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De Bruyne feels transfer talk strain

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Wolfsburg admit Manchester City target Kevin De Bruyne is feeling the strain of the constant transfer speculation.

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Brussels - Wolfsburg admit Manchester City target Kevin De Bruyne is feeling the strain of the constant transfer speculation surrounding his future amidst reports he will join City before the weekend.

Although he publicly pledged his future to Wolfsburg on Monday, British tabloid The Sun claim De Bruyne is set to jet to Manchester and become a City player in the next 48 hours in a deal worth £50 million after the Premier League giants raised their offer.

But Wolfsburg's sporting director Klaus Allofs denied the paper's claim in a press conference on Thursday, insisting De Bruyne will play against Cologne on Saturday.

“Of course, he'll be there”, rather than be visiting Manchester, Allofs insisted.

“It looks like everyone is losing the overview with this story, but we're trying to keep a clear head,” he added.

The majority of the questions coach Dieter Hecking and Allofs faced ahead of the Cologne match involved De Bruyne, who has a Wolfsburg contract until 2019, and the City speculation is clearly taking a toll on the midfielder.

“Kevin is a bit tired, because there is so much going on,” Hecking told German daily Bild after the Belgian international trained alone on Wednesday.

“It's a situation which is still bothering him and we're trying to keep him in the best condition.”

At an awards ceremony on Monday, the 24-year-old said he is “sure” he will stay at Wolfsburg this season and replied “of course” when asked if he will line up for the defending champions against Bayern Munich in the German Cup at the end of October.

But Wolfsburg face an anxious wait until the transfer window closes on August 31 and Allofs says their sole objective is to keep De Bruyne on their books.

“The matter already has some influence and is being discussed within the team, we have to deal with it,” Allofs told Sky Sports News.

“Of course, the coach wants some clarity, specifically so the players can concentrate.

“We will make every effort so that Kevin stays with Wolfsburg for another year.”

The Belgian was named Germany's player of the season in 2014/15 and has been outstanding for Wolfsburg since signing from Chelsea in January 2014.

AFP

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Chelsea agree deal for Pedro

English champions Chelsea have agreed a deal with Barcelona for the signing of Spanish international winger Pedro Rodriguez.

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English champions Chelsea have agreed a deal with Barcelona for the signing of Spanish international winger Pedro Rodriguez, both clubs announced on Thursday.

“FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Pedro Rodriguez for 30 million euros ($33.2 million, £21.2 million), three of which are variables depending on performance,” Barcelona said in a statement.

Pedro chose the Premier League champions over rival suitors Manchester United and Manchester City, the 28-year-old's arrival at Stamford Bridge ending a summer-long transfer saga.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho's latest acquisition turns up in London boasting five La Liga trophies and three Champions League titles.

“I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles,” Pedro told his new club's website.

“Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”

He left Barcelona having fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou under Luis Enrique, who has preferred the all-star front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez and has used the Canary-Islands born player more sparingly.

The compact Pedro - full name Pedro Eliezer Rodriguez Ledesma - is a product of Barcelona's youth academy. He made his first team debut in January 2008 after catching the eye for their B team.

He developed to become an integral part of Barcelona's winning machine, and was the first player ever to score in the Spanish league, Copa del Rey, Champions League, both the European and Spanish Super Cups as well as the World Club Cup.

His brilliant performances at club level saw him secure a place in the Spain squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Pedro started both the semi-final and final, and was a key figure in their victory over the Netherlands.

A year later he scored the opening goal in the Champions League final at Wembley as Bar?a beat Manchester United 3-1.

He was a substitute alongside then Chelsea players Fernando Torres and Juan Mata in Spain's Euro 2012 victory over Italy. The winger was also part of the squad which travelled to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

Pedro came on as a late substitute in Barcelona's most recent major success - May's Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin.

His final act for Barca was to score the winning goal in last week's dramatic 5-4 extra-time defeat of Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup in Tbilisi. – AFP

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Mashaba names Bafana squad

Tsepo Masilela was named in Bafana Bafana’s 25-man squad to take on Mauritania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

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Johannesburg – Defender Tsepo Masilela was named in Bafana Bafana’s 25-man squad to take on hosts Mauritania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 5, in in Nouakchott.

