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Indian national team coach Igor Stimac has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming SAFF Championship in October 2021. 

The Croatian coach has replaced Dheeraj Singh with Vishal Kaith whereas, Pronay Halder, Akash Mishra and Bipin Singh have failed to make the cut from the previous squad that flew to Nepal to play two friendlies earlier in September. However, Bengaluru FC's Udanta Singh has been recalled. The players and the support staff will reach Bengaluru on Monday and will fly out to the Maldives the next day. Meanwhile, Stimac and other members of the technical staff will join the squad directly on the island nation on Tuesday.

SAFF Fixtures

“We are all looking forward to the SAFF Championship as the leading football country in this part of Asia. These 4-5 games are extremely crucial for us as we won’t have any other chance of getting together before the start of 3rd round AFC Asian Cup qualifiers next season. So these matches should help us to improve a few points in our game," stated coach Stimac. 

Indian national team: Squad and team news

The 25-man India squad for the SAFF Championship:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Mandar Rao Dessai, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Seriton Fernandes. 

Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Lalengmawia, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson Singh, Glan Martins, Suresh Singh, Liston Colaco, Yasir Mohammad.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary

Orlando Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa has debunked rumours circulating on social media that he has retired from football. 

Having last played on December 16, 2020 in a league match against Chippa United, Lepasa has struggled to come back into action after a longterm injury.

A social media message announcing he was retiring from the game has been doing rounds and the player has moved in to distance himself from the post, calling it 'fake news'.

“It is a very sad end of my career to announce my retirement. I never expected such and it hurts me that I’m forced to even if I don;t want to,” a social media post in Lepasa’s name read.

“But I won’t force things, it will take some while for me to recover and to be honest it won’t be now. It will take time for me to heal. But I enjoyed every moment with the Buccaneers and the whole PSL teams. 

“I wanted to see myself playing for bigger teams more especially in international leagues but unfortunately my journey ends here. I wish nothing but the best to my team.”

But the forward has dismissed the message while expressing “disappointment” at the 'fake news'.

He says he has been undergoing rehabilitation to his injury, is on a recovery path and edging closer to returning to action.

“This post has been going around and it’s fake news,” Lepasa said on his official Twitter account.

“Rehab has been great, there’s no need to rush though, and it’s almost done. We’ve come so far, and I can’t wait to be back.  Please stop spreading fake news and playing with our lives, worse on TV. Disappointing.”

Before getting injured, Lepasa managed seven Premier Soccer League games last season.

In his absence, Pirates have struggled upfront especially when other strikers have been injured.

Injuries to Tshegofatso Mabasa and Frank Mhango in some games have seen the Buccaneers taking to the field on occasion without an outright striker.

Deon Hotto, Vincent Pule and Terrence Dzvukamanja have been used as makeshift number 9s amid the forwards crisis the Soweto giants have faced.

Mabasa has since picked up form, helping the Buccaneers with two PSL goals in four games.

Gor Mahia are in trouble after it emerged they will be deducted three points from their 2-1 victory in the FKF Premier League season opener against KCB on Saturday.

The former champions started their campaign on a flying note after they beat the Bankers with a first-half double from Benson Omalla.

However, Goal can exclusively reveal the three points from the game will be deducted by Football Kenya Federation after the club fielded their new signings despite a warning letter from world governing body Fifa not to do so.

According to an official in FKF, but who did not want to be named, Gor Mahia were asked by Fifa not to field their new players until they settle the amount owed to former player Dickson Ambundo.

FKF wrote a letter to communicate the same to Gor Mahia and copied KCB ahead of the game but K’Ogalo moved ahead to field three new signings in the game - Peter Lwasa who joined from Kariobangi Sharks, Dennis Ng’ang’a from Wazito FC, and Cameroonian Sando Yangayay, who signed from DRC Aguila.

'Fifa insist Gor Mahia ban still stands'

“Gor Mahia will lose all the points against KCB because they fielded new players despite the ban from Fifa still being in force,” the source told Goal on Sunday.

