Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal: New low but same old story for Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger’s team came up short again in their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich and Arsenal fans will feel like they have seen it all before, writes Adam Bate.

Beforehand, Arsene Wenger had called it "psychologically a different problem" for Arsenal to be playing the away leg first. Afterwards, it looked like his side had shown those all too familiar frailties having capitulated to a 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. Same old Arsenal.


It was even the same scoreline as their previous visit to the Allianz Arena in last season's group stage, but if that brought back unpleasant memories for the travelling support, it's the overarching theme that will leave the wider Arsenal support so downcast in defeat.
Out in the first knockout stage for a seventh season in a row? Eliminated by Bayern for the third time in that period? It seems inevitable. If there is to be a difference it is likely to be the scale of the beating. They have already conceded more than in the previous ties.
But it's the minutiae of the detail of this defeat that will have had an eerie familiarity for those Arsenal fans already veering between anxiety and apathy. Certainly, it seemed as if Francis Coquelin was the only man in Munich unable to see Arjen Robben's goal coming.
The Dutchman's jink onto his favoured left foot might be easier to spot than stop but Coquelin did neither, darting in the wrong direction for reasons unclear. It was indicative of Arsenal's early passivity, seemingly unable or unwilling to do anything to challenge Bayern.
After the infuriating start came the equally frustrating glimpse of hope. Arsenal got into the game - Alexis Sanchez's one-man press finally sparking something in his team-mates. First he helped win a free-kick and then a corner from which a penalty was conceded.
Even that was a mini-drama with Sanchez scoring at the third attempt. Mesut Ozil might have given the Gunners an unlikely half-time lead too had Manuel Neuer not saved with his feet after Sanchez had again put the Bayern defence under pressure to force a mistake.
But it was in the second half that the gulf between the two teams was truly highlighted. In particular, one crazy 10-minute spell in which Bayern scored three goals - the magnificent Thiago netting two of them - to kill the tie. Arsenal appeared helpless to prevent it all.
Could they have stopped it?
And yet, while Wenger could point to misfortune in having lost Laurent Koscielny to injury with the scores level, the feeling persists that - as brilliant as Bayern are - much of what was witnessed was eminently preventable if Arsenal had been playing with more purpose.
The fifth goal, scored by substitute Thomas Muller after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain surrendered the ball on the edge of his own area, capped a nightmare night. It was the error of a team who have long since lost belief. Even Wenger admitted it was a collapse.
Quality is a factor. Bayern had the better players. But they also had a better plan. Wenger made a small tweak to the team in opting for the more defensively capable Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alex Iwobi on the flanks but was that really enough to make a difference?
Coquelin and Granit Xhaka were still left to deal with a three-man midfield and were passed around with ease. Arsenal finished with under 26 per cent of possession. Only FC Rostov and Dinamo Zagreb have had less of the ball in a Champions League match this season.
Such a situation requires a diligent defence and a team set up to play on the counter-attack. Even with Ozil at his most diffident, Arsenal had their moments when they suggested they could do the latter, but any hope of the former disappeared down the tunnel with Koscielny.
All of which left Sanchez bereft, as so often it seems, the last man to give up hope. The Chilean made a compelling case for player-cam as he gesticulated at opponents, the referee, but mostly the others in Arsenal yellow - urging them to join him in haring around.
What happens next?
Whether he, Ozil and their manager are to join the rest in extending their stay at the Emirates Stadium is the big question now. It has been suggested that Ozil, in particular, is keen to for Wenger to confirm he is staying before committing his future to the club.
But while Wenger has unwittingly become the embodiment of the status quo, a one-time perennial winner who continues to deliver top-four finishes but no longer the big trophies that fans demand, Sanchez's visible anger more accurately expresses the fans' frustration.
There is an appetite for more appetite. A desire to see something new from this Arsenal. Instead, under the increasingly beleaguered Wenger they seem only capable of dishing up more of the same disappointments. A different problem? In truth, it's anything but.