Masilela returns to the national setup after a two-year absence for the injured Patrick Phungwayo.

Top contenders for a national callup missing from the squad were Kamohelo Mokotjo, Oupa Manyisa, Kermit Erasmus and Thabo Rakhale.

Mashaba said he would not underestimate the much lower-ranked Mauritania in their clash.

South Africa’s opposition are ranked 113th in the world, and Bafana at number 72 should have the firepower to brush aside the nation, but the coach was far less confident.

“Rankings don’t mean much on the field of play,” said Mashaba.

“Mauritania held Cameroon for the better part of their match in June, away in Cameroon so it clearly shows we need to be at our best to come back victorious.”

Bafana drew 0-0 with Gambia in the opening match of the qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in June.

“Even though this match comes after a well-deserved rest, not just for the players but also for the technical team, due to the spacing in between, it has also killed the momentum of the team. But I have complete confidence in the players that we have selected and I believe they will deliver,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana mentor said he was confident of getting a good result in the West African country.

“Some of the players have been on a long break and only started playing recently, but I know we will get the result we want. If you look at the squad we have picked, it is based on the opposition. They recently lost by a narrow margin to Cameroon, which means we cannot take them lightly.

“We need to drum into our players the fact that they should not look at the opposition and stop asking who Mauritania is. Let’s give them the respect they deserve. We need to score first and demoralise them because if they net first they might make it difficult for us to come back. In short we have to go there prepared so we can get a result.”

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Jackson Mabogkwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United)

Defenders: Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)

Midfielders: Dean Furman (Supersport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich),

Strikers: Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bounermouth) – African News Agency.

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I’ll give my all - Furman

Bafana midfielder Dean Furman says he is ready to help SuperSport United chase PSL glory.

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The acquisition of Bafana Bafana midfielder Dean Furman by SuperSport United, points to the evolution going on at Matsatsatsa a Pitori under the tutelage of Gordon Igesund.

Traditionally SuperSport have been known for producing and promoting youngsters but Igesund’s appetite for success seem to be directing the club to bringing in more experienced players with proven pedigree. So far this season SuperSport have signed eight players ... who didn’t come cheap. Half of the players signed are from abroad and they are likely to be on massive pay cheques.

With the signing of Furman, Bongani Khumalo, Michael Boxall, Isaka Cernak, Grant Kekana, Phume-lele Bhengu and Fagrie Lakay, the SuperSport bosses will be looking for return on their investment. Igesund will have to deliver the title. And the four-time PSL championship winning coach feels landing Furman’s signature will set them up for glory.

“We have always said we want to be the team that challenges for the championship. One thing I do know is that you can’t buy success. You can go out and spend millions and still not win the championship. It takes a lot of hard work, discipline and organisation,” said Igesund.

“We want to be challenging and Dean is going to play a huge role in that. Dean has been the missing piece of the puzzle for me in the middle of the park. We have such an attacking team and to have a player like him in the role that I want him to play for us, gives a lot of players freedom going forward. He is going to make a big impact.”

Furman, who captained Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, knows much will be expected from him. However he is not perturbed by the expectations.

“My biggest level of pressure comes from myself. I have a certain level I want set for myself. I have a certain level that I want to bring to the team. I know that’s what the coach and other players will be expecting from me. I have no divine right to just walk into the team. I have got to prove myself,” he said.

“I loved playing for Gordon with the national team. Now for me to come and play domestically week-in-and-week-out will be great for me. Hopefully I can help us get success.”

Furman joins a growing list of South Africans who have returned to the PSL after finding the going tough abroad. The notion has been criticised by many as they see it as a step backwards. However Furman says it’s not so in his case.

“I don’t see it as a step backward. The league is strong, very physical and there’s an immense amount of skill. Individually it will be a chance to develop my game further playing in a different style every week.”

Furman, 27, could make his debut when SuperSport take on Mpumalanga Black Aces at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night.

“I’ve been working hard behind the scenes. If called upon and the coach thinks I am ready, I can give all that I can with my current level of fitness,” said the player who signed a two-year deal. - The Star

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City strengthens defence

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi has signed for Manchester City, the Premier League side announced.

