Looking for Soccer News?

Chemelil Sugar have been disbanded, just a few months after they were relegated from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

The Sugar belt-based club was axed to the National Super League (NSL) at the end of the 2019-20 season when the top-flight was prematurely ended owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

While the club was preparing to start a new life in the lower league after 24 years in the top stage, Goal has been informed the club has been disbanded and players asked to seek for new clubs.

“It is true that Chemelil Sugar have been disbanded,” a source, who did not want to be named told Goal. “It is a very unfortunate scenario but there is nothing we can do, but what I know is the players have been asked to go including the technical bench.”

Chemelil was among the teams that struggled last season when KPL sponsors SportPesa stopped supporting the league.

In fact, before the league could be stopped because of Covid-19, they were already facing relegation to the lower-tier as they had missed two matches in the league, meaning a third match could have seen them relegated.

Another team which was relegated on similar grounds was Sony Sugar, who missed three matches while Nzoia had missed one match.

The new FKF Premier League season is set to kick-off in November and already Vihiga United have sealed promotion to the top-flight after they beat Kisumu All-Stars 5-3 on post-match penalties.

The two teams had battled to a 3-3 draw in a two-legged affair before Vihiga managed to win on penalties in the return match played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Meanwhile, Vihiga United coach Sammy Okoth has maintained that he will stick with the team that earned his side a promotion slot ahead of the new campaign.

“I don’t want to sign new players as those who won promotion also deserve to play in the league,” Okoth told Goal on Tuesday. “I will strive to keep the team together, and even if I sign, I will only go for new experienced heads, but the team which won us promotion will stay.”

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has apologised for his use of the term “coloured” in a meeting with a parliamentary committee on Tuesday.

Clarke attended the meeting with the UK's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee alongside Premier League chief Richard Masters and EFL boss Rick Parry.

The trio were called to discuss a number of matters in English football, including Project Big Picture and the sport's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

But when asked about abuse athletes receive on social media, Clarke referred to “high-profile coloured footballers” as part of his response.

He also added: “People can see if you're black and if they don't like black people because they are filthy racists, they can abuse you anonymously online.”

Clarke was offered the opportunity to withdraw the “coloured” comment and subsequently apologised.

“If I said it, I deeply apologise,” said Clarke. “I am a product of having working overseas where I worked in the USA for many years where I was required to use the term 'people of colour' because that was a product of their diversity legislature. Sometimes I trip over my words.”

The FA promptly released a statement on the matter, which read: “Greg Clarke is deeply apologetic for the language he used to reference members of the ethnic minority community during the select committee hearing today.

“He acknowledged that using the term 'coloured' is not appropriate and wholeheartedly apologised during the hearing.”

Clarke came under further scrutiny for the wording of comments regarding attracting more individuals from different backgrounds to work in football.

“If you go to the IT department of the FA, there's a lot more South Asians than there are Afro-Caribbeans. They have different career interests,” he said, while also referring to gay players as making a “life choice” and addressing claims that young female goalkeepers do not like having balls hit hard at them.

Executive chair of Kick It Out, Sanjay Bhandari, said Clarke's comments were “lazy”.

“I was particularly concerned by the use of lazy racist stereotypes about South Asians and their supposed career preferences. It reflects similar lazy stereotypes I have heard that have been spouted at club academy level,” Bhandari said.

“Being gay is not a 'life choice' as he claimed too. The casual sexism of saying 'girls' do not like balls hit at them hard, is staggering from anyone, let alone the leader of our national game. It is completely unacceptable.”

Taking charge at Manchester United would be “perfect” for Mauricio Pochettino, says Andros Townsend, with an “incredible” coach considered to tick all the boxes for those at Old Trafford.

There is currently no vacancy to fill there, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remaining at the Red Devils helm.

Questions have, however, been asked of his ongoing presence and consistency will need to be established after the international break if he is to avoid further scrutiny.

Should Solskjaer be sacked, however, there are many tipping Pochettino to step into the void.

The Argentine tactician has been out of work since leaving Tottenham in November 2019, but he is open to offers and actively looking to get back into the dugout.

United have been heavily linked with his services in the past and Townsend feels the South American could be a shrewd appointment.

The former Spurs winger told talkSPORT: “I do think the United job would be perfect for him in the sense of the youngsters they have coming through.

“They continually bring youngsters through the academy. He’d be perfect to nurture them and make them into world-class players like he has done before at Spurs.

