Looking for Soccer News?

Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong married his spouse and mother of his baby boy at a private event in London on Sunday.

Troost-Ekong switched to the dance floor immediately after the Hornets were bashed 5-0 in a Premier League loss to Liverpool on Saturday.

The Nigeria star got over the disappointing home loss by celebrating the love of his life in style.

He dazzled in a traditional Igbo wear and videos on social media showed he has got dancing skills in relation to the trending steps in Nigeria.

Super Eagles stars including Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Emmanuel Dennis and Rangers’ Leon Balogun made it to the occasion and Nigerian artiste Lojay Musicwas  in attendance to entertain the guests. Watford players like Tom Cleverley and Mousa Sissoko were also present and some Nigerian entertainment celebrities.

Back in July 2018, the 28-year-old welcomed a bouncing boy with his spouse who they named ‘Oscar Ekong’.

So far this season, Troost-Ekong has established himself as a key player for the Hornets and he has played every minute of their eight league games.

Watford are 16th in the league table after losing their failing their last three matches, however, they will be hoping to have Troost-Ekong back in training as they prepare for their next Premier League clash against Everton on Saturday.

Gary Neville has again used his Sky Sports platform to slam an underperforming Manchester United side that let Leicester City overrun them in a 4-2 defeat on Saturday.

Speaking on the Monday Night Football show, Neville called United players "babies" with too much ego to play well together. He compared their performances to those of Manchester City and Liverpool, who he said "work like dogs" to earn results.

United are down to sixth place in the Premier League and are five points behind league-leading Chelsea.

What has been said?

"United were appalling all the way through," Neville said. "In the second half there was a massive, massive change - Leicester looked like they could score with every single attack.

"United are just baggy, there's space everywhere and they're a pretty awful team to watch when they're baggy. They must think they're better than they are. You end up with two teams: the front five, the egos, the great players, and the back five.

"You've got individual errors, but also a disconnected team. This United team are also really poor in reacting to goals. They're like babies. If they score, they puff their chests out. Really basic errors.

"City and Liverpool's players work like dogs, and they're the best players in the world. Why is it that we accept United's players won't work as hard as them? Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] has to get the best out of them. If he doesn't, he's going to have a massive problem at the end of the season."

Not a Pogba problem

"I don't believe this is a [Paul] Pogba problem," Neville added on the often-criticised midfielder. "I saw attackers flailing around at team-mates they don't like - and that has to stop.

"What Ole has to somehow prove is that he can get top players to work hard. United's forward players are not organised, they need to put a shift in."

Bigger picture

United full-back Luke Shaw recently said the club's mentality was greatly improved after the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo - but that has yet to bear fruit on the pitch.

It's open season on Solskjaer and his players right now among pundits and even club legends.

They meet Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday needing to avoid defeat at all costs.

Further reading

New Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has explained his decision to hand 17-year-old sensation Abdul Fatawu Issahaku a start in their 2022 World Cup qualifying home fixture against Zimbabwe earlier this month.

Uncapped before the game, the Liverpool and Sporting Club-linked attacker was unarguably the biggest surprise as Rajevac unveiled his starting XI for the matchday three fixture in Cape Coast.

The player, who performs in the Ghana second-tier league for Steadfast and dazzled at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations tournament as a 16-year-old earlier this year, had been called up to consecutive Ghana camps under former coach CK Akonnor but never got the chance to play.

“He [Issahaku] recommended himself with his performance for the U20 team and when he came to the camp, he proved himself at the training sessions and the training match,” Rajevac said on Monday.

“He showed me he has to get the chance and I am quite satisfied with the way.

“He is developing and he is a beautiful talent and a player with a great future in professional football.”

Issahaku’s debut is no doubt an indication that Rajevac is willing to cast his net wider to give opportunities to new players at the Black Stars.

The Serbian coach is on a second stint with Ghana, having led the Stars to the final of the 2009 African Nations Championship, the final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup.

