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Cameron Carter-Vickers says he is excited to start playing again after joining Celtic from Tottenham.

The Scottish side confirmed the arrival of the centre-back on loan with an option to sign him on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

Carter-Vickers, 23, has made only five senior appearances for Tottenham and although he started their Europa Conference League qualifying defeat to Pacos de Ferreira, he has not been in the squad since.

What has been said?

The United States international hopes to gain regular playing time this term after making the seventh loan move of his career in the deadline day switch to the Premiership.

"I am absolutely delighted to agree this move to Celtic, it is a really exciting opportunity for me and I am desperate to meet my new team-mates and get going for the season ahead," he told Celtic's website.

"I know I am going to a huge Club which means so much to so many people and I will be doing all I can to bring our fans the success which their support deserves."

Who else has Carter-Vickers played for?

The Southend-born defender came through Tottenham's youth academy after joining at the age of 11.

He made his first-team debut in September 2016 as they beat Gillingham 5-0 in the EFL Cup.

He was included in the starting XI again in the following round as they lost 2-1 to Liverpool and went on to feature twice in the FA Cup that season.

Carter-Vickers was then sent out on loan to Sheffield United in 2017 but left in January to finish the season at Ipswich.

That was followed by temporary spells at Swansea, Stoke and Luton before he spent last season back in the Championship with Bournemouth.

What about his USMNT record?

Carter-Vickers is eligible to play for the United States through his father.

He represented the country at Under 18, U20 and U23 level before making his senior debut in a friendly against Portugal in 2017.

He has since featured eight times for the USMNT, with his last appearance coming in a friendly against Jamaica in 2019.

Further reading

Lamontville Golden Arrows goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana has responded to South Africa head coach Hugo Broos' comments about his weight. 

Broos named Mlungwana in his 31-man preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for the two upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana. 

However, Mlungwana was among the players, who were dropped by the Belgian tactician when he announced his final 23-man squad and he said the 24-year-old was omitted because was a 'little bit overweight'. 

Mlungwana said the remarks didn't sit well with him and he disclosed that he used some supplements to make himself stronger when he played rugby hence his bulky body shape.

“Those comments didn’t go down well with me but it shows that I’ll need to work hard,” Mlungwana said on Daily Sun.  

“My body was affected because I played rugby before and I used supplements to be in this shape. But I need to push and show him that I’ve got the potential to go on and represent the national team.

“I got the Man of the Match award against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 [semi-final first leg last weekend]. I know my body has let me down, but I’m trying my best to make sure that I have a proper body required in football.”

Mlungwana was included in the South Africa squad which competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games last month after impressing last term as he played a key role in helping Arrows secure a top-four finish in the PSL. 

The Manguzi-born player remains hopeful that he will get another Bafana call-up with the national team set to face Ethiopia in two World Cup qualifiers next month. 

“If I can continue to work hard and be in the condition the coach wants me to be, then I can make it,” he added. 

Mlungwana, who is one of South Africa's most promising goalkeepers, was nominated for the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award last term. 

He has played in 49 games across all competitions for Arrows and kept 16 clean sheets in the process since he made his professional debut at the club in 2019.

Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez referenced David de Gea's infamous failed transfer to Real Madrid involving a faulty fax machine in 2015 after sealing a late loan move to Chelsea on deadline day.

Chelsea finalised a deal for Saul two minutes before the summer transfer window closed on Tuesday night, with the 26-year-old joining the Blues on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.

Saul has confirmed that Atletico submitted the final contract at the very last minute, which reminded him of when Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea was denied a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu six years ago due to equipment failure.

What's been said?

"At 11:57 p.m. we finished reviewing the contract and they had to see it there ... I was like De Gea," the midfielder said on Twitch after signing for Chelsea.

"I thought: 'This is not going to come in and that's it.' It has been a long afternoon and night. My wife was very nervous, we have had some very complicated days, because this decision is not easy.

"Leaving my house on a new adventure is complicated."

