Toto African look to boost survival bid

TOTO African head coach Tim Jost is confident his side can secure maximum three points against Kagera Sugar as the two teams clash in a Vodacom Premier League encounter at CCM Kirumba here today.

Toto enjoyed a 2-0 win away to Kagera Sugar in the first round fixture and Jost is looking for a double success against Mecky Maxime’s charges this season. Speaking on his team’s preparation ahead of today’s encounter, Jost said he has a full-fit squad and was optimistic his lads will do the job and take home all three points and boost their survival bid.

Toto African still relinquish in the drop zone, sitting third bottom on 21 points from 22 outings. A win against Kagera Sugar would see Jost’s side climb up two places, rising above African Lyon (22 points) and Ndanda (23 points).

Toto face a tough relegation battle and Jost acknowledged they must in most of their remaining eight matches to have any chances of staying up. “My players should not lose hope they should play every match like a final because we are not in a good position.

We should win every match that is ahead of us and we are capable of doing that,” he added. In their last two matches, Toto African lost 1-0 to Ruvu shooting 1-0 at CCM Kirumba and played out a barren draw away to Ndanda.

Jost said they have worked on mistakes that led to their home defeat against Ruvu shooting and expects his players to put up strong performance against Kagera Sugar. “We have been letting in soft goals and it has cost us a lot.

Even in our last defeat against Ruvu Shooting my players allowed an easy goal in the late minutes,” he said. Jost insisted that his main objective is to ensure Toto African remain in the top flight league next season and vowed to fight relentlessly. Toto Africans have won only five games, drawn in six games and lost eleven.

Fever rises for Simba, Yanga derby

FOOTBALL fans across the country cannot wait for the intriguing derby between traditional archrivals Simba and Young Africans – a game both camps crave to win as Premier League title race enters crucial phase.

After respectively excelling in CAF Champions League and Azam Sports Federation Cup, holders yanga and Simba, will be out to make big statements in the title race on Saturday.

As derby fever rises, young Africans opted for a low-key game with Ngaya de Mde in their return leg of CAF Champions League, preliminary round tie so as to reserve energy for next Saturday’s derby match against Simba.

young Africans were the shadow of the side that cruised to an emphatic 5-1 first leg win away to the Comoro minnows in Moroni as the Mainland envoys were made to fight for a 1-all draw at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

It was apparent that the Jangwani Street lads had an eye on next weekend’s potential title decider against archrivals Simba, and banking on their massive first leg win, they opted to slow their tempo on Saturday’s return fixture.

young Africans assistant coach Juma Mwambusi admitted that his side went into knowing their place into the next round was secure and looked beyond that as a crucial showdown with their title-rival Simba beckons.

Mwambusi said it was important for them to avoid injuries and reserve energy ahead of the crucial game against the Reds at the National Stadium. “We didn’t need to use a lot of energy while we’re certain of qualification into the next round; the most important thing for us was to avoid injuries.

We need to be in the best shape possible for the game against Simba. “It is a very important game for us and we must win it,” said Mwambusi, whose side are expected to cross the Ocean to Pemba Island for residential camping in preparation for the highly-anticipated derby clash. Simba lead the title race on 51 points from 22 outings, two points ahead of yanga, who however, have a game in hand. Whoever wins will take control of the title race.

In preparation for Saturday’s encounter, Simba, who booked a Federation Cup quarterfinal berth with a 1-0 over African Lyon last Thursday, instantly moved to the spicy Island of Zanzibar, their common hunting ground for the derby match.

Ken Early: Luis Enrique’s strength is now his weakness at Barcelona

Coach’s system was brutally exposed as world-class individuals were overrun in Paris

In Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football (2000), author David Winner meets the photographer Hans van der Meer, who was known in the Netherlands for his unorthodox approach to match photography.

He had no interest in the sort of close-up action shots most of us associate with football coverage. Instead, he positioned himself high in the stands, so that he could fit a large area of the pitch in his frame, and tried to capture particular pivotal moments in the game.

“There are one or two moments when a situation develops and you understand something will happen,” van der Meer explained. “This is the moment of tension, of possibility. This is what I look for.”

The idea of the “moment of tension” is illustrated with two photographs from Ajax matches of the mid-90s. The first is from a 1995 Eredivisie match against Groningen. Ajax are about to spring forward on the attack; the second striker, Jari Litmanen, has the ball in a pocket of space behind the Groningen midfield, with the forwards Marc Overmars, Patrick Kluivert and Finidi George bursting through the retreating Groningen back line. It’s a picture of a machine in perfect harmony.

The second picture is from Ajax’s 2-1 home defeat to Juventus in the 1997 Champions League semi-final. Zinedine Zidane is advancing on the Ajax D, there are two Ajax defenders in front of him with the rest of them marooned up the pitch. Zidane can pass left to Attilio Lombardo, or right to Pippo Inzaghi or Christian Vieri, it’s a four-on-two, Juventus have outflanked Ajax on both sides, a goal looks certain. 

Barcelona have no idea how to treat players - Dani Alves slams Blaugrana board

The Brazilian won 23 titles across eight seasons at the Camp Nou but the manner of his departure left a bitter taste for the Juventus full-back

Former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has strongly criticised the Liga champions for treating him disrespectfully before his move to Juventus last year.
The Brazil international won a remarkable 23 trophies across eight seasons at Camp Nou but left on a free transfer to join the Serie A giants in 2016.
Guardiola: Wenger treatment is unacceptable
And in an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, Alves accused Barcelona's board of failing to discuss the prospect of a new contract with him until the club were hit by a player registration ban for breaking FIFA rules related to signing young players.
"I like being loved and if they do not want me, I'm leaving," the 33-year-old said.
"During my last three seasons I always heard that Alves was leaving but the management never said anything to me.
"They were very false and ungrateful. They did not respect me. They only offered me a renewal because of the FIFA transfer ban.
"That's when I played their game and signed a renewal, which included a clause that allowed me to leave for free a year later.
"The people who run Barcelona have no idea how to treat their players."
Barcelona's board, led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, have come in for increasing criticism with regards to their transfer policy.

Barcelona captain Iniesta backs coach after fans vent frustration

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta and the club's president have rallied behind coach Luis Enrique after fans vented their frustration at a tough week with boos during their 2-1 home win in La Liga on Sunday.
Just days after a 4-0 drubbing by Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in France in the Champions League last 16, Barcelona needed Lionel Messi to convert a 90th minute penalty to beat struggling Leganes.
Iniesta acknowledged the defending Spanish league champions were rattled after the defeat to PSG but backed the coach and team to restore the side's winning mentality.
"We have not lost confidence in ourselves or in the manager," Iniesta told reporters after his 400th league match for. "I think it's a one-off situation we're going through."

