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Cape Town Spurs stunned Orlando Pirates in the Mother City on Wednesday,  picking up their first points of the DStv Premiership season with a 2-1 win at the Cape Town Stadium. 

Spurs had lost eight successive matches to start their campaign, after winning promotion to the top flight this season. But Sean Connor’s side went 2-0 up early on, and while Evidence Makgopa pulled a goal back for the Buccaneers before half time, Spurs hung on in the second half for a crucial three points. 

Orlando Pirates have now gone four games without a win and sit in 13th spot on the table with nine points after eight games, their chances of catching league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns getting more remote by the week. 

Spurs remain at the bottom of the table but will hope this result gives their season some momentum. 

The Cape side had a perfect start into the game, opening the scoring in the third minute, with Lubeni Haukongo capitalising on some poor defending from the Buccaneers. 

From then on, the tempo of the game went up with the Buccaneers looking for a response, but the home side’s defence was firm under the leadership of veteran centre back Clayton Daniels.

Pirates managed to sneak into the Spurs box, but Evidence Makgopa failed to put the ball into the back of the net after a good cross from Deon Hotto in the 33^rd minute.

Moments after that incident, the hosts went on to grab the second goal, courtesy of Jarrod Moroole, who made it 2-0 for the home team.

Pirates managed to pull one goal back with Makgopa making up for his earlier miss with a header from close range to make it 2-1 going into half time.

In the second half, the match was more intense as Pirates chased the equaliser. But Spurs were having none of it, as they continued to defend with everything they had to stay in the lead.

Olisa Ndah somehow headed wide from point blank range, Patrick Maswangayi’s turn and shot was brilliantly saved by Sam Ramsbottom, and Vincent Pule headed a cross inches over, but Pirates just couldn’t find another goal.  

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Mason Mount and Alejandro Garnacho will start for Manchester United in the Carabao Cup match against Newcastle United tonight.

Anthony Martial and Hannibal Mejbri are also in the line-up in a much-changed side from the one that lost to Manchester City in the derby this Sunday.

There will be seven changes from that side in total this evening.

Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof keep their places in defence.

Lindelof reverts to LCB with Sergio Reguilon coming in at LB.

Jonny Evans drops to the bench.

Elsewhere the entire line-up is different.

Casemiro returns after injury as the holding midfielder.

Mount and Hannibal play ahead of him, with Antony returning on the right wing and Garnacho on the left, with Martial leading the line.

More to follow …

Bournemouth stand in the way of a quarter-final spot in the League Cup for Liverpool. We’re live to bring you the latest.

Kickoff at Vitality Stadium is 7.45pm (UK), the referee is John Brooks.

Tonight’s blog is run by Sam Millne, get involved by Tweeting @thisisanfield, @sam_millne & in the comments below.

Teams

Bournemouth: Radu; Smith, Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Scott, Philip, Christie; Semenyo, Solanke, Kluivert

Subs: Plain, Aarons, Senesi, Rothwell, Traore, Brooks, Dango, Tavernier, Moore

Liverpool: Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Elliott, Salah, Gakpo

Subs: Adrian, Konate, Van Dijk, Scanlon, Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jota, Nunez

Our coverage updates automatically below:

Liverpool are set to line up at Bournemouth with eight changes from the side that beat Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with Jurgen Klopp rotating again.

The Reds are at Dean Court looking to book a place in the League Cup quarter-finals, taking on Bournemouth for the second time this season already.

A strong side secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Forest on Sunday, and with the trip to Luton to come this weekend, Klopp has rung the changes.

Caoimhin Kelleher is back in goal, replacing Alisson, with the Irishman hoping for his first clean sheet of the season.

Ahead of Kelleher in defence are Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas, with Wataru Endo in as No. 6.

Joining Endo in midfield are Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, whose Premier League ban has ended but requires minutes after a three-match suspension.

Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott flank Cody Gakpo in attack.

Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez are among the options available on Klopp’s bench.

Liverpool: Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Elliott, Salah, Gakpo

Substitutes: Adrian, Konate, Van Dijk, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jota, Gravenberch, Scanlon, Alexander-Arnold

Here’s something to look forward to next decade: eVISA travel for SA to 2034 World Cup. That’s correct, South Africa has just announced eVISA travel and direct flights to the Middle East nation of Saudi Arabia.

TRENDING: THIS car licence renewal service is offering MAJOR discounts

Better still, Saudi Arabia has just been announced as hosts of the 2034 FIFA Football World Cup. According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia was awarded hosting of the 2034 World Cup because it was the only football association that presented a bid for the 2034 tournament.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

As FIFA does, it identified that the 2034 World Cup should be held in the Asia/Oceania region. It therefore invited nations in therein to make a bid for the tournament earlier in October. Saudi Arabia announced its bid only minutes after the announcement.

