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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement that "East Bengal will play in the ISL (Indian Super League)" on Wednesday was music to the hears of the Red and Golds faithful.

After Kolkata-based Shree Cement Ltd emerged as the club's latest investor in the aftermath of Quess' exit in mid-July, East Bengal official Alvito D'Cunha expressed his pleasure over the development.

"It's great news. Actually, we were just waiting for the announcement to be made. May be it got delayed because of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus pandemic situation).

"For East Bengal, having such a rich history and so much of legacy with millions of supporters, getting a good investor is something which was bound to happen. It did move a bit slowly because of Covid, [but] finally the investor is there and [East Bengal's participation in] the ISL is also a great news for our fans all over the world."

The former India international, having spent nearly two decades with the Kolkata giants including donning the famous red and gold shirt for a good 14 years from 2002, added that the pressure was on East Bengal ever since arch-rivals Mohun Bagan merged with ATK to play in the upcoming ISL season as ATK Mohun Bagan.

"Basically, that is the reason why the East Bengal fans wanted [the club] to play in the ISL. Last year also, ISL was the number one league but nobody made so much chaos to ask why East Bengal is not playing [in the ISL]. This year, wherever we went, everybody kept on asking 'dada ('elder brother' in Bengali), are we going to play in the ISL this year?' But last year nobody asked because Mohun Bagan was also not there (in the ISL). 

Alvito felt that the possibility of the Kolkata derby not happening in a national in the 2020-21 season would certainly have unnerved all fans from Kolkata.

"They (East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans) just love to see one game and that is the [Kolkata] derby. Even at the end of the season, if we don't win a trophy but we beat Mohun Bagan, for them (East Bengal fans) it's a big thing. It's the same case with the Mohun Bagan fans. They must have been thinking, if Mohun Bagan plays in the ISL and East Bengal in the I-League, there would not be a derby."

Now it is just a matter of formality until Kolkata will have its second team in a 11-team ISL in 2020-21.

"The good part is that we are more or less there in the ISL. So it's going to be a good competition between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan that will carry forward."

The managerial roles and player contracts would be the next steps in the ironing out phase as the 42-year-old bottom-lined those discussions for the bosses.

On account of the Coronavirus pandemic, the seventh edition of the ISL - with East Bengal being part of it in all probabilities - is slated to be staged in Goa. The start date for the season and subsequently the fixtures are yet to be announced by the league.

The Indian Super League started in 2014 with eight teams and expanded to a 10-team league with the addition of Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC ahead of the 2017-18 season.

The now-defunct FC Pune City were replaced by newly-formed Hyderabad FC and Delhi Dynamos rebranded themselves as Odisha FC, keeping the number of participants same in the 2019-20 season. 

I-League champions Mohun Bagan and ATK merged to form a new entity ATK Mohun Bagan but that still did not increase the number of teams in the league. However, for the first time ever, ISL will have 11 teams taking part when they confirm the entry of East Bengal.

Meanwhile, I-League is also set to have 11 teams despite the exit of East Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, announced on Wednesday that the Red and Golds will take part in the upcoming season of ISL. And it looks like India's top-tier football league will have an odd number of participants this season - a scenario that is uncommon but not completely unheard of.

While most leagues consist of an even number of teams, this anomaly is likely in situations where there are new additions. Two years ago, The Major League Soccer (MLS) had 11 teams in the Eastern Conference and 12 clubs battling it out in the Western Conference, making up a total of 23 clubs for the regular season. For a three-year period from 2012, that number was 19. 

The Turkish Super League, which generally consists of 18 teams,  has decided to cancel the process of relegation due to the Coronavirus pandemic and thus, will allow 21 teams to participate next season. This was because the FA took into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on clubs who were supposed to be relegated. As it stands, the 21-team arrangement is just for one season.

There are also two examples from Africa, both of which occurred due to very different reasons. Cameroon's top division Elite One was split into two groups of nine teams. Kenya's 2019-20 season was reduced to 17 teams from 18 after just three matches because former champions Sony Sugar was expelled from the league for missing the first three games. 

Mexico's top division Liga MX is split into two campaigns every season - the Apertura and Clausura. A detailed explanation of how that works can be found here. While both consist of 18 teams each usually, the 2019 edition of the Apertura had 19 teams and lasted 19 weeks. 

The J3 League - Japan's third division - had 17 clubs in the 2018 season.

A league with an odd number of participants using a round-robin format would ensure that at least one team get a week-off every round.

The 2020-21 season of ISL is set to be played behind closed doors and the teams are likely to be grouped to be played in select venues. With East Bengal's potential entry, it will be interesting to see how the league calendar turns out. 

Elias Kachunga trained with English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday for the first time on Thursday morning.

Last season, he starred for Huddersfield last season, scoring three times in 36 league games as the Terriers finished 18th on a log of 24 teams.

And after seeing out his contract at the Kirkees Stadium, the DR Congo international joined Garry Monk’s men on a free transfer.

