Fifa rejects transparent voting booths

Fifa has rejected a demand from a presidential candidate to use transparent voting booths at next week's election to ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers when they choose the head of soccer's world ruling body.

The request came from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who said he would take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport's highest tribunal.

Prince Ali wanted to ensure that transparent booths were used at the February 26 election "to safeguard the full transparency of the electoral proceedings", he said in a statement released by his French-based lawyer.

Fifa's 209 member national associations (FAs) each hold one vote at the election where Prince Ali is among five candidates standing to replace outgoing President Sepp Blatter, who is banned for eight years amid a graft scandal that has shaken soccer's global governing body. Under Fifa statutes, voting is secret.

The statement said Domenico Scala, head of Fifa's electoral committee, had admitted to Prince Ali in correspondence that the voters could produce evidence of their vote by using a mobile phone.

Scala rejected transparent booths, however, and said members would be reminded that voting is secret and told to hand over mobile phones and cameras before doing so.

"He (Scala) has said it is enough just to tell them they must not do so, and has rejected Prince Ali's request to use transparent voting booths," the statement said, adding that there was an "absence of any dedicated system to detect potential violations of this rule."

A spokesman for the electoral committee declined to comment.

Jerome Champagne, another presidential candidate, said this week that FAs were under pressure to vote for certain candidates and some had been asked to provide evidence of their vote.

Prince Ali has also said that FAs face reprisals if they fail to tow certain political lines.

"Development projects mysteriously stall; tournament hosting bids are suddenly compromised or withdrawn; national teams start to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures or and even referees," he said last week.

Arsenal frustrated by dogged Hull

Holders Arsenal's 14-match winning run in the FA Cup ground to a halt in a dreary 0-0 draw at home to Championship leaders Hull City in the fifth round at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The first of eight ties spread over three days was less than gripping as Hull hung on for a replay both sides could do without as they chase their respective priorities.

There were goals elsewhere, though, as second-tier strugglers Reading shocked Premier League West Bromwich Albion 3-1 and Watford saw off Leeds United 1-0.

Bournemouth host Everton later on Saturday in an all top- flight clash while on Sunday the standout tie of the round is Chelsea v Manchester City.

With one eye on Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg at home to Barcelona, Arsenal made nine changes from the side that beat Premier League leaders Leicester City last week.

But even when manager Arsene Wenger, in charge of his 100th FA Cup tie for the club, threw on the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud the Gunners could find no way past Hull's inspired keeper Eldin Jakupovic.

The Gunners will now need to survive a replay to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first club to win the Cup three times in succession in the modern era.

"The goalkeeper did well of course, but we had maybe 70 percent possession and more than 20 shots on goal, and we didn't score," Wenger, taking charge of his 100th game in the FA Cup told reporters.

"The replay is not especially good news but Hull defended very well. Between that and going out, we choose the replay."

GREAT SAVES

The closest Arsenal came to breaking the deadlock was Joel Campbell's 54th-minute free kick that was tipped against the post by Jakupovic who also made great saves from Theo Walcott and Sanchez.

Hull, beaten by Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup final after leading 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes, rarely threatened, although David Meyler wasted their best chance when he shot into the side-netting.

The visitors made 10 alterations to their line-up from last week's draw with Brighton and Hove Albion but manager Steve Bruce defended his selection which included a place for 16-year-old Josh Tymon.

"It's not like I sent out a team of kids," Bruce, whose priority is to get Hull back into the top flight, said.

"We made 10 changes and we rode our luck a bit, but the team deserved it for the spirit and effort they gave."

Reading have slid down to 15th in the Championship having won only once in the league this year, but goals from Paul McShane, Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon sent them through to the quarterfinals at West Brom's expense.

Captain Darren Fletcher put West Brom ahead but McShane and Hector headed in Oliver Norwood crosses before Piazon struck in stoppage time.

Premier League Watford avoided an upset against former winners Leeds when Scott Wootton's own goal proved decisive at Vicarage Road.

