XINHUA – Sports Africa

Key game for Manchester United, fans wait for Liverpool vs Arsenal

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LONDON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) — The Premier League jumps straight in at the deep end this weekend with Manchester United’s visit to Brighton opening the third round, although fans will be forced to wait until Monday night for the star attraction when Liverpool entertain Arsenal.

Last weekend’s home defeat to Crystal Palace was a shock to Manchester United fans, immediately prompting fears that last season’s progress could be lost after a frustrating summer in the transfer market.

Brighton meanwhile impressed with a 3-0 thrashing of Newcastle United and the game is already looking like a watershed moment for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who needs a quick reaction in order to calm jittery Old Trafford nerves.

Crystal Palace’s win at Old Trafford means they are one of five teams with six points from two games and they will face another team with a perfect start when Everton visit Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

The game sees the side with the best pass completion numbers in the Premier League (Everton 88.3 percent) against Palace, who have the worst a pass completion rate (56.4 percent), so it’s probably fair to say we can expect a contrast in styles.

It is also worth bearing in mind that Palace have failed to score in six of Everton’s last seven visits to south London.

West Brom have had a difficult return to the top-flight, conceding eight goals and scoring just two in their opening games, and things may not get much easier when they entertain Chelsea this Saturday.

West Brom acted to shore up their defense in the week with the signing of former Chelsea legend Branislav Ivanovic and the man who played 377 times for the ‘Blues’ could go straight into the ‘Baggies’ starting 11 on Saturday.

Meanwhile all eyes will focus on whether new signing Edouard Mendy goes straight into the Chelsea side or if Frank Lampard keeps faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga after another bad error last weekend.

Saturday ends with Southampton facing a tricky visit to play Burnley.

Southampton have lost both league games so far and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brentford, while Burnley lost their only league game away to Leicester City, before bouncing back to beat Milwall in the Carabao Cup.

They have a good record against Southampton with four wins and three draws against them since October 2016.

There should be goals when Sheffield United face Leeds United in Sunday’s Yorkshire derby, which could be a baptism of fire for Leeds’ new signing Diego Llorente given that his side has scored seven times and conceded the same number in their first two games of the campaign.

Both Tottenham and Newcastle have produced Jekyll and Hyde starts to the season, with Spurs losing to Everton and then scoring five away to Southampton, while Newcastle beat West Ham before being thrashed at home to Brighton and then netting seven in the Carabeo Cup.

Given those records anything could happen when the two teams meet at White Hart Lane.

Leicester City will be without Wilfred Ndidi for 12 weeks with a groin injury and he will be an important absentee for their visit to face Manchester City, who kicked off their season with a 3-1 win away to Wolves, who visit West Ham.

West Ham will have Alan Irvine on the bench after David Moyes tested positive for Covid-19 along with Issa Diop and Josh Cullen ahead of their midweek Carabao Cup win against Hull City, while Nelson Semedo could make his Wolves debut after joining from Barcelona.

Monday ends with Fulham looking for their first points at home to Aston Villa, before Liverpool entertain an Arsenal side that defeated them on penalties in the Community Shield at the end of August.

A month has passed since then and the game will be a good test of Liverpool’s ability to defend their title after beating Chelsea a week ago and also of how much Arsenal have improved under Mikel Arteta.

Four things to look out for in Spain’s Match Day 3

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MADRID, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — Matchday 3 of La Liga sees FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Elche play their first games of the season, while Real Madrid has another difficult away game.

Here are some things to look out for in Spain this weekend.

1. Koeman’s Barcelona debut at home to Villarreal

It has been such a complicated summer for FC Barcelona that it is almost hard to know where to begin.

Ronald Koeman takes over a side that is now without Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez, who joined Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Lionel Messi will clearly be the focus of attention after his summer request to leave the club, but Antoine Griezmann has to step up after Suarez’s departure and Frenkie de Jong has to do the same in a side now without Vidal and Rakitic.

Philippe Coutinho also has a lot to prove after his loan spell at Bayern, while questions remain over what style of play Koeman will look to impose.

And all of this against a rival that in Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcacer has two of the best strikers in La Liga.

