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South Africa have named a strong squad to participate in the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup.

Paired alongside Ghana and Cameroon in Group B, the five-time African Women’s Championship runners-up are hoping to qualify for the knockout phase with the ambition of emerging as winners.

According to the list announced by coach Desiree Ellis, 19 local-based professionals made the cut alongside six foreign-based pros that includes Atletico Madrid’s Thembi Kgatlana and Glasgow City’s Janine Van Wyk.

As disclosed by the Nigeria Football Federation media, Banyana Banyana’s invited players will arrive at the Safa Technical Centre on Sunday, September 5, 2021 – where they will hold a training camp before heading for the West African country.

"Our draw was difficult. It's not as easy as it seems. Ghana have been a powerhouse as well as Cameroon in African football. We cannot take any of the teams lightly,” Ellis told media after being zoned against the Indomitable Lionesses and Black Queens.

"We've always wanted more women's football competitions on the continent and this will be a mini Women Africa Cup of Nations. I think this is the start of great things to come for women's football in Africa.

"Six top countries and we couldn't have asked for anything more. We want to thank Nigeria's First Lady (Dr Aisha Buhari) for the fantastic initiative. 

"Next time, it can be much bigger and also rival big tournaments worldwide. It's a great initiative and we're very happy to be part of it."
 

SOUTH AFRICA FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Kaylin Swart (JVW FC); Regirl Ngobeni (University of Western Cape)

Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe (Dinamo Minsk); Janine Van Wyk (Glasgow City); Tiisetso Makhubele (Tshwane University of Technology); Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC); Bongeka Gamede (University of Western Cape); Koketso Tlailane (Tshwane University of Technology FC)

Midfielders: Ntombifikile Ndlovu (Sunflower FC); Ongeziwe Ndlangisa (Sunflower FC); Oratile Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC); Mamello Makhabane (JVW FC); Nomvula Kgoale (Tshwane University of Technology); Thembi Kgatlana (Atletico Madrid); Refiloe Jane (AC Milan); Linda Motlhalo (Djurgardens FC); Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC); Noxolo Cesane (University of Western Cape); Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)

Forwards: Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns FC); Sibulele Holweni (University of Western Cape; Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns FC); Hildah Magaia (Moron BK); Faya Mandisa (Lindelani Ladies); Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond Ladies)

Jamie Carragher expects Mohamed Salah to be "the next one to sign" a new contract at Liverpool, with the Reds saluted for bucking a trend that once saw star turns lured away from Anfield by the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Few are looking for a way out at present, with a summer that delivered little transfer activity producing a flurry of fresh terms for key men.

Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson have all committed to new deals, with the expectation being that Salah - who has been linked with La Liga giants in the past - will be the next to put pen to paper.

What has been said?

Liverpool legend Carragher believes that will be the case, telling Sky Sports: "It’s not just about Jordan Henderson, it’s about the group of players who have signed long-term contracts.

"I think Liverpool have some of the best players in the world, with Alisson signing a six-year deal and Virgil van Djik. I think Mohamed Salah will be the next one to sign.

"In years gone by, certainly when I was at the club, if we had players of that quality, they would be going to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"We’ve lost so many players over the years, but the club this year hasn’t spent much in the transfer market.

"We’ve bought [Ibrahima] Konate in for £36 million ($50m), and we’ve certainly recouped that through the sales.

"I think the money and expenditure this pre-season was going to go on new contracts, so that those players can stay at Liverpool for the rest of their careers.

"Jordan’s the latest one and follows Andy Robertson, Fabinho also and I expect Salah to do so."

When does Salah's contract expire?

Liverpool are under no pressure to get Salah tied down on fresh terms as his current deal is due to run until the summer of 2023.

The Reds are, however, eager to avoid seeing that agreement run down, which will inevitably lead to renewed transfer talk.

Salah is certainly deserving of an improved contract after maintaining remarkable standards across his spell at Anfield.

Through 206 appearances for Liverpool, the Egyptian forward has hit 127 goals and is just three short of a century for the club in the Premier League.

Further reading

Gio Reyna boasts the potential that will allow him to "play for one of the best five teams in the world", says the Borussia Dortmund midfielder's former coach.

At just 18 years of age, the hottest of prospects is already an established performer in the Bundesliga and a senior United States international with nine caps to his name.