Kenya confirm Okumbi as new coach

Kenya on Saturday replaced Bobby Williamson with a former youth football coach Stanley Okumbi for the next round of African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

New Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman Nick Mwendwa said Okumbi, who coached Kenyan premiership side Mathare United last season, will take interim charge of the Harambee Stars when they play Guinea Bissau away in Bissau next month.

Williamson, who had been the Kenyan national coach since August, 2014, was believed to be owed about 30 million shillings ($30 000) in salary arrears by the former FKF administration of Sammy Nyamweya, which was voted out office earlier this month.

"The appointment of Okumbi is geared towards building local capacity," said Mwendwa.

"We have picked our own whom I believe have the capacity to do the job. Personally I love the passing game and believe in our own style.

Former international Musa Otieno, who acted as Williamson's deputy, has been retained.

Under Williamson Kenya struggled in their two opening round 2017 Nations Cup matches, drawing 1-1 draw away to Congo and losing 2-1 at home to Zambia.

Hope of Benzema return good for France

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane described the partial lifting legal restrictions on Real striker Karim Benzema as "a good thing" for the French team as hopes have been raised Benzema could now feature in the European Championships later this year.

Restrictions prevented Benzema from seeing international teammate Mathieu Valbuena due to his alleged involvement in blackmailing Valbuena in a sextape case were lifted by a French judge on Thursday.

However, prosecutors have appealed the decision with the case to be heard before a court in Versailles, outside Paris on March 4.

"Above all it is a good thing for the French team. That is what I have always said and I repeat it," Zidane said on Saturday.

"I hope that this matter is fixed quickly and that is what is happening. I am happy above all for the French national team."

The French Football Federation (FFF) suspended Benzema from the national team after he was placed under formal investigation in November for alleged complicity in a blackmail attempt targeting Valbuena.

If the judge's decision to lift the restrictions is upheld, it could pave the way for Benzema to return to the national team in time for Euro 2016, which France is hosting.

Benzema has denied any wrongdoing but could face a five-year jail term if found guilty.

Zidane is a legend in France having won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with Les Bleus.

However, his and Madrid's continued support of Benzema has been in stark contrast to the treatment received by the 28-year-old in his homeland.

Benzema has continued to play for Madrid and is enjoying his best ever goalscoring season having struck 23 times in 24 games.

Borussia 'fight' to keep Gundogan

Borussia Dortmund say they are 'fighting' to keep Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, amidst reports he has already told Barcelona he will join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City next season.

Second-placed Dortmund play Bayer Leverkusen, who are third in the Bundesliga table, on Sunday hoping to close the gap behind runaway league leaders Bayern Munich.

Dortmund have won 15 of their 21 games so far in Germany's top flight and defensive midfielder Gundogan, who has a contract until 2017, is in superb form.

But according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Gundogan has broken off negotiations with Barcelona and told the Catalan giants he expects to join City next season to play under Guardiola, who leaves Bayern at the end of the season.

Sport say the 25-year-old Gundogan has already told Dortmund that he will not be extending his contract.

"Really? We should know about that, shouldn't we? Truth is, we don't know anything about that," replied Borussia Dortmund's official account on Twitter to Sport's claims.

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel says they are working hard to keep Gundogan, who is back to his best after missing most of the 2013/14 season with a back injury.

"We are fighting to keep him and I believe it's not the case that there isn't a chance he'll stay," said Tuchel.

"The importance of Ilkay in this form is undisputed, but one can imagine that the interest from other clubs is very high."

Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke says he expects to be able to announce a decision on Gundogan soon.

Meanwhile, French newspaper L'Equipe claims Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is under contract at Dortmund until 2020, is destined to play for Real Madrid – due to a promise he made to his grandfather.

'Auba' has scored 30 goals this season, 20 of which have come in the Bundesliga, and is rivalling Bayern's Robert Lewandowski as the league's top scorer.

"In 2014, just before the death of my grandfather, who was born in Avila 100 kilometres from Madrid, I gave him the promise to play one day for Real," Aubameyang told L'Equipe.

"It'll be complicated, but this (promise) is anchored to a corner of my heart."

Chippa record third successive win

Chippa United registered a 2-0 win over Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon.