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Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi has signed for Manchester City, the Premier League side announced on Thursday after a deal was agreed with his current side Valencia.

The 27-year-old has signed a five-year contract although no financial details of the transfer were released.

Otamendi will bolster central defensive ranks at City that include two familiar faces in former Porto team-mate Eliaquim Mangala and international colleague Martin Demichelis, as well as captain Vincent Kompany.

Otamendi told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: “I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles.

“That's most important. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream.”

Valencia were believed to be hoping to use the sale of the player to write off part of the fee they still owe City for striker Alvaro Negredo.

Otamendi joined the Spanish club from Porto just a year ago. Initial reports at the weekend claimed Valencia wanted to offset his loss by signing Mangala on loan in exchange but City had no intention of allowing the Frenchman to leave Eastlands.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I'm delighted to have added a player of his quality.

“He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.

Otamendi has 25 caps for Argentina and was a member of the side that reached the Copa America final in the summer alongside new City team-mates Demichelis, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta. – AFP

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Chelsea feeling the pressure

Two games into the new season and the pressure is already on Premier League champions Chelsea.

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London – Two games into the new season and the pressure is already on Premier League champions Chelsea to find their first win.

Jose Mourinho’s side travel to face West Bromwich Albion this weekend with a few question marks hanging over their heads following a draw and defeat from their first two matches.

Even so early in the season, the 3-0 loss at Manchester City sparked panic in some quarters and Chelsea know they need victory to settle things down.

“We know that this is another year,” Chelsea full back Branislav Ivanovic said. “Last year we won the title and we play with extra

pressure now and we have to adapt to that. We have to forget last season and start thinking about the points this season.”

The five-point gap between themselves and Manchester City is already a talking point and even with so long to go in the season, Ivanovic knows they need to find form.

“At the moment, yes it looks a big gap – two games, five points – but also we have to look at our situation and improve,” he said.

“(The Man City match) was a very difficult game for us but we can come back. This is the Premier League. Every game is another final so we have to look forward.

“We know what we haven’t done well in the first two games but there are another 36 and we have to improve ourselves. For sure we will not give up after these two bad results for us. We didn’t compete with them and this was the problem for us.”

If media reports are to be believed, though, Ivanovic may be dropped for the trip to West Brom, with new signing Baba Rahman set to come into the side for his debut.

Captain John Terry, who was replaced at half-time by Kurt Zouma in the City loss, could also be left out but West Brom manager Tony Pulis has problems of his own.

Pulis is frustrated by the transfer window, saying that until it closes, West Brom will not be fully able to concentrate on matters on

the pitch.

“I am concerned that we haven’t hit the button yet,” he told the Daily Mirror. “We are still trying to find our way. It has been a

little bit of a messy window for us.

“As soon as we get through the window, we can settle down and then start preparing the team the way we want to prepare it for the

season.”

City, meanwhile, will be out to maintain their impressive start to the season by winning at Everton.

Two wins out of two have put City alongside Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester United at the top on six points.

Victory for City would be their ninth top-flight win in a row, equalling a club record dating back to 1912.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini knows better than to get carried away, though, aware that leads can evaporate in a handful of matches.

“In football, nothing is significant until the end,” he said.

“Chelsea were eight points in front of us last season and on New Year’s Day, we were on the same number of points. It is important not to drop points.”

Liverpool will have their first real test when they travel to Arsenal on Monday night while Leicester welcome Tottenham and Manchester United face Newcastle.

Bottom side Sunderland take on Swansea while newly promoted Bournemouth, also yet to earn a point despite two encouraging

performances, are away to West Ham.

Norwich take on Stoke, Crystal Palace host Aston Villa and Watford meet Southampton in the weekend’s other matches. - ANA-DPA

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Chiefs must improve defensive record

The recent lack of stability in the Kaizer Chiefs defence has raised a lot of questions.

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The recent lack of stability in the Kaizer Chiefs defence has raised a lot of questions.

The Steve Komphela-coached side has conceded four goals in three matches, three in their MTN8 clash against Maritzburg United and one in their semi-final encounter with Bloemfontein Celtic, while securing a 0-0 stalemate against Chippa United in their league opener.