“Definitely, if you look at my previous spell here, you’ll know it is important every department of the team is strong as possible, so for the next period, we are monitoring every Ghanaian home and abroad,” said the 67-year-old.

“The [Ghana Premier] league will start soon, so definitely there will be some talents from here and players abroad trying to prove themselves, so it is a chance for everybody to prove themselves and if they get to come to play for Ghana, they have to prove it.

“This is a process you’re trying to establish the team who can be competitive at the highest level and can play against any team in the world.”

Issahaku lasted 60 minutes on his debut against Zimbabwe.

Sporting KC's Johnny Russell says that Scottish star Ryan Gauld could play at a Premier League level amid his recent surge in form with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Gauld joined the Whitecaps this summer, having previously been nicknamed 'the Scottish Messi' during his time in Portugal with Sporting CP.

He's shined since moving to MLS, helping push the Whitecaps towards a playoff place despite their early-season struggles.

What was said?

"I don't think the Premier League is too far off. He's still young enough," Scottish international Russell told Football Scotland when asked about the 25-year-old Whitecaps star.

"I know what people will be thinking. 'Oh he has come to the MLS, a dead league', all that nonsense, but it's an extremely competitive and tough league.

"It has shown with some of the guys who have done well here, they've gone to Europe and the Premier League so it's definitely not out of the question for Gauld.

"Talent-wise he's not lost anything, so to me it wouldn't be a stretch to see him playing in the Premier League."

Gauld and Russell's relationship

Gauld's rise from youth player to senior play at Dundee United overlapped with Russell's stay with the club, with the latter representing the senior team from 2007-13 after rising through the youth ranks himself.

And Russell says that, from the start, Gauld looked like a different type of player that could do things many at the club couldn't believe.

"Obviously [at Dundee Utd] I knew about him from the youths, you always heard about him," Russell said.

"People were always raving about him and when I saw him it was like, 'This kid's got something different'. Then I got in the first-team and he was around training. Then when I left that's when he broke into the team.

"I always kept an eye on United and he did well. He did so so well in Portugal as well and it was good to see him trying different things instead of sticking with the mould of Scotland then maybe England.

"You could always see there was something different, he saw the game in a different way to most people, especially with the age he was.

"He came in like a 14, 15-year old and dominated training, but you can only do that if you've got something. And he's a really good boy with a nice family. He's a good guy and I think that helped his time with us. He didn't get carried away."

A playoff preview?

Russell's Sporting KC are currently sitting second in the Western Conference and will be among the favorites out West when the playoffs begin next month.

Gauld's Whitecaps, meanwhile, are pushing for their own spot in the postseason as they sit one point behind Minnesota United for the seventh and final playoff spot in the West.

Further reading

Nigeria international and Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala and South Africa women national team coach Desiree Ellis have been named in the Fifa technical advisory group.

The duo joins the likes of Kelly Smith, Mark Parsons, Jorge Vilda, Pia Sundhage and Ricardo Rambo in the forum created by the football governing body, hoping to address the progression of the women's game.

The Fifa technical advisory group - that boasts active players, coaches, retired players, referees, administrators as well as sports scientists from across all six confederations – will be headed by two-time Women’s World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis.

“Competitive balance, increased opportunities for underserved nations, a Fifa Women’s Club World Cup, increased visibility and participation, Fifa international windows, prize money and the possibility of staging a biennial Fifa Women’s World Cup are some of the topics included in the discussions held by the Fifa Technical Advisory Group (TAG) led by Jill Ellis,” a statement from Fifa website read.

“As part of a wider comprehensive consultation process, Fifa is also meeting with other women’s football stakeholders including the member associations, confederations, clubs, leagues and teams.

“The TAG, which comprises players, coaches, referees, administrators, sports scientists and executives, features representation from each of the six continental confederations, held its second meeting on Friday, 15 October.”

Oshoala is the reigning African Women’s Player of the Year while Ellis represented South Africa between 1993–2002 before she was appointed as her country’s head coach in 2016 following the departure of Vera Pauw.