The Chilli Boys remain sixth on the league standings following their win, while Ea Lla Koto drop to eighth spot on the log.

The match got off to a lively start with Ea Lla Koto enjoying more possession in the opening stages of the league encounter.

Stars midfielder Nhlanhla Vilakazi fired the first shot at goal four minutes into the game, but his attempt went wide of the target.

In the 11th minute, the visitors were forced to substitute injured fullback Reuben Thebakang with winger Mothusi Gopane.

The first shot on target came in the 25th minute when Chippa striker Aristide Bance forced Stars goalkeeper Daouda Diakite into an easy save.

As the game progressed the Chilli Boys began playing possession football, but Ea Lla Koto were determined to press the home side in their own half.

On-loan Kaizer Chiefs striker David Zulu suffered a leg injury in the 37th minute and was eventually replaced by Chippa midfielder Buyani Sali six minutes later.

Chippa broke the deadlock through Xola Mlambo, who scored with a shot inside the box following a cross from the right three minutes before the halftime break.

Burkina Faso international striker Bance nearly beat his countryman Diakite in the Stars goal a minute after the restart, but the latter made a comfortable save.

Diakite was forced to make two great saves in the 50th minute. The keeper denied Sali with a low save, before parrying away Joseph Molangoane's shot from close range.

At the other end Stars striker Ayanda Nkosi unleashed a powerful shot in the 62nd minute, but Chippa keeper Daniel Akpeyi made a comfortable save.

Former Arab Contractors keeper Diakite produced a fantastic save six minutes later when he tipped over Chippa captain James Okwuosa's header.

Nevertheless, Chippa did double their lead in 72nd minute when Nkosinathi Mthiyane finished off a low pass from Sali following a great build-up by the home side.

With nine minutes left on the clock, Mthiyane nearly grabbed his brace, but his shot from close range was deflected out for a corner-kick.

In the end, Chippa held onto their lead to emerge 2-0 winners on the day. This was the Chilli Boys' third consecutive league victory.

Chippa United (1) 2 (Mlambo 43', Mthiyane 72')

Free State Stars (0) 0

Teams

Chippa: Akpeyi, Mthiyane (Zuke 90'), Okwuosa, Macheke, Thopola, Chipeta, Mlambo, Sangweni, Bance (R.Manzini 65'), Zulu (Sali 43'), Molangoane

Free State Stars: Diakite, Masehe, Mashego, Sankara (Venter 74'), Chabalala, Kerspuy, Thebakang (Gopane 11'), Jaftha (Nkosi 45'), Thethani, Ngasa, Vilakazi

Nxumalo brace hands Ajax win

A second-half brace from Prince Nxumalo handed Ajax Cape Town a 4-1 win over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon.

The win is Ajax’s seventh of the season and sees them into the top half of the table with 26 points from 19 matches.

The loss for Polokwane is their 11th of the league season and sees them in 13th place with 21 points from 20 matches.

The first 20 minutes was a rather scrappy affair with both sides squandering possession and, as a result, there were no decent goalscoring chances.

The first significant shot on goal came on the half hour mark from Polokwane’s Sphesihle Nzimande, but Anssi Jaakkola made a good save.

Ajax took the lead a minute before the break when Erwin Isaacs turned home a pass from Tashreeq Morris with a clinical finish.

Three minutes into the second half Ajax doubled their lead courtesy of a strike from Nxumalo.

Polokwane, however, were not going to go down without a fight and managed to pull a goal back in the 57th minute when Jabulani Maluleke found the back of the net from a free-kick just outside the box.

Ajax put the result beyond doubt seven minutes later when Nxumalo grabbed his brace after some neat interchanges in the build-up to the goal.

Maluleke nearly pulled another goal back in the 75th minute, but his long-range effort skimmed the wrong side of the post.

The game almost ended on a rather sour note for Ajax, who saw Lawrence Lartey sent off in the 87th minute after receiving his second yellow card.

However, Ndiviwe Mdabuka returned the smiles to the Ajax supporters’ faces with the side’s fourth goal in the 90th minute after a thunderous free-kick found the back of the net.