“It is unfortunate that before the game against KCB, FKF warned Gor Mahia against fielding their new players because Fifa had communicated prior to season kick-off that Gor Mahia have not been cleared to sign players or get involved in transfer activities.

“Immediately they fielded the players against KCB, the lawyer of Ambundo wrote to Fifa complaining why they have been allowed to use new players, and Fifa have now written back saying action should be taken against Gor Mahia.”

The source continued: “It is very clear on what needs to be done, and I can confirm they will have to forfeit the game and also will not be able to use the new players until they clear with [Ambundo].

“They [Gor Mahia] were also warned against fielding new players when they played Tusker in the FKF Shield Cup but they did it, so it is upon them now because action will be taken.”

In total, Gor Mahia have signed seven players this window but only three were involved against the Bankers.

The other four signings include goalkeeper Adama Keita from Club Industriel de Kamsar Guinea, defender Joshua Onyango and midfielder Peter Oudu from Kariobangi Sharks, and winger Boniface Omondi, who returned from Wazito FC.

Apart from Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards are also not allowed to sign players as they have a case outstanding with Fifa after failing to play their former coach Casa Mbungo and a number of players.

Youssef En-Nesyri is now on level terms with Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio and Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez in the Spanish top-flight’s goal scorer’s chart.

The Morocco international was on target for Sevilla in Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Espanyol in the La Liga encounter.

With that, he now boasts three goals in the 2021-22 campaign alongside the Spain and Uruguay internationals to occupy the joint-fourth position in the race for the Golden Boot.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior inhabits the second position with five goals and two assists, while his teammate Karim Benzema leads the table with eight goals while creating seven assists.

Going into the encounter against the White and Blue, the former Leganes man had found the net twice in his last five games in the Spanish top-flight.

In the 13th minute of the keenly contested affair, En-Nesyri put Los Nervionenses ahead thanks to an assist from Jesus Navas. Left unmarked in the visitors’ goal area, the Atlas Lion tapped home from close range past goalkeeper Diego Lopez after he was set up by the Spaniard.

Twelve minutes later, Espanyol thought they had equalised, but Raul de Tomas was adjudged to have been offside.

The hosts continued to threaten and they almost doubled their advantage as Sergi Gomez poked the ball towards his own goal, but Lopez spared his colleague’s blushes with a good save.

After the interval, Sevilla continued to dominate possession yet they failed to double their advantage following a lack of quality in the final third. Manager Julen Lopetegui introduced Erik Lamela in a bid to find the second goal, and the Argentine had a weak effort saved in the 61st minute.

Their lead was threatened as Thomas Delaney was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.

Notwithstanding the deficit, they secured all points at stake when Rafa Mir got the second goal as he smartly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner to give him his second goal in as many games.

While En-Nesyri was subbed off in the 70th minute, his compatriots Oussama Idrissi and Munir El Haddadi were unused substitutes.

Thanks to this result, Sevilla climbed to second in the Spanish elite division log after accruing 14 points from six outings so far this season.

Lopetegui’s side will now focus on Wednesday’s crucial Champions League game away to Wolfsburg.

Leon Balogun has expressed his delight at seeing James Tavernier earn his 300th Rangers cap in Saturday’s 1-0 victory Dundee FC.

Having been named in Steven Gerrard’s starting XI against the Dark Blues, the 29-year-old reached a triple century of appearances for the Gers.

To mark this milestone, the 55-time Scottish Premiership kings secured an away victory inside the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park courtesy of Joe Aribo’s first-half effort.

Tavernier moved to Scotland in 2015 following the end of his contract with Wigan Athletic. He played a key role as Gerrard’s men won last season’s league title – which earned him the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year prize.

In a post on social media, the Super Eagle applauded the right-back for his feat, while revelling in Rangers’ ‘hard fought’ three points and ‘clean sheet’ against James McPake’s men.

“Hard fought three points and a clean sheet on our skippo’s 300th appearance for Rangers FC – Congrats, what an achievement James Tavernier. To all the travelling supporters: get home safe, you’ve been amazing from start to finish,” Balogun wrote on Instagram.

