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Championship club Cardiff City have announced the signing of Sheyi Ojo on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Liverpool.

The Bluebirds confirmed the acquisition of the forward on Monday after successful medicals, and he becomes the third summer signing of the club following the arrival of Kieffer Moore and Jordi Osei-Tutu.

Ojo is delighted with the move and looks forward to helping Neil Harris’ men return to the Premier League.

“I’ve got a point to prove and I’m really excited for the new challenge," Ojo told Cardiff City TV.

“Cardiff City is a massive club with great fans and great players – hopefully I can show what I can do here and fit right in.

"Wherever the ball is, I want to be involved in the game as much as possible. I’m delighted to get here in time for a full week’s training with the team ahead of the first home game this Saturday. Now it’s important that we start right."

Cardiff is Ojo’s sixth loan spell away from Liverpool, having also played for Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham in England.

The Anglo-Nigerian also featured for French side Reims before he teamed up with Scottish Premiership club Rangers last summer.

The winger scored five goals for Steven Gerrard’s men in 36 appearances across all competitions before returning to Anfield at the end of his loan spell.

Ojo has been with Liverpool since 2011 when he signed for the Premier League giants from Milton Keynes Dons, a club he joined at the age of ten.

The winger will hope to make his debut for his new club when they face Leeds United on September 12.

The forward has featured for England at U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U20 levels but he still eligible to play for Nigeria.

After reports recently surfaced of his absence from training at Pahang, Mohamadou Sumareh has been announced as the latest squad addition to Police Tero in the Thai League 1.

The club offered no details of his signing, but released a short announcement video featuring the 25-year old attacker himself, who said: "Hello to all the Police Tero fans, my name is Mohamadou Sumareh, see you all soon in Bangkok."

At the Bangkok-based side, he will join up with Malaysia national teammate Dominic Tan, who joined the club initially as a loanee in 2019, before he was signed permanently at the start of the season.

Thai League 1 will resume on September 12 after it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Tero facing Port FC away from home. They are currently in fifth place after four rounds.

Another Malaysia international and Sumareh's former teammate at Pahang, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha meanwhile has been at BG Pathum United since the start of the season.

The Gambian-born player's departure from Kuantan however has drawn the ire of the Elephants' management, who helped him obtain his Malaysian citizenship after joining the club in 2017.

He had reportedly gone missing from training after not receiving his wage during the Covid-19 lockdown, which according to the rules allows him to walk away from his contract.

Donny van de Beek is a "fantastic signing" for Manchester United, according to Darren Fletcher, who says the ex-Ajax star will bring "flexibility" to the Red Devils' midfield.

United forked out £35 million ($46m) to bring Van de Beek onto their books at the start of the month, as he became Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, and will now be expected to help the Red Devils build on an encouraging third-place Premier League finish in 2019-20.

Ajax became an elite force again on both domestic and European stages with the Netherlands international pulling the strings in the middle of the park, which saw a number of high profile potential suitors stand up and take notice.

Real Madrid and Tottenham had also been heavily linked with Van de Beek, but the playmaker says he took the advice of Johan Cruyff Arena CEO Edwin van der Sar, who played for United between 2005 and 2011, when deciding his next move.

"He [Van der Sar] told me a lot of stories about the club and about everything. He told how big the club is and how nice an experience he had with it," the Netherlands international said after his unveiling.

Fletcher says the amicable nature of Van de Beek's Ajax departure speaks volumes about his character, and he is confident that the Red Devil's newest arrival will fit in well at the Theatre of Dreams.

“He’s a top-class player and I think he’s a fantastic signing,” the former United stalwart told the club's official website: “For somebody at his age, for that price, I think it’s a no-brainer. I saw him during Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season [in 2018-19], he was probably one of the catalysts for that.

“What I like about him is his flexibility in midfield. He understands when he needs to be a No.10 and what he has to do and he understands when he has to be a box-to-box midfielder; he’s got that Ajax upbringing in him and is a cultured footballer. 

“I just think he’s a great addition and he seems like a great guy as well, given the way he’s been treated since leaving Ajax and how everyone has spoken about him. There’s nothing better than having players in your team that are top players but good people as well. It definitely goes a long way.”

Fletcher added on the importance of increased competition for places within Solskjaer's ranks ahead of the new season: “You really need strength in depth in there because you’ve got a big number of games to play and injuries are going to happen, so you need strength in depth all over the pitch. 