Polokwane City (0) 1 (J. Maluleke 57’)
Ajax Cape Town (1) 4 (Isaacs 44’, Nxumalo 48’+64’, Mdabuka 90’)

Teams

Polokwane: Chigova, Barends, Hlongwane, Tshilo, Nene, Tema (Jembula 56’), Jacobs (Ngcobe 77’), Nzimande (Ngidi 46’), Alexander, Mncwango, Maluleke.

Ajax: Jaakkola, Mobara, Lartey, Jenniker (Mabaso 51’), Isaacs, Graham, Morris (Hartog 75’), Mdabuka, Nxumalo, Losper, Norodien (Langwe 67’).

'Rivers Utd ready for Enyimba test'

Rivers United technical manager Stanley Eguma is brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) opener against champions Enyimba.

Eguma reckons the seven-time champions will pose a real threat at the Yakubu Gowon (formerly Liberation) Stadium, but insists his charges will not roll over for the People's Elephant.

“We are ready for the game.

“It is the first game of the league and as you know last year was a very difficult one for us, but by the grace of God we were able to survive (and escape the drop).

“Today we are playing as a new team. We have recruited some players that can take the team far.

“I have also drummed the winning mentality into the players and we hope they will live up to expectations,” the trainer told supersport.com.

United have spent the last three weeks in Omoku (for “intensive camping”), on the outskirts of Port Harcourt and Eguma believes the hard work put in by the squad will reap rich dividends.

“We have been on pre-season training for the past two weeks and we have knocked the team into shape.

“It has been difficult; a lot of our old players left and we have been trying to build a new team.

“We are optimistic though that this team will go places.

“Come Sunday, we are going to give a very good account of ourselves. All we ask for is the support of our fans.

“They should turn out in their numbers to see the new-look Rivers United. We promise to give them something to smile about,” he said.

Eguma finished off by offering words of adulation for the People's Elephant while insisting that his charges will approach the game without fear.

“Enyimba is a big team. There are no two ways about it.

“(They parade) some of the best (footballers) in the country.

“We will neither underrate nor fear them. They have had good times in recent times.

“They are on the continent and have a lot going for them.

“On paper, they are favourites (to get the win over us).

“We know they are going to give us a good fight but we will do our best to give our fans something to cheer about on Sunday,” he said.

Sunday’s game at the Yakubu Gown Stadium represents the first competitive fixture for the newly-formed Rivers United.

TP Mazembe win third CAF Super Cup

TP Mazembe on Saturday clinched a third CAF Super Cup when they defeated Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel 2-1 in Lubumbashi.

Five-time African champions Mazembe have previously won this prestigious annual match-up between the winners of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup in 2010 and 2011.

Etoile, who won the 2015 Confederation Cup, have also won the 23-year-old competition twice.

Ghanaian striker Daniel Nii Adjei opened the scoring for Mazembe after 20 minutes when he powered his header off a Jean Kasusula cross from the left beyond goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi.

The impressive 27-year-old Adjei doubled his tally in the 45th minute when he acrobatically finished off a lovely attack after he was set up by strike partner Jonathan Bolingi.

However, the Tunisian ‘Red Devils’ pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time through Mohamed Msekni, who stabbed home from inside the box after a goalmouth scramble.

In a game played under hot and humid conditions, Msekni led Etoile to chase the game after Mazembe took the lead when he fired wide from the top of the box.

Tunisia international striker Ahmed Akaichi also came close minutes earlier, but Ivory Coast international goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo combined with his defenders to concede the first corner of the encounter.

In the 42nd minute, Bolingi saw his shot from outside the box narrowly miss the target.

Mazembe's towering central defender Salif Coulibaly crashed his header into the side netting in the 58th minute as his team piled on the pressure to increase their lead.

The African champions continued to fight to extend their advantage, even bringing on Most Valuable Player from the recent African Nations Championship in Rwanda, Meschack Elia, to add some fire to the attack.

In the 76th minute, goalkeeper Gbohouo produced the save of the day when he dived to block a goal-bound header by Alaya Brigui.

Thereafter, Mazembe held out with occasional forays into their opponents’ goal area to record another international conquest in front of their jubilant home fans.

