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Reds, City agree Sterling fee

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Liverpool have agreed a fee of £49m with Manchester City for Raheem Sterling, with the player now free to tie up a wage deal.

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Liverpool have agreed a fee of £49m with Manchester City for Raheem Sterling, with the player now free to tie up a wage deal which some sources suggest could be £200 000 a week.

The salary was unconfirmed last night but Sterling will certainly vastly increase the £100,000 a week offer Liverpool had made him to stay at the club. The £49m offer Liverpool have accepted includes add-ons and is close enough to meet the Anfield club's demands for £50m.

The size of the Sterling deal means Liverpool can now press ahead with their own attempts to agree a fee for Aston Villa's Christian Benteke. Queen's Park Rangers, who helped develop Sterling, are also due around 20 per cent of the fee.

The agreement between the clubs came after a frenetic few days of negotiation which coincided with Aston Villa's Fabian Delph reversing his decision to join City.

City had been rebuffed with their initial Sterling offers - one of £25m rising to £30m, and the second £35m with add-ons, which took the deal to around to £40m. City went back with a £44m bid on Friday. Liverpool again said that was too far from their asking price, but the offer of £45m rising to £49m with extras satisfied them.

Sterling is expected to join up with City on their pre-season tour in Australia, when his medical has been completed. His departure from Liverpool has been unsavoury, with the player not showing up for training on two occasions last week, claiming he was ill, and threats of disciplinary action.

The capture of Sterling finally delivers one of the significant signings that City's chairman, Khaldoon al Mubarak, had said would be joining the ranks this summer. The quota of City's homegrown players has become a problem and strengthened Liverpool's negotiating position. Frank Lampard, Micah Richards, James Milner, Scott Sinclair and Dedryck Boyata, all homegrown players, have departed the club this summer.

There was surprise over the weekend by Delph's decision to stay at Villa Park, despite having capitalised on the £8m buy-out clause in his contract. Delph decided to remain at Villa, where he has more chance of regular football. “I'm not leaving,” he said. Delph had signed a new deal with Villa last season, taking him through to 2019, but he did travel to Portugal for their pre-season training camp. “I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the Premier League season,” he added.

The Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, still wants another proven goalscorer in the club's ranks, despite the addition of the Brazilian, Roberto Firmino, last week.

Liverpool remain hopeful that they can reach a deal over Benteke, although no bid has yet been made.

The club are looking to be imaginative as they seek a way through the stumbling block to a breakthrough: the £32.5m escape clause in the Belgium striker's contract which Villa have set as their valuation and Liverpool categorically will not meet.

The club may look to offer players to Villa as part of a deal. – The Independent

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RVP gets hero’s welcome in Turkey

Robin Van Persie was given a hero's welcome by fans as he arrived in Istanbul to join Turkish football giants Fenerbahce.

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Dutch international striker Robin Van Persie was Sunday given a hero's welcome by fans as he arrived in Istanbul to join Turkish football giants Fenerbahce on an eagerly-awaited transfer from Manchester United.

Van Persie landed at Sabiha Gokcen airport the Asian side of Istanbul after flying in on a private jet and was given a typically raucous reception by hundreds of supporters clad in the yellow and navy blue colours of the club.

Accompanied by his wife Bouchra Elbali and their two children, he walked out of the airport into a cacophony of chanting from supporters, with the air thick with the smoke from flares lit by the fans.

Apparently unfazed by the scenes, he squeezed his way though the crowds of fans and photographers to begin his new life in Turkey.

In a sign of his importance for the club, his entire arrival was covered live on the club's in house TV channel Fenerbahce TV, including even the landing of the plane and passport control.

“I have seen a lot over the years but I have never seen anything like this,” Van Persie told the supporters.

“I hope that I'm going to make you happy... it's an honour.”

Before leaving Manchester airport, Van Persie had posted pictures on social media of himself, already wearing a Fenerbahce scarf, and his family waving goodbye on the tarmac and also one of him at the controls of the plane.

Fenerbahce's chairman Aziz Yildirim had on Saturday announced the transfer of Van Persie was a done deal and, according to Turkish press reports, his formal signing ceremony is expected on Monday.

Fenerbahce -- runners up to hated Istanbul rivals Galatasaray last season in the championship -- have gone on a spending spree in a bid to dominate the Super Lig and be a real contender in Europe.

Earlier this week, Fenerbahce signed Portuguese star Nani also from United for six million euros (£4.26m, $6.7m) and in June bought Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer from French side Lille.

According to press reports, Van Persie's transfer fee will be 4.7 million euros (£3.4m, $5.2m).