 “When I was at United we had five, six, seven midfielders fighting for two or three spots. And sometimes you got the jersey, you were the man in form and sometimes you were on the outside looking in – that’s just the way it is and the way it should be at a top club. You should be pushing each other.

"You shouldn’t think that you’re an automatic starter, and by adding players like Donny it gives competition for places and that squad depth.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas has insisted that the organisation were not at "war" with Lionel Messi, and that he is happy to see the Barcelona superstar stay put.

Messi's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation since his decision to hand in a formal transfer request on August 25.

The 33-year-old sought to trigger the release clause in his contract which allows him to leave the club at the end of any season, having endured a turbulent 2019-20 campaign which ended in abject failure for the Blaugrana.

La Liga publicly insisted that Messi's existing deal remains valid, meaning he could only depart if his original €700 million (£624m/$823m) buy-out clause was met, with the release clause in question having technically expired back in June despite the break in the season caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

In the end, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to perform a sensational U-turn, as he revealed in a world exclusive interview with Goal that he does not wish to be drawn into a legal dispute with the club.

"Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million clause, and that this is impossible," he said.

Tebas has now come out to defend La Liga's stance on Messi's contract situation, telling Corriere Della Sera: “Mine was not a war against Messi. I would have done the same if it had been Pepito Perez or any other player in our league. 

"As a league we have a duty to defend legality, justice: contracts must be respected. Always. Whether your name is Messi or Pepito Perez.

"Personally, I think there has been no battle with Messi and his entourage. I have a special esteem for Leo, I love him, he is the history of our football in the last 20 years. How could I have gone to war with him? 

"I repeat: my intervention was aimed only at respecting the contracts. It is clear that with being Leo involved, the story assumed enormous media dimensions."

The La Liga chief added: “Although [Messi's] lawyers said otherwise, the contract was clear. One part was decontextualised, this led them to error. 

"In the end, I'm happy with Messi's decision to avoid legal conflicts. He will continue to play on the team of his life. I hope that relations will return to normal."

Messi could still end up leaving Barca in 2021, when his current deal expires, and he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors from January onwards.

Asked to confirm whether the Argentine will be free to seek an exit next year, Tebas responded: “It will be his decision. The contract allows it."

Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood have been dropped from the England squad having "broken the Covid guidelines" in Iceland amid allegations they invited girls back to their hotel room.

The pair, who made their senior international debuts during a UEFA Nations League opener in Reykjavik that the Three Lions won 1-0, will not play any part in a meeting with Denmark on Tuesday.

Both Manchester City midfielder Foden and Manchester United attacker Greenwood were absent from team training on Monday.

England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed later that the Football Association (FA) had opted to take action after discovering the duo hadn't adhered to strict rules intended to prevent coronavirus infections.

"Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention that two boys have broken the Covid guidelines in terms of our secure bubble and so we had to decide very quickly that they couldn’t have any interaction with the team," he told reporters.

"These are two boys I don’t know particularly well at the moment so can’t speak in great depth. I have got to try and speak with them later in the appropriate way. They have got responsibilities and they have apologised.

"We are very clear that no other members of our party have been in contact with the two players - couldn’t join us for breakfast or training. It is a very serious situation and we have treated it that way.

"I think at the moment I’m trying to take a lot of information in. Obviously they have been naive, we have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic."

Back in the UK, Man Utd released a statement which reads: "Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation."

City also weighed in, stating: "Manchester City FC are aware of the story which has emerged today from the England national team camp in relation to the behaviour of Phil Foden.

"We have also seen the comments from England manager Gareth Southgate. It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate.

"His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.

"The Club supports the FA regarding this incident, and officials from the Club are now in touch in relation to Phil’s enforced early return to the UK.

"We have no further comment to make on this matter."

The Icelandic media reported in the wake of Saturday’s contest, which was settled by Raheem Sterling’s late penalty, that Foden and Greenwood had played host to unscheduled visitors.

The girls in question are said to have posted images on Snapchat which showed the City midfielder and United forward in the room they shared on international duty.

DV broke the news, with those in question said to have been left “devastated” that their actions are set to impact on the careers of Foden and Greenwood.

England have been left with little choice but to punish the pair for inviting outsiders into carefully constructed ‘bubbles’.

Foden was handed a starting berth by Southgate for the narrow win over Iceland, while Greenwood was introduced off the bench.