“But Ole’s done a good job; he steadied the ship when he came in. He is a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson and he’s building for the future as well, so it’s a tough one.

“Yes, Ole is doing well, but do you want to miss out on a world-class manager like Pochettino?”

Townsend was offloaded to Crystal Palace by Pochettino in 2016, but he holds the 48-year-old in the highest regard and believes any side in world football would benefit from having a proven performer at their helm.

The winger added: “He was incredible. He loves improving players, especially young players. He loves finding little gems in the academy and reserves and making them into household names.

“You’ve seen that with the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli and the players he brought through at Spurs. He’s an incredible manager. Any big club in the world would be lucky to have him.”

Leonardo says Paris Saint-Germain have not considered sacking Thomas Tuchel, even if the club were unhappy with criticism of their transfer business.

Tuchel guided PSG to the Champions League final for the first time last season, also winning a domestic treble, although they were beaten by Bayern Munich in the European showpiece.

But pressure has built on the German coach in the new campaign, which started quickly after the disappointing end to the previous term.

PSG lost their first two Ligue 1 matches amid a coronavirus outbreak and Tuchel then suggested a repeat of 2019-20 could not be expected due to a lack of investment in the playing squad.

The champions have since got their domestic campaign back on track, winning every subsequent match, but Champions League defeats to Manchester United and RB Leipzig have increased scrutiny.

Tuchel, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has not been at risk of losing his job, though, according to sporting director Leonardo.

"We have to support the coach but also say things," Leonardo said in a Q&A on PSG's social media channels.

"With Tuchel, we had a discussion and said we didn't like his statement. We spoke and now the discussion is clear to everyone. Afterwards, there are normal discussions.

"We discuss all the time about who is playing. The situation is clear for everyone. There are internal discussions. We discuss club life and injuries all the time.

"Sometimes the discussions are more heated. It happens. The truth is that, internally, we never changed and tried to make Tuchel leave. We never called anyone. That doesn't exist.

"The role of coach of PSG is envious. But the club never thought of another coach to replace Tuchel.

"Now is the time to focus on our goal, to be together. We have a lot of little worries. We need to focus on the ground, and not waste energy elsewhere.

"The important thing is the Champions League and keeping our position in the league."

While Tuchel was undermined by the club's transfer activity, one player who did arrive was Danilo Pereira, the Porto midfielder, on loan.

Four of Danilo's five starts for PSG have come as a centre-back, however, with defender Marquinhos preferred in the middle of the pitch, prompting much discussion.

The player, coach and Fernando Santos, the Portugal boss, have all had their say, and Leonardo weighed in on Tuesday.

"It is clear that Marquinhos is a central defender and Danilo a defensive midfielder," he said. "Everyone knows it, Tuchel too.

"But then there are choices. [Bruno] N'Gotty, Fabinho and [Javier] Mascherano all played in both positions.

"We had the idea of ​​taking a defensive midfielder. Marquinhos, since he arrived in 2013, has been the new Thiago Silva.

"It was the idea that he would be the successor. It was natural that he is the new captain and the new central defender. After, if the coach chooses one thing or the other..."

Yannick Bolasie has expressed his optimism of getting his career back on track following his omission from the Everton first team.

The 31-year-old forward was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's 25-man Premier League squad last month after returning to Goodison Park following a loan spell with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.  

The Democratic Republic of the Congo international teamed up with the Toffees in the summer of 2016 after his eye-catching performances for Crystal Palace.

Bolasie has, however, struggled to live up to expectations due to injury problems and other factors and has only featured in 29 Premier League games since his arrival at Goodison Park.

In an effort to enjoy more playing time, he spent time on loan at Aston Villa and Anderlecht as well as featuring for Sporting CP.

Bolasie came close to sealing a move away from the Toffees in the summer with Championship side Middlesbrough but a deal failed to materialize.

Although the forward has expressed his disappointment after he was told he is not in Ancelotti'’s plan for the 2020-21 season, he has promised not to relent in working hard.

"It was disappointing. I continue to keep working and to play and train to the best of my ability. That's what I'm doing right now,” Bolasie told Sky Sports.

"I'm not counting myself out, and I believe that eventually, my talent will come out - wherever it's with and wherever I am. I believe in what I'm doing, and I feel I'm doing myself justice.

"The way to stay positive is to always look for ways in which you can improve. What total distance can I get through in a week or in a session? Can I beat it next week? That's what motivates me still. This helps me stay ready in so many ways."