ALSO READ: South African-designed SHARK barriers gain worldwide acclaim

It was understood that a bid from Australia was forthcoming. However, as the deadline for tournament bids rolled over, Australia released a statement saying it would not put itself in the running. This left Saudi Arabia as the only candidate to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

EVISA TRAVEL BETWEEN OUR NATIONS

Better still, since Saudi Arabia has been welcomed into the BRICS Plus nations, that means eVISA travel for SA to 2034 World Cup. The 2022 World Cup was the first in the Middle East, in Qatar, and was also unique in that it was held in the Northern Hemisphere winter months.

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The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico. In 2030, the 100^th anniversary of the World Cup, the tournament will be held across three continents: Africa, Europe and South America. And six countries: Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay. “This will welcome and unite the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

2034 for SAUDI ARABIA

The combined efforts for 2030 then make way for Saudi Arabi in 2034. Saudi Federation President, Yasser Al Misehal, said its fully committed to fulfil all FIFA requirements for the right to host the World Cup.

ALSO READ: Elite Cape Town Highway Patrol Unit shows impressive results

Are you excited about eVISA travel for SA to 2034 World Cup? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES FROM RAY LEATHERN

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Recently, Manchester United lost one of the mavericks in their history after Sir Bobby Charlton passed away at the age of 86.

Tributes poured in from across the globe as his achievements dictated that he wasn’t just a United legend, but a huge asset to the game of football as well.

A few days after his death, further details on his passing have emerged through an inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court.

The coroner ruled that his death was “accidental”.

Sir Bobby lost his balance while getting up from a chair, striking a window sill and “possibly a radiator”.

He was in a care home for dementia patients in The Willows in Knutsford and needed help with all aspects of his life.

After the fall, no immediate scars or injuries were visible but it was later found that he had broken some of his ribs.

This swelling on his back told the doctors that he would be likely to develop pneumonia and should be put on end-of-life care.

He passed away five days after being put on this care surrounded by his friends and family.

It is worth noting that Sir Bobby had already braved numerous ailments despite his advancing age.

Apart from developing dementia, he had also beaten off COVID in September, although his advancing age had clearly made him frail.

The coroner ruled the final cause of his death as “trauma in the lungs, fall, and dementia”.

United have given him various tributes since his passing and fans came in thousands to send their heartfelt messages to a man who had a huge role in making Manchester United what it is today.

Mamelodi Sundowns are in Cairo for the return leg of the African Football League semi-final against Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Wednesday.

Also read | Orlando Pirates boosted by the return of Premier League trialist

Kick-off is at 20:00.

The Brazilians put one foot into the final by beating Al Ahly 1-0 in the first leg which was played at Loftus Versveld Stadium, thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s goal.

Also read | Orlando Pirates to face Cape Town Spurs without three stars

Now, all that Sundowns need is either a draw or a win to book their place in the African Football League final and set sights on the ultimate prize.

Also read | Kaizer Chiefs lay criminal charges against their own fans

Al Ahly need to win by a two-goal margin or more to advance to the final, but a 1-0 win for them will see the match head into extra time and possibly penalties.

Are you an Amakhosi fan? Click to read the latest Kaizer Chiefs news

AL AHLY VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: HOW TO WATCH THE GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA

This titanic clash between Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns will be screened LIVE on SABC Sport channel S3 at 20:00.

Also read | Kaizer Chiefs news: Petersen shielded, no hint he could be dropped

The public broadcaster acquired the rights to broadcast all the African Football League matches, meaning the final will also be available on their platforms whether Sundowns advanced or not.

ALSO READ | Kaizer Chiefs hit hard by the PSL

The South African website will also ensure that you don’t miss any action, especially the result with a comprehensive match report published after the game.

READ ALL FOOTBALL RELATED STORIES BY ERNEST MAKHAYA HERE…

Liverpool are on the south coast tonight as they face Bournemouth in the League Cup fourth round. Here is how to watch on TV and stream online worldwide.

After seeing off Leicester in the third round, the Reds were drawn against Premier League opposition for the next stage of the League Cup.

Standing between Jurgen Klopp‘s in-form side and a place in the quarter-finals are Bournemouth, who arrive on the back of their first league win of the campaign.

Bournemouth already suffered a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the league back in August, but Klopp and his players will not be underestimating them in the cup.

Check This Is Anfield for the latest team news ahead of the match.

You can also follow the game by downloading the This is Anfield app, including lineups, live coverage and all the reaction and analysis.