Those outings had been just reward for the impressive progress the duo have made at club level.

Foden, at 20 years of age, is ready to step into the void created by David Silva’s departure at City, while 18-year-old Greenwood contributed 17 goals to the United cause in 2019-20.

The latter has been included on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award while the former will be hoping to secure similar recognition after earning the right to nail down a regular role under Pep Guardiola.

Former Manchester City forward Benjani Mwaruwari says Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba "did very well" in his debut Premier League season and is primed for a better campaign in the upcoming term.

The Zimbabwean joined Villa from Belgian First Division A side Club Brugge in August 2019 following other spells in the Eredivisie and French Ligue 2.

In his 34 appearances across all competitions for Villa, there were episodes of criticism for his game as the Claret and Blue struggled to maintain their Premier League status until the last day of the season.

But Benjani has no doubt that his compatriot will come right in the 2020/21 season to silence his critics.

“The Premier League is a very difficult league I tell you," Benjani told The Sunday Mail.

"Just to make it into that league is a huge achievement on its own, so we have to celebrate Marvelous Nakamba. He has done very well. Last season was his debut and he managed to show his capabilities. I am convinced next season he will prove his critics wrong.”

Benjani himself spent five and a half seasons playing Premier League football shared between Portsmouth, Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

Revisiting his Manchester City days where he briefly played alongside Kolo Toure, Benjani also feels his fellow African deserves more recognition by the club.

The Ivorian spent four seasons at Etihad Stadium before joining Liverpool.

Toure was part of the Citizens squad which broke a 44-year-old wait for the league title in 2012.

“[David] Silva and [Vincent] Kompany were exceptional for Manchester City," said Benjani.

"All of us cannot be accorded a statue but I also feel Kolo Toure did a lot. He won everything, he didn’t make the grade perhaps because sometimes you need to play 10 years."

Benjani retired in 2014 after returning to South Africa where he played for Chippa United and Bidvest Wits, having also previously turned out for Jomo Cosmos.

It was while at Cosmos when he joined Swiss side Grasshoppers, before a Ligue 1 stint at AJ Auxerre where he attracted Portsmouth for his debut Premier League spell.

“Life was not initially easy at Pompey. I went for a number of games without scoring but the coach liked my industry. I worked for the team and kept my place in the starting line-up even when I was not scoring,” Benjani said.

Manchester City needed to sign Lionel Messi in order to catch Liverpool, claims Danny Murphy, with the Reds considered to be title favourites again in 2020-21 after a stunning transfer saga in Barcelona.

At one stage it appeared as though a six-time Ballon d’Or winner could be added to the ranks at the Etihad Stadium.

Messi had aired his desire to leave Camp Nou, but has since revealed in a world exclusive interview with Goal that he will be sticking around in Catalunya for the 2020-21 campaign.

Pep Guardiola has been able to bolster his ranks elsewhere in the current window, while Jurgen Klopp has been quiet at Anfield, but Murphy feels the defending champions remain the side to beat now that a mercurial Argentine has opted against pushing for a Premier League challenge.

The former Liverpool midfielder told the Daily Mail: “I think either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola will be champions again in May but I believe the latest twist in Lionel Messi’s on-off move to Manchester City swings the advantage back to Anfield.

“As it stands, the evidence points to Liverpool. Everything about the team works, everyone understands their jobs from full-backs to up front. To use a car analogy, you know they’ll pass the MOT before going into the garage.

“Some will question the lack of transfer activity but I’m sure Klopp believes the old saying: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

“The durability of front three Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is phenomenal, a credit to them and the Liverpool sports science department. 

“Not enough cover? Well, they do have Divock Origi, Takuchi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster. Klopp seems happy with that and he’s been right on almost everything else.

“The one big change being mooted is Thiago Alcantara coming in from Bayern Munich if Gini Wijnaldum leaves for Barcelona. But that wouldn’t weaken Liverpool. I wouldn’t be worried.

“For City to stop them, they need to sign Messi, but that looks unlikely after the Argentine's statement on Friday evening, unless there is a major U-turn from Barca and they let him go for a reduced price.

“Messi at City could have been a total game-changer in the title race because he’s the best player that ever lived. City lost nine times last season but dominated most of them without taking their chances. 

“That wouldn't have happened in a Messi team, he'd never be deprived of the ball in this City team, and would have found a way.