He worked out with his new teammates as the Hillsborough Stadium giants perfected their strategies ahead of Saturday’s English League Cup clash versus Walsall.

In the closed-door session, Kachunga trained alongside newly recruited players like Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Josh Windass, Massimo Luongo, Joey Pelupessy and Alex Hunt.

All things being equals, the 28-year-old could make his debut against Darrell Clarke’s Saddlers at the Bescot Stadium.

Meanwhile, manager Monk is pleased to have signed the highly-experienced striker.

“I’ve known Elias for many years. It was a no-brainer for me,” he told club media.

“He’s in his prime years and brings the attitude and quality that we want.

“I’m delighted to get him and he’s another player who wants to be here and face this challenge head on.”

Kachunga began his professional career with Borussia Monchengladbach, before heading to Paderdorn after completing loan moves to VfL Osnabruck and Hertha Berlin.

From the Benteler-Arena, he moved to FC Ingolstadt in 2015 for a club-record transfer fee of €1.7 million. There, he signed a season-long loan deal with an option to buy at the end with Huddersfield Town in June 2016.

On the international scene, he represented Germany at U19 and U21 levels before opting out to represent DR Congo at senior level. His only cap came in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Kenya on 26 March, 2017.

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof has opened up about how he came to apprehend a thief that attempted to steal a bag belonging to his 90-year-old aunty. 

While staying in the Swedish town of Vasteras, Lindelof saw his elderly relative have her bag snatched by a would-be robber on a bicycle late last month. 

Rather than stand idly by in shock, however, the 26-year-old sprung into action as he successfully chased down the thief and held him in place until police arrived. 

While Lindelof's actions sound like something straight out of a movie, the man himself downplayed his involvement, stressing it was a natural instinct to get justice for his helpless aunt. 

"I did not think much. I just wanted to help my aunt get her bag back," Lindelof told Sport Bladet.

"Everything went very fast. I did not think much. I just wanted to help my aunt get her bag back and what she had in it. It was nothing more than that, I just wanted to help."

Unsurprisingly, Lindelof's aunty was very thankful for her nephew's actions and told local media she plans on inviting him to lunch in appreciation. 

As it stands no meal has been arranged with the coronavirus pandemic making any close contact with the elderly aunty difficult. 

"I have not had any contact with her, unfortunately. I think it was my brother who showed me that she did an interview and invited me over for lunch," Lindelof said. 

"We will see if it can happen before I go back, but it will probably be a little difficult during corona times."

Sweden's national team manager Janne Andersson also recently praised Lindelof for his actions as the duo prepare to unite for Nations League games against France and Portugal.

"It is downright evil to rob 90-year-old ladies, but if that happens now, it is good that there are guys like Victor with civil courage, high morals and a lot of emotions," Andersson said.

"Victor is a sensitive guy so when he sees this I understand that he reacts as he did. Fantastically well done. 

"I have not talked to him, but I will pat him as much as you can in these times when we meet on Monday. More such civil courage in more people would be good for society."

Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann hopes that he will continue to line up alongside Lionel Messi next season, while recognising that it is down to the club and player to resolve their differences. 

Messi shocked the Barca world last week after sending a telegram in which he stated his intentions of leaving the club immediately on a free transfer. 

Barcelona contested Messi's freedom to make such a move under the terms of his current contract and since the news broke Camp Nou has been struck by uncertainty, as Manchester City sit poised as the reported front-runners should the Argentine wizard cut short his 20-year association with the club. 

Griezmann has just finished his first season as part of the Blaugrana forward line with the club captain and admits that he is hoping for good news. 

"We are trying to stay updated with the issue, but it is between him and the club," the France international, currently on duty for his national team ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League clashes against Portugal and Croatia, explained to M6 on Thursday. 

"We only hope that he stays. I am trying to stay focused on the national team and prepare well for the next two games. 

"We have heard a little of everything but we don't know anything else about all this affair."

Griezmann's chances of retaining Messi as a team-mate appeared to receive a boost on Thursday with the first official sign from the player's camp that he could be prepared to see out his contract, which expires in 2021. 

The star's father and agent Jorge flew into Barcelona this week from his native Rosario in order to oversee talks with the club, and subsequently told reporters that those negotiations had gone "well". 

Messi Sr. also replied in the affirmative when asked whether there was a chance of his son remaining at Camp Nou for the 2020-21 season, while La Liga has also ruled that under the terms of the star's current contract any interested club would have to meet his €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause or else negotiate a suitable fee with those in charge at Barcelona.

Jose Gaya snatched a 95th-minute equaliser as Spain escaped Stuttgart with a 1-1 draw against Germany, who are still looking for their first Nations League win.

Joachim Low's side drew two and lost two in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2018-19 but looked to be heading for victory after Timo Werner crowned a wonderful team move in the 51st minute.

Spain were indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea for keeping them in the contest with a string of fine saves and pulled level deep into stoppage time.