A minute before the hour mark, the hosts were awarded a penalty by referee Bobby Madden as Paul McMullan squirmed away from Connor Goldson to go in on Jon McLaughlin, with the goalkeeper bringing him down inside the area.

Jason Cummings took the resultant kick but it was saved by goalkeeper McLaughlin to deny the former Rangers striker.

Balogun as well as Aribo played from start to finish against the newly promoted Scottish elite division side.

Zambia international Fashion Sakala was introduced in the 46th minute for Colombian forward Alfredo Morelos but Nigeria’s Nnamdi Ofoborh was not involved due to injury worries.

Thanks to this result, Rangers remain at the summit of the league with 16 points from seven matches, while Dundee occupy the 12th position with three points from the same number of matches.

Gerrard and his team will now shift their attention to Thursday’s Europa League match against Sparta Prague at the Generali Ceska pojisťovna Arena.

Rangers made a stuttering start to the 2021-22 tournament – losing 2-0 to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon at the Ibrox Stadium with Karl Toko Ekambi and Tavernier’s own goal settling the fixture.

Karl Toko Ekambi scored his first goal of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season as Olympique Lyon settled for a 1-1 draw with Lorient on Saturday evening.

The Cameroon international had featured in seven league games for the Kids without success in front of goal. Against Christophe Pelissier’s men, he found the net to rescue his team from defeat.

Lifted by their 3-1 victory over Troyes their last time out, the Kids welcomed the Merlucciidaes to the Groupama Stadium with the ambition of extending their fine form.

Unfortunately, they got off to a disastrous start as Emerson was shown the red card by referee Bastein Dechepy following a foul on Enzo Le Fee.

To add insult to injury, the visitors took the lead from the resulting free-kick which Armand Lauriente slotted past goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

Lyon nearly restored parity through Lucas Paqueta before the interval, but goalkeeper Paul Nardi pulled off an incredible save to deny the Brazilian.

Peter Bosz’s team came into the second half like a wounded lion and their persistence paid off in the 51st minute as Ekambi controlled a nice pass from Islam Slimani before sending the ball past the onrushing Nardi.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Lyon continued to push for the winner. With 15 minutes left on the clock, they had a chance to take the lead but Sinaly Diomande’s header missed the goal narrowly.

They thought they had found the winner in stoppage time, but Paqueta’s goal was ruled out for offside, and the match ended on a no winner, no vanquished note.

Toko Ekambi was in action from start to finish while Slimani was introduced for Xherdan Shaqiri in the 46th minute. Cote d’Ivoire’s Sinaly Diomande was brought in for injured Jason Denayer in the 19th minute.

However, Mali midfielder Habib Keita was an unused substitute with Togo's Malcolm Barcola and Zimbabwe's Tino Kadewere not listed for action.

For Lorient, Nigeria international Terem Moffi played all 90 minutes while Lauriente was replaced by Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara with five minutes left on the clock.

Lyon will now shift their attention to Thursday’s Europa League encounter against Danish side Brondby IF.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has stated Maxwel Cornet suffered a hamstring injury after he broke his Premier League duck in a 2-2 draw against Leicester City.

After impressing in Tuesday's League Cup victory over Rochdale, the former Lyon star was handed his first league start on Saturday and he capped it with a goal.

Jamie Vardy's own goal put Burnley ahead in the 12th minute but the England star found the back of the net again to equalise for the hosts, a few minutes later.

Towards the end of the first-half, Cornet converted his chance and put the visitors in front again.

The Ivorian winger was shown a yellow card in the stoppage time and he could not continue after the break.

In the final five minutes of the encounter, Vardy cancelled Cornet's goal courtesy of an assist from Kelechi Iheanacho.

Despite the dropped points, Dyche expressed satisfaction with Cornet's performance and he wants him to adapt to their playing style.

“Both of them (Cornet and Vydra) played well, I thought Chris Wood as well. The front two in the first half in particular were very good," Dyche told the club's website. 

“Maxwel, has nipped his hamstring so we’ve got to wait and see how that settles.

"He grew into the game I thought. First 15, he was sort of finding his way. 

“His goal was a fine finish and he has another chance after that and he gets in some really good positions. I think he sees the game quickly and I think he’ll grow into what we do.”