“It's sad for Premier League fans we'll have to wait to see Messi, if at all. But Liverpool fans will be delighted. I make them favourites now, even if the bookmakers disagree.”

A door could open to City again in January, when Messi will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with any suitors, but Liverpool will be hoping to have taken control of domestic matters by then – as they did during a dominant and record-breaking Premier League campaign in 2019-20.

Newcastle have completed the £20 million ($26m) signing of Callum Wilson from Bournemouth, with the England international striker handed a four-year contract at St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old frontman has become the latest star turn to leave the Vitality Stadium on the back of the Cherries’ relegation out of the Premier League.

Wilson has proven himself to be a useful source of goals across his five seasons in the top flight, having previously been prolific in the Football League.

Newcastle have invested heavily in those qualities and will hope to see their latest big-money signing deliver a more immediate return than some of his predecessors in a central striking berth.

Wilson is confident that he can live up to expectations on Tyneside, telling Newcastle’s official website: “From the minute I knew that Newcastle were interested, it was definitely something that appealed to me.

“It's a massive club with great history. Along the years, they've had great strikers so if I can emulate half of what they've done, I'd like to attempt that.

“I believe in my ability as a player. As a striker I think it's important to set yourself goals long term and short term, and I'm hoping to achieve them.

“With the players around me, I believe we can get the goals we need as team and I want to help contribute to that.”

Newcastle struggled for goals throughout the 2019-20 campaign, with just 38 mustered through as many Premier League outings.

Only three sides posted a worse record in the final third, with two of those going down, and Steve Bruce is delighted to have added a proven performer to his books.

The Magpies boss said: “Callum is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to get him.

“He has done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre forward for England less than two years ago.

“The club has worked ever so hard to get Callum here and we have beaten off competition from a number of clubs.

“I’m grateful the club has made it happen. Lee Charnley and those behind the scenes deserve a lot of credit.”

Harvey Elliott has laid out his targets for 2020-21 after seeing a “dream come true” by finding the target for Liverpool – the club he supported as a boy.

At 17 years of age, the highly-rated midfielder is still in the process of growing up.

He has, however, made Premier League history at Fulham – becoming the competition’s youngest debutant in May 2019 – and secured a switch to Anfield.

Competitive minutes have been taken in as part of a title-winning squad, while the target was found for the first time in a friendly date with Blackpool on Saturday.

Elliott told the club’s official website of that effort, which came in a 7-2 win: “It was great, to be honest, to score for my boyhood club. It has been a dream ever since I was a little boy.

“Like I said, it’s a dream come true. But I just need to keep going and keep putting in the performances, as we did in the second half. Hopefully, many more opportunities will come.”

Having offered another reminder to Jurgen Klopp of what he is capable of, Elliott is now looking to kick on into 2020-21 and see more senior game time – with there no plans on his part to seek a loan switch which could deliver regular minutes.

The teenager added on his ambition: “I see my main goal is to get in the team, get a few appearances here and there.

“As you can see, it’s a very hard team to get into, there’s a lot of world-class players here.

“But even just the experiences around, training with these guys every day and being around the coaching staff every day, it’s just a dream come true.

“So, any opportunity I get, I’m very grateful for. Hopefully, I can prove to the gaffer that I can live up to the standards.”

Liverpool are due to open the defence of their Premier League title in a home date with Leeds on Saturday.

Elliott will hope to form part of Klopp’s plans for that contest, with the Reds yet to add any more creative or attacking options to their ranks despite regular calls for additions to be made in the current transfer window.

Azam FC assistant captain Frank Domayo is confident the preparations for the 2020/21 season have been good.

The Ice-cream Makers will start their Tanzania Mainland League campaign on Monday when they host Polisi Tanzania at Azam Complex in Chamazi from 7 pm. The midfielder states they have every reason to look forward to the game, hoping to perform better than a third-place finish achieved last season.

"This time around Azam are prepared well [to ensure we start the season on a high]," Domayo told the club's media team.

"In Dar es Salaam, we were the first ones to start training to ensure we are ready when the league starts. We played many friendly matches and from there the coach saw our strengths and weaknesses. 

"The best thing is that all units, from the players to the technical bench, are prepared and ready. We hope to perform well this season and finish in a good position.

"As players, we have been together and tried to follow every instruction by the coach. Everything is okay. We are looking forward to Monday's game with optimism."

In the reverse fixture, the 2014 champions won by a solitary goal, scored by midfielder Mudathir Yahya. 