Iniesta said it was understandable the team carried a Champions League hangover into the Leganes match.
"We knew it was going to be difficult after what happened in Paris," the Spain international said. "We're humans and these things affect us."
Barcelona sit second in the league table, a point behind arch rivals Real Madrid who have two games in hand. The side has also earned a place in King's Cup final in late May.

Barcelona's starting XI against Leganes contained 10 foreigners - the most in their ENTIRE La Liga history

 

Never before have Barcelona fielded a team in a league game with fewer Spaniards

Remember when Barcelona were the perfect football team?
Just a few years ago, the boys from Barca weren't just playing the sexiest, most successful football we had ever seen - they were doing it with a team full of homegrown, Spanish stars.
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, David Villa… one of the greatest club sides of all time was also the backbone of one of the greatest national sides of all time - the Spain team that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
In short, Barcelona WERE Spain.
How times change. As anyone who witness their 4-0 hammering by Paris Saint-Germain knows, Barca are no longer the awesome force they once were. And now, we can confirm they are not nearly as Spanish, either.
In naming his starting XI for their 2-1 win against Leganes (itself a bit of a slog), Luis Enrique picked just one Spanish player.

Referees are the main destroyers of Ghana football – New Edubiase coach Malam Yahaya

New Edubiase United trainer Mallam Yahaya has blamed match officials for the retrogressing state of Ghana football, especially at the lover division levels.
Mallam Yahaya whose side struggled to secure a draw against Samatex over the weekend with a man down lashed the match officials of conniving to get his side defeated.
Reports are that the two teams played close to eighty minutes in the second half alone as the referee wanted the home side to score before ending the game.
And Mallam Yahaya says the destruction of the game is the brainwork of the referees.
“”Referees are those destroying Ghana football. How can a team play more than ten minutes after regulation time before you even show time added on? That is what happened to us.

Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe must be patient after Blackburn snub

 

Five talking points from Man Utd's 2-0 defeat vs Reading at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

Reality sets in

Just two weeks after making his first team debut against Wigan at Old Trafford, reserves captain Axel Tuanzebe was brought back down to earth at Leigh Sports Village.
The 19-year-old may have felt a tad unlucky to be left out of Jose Mourinho's squad for the short trip up the M61 to Ewood Park.
But, with Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly the only centre-backs to have travelled, Tuanzebe will have to be patient - even with the Reds' fixture pile-up. Mourinho clearly has a plan for Tuanzebe - and that means easing him in gently.

Mitchell making his mark

Manchester United's reserves have suffered since the departures of Sean Goss and Joe Riley in January, but try telling that to Demetri Mitchelll.
The 20-year-old was a menace at left-back against Reading, constantly pushing forward and looking to support his team-mates on the overlap.
And given his experience as a winger, Mitchell is blessed with the attacking instincts and nimble footwork to be a modern day full-back.
He has a while to go yet, but he only needs to look at how Antonio Valencia and Patrice Evra reinvented themselves as defenders for inspiration.

José Mourinho praises Manchester United’s attitude in Blackburn win

United manager pleased with how his side came back from a goal down
• Manchester club drawn away to Chelsea in FA Cup quarter-finals
José Mourinho praised the attitude of his Manchester United players to fight back from a goal down and advance past Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, although he said Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones would both remain out for their midweek game in Saint-Étienne.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a late winner for United after Marcus Rashford had equalised for Mourinho’s men at Ewood Park following Danny Graham’s opener, and Chelsea lie in wait in the quarter-finals.
Although Blackburn are currently second bottom in the Championship, United were made to work for their victory and Mourinho was pleased with his side’s performance and attitude.
“The attitude of the players was good,” he said. “Sometimes you have difficult matches because you make it difficult for yourself. Tonight was difficult because Blackburn made it difficult for us. They played well and fought very hard. They were very well organised. We had to play well and we had to play with attitude to be ready and get a result.
“I had answers from some players, for example Ashley Young, so I can rest Antonio Valencia. When Ashley Young plays in this way, I can rest Antonio Valencia.

Forget Pogba fee - Man Utd getting their money's worth with mercurial Mkhitaryan

 

Much was made of the France international's world-record fee last summer, but it is his fellow midfielder whose lower price tag is raising eyebrows
When asked this week about Paul Pogba, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho defended the midfielder’s £89 million price tag, claiming that in years to come the amount spent on the France international will be deemed cheap given his quality and the potential for other such deals around the globe.
Zlatan & Pogba to the rescue for Man Utd
The Portuguese may yet be proven right, with Pogba having shown flashes of his potential brilliance in recent months after a somewhat slow start to life upon his Old Trafford return. But if Mourinho is looking to gloat about his first summer of transfer business in charge of the Red Devils, he need look no further than Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Signed for just £26m in pre-season, the Armenia international in recent weeks could have fooled some uneducated supporters into believing that he — not Pogba — was the man brought in for a world-record fee.
It may have taken some time for the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder to settle in England, with his sole start against Manchester City in the opening weeks of the campaign threatening to go into United folklore for all the wrong reasons.
But unlike Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay before him, Mkhitaryan has been able to answer those who questioned his suitability for United and then some. Against Blackburn on Sunday he was — at least until Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba entered the fray — the best player on the pitch.
His through-ball with the outside of his foot that set Marcus Rashford free to equalise Danny Graham’s opener was sublime, but that was the highlight of yet another hugely impressive showing.
Sat behind Rashford, he proved a constant menace with his direct running while his composure and passing in the final third was in stark contrast to the inexperienced players around him. His influence faded as Mourinho rung the changes and altered his system in a bid to avoid a replay that would have been greeted at Old Trafford by less enthusiasm than if it was announced that David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were to return as joint directors of football. But that is not to take away from Mkhitaryan’s contribution to United finding a way back into the game.

Mourinho's injury update after FA Cup win

Jose Mourinho has confirmed David De Gea and Antonio Valencia were rested in the Emirates FA Cup win at Blackburn Rovers. But Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney missed out due to injuries that should prevent them from playing in Wednesday’s Europa League match at Saint-Etienne.
De Gea was not in the squad at Ewood Park and that led to Sergio Romero making his eighth start of the season, with youngster Dean Henderson sitting on the bench as back-up. Antonio Valencia was also omitted and that allowed the versatile Ashley Young to impress as an industrious stand-in right-back.
Despite falling behind to Danny Graham’s opening goal, United impressively fought back to secure a 2-1 win and a place in the FA Cup last eight thanks to finishes from Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
While speaking at the post-match press conference in Blackburn, Mourinho discussed all of the aforementioned absentees. “De Gea was rested,” he told reporters. “Rooney is injured. Jones is injured. I don’t think they will recover [to face Saint-Etienne on Wednesday]. Valencia was rested but Rooney and Jones haven’t trained with the team yet so I don’t think they will be there for Wednesday.”