Liverpool Hope University appoints an Everton FC professor

Liverpool Hope University have created a new job many Blues fans will envy - a professor specialising in Everton FC.
Professor Ian Vandewalle, the university’s pro vice-chancellor, has taken up the new role as part of its five-year partnership with the club.
The new Everton Chair in Social Responsibility will lead university experts in carrying out research to help the club analyse and improve its community work.

Researchers from subjects as varied as health sciences, business, social work and education will all contribute to the research.
Professor Vandewalle will oversee the work, which will provide detailed evidence of the impact Everton in the Community has across the city.
It is hoped the findings will be shared with other football clubs and cities, to help promote best practice in clubs’ social responsibilities.
The professor started his career as a health sciences lecturer before moving into business and development, establishing Hope’s Business School in 2000.
Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale MBE, a director at Everton and executive chair of Everton in the Community, has also been made an honorary visiting professor at Liverpool Hope.
Both professors will kick off their work with a series of free lectures open to the public in late spring.
Professor Vandewalle said: “We know that football has a fantastic potential for social good, and Everton already has an outstanding reputation for its relationship with its fans and the wider community.
“Its Community Hub is a fine example of that, and we are excited by the Club’s drive to do even more. We want to explore new avenues and create a proven model for how football clubs can make even more of a positive impact on the world around them.”
Professor Barrett-Baxendale said: “Professor Vandewalle is just the right appointment to help drive the partnership forward. He is a respected academic and the research conducted by his team will provide Everton in the Community with the ability to quantify the social impact the charity makes in our community.
“Having a dedicated research facility led by Professor Vandewalle will help to benchmark, test ideas and help us take new initiatives forward. The outcomes provided from this partnership will ensure we can optimize the life-changing and life-saving work delivered by the charity.”

Wayne Rooney could leave Man Utd, says Paul Scholes

Wayne Rooney could look to leave Manchester United due to his lack of playing time under manager Jose Mourinho, according to Paul Scholes.

The United captain has fallen down the pecking order since Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford last summer and has not started a Premier League match since December 17.
Rooney, who became United's all-time record goalscorer last month by surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's total, was linked with a move to China during the January transfer window.
He has two years to run on his current contract, but his former team-mate Scholes is unsure whether Rooney will see out his deal at United.

"If it carries on going the way it is, I can't [see him staying for two more years]," Scholes told the Daily Mail.
"Maybe it will be reassessed at the end of the season if he's in and out of the team. I don't see him as a player who will accept that. He will want to be at a team where he's playing every week.
"No one will be more frustrated than Wayne at not playing. Being a sub will be driving him up the wall.
"It will be killing him just coming in for the Europa League or the FA Cup. But it's up to him to get his head down and prove he can play in the big games."
Rooney and his team-mates sit sixth in the Premier League with 13 games left but Scholes backed Mourinho to lead the club to a top-four finish.
"It's been a massive improvement from what we've seen in the last couple of years," the former England midfielder said about Mourinho's reign.
"I watch them now and have no doubt they'll finish in the top four. They're playing the best out of the top six with Chelsea and you have to fancy them to finish second or third."

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos happy to see Barcelona lose

he Spain and Real Madrid star was thrilled with Barcelona's loss as his team won in the Champions League. 

Sergio Ramos said he was obviously happy to see bitter rivals Barcelona lose in the Champions League as he basked in Real Madrid's success.
There is no secret of the mutual hatred between Madrid and Barcelona, and the European titleholders from the Spanish capital were able to watch on in delight as the Catalans suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Ronald sets best assist tally 
Barca have a mountain to climb heading into the second leg of their last-16 tie, while Madrid is in the box seat following Wednesday's 3-1 win at home to Napoli.
Asked if he was happy about Barca's defeat in Paris, captain Ramos told reporters: "I won't say no.
"I don't like to see my friends suffer, but obviously I don't like Barcelona to win."
Former Madrid winger Angel Di Maria inspired the rout at the Parc des Princes, scoring twice on his birthday, but the humbling did not come as a surprise to Ramos.
"I wasn't [surprised]," he added. "What it means is that in Champions League any team pays for a bad game. PSG did a great game, put pressure in the front."
As for Madrid, the La Liga leaders are on track for the Champions League quarter-finals.
After Lorenzo Insigne gave Napoli a surprise lead inside eight minutes, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro all scored in front of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful.
Madrid, however, will be sweating on the fitness of Ramos, who hobbled off with a leg injury 19 minutes from time.
"I suffered a blow and I hurt my hip and adductor, I held on as I could until I thought the result was good, to wait for the tests," the Spanish defender said. "Hopefully it's not anything