On his side, the team's assistant coach Bahati Vivier insisted the team should take Monday's game with the seriousness it deserves to ensure maximum points are in the bag.

"The opening game is usually very important because it sets the momentum for the team," the tactician stated.

"We want to approach this game in the best way possible and ensure we win it. We have had a month to train and have managed to attain the objectives we set, now we have to show it on Monday, on the pitch."

The Burundian also opined on their opponents.

"Polisi are a good side, we have played them and know what to expect. We made a few mistakes, but we have rectified them and we are expecting a good game against them.

"Without fans, we are nothing, so I also urge them to turn up in large numbers and support us. They are like a 13th player, they give us motivation and energy to play."

Former Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt will not be on the unemployment queue for too long, Goal can exclusively reveal. 

The 56-year-old mentor appears to have made his decision on where he will be coaching next season following the conclusion of the 2019-20 PSL season. 

Goal has it on good authority Kaizer Chiefs are likely to be Hunt's next employers. 

This means he will replace Ernst Middendorp for the upcoming campaign with the German expected to be sacked in the next few weeks. 

Goal can further confirm Hunt had many offers from the PSL and overseas and that Orlando Pirates, at one stage, also made inquiries about his availability.  

However, with Josef Zinnbauer guiding the club to a top-three finish after arriving in December, it is also expected Pirates will give him a full season to see if he can take the club to greater heights.  

Earlier this year, Hunt denied any links to Chiefs, describing the reports as 'embarrassing' out of respect for Middendorp.  

As things stand, Middendorp is contracted to the Soweto giants as he still has a year left on his contract, according to Chiefs. 

His side's failure to win the league this past weekend has seen calls for his sacking gain momentum but of course, he will have to submit his technical report before an official statement is made public from Chiefs. 

Middendorp's tactics have been heavily criticised since joining Amakhosi in December 2018 with the majority of fans slamming him that he doesn't have a plan B, especially after dropping crucial points from a winning position this season. 

His team's reliance on crosses and set-pieces also became a hot topic among the fans and football legends who felt it was a matter of time before their opponents figured them out, and this is how it turned out as teams made it difficult for Chiefs to score after the resumption of the season.   

Injuries to key players such as Leonardo Castro and Lebogang Manyama coupled with the departure of George Maluleka were also contributing factors to Amakhosi's capitulation. 

However, management is likely to brush that aside as Chiefs had enough players to clinch the title. 

Manchester City duo Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez have tested positive for Covid-19.

City announced that both players have been forced to self-isolate for the next two weeks in a statement on their official website on Monday, which reads: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19.

"Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus.

"Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season."

Pep Guardiola will welcome Laporte and Mahrez back into his squad before City's 2020-21 season opener against Wolves on September 21, but their participation could be in doubt due to a potential lack of match fitness.

Goal understands that Guardiola, who has just returned to England after a trip to Spain, is also currently observing a 14-day period in quarantine.

A large number of City's senior stars are due to make their way back to Etihad Stadium later in the week after the international break, including England stars Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden.

Assistant manager Juan Manuel Lillo will oversee pre-season preparations in Guardiola's absence, as the Blues look to bounce back from a disappointing 2019-20 campaign.

City finished 18 points behind eventual champions Liverpool in the Premier League, lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals and suffered an early exit in the Champions League at the hands of Lyon.

A third successive Carabao Cup crown came as scant consolation for Guardiola's side, who are due to play host to Leicester City six days after their meeting with Wolves later this month.

A trip to Elland Road to face newly-promoted Leeds United will follow for City on October 3, which comes two weeks before a crunch clash against Arsenal at the Etihad.

The Blues are not the only Premier League side to have been affected by coronavirus ahead of the new season, with Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba currently in self-isolation after contracting the illness last month.

Top-flight clubs have reportedly been warned that fixtures will not be called off if any further outbreaks are recorded, as officials look to avoid a repeat of the scheduling issues which occurred last term.

Liverpool cannot afford for Georginio Wijnaldum to become a “big problem”, says John Aldridge, with links to Barcelona for the Dutch midfielder doing nobody at Anfield any favours.

The Netherlands international has entered the final year of his contract with the Premier League champions.

No fresh terms have been agreed as yet, meaning that Jurgen Klopp’s side are being backed into a corner.