Sutton United vs Arsenal, FA Cup: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny faces a scan on a thigh injury ahead of Monday's FA Cup fifth-round trip to face non-league Sutton.
The skipper was forced off in Wednesday's 5-1 Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich and is unlikely to feature at Gander Green Lane, with Lucas Perez (hamstring), Aaron Ramsey (calf) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles) also missing out.

Danny Welbeck was also picked to play Leicester City in the U23 match on Sunday, suggesting he will not feature on Monday.
Manager Arsene Wenger has said that he will pick a "normal team" for the tie rather than heavily rotate his starting XI.
Provisional squad: Cech, Ospina, Martinez, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Gibbs, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Xhaka, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Walcott, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi, Perez, Sanchez, Giroud.
Sutton (and former Arsenal youth player) Roarie Deacon:

"We do think we can win," Deacon added. "We are not going into this game thinking we want this FA Cup run to end.
"It has brought so much attention to such a great club with a great fanbase. We just have to go out there, do what we do and not be overawed by the occasion.
"We are going to play our game, not the occasion, and go out there, get the ball down and play, fight for every ball, fight for every tackle, fight for everything and hopefully when the referee blows the whistle it will be us celebrating with the fans.
"It would be the greatest upset football has ever seen."

Pep Guardiola defends under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - 'the way he has been treated is unacceptable'

     The Manchester City chief believes a lot of the criticism aimed at the under-pressure Frenchman is out of order

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has branded some of the treatment of Arsene Wenger as "unacceptable".
The Spaniard believes a lot of the criticism aimed at the under-pressure Arsenal manager and the cloud hanging over the Frenchman is out of order.
Scrutiny over the the position of Wenger, who has been in his role for over 20 years, has increased considerably since the Gunners were thrashed 5-1 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek.
Guardiola spoke up for his rival without prompting after being asked a question about his team selection for City's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Huddersfield on Saturday.
City drew 0-0 with the Championship side after the 46-year-old Catalan made eight changes.
Asked if he felt he should have picked a stronger team, Guardiola said in a press conference: "My friend, I take the decisions, you analyse my decisions.

Barcelona eyeing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss emerges as contender to replace Luis Enrique

The charismatic German coach finds himself in demand as Barcelona to look to change coach in the summer

Jurgen Klopp is on Barcelona’s wanted list as under-fire Luis Enrique prepares to exit the Nou Camp.
The charismatic Liverpool coach finds himself in demand as Barcelona to look to change coach in the summer.
Enrique has been branded an under achiever following Barca’s 4-0 Champions League humbling last week against Paris Saint-Germain.
Klopp is on an extensive list of preferred replacements - and one which includes his Merseyside neighbour, Everton manager Ronald Koeman.
Koeman is the favoured option if Barcelona go down the route of recruiting a former playing hero to become their coach.
There is also a rich tradition of Dutch coaches bringing success to the Nou Camp including Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard and Louis van Gaal.

Arsenal's Danny Welbeck to miss Sutton clash due to plastic pitch

Danny Welbeck has confirmed he will not feature for Arsenal in their FA Cup match against Sutton United due to the non-league side's artificial pitch.
Arsenal meet National League outfit Sutton in the fifth round at Gander Green Lane on Monday for a place in the competition's quarterfinals.
It appeared that Welbeck would not be part of the squad for that game after being named in Arsenal's under-23 side for Sunday's fixture at Leicester City, which the Foxes won 2-1.
And the England international said on Twitter after the match that, having only returned from eight months out with a knee injury in January, it would be wise to skip Monday's clash in case he picked up another problem on Sutton's plastic turf.

Sutton boss Paul Doswell thinks they could be hammered by a full-strength Arsenal side

Sutton boss Paul Doswell says his side could struggle to contain Arsenal in Monday's eagerly-awaited FA Cup fifth round tie if the Gunners select a strong side.

Sutton's fellow National League side Lincoln have already secured a place in the quarter-finals after Saturday's sensational 1-0 win at Burnley.
And Arsenal will arrive at Sutton on Monday night looking to avoid the biggest upset in FA Cup history, just five days after suffering a 5-1 Champions League loss at Bayern Munich.
However, Arsene Wenger's men were impressive in the last round of the FA Cup, cruising to a 5-0 win at Southampton.
And Doswell said: "If he plays the team that beat Southampton 5-0 in the last round, then that would hammer us.
"I think if you see Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez on the team sheet, our chance doesn't come beyond nought.
"But, if they put another team out, then it does get up to the ones and two per cents.
"Our only chance is if he puts out an Under-23 reserve side out because National League sides can compete against academy players. Then we would have a real chance.
"If we were to get a draw and we could get back to the Emirates Stadium it would be one of the biggest results in the cup's history and for the players.
"The best result for the players would be a 0-0.
"I think half of my team support Arsenal, so the chance for them to go to the Emirates and just have a great day out would be their preferred result."
Four Arsenal academy graduates are now in the Sutton squad after failing to make the grade at the Premier League club.
Craig Eastmond will return from a three-match suspension to face his old team while Roarie Deacon is also set to line up against his former employers but Jack Jebb is cup-tied and Jeffrey Monakana is injured.

Thierry Henry defends under-fire Arsene Wenger and orders Arsenal stars to deliver

  

 Thierry Henry has come out in support of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, insisting it is the players who need to ‘stand up and be counted’.
There has been much speculation over Wenger’s future at the Emirates following the humbling 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The Gunners held the Bundesliga outfit for 50 minutes but conceded four second-half goals at the Allianz Arena in another worrying collapse on the big stage.
But Henry, who worked with Wenger for over eight years as a player, believes the players need to prove they do not have a mental issue in the coming weeks.
‘We could all see mental fragility was the problem when they folded in Munich. It was clear,’ the Premier League legend wrote in The Sun.
‘Arsene has taken the bullets at Arsenal a long time. He gave that club success when it was struggling. He changed the club, took them into the new stadium: built the modern Arsenal.

‘Everyone goes on about “Arsene this” and “Arsene that” when the defeats come but the players need to stand up and be counted.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele reluctant to take the individual plaudits

      Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele has played down his Man of the Match accolade following his side's win over Highlands Park at Moses Mabhida stadium yesterday.