"Whenever I've been backed into a corner, I've always thrived. I believe that whatever happens, I will come out stronger and will show everyone what I can still do. Even if there's just that one per cent chance of a move, I'm alive and kicking."

Bolasie will hope to sort out his career during the January transfer window, with Middlesbrough reportedly still interested in securing his signature.

The forward has previously played for Hillingdon Borough, Floriana, Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City before joining Palace in 2012.

Aaron Ramsey’s fitness issues, which have followed him from Arsenal to Juventus, are a result of the lack of game time he has seen over recent years, says fellow Welshman Danny Gabbidon.

The 29-year-old midfielder has taken in just six appearances this season, with only three of those being Serie A starts.

Establishing momentum is proving difficult for the Wales international amid fierce competition for places in Turin.

Ramsey’s cause is also being done few favours by the untimely knocks that he has become all too familiar with.

The former Gunners star is back on the treatment table at present, with a muscle complaint keeping him stuck on the sidelines.

A similar ailment has already laid him low in the 2020-21 campaign, with club and country unable to rely on the talented playmaker being fit.

Gabbidon believes the niggling injuries are a result of Ramsey rarely being fully match sharp, with Wales about to go into their latest round of Nations League fixtures without a key man at their disposal.

“It seems the last two or three seasons he's been picking up these kind of muscle injuries,” Gabbidon told the Elis James Feast of Football podcast.

“You look at Aaron and the way he plays. He's a fit lad to be fair - he's always on the move and full of energy.

“Once you get towards the back end of your career and the body maybe doesn't function as well as it did when you were younger, it is possible for these things to happen and you pick up these little niggles.

“A lot of it can be down to not playing week in, week out. He is all action, box-to-box and does a lot of running.

“Maybe the body is not quite as strong and in tune as it was a few years ago.”

Ramsey suffered some serious problems during his time at Arsenal, with the badly broken leg he picked up in a meeting with Stoke back in 2010 forcing him to almost start from scratch.

Regular injury setbacks were taken in from that point and a move to Juve was made as a free agent in 2019 with the intention of starting afresh and putting those troubles behind him.

Diogo Jota admits to having been left feeling “bitter” at Liverpool despite enjoying a positive start to his time with the Reds.

The reigning Premier League champions snapped the Portugal international up from domestic rivals Wolves during the summer transfer window.

He was considered to be an addition that delivered greater depth to the attacking ranks on Merseyside, with Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane very much the main men for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Jota has, however, made an immediate impact in his new surroundings, registering seven goals to force his way into contention for a regular starting berth.

The 23-year-old has every reason to feel pretty good about things, with his performances earning widespread praise, but his efforts are being played out in front of empty stadiums and he is yet to take in the full Anfield experience.

Jota told TVI of life at Liverpool: “When I first signed at Anfield, I was asked what my feeling was and I said, for it to be perfect, I had to play in a full stadium to have that even more special feeling.

“It feels bitter not being able to feel the atmosphere of Anfield.”

Jota’s bright opening with the Reds suggests that he could be a key man for Liverpool over several years, however, he is eager to remain focused on the present and will not be setting any long-term goals.

Jota added: “I try not to think about a long future.

“I came here to do my best, I didn't aim for anything in particular and when that is the case, there are no disappointments or surprises.

“I'm at one of the best teams in the world, if not the best, so I have to take advantage of that. And looking ahead, if I am focused, I know that I will have many opportunities.

“Liverpool have great players and I came here to be one more and help to win titles - especially because I don't have as many as they do!”

Klopp’s side have made a positive start to the defence of their Premier League crown, while also picking up points in the Champions League and preparing to open an FA Cup quest, with there plenty of silverware for Jota to be setting his sights on.

Harry Kane is “the best striker in world football bar none”, says Andros Townsend, with the Tottenham frontman considered to be posting numbers in the Premier League that Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema would struggle to emulate.

Many have placed a star turn on Spurs’ books among the global elite for several years now.

Kane has been a model of consistency in north London, with his remarkable return allowing his current club to remain competitive across multiple fronts.

He has recently passed the 200-goal mark for the club and 150 in the English top flight, while also being captain of his country.

Townsend believes no other forward gets close to the 27-year-old, with leading marksmen on the books at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid told they would be unable to match Kane’s efforts in one of the most demanding divisions around.

