Afcon U20: Fufa's Mulindwa and Watson on how youth development is paying off in UgandaFufa executive committee member Rodgers Mulindwa and former Uganda captain Edgar Watson have explained how the U20 side is enjoying their recent success, including reaching the Africa Cup of Nations final. Watson also said motivation has played a key role as they have established themselves as dominant sides especially in the Cecafa competitions."There are more ways to motivate national team players, and all young Ugandans dream of playing for national teams, hence there is fierce competition to reach these selections,” he added.

In the Europa League, Arsenal played Portuguese giants Benfica in Italy and the return tie was set for Greece rather than London, while Manchester United played Real Sociedad in Italy. Yes - away goals still count in the Champions League and Europa League knockout games, even if one or both legs happens to be played at a neutral stadium. In the event that a team is forced to change venue for a particular leg of a tie, as in the extraordinary circumstances of this pandemic, the same rules for deciding the outcome of a tie continue to apply. Neither Arsenal nor Benfica played at home in their last-32 tie, with Benfica's 'home' game taking place in Italy and Arsenal's 'home' game in Greece.

Fufa Referees Disciplinary Panel has banned referee Juma Osire for one month for sanctioning Derrick Ochan's red card during the Police FC Premier League match against Vipers SC."Disciplinary proceedings were opened against assistant referee Mr [Juma] Osire for making a clear refereeing mistake during the Vipers SC vs Police FC match played on 19th February 2021 at St Mary’s Kitende Stadium," Fufa's statement read on Thursday."The Fufa Referees Disciplinary Panel (FRDP) considered Osire’s defence and made the findings; Osire is a referee and is therefore bound by the rules that govern referees at Fufa and the panel found that the referee made a wrong call by issuing the red card."The Fufa ethics and the disciplinary committee has sanctioned Police FC chairman [Asan] Kasingye for violating Article 39(2) of the Fufa ethics code which provides that; persons bound by this code are forbidden from making any public statements of a defamatory nature towards Fufa and /or towards any other person bound by this code in the context of Fufa events," Fufa statement read earlier.

Khune makes Bafana Bafana cut, Xulu and Gamildien return to the national teamThe Amakhosi goalkeeper has this season attracted a lot of criticism due to his form but is back in the national team foldSouth Africa coach Molefi Ntseki has selected troubled Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana and Sudan. In a difficult season for Amakhosi, Khune's game has been highlighted by some errors which have cost Chiefs.

Bamford would ‘relish the competition’ of Haaland at Leeds as dream transfer is discussedPatrick Bamford says he would “relish the competition” of battling Erling Haaland for minutes at Leeds United if the prolific Norwegian were to stun the football world and link up with the club he supported as a boy. Haaland has admitted in the past that he would love to deliver Premier League title glory to Leeds, suggesting that a move could be made at some stage, and those who already boast strong ties to the club are allowing themselves to dream. At Leeds, Bamford has hit 13 goals in 26 appearances, with all of his end product coming in Premier League competition.

“We still have four games to go and if we win our home games which are left and try to get some maximum points from one of the teams we will play away, I think we will stand a very good chance,” Manyama told Chiefs media. We have two home and two away games and I think we still stand very good chances of making it through.”It’s a home game so we have to make sure we get the three points,” said Manyama. In this tournament when you win your home games it makes things a bit easier.

Jurgen Klopp has hinted he will be staying at Liverpool to honour his contract through to 2024, with the German ready to embrace the challenge of delivering positive results at Anfield “for the next few years”. Klopp told Sky Sports of the pressure and expectation that he finds himself working under on Merseyside: “The problem is that football is all about results and if these little things that are better than before do not lead to better results, then people do not want to hear about them. Fitness problems have conspired against the Reds, but Klopp is eager to avoid making excuses for a situation that he intends to right.“Most of the problems are as a result of the injury situation,” he added.

Sevilla were left feeling devastated for their fans after being stunned by a second defeat to Barcelona in a week, the latest loss preventing them from appearing in the Copa del Rey final. Julen Lopetegui's side were moments away from advancing on Wednesday night before goals from Gerard Pique, and an extra-time winner from Martin Braithwaite, sent the Catalans through. Sevilla were two goals up heading into their Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg clash against Barca, with Jules Kounde and former Blaugrana star Ivan Rakitic having both scored in the first leg to give Lopetegui's men a solid advantage. It could have all been very different for Sevilla, with the visitors missing a penalty as Ocampos squandered the chance to put his side 3-1 ahead in the tie with just over 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

'Complete' Richarlison can be one of the best strikers in Europe, says Everton boss AncelottiEverton manager Carlo Ancelotti has predicted a path to stardom for Richarlison, who will aim to continue his three-match scoring streak for the Toffees on Thursday at West Brom. Ancelotti has worked with many of Europe's best players over the course of his coaching career and believes that the Brazilian is capable of reaching the very top of the game."Richarlison is a modern striker, a complete striker, because he works really hard," Ancelotti told reporters.

Muyoti on why Kakamega Homeboyz lost to Gor Mahia in FKF Premier LeagueThe tactician has promised to work on his defence to ensure it is solid to avoid conceding easy goalsKakamega Homeboyz head coach Nicholas Muyoti believes poor marking and a red card to Thomas Wainaina contributed to the 2-1 loss against Gor Mahia in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League outing at Bukhungu Stadium on Wednesday."The loss is hurting, it is not what we had prepared for, it is a bad result for us," Muyoti told Goal on Thursday.