Kepa's influence

Saul went on to reveal that Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa, who he also plays alongside at international level, played a key role in his decision to swap Wanda Metropolitano for Stamford Bridge.

"It is very important that he will be there," he said. "It is an important step. If he had not been there, it would have been different.

"Going on loan for a year and having a team-mate with whom I have spent many years in the younger categories of the national team is important."

Could Saul stay at Chelsea for the long term?

Chelsea also have the option to buy Saul outright for £30 million ($41m) next year, and the Atletico playmaker is open to extending his stay in west London if he enjoys a successful debut season.

"Now all I think about is going to England, getting in shape and being happy again," Saul added. "Who knows, maybe I will go there and it will be so great that I will not want to come back? I don't want to promise anything now. I want to focus on what awaits me.

"They are the champions of Europe. It’s very positive for me. My parents can’t believe it. They are Atletico fans! It’s a great opportunity for me."

Further reading

Chelsea defender Malang Sarr saw a late loan move to Greuther Furth collapse on deadline day, despite travelling to Germany to complete the move.

The Bundesliga side were negotiating the move and were preparing for a medical, but talks for the 22-year-old couldn't be concluded.

The free transfer signing from Nice had struggled to find a transfer due to his relatively high wages at Stamford Bridge. Having spoken to his agent, Federico Pastorello, earlier in the week, the central defender had fielded interest from Brest and Eintracht Frankfurt but no switch occurred.

What next for Sarr?

Even though Sarr featured in pre-season for Chelsea, a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad feels unlikely as he has been training and playing friendly matches as part of a separate loan group at Cobham in recent weeks.

The likely scenario now is that Chelsea will explore the option of sending Sarr to either Russia or Turkey, with their transfer windows still open.

There are other leagues able to sign players beyond September 1 but these two are most likely to be able to afford a loan move for a senior player from the European champions.

Sarr's situation is compounded by an underwhelming loan spell at Porto last season.

Is anyone else in the same situation?

Chelsea have also been left with Ross Barkley, who had fleeting deadline-day loan interest from Burnley, but a move was seen as too expensive for Sean Dyche's side.

Former England Under-21 international Lewis Baker has also been left stranded but he had a good year in Turkey with Trabzonspor last season and that could allow him a chance to avoid being stranded at Chelsea until the next transfer window in four months.

In Charly Musonda's case, the 24-year-old forward has suffered a torrid time with injuries after over 18 months out with a knee issue.

Although he has overcome the career-threatening injury, the playmaker has yet to prove himself on the pitch after testing positive for Covid-19 and missing most of pre-season.

The ex-Belgium Under-21 international may opt to use the facilities at Cobham to regain fitness before leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Although a move has not yet been announced, Tino Anjorin completed a medical amid a loan move to Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday night. The deal includes a £17 million ($23m) option to buy but it would also trigger the option for the Blues to buy him back in the future for £34m ($46m).

Further reading

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has put pen to paper on a contract extension that will see him remain at Etihad Stadium through to 2026.

Ederson initially joined City from Benfica in the summer of 2017, and quickly nailed down the No.1 spot in Pep Guardiola's starting XI while establishing himself as one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the Premier League.

The Brazilian has played a key role in the most successful period in the club's history, and has now been rewarded for his contribution with a new long-term deal.

What's been said?

Ederson expressed his delight after the announcement on Wednesday, telling City's official website: “This was an easy decision for me. There is nowhere else I’d want to be.

“To be part of one of the best squads in world football and to compete for trophies year in year out is what every footballer wants, and that is the opportunity you’re given at City.

“We have an outstanding manager. Working with him has been one of the great experiences of my career and I am a better player for it.

“We have achieved so much in the last four years, and I am confident we can continue to bring more success to the Club in the coming seasons.”

City director of football Txiki Begiristain has added: "Ederson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is perfectly suited to our philosophy here at Manchester City and his ability with the ball at his feet makes him fundamental to our style of play.

“Since we signed him, he has added a new dimension to our game and has revolutionised goalkeeping in the Premier League in the process. His performances over the last four years have been nothing short of exceptional and there is no doubt he will continue to be a key player for us.