The former Spurs winger, who graduated through the same academy system as Kane, told talkSPORT: “For me, he’s the best striker in world football bar none. I think he is very underappreciated.

“People love to speak about the Lewandowskis and Benzemas, but if those guys came to the Premier League they would not hit the numbers that Harry Kane has been hitting on a consistent basis.

“I saw the other day that on average he is scoring 26 goals a season, which is incredible.”

With time still on his side, it has been suggested that Kane could one day chase down Newcastle icon Alan Shearer at the top of the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer chart.

He is well short of that mark at present, with the bar set at 260 efforts, but Townsend believes an ambitious performer will have a slice of history in his sights.

The current Crystal Palace midfielder added: “Knowing Harry Kane, he thinks about that target every single day.

“Every time he goes into training, he is thinking about breaking that all-time goal scoring record.

“That’s what Harry Kane is like, he is very determined, very focused, and if he sets his mind to something, eventually he will get it.”

Kane has hit 13 goals through 14 appearances for Tottenham this season, with those efforts helping Jose Mourinho’s side to make positive progress in Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League competition.

Four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf believes that some people may be underestimating Robert Lewandowski after the Bayern Munich striker was named as the winner of this year's Goal 50.

Lewandowski was named as the best men's player in the world after helping Bayern Munich win the treble in 2019-20, but Seedorf feels that many critics see the 32-year-old as simply a goalscorer.

The Poland international finished ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Lionel Messi to be named the world's best, but despite competition from other players, Seedorf says Lewandowski was clearly the world's best in the past year.

"There has always been competition. But we have to acknowledge that he has been performing at a high level, not only scoring goals, but his game is complete," Seedorf told Goal . 

"He knows how to hold the ball, how to give assists, he obviously knows how to score goals.

"He's a hard worker and a team player and the way that he knows how to move in the spaces.

"He's very complete. Sometimes, even his dribbling is efficient. He may be a bit underestimated in some of these aspects of the game.

"Anyone who knows the game can see these things in him. I consider him absolutely the top."

Lewandowski finished as top scorer in all three club competitions he entered in 2019-20, helping Bayern Munich win the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

Seedorf won the European Cup with three different clubs (Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan), and thinks that the continental triumph cemented Lewandowski's position as the world's best over the past year.

"When you win in the way Bayern has won the Champions League, it's very difficult to go with anyone else," Seedorf continued. 

"From day one to the last match, he has been a key player. He had an amazing season. He's been on fire for the last three years non-stop, maybe longer. "

Seedorf was impressed with the method in which Bayern - who had more male players on the Goal 50 list than any other team - sealed their sixth European title, especially given how they dominated opponents by pressing on demand and getting plenty of bodies into the area to cause headaches for opposition defenders.

"Bayern was pretty unstoppable. I thought Man City had a chance, but then they went out to Lyon," Seedorf admitted. 

"They made a very courageous choice in Germany to start the league earlier so the fitness of Bayern was different.

"The thing that Bayern had is that they showed that they could dominate in the moments they wanted. When they wanted to press, they would start pressing.

"The combination of the younger players and the older more experienced ones is fantastic. [Manuel] Neuer is a huge extra when you start from the back.

"The capacity to get players in the box and around the box when there is a cross coming in keeps pressure on the opponent, and that's where Barcelona found it difficult.

"When you have so many players running into the box with their physique and their timing, it was amazing to see.

"The goal of [Kingsley] Coman [in the final against PSG] is an example of this. There were players coming into the box but already there were players in the box.

"There is a lot of dynamic movement. They were also a bit lucky, but with your goalkeeper it's not luck cause he's been doing this for years.

"But you need a bit of luck and they deserved a bit of luck because they dominated the Champions League in a way we have not seen in a long time."

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has given the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) the green light to allow fans to attend the second leg game between Taifa Stars and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Most countries have been playing their matches behind closed doors owing to the Covid-19 outbreak, but it has not been the case in the East Africa nation where fans have been allowed in the stadiums since football resumed on June 13, 2020.

However, to avoid sanctions, the TFF had to confirm with Caf whether to allow fans to attend the African Cup of Nations qualifier against the North Africa giants or not.

"The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has allowed the fans to attend the Afcon qualifier game between Tanzania and Tunisia to be played on November 17 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam," TFF said in a statement obtained by Goal.

"Caf has however ordered that the number of the fans should be 50% of the full capacity. 

"TFF will now engage the government to ensure the measures and guidelines by Caf are adhered to."