Mphahlele, who joined from Mamelodi Sundowns prior to this season, has been among the key players who have stepped up a gear as Chiefs recorded a string of wins that hav them back in the title chase.
The former junior international captain flicked on the ball from the corner kick of Siphiwe Tshabalala which fell kindly to Lorenzo Gordinho to nod home in the 40th minutes for the only goal of the game.
Mphahlele was also involved in the second goal in last week's 2-1 victory over Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala stadium after he broke free on right side and squared for 'Shabba' who tapped home to ensure that for Steve Komphela's side went away with another three points.
The 27-year-old said individual accolades are not something he's obsessed about as the team getting maximum points is his main priority.
READ: We have enough depth to take the league - Molangoane
"For me it is all about the team efforts and I think we played well as a team and the award doesn't mean anything to me and it goes out to my teammates for supporting me throughout the game," he said.
"And for me, I don't [take it as though it was my only efforts] and yes I appreciate getting Man of the Match but it's all about the team.
"As long as the team does well everybody does well, so that is the most important thing for me."
Mphahlele will miss his defensive partner and goal scorer Gordinho when they return to Durban's Moses Mabhida stadium next week against Ajax Cape Town but Erick Mathoho will be back from suspension.

Molangoane: Kaizer Chiefs have enough depth to win the league

Chiefs didn't make major signings during the January transfer window, but according to Molangoane, they still have enough depth to win the league

Joseph Molangoane strongly believes that Kaizer Chiefs have enough depth to win this season's PSL title.
Amakhosi, who sit atop the PSL standings with 33 points from 18 league matches, have been criticised for not signing enough quality players this season.
However, Molangoane, who joined the club toward the end of last year as a free agent, feels the current generation is good enough to be crowned champions.
He warned that they will have to take each game as it comes to avoid complacency.
“I think we have the depth to win the league, but it is a marathon that we have to run by treating every game as it comes. I still think we have the depth to win the league,” Molangoane told reporters.
The 28-year-old former Orlando Pirates player added that he's happy with the progress he has made since joining the club, although he feels there's still room for improvement.
Chiefs have been playing with flair and they look sharper in the final since the arrival of Molangoane. 

Leopards, Nzoia itching to battle for western KPL supremacy

As uncertainty continues to surround the start of the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) AFC Leopards and promoted Nzoia Sugar are set for a Titanic battle for supremacy in the western region.
Leopards who have won the title 12 times are the established regional giants but their place at the summit of the football mad region was supplanted by their ‘small brothers’ Kakamega Homeboyz last season who finished eighth as Ingwe slumped to lowly 13th.

Two-time national champions Nzoia who hail from Bungoma County on the other hand completed their revival after falling to disgrace when the team went burst in the mid 2000s when they won the National Super League by a canter to earn promotion to the KPL.
Losing only twice the entire season and almost racking up 100 points in the second-tier, Nzoia also went further than Leopards in the 2016 GOtv Shield Cup and are seeking to join the fray to in the race to be crowned the regions’ finest on their first season back on the top flight.
With the pretenders to the throne threatening to upset the order, the Ingwe Empire is ready to claw its way back to the KPL title after hiring Englishman Stewart Hall who has stacked the Den with players aged 25 and younger.
Hoping to keep their ambitions in check, Nzoia are eying a Top 8 finish as their stated target.
Hall put all his eggs in the youth basket hoping to replicate the same results as he did at Tanzanian giants Azam SC whom he led to break the Yanga and Simba SC duopoly.
Newly hired Team trainer Mike Shamiah who led the Kenya Lionesses women’s rugby team to the Rio 2016 Olympics has exuded confidence that Leopards will be among the top five by the close of the first leg before going for the kill in the second.
“We are ensuring that players adopt our three different formations that we are going use this season with the 4-4-2 being the main weapon for our success. We are set to go now that our squad is healthy in all departments,” Shamiah stressed.

Manchester City targeting defender Benjamin Mendy of Monaco - sources

Manchester City are eyeing a move for Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy, sources close to the Ligue 1 club have told ESPN FC.
City boss Pep Guardiola has made a new left-back one of his top priorities this summer as he looks to reshape his squad and improve his defence at the Etihad Stadium.
Left-back has been a problematic position for City this season and first-choice left-back Gael Clichy is out of contract in the summer and unlikely to be offered a new deal.
Aleksandar Kolarov has been switched from a left-back to central defence this term and that has left City short of options at full-back.
City have been looking at a number of possible left-backs, and sources close to Monaco said City scouts have been making regular checks on Mendy.
Mendy only joined Monaco from Ligue 1 rivals Marseille last summer, signing a five-year deal with the principality outfit.

Big-money signing Krychowiak asks to play with PSG reserves

The Poland international midfielder will play with the second string in the French capital this weekend as he continues to struggle to find his feet

Grzegorz Krychowiak will not be part of Paris Saint-Germain's matchday squad for this weekend's Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse as he will play with the reserves instead at his own request.
The Poland midfielder joined PSG from Sevilla during the close-season, but has been struggling to live up to the high expectations at the Parc des Princes.
Trezeguet: Cavani is exceptional
He has made just 16 appearances in all competitions for the French champions and has not featured in Ligue 1 since December 2016.
"I speak with all my players, so also with Krychowiak," Unai Emery said at a news conference.
"He has a lot of competition in his position at the moment. Adrien Rabiot plays in his position now that Thiago Motta is not there. It is a very difficult position.
Juve: Signing Verratti unrealistic
"Krychowiak will not be part of the squad for Sunday's game, but he will be with the reserves. It is a matter of competition. He has asked to play with the reserves.
"He can still play with the first team in the upcoming weeks. He has to make sure he is ready and that is why he will play with the reserves now to gain match rhythm."
PSG will be without Thiago Silva and Angel Di Maria for Sunday's game due to injury, with the Argentine picking up a muscular problem in his side's 4-0 Champions League win over Barcelona on Tuesday.

Unai Emery silenced his critics in PSG's comprehensive thrashing of Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery is currently basking in the afterglow created by the Ligue 1 giants' phenomenal 4-0 mauling of Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 encounter on Tuesday. The Spaniard and his players not only registered their most important result of the season, by some way, they also recorded one of the most significant results in the capital club's relatively short but equally storied -- particularly in a continental sense -- history.
Tuesday was massive for PSG, the squad and the supporters, but it was perhaps even bigger than that for Emery himself. The 45-year-old had his credibility questioned and his poor record against Barca shoved in his face ahead of the Parc des Princes showdown.
Emery and the French champions issued the perfect riposte: a tactically flawless display that shut up all of his critics bar those with an axe to grind or a limited knowledge of football. Since then, almost all of the Basque's previous detractors have viewed him with a newfound respect.
Until this week, Emery had received a lot of criticism from the French press. Some of it, such as his unwillingness to make early substitutions or change formation mid-match, was understandable. However, much of it was not, and it went too far, bordering on verbal bullying at times.
The Barcelona contest was billed as the match the former Sevilla boss absolutely had to lead PSG to victory in, the one in which he had the chance to prove to all of his naysayers that owners Qatar Sports Investments were right to bring him in to replace Laurent Blanc last summer. He did just that and
Emery delivered not only a win, and a convincing one at that, but he set up the team and inspired them to produce one of the all-time great performances in the club's history -- and PSG already had a number of memorable European nights in the books.

