Bastia fined over anti-Qatar banner

French top flight side Bastia were fined €35 000 on Friday after their fans unfurled an anti-Qatar banner during a match against Paris Saint-Germain.

The banner, which appeared at the Corsicans' Furiani stadium on January 10, read: "Qatar finances PSG... and terrorism".

PSG are owned by Qatar Sports Investment, a 100 percent Qatari private shareholding company.

Qatar is part of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State group, but has been accused of allowing money to be funnelled to Islamic State jihadists, something it denies. The tiny Gulf state has also denied accusations that it funds Islamist groups in Syria, as well as Egypt's banned Muslim Brotherhood, following Arab Spring uprisings.

City's Nasri takes swipe at Chelsea

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has taken a swipe at title rivals Chelsea by claiming the Premier League leaders are nothing special.

Second placed City are in danger of surrendering the title they won last season after falling seven points behind Jose Mourinho's team following a run of four leagues without a win.

However, Manuel Pellegrini's side finally returned to form with a 4-1 win at Stoke on Wednesday and French star Nasri is convinced they can still overhaul Chelsea before the end of the season.

After drawing twice with Chelsea this term, Nasri sees no reason to fear the Blues, especially after their edgy 1-0 win over Everton on Wednesday.

"I'm a big fan of Mourinho, but I am not impressed with his team, not at all. We have played them twice, one time with 10 men, and we were better than them," Nasri said.

"Then we played them at the Bridge, we were better than them.

"When I have seen some of their games, I don't think they are that fantastic - they are just strong and have a good striker up front.

"For me they are not special at all, and I think they are going to make some mistakes. We just have to perform, to win our games, and see what's going to happen.

"This title will be like this until the end of the season. No one will win the league 10 games before the end of the season."

City famously overturned large deficits to win both of their Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014 by narrow margins.

They have also recovered from eight points behind to pull level with Chelsea once this season, only to fall back again in the past month.

Nasri believes history shows that opportunities will arise and City, who have 13 games to play, have to be ready to pounce.

Nasri, who scored City's fourth goal against Stoke on Wednesday, said: "We know that the two times we won the league, we were behind at this time of the year.

"Two months ago we were eight points behind Chelsea and came back and went level with them. Now we are seven points behind, but are not going to make big talk about it.

"We will just try to get as many points as possible and wait for the mistake.

"They won in the last minute against Everton, so maybe next time they will draw. We just have to win our games and see what will happen."

It's sink or swim for Dolphins in Africa

Just like the CAF Champions League, this season's CAF Confederations Cup also begins this weekend and two of Nigeria's teams, Dolphins of Port Harcourt and Warri Wolves will be looking to make their mark in the competition. Incidentally both sides will be on away turf for the first leg of their fixtures.

Dolphins: Domestic Front:

Dolphins are the luckiest of the Premier League quartet in the Continent this season. They ended last season in 7th place and teams like Nasarawa United, Giwa FC and Abia Warriors put up performances that probably earned them a place in the Continent. However Dolphins' impressive run in the Federations Cup last season which saw them battle Enyimba in the finals earned them the remaining Continental spot even though they lost that final.

What is at stake this year:

A lot. Despite the fact that they have performed creditably better than the other Port Harcourt side, Sharks FC, Dolphins have recently been living a shadow of their former self. They did a double (League and Federations Cup) in 2004, got to the CAF Confederations Cup finals in 2005 and won the Premier League in 2011. Since then they have barely turned up. They were in CAF Champions League 3 years ago in 2012 but they did not make it beyond the first round. Fans and admirers are expecting a big performance from Dolphins in the Continent this year.

The Gaffer:

Stanley Eguma is the longest serving manager in the League. He has just been with Dolphins since 2008 and he knows this team inside out. He led them to their last League trophy in 2011 but also more recently saw his team end the Super-4 bottom of the log. It has been a rough ride for him especially on financial issues and last season he voiced his concerns that most of his players could leave. He has tasted victory with the side and it's his responsibility to thinker a victory pathway for this side in the Continent,

Key Men:

Dolphins have had to battle to attract quality players for their campaigns this season. Last season's top scorer Emem Eduok has left and they have brought in Christian Pyagbara. Pyagbara made reasonable goal returns last season with Sharks and he is a player who can produce the goods when needed. Keeping him fit and getting the balls to him will be vital. They have also made a number of defensive reinforcements like former Rangers captain, Cyril Oriaku. Good balance in attack and in defence will be invaluable.

