*Evening News Round-up: Wednesday 22 January 2025* *Headlines* *2030 Term Extension: Churches Warn ED Against Constitutional Coup* *HCC Spent US$11,000 On Newpaper subscriptions & Gadgets In A US$131,000 Package For Suspended Official* *ZNCC Frets Over The Scarcity Of USD Sellers On Interbank Market* *Man Faces Murder After Pushing Colleague Into Mine Shaft In Row Over $10* *Zanu PF, CCC To Share ZiG$170m In 2025 Political Party Funding* *Lower Six Classes To Start On January 27* *South Africa Inflation Ticks Up But Rate Cut Still Seen Next Week* *Kenya Drops ETA Visa Pre-authorisation For Nearly All African Visitors* *Trump Delivers Fresh Tariff Threats Against EU & China* *Xi & Putin Hold Video Call After Trump's Inauguration* *The Nigerian Pastors Who Went To US For Trump Inauguration* *Facebook, X, YouTube To Do More Against Online Hate Speech, EU Says* *'Elite Mindset': Salah Hits 50th European Goal For Liverpool* *I Won't Be Deluded About Man Utd Problems: Amorim* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *2030 Term Extension: Churches Warn ED Against Constitutional Coup* Churches on Tuesday urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to “resist the temptation” of seeking a third term when his second and final five-year term expires in 2028, warning that this would be a coup against the constitution. Mnangagwa has publicly stated that he has no plan to stay on beyond 2028, which would require a constitutional amendment and a public referendum. The Zanu PF leader has however done nothing to quell the lobby by his loyalists for him to stay on at least until 2030, or seek a full term through 2033. “The call to extend the presidential term limits and postpone the 2028 elections is an invitation for the president to be a co-conspirator in overthrowing the constitution of the country which the president is elected to uphold, respect and defend,” the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) said in a statement. ZHOCD brings together heads of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Evangelical Fellowship in Zimbabwe and the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa. The church leaders said they “took relief from the consistent remarks” made by Mnangagwa affirming his commitment to uphold the constitution, but they expressed concern about “the recent pronouncements by some MPs and political activists urging the president to extend his term of office beyond 2028.” The church leaders added: “The ZHOCD prayerfully urges the president to resist the calls and the temptation… for the greater good of the country. “As the Church, we encourage the president to adhere to the constitutional term limits, and to support a peaceful transition of power in the year 2028 following free, fair and credible elections.” The bishops warned that the proposal to extend Mnangagwa’s term “may irretrievably erode public trust in the electoral processes in Zimbabwe and would destabilise the country at a time when unity and peace are most needed for our economic and social transformation.” They urged Mnangagwa to prioritise electoral reforms “and ensuring regular free and fair elections to ensure accountability, transparency and the peaceful transfer of power.” The push for a third term for Mnangagwa has united his opposition rivals who have vowed to mobilise for a “no” vote when the matter is put to a referendum. *ZimLive* *HCC Spent US$11,000 On Newpaper subscriptions & Gadgets In A US$131,000 Package For Suspended Official* HARARE City Council’s top official Mathew Marara has opened a can of worms with revelations that he benefited from an unlawful process at the Municipality that rewarded him with over US$100,000. Marara, who was suspended from his duties at the City Council from December 2020 to May 2023, was controversially compensated by the cash-strapped municipality for the period he was absent from duty. The process through which he was compensated raises questions about its legality. Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume established a negotiation panel to determine the amount of money the City would pay Marara. Appearing before the Commission of Inquiry Tuesday, Marara revealed that the panel reached an agreement to pay him US$131,000. The money included an astonishing US$3,256 as compensation for newspaper subscriptions, US$3,700 for a laptop, US$2,550 for a cell phone, and US$1,920 for an iPad among other benefits. The inflated prices for Marara’s benefits raise concerns of corruption and mismanagement at the HCC. However, the embattled Marara defended the payment saying he was entitled to the compensation. “There were dues I was supposed to be given. By the time I was not at work, I was supposed to get these newspapers when I was at work so I am used to reading newspapers so I continued buying newspapers on my own. So I was reimbursed,” said Marara. Marara’s controversial compensation comes at a time when the City of Harare is struggling to provide basic services to residents, citing a severe lack of funds. This also adds to the ongoing financial controversy surrounding Marara, who previously told the retired Justice Maphios Cheda led the Commission of Inquiry that he earns US$12,000. This salary is for a position specifically created for him within the City Council under questionable circumstances. Marara told the Commission that other employees before him benefited from the inflated compensation compensation package, and a precedent had been set. “There are a number of employees in the City of Harare who have similar deeds. It did not start with me. I put in my grievances and if the employer then chooses how to handle my grievance I did not see any problem with it. “I could have benefited or not benefited. It was a negotiation. It was not given that I was going to benefit. They could have