Real Madrid make Toni Kroos transfer decision amid Man Utd interest

MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to launch another move for Toni Kroos.

Former Red Devils boss David Moyes attempted to sign the Germany international from Bayern Munich in 2013 but Real Madrid won the race.
Old Trafford chiefs have earmarked a summer swoop for Kroos, 27, as Jose Mourinho continues to reshape his squad.
But their Bernabeu counterparts are unwilling to sell, according to the Independent

Despite that stance, United are prepared to test their resolve.
Kroos could replace Michael Carrick who is out of contract at the end of the season.
World Cup winner Kroos is under contract until 2022 after signing a new contract last October.

Kroos has made 129 appearances for Real Madrid and helped Los Blancos to last season's Champions League title.
United legend Paul Scholes believes the 27-year-old is the perfect midfield partner for Paul Pogba.
"I really like Toni Kroos," Scholes said.

Real Madrid's Keylor Navas does not deserve criticism - Kiko Casilla

Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has defended his teammate Keylor Navas, after surprisingly being given a start in the 2-0 win over Espanyol.
Casilla has so far only been used in cup games, but as Navas has kept just one clean sheet in his last five appearances, boss Zinedine Zidane opted for a change.
"Keylor Navas does not deserve the criticism he has received," Casilla told Marca. "Goalkeepers are at the front of everything and if we thought about everything that was written and said, we couldn't live.

Real Madrid player ratings as Morata on target against Espanyol

Bale was the star of the show in a brief appearance off the bench after three months out

Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday to strengthen their grip at the top of the league. Here are their player ratings:
CASILLA (6) Spectator
Until the 61st minute, when he saved a weak Hernan Perez effort, he had little to do against his former side.
CARVAJAL (7) Serious
Played well although wasn't put under any great stress.
PEPE (6) Bored
The Portuguese centre-back had little to do against a rival who didn't threaten.
VARANE (6) Comfortable
A placid game from the Frenchman who, like Pepe, was part of a centre-back partnership who weren't tested.
NACHO (7) Injured
Forced off with muscle pain in the 80th minute. Had done well until then, when he was replaced by Marcelo.
KROOS (6) Defensive
A discrete performance from the German midfielder, who did not add a lot in attack.
ISCO (7) Assists
Set up both the goals in a decent performance, for Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale.
KOVACIC (6) Black eye
Took a knock to the face from Diop and played the game with a plaster on his face where he was cut. May have a shiner on Sunday morning.
LUCAS VÁZQUEZ (7) Incisive
Good performance from the former Espanyol player, who's proving an important part of Zidane's squad.
MORATA (7) Goal
Opened the scoring with a header after good work from Isco. Almost scored a second, too, but could not take advantage of a Piatti error.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (5) Sterile
Didn't contribute to either of the goals on a quiet afternoon after a good performance in midweek.
SUBSTITUTES
CASEMIRO (6) Solid
Tried to follow up his midweek goal with another long range effort, but found the stands this time.
BALE (8) Lethal
After three months out, he came back with a bang. Scored a great goal on the counter-attack.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo pokes fun at ex-Real Madrid teammate - then instantly regrets it when he spots a TV camera

The Real Madrid star's face says it all when he notices the camera and realises everything has been recorded

Cristiano Ronaldo is known for being a bit of a character.
He's often poking fun at his teammates on the training ground and apparently at his former teammates too, as the above video shows.
The clip captures the Real Madrid star in the tunnel ahead of their recent La Liga game with Espanyol, which they won 2-0.
He spots former Los Blancos shot-stopper Diego Lopez - who now stands between the sticks for the Calatan side - and goes to say hello.

Now it's not clear exactly what the Portuguese says, but according to a number of reports from Spain, the forward decides to crack a little joke... at Lopez's hairline.
"Wow, Diego, you've had like 3600 hairs put in," is what he apparently says to the keeper, before giggling with him and pulling him in for a hug.

Isco puts Premier League on alert as he admits he is considering leaving Real Madrid: 'It is my future at stake'

     Real Madrid playmaker Isco has admitted he is still considering his future with the Spanish giants.

The 24-year-old impressed when given an opportunity on Saturday, providing two assists as Real beat Espanyol 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A series of Premier League clubs have been linked with moves for the Spaniard, although none firmed up their interest in January. Spurs were understood to be keen on signing him on a loan deal last summer.

And Isco himself believes that he might have to quit if he does not get more first-team action. 

'I'm calm. What worries me is to have minutes,' he told beIN Sports. 'A player's career is small.

'I'm happy here and would stay many more years.

'From now until the end of the season, we will make a decision. It is my future at stake.' 

The former Malaga man has only made 11 starts in La Liga this campaign and played in the Champions League just once.

Confirmed - Liverpool's trip to Leicester City will be on Monday week

     Liverpool's Premier League trip to Leicester City will go ahead as scheduled after the Foxes were dumped out of the FA Cup at Millwall this afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp's side will travel to the champions on Monday, February 27 (kick-off 8pm) for a game that will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Had Leicester drawn with Millwall, the planned replay would have forced Liverpool's trip to the King Power to be brought forward to Saturday, February 25 with a 12.30pm kick-off.
However, the fixture will proceed as planned after Leicester were beaten 1-0 at The Den.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's home game against Burnley will take place as scheduled on Sunday, March 12 (kick-off 4pm), another fixture to be shown live on Sky.
Had Burnley progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals, the match would have had to be rearranged.
The Clarets, though, were victims of a huge Cup shock earlier today when Lincoln City became the first non-league team to reach the last eight in 103 years with a dramatic 1-0 win at Turf Moor.

Leicester City invite Stafford Rangers striker Josh Gordon for trial at the club

• Leicester have been struggling for goals in the Premier League this season 
• Foxes have invited non-League Stafford Rangers striker Josh Gordon for a trial 
• The 22-year-old began his career with Stoke and was at Nantwich previously
• Leicester were dumped out of the FA Cup by League One Millwall on Saturday 

Leicester City have invited Stafford Rangers striker Josh Gordon for a trial at the club.

The 22-year-old, who has also been watched by Derby County among others this season, is due to train with the Premier League champions next week.

Gordon only joined Stafford from Nantwich Town in October and has scored ten goals in the Northern Premier Division. He began his career with Stoke City and has since had stints at Alloa and Peterborough United.

The relegation-threatened champions could do with some added firepower in their squad, as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez continue to struggle in front of goal.

The Foxes sit just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and have lost their last five league matches.

