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Miralem Pjanic has ended his prolonged feud with former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman after Koeman was sacked on Wednesday night.

The Besiktas midfielder, who sparred with Koeman repeatedly following his Blaugrana exile, denied an ambiguous, since-deleted Instagram post was meant as disrespect towards the head coach, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina star appeared to put the entire clash behind him.

Pjanic wrote that "it’s very easy to misquote someone and place them out of context" and added he was "raised to respect everyone" and didn't want to cause further problems.

What's the context for Pjanic's comments?

The 31-year-old on at least two occasions since his September exit has spoken in strong terms about Koeman.

He accused Koeman of disrespect soon after his move to Besiktas, and then suggested Barcelona needed a better leader earlier this month.

As a result, people honed in on his social media accounts to see what he might say in the wake of Koeman's firing. But it seems his initial post - which shared the quote "know when to let that sh*t go" - was misconstrued by fans as a dig at the Dutchman.

Pjanic then shared a follow-up message to explain himself.

What has been said?

“In a world where everyone’s eyes are glued to their screens, it’s very easy to misquote someone and place them out of context," Pjanic wrote.

“Throughout my career, I have never intentionally, indirectly or directly, intended to harm anyone. I was raised to respect everyone and anyone.

“And I content to continue doing that in all ways. I wish Ronald Koeman the best of luck in his future journey.

“I will continue to focus on doing my best for my team.”

Further reading

Wayne Rooney has ripped former club Manchester United for not putting in sufficient effort in their 5-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend.

The current Derby County manager said it "wasn't easy to watch" the Red Devils be run off the pitch by their rivals, but he came away most concerned by "too many players not willing to run back, not willing to defend and not willing to put everything on the line for that club".

He called the display "unacceptable" as he added to a chorus of criticism against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.

What has been said?

"The Liverpool game wasn’t easy to watch," Rooney told reporters. "I’m seeing too many players not willing to run back, not willing to defend and not willing to put everything on the line for that club and that’s not acceptable.

"Those players need to be hurt, need to feel when you lose games how much it hurts you.

"There is a big responsibility on those players. They are world-class players, international players and a club like United need more.

"The players have to question themselves. It’s too easy for the manager to take all the stick when those players are being paid a lot of money to do the job and I don’t think they’re doing it well enough."

Solskjaer a 'fighter'

Rooney also defended Manchester United's boss as someone who will battle until the end to turn around his team's fortunes.

"Obviously there’s pressure on Ole - everyone can see that," he said. "But I know Ole and he’s a fighter. He’ll keep doing the right things, believing in what he believes in, and trying to get more out of those players."

Bigger picture

Former Manchester United players and coaches have been brutal in their assessments of the club this season, with Rooney joining Gary Neville and Sir Alex Ferguson in criticising the club this month.

The pressure has registered with the players; on Wednesday, forward Marcus Rashford admitted to feeling embarrassed in the wake of the Liverpool loss.

Further reading

Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has announced his intention to play the Olympic Games in his native France in 2024. 

Mbappe is already a World Cup winner, having lifted the title in Russia with Les Bleus three years ago. 

And he has now set his sights on Olympic gold, stating that he cannot miss out on the opportunity to represent his country in the "unique" competition. 

What was said? 

“It was while watching the London Olympics in 2012 that I realized the importance of this global competition. The Games are "THE" benchmark for sport, the absolute holy grail that all sportsmen and women in the world want to compete in and experience at least once in their life," Mbappe stated in an open letter published in L'Equipe.

"This is the time when you can give people the most pleasure, convey emotions and experience them in return. Being in the Olympic Village, giving, receiving, is a unique experience."

Mbappe went on to explain how watching the London Games in 2012 inspired his dream of one day leading out France at the world's biggest sporting event.

"I must have been 13, I was still very young, I remember the hours leading up to some competitions in London. I was impatient. Before each game of the American basketball super team, with LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant). I wanted to see how Usain Bolt was going to transport us to the track in athletics, 100m, 200m," he added.