First Opposition:

Equatorial Guinea side Leones Vegetarianos are first up for Dolphins and honestly, it's not a side that many around here know very well. Stanley Eguma even admitted that he was just hearing about the side when the paring was made. Perhaps he must have sent a delegate to watch the team and find out a thing or two about them upon learning of the clash but if he watched the just concluded AFCON, he must have seen the likes of striker, Rubén Darío. He is one of the National team players who plays for Vegetarianos.

Prediction: Even though most people, (myself included) are worried for Dolphins with regards to their preparations and off the pitch issues, they should go past this opposition. Where the bigger challenge lie is after this round where they could face Club Africans. Well, like it is said, when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. Dolphins should win over the two legs.

Van Gaal hasn't 'cracked' - Neville

Gary Neville believes Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal hasn't "cracked" despite showing signs of pressure – and insists he'll win the Premier League within three years.

Neville, speaking in Singapore ahead of the opening of his Hotel Football project at Old Trafford, said the Dutchman was on track and that criticism was wide of the mark.

A frustrated Van Gaal this week issued a four-page dossier to combat claims United were playing a "long-ball" game, a move seen as a sign that the pressure was starting to tell.

"He's quite clearly not cracked," former defender Neville told AFP in an interview.

"He's an experienced manager, he's probably just got to the point where he thinks, 'I've had enough, I'm going to bite back a little bit'.

"I didn't see it as someone who's cracking, personally. I thought it was something he won't do again, on the other hand I didn't think it was so bad.

"But I understand the reaction."

Neville said United's league position of third, and with an FA Cup fifth round tie this weekend, showed Van Gaal was on course for a "sensational" debut season after they finished seventh and trophy-less last year.

ROONEY 'NEVER COMPLAINS

"I like what he's done. A lot of people have been criticising him but he's been pragmatic, he's changed his style to suit," Neville said.

"It's not always been the best football in the world but then what Manchester United need this season is a Champions League finish and then hopefully an FA Cup run and maybe an FA Cup victory. That would be a sensational season."

He added: "People have been critical because he's not playing this way or that way (but) it takes time, he's only been there seven months."

Neville said he wanted to see former teammate Wayne Rooney restored to the attack from midfield – but that the England forward would not complain about his new, withdrawn role.

"I played with Wayne for many many years and he'll play left wing, he'll play right wing, he'll play wherever you ask him to play and he never complains," Neville said.

"He always does the job for the team, he's a team man."

He added: "Because of (Van Gaal's) track record and the fact that there's been progression already, I think that they will win the league inside three years.

"He's done it everywhere that he's been and I've got no reason to doubt him.

"The first thing you do when you build a house is put the foundations in. Manchester United are tough to beat... so he's put in a very good foundation of resilience.

"The flair, the nice bits, come after, and that's what I think we'll see."

The 133-room Hotel Football, which flanks Old Trafford, is backed by former Manchester United teammates Neville, his brother Phil, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, along with Singapore billionaire and Valencia owner Peter Lim.

The football-themed, four-star hotel, with a five-a-side pitch on its roof, opens for business on March 2.

Al Wahda call off deal for Afful

Al Wahda FC of UAE have announced they have cancelled the signing of Ghana defender, Harrison Afful.

Afful arrived UAE this week and passed the medical tests with Al Wahda but the club announced on Thursday that they have called the deal on their official Twitter.

The Abu Dhabi club explained that they backed off the signing of the Ghanaian since they did not receive any go-ahead from his current employers, Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

The player's agent, Lotfi Zarrouk, has confirmed that Afful will move to Al Wahda next season.

"Al Wahda waited for a reply from Esperance about their bid but the Tunisian giants did not send a reply and that made the UAE side cancel the deal," Zarouk said to Tunisia Radio.

Reports suggested that the Black Stars defender had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Excellencies, as Al Wahda are also called.

Afful's contract with Esperance will expire by the end of this season as he has refused to extend his time with the Blood and Gold.

Egyptian league to resume in a fortnight

The Egyptian prime minister Ibrahim Mahlab has revealed that the Premier League will be back within two weeks.

The Egyptian council of ministers had decided to put on hold the league season to an unnamed date after the death of 22 Zamalek fans before their match against ENPPI last Sunday.

But the prime minister has stated that the league will resume latest in two weeks after he meets with the Egyptian Football Association on the matter.

"We will hold a meeting with the Egyptian Football Association then we will announce when the league will be back again; that should happen within two weeks. We decided to put the league on hold after what had happened because we wanted to assess the situation, but I can assure that the league will be back," Mahlab said.

There were suggestions earlier in the wake of the riots that led to 22 being killed on Sunday that the Egyptian top flight will remain suspended indefinitely.

Egypt FA board member, Mahmoud El Shami, has disclosed that if the league does not resume soon, then the clubs stand to lose a lot of money.

El Shami said: "I wish the league back soon as possible."