List of women’s TAG participants

Deyna Castellanos (VEN) - Current player
Desiree Ellis (RSA) - National team coach
Laura Georges (FRA) – Administrator / former player
Emma Hayes (ENG) - Club coach
Lindsey Horan (USA) - Current player
Karina LeBlanc (CAN) - Former player
Kristine Lilly (USA) - Former player
Alex Morgan (USA) - Current player
Doreen Nabwire (KEN) – Administrator
Asisat Oshoala (NGA) - Current player
Mark Parsons (ENG) - Club coach
Ricardo Rambo (BRA) - National team coach
Wendie Renard (FRA) - Current player
Ali Riley (NZL) - Current player
Lotta Schelin (SWE) - Former player
Dawn Scott (ENG) - Sports scientist
Kelly Smith (ENG) - Former player
Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb (GER) – Referee
Pia Sundhage (SWE) - National team coach
Jorge Vilda (ESP) - National team coach
Sun Wen (CHN) - Former player

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated Mohamed Salah deserves Ballon d'Or recognition as a reward for his consistency.

Salah has been one of the most highest-scoring players in the Premier League since he moved to Anfield in July 2017.

On Saturday, the Egypt star scored a goal in the Reds' 5-0 thrashing of Watford to become the joint highest-scoring African player in the English top-flight history alongside Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba with 104 goals.

The 29-year-old and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez are the only African stars on the shortlist, however, Klopp fancies the chances of Salah to beat the other global stars.

Asked whether Salah can win the prestigious award, during a press conference on Monday, ahead of their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, Klopp said: “Yes. I have no idea how exactly you win the Ballon d'Or: if it's about being in the Champions League final, scoring the most goals, then it could be slightly difficult but if it's about performances over the last two years then he has a chance from my point of view but I'm not involved in the competition.

"Does he get the recognition finally? Internally he always got it, externally I don't know. After two goals he scored now people think all of a sudden because of that he could be the best player in the world, it is a bit strange.

"He scored goals like this and performed for years at an incredibly high level. My concern first and foremost is that he will do it again and again what he did so far. Whatever you want to write positively about him do it because he deserves it but now let us prepare for Atletico."

In the Champions League in this campaign, Salah has scored three goals in two appearances for Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp's side is currently at the top of Group B with six points after two games while Atletico Madrid trail by two points in second spot.

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur forward Garth Crooks believes Chelsea were not lucky to win against Brentford, that goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was outstanding.

The custodian pulled several top saves on Saturday to help the Blues claim a slim 1-0 win over the promoted side in the West London Derby. Benjamin Chilwell scored the lone goal in the 45th minute to lift his team over the determined Bees in the Premier League outing.

But the Thomas Tuchel charges should thank their custodian for making vital saves at the Brentford Community Stadium in Middlesex.

"The days when goalkeepers are expected to put their bodies on the line week in week out have long gone. They do their job and go home," Crooks stated.

"Edouard Mendy on the other hand had the ball smashed in his face in a way that would have knocked mere mortals out cold. The Senegal international simply shook his head, sprung to his feet, and went on to make a number of fantastic saves. 

"The tip over the bar from Christian Norgaard's overhead kick was quite magnificent.

"Brentford's manager Thomas Frank said in his post-match interview that he thought Chelsea were lucky. No, Mendy was outstanding."

Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger is baffled by Mendy’s exclusion from the Ballon d'Or shortlist. The Germany international made this admission following the 29-year-old’s awe-inspiring display.

"Someone explain why he’s not nominated for the Ballon d'Or? What a performance…Edouard Mendy," the centre-back tweeted.

The 30-man list of the most illustrious individual prize in football was revealed on Friday by France Football, with the Senegal international conspicuously missing. 

Mendy has been a key figure in Thomas Tuchel’s squad following his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 side Rennes. 