"I followed a lot of other sports, of course football with Neymar's Brazil who was beaten in the final by Mexico, and Ney, disappointed, said he wanted to win four years later in Rio, in his country.

"That's when I said to myself, I want to be there too. I want to experience the Paris Games. It's a strong inner feeling, as if I were destined to participate in this huge celebration in my city, in my country, a hundred years after the last competition in France (the Summer Games). 

"It is a childhood dream that emerges. I dream of going to other sports that we don't have time to see the rest of the year: judo, handball and men's women's basketball, 3x3 in basketball, volleyball, canoeing, even skateboarding!"

What happened in 2021? 

PSG refused Mbappe permission to take part in the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo, along with Brazil duo Neymar and Marquinhos, arguing that it would disrupt pre-season preparations following his participation in Euro 2020 earlier in the summer.

"Already, in 2020, for the Tokyo games, I wanted to participate, it was an objective but they quickly pulled the rug out from under my feet," he said of missing out on the competition.

"When you see what the French teams have succeeded ... We won in volleyball, in hand, we were finalists in basketball against the United States. They went to look for gold and brought credit to France. I hope to experience that and do the same in 2024, with a team that would bring together the best players of the moment.

"These Games will be in France, they are those of the centenary in Paris. It's not the biggest competition in football, but you have to play the Games in your career. It is something unheard of when you are in love with sports."

Further reading 

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has described Mohamed Salah as 'out-of-this-world' player ahead of their Premier League trip to Liverpool on Saturday.

Potter is aware of the danger Salah poses to his team after he scored a hat-trick against Manchester United last Sunday to extend his league tally to 10 goals and five assists after nine games.

Jurgen Klopp's men are yet to lose a match in the English top-flight this campaign as they are on a nine-game unbeaten streak.

When asked about how his team will stop the Egyptian goal machine on Saturday, Potter said per the Independent: “That’s a very good question. At the moment he’s not world class, he is out-of-this-world class!

"He is producing in all the big games too – Chelsea, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United.

“But, unfortunately for us, it’s not just him who is a top, top player for Liverpool. It’s a team. These top teams have wonderful individual players but they are also a unit and a team and we must try to deal with that.”

Brighton and Hove Albion have failed to win their last four league games, however, Potter is optimistic that the Seagulls can turn their poor form around at Anfield.

"Anything is possible of course, but it is the most challenging footballing environment there is," he added. "Anfield with a crowd is a completely different animal, I would suggest, than what it is without.

"You need everything pretty much to go your way if you want to try to get a result at Anfield.

"You have to be perfect yourselves, you have to be together, you have to be resilient and play at such a high level and then you have to hope that they have a bit of an off day as well. Because while we are in the same league, we are not at the same level as them.

"We can learn and use that experience last season but I would suggest we will have to step it up again.”

Orlando Pirates co-interim head coach Fadlu Davids was disappointed by his charges' finishing in front of goal following their draw against Royal AM on Thursday evening.

The Buccaneers fought back to hold Thwihli Thwahla to a 1-1 draw with Linda Mntambo canceling out Levy Mashiane's opening goal in a PSL encounter which was played at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Davids was also not pleased with the manner in which they conceded against Royal AM as miscommunication between defender Happy Jele and goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane led to Mashiane tapping the ball into an empty net.

"We never really got into the game in the first minute, credit to the opponent they came pressing us, their centre-backs stepping into midfield lines, we didn't really get that space," Davids told SuperSport TV.

"But we were giving away too many balls easily in the build-up phase, not able to progress the ball from the back, to midfield and into the next line. So the first half was not what we really expected.

"Disappointing the way we conceded, although we were not in the game but to concede a goal like that is really disappointing but okay, it's part of the game but really fantastic second-half."

The 40-year-old tactician feels that Bucs played much better in the second half following the introduction of Bandile Shandu, who was a livewire in the right flank as a wing-back.

"We changed the structure a little bit, inverted our wing-backs, really creating problems getting back into the game and really unfortunate that we couldn't get the winner, because the dominance in the second half I think we should've got a goal from that," he continued. 