Debutant Ferran Torres got to the right byline and Gaya smuggled home a finish from Rodrigo Moreno's header down.

Toni Kroos' impeccable deliveries unsettled Spain early on, with De Gea down sharply to keep out a Thilo Kehrer header at his near post.

It quickly became an impressive outing for the under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper, who denied Julian Draxler before flinging himself brilliantly to his right to turn a rasping Leroy Sane effort over the bar in the 18th minute.

In between those two Germany chances, an elaborate mix-up between Emre Can and De Gea's opposite number Kevin Trapp gave Rodrigo a glorious chance to open the scoring, but Leeds United's new record signing dithered and the goalkeeper got back to scramble clear.

Luis Enrique's side found themselves opened up six minutes into the second half.

Ilkay Gundogan launched a gorgeous cross-field pass to debutant Robin Gosens, romping forward from left wing-back. Sane dummied the Atalanta man's pass and Werner showed slick footwork before dispatching the finish beyond De Gea.

Sane burst clear of the Spain backline with an hour played but wastefully overhit his pass across goal to Werner, who could only fire into the side netting.

Thiago Alcantara, doing much to ensure the visitors controlled large passages of play, thundered a shot just wide from the edge of the box in the 70th minute before the equaliser came from a more unexpected source.

What does it mean? Germany impress without Bayern stars

Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry were given this international break to recuperate by Low after inspiring Bayern Munich to Champions League glory. The strength of the line-up he was able to put out and the performance they produced spoke volumes of the enviable depth that suggests the four-time world champions can emerge confidently from a tricky couple of years. They might even win a Nations League game soon!

De Gea back on song

De Gea endured a miserable end to the 2019-20 season and those ordeals at club level can be traced back to him losing form for Spain at the 2018 World Cup. He followed his string of first-half saves with another fine stop from Niklas Sule late on, by which point this felt like a restorative performance from a keeper whose place at United will come under threat from Dean Henderson in the coming campaign.

Concern for Sane

Bayern newboy Sane was starting his first competitive match for 13 months since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage. Understandably, his work was as ragged as it was at times impressive – never more so than the botched pass to Werner, after which he limped gingerly from the action. The winger was all smiles with Low immediately afterwards, so perhaps those in Bavaria can rest easy.

What's next?

Spain host Ukraine on Sunday, when Germany travel to Switzerland.

Barcelona's teenage star Ansu Fati became Spain's youngest debutant since 1936 when he took the pitch against Germany on Thursday. 

Fati, 17, was one of the few bright spots in a Barca season marred by poor results on the pitch - which led to the club finishing the campaign without a single trophy - and instability away from Camp Nou. 

The youngster made his debut at just 16 years and 298 days on August 25, 2019 against Betis, and went on to make 33 appearances in all competitions in his maiden season, scoring eight goals. 

He was subsequently called up to Luis Enrique's squad for the latest international window, the first since the coronavirus pandemic caused much of European football to close back in March. 

And with Spain tied 0-0 in their UEFA Nations League clash against Germany, Fati was thrown into the action after half time to help sharpen the Roja's attack. 

The forward is aged 17 years and 308 days, making him the second-youngest footballer ever to play for Spain in the nation's history. 

Fati additionally became the 800th full Spain international as he replaced veteran Jesus Navas at the break, as well as the first Roja member to have been born in Guinea-Bissau.

Not since Angel Zubieta had La Roja fielded such a young player at senior level. 

Zubieta, who played much of his career in Argentina for San Lorenzo after fleeing his native Bilbao during the Spanish Civil War, debuted at 17 years and 284 days against Czechoslovakia in April 1936, the first of just two appearances he made for Spain prior to the outbreak of the conflict. 

The podium is completed by another player with Barca ties; Bojan Krkic, who in 2008 made his international debut aged 18 years and 13 days.

Fati was unable to save his country from Nations League defeat, as Germany struck through Timo Werner in the second half to take a 1-0 victory. 

As well as the Barcelona youngster two further Spain players received their first taste of senior international football: Manchester City's Ferran Torres and highly rated Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. 

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has been withdrawn from Didier Deschamps' latest France squad after contracting Covid-19, while Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed three more positive cases.

Mandanda was initially called up for international duty by Les Bleus ahead of UEFA Nation's League fixtures against Sweden and Croatia this month, along with Tottenham shot-stopper Hugo Lloris and Lille's Mike Maignan.

However, Deschamps will now have to draft in a replacement for the 35-year-old, who has tested positive for coronavirus after the latest round of testing at Clairefontaine.

The French Football Federation (FFP) have released an official statement confirming the news, which reads: "The tricolor goalkeeper Steve Mandanda will not participate in the next two matches of the Blues in Sweden and against Croatia, within the framework of the League of Nations.

"As stipulated by the UEFA regulations, the entire French squad underwent a virological test on Wednesday, September 2 at the beginning of the afternoon in Clairefontaine.

"Dr Franck Le Gall, the doctor of the French team, learned of the results of all these tests on Thursday.