In the 2020-21 campaign, he helped the Londoners win the Champions League and Uefa Super Cup, while keeping Spain international Kepa Arrizabalaga glued to the substitutes bench.

Chelsea are top of the table after eight matches with 19 points; they have managed six wins, a draw, and a loss. 

A regional football match between Olimpico do Montijo and Vitoria Setubal B descended into chaos over the weekend as local police forces were forced to fire gun shots into the air in an attempt to break up an ugly clash between players and supporters.

After a goalless draw was played out there was carnage at the final whistle as fans clashed with players and coaches.

Decisive action was required in order to restore peace, with the situation escalating quickly to the point that events spiralled out of control.

What happened?

The post-match brawl was sparked by players and coaches, with fans then storming the field to get involved. Two policemen attempted to break up the melee, but were unable to pull those involved apart.

As the violence became more intense, an additional policeman appeared and up to nine shots were fired into the air.

What has been said?

A police statement claims there was "aggression between various people who participated in the sporting event, including supporters of the two teams, who invaded the field.

"The officers that were there to ensure the security of the sporting event, intervened immediately to end the aggression in progress. Three police officers gave warning shots, by firing their weapons up in the air. The police action, including the shots produced, did not result in injury or damage."

With a disciplinary investigation now underway, Setubal coach Paulo Martins said: "Had the police not fired those shots, the confusion would have been worse. Perhaps they should have prevented fans from entering the pitch."

Olimpico do Montijo coach Marco Bicho added: "At times, teams at the end of a game lose a little bit their emotional control. Players, coaches and executives got too close to each other and it resulted in a conflict and some aggression, but then the police lost control.

"I have a question, in countless situations where players get at each other, has anyone seen something like this anywhere? Even with attacks worse than that, no one has seen the police fire 10 shots into the air."

Further reading

Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann has admitted idolising Chelsea legend John Terry, while also revealing why he may never leave the Bundesliga.

Nagelsmann has emerged as one of the top young coaches in Europe, having gained experience at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before being snapped up by Bayern in the summer.

The German was far less successful as a player, hanging up his boots at the age of 20 due to serious injury, but has now cited Terry as one of his early career inspirations.

What has been said?

Asked which players may have helped him to build his creative coaching mind as a youngster, Nagelsmann told The Times: "John Terry. It was crazy, because when I was a youth player I played with [close friend] Christian Trasch. I called him Patrick - Patrick Vieira - because he played No 6 and he called me John Terry, ‘Johnny’.

"In those days, Terry was one of the best central defenders - I think there was one season he did not lose one duel. He was brave with his head. I was good with my feet but better with my head, and there were some similarities, he was kind of a role model.”

The Bayern boss also recalled an awkward encounter with Terry during his time at Leipzig as he tried to explain to the ex-Aston Villa assistant that he was once known by his name.

“I talked to him for about three minutes and explained to him that I was John Terry in the early days as well," he added. "I had to explain the situation, as he looked [at me] weird."

Nagelsmann's love for Bundesliga

It has been suggested that Nagelsmann could take up a new challenge away from Germany when his tenure at Bayern ends, but he is in no rush to leave his homeland.

The 34-year-old would be quite content to see out for the remainder of his career in Germany, saying: "First of all, I started a new [five-year] contract with Bayern Munich and I hope I can stay here for a lot of years because I love the club and love the city.

"I hope to be successful, so the club should give me a new contract for five years more. I do not have to leave Germany because I’m happy with the Bundesliga and happy to be manager of the biggest club in Germany.

"In the end, if I do not go to a foreign club and another country, I am still a happy man, you know. It’s not necessary."

Nagelsmann also addressed using a skateboard to travel to work since joining Bayern, insisting he won't change his identity to try and fit the mould of the club's previous managers.

“I love to go by skateboard because it’s cool and good for the environment,” he said. “The most important thing is not to change your personality just because you’re the manager of Bayern Munich.