Mueller double earns Bayern win

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller scored twice, including a 71st- minute bicycle kick, to give the Bundesliga leaders a 3-1 victory over Darmstadt 98 on Saturday and lift them 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Mueller scored both goals in the second half as Bayern, who face Juventus in the Champions League round of 16 next week, had to battle from a goal down against the promoted club.

Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski, in fine form, completed Bayern's turnaround in the 84th minute with his 22nd goal of the campaign.

The hosts twice came close through Lewandowski in a one-sided start with Bayern pressing for an early goal and Darmstadt forced to defend desperately.

Arturo Vidal's shot was tipped over the bar and Arjen Robben failed to beat the keeper in a golden one-on-one opportunity as Bayern had chances galore.

The hosts were punished for their wastefulness when Darmstadt's Sandro Wagner beat central defender Serdar Tasci at the near post to head in a cross and silence the 75 000 home crowd.

Bayern, however, kept up the pressure and Douglas Costa rattled the bar with a thundering shot immediately after the visitors went ahead.

The pressure finally paid off early in the second half with Mueller chesting a ball down and slotting in for his 16th goal of the campaign.

Germany international Mueller topped that with an even better effort, again controlling the ball with his chest in the box and scoring with a bicycle kick as Darmstadt ran out of steam.

Lewandowski tapped in from close range from a Franck Ribery pass with the Frenchman coming on as a second-half substitute for his first appearance since suffering an injury in December.

Bayern are on 59 points with second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 48, facing Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.

VfL Wolfsburg could not build on their midweek Champions League win over Gent, having to settle for a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin, who are third on 36.

Gladbach moved up to 35 points, level with fourth-placed Leverkusen, after edging past Cologne 1-0 in the Rhine derby courtesy of Mahmoud Dahoud's ninth-minute winner.

Hoffenheim celebrated their first win under 28-year-old coach Julian Nagelsmann, in his second game in charge, when they beat Mainz 05 3-2 with Mark Uth scoring twice.

Zenit sign Crvena Zvezda defender

Zenit St Petersburg have signed central defender Vukasin Jovanovic from Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, the Russian champions' website (www.fc-zenit.ru) said on Saturday.

The length of the contract with the 19-year-old, who represents Serbia at under-21 level, was not given.

Jovanovic made his debut for Crvena Zvezda in August 2014 and scored two goals in 32 games in the Serbian championship.

Zenit are sixth in the Russian Premier League. They lost the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 match with Benfica 1-0 and host the return leg in St Petersburg on 

Bayern eye club record at home to Darmstadt

Bayern Munich could make club history on Saturday as a clean sheet against Darmstadt in the Bundesliga would see Pep Guardiola's side go a record six home games without conceding a goal.

Arsenal were the last club to score against Bayern at Munich's Allianz Arena back in November when Olivier Giroud scored the Gunners' consolation in a 5-1 loss.

Since that Champions League group game, Bayern have won all five of their home games in all competitions without conceding a single goal and hold an eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.

Guardiola's team are in no mood to give Darmstadt any hope of a first win in Munich in their final match before their Champions League last 16, first-leg clash at Juventus next Tuesday.

Especially as Darmstadt have picked up 17 of their 24 points this season away from home.

"They will play very deep and very compact," said Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso.

"We will have to be patient and it'll be important to get the first goal.

"It's all about Darmstadt for now, we want to keep our eight-point lead. Only afterwards will we think about Juventus."

With 21 goals to his credit, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski has scored almost as many goals as the 22 the entire Darmstadt team has managed.

The visitors' cause is not helped by a raft of suspensions.

Peter Niemeyer, Jerome Gondorf, Aytac Sulu, Marcel Heller and Konstantin Rausch are all banned after each picked up yellow cards in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

"We have registered that. However, I believe that no one wants to miss this chance to play in front of an audience of millions," said Darmstadt coach Dirk Schuster confidently.

Guardiola hopes to have centre-backs Medhi Benatia and Serdar Tasci fit as he was unable to play a single central defender in last weekend's win at Augsburg after Holger Badstuber fractured an ankle.