Van Persie, 31, made 105 appearances and scored 58 goals during his three years at Manchester United from August 2012.

But his last season was marred by an ankle ligament injury and speculation of tension between himself and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who had guided Van Persie and his countrymen to third place in the World Cup.

In Turkey, Van Persie will be lining up against another fellow member of the Netherlands' so-called “golden generation”, Wesley Sneijder, who plays for arch rivals Galatasaray.

Fenerbahce's flurry of transfer market activity is being masterminded by its well-respected new Italian sporting director Giuliano Terraneo who arrived in May on a mission to make the club a European football force.

The club's new manager this season is the Portuguese Vitor Pereira, a former Porto and Olympiacos coach.

Turkish press reports said van Persie may not represent the end of Fenerbahce's ambition, with the club eyeing Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires and even van Persie's fellow countryman Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich. – AFP

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Tearful Casillas quits Real

With the words, C’est fini, a tearful Iker Casillas brought an end to his career at Real Madrid on Sunday.

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Madrid – “C’est fini.” With those few words in French a tearful Iker Casillas brought to an end his farewell statement on Sunday to the Real Madrid fans he has served as first-team goalkeeper and captain for 16 seasons.

Dressed in a dark blue shirt and sitting alone in front of the assembled media at the Bernabeu stadium press room, the 34-year-old, who is leaving for Portuguese side Porto, choked up several times as he thanked Real for “giving me everything”.

“This club also moulded me as a person and helped me to grow,” said Casillas, who joined the Real academy at the age of nine and debuted for the first team at 18.

“Beyond remembering me as a good goalkeeper or a bad goalkeeper I just hope that people remember me for being a good person,” he added.

Casillas was speaking after Spanish daily newspaper El Mundo published an interview with his parents on Sunday in which they said their son had been forced out of the club by president Florentino Perez.

Casillas had been the victim of an orchestrated campaign of “vilification” in recent years which eventually prompted his decision to quit, they added.

Real did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Casillas did not take questions after making his statement, in which he did not mention Perez by name.

The impression remains that the Spain captain is leaving under a cloud after he was whistled by some fans at the Bernabeu last season, when the club failed to win major silverware.

It was telling that no Real officials appeared with him on Sunday, in huge contrast to his close friend and former Spain team mate Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi, 35, left Barcelona for Qatari side Al Sadd at the end of last season and was given a series of rousing send-offs by fans, officials and team mates at the Nou Camp.

Casillas said he was excited about joining Porto, who are coached by Spanish ex-keeper Julen Lopetegui, and that he would fight hard to win as many trophies as possible.

His decision to leave Real is widely believed to have been prompted by the expected arrival of Manchester United’s David De Gea, the 24-year-old former Atletico Madrid man who is also being groomed to take over as Spain keeper.

Regular playing time in Portugal for Porto should allow Casillas to extend his international career at least until next year’s European Championship in France. – Reuters

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FA boss blasts ‘anti-British’ Blatter

English FA chairman Greg Dyke has slammed Fifa president Sepp Blatter for being anti-British.

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London – English FA chairman Greg Dyke slammed embattled Fifa president Sepp Blatter on Saturday for being anti-British and said the next boss of football’s governing body had to be very different from the controversial Swiss.

Last month Blatter announced, just days after his re-election, that he would step down amid a widespread corruption scandal at the organisation.

He told a Swiss magazine on Thursday the English had wanted him out and had “hatred” of FIFA because “they no longer control football”.

Dyke, whose association was set up in 1863 and was the earliest in the world as football first developed in England, did not mince his words in reply.

“He’s always disliked me, he hates the British media and doesn’t like the English at all which is fine because we don’t really like him,” Dyke told Sky Sports.

“I do think he’s coming up with some rather strange things. He’s probably in a state of shock. This is a man that was triumphant, he thought he was going to run Fifa for four years when actually he only ran it for four days.

“The only thing we can argue and complain about is that Fifa is an organisation that has been corrupted over 40 years. The single most important thing now is to talk about how we reform Fifa and not get Blatter mark II.”

Blatter’s successor will be chosen at a special FIFA Congress between December and February.

“Until we know who is going to stand then we don’t know who we’re going to support,” said Dyke.

“But we’re very friendly with (Uefa president Michel) Platini and supported him in the past. So we’ll see what he decides.” – Reuters

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Gerrard makes quiet debut for Galaxy

Steven Gerrard made a quiet start to his new career with the LA Galaxy in a friendly on Saturday.

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Los Angeles – Steven Gerrard made a quiet start to his new career with the LA Galaxy in a friendly on Saturday.