Goal has learned that new Barca boss Ronald Koeman has made Wijnaldum a top target as he seeks to freshen up an out-of-sorts squad at Camp Nou.

No formal approach has been made as yet, but a bid is being lined up ahead of the next transfer deadline.

Liverpool may have to sanction a sale, rather than allow Wijnaldum to head towards free agency, and they are already being heavily linked with Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara as possible cover.

Aldridge hopes a couple of distracting sagas are brought to a close as quickly as possible, with Liverpool needing to know where they stand in a bid to avoid carrying any passengers into 2020-21.

The former Reds striker told the Sunday World of Wijnaldum: “You very rarely see him giving the ball away, but he did that a few times in the first half against Arsenal [in the Community Shield] and that may be because his future is up in the air.

“There has been a lot of talk that Thiago Alcantara will replace Wijnaldum in the Liverpool squad and there are rumours that he has been tapped up by Barcelona’s new manager Ronald Koeman.

“[Klopp] will want that situation resolved quickly because players who are uncertain over their future can be affected in matches and Liverpool can’t afford to allow that issue to become a big problem ahead of the transfer deadline on October 5th.”

Wijnaldum has been giving little away when it comes to his future plans.

He is aware of the Barcelona talk, with the Liga giants confident that a deal can be put in place, but is reluctant to be drawn into a transfer debate.

Quizzed on the speculation ahead of the Netherlands’ latest UEFA Nations League outing, Wijnaldum said: “It’s a rumour, I have nothing to say about it.”

Nantes winger Moses Simon has come to the aid of Obagaji Agatu community, local government area of Benue State by donating boreholes.

The 25-year-old forward was born in Jos, Plateau State and raised in Kaduna but his father hails from Obagaji Agatu.

The area has suffered basic amenities in the past before the Super Eagles star extended his generosity to the community by drilling three boreholes.

The head of Obagaji Agatu community, Chief James Ocheche, explains how the area has relied on stream and rainwater to meet their needs before the intervention of Simon.

“Early this year, a brother of Simon said he [Simon] is concerned about the source of our drinking water and other social amenities in the community,” Ocheche said, as per Punch.

“He was sympathetic enough to sink three boreholes as an individual. You can see that he is a boy who wants the development of his community. May God lift him up.”

Simon started his career with GBS Academy and his eye-catching displays soon caught the attention of Dutch club Trencin, who subsequently signed him in 2014.

The forward played 33 times for the Stadion na Sihoti outfit before moving to Belgium to team up with Gent, where he enjoyed great success.

Simon spent three years with the club and helped them to win the Belgian First Division A title and Super Cup diadem.   

He then joined Spanish side Levante in the summer of 2018 before signing for Nantes on loan, where he shone and was handed a permanent deal.

Simon will hope to feature prominently for the Canaries when they take on Henry Onyekuru’s Monaco in their next Ligue 1 game on September 13.

The forward is a key member of Super Eagles and played a major role as they finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Simon has featured 33 times for the Nigeria national team since he made his debut against Uganda in 2015.

It looks set to be another exciting Premier League season as Liverpool look to retain the maiden title they claimed in June.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were virtually unstoppable to that point, winning 28 of their 31 matches when their first league crown for 30 years was confirmed.

Manchester City, though, will be out to make it three Premier League titles in four seasons after finishing 18 points off the pace last term but still 15 above third place.

Who are the favourites to win the Premier League?

Manchester City are 8/11 (1.73) favourites to reclaim the title after somewhat of a down year by their lofty standards.

Fresh off winning the domestic treble, Pep Guardiola’s men could only finish with 81 points – some way short of the 198 they had amassed across the previous two campaigns.

The ability and the depth of their squad can not be matched, even by the reigning champions, and it is little surprise they are odds-on favourites to lift the title for the fifth time in 10 seasons.

Liverpool are 9/4 (3.25) to follow up their first ever Premier League title by making it two in a row to cement their status as one of the best teams in the world.

Klopp’s side broke a host of records last term, including the fewest amount of matches taken to win the title, and while the Anfield faithful are unlikely to expect a repeat performance, they will still be expecting their team to be in the running in May.

Chelsea have been incredibly active in the transfer market by bringing in a host of starting players, including Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, and bet365 make them 12/1 (13.0) to win the league.

Frank Lampard impressed in his debut season as Blues manager but still finished 33 points behind Liverpool, and the former midfielder will be hoping to address inconsistency issues that plagued his team last season.