Will it be a happy start for Koeman, or will he face problems from the very start?

2. Another tough game for Real Madrid

Real Madrid controlled most of the ball in its league debut away to Real Sociedad a week ago, but failed to create enough chances to win the game, raising questions about what was also the club’s main problem last season.

Opponent Real Betis has started the campaign well under Manuel Pellegrini and the former Real Madrid coach looks to have added steel to a side which flattered to deceive last season.

Zidane has a doubt over Martin Odegaard after confusion surrounding a COVID-19 test, but the coach’s main problem will be how to get the best out of an attack likely to still be without Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, who are struggling with fitness issues.

Madrid is likely to control most of the game, but Zidane needs wide forwards Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr to turn control into goals.

3. Difficult debut for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid’s pre-season hasn’t been a bed of roses with coach Diego Simeone testing positive for COVID-19 and central defender Jose Gimenez also returning a positive test at the start of the week to complicate preparations for their league debut at home to an impressive Granada.

Atletico got a huge boost with Suarez’s arrival this week, but the Uruguayan won’t be fit to start on Sunday, while Alvaro Morata has now left to join Juventus.

Granada has won all four of its competitive matches this season and has a lot in common with Atletico in that they combine tough defensive organization with a high rate of effectiveness from set pieces.

If Atletico is below its best, it could start by dropping points.

4. Early crisis in the Basque Country?

Eibar has started the campaign with two defeats, while Athletic Bilbao lost in Granada on the opening day of the season.

However, with fans unhappy at Athletic’s disappointing end to last campaign, question marks over coach Gaizka Garitano’s defensive instincts and a lack of goals in attack, a defeat in the Ipurua Stadium would only increase the discontent surrounding a club that has so far failed to make any summer signings.

Second tough test for Real Madrid with trip to unbeaten Betis

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MADRID, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — Real Madrid faces its second tough test of its title credentials in two weeks when it travels to play Real Betis on Saturday night.

Zinedine Zidane’s side goes into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw away to Real Sociedad a week ago, in a game it controlled for long periods without creating the chances it needed to win.

That has raised doubts over whether Zidane is going to face the same issues as last season, when his side at times struggled to score goals.

Zidane was without Marco Asensio, Isco and Eden Hazard against Real Sociedad, and if fit, that trio would give him more attacking options.

Both Hazard and Asensio began training with the group towards the end of the week, and though neither is likely to be fit enough to start, they could take up a place on the bench.

There is also a slight doubt over Martin Odegaard, who returned from loan from Real Sociedad over the summer and was in the starting 11 to face his former club a week ago.

The young Norwegian returned a positive test result for COVID-19 after that game, but a second test came back negative and he has returned to training after having to sit out the start of the week.

Zidane will have to decide whether he maintains Odegaard in an attack-minded midfield alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, or whether Casemiro returns to the side.

The Brazilian, who was so important to Madrid last season, was surprisingly left out of the starting 11 a week ago, although he did play the last 20 minutes and it will be interesting to see how Zidane deals with the situation.

Meanwhile, Real Betis has started the season with two wins from two games and looks a lot tougher under former Real Madrid and Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini than under Joan Ferrer ‘Rubi’ last season.

It has a decent record against Real Madrid with two wins and a draw in their last three games, the last of those being a 2-1 victory in the Benito Villamarin stadium.

Nabil Fekir is fit to start and will probably play alongside Borja Iglesias and Sergio Canales.

Kenyan marathoner Siele slapped with ban for doping

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NAIROBI, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan long-distance runner Patrick Siele for three years and six months for doping.

The marathoner, whose ban starts in March, was slapped with the sanction for evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection conducted on him on Dec. 18, 2019, a violation of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.

Earlier this month, the global athletics watchdog also banned another Kenyan, Philip Cheruiyot Kangogo, after the presence of a banned substance Higamine was found in his sample which contravenes the article 2.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.

AIU said although Siele was subject to a four-year ban, the athlete admitted to the violation, hence a reduction of the sanction by six months.

The 24-year-old, who held a personal best of 2:10:42 in the marathon, will now join a long list of Kenyan athletes who have already been suspended or banned since the start of the year.

Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, Alex Oloitiptip, Mercy Kibarus and Kenneth Kipkemoi have already been banned while Commonwealth Games 1,500m champion Elijah Manangoi and former London Marathon winner Daniel Wanjiru are currently serving suspensions while awaiting a ruling.

Kenyan top-flight football management faces uncertain future with lapse of deal

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NAIROBI, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — The future management of Kenyan top-tier club football remains in question following the lapse on Thursday of a contract between the country’s federation and the company that has managed its top flight since 2003.

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited was established in October 2003 by top-flight clubs following constant wrangles between the football governing administration and the eventual deterioration of the National Football League.

Each participating club that opted out of the old first division decided to form a company affiliated to the federation that would see the smooth running of the league in a professional and transparent manner.

A Football Kenya Federation (FKF)-KPL agreement was drafted in 2015, giving the latter the legal mandate to run top-flight football in the country until Sept. 24.

However, the league administrators did not manage to finish their last season as planned due to the pandemic.

FKF president, Nick Mwendwa, who is seeking a fresh mandate during the Oct. 17 national elections, has been adamant the KPL contract will not be renewed and the top-tier will be known as the FKFPL starting in the 2020-21 season.

Speaking to Xinhua in Nairobi on Thursday, KPL chief executive Jack Oguda said the decision on the fate of the KPL Limited will be made by shareholder clubs following the said elections.

“I was advised by the chairman to wait until the football elections are over so that the company can engage with the new president on a way forward before the members make a decision,” the long-serving CEO added.

The start of the new season also remains unclear after the government, through the sports ministry, last week announced that contact sport, football included, remains suspended due to Covid-19.

Clubs were permitted to start training in small groups whilst observing social distancing and other protocols in place to combat the pandemic.

Some candidates, opposed to Mwendwa in the presidential elections, have promised to renew KPL’s mandate to run the league if elected but the most vocal, former federation chief, Sam Nyamweya, withdrew from the polls citing irregularities.

Wolfsburg see off Desna 2-0 in UEFA Europa League

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BERLIN, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — Goals from Joshua Guilavogui and Daniel Ginczek helped Wolfsburg to beat resilient Ukrainian outfit Desna 2-0 in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday.

The Wolves took a hard-earned win and are now one victory away from booking their berth in the Europa League’s group stage, as ten-man Desna were unable to cause surprise.

Wolfsburg made a powerful start on home soil and caused a lot of trouble on the left wing.

It took the hosts only 16 minutes to break the deadlock when Renato Steffen flicked on Admir Mehmedi’s pinpoint corner, allowing Guilavogui to nod home the opener from close range.

Despite a positive start, Wolfsburg failed to build on their momentum and focused on long-range efforts, which posed no threat for Desna goalkeeper Yehven Past in the remainder of the first half.

After the restart, Desna took control and should have restored parity in the opening stages of the half as Guilavogui blocked Vladislav Kalitvintsev’s rebound from inside the box on the goalline.

Kalitvintsev remained in the thick of things after unleashing a free kick from 20 meters which forced Wolfsburg custodian Koen Casteels into action in the 51st minute.

The visitors from the Ukraine grew in confidence but the dismissal of Joonas Tamm, who saw his second yellow card for repeated foul play at the hour mark, changed proceedings on the pitch.

The sending off killed the game for Desna as Wolfsburg assumed control and possession but for all that the hosts lacked in producing promising opportunities.

Wolfsburg eventually put the result beyond doubt in the dying minutes of the game after Xaver Schlager’s square pass found unmarked Ginczek, who had all time and space to tap home the assist into the open goal.

Oliver Glasner’s men will encounter AEK Athens in an all-or-nothing game to battle for an Europa League place on October 1.

Liverpool’s Klopp busy on the phone as Schalke’s crisis increases

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BERLIN, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — One could say that it requires the qualities of an invincible action movie hero to survive the job as head coach at the Bundesliga club, Schalke 04.

The fact that the Royal Blues have worn out nine managers in 11 years, at least to some extent, explains David Wagner’s hopeless situation.

The 48-year-old former Huddersfield manager is the club’s 10th incumbent.