"We really need to take the positives out of this second-half performance and we have to start games better, especially at home. We wanted to dominate the game but really we couldn't put our foot on the ball but much better second-half."

The former Maritzburg United head coach, who is working with fellow co-interim coach Mandla Ncikazi, feels that the 'final shot' is one of the aspects missing from their game. 

"That's how we want to play, that's how we want to dominate teams but again what's eluding us is that final shot, we're getting into fantastic positions," he added.

"We're unlocking teams but we're not able to put the ball in the back of the net, it's definitely something to work on and of course starting games better."

Pirates will now play host to Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on November 2. 

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has dismissed claims they received Ksh433,500,000 from the government to support the national teams.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, on Wednesday according to Daily Nation, told a parliamentary committee that the said money is part of the cash channelled to the federation since the 2019 financial year to support national football teams.

Acknowledging receipt of money of varying amounts from the government, FKF, however, stated they did not receive the actual amount claimed by the minister.
 
"Football Kenya Federation has learnt that the Ministry informed the Sports, Culture and Tourism parliamentary committee, on October 27, 2021, that the government advanced Ksh433,500,000 meant for national team engagements, to the federation," the letter - in possession of Goal - from the federation to the Sports Minister, read.
 
"Whereas the federation remains grateful for the support the Ministry of Sports has accorded the Kenya national teams thus far, our bank account records indicate that between 2019 and 2021 the federation received and accounted for Ksh355,512,205 and not Ksh433,500,000 as communicated by your good self. 
 
"In light of the aforementioned, and in order to reconcile and account for the missing Ksh77 million that was not received by FKF as part of the Ksh433,500,000 figure shared with the sports and tourism parliamentary committee.

"The roadmap on the future of FKF will be determined by the findings of the committee. If the audit establishes that everything at the federation is okay, there will be no need to go further," Amina said of why the insection is being undertaken.

"If the committee establishes that there are issues, we shall engage stakeholders on the way forward."

Ademola Lookman scored Leicester City's second goal before Enock Mwepu scored the equaliser for Brighton & Hove Albion as Wednesday's League Cup ended in a 2-2 draw before penalty shoot-out.

Harvey Barnes put the Foxes in the lead in the sixth minute and there were two late goals from the two teams before the interval.

Adam Webster cancelled out Barnes' opener, three into added time but it did not take long for Lookman to restore the hosts' lead at the King Power Stadium.

The Anglo-Nigerian found the back of the net, two minutes after Webster’s equaliser as Leicester City go into the break ahead.

Upon resumption from half-time, Zambia international Mwepu was introduced for Dan Burn and shortly later, he grabbedd the equaliser that forceed the game into a penalty shoot-out.

His compatriot Patson Daka played the entire duration for the Foxes while Nigeria's Kelechi Iheanacho replaced Lookman in the 73rd minute and Senegal's Nampalys Mendy was introduced in the 59th minute.

During the shoot-out, Leicester City converted all their efforts with Daka scoring the third attempt. For Brighton, Mwepu and Neal Maupay missed their strikes which gave Brendan Rodgers' side a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Next up for Leicester City, is a Premier League clash against Arsenal at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, before they play host to Victor Moses' Spartak Moscow for their Uefa Europa League encounter.

Isaac Success opened his Serie A goal account in Udinese’s 1-1 draw with Verona on Wednesday.

Success made his first start for Luca Gotti's side since his loan signing for Watford in August and he instantly made an impression for the hosts.

The 25-year-old opened the scoring at the Dacia Arena in the third minute, following an assist from Tolgay Arslan.

The lead separated the two teams for the majority of Wednesday’s encounter, until Antonin Barak scored the equaliser for Verona from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.

The late strike denied the Little Zebras maximum points as they settled for their fourth straight draw in the Italian top-light.

Meanwhile, Success was in action for 63 minutes, which was his second league appearance of the season. On the other end, Verona had Cameroon's Martin Hongla on parade for the first 45 minutes.