Gerrard had one scoring chance that was saved by the Club America keeper, but otherwise had little influence on the game.

The 35-year-old midfielder has signed for Galaxy after playing his entire 17-season club career with English Premier League side Liverpool.

In the opening game of the International Champions Cup, Galaxy fronted up against Mexico team Club America, who won the CONCACAF Champions League title in April.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena substituted Gerrard at half-time in the game played at their home stadium in Carson, California.

The Galaxy won 2-1 thanks to goals either side of half-time by Robbie Keane and Alan Gordon.

Club America took the lead in the seventh minute through Darwin Quintero.

Gerrard, who arrived in California barely a week ago, is expected to make his Major Soccer League debut against the San Jose Earthquake next Friday. – Reuters

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Zamalek sink Pirates

Orlando Pirates let a one-goal lead slip as African giants Zamalek of Egypt snatched a 2-1 win in their Confederation Cup Group B match at Mbombela Stadium.

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Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates let a one-goal lead slip as African giants Zamalek of Egypt snatched a 2-1 win in their Confederation Cup Group B match at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, on Saturday.

Despite opening the scoring just after the hour mark through Lehlohonolo Majoro, albeit against the run of play, Pirates were well-placed to grab the three points at home. But a spirited fightback from the 19-time African title winners Zamalek followed with goals coming from Maarouf Youssef and Mostafa Fathi to wrestle the result from the Buccaneers.

Earlier, Thabo Rakhale sent a ball into the area and Issa Sarr’s effort hurtled into the post as Pirates began to threaten in the early stages of the encounter.

Moments before the hour mark, Kermit Erasmus sent in a curling free-kick into the box and Sarr’s header was nudged narrowly over the crossbar.

With 50 minutes gone, Zamalek began to threaten with Basem Morsi shooting inches wide as the scores remained 0-0.

In the 64th minute, Zamalek pounced on a loose ball in the midfield and Basem Morsi’s left-footed strike needed a good save from Brighton Mhlongo in the Pirates goal.

Minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half, Majoro broke the deadlock for Pirates in the 68th minute. Sifiso Myeni started the move and spotted the flying Majoro running into the box, and with his first touch the striker fired into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The visitors took less than five minutes to find an equaliser as they levelled the scores in the 72nd minute. Zamalek carved open the Pirates defence and Maarouf Youssef produced a powerful shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

Zamalek hit the lead in the 84th minute. A lapse in the Pirates defence allowed Mostafa Fathi to make a run into the box, take a touch and pick his spot past a despairing Mhlongo as the visitors led 2-1. - ANA

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Schweinsteiger to join United

Bastian Schweinsteiger will join Manchester United next season, Bayern Munich's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed.

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Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will join Manchester United next season, Bayern Munich's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed in a press conference on Saturday.

Rummenigge said Bayern and United have already agreed on an undisclosed transfer fee for the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, who has made 536 appearances for Bayern since his debut in 2002.

Schweinsteiger informed the German champions on Friday he wanted to experience something new after 17 years with them and is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Red Devils. – AFP

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RVP transfer a done deal - Fenerbache

Turkish top flight club Fenerbahce said the transfer of Manchester United's Robin van Persie is a done deal and the Dutch striker will arrive in Istanbul this weekend.

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Turkish top flight club Fenerbahce said the transfer of Manchester United's Robin van Persie is a done deal and the Dutch striker will arrive in Istanbul this weekend, reports said Sunday.

Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim said that negotiations had been completed late Friday and the player would be arriving in Istanbul on a private flight late on Sunday.

“We worked very hard, until midnight. We received five faxes, sent six faxes and finally it was finished,” Yildirim was quoted as saying by the Fanatik sports daily and Hurriyet newspaper.

“The van Persie transfer is done and one more star has joined the Fenerbahce constellation,” he added.

Yildirim's comments appeared to set to rest last minute speculation that van Persie could stay at United or even join Fenerbahce's Istanbul rivals Besiktas.

After arriving Sunday at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport, van Persie will officially sign his contract at the club's stadium on Monday, Turkish press reports said.

According to press reports, his transfer fee will be 4.7 million euros (Â£3.4m, $5.2m).

Fenerbahce -- runners up to hated Istanbul rivals Galatasaray last season in the championship -- have gone on a spending spree in a bid to dominate the Super Lig and be a real contender in Europe.

This week, Fenerbahce signed Portuguese star Nani also from United for six million euros (Â£4.26m, $6.7m) and in June bought Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer from French side Lille.