Who are the underdogs to win the Premier League?

Manchester United have not win the title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013 and they are 16/1 (17.0) to wrestle back the Premier League crown.

It was a season of two halves last time around for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who saw his side win just seven of their first 19 games but the signing Bruno Fernandes revitalised the Red Devils and a third-place finish was secured on the final day.

Arsenal enjoyed a strong end to the 2019-20 campaign with 16 points from their final nine games and are 40/1 (41.0) outsiders to win a first Premier League title in 17 years.

Their season was topped off by winning the FA Cup but it would take an exceptional season to translate that into league glory considering they have finished outside the top four for the last four years.

North London rivals Tottenham are 50/1 (51.0) to improve upon their sixth-place finish last season and win a first top-flight title since 1961.

Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino in November last term and his tally of 45 points was the fourth-most accrued since his hiring, behind only the champions and both Manchester sides.

Who are the outsiders to win the Premier League?

Leicester City were the surprise package of last season and are 150/1 (151.0) to go even further this season by winning a second Premier League title.

The Foxes were second at the halfway stage last time around, albeit still 13 points behind Liverpool, but completely imploded in 2020 to pick up just 23 points and miss out on Champions League football.

Wolves also threatened to reach the top four for a brief moment last season before coming seventh, and are 200/1 (201.0) to win the Premier League.

Everton finished 12th last season and it would take an incredible turnaround for them to top the table in May, with their 200/1 (201.0) price courtesy of the Toffees finishing 50 points behind Liverpool last term.

There is also 200/1 (201.0) available on newly-promoted Leeds United, with the bookies expecting big things from Marcelo Bielsa’s side on their return to the promised land after 16 years away.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Vinicius Junior has stated his desire to follow in the footsteps of “legends” Iker Casillas and Raul by helping Real Madrid to “lots of trophies”.

The Brazilian youngster is approaching the start of his third season at Santiago Bernabeu.

He is still just 20 years of age and remains a work in progress for the Blancos, with his full potential yet to be unlocked.

Real did, however, invest heavily in his ability and have always viewed him as one for the future.

They have already got 69 games and nine goals out of the South American starlet, with a La Liga title and Club World Cup success taken in along the way.

Vinicius believes there is more to come from him, with it his intention to emulate the efforts of some iconic figures from past and present in the Spanish capital.

“I have lots of support,” Vinicius told Yellow and Green Football.

“We realise that they're worried about us, the younger players, because we're the present and the future.

“At my age, only [Iker] Casillas and Raul have played more games than me and they're legends here. They won lots of trophies and I hope to be able to do the same.

“Sergio Ramos and Casemiro are my best role models here. I watch them train and I want to do that too. Their work ethic pushes me further.”

Vinicius revelled in helping Real to a domestic crown in 2019-20, but was denied the opportunity to aid their Champions League cause when overlooked for the second leg of a last-16 showdown with Manchester City that the Blancos lost 2-1.

He said of that decision from Zinedine Zidane: “I wanted to go on and help, but I play for the biggest club in the world where there are lots of talented players.

“The coach has lots of options going into a match, it's part of the game.

“It takes time, but we can and we have to understand each selection choice.”

Zidane’s side are set to open their 2020-21 La Liga campaign with a trip to Real Sociedad on September 20.

New Gor Mahia signing Tito Okello has challenged the club to shift focus on doing well in the continental scene now they are assured of winning the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title again.

The Ugandan striker, who signed for K’Ogalo from Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions Vipers SC, has revealed with good preparations, the club can achieve more in continental assignments.

“I have experienced the beauty of playing at the continental level,” Okello is quoted by the Gor Mahia website. “You feel special, you feel different, you win home matches, your fans are happy and you feel invincible.

“I know there are other local expectations like winning the Mashemeji Derby but I also know this is Gor Mahia and those no longer make the fans happy. They want the club to do well in Africa and that is what we as players should have as our first priority.

“With good training, planning, and coordination with his teammates, the focus is continental glory, winning domestic competitions will be achievable for the club.”

Okello has also revealed why he signed for K’Ogalo: “I know at Gor Mahia winning the league title is expected, not hoped for.

“So, once you get the privilege of playing here you aim to excite the fans. And to be honest, having followed their recent performance I think the only thing that would excite them now is if we played well at the continental arena.”

Okello was part of the Vipers squad that won the league title last season and also featured for the team in the Caf Champions League in 2018 where they failed to move past the play-offs.