Cristiano Ronaldo influences major Real Madrid transfer deal

CRISTIANO RONALDO has reportedly told Real Madrid not to sell Karim Benzema this summer.

Benzema has endured a difficult season at Real Madrid so far.
The France international hasn't scored in the league since October but did find the net in their 3-1 Champions League win over Napoli last night.
His inconsistent form has seen Madrid backed to move for the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala.

However, Spanish website Diario Gol claim Ronaldo has ordered the club not to sign a striker this summer.

Don Balon said last week the former Manchester United star had ordered Madrid chiefs not to sign Aubameyang, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
And it appears his influence is so powerful he is determined to keep Benzema at the Bernabeu.
He is happy playing alongside the Frenchman with the duo having been team-mates since 2009.

Ronaldo, who is enduring a mixed campaign by his usual high standards, believes Benzema is the key to him rediscovering his top form.
Manager Zinedine Zidane also wants to keep him at the club.
But Madrid chief Florentino Perez thinks differently and is willing to cut his losses on the former Lyon striker at the end of the season.

Real Madrid play highlights of PSG 4-0 Barcelona at the Bernabeu ahead of Champions League match vs Napoli

Those cheeky scamps from the Bernabeu knew the perfect way to get their fans up for the last-16 clash - taking the mick out of Barca

It has been a good week for Real Madrid.
The La Liga giants maintained their lead at the top of their domestic table at the weekend, and on Wednesday they established a 3-1 first leg lead in their Champions League last-16 tie against Napoli. 
But for many of their supporters, that wasn't even the best result of the week.

Nope, that honour would go to Barcelona's 4-0 hammering at Paris Saint-Germain the night before. 
Barca were torn apart by a rampant PSG, who established a dominant lead in the tie to all-but secure a place in the last eight at the expense of Luis Enrique's side.
And Real wanted to keep the celebrations going ahead of their game, so they played the highlights of Barca's loss on the big screen at the Bernabeu ahead of facing Napoli.
he sight of the goals going in against Barca whipped the Madrid crowd up into a frenzy before the game, and it obviously worked as they went on to win. 
Not everyone was as happy to see what Real had done, though.

It would be a disaster for Tottenham... Martin Keown reacts to rumours about Dele Alli's future

that it would be a disaster for Spurs to sell Dele Alli.
Tottenham have endured a difficult week, as their nine-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, before they also struggled in Europe.
Spurs travelled to Belgium on Thursday evening to take on Gent in their Europa League Round of 32 clash, and fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Jeremy Perbet's second half strike.
The attention now turns to this weekend's FA Cup clash with Fulham, as fans are desperate to see Tottenham win some silverware under Mauricio Pochettino, whether it's the Premier League, Europa League or FA Cup.
Some believe that Tottenham will have to win trophies to keep some of their top young players at the club, and The Express reported last weekend that Manchester City are keen to land Dele Alli in a world-record deal.

Alli, 20, hit ten goals and nine assists in his first Premier League campaign last season, and has notched 11 goals and two assists so far this term as he continues to impress at White Hart Lane.
The midfielder has become one of English football's top young talents during his time with Spurs, which has unsurprisingly triggered speculation over his future with Tottenham.
Now, pundit Martin Keown has urged Tottenham to pay Alli whatever he wants to stay with the club, telling BBC Sport's Match of the Day 2 Extra that it would be a 'disaster' for Spurs to lose Alli as they must build their team around him.
"It would be a disaster for Tottenham Hotspur to lose Dele Alli," said Keown. "They have to build this team around him. Whatever it's going to cost, whatever you have to pay him, look after the player," he added.
Do you think Tottenham can keep Dele Alli?