Among the foreign-based players leading the Tanzania team are captain Mbwana Samatta – who made a move to Fenerbahçe after a half-a-season stay with Aston Villa - Simon Msuva who turns out for Difaa El Jadida of Morocco, and Thomas Ulimwengu of TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Metacha Mnata, who has been superb for Yanga SC in the nine matches played in the Mainland Premier League, is leading the goalkeeping department alongside Aishi Manula, who has had a rather challenging time with Simba SC, while David Mapigano is also in the squad after he made a move to join Azam FC from Gor Mahia.

Yanga defender Bakari Mwamnyeto was also summoned after he has superbly settled at Timu ya Wananchi since he moved from Coastal Union in August. Farid Musa is another new Yanga player who has earned the faith of the coach for the third Afcon qualifier.

Goalkeepers: Juma Kaseja (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Metacha Mnata (Young Africans SC), Aishi Manula (Simba SC), David Mapigano (Azam FC).

Defenders: Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC), Deus Kaseke (Young Africans SC), Mohamed Hussein (Simba SC), Brayson David (Kinondoni Municipal Council FC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans SC), Abdallah Kheri (Azam FC), Himid Mao (ENPPI SC), Erasto Nyoni (Simba SC).

Midfielders: Ditram Nchimbi (Young Africans SC), Ally Msengi (Stellenbosch FC), Feisal Salum (Young Africans SC), Farid Mussa (Young Africans SC), Mzamiru Yassin (Simba SC), Iddy Suleiman (Azam FC), Thomas Ulimwengu ( TP Mazembe), Saidi Hamisi (Simba SC).

Strikers: Mbwana Samatta (Fenerbahçe), Simon Msuva (Difaa El Jadida), John Bocco (Simba SC), Adam Adam (JKT Tanzania), Salum Abubakar (Azam FC).

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that forward Samir Nurkovic is edging closer to returning from injury and will start training in two weeks’ time.

After finishing last season as Chiefs’ top goal-scorer with 13 league goals, Nurkovic was injured during pre-season and his absence has been heavily felt this season.

His progress in rehabilitation comes as good news for coach Gavin Hunt who has been helplessly watching his strikers struggle to score goals this season.

“Samir Nurkovic is reported progressing well and the medical team are anticipating his return to the training fields in two weeks’ time. The striker is recovering from a surgery that has seen him miss the start of this season,” said Chiefs in a statement.

The return of Nurkovic is expected to ease Chiefs’ goal-scoring woes which is the major talking point of their performances so far this season.

No Amakhosi striker has scored a single goal this term across all competitions and the three strikes the club has managed in six games have come from a brace by defender Yagan Sasman, as well as an own goal by Chippa United’s Gregory Damons.

Not only have Chiefs faced challenges in their strike force, but the club has also had a shaky defence that has conceded nine goals in six matches.

With right-back Reeve Frosler now injured again, Hunt will be worrying about his backline again as he started the season without centre-back Eric Mathoho and Kgotso Moleko, who have since recovered.

On his return from a two-match injury lay-off, Frosler lasted just 29 minutes during last weekend’s 2-0 MTN8 defeat to Orlando Pirates and will be out for eight weeks.

“Reeve Frosler was seen hobbling off the field and substituted in the 29th minute of the MTN8 Cup semi-final match against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates on Sunday, 8th November,” said the club.

“Frosler was subsequently withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad due to play in the Cameroon Afcon qualifiers this weekend. Following the medical examination, the fullback cum midfielder underwent MRI which confirmed he will be sidelined for eight weeks.”

There is, however, some encouraging news for Hunt who welcomes back 17-year-old midfielder Keletso Sifama, who missed the last two matches with an ankle injury.

“The young striker has recovered, and the medical team have given him all clear to resume full training,” the club statement added.

Chiefs visit Golden Arrows in their next match, a league match on 21 November and they arrive in Durban on the backdrop of a three-match winless run.

Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Paris Saint-Germain has not been ruled out by the Ligue 1 club’s sporting director, with Leonardo admitting that anything is possible in an unpredictable market.

Rumours have started to surface regarding the long-term future of the Portugal international at Juventus, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner tied to a contract in Turin through to the summer of 2022.

There have, however, been suggestions that the Bianconeri could open themselves up to offers next summer, allowing them to get the best possible price for a player who will turn 36 in February.