"Steve Mandanda's tested positive for Covid-19, and the goalkeeper performed a second PCR test during the day. This new test was also positive. 

"Steve Mandanda will therefore not be able to participate in the match in Sweden and will leave the squad on Friday morning."

Mandanda will now undertake a two-week period in self-isolation before he can return to action with Marseille, as the new Ligue 1 season continues to be disrupted by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Paris Saint-Germain have officially announced that three more players have contracted the illness ahead of their opening game of the campaign against Lens, which is due to take place next Thursday.

The French champions will now be without six members of their first-team squad for at least the next 14 days, with the club releasing the following update via their official Twitter account: "The latest SarsCoV2 PCR tests carried out within the Paris Saint-Germain squad confirm the result of three new positive cases.

"These players follow the appropriate health protocol."

PSG's clash with Lens had already been moved from August 29 to September 10 following their appearance in the Champions League final, and there is now a strong chance that the fixture will be rescheduled again in order to contain the latest outbreak of coronavirus.

Marseille saw a curtain-raiser against Saint Etienne called off on August 19 after they announced three positive cases, but they were able to get back on the pitch 11 days later as they recorded a 3-2 away win over Brest. 

Kenyan Premier League side Gor Mahia have signed Andrew Malisero Numero.

The Malawian, 17, has signed a three-year contract with K’Ogalo becoming the third foreign talent to have signed already. Ugandan forward Tito Okello was signed from Vipers SC before Cameroonian Bertrand Konfor was brought on board.

“Andrew Malisero becomes the first Malawian to play for Gor Mahia after penning a three-year deal,” Gor Mahia announced on Thursday.

“Andrew can play both as an attacking midfielder and striker and will provide much needed attacking options to the team.

“Welcome, Andrew.”

Numero becomes the second signing to be confirmed in a single day by the Green Army after the earlier arrival of Kennedy Wesonga.

The Malawian – signed from African Warriors FC of South Africa - has been unveiled as fans also remain eager to see how the pursuit to bring Burundian international Jules Ulimwengu will pan out.

According to a source close to Gor Mahia, Ulimwengu is expected to be the final player to be signed.

“The club has been busy as you have seen,” the source told Goal.

“We are not done yet and the player you are alluding to [Ulimwengu] could be on his way and will be signed because I believe Gor Mahia and him have agreed on most details of the contract.

“He could be unveiled tomorrow or just the days after and it should be the end of our transfer business.”

The signing of Numero and Konfor comes while the future of Ghanaian Jackson Owusu remains a doubt.

In a previous interview, Gor Mahia head coach Steven Polack stated he was confident the midfielder would return to the country after leaving when the league was cancelled.

Owusu was the subject of a Buruburu Hotel controversy after he was denied essential services when the club failed to pay his bills.

Gor Mahia had rented the facility for him to stay since he signed but his time at Gor Mahia came as they faced hard-hitting financial constraints.

Forward Benson Omalla, midfielder Sydney Ochieng, goalkeeper Samuel Njau, and defender Wesonga were acquired from Western Stima whereas Andrew Juma was signed from Mathare United.

Gor Mahia are in a process of restructuring the playing unit in anticipation of a better campaign in the 2020/21 Caf Champions League.

They, alongside Wazito FC, are the KPL clubs who have been busier in the transfer market. They have moved with speed to cover the gaping holes that were left by Joash Onyango, Boniface Omondi, David Mapigano, Fredrick Odhiambo and Dickson Ambundo.

Thiago can bring "finesse" to Liverpool, according to Jamie Redknapp, who says the Bayern Munich star would add new dimension to Jurgen Klopp's midfield.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Thiago in recent months, and speculation over his future at Allianz Arena is beginning to intensify ahead of the new season.

Bayern are reportedly holding out for a €30 million (£27m/$36m) fee for a prized asset, who has made it clear that he would like to undertake a new challenge away from Allianz Arena.

The Spain international has spent the last seven years of his career in Germany, having joined up with the Bavarians from Barcelona in the summer of 2013.

He helped Bayern win 16 major trophies in total, including seven Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, but the club have confirmed that he is seeking a transfer after turning down the chance to sign a contract extension.

Redknapp thinks Thiago would be a valuable addition to the current Liverpool squad, with it his belief that the 2019-20 Premier League champions are still lacking a creative spark in the middle of the pitch.

"We've often spoken about how good Liverpool's midfield are, how hard-working they are, but sometimes they maybe lack that bit of finesse and that little bit of quality," the former Reds star told Sky Sports.

"Thiago would give them something completely different, he's one of the best midfield players in the world. He dictates the play, plays at his own pace.

"Sometimes, especially when you go to tough places in the Premier League, you cannot beat teams by going 100 mph all the time, you need a little bit of finesse and for someone to do things differently.

"Many years ago Liverpool had midfield players like Ronnie Whelan and Jan Molby who could just slow the game down and play at a tempo that suited them, Thiago could do that.