“We are thrilled he has committed his future to the Club.”

Ederson's City record

Ederson has racked up 195 appearances for City to date, recording an impressive 97 clean sheets across all competitions.

The 28-year-old has only conceded 145 goals during his time at the Etihad, and he has helped the club win ten trophies, including three Premier League titles.

Who else have City tied down?

City have prioritised new contracts for key players throughout the summer, with Ederson following in the footsteps of Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, John Stones and Ruben Dias by committing to fresh terms.

It has been reported that Raheem Sterling could be next in line as Guardiola seeks to keep the core of his squad intact for the final two years of his tenure with the Manchester outfit.

Further reading

Al Ahly striker Percy Tau has revealed the moments he misses as Bafana Bafana prepare to face Zimbabwe and Ghana in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The former Brighton striker was recently appointed as Bafana Bafana assistant captain and has stated he misses those moments when he is out representing the country. Bafana Bafana will take on Zimbabwe on September 2 before facing the Black Stars three days later.

"I am happy everything is going my way. It is like playing a game for 90 minutes, getting your minutes, scoring or getting an assist, helping the team not lose and keeping that feeling. I miss that feeling," Tau said during an interview with Bafana Bafana media officer Romy Titus.

"It is always an honour to represent South Africa and then we always give our best even though sometimes we do not get the results that we deserve. If you look at Afcon, for example, in the last game we did not get the result. From the first game, we did extremely well, but we did not get results in the last one to qualify.

"We try to give our best but sometimes results do not go our way, but we are always optimistic and I believe the younger group from Cosafa can come and get the experience. 

"They have got room to learn."

Acknowledging how difficult the two World Cup qualifying rivals are, Tau explained the role of fans and how they can help them in the course.

"Zimbabwe and Ghana are difficult opponents, but we are confident. The fans should get behind us and give us all the support they can, but South Africa is a footballing nation and understands that things sometimes do not go our way. Every day we take our time and are proud to represent the country," added the former Mamelodi Sundowns star.

"So, let them be there to support us and, yes, we want to get it right and we will do our best again."

Tau also stated he is happy, especially with the recent move that saw him leave the Premier League to sign for Al Ahly, which is under veteran South African coach Pitso Mosimane.

"When a player moves, people speak about it and that was the case with me too. I am extremely happy with everything [re-uniting with Pitso and the national team call-up]," he concluded.

"I am happy to be part of the team looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers and, of course, we hope to do better than the last time I was there in the qualifiers. It is the first time I am meeting the coach and the new team. It is an exciting time for everyone.

"I am also happy with Al Ahly and I feel good about myself and I am in a good place."

The upcoming World Cup qualifiers will provide a good gauge of the current health of the Bafana Bafana side.

It's a very tough group and considering that only the winning team will go through to the final round of qualifiers, Bafana are up against it.

Despite that, the South African Football Association is expecting new head coach Hugo Broos to lead Bafana to the World Cup.

Broos has come in with a new broom and swept aside what he believes are the deadwood and he's been talking about ushering in a more youthful team.

But will those young players have not only the physical capacity, but also the mental fortitude and emotional strength to succeed?

It's debatable, especially when former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer's warning is taken into account.

Following his exit from Pirates only a couple of games into the new season, the German said:

"There are things that you can teach your players as a senior head coach and there are things that a player should have learned from a young age, which is difficult to teach when he is already old," Zinnbauer told the media.

"I enjoyed my time as an Orlando Pirates coach, but players there lack development, basic skills. Especially the defenders, even a 17-year-old European defender can do much better than some 30-year-old PSL defenders. You can teach, shout, but it's impossible to change their weakness at that age."

The jist of his tirade was that South African football is lacking at grassroots level, that players are not fully groomed in all aspects by the time they make it to the top levels.

If South African football as a whole is to be self critical about it, Zinnbauer has made some relevant points. Because if we are being honest, there is not enough resources placed in grassroots development in this country; certainly nowhere near the standards of European and international football.