Few clubs could afford to finance a deal for Ronaldo, even at this late stage of his career, but PSG do slip into an elite bracket.

Leonardo admits as much, with the Brazilian refusing to close the door on a potential switch to France for a modern-day icon.

Quizzed on PSGTV as to whether a move for Ronaldo could be made, Leonardo said: “Today in football we do not know what will happen. Maybe tomorrow Cristiano Ronaldo wakes up and says I want to go play elsewhere.

“Who can buy him? It's a closed circle. PSG enters this circle. Usually it is about opportunities, situations.

“The transfer window, we have to prepare for it and that's what we do. We have our priorities, our lists, but something unforeseen can happen.”

Before thoughts turn to the summer of 2021, there is a winter transfer window to take in, which will open in January, giving PSG an opportunity to further bolster their ranks.

Leonardo admits that options will be assessed before the turn of the year, but he is not expecting much movement in what remain testing times for even the richest of clubs as the financial implications of a global coronavirus pandemic continue to hit hard.

“We have not thought about playing the entire season behind closed doors,” Leonardo added.

“We can't talk about the amount of money, but it's easy to calculate. Last year we lost between 15 and 20 per cent and this year it will be more.

“But honestly, at PSG, there is the capacity and the means to overcome the crisis. The other clubs will perhaps have more difficulty to overcome the crisis. But the ambition here is always enormous.”

PSG, who suffered defeat in the 2019-20 Champions League final, are determined to compete on multiple fronts once again this season and are working on putting new contracts in place with star forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Quique Setien should not have dragged Lionel Messi’s name into his list of excuses for failing at Barcelona, says Bojan Krkic, with an ousted coach considered to have shot himself in the foot.

A man relieved of his duties at Camp Nou on the back of a disappointing end to the 2019-20 campaign – which culminated in a humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich – has broken his silence on a forgettable spell in Catalunya.

Setien has accused Barca talisman Messi of being “difficult to manage”, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner considered to hold too much power at the Liga outfit.

Bojan, though, believes that the 62-year-old is merely looking to cover up his own deficiencies, with anyone taking the reins at one of the biggest clubs in world football fully aware of the pressure and challenges they will face.

The former Blaugrana star, who graduated out of the famed La Masia academy system alongside Messi, told Sport: “Being part of Barca comes with a lot of hard work but it's also a privilege.

"Quique Setien landed the top job and, despite everything, is now part of the club's history. No one can take that away from him, regardless of the fact Barca could clearly have done better with him in charge. 

“Not everything that went wrong would have been to do with him but when things don't go as you hoped, what you shouldn't do is look for excuses elsewhere - especially in a public forum.

“For that reason, Setien's recent comments seemed unfortunate to me. To resort to excuses and to focus on the best player, I think is to shoot yourself in your foot if you want to coach a club of a certain size again in the future, where there are always strong characters in the dressing room. 

“Because what was Setien's real problem? That Lionel Messi is difficult or that he and his staff were not capable of managing the level of demand that comes with these types of players? I think that's the key question.

“Setien was wrong to look for excuses outside and not look at himself, but what really concerns me is that this is a problem that's found too frequently at Barca. 

“That's why I like Ronald Koeman's attitude so much. Beyond what's happening, he's showing that he's a coach with charisma and character. He's making decisions with the club in mind (which may later prove incorrect) but at least he's making it obvious that he's not looking for excuses despite the difficulty of the situation.

“He could use many things as justification for results, but what he's done is make big choices without shaking. You feel something's being built and that is something right now. 

“No one is looking for guilt at the moment and that invites me to think that a positive evolution is afoot. That motivates me. Time will tell.”

Barcelona have been inconsistent at times through the early months of their 2020-21 campaign, but entered the November international break on the back of a 5-2 win over Real Betis that has them up to eighth in La Liga with games in hand and with positive progress made in the Champions League.

Simba SC communications officer Haji Manara is optimistic his charges will impress in the Caf Champions League.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi struggled to perform in the competition in the 2019/20 season and stumbled in the preliminary round which contributed to the exit of coach Patrick Aussems, with Sven Vandenbroeck taking his position.

The official has further requested the fans to support the team and help them realize their objectives.

"Our main focus is on the international assignments, especially the Caf Champions League where we want to do well," Manara told the media.

"I believe the players we have and the technical bench we have has what it takes to help us perform well in the Champions League. Their dedication and zeal will help us achieve our objectives.