refused to give me everything. Before I came to do this deed of settlement there were other employees, one example is Dr Chimombe, and Tendai Kwenda. They had committees set of a similar nature. “They are the ones who even gave benchmarks with regards to even the prices for gadgets. We just took them from what was set as the precedence in other negotiating platforms that were done,” he said. *NewZW* *ZNCC Frets Over The Scarcity Of USD Sellers On Interbank Market* The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has raised concerns regarding the scarcity of United States dollar sellers on the Willing Buyer Willing Seller (WBWS) platform. This shortage, they argue, is hindering the productive sector’s ability to perform optimally. In January 2024, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) transitioned from the Foreign Exchange Auction System to the WBWS model, envisaging it as a more accurate reflection of the market exchange rate. However, the ZNCC’s latest State of Industry and Commerce tracker indicates that the WBWS platform is predominantly populated by foreign exchange buyers rather than sellers. This imbalance in market participants is creating challenges for the productive sector, which relies heavily on access to foreign currency for its operations. The ZNCC report reads in part: After the January 2024 disbandment of the Auction System, some firms have been getting foreign currency on the interbank market on a Willing Buyer Willing Seller (WBWS) model. The lack of willing sellers on the formal market has meant that the WBWS has not been able to meet the foreign currency demand by firms, thus curtailing the achievement of maximum productive capacity and in turn depressing general economic activities. The ZNCC is a non-profit, membership-based organization that advocates for its members’ interests and promotes economic growth by empowering businesses. *Pindula* *Man Faces Murder After Pushing Colleague Into Mine Shaft In Row Over $10* A 34-year-old man faces murder after he allegedly plunged his colleague into a Mazowe mine shaft following an argument over US$10. Police confirmed they have arrested Rynos Makwembere, the suspect in a case of murder which occurred on 20 January 2025 at SOS Claim, Jumbo Mine. “The victim, Claude Nyamatope, 37, fell into a disused mine shaft and died on the spot after being pushed by the suspect following a misunderstanding over US$10,” police posted Tuesday on X. The duo, according to police, had received payment for constructing a shed at the mine, but the suspect allegedly withheld the victim’s share. *ZimLive* *Zanu PF, CCC To Share ZiG$170m In 2025 Political Party Funding* Zanu PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are set to share ZiG$170 million allocated by Treasury in the National Budget for political party funding under the Political Parties Finance Act. The funds, reserved for parties meeting the five percent voter threshold in a general election, will be distributed based on the number of National Assembly seats secured by each party. According to Treasury's blue book, which outlines detailed budget allocations, Zanu PF will receive the lion’s share due to its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. The ruling party, which secured 137 geographical constituencies in the August 2023 general elections, is set to get approximately ZiG$111 million. The CCC, with 73 seats, will receive around ZiG$59 million. Zanu PF’s director of information and publicity, Cde Farai Marapira, welcomed the funding, highlighting its importance in supporting party activities. “These funds enable us to rejuvenate and revamp our party. They assist in gathering grassroots feedback, communicating leadership positions, and covering operational costs like office bills,” he said. CCC spokesperson Advocate Nqobizitha Mlilo noted the opposition party's appreciation for the funding but reserved substantive comments until the funds are disbursed. The Political Parties Finance Act was introduced to curb foreign influence on domestic politics, which had been rampant when opposition parties such as the MDC reportedly received funding from foreign entities. Under the Act, parties can receive funds through government grants, party card sales, local donations, and fundraising. Additionally, the government has proposed the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill, which aims to restrict non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from engaging in political campaigning. The Bill, currently before Parliament, follows allegations that some NGOs have acted as conduits for foreign interference and illegal activities. *Lower Six Classes To Start On January 27* Lower Six (Form 5) classes will begin on January 27 after the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) released the November 2024 O’ Level results last Friday. The Primary and Secondary Education Secretary, Moses Mhike, confirmed the date in a statement on Monday. Said Mhike: The commencement date for the 2025 lower sixth classes is Monday, the 27th of January 2025. Please ensure that all Heads of schools, teachers, parents and pupils are advised of this date. The fees payable by the lower six pupils will be on a pro-rata basis to the approved Term One fees for each school, given by the following formula: Number of days remaining in Term 1 2025 x total approved term 1 Fees Number of days in Term 1 2025. All schools are expected to commence Lower Six classes on the given date. ZIMSEC released the 2024 Ordinary Level results last week, with a 33.19% pass rate. *Pindula* *South Africa Inflation Ticks Up But Rate Cut Still Seen Next Week* South Africa's inflation rate rose for the second month in a row in December but by less than expected, with analysts saying the central bank was still likely to deliver another