Dortmund will be looking to make it nine games undefeated at Leverkusen on Sunday.

Thomas Tuchel's Dortmund are in impressive form as last Saturday's 1-0 win over bottom side Hanover 96 left them 13 points clear of third-placed Bayer.

Having sat out the Hanover win, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be looking to add to his 20 goals in as many league games to rival Lewandowski.

The last time Leverkusen beat Dortmund at the BayArena was in May 2007, but Roger Schmidt’s men have picked up 14 of a possible 18 points and are undefeated in their last six games.

Leverkusen will again be without striker Javier Hernandez after the Mexican tore a buttock muscle in their German Cup defeat to Werder Bremen 10 days ago.

Cologne fans plan a protest before kick-off of Saturday's match at Borussia Moenchengladbach over the restricted number of away fans allowed.

Gladbach will be without centre-back Martin Stranzl, who tore his right calf in training on Wednesday as they look to bounce back from Sunday's shock defeat to Hamburg.

Fresh from their Champions League last 16, first-leg win at Gent, Wolfsburg are at Hertha Berlin on Saturday without defender Sebastian Jung.

The right-back tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee in Belgium and is expected to miss the rest of the season after limping out of Wolfsburg's 3-2 victory.

Fixtures (all times 1430 GMT unless stated)

Friday

E. Frankfurt v Hamburg (1930)

Saturday

Bayern Munich v Darmstadt, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Cologne, Hertha Berlin v Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim v Mainz, Ingolstadt v Werder Bremen

Sunday

Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund, Schalke v VfB Stuttgart (1630), Hanover 96 v Augsburg (1630)

Reims out to inflict Euro hangover on PSG

Unbeaten runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 duty against struggling Reims on Saturday, four days after earning a narrow first-leg advantage over Chelsea in the Champions League last 16.

Edinson Cavani made an immediate impact as a substitute on Tuesday by netting a 78th-minute winner at the Parc des Princes after John Obi Mikel had cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deflected free-kick to hand Laurent Blanc's side a 2-1 edge.

The Uruguayan has started just twice in the league in 2016 after losing his place as a regular starter, but Cavani could well return to the line-up with Blanc preparing to rotate his side this weekend.

Reims are one of the few teams to frustrate PSG this season, with the capital club needing another late goal from Cavani to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw back in September.

"Even if it's PSG, a big European team, we're not going there as victims. We always want to show what we're capable of doing against the big teams," said Reims defender Abdelhamid El Kaoutari.

"I think (the outcome) will depend on what Paris have to offer. If it's the PSG from Tuesday (against Chelsea), there are few teams who can stand up to them," added Reims coach Olivier Guegan, whose side enter the weekend two points above the drop zone.

Paris on the other hand are unbeaten in 35 league games and cruising towards a fourth straight French title, with a mammoth 24-point gap separating themselves and nearest challengers Monaco, who are at home to bottom side Troyes this weekend.

BACK IN CONTENTION

Lyon were in crisis mode less than a month ago, but three convincing wins in a row have propelled Bruno Genesio's side right back into contention for a top-three finish.

OL travel to Lille on Sunday with the visitors trailing third-place Nice and bitter rivals Saint-Etienne by just a point in the race for France's final Champions League berth.

"It's the start of a run we have to continue with a couple of difficult matches coming up. We have to keep on working with the same spirit," said Genesio in the wake of last weekend's 4-1 demolition of Caen.

Lyon will be without influential midfielder Corentin Tolisso for several weeks after he hurt his hamstring in training, but there was a welcome sight as Nabil Fekir, out since September with a knee injury, stepped up his road to recovery in midweek.

Saint-Etienne secured a 3-2 victory at home to Basle in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday having thrown away a two-goal lead, with Christophe Galtier's men facing a quick turnaround as they head to Marseille this weekend.

Early-season surprise packages Angers and Caen will bid to turn around their fading fortunes at home to Montpellier and Rennes respectively, with both sides losers of their last three matches.

Toulouse, currently eight points from safety, can ill-afford another defeat as they risk being cut further adrift when they take on 18th-placed Gazelec Ajaccio.