Proper development - the holistic coaching and life-skills teaching, needs to happen from a young age, and live-in academies are one way to achieve this.

South African football comes up short in these aspects - clubs would rather spend millions on quick-fix solutions - buying players from other clubs and paying them big salaries, instead of pumping funds in at the bottom - where of course there is no guarantee that an 11-year-old will make it.

It's possibly for this reason - the shortage of holistic development from a young age, that players in the PSL are still lacking some important aspects. For too many years, South African football has relied mainly on the incredible skills our players have. But in the modern game, that's not enough, and unfortunately, another failure to qualify for the World Cup, which seems a strong possibility, is set to underline that.

Of course Broos can always say that this was because his players are young and lacking in experience and that the qualifiers were a good learning curve - his decision to go for a younger team gives him that built-in excuse.

Lionel Messi's No.10 shirt at Barcelona has officially been passed down to Ansu Fati following the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Speculation over whether Barca would retire the No.10 shirt has been raging since Messi's departure at the start of August, with the Spanish giants forced to give up on re-signing the Argentine superstar due to an ongoing financial crisis.

Barca have now announced their decision to keep the jersey in circulation, and teenage forward Ansu has been given the honour of following in the footsteps of Messi, who is now continuing his career in France after joining PSG on a free transfer.

What's been said?

Barca have confirmed the news with a video of Ansu being presented with the shirt on social media, with the caption: "Our new number 10. Made in La Masia. ANSUFATI."

More to follow.

Tanzania captain Mbwana Samatta had two offers from France but he opted to return to Belgium with Royal Antwerp, Goal can exclusively reveal.

The 28-year-old made a transfer switch on deadline day returning to Belgium from Fenerbahce of Turkey for the rest of the season and with an option for Antwerp to make the move permanent.

However, a close source to the player has confirmed to Goal two clubs from French Ligue 1 - Troyes and Montpellier – had tabled offers for his services.

Had Samatta made the move to France, he would have had the opportunity to play against Paris Saint-Germain, who recently signed Lionel Messi from Barcelona.

But according to the source, Antwerp gave Samatta a better offer he could not turn down.

“He landed in Belgium on Tuesday for tests, and then signed for Royal [Antwerp], after which I think he will join the national team for the World Cup qualifiers,” the source, who did not want to be named, told Goal.

“It's not a bad thing for him to return to Belgium where he has made a name for himself but what played a huge role for him to return is the fact, Antwerp offered him a good deal, and he could not turn it down.

“It was a difficult choice for him to make and all this happened on deadline day, Troyes and Montpellier also enquired about his services, and he had two choose between the three clubs, his heart settled on a return to Belgium.”

It has been reported the former Aston Villa striker's transfer cost Antwerp €4million and Goal understands, Montpellier had put on the table 2.5 million euros for the signature of the player.

Samatta will be making a comeback to the Belgian Pro League having played for KRC Genk, who he helped to win the league on two occasions before he moved to Aston Villa and then was loaned out to Fenerbahce.

Since joining the Turkish Super Lig outfit from the Premier League side, Samatta struggled in front of goal, and in the 2020-21 campaign; he scored just five times after making 27 league appearances.

Feyenoord have confirmed the signing of Cyriel Dessers on loan from Belgian First Division A outfit Genk.

This move was necessary following the Nigeria international’s inability to tie down a regular place in the Smurfs’ starting XI – playing second fiddle to compatriot Paul Onuachu.

Dessers would be hoping to get regular playing time at the Dutch top-flight side, as well as help Arne Slot’s men, win silverware in the 2021-22 campaign.

“Feyenoord brings Cyriel Dessers back to the Netherlands. The 26-year-old striker is on loan from KRC Genk for the rest of the season,” the club wrote on their website.

“Dessers started his career in his native Belgium at Oud-Heverlee Leuven. After that, he played for Sporting Lokeren before playing for the Dutch clubs NAC Breda, FC Utrecht and Heracles. 

“Cyriel Dessers joins Feyenoord 1 with immediate effect.”