"I want to be the same Julian in my free time as the Julian on the pitch, so if I get out of bed and want to go with my skateboard, I don’t think about the headlines in Bild. I just think that today the sun is shining.”

Further reading

Kevin De Bruyne can appreciate why Raheem Sterling may be asking questions of his future at Manchester City, but the Belgian midfielder has urged his team-mate to accept rotation and see the bigger picture.

Speculation regarding a move away from the Etihad Stadium for Sterling is starting to build heading towards the winter transfer window, with starting berths under Pep Guardiola proving hard to come by.

The England international has admitted that, amid talk of interest from Barcelona, he may be tempted to take on a new challenge outside of the Premier League, but De Bruyne is hoping to see the 26-year-old stay put.

What has been said?

Asked about Sterling’s frustration ahead of a Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Tuesday, De Bruyne told reporters: “Rotation is important. Playing four competitions and mostly going far is a tough ask.

“I understand the frustration, I'm a player and you have some players who need more rhythm and maybe Raz needs more, I need that also.

“It's tough to play one game but it's the manager who has to make choices and it's hard. We have a group of 22, 23 internationals who are unbelievable. Whoever you pick will be right. Whenever the team plays good you can't say much as a player. We try to help each other.”

Is De Bruyne ready for action?

Guardiola has taken to resting De Bruyne at times, despite the 30-year-old playmaker being a talismanic figure for City.

He has picked up unfortunate injuries on a regular basis in recent campaigns, for club and country, but claims to be clear of any fitness problems at present as he builds his way back up to full match sharpness.

De Bruyne said of his current condition: “In the Euros I was happy I could come back but the ankle injury happened. There's nothing I can do, I got tackles and my ligament snapped.

“I try to get back as best as possible. It took some time, it was a bit painful but I feel much better now and I'm very happy about that.

“I feel much much better. There’s still things that can go up. Even the last two-to-three months of last season I didn't train much.

“The last six months have been up and down, not much training. I was in pain when I came back. It was good to take time off after the Spurs game. I feel much better, I feel stronger.”

De Bruyne has taken in eight appearances for City across all competitions this season, with three goals recorded, and minutes against Brugge in midweek will see him reach 500 outings in club football.

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rhulani Mokwena has blamed Bafana Bafana for their injured players who missed the Caf Champions League match against AS Maniema Union on Sunday.
 
Lebohang Maboe, Grant Kekana, Divine Lunga, Rushine De Reuck, and Mothobi Mvala were unavailable for the continental duty where Masandawana drew 2-2 against the DR Congo side, and the coach has blamed the national team for the injuries sustained when they took part in the World Cup qualifiers last week.

Missed stars

"We missed Lebo [Lebohang Maboe] and everybody knows the impact Lebo has; he gives the energy in the midfield particularly, in games like these. In the Champions League, we need a little bit more legs to close down spaces when playing against robust and energetic opposition," Mokwena told the club's media department.
 
"You need very good counter-pressing and the ability to get the next men in the midfield into the attacking half, and normally Lebo gives us that.
 
"Kekana has helped us retain clean sheets within the defensive line and we missed him. Then, unfortunately, with the Bafana players, it is a very difficult situation because, with Bafana, we can not even communicate with the medical department.

"We do not know the itinerary of Bafana, we do not know the training programme of Bafana and we do not get training feedback in relation to the load. There is no data.
 
"There is no corporation between Bafana and that frustrates us a little bit because at the moment, as Mamelodi Sundowns we are always, over the years, shown the willingness to support the nation, support the cause and release the personnel including the support structure. 

 
"Mamelodi Sundowns has always put Bafana, in fact in certain moments, ahead of its own cause. It is a bit disappointing that even in the previous camp Thapelo Morena returned injured and he is not fully back yet.
 
"We are trying to get him into the group and we gave him a couple of minutes [vs AS Maniema Union]. Of course, he has returned to fitness and to training, but at the moment he is not at the right competitive level where he is ready.
 