The sky would appear to be the limit for Reyna as his stock continues to soar and Raphael Wicky, who worked with the youngster in the U.S. U17 ranks, believes a big-money transfer could be on the cards at some stage.

What has been said?

Wicky, who spent time in Germany during his playing days and is now coach of MLS side the Chicago Fire, has told Sport Bild: "Gio Reyna has star potential.

"Even as his coach with the U17s, I was blown away by his unbelievable game intelligence and technical abilities, combined with his superb physical conditioning.

"He struck gold with his transfer to Germany. Training at BVB, he's improved his game against the ball and defensive game. He fights for the good of the team and has internalised a winning mentality.

"If Gio continues to develop like this, he can go up another level and play for one of the best five teams in the world, including Bayern Munich."

Could Reyna leave Dortmund?

The talented teenager will not be going anywhere any time soon as he signed a long-term contract with Dortmund in November 2020.

That deal is due to take him through to 2025 and he is feeling settled in his current surroundings.

Reyna has taken in 69 appearances for BVB, scoring 10 goals across those outings.

He is the kind of player that Bayern and several other European heavyweights will have on their radar, but he will not be easy - or cheap - to pry from Signal Iduna Park.

Further reading

The agent of promising Colombian winger Emerson Rodriguez claims his client has attracted interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.

The talented 21-year-old forward is currently turning out in his homeland for Millonarios.

Admiring glances are being shot in his direction from England, with Rodriguez's representative also talking him up to potential Serie A suitors.

What has been said?

Diego Carannante manages the career of Genk defender Daniel Munoz, who was linked with a move to Italy over the summer, and told Fiorentina.it when asked who La Viola should be interested in: "In addition to Munoz, if we talk about the right-hand side, I would propose to Fiorentina the profile of Andres Roman of Millonarios, also called up by the Colombian national team and six months ago was one step away from Boca Juniors.

"As a winger I would recommend Emerson Rodriguez Rivaldo, a Colombian born in 2001, also owned by Millonarios and already watched by City and Chelsea."

Is Rodriguez destined to head for Europe?

The youngster is only 38 games into his career at Millonarios, but has caught the eye across those outings.

He has registered six goals and as many assists through his competitive appearances, with the intention being to increase that end product with greater experience.

It could be that a European heavyweight snaps up his potential at some stage, with his progress clearly being monitored.

City and Chelsea would, however, appear to have little need for Rodriguez at present.

Pep Guardiola has the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish on his books, while Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz are competing for attacking berths at Stamford Bridge.

Further reading

Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has come out to vehemently deny someone in Football Kenya Federation is influencing his squad selection taking part in the 2022 World Cup qualifying matches.

The 53-year-old tactician was in the spotlight before Kenya played rivals Uganda in their opening fixture of the qualifiers at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday. Reports emerged he had delayed naming his starting eleven because “a top official in the federation" had ordered him to pick players he was not ready to use.

The reports indicated the person behind the orders was looking to have his specific players named in the squad to earn caps so they can easily be sold to clubs in Europe.

Mulee has now come out to dismiss the same by indicating he was the one in charge of naming the squad and when the team loses or suffers defeat, it is all down to him.

What did Mulee say?

“I have the mantle of the national team and I want to win, nobody can influence my first XI, it has never happened anywhere in the world so if someone has that information, he should come and give it to me because...[he laughs], I pick the team, I make the decisions, win or lose it is all on ‘Ghost’ Mulee’,” the tactician told Goal.

In the game against Uganda, Kenya secured a 0-0 draw at home but with Mali beating Rwanda 1-0, they moved top of Group E.

Mulee confident of beating Rwanda

Mulee is now preparing Kenya to face Rwanda in their next match of the qualifiers at Nyamirambo Stadium on Sunday and in a previous interview, Mulee said he was satisfied with Kenya’s opening result and was looking forward to picking maximum points against Rwanda.

"We did not expect the result, but it is encouraging considering the fact we had not played any build-up match since playing Togo [in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers]. This was our first game and as usual, it is tough to get your rhythm," Mulee told Goal.

“If you were keen enough, the selected team was a mixture of experienced players and those upcoming ones who want to be involved more often in future assignments.”

Mulee continued: “I cannot say it is a bad outing, the journey has just started, and for us, we started with a point which is a plus. We now have to focus on our next assignment against Rwanda where we will be targeting all the three points.”