Yildirm acknowledged for the first time that the club had also wanted to sign Real Madrid's Spain international goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

But Casillas could be heading to Portuguese side FC Porto and Fenerbahce's first choice keeper next season is expected to be Brazilian Fabiano, who has arrived on loan from Porto.

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United can win the league - Depay

Louis van Gaal has warned new signing Memphis Depay to expect a tough debut seasoson in the Premier League.

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Louis van Gaal believes that new signing Memphis Depay is one of the greatest young talents in world football — but has warned him to expect a tough debut season in the Barclays Premier League.

Depay, 21, breezed into Old Trafford yesterday and immediately outlined his belief that he can score goals to help United win the title this season. But the £25million signing from PSV Eindhoven was warned by his manager that it may not be quite that straightforward. The United manager said: ‘He is one of the greatest of his age... full of confidence as you can see. But he will notice that it’s not so easy here, that it is a lot harder than in the Dutch league.

‘There is always pressure on the ball. The physical resistance is high.’

Depay will head to America on tour with his United team-mates on Monday and said yesterday that he has high expectations of the weeks and months ahead.

Asked if United can win the league, he said: ‘Oh yes, for sure. We have a lot of quality, we just have to find our way. All the trophies are possible.’

The Dutch international, son of a Ghanaian father and a Dutch mother who separated when he was four, has dropped Depay from the back of his shirt as he has no contact with his father. He added: ‘I am excited about coming here to do my job and score. I am a striker so I have to score goals.’

Van Gaal revealed that he may well play Depay as a striker rather than in his usual wide position and also suggested that he may not even buy another centre forward to replace Robin van Persie who is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce. – Daily Mail

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McAllister joins Liverpool coaching staff

Gary McAllister has been appointed the club's first team coach as part of manager Brendan Rodgers' new coaching staff.

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London - Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister has been appointed the club's first team coach as part of manager Brendan Rodgers' new coaching staff, the Premier League side said on Saturday.

The 50-year-old won the FA Cup, Uefa Cup and the League Cup in 2001 during two seasons as a player at Anfield and has since managed Leeds United and Coventry City.

“Gary has a special connection with this club and its supporters, and I'm delighted he is joining our team as first-team coach,” Rodgers told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“When I met him I was struck by his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge for what we're looking to achieve here.

“He has experience coaching at the highest level and is someone who can connect with players and help them learn from his knowledge and understanding of representing this great club.”

Liverpool finished sixth in the Premier League last season. – Reuters

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Injury postpones Lampard’s MLS debut

Frank Lampard will have to wait to make his Major League Soccer debut after he was ruled out of New York City FC's match against Toronto FC on Sunday with a calf strain.

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England great Frank Lampard will have to wait to make his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut after he was ruled out of New York City FC's match against Toronto FC on Sunday with a calf strain.

Lampard, 37, signed for the newest MLS franchise from Chelsea in July 2014 but spent last season on loan at Manchester City.

The 106-cap England international arrived in America following his Premier League commitments with City but will have to wait to make his U.S. bow after the injury during training.

“I'm hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday's game, which I have been really looking forward to,” Lampard told the club's official website (www.nycfc.com) on Friday.

“I've been feeling great in training and have loved working with the squad. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to me calf during a session.

“The good news is that I should be back in full training next week.”

During a glittering 13-year career at Chelsea, Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League and left Stamford Bridge as the club's record goalscorer.

Lampard is one of three of New York City's major close-season signings alongside the arrivals of World Cup winners in Spaniard David Villa and Italy's Andrea Pirlo.

Former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is expected to make his Los Angeles Galaxy debut in their International Champions Cup match against Club America on Saturday. – Reuters

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Bafana down to 70th in Fifa rankings

South Africa have dropped down a place to 70th in the latests Fifa World rankings.

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Johannesburg – South Africa have dropped down a place to 70th in the latests Fifa World rankings released on Thursday.

Bafana Bafana remain 16th in Africa, with Zambia one place behind in both African and world rankings.

Bafana have won their last three matches in a row, two against Mauritius and one match against Angola. Bafana, however, drew 0-0 with Gambia on June 13 in an African Nations Cup qualifier, which would have dented their collection of ranking points considerably.

At the top of the Fifa World rankings, Argentina snatched top spot from World Cup winners Germany. Argentina made the final of the Copa America before losing to Chile on penalties, and their efforts were rewarded with a move from third to the number one spot.

It meant Germany fall to second, while Belgium also drop one spot down to third.

England made a substantial rise in the rankings to ninth, up from 15th. - ANA

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Gerrard slams Sterling’s attitude

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has criticised Raheem Sterling's conduct as he tries to force a move away from Anfield.