"We saw him in the Champions League final where he completely bossed the game, had so many touches of the ball and made the game look easy."

Redknapp added on the need for Liverpool to strengthen in the transfer window in order to maintain their recent success: "Graeme Souness always talks about Liverpool's dominance in the '80s.

"The first thing they would do after winning the league would be to sign one or two players just to freshen things up and keep everyone on their toes. Sir Alex Ferguson certainly did that as well.

"I wouldn't necessarily say Liverpool have to go all in for Thiago, you've got to be careful in the transfer market.

"But Thiago would be a really good signing for Liverpool, and one who could give everybody a bit of a lift and make sure everybody knows there will be no resting on their laurels ahead of next season."

There's a high chance that you've heard the term "can they do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke" used in both serious and sardonic manners.

But what exactly does it mean? Goal takes a look.

Mythbuster: Would Messi really struggle in the Premier League?

The expression was made famous by commentator Andy Gray, who was discussing a Manchester City vs Everton game in 2010-11 with Richard Keys.

Keys brought up the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who at the time were still dominating European football and had been nominated for the 2010 Ballon d'Or.

"He would struggle on a cold night at the Britannia Stadium," the ex-Aston Villa forward told presenter Keys.

The Argentina striker was in particular at the peak of his Barcelona heyday under the management of Pep Guardiola, a talisman in Blaugrana colours.

Gray commended Messi for all his skill at Camp Nou, but suggested that the striker might not be able to replicate his prolific goal-scoring form should he play in the Premier League.

It was Gray's belief that Messi would specifically have a hard time playing against Stoke, whose ground the Britannia Stadium is notoriously unfriendly for visiting teams.

At the time of the 2010-11 season, Stoke had a reputation for being one of the most defensively-minded teams in the Premier League, known for their harsh tackles and long throw-ins that made it tricky for opposition teams to dominate.

Stoke's commanding presence in the midfield and defensively, would, in Gray's mind, make it extremely hard for Messi to score against at the kind of success he has enjoyed in Spain.

He said Messi would struggle to score against a Stoke team in their home ground on a "cold winter night" – figurative language used to showcase the bleak and ominous English weather, especially for those playing in forward positions – with the likes of snow, hail, rain or even a combination of all three a possibility (conditions that are much more improbable in Spain).

Thus, the phrase was born.

The fact that Messi has struggled playing against English teams in the Champions League in recent times has only reinforced the notion, but the phrase has also been debunked and deemed asinine when regarding his legacy.

As Messi had once said to Sky Sports: "Those that say that [I couldn't play in England] should realise I played in awful conditions in Rosario when I was 11 years old, with glass on the pitch, with holes and everything!"

The expression has retained its popularity since its inception in 2010, with it commonly used in a tongue-in-cheek manner to describe any non-Premier League player's potential, not just Messi.

It has also been used to make slight mockery of Gray, the phrase used in a non-serious, joking way.

Indeed, Messi has been heavily linked to Manchester City following a fallout with Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu amid a particular difficult time for the Catalan side.

A reunion with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was touted as a factor that would ultimately sway Messi into moving to the Premier League – so the thought of the Argentina star forced to "do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke" could be a reality.

Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has confirmed the women's senior national team will face Chile in a pre-Olympic Games international friendly later this year.

Bruce Mwape's team will take on La Roja in a two-legged warm-up game, with the first leg on November 28 in Santiago de Chile and the second fixture at the same venue three days later.

In March, the Copper Queens pipped Cameroon 2-1 in Lusaka to qualify for the first Olympic Games in their history on away goals after drawing 4-4 on aggregate, with a 3-2 first-leg loss in Yaounde.

Since then, they are yet to play a match owing to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic but local media claimed FAZ were considering friendlies with Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria.

"The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) has clinched an international friendly match for the Zambia women national team against Chile as part of preparations for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games," Faz announced on social media.

"Zambia will play Chile on November 28 and December 1 in Santiago as the Copper Queens build-up for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics that will be staged in Japan in 2021."

Chile, who are ranked 37th in the world are eyeing qualification to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo but must see off Cameroon in a South America/Africa play-off showdown next year.

And Adrian Kashala, the Faz General Secretary, who broke the news of the friendly on Thursday, believes the encounter with the South Americans will offer the Copper Queens a good test. 

 “We are happy to announce that we have organized a high profile match for our senior women's national team with Chile," he told Faz media. 

"We believe that this will give the team a taste of high profile opposition as we will be flying the continent’s flag in Tokyo."

It would be Zambia's first-ever match against the South American side as they gear up for their maiden campaign at the Olympics.

With the Cameroon showdown in sight, La Roja will aim to further test their strength against an African side this year after triumphs over Kenya and Ghana to win the 2020 Turkish Women's Cup.

Mathare United have penned an emotional message to midfielder Roy Okal, who officially signed for Sofapaka on Thursday.

Batoto ba Mungu had a week ago confirmed their first signings of goalkeeper Kevin Omondi and Okal but the transfer of the latter was officially announced on Thursday after the two parties reached an agreement.