Meanwhile, Bastia's match at home to in-form Nantes, planned for Saturday, has been postponed following violent clashes between fans and police in Corsica.

Fixtures (kick-off 1900 GMT unless stated):

Friday

Bordeaux v Nice (1930)

Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain v Reims (1600), Monaco v Troyes, Lorient v Guingamp, Angers v Montpellier, Toulouse v Gazelec Ajaccio

Sunday

Marseille v Saint-Etienne (1300), Caen v Rennes (1600), Lille v Lyon (2000)

Buffaloes eye Charity Shield final place

Green Buffaloes chase their second cup final appearance in just four months, when they face Zanaco in the 2016 Charity Shield semifinals at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

Buffaloes last November lifted the Barclays Cup to cap a strong run in the second half of the 2015 Faz Super League season in which they finished 4th that guaranteed them this Charity Shield berth.

They face 2015 league runners-up Zanaco who beat those 3-0 away and drew 1-1 in league meetings last season.

But Coach Bilton Musonda is hoping his Zambia stars who recently returned from the 2016 Caf African Nations Championship (Chan) in Rwanda will turn around Buffaloes fortunes against Zanaco this weekend.

Key will be veteran captain Christopher Katongo who inspired Buffaloes to victory in the 2015 Barclays Cup final.

Defender Stephen Kabamba, who scored in the away draw against Zanaco last August, is one of the Chan stars set to lineup this weekend together with Jack Chirwa, Adrian Chama and Buchiyza Mfune who were all instrumental in Zambia’s Chan quarterfinal qualification. Meanwhile, Buffaloes warmed-up for Zanaco by winning a four-club round-robin tournament in Lusaka last weekend.

Buffaloes began the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Nkwazi on Friday before beating Green Eagles 5-0 on Saturday before winning the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Arrows on Sunday.

We must focus on ourselves - Armstrong

Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong says the Hoops have to concentrate on their own performances as they prepare to host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead on Saturday.

Nearest rivals Aberdeen, who fell to a surprise 3-1 loss to Inverness on Monday, have a chance to draw level with the Glasgow giants at the top of the Scottish Premiership if they can defeat Partick Thistle at Firhill on Friday.

But Armstrong, who helped his side get back to winning ways in the league with a win against Ross County last weekend, insists Aberdeen's results will not affect the way Celtic approach the match against Inverness.

"It's important just to keep an eye on them but we always focus on ourselves," the midfielder said.

"That's the way it's always been and that's the way it will continue."

Armstrong netted twice on Inverness' last visit to Celtic Park in August when the Hoops ran out 4-2 winners.

The midfielder would be happy with a repeat performance on Saturday but knows the Highlanders will be on a high following their win over Aberdeen.

"They've been up and down but I saw the clips of their win over Aberdeen and it's good that they held on to Greg Tansey in the transfer window, I think he's a very good player," Armstrong said.

"They're a good footballing team and it's always difficult every time I've played them with Dundee United and Celtic. It's always been tough and if you get three points, you've really got to earn them."

GRIFFITHS TARGETS MORE GOALS

One player who will be gunning for Inverness is striker Leigh Griffiths, who netted his 30th goal of the season in last weekend's win against County.

"I was brought here two years ago to score goals and that's what I have done so far, and I won't stop," Griffiths said.

"My next target is 35. I will just keep playing well and if the chances keep falling my way, I will try and keep scoring goals.

"When the boys click it's a joy to watch. It can be frustrating at times for the fans but we want to keep the ball as much as possible and make the opposition run about and when the spaces open up, we will try to exploit them.

"Inverness will be similar to Ross County. They will come and try to attack us and try and counter-attack, but if we play like that, especially as we did in the second half, I'm sure we will have no problems."

Elsewhere on Saturday, Dundee United, who are now 13 points adrift at the bottom of the league following their 3-0 home loss to Motherwell in midweek, host high-flying Hearts at Tannadice.

Kilmarnock will attempt to move out of the relegation play-off place when they welcome Dundee to Rugby Park.

Killie, who lost 2-1 at home to Rangers in their Scottish Cup fifth-round replay in midweek, will be playing their first league game since the appointment of former Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and Blackpool boss Lee Clark as their new manager.