"All we want is support from the fans because as a team, we cannot achieve this by ourselves. We have to act together, work together in harmony and our supporters can help us achieve our goals in the international assignments."

Tanzania’s Simba have landed Nigerian opponents Plateau United and will host them before travelling west for the second tie.  

This will be the third time in a row the Tanzania Mainland League giants will be representing the country in Africa's club elite competition.

Kenyan Premier League side Gor Mahia will have to fight and win against Rwandan champions APR if they are to progress to the next stage, first at home, before going to Kigali for the second round.  

Just like APR, Gor Mahia have been conducting training sessions for the past month in readiness for the competition even though they have not been in competitive action since March when the leagues were cancelled by their respective federations.  

The winner between Gor Mahia and APR will face either Algeria’s CR Belouizdad or Al Nasr of Libya in the second round.

Uganda's Vipers will be welcomed back in the continental competition by Sudan’s El Hilal and the winner between them will face either Nouadhibou of Mauritania or Ghana’s Asante Kotoko in the next round.

The Venoms will welcome the Sudanese side at St Mary’s Stadium before the return leg away.  

Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Maduka Okoye, Oghenekaro Etebo and Paul Onuachu are the early arrivals for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Sierra Leone.

The three-time African champions will square off against the Leone Stars in a double-header with the first outing expected to take place on Friday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is expecting 24 players in camp for the games and the team captain Musa, along with four other players, have already arrived for the match.

The former Leicester City forward explained he was supposed to be in camp along with his other teammates on Sunday but couldn’t get a flight early enough.

"We are supposed to be in camp today but we didn't get a flight, the flight is fully booked, and then we have a schedule for a flight tomorrow so everybody is expected to be in Benin tomorrow," Musa told the media. 

Rohr is expected to have a full house on Wednesday, as more players are expected to arrive on Tuesday for the encounter.

The Super Eagles will be without Nantes winger Moses Simon and Midtylland’s Frank Onyeka due to injuries and they have been replaced by Paul Onuachu and Shehu Abdullahi.

The game at Ogbemudia Stadium will be played behind closed doors in adherence to directives from the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Nigeria are leading Group L with six points from two games after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

The return fixture will be played in Freetown on November 17 and victories in the games for the Super Eagles could see them book a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Nigeria finished third at the last edition of the continental tournament in Egypt, with Algeria and Senegal beating them to the gold and silver medals.

Robert Lewandowski and Pernille Harder have been crowned winners of the Goal 50 for 2020.

Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski beat off competition from Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and four-time winner Lionel Messi to claim the men's prize for the first time, after a memorable 2019-20 campaign.

The Poland international scored an incredible 55 goals in 47 games across all competitions as Hansi Flick's side won a treble consisting of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.

He becomes the sixth different winner of the men's award, which has been running since 2008, following in the footsteps of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wesley Sneijder, Luka Modric and last year's victor, Virgil van Dijk.

"It feels very good - if you win an individual title, that's another nice extra," Lewandowski told Goal, in an exclusive video interview to be published on Wednesday November 11.

"Football is a team sport, but these additional awards mean a lot to me too. It shows that the hard work you put in every day will one day pay off.

"As long as you play football, you have to stay hungry. After your career you can think about what you have won. Getting to the top is difficult, but staying at the top is even more difficult."

Lewandowski is one of seven players from last season's Bayern squad to rank among the top 25 men, with the likes of Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies all included alongside Thiago Alcantara, who left the club to join Liverpool over the summer.

It is De Bruyne, though, who finishes as runner-up after a superb season at City which saw him equal Thierry Henry's record for the most assists in a Premier League season, with 20.

Messi makes the podium, meanwhile, after he became the first player in La Liga history to record over 20 goals and 20 assists in a single campaign – despite a season of off-field turmoil at Barcelona that almost led to the Argentine's departure.

The rest of the top five is made up of Neymar, who helped lead Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League final as well a domestic treble, and Ronaldo, with the Juventus forward having enjoyed another stellar season in front of goal.

Neymar's club-mate Kylian Mbappe places sixth, while defending champion Van Dijk finishes seventh after he played a key role in Liverpool winning their first English league title in 30 years.

The Dutch defender is one of five members of Jurgen Klopp's squad from last season to make the list, with Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson also recognised for their efforts.

Other clubs to boast more than one representative include Spanish champions Real Madrid (Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos), Serie A winners Juventus (Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala) and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund (Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho).