The match gets underway at 7.45pm (GMT) – or 3.45pm in New York, 12.45pm in Los Angeles, 6.45am (Thursday) in Sydney, 11.45pm in Dubai and 10.45pm in Nairobi.

UK Viewers

Bournemouth vs. Liverpool is not live on TV in the UK, but live audio commentary and a full match replay and highlights will be available on LFCTV GO here.

This Is Anfield will also be providing live text commentary throughout on our website and full match reaction and analysis on the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android later.

Download free here.

US Viewers

Bournemouth vs. Liverpool is being shown live on ESPN+ in the US, which is available to live stream here.

This Is Anfield will also be providing live text commentary throughout on our website and full match reaction and analysis on the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android later.

Download free here.

Canada Viewers

Bournemouth vs. Liverpool is being shown live on DAZN in Canada, which is available to live stream with here.

This Is Anfield will also be providing live text commentary throughout on our website and full match reaction and analysis on the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android later.

Download free here.

Worldwide

Live audio commentary of Bournemouth vs. Liverpool and a full match replay and highlights will also be available on LFCTV GO here.

Check our Rest of the World TV guide below for a list of TV broadcasters showing the match live.

This Is Anfield will also be providing live text commentary throughout on our website and full match reaction and analysis on the This Is Anfield app for iPhone and Android later.

Download free here.

Rest of the World

Supporters can find Liverpool’s League Cup clash on the following channels worldwide:

SuperSport 3 Digitalb, DStv Now, SuperSport GOtv Select 1, SuperSport MaXimo 3, SuperSport Variety 3, ESPNPlay Caribbean, Star+, beIN Sports Connect, DAZN Austria, Arena Sport 3P, Arena Sport 4, Moja TV, NOW NET e Claro, GUIGO, ESPN2, Diema Sport 2, Play Diema Xtra, Arena Sport 7 Croatia, Cytavision on the Go, Cytavision Sports 6, TV3 MAX, Viaplay Denmark, Viaplay Estonia, V Sport+ Finland, Elisa Viihde Viaplay, V Sport Football, beIN Sports MAX 5, beIN Sports MAX 4, Setanta Sports 3 Georgia, DAZN Germany, Arena4, Viaplay Iceland, Mola, DAZN Italia, DAZN Japan, Setanta Sports Kazakhstan, Viaplay Latvia, Viaplay Lithuania, Arena 3 Premium, Viaplay Netherlands, Viaplay Norway, V Sport 1, Sport TV4, Digi Sport 4 Romania, Digi Online, Arena Sport 1 Slovenia, Viaplay Sweden, DAZN Switzerland

You can follow all of tonight’s action and the whole of the 2023/24 season with us by downloading the This is Anfield app for iPhone and Android for free.

Luis Diaz did not travel for Liverpool’s League Cup fourth-round clash with Bournemouth this evening, as the search for his father continues.

Diaz has not been involved for the Reds since the distressing events of Saturday in his native Colombia, with the winger’s parents kidnapped.

His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was swiftly rescued after roadblocks were set up around the town of Barrancas, but his father, Luis Manuel Diaz, is yet to be found.

On Tuesday, Marulanda led hundreds of locals marching the streets of the Diaz family’s neighbourhood, demanding the release of Diaz Sr.

While police and military continue the search, an arrest has been made for one of the individuals believed to be involved in the kidnapping.

Colombian outlet Cambio reports that the “bell ringer” for the crime was detained at a residence in Barrancas in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It is claimed that the suspect “was the person who kept track of Luis Diaz‘s parents, and who informed the kidnappers about the couple’s movements on Saturday.”

The person detained is also believed to have “alerted the kidnappers about the movements of the police and the army,” but now he will be “key to knowing the whereabouts of his accomplices and returning freedom [to Diaz Sr].”

Cambio adds that Venezuelan authorities have informed their Colombian counterparts that the kidnappers did not cross the border into the country as feared.

Diaz has stayed on Merseyside following the events in his native country, with Liverpool providing staff to care for the player and his family in the UK.

According to the Mail, he has not travelled to Dean Court for Wednesday’s clash with Bournemouth.

“We spoke to Lucho, he wanted to go home, we sent people with him, have people there who take care [of him],” Jurgen Klopp explained on Sunday.

“There are parts of his family there as well, that’s why they want to be together, that’s absolutely understandable.

“We got the news with the mum, which is fantastic, and since then nothing really. They all work on it, clearly.

“It’s quite some distance and we are obviously not the first people who get informed, but we try to get knowledge of everything as much as we can.

“But we don’t want to disturb in any way. We are not the important people there, we just want to support. That’s it.”