Gotti’s men are 14th in the league table with 11 points after 10 matches – four points above the drop zone.

Success will be looking to build on his maiden goal when Udinese visit Inter Milan for their next Serie A match on Sunday.

The Nigeria striker who has been at Vicarage Road since 2016, moved to Italy to secure regular time at Udinese, which is controlled by the same owner of Watford – the Pozzo family.

He played a part in the Hornets' promotion to the Premier League last season after he scored a goal in 10 Championship matches.

Barcelona have sacked Ronald Koeman as head coach following Wednesday's defeat at Rayo Vallecano, while Goal can confirm the role has now been offered to club legend Xavi.

The loss left Barcelona in ninth place in the La Liga table, having won just four of their opening 10 league games.

The Blaugrana have also struggled in the Champions League this term, which led to Koeman's ouster after just over a season in charge.

What was said?

"FC Barcelona has dismissed Ronald Koeman tonight as coach of the first team," a statement released by the club said. "Club president Joan Laporta informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

"Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad this Thursday at the Ciudad Deportiva.

"FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the club and wishes him all the best in his professional career."

Xavi offered the job

Barca could soon have a replacement for Koeman as Goal can confirm that longtime midfielder and current Al Sadd head coach Xavi has been offered the job.

Xavi has an exit clause with the Qatar side but it is understood that he wants to move to Barcelona, who are prepared to pay the fee needed to secure the 41-year-old.

Rayo loss accelerated Laporta's decision

Laporta had lost faith in Koeman several weeks ago, Goal understands, but he had remained in charge despite a slow start to the season.

But after Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Rayo, which came on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico at the weekend, Laporta felt that a change was needed immediately.

Koeman's time in charge

The Dutchman was confirmed as Barcelona manager in August 2020, taking over after Quique Setien had been dismissed in the aftermath of the club's disastrous 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Koeman saw his side struggle in his first season in charge, but did manage to bring home one piece of silverware in the form of the Copa del Rey.

This offseason saw the club go through a major period of turmoil as its dire financial situation saw club legend Lionel Messi depart as a free agent after Barca were unable to re-sign him.

Overall in 67 games in charge, Koeman had a record of 40 wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats.

Further reading

Marcus Rashford said he is "embarrassed" by Manchester United's 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, explaining the humiliation as his reason for being silent on social media in recent days.

The forward acknowledged the lopsided result was unfair to fans and pledged to redeem himself as the season progresses.

It was Manchester United's heaviest defeat at home to Liverpool and their first shutout loss by at least five goals at home since February 1955.

What has been said?

Rashford issued his public apology for Manchester United's loss on Wednesday afternoon after a period of reflection.

It was his first tweet since the previous Thursday.

Bigger picture

Manchester United have needed to do plenty of soul-searching this week, with Rashford's comments likely resonating among his peers.

The Red Devils meet Tottenham on Saturday in a crucial Premier League fixture. United are in seventh place, one point behind Tottenham in sixth.

Further reading

Bayern Munich suffered their worst-ever DFB-Pokal defeat on Wednesday when they were thrashed 5-0 at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Gladbach took the lead within two minutes and were 3-0 up after 21 minutes, the first time Bayern had ever conceded three goals that early in a German cup match.

Ramy Bensebaini and Breel Embolo each scored a pair of goals for the home side, with Kouadio Kone also finding the net for his first Gladbach goal.

What was said?

"I'm absolutely shocked," Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told ARD after the game. "We just weren't in that match. In every situation they were tougher than us.

"A collective blackout. That was inexplicable. We know how difficult it is always in Gladbach, we discussed that beforehand. It's all difficult to explain, I have to be honest." 

Salihamidzic denied that the absence of head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently recovering from Covid-19, had much to do with the result.

"Of course we want the coach to be there. But the defeat has little to do with Dino, rather that we weren't there for the duels at all.

"Everything that could go wrong really went wrong. It has little to do with the coach today."

An historic defeat

Bayern's defeat to Gladbach marked the second consecutive season they had been eliminated from the DFB-Pokal in the round of 32.