On the women's side, Harder's outstanding performances for Wolfsburg over the course of the 2019-20 season see her become the second female winner following Megan Rapinoe's success last year.

Denmark international Harder, now of Chelsea, scored 38 goals in all competitions last season as Wolfsburg completed a domestic double and reached the final of the Women's Champions League.

"It is always nice to get these individual awards," she told Goal, in an exclusive video interview to be published on Thursday November 12. "It tells me that what I am doing is the right thing and I am going in the right way.

"Of course, to win these awards is all about the team and team-mates. I had some amazing team-mates in Wolfsburg and I had an amazing time there."

Harder withstood strong competition from Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema to claim the prize, with the Dutch striker finishing as runner-up after ending the season as top scorer in both the Women's Super League and Champions League, as well as being the top assist provider in the former.

England full-back Lucy Bronze finishes third, meanwhile, after helping Lyon to claim four trophies – including the Champions League – before departing for Manchester City during the summer.

Bronze is one of eight players from last season's all-conquering Lyon squad to make the list, with Dzsenifer Marozsan, Wendie Renard, Saki Kumagai and Amandine Henry all finishing inside the top 10.

WSL champions Chelsea, meanwhile, have four players from their title-winning squad of last season on the list, with Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, Beth England and Ji So-yun all joining new team-mate Harder among the top 25.

After coronavirus wreaked havoc on the U.S. sporting calendar, and in particular the National Women's Soccer League, there are just three members of last year's World Cup-winning USWNT squad on the list, led by Crystal Dunn in 10th.

She is joined by Julie Ertz and Abby Dahlkemper, but there is no place for defending champion Rapinoe or star forward Alex Morgan, who missed much of the year as she celebrated the birth of her first child.

You can see the full list of players who featured in Goal 50 here!

The Goal 50 is an annual award that brings together the world's 50 best male and female players.

The players are divided into two 25-strong groups and ranked on their achievements over the previous year.

Chief editors and correspondents from Goal's 44 editions around the world cast their votes based on each candidate's consistency, big-game performances, footballing legacy and success at club and international level.

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has confirmed the club have started negotiations to extend the contracts of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

The star attacking duo, who are currently sidelined due to injury, have regularly been linked with moves away, but plans are afoot to reward them with new deals.

Neymar and Mbappe, who joined PSG from Barcelona and Monaco respectively in 2017, are currently under contract until the summer of 2022.

Brazil international Neymar has regularly been linked with a return to Barcelona, while France forward Mbappe is routinely touted as a target for Real Madrid.

However, Leonardo has outlined plans to retain their services, along with those of Angel Di Maria, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The likes of Juan Bernat and Julian Draxler could also be in line for contract extensions as PSG look to retain key members of their squad amid the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus on football clubs.

“We’ve started negotiations with Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria to extend their contracts,” Leonardo told a Q&A session on PSG’s official website. “Bernat, too, and Draxler is at the end of his contract. Some young people too. We will intensify this.

“Remember that PSG suffered financial losses this year, we’re in a complicated moment and it’s not easy, but we’re talking directly with Mbappe and Neymar.

“There is a question of timing. The idea of an extension exists. We have arrived at the moment when we must have clearer situations.”

Regarding the Mbappe links to Madrid, Leonardo is not concerned by the noise in Spain.

"There is a lot of talk," he said. "And in the Spanish teams, there are a lot of politics. We speak directly with Kylian, that's the truth of the negotiation.

"The truth is that PSG are in a complicated moment, but it will be the team of the next five years that will have a shot.

"There are teams that have gone through a very long, successful cycle and are starting to struggle. We have young but very experienced players.

"We have Neymar, Mbappe, who are in the top three [in the world] because [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi will come out with age. That's the idea. I see this future and that's what we're working on.

"We know this season is weird. We knew it would be difficult, that we will play all our games behind closed doors and that we would not have the same income."

Recent weeks have seen Moise Kean come to the fore, with the on-loan Everton forward scoring both goals in a Champions League victory away to Istanbul Basaksehir and the opener in the weekend win over Rennes.

However, Leonardo confirmed that PSG do not have an option to sign Kean on a permanent basis when his loan deal finishes at the end of the season.

Leonardo added: “We don’t have an option to buy Moise Kean, unfortunately.

“He’s here on loan from Everton. Kean is a great striker for the future, but loan deals in the UK are a bit different, an option to buy is not included in our deal with Everton.”