"Then you have the situation of Mvala, who is so important for us and particularly in this African sojourn. His physicality and the ability to win aerial duels, his ability to control and give us a little bit of competitiveness in the midfield were missed.
 
"Then he comes from Bafana and he is injured, you know. De Reuck, in our previous match, against Swallows, could not finish the game on the precautionary ground but played for Bafana.
 
"[Thabiso] Kutumela is jaded and overloaded and then comes and struggles with his performance."

National cause

Although the tactician is disappointed with the national team, he insisted the club will continue supporting Bafana.

"This disappoints us but OK it is what it is and we have to continue supporting the national course," Mokwena continued.
 
"Ours is to focus on what we need to focus on and try to control what we can control. I will reiterate, as Mamelodi Sundowns, we will keep supporting the national course. It is just disappointing that in the last two international breaks we received our players and they came back with injury complications."
 
Next up, Masandawana will be up against Golden Arrows on October 20 for a local league match.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted it is a nightmare for custodians when Mohamed Salah has the ball in the danger zone.

The 38-year-old conceded five goals as Liverpool grabbed maximum points at Vicarage Road on Saturday in a Premier League outing.

Salah was on target and also provided an assist as the Reds ran riot in the early kick-off to go briefly top of the table before Chelsea defeated Brentford by a solitary goal in a later match to reclaim the position.

Foster went on to agree with Jurgen Klopp who said the Egyptian is currently the best player in the world.

"I wouldn't disagree to be perfectly honest, there are times when he gets the ball that as a goalkeeper he just worries you. He can do anything: go inside, outside, drop a shoulder, his movement is incredible," Foster said as quoted by DailyMail.

"And his work-rate, that's the bit I like the most. He is so willing to run, so willing to work, it is a rare quality in a player with all the other attributes as well. As a keeper, you think, 'Oh my God, don't let him shoot.'

"Seeing that up close and personal against Liverpool, I wouldn't disagree with Klopp's assessment that he is one of the best players in the world at the moment."

The former Manchester United shot-stopper also said it is not only the goalkeepers who get worried when the Pharaohs captain is on the ball in dangerous areas.

"His feet are so quick, players are scared to dangle a foot in and try to tackle him because it's just asking for a penalty. You catch him, flip him, and in the box, he is over so it is an absolute nightmare," Foster continued.

And on Salah's goal on Saturday: "I didn't really see it. I remember three or four players around him… and him dribbling it around two, three, four, and then he used one or two bodies to shield my vision of the ball and stuck it in the corner, it was very good."

Tomas Soucek revealed he needed stitches after suffering a boot to the face during West Ham's clash with Everton on Sunday, while jokingly reassuring fans that he is "still alive".

West Ham moved up to seventh in the Premier League after beating Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park, thanks to a 74th-minute header from Angelo Ogbonna.

A few minutes after the Hammers grabbed the decisive goal, Soucek had to be withdrawn due to a gruesome facial injury that left away supporters worrying about his wellbeing.

What happened?

Soucek slid in to try and intercept the ball ahead of Salomon Rondon, only to be caught square in the face by the Everton striker's boot.

The Czech Republic international stayed down while play went on before eventually receiving treatment from West Ham's medical staff, with live pictures showing that he had sustained a bloody wound just below his eye.

What has been said?

Soucek took to social media to give an update on his condition, posting a picture of his battle scars with a tongue-in-cheek message for his followers.

“A few more stitches on my face, to add to my collection," the West Ham star wrote. “I never give up for any reason. Great win lads and keep up the good work. Don’t worry, I am still alive.”

What's next?

Barring any complications with his recovery, Soucek should be fit to return to the pitch when West Ham resume their Europa League campaign against Genk on Thursday night.

David Moyes side will then look ahead to a crucial London derby encounter against Tottenham three days later, with only a point currently separating the two sides in the league standings.

Further reading

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has hinted he is considering making midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's stay permanent after stating the player is "the right person for this dressing room."