In the last four matches between Rwanda and Kenya, the latter stand a better record as they have managed three wins with the other game ending in a draw.

Further Harambee Stars reading 

Lionel Messi came through Argentina's Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela unscathed after an injury scare, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed ahead of his side's clash with Brazil on Sunday.

The two nations meet for the first time since La Albiceleste edged out the Selecao in the Copa America final earlier this year, to hand the veteran attacker his first senior international honour.

Early fears that Messi might miss out on the rematch following a horror tackle from Adrian Martinez on Thursday have now been assuaged by his coach, however, who hopes to confirm his full fitness before this weekend's game.

What has been said?

"Leo is fine," Scaloni told his pre-match press conference. "It was a scare, but luckily he is fine. We will confirm his condition 100 per cent this afternoon, when we do field work.

"[But] whoever plays, Brazil is always an important rival. They're coming off an incredible positive streak. We'll face this game with the utmost commitment that it demands of us.

"I have an idea of how the team will line up, but we still haven't been able to do a training session with those who played against Venezuela. We will probably make some changes."

Scaloni pledges respect to all opponents

Having survived the challenge that saw Venezuela reduced to 10 men with a straight red card, Messi remained a part of the Argentina side that ran rampant across the rest of the game earlier this week.

While a harder challenge surely awaits in Tite's Brazil, Scaloni is insistent that his team will not approach the match any differently than they would for any other opponent.

"We take all the games in the same way, regardless of the rival," he added. "We try to do it in the best possible way as always, with a maximum demand [upon ourselves].

"We are prepared for different circumstances. You have to know what to do at all times. We are clear about what to do when we have the ball and we also know how our opponents will play."

Further reading

Takehiro Tomiyasu has sought to ease any fears regarding his fitness following a £16 million ($22m) move to Arsenal, with the Japan international defender embracing a "new start" in north London.

The 22-year-old, who can operate at centre-half or right-back, has formed part of a record-breaking summer spend at Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta being backed by his board to the tune of some £145 million ($200m).

Tomiyasu arrives with plenty of potential to be unlocked, but also with questions being asked of his ability to steer clear of injury following a run of muscular problems during his time at Bologna.

What has been said?

Tomiyasu insists he is clear of those ailments and ready to give his all for Arsenal, telling reporters while away on World Cup qualifying duty with his country: "I’ve had more injuries in Italy and I’ve had muscular injuries in the last two years. 

"I wasn’t in good shape, and with that, I couldn’t do it at 100 per cent, or I wasn’t happy with the performance [in the last few months] at all. 

"I hope that this transfer will lead to a positive direction, and I think we have to move on."

Can Tomiyasu impress at Arsenal?

The Gunners have struggled for consistency and stability across their defensive unit for some time, with more additions being made in the latest window.

Tomiyasu has joined fellow new boy Ben White at the Emirates, while Nuno Tavares is another to have been drafted in to provide alternative options at left-back.

A new-look side are yet to settle in 2021-22, with no points taken through three games to sit bottom of the Premier League table, but there is the promise of more to come.

Tomiyasu is confident that good times are around the corner, with it his intention to play a leading role in the team's turnaround.

He added: "I feel that the team has changed and it is a new start. 

"The Premier League is the stage I was originally aiming for, and I am happy to join Arsenal, a global, big club.

"I’m grateful that I was able to talk to the [Japanese] association and the director and go to Europe to transfer, because without it I wouldn’t have been able to do it."

The Gunners will be back in action on September 11 when playing host to Norwich.

Further reading

Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has opened up about claims he should be dismissed after the team failed to retain the Egyptian Premier League title.

The Red Devils were recently pipped to the most coveted trophy in Egyptian football by their arch-rivals, Zamalek and this ended Al Ahly's six-year hold on the title.

Some fans on social media then called for Mosimane to be fired by the Al Ahly management despite having guided the team to four major trophies including two Caf Champions League titles. 

“Well, if you fire Pitso, because he’s lost four games in 52 games, so be it. I feel that of loss,” Mosimane told Sports Night Live.

"I hate losing, you know me. Everybody knows South Africa, when I lose, just look at my post interviews I’m just a different person. 

“Because who likes to lose? I’m not that kind of a coach who is modest after a loss. You know, I will go back to the drawing board. I don’t talk that, I don’t like that," he insisted.

