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Kaizer Chiefs head coach Stuart Baxter says brandishing the cheque book won't solve their problems following their clash with TS Galaxy on Sunday.

The Soweto giants were held to a 0-0 draw by the Rockets in their opening match of the 2021/22 PSL season which was played at Mbombela Stadium. 

Sifiso Hlanti, Kgaogelo Sekgota, Phathutshedzo Nange, Cole Alexander, and Keagan Dolly have all joined Amakhosi in the current transfer window.

However, Chiefs remain winless this season having lost to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 clash last week and Baxter insisted that signing players don't guarantee success. 

"Cheque books don't usually solve anything. I think if you draw a game 0-0 away from home and then your only solution is the cheque book then that's a big question mark against the coach," Baxter told SuperSport TV. 

"We'll do some good work on the training ground, we'll try and inspire them. Our first line of attack will be to do the work on the training ground."

The British tactician, who is in his second stint as Amakhosi coach, admitted that his side was not good enough against a stubborn Galaxy side.

"Going into the first game you know very little because you've got very little to go on," he said as he reflected on the match. 

"They've got new players and you don't know if the coach is going to change. In principle, they played the way we thought they would play. We just weren't good enough. Our quality was too poor, especially on the breakdown.

"To get longer attacks and pick our way through a man-to-man inspired type of defence, when we did I thought we looked okay, but we didn't do it enough and the decision-making on the pitch wasn't good enough tonight."

Chiefs' star striker Samir Nurkovic was surprisingly substituted for Keagan Dolly just nine minutes into the second-half and Baxter explained why he made the change. 

"Samir was frustrated because good players usually are when they're not performing well. So Samir was trying very hard, But he just wasn't producing what he can produce," he continued.

"So Keagan's fitness allows him to play half an hour, forty minutes, a half. So we looked for the mobility and when he first came on I got what I wanted but because the decision-making drifted in and out we didn't get it enough.

"It's a frustrating evening. A point away from home you're on the board. We get more information and hopefully, the players like Keagan get those extra minutes and we can make tweaks to the way we play."

Baxter is hopeful that Chiefs can secure a victory when they take on Baroka FC at FNB Stadium on Wednesday with Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele having started the new term with a 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants.

"Hopefully we will take three points in our next game. I think the build-up play has got to be there before you get strikes on goal. I think there was one strike from us, one strike from them and everything else was a war of attrition," he added.

"Some sort of quality or a set play was going to win the game but neither side produced that so maybe 0-0 was the best both of us could hope for." 

Former Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna ripped Arsenal after their 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday, saying "the DNA of the club is gone".

An everpresent force in Arsene Wenger's successful sides at Emirates Stadium of yesteryear, Sagna feels the team is now going to "concede a stupid goal" every time he watches the Gunners.

Arsenal have now lost both of their games to start the campaign, which has piled further pressure on manager Mikel Arteta.

What has been said?

“The DNA of the club is gone," Sagna told RMC. "When I watch Arsenal now, honestly, I know that they are going to lose the majority of the time, that something is going to happen, that we are going to concede a stupid goal.

"When I was playing, anyone would be excited to join Arsenal, now ... we have lost our identity."

Poor start to the season

Arsenal's defeat to Chelsea comes after they lost 2-0 to newly promoted Brentford on the Premier League's opening weekend. They are now tied for 18th place on goal differential.

Arteta had hoped for the opposite to play out heading into the year, as an eighth-place finish last campaign had created pre-season discontent among many supporters.

The Gunners face Manchester City away in their next league match, meaning three defeats in three games is a strong possibility.

Arteta responds to pressure

In recent weeks the manager has taken on a positive outlook, even as the on-field results have been bleak.

On Sunday, just before the Chelsea defeat, Arteta claimed his vision was finally coming together.

Further reading

Kingsley Ehizibue provided an assist for FC Cologne's second goal in their 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich in a Bundesliga match on Sunday.

The 26-year-old played in a cross for Marc Uth to finish, which put the two teams level at 2-2 in the 62nd minute.

The outing at the Allianz Arena was Ehizibue's first start of the season after he came on as an 84th-minute substitute against Hertha Berlin last Saturday.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for the hosts five minutes into second half, thanks to an assist from Jamal Musiala.

Shortly thereafter, Serge Gnabry doubled Bayern Munich's lead in the 58th minute but Cologne responded immediately with Anthony Modeste halving the deficit on the hour-mark.

Two minutes later, Uth gave the Billy Goats hope of picking up an away point, after slotting home a cross from Ehizibue.