Birds seek redemption in Polokwane

Moroka Swallows will hope to undo their midweek 4-1 loss when they play Polokwane City on Saturday evening at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Kick-off is at 7:30 pm.

The Dube Birds were demolished by league champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday night as they resumed their 2015 Absa premiership campaign.

However, the match to Rise and Shine gives them a chance to claim the three points and redeem themselves.

Swallows go into this clash placed at position 14 on the log standings with 19 points from 18 matches but one would say that their encounter against Kosta Papic’s men will not be an easy task.

The Citizens are fresh from a 1-1 draw against the Ajax Cape Town on Wednesday night and both sides will have to give their best to bag the three points. They are placed at position six with 25 points from 18 matches thus far.

To midfielder Lantshene Phalane the match in Polokwane will be a tough contest but they’re looking forward to it.

“Well, all I can say is that we’re looking forward to the Polokwane City game, we know it's going to be hard but we just have to make sure we implement our game plan well,” said Phalane.

“They drew and we lost 4-1 and people are already saying Polokwane will be victorious but let's just wait for Saturday and see.

“Yeah, we are playing beautiful football but sometimes results are not on our side but all will be well soon.”

Speaking to the revived former Urban Warriors midfielder, Cole Alexander, the match is not going to be an easy walk in the park as Fani Madida will bring a fight to Polokwane.

“Swallows is not going to be an easy game as they coming to Polokwane to fight for the three the points,” said Alexander.

“They didn’t start the new year too well against Sundowns and they would come all out for the three points now.

“However, we’re also going all out to accumulate points and be safe from relegation zone.

“It’s a very good chance for us to move up on the log if we do win so it’s a very important game for us - and we’re at home and going for the full three points.”

Mpumalanga Black Aces and SuperSport United

Mpumalanga Black Aces and SuperSport United will be eager to get back to winning ways when they meet in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm.

AmaZayoni's 1-1 draw at Platinum Stars in midweek stretched their winless run in the league to four matches.

SuperSport United were pegged back by Free State Stars who fought back from two goals down to grab a point in Atteridgeville on Wednesday.

Both teams currently languish outside the top eight, but could find themselves back in the top half of the standings with a positive result at the weekend.

Aces midfielder Aubrey Ngoma, who scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season, has highlighted the importance of the tie.

"SuperSport look a different since Gordon [Igesund] took over, but having said that we must capatilize on the advantage of playing at home," he said.

"They concede late goals [against Free State Stars], our fitness levels are right up there and we will play til the final whistle and continue to create chances.

"I think the heat will be the same for both teams, we train in Johannesburg so it will be the same for us as it is for them."

The former AmaTuks star added that Aces are aiming for a top six finishe.

"Our mandate is to finish in the top six. Looking at our last few games we failed to collect the points we wanted, but now we have an opportunity playing at home," he concluded.

Matsatsantsa head coach Gordon Igesund believes the heat in Nelspruit will have a huge say his troops look to put the disappointment of Wednesday's result behind them.

"It is obviously going to be another tough game. I know there are heat waves out there at the moment, temperatures are 36,37 degrees. It will be very difficult for both teams," he said.

"Tactically we will play a bit different. We played high tempo football [against Free State Stars] and to do that in that heat will be very challenging.

"We are going there and if we can play like we did in the first half [against Ea Lla Koto] we will be okay. We are always in for goals, but we don't want to concede goals."

In head-to-head stats, Aces and SuperSport have met in 19 league matches since 1990.

AmaZayoni have nine wins compared to five for Matsatsantsa, while five matches have been drawn.

Aces have won four of their nine home matches against United, suffering one defeat in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, AmaZayoni claimed a 2-1 away win thanks to goals from CollinsMbesuma and Ngoma.

Tuks geared up for Diski semifinal

University of Pretoria face SuperSport United in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge semifinal clash at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Tuks are on a high after thumping Orlando Pirates 5-2 in their quarterfinal that was played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban.

Their coach Sly Mosala revealed that his boys are ready for match against their city rivals.

“I think the boys are geared up, they are looking forward to the game on Sunday against SuperSport United. And they are willing to give their best on the day and try to win the game, so that we can proceed to the finals,” he told supersport.com.

The teams will be meeting for the second time on Sunday, SuperSport won their group encounter 1-0. But Mosala is unfazed by the previous result.

“Listen, I always say that is the past. Remember they had couple of professional players, I had couple of maybe professional players also.”

“It might change, again it depends with the needs of the first team, who are they going to give me for this weekend – obviously for match time. Same applies to them, who are they going to get,” he continued.

“So it’s difficult to predict whose going to play and who’s not.”