Left-back Tsepo Masilela who was part of a solid back four last season, admits there is still a lot of work to be done at the club, with their recent showings not as good as they should be.

“We should improve in all departments, firstly in defence. I think we have conceded too many goals and obviously going forward we also need to score goals to win games.”

Adding to that, Masilela says their defensive errors have nothing to do with a different back four this season.

“I don’t think so; it is just that we have been unfortunate. Who knows? If they were still here maybe we would still concede?”

Amakhosi face Free State Stars in their second league fixture at the FNB Stadium this weekend and Masilela is wary of the team from Bloemfontein. “It is going to be tough, they are playing the champions. Obviously, everyone that plays the champions wants to win. But we are playing at home, we are confident that we are going to get a win.”

The left back is also hoping for a big a crowd, something he believes helps Chiefs perform at their level best.

“It is nice playing in front of a packed stadium. What can I say? When we play away the support has been great, and hopefully the numbers will increase in our home games.

“To be honest, it is a big stadium (FNB), but Kaizer Chiefs is also a big team.

“I don’t know how to put it. We always find it full to capacity when we play the Derby, or when we play Sundowns. But when we play the other games, the numbers are not that good. Hopefully we’ll get more people coming to the stadium and we (the team) should be getting good results to pull in the crowd”.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday shot down calls for an inquiry into allegations that South African officials paid $10 million (about R129m) bribe to secure the rights to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Mbalula said the allegations were being pursued through diplomatic channels with the US.

An indictment by the US justice department refers to two South Africans – co-conspirator No15 who is alleged to have paid off a relative of former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, and co-conspirator No16 who arranged the payment of the US$10 million to Warner and others to secure the rights to host the World Cup.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing points to anybody having committed any crimes in this particular matter,” Mbalula said. – additional reporting by ANA

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Mourinho convinced Pedro

The Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's personal intervention sealed a £21.1m deal to sign the Barcelona winger Pedro.

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The Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's personal intervention sealed a £21.1m deal to sign the Barcelona winger Pedro, ahead of Manchester United who also look likely to be rejected by Southampton in their pursuit of the Senegal international Sadio Mané.

As things stand, Southampton are not interested in selling the 23-year-old Mané, who has three years left on his contract and is regarded as a key figure in their season. The talks between the clubs are not thought to have reached the point where an offer has been made, but Southampton do not believe that they have to sell, having made around £37m from the sales of Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne this summer.

In the case of Pedro, Chelsea were confident that they had a deal agreed in principle with the player for some time. They were prepared to meet the £21.1m buyout clause in Pedro's contract and were sure they had an understanding that he wanted to join them. Their interest was long-standing, dating back to January, although they have delayed in completing the deal over the summer.

A phone call from Mourinho to Pedro this week is understood to have made it clear to the player that Chelsea wanted him, while Louis van Gaal's delay in making up his mind undermined the United bid.

United's late intervention helped Chelsea, in that it tested Barcelona's willingness to negotiate over the buyout clause. The Premier League champions are thought to have offered Barcelona €28m (£19.7m) plus €2m (£1.4m) add-ons for the player, while United's offer was €25m (£17.6m) plus €5m (£3.5m) add-ons. Pedro is expected to have a medical at Cobham today.

Chelsea recognise that they need to strengthen their squad before the end of the transfer window and Pedro may not be the last major signing before September. The club's owner, Roman Abramovich, has an interest in another high-profile target to make sure Mourinho's squad has an edge this season that it has lacked in the two previous games. The club are confident that the low-key start - defeat in the Community Shield, and one point from their first two league games - can be remedied in time.

The move for Mané, who was signed by Southampton from Red Bull Salzburg for £10m last summer, reveals that United still feel that their squad lacks pace and a reliable Premier League goalscorer. Mané scored 10 in the league for Saints last season, having made his debut only in September. He scored a hat-trick in three minutes against Aston Villa in May. With a valuation of around £15m, his price is likely to rise with another good season behind him.