Bruno Fernandes admitted he was furious at himself for fluffing a crucial penalty during Manchester United's defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, while thanking fans in a long social media post for keeping the faith after his error. 

Fernandes had the chance to level at 1-1 deep into stoppage time after Kortney Hause, who minutes earlier had headed home Villa's goal, handled in the box. 

But he sent his effort in the stratosphere to condemn United to their third defeat in their last four outings. 

What was said? 

Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat," the midfielder wrote on Instagram.

"I’ve always assumed my responsibilities and I've always embraced them under pressure in moments like this. Today, I failed. But I took a step forward and faced the challenge with the same ambition and responsibility as when, on the many other occasions, the ball ended up in the net.

"Criticism and contrasting opinions are a big part of football. I’ve learned to live with it, even using them to drive me on, and I consider it all a very important part of my commitment to never stop trying to improve and to become the best player I can possibly be, for me and the team.
 

"Today I once again took the responsibility given to me almost since I joined United and I will take it again without any fear or dread whenever called upon.

"The most important thing for me is to win together and I’ll always do everything I can to help my teammates and the club to be the best we can be.

"I'm a player who leaves everything on the pitch, with great desire and commitment. And that’s what I'll continue to do.

"Thank you for all your support after the final whistle! Hearing you chanting my name in the stadium was very emotional… I will come back stronger for me, because these are the standards I hold myself to, but most of all for my teammates and our fans who have always supported us."

The bigger picture 

United made a storming start to the 2021-22 season, winning four of their first five Premier League games to go top of the table ahead of this weekend. 

Despite the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo, though, the wheels have come off as of late. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's charges suffered a humbling reverse at the hands of Young Boys in the Champions League, and were forced to dig deep to take down West Ham, who could have levelled had Mark Noble not missed his own late spot-kick last Sunday. 

The Hammers gained revenge midweek by sending the Red Devils out of the Carabao Cup, and this latest defeat sees United drop to fourth in the Premier League, albeit just one point behind new leaders Liverpool. 

They will be hoping for better fortune in the Champions League on Wednesday, when they visit Villarreal.

Further reading 

Mohamed Salah scored his 100th Premier League goal for Liverpool having found the net in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Brentford on Saturday evening.

With Diogo Jota levelling Ethan Pinnock’s 27th-minute strike at the Brentford Community Stadium, the Egypt international put the Reds ahead six minutes before the hour mark, however, the game finished all square.

In finding the net against the newly-promoted side, Salah became the fastest Liverpool player ever to reach 100 league goals.

Of all the 100 goals in the English elite division, 93 of them have come inside the penalty box, while six have been converted from outside the box.

To show the effectiveness of Salah’s left leg, he has scored 82 goals with that leg with his right leg accounting for 12 goals, while he boasts six headed goals.

Furthermore, West Ham United are the African star’s favourite opponents having scored against them nine times in eight appearances as Bournemouth and Watford are his second-best victims – finding the net against them on eight occasions in the Premier League.

In eight appearances against Southampton and Crystal Palace, he has scored against them seven times, while he has managed to beat the Chelsea goalkeepers on three occasions despite coming on against them in nine games.

In addition, Roberto Firmino seems to have forged a perfect partnership with the former AS Roma star as the Brazilian has supplied the most assists to Salah (12 assists), while Senegal international Sadio Mane has teed up the two time African Player of the Year 10 times, with Andrew Robertson laying the last past to Salah on eight occasions.

Also, only Alan Shearer for Blackburn (124 games), Harry Kane for Tottenham (138) and Sergio Agüero for Man City (147) have reached 100 Premier League goals for a single club in fewer appearances than Salah has for Liverpool (151). Though, Salah plays as a wide attacker compared to those three central forwards.

It is also worthy of mention that no Liverpool player has scored more English top-flight goals in London than the Pharaohs’ captain, who has equalled Steven Gerrard’s haul of 13 goals in the capital.

As it stands, Salah’s highest ratio of goals has come in the 2017-18 campaign – where he found the net 32 times in 36 appearances with 10 assists to his credit.