It is now the first time since 1994-95 and 1995-96 that Bayern have failed to reach the last 16 in back-to-back seasons of the competition.

Additionally, it is the first time that Bayern have lost any game by at least a five-goal margin since Fortuna Dusseldorf defeated them 7-1 in Bundesliga play in 1978.

The last time Bayern conceded five goals or more in a game was in November 2019, when Eintracht Frankfurt defeated them 5-1. Head coach Niko Kovac was sacked in the aftermath of that result.

Further reading

Ronald Koeman has insisted that Barcelona's 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday was not a fair result.

Radamel Falcao's 30th-minute goal at Estadio de Vallecas was the difference as Barca suffered their second straight defeat after losing El Clasico to Real Madrid at the weekend.

The result left Barcelona in ninth place in La Liga and will likely lead to more calls for Koeman's job as manager.

What was said?

“I don’t know if my future is in danger,” Koeman said at his post-match press conference. “We have players with goals in them. [Sergio] Aguero, [Memphis] Depay.

“It was difficult for us to get into the game, they put a lot of pressure on us. We’ve been superior. The result isn’t fair, but it’s there and we can’t change it. 

"The game we lost today isn’t a problem of attitude or play. The team’s level has dropped. We’ve lost very effective players, which also counts.”

What is Koeman's job status?

There were strong rumours earlier in the season that Koeman was set for the axe, with Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and ex-Barca star Xavi tipped to step in.

But earlier this month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted that Koeman would not be sacked any time soon.

Since Laporta's declaration, however, Barca have lost three games out of five and appear a long way off challenging for trophies this term.

After a match against Alaves at the weekend, the Blaugrana have a huge Champions League encounter with Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday.

With Bayern Munich clear at the summit of Group E, Barcelona appear to be battling Benfica and Dynamo for the second qualification spot.

Further reading

AmaZulu FC head coach Benni McCarthy felt that his side deserved a hammering following their defeat to Sekhukhune United on Wednesday evening. 

Usuthu were brushed aside by Babina Noko, who emerged 2-0 winners in a PSL game which came three days after the KwaZulu-Natal giants booked their place in the Caf Champions League group stages.

McCarthy's side was in a buoyant mood after eliminating one of this season's Champions League contenders, TP Mazembe of DR Congo with the two teams drawing 1-1 in Lubumbashi on Sunday and AmaZulu won the tie on the away goals rule.

"I wouldn't say it is complacency. I don't think these boys would allow themselves to be complacent. At least I don't allow them, to be complacent. Like I said medical reasons before the game," McCarthy told SuperSport TV. 

"So it was just not just one person it was quite a few. Not that it is an excuse, Sekhukhune made it difficult. They were very straightforward, they played the long ball and they got in behind a few times.

"We were not at our best, but normally Shoes [Mbongeni Gumede], TP [Tapelo Xoki] are so reliable. They are the ones who struggled the most today. They were the ones who were affected."

The Bafana Bafana legend revealed that some of his players were not fit to play against a well-rested Sekhukhune side, who claimed their third successive win in the PSL.

"So, the fact is that they went out there and gave everything for the team and yeah, we only lost 2-0. We have to be proud of that because what went on in our camp we had to get a hammering," he continued. 

"That is how bad it was. A 2-0 defeat we take it and move on and I think there are lessons to be learned. From now on we can prepare ourselves better when we are doing to Caf games.

"And then when coming back domestically, teams go for it, they capitalise on the travels and everything that Caf clubs deal with. So yeah today was one of those days for us."

The 43-year-old tactician stated that he was proud of his charges and he refused to blame them for the defeat to the PSL newcomers.

"I can't really blame the players or have a go at them because every single one of them gave an effort and the fact that they fought not being 100% medically fit to play," he insisted. 

"Normally most players would say no I don't want to play. But I have those players who are still willing to go out there for the team and so I am proud of the guys.

"We work hard, we go forward and we know that we are a far much better team than what we showed today. Like I said it is only the first round. There will be a second round," he added.