Arsenal or Barcelona: Which club has bigger issues at present?

it was a chastening midweek for two of Europe's biggest clubs, as Arsenal and Barcelona both suffered humiliating defeats in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Inevitably, talk of crisis has followed for both, but which side has greater problems?
On the face of it, both Arsenal and Barcelona have plenty to play for this season. The Gunners are fourth in the Premier League, two points off second, and remain in the FA Cup.
The Blaugrana, meanwhile, sit second in La Liga, one point behind Real Madrid, and are through to the Copa del Rey final.
Plus, for a few more weeks at least, both sides are still in the Champions League.
But the feeling at present is that each club is underachieving and, no matter how the rest of the seasons unfold, changes are needed at both the Emirates Stadium and Camp Nou.

Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli refuses to rule out replacing Luis Enrique at Barcelona

The Argentine has been making waves in Seville since arriving at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last summer

Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli is keeping quiet over a potential summer switch to Barcelona. 
The Argentine has impressed since taking charge at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last summer, with his side sitting third in La Liga, just three points off leaders Real Madrid. 
Barca were humbled in midweek, thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain, to intensify suggestions that Luis Enrique’s time at Camp Nou will end this summer. 
The Spaniard has had something of a strained relationship with the media in Catalunya despite his successes since returning to the club as manager.
And now he looks almost certain when the current campaign reaches its conclusion.
Sampaoli leads his side into Champions League last-16 action against Leicester next week, and the ex-Chile boss has been mentioned as a potential successor - with some members of the Camp Nou hierarchy having pinpointed him as the No.1 choice.
However, when asked about speculation, he told Sevilla’s official website: "I do not have to explain anything to anyone. I have nothing to do with what is said.
"My mind is focused on continuing to work every day to consolidate an idea here, in the club that brought me to Europe.

"It is clear that this profession is about the present and the reality, and the reality now is to strive for this club. Tomorrow, you never know."
Sampaoli's side host Eibar at the weekend as they look to cling to the coat-tails of league leaders Real.
Barcelona will hope to fight back from their mauling at the Parc des Princes when they host relegation-threatened Leganes, with Luis Enrique wanting a response from his players.
And Sampaoli believes that his counterpart has earned the right to decide when he calls time on his career at Barca.
"This type of media speculation doesn't help clearly evaluate all that Luis Enrique has achieved," he added.
"Barcelona's bench will be vacated whenever Luis Enrique decides what to do.
"I'm calm about the situation because none of the rumours started with me."

Old boy Dybala stars as Juventus go 10 points clear

TURIN - Juventus went 10 points clear at the top of Serie A on Friday with a 4-1 win over struggling Palermo in a perfectly-timed boost ahead of their Champions League trip to Porto next week.
Former Palermo star Paulo Dybala played a pivotal role as the Argentina international pushed his former employers closer to the drop by scoring twice, creating another and also seeing a free-kick come back off the woodwork.

"We ended the first half at 2-0 despite not playing well," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

"It's one game less to winning the Scudetto and I congratulate the players for the way they approached the game."

Palermo started the day eight points from safety and they were under the cosh almost from the start on Friday.

Dybala, who moved to Turin after three seasons at Palermo in 2015, was just centimetres from the opener after only five minutes when he clipped the post with a left-footed free-kick.

But the Sicilians' resistance didn't last as Claudio Marchisio put Juventus ahead in the 13th minute, finding the net after goalkeeper Josip Posavec could only parry Gonzalo Higuain's close-range shot.

At the other end, veteran 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon got down low to keep out Palermo's top scorer Ilija Nestorovski's attempt from a tight angle.

It was a brief scare for the champions who went into the break 2-0 ahead when Dybala curled in a picture-perfect free-kick, this time to the left of Posavec's despairing dive and into the top corner.