However, Gnabry dashed such hopes after grabbing his second goal in the encounter in the 71st minute which secured all three points for Bayern Munich.

Ehizibue was in action for the duration but his defensive impact could not save Steffen Baumgart's men.

The Nigeria defender completed the third-most tackles (three) after Tunisia midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (seven) and Florian Kainz (five), and he also made the joint-most clearances (five) with Rafael Czichos.

On the other hand, Cameroon captain Eric Choupo-Moting was introduced as a 76th-minute substitute for Gnabry but he could not register a shot and open his league goal account for the season.

Sunday’s result was Cologne's first defeat of the season, after they defeated Kevin-Prince Boateng's Hertha Berlin 3-1 on the opening day.

They dropped to eighth on the Bundesliga standings with three points after two matches while Bayern Munich are fourth with four points after the same number of games - two points behind leaders Wolfsburg.

Ehizibue will be looking to make his second league start when FC Cologne host Bochum at the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday.

The Germany-born right-back is yet to make his debut for the Super Eagles, but he was handed his maiden invitation to Gernot Rohr's team in March 2020 for an Afcon qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone, which was later postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sports Writers Association of Ghana president Kwabena Yeboah believes Asamoah Gyan would be a wise addition to Ghana’s contingent for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

Out of the Black Stars set-up since playing at the last Afcon in Egypt in 2019, 35-year-old Gyan, last week, expressed his desire for a return to international duty at the January 9 – February 6 continental fiesta.

The striker is Ghana’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player, with 51 goals in 109 appearances.

“I would want to urge to FA to make Asamoah Gyan a part of Ghana’s team for the Cup of Nations,” Yeboah told Joy Sports.

“If not to play, he has a wealth of experience and has a lot of inspiration to give to the players. His presence alone can serve as great inspiration for the players, so I want the FA to make him a part of team Ghana.

“His expression of desire to play again for Ghana shows his level of passion and commitment to the national cause. I guess it’s the reason he gets maligned, castigated and lampooned for the least he does.

“He is Ghana’s all-time top scorer and highest scoring African at the Fifa World Cup [and] that is no easy achievement. As to whether he is ready to don the national jersey again is another conversation all together.”

Gyan, who made his international debut in 2003 and is currently back home playing in the Ghana Premier League, has already featured in seven Afcon finals for the Black Stars, scoring in each.

Presently, he is the West Africans’ second all-time top scorer in the competition, sitting just behind Andre Ayew who has nine strikes to his name.

“We do know that at the last Nation’s Cup in Egypt, then coach of the side Kwesi Appiah brought him on as a substitute in one or two games and we saw what impact he made,” Yeboah added.

“And whether he makes it to Cameroon or not, he should know that the people reserve a place of pride for what he has done for the nation. But as it is always said a prophet is not honoured in his own home.”

Ghana have been drawn against Morocco, Gabon and Comoros in the group stage at Afcon.

Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is joining Lyon in a £9.5 million deal, Goal can confirm.

The clubs have agreed a fee for the 29-year-old, who has been given permission to travel to France to finalise his transfer.

Personal terms, it is understood, are already agreed, with Shaqiri set to sign a four-year contract with the Ligue 1 club.

What’s the deal?

Liverpool had rejected Lyon’s initial offer, thought to be worth only £4 million, earlier this month, with sources describing that particular bid as “ridiculous.”

But the determination of Lyon’s sporting director, Juninho Pernambucano, and manager Peter Bosz to land their top summer target has meant, after lengthy negotiations, a deal could be agreed.

Shaqiri had informed the Reds of his desire to leave this summer in search of regular game time. He will leave having made 63 appearances for the club since joining from Stoke in 2018, and as a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League winner.

Will Liverpool look to replace him?

That seems unlikely, in terms of a direct replacement. Harvey Elliott, the gifted 18-year-old, looks to have already filled Shaqiri’s squad position, as a player who can play either as part of a midfield three
or wide on the right of the attack.

Elliott made his first Premier League start in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Burnley, while Liverpool are also enthused by the progress of another teenager, 16-year-old Kaide Gordon, whose development will be watched closely.

Jurgen Klopp has hinted that it is unlikely there will be any further midfield additions before the transfer window closes, though it remains to be seen whether Liverpool look to add an attacker. They are still open to offers for Divock Origi, who was not in the squad against Burnley, while defenders Nat Phillips and Neco Williams may also attract bids in the coming days.

Further reading

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates right-back Jimmy Tau feels there is a lack of creativity in the Amakhosi engine room.

Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter started with Phathutshedzo Nange and Cole Alexander in central midfield against the Rockets, with Bernard Parker in the number 10 role. Khama Billiat and Kgaogelo Sekgota played on the wings and Samir Nurkovic as the central striker.

The combination failed to spark Amakhosi to life and they rarely threatened Galaxy’s keeper Vasilije Kolak on the day.

“There are two players where I would love them to reconsider this partnership – we have  Nange and Cole Alexander, for me they are the same player,” Tau said after the match in the SuperSport TV studio.

“Because it means that one of them are depriving you the space or the impetus to go forward. You need to get someone who will take the creative aspect of the game. Because they are both work-horses – I love their attitude, I love their presence on the field, they are exceptional players.

“But they are depriving the team of that one player who can release. We had Tensashe Nengomasha who would sit there, we had Thabo Mooki there (two former Chiefs holding midfielders from the past two decades). He could make things happen from central midfield, Chiefs don’t have that player.”

Tau’s fellow analyst Simphiwe Dludlu also questioned the impact made by the team’s more attack-minded central midfielder, Bernard Parker.

“If you use two defensive midfielders it means you are saying, a number 10 needs to be more mobile,” said the former Banyana Banyana player.

“But Parker is not that mobile as a number 10 because when he has possession he’s losing it easily.

“And that’s a red flag already because it means the wingers won’t get the ball and Khama [Billiat] has to come back and fight for the ball instead of getting it in areas where he can be more lethal. Sekgota also has to come back.”

Romelu Lukaku says his opener for Chelsea against Arsenal on Sunday is the most special Premier League goal he's ever scored.

The striker swept in from full-back Reece James' cross to kickstart the Blues' 2-0 victory in his first start since rejoining the club from Inter. While the finish was straightforward, he did well to hold up the ball in the build-up before making a darting run beyond Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

Lukaku entered the match with 113 career Premier League goals, though none in the 10 domestic appearances he made during his first stint at Stamford Bridge.

What has been said?

"Yes, that one was the best [Premier League goal] for me," Lukaku said on beIN SPORTS.

"You guys know how emotional it was today. This one is the best of the lot. Obviously, it was only a tap-in but the build up was nice so for me this one was the best.

"It took five minutes or so to understand the movements of my team-mates but I asked a lot of questions. To be honest, this group is very, very talented and hungry.

"It was easy for me to fit in because I played this way with the Belgian national team. The coach prepared us well and we came in with confidence and got a good result."

Tuchel 'very happy' with Lukaku effort

"I am very happy with how he has integrated already, a very smart guy who likes to be in the group," Tuchel told Sky Sports. "He is very democratic leader, talks to everyone, friendly and is totally competitive. He gives us something we did not have, to protect balls. You cannot start better than a goal and he assisted some chances.

"I didn't expect too much but I wanted to see his capability to adapt and to link up, that is what he did very good and the guys like to play with each other."

Bigger picture

The £98 million ($136m) transfer fee it took for Chelsea to land Lukaku will add pressure on the striker to provide immediate goalscoring results - an expectation team-mate Timo Werner struggled with last year when he joined the Blues.

Lukaku's quick goal could alleviate some of that stress, and the team's perfect start to the campaign won't hurt either.

Further reading

Chelsea’s Premier League title ambitions rest largely on the shoulders of Edouard Mendy and not Romelu Lukaku, says former Nigeria international Dele Olorundare.

The Blues continued their impressive start to the 2021-22 English top-flight campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

First-half strikes from new signing Lukaku and Reece James propelled the reigning European kings past Mikel Arteta’s men in front of their home fans.

However, it was Mendy’s eye-catching showing that caught the fancy of the former Sunshine Stars forward, as the 29-year-old goalkeeper prevented the Gunners from getting a goal, while organising the defence.

“Kudos to [Romelu] Lukaku for getting a goal on his return to Chelsea, but I feel Edouard Mendy deserves all the accolades for a job well done,” Olorundare told Goal.

“After a solid job against Crystal Palace, he put up another masterclass to ensure the Blues did not concede a goal in their second successive outing.

“Even when Chelsea’s backline looks shaky, he showed class to put the chestnut out of the fire. He was the reason Arsenal did not get a goal despite numerous attempts.

“Personally, I think Mendy is the key man to their ambition of emerging as Premier League and not Lukaku like many are already saying.

“Without the Belgian, I still believe the Blues have a way of getting the goals, but in the goalkeeping area. Even Kepa [Arrizabalaga] cannot do the brilliant job Mendy is doing at the moment.

“Also, I feel that he [Mendy] is not getting the accolades he deserves. He is pure class and Chelsea are very lucky to have him in their squad.”