The Ugandan has arrived at Gor Mahia at a time the club has lost several key players owing to the financial situation at the club.

Goalkeeper David Mapigano started the exodus at K’Ogalo after he joined Azam FC on a two-year deal while winger Dickson Ambudo, who had a good start at Gor Mahia in the initial part of the season before somewhat fading, joined the newly-promoted Tanzanian side Dodoma Jiji FC.

Joash Onyango signed for Simba SC whereas his partner at Gor Mahia Charles Momanyi is said to be on his way to rivals KCB. Winger Boniface Omondi was the first player to confirm an exit from Gor Mahia and joined Wazito FC alongside keeper Peter Odhiambo.

Yanga SC coach Zlatko Krmpotic has explained new signing Carlinhos was left out of the starting 11 because he was not physically ready to be involved in a competitive game.

The 27-time league champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania Prisons in their opening game of the 2020/21 Tanzania Mainland League match played on Sunday.

"It is a game which we wanted to win and I had to play those players I felt were ready," Krmpotic told the reporters.

"We did not use Carlinhos because he is not yet fit. He has not trained for long meaning we could not expose him. His time is coming and he will play; just that we could not throw him in a deep end just like that."

The Serbian also believes his team could have won the game if his strikers and attacking players could have been clinical in front of goal.

"Our captain Deus Kaseke had an open chance to score for us in the first half, too bad he could not capitalise on it, same with Tuisila Kisinda who we introduced in the second half," Krmpotic added.

"In the latter stages of the game, Yacouba Songne had a chance also but failed to convert it."

"I must admit my players were not physically prepared to endure the entire 90 minutes, and it is the reason we got [a draw]," the veteran coach revealed.

"In the first half, we played well the same as the second half, however, we struggled to finish the good moves. Even the subs we introduced did well, but sometimes in football, you need luck to win."

The 62-year-old has, however, picked up vital lessons ahead of their second game against Mbeya City.

"We need to get our game fitness on the right level to stand a chance of getting maximum points in our next game," Krmpotic continued.

"We have picked some lessons from the game [against Tanzania Prisons] and we are going to work on them to better the team."

Lambert Sabiyanka managed to beat Farouk Shikhalo in the Yanga goal in the seventh minute with his 30-yard shot.

The lead, however, lasted just 13 minutes as the Jangwani-based side fought hard for the equalizing goal.

Prisons defenders failed to clear a cross from the left, and the loose ball fell to new signing Michael Sarpong whose first-time shot was too much for the custodian to deal with.

Toni Kroos says Zinedine Zidane is "the best coach you could ask for" and that the Real Madrid boss has everything "under control" at the club.

Zidane is currently in the middle of his second managerial stint at Santiago Bernabeu.

The Frenchman's first spell in charge came between 2016 and 2018, which saw him deliver three consecutive Champions League crowns and one La Liga title.

He walked away from his post following a European Cup final victory over Liverpool, but returned nine months later after the Blancos' had suffered a dramatic decline in his absence.

Madrid have gradually emerged as a major force since welcoming Zidane back into the dugout, with the 2019-20 campaign proving to be a hugely successful one domestically.

The Blancos finished five points clear of arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish top flight to secure their first league title in three years, having won 10 of their final 11 fixtures post-lockdown.

Not even a disappointing last 16 Champions League defeat at the hands of Manchester City could dampen the jubilant mood at the Bernabeu, and Kroos is happy to give Zidane all the credit for Madrid's recent success.

The Germany international told Swiss publication Blick of a club legend's unique approach to management: “It helps that he was a great player himself. 

"He knows exactly what makes them tick and what it's like to be a Real Madrid player. He applies this knowledge superbly," explained Kroos.

"He's incredibly good at managing this group of stars. He meets every player at eye level, brings everyone on board and has everything around Real under control. 

"And he is also very good technically. He's the best coach you could ask for."

Kroos took in 43 appearances across all competitions for Madrid last term, taking his overall tally to 278 since joining the club from Bayern Munich in 2014.

The 30-year-old arrived in the Spanish capital following Germany's triumph at the World Cup in Brazil, but says he never could have imagined the success that would follow under Zidane's stewardship.

“I was then lucky enough to come to Madrid as a newly crowned world champion," Kroos added.

"But that I've been here for six years and won the Champions League three times in a row, that was more than I had hoped."