The club’s technical director Frank Arnesen is pleased with the signing of the 26-year-old claiming his arrival will provide Feyenoord with more options in attack.

“Cyriel has proven that he has the scoring ability and we are convinced that he will show that at Feyenoord as well,” he said.

“Moreover, his arrival means that we have more options to choose from in the front, and that is not an unnecessary luxury given our busy schedule.”

The striker is not a stranger to the Eredivisie having represented the likes of NAC Breda, FC Utrecht and Heracles in the past. In the 2019-20 campaign, he was the joint league’s highest goal scorer alongside Steven Berghuis having found the net on 15 occasions.  

Dessers joins Senegalese forward Aliou Balde in the fold of the 15-time Eredivisie kings.

After the international window, he is expected to join the rest of his teammates as they prepare for their next league outing against Heracles on September 12.

Despite a strong start to the season, Slot’s team has recorded uninspiring results in their last two fixtures – losing 3-1 each to Elfsborg and Utrecht.

Born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, he chose to represent the Super Eagles at international level.

Dessers was first called up for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Sierra Leone on March 4, 2020, before making his international bow seven months later against Tunisia in a friendly match that ended 1-1.

Francis Uzoho and Apoel FC have parted ways by mutual consent, the Cypriot First Division club has announced.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper will continue his career elsewhere despite having two years left on his current contract.

After completing his loan spell at AC Omonia, the Nigeria international joined the Legend in July 2020 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

His maiden game for Apoel was a 3-0 triumph over Ermis Aradippou before injury crept in to miss the crucial games which his team lost.

During the 2020-21 campaign, Uzoho featured in 18 league matches as Sofronis Avgousti’s men finished third on the log.

While no reason was given for the mutual termination of the contract, the club wished the African star all the best for his future.

“The company Apoel Football (public) limited announces the completion of its cooperation with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho,” a statement from the club website read.

“We wish Francis the best of luck.”

Uzoho is expected to announce his next destination in the coming days. Currently, he is in Gernot Rohr’s squad ahead of this month’s 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.

He would be looking forward to displacing Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi to man the post of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners when they square up against Peter Butler’s Liberia on Friday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

It will be recalled that Francis Uzoho was shown a straight red card for the first time in his career on April 2, 2019, during his spell at Anorthosis Famagusta.

Even at that, his team cruised to a 3-0 win over Alki Oroklini in a Cypriot First Division fixture.

The former Deportivo La Coruna goalie has come under intense criticism in recent times from a section of fans who feel he is older than the age he claims.

In his response, however, he stated those criticising him don't know him when he was growing up, revealing he had a small stature.

“I was smallish back then in 2013 when I participated at the World Cup with the U17 national team," Uzoho told Super Eagles media in an Instagram chat.

"I later went to Aspire academy where I learnt a lot. My looks and body build changed when I started using the gym and was working out seriously. 

"If a lot of people see my picture back then they won’t even talk about my age, but I don’t really bother because they don’t know me."

Bayern Munich are unlikely to sign Erling Haaland in 2022, according to the club's former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who says it "will be difficult" to keep the Borussia Dortmund striker in Germany.

Haaland's stunning exploits in the final third at Dortmund over the past 18 months have led to him being hailed as the most talented young forward of his generation, and a number of top European clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on his progress.

Bayern are among those to have been strongly linked with the 21-year-old, and they have a history of luring the best players away from Westfalenstadion, but Rummenigge expects his next destination to be somewhere abroad.

What's been said?

Asked whether Bayern could look to bring in Haaland next year, the ex-Allianz Arena chief has told Sport Bild: "He has become an absolute figurehead in the league.

"But I'm afraid he won't be staying in the Bundesliga. The numbers that are circulating show that it's difficult to keep him in Germany. I assume that his future lies abroad."

Will Haaland leave Dortmund?

Haaland, still has three years left on his contract at Dortmund, but also reportedly has a €75 million (£64m/$87m) release clause in his contract that will become active next summer.