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London - Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has criticised Raheem Sterling's conduct after the winger reportedly told the Premier League club he does not want to travel on a pre-season tour as he tries to force a move away from Anfield.

Sterling missed training on Wednesday and Thursday this week after phoning in sick, following media reports the 20-year-old is reluctant to travel for matches in Asia and Australia.

The England international, who has a contract at Anfield until 2017, turned down an offer of a new deal in January and has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City, who have reportedly had two previous bids turned down.

But Gerrard, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool before joining LA Galaxy at the end of last season, is critical of Sterling's behaviour and believes he should hold talks over his future with manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I'm not happy with all that carry-on and I don't think there's any need for it. They all need to be men about the situation,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.

“Raheem needs to go in and speak to the owners and to Brendan himself, tell them what he wants and go about it that way. You don't have to throw illnesses in and refuse to go on tour.”

Sterling's relationship with the club took a hit in April when he denied being a “money-grabber” in an interview with the BBC, claiming he was motivated purely by ambition.

However, Sterling's agent Aidy Ward fuelled the fire in May by saying the England winger would not sign a new deal at Anfield - even for 900,000 pounds ($1.39 million) a week.

Gerrard, who is expected to make his LA Galaxy debut this weekend, said Sterling's relationship with the Liverpool fans would have been damaged in the fallout.

“There are millions and millions of Liverpool fans around the world who are itching to see Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool kit,” he added.

“I don't think it's fair on them if he is behaving like that.” – Reuters

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Henderson named Liverpool captain

Liverpool have appointed Jordan Henderson as their new captain after long-standing skipper Steven Gerrard left to join LA Galaxy.

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London - Liverpool have appointed Jordan Henderson as their new captain after long-standing skipper Steven Gerrard left to join LA Galaxy, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who was vice-captain last season, takes the armband after Gerrard ended his 12-year stint as Liverpool captain following his move to Major League Soccer.

“I'm absolutely delighted and proud. It is a great honour and a huge privilege to be named as the captain of this football club,” Henderson told the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).

“When Steven (Gerrard) wasn't in the team last season, I tried to do the best I could when I stepped in and took the armband. Now I'll be looking to carry that on and continue to grow as a captain.”

England international Henderson arrived at Anfield from Sunderland in June 2011 and has made 186 appearances, establishing himself as an important player in Brendan Rodgers's side.

“Jordan is someone who leads through example - through his actions, attitude and application. He shows total commitment to the game and is a role model professional,” Rodgers said.

“He has been blessed to learn first-hand from one of the greatest the club has ever had, in Steven Gerrard.”

Liverpool, who finished sixth in the Premier League last season, will be captained by Henderson during the club's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia. – Reuters

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Pirates facing a giant test

Orlando Pirates have their eyes firmly set on the Caf competition, while their opponents, Zamalek, are chasing glory in their domestic league.

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Egyptian giants Zamalek have been in the country for three days as they prepare for their crucial CAF Confederations Cup encounter against Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium tomorrow.

The North African club landed in Johannesburg on Wednesday, before catching a connecting flight to Nelspruit.

The White Knights, as the club from Egypt is affectionately known, are currently top of their domestic league with 80 points from 34 games, winning 24, drawing eight and losing only twice.

They are leading champions Al Ahly by six points, with four games to play in the Egyptian Premier League, and they have a game in hand.

They only need to secure four points from their remaining fixtures to seal the championship from Al Ahly, who are also competing in the CAF Confederations Cup, topping the standings in Group A with three points.

In their last 12 games in the league and the CAF competition, Zamalek have managed to record eight wins, two losses and two draws, while scoring 24 goals and conceding only seven.

They have a number of quality players in the team, with the experienced Ahmed Eid undoubtedly one of the key members of the squad.

Eid scored through a penalty the last time Zama-lek and Pirates met in the return leg of the Caf Champions League in 2013, where the Egyptians won the encounter 2-1 in Cairo.

But the Buccaneers went through to the next stage of the competition after beating them 4-1 at home in the first leg.

The White Knights have been active, unlike Pirates, who have only been playing Caf games since the PSL season ended on May 9.

However, that could be an advantage for the Buccaneers with their opponents’ focus divided between chasing a league title and success on the continent while Pirates have their eyes firmly set on the Caf competition.

Another plus is that the home side’s players will be well rested while their Egyptian counterparts may be struggling with fatigue as they come to the end of a long domestic season.

The winner of this encounter will top Group B – both teams are currently level on three points after they won their opening games of the group stages.

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