“I’m angry. And I go home and I immediately look at the game. What happened one that night, the players will get a text, this is what happened because I can’t take a loss. Loss is not in my space.”

Al Ahly president Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib moved swiftly to throw his weight behind Mosimane after the South African tactician failed to guide the Red Devils to a record-extending 43rd Egyptian Premier League title.

Mosimane stated that the fact that El Khatib is a retired footballer helps him understand that defeats are part of the game of football.

“Well, he played football, he is a legend in Egypt. A big player. Oh, he is, that guy is a legend. Everybody knows. Everybody loves him in Egypt, and I think he played in games where he lost the games also, you know what I’m trying to say," he added. 

“So probably he can look back also and say, ‘did I also lose a game?’ So he is a very understanding person and he took it well – no, we took it bad but we took well. Bad because we don’t want to lose the league."

Nicknamed Bibo during his playing days, El Khatib was an influential player for both Egypt and Al Ahly - winning the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations trophy with the Pharaohs and 10 Egyptian Premier League titles with the Red Devils. 

“We don’t know anything else, I’ve never felt like this in Egypt because everything I played for I’ve won it. So this was the last one and it was a kind of a different feeling," Mosimane continued. 

“And we took it bad but we moved on and said, look, sometimes you can have everything and we know what happened. 

“I don’t want to go to other stuff that I think also really created a problem for us to lose the game but it’s part of the game but you focus on the positives," he said. 

"The positives is: How did you lose the game? What happened? How do we minimize the mistakes we did? How do we maximize on the good things we did? And that’s how you move on in life because who is perfect in life?”

Sergio Busquets has warned against adding more competitions to an already-crowded calendar, saying there will come a point when players will "explode."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested he is in favour of a proposal to hold the World Cup every two years, an idea that's also been backed by ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is currently FIFA's chief of global football development.

But Barcelona and Spain midfielder Busquets has said there are only so many competitions that players will be able to physically withstand.

What was said?

"On the World Cup every two years, [the players] have little say on that [decision]," Busquets said at a press conference.

"We just see the calendar has become busier and busier, and they do not care about the players.

"They want more Euros, more World Cups, more club World Cups, more league games, more games for every competition. 

"There will be a moment when the players will explode because the games are becoming more and more demanding and we have less time to rest.

"So it is so difficult to handle as we have seen recently with this pandemic, where some different competitions have clashed.

"All of this will bring some consequences, so it would be necessary to have a meeting and listen to all the parties."

Will a biennial World Cup happen?

In May, FIFA's members approved the launch of a feasibility study looking into staging the World Cup every two years after the proposal was submitted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

Infantino suggested he is in favour of the change after the FIFA congress in May, saying at a press conference: "You don’t need to be an Einstein to know that if you have the World Cup every two years you double the revenue.

"We have to go into these studies with an open mind. We know about the value of the World Cup and the impact of the World Cup."

This week, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said he has "grave concerns" about the proposal.

Further reading

Thiago Alcantara believes the "tough times" he experienced early on at Liverpool are now firmly behind him, with the Spain international now looking to "win everything" with the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp appeared to have pulled off quite the coup when luring a Champions League-winning playmaker away from Bayern Munich during the summer of 2020.

Covid-19, niggling injuries and questions of his role in the Liverpool team contributed to Thiago enduring a testing debut campaign on Merseyside that only really gathered pace towards the end.

What has been said?

Thiago admits as much, but has told Liverpool's official website of his confidence for 2021-22: "Well, I don’t know if I’d count it as a year of experience in England as, due to Covid, everything has been closed, so we’ve not been able to enjoy being in the country too much in that sense. 

"In terms of the Premier League, I’ve had a year to experience how competitive the game is and the speed of play. As is always the case when you’re adapting, it has been a good year but at the start I had tough times. I feel that I’ve overcome those now and I’m looking forward to this season.

"When I arrived here I was already clear on what I could bring to the team and what the team could give to me. We’ll continue working together and I think that we’re always discovering new things, both in terms of those of us that have been here [for a period] and those players that come in. 

"That’s how you create that harmony within the group to be able to perform at the highest level and evolve."

What are Thiago's targets?

The 30-year-old midfielder registered just one goal and no assists through 30 appearances for Liverpool last season, with collective struggles often holding the Reds back.

Klopp's side have, however, made a positive start to the new campaign and sights are being set on more major silverware.