In addition to Bayern, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in the Norwegian, but BVB boss Marco Rose remains optimistic that he will stay at Westfalenstadion for the long term.

"In the end, Erling has to decide for himself where he sees his future," Rose said last month. "In any case, we are happy that he is currently playing for us - and, who knows, possibly it'll be even more than just one season if we write an extraordinary story here."

Haaland's BVB numbers 

Haaland has hit a staggering 63 goals in 64 appearances for Dortmund to date, with his latest effort coming in stoppage time against Hoffenheim on Friday to give Rose's side a dramatic 3-2 victory.

The Norway international has also set up 18 goals for his team-mates, and played a key role in Dortmund's run to DFB-Pokal glory last season.

Further reading

Cristiano Ronaldo came back to Manchester United in 2021, making a sensational and unexpected transfer from Juventus.

The return of a Red Devils hero to Old Trafford immediately prompted United fans to resurrect a terrace favourite that was heard mostly between 2003 and 2009, though occasionally performed in the years since.

It echoed around Molineux after the transfer was confirmed and will no doubt be a feature of plenty more Premier League stadiums again.

So, if you're looking to brush up on the lyrics, Goal has all the details.

What are the 'Viva Ronaldo' lyrics?

Viva Ronaldo!
Viva Ronaldo!
Running down the wing,
Hear United sing,
Viva Ronaldo!

(repeat ad infinitum)

What does 'Viva Ronaldo' mean?

There is no deep or complicated meaning behind the 'Viva Ronaldo' chant that is sung by Manchester United fans. It is, rather, an expression of joy at the sight of Ronaldo starring for their team.

The term 'Viva Ronaldo!' translates from Portuguese as 'Long live Ronaldo!', with the word 'viva' commonly used in praise of a particular individual, thing or idea.

In the next line, United fans sing about Ronaldo 'running down the wing' and this is no doubt inspired by the Portugal captain's style in his formative years, when he was a tricky winger.

While it may remain a convenient line in the song due to rhyming reasons, it is now something of a throwback rather than a reflection of reality, but United fans will no doubt be creative with it.

Finally, the song concludes with a self-referential lyric in which supporters tell the world to 'Hear United sing: Viva Ronaldo!' - thus allowing them to launch into another rendition.

More Man Utd songs & fan chants

India are all set to take on Nepal in the first of the two international friendly matches on September 2 at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.

As a part of their preparation for the upcoming SAFF Championship 2021, which will be held in October in Maldives, the Blue Tigers will play two friendly matches against Nepal on September 2 and September 5.

This will be the first time India will play an international game since facing Afghanistan on June 15 in their final group game of the 2018 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint-qualifiers in Qatar. The match had ended in a 1-1 draw.

Ahead of facing Nepal, Stimac suggested that he expects his team to play quality football against Nepal and hopes that rain won't play a spoilsport in the upcoming friendly matches.

What did Igor Stimac say?

"We are very happy to be here and play some friendly games before the upcoming SAFF competition. Of course, not everything is ideal but I just hope the games will be good. We hope all the players will be fit and ready and hope we won't suffer due to heavy rain during the game so that we can play some good football.

"When I said that not everything was ideal I meant this. We didn't have players from ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC with us. But most of them are a regular part of our team and they know what I am expecting. We are happy that they had some AFC Cup games so they are all in good fitness condition in regards to others who directly came to us from off-season. It is not going to be easy but the boys worked really hard," stated the Indian head coach.

What did Igor Stimac say about opponents Nepal?

"We did our work on analysing our opponent. Obviously, the Nepalese team made progress in the recent qualifiers. They showed they can play good football. Defensively they have improved quite a lot and now they show that they can defend as a unit," said the Croatian coach.

'Seriton Fernandes will get his chance now'

The Indian coach revealed that he hand an opportunity to FC Goa right full-back Seriton Fernandes possibly in the second friendly match as he is exploring more options.

"We have only Seriton Fernandes who is new to this team. He was supposed to be with us during the last three qualifiers but for COVID reasons he could not join us but he will get his chance now because we have suffered in that right full-back position for quite a while and we are looking for options. He will get his chance maybe not in the first game because he joined us very late but he may play in the second game," suggested Stimac.