His exit has forced Mathare United to pen an emotional sendoff message, wishing the player all the best in his future assignments.

“You turn a new leaf in your career at Roy Okal and though we would have wanted you to remain and play in the yellow and green until further notice, the time came calling, and we understand the need to seek new challenges,” the club wrote on their social media pages.

“You served well and all we can do is wish you all the best at your new work station. Once a Slum Boy, always a Slum boy. Oh, and never ever lose that infectious smile.”

Okal has also taken to his social media page to reveal his delight at signing for Sofapaka ahead of the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) pencilled to kick-off in October.

“I'm so delighted to have signed with Sofapaka,” Okal wrote. “It's a pleasure and honour to don the blue and white jersey of this great club. Looking forward to a good time, memories, and stay at BatotoBaMungu.

“Ready to give my best for the club.”

Okal was groomed by the Laiser Hill High School, an institution that has produced a number of Kenyan stars including Musa Masika, who is at Wazito FC and is a target for AFC Leopards.

The 24-year old has played for the NSL side Ushuru FC before and had a stint in Greece too.

On Thursday, Sofapaka President Elly Kalekwa confirmed to Goal they are still negotiating with Gor Mahia midfielder Lawrence Juma over a possible transfer in this window.

We are talking to Lawrence [Juma], we have been talking and are still talking,” Kalekwa told Goal. “We gave him our offer and he asked to go scrutinize it and then get back to us, so we are waiting.

“It is a good offer, which suits the player and I am confident he will take it, but we don’t want to push him, he is a big man, who can make his own decision, so we are waiting.

“He is a quality midfielder, who can add some quality stuff to my squad, we want to build a strong squad for the new season and we are looking at the best players on the market to beef up our squad.”

Kalekwa also confirmed he had reached an agreement to bring on board two foreign players – a striker from Nigeria and a defender from Rwanda.

Former Asante Kotoko attacker Osei Kofi has highlighted the club's unique bond with fans, revealing a supporter once presented his son for human sacrifice to restore the club's good fortune.

Regarded as the greatest player to have ever featured for the Porcupine Warriors by a section of fans, Kofi spent 14 years with the club between 1961 and 1975.

Among his highlights, the winger helped Kotoko win the 1970 African Cup of Champions Clubs [now Caf Champions League], a year after scoring four times to become the first Ghanaian to score four goals in a Caf inter-club game.

"Anyone who will come to Kotoko, the advice is to come and serve rather than coming to make a fortune because if you serve well, you will get the wealth you desire," Kofi, who also won the 1965 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Ghana, told Angel FM. He is now a reverend minister.

"I remember we lost about three successive games during my time with Kotoko and one supporter who was a huge admirer of me and Wilberforce Mfum approached us.

"He came to insult us as to why we will be there for other clubs to come and disgrace Kotoko. We intentionally told him that we are not the cause but we've gone to seek spiritual help and we've been told to perform a human sacrifice before the club can start winning games.

"The man went away and came back after three days with his son and asked us to use his son for the sacrifice so the club can start winning games again."

After the 1970 feat, Kotoko won the cup for a second time in 1983 and have since struggled to lay their hands on any continental title.

The Porcupine Warriors' closest opportunity to ruling Africa once again in recent times was in 2005 when they lost in the 2004 Caf Confederation Cup final to country rivals Hearts of Oak.

On the domestic scene, the club has lifted the Ghana Premier League (GPL) title more times than any other side, clinching the royal diadem on 23 occasions. Their last title remains a 2014 success.

Kotoko, who celebrated their 85th anniversary on Monday, are believed to hold the largest fanbase among any Ghanaian club. 

Leicester cult hero Shinji Okazaki has opened up on studying English with his "fantastic" former colleague N'Golo Kante and his astonishment at Jamie Vardy's achievements, while also explaining why Ben Chilwell can succeed at Chelsea.

Few would have predicted that Okazaki would become a part of one of the greatest sides in Premier League history when he moved to Leicester from Mainz in the summer of 2015.

The Foxes had just escaped relegation before the Japan international's arrival, but they stormed to the title under Claudio Ranieri in his first full season at the King Power Stadium.

Kante, Vardy and Riyad Mahrez all became stars overnight, while the likes of Okazaki, Marc Albrighton and Danny Drinkwater earned a permanent place in the club's hall of fame.

Unfortunately, Leicester were unable to hold on to most of those key figures, and the squad broke up following Ranieri's sacking in 2017.

Okazaki moved onto pastures new last summer with Malaga, however, his contract was terminated after just 30 days due to a registration issue which centred around the club's inability to match his wages.

The 34-year-old was swiftly snapped up by Huesca on free transfer, and he is now winding his career down in La Liga, but still fondly remembers his time in the Premier League.

Okazaki says one of the players he enjoyed playing alongside the most was Kante, who left Leicester to join Chelsea straight after their top-flight triumph, due to his ability on the pitch and his disarming personality off it.