Mendy was lured from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes in a £22m ($31m) deal as the six-time English top-flight kings sought to find greater stability between the sticks as costly errors had crept into Arrizabalaga’s game.

Appreciatively, he has since proven to be one of their bargain signings, helping the Londoners win the Champions League and the Uefa Super Cup.

He is expected to be in goal when the Stamford Bridge giants take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in their next league outing on August 28.

As it stands Thomas Tuchel’s men lead the log on superior goals difference ahead of the Reds after garnering six points from two matches played so far. 

Club America will be out to maintain their lead at the Liga MX summit when they host winless Club Tijuana at Estadio Azteca on Sunday.

Watch Club America vs Club Tijuana on fuboTV (free 7-day trial)

Las Aguilas are unbeaten in their first five games of the new campaign, while Los Xolos are yet to claim a single victory - setting up their encounter as a potential banana skin for the hosts.

Ahead of the game, Goal has the details of how to watch on TV, stream online, team news and more.

TV channel, live stream & how to watch

In the United States (US), Liga MX matches can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (watch with a 7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

Team news & rosters

Las Aguilas notched up another win to keep themselves atop the pile against Juarez in midweek, but are still likely to have to contend without the injured Leo Suarez and Santiago Naveda for now.

Santiago Solari has no shortage of talents however, with stars like Jorge Sanchez and Henry Martin both likely to carry their fine form onwards for the hosts this weekend.

Predicted Club America starting XI:  Ochoa; J. Sanchez, Caceres, Valdez, Fuentes; Aquino, Madrigal; Fidalgo, Cordova, Lainez; Martin.

Two draws in their last two games have helped Los Xolos buck the trend after three straight defeats to open the new campaign - but there is little escaping that they are still to get going.

Robert Siboldi's start to life at the club has been far from a glowing success, but his previous trophy record elsewhere should give him time to further steady the ship.

Predicted Club Tijuana starting XI: Orozco; Lorona, Guzman, Tercero, Angulo; Rivera, Pavez; Cortizo, Martinez, Rodriguez; Manotas.

Last five results

Head-to-head

New Arsenal signing Ben White will miss his side's clash against Chelsea on Sunday after testing positive for Covid-19. 

White, 23, arrived at Emirates Stadium this summer from Brighton in a transfer worth £50 million ($69m). 

He made his debut in last week's Premier League defeat to Brentford but now faces a spell on the sidelines. 

Out of action

White had been expected to retain his place in the middle of defence this weekend despite Arsenal going down 2-0 in a shock loss to the Premier League newcomers on the season's opening day. 

Shortly before kick-off, it was confirmed by the club that he would be unable to participate due to Covid. 

White and Hector Bellerin, who is carrying a knee injury, are the Gunners' only forced absentees for their crucial London derby. 

Rob Holding stepped up from the bench to cover the ex-Brighton man's spot, partnering Pablo Mari in the heart of defence. 

There was some positive news for Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gaining a substitute's berth after his return to fitness.

Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, was on the bench just two days after finalising his move from Sheffield United, deputising starting goalkeeper Bernd Leno. 

'A top target'

While his recovery from the virus and mandatory self-isolation may delay White's adaptation in north London, he is highly thought of by those in charge and can expect to play a big part in Mikel Arteta's plans. 

“Ben was a top target for us and it’s great that we’ve completed his signing," Arteta said upon signing the defender. "Ben has been educated with two very good clubs, Brighton and Leeds, in recent seasons. He has benefitted well from two very good coaching set-ups and has shown with both Brighton and on loan with Leeds what a strong talent he is. 

"Ben is an intelligent defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and his style fits perfectly with us. Of course he is still young, so his age and profile fits with what we are building here. We are all looking forward to Ben being central to our future long-term plans."

Further reading 

Strydom Wambi came off the bench to break the resilient Royal AM and hand Moroka Swallows a 1-0 win at Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

In the early exchanges, both teams looked unsettled with neither managing to get a real chance. Eventually, the hosts, finally, managed to get their first attempt in the 11th minute.

A long ball in the danger zone was not cleared and the ball fell to Ruzaigh Gamildien who could not keep his shot down despite being in a good area, under no pressure.

The attacker, once again, had another opportunity to find the back of the net in the 17th minute. Lebohang Mokoena played in a good cross into the danger zone, Khethukuthula Ndlovu headed the ball to the 32-year-old who missed the target from 10-yards.

As the game wore on, the debutants struggled to match their opponents and they spent most of the time in their own half and relying on counter-attacks.

