new campaign, and Saha says he still has to work on a few things in order to reach the same level as club legends Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Marcus Rashford is a world-class forward but he isn’t yet a world-class striker," the former United frontman told Genting Bet. "When you look around the world, there aren’t many players playing for big clubs such as Manchester United and perform on a big stage with his country.

"But Rashford can do whatever you want from him, he can defend when you need to and he can actually attack and create his own goals, score free kicks. He's a top forward.

"A striker is a different animal, a striker is someone who is really eager and you can see in his face that they want to score all the time and will focus on how to maximise the position where he can score. They won’t try to find that kind of ‘nice look’, a striker is just deadly. 

"This is what I learnt from playing with the likes of Van Nistelrooy and David Trezeguet. At this moment, Marcus Rashford isn’t a world-class striker, but he’s a world-class forward.

"Rashford still has the youth and the potential to do it - as Cristiano started in a certain position and now is the best striker you can ever imagine. Being a striker is an attitude and they obsess about scoring goals, they’re going to shout at any player that doesn't give them the ball and you shout to yourself because you miss a goal."

Rashford is still outscoring his usual strike partner Anthony Martial though, with the Frenchman currently enduring a barren run of form which has seen him draw blanks in all six of his top-flight appearances.

Saha says Martial has already proved his quality, but admits he must improve his output and start delivering the goods on a more consistent basis to fulfil his true potential.

"Anthony Martial has reached a level of skill and I didn’t see it coming," he added. "He’s really gifted in many areas and being a striker is one but it’s about consistency - you have to score and you have to have that desire to score all the time. 

"You’ll have moments where you don't do it but it doesn't matter because you're still making the same runs. I think that he has definitely shown quality but obviously we always want more from a player like him."

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) has distanced itself from the formation of the Association of Sports Federations (ASF).

Although the Ugandan FA confirmed it sent a representative to the meeting of National Sports Federations at Kati-Kati Restaurant on Thursday and following a report that was made to the Executive Committee, it has decided to disassociate itself with the newly-formed body.

“However, in synergy with other stakeholders, Fufa will continue to advocate for more attention to the entire sports industry in Uganda from the government and private sector through the National Council of Sports, Uganda Olympic Committee, Ministry of Education and Sports and the various relevant government institutions but not creating and being part of parallel bodies,” the federation stated.

The local FA, however, outlined the urgent need of looking at issues that are rocking the sports fraternity and affirmed their readiness to support initiatives that are aimed at bringing solutions.

“Fufa believes that the challenges that need to be urgently addressed through appropriate channels include; legislative bottlenecks arising out from an outdated 1964 NCS Act, insufficient funding to the sports subsector and particularly National Sports Federations, lack of sports infrastructure for international, national, regional, village sports training and competitions and policies that drive more private sector investments to the sports industry,” it added.

“Fufa will remain open to join efforts with other national sports federations using strategies and approaches that do not seem to either contradict or undermine the already existing efforts and institutions.”

Meanwhile, Fufa has released coronavirus related guidelines that will be used to guide fans back to the stadium.

“Fans shall be allowed in stadiums [in writing] upon fulfilment of the following conditions; appointment of a club medical liaison officer, club hygiene implementation officer and club safety and security officer,” Fufa’s circular No. 1126 read.

“Registration of season ticket holders not exceeding 200, submission of the list of season ticket holders to Fufa with their full bio-data to facilitate tracing when the need arises.

“Only season ticket holders [maximum 200] shall access the stadium during competition matches. No other persons shall be allowed access to the stadium beyond those stipulated in Article 13 of the Fufa Covid-19 regulations.”

The host teams have been given huge supervisory roles with regard to fan attendance and adherence to the protocols.

“The host team shall provide attendance statistics to the match commissioner and shall form part of his report,” it added.

“Strict observance of all Standard Operating Procedures in accordance with directives and guidelines from the Uganda president, the Ministry of Health, other government agencies, the Fifa, Caf and Fufa Covid-19 protocol regulations.

“Any club or football entity that fails to abide by the conditions as set out above shall be liable to sanctions including but not limited to monetary fines and withdrawal of the privilege.”

The Premier League has started and matchday three action is scheduled from Friday to Sunday with no fans allowed for now.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to explain the reason they have moved their Mainland Premier League match set for next Saturday from Dar es Salaam to Arusha.

The Jangwani giants have three matches remaining to end round one of the 2020-21 campaign starting with Mwadui FC, Dodoma Jiji, and promoted side Ihefu FC.

While they are scheduled to take on Mwadui on Saturday at CCM Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga, the Timu ya Mwananchi have opted to deliberately shift their match against Dodoma next Saturday to Arusha, to give their supporters a chance to watch their team play live.

Yanga information Officer Hassan Bumbuli has explained as quoted by Daily News: “We have a big fan base in Arusha that is why the game has purposely been transferred to be played there. It is our hope that people will turn out in big numbers to cherish their team.”

Bumbuli also confirmed new signing from Burundi Saidi Ntibazonkiza will have the chance to play in Arusha and this will be a good opportunity for club fans in the town to see him in action.

The striker signed for the Jangwani club for an undisclosed fee and will now be eligible to play for the team on the day since the mini transfer window is set to be opened from December 16 to January 15.

Yanga are unbeaten in the 14 games played so far in this campaign and are enjoying a healthy seven-point lead on top of the 18-team league table.

Despite playing against a team that is second last on the table with 10 points, Yanga coach Cedric Kaze, who is yet to lose a match since signing for the team as a replacement for Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, believes there should be no room for complacency.

“Last season rivals Simba SC lost their first league game [after a seven-match unbeaten run] at Shinyanga,”  Kaze told reporters ahead of the game.

“Playing Mwadui will not be easy, it will be a tough match. We would not look at the standings but will take the game with the seriousness it deserves, we are taking every game seriously.”

Timu ya Wananchi are on 34 points after winning 10 games and drawing four and are the only team in the 18-team division yet to taste defeat. They have managed to score 17 goals and conceded just five.