Their cup form took a turn for the worse on Saturday too, as they were dumped out of the FA Cup late on by League One Millwall. 

You won’t believe who Leicester City fan reckons should replace Claudio Ranieri

                      The Foxes are having a nightmare season following their dream title win last year, with the team dumped out of the FA Cup by League One club Millwall.
It comes as the club hover dangerously close to the relegation zone with just one point separating them and the bottom three.
Ranieri’s men have lost all of their last five Premier League games and fans have begun to lose patience with the Italian despite guiding the team to their 5,000-1 league triumph.

One caller to BBC Radio FiveLive’s 606 programme demanded the 65-year-old be sacked, but nobody expected who he named as his preferred replacement.
He said: “The most knowledgeable football pundit there is, who would take no nonsense and would give the club a lift would be Gary Neville.”
Cue absolute hysterics from the studio as one man points out Neville was sacked after a disastrous spell at the helm of Spanish side Valencia.
But the bloke remains adamant, pointing out Mourinho was sacked at Chelsea before joining Man Utd but perhaps forgetting Jose had won a bucket load of trophies before then.
Millwall’s win wasn’t the biggest shock of the FA Cup weekend though as non-league Lincoln City managed to beat Premier League Burnley.

Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City manager calls for 'soldiers and gladiators'

Leicester City need "soldiers and gladiators" to save their season, says manager Claudio Ranieri.

Last season's Premier League champions are fighting relegation and were beaten in the FA Cup by League One side Millwall, who had a player sent off.
Leicester, with one win in eight games, face a Champions League last-16 first-leg trip to Sevilla on Wednesday.
"I want to speak again with the players and say we have to fight every match," Ranieri said.
"I need the soldiers, I need the gladiators, because Millwall, with 10 players, showed they are fantastic gladiators."
Millwall won with a last-minute goal from Shaun Cummings, despite playing for most of the second half with 10 men after Jake Cooper was dismissed.
With the visit to Sevilla and a Premier League home match against Liverpool to come, Leicester made 10 changes, but Ranieri still expected better from the players he selected at The Den.
"It is strange because last season we won like this, by being more determined than the opponent and playing with more heart than the opponent," he said.
"We could also lose but we would fight every match. I want to see this, the fight until the end.
"This defeat could be good for us because when you lose against a team who fights, you have to say well done to them but why did we lose?"
Leicester have not won an away match in the Premier League all season, and are just one point above the relegation zone.

Jose Mourinho plotting shock raid on Arsenal: Will Arsene Wenger agree to sell?

The England winger, 23, is a shock £30m target for Manchester United, according to the Mirror.
A possible deal could involve Chris Smalling - who Arsenal have a long-standing interest in.
It's unclear whether the players may move in a swap package or if the two transfers are separate.
Mourinho is said to be keen on strengthening in centre midfield and on the wing this summer.

That follows the decision to sell Memphis Depay to Lyon and Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton in January.
It's claimed Mourinho wants to take advantage of the confusion over Arsene Wenger's future to get the Ox on board.
But Wenger and Mourinho famously don't get on and it's highly unlikely the Frenchman will do business with his arch rival.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored just three Premier League goals in two seasons for the Gunners but Mourinho reportedly believes his record could be vastly improved at Old Trafford.

Arsenal might play Sutton United off the park - but the non-league side will have TEN TIMES more bottle

Our man Stan Collymore gives his take on the Gunners' trip to the modest Gander Green Lane in the FA Cup on Monday evening

Against Arsenal at their tiny Gander Green Lane ground ­tomorrow night, Sutton United will be miles off the pace.
There will be times when the ball is played around them, when they are chasing shadows, when Arsenal look like Brazil from 1970.
But I’ll tell you what Paul Doswell’s side will have 10 times more of than Arsenal – grit, determination, bottle and a willingness to give everything for the cause.
Whatever the result – and I ­expect the Gunners to ­demolish their hosts – I guarantee you will see Sutton’s non-League heroes going ­wholeheartedly into challenges and one or two of their ­illustrious opponents going missing during the game.
That’s the difference between the two sides and it’s why, when I look at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, I see the face of a man who knows he’s toast.
He knows his side haven’t got what it takes to mix it at the top table of ­European football.
Some refer to Arsenal as European heavyweights, but they simply don’t have the prestige or pedigree on the continent that Liverpool or Manchester United have.
It has been the same old story for years – they have lacked leadership and they have lacked bottle. In fact they are a mirror image of their manager, a man who has neither of those traits either.
Wenger knew he was done after his side’s latest humiliation, the 5-1 defeat by Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Thierry Henry: Arsenal fell apart against Bayern... it's time for the players to look at themselves

The Gunners were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich to leave their Champions League campaign in tatters.

Thierry Henry has called on Arsenal ’s stars to stand up and be counted.
The Gunners were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich last week to leave their Champions League campaign in tatters.
Arsene Wenger looks set to leave at the end of the season after 21 years at the club.
But Henry wants the players to show they can bounce back against Sutton in the FA Cup.
Writing in The Sun , he said: "The players need to prove him wrong.
"One-one at Bayern Munich after 50 minutes was a great scoreline. They should have been feeling great about themselves.
"The team in trouble then was Munich. And then even 2-1 is good. Even 3-1 is doable, just win 2-0 at home.
"But they fell apart.
"OK, it is his team, he’s the leader, he created that side. He’s at fault because he’s the boss. But the players must look at themselves too."
Arsenal take on non-league Sutton with the FA Cup their only realistic hope of a trophy.

 

EXCLUSIVE: I want to sign for Arsenal... this is my story - winger

The plucky winger has set up camp outside the Gunners’ London Colney training base in the hope of persuading Arsene Wenger to hand him a trial.
Starsport revealed yesterday that the Saint Lo wideman was determined to track down the legendary manager and convince him to take a look at his skills.
And today he has outlined why he has the character to become a Gunner.
Degan told Starsport: “I have been in England since Thursday night. I want to give it a try at Arsenal.
“It is with much humility and respect that I can bring my stone to the team - I have the armour and the paraphernalia of the combatant.
“I am determined to show everything I have: I have the ambition, the shield of faith to win with the team and the sword of determination to never give up.”
Degan has vowed to keep on coming back until he gets the chance to strut his stuff alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
It’s a big gamble for the fifth-tier player and he has revealed why he decided to go straight to the top and try his luck with the Premier League giants.

He continued: “Arsenal have the values, mentality and vision that fits me.
“The coach Arsene Wenger makes me want to work at his side despite what the team is going through right now.

Jose Mourinho insists Luke Shaw will not be jettisoned by Manchester United this summer

Jose Mourinho has ruled out trying to force Luke Shaw out of Manchester United this summer and insists the young defender will be given a full chance to prove he deserves a long-term future at Old Trafford.