Thiago added on his ambition: "Well, I have the same feeling I’ve had in every team I’ve played, which is to aim as high as possible.

"That means to win every competition possible: the league, Champions League and the cup competitions too. That’s always been the objective. I’d say there’s no difference between this year, last year and the one before that. 

"We want to win everything and have that hunger to not just win every competition but to win every game."

Liverpool, with seven points taken from three games so far, will be back in Premier League action on September 12 when taking in a trip to Leeds.

Further reading

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder-come-striker Lebogang Manyama has provided an update regarding his injury which has seen him miss the start of the current season. 

The 30-year-old player picked up a knee injury ahead of this year's Caf Champions League final which he missed and Amakhosi succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Al Ahly of Egypt two months ago.

Manyama was one of Chiefs' better performers last season and he finished the season as the team's top scorer in the PSL with seven goals. 

The experienced player has now disclosed that he is close to returning to full fitness as he is currently training with the club's physio, David Milner. 

“I’ve been back training on the side, obviously, with the physio, because I couldn’t really get into contact also, because it’s also a mental thing to go back and get stuck in with the guys,” Manyama told iDiski Times. 

“So I’m just going in gradually, there are reasons for the past two weeks, I’ve been there as an extra man. But yesterday, I had a full session, obviously, still a bit of pain. 

"But we’ve got a few weeks now, to try and get myself a fitness that was a bit higher and see where my strength is also."

Manyama played 38 matches across all competitions for Chiefs last season - scoring eight times and providing three assists.

Chiefs are set to take on reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a league clash in Tshwane on September 12.

The former SuperSport United star is keen to return to action and he is hopeful that he will be in contention to start full training with his teammates under coach Stuart Baxter in the next few weeks. 

"See maybe, most probably in a few weeks, I’ll probably be in contention to join the other guys, but yeah, it takes time, you have to be very patient.," he continued. 

“And I am very patient and just listening to people who know better with this kind of job, I have to follow that, because I know very well that if I follow my heart, my heart wants to play even tomorrow. 

“But there are people that are more experienced in these kinds of injuries than me and I have to take everything that they told me and so far, we’ve been working very well with the guys.”

David Beckham's son Romeo has signed a professional contract with Fort Lauderdale CF.

The 19-year-old has agreed a deal with the USL League One outfit based in Florida, who operate as a reserve team to his father's MLS outfit Inter Miami.

The teenager, the second of Beckham's four children, is reported to have previously trained with Darren Powell's side, and could be in line to make his debut as soon as this weekend.

What has been said?

Though Fort Lauderdale are yet to officially confirm Beckham's capture, the right-flank option confirmed he has joined the club with a post to Instagram ahead of the weekend.

"Follow your dreams," he wrote, complete with a change to his bio, which read: "Footballer for @fortlauderdalecf."

His mother Victoria further commented on the same post with an expression of familial pride, further all but confirming that the teenager has signed his first senior deal.

Beckham furthers Man Utd connection

In making the move to Lauderdale, the younger Beckham becomes the second son of a former Manchester United player to join their ranks.

Powell's side also includes Harvey Neville - son of ex-Red Devils defender and now-Inter Miami coach Phil - among their ranks.

The elder Neville was previously in charge of the England women national team, but has so far struggled to make a positive mark at DRV PNK Stadium.

The bigger picture

While older sibling Brooklyn has eschewed a career in his father's footsteps, Romeo's decision to take up football will undoubtedly spring hopes that he has inherited some of the stardust his dad boasted throughout his career.

In signing for Lauderdale, he too will keep a close relationship with the senior Beckham, whose Miami side use the Florida outfit to blood their younger players on a reserve basis.

Inter Miami - currently competing in their second season in MLS - currently lie 11th in the Eastern Conference, seven points off the playoff race.

Further reading

Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has charged the Super Eagles to improve on scoring more goals after they defeated Liberia 2-0 on Friday.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s double in the first-half helped the Super Eagles start their quest for a spot at the 2022 Fifa World Cup with a commanding win, but they missed a number of chances that could have stretched their lead after the break.

However, the victory shot Nigeria to the top of Group C and Adepoju is pleased with their performance against the Lone Star.

He told Goal: “The three points is very important and they have gotten it. Overall, the match was okay, the boys played well and we scored two goals which is not bad.

