Andoni Iraola expressed deep regret over the injury sustained by Joe Gomez during the friendly match between Liverpool and Sunderland in Nashville. This incident added to Iraola's concerns regarding the team's defensive capabilities.
Andoni Iraola expressed deep regret over the injury sustained by Joe Gomez during the friendly match between Liverpool and Sunderland in Nashville. This incident added to Iraola's concerns regarding the team's defensive capabilities.
Iraola led the team in his first match after moving from Bournemouth during the pre-season period, replacing the dismissed Arne Slot. During the game, Liverpool won 4-2 thanks to goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominic Soboslai, Federico Chiesa, and Lewis Kumasa. However, Joe Gomez, who started as a central defender and team captain, was forced off the field in the eighth minute.
Gomez's early departure exacerbated the existing defensive difficulties for Iraola. Furthermore, new player Jeremy Jacke was still recovering from his own fitness issues, and Giovanni Leoni was returning after a long absence. Iraola had previously noted this week that his defensive line was 'very thin.'
Iraola stated that Joe's injury was the 'worst news' since the beginning of his tenure. He mentioned that the team was pleased to have completed the training camp without player losses, but Gomez's loss occurred immediately. Regarding Jeremy, it was decided to let him play cautiously, as he had been unable to feature for a long time due to a shoulder injury. Iraola believes Jeremy will likely play in the last match of the American tour to gain necessary playing time.
Despite the injury problems, Iraola hopes this victory will serve as a good starting point for improving Liverpool's performance in upcoming matches against Wrexham in New York and Leeds in Chicago on Thursday. He admitted that much needs to be corrected at the start of the season, and players felt tired after training, leading to a lack of freshness. Nevertheless, he believes this will give them a good start for further progress.
Khalil Ben Youssef, the coach of Durban City, stated the necessity of bringing in additional players to help the team successfully manage a demanding schedule that includes participation in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The newly appointed coach of Durban City emphasized that the team requires more footballers to have a chance of success in the CAF Confederation Cup this season. Adding depth to the squad will help the 'Citizens' in the upcoming season, as they participate in several tournaments, including the Betway Premiership, MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and CAF Confederation Cup.
According to Youssef, acquiring players such as Sandile Shandu and Gaston Sirino would be extremely valuable this season due to their experience in CAF competitions.
These statements were made after Durban City lost 5-4 on penalties in the KZN Premier Cup on Saturday. Ben Youssef noted that the team met expectations before the match. He added that the team played very well in the first and second halves, but in the final third of the field, he felt they lacked creativity and decisiveness.
He also highly praised the defensive play, noting that the opponent did not create many chances. This match served as a good test to assess the current level of the team before the championship against Sekhukhune.
Although Youssef expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, he believes they lack two or three players to provide greater confidence in the squad. Since many competitions are scheduled for the season, additional players are needed for rotation. Last season, Durban City succeeded by winning the Nedbank Cup and receiving a prize money of 7 million rand, funds which are expected to have been used to bring in former Chiefs coach Ben Youssef and Sirino.
Ben Youssef also commented that last year's squad had a good foundation, but required refinement in the attacking zone. He mentioned that Jean Lubumba was one of the few attacking players in a team known for its solid defense. Durban's main task this season will be scoring goals and finding spaces between the league's best defensive lines.
Explaining his hiring decision, Ben Youssef clarified that the choice was not based on personal knowledge of players like Morris and Sirino, but on the need for footballers with African playing experience. He stressed that when participating in the Confederation Cup, there must be at least three players familiar with the tournament to support the others, and attracting such players will increase team confidence.
AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zweyn has denied rumors of a potential departure from the club, stating his full dedication to the long-term project in Usuthu following an impressive fourth-place finish in the Betway Premier League season.
Zweyn previously joined AmaZulu in 2024 as a co-coach alongside Vosumuzi Vilakazi before taking sole responsibility for the first team. In his first full season under Zweyn's guidance, the team achieved fourth place in the Betway Premiership but failed to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.
Reports suggest that his successful work attracted the attention of Sekhukhune United, as there were indications that the Limpopo-based team had offered a more lucrative financial proposal, attempting to lure him away from Durban.
Speaking on Ukhozi FM radio, Zweyn acknowledged that speculation is inevitable at the end of every season, but emphasized that neither he nor the club's management ever doubted his continued presence at AmaZulu. He noted that although there are discussions about the coach's performance, the president and CEO always knew the club's plan.
Zweyn explained that the lack of panic among the technical staff or himself is because the project was presented to him by President Sandile Zungu upon his appointment. He stated that the vision presented by the club was so significant that he could not refuse it, regardless of external interests.
Referring to his playing experience, Zweyn stressed that patience and loyalty have been key to his success, and he believes these principles apply to coaching as well. He added that, like the players who approached him, he always knew what he wanted and chose it, which helped him build a long career.
He advised against chasing anything if the current workplace provides support. The 51-year-old coach described AmaZulu as a club where he sees an opportunity for further professional growth. Zweyn believes that the AmaZulu project possesses a 'spirit of God' and is capable of fostering his development. He concluded that no offers, even with huge sums of money, would change his decision, as he feels good in the KwaZulu-Natal province and knows it will bring him pride and allow him to continue growing.
Abu Dhabi has become a gathering place for MMA fans thanks to the UFC event held at the iconic Etihad Arena. Spectators arrived through various means: some crossed the border on foot, while others flew in from Europe, Africa, and Central Asia.
Upon entering the Etihad Arena on Saturday evening, many languages were heard, including Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Polish, Kazakh, Uzbek, and English. Fans traveled thousands of kilometers to attend the UFC Abu Dhabi event.
Tariq Al-Balushi traveled from Sohar in Oman to support Magomed Zhanyukov, known as Chanko. He noted that hosting the UFC in Abu Dhabi is incredible, and they plan to return on Monday.
Rohan Sharma flew in from Pune, stating that the three-hour flight made Abu Dhabi an ideal destination for a UFC-focused weekend. He emphasized the rapid growth of MMA in India and the admiration for the chance to see world fighters up close.
Daniyar Kasymov came from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to support Central Asian fighters. According to him, Abu Dhabi has become a landmark meeting point for fans from across the region, as Central Asian fighters are actively conquering the UFC.
Mateusz Kowalski flew in from Poland, turning a week of fights into a vacation. He highly praised the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi, noting that it differs from events in Europe, and planned his time with beach activities during the day and fights in the evening.
Kofi Mansa from Accra, Ghana, came to support African MMA. He expressed hope for the quick return of the UFC to Africa but currently considers Abu Dhabi a place where fans gather from all corners of the world.
Among the loudest cheers on fight night for the main card was the support for Chanko and Magomed Ankalaev. Shamil Magomedov, who arrived from Makhachkala in Dagestan, stated that the trip was worth every kilometer after watching his compatriot's dominant performance.
He noted Chanko's and Magomed's complete mastery, adding that Ankalaev demonstrates power in boxing and wrestling, and believes the next goal is the championship title.