interest rate cut next week. Headline consumer inflation ticked up to 3.0% year on year in December from 2.9% in November with housing and food major contributors, Statistics South Africa data on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a rate of 3.2%, still well below 4.5% - the level the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) aims for. "The smaller-than-expected rise in South Africa's headline inflation rate ... combined with the recent recovery in the rand, supports our view that the SARB can continue with its easing cycle," said David Omojomolo, Africa economist at Capital Economics. Average inflation for 2024 was 4.4%, the lowest level in four years. Economists expect the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to deliver another 25 basis-point rate cut at its next policy announcement on Jan. 30. It cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its last two policy meetings in September and November. Annual core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, came in below expectations at 3.6% in December, reflecting modest underlying price pressures. "We expect inflation to drift higher in 2025 but remain below 4.5% for most of the year. The upward pressure will mainly emanate from food and fuel prices," Nedbank economists said in a research note. *Reuters* *Kenya Drops ETA Visa Pre-authorisation For Nearly All African Visitors* Kenya will allow citizens of nearly all African countries to visit without needing prior authorisation, according to a new directive by the cabinet. Last year, Kenya introduced a "visa-free" policy that required most visitors to apply online for authorisation before leaving their country. But the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which replaced the visa requirement for all visitors, was criticised as a "visa under another name". On Tuesday, a cabinet statement said the ETA would be dropped for "all African countries except Somalia and Libya - due to security concerns". It said this was part of "efforts to support open skies policies and tourism growth" and "promote regional integration and ease travel across the continent". Despite introducing the ETA, Kenya fared worse in the latest ranking of how open it is to visitors, dropping 17 places to 46th out of 54 nations in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index. Several African countries have tried to ease travel requirements for visitors from elsewhere on the continent in recent years, with studies showing it is often easier for citizens of Western countries to visit. Earlier this year, Ghana said all African passport holders would now be able to visit without needing a visa. African visitors to Rwanda also do not need a visa to enter the country. The move to facilitate travel within the continent is also being pushed by the African Union (AU). Under the updated system, citizens of most African countries will be allowed to enter Kenya and stay ETA-free for up to two months. Members of the East African Community, which include Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, can however stay for up to six months in line with the bloc's policy. Kenya also says it will introduce an enhanced process "allowing travellers to receive approval instantly" and a maximum processing time of 72 hours. It is not clear when this will take effect. Several ministries have been tasked to propose guidelines within a week to improve "travellers experience at all Kenyan airports", according to the cabinet statement. Before the introduction of the ETA, visitors from more than 40 countries including several from Africa, were able to arrive in Kenya, get a stamp in their passport and enter without paying anything. All travellers must now apply and pay for an ETA at least three days before their trip to Kenya, unless they are citizens of an exempted country. The ETA fee is $30 (£24) and valid for 90 days. The policy has faced criticism with some noting that it could make it more difficult for potential visitors to come to the country. Kenya has indicated there was a security element to the introduction of the new system, with the government spokesman telling the BBC last year that it was necessary for vetting travellers. The country has been targeted by al-Shabab jihadist militants from neighbouring Somalia in several notorious attacks. On Tuesday, the government said it was also introducing a system that would enhance "pre-screening, strengthen security, and streamline passenger processing at entry points". *BBC* *Trump Delivers Fresh Tariff Threats Against EU & China* U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs and said his administration was discussing a 10% punitive duty on Chinese imports because fentanyl is being sent from China to the U.S. via Mexico and Canada. Trump voiced his latest tariff threats in remarks to reporters at the White House a day after taking office without immediately imposing tariffs as he had promised during his campaign. Financial markets and trade groups exhaled briefly on Tuesday, but his latest comments underscored Trump's longstanding desire for broader duties and a new Feb. 1 deadline for 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico, as well as duties on China and the EU. Trump said the EU and other countries also had troubling trade surpluses with the United States. "The European Union is very, very bad to us," he said, repeating comments made Monday. "So they're going to be in for tariffs. It's the only way ... you're going to get fairness." Trump said on Monday that he was considering imposing the duties on Canada and Mexico unless they clamped down on the trafficking of illegal migrants and fentanyl, including precursor chemicals from China, across their U.S. borders. Trump had previously threatened a 10% duty on Chinese imports because of the trade, but realigned that with the Feb. 1 deadline. China said it was willing to maintain communication with the U.S. to "properly handle differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation". It sought to promote stable and sustainable ties with the U.S., the foreign ministry said. "We always believe that there is no winner in a trade war or tariff war. China will always firmly safeguard its national interests," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a regular press briefing on Wednesday. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNBC early on Tuesday that Trump's Canada and Mexico tariff threat was to pressure the two countries to stop illegal migrants and illicit drugs from entering the U.S. "The reason why he's considering 25, 25 and 10 (percent), or whatever it's going to be, on Canada, Mexico and China, is because 300 Americans die every day" from fentanyl overdoses, Navarro said. Trump on Monday announced a sweeping immigration crackdown, including a broad ban on asylum. Mexico and Canada struck conciliatory tones in response to Trump's Feb. 1 deadline. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she would emphasize Mexico's sovereignty and independence and would respond to U.S. actions "step by step". But she added that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement was not up for renegotiation until 2026, a comment aimed at pre-empting suggestions that Trump will seek an early revamp of the pact that underpins more than $1.8 trillion in annual three-way trade. Corn farmers are worried about U.S. tariffs and retaliatory duties disrupting trade with Mexico, their top export customer for corn, and with Canada, the top export customer for U.S. corn-derived ethanol. "We understand that he is a negotiating type of person," Illinois farmer Kenny Hartman Jr, board president of the National Corn Growers Association, said of Trump. "We're just hoping that we can come out of this where we don't lose the exports - we don't lose that corn going to Mexico or that ethanol going to Canada." *Reuters* *Xi & Putin Hold Video Call After Trump's Inauguration* Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a video call hours after Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday, pledging to bring bilateral ties to "greater heights", according to state media on both sides. Calling Xi a "dear friend", Putin said Russia and China were building ties "on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support" despite external pressure. Xi called on Putin to "continue deepening strategic coordination, firming up mutual support, and safeguarding legitimate interests". Trump on Tuesday threatened tariffs on Beijing, calling it "an abuser", and warned that "big trouble" will come for Moscow if it does not strike a deal to end war in Ukraine. Putin told Xi, however, that any Ukraine settlement "must respect Russian interests", according to foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov who spoke to reporters after the call. Beijing has been accused of building up Moscow's war machine by providing it with critical components for the conflict in Ukraine. Trade between both countries reached a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, up more than 64% since 2021 - before Russia invaded Ukraine. "Putin and Xi confirmed readiness to build relations with the US on a mutually beneficial and respectful basis, if the Trump team shows an interest", Ushakov said. He also said, however, that the call was "not connected with Trump's inauguration in any way". The call lasted about one-and-a-half hours, during which Putin and Xi also discussed the situations in the Middle East, South Korea and Taiwan, according to Ushakov. Chinese state media said Xi also expressed readiness to work with Putin in response to "external uncertainties", without mentioning specifics. Xi held a phone call with Trump last week, which the US president described as a "very good" discussion for both countries. They spoke about trade, fentanyl and TikTok, among other things, he said. Putin has yet to speak with Trump, but congratulated him on state television hours before the inauguration. *BBC* *The Nigerian Pastors Who Went To US For Trump Inauguration* Two high-profile Nigerian clerics took part in events surrounding the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Monday. The visits of Pastors William Kumuyi and Nathaniel Bassey served to underscore the ties between Christian evangelicalism and the incoming US administration. Trump could leverage his popularity among some religious Christians on the African continent as an alternative way to boost his influence to the more traditional channels, an analyst has told the BBC. Pastor Kumuyi was invited to Trump's swearing-in ceremony though was unable to attend after the event was moved inside due to harsh weather. Instead he spent time at a prayer service for the incoming president, as well as meeting political groups. His invitation to the inauguration was unusual. Although Trump broke tradition by inviting world leaders from countries including China, Italy and Argentina, there were no African heads of state on the guest list. Outside of the official schedule, the well-known Nigerian gospel minister, Nathaniel Bassey, performed at the US Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning. The non-political, faith-based event was held ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, though it was not part of the official celebrations, and the president-elect did not attend. A former maths professor, Pastor Kumuyi is the founder of Deeper Life Bible Church and the convener of the worldwide evangelistic ministry, the Global Crusade With Kumuyi. The Global Crusade says its church has 120,000 attendees every week. Having travelled to Washington DC, Pastor