Higuain added a third and his 19th league goal of the season in the 63rd minute, latching onto Dybala's delicately-weighted pass between two defenders.

Higuain repaid the favour to his international teammate one minute from time with a cheeky backheel allowing Dybala to slot the ball home.

Palermo scored an injury-time consolation through an Ivaylo Chochev header but Juventus will go to Porto for Wednesday's Champions League last 16, first-leg clash on a fresh wave of confidence.

However, Porto were in equally ruthless mood on Friday with a 4-0 win over bottom club Tondela taking them two points clear in Portugal. - Nampa-AFP

PSG express 'shock' over reported doubts about Thiago Silva's injury

Paris Saint-Germain have expressed their "shock" at doubts in the French media over how genuine captain Thiago Silva's latest injury really is.
The French giants thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg clash on Tuesday without the Brazil international, who was ruled out of the match with a left calf problem.
Following the famous victory over the Spaniards, L'Equipe cast doubt on the severity of Silva's latest injury -- suffered during the 2-1 home win over Lille -- and quoted an unnamed source as saying the skipper was "frozen with fear" ahead of the Barca encounter.
PSG have responded to L'Equipe's claims through a statement exclusive to Globoesporte and explained that his current injury is genuine.
"Thiago Silva was injured after the Ligue 1 clash with Lille," the statement from the French champions read. "The diagnosis was heavy bruising on his left calf -- he did not play against Bordeaux the week before the Champions League match at home to Barcelona.
"Thiago Silva is our captain, the man of great games, who is always there through the difficult times and is appreciated by the staff and his teammates. Everyone at the club is shocked by the doubts some have expressed about his motivation.


Thiago Silva is still trying to heal the left calf injury that forced him to miss out against Barcelona on Tuesday. He is likely to miss the next match against Toulouse and is not expected back until the Marseille clash at the end of February. 
"Because of the risk of a relapse, the medical and technical staff preferred to avoid risking jeopardising their end to the season."
To finish their explanation, PSG pointed to the example of Silva returning early from his holiday after an unsuccessful 2014 World Cup campaign on home soil to help the team. The 32-year-old central defender was injured as a result and missed two months of the 2014-15 season.
"In August of 2014, after a World Cup on home soil, the former Selecao captain chose to make a faster than expected return to Paris and ended up injuring his right thigh. He was consequently out of action for two months," the statement said.
With Silva expected back for the trip to face bitter rivals Marseille next weekend, the South American should be fit for the return leg against Barcelona as well.

Professional Women's Soccer League Finally Arrives in Colombia

This is a major feat for female soccer players in Latin America, who often have less opportunities to play the beloved sport than their male counterparts.

In a long-sought-after accomplishment for women’s soccer in Latin America, female Colombian soccer players no longer have to look outside their home country for year-round professional opportunities. On Saturday, the South American nation kicked off their first female professional soccer league, an important milestone for gender equality within the sport. 
Colombia’s women’s national soccer team, known as Las Superpoderosas or the Powerpuff Girls, will now be able to carry out their dream of playing in a national championship, opening up more options for professional development in their home country than infrequent international tournaments. 
“The national championship will help raise the standard of the national team,” Colombian soccer player Yoreli Rincon told FIFA.com. “We used to train every six months or every year even, and now we’ll be training twice a day every day, and playing every eight days. We’re all going to become better players and the national team will keep getting better too, because there are a lot more girls out there who want to have that opportunity and who’ll see that they’re going to get noticed now.”
The new league will have 18 teams broken up until three sub-group,s who will compete against each other until May. In June, the league will crown its first national champion.
Female soccer players from the U.S. and Latin America have in recent years called out gender discrimination without the sport and unfair disparities between the opportunities available to men and women who play soccer professionally.
Colombia has long had a women's national team, Las Cafeteras, which has qualified for two FIFA Women's World Cups, in Germany 2011 and Canada 2015, and is currently in 22nd place in FIFA's rankings.