Van Gaal has been unsure for weeks about whether Pedro has the potential explosion of pace he has been looking for, since deciding to allow Angel Di Maria to leave for Paris Saint-Germain. But by failing to making his mind up, the Dutchman has subjected the club's executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, to widespread criticism from United fans, who were anticipating the player's arrival and will now expect a top-class creative player to be signed in the next 10 days.

Van Gaal's prevarication - a trait for which his predecessor David Moyes was widely ridiculed - left United quibbling over the £3m differential between their own valuation of Pedro and his £21.1m release clause. A firm Van Gaal decision against buying the player could have meant Woodward avoiding a high-profile defeat to Chelsea in the transfer market. The size of the transfer fee and personal terms would never have presented a problem to United.

In the event, it had become increasingly clear in the past week that the winger's prospects of a move to Old Trafford might be falling through. There had been a growing mood in Barcelona that the club might keep the player, whom they had no particular desire to sell. The uncertainty led to Pedro being fielded in the starting XI for Barcelona in the Super Cup against Atletico Bilbao on Monday. Chelsea were close to signing the player in January and followed through with the deal this week.

The former Barça striker Hristo Stoichkov last week warned Pedro not to join United, describing Van Gaal as “mediocre” and someone who “destroys” clubs. – The Independent

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Rooney unhappy over criticism

Wayne Rooney believes the criticism directed at him for the lack of goals for Manchester United is unwarranted.

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Wayne Rooney believes the criticism directed at him for the lack of goals for Manchester United is unwarranted and is confident he will soon rediscover his scoring touch.

The England striker has drawn a blank in each of United's three games against Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Club Bruges, despite being deployed as a central striker by manager Louis Van Gaal.

Rooney has not found the back of the net in eight Premier League games for his club, and last scored in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on April 12.

The striker said it is just a matter of time before he starts scoring again.

“It's early on in the season - we're just three games in. I've experienced this criticism before and the goals will come, I know that,” the 29-year-old said.

“I understand I have to be the one who's going to lead that line for us and try and find the goals for us,” the England captain added.

“My mind is clear. I know how to play the role.

“It's just a case of getting the chances and taking them, which I'm hopefully going to do soon,” Rooney, who notched 12 Premier League goals last season from a slightly deeper position, said.

The striker was also unhappy with the criticism over his recent performances.

“I've had one bad game this season and everyone's all over it. I've had that throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark,” he said.

“I'm an honest guy. I know when I don't play well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards.” – Reuters

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Valencia poised for CL return

Valencia grabbed a 3-1 victory over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions league playoff round tie.

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London - Sofiane Feghouli's late goal eased the nerves at Valencia's Mestalla as the Spanish club grabbed a 3-1 victory over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions league playoff round tie on Wednesday.

The Algerian's 86th minute intervention gave two-times runners-up Valencia a reasonable cushion for next week's second leg across the Mediterranean as they attempt to return to the group stage after a two-year absence.

Scottish champions Celtic also looked set to travel to Malmo with some breathing space but former Celtic loanee Jo Inge Berget's second goal of the night in the fifth minute of stoppage time left them the sweating with a 3-2 win.

Leigh Griffiths scored twice for Celtic with Nir Biton also on target.

“It was great to score two goals. They over-ran us in the first 10 minutes and then we calmed down a bit. The last goal is very important, it's a completely different position now,” Berget, who played on loan with Celtic in 2014, told Swedish broadcaster VIasat.

Swiss club FC Basel, who reached the round of 16 last season, face a tough second leg away to Maccabi Tel Aviv after Eran Zahavi's stoppage time header earned the Israel side a 2-2 draw. Zahavi was a thorn in Basel's side all night having put Maccabi ahead before Matias Delgado drew the hosts level from the penalty spot.

Shakhtar Donetsk were 1-0 winners away to Rapid Vienna with Marlos scoring just before halftime of a frenetic game in which both sides received four bookings.

The visitors soaked up heavy pressure from the hosts either side of Marlos turning his marker and sweeping in a shot off the post.

Another late goal, scored by Josip Pivaric, gave Croatians Dinamo Zagreb a 2-1 win over Skenderbeu who now have their work cut out if they are to become the first Albanian club to play in the group stage of Europe's lucrative club competition.