Swallows were camped in the visitor's half but they rarely troubled the goalkeeper owing to good defending by the back four. For the entire first 45 minutes, only two off-target attempts were made.

Even after the break, the job was being done in the middle of the pitch with no team getting it easy in the final third. The visitors defended well, clearing any danger that was coming their way.

With 10 minutes to go, Swallows created a chance through Gamildien, once again. He cut in from the right before unleashing a fierce strike that narrowly missed the top corner with the custodian well beaten.

In the 84th minute, Royal conceded a free-kick just outside the danger zone. It was put into the area and Zephaniah Mbokoma headed it on target, but it was too weak to beat Sipho Chaine in goal.

Another attempt, which was off target, came in the 86th minute from the free kick taken by Matlala Makgalwa. 

When Swallows had given up hope of getting a goal, things changed in the second minute of additional time. Makgalwa received the ball on the right, brought in a cross which was headed in by substitute Wambi.

Swallows FC: Virgil Vries, Musa Nyatama, Junaid Sait, Wandisile Letlabika, Lehlogonolo Matlou, Khethukuthula Ndlovu, Lebohang Mokoena, Dillan Solomons, Ruzaigh Gamildien, Sasman Yagan, Thabo Matlaba.

Subs: Jody February, Sipho Sibiya, Vuyo Mere, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Zephaniah Mbokoma, Givemore Khupe, Matlala Makgalwa, Strydom Wambi, Monnapule Saleng

Royal AM XI: Sipho Chaine, Sello Jorry Matjila, Tshepo Rikkhotso, Thato Lingwati, Lucky Given Baloyi, Kamogelo Mashikinya, Lantshene Phalane, Menzi Masuku, Kabelo Mahlasela, Ndumiso Mabena, Elias Pelembe.

Subs: Patrick Nyame, Mokone Mereko, Moffat Mdluli, Harris Brandt Tchilimbou, Reagan Van Der Ross, Zukile Mkhize, Levy Mashiane, Tshepo Malope, Samuel Manganyi

Tusker registered a 2-1 win over Bidco United to claim the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title on the season's final day at Utalii grounds on Sunday.

The Brewers crowned their campaign with two goals scored in the first half by Rodgers Aloro and Henry Meja while the Thika-based club scored courtesy of David Orem in the second half.
 
Bidco United's Anthony Simasi did well to block Meja and Luke Namanda's ambitious run in the second minute as Tusker began on a high note. Apollo Otieno's seventh-minute fierce shot was deflected into a corner as the Brewers made another attempt to break the deadlock in the early moments of the game.
 
Bidco United's first chance came in the 20th minute, but Emery Mvuyekure in Tusker's goal was alert enough to stop a shot by Peter Anyona.

However, the Brewers won a penalty in the 23rd minute just as their rivals looked to have settled into the game.
 
Humphrey Mieno, Eugene Asike, and Boniface Muchiri engineered an attacking move before the former was brought down for the hosts to win a penalty.

Aloro took the spot-kick and made a successful conversion to reward his hard-working teammates with an opener.
 
After failing to score in the 31st minute with a good chance, Jimmy Mbugua helped Meja find the back of the net two minutes later to extend the lead for Tuskers, who were very dominant at this point.
 
Anthony Akhulia's side, who kept launching sporadic attacks against the home side, were able to score and denied Tusker a clean sheet on their big day when Orem fired past Mvuyekure in the 52nd minute.
 
Tusker have now won their 13th Premier League title and this is the first one since they did so in 2016 when they also claimed a double. KCB - who gave the Brewers a run for their money - concluded their campaign with a 3-0 win over Nairobi City Stars.

Tusker XI : Emery Mvuyekure, Jimmy Mbugua, Sammy Meja, Rodgers Aloro, Eugene Asike, Apollo Otieno, Luke Namanda, Humphrey Mieno, Henry Meja, Jackson Macharia, Boniface Muchiri.

Subs : Michael Wanjala, Hillary Wandera, Kelvin Monyi, Vincent Ngesa, Kevin Okoth, Michael Madoya, Sydney Ochieng, Erick Zakayo, George Odhiambo.

Bidco United XI : Brian Opondo, David Kalama, Lambert Otieno, Anthony Simasi, Collins Okumu, Peter Nzuki, Alex Juma, Jacob Onyango, Peter Anyona, Stephen Obukui, Raphael Okeyo.
 
Subs:  Edwin Omwabani, Kassim Mwinyi, Francis Oduor, Steven Okiro, Zachary Gathu, Batts Awiti, Stephen Waruru, David Orem, Eric Gichimu.