Shaw, 21, has started only six Premier League games under Mourinho this season as he struggles to rediscover form and fitness after a serious broken leg that ruled him out for nearly all of 2015/16.

The £27million left-back should be given a rare outing in the FA Cup fifth round at Blackburn Rovers and Mourinho had some words of encouragement for the player who has become concerned at appearing to fall behind Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian in the pecking order.

'What I think is that he had a very ugly injury, really ugly, that affects players not only from the physical point but also the mental impact,' said Mourinho.

'He has had a couple of small injuries this season and needs to adapt. He knows what I like in a defender, he knows that I like stability, that I don't like mistakes, that for me it is to trust a player totally and he has to work to get it.

'And when he is on the pitch again he has to try to give me that step by step because he is still only a young player. Sometimes people forget he is only a young player with a lot to learn but I like the player and I like the boy.'

Asked directly if Shaw would be at Old Trafford for the long haul, the United manager replied: 'He will be here for sure. It (leaving) is out of the question.'

Willian and Nemanja Matic top Jose Mourinho’s shortlist at Manchester United

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign Nemanja Matic and Willian from Chelsea, according to reports.
The Sunday Mirror claim that the Serb and the Brazilian, who both won the title with Mourinho at Chelsea in 2015, are the 54-year-old’s first-choice transfers for the summer window.
Mourinho is desperate to strengthen his midfield following the departures of Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton and Memphis Depay to Lyon.
And while Matic and Willian are targeted by United, the report claims it’s unlikely that Antonio Conte will allow either player to leave Stamford Bridge to join their title rivals.

Speaking earlier this month, Willian revealed that Mourinho wanted to bring him to Old Trafford last summer.
‘There was interest, yes,’ the Brazilian told Globo Esporte.
‘From Manchester United, because Mourinho is there.’

Man United? Oxlade-Chamberlain has a very good agent

We have long held our suspicions that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has one of the best agents in the business.
This is a player who has struggled to get into the Arsenal first team on a regular basis, and has never really held down a firm spot in Arsene Wenger’s line-up. And yet, every time a transfer rumour comes out, Oxlade-Chamberlain is linked with a club at least as high-profile as Arsenal.
Honestly, just look at this list:

‘Chelsea keen to seal transfer of Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’ – Metro, April 2016.
‘Manchester City transfer news: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is £25million transfer target for City’ – The Sun, December 2016.
‘Liverpool considering ambitious January transfer bid for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’ – Daily Telegraph, December 2016.

No we have the whole English elite club set. ‘Manchester United plot £30m swoop for struggling Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,’ reads the headline in the Sunday Mirror. Shall we skip over the fact that The Ox really isn’t a forward?
We really did love this line from Steve Bates:

Manchester United plan new move for Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos

Manchester United have reignited their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, according to reports.
The Independent claim that Jose Mourinho’s side will make a new move for the Germany international in the summer window.
But the report also reveals that Madrid have no plans to allow the 27-year-old to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, and view the midfielder as a player who is virtually ‘un-sellable’.
David Moyes, whose reign at Old Trafford lasted just 10 months, claimed earlier this season that United had agreed terms with Kroos before the midfielder joined Madrid from Bayern Munich in July 2014.

Earlier this week, former United midfielder Paul Scholes claimed that Kroos would be the ‘perfect’ fit for Mourinho’s squad.
‘I really like Toni Kroos,’ he told Kicker.
‘When I came to the end of my career, I watched him closely and tried to play like Kroos.
‘I was a rather forward-looking midfielder, but Toni is the best in the world, and Kroos would be perfect next to Pogba and Ander Herrera at United.’

Taifa Jang’ombe thrash hapless Kilimani City

TAIFA Jang’ombe went rampant to hit Kilimani City 4-1 in a one sided Zanzibar Premier League (Unguja Zone) on Friday at the Amaan Stadium. Ali Badru grabbed a hattrick while Metta Aping scored one to steer his team to a massive victory.

Until the break, Taifa Jang’ombe were leading 1-0, a goal netted by Badru in the 22nd minute. On the restart, Aping netted the second goal in the 49th minute before Badru put the game beyond Kilimani’s reach with a third goal two minutes later.

However, Aboubakar Ahmed reduced the margin in the 64th minute, but there was still time for Badru to score the fourth goal three minutes before the final whistle. Following the results, Taifa Jang’ombe reached 32 points but still remained seventh on the log, while Kilimani City are placed 13th on 22 points.

JKU, who beat Chuoni 3-2 at the same venue on Wednesday still sit top of the table on 48 points. Jang’ombe Boys are placed second on 39 points, while in third place are defending champions Zimamoto on 37 points.

Majimaji vows to avoid relegation

LEADERS of the Ruvuma based Majimaji FC have vowed to make sure their team will battle to win the remaining matches and avoid Mainland Premier League relegation.

Speaking here during the training held at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza yesterday ahead of their league clash against Mbao FC at the same venue today, Majimaji’s Secretary General Zakaria Ngalimanayo said a win is a must.

“We will fight to the end and make sure we win all remaining eight matches to escape relegation,” he said. After their tie against Mbao, the Songea lads will travel to Kagera to face Kagera Sugar at the Kaitaba Stadium on March 4th, this year.

He also thanked the team’s sponsor - Ghalib Said Mohamed (G.S.M) for their great help. “They have really been of great help to the team, providing salaries and accommodation to players and technical bench,” he said. He also called upon Ruvuma football fraternity to unite and support the team in remaining fixtures, so as they fulfil their dream of staying in the league.

The 1998 Mainland Premier League champions are placed 13th in the table after gathering 22 points in their last 22 outings. Majimaji have netted 14 goals and have conceded 30 goals. They have won six games, three draws and lost 13 matches. Majimaji will now play four matches in away stadium against Mbao, Kagera Sugar, JKT Ruvu and Ruvu Shooting.

Yanga reserve energy for Simba

YOUNG Africans battled to a 1-1 draw against Comoro’s Ngaya de Mde in their CAF Champions League return leg preliminary round clash at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
It seemed as if the Jangwani Street lads were reserving energy for their next weekend’s Mainland Premier League clash against archrivals Simba, as they slowed down their tempo yesterday. Despite the draw, Yanga progressed into the first round of the continental top tier clubs championship on 6-2 aggregate.
This follows a 5-1 away win over Comoro side Ngaya in the first leg of their preliminary round tie a week ago. Goals from Justin Zullu, Simon Msuva, Obrey Chirwa, Amissi Tambwe and Thaban Kamusoko apiece wrapped a massive win for Zambian George Lwandamina’s side at the Stade de Moroni.
In the first round, Yanga will face Zambia’s Zanaco, who dumped out Rwandan champions APR. Zanaco won 1-0 in the return leg clash at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday. The two sides settled for a goalless draw in their first leg clash in Lusaka last Saturday.
The first round ties will be played next month over two legs on the weekend of March 10-12, with the return match scheduled a week later. In the match, the Comoro Island champions were facing an uphill task to overturn a massive defeat they suffered in-front of their supporters in the first leg tie in Moroni.
To eliminate Yanga from the continental tournament, the visitors were required to score four unanswered goals.
It was certainly difficult for them, especially with Yanga playing at home with thousands of their supporters backing them. However, to the surprise of many at the venue, the visitors took the lead in the 19th minute, through Zahir Mohammed, whose power packed shot beat goalkeeper, Deogratius Munishi.