SuperSport also won their quarterfinal comfortable against Platinum Stars, registering a 2-0 victory. They could have scored more considering the number of chances they had.

“At the end of the day we don’t need to be worrying that much about them. We have to sort of do our own thing and try to win the game.”

MNYAMANE RETURNS

Mosala side the enjoying a clean bill of health going into the semifinal and they will be welcoming back young midfielder Thabo Mnyamane, who was named the Absa Premiership Player of the Month early this week.

“There's no injuries. Thabo Mnyamane will be back on Sunday, bcause he’s serving his last game for his suspension on Saturday against Free State Stars. So he will be in the flight to PE and then Sunday he will be available for selection," he revealed.

The coach has also applauded the organisers of the Diski Challenge, which has already been a huge success in it's inaugural season.

“Firstly, I want to thank obviously MultiChoice for this initiative, it’s good.”

“Especially it’s good for the up and coming youngsters, it’s an experience. The travelling, the level – because we mixing them with some of the senior players. So I think it’s a good initiative.”

Mosala further mentioned that the competition is also a huge benefit to the fans.

“It’s been good again for the supporters especially because we playing not at the normal time, you understand. People are able to come watch and enjoy,” he concluded.

SuperSport eye Diski Challenge final

SuperSport United are ready for their MultiChoice Diski Challenge semifinal match against rivals University of Pretoria at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

United cruised past Platinum Stars 2-0 in the quarterfinals at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban two weeks ago.

Coach Kaitano Tembo says he's happy with how things have gone as they were preparing at training.

“I think we’ve been preparing very well, we’ve got all the players available. The training has been very positive, all the players are also excited, they want to play in the semifinal.

“So it’s been very positive and we really look forward to the game,” he revealed to supersport.com.

Matsatsantsha won the group stage clash 1-0 against Tuks in October but Tembo says they won't dwell on past result.

“We won 1-0 but it was very tight, it wasn’t an easy game. And this is a different game as well in a bigger stage – the semifinal.”

“When we played it was a group stage, you know, if you lose a game you can still recover. But this is a once-off game, when you lose you out. So I think the mentality will be the same from Tuks as well,” he commented.

The coach expects Tuks to come with a different approach, especially after their impressive 5-2 win against Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals.

“They will come with guns blazing. And from us as well we are not looking at the last game, that one is done, it’s finished. This is a new game, we have to treat it as such.”

The United's legend also called on the Port Elizabeth fans to come enjoy the spectacle on Sunday.

“The fans must come in numbers, because I think MultiChoice and the PSL came up with a great initiative to start the Diski Challenge. I believe it needs support from the fans and we will appreciate if they come in numbers to watch the two games on the day.

“I think that’s the most important thing, we need the fans to come and watch the game,” he concluded.

Kofi Owusu revels in first hat-trick

Berekum Chelsea hat-trick hero, Kofi Owusu, has credited his rich FCPPL run to colleagues and club’s technical bench.

The 24-year-old, who arrived in Berekum after a torrid one season with 2009/10 champions Aduana Stars, scored in the 14th, 44th and 79th minutes of Berekum Chelsea’s 4-2 Brong Ahafo derby win over Bechem United on Wednesday – the 2014/15 season’s first hat-trick.

“The playing body and technical team have been of immense help so far,” the diminutive attacker told supersport.com.

“Without their assistance, I wouldn’t be getting the balls to burry in the goals."

Owusu is delighted to have started his season so well having bagged five goals from six games he has featured in for Chelsea in the seven-match day old league. He ties with teammate Stephen Baffour and Hearts of Oak’s Gilbert Fiamenyo as joint top scorers.

“It is my first season with [Berekum] Chelsea and the beginning is very encouraging for me. I’m doing my bit of the hard work to be in shape and hope the goals continue coming,” he said.

Berekum Chelsea currently lie third with 12 points on the 16-team FCPPL table after seven match-days.

Pirates look to bag three points in Rustenburg

Orlando Pirates will aim to continue with their winning run when they travel to Rustenburg in honour of their Absa Premiership date against Platinum Stars on Saturday afternoon at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Kick-off is at 3:30pm.

The Buccaneers are brimming in confidence at the back of their gutsy win over AmaZulu on Wednesday night as they overcame Steve Barker’s men by 2-1.

Eric Tinkler’s men have reignited their Absa premiership league possibilities as they’re placed at position four with 29 points from 18 outings.

However, the hosts are fresh from a 1-1 draw against Mpumalanga Black Aces in their first 2015 league match, and they’ll also hope to retain the three points at home.

Dikwena are placed at position 15 with 18 points from 17 matches and a loss could definitely hamper Allan Freese’s charges’ mission of escaping relegation.