“There is room for improvement, definitely. There can be improvement in all aspects of the game, I always say that every match is different and opponents are not always the same. They can do better by scoring more goals.”

The Real Sociedad legend also encouraged Gernot Rohr’s men to face Cape Verde with the same zeal when they travel to the island country for their second group match on Tuesday.

“They should go to Cape Verde with the same attitude, with all seriousness," he added. "I'm aware the UK-based players will not go but I believe the rest of the players can get the job done.

“It's difficult to pick the toughest in the group but we've played Liberia yesterday and we won, so we should give the other teams the respect and we should not think any of the teams are push-overs because football is no more like that.”

Rohr has already confirmed that Everton’s Alex Iwobi, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Watford’s William Troost-Ekong and Oghenekaro Etebo will miss Tuesday’s trip to Cape Verde because the Premier League has banned players from travelling to red-listed countries in the British government's coronavirus watch.

SuperSport United defender Buhle Mkhwanazi says his former teammate Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo's indifferent form at Orlando Pirates is a 'mental situation'.

The duo formed one of the best central defence partnerships in the PSL during their time together at the now-defunct Bidvest Wits and they played an instrumental role in helping the team clinch the PSL title, Telkom Knockout Cup and MTN8 title. 

They were also influential for South Africa as the first-choice centre-back pairing through the course of the Bafana Bafana's successful 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, before helping the team reach the quarter-finals in Egypt.

Wits then sold their top-flight status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the following year and Mkhwanazi remained clubless for almost 12 months, while Hlatshwayo moved to Pirates where he underperformed last season. 

"I feel the performance of a footballer is affected by a lot of things, the first thing that affects it or which club they move to is one; the fans and two; family," Mkhwanazi told the South African Football Journalists' Association. 

"Families play a huge part in us joining teams you know and it's something that's mental too, it's a mental situation. You can't say if this one and this one can't play together, they won't perform."

Having committed mistakes that led to Pirates conceding goals, Hlatshwayo was dropped from the Bafana squad and the 31-year-old has now lost the national team captaincy to SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. 

Pirates were among the PSL clubs which were linked with Mkhwanazi, but it was SuperSport, who signed the 31-year-old player last month and he revealed what made his partnership with Tyson special. 

"When we met, I came with my qualities and he came with his own. We had to just incorporate them. [Tyson's form] it's just a mental situation. Football is about pairing and that starts the minute you know your strengths," he added. 

"Somehow, the person you are playing with, when you know their strengths you compliment each other. You find fewer weaknesses."

Considered to be the best central defender in the country at the time, Hlatshwayo led Wits to the 2016/17 PSL title, while playing with Mkhwanazi in central defence under coach Gavin Hunt. 

Tyson was then nominated in three PSL awards categories - Defender of the Season and Footballer of the Season.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr is anticipating a more difficult challenge from Cape Verde when both countries clash for their second 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying fixture.

The three-time African champions are scheduled to leave Lagos for the island country a day before Tuesday’s evening encounter.

They started their qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win over Liberia on Friday, thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s first-half brace.

In his assessment, the German coach expressed satisfaction with the team's performance at the Teslim Balogun Stadium after they kept their fourth clean sheet in a competitive game.

“Job has been done, we had to win our first game at home and we didn’t want to concede a goal also to show that now we are stable behind, so for four or five games now we didn’t concede a goal,” Rohr said after the match.

“We knew some of our players have to leave after the match and they had to do well before leaving because they cannot go to Cape Verde.

“We scored our two goals in the first half and we were calm and played our football but under difficult conditions because after the rain, the pitch was not easy to play for the two teams but we had to adapt under the circumstances.”

Next up for Nigeria, is a match against Cape Verde who settled for a 1-1 draw with Central African Republic on Wednesday but Rohr is aware of the threats posed by the Blue Sharks.

Meanwhile, nine UK-based players will not make the trip to Mindelo because the country is included in the British government's red-list countries for coronavirus.

He continued: “Nine players are leaving so there will be another team. It’s not easy to beat another team in only two days and also to play on synthetic pitch especially after playing on a dry grass.

“Now we have to beat another team so it’s a challenge for the staff and the players. But we have to show our solidarity and for the players coming in now, who will be 20 going for the game.

“We will have to manage the situation and I believe our team will put in another good performance even knowing it will be a more difficult game than Liberia.”