"Kante joined Leicester in summer 2015 from Caen. He wasn’t that well known then, but I remember I thought ‘he is a fantastic player’ as soon as he started," the Japanese forward told Goal.

"We studied English together too. He has wonderful nature as well. He’s been playing matches, gaining experience and constantly evolving. Fantastic."

Okazaki also reserved special praise for Vardy, highlighting the English striker's explosiveness in the final third, deceptive speed and deadly finishing prowess.

"[He's] a man who the team can really count on. Having him puts pressure on the opponent’s defenders," he said. "A dangerous player for the full 90 minutes to the opponent.

"His runs into space and responses to loose balls are great too. Even when his teammates wonder if Vardy’s condition is not good, he suddenly scores a wonderful goal!

"Vardy is a player who has proved himself in the result. In my days at Leicester, he was also my rival for our position, but he’s produced results that can only be admired.

"It was like, ‘I cannot complain if you play like that!’. When playing together with him, looking at that very speedy Vardy from behind, there were many times he made me surprised like ‘Damn, he’s done it! How could he do that?’"

One man who gradually emerged as a first-team star at Leicester while Okazaki was at the club was Chilwell, who recently earned a big-money move to Chelsea.

The Huesca star is confident that the England international will make a strong impact at Stamford Bridge, having seen him develop his all-round game at an impressive rate in recent years.

Okazaki added on Chilwell's rise to prominence: "He is a player who became a regular at Leicester, was then called by the England national team, and has grown rapidly since then. My impression of him is that he is a great attacker on the left side.

"The quality of his build-up and attacking mechanism are improving steadily. He also has strong stamina. He is a good player."

Fifa and Caf's 2018-19 Ghana Football Normalisation Committee (NC) chairman Kofi Amoah believes the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) acted appropriately in declaring the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in a legal battle with Tema Youth president Wilfred Kwaku Osei 'Palmer' on Tuesday.

The global tribunal dismissed an Osei Palmer appeal to nullify the FA's presidential election conducted under the supervision of the now defunct NC last October, the club chief having sought redress for a supposed unfair disqualification from the contest.

After facing the Elections Vetting Committee, the Tema Youth chief's candidacy was rejected for breaching regulations following the transfer of a player of his now second-tier club. The side until 2017 played in the Premier League (GPL).

“It’s a complete vindication which must be embraced in Ghana here that organisations that are ruled by statutes and regulations, the members of those organizations must respect those regulations and statutes," Amoah told Ghana Web.

"This case had nothing to do with any personality clash. I didn’t know Palmer from anywhere until I joined the Normalisation Committee.

“We went strictly in doing our work by the mandate given to us by Fifa and by the regulations of football, including the statutes and the GFA regulations.

"Here is a clear case of an association that has decided properly, discussed and enacted by Congress that to develop football, any club that transfers a player must pay 10 per cent to the GFA.

"Tema Youth club is aware and so is Palmer and he confirmed that to the NC. The arrogance with which he refused to do it could not establish the integrity of such a person as to come and run an organisation [GFA]."

After his disqualification, Palmer challenged the decision at the national level with an appeal which was rejected by the NC for late submission.

The Tema Youth president then moved on to CAS to overturn the NC's decision and invalidate the elections which was ultimately won by Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku.

The GFA presidency became vacant in 2018 following the unceremonious end of the Kwesi Nyantakyi-led administration by a bribery and corruption scandal in June 2018.

Rumoured Real Madrid and Manchester United target Benoit Badiashile will not be sold by Monaco this transfer window, according to the Ligue 1 club's head coach Niko Kovac.

The 19-year-old defender has already made 48 appearances for Monaco in all competitions and particularly caught the eye prior to the curtailment of the 2019-20 French domestic season.

Recent reports suggested Man Utd had made an opening bid of £22.28million (€25m) for the France youth international, which Monaco were quick to knock back.

Kovac has declared Badiashile, who has played a full part in Monaco's opening two Ligue 1 matches of the new season, is going nowhere for at least another year.

"Our aim is to take him to the next level," he told TF1. "If he plays a lot of matches with us in Ligue 1, which is a very good league, he will improve, that is certain. 

"We do not want to sell him that is very clear. He will stay here this season. I think that this is the best solution for him. He has his club here, his family. He knows the environment."

Badiashile made his debut for Monaco in November 2018 and signed a new deal last December that runs until 2024.

The younger brother of goalkeeper Loic Badiashile, also on Monaco's books, the defender has represented France at every level from Under-16 to 19, and featured 20 times for his club over the course of 2019-20, cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Monaco have begun the 2020-21 season in strong fashion, picking up a win and a draw in their opening two matches to occupy third place behind Nice and Bordeaux (defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are yet to play in the current campaign due to their commitments in the latter stages of the Champions League in August.)