Kumuyi posted on X that he met congressmen from the powerful conservative youth group Turning Point USA to discuss how they can "partner together for global evangelism". On Sunday, he delivered a prayer at the Inauguration Praise & Prayer Convocation hosted by US pastor Jim Garlow and Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council, a US evangelical organisation. Nathaniel Bassey is a Nigerian singer, pastor, trumpeter, music producer and gospel songwriter from Akwa Ibom state, southern Nigeria. He has earned global recognition through his music and worship programme Hallelujah Challenge on social media, with almost four million followers on Instagram. The musician says he started his online praise and prayer sessions in 2017 to connect Christians worldwide. Although he refers to himself as a pastor, he is most widely recognised as a gospel artist. He is also a youth pastor and music minister at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, Nigeria. Pastor Bassey was the only African artist who performed at the Prayer Breakfast event in honour of Trump and Vance. In a statement from the Global Crusade ministry, Pastor Kumuyi said he was participating in inauguration-related festivities to "celebrate a return to religious freedom in America and support for other nations in combatting religious persecution". Trump is popular with evangelical Christian voters in the US and has promised to uphold Christian values. In 2019, during his first presidential term, Trump hosted the first meeting of foreign ministers focused solely on religious freedom. In a 2020 Executive Order, he wrote that "religious freedom for all people worldwide is a foreign policy priority of the United States". Dion Forster, professor of public theology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, says both Trump and Pastor Kumuyi will benefit from the Nigerian's invitation to the inauguration. He says Pastor Kumuyi can demonstrate that he is a friend to the most powerful man in the world. For his part Trump and his team can use the pastor's popularity to gain influence, the professor argues. "The genius - and I hate to use that word - of the Trump political machine is that they really know how to work outside the traditional structures of national politics," he says. "Where [former President] Joe Biden would have set up connections with ambassadors, senior business leaders, Trump's the kind of guy who asks 'where does the power lie outside of those structures? And how can I bring those kinds of people closer to me?'" Caleb Okereke, founder and editor of Minority Africa, agrees that the backing of popular religious figures like Pastors Kumuyi and Bassey could help Trump gain popular support on the African continent. Mr Okereke believes shared political views unite US conservatives and African evangelists. "There's a marrying of global conservative ideals so I think Pastor Kumuyi and Pastor Nathaniel Bassey are only a small representation of what I think is a huge alignment between US politics and politics on the continent," he says. "I see them as a signifier of something that is much more entrenched, which is this agenda of aligning on the hatred of LGBTQ+ populations." However he believes there is a "cognitive dissonance" in Africa when it comes to Trump. He points to the US president referring to African nations as "shithole countries" and restricting immigration from several states on the continent, including Nigeria, as part of a controversial travel ban during his first term. "I am amazed at how much gender, sexuality almost blinds everybody to whatever else they're saying," he says. *BBC* *Facebook, X, YouTube To Do More Against Online Hate Speech, EU Says* Facebook, Elon Musk's X, Google's YouTube and other tech companies have agreed to do more to tackle online hate speech under an updated code of conduct that will now be integrated into EU tech rules, the European Commission said on Monday. Other signatories to the voluntary code set up in May 2016 are Dailymotion, Instagram, Jeuxvideo.com, LinkedIn, Microsoft hosted consumer services, Snapchat, Rakuten Viber, TikTok and Twitch. "In Europe there is no place for illegal hate, either offline or online. I welcome the stakeholders' commitment to a strengthened Code of conduct under the Digital Services Act (DSA)," EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen said in a statement. The DSA requires tech companies to do more to combat illegal and harmful content on their platforms. Compliance with the updated code could impact regulators' enforcement of the Act, EU officials said. Under the revised code, the companies pledged to allow not-for-profit or public entities with expertise on illegal hate speech to monitor how they review hate speech notices, and to assess at least two thirds of these notices received from them within 24 hours. The companies will also take measures, such as the use automatic detection tools to reduce hate speech on their platforms, and provide information on the role of recommendation systems and the organic and algorithmic reach of illegal content prior to its removal. They will present country-level data broken down by the internal classification of hate speech such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. *Reuters* *'Elite Mindset': Salah Hits 50th European Goal For Liverpool* Another day, another Mohamed Salah goal and another Liverpool win. The Egypt forward has now scored three Champions League goals this season and 22 in 31 games in all competitions. He has also set up another 17 for team-mates and his total of 39 goal involvements is the highest of any player in Europe's big five leagues. His latest goal set Liverpool on their way to victory against Lille and to securing their place in the Champions League last 16. It was a nonchalant finish as he latched on to Curtis Jones' superb through ball and lifted over the advancing Lucas Chevalier. It was his 50th goal in Europe for Liverpool - with 44 coming in the Champions League, five in last season's Europa League and one in Champions League qualifying. His latest strike extends his record as the club's leading European goalscorer and he has now scored 20 Champions League goals at Anfield. Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (23 at Etihad Stadium) and ex-Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy (23 at Old Trafford) are the only players to score more goals in the competition at a specific venue for an English team. "There has always been a smile on Salah's face but it's just that belief in himself that he will score," said former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live. "That's what makes him so dangerous. That's the elite mindset of a player of his calibre." He has also been directly involved in 18 goals in 15 appearances at Anfield this season (10 goals, eight assists in all competitions). "He is a real talisman for Liverpool," said former Reds striker Robbie Fowler on Amazon Prime. "He is a game winner. He is very comfortable in front of goal. "He is one of those players that if he misses a chance, he is not fazed because the next one he will score. "We wax lyrical about Mohamed Salah and know what he is capable of." Speaking to Amazon Prime, Salah said: "Hopefully [it's] not the last one but I'm very proud of it. I wasn't focused on it before the game." The 32-year-old's long-term future at Anfield has been a constant talking point, as he has yet to sign an extension to his contract that expires at the end of this season. At the end of December, Salah said an agreement was "far away" but former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia said the "situation is not affecting him". "He has never said he wants to leave," said Garcia on Amazon Prime. "The club never said he wants to leave. I think they are trying to give him normality. Week in, week out he is delivering, he is scoring. So this situation is not affecting him." *BBC* *I Won't Be Deluded About Man Utd Problems: Amorim* Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has stepped back from his description of his team as "maybe" the worst side in the club's history but said it would be "delusional" to think they do not have major problems. Amorim said he made a mistake by ripping into his players immediately after the 3-1 home defeat against Brighton on Sunday, which he felt then led to his press conference outburst afterwards. Asked about the storm his comments created before United's Europa League game against Rangers, Amorim said he was talking more about himself than his players. But he also accepted results since he took over in November – 11 points and six defeats from 11 Premier League games – were not good enough. "I was talking more for myself than for my players," he said. "But sometimes it is really hard to hide my frustration in that moment. "The good thing is I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before. The response was quite normal because I'm really blunt with my players. "Normally I don't talk (to the players) after a game. After this game, I needed to talk. Maybe it was a mistake because then I got more nervous, went to the press conference really nervous and said things I shouldn't say." However, Amorim did not say he regretted the general observation that his team is in major trouble. While three successive victories have put United in a good position to secure a top-eight berth and direct entry to the Europa League's last 16, they are out of the League Cup and are 13th in the Premier League. Amorim believes it would be unhelpful to try to disguise the fact there are significant issues that must be resolved. "I am not taking the responsibility from the players," he said. "I am saying, and I am really direct in these things, at this moment we are performing really badly and our results are really bad. "I'm saying the obvious. If you want, I can be delusional and say different things. But I say it as I saw it. "I think it is a good thing to be really honest. You saw one thing, I saw one thing. If you are in the stadium you can understand it. So let's face it and work on it." However, Amorim and defender Harry Maguire have different explanations as to why United have been so poor - particularly at Old Trafford, where they have lost four of their last five league games. United's six defeats in their opening 12 home league games is their worst performance since 1893-94. Amorim focused on the anxiety that ripples through his team when they play on home soil. "It's clear," he said. "We are more nervous playing at home than away and it's getting harder." However England defender Maguire pointed to United going behind in all of their last five league games - including in three of them conceding within five minutes. "If I could explain it, we'd change it straightaway," said Maguire. "We have players who have won lots of trophies in club football but we are not playing well enough as a team. "We gave Brighton a goal. We had spoken about it pre-match. The first goal against Nottingham Forest was a set play – and against Bournemouth. "These aren't things that are tactically a problem. You have to be mentally ready to win a match. At the moment we are not getting the small margins because we are not mentally focused." Central defender Victor Lindelof has returned to training after missing the previous seven matches while striker Marcus Rashford also took part in the main session despite not featuring since being axed for last month's Manchester derby. Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are also expected to be involved despite being linked with transfer window moves away from the club. *BBC*