Brazil, Argentina and Chile already have professional women's leagues. Colombia's women's national league shows a developing trend and growing interest in the sport for women.
Some well known professional Colombian women soccer players who play for teams abroad include, Nicole Regnier, who plays for Rayo Vallecano in Spain; defender Natalia Gaitan, who plays in Valencia, Spain; and Melissa Ortiz, who plays for the Boston Breakers.
The first Women's World Cup was held in 1991, when the United States was crowned world champion. Countries across Europe, including England, Spain, Germany, Sweden and others, have for years had professional women's leagues.

Nigeria Coach Confirms Ghana Friendly

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that his side will play a friendly match against Ghana in England next month ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Super Eagles have already secured a friendly with Senegal slated for March 23 and will lock horns with the Black Stars two days later ahead of Nigeria’s clash with South Africa in the 2019 Afcon qualifiers on August 12.

“Senegal, who are one of the strongest countries in Africa, will play us in March and also we are to play Ghana who were fourth at the last Nations Cup in Gabon," Rohr told Nigeria FA media.

“Senegal will help us play against Cameroon, but the game against Ghana will shape us up for the cracker against South Africa. We will use the two games to see some new players in some key positions. We don’t play these games for results. That is not to necessarily win but to see our team and the new players who will be invited,” he added.


Ghana will also use the friendly to prepare for the Afcon qualifier against Ethiopia as well as the World Cup qualifying double header against Congo.

With Avram Grant set to leave end of the month, reports suggest assistant Maxwell Konadu could step in as a caretaker until a new coach is appointed.  

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. 

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. 

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.

Team Manager Timothy Lidonde echoed his sentiments adding the cordial relationship between technical bench and the club’s Executive will play a role to the success of the team.
“We are doing well and happy with our head coach. Hall is a father figure to our young players. We want to forget our 13th finish from last season quickly and come back with a bang,” the former Ingwe player intoned.
Hall has appointed Bernard Mangoli as the team captain in an effort to use his experience to shepherd his young teammates.
Mang’oli who was signed in 2010 from JMJ Academy will be pivotal in commanding his side in their bid to win a first domestic title since 1998 alongside the spine of the side centred around Andrew Tololwa, Allan Katerrega, newly signed Gilbert Fiamenho and Paul Mungai Kiongera.
Across the divide, Nzoia Team Manager, Evans Kadenge maintains their focus will be primarily to qualify in the 2018 KPL Top 8 knockout tournament.
“We are eagerly waiting for the league to commence since our players are itching to show their prowess. We have signed nine new players to reinforce the team that won the NSL,” Kadenge told Citizen Digital.
Nzoia will be banking on custodian Benson Mangala, defenders Brian Otieno and Vincent Nyongesa with captain Peter Gin and Lawrence Juma marshalling the midfield.
Upfront, they are banking on NSL top scorer, Masika Masuta who has remained in situ despite intense speculation with a move away from the alongside Boniface Omondi to fire in the goals.
Nzoia will be using Sudi Stadium as their first choice venue with Mumias Sugar Sports Complex and Kanduyi stadiums listed as their second and third options.
Kadenge denied speculation that NSL title-winning head coach Bernard Mwalala was unhappy with the new Executive Committee voted in at the club preferring the old regime that supported his push to return to the KPL.
As fate would have it Leopards and Nzoia are scheduled to face each other in their opening KPL fixture in Nairobi with the Sports Disputes Tribunal ruling the suspended league should start within two weeks.
That will lay the platform for what could evolve to be an intense, no holds barred battle to be crowned ‘Kings of Western’ at the end of the season.

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.
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"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.

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.

‘OK, he is the leader, he created that side. He is at fault because he’s the boss. But the players must look at themselves too.’

The Gunners will be desperate for a response when they travel to National League side Sutton United on Monday for a FA Cup fifth round clash.
Wenger’s side then face Premier League rivals Liverpool at Anfield, before welcoming Bayern to the Emirates for the second leg of their Champions League tie.