"In the second round, I'm very sure that this won't be the state we will be in, then it will be a different football game. For now, let them enjoy the spoils. Congratulations to them for the victory."

Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau has scored twice on his debut for Egyptian giants Al-Ahly, as they take on Ismaily SC in Wednesday’s top flight fixture.

The 27-year-old was named in Pitso Mosimane’s 21-man matchday squad for their opening showdown against their local rivals as they look to clinch their record-extending 43rd domestic league title.

Tau is one of a swathe of exciting new signings at Ahly, with ex Simba SC attacker Luis Miquissone, and duo Ahmed Abdelkader and Hossam Hassan also included in the Red Devils’ squad.

The former Brighton man netted twice inside the first 35 minutes, opening the scoring in the 22nd minute when he latched onto a through ball, dribbled through the middle of the Ismaily defence, before sending a left-footed shot beyond the hosts’ stopper.

For Tau’s second, seven minutes later, he reacted first to meet a cross, evading the pressure of a defender, before scooping the ball beyond the advancing stopper.

The 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup will be the fifth edition of the biennial tournament. As the name suggests it is an age-group tournament and only players who are born after January 1, 1999, can take part. 

It was previously known as the AFC U-23 Championship but from this edition, it will be known as the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. The qualification round of the main event is set to start on October 23. 42 teams will be participating in the qualification round. 

23 teams from  West Asia, Central Asia and South Asia, were drawn into five groups of four and there is another group which has three participants. Meanwhile, 19 teams from ASEAN and Northeast Asia were drawn into four groups of four and there is one group with three teams. However, in Group G there are currently only two participants as Brunei and China withdrew on September 3 and October 11. 

Let us take a look at the groups in detail. 

2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification: Group A Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule 

Standings 

Group B: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group C: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group D: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group E: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group F: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group G: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group H: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule 

Standings

Group I: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group J: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Group K: Fixtures, Scores & Standings

Match Schedule

Standings

Former Ghana and Fulham defender John Paintsil believes Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is yet to overtake Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as Africa’s greatest in Premier League history despite the former overtaking the latter as all-time top scorer.

Against Manchester United on Sunday, the Egyptian netted an incredible hat-trick to move up to 107 goals in the Premier League, three more strikes than the Ivorian whom he was tied with on 104 goals heading into the big game.

“When you talk about Premier League history, it’s a big thing. You just mentioned Drogba leading in goals and now Salah has taken over,” Paintsil told Goal .

“Drogba took about eight years to set his record and Salah has taken about four years, so we can say currently Salah is the African hitting it so hard, but also we have to look at the efforts on how they did it.

“I’d say there’s a difference between the two players. Drogba was a powerhouse. Although he spent about eight years and Salah has spent about half of that, I will still give the accolade to Drogba.

“But Salah is not that far from overtaking Drogba looking at the way he’s going. In terms if quality, power and team ethic, I can say most of Salah’s goals are individual goals.”

Drogba first played for Chelsea between 2004 and 2012, before returning for a brief second spell in the 2014-15 season.

Salah, on the other hand, first came to England in 2014, signing for Chelsea where he made his Premier League debut and scored his first goal in the competition.

He, however, struggled to settle down at Stamford Bridge, warranting a permanent move away to AS Roma in 2016 after loan deals at Fiorentina and the Italian capital club.

A year later, he moved to Liverpool.

“As I am talking to you know, I am a technical man, I’m a coach, so I will speak from a coach’s point of view. Players who play as a team and work according to the pattern of the team are always brilliant,” Paintsil explained further.

“Individual players we don’t add as team players. But sometimes when you need individual brilliance, then one can go in for them.

“Drogba was very good in the air, he was very good on free-kicks, he was also good on long-range efforts and his leadership quality was also good on the pitch and off the pitch.

“He had all these and he was a people’s person, socialised more, and as a sportsman all these count. But by the way Salah is going, he might catch up very soon.”

Paintsil, who represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, also featured for West Ham United and Leicester City during his time in England.