To the Bucs speedy winger, Thabo Qalinge, they’re on form and their aim is to win their next five matches and close the gap on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

“I’m not going to lie to you, we’re on form and we don’t want to lose or play draws at this stage,” said Qalinge.

“Our mission is to collect as many points as we can because we must challenge for the league and close the gap between us and log leaders.

“We know Stars will not be easy at home because they have guys who played for us before in Ndumiso Mabena and Tlou Segolela who are good players.

“I foresee a tough match but we’re motivated by the win against Usuthu.”

On the other hand, the lanky Eleazar Rodgers believes that they can upset the Sea Robbbers at home but it’s not going to be easy.

“A draw is not what we wanted against Aces but a points is better than nothing, we’re going to this one with the aim of taking the full points,” said Rodgers.

“We need to win our home games and Pirates will not be easy but we fear no one.

“We’ll give them a hard time and win the three points, we want to move up the log table.

“There’s not much difference between teams in the log and if we can win one or two games, we’ll move up definitely and get closer to the top eight.”

AmaTuks out to continue unbeaten run

The University of Pretoria will be out to stretch their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership to six games when they face Free State Stars at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:30 pm.

AmaTuks got 2015 off to winning start by beating Chippa United 2-1 in the Capital on Tuesday while Ea Lla Koto scored twice in the final 11 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw at SuperSport United in midweek.

Sammy Troughton's men have assembled a neat run of form in the league of late and will head to Bethlehem confident of getting something out of the clash

"We have a big game coming up against Free State Stars which we need prepare for, its a huge game for us," said Troughton following his sides win over the Chilli Boys.

"We need to try and go there and get a positive result."

The University side head into the weekends fixture in eighth spot, but Troughton admits its a position they could easily lose if they fail to keep their momentum going.

"If we get a win on the weekend we can remain in the top eight, if we lose we can slip out again depending on other results. We must really focus on our job in hand," he concluded.

Ea Lla Koto head into the game in 13th spot on the log standings, but know they could drop into the promotion/relegation play-off spot if they fail to win at the weekend.

Head coach Kinnah Phiri is wary of the task in hand, but is confident of his sides chances against the University outfit.

"Tuks is a good team, they have players that are very tricky and its a difficult team to play against," Phiri said.

"But looking at the fact that they are coming to our own backyard I think that we will have a plan for them, we will have a plan."

In head-to-head stats, Stars and Tuks have met in five league matches since 2012/13.

Ea Lla Koto have two wins compared to one for AmaTuks, while two matches have been drawn.

Stars have an unbeaten home record against Tuks, with one win and one draw from their two matches as hosts.

When the teams met earlier this season, a Robert Sankara goal handed Ea Lla Koto a 1-0 away win.

Aces ready for Downs in Diski semifinal

Mpumalanga Black Aces are ready for their MultiChoice Diski Challenge semifinal match against Mamelodi Sundowns, coach Lombi Mabusela said.

The two sides meet at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, kickoff is at 12pm.

“The preparations have gone well, although it’s been a bit difficult now with the start of the PSL.”

“Some of our key players went to camp with the first team, Aubrey Modiba is one of them. But all in all everything has gone well," Mabusela told supersport.com.

The coach will be hoping to field a strong side for the match despite the first team also playing this weekend.

“We not sure whether they won’t be available, we will get confirmation from the senior team, cause they would have played the PSL match.”

Mabusela is pleased about the way their preparations for the semifinal have gone.

“The boys are on cloud nine, physically they are ready, unless something comes up. But up to this far everything is in order.

“We are confident that we will do well against them. Moreover now we had time to analyse their videos, we were even lucky that we watched the last game they played," he revealed.

Aces remained at the King Zwelithini Stadium after beating Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in their quarterfinal match and watched Sundowns taking on Polokwane City, getting a better view of their opponents.

“Based on that, we are very confident,” Mabusela said.

The club's former captain also asked the fans to come and watch the games on Sunday, saying that will be good for the teams.

“We urge the people from PE to come in numbers. Because as much as it’s mostly Gauteng teams that will be playing their support is needed, more especially for the youngsters.

“And I think the kids there will also be motivated to want to be part of it in future," concluded Mabusela.

Maritzburg and Chippa gear for first win in 2015

Maritzburg United and Chippa United will both battle it out to register their first win in 2015 when they meet for the Absa Premiership match on Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Kick-off is at 3:30pm.

Both these teams suffered defeat in their midweek fixtures and they will be hoping to bounce back with a win against each other.

Maritzburg United went down 2-1 against Bidvest Wits while Chippa United also received a 2-1 defeat against University of Pretoria.