The 25-year-old Cameroon international extended his contract with Fulham until 2024, but was shipped to the Serie A outfit on loan for the 2021-22 campaign. 

So far this season, he has played in eight games in all competitions for Luciano Spalletti’s men, proving to be a key player.

"Don’t talk about him. Leave him hidden, Spalletti told DAZN as quoted by Football Italia. 

"He is a top player, he does everything, but he must improve his finishing and the final pass. You win games when you have the right players and serious professionals, he is the right person for this dressing room."

On Sunday, the midfielder played a great role in helping the Naples-based charges maintain their perfect start in Serie A this season.

This after Nigeria international Victor Osimhen scored the lone goal in the 81st minute to seal the win at the Armando Diego Maradona Stadium.

The Super Eagle rose highest to head Elif Elmas’ cross past goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Torino goal to send the fans into a frenzy.

The goal also saved captain Lorenzo Insigne's blushes, after he missed a first-half penalty. Giovanni Di Lorenzo was fouled in the danger zone in the 27th minute and the skipper stepped up.

However, Milinkovic-Savic guessed the right direction to deny the Italian. It was the second penalty in succession Insigne missed after failing to convert the last one against Fiorentina.

But Spalletti confirmed the responsibilities will not be taken away from him. 

"Lorenzo has a strong bond, especially with his teammates who are helping him. He was sorry for not giving his contribution,” Spalletti added.

"For me, Insigne will take the next one, then it will be Lorenzo’s turn and then the captain’s."

Napoli have 24 points from the eight games played this season. They have scored 19 goals and conceded just three making them the best defensive team in the Italian top tier.

Kenya international Michael Olunga continued with his goal-scoring form in the Qatar Stars League after he scored in a 3-0 win against Al Rayyan at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium (Al-Gharafah Stadium) on Sunday.

In the match they dominated in both halves, Duhail took the lead in the third minute when Edmilson Junior converted from the penalty spot before Almoez Ali also scored from the spot to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute.

The towering Olunga, who had twice rattled the woodwork, then wrapped up the win after slotting past Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad Younes in the 55th minute.

It was Duhail who started the game on a high note and after being fouled by Dame Traore, Junior dusted himself off and took the penalty, sending Younes the wrong way for the opener.

Duhail then waited until five minutes to the half-time break when Ali also stepped up to convert another penalty which hit the upright before dropping into the net for a 2-0 lead at the interval.

Olunga then sealed the game 10 minutes into the second half after dribbling past Rayyan defenders before letting go of a left-footed effort that goalkeeper Younes could not stop for the 3-0 win.

The 27-year-old Olunga has now scored eight goals since the season kicked off from three appearances and raked in 224 minutes.

During the season opener against Al Khor, Olunga scored two goals, before he scored five goals against Al Sailiya and then again against Rayyan on Sunday.

In a recent interview, Olunga said his mission is to help Duhail win matches by scoring and setting up goals.

“I work on helping my team either by scoring or passing to my teammates to score, and everyone is working to achieve maximum points from each game,” Olunga said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“As a striker, I have to work to score goals and I will do my best to help the team, and scoring in Al Sailiya gave me the motivation to continue making the fans happy.

“The club trust in my abilities and contracted with me, and in the beginning when I came to Qatar I succeeded in presenting good matches in the Champions League, and in the league, the two matches that I have played were good for me and I succeeded in scoring.

“Participating with the national team is different from participating with the clubs and the strategy in the club is different from the national team and we have to focus on the international participation.”

Duhail are second on the table with 15 points from five matches, three behind leaders Al Sadd.

Olunga’s next match will be against Al-Wakrah at Al Wakrah Sports Complex Stadium on Thursday.