Captain Blendi Shkembi had fired the home side ahead with a superb free kick but Dinamo moved up a gear after the break and equalised through Algerian striker El Arbi Hillel Soudani.

A sell-out crowd roared Valencia on against Monaco and they did not have to wait long to celebrate a goal when Feghouli headed the ball down for Rodrigo to score.

The mood changed shortly after halftime though when Mario Pasalic punished a poor clearance to equalise.

Captain Daniel Parejo restored Valencia's lead before Feghouli drove home the third.

“It's a good result, the only downside is that we conceded a goal,” midfielder Parejo said.

“We're now going to Monaco to win, not just to qualify, because we don't know how to play any other way.” – Reuters

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Follow the Celtic formula

The clash between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs made one believe that the PSL is the best league in Africa.

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Johannesburg - Why can’t all our matches be as pleasant an experience as Sunday’s clash between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs?

Apart from the top drawer football dished out by the two sides, the overall experience at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium was the kind that made one buy into the hype that ours is the best league on the continent.

For one, the stadium was packed to capacity – a rarity given that most of our matches are watched by empty seats.

And as is the norm at Celtic matches the crowd made the arena bearable with their singing and dancing.

Surely it is about time that the Premier Soccer League acknowledged that Celtic have got the recipe to put bums on seats and approached them to share their ideas.

A week ago at a lunch with the PSL CEO Brand de Villiers, the league’s marketing man Peter Mancer was at pains trying to beg with us – the fourth estate – to help the league get fans back to the stadium.

Well, we can only do so much. But no amount of writing previews and selling matches as potential thrillers will do the job unless the club themselves have strategies to get their fans coming to matches.

One of the reasons Celtic are getting fans at their matches is because they are a provincial outfit that has managed to get just about everyone in the Free State to identify with them.

And the sooner clubs such as Polokwane City, Maritzburg United and Mpumalanga Black Aces get themselves sorted out like Celtic the quicker our matches will be played in front of packed houses.

And I have no doubt that Celtic will readily and willingly share ideas with the other clubs as to how they have managed to get such a loyal and passionate following.

In any case, a team such as Aces – for example – has historically had a good following. And while they are under new ownership surely they can find ways to get Mpumalanga supporting them.

Many will argue that the South African soccer fan either supports Chiefs or Orlando Pirates. And that is usually true. But surely if you are a regional side, you can get your people to make you their second side and entice them to coming to your home matches.

And please teach them to sing ala Celtic fans instead of blowing the noisy and irritating vuvuzela that the Amakhosi faithful did blow on Sunday to spoil the beautiful melodies made by their opposition.

As pleasant a match as Sunday’s was, the loud music played by the DJ was unwelcome and one hopes that the league finds better ways of entertaining the crowd pre-match than with it.

The Star

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Romero wants De Gea to stay at United

Manchester United's Sergio Romero hopes goalkeeping rival David De Gea stays at the club even if it puts his own position in the side at risk.

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Manchester United's Sergio Romero hopes goalkeeping rival David De Gea, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, stays at the club even if it puts his own position in the side at risk.

Romero has started the first two Premier League games of the campaign with manager Louis Van Gaal saying De Gea was not 100 percent focused on the job.

“The truth is that I have no idea (what will happen). But for me I hope that De Gea stays here because he's a good team-mate who always works hard and that is best for the group,” the 28-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

“He works hard every day. He is a great professional, a great person. It happened to me last year in Sampdoria. I was not playing but I was working as if I was going to play,” he added.

The Argentina international also expressed his surprise at being the Red Devils' first-choice keeper, after being chosen ahead of De Gea and Victor Valdes who had a public fall-out with Van Gaal.

“They are two fantastic goalkeepers. One has won everything and the other has his career ahead of him to continue to win things. For me it's a privilege,” Romero said.

“But it makes me happy to work with those two,” he added. – Reuters

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I wanted to kiss Memphis - LVG

Louis van Gaal wanted to “kiss” Memphis Depay after he scored two goals in his side's 3-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wanted to “kiss” Memphis Depay after he scored two goals and made another in his side's 3-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

United went behind to an eighth-minute Michael Carrick own goal in Tuesday's first leg at Old Trafford, but Depay scored two superb goals before teeing up substitute Marouane Fellaini for an injury-time header that put Van Gaal's team firmly in control of the tie.

