Author: Sumer Pal

Rodrigo Hernandez – Rodri and Declan Rice are arguably the best midfielders in the Premier League this year. The Spaniard who has been the `Control Tower` at the Ettihad was given a green card by Pep Guardiola to be his on-game deputy amongst his peers, has been the real driving force, with Manchester City never winning in the past two seasons whenever their giant Spaniard was on the pitch.
This Sunday his usual lovely role will have more to play for, as he faces his PL mirror image Declan Rice. When Arteta brought in their 105m-pound signing from West Ham United, his instructions were clear, `Play like Rodri` in every game and you win your place. Since then the 25-year old Rice has been the `light harbinger` for the Gunners, the link between the defense and forward lines, quietly slipping into alternative roles as per the needs of the moment. Far from being just athletic with his hard tackling reputation, Rice has graduated into a baller`s outfit, scoring his first goal for Arsenal in February against his former club in their worst home defeat (6-0).
These two will certainly light up the game this Sunday with Rodri still wearing his treble outfit of last season, firing in full cylinders, though failing to inspire his mates to even a single win against any front runner this season.
These two away from this game will reduce both intensity and focus, with their presence promising a game of all the stakes, with their individual stats being the hinge point for bookmakers.
By Simon Lyonga

It is obvious that the winners of this Sunday`s clash between two of the three front runners of the Premier League will design the image of the champions this season. A win for the gunners will take the 4 points clear of the defending champions and give them an unprecedented life wire to hold on till the end. The reverse result will hand City the Pole position which could be difficult to take back with just 9 play days to go. City has been on a recent run of 20 wins in 22 games across the board, though critics have been skeptical over their below par show when scaled with their show of strength, pace, mastery and goal scoring spree last season. With Erling Haaland visibly low in inspiration this season, Manchester City seems to be asleep infront of the goal. Not even the presence of talisman Kevin DeBryne made considerable difference with the playmaker struggling for form since returning from a hamstring injury. With Jack Grealish and Bernado Silver far from their trebble-winning shape last season, the weight was shifted to the fragile but maturing shoulders of Fil Foden and the maestra of Rodri – probably the globe`s best in midfield.
With a complete Arsenal team keeping the trophy in vision, the game is set to be the most watched on the planet this weekend. Mikel Arteta`s boys have shown resilience this season, working a tight rope to stand out as the most prolific this far, with the least goals conceeded. After securing a 1/4 final ticket in the UCL, their next target is at least a draw at the Ettihad, why not a win to draw them closer to a 14th league title.
By Simon Lyonga

The highly awaited Premier League summit this Sunday is seen as the turning point of The Premier League this season with the two front runners at daggers drawn despite the distance still to run. 11 games to go each but the rivalry has drawn much attention with just one point separating them on the log, Liverpool in the fore, City hinged in the middle with Arsenal closing up in the triumvirate.
But the excitement could be dampened by the increase in the number of injuries especially for the hosts. Departing gaffer Jurgen Klopp says he still awaits the gravity of the injury of his colossal central defender Ibrahim Konate (picture) whom he pulled out of his Europa League game against Sparta Prague. The French man`s fitness is unsure though he could be lined up if scan results show little to worry about.
Already Klopp will have to field a reduced-powered team as he goes for the fight without regulars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Backer, Diogo Jota, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones. But they welcome Mohammed Salah whose Europa League appearance showed his complete recovery from the injury picked up at the recent Africa Cup of nations in Cote d`Ivoire.
Manchester City are luckier with worries for just Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish. Doku didnot feature in the Champions League game against Copenhagen due to an muscle scare while Grealish is rules off to return only after the International break.
By Simon Lyonga

Sunday`s premier League clash of the two front runners will certainly be the most watched game of recent times, as the title race might take a definite twist when both teams meet at the Anfield. It is the same arena (before multiple rehabilitation) that hosted the first ever clash between the two present day giants of English football. Their maiden meet was on the 2nd December 1893 in the League D2 championship with the hosts piping the visitors 3-0. It was not just another win, as the visitors refused to accept the `shame` just a few months after changing names from Ardwick Fc to Liverpool. Then began the run for revenge, which only came 10 years into the chase, a 3-2 win that sparked celebrations around the city of Manchester.
Since then the two clashed 225 times across competitions, with The Reds leading on the log, 108 wins as against 60 for The Sky Blues, sharing the spoils 60 times.
That will therefore be the slate on which the 226th game will be inscribed this Sunday as the two teams continue the title chase – the 20th for Liverpool and the 10th for Manchester City.
By Simon Lyonga

The Cameroon top flight football league will be in it`s ultimate day this weekend with five tickets for grasp into the `play-off up` championship to determine the champions. 11 teams are up for the 5 places with the balance tilting slightly for Dynamo of Douala and Colombe of the Dja and Lobo in Pool A. Both teams need just a draw to move through in Pool A. While Colombe hosts Aigle Dschang in their last game, Dynamo has a tougher nut to crack as they take on City rivals Union that needs a win to grab a ticket.
In Pool B, leaders Stade Renard of Melong and runners up Cotonsport of Garoua will certainly turn over their teams since both have already qualified alongside Canon of Yaounde. 8 clubs will play in the mini tournament with the winners declared champions of Cameroon.
By Simon Lyonga

The Government of Cameroon has notified the coach of their National Football team Rigobert Song that his contract will not be renewed. In a letter sent to the coach, the sports minister Prof Mouelle Kombi highlighted article 6 of the contract that stipulates that the contract was to end on February 28 2024.
Rigobert Song has been coach of Cameroon since September 2022 and played 23 games with 6 wins, 9 defeats and 8 draws.