Manchester United forward Martial bemused by pace score on FIFA

The flying Frenchman is among the quickest players in the Premier League and has queried what he has to do to hit the magical mark of 99 for speed

Anthony Martial may be one of the quickest players in the Premier League, but even the Manchester United forward cannot record a pace rating of 99 on FIFA 17.
The latest upgrades, and downgrades, for the cream of the English top-flight crop have been announced for the popular video game.
Martial, though, remains short of a magical mark in one particular area.
Herrera confident of FA Cup defence
He prides himself on his speed, with his ability to eat up the ground helping to make him a frightening prospect for opposition defenders.
The France international has, however, queried what he has to do in order to move off a score of 93.
If the 21-year-old can maintain the standards he has set over recent weeks, then maybe his ratings will be reassessed.

Arsene Wenger has a ‘big job’ lined up, says Arsenal legend Paul Merson

Arsene Wenger has a ‘big job’ lined up should he leave Arsenal this summer, Gunners legend Paul Merson has said.
Wenger’s time at the Emirates appears as though it could be coming to an end with frustration among fans mounting, his contract expiring in the summer and the recent humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich ramping up the pressure.

The Frenchman has said he will make his decision on whether to remain in March or April, however he did let slip that he would definitely be managing next season.
‘No matter what happens, I will manage next season, whether here or elsewhere,’ he said.
That statement has led Merson, who spent 12 years at Arsenal, to conclude that he must have a firm offer from elsewhere.
‘He’s put it into Arsenal’s court now by saying “I’ll be managing anyway” and he will.
‘There’s no way his agent, if he’s got an agent, wouldn’t have been told he’s got a job somewhere. Because you wouldn’t turn around and say what he’s just said. You couldn’t, because that could embarrass you quite a lot if you turn around and go “Well I’ll definitely be managing next season”.
‘You know he’s been told he’s got a job next season and I bet you a bottom dollar it’ll be a big job. It’ll be a big job.’

Caf say Hayatou has support of President Zuma despite Cosafa stance

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced that South Africa's President, Jacob Zuma, had pledged his full support to Caf president Issa Hayatou ahead of African football's upcoming elections.

It followed a meeting on Saturday morning when President Zuma received Hayatou at his residence in Pretoria.
The meeting came just six days after the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) announced it was endorsing Hayatou's rival Ahmad Ahmad as a Caf presidential candidate.
South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, South African Football Association (Safa) President Danny Jordaan and Mamelodi Sundowns President Patrice Motsepe were also present at Saturday's meeting with President Zuma.
South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the African Champions League, were scheduled to host the continent's Confederation Cup winners, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, later on Saturday.

Roberto Mancini, Giovanni Trapattoni among South Africa job applicants

  

    The South African Football Association has revealed that legendary Italian managers Roberto Mancini and Giovanni Trapattoni have applied for the vacant national team job.
Following the dismissal of Shakes Mashaba as Bafana Bafana boss, their governing body is now considering high-profile coaching applicants from Europe, with former Manchester City manager Mancini and ex-Republic of Ireland boss Trapattoni said to be among the candidates.
"More than sixty applications have been received and some of the candidates are Roberto Mancini, Giovanni Trapattoni, Hassan Shehata, Hugo Broos, Muhsin Ertugral, Samson Siasia, Lothar Matthäus, Bernd Schuster, while some are still contracted to their teams and cannot be mentioned," SAFA stated.

Radebe and McCarthy to help find new Bafana Bafana coach

Safa president, CEO and vice-president Elvis Shishana will also sit on the committee to oversee the process.

Former Bafana Bafana greats Lucas Radebe and Benni McCarthy form part of the committee set up by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to urgently look and appoint the new Senior National Team coach.
The committee which also comprises of Farouk Khan, Buti Mathathe, Anna Nyman, Neil Tovey and Technical Committee chair Natasha Tsichlas will draw up a shortlist, deliberate it before naming the suitable candidate in coming days.
Radebe is a former Bafana Bafana long time captain who had a standout career at Leeds United, a then formidable English Premiership team which he captained with distinction.
McCarthy remains Bafana’s top goal scorer and has just completed his UEFA Pro A Coaching License and is among a few South African players that enjoyed distinguished careers overseas.
Khan is a renowned development coach while Mathathe is the chair of South African Football Legends.

Cameroon and Broos play down South Africa link

     

Cameroon's football federation has denied that its Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach has been in contact with its South Africa counterparts.

On Thursday, the South African FA named Hugo Broos as among the applicants for its vacant national team coaching post.
"No contact has been made so far between Broos and the South Africa FA," a Cameroon federation statement read.
"The coach received several proposals after the Nations Cup but none has yet received a favourable outcome."
"Broos is still under contract with Cameroon and will see out the term of said contract."
The 64-year-old, who won the Nations Cup in what is his first international coaching role, took charge of the Indomitable Lions twelve months ago.
His contract expires in February 2018.
The former defender has already exceeded his contract's primary objective of qualifying for this year's Nations Cup in Gabon, with the second task being to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Indomitable Lions currently lie second in Group B of African qualifying, trailing leaders Nigeria but ahead of Zambia and Algeria.

Naise to juggle between two sports disciplines

Former United States International University-Africa hockey player Pauline Naise has joined Amiras Sailors ahead of the 2017 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) league.
Naise, who has been away from the hockey scene for two years, said joining the banking outfit was a perfect place for her to redeem herself.
Naise picked ankle injury in 2015 after featuring for the national team in the World League two series in Uruguay and was sidelined for the better part of the year.
After recuperating, she opted for football, where she represented Kenya in a number of international events including the women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The forward player noted joining football, where she also for the Vihiga Leeds during the 2016 Football Kenya Federation women’s Premier League wasn’t a coincidence as she has always loved the discipline.
“After I picked an ankle injury in 2015, I went up-country to rest and nurse the injury. When I recovered, I begun my normal jogging and it was then that I linked up with Vihiga Leeds and started training. The coach was impressed with my ability and that’s how I was drafted in the team,” observed Naise.