A 2-1 win would have given the Belgian side real hope of turning the tie around in Bruges next Wednesday and after seeing Depay set Fellaini up for the crucial third goal, Van Gaal declared: “I want to kiss him tonight.”

The line, however, was part of an answer in which Van Gaal explained his reluctance to single out individual players for praise and the United manager said that Depay's true value to the squad could be seen in the example he set for his younger team-mates.

The goals were Depay's first since his Â£25 million ($39.1 million, 35.2 million euros) switch from PSV Eindhoven, but Van Gaal was heartened that when interviewed after the game, the 21-year-old winger had rued spurning a chance to complete his hat-trick by lifting a shot over the bar.

“He's never satisfied. I like that,” said Van Gaal, a Champions League-winner with Ajax in 1995, who is bidding to lead United into the group phase after their first season out of the competition in 19 years.

“You have to know what you are doing and also what you can do and then your desire to improve is higher. And that's Memphis.”

Van Gaal gave Depay his stripes at international level during his tenure as coach of the Dutch national team and he said that the forward was now a very different player.

“The Memphis of Holland was green,” Van Gaal said.

“He was like (Andreas) Pereira and Adnan (Januzaj). Pereira's 18 years old (actually 19), but can also play in Manchester United. But you have to look for consistency in that age.

“It's not only Adnan who has to look for that, but also Pereira and (Paddy) McNair and (Jesse) Lingard and all the players we have in this selection, and that you cannot know as a manager. You have to show it.

“And then they shall be compared with the other players in my selection. It's not so simple to be in the line-up.”

Carrick shinned a free-kick from Victor Vazquez into his own net, but five minutes later he provided the pass that led to Depay's first, the Dutchman flicking the ball over an opponent's head and drilling home.

Depay put United ahead two minutes before the interval, sweeping a glorious shot inside the right-hand post from the left-hand corner of the penalty box, before teeing up Fellaini's close-range header in stoppage time.

Carrick made way for Bastian Schweinsteiger at half-time and Van Gaal explained that the move was partly tactical and partly driven by his desire to help the Germany international build up playing time following his transfer from Bayern Munich.

Beaten coach Michel Preud'homme conceded that Fellaini's late goal was “very bad for the confidence” and struck a fatalistic tone when asked about Club Brugge's chances in the return leg.

“The message is we learnt a lot last season with all our European games,” said the former Belgium goalkeeper, who took Club Brugge to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2014-15.

“Today we went a step higher. Let us learn. Maybe next season it'll happen much more that we face such teams.

“We're always learning - we have a lot of young players - and we'll try to be better in the second leg.”

Club Brugge centre-back Brandon Mechele will miss the return leg after being shown a second yellow card for a late foul on Javier Hernandez, while captain Timmy Simons is a doubt after limping off injured. – AFP

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Players give Mashaba the Shakes

Shakes Mashaba faces a bit of a headache as he prepares to name a Bafana Bafana squad tomorrow, to do duty in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritania.

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Shakes Mashaba faces a bit of a headache as he prepares to name a Bafana Bafana squad tomorrow, to do duty in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritania.

The tie is scheduled for September 5 in Nouakchott, the west African nation’s capital – but, with Bafana having drawn their opening qualifier at home to Gambia, this fixture takes on even greater significance. The other team in the group is the powerful Cameroon, which means that nothing less than a victory in Mauritania will suffice.

The Afcon tournament takes place in Gabon in two years’ time.

Mashaba’s main problem lies in the fact that quite a few key Bafana players have had little, or no, competitive action in the last few weeks. But the one player the national coach doesn’t have to worry about is Ajax Cape Town’s sensational teenage central defender, Rivaldo Coetzee.

The 18-year-old from Kakamas in the Northern Cape has simply continued his magnificent form of last season. Be it against a top European side like Sporting Lisbon (who Ajax played in the Cape Town Cup last month) or a Cup semi-final against Orlando Pirates, Coetzee just takes things in his stride.

His unflappable nature for a kid his age is exemplary, and is probably the main factor behind the mature performances he has delivered for club and country.