Maritzburg United captain Ashley Hartog believes that playing against Chippa will be a great challenge for them.

Hartog said the key will be to up their attitude and be prepared to fight hard in the field especially as they will be playing against their former coach Ernst Midderndorp. .

“If we can up the intensity of our attitudes, and get it right in front of goals in terms of taking more chances, I have every reason to believe we can get good results on Saturday.

“I think we are good enough to beat Chippa. It’s about going into the game with the right attitude - we must be up for a fight, ready to challenge for every ball, and ready to lose blood for the team if we want to win,” said Hartog.

Despite Chippa having a slight advantage with Midderndorp as their coach who has some inside info about Maritzburg having coached them before, this promises to be a mountain to climb for them.

The Port Elizabeth club are placed tenth on the log and will be hoping to overcome their previous 3-0 defeat they received away from home the last time these two met.

Midderndorp said he is aware that Maritzburg United is planning to beat them but he has a big surprise for them.

“We are going to have a big surprise for Maritzburg, I have worked with them before and I am sure they are planning a win against us. What I can say is that we are going to use different strategy and there might be some changes in the positions as well.”

The coach said he will also be relying more on the form of Andile Mbenyane.

“I think Andile has been in good form and I believe he will contribute positively in this match against Maritzburg United.”

Chippa’s only home match against Maritzburg was in the 2012/13 season where they also suffered a 1-0 defeat.

Downs kick-off African adventure

Mamelodi Sundowns will ignite their quest for African supremacy against St. Michel at Stad Linite in a Champions League match on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 4:30 pm.

The Brazilians have long been waiting to replicate their run to the final in 2001 and will finally get the much anticipated 2015 CAF Champions League campaign up and running with a tricky tie in the Seychelles.

'Downs though will be confident of getting a positive result in the first leg, preliminary round match following an impressive 4-1 win over Moroka Swallows on Tuesday.

The defending Absa Premiership champions have amassed a 14 game unbeaten run in South Africa's top flight , but head into the encounter under no illusion of the difficulties that lie ahead.

"They are closed book. They are not on TV and how are we going to know about them," said head coach Pitso Mosimane before jetting of to the Seychelles.

"I sent Mike Ntombela there and he saw a few things. I asked the guys in Zimbabwe with the team called How Mine. They played against them... How Mine lost in Seychelles. They warned us that the team in Seychelles is attacking like nothing.

"It's an artificial pitch, you know the story. But it's no excuses. We said we want to play in the Champions league and we can't complain."

'Downs recently beat Angolan side Progresso da Lunda Sul 6-2 on an artificial pitch at the Nike Centre in Pimville,

St.Michel have won close to 40 top flight titles in the Seychelles and will prove to be a good test for the reigning South African champions who are eager to prove themselves on the African continent.

South Africa failed to have a representative in last year's Champions League group stages, but will be hopeful either 'Downs or Kaizer Chiefs could replicate Orlando Pirates this term.

The Buccaneers won the continental showpiece in 1995 and more recently lost to Al Ahly in the final of the 2013 edition.

The return leg will take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 28 February.

EPL deal could lead to Bundesliga revolution

In the battle for TV rights, Bundesliga bosses say German football will have to look at new kick-off times in order to compete with the English Premier League - at the risk of alienating fans.

The Premier League's new multi-billion pound television rights deal is causing concern in German football that the Bundesliga's leading teams will no longer be able to compete against their English rivals.

Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert says the league may now have to consider "unpopular options" if it is to improve marketing opportunities.

This could include changing kick-off times and spreading the weekend league programme to cover a Monday evening kick-off.

Bayer Leverkusen sports chief Rudi Voeller is just one club manager who believes a change in fixture times could help attract more television income.

"I could imagine that Monday evening is a possibility," he was quoted as saying in Friday's Bild newspaper.

"The time is attractive and would be good for TV, but in principle Saturday should be our main match day."

The new Premier League agreement is worth 5.14 billion pounds (6.9 billion euros / 7.9 billion dollars) for three seasons from 2016 to 2019, with broadcast rights shared between British broadcasters Sky and BT Sport.

Bundesliga clubs in comparison will receive 835 million euros for the 2016-2017 season when the current four-year deal worth 2.51 billion euros then expires.

So far German football - which has much cheaper ticket prices than the Premier League and has the world's highest match attendances - has been against staggering the fixture programme.

Six of the top-flight matches are played on a Saturday with five starting at the traditional 3.30 pm kick-off time, and one game played at 6.30 pm. Two matches (occasionally three) are played Sunday and one is on Friday evening.

Amateur clubs, backed by the German Football Federation (DFB), had originally opposed the Sunday afternoon kick-off, which was introduced from the 2009-2010 season.