Things haven’t improved at all after Wagner failed to win one of last season’s final 16 games.

They also suffered a devastating start to the current campaign after being thrashed 8-0 by 2020 treble winner Bayern Munich.

Struggling Schalke has been shaken to its core yet again. Several possible successors have been named at a time when the club is also having to deal with significant financial problems.

The current mood has hit rock bottom. Wagner’s time in Gelsenkirchen might soon expire as it seems only a win against Werder Bremen this Saturday evening can save him from being sacked.

Fans and half of the club are puzzling about who could be the rescuer leading the side out of this deep crisis.

Former Schalke and Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick is one name in the list.

Wagner is putting a brave face on everything and is optimistic about sparking a successful turnaround despite reports he has already lost his players’ trust.

Buddies such as Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp speak about their relationship and have become even closer.

“I never thought how much I would cross my fingers for Schalke,” the 2019 Champions League winner said about the growing number of phone calls between him and the best man at his wedding.

Currently, it seems doubtful if the support can help Wagner to get things back to place.

Reports speak about Schalke’s financial bottlenecks as one reason why Jochen Schneider hasn’t fired the coach yet.

The club’s director has come under fire.

Fans accuse him of being fatally inactive while Wagner is under attack due to his misleading tactical approach.

Players are also accused of lacking the right mentality.

Potential successors for Wagner don’t seem to be queuing up at the outfit’s headquarters, but there may well be a new coach installed if the run of defeats continues.

Due to the crisis on the pitch, the club’s plans to outsource its professional section and allow investors to join have been postponed as have talks about the second round of wage cuts for the squad.

Players such as new arrival Gonzalo Paciencia are trying to spread optimism and are counting on football’s unwritten laws.

“Football is wonderful.”

“If we beat Bremen, everything is forgotten, and nobody remembers all the chaos,” the striker commented.

Optimism never seems to dry out for the Royal Blues, not even now, as many expect the club to react as they always do by sacking their coach and prepare to welcome coach number 11 since 2009.

Boca Juniors move closer to Copa Libertadores knockout berth

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MEDELLIN, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — Six-time Copa Libertadores champions Boca Juniors took a major step toward securing a place in the competition’s knockout phase with a 1-0 win at Independiente Medellin on Thursday.

It took the Argentinian giants until the 87th minute to break the deadlock at the Atanasio Girardot stadium as former Atletico Madrid winger Eduardo Salvio struck his fifth goal of the campaign.

The result left Boca with 10 points from four matches in Group H, three points clear of second-placed Caracas FC.

Independiente Medellin remained at the foot of the group with four straight defeats.

Brazil’s Santos also moved within sight of a berth in the next round with a 2-1 win over 10-man Delfin in the Ecuadorian port city of Manta.

Former Changchun Yatai forward Marinho continued his impressive form with an early strike before Juan Diego Rojas equalized in the 74th minute.

Jean Mota scored the winner eight minutes from time as Santos clinched their third win from four matches.

In Friday’s only other fixture, Bolivia’s Jorge Wilstermann secured a 3-0 home win over Uruguayan side Penarol.

Ghana bullish on Micah’s hopes in WBO Bantamweight title fight

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ACCRA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) on Thursday expressed confidence that its boxer Duke Micah would beat WBO Bantamweight champion Johnriel Casmimero in their title clash at the weekend.

“The GBA is confident that Duke Micah will win and continue his forward march towards chalking more in the ring.”

“We will support you both physically and spiritually to win this fight,” said a statement signed by GBA President Peter Zwennes.

Micah will take on Casmimero for the WBO Bantamweight title on September 26 in the United States.

Ghana Premier League to start on November 13

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ACCRA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) — The 2020-21 Ghana Premier League will start on November 13, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said here late Thursday.

A statement released signed by GFA general secretary Prosper Harrison Addo also announced the commencement dates for Division One and the Women’s Premier League.

The GFA added it will issue COVID-19 protocols and regulations in addition to the guidelines from FIFA and CAF before the start of the various leagues.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo placed a ban on contact sports some six months ago when the country recorded its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on March 12.

The GFA subsequently annulled the 2019-20 league season.

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