In October last year, when he made his Bafana debut, he became the youngest player to wear the national jersey, surpassing the record that had previously been held by Aaron Mokoena. Coetzee’s record was, of course, later broken by recent SuperSport United signing, Fagrie Lakay. There has always been talk that Coetzee is destined for an overseas move, soon rather later. Ajax have also had to deflect numerous offers for the player from the local Gauteng clubs brandishing big cheque books…

But, for now, Coetzee is just focused on Ajax and the continued improvement of his own game. He is always philosophical when asked about any possible transfer: What happens, happens…

“Look, we don’t really know, as yet, who will be picked for the Bafana squad,” said Coetzee.

“The players know it’s up to them to perform and then the coach has to make up his mind. Those of who have been selected before are aware that we always have to keep working hard to retain our positions in the squad. Hopefully, I’ll get a call-up again, but it’s not up to me.

“In previous Afcon games last year, Bafana did very well, especially away from home. But teams study their opposition and I don’t think it will be that easy for us this time around. We can expect a tough time of it.”

While Coetzee has one eye trained on tomorrow’s Bafana squad announcement, he’s also heavily focused on Saturday, when Ajax are involved in their first Premier Soccer League (PSL) home fixture of the new season.

The Cape side is up against Maritzburg United at the Cape Town Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm) – and the teenager is confident they can pull it off.

“It’s a home game and obviously we want to do well,” said Coetzee. “We always play well at home and this should be no different. The key thing is that we have to play our normal game and not allow ourselves to feel pressure. We just have to do the best we can, and hopefully we’ll get the three points.

“For me, though, this is a season I’m just looking to play as many games as possible. It’s up to me to keep working hard to make sure that I stay in the team, and importantly that I stay injury-free.”

For Mashaba, though, ahead of tomorrow’s announcement, players like Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Tokelo Rantie, Mandla Masango and Dean Furman are a concern. Good as they are, it’s always difficult to throw an under-prepared footballer into action, especially in the away cauldron expected in Mauritania next month.

Serero is injured and hasn’t seen any action for Ajax Amsterdam, Mahlangu is clubless, and Rantie, despite his Bournemouth team winning promotion to the English Premiership, is still to play a game.

Masango left Kaizer Chiefs two months ago and hasn’t played since. He recently signed for Danish club Randers, but will definitely be a bit rusty. Furman signed for SuperSport last night – but is also probably not game-ready.

Mashaba, in all likelihood, will include the bulk of these players (depending on injury), which is why his main priority during the Bafana camp will be to get them fit and ready. - Cape Times

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City set to sign Otamendi

Manchester City are close to signing the Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi for around £30m.

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Manchester City are close to signing the Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi for around £30m, with the Argentine potentially joining the club by the end of the week.

The 27-year-old was left out of the Valencia squad to face Monaco in the Champions League qualifier tonight. If he were to play, and Valencia qualified for the group stage, he would be ineligible to play for City in the competition.

Otamendi would be City's fourth major signing of the summer after Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts for around £65m. The expectation is still that Kevin De Bruyne will also arrive for more than £40m.

The Valencia coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, said: “Once everything is resolved, we will make decisions and the club will announce everything. For a few days now we have prepared for this game without the option of using Otamendi.”

The deal is expected to be a straight fee payment even though the Premier League club are still owed money on the agreement that took Alvaro Negredo to Valencia last summer. The Spanish club are obliged to pay £24m to make the deal permanent, which they have not yet done, but that is being treated as a separate case. Neither is there any prospect of defender Eliaquim Mangala going on loan as part of the deal.

Chelsea's attempt to sign John Stones from Everton has not moved any further with the rejection of a third bid, this time of £30m, for a player the champions have chased for most of the summer. Everton have been clear so far that there is no prospect of them selling Stones in this transfer window.

It would now take a fee of closer to £40m to sign the 21-year-old and, given the small increases that Chelsea have made from £20m to £26m previously, it seems that the club are not entirely convinced that they should be paying that level of fee.

The new Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman, 21, signed from Augsburg, had his first training session at the club's Cobham base yesterday. He is ready to go into the squad for Sunday's game at West Bromwich Albion. – The Independent

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