"There should be no more taboo issues," Wolfsburg general manager Klaus Allofs said.

"Until now we have always managed the balancing act of fulfilling the wishes (of TV) but keeping the match programme compact. But there should also be compromise."

Borussia Moenchengladbach sport director Max Eberl said the league would have to consider "breaking with tradition" in order to stay competitive.

"We can't stay fixed on our beloved 3.30 pm (kick-off) but have to make concessions, otherwise the gap to England is going to get bigger," he said.

The new Premier League deal has raised the spectre for Borussia Dortmund general Michael Zorc of a midtable English side like Stoke City leaving even Germany's European powerhouse Bayern Munich trailing.

Bild says the situation is in fact "far worse" - relegated Premier League side Cardiff City last season earned 34.6 million euros more than German champions Bayern. Bundesliga bosses are now demanding a "a match time revolution," the paper said.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bild: "It's said that 'money scores goals' - one has to fear that from 2016 the English will score even more goals.

"This will of course have an effect on the transfer market. Take the move by Angel Di Maria for 75 million euros from Real Madrid to Manchester United. These sort of transfers will in future be the norm."

Schalke sports director Horst Heldt also fears German clubs will no longer be able to compete internationally.

"It is remarkable that the last club in England gets more than the first in Germany," he said.

"We have to think about how we can close this large gap. We have to think about a lot of things and be ready to make changes."

Whether German fans, or the nation's amateur clubs, would tolerate having Bundesliga matches spread out as they are in rival European leagues remains to be tested.

At present the Premier League has three different Saturday kick-offs, two on Sunday and one on Monday. Under the new English TV deal there will also be a Friday night slot for games.

The Spanish Liga meanwhile has 10 different match times spread over four days.

VfB Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens says the Bundesliga should be open to new ideas "but football is always there for the fans and that should never be forgotten."

And Werder Bremen general manager Thomas Eichin says the Bundesliga will have to be wary of alienating supporters.

"We know some fans would not be happy with expanding the kick-off times. Money is not everything," he said.

Carroll facing more injury time

West Ham United's record signing Andy Carroll faces yet another injury lay-off after the striker damaged knee ligaments during the midweek draw against Southampton.

"A full diagnosis on Andy is yet to come and we should have that today but it looks like a few weeks," the Premier League club's manager Sam Allardyce said at a news conference.

"The medial ligament on the inside of his knee has a little tear from a fairly innocuous collision with a defender.

"If we're lucky it could be four to six weeks. It's a big blow for him and us but one we've got to cope with."

Carroll joined West Ham on a permanent basis in June 2013 for a fee of around 16 million pounds, having been on loan from Liverpool, but his career has been plagued with injuries.

He missed the first half of the 2013-14 season with a heel injury and the beginning of this campaign with an ankle problem, returning to action in November.

He has scored five Premier League goals this season.

West Ham face top flight rivals West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend.

Cup exit would not shock Wenger

Holders Arsenal will not be surprised if Middlesbrough beat them in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after the Championship leaders knocked Manchester City out in the previous round, manager Arsene Wenger said.

The fourth round of football's oldest knockout competition was full of major upsets as League One (third tier)Bradford City knocked Chelsea out before second tier Middlesbrough set up a trip to the Emirates, thanks to a 2-0 win at Manchester City.

"We won't be surprised by them. We don't have the excuse to be surprised as they beat Manchester City in a convincing way," Wenger told a news conference on Friday.

"That is a good warning for us. Boro are not afraid to take on the big boys. They are well organised, play good football and they are very creative.

"The squad will not be rotated especially because it's the FA Cup. Some players will play who have not played recently, but we treat this game exactly the same as a Premier League game."

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka said his side, who top the Championship table by a point from Bournemouth, have what it takes to cause another Cup shock.

"With the result at Manchester City in the last round, people are getting to know about us," the Spaniard said.

"We've also gone top of the Championship as well, so I don't think there will be any surprises for Arsenal on Sunday.

"Arsenal will of course pose a threat, but we can cause them problems when they don't have the ball. The problem for us is how to keep the ball.

"We've not shown any fear against Premier League sides this season, and it will be the same against Arsenal. We want to show everyone what we can do."

Karanka will come up against German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil on Sunday, a player he knows well from his time serving as Jose Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid.

"He's a very good lad. I spent three seasons with him – he's an amazing player and I hope on Sunday he doesn't have his best day," Karanka said.

"I hope he can rest for the league they have some important games coming up. But it's not just Ozil... They have a lot of (dangerous) players."

Bartomeu in court over Neymar signing

Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of Spanish giants Barcelona, was interrogated Friday by National Court judge Pablo Ruz about alleged tax evasion in the signing of Brazilian forward Neymar from Santos in 2013.

Also indicted is Bartomeu's successor Sandro Rosell, who stepped down as Barca president in January 2014 because of the case. Rosell and Bartomeu have denied any misdemeanours in the signing.

Bartomeu has refused to resign and has said he will be a candidate in the club's presidential elections which will take place at the end of the season.

When the indictment of Bartomeu was made public February 3, the Barca president said to Catalan television channel TV3: "Certain powers in the state are looking at Barca with a magnifying glass, because of our support for the Catalan referendum on independence (which took place in November, despite the opposition of the Spanish government)."

Clottey cleared for Kotoko

Ex-Ghana league goal king Emmanuel Clottey has finally been cleared to resuscitate his career with new club, Asante Kotoko.

After weeks of wait to have him cleared from the books of Tunisian giants, Esperance, Asante Kotoko a couple of days ago, finally received a Provisional Transfer Certificate, giving Clottey the all clear to feature in official matches for the club.

The former Caf Champions League top-scorer has already been duly registered by the struggling Ghanaian champions after agreeing to a three-year contract.

Supersport.com sources however reveal that Clottey may not be ready enough for Kotoko’s next Premier League game at home to WAFA SC on February 22.

“Clottey lacks match fitness having stayed out of action for a long time. He started training with the team some weeks ago but left for Accra after a few sessions. He will now be fully training with the team to get in shape,” a club source told supersport.com.

Kotoko have had quite a difficult start to the 2014/15 FCPPL as they have managed to bag eight points from a possible 21 after seven games. They lie 10th on the log.

Sundowns fired up for Diski semifinal

Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Alex Bapela has revealed that he had to slow down his players at training ahead of their MultiChoice Diski Challenge semifinal, because of over excitement.

The Brazilians take on Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, kickoff is at 12pm.

“The preparations are going well. I came to realise something, I think the players are pushing themselves too much towards the game. They want it so much, the edge is too much.

“That’s why we decide to give them a day off (on Wednesday), just to catch their breath because they want it so much," Bapela told supersport.com.

Sundowns defeated Polokwane City 2-0 in the quarterfinals at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban a fortnight ago. The coach said despite the uncontrollable excitement from his players, he's confident that they regain their focus.

“The mood is so amazing, it’s very high. That’s why I’m saying it’s scary. Playing like that is so scary, that’s why we need to make sure that their feet are on the ground. And they are taking things like any other game,” he said.

The Pretoria side recorded a 3-0 victory over Aces when they met in the group stage in October. Bapela hopes his boys will go to the match not thinking about that result.

“I remember we played at TUT, that’s the danger of it. Because if the players are going to look at it like this is the Aces that we’ve beaten 3-0 and then complacency will creep in. And once you plan with complacency, you likely to lose.

“So I’d love to make sure that they forget the previous games as much as possible because it counts for nothing. What counts is what will happen on Sunday,” continued the club's legend.

The coach also urged the team's Port Elizabeth-based supporters to come and get behind the boys on Sunday.

“I’m happy because we were at Attridgeville with the players seeing our team, the senior boys beating Moroka Swallows comfortable. It looks like it’s going to be Sundowns’ year.

“So our supporters, I know the one’s from PE didn’t travel to Atteridgeville to see the seniors boys, let them just come to see how the junior boys play. Because they play exactly like the senior team,” he concluded.

De Sa admits to rustiness for star man

Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa admits playmaker Keagan Dolly looks a little rusty but has backed the Bafana Bafana player to come good in the next few weeks.

Dolly made his return to competitive action in the 1-1 draw at home to Polokwane City on Wednesday night after an eight-week lay-off with injury.

De Sa says he was below the standard they expect, but that this is perhaps understandable.

“I thought he was a bit rusty, he started well when he came back at the beginning of this pre-season, but he last his pace a little bit now in the last couple of weeks,” De Sa said.

“But he needs game-time, when you miss eight weeks or so it will take time for him to get back to his usual self. I thought they [Polokwane City players] were quicker than him and he got caught out a few times.”

De Sa did have praise for midfielder Toriq Losper though, he made his second debut for Ajax after returning to the club from BidVest Wits.

“I thought Losper was very good, he was vital for us in the midfield, he broke things down and kept playing the balls we wanted him to play. He had the best game I have seen him in an Ajax shirt,” the coach said.

And he had much the same assessment for another recruit from Wits, Erwin Isaacs, as he did of Dolly, a player who needs game-time to get his sharpness back.

“Isaacs will get better, he also needs game-time, he hasn’t played a lot. He will get his confidence back and will get better.