Sunil Chhetri reached yet another milestone in the final of SAFF Championship 2021 as he equalled Lionel Messi's tally of 80 international goals and became the joint second-highest active international goalscorer in the world behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

After scoring a brace against Maldives which helped the Blue Tigers secure a final berth, Chhetri once again was on target for India as they clinched their record eighth SAFF Championship title, beating Nepal 3-0 in the final. He bagged the Golden Boot award as well, scoring five goals in five matches in the tournament and was also given the Most Valuable Player award. 

This was the 11th time in the last 12 international competitions that Chhetri was the highest-scoring Indian player. The only tournament he did not score was at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup where India were ousted from the group stage without scoring a single goal.

At the 2013 SAFF Championship, Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi and Arnab Mondal scored a goal each. He has won the Golden Boot award in six international competitions, out of which two were joint awards (2012 Nehru Cup and 2019 Intercontinental Cup).

In the last 11 years, Chhetri has missed playing only two international tournaments. In 2017, the skipper could not feature in the Tri-Nation Series as he had his club commitments to fulfil and in the 2018 SAFF Championship, the U23 India team was sent.

Here, we take a look at every single tournament India took part in and who were their highest scorers.

Rivers United settled for a 1-1 draw against Sudanese club Al Hilal in the first leg of their Caf Champions League first round fixture.

The Nigeria Professional Football League outfit struggled to keep their visitors at bay in Port Harcourt even with home support as they found themselves behind in the first-half.

Mohamed AbdelRahman drew the first blood for Al Hilal in the 35th minute, a lead they kept until after the hour-mark.

The Sudanese visitors were denied a crucial win on the road, after Mohamed Saeed Ahmed put the ball into the back of his team's net in the 69th minute.

Sunday's result at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium means Rivers United must go all out for the return fixture which is scheduled to take place in Suez on Sunday due to the non-approval of Al Hilal's stadium.

The Pride of Rivers are the only Nigerian team left in the Caf Champions League and they are aiming to qualify for the group stage while the loser drops to Caf Confederation Cup play-off.

They finished second in Nigerian top-flight last season, behind champions Akwa United who were eliminated in the Champions League play-off round by Algeria's Belouizdad in September.

In Ghana, Hearts of Oak stunned two-time Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca with a 1-0 victory.

Isaac Mensah's goal in the 41st minute separated both teams in Accra and they will be looking to build on the win when they travel to Casablanca for the second leg.

Elsewhere in Benghazi, Libya's Al Ittihad held Anayo Iwuala's Esperance to a goalless draw.

It was a cagey affair as both teams struggled to break the deadlock but Radhi Jaidhi's side will hope to move past Al Ittihad when they meet in Rades on October 24.

Meanwhile, Raja Casablanca secured a 2-0 away win over Liberia's LPRC Oilers who hosted Sunday's encounter in Rabat.

Two first-half goals from Houssine Rahimi and Mahmoud Benhalib were enough to help the Green Eagles dominate the 90 minutes. 

The victory gives Raja confidence for the second leg that will also hold in Morocco 

India remained unbeaten en route to a record eighth SAFF Championship title. The Blue Tigers finished the job off in style, beating Nepal 3-0 in the final of the tournament.

After two disappointing draws against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Igor Stimac's side came back strongly and defeated Nepal and Maldives in their final two round-robin fixtures before beating Nepal again in the final. With these five matches, Stimac's men extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in international games.

The last time they lost a match was against reigning Asian champions Qatar 1-0 in a 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifying game on June 3, 2021, in Doha. Since then, they won five matches and drew four.

The Blue Tigers played Bangladesh twice, winning once and drawing once. They faced Nepal four times out of which they won three. They also faced Afghanistan and Sri Lanka which ended in draws.

This is the second-best unbeaten run India have experienced in the last 11 years. Their best was under Stephen Constantine when they went without a loss in 12 matches from June 2016 to March 2018.

Here, we take a look at India's best unbeaten runs in the last 11 years.

What are India's longest unbeaten runs in the last 11 years?

*Only unbeaten runs with five or more matches are considered

India's nine-match unbeaten run under Igor Stimac