The principality side will be keen to improve upon their ninth-placed finish in the curtailed 2019-20 season which left them out of European football, moving in the transfer market to sign Caio Henrique from Atletico Madrid and Leverkusen's Kevin Volland while stepping up their efforts to keep stars such as Badiashile.

Olivier Giroud has backed Thiago Silva to "adapt very quickly" to the Premier League, while insisting the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star will bring experience and "leadership" to Chelsea.

Silva's eight-year spell at PSG came to an end when his contract expired following August's Champions League final.

The 35-year-old played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in Europe's showpiece event, as the French champions narrowly missed out on a first-ever continental crown.

However, the Brazil international still left Parc des Princes with his head held high, having won a total of 23 trophies during his time the club, including seven Ligue 1 titles.

Silva received offers from a number of top clubs upon his departure, but Chelsea ultimately won the race for his signature, and handed him a one-year contract with the option to extend by an extra season.

Some supporters and experts have suggested that the veteran centre-back's best years are now behind him, and that he will struggle to adjust to the rigorous demands of English football.

However, Giroud is certain that Silva still has plenty to offer at the highest level, and thinks he will prove to be a valuable role model in the dressing room for the club's next generation to look up to.

"He can bring his experience, his background and his leadership. I think the coach took him for that. We have a lot of young players," The Blues striker told a press conference while away on international duty with France.

"He still has his qualities, of course, even if like me he is getting a little older, but I'm sure he will bring us a lot.

"He is going to discover a new league and I am sure he will adapt very quickly. We have a lot of ambitions this year with the recruitment and I hope we can join the race for the title."

Chelsea have already signed five new players this summer including Silva, with the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell also joining up with Lampard's squad in west London.

Werner's presence could see Giroud's place in the team come under threat, but the 33-year-old is determined to "fight" for his spot next season.

The France international believes his impressive form post-lockdown holds him on good stead to continue playing regularly, and that he can still offer the Blues a different dimension up front.

"Everyone knows I was close to leaving Chelsea last winter," he said.

"I took my chance after the transfer window. It was a big victory for me and a big challenge.

"I am confident for the coming year which will be good and busy at Chelsea. In every big club, there is competition. It motivates me. I still want to fight for my place.

"I am not naive. The club recruited Timo Werner to play, but we don't have the same profile. If it had been a striker with the same profile, I would have been more worried."

Pressed on how he has found working under Lampard at Stamford Bridge, Giroud responded: "Our relationship has evolved. During the period when we were looking for a solution for me to leave Chelsea, I got to know him. We had a few face-to-face meetings. It was positive.

"He also got to know me a little bit better. He gave me my chance after confinement. He knows my values and my professionalism.

"I have a good relationship with him, but he won't make me play every game. I must continue to perform well in training by showing him my desire to be in the starting XI."

Giroud is currently preparing for UEFA Nation's League fixtures against Sweden and France with the rest of Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus squad, and has been impressed by Eduardo Camavinga in training.

The Chelsea star said of the Rennes teenager: "Eduardo impresses the team with his maturity, off or on the pitch. I had seen a few matches of him with Stade Rennais, so I'm not surprised.

"He is very comfortable, he is a very very promising player, so young, 17 years old! When he arrived at the castle (Clairefontaine), I met a smiling, natural, spontaneous boy.

"I think it's the start of a very long adventure for him in the France team."

Sevilla director of football Monchi claims there have been no formal approaches for the club's star defender Diego Carlos, while revealing that progress has been made in wrapping up a permanent move for Bono. 

Diego Carlos, 27, came to attention during Sevilla's successful Europa League run, which culminated in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Inter in the final. 

The Brazilian, who joined from Nantes at the start of 2019-20, was in the thick of the action in the decider, conceding an early penalty before redeeming himself with a stunning overhead kick that gave his side the lead late in the game. 

He was also a dependable presence in the Sevilla backline throughout the interrupted Liga season, making 35 appearances as the Andalusians clinched fourth place behind Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City have been strongly linked with the player, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also reportedly following him with an eye to an offer ahead of the 2020-21 season. 

Monchi, however, is adamant that any interest exist purely as media speculation. 

"All I know about any offer is what I have read in the papers," the director explained to reporters in Thursday's press conference, convened to welcome Ivan Rakitic back to Sevilla after completing his transfer from Barcelona. 

"No club has called about Diego Carlos and if everything proceeds normally he will be back to train with his team-mates and thinking about the UEFA Super Cup."

While Diego Carlos played his part in regaining the Europa League for Sevilla, it was goalkeeper Bono who proved his side's unlikely hero with a string of brilliant performances on the way to the trophy. 

The Montreal-born Morocco international spent 2019-20 on loan at the club from Girona; and unsurprisingly, the Andalusians are now keen to make that move permanent, although they will attempt to negotiate the €4.5 million release clause fee agreed with his parent club prior to the financial ravages caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We are making great progress with Girona in talks to buy him, which are unrelated to the buyout option," Monchi explained. 

"We are waiting for everything to be closed and signed to take it public, but we are optimistic."