Federation of Zambia Football Association President Andrew Kamanga has revealed the reason striker Fashion Sakala will not be available for the team’s 2022 World Cup qualifying matches.

The 24-year-old was among the foreign-based players named in the Chipolopolo squad by coach Beston Chambeshi for the double-header against Mauritania on September 3 and Tunisia on September 7 but he is yet to report to camp.

The absence of Sakala, who turns out for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, elicited a lot of discussion on social media with many Chipolopolo fans faulting coach Chambeshi for snubbing the player, something Kamanga has come out to clarify and put the record straight.

“When we sent the request for his release, the club [Rangers] released Fashion [Sakala] but he decided he wasn’t fit enough and he has asked to be excused because he believes he cannot contribute at 100 percent because he is still recovering from an injury,” Kamanga told Capital FM as quoted by the Zambia FA website.

Despite Sakala’s absence, Kamanga is confident the technical bench will use the players available to get a positive start against Mauritania in Morocco.

“We have enough firepower; the team is ready and prepared adequately. We hope that Fifa will be able to resolve the Covid-19 [red-list] issues so we have our players from England to come and play at home [against Tunisia on Tuesday],” Kamanga continued.

Despite the absence of Sakala, Zambia managed to get other professionals named in the squad including Leicester City forward Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu, who features for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

In a recent interview, Daka admitted they will be under pressure to deliver for the fans when they kick off their campaign.

“I know a lot has to be done; a lot is expected from myself, so I really know the reason why I am here. I am happy that I am able now to meet with my teammates,” the 22-year-old told Zambia FA's official website.

“I know the expectations are so high not only from the fans back home but also from ourselves as a team because we know what is at stake.

“I think this is a new beginning. It is a new challenge we are starting and so we just must put behind us all the misfortunes we have had like missing the Afcon.”

After playing Mauritania at Stade Olympique in the capital city of Nouakchott, Zambia will return home to host Tunisia on September 7, 2021, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta has joined Royal Antwerp on loan from Fenerbahce, the Belgian First Division A side has announced. 

Since joining the Turkish Super Lig outfit from Aston Villa, the African star has struggled in front of goal. In the 2020-21 campaign, he scored just five times despite making 27 league appearances.

Nonetheless, he has been shipped to the Bosuilstadion Antwerp where he is expected to rediscover his scoring form under manager Brian Priske.

At the end of the 2021-22 season, Samatta is expected to return to Sukru Saracoglu Stadium as he would hope to see off his contract until the summer of 2024.

“The 28-year-old striker from Tanzania comes over from Turkish [club] Fenerbahce, who we will meet in the UEL group stage. He will be hired until the end of the season with a purchase option,” a statement from Royal Antwerp read.

“Samatta became champion two years ago at KRC Genk, where he played a total of five seasons. In 191 games, he scored 76 times and handed out 20 assists.

“In 2020, he made the move to Aston Villa in the Premier League, after which he moved to Fenerbahce. Good luck at the Tawny Owl, Ally!”

With this move, he becomes the seventh player from Africa in Priske’s squad. Others include Abdoulaye Seck (Senegal), Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria), Nill De Pauw (Congo), Luete Ava Dongo (Congo), Bruny Nsimba (Angola) and Opoku Ampomah (Ghana).

He is expected to join with the rest of his teammates after the international window as they continue their Belgian top-flight campaign.

The African star will lead the Taifa Stars’ attack when they visit DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe, Lubumbashi in Thursday's 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier.

Samatta could make his debut when Antwerp travel to Kehrwegstadion for their league fixture against Stefan Kramer’s KAS Eupen.

After five matches played so far, the four-time Belgian kings are 15th on the log having accrued five points from five games. Their last outing ended in a 2-2 draw at home against OH Leuven.

During his time at Genk, he wrote his name in the history books being the first Tanzanian to feature in the Champions League having featured against Salzburg on December 20, 2019.