While United have been left adrift, just six points separate Killie in 11th from Ross County in fourth.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Friday

Partick Thistle v Aberdeen (1945 GMT)

Saturday

Celtic v Inverness CT, Dundee United v Hearts, Kilmarnock v Dundee, Ross County v Hamilton, St Johnstone v Motherwell

Zesco brace for Power surge

Zesco United do not consider this Saturday’s 2016 Charity Shield semifinal clash against Power Dynamos at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka as a grudge match.

The match is a repeat of the 2015 Charity Shield final that Zesco won 3-1.

Zesco went onto dominate Power in their subsequent two Copperbelt derby meetings in the Faz Super League winning with stinging 2-0 away and 3-0 home victories over their arch-rivals from Kitwe.

“Sometime back, Power used to beat us but now things have changed. So it is up to them to say whether it is a grudge match or not,” Zesco coach George Lwandamina said.

Lwandamina, though, said that Zesco were going into the game with respect for Power.

“We can’t cross the river before we get there. We can only cross when we are there,” Lwandamina said.

The match against Power could see the return of goalkeeper Jacob Banda return in goals for the defending champions.

Banda sat out last weekend’s 2016 Champions League preliminary round home leg match against Al Ghazala of South Sudan whom Zesco beat 2-0 in Ndola.

Meanwhile, the match against Power will be Zesco’s final game before heading to South Sudan next Wednesday for the final leg against Al Ghazla in Juba.

Battle of varsities as Wits host Tuks

Bidvest Wits will hope to retain the full three points when they host the struggling University of Pretoria in the Absa Premiership on Friday night at Bidvest Wits Stadium.

Kick-off is at 8:00pm.

The Clever Boys will have to go all out in an aim to get a win as they want to revive their title aspirations.

Gavin Hunt's side have failed to maintain their pressure on log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns as they now trail by nine points.

In their previous three matches, Wits have been blowing hot and cold as they managed a win over Lamontville Golden Arrows, drew against Platinum Stars and succumbed to a 1-0 loss against Kaizer Chiefs.

However,in their recent match, the Clever Boys managed to bag a win against Light Stars during their CAF Confederation Cup match in Seychelles last weekend.

Going to this match, the Braamfontein-based side will hope to take advantage of their rival university's woes and return to winning ways in the league.

They occupy the second spot on the log with 36 points after 19 matches and a win will narrow the gap on Pitso Mosimane's men.

Coach Gavin Hunt says their next two matches are set to be challenging because they're playing against bottom-placed sides (Maritzburg United and Tuks).

“The next two league games are obviously vitally important for us – vitally important for us,” said Hunt.

“We play the two bottom teams, which doesn’t mean they are going to be easy games.

“We’ve been playing well, we just haven’t got the results to be fair, out of the (Mpumalanga Black) Aces game and the (Bloemfontein) Celtic game, we should have had nothing less than draws – possibly two wins but draws at worst.

“After our four or five games we’ve had now, it’s got to be two wins otherwise we’re going to be way off the pace (of Sundowns).”

Looking at the Tshwane university, AmaTuks have failed to bag a win in four matches and this will push them to go all out for the points.

Shaun Bartlett's men are not in a comfortable position at number 15 on the log with 13 points from three wins.

In their past four matches, they have three losses to Orlando Pirates, Platinum Stars and neighbours SuperSport United respectively.

However, the students managed to get a point against Free State Stars and going to their rivals, Bartlett will have to motivate his charges.

AmaTuks will have to go all out to reverse their 1-0 defeat in the first round at home as they are now facing relegation.

Tuks striker Thabo Mnyamane says they have to grind out the results, but he believes they have a chance to survive the axe.

“It is a clash of varsities, no one wants to lose this game. Every game that I have played against Wits has been exhilarating," said Mnyamane.

"The students come out in numbers to the stadium and they all want to see their respective institution winning this encounter.

“There are still a lot of games to play in the league. We know what we have to do at the moment.

